Xiaomi’s MIUI (pronounced as “MEE-UI”) is one of the most popular custom Android skins in the world. It’s packed with features, tools, and customization options that enhance the user experience and make it uniquely different from stock Android. MIUI doesn’t just offer a polished interface – it’s a full-fledged operating system with numerous built-in tools and options to personalize and optimize your device.
In this complete guide, we’ll dive deep into the key MIUI features and explore the best customization options and tools available for Xiaomi smartphones. Whether you’re new to MIUI or looking to explore all the advanced features, this guide will help you get the most out of your device.
What is MIUI?
MIUI is a custom Android-based operating system developed by Xiaomi for its smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices. It offers a modified user interface that provides additional features, optimizations, and customizations not found in the stock Android experience. Over the years, MIUI has evolved into a highly refined skin with tons of options to personalize your phone and make it uniquely yours.
The MIUI interface includes a combination of visual enhancements, system tweaks, and unique apps that enhance performance, security, and user experience. As of 2024, MIUI 15 is the latest version, offering even more features and refinements.
Key Features of MIUI
1. Highly Customizable User Interface (UI)
One of the standout features of MIUI is its ability to completely change the look of the system. Xiaomi has added several options for visual customization that allow users to personalize their device extensively.
1.1 Themes
MIUI supports a rich theme engine, where users can download and apply different themes, which change everything from the home screen layout to system icons, wallpapers, and sounds. The MIUI Themes Store has thousands of free and premium themes available, making it easy to customize the look and feel of your phone.
- Custom Icons: You can install icon packs from the MIUI Theme Store or from third-party sources.
- Custom Wallpapers: Use dynamic or static wallpapers. MIUI even offers live wallpapers and wallpaper carousel options, which change the wallpaper on your lock screen every day.
- Font Customization: MIUI allows you to change the system font, giving you a more personalized feel. There are several font options in the MIUI Themes Store.
1.2 Always-On Display (AOD)
MIUI offers Always-On Display (AOD) functionality, which shows essential information (time, date, notifications) on your lock screen without waking up the phone. You can customize AOD with different styles and designs, or even use an image or a signature as the display.
1.3 Dark Mode
MIUI comes with a built-in Dark Mode that works across the system, including supported apps, making it easier on the eyes and saving battery life. You can schedule it to turn on at certain times or have it activate based on ambient light.
2. Enhanced Security Features
Xiaomi has always focused on making MIUI a secure experience with a range of built-in tools and options to protect your privacy.
2.1 App Lock
MIUI allows you to lock apps individually with a PIN, password, or fingerprint. This is useful for securing apps containing sensitive information, such as messaging or banking apps. You can access the App Lock feature via the Settings app under Privacy.
2.2 Second Space
The Second Space feature allows you to create a completely separate, secure environment on your Xiaomi phone. It’s like having two phones in one. You can set up a different home screen, apps, settings, and even lock it with a password or fingerprint. It’s perfect for users who want to keep their personal and professional lives separate or for privacy-conscious users.
2.3 Privacy Protection
MIUI provides a Privacy Protection dashboard that shows you how your apps use permissions, such as access to your camera, location, and microphone. It helps you control which apps have access to sensitive data.
2.4 Face Unlock & Fingerprint Scanner
MIUI offers Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock for added security. Xiaomi has optimized both features to work quickly and reliably, even in low-light conditions.
3. MIUI Performance Optimization
MIUI is known for its performance optimizations and battery-saving features. Xiaomi has integrated several tools that help improve the overall user experience, making the phone faster, smoother, and more efficient.
3.1 MI Turbo
MI Turbo is designed to optimize the performance of Xiaomi smartphones over time. It aims to improve the longevity of the device, prevent slowdowns, and enhance overall system responsiveness. This feature is available in the MIUI Security app.
3.2 Battery Saver
MIUI comes with several options to manage battery life:
- Ultra Battery Saver: This mode minimizes power consumption by limiting background processes and reducing screen brightness.
- Battery Usage Stats: View how much battery each app uses, so you can identify and disable power-hungry apps.
- Battery Optimizations: MIUI automatically optimizes your device to prevent unnecessary apps from running in the background.
3.3 Game Turbo
For gamers, MIUI offers Game Turbo, a feature that optimizes system performance for gaming. It boosts the CPU and GPU performance, prioritizes gaming apps, and allows you to customize notifications while you’re playing. It also reduces distractions by blocking calls and notifications.
4. Multitasking and Productivity Features
MIUI enhances the multitasking experience by introducing several features that help users get more done on their device.
4.1 Floating Windows
Floating Windows allow you to run apps in a small, resizable window that you can drag around the screen. This makes it easier to use multiple apps simultaneously without having to switch back and forth. You can activate Floating Windows from the recent apps screen.
4.2 Split-Screen Mode
MIUI also supports Split-Screen Mode, which lets you run two apps side by side in a split-screen view. This is ideal for multitasking, allowing you to reply to messages while watching a video or browsing the web.
4.3 Mi Share
Mi Share is Xiaomi’s solution for sharing files wirelessly between MIUI devices. It works similarly to Apple’s AirDrop, enabling fast file transfers between phones. You can send photos, videos, documents, and even apps between supported devices with just a tap.
4.4 MIUI Notes
The built-in MIUI Notes app offers a variety of useful features, including handwritten notes, audio notes, and a checklist feature. It also syncs with Google Keep, allowing you to access your notes across different devices.
5. AI and Smart Features
MIUI also incorporates AI and smart features that enhance the usability of your phone.
5.1 AI Face Unlock & Camera
The AI Face Unlock uses machine learning algorithms to recognize your face more quickly and accurately. MIUI’s camera app also uses AI to enhance photos, offering features like AI scene detection, which optimizes camera settings based on the subject.
5.2 Smart Sidebar
The Smart Sidebar is a customizable panel that you can slide out from the side of the screen. It offers quick access to your favorite apps, contacts, and tools like the calculator, screen recorder, or music player.
5.3 AI Preloading
This feature uses machine learning to preload the apps you are likely to use next, based on your usage patterns. This reduces load times and ensures apps open more quickly when needed.
6. MIUI Apps and Utilities
Xiaomi bundles several useful apps with MIUI that can make your experience more productive, fun, and streamlined.
6.1 Mi File Manager
The Mi File Manager is a powerful app for managing your files. It lets you organize your documents, images, videos, and other files easily. You can also search for files based on categories and access cloud storage services like Google Drive.
6.2 Mi Remote
With the Mi Remote app, your Xiaomi phone can function as a universal remote control for various household appliances, such as TVs, air conditioners, and set-top boxes. It supports a wide range of brands and devices.
6.3 MIUI Cleaner
The MIUI Cleaner app helps you free up storage by removing junk files, cached data, and residual files from uninstalled apps. It can also optimize your device by clearing unnecessary background apps to improve performance.
6.4 Mi Cloud
Xiaomi offers Mi Cloud, a cloud backup service that allows you to store contacts, photos, videos, and more. With Mi Cloud, you can easily back up your data and access it on any other Xiaomi device.
7. Updates and Custom ROMs
Xiaomi frequently releases MIUI updates, adding new features, improving performance, and patching security vulnerabilities. MIUI also supports custom ROMs for advanced users who want to deeply personalize their devices. Users can flash custom ROMs to unlock additional features or change the device’s performance characteristics.
Conclusion
MIUI is a feature-rich and highly customizable Android skin that brings a variety of tools and options to enhance the user experience on Xiaomi devices. Whether you’re looking to personalize your phone with custom themes, improve security with features like App Lock and Second Space, or optimize performance with Game Turbo and MI Turbo, MIUI offers an extensive set of features that cater to different user needs.
With its intuitive interface, powerful tools, and deep customization options, MIUI offers one of the most comprehensive Android experiences. If you’re a Xiaomi user, taking advantage of these features will allow you to get the most out of your device and make it truly your own.
