MIUI is probably one of the most complete customization layers within Android. To this is added the huge number of options available to the phones of the Chinese firm and that generally go unnoticed in the eyes of an inexperienced user. There are many tricks and functionalities that we can carry out on our Xiaomi phone, and this time we have compiled several of the most interesting.
Most of the tricks that we will see below are compatible with MIUI 10 and MIUI 11 , as well as with most of the brand's phones. Redmi Note 5, Note 6 Pro, Note 7, Note 8, Note 8T, Note 8 Pro, Redmi 5, 6, 7 and 8, Redmi 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A, Mi MIX 2, MIX 2S, MIX 3, Mi Note 2, Note 3, Note 10, Note 10 Pro and Mi 6, Mi 8, Mi 9, Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro.
index of contents
- Connect the mobile to a TV without cables
- Install themes to customize MIUI to your liking
- Improve performance by speeding up MIUI animations
- Record the mobile screen without third-party applications
- Change channels on TV and other devices
- Send your documents to print if you have a WiFi printer
- Use your fingerprint to protect apps
- Block phone numbers and spam calls
- Improve the quality of photos (with Google Camera)
- Share the WiFi password with a QR code
- Use two WhatsApp accounts, Facebook, Instagram or any other application
- Create a second desktop to hide applications and files
Connect the mobile to a TV without cables
One of the most useful functions if we want to watch series or movies on the TV if we do not want to depend on cables or Google Chromecast. The only requirement is that our television must have Screen Mirroring , an option that allows us to duplicate the image from any device to the screen.
If our television has this function as standard, all we have to do is go to the Cast option that we can find in the Connection section and share in the Settings application. Then, the wizard will begin to search for compatible televisions within the WiFi network to which we are connected. In the event that our television does not appear in the list we will have to make sure that the Screen Mirroring function is active.
Finally the mobile screen will be displayed on the television. Applications, videos, games and so on.
Install themes to customize MIUI to your liking
The installation of third-party themes in MIUI 10 and 11 is something that we can only carry out if our mobile is within a very limited list of countries. To change the region of our phone, just go to the Settings application, specifically to Additional Settings and Region .
Within this section we will select Andorra as the main region . Now we just have to go back to the main Settings interface and click on the Themes option. Then a whole store of personalized themes for MIUI will appear. All you have to do is select the theme in question to download it and apply it to your phone.
Improve performance by speeding up MIUI animations
Is your Xiaomi mobile slow? A trick that has been in Android since the first versions of the system but that few inexperienced users know is to speed up system animations to improve response times.
Before proceeding we will have to activate the Developer Settings. It will be enough to go to About the phone in Settings and press several times on MIUI Version . Then a new mode will be enabled with the name of Developer Settings that we can find in Additional Settings.
If we deactivate the animations the mobile will work much faster, but the interaction will be more abrupt.
Within this new menu we will have to find the following options:
- Window animation level
- Animation level of transitions
- Animation duration level
Now we just have to set the figure at .5x to speed up the movement of the animations.
Record the mobile screen without third-party applications
If we want to record a game within our Xiaomi mobile, or we simply want to capture everything that appears on the screen to share it later with our contacts, we can use the Screen Recording function that MIUI integrates as standard.
In this case, the process is as simple as lowering the notification bar and accessing the quick settings (WiFi, Bluetooth, Do not disturb). Then we will click on the Edit icon and finally drag the Screen Recording button to the active panel .
To record the screen, we will only have to click on the setting in question: the screen will automatically be recorded. The final file can be found in the MIUI Gallery within Screenshots .
Change channels on TV and other devices
So is. Most Xiaomi phones have an infrared sensor that is quite similar to that of television controls. We can check it by taking a look at the top of the device. If we find a black hole that does not correspond to the microphone , we are in luck.
To function as a remote control for a television, radio, stereo or air conditioning, we will have to go to the My Remote or My Remote application . Now we will just have to follow the steps that the wizard indicates to add a new device.
Later we can add a widget to the MIUI Desktop with which to interact through actions such as changing the channel, raising and lowering the volume or turning off the device in question .
Send your documents to print if you have a WiFi printer
MIUI 11 has finally brought Xiaomi's compatibility with third-party printers without the need for external applications. The process is as simple as accessing the image or document that we want to print through the Gallery or the MIUI File Explorer and clicking on Share .
Next, the wizard will show us several options: Print is the one that interests us. We will only have to select the printing format (sheet size, orientation, colors ...) and the printer connected to the network to start printing.
Use your fingerprint to protect apps
If once you had to resort to root or even third-party applications to block applications with a fingerprint or a password, with MIUI 10 and 11 this will not take us more than a few seconds.
Inside Applications; Specifically in Blocking applications , we will select all those that we want to block with a pattern or through the fingerprint or Xiaomi facial recognition. WhatsApp, Gallery, Instagram, Google Chrome, Telegram, Facebook ... The applications will automatically be blocked by the pattern we have defined.
Block phone numbers and spam calls
Since the first versions of the MIUI system, it integrates a very useful function to block calls and contacts. If we choose to block a specific contact, it will be enough to go to the contact in question, click on the sandwich menu and select the Block contact option to veto the reception of calls.
If what we want is to create a black plain with patterns and two or more phone numbers, the process is as simple as going to the Phone application and clicking on the sandwich side menu. In Call Settings we will go to the Block List and activate the Black List function , as we can see in the screenshots.
Now we just have to add the phone numbers manually. We can also add exceptions, block SMS and even block calls from unknown or hidden numbers .
Improve the quality of photos (with Google Camera)
It is not a trick or native MIUI application, but an external application developed by Google that will help us significantly improve the final quality of the photographs (dynamic range, definition of distant objects, color calibration, brightness during night…). It also includes a Portrait Mode and a Night Mode much more solvent than that of the native Camera application.
To download the application we can refer to the article where we collect all the versions of Google Camera for Xiaomi mobiles. Most devices are compatible.
Share the WiFi password with a QR code
Out passwords of ten or more characters. With MIUI 10 and 11 we can share the password of a WiFi network through a simple QR code. How?
As simple as clicking on the network in question and then on Share . Next, a QR code will be generated that we can use with other phones of the brand itself. Also with brands such as Huawei and Honor and all those mobiles that have Android 10 onwards.
Use two WhatsApp accounts, Facebook, Instagram or any other application
Until now, duplicating application instances could only be done through external applications such as Parallel Space. With MIUI we will only have to resort to Settings / Applications / Dual applications to create a second instance of any compatible application.
Thanks to this function we can enjoy several accounts in practically all system and third-party applications. Best of all, the function in question is compatible with games , which allows the use of two accounts in titles such as Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile or Candy Crush, among others.
Create a second desktop to hide applications and files
Something similar to what desktop systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux integrate as standard with users. In Xiaomi we can find Second space, a function that generates a second completely opaque and independent from the rest of the system.
Within this instance we can install applications, manage files and even take pictures with the camera in a way that is totally unrelated to the main system of the phone. We can make use of this by referring to the section on Special functions in Settings .
The process is as simple as creating an access password and accepting system permissions. A new virtual desktop will automatically be generated as if we had taken the mobile out of the box . To access this mode again we will have to refer to the homonymous section in Settings.