There are few people in the world who have not heard of Xiaomi and of course, their own customization layer that they called MIUI . More than anything, because in recent years it has been gaining a great reputation in the mobile device market, gaining strength especially in our country.
For this reason, it is important to know some of the details that have gone unnoticed the most by those users who began to use Xiaomi terminals in recent years. Since, since when does this layer of customization of the Asian manufacturer exist? Doubts like this are the ones that we will solve throughout this content.
Where does MIUI come from?
To begin with, it is important to understand what MIUI is . First, it must be made clear that not only has it become the software layer used by the Asian manufacturer for its mobiles based on the Google operating system, but it is also the main one in charge of really giving life to smartphones and computer tables. the Chinese brand.
Even despite being based on Android right now, it continues to modify each of the basic pillars of this operating system to the smallest extreme. Although, yes. It must be remembered that the Chinese version differs from the global one since it does not have Google services, also known as GMS.
This software was developed by the Asian brand, and can be found both in the brand’s models that are global as well as the versions made for China. That is, we are facing a fork or a derivative of the operating system of the American company. In short, MIUI is an alternative version of Android , but it is based on it.
And how they have been happening over the years, this system has had different firmware updates in order to continue implementing more news to its different devices. In addition, this layer has a parallel development to that carried out by Android, so it is not necessary that each version of this layer is updated accordingly to the base of the Google operating system. And not only that, but we also find this layer of software in the Redmi and Poco terminals.
Do all Xiaomi phones work with this operating system?
Today, we find only four devices of the Asian brand that do not have by default the star customization layer of Xiaomi. Although it was not until 2017 when the first terminal of the manufacturer arrived on the phone market without its software feature.
The first to arrive was the Mi A1, which completely abandoned MIUI to fully embrace the Android One program . In addition, it became the first smartphone of the brand with this peculiarity, so those people who got this terminal will not be able to enjoy all those advantages and tricks that the Asian company provides with its customization layer.
And it was not the only one to arrive without MIUI, since a year later the Xiaomi Mi A2 was also launched and, in 2018, the Mi A2 Lite. The third to appear on the world stage of mobile devices was the Redmi Go following the line of the Mi A, although this time the Asian brand had opted for the Android GO operating system.
The fourth terminal to be presented without this personalized layer was the Mi A3, and from what it seems it will be the last member of this family. Since, when the layers of customization began to emerge, users were more reluctant and preferred a pure Android as standard. However, over the years these terminal models with this system have managed to offer specifications and features at the best price, reaching out to compete with the most powerful brands in the world.
The origins of the Xiaomi system
The well-known manufacturer of smartphones began as in June 2010 with a clear idea, to create a new brand that would become a reference in the world of new smartphones. And not only in China, but also worldwide, taking Apple as a source of inspiration as has been seen in all these years in their designs.
In this way, the software layer that gave life to its first terminal appeared in August 2011, with a single sale online, the Xiaomi Mi 1 . Although the truth is that its first version was inaugurated on August 16, 2010. In addition, we are facing a system that began with a launcher quite similar to that of iOS devices, but with the passage of time it changed to a style more personal.
Although the most important detail so that we can currently enjoy this layer of personalization was thanks to its first mobile device, since it was key for the take-off of this brand to begin. Already in 2019, the Asian manufacturer was close to 7% of the world telephony market, with almost 125 million mobile phones sold. So, in a decade, it has become the third company that sells the most mobile phones in the world, on the heels of Apple and Samsung.
Over the years it continued to improve with different system updates. New firmwares with which both new improvements at the level of functionality and different customization options were being implemented so that each user could adjust their terminal to their needs.
How is it different from the rest?
This system from the Asian manufacturer offers us a series of additional features and adjustments different from those that can be found in Android Stock. Although the truth is that many extra functionalities can also be found in other customization layers such as One UI.
However, over the years more features have been added, such as the fact that it allows us to use themes to completely change the appearance of the interface, more than just changing the icons through a launcher. In addition, and despite the criticisms of MIUI 12 , it is a very stable system which has not caused problems of forced closures, reboots, etc. That is, it fulfills its function quickly and with beautiful animations that are pleasing to the eye. However, and how we mentioned, with version 12 of this layer, the big problems began to arrive for Xiaomi. Fortunately, they were solved in future constant updates.
And it is that it updates quite quickly compared to other softwares. This reason is the main factor why the software is continuously optimized, and more so when the Asian manufacturer has a limited number of terminals, which helps its layer adapt better to their mobiles than a generic version of Android a hundreds of smartphones. And that’s not all, since Xiaomi with its software layer equips its phones with different gallery, camera, music, mail, calendar applications, among many others. In addition, it allows users to customize many aspects of the interface such as icons, notification bar, quick settings, desktop, etc.
MIUI’s own functions
One of the features that we find with this layer is that it has a hidden menu called CIT . This will help us to verify that the different components of the terminal such as the screen, the connections, among others, are correctly through different tests. Even if we have the Hidden Settings for MIUI app, available to download for free from the Google Play Store, we can enable new functions on the Asian firm’s mobiles. Basically, this application will allow us to enable some configuration options that are hidden from most users, such as disabling default applications, saving battery life through application optimization, controlling notifications, testing and calibrating. hardware tools, etc.
Another of the best features added by the Asian developer is the second space . A different section in which we can create different profiles to have certain apps installed in each of them. In addition, this extra functionality is especially interesting if you also use your mobile to work.
In addition, within the Chinese manufacturer’s own mobile gallery we find different tools that will be difficult to find on other phones, so it would be necessary to use apps. As is the case of Xiaomi Mosaic mode, with which we can hide or pixelate parts of a photograph from the native edition of its gallery. even, from its images , it will give us the option to change sky to choose from one of the available ones.
The latest version and the future of MIUI
The Asian manufacturer’s own software took a truly important leap in quality with the change from version 11 to 12 . Not only because of the fact of including Android 11 for a large number of their mobiles, but also the layer managed to evolve in its appearance. In addition, a significant number of changes were introduced, also improving your privacy. Although, in February 2021, version 12.5 was announced that brought with it a series of new features, it is nothing more than an intermediate point for what will be the next big update to Xiaomi’s system, MIUI 13 .
You can also see how this change to version 12.5 is not an excessive revolution since it only takes a step forward with which it manages to add a little more value to your mobile devices compared to the rest. We also see how customization increases the possibilities, starting with a greater number of super wallpapers.
And not only this, but there is also an improvement in the fluidity and stability of the entire system. The brand itself ensures that this new version of its system provides 20 times more performance than previous versions to its terminals. And a lower consumption of resources, up to 25% less energy .
The design of the layer gains a refined aesthetic, achieving a more uniform throughout the software. Not only at the level of settings but also within the apps included with version 12.5. Regarding the audio, the Asian manufacturer added sounds to the layer captured directly from nature, animals, natural spaces … among others, all of them in stereo and with high audio quality.
Best of all, they have made finger interaction more comfortable. The integrated vibration system is also more present than ever, so, depending on what is touched and how it is done, we will achieve one function or another. Although one of the also relevant aspects is that with this latest version of the Xiaomi software layer it allows us to eliminate a large amount of Bloatware, that is, the system applications.
MIUI + , desktop mode is one of the star features of this latest update. Finally, the company has its own desktop mode and will allow you to see duplicate notifications, copy text on the mobile and paste it on the PC screen, as well as open screenshots of the terminal directly on the PC. You can also open web pages on your phone on your computer. It is a function that could be very useful for many users. It also solves many of the interaction problems that exist between mobile and PC. However, now we only have to wait to see what MIUI 13 has in store for us , and if it really will be another revolution as we saw after the change from version 11 to 12 of the Xiaomi layer.
