Since the release of Android 10 back in September last year, users Google search every day to see if their device is lucky enough to get the latest Android update.
But Xiaomi users, on the other hand, were not as nearly excited about Android 10 as they were about MIUI 11 — the next-gen OS update for Xiaomi and Redmi devices.
Let’s look at some of the main aspects of the MIUI 11 such as MIUI 11 release date, features and the list of supported Mi and Redmi devices. In a nutshell, everything you need to know about the upcoming MIUI update.
MIUI 11 Release Date in India
Xiaomi first unveiled the MIUI 11 China ROM at the Mi Mix Alpha event in September 2019. One month later, Xiaomi announced the MIUI 11 Global ROM at an event in New Delhi, India on October 16th.
This year, Xiaomi is focusing on two things — Android 10 based MIUI 11 which is currently in the testing phase and MIUI 12, the next major update.
MIUI 11 Best Features
Xiaomi has been working on the MIUI 11 for a long period of time, it goes without saying the latest update from Xiaomi packs a bunch of cool features
1. Design changes to UI
With the MIUI 11, the Chinese tech giant has removed the excessive colors and undesired elements, making the UI minimalistic and intuitive.
The most noticeable part is the new colorful iconography on the settings page. Moreover, the MIUI update uses a new font titled ‘Milan Pro’ for text, alongside plenty of white space all over the UI.
The big idea is to give full-screen experience where the settings and options shine out on a particular page.
2.Mi Share file-transfer
Back in August, Xiaomi joined hands with Oppo and Vivo, under the “Inter-Transfer Alliance group” to create an Air-Drop-like superfast file transfer feature.
The feature, known as Mi Share is made finally made available with the MIUI 11. Located under the connection and sharing feature settings, the feature enables Xiaomi users to exchange photos, files, and documents to other devices such as Vivo, Realme and Oppo via a single tap.
We haven’t tested the feature, meanwhile, Xiaomi claims that he file-transfer will work on Bluetooth and will deliver speeds up to 20 MB/s.
3. Enhanced Always-On-Display
Always-on-display has been always appreciated by the users whose devices support the feature. In the next MIUI version, Xiaomi has introduced more customization options to enhance the Always-on Display.
With the Redmi K20 series, Xiaomi brought interesting clock styles. This time, Xiaomi is adding dynamic clock styles, new patterns and options to add customized personal text on the always-on display.
The latest MIUI update also adds a Breathing light effect that lights up a few pixels of the screen as soon a new notification arrives on your Xiaomi device.
Unfortunately, the feature is only supported by Xiaomi devices with AMOLED displays i.e Xiaomi Mi Note 10, Redmi K20, Redmi K20 Pro, Mi 8, Mi 9T, and Mi Mix 3.
4. Digital Wellbeing, or should I say Screen Time
The Android 9 Pie feature rusting on MIUI 10 beta versions has finally issued to all Xiaomi users with MIUI 11.
Digital Wellbeing or Screen Time for Xiaomi users allows users to track the time spent on their smartphones. Mi users can also limit the time spent on applications.
If you can’t wait to get Digital Wellbeing, here is a method to get Digital Wellbeing features on your current Xiaomi device.
5. Quick Replies
Xiaomi MIUI 11 includes the “Quick Reply” feature that was first introduced in the Android 9 Pie. This allows users to reply to the home screen without needing to open the application.
So, if you would click on a notification while using a different app, the feature will allow you to reply to the notification then and there without taking you to a separate app.
Quick Reply brings a floating window of the messaging app, i.e. a resizable snippet of the app once you click on the message notification. Xiaomi users can retain the window, resize, or close it.
5. Ultra Power Saving Mode
If you have upgraded to the MIUI 11, you will find an Ultra Power Saving mode is under the Battery settings.
With this mode, all apps and features except texts and calls will be turned off.
The Xiaomi phone will shift to Dark Mode. Other than that, you would be able to allow only a certain number of apps while the power saving mode is active.
6. New File Manager
In order to improve the productivity of users, Xiaomi has overhauled the file manager app by introducing thumbnails of files based on the file type.
The highlight of the new file manager app is that you can view documents without needing any extra software. Xiaomi has also added Task functionality under the To-Do app and users can access the created tasks just by right-swiping on the home screen.
7. Dynamic Sounds
In the new MIUI 11, Xiaomi has brought ambient nature sounds for ringtones and notifications. However, the highlight of the feature is that the sounds are not uniform.
Using an AI mechanism, the Xioami or Redmi device produces produce a different tone every time when a new message is received.
8. System-Wide Dark Mode?
With the new MIUI 11 update, Xiaomi users can finally use the anticipated system-wide dark mode. While the dark mode was available to users in MIUI 11, it was available on a few devices.
Moreover, the dark mode in MIUI 11 is more eye-pleasing since the removal of additional colors, bars, lines, and boxes. Users can find the dark mode in Display settings in their Xiaomi devices.
Xiaomi has also added Dark Mode Scheduler in the new update. Users can specify the time at which Dark should be enabled automatically.
9. What else is new in MIUI 11 Global ROM?
- Floating Calculator
- Casting documents, photos, games, etc with ScreenCast
- Wireless printing
- Shake to fill empty cells on the home screen
- Video wallpapers
Also Read: How To Get Android Q Features On Your Old Smartphone Right Now?
MIUI 11 list of supported devices
In parallel to Android users desperately waiting for Android 10 on their devices, we are seeing a similar emotion in the Xiaomi fans for MIUI 11.
Here is the complete list of Xiaomi and Redmi devices receiving the MIUI 11 Global ROM –
Phase I [October]
- MI 9 SE
- Redmi K20 / Mi 9T
- Redmi Y3
- Redmi Note 7
- Redmi Note 7S
- Redmi Note 7 Pro
- Redmi 7
- Mi 8 Pro
- Mi 8
- Mi 8 Lite
- MI MIX 3
- MI MIX 2S
- POCO F1 / POCOPHONE F1
Phase II [November]
- Mi 9
- Redmi K20 Pro / Mi 9T Pro
- Mi 9 Lite
- Mi MIX 2
- Mi MIX
- Mi 6
- Mi Note 3
- Mi Note 2
- Mi Max 2
- Mi Max 3
- Mi Play
- Redmi 6 Pro
- Redmi 6
- Redmi 6A
- Redmi Note 5 Pro
- Redmi Note 5
- Redmi S2/Y2
- Redmi Note 5A Prime / Y1
- Redmi Note 5A / Y1 Lite
- Redmi 5 Plus
- Redmi 5
- Redmi 5A
- Redmi Note 4x
- Redmi 4X
Phase III [December]
- Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Redmi 8
- Redmi 8A
- Redmi Note 6 Pro
- Redmi 7A
And how can we forget about the Xiaomi Android One series? Mi devices that get the authentic bonafide Android experience seen in the likes of Google Pixel 3.
Xiaomi only recently confirmed that Xiaomi Mi A3 will get an Android 10 update in mid-February. Meanwhile, Mi A2 has already received the update.
How to Get MIUI 11 on your Xiaomi device?
Users can either wait for the official MIUI 11 stable version to roll out for their device or they can install the update manually. Here are the steps —
- Download the latest Recovery ROM for your device (Link 1, Link 2, Link 3)
- Move the file into the folder “downloaded_rom” in the internal storage of your device.
- Go to device settings — About phone — System update.
- Press three dots icon at the top-right corner, select “choose update package” and select the ZIP file.
