MIUI (Mi User Interface), Me You I, the first product released by Xiaomi got an upgrade to MIUI 9 on 26th July 2017. It is one the best and stablest ROM with great add-on features. The latest version is based on Nougat (Android 7.0) with loads of new stuff and performance enhancement. You’ll see the new UI out of the box with Xiaomi Mi 5X and a gradual roll out to selected devices soon.
How to get MIUI 9
Currently, a China closed beta ROM of MIUI 9 is being rolled out to selected MIUI 9 Beta ROM Testers and Special Team members of MIUI Global Forum. You can apply for beta team recruitment from the community app. Public release of the developer ROM will happen from early August to late September. For more details visit Mi Forum.
List of Devices
Here is the comprehensive list of Xiaomi devices selected for MIUI 9 Beta Recruitment. Mi 6, Mi 5s Plus, Mi 5s, Mi 5c, Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi 4c, Mi 4, Mi 3, Mi 2/2S, Mi MIX, Mi Max 2, Mi Max, Mi Note 2, Mi Note/Pro, Mi Pad 2, Mi Pad 1, Redmi Note 4X (MTK), Redmi Note 4X (SD), Redmi Note 4, Redmi Note 3 (MTK), Redmi Note 3 (SD), Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note, Redmi Pro, Redmi 4X, Redmi 4A, Redmi 4, Redmi 4 Prime, Redmi 3S/Prime, Redmi 3, Redmi 2A, Redmi 2/Prime, Redmi 1S, Redmi 1. Out of which Mi 6, Redmi Note 4 Qualcomm / Redmi Note 4X will get the beta update first.
Features Added to MIUI 9
MIUI 9 is tweaked to give improved performance. The apps will now start up quicker and with dynamic allocation prevents apps from fighting for resources. Other system optimisation includes – Core congestion control, automatic cleaning, new file system, cache management, real time anti-fragmentation, abnormal exclusion protection, improved communication efficiency, wireless acceleration, haptic feedback optimisation.
MIUI 9 is also getting lots of visual enhancements like New Themes, New Lock Screen, Split Screen. The theme section has 3 new themes viz No Boundary, Color Fantasy, and Cool Black. The official English names for these themes is yet to be out. The dock icons at the bottom of the home screen is now neat with no texts below them. While the new lock screen has cool features like long press home button to activate torch. Other commonly used shortcuts viz Mi Home, Mi Remote, Mi Pay, and Transport Card is also directly accessible from the lock screen. Split screen feature will be enabled in select Mi Devices with Android 7.0. Xiaomi plans to include bloatware removal, picture in picture mode, smart update and much more in future updates.
Features Removed from MIUI 9
Xiaomi will remove some of the existing features to make the ROM lighter and faster. These include Child Mode, WiWide(provides public Wi-Fi networks to stores and restaurants in China Contact Card, and Showtime(Caller Profile Video). Xiaomi says these apps are rarely used and their functions are redundant.
Highlights of MIUI 9 Upgrade
- Lightning fast system.
- Explosively fast app launch time.
- Dynamic resource allocation by prioritising the in-use App for the fluent experience!
- Universal search: a Powerful search engine that can differentiate your image by typing in keywords, including your conversations.
- Smart assistance – Easiest way to find anything and almost everything.
- Two steps for all the vital information: Copy and receive info.
*The above features will be available in China only for the time being. Stay tuned for Global MIUI 9 rollout.
Users of Mi devices have been longing to get this upgrade since the release of Nougat. However many users still complain that their UI hasn’t changed much and they are trying to mirror the iOS. Other controversies like the absence of Google Play Service in China mainland are still a topic of interest to many. Xiaomi is hoping that their new upgrade will change the opinion by many. Hope you enjoyed the report, Peace!