“These features of MIUI 14 are unbeatable: everything Android could borrow from Xiaomi’s layer”
“MIUI 14 is better than Android (stock) for these features: Google, take note”
The customization layers bring to Android a multitude of functions and settings that differ from what we see in its purest version, named with the term AOSP (the original project in which the operating system is developed). However, many consider Google’s current experience with its pixels, closest to stock android.
One of the layers that most users accumulate is MIUI, the Android flavor that Xiaomi provides to their smartphones. It is a version with a philosophy quite far from others like Samsung’s One UI, relying on many tools and a behavior initially designed for the Eastern public. However, it offers many innovative functions that many users appreciate. For this reason, we are going to tell you everything that Android could adopt and learn from MIUI 14, to enrich the base of Google’s mobile operating system.
Application Cloning
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There is no doubt that app cloning is a very useful and interesting function. Being able to use it to carry two WhatsApp accounts on a Dual SIM phone, or using two different profiles in a game are just a few examples of the benefits that can be achieved with the App Mirroring feature.
MIUI is able to do it for a few years, and Android seems to be getting it soon. But, the latest stable and official version is Android 13, where no trace of this utility is seen. Therefore, Android users with phones like Nokia, Motorola and Pixel themselves yearn to use it for different purposes.
More complete and attractive quick settings
Since Xiaomi has decided to modify its traditional notification panel and its quick settings in MIUI 12, we see how these two sections have their location separately. It’s a matter of taste whether everything is in one or two different panels, but what you have to praise is the high level of customization.
In MIUI 14, quick settings look great with a blurred background and big, sleek buttons. Android’s native solution is a little simpler: there’s no way to unfold the two sections, instead you have to swipe down once more to open the full quick settings panel. In addition, it is less customizable with identical controls regardless of the function. MIUI does better with sliders for sound and brightness and larger buttons for WiFi and mobile data (the ones we use the most on a daily basis).
Customizing the lock screen
Although the lock screen is a simple procedure to access the functions of our mobiles, it can contain useful information that will prevent us from unlocking it. Xiaomi’s treatment with the lock screen in MIUI It reaches a good level: we can change the appearance of the clock, as well as add shortcuts to any corner.
For its part, Google has decided to let this screen only display the clock and a button to quickly access Google Wallet. It is here where we run out of other options which allow us to add a specific application or change the shape and appearance of the clock. Thus, Android would have a more customizable lock screen, adjusted to the needs of the user. Shame about the filtered design of Android 11 that Google threw away.
Always-on display with more options
Something similar happens with the always-on display, or AOD for its acronym in English (Always On Display). Google has been able to adapt to the changing times, providing us with a nice ODA, but too simple. If we go to Xiaomi’s solution, it’s another world.
As we can see, we can totally change the appearance of the always-on screen.
In a section of the MIUI settings we find the screen always on, with a very extensive customization: the clock has a thousand shapes and colors, analog, digital, with or without background… It is a pleasure to modify this section, because within each available model, you can also change the color and choose the elements to display, like like battery and notifications.
Floating windows to respond to notifications
Responding to notifications from Android 13’s Quick Replies is very simple and straightforward, providing us with a useful way that saves us from entering apps. However, if we are doing any other task on our mobile, switching between different apps is a hassle. MIUI covers this need with floating windows, which allow us to have WhatsApp (and any messaging application) in addition to what we do.
so it’s easy interact with notifications without us having to stop what we are doing. And yes, it is different from the quick replies because in these we do not see all the content of the application that notifies us. It could be an interesting utility for other users if Android adopts this function, and incidentally, associates it with the office mode which seems more and more powerful.
A game optimizer
Google already has its own game panel in Android 13, it is functional and allows us to view the number of live images, as well as record the screen and add shortcuts to this panel which takes a floating form when we run games. It also brings us closer three optimization modes
This useful function has this curious name. And it’s much more complete, with the possibility of optimize performancerestrict network usage (to make multiplayer games smoother), a custom high-performance mode (optimizes WiFi, screen touch feedback, and audio itself), and a setting to allow memory exceptions (open applications while we play, which could slow down the mobile).
User-tailored launcher, adding more settings
Although he has always been criticized Xiaomi for its similarities with Apple, starting with the MIUI launcher itself, it is true that it allows greater customization of your home screen. Now we can use it in classic mode (like iPhone) or choose to display the applications drawer, adored by many followers of this operating system.
In addition to that, everything is editable: icon size, grid, transition effects, appearance of the recent (or multitasking) panel, and even the default screen (the main screen or House). In this sense, what stock Android offers us is a bit short, being incomparable to what we find in Xiaomi phones.
Bonus track: MIUI bloatware uninstaller is magic
Something that bothers all users who buy a new mobile is the amount of bloatware that many manufacturers include in the Google operating system. MIUI is no exception, but at least it has a fairly comprehensive uninstaller.
This is another function that could be used perfectly for Android, maybe not so much for very clean phones such as Pixels (also due to the pre-installed Google apps that we don’t use), but for other manufacturers who fill the internal memory of the phone with applications.
As we can see, the functions that Xiaomi adds with MIUI 14 are quite useful, being able to take full advantage of them. Although we are avowed lovers of pure Android, it doesn’t hurt to recognize some aspects that can be improved and that they would bring a little more grace to the whole. Make Android a better operating system that meets all the needs of every user.
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