Dive into the World of MIUI 7: A Comprehensive Guide to Installation and New Features
Get ready to experience a revamped Android experience with Xiaomi’s latest offering, MIUI 7. This feature-rich update brings a plethora of enhancements, from a sleek new interface to improved performance and a host of new features. While MIUI 7 is not yet available over-the-air, you can jump in on the action and install the global beta ROM manually. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the MIUI 7 world, covering the installation process and highlighting its noteworthy features.
Unpacking the MIUI 7 Enhancement Suite: A Closer Look at New Features
MIUI 7 is not just about a fresh coat of paint; it’s about a refined Android experience. Xiaomi has meticulously crafted a suite of enhancements that improve various aspects of your smartphone usage. Here’s a breakdown of the key additions:
H2: Enhancing the Visual Experience: UI Revamp and More
H3: Customizing Your Visual Identity
MIUI 7 introduces a new wave of customization with four new system UIs (currently available for India). These themes provide a unique visual flavor to your phone, allowing you to select the style that best aligns with your preferences.
H3: Text That’s Easy on the Eyes:
MIUI 7 brings XXL text (for India), making your phone display more readable for those who prefer larger text. This feature ensures that interacting with your phone doesn’t strain your eyes.
H3: Personalized Calling Experience with Showtime
Say goodbye to boring calls! Showtime (India only) allows you to set a profile picture or video to be displayed on your contact’s device when you call them. Add a personal touch to your calls by sharing a snippet of your personality.
H2: Streamlining Everyday Tasks:
H3: Baby Album: A Dedicated Space for Memories
MIUI 7 introduces a Baby Album (India only) that aggregates all your precious baby pictures in one place. This dedicated space makes it effortlessly convenient to share a collection of images as a package with loved ones or set the album as your daily lock screen.
H3: Effortless Efficiency with System Optimization
MIUI 7 boasts a 30% improvement in system response speed and a 10% boost in battery life. These optimizations ensure that your phone runs smoothly and efficiently, making your everyday tasks effortlessly fluid.
H3: Convenient Communication with Quick OTP
MIUI 7 simplifies the OTP verification process with Quick OTP (India only) which automatically extracts One-Time Passwords from your SMS messages and makes them readily available for you to use.
H3: Smart SMS Filter: Taming the Inbox Chaos
Smart SMS Filter (India only) helps you keep your inbox organized by intelligently categorizing SMS messages into different categories, ensuring you never miss an important message.
H2: Enhancing Communication & Information Flow:
H3: Contact Cards: Sharing More Than Just a Number
Contact cards in MIUI 7 enable you to share more than just a phone number with friends. When exchanging contact cards, you can view their profile picture and detailed information, making it easier to connect.
H3: Showtime Meets Contact Cards:
For an even more personal touch, you can combine Showtime and Contact Cards. This pairing allows your profile video to be displayed on your contact’s device when you call them, creating a visual and engaging calling experience.
H3: Seamless Messaging with XXL Text and Improved Search
MIUI 7 extends the XXL text option to the messaging app, making it even easier to read your messages. The update also optimizes search results in the messaging app, displaying the newer messages on top for easy access.
H2: A Refined User Interface: Lock Screen, Status Bar, and More
H3: Elevate Notifications with Animated Effects
MIUI 7 brings visual flair to notifications with new fold/unfold animated effects for the notification page.
H3: Instant Control Over Notifications
MIUI 7 simplifies notification management. You can now block notifications in the notification shade with just one press, providing quick and efficient control over your incoming alerts.
H3: Visual Design Optimizations
MIUI 7 refines the user interface with several visual optimizations:
- The notification shade brightness bar receives a new interactive style.
- The battery icon on the status bar is optimized for a cleaner visual experience.
- Status bar display effects are optimized when using large font sizes.
- Notifications’ height is optimized for improved display when using large font sizes.
- The "Manage notifications" page display effect is optimized for large font sizes.
- The MiHome app icon no longer shows on the lock screen when Parental Controls mode is active.
H3: Bug Fixes for a Smoother Experience
These bug fixes enhance the overall user experience:
- The Roaming icon now reliably disappears when it’s no longer relevant.
- Block buttons no longer overlap with clock widgets in some themed configurations.
- The Notes widget display issue when using large font sizes is resolved.
- Pressing on toggles now consistently folds the notification shade in Performance mode.
H2: Enhancements Across the Home Screen & Themes
H3: Parental Controls: A Safer Environment
MIUI 7 introduces Child mode, providing a safe and restricted environment for kids when interacting with your phone.
H3: Fine-tuning the Visuals
The update includes various visual refinements:
- The display effect of live blur is optimized.
- The display effect of built-in widgets is optimized when using large font sizes.
- The launching speed of One-handed mode is optimized.
H3: Parental Controls: More Control, Fewer Distractions
Parental Controls mode now offers more focused control:
- Settings and Security are removed from the "Accessible apps" list to prevent children from accessing sensitive settings.
- Assistant and Google Now can no longer be launched in Parental Controls mode.
H3: Bug Fixes for a Seamless Home Screen Experience
- The home screen no longer reloads unexpectedly after a deep cleaning.
- A specific icon displaying repeatedly when using some themes is resolved.
H3: Expanding Customization Options with New Themes
Four new default themes are introduced, providing even more options to personalize your phone’s visual design.
H2: New Features and Improvements in Gallery, Music, and More
H3: Gallery: Organizing Your Photos and Memories
- Baby album: This feature remains a key focus in MIUI 7, with further optimzations to the user interface and bug fixes for a smoother experience.
H3: Music: Refined Playback Experience
- The playing status bar style in the playback page is optimized, providing a more consistent visual experience.
- An audio settings background display error affecting some devices is resolved.
H3: Settings: Enhanced Accessibility
- A text cut-off issue affecting the Sound Settings page when using XXL text is resolved.
H3: Browser: Performance Boosts for Faster Browsing
- The app’s cold start speed is improved for a more immediate browsing experience.
- Background RAM usage is reduced by 15% to 30%, ensuring smoother multitasking.
H3: Notes: Enhanced Text Accessibility
- The Notes app incorporates XXL text for improved readability.
H3: Other Notable Feature & Improvements
- XXL text extends to additional areas in the phone.
H2: Expanding the Feature Set: Clock, Calculator, Mi Credit & More
H3: Clock & Calculator: A Touch of Celebration
Celebrate birthdays with MIUI 7’s delightful touch. The ringtone of your morning alarm will change to "Happy Birthday" on your birthday.
H3: Mi Credits: A Streamlined Experience
- The Mi Credits center home screen shortcut icon is updated for a consistent look.
- The display effect of Mi Credits is optimized for XXL text, ensuring improved readability.
H2: A Comprehensive Guide to Installing MIUI 7
Now that you’ve grasped the breadth of MIUI 7’s enhancements, let’s delve into the installation process. Remember that MIUI 7 is still in beta, so while it offers a preview of the future, it may contain some instability. It’s essential to back up your phone before proceeding to avoid any potential data loss.
H2: Step-by-Step Installation Guide
H3: Preparation: Identifying Your Device and Downloading the ROM
Identify Your Device: Determine the specific model of your Xiaomi phone. MIUI 7 is available for the following models: Xiaomi Mi 4i, Xiaomi Mi 4, Xiaomi Mi 3, Xiaomi Redmi 1S, Xiaomi Redmi 2, Xiaomi Redmi Note, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G
Download the ROM: Access the following links to download the MIUI 7 build that corresponds to your device:
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Mi 4i – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_MI4iGlobal_5.8.22_82e7a89700_5.0.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Mi 4 – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_MI3WMI4WGlobal_5.8.22_f7b3c74238_4.4.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Mi 3 – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_MI3WMI4WGlobal_5.8.22_f7b3c74238_4.4.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi 1S – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_HM1SWCGlobal_5.8.22_68a70cba0f_4.4.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi 2 – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_HM2XWCGlobal_5.8.22_c1f3e5fe71_4.4.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi Note – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_HMNoteWGlobal_5.8.22_bcb694c042_4.4.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G – Recovery ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/miui_HMNoteLTEGlobal_5.8.22_acefdc2fc7_4.4.zip
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Mi 4i – Fastboot ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/ferrari_global_images_5.8.22_20150723.0000.6_5.0_global_cf99c4a02f.tgz
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Mi 4 – Fastboot ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/cancro_global_images_5.8.22_20150723.0000.6_4.4_global_46325ff582.tgz
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Mi 3 – Fastboot ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/cancro_global_images_5.8.22_20150723.0000.6_4.4_global_46325ff582.tgz
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi 1S – Fastboot ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/armani_global_images_5.8.22_20150723.0000.6_4.4_global_d3dcb68b5d.tgz
MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi 2 – Fastboot ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/wt88047_global_images_5.8.22_20150723.0000.6_4.4_global_0b6cd750f3.tgz
- MIUI 7 for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G – Fastboot ROM: http://bigota.d.miui.com/5.8.22/dior_global_images_5.8.22_20150723.0000.6_4.4_global_89fc514d2f.tgz
H3: Installing MIUI 7 via Recovery Mode
Most users will find the Recovery ROM method simpler and preferred. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
Rename the downloaded ROM: Rename the downloaded ROM file to update.zip on your computer.
Transfer the ROM to your phone: Connect your Xiaomi phone to your laptop via a Micro-USB cable and copy the renamed ROM file into the root directory of your phone’s internal storage.
Access Recovery Mode: You can enter Recovery Mode in two ways:
- Method 1: Launch the Updater app on your phone, click the … icon in the top-right corner, and select Reboot to Recovery mode.
- Method 2: Power off your phone and hold both the Volume+ and Power buttons simultaneously to enter Recovery mode.
Navigate in Recovery Mode: Once in Recovery Mode, use the Volume +/- buttons to navigate up and down. Use the Power button to confirm selections.
Begin the Update: Choose the language you use, select Install update.zip to System One, and confirm. Your phone will automatically begin updating.
- Reboot and Enjoy: After the update is complete, select Reboot to System One. Your phone should boot into the MIUI 7 version.
H3: Installing via Fastboot ROM (For Experienced Users)
Fastboot ROMs offer more advanced options but require a higher level of technical expertise. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Download the MIUI ROM Flashing tool: Download the MIUI ROM Flashing Tool from the Xiaomi website: http://bigota.d.miui.com/tools/MiPhone20141107.exe
Download the Fastboot ROM: Download the Fastboot ROM for your specific device from the links provided earlier in the "Download the ROM" section.
Enter Fastboot mode: Switch off your phone and press the Volume- key and the Power button simultaneously to enter Fastboot mode. Connect your phone to your PC via the Micro-USB cable.
Decompress the ROM file: Double-click the Fastboot ROM file you downloaded to decompress it. Copy the folder path of the decompressed ROM.
Decompress and Install the Flashing Tool: Decompress the downloaded Flashing tool (MiPhone20141107.exe) and double-click to install it. Open MiFlash.exe.
Configure MiFlash: In the MiFlash address bar, paste the folder path of the decompressed ROM you copied earlier. Click the Refresh button, and MiFlash should recognize your device.
Choose Flashing Options: Choose one of the following flashing options:
- Flash all: Flashes all files, wiping all user data and files in internal storage.
- Flash all except storage: Flashes updated files, wipes user data, but preserves files in internal storage.
- Flash all except data and storage: Flashes only updated files, preserving both user data and files in internal storage.
To preserve your user data, select "Flash all except data and storage."
Initiate the Flash: Click the Flash button in the top right corner to begin flashing the ROM to your phone.
- Wait for Completion: Wait for the progress bar to fill up. Once complete, you’ll see a message that reads "The operation completed successfully." Your device will automatically reboot with MIUI 7 installed.
H2: Conclusion:
Installing MIUI 7 is a relatively straightforward process, although always remember to back up your device as a precaution. Once installed, MIUI 7 is a welcome addition to your Xiaomi smartphone experience, introducing a wealth of improvements that enhance your daily interactions and bring a refreshingly modern feel to your Android experience.
