Android Skins (UI)

MIUI: Android Skins of Xiaomi/Redmi Device

The main feature of MIUI ROM is its richness in various features. These ROMs are made with the expectations of Android users in mind. Custom ROMs are beyond the imagination and experience of ordinary users. ROM flashing (installing the Android operating system) is a bit complicated and time-consuming, so ordinary users are deprived of custom ROM taste. They have to rely on Google updates.

However, Xiaomi gives this opportunity easily with their MIUI ROM. Users of all Internet-enabled Xiaomi sets can easily update themselves to the latest developer or stable release via OTA (Over-the-air) updates. And even if you don’t have internet, you can download ROM files from elsewhere and flash them manually.

Anyway, at least I didn’t go down without explaining first. Many applications or features are pre-installed in the MIUI ROM by default, so there is no hassle of installing third-party applications from the Play Store or anywhere else. The more applications installed on the stock ROM (the operating system originally from the factory), the more the pressure on space and memory will increase – this is a matter of course. MIUI relieves us a lot from this pain. Now let’s know about the exact definition of MIUI. And brief details about this Xioami and Redmi android skin MIUI are given.

What Is MIUI

MIUI (Me, You, I) is basically an Android-based after-market firmware or, in a word, a custom ROM. However, MIUI is installed as a stock ROM on all Xiaomi mobiles. Those of us who are advanced users of Android, ROM, Stock ROM, Custom ROM, etc., are familiar words, but they may be unfamiliar to many of us. ROM is the operating system of an Android mobile phone or the operating system’s basic structure where the default applications are configured.

Stock ROMs are factory-issued ROMs on a mobile phone (such as Android KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, etc.). Custom ROMs are ROMs developed by developing open-source versions of the original Android version that have additional and different features or applications (such as CyanogenMod, Etc. Even if MIUI ROM is given as stock in Xiaomi or any other mobile brand, it can also be called a kind of custom ROM since it is built on the original Android.

MIUI ROM is installed as a custom ROM on all Xiaomi mobiles as well as on sets of around 340 models of smartphone around the world

Android Skins Of Xiaomi and Redmi: MIUI

Generally, all Android devices run based on Google’s operating system. But most smartphone makers use their own custom skins or software on their devices. For example, Xiaomi, India’s largest smartphone company, uses its own MIUI custom skin on all its devices (except the Mi A series). For multiple fun features and improved animation, users love this MIUI OST from Xiaomi. Since last month, the company has rolled out a stable update of its new MIUI 12 version, with Xiaomi adding lots of new features.

But a report has published recently, which may surprise Xiaomi fans. In fact, the report says, the Chinese company is trying to separate its custom skin from Google’s Android OS. Xiaomi relies heavily on Google’s services for devices sold outside of China. Then why is the company suddenly thinking such thoughts?

Google’s data collection methods are being thoroughly investigated in recent times. A couple of years ago, this popular search engine came under controversy due to data surfacing. Xiaomi, meanwhile, claims full protection of its users’ data. So maybe the Chinese company can take such a big decision in the coming days for data privacy.

Again, despite the current technological battle between the United States and China, Xiaomi is considering creating its own separate operating system, a possibility that cannot be ruled out.

Xiaomi highlighted some of the users’ problems in a detailed post on its Mi Community forum, where MIUI was questioned due to Google’s Android OS problems. Google has reported problems but is not paying attention. As a result, Xiaomi can’t overcome the problems. So the company has created a poll in its community forum, where they want to know the opinion of users with three options. These options are –

  • Whether MIUI will be introduced as a separate operating system for security and privacy reasons.
  • Whether Xiaomi will solve the issues found in MIUI based on Google’s Android OS.
  • Whether users are at ease despite having Android or privacy issues.

MIUI All Versions

MIUI Operating System started its journey by MIUI V1 on 16 August 2010. It was the first version of MIUI, and the Chinese Xiaomi company is still producing the updated version from before every year. Now it is running MIUI version 12. Have a look at the history of all MIUI versions since the MIUI v1 in the following list.

Serial No. MIUI Version Android Version Released Date Changes of Features
1 MIUI V1 2.1 16 August 2010 Initial release
2 MIUI V2 2.1-2.3.6 N/A Redesigned user interface
3 MIUI V3 2.3.6 N/A Redesigned user interface
4 MIUI V4 4.0.4 – 4.1.2 N/A A new user interface, Added anti-virus
5 MIUI V5 4.1.2 – 4.4.2 1 March 2013 A new user interface, Google Services were removed from the Chinese version
6 MIUI V6 4.4.2 – 5.0.2 29 August 2014 New user interface
7 MIUI V7 4.4.2 – 6.0.1 13 August 2015 The locked bootloader on selected old devices and all released afterward
8 MIUI V8 4.4.2 – 7.1.1 16 June 2016 Minor changes to the user interface, Updated system apps, Added support for Second Space and Dual apps
9 MIUI V9 4.4.2 – 8.1.0 10 August 2017 Minor changes to the user interface, Added split-screen, Improved Notification Shade and QuickCard, New silent mode, Added key and gesture shortcuts, Added face unlock
10 MIUI V10 6.0 – 9 19 June 2018 New notification shade, Extended notifications’ functionality, New recent apps screen, volume control, Clock, Calendar and Notes, Minor changes to the user interface, Dropped devices run Android Lollipop or below other
11 MIUI V11 7.0 – 10 22 October 2019 Dropped devices running Android Marshmallow or below other, Based on Android 10 on some devices, System-wide dark mode, with dark mode scheduling, Monochrome ultra power saving mode, New icons, Smoother animations, Status bar optimizations, Automatic screenshot management
12 MIUI V12 9 – 11 27 April 2020 Dropped devices running Android Oreo or below,  Dark Mode 2.0, New gestures and animations, New Icons, New notification shade, Super Wallpaper, 1-time permission for location, contacts, etc. in 3rd party apps, New camera & gallery filters

Another popular Chinese company, Huawei, has come up with a separate operating system for its devices. Maybe in the coming days, Xiaomi will follow the same path. In this context, let me tell you, Xiaomi’s new custom skin MIUI 12 – the first smartphone OS, has enhanced privacy protection. Another Xiaomi and Redmi Skin MIUI update is coming soon.