“These MIUI 14 features 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, there are many who 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. This is a version with a philosophy that is quite far from others such as Samsung’s One UI, relying on many tools and a behavior that is initially designed for the Eastern public. However, there are many innovative functions that it provides and 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.
App Cloning
There is no doubt that application cloning is a very useful and interesting function. Being able to use it to carry two WhatsApp accounts on a Dual SIM phone, or use two different profiles in a game are just some examples of the benefits that can be obtained from the function of duplicating apps.
MIUI is able to do it for a few years, and Android seems to receive it soon. But, the latest stable and official version is Android 13, where we see no trace of this utility. Therefore, stock Android users with phones like Nokia, Motorola, and Pixel themselves yearn to use it for different purposes.
More complete and attractive quick adjustments
Since Xiaomi decided to change its traditional notification panel and quick settings in MIUI 12, we see how these two sections have their location separately. It is a matter of taste that it is all in one, or in two different panels, but what is to be commended is the high level of customization.
In MIUI 14, quick settings look great with a blurred background and large, stylish buttons. Android’s native solution is a bit simpler: there’s no way to unfold both sections, instead you have to drag your finger once more to open the full quick settings panel. What’s more, this one is less customizable with identical controls whatever the function. MIUI does it better with slider bars for sound and brightness and wider buttons for WiFi and mobile data (the ones we use the most on a day-to-day basis).
Lock screen customization
Although the lock screen is a mere procedure to access the functions of our mobiles, it may contain useful information that will save 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 some shortcuts to any corner.
For its part, Google has decided to leave this screen only to show the clock and a button to access Google Wallet quickly. It is here where we miss some more options that allow us to add a specific app, or change the shape and appearance of the clock. Thus, Android would have a more customizable lock screen, adjusted to the user’s needs. A pity the filtered design of Android 11 that Google discarded.
Always-on display with more options
Something similar happens with the screen always active, or AOD for its acronym in English (Always On Display). Google has known how to adapt to changing times, providing us with a beautiful ODA, but too simple. If we go to Xiaomi’s solution, it’s another world.
In a section of the MIUI settings we find the always-on screen, with a very deep customization: the clock has a thousand shapes and colors, analog, digital, with or without backgrounds… It is a joy to modify this section, because within each available model, we can also change the color and choose which elements are shown, such as the battery and the notifications.
Floating windows to respond to notifications
Responding to notifications from the quick responses of Android 13 is very simple and direct, providing us with a useful way that avoids us going into the applications. However, if we are doing another task on our mobile, switching between various applications is a hassle. MIUI covers this need with floating windows, which allow us to have WhatsApp (and any messaging app) on top of what we are doing.
so it’s easy interact with notifications without us having to stop what we are doing. And yes, it is different from quick responses because in these we do not see all the content of the app that notifies us. It could be an interesting utility for other users if Android adopts this function, and incidentally, join it to the desktop mode that sounds 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 frames live, as well as record the screen and add shortcuts to this panel that takes on a floating form when we run games. It also brings us closer three optimization modes (performance, standard and battery saving), but it falls far short of what Game Turbo offers.
This useful function is named with this curious name. And it is much more complete, with the possibility of optimize performancerestrict network usage (to make multiplayer games go 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).
Launcher to suit the user, adding more settings
Although it has always been criticized Xiaomi for its similarities with Apple, starting with the MIUI launcher itself, it is true that it allows more customization of your home screen. Now we can use it in classic mode (like iPhone) or choose to show the application drawer, adored by many followers of this operating system.
Besides this, everything is modifiable: the size of the icons, the grid, the transition effects, the appearance of the recent panel (or multitasking), and even the default screen (the main or home). In this sense, what Android stock gives us falls 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 Google’s operating system. MIUI is no exception, but at least it has a fairly complete uninstaller.
It is another function that could be used perfectly for Android, perhaps not so much for very clean phones such as Pixels (also due to the pre-installed Google Apps that we do not use), but for other manufacturers that fill the internal memory of the phone with apps.
As we can see, the functions that Xiaomi adds with MIUI 14 are quite useful, being able to make the most of them. Although we are confessed lovers of pure Android, it does not hurt to recognize some aspects that can be improved and that they would bring a little more grace to the whole. Making Android a better operating system that meets all the needs of each user.
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