Xiaomi Developer team finally rolled out MIUI 9 Global Stable ROM for all supported phones from Mi, Redmi, and Redmi Note line-ups. An update from version 8 to version 9 means a major update. This involves the addition of new features, performance enhancements, bugs fixed, and of course newly designed user interface (UI). This new update has been anticipated by many MIUI fans for about 3 months before its official release in November 2nd, 2017. Nevertheless, some users have experienced its awesomeness earlier from its Developer (Beta) ROM.
As a refresh, MIUI ROM consists of 3 variants: Experimental, Developer, and Stable. Experimental version is updated every day, and is open to a small part of senior members. It means the availability is exclusive for its Dev team only. MIUI Developer version, which also called as Beta version, is updated every week. It get new features and bug fixes in every update, and is stable enough for daily usage. Therefore, anyone with adventurous soul can simply use this version. On the other hand, the Stable version does not have a regular update frequency. It’s updated once a month, two months, or even longer to ensure system stability. Common users who prefer ROM stability are recommended to use this version.
MIUI 9 Key Features
MIUI9 sports many awesome features including both new and inherited featured from MIUI 8. However, due to varying Android versions, system configuration, and hardware, some Mi phone models may not be able to support the full range features (e.g., Split screen, animated icons, Notification shade, App vault, etc.). Morepver, MIUI 9 features may also vary according to countries and regions.
1. Lightning Speed Performance
Xiaomi has improved the performance of MIUI by 9x faster from its previous versions. MIUI 9 not only launches system apps faster, but also most third-party apps. This great performance enhancement will surely effect the overall experience of its users. Mobile operating systems tend to slow down after prolonged use. Xiaomi Dev team have analyzed the causes for this performance degradation, and optimized smoothness in dozens of factors to ensure optimum performance.
2. Mi Drop
Mi Drop allows seamless transfer of files between devices without requiring an internet connection. This app has been around since MIUI 7.
3. Train Tickets
MIUI 9 now recognizes your train ticket SMS messages and intelligently turns them into simple cards with all the important information on it. This feature might not available in all countries.
4. Mi Video
Mi Video supports popular video formats and subtitles. It even intelligently groups episodes by show and allows you to hide videos that you wish to keep private.
5. Calendar Cards
Calendar is now much more than just a list of upcoming events. It is features-rich and it has very intuitive design.
6. App Vault
App vault shortcuts allow you to access core features of your favorite apps. Opening the scanner for a PayTM transaction is a matter of a tap now. With this feature you can call cabs with a single tap and add your most frequently used address. AppVault becomes a one-stop spot for all your most used features and info. Make use of specific features without searching for them. Call cabs, take notes, view upcoming events, and many more.
7. Animated Icons
System icons aren’t static anymore, and launching and closing them is more satisfying with new icon animations to signify the action.
8. Silent Mode
Silent mode can now be enabled directly through the sound panel, and a time can be configured to automatically disable silent mode.
9. Split Screens
In MIUI 9, you can run 2 apps simultaneously on the same screen, and you can adjust the screen space each takes. This is one of the most anticipated features of MIUI9.
10. Notification Shade
The new Notification shade now presents information in a more concise and comprehensive way. It groups all notifications on a by-app basis to reduce clutter. Users can even quickly reply to messages without opening the app.
11. Erase Lines and Objects
Using Mi Cloud AI algorithm, you can remove unwanted lines and objects from your photos. Users can easily create photo masterpieces in a snap.
12. Intuitive Home Screen
MIUI 9 comes with all new home screen. It was difficult to move apps in MIUI 8 to another page which was far away from our current page. Now, it is very easy in MIUI 9. Now you can drag and drop apps to the required screen very easily. You can Apps locks on Home Screen.
13. Add Stickers on Photos
Easily add beautiful and cute stickers to enhance your photos. No need for third-part photo editor apps.
Watch this interesting video to find out MIUI 9 features in only 1 minute:
MIUI 9 Changelogs
This changelog contains list of what changes have been implemented since MIUI 9. This includes enhancements, performance improvement, bugs fixed, and so on.
MIUI9 Lightning fast New - Deep-level system optimizations (08-07) New - New icons (08-07) New - New animations for launching and exiting apps (08-07) New - Simpler Home screen editing (08-07) New - Introducing Split screen (08-07) New - Improved Silent mode triggered by the volume button (08-07) New - Improved readability for the start page of Messaging (08-07) Highlights New - Reading mode can turn on and off at sunset and sunrise automatically (05-03) New - Improved layout and readability for search results in Contacts (06-29) New - Virus scans and payment scans were merged into Security scan (06-29) New - Better blocklist rules with the possibility of separated rules for every SIM card (07-10) New - Switch for turning Battery saver automatically when charged (07-19) New - New display formats for update logs in Updater (07-25) New - Search for apps in the Dual apps settings (08-03) New - Mi Picks gets a new name and a new icon! Meet Apps! (08-21) New - Quick ball goes back to the edge after 3 seconds of inactivity (08-30) Optimization - Cleaner removes empty folders better now (07-10) Optimization - Protection from unintentional tapping for Dial pad (08-08) Optimization - Redesigned home page (08-24) Optimization - Devices with rare Bluetooth profiles are hidden in the device list (08-29) Optimization - Simplified and improved the design of the virus scan result page (09-07) System Optimization - Increased system decryption speed (06-23) Optimization - Devices with rare Bluetooth profiles are hidden in the device list (07-25) Optimization - Devices with rare Bluetooth profiles are hidden in the device list (08-29) Fix - Home screen loaded too slow with Android 7.1 (06-23) Fix - Apps changed Wi-Fi connection status without the user's permission (06-23) Fix - Developer options couldn't be opened using Bahasa Indonesia (08-15) Fix - Music stayed in the Notification shade after exiting the app (08-15) Fix - Only Mi TV/Mi Box can be added/shown on Mi Remote app after the update. (08-22) Fix - WhatsApp force closed in Split screen (08-29) Fix - Fingerprint sensor works faster now (09-07) App Lock New - Added the App lock step before unlocking using a new fingerprint for the first time (08-15) Contacts New - Improved layout and readability for search results in Contacts (06-29) Optimization - Protection from unintentional tapping for Dial pad (08-08) Fix - Contact search didn't work properly for Russian and Ukranian (08-29) Messaging Fix - Time in Messaging didn't change when the system was switched to 12-hour format (08-29) Fix - Messages with one-time passwords disappeared (09-07) Lockscreen, Status Bar, Notification Bar Optimization - Notification shade response (07-04) Fix - Female voice for English (Waiting for Wi-Fi) in the Notification shade (11-02) Fix - Music player stopped working on the Lock screen after 10-15 minutes (11-02) Home screen New - Animated icons for selected apps in the default theme (09-01) Optimization - Folders open faster (07-10) Optimization - Users can set their main Home screen in the editing mode (08-29) Optimization - New animation for launching and closing apps (09-01) Fix - Couldn't close Recents in some cases (05-09) Fix - Issues with icon size for Clock, Calendar, and Weather (05-16) Themes Optimization - Redesigned home page (08-24) Camera Fix - Brightness jumps to maximum when viewing photos (09-12) Fix - Language support issues (09-12) Optimization - Improved design for Feedback (05-24) Settings New - Reading mode can turn on and off at sunset and sunrise automatically (05-03) New - Search for apps in the Dual apps settings (08-03) Optimization - Introducing Button and gesture shortcuts (09-15) Optimization - Media volume can be turned back on using volume buttons in DND mode. (09-14) Optimization - Floating notifications are restricted by default in DND mode. (09-14) Optimization - Vibration response in DND mode. (09-14) Optimization - Improved timers for Silent/DND. (09-14) Fix - Issues with ringtones in dual WhatsApp (05-24) Fix - Android security patch level was shown with the wrong date (09-07) Screen Recorder Fix - The recording couldn't be played regularly after the process of recording was stopped by locking the device (05-12) Optimization - Launching speed (07-01) Downloads New - Downloads keep waiting when the connection is established again in case it was interrupted (09-05) Browser Fix - Issues with Urdu (05-24) Recorder Fix - Adjustments for Recorder and Second space (06-23) Calendar New - New cards: Horoscope, News, Cricket news, and Cricket matches (05-18) New - Holiday cards for Russia (06-28) New - Introducing football cards with the info about major international leagues and matches (08-15) Blocklist New - Better blocklist rules with the possibility of separated rules for every SIM card (07-14) Cleaner Optimization - Cleaner removes empty folders better now (07-10) Battery Usage New - Switch for turning Battery saver automatically when charged (07-19) Security New - Virus scans and payment scans were merged into Security scan (06-29) Optimization - Simplified and improved the design of the virus scan result page (09-07) Scanner Fix - Scanner couldn't work normally (09-12) Quick Ball New - Quick ball goes back to the edge after 3 seconds of inactivity (08-30) Other New - Mi Picks gets a new name and a new icon! Meet Apps! (08-21) Fix - Google widget disappeared because of the Dual apps (06-20)
MIUI 9 FAQs
Q: Could developer version ‘upgrade’ to stable version?
A: The answer is yes. But you can’t use the OTA method to update, and can only flash the full ROM. As developer version is actually advanced than stable version, there will be data conflict between the two versions. Therefore, please wipe all user data in Recovery mode before flashing the ROM.
Q: Are there any notes I need to take before upgrading to MIUI 9 global stable version?
A: It’s highly recommended to back up user data before updating. OTA update is a safe procedure, since it’s not necessary to back up data. But if you update using full ROM, it’s better to back up all of your data to a computer. Please don’t update accross MIUI versions (experimental / developer / stable). If you really need to update accross MIUI versions, make sure to wipe all user data in Recovery mode before updating.
Q: How to upgrade my phone to MIUI 9?
A: If you’re using MIUI V5/MIUI 6/MIUI 7/MIUI 8 global stable version on your device, you can update directly on your deivce via OTA, or flash the full ROMs in recovery or using Mi PC Suite. If you’re using MIUI China Developer or China Stable version or Global beta version, you can flash the full ROMs in recovery mode only after wiping all user data.
Q: Where can I download MIUI 9?
You can go directly to MIUI website or click this link to browse all our MIUI 9 collection.
Important readings:
- A Guide on How to Install MIUI 9 Recovery ROM (.zip).
- A tutorial on How to Install MIUI 9 Fastboot ROM (.tgz).
Finally, what do you think about this new version of MIUI? Have you installed it?