Forward an SMS Message
Need to pass on an address, code, or phone number from a text without retyping it? On Xiaomi phones you can forward the original SMS straight from the Messages app instead of copying the content by hand. This saves time and avoids typos in important details.
Connect Manually to a Hidden Wi-Fi Network
If your Xiaomi phone does not list a wireless network under available connections, the router is likely broadcasting with a hidden SSID or sitting outside the usual scan range. In that case MIUI needs the exact network name and password entered by hand instead of picking the network from a list. Typing the SSID wrong or missing the correct security type is the most common reason the manual entry still fails.
Share a Webpage from Mi Browser
Copying a website address by hand often cuts off part of the link or drops tracking parameters that break the page. Mi Browser can send the page straight to WhatsApp, Gmail or Messages, but the share option sits inside the profile menu instead of the main toolbar. Many people end up scrolling through icons before finding the right one.
Turn Mobile Data On or Off
When your Xiaomi phone shows no internet outside Wi-Fi, mobile data is usually switched off or was toggled off by accident after a network change. This also blocks messaging apps and background sync, since they rely on the cellular connection once Wi-Fi drops. A wrong or missing APN can cause the same symptom even when mobile data itself is enabled.
Set Default SIM for Mobile Data
If your Xiaomi phone keeps using the wrong SIM for mobile data, downloads and browsing can suddenly stop working on the plan you actually pay for. With two active SIM cards, MIUI needs one clear default data connection, otherwise apps may quietly try to load data through the wrong carrier. Picking a fixed data SIM stops that back and forth.
View Device Certification Info
If you need your Xiaomi phone's FCC ID, model number, or other certification details for a return, insurance claim, or customs check, they are not printed on the box or shown in a quick settings toggle. This information sits inside a dedicated certification screen that most users never open on their own.
Taking a Photo with the Camera App
Snapping a basic photo on a Xiaomi phone rarely causes trouble, but once you enable a color filter, lock focus manually, or switch away from the default Photo mode, the shutter button can seem to do nothing. Knowing which mode and settings are active before you tap the shutter prevents blurry or oddly filtered shots.
Turn On/Off Camera Quick Launch
Missing a fast-moving shot because unlocking your Xiaomi phone takes too long costs you the moment every time. Camera Quick Launch lets you jump straight into the camera app from the lock screen instead of swiping through your PIN or pattern first. When the option is off, a double press of the volume down button does nothing and you lose those extra seconds.
Set Up Parental Controls
If your kid keeps bypassing screen time limits or stumbling into age-inappropriate content on their Xiaomi phone, the built-in restrictions were probably never turned on. Xiaomi bundles this protection inside Digital Wellbeing & parental controls, but the setup wizard sits a few taps deep in the settings menu. Without running it once, none of the content filters or usage limits actually apply.
Connect to a Wi-Fi Network
If your Xiaomi phone shows no internet access or keeps prompting for a network password, the device usually just is not linked to any Wi-Fi yet. Mobile data alone will not give you access to a home or office network, and an inactive Wi-Fi radio hides every nearby network from the list. Once Wi-Fi is switched on, both private networks with a password and open public hotspots become selectable.
Change Home Screen Grid Layout
If your Xiaomi home screen always shows the same number of icons per row, the app grid is set to a fixed layout, usually 4x6. Switching to a denser grid like 5x5 fits more icons per screen but makes each icon smaller.
Turn On/Off USB Debugging
If MyPhoneExplorer refuses to sync contacts or a rooting tool cannot detect your Xiaomi phone over cable, USB debugging is usually still switched off. The option only appears once Developer options are unlocked, and many users cannot find the toggle afterward. Leaving it enabled permanently also carries a small security risk you should know about.