Xiaomi's custom Android skin, whether it's the stable MIUI or the newer, globally rolled-out HyperOS, is notorious for packing a dizzying array of features. While the sleek new control center and revamped icons are immediately noticeable, the real power of the operating system lies in the hidden settings and advanced toggles that are often buried deep within the menus.
These are the settings that dramatically improve battery life, unlock stunning visual flair, and introduce new, ultra-efficient ways to interact with your Redmi phone.
For power users and those looking to squeeze every drop of performance and productivity from their device, we've compiled the Top 5 Hidden Features in the latest Redmi HyperOS/MIUI that you must enable today.
- Advanced Textures and Real-Time Gaussian Blur The first step in making your Redmi feel truly premium is unlocking its full visual potential. While the interface is clean, you may notice that the blur effects on the control center and recent apps screen feel static or blocky. HyperOS has a hidden setting to elevate this with dynamic, real-time blur.
What it Does Advanced Textures enables a sophisticated, real-time Gaussian Blur effect across the system UI. This means:
The Control Center, Notification Shade, and Recent Apps panel will have a visually deep, glass-like transparency (often referred to as a "frosted glass" or "Liquid Glass" effect).
The blurred background changes dynamically as you move elements, creating a sense of depth and visual hierarchy that drastically improves the modern, fluid feel of the OS.
How to Enable It This setting can be tricky to find and is sometimes only accessible through a third-party activity launcher on some models, but check the official path first:
Go to Settings.
Navigate to Display & Brightness (or sometimes just Display).
Look for Advanced Textures or Visual Effects.
Toggle the feature ON.
Why it Matters: This is a purely aesthetic change, but it makes the entire operating system feel faster, cleaner, and far more modern, bridging the gap between MIUI/HyperOS and high-end interfaces like iOS and Samsung's One UI.
- Back Tap Shortcuts (The Hidden Hardware Button) One of the most efficient, yet least-used, features is the ability to map actions to a simple gesture on the back of your phone. By double-tapping or triple-tapping the rear glass or frame, you can instantly execute a command, effectively turning the back of your phone into a custom, hidden hardware button.
What it Does This feature, often called Back Tap or Quick Gestures, lets you assign two major shortcuts:
Double Tap: Launching the Camera, taking a Screenshot, enabling the Flashlight, or opening the Notification Shade.
Triple Tap: Opening a specific app (e.g., your payment app, WhatsApp, or the calculator) or executing a powerful system function.
Imagine instantly enabling the flashlight when walking in the dark without having to swipe down the control center—it’s pure convenience.
How to Enable It Go to Settings.
Navigate to Additional Settings.
Find Gesture Shortcuts or Quick Tap (the name varies).
Look for Back Tap.
Select Double Tap and Triple Tap gestures and assign your preferred actions.
Why it Matters: Back Tap is a massive productivity boost. It bypasses the need to unlock the phone and navigate menus for common actions, making your interaction with the device intuitive and lightning-fast.
- Uninstalling Core Bloatware (A HyperOS Revelation) Xiaomi's custom software has historically been criticized for including a substantial amount of pre-installed, non-essential applications, often referred to as "bloatware" (Mi Video, certain native games, etc.). With the transition to HyperOS, Xiaomi made a significant but under-advertised change: allowing the uninstallation of many previously non-removable system apps.
What it Does This feature gives you the freedom to reclaim storage space, improve system performance by reducing background processes, and remove apps you will never use. While core system apps (like the Dialer, Contacts, and Settings) remain, a large portion of the branded utility apps can now be cleanly removed.
How to Enable It Go to the app you wish to remove (e.g., the Mi Browser or Mi Video).
Long-press the app icon on the home screen or in the app drawer.
Look for the Uninstall option in the pop-up menu.
For apps that still don't show "Uninstall," go to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps, find the app, and check if the Uninstall button is now active (it may have been greyed out in previous MIUI versions).
Pro Tip: Even if you can't uninstall a specific app like GetApps or Mi Browser, you can usually disable unnecessary notifications and ad recommendations within the app’s own settings to mitigate their impact.
Why it Matters: A lighter operating system is a faster and more private operating system. Removing bloatware frees up RAM and storage, making the system snappier and extending battery life by stopping unwanted background activity.
- Custom Lock Screen Styles and Depth Effect The lock screen is the most-viewed element of your phone, and HyperOS has introduced a powerful, hidden customization engine that goes far beyond simply changing the wallpaper. This feature allows you to fully customize the aesthetic elements and even use AI-powered effects.
What it Does The new Lock Screen Customization allows for deep changes:
New Design Styles: Choose between Magazine, Rhombus, and Classic clock/date layouts, each with unique fonts and widget placements.
Depth Effect: This is the key hidden feature. When enabled, the phone recognizes a subject (a person, pet, or object) in your wallpaper and overlays the clock behind it, creating a sophisticated 3D visual layering effect.
Video/Dynamic Wallpapers: On supported devices, you can set short motion photos or even short videos as the lock screen background, often with AI enhancement to loop seamlessly.
How to Enable It Go to Settings.
Navigate to Wallpaper & Personalization (or Always-on Display & Lock Screen).
Select Lock Screen Format/Customization.
Choose your desired style and then select a photo.
Look for the Depth Effect toggle and ensure it's activated. The system will automatically detect the subject.
Why it Matters: Personalization increases user satisfaction. This feature is a simple way to give your phone a unique, high-end look that is far more engaging and visually appealing than a standard lock screen.
- HyperMind AI Integration and Proactive Automation The most futuristic hidden feature is the HyperMind Cognitive Center—the brain of HyperOS that enables seamless, proactive automation across the entire Xiaomi ecosystem, extending to your Redmi phone. While some of the deepest features require connecting to other Xiaomi smart devices, the core AI automation can be set up on the phone itself.
What it Does HyperMind is an on-device AI center that learns user routines and automatically executes complex actions (automation "scenarios") without the user's explicit command.
Examples of HyperMind Scenarios:
Proactive Silent Mode: “When my phone connects to the Wi-Fi network at the library (location trigger) and the time is between 2 PM and 5 PM (time trigger), automatically enable Silent Mode and reduce screen brightness.”
Headphone Automation: “When Bluetooth headphones connect, automatically launch the Spotify app and adjust the media volume to 70%.”
Nighttime Prep: “At 11:30 PM, if the phone is charging and I am in my bedroom (location), automatically enable Dark Mode and activate Eye Comfort.”
How to Enable It Go to Settings.
Search for HyperMind or Automation/Smart Scenes (the name may be regionalized).
Tap Add Scenario or Create Automation.
Define your Trigger (e.g., Device Connected, Location Entered, Time of Day).
Define your Action (e.g., Launch App, Adjust Volume, Change System Setting).
Why it Matters: HyperMind transforms your phone from a reactive device into a proactive assistant. By automating tedious, repetitive tasks based on time and location, it drastically reduces digital friction and makes your Redmi feel genuinely smarter.
Conclusion: Mastering the HyperOS Experience The evolution from MIUI to HyperOS is more than just a name change; it represents a fundamental shift towards a cleaner design aesthetic combined with deeper, more intelligent automation.
The features highlighted above—from the subtle visual upgrade of Advanced Textures to the pure efficiency of Back Tap Shortcuts and the personalized power of HyperMind—are not just gimmicks. They are crucial tools that, when enabled, redefine the daily user experience on your Redmi phone.
Stop living with the default settings. Take ten minutes to dive into those hidden menus and unlock the true, powerful, and personalized flagship experience your Redmi is capable of delivering.
