Xiaomi is now ready with the stable ROM of its much-talked about MIUI 8, the global version of which was presented alongside the Mi Max a couple of months back. The MIUI 8 is now available for almost entire Redmi and Mi series. The Redmi 1S, Mi 2/2S, Mi 4i, Redmi Note 3G, and Redmi Note 4G will start receiving the update on August 23, while updates for remaining eligible devices will be rolled out from August 25 onwards.
Also read: Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime Frequently Asked Questions
Since OTA updates are rolled out in batches it is could take a week or more before you see the notification. If you don’t have the patience to wait for the OTA update, you can simply download ROM package from the official MIUI website.
Installation Guide (Recovery mode):
- Go to MIUI official update page. Scroll down to your specific handset and download the recovery file.
- Rename the downloaded file to ‘update.zip’ using a PC. Now copy it to the root directory of internal storage or external MicroSD card.
- Go to ‘Updater’ app which comes pre-installed on your phone. Go to hamburger menu and select ‘Reboot to recovery’.
- Alternatively, you can enter the recovery mode by switching off the phone and then pressing Volume up key + Power Button key simultaneously.
- In Recovery mode: Use Volume up and Volume down keys to navigate and Power Button to Enter/Confirm.
- Go to install update.zip to System option. Select Yes.
- Once the installation process is over Select Reboot.
- Voila! Now your phone is running on MIUI8
Here are the new features of MIUI 8:
Dual Apps
In MIUI 8, Xiaomi has introduced a dual apps feature. It enables users to run any app with two separate accounts simultaneously on a single phone. Now with Dual App feature user can run two accounts of WhatsApp, Uber, Tinder, Facebook and more apps on MIUI8 running smartphones.
Second Space
Xiaomi has taken inspiration from Coolpad Dual Space feature which it introduced in Coolpad Max. Second space feature allows users to create two separate spaces within the same phone. For the ‘Second Space’ user can set a different home-screen, use a different set of apps or sign-in with a different account, and guard it with a unique password or finger impression.
Why screenshot 3 times when you can just do it once? #MIUI8https://t.co/cTY5XmJL4t
— Mi India (@XiaomiIndia) July 26, 2016
Scrolling Screenshot
I assume everyone must be aware of Screenshots and associated limitations. Xiaomi here took an inspiration from Vivo’s FunTouch OS to introduce multi-screen scrolling screenshots. With MIUI8, you can scroll entire article or webpage to take screenshots and can edit them with ease.
The new notification shade
The notification shade on MIUI has remained same for a while, and feels really dated. The Swipe left action feels like a lot of work ever since Google introduced double swipe down quick-settings access with Android Lollipop.
This year, Xiaomi makes amends with a refreshed notification panel similar to Samung’s TouchWiz UI. You can swipe through the quick settings and see notification cards on the same panel.
Also Read: Lenovo Z1 with 3GB RAM and Snapdragon 801 launched In India At Rs. 13,499
New Gallery App in MIUI 8
The Gallery App on MIUI 8 has also been updated, and offers several more editing options. You can select multiple images, crop images, add music, add caption or even doodle on them.
After all that editing effort, you can conveniently share the end result with your friends with a simple swipe-up gesture.
New Notes App with Fingerprint security
The refreshed notes app is easier to navigate thanks to the new grid view. Also, there are beautiful templates you can use to spruce your notes. But above all, the Note App will is now better armed to guard your secrets.
You can lock notes with your finger impression.
Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 FAQ, Benchmark Scores and Camera Samples
Wallpaper Carousel
Wallpaper Carousel sends beautiful images to your lock screen daily. We have experienced and appreciated this feature before on Huawei Honor phones and more recently on Gionee S6, and in our opinion, this should be a valuable addition.
New Power Saving Mode
Xiaomi MIUI 8 will also include a new Power saving mode that freezes background activities, sync, updates, etc. The mode also prevents unnecessary apps from starting up haphazardly.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and Galaxy J5 2015 (2016) First Impression – Iterative Refinement
Other Features
Besides the above-mentioned features, some other additions to MIUI 8 include a new video editing app, iOS-like Quick ball floating virtual button fonts, new themes, a QR code generator, advanced calculator, a messaging app that catches spam automatically and Step by step solution to high school math problems.
:Last updated on 24th August 2016.
