MIUI 9 global beta now available on Xiaomi Mi 6 and Redmi Note 4/4X

Xiaomi introduced MIUI 9, its latest interface built upon Android Nougat, a couple of weeks ago, and now it’s rolling it out the global beta version of the ROM. Xiaomi announced the news via its official MIUI forums, stating that the new interface would be rolled out in stages, with the Redmi Note 4, Redmi Note 4X and Mi 6 being the first devices to get in on the action.

The download for these handsets is now available over at MIUI.com, but the second batch of handsets has already been announced. While it’s not yet known when support for these devices will roll out, the phones on the list include the Mi MIX, Mi Note 2, Mi 5, Mi 5s, Mi 5s Plus, Mi Max 2, Mi Max, Redmi 4/4X.

The MIUI 9 update promises faster app launching speeds, new animations and icons, split-screen mode and more, though the global version of the UI misses out on a few features exclusive to the Chinese variant, like the Smart App Launcher and Smart Assistant (more details on those can be found here).

Here’s the changelog MIUI 9 version 7.8.10, direct from Xiaomi:

• Deep-level system optimizations (08-07)
• New icons (08-07)
• New animations for launching and exiting apps (08-07)
• Simpler Home screen editing (08-07)
• Introducing Split screen (08-07)
• Improved Silent mode triggered by the volume button (08-07)
• Improved readability for the start page of Messaging (08-07)
• Search for apps in the dual apps settings (08-03)

Xiaomi also noted that device with “rare Bluetooth profiles” are now hidden in the device list.

If you want to download the MIUI update for yourself, head over to en.miui.com now. Note that you’ll have to flash the software manually (if you aren’t running a previous beta ROM version), which also means unlocking the bootloader. Xiaomi includes details on how to do this on the dedicated update page.