Xiaomi Mi A2 Tips and Tricks
Factory OS: Android 8 (Oreo)
Have you updated your Operating System?
Then view tips for the most recent OS version(s): Android 9 (Pie)
Or view tips for all Android versions
If you would prefer to correct your own mistakes, then go to Settings – System – Language and input.
Then select the keyboard you are using and press the Settings icon again.
You should be able to find a predictive text option on this screen.
Google have hidden a clone of an Octopus inside of the Android Oreo OS.
To access this follow these instructions:
Drag down the notifications screen and go to Settings. Then scroll down to About device. Then tap on the Android version option 5 times.
You should now see a Lollipop on the screen or a double layer Oreo for Android 8.1.
Keep pressing the Lollipop/Oreo and after awhile a flying Octopus will appear.
You may need to long press on the Lollipop if multiple presses doesn’t work.
You can drag and fling that Octopus all around your screen. The eight tentacles represented 8.0
If you find yourself woken up by notifications, text messages or incoming calls, then there is a handy feature called Blocking mode.
To enable this go to Settings – Device – Sounds and notifications – Do not disturb.
From here you can set a From and To time in which to block these notifications.
You can also allow notifications through from certain contacts that you don’t mind bothering you.
If you already have an Android phone, then simply ensure each of your old Contacts are stored on Google (rather than the Phone memory). This means your contacts are stored on Google’s servers under your Google/Gmail login. Then once you get the new phone, log in with your Gmail account and your Contacts will be automatically synced.
If you do not have an Android device, you need to find a way to Export your old contacts to a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file and save this to a PC. You may need to install the correct software for your phone first in order to do the export.
Then, if you don’t have a Gmail account, sign up for one.
Once that’s done, open Gmail. Go to Contacts, then press More – Settings – Import/Export Contacts. Then import the CSV to your Gmail contacts.
Then on your phone, go to Settings – Personal – Accounts – Google and then select Sync to pull the contacts from Gmail to your phone.
Another method which is most helpful is to move all number from your old phone memory to your network Sim. Now insert this sim in new phone, and move all your contacts form SIM memory to Phone memory.
An almost essential setting is the ability to lock your screen by pressing the power key once. It will save plenty of time in the long run.
If this isn’t enabled, then go to Settings – Accessibility – Answering and ending calls.
Then select Pressing the power key.
If you want to access your quick settings more quickly, then instead of swiping down with one finger, then use two.
This should take you straight to the quick settings, however it may not work on all phones and models.
Looking for a great pair of headphones for your Xiaomi Mi A2? We provide the best deals, brands and information to guide you through the process.
How to decide
When choosing headphones, the main factors to consider are: price, quality and headphone type. Taking a moment to consider these factors will not only ensure you get the best value headphones, but also the best sound quality to listen to your music or movies. Remember that the Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug meaning all headphones will work on your device.
Price vs quality
As with most things, you get what you pay for and headphones are a very good example of this. A cheap pair of headphones may save you money in the short term, but may cost you when the cable snaps or your music sounds muffled or tinny. It is possible to get some great discounts, but we do recommend that you read the reviews and invest in a quality set of headphones. Beware of brands that you haven’t heard of, but be equally aware of big flashy brands that offer more style than substance.
Headphone types – Below we have listed the types of headphones to choose from:
Ear bud / earphones – These are the smallest type of headphones and are commonly included in the box when you buy phones and tablets. Our advice is to throw these away though, as they’re normally made very cheaply to increase the profit of the phone manufacturer. Invest in a quality pair from a reputable brand and you’ll be amazed at the difference in sound. Portability is the key advantage of ear bud style headphone as they can be stored almost anywhere; although it often means a few seconds of de-tangling before use. Ear buds are ideal for running, commuting or using in the office when you want to avoid distractions. Many people also buy two pairs in case one is temporarily missing down the side of the couch!
On ear headphones
– On ear headphones normally sit on top the ear, but don’t enclose the ear completely like the over ear or closed variety. These are handy if you want to store them in a jacket pocket or bag, but the sound can get a little lost out of the sides of the speaker so if you’re in a noisy environment, you may need turn them up in order to hear properly. If you’re moving around a lot they can also dislodge meaning you may need to frequently reposition them. Some people don’t like the bulk of the over ear style, so on ear headphones provide a good compromise between size and quality.
Over ear / closed headphones
– These are designed to completely cover the ear and are often used by DJs, for listening at home or for people who are a little more serious about their listening experience. Some models can fold up, but they are generally less portable than on ear headphones. Prices range from very cheap, up to the most expensive headphones on the market. Because all sound is directed into the ear, they provide the best quality sound and choosing a really top-end pair can be a truly pleasurable listening experience.
Noise cancelling headphones
– All of the above headphones also come in noise cancelling varieties. This works by filtering out background noises such as airplane engines or train noises. They are perfect for commuting and long distance train or plane travel, however they are often bulkier due to the need for some kind of battery pack. Some cheaper varieties might advertise passive noise cancelling which can simply means the plastic or foam casing naturally blocks out noises, so be careful of that. We recommend you choose active noise cancelling which employ a special technology to generate their own sound waves, which then cancels out the unwanted waves. Again, we recommend reading product reviews to choose the best value options.
Choose the best headphones below:
To help you choose, we’ve listed the best-selling headphones for the Xiaomi Mi A2. Simply click on the categories below to find out more:
Shop for: Over ear / closed headphones
Normally you can simply insert a SIM card and you will be able to browse the internet using 3G. Sometimes, this must be setup manually however. Before you start, you will need to ask your carrier or Telco for your APN settings.
Once you have those, go to Settings – Connections – Mobile networks – Access Point Names.
From here press the Plus sign at the top right and select New APN. Then fill in the details your carrier gave you. Then press the menu button and press Save.
If you have decided to ditch your iPhone in favour of Android, then there is a simple way to take your iTunes music, playlists and album art with you.
Simply go the Android Marketplace and download a Free App called Easy Phone Tunes. You will also need the computer version of the software, so go to http://easyphonetunes.com and download it from there. ?
Then, when that is done, turn your phone into a USB storage device (this will vary from device to device, but instructions are on the website).
Once your device is connected to your computer, open the computer version of the software and select your device from the Easy Phone Tunes list. Then follow the instructions to Sync your media.
At the bottom of each homescreen is your favourites tray, which consists of 5 icons. You can customise it by adding icons to the tray. If it’s full however, you will first need to remove some.
To remove an icon, simply press and hold an icon. Then drag it to your desktop.
Then to add a new one, simply drag an icon from your homescreen to the favourites tray.?


