How to enable fast charging on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, which is still actively used by users. Despite the fact that the model was released in 2019, its 4500 mAh battery and support for fast charging with 18W remain relevant advantages. However, many owners face the problem: the smartphone charges too slowly, although the package includes an adapter with support for Quick Charge 3.0. Why is this happening and how to get the device to charge at full speed?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can enable fast charging on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including hidden MIUI settings, checking charger compatibility, and fixing firmware problems. You’ll also learn how to distinguish between real fast charging and regular charging, and what to do if a smartphone doesn’t see a powerful adapter. Instructions are suitable for all MIUI versions, from 10 to 14, including global and Chinese builds.

Why the Redmi Note 8 Pro might not use fast charging?

Before you try to turn on fast charging, it's important to understand why it might not work.Here are the main reasons why the Redmi Note 8 Pro charges slowly:

• 🔌 Incompatible power adapter – even if it supports 18W, The smartphone may not recognize it».
• ⚡ Disabled function in settings MIUI — In some firmware, fast charging is turned off by default.
• 📱 Damaged cable or connector USB-C — physical defects limit the transmission of current.
• 🔄 Programmatic limitations — MIUI Can artificially reduce charging speed to save battery.
• 🔋 Battery wear – if the capacity falls below 80%, the system automatically limits current.

Fun fact: The Redmi Note 8 Pro uses MediaTek Pump Express technology (for the Helio G90T processor), which is compatible with Quick Charge 3.0, but not with all fast charging standards. For example, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging or Huawei SuperCharge adapters may not offer top speeds.

⚠️ Note: If you use wireless charging, the maximum power on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is limited 10W — This is not a fault, but a feature of the model.

Checking the current charging speed: how to know if the function is working

Before setting up a fast charge, make sure it's really not active.

1. Connect your smartphone to the charger.
2. Unlock the screen and open the Settings → Battery.
3. Click on the Charging Charge Icon (at the top of the screen).
4. Look at the current power in mA or W.

Normal rates for fast charging on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

If your speed is below 15W, then the fast charge is not activated or is not working correctly.

Method 1: Enabling fast charging in MIUI settings

The easiest method is to activate the function through the settings menu, but depending on the version of MIUI, the path to the option may differ.

MIUI 12-14 (Global/European version)

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Battery Settings.
3. Find the "Fast Charging" option and turn on the switch.

For MIUI 10–11 (older versions):

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Battery and performance.
2. Tap on Battery Settings → Fast charging.

For Chinese firmware (CN ROM):

1. Open up. → →.
2. Activate the option.

If the “Fast Charging” item is not on the menu, it may mean:

• 🔹 The firmware does not support manual control (solution - update) MIUI).
• 🔹 The adapter is not compatible with MediaTek Pump Express.
• 🔹 The function is blocked due to severe battery wear.

Uses original or certified USB-C| Adapter supports 18W (Quick Charge 3.0) | Battery not less than 5% | Smartphone does not overheat

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Method 2: Use of an engineering menu (for advanced users)

If standard settings don’t work, you can try activating fast charging via the MTK engineering menu (available on the Helio G90T processor).Beware – wrong actions can cause crashes!

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. Select Battery Information.
3. If you're looking at the current charging status, if you're looking at AC (not Fast), move on to the next step.
4. Go back to the main menu and select the Engineering menu → MTK Settings.
5. Go to Hardware Testing → Charging.
6. Enable the Fast Charging option (if available).

⚠️ Attention: In some firmware, the engineering menu may be blocked, if nothing happens after entering the code, then access is disabled by the manufacturer. Do not use third-party applications to unlock - this can violate the security of the system.

An alternative method is to use the MTK Engineering Mode app from Google Play, but it requires root rights, which voids the warranty.

Method 3: Checking and Replacing the Charger

A common reason for slow charging is an inappropriate adapter or cable. Even if the power supply says 18W, it doesn't guarantee compatibility with the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Requirements for charger:

• 🔌 Quick Charge 3.0 or MediaTek Pump Express.
• 🔹 Exit voltage: 5V/3A, 9V/2A or 12V/1.5A.
• 🔄 Cable with support USB 2.0 or higher (preferably original from Xiaomi).

Recommended adapters for maximum speed:

Critical: If you use a laptop or power bank to charge, the maximum power will be limited 10W, even if the device supports 18W. This is due to the limitations of the protocol. USB BC 1.2.

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To check the real power of the adapter, use the application AccuBattery (Google Play), which shows accurate data on current and voltage in real time.

Method 4: Resetting battery settings and calibration

If fast charging has previously worked but Suddenly has stopped, the problem may be a power controller failure, in which case resetting the battery settings will help.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find Battery (or Battery) and open it.
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After discharge:

• 🔋 Connect the charger and wait until the smartphone determines it again.
• 📊 Check the charging speed through Settings → Battery.
• 🔄 If the problem persists, calibrate the battery:

Calibration of the battery:

1. Discharge the smartphone to 0% and turn it off.
2. Connect to charging and leave for 3-4 hours (even after reaching 100%).
3. Turn off and turn on the device. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

⚠️ Note: If the battery capacity in AccuBattery is below 3,500 mAh after calibration, this is a sign of severe wear and tear, in which case fast charging can be automatically disabled by the system for safety.

Method 5: Update firmware and kernel

In some versions of MIUI, fast charging doesn't work properly due to software errors, so the solution is to upgrade to the latest stable version.

How to update MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download and install it.

If the update doesn’t work, you can try to reflash your smartphone via Fastboot or Recovery, but it’s a risky method that requires experience.

Signs of software failure:

• 🔄 Fast charging only works after restarting.
• 📉 The speed of charging "jumps" (then) 18W, piece 5W).
• 🔋 There is no “Fast Charging” option in the settings, although the adapter supports it.

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If after updating the firmware fast charging is gone, reset the settings to factory (but pre-return the data!).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users make mistakes that interfere with the normal operation of fast charging, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔌 Use of cheap cables - they do not withstand high current and limit power to 10W.
• 🔹 Charging through USB-hub or extension device - this reduces the voltage.
• 📱 Ignoring overheating – if the smartphone heats up above 40°C, MIUI automatically reduces the charging speed.
• 🔄 Disabling battery optimization – this can cause the power controller to malfunction.

How to avoid problems:

• 🔋 Use only certified adapters and cables.
• 📊 Check the battery status in AccuBattery regularly.
• 🔄 Do not turn on fast charging if the smartphone is very hot (for example, after games).

If none of these methods worked, there may be a hardware problem, such as a damaged charging controller or a worn-out battery, in which case we recommend you contact the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions