How to turn on and configure wireless charging on Xiaomi Mi 8

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 8, released in honor of the eight years of the company, became the first device of the brand, received support for Qi technology. This feature allows you to charge the gadget without physically connecting the cable, simply by placing it on a special platform. However, many users are faced with a misunderstanding of where to look for a switch in the settings or why the indicator does not light up when contacting the base. MIUI There is often no separate “On/Off” button for this option.

The induction module depends on the right sequence of actions and the compatibility of accessories. If you just bought a wireless charger or took your phone from your hands, you need to make sure that all components are working and interact correctly with each other. In this article, we will discuss in detail the activation algorithm, possible causes of failures and technical nuances that will help you enjoy the convenience of wireless charging.

And it's worth remembering that wireless charging is not just a convenience, it's also a technology that requires the coils to be positioned precisely inside the case. If you're not positioning the phone right on the base, you can't even start the process of replenishing power, even though it looks visually correct. Let's look at how to get the device ready to work.

Verification of technical compatibility and completeness

Before looking for software settings, you need to make sure that you can physically perform the operation. Xiaomi Mi 8 has a glass back panel, which is a prerequisite for passing the electromagnetic field. However, the presence of glass does not guarantee work with any pancake charger purchased in the transition. You will need a certified device that supports the Qi standard.

Often the power supply to which the base itself connects is a problem. If you use a weak adapter (for example, from an old 1A phone), the induction module may not start due to a lack of input power. For stable operation of the base, it is recommended to use a power source with support for fast charging, usually 5V/2A or higher.

• 🔌 Make sure your charger is Qi Certified.
• ⚡ Use an original or quality cable USB (Type-C is desirable for connecting the base to the network.
• 📱 Remove a thick case or case with metal inserts, as they block the magnetic field.
• 🧹 Wipe the back cover of the smartphone and the base surface from dust and pollution.

⚠️ Warning: Metal rings on covers or cards in the back cover compartment can cause overheating and automatic charging shutdown.

If you use a case, pay attention to its thickness. The optimal is the distance of up to 3-4 mm between the coils. The thicker protection will work as an insulator, and the phone simply will not "feel" the charger. In such cases, you need to remove the accessory before each charging procedure.

Algorithm of activation of a function in the MIUI system

As mentioned earlier, most versions of MIUI firmware for Xiaomi Mi 8 have automatic functionality, which means that there may not be a separate switch in the settings menu, the system recognizes the presence of a charging field and activates power reception, but there are nuances that depend on the version of the Android operating system and regional firmware.

First, put your smartphone on the base, and if done correctly, the screen should light up, and you'll see the lightning animations, as well as a special connection sound, at which point a pop-up may appear on the screen suggesting that you turn on "Accelerated Wireless Charging" or "Audible Alert," and that's where the initial activation happens.

If you don't automatically turn on, you should check the settings section associated with the battery. The path may vary depending on the version of the shell, but most often it looks like this: Settings → Battery → Wireless charging. In some MIUI builds, this item only appears when the phone is physically on the charging base.

It's important to note that some users confuse the lack of a switch with a breakdown. In fact, if the phone is on the base and the indicator is on, but the charge is not going, the problem lies deeper. Perhaps the security system blocked the process due to high temperature or incompatibility of protocols. Try restarting the device without removing it from the base to initiate re-recognition of the hardware component.

Setup modes and optimization of charging

Once the basic function is activated, it makes sense to adjust its behavior to extend the battery life.The lithium polymer batteries installed in the Xiaomi Mi 8 are sensitive to overheating, which is inevitable with an inductive way of replenishing energy.

The wireless charging menu often offers options like Night Mode or Charge Limitations, which allow you to slow down the process of dialing at night, reducing heat generation, and pay attention to the screen settings: when installed on the base, the screen should go out unless you need constant monitoring.

Keep in mind that using heavy applications while wirelessly charging is a bad idea. Combining the CPU load and the heat from the induction coil can cause trottling and stop charging. If you need to recharge urgently, use the cable better.

Diagnosis of problems: why charging does not work

The Xiaomi Mi 8 refuses to charge wirelessly, and the first thing you need to do is analyze the behavior of the indicator, and if the screen lights up but the charge doesn't go (percentages don't go up), then there's a contact, but handshake protocol is not coordinated, and this is often the case with cheap Chinese bases that don't have the right certificates.

Another common scenario is intermittent charging, the phone starts charging and stops, and that's a sure sign of the device's center of gravity shifting relative to the base coil. The coil in the Mi 8 is positioned right in the center of the back cover, and even a 5mm shift can break the link.

• 🔍 Check if the port is contaminated. USB-C, since the system can prioritize wired connection in the presence of oxides.
• 🌡️ Feel the back cover: If it's hot, let the phone cool down before trying again.
• 🔄 Try turning the phone 180 degrees on base, sometimes it helps get into the reception area.
• 🛠️ Make sure that the indicator of the charger itself is on the base.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is only charging very close to the center of the base (literally a millimeter per millimeter), this may indicate degradation of the receiving coil inside the smartphone.

It's also worth checking for software conflicts. Third-party battery-saving apps or memory cleaners can aggressively control power and block background charging processes. Try running your phone in safe mode and checking the module. If safe mode is working, look for the culprit among the installed applications.

Use of accessories and third-party solutions

The accessories market for Xiaomi is huge, and choosing the right equipment is critical. For Mi 8 owners who want top speed, there are special bases that support fast wireless charging protocol, and they are capable of delivering power up to 10 watts and above, unlike the standard 5 watts.

When choosing a base, pay attention to the presence of active cooling (fan). Passive bases often cannot efficiently remove heat from the glass back of the Mi 8, which leads to reduced efficiency. Active cooling allows you to maintain high charging current longer.

There are also universal receivers that connect to the USB port, but for the Mi 8, they are not relevant, because the built-in module is already available. Buying an external receiver will only make things worse by creating excess resistance and heating at the connection point. Use the built-in capabilities of your device.

Car holders with charging function deserve special attention. They often use magnets for fixation, which can be dangerous for the Mi 8. The magnetic field can interfere with the operation of the coil of wireless charging or Hall sensors. Be careful with such gadgets.

Impact of firmware and software updates

The hardware part often depends on the software to work properly. In the early versions of MIUI for the Mi 8, there were bugs when the system misidentified the connection to the base. Xiaomi regularly releases security updates and patches that fix such errors.

Check for system updates. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If a new version is available, especially one marked “Stable”, it is recommended to install it. In the update description (changelog), you often find the phrase “Wireless charging stability is optimized”.

⚠️ Before updating your firmware, make sure that the battery is at least 50% to avoid interruption of the process and potential damage to system files.

Sometimes resetting the network settings or resetting it to factory settings helps if the problem is software-based and not solved by other methods, but it is an extreme measure that requires all data to be saved beforehand. In most cases, it is enough just to update the software to the current version.

Safety and operating rules

Induction charging is a safe process, but it requires basic rules: Don't cover your phone with a cloth or blanket while charging at the base. Lack of air circulation will cause rapid overheating, which is harmful to battery chemistry.

Try not to leave your phone on charge for a long time after reaching the 100%, Although the power controller must cut the current, the constant heating of a fully charged battery accelerates its aging. 20-80% for everyday use.

💡

Use a smart timer socket to automatically turn off the wireless base at night after a certain time after charging starts.

Watch the cable that connects the base and the network. Insulation overburdens and damages can cause the voltage to drop, which is perceived by the phone as an unstable source of power, and the charging will not turn on. A high-quality cable is the key to the stable operation of the entire system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Proper activation and use of quality accessories is key to long battery life and ease of use of wireless charging feature on Xiaomi Mi 8.