Buying a new smartphone, especially one as popular as the Xiaomi Redmi 8, always evokes mixed feelings: from delight to slight confusion at the sight of the MIUI interface. This device, which has become a hit in the budget segment, offers powerful hardware for reasonable money, but requires the right initial configuration for comfortable work. Without a competent setup, the user can face intrusive advertising, aggressive energy savings and incomprehensible notifications.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps you need to go through immediately after unpacking your device, learn not only basic steps, but also how to turn standard firmware into a convenient tool for work and entertainment. The right start is the key to a long and stable operation of your Android gadget.
Before we go into deep customization, we need to follow a number of mandatory procedures, without which full use of a smartphone is impossible, and we will touch on security issues, account binding and setting up the notification system, which has its own unique features in the shell of MIUI.
Primary activation and basic parameters
Once you turn on the device, you will be greeted by a welcome screen, where you first need to choose the interface language. For Russian-speaking users, this is a standard procedure, but you should carefully consider the choice of region. This parameter depends not only on the format of the time and date, but also on the set of pre-installed services, as well as the availability of certain functions in the system.
The next critical step is to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Without the Internet, you can't activate your device, sync contacts, and check for security updates. If you have a Google account, the system will prompt you to enter data right now, which is necessary to download a list of previously installed applications and restore backups.
Don't miss the biometric security setup step. Redmi 8 features a fingerprint scanner located on the back, takes less than a minute to set up, but makes unlocking and authorization in banking applications much easier. PIN-code or pattern lock in case the sensor fails.
⚠️ Note: When registering for a Mi Account, be sure to include your real phone number and mail. Restoring access to a locked device without this data may not be possible due to the theft protection system.
In the initial setup process, the system may suggest installing additional applications or signing up. Don't rush to agree with everything. Read the text carefully on the screen so as not to activate paid services or unnecessary software that will consume the CPU resources.
Optimizing the interface and removing advertising
MIUI is known for its functionality, but also for having built-in ads that are activated by default. To enjoy a clean interface, you have to manually disable recommendations in system applications, either through the settings menu of each application individually or through global privacy settings.
To start, go to the settings and find the password and security section, and you should turn off the "Receive recommendations" option, then go to the standard apps: Music, Video, Explorer, Downloads, and in each of them, you should find the "Receive recommendations" option in the settings menu (usually three dots in the corner) and turn the switch into an inactive state.
- 📱 Open "Security» → press the gear → Turn off "Get recommendations».
- 🎵 Go to the music app» → menu → setting → Turn off "Show ads».
- 📂 In The Guide» → menu → setting → Turn off "Receive content».
Another important aspect is the desktop setting. Redmi 8 allows you to use different design schemes and icon grids. You can change the font size, turn on a dark theme or adjust the pocket for frequently used applications. All this is in the “Themes” section or in the desktop settings.
⚠️ Warning: After the system update, some ad settings may reset. Check these settings periodically, especially after major updates MIUI.
To clean up the visual noise, you can turn off notifications from system applications. Often the system itself offers news or tips that are only distracting. Go to the notification settings and turn off unnecessary channels for Mi Community, Get Themes and other service programs.
Set up notifications and energy saving
One of the most common problems Xiaomi users have is the lack of incoming notifications from messengers. Aggressive energy saving system can “kill” background processes, which causes messages to Telegram or WhatsApp only come after opening the application.
Go to the Security app and select Permissions, and you're interested in AutoStart. Find all the messengers, email clients, and important social networks on the list, and turn on this feature for them, so that the applications can run with the system and stay active in the background.
Then you need to lock the applications in memory. Open the list of running applications (swipe from the bottom up with retention or menu button), find the desired application, press its icon and press the lock, which will prevent the system from clearing it from RAM when cleaning the background.
| Annex | Auto-start | Battery | Notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn on | No restrictions. | Important | |
| Telegram | Turn on | No restrictions. | Important |
| Viber | Turn on | No restrictions. | Important |
| Gmail | Turn on | No restrictions. | All right. |
Also check the battery settings for each important application. Under Applications → All Apps, select the messenger you want, go to Battery, and set No Limits mode, ensuring that the system does not restrict background activity.
☑️ Set-up of notifications
Working with memory and file system
Redmi 8 often comes with 32 or 64GB of internal storage, which may not be enough in today’s environment. Android and MIUI shell take up a significant portion of the space, so good file management becomes critical.
The first thing you need to do is set up a photo and video saving setup. If you have a microSD card slot in your device, be sure to install it. In the camera settings, you can specify that you save all the images directly to an external card, which will save the internal space for installing applications.
The Explorer app allows you to analyze memory occupancy. Use the cache cleaner function regularly. However, be careful: cleaning the cache removes temporary files, but not personal data. Completely cleaning the application data will delete all your correspondence and settings inside it.
To transfer existing files, use the Move function. Select photos, videos or documents to internal storage, select Copy or Move, and specify the path to the internal storage. SD-This will make room for the installation of new games and programs.
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Use cloud services (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) to automatically upload photos, which will remove the originals from your phone, save them in the cloud, and free up gigabytes of space.
Secrets of the Camera and Multimedia
The camera in Redmi 8 is capable of taking high-quality pictures if you adjust the settings correctly. The standard Photo mode is suitable for most situations, but for night shooting it is better to use a special Night mode. In this mode, the shutter speed is increased, which allows you to capture more light, but you need to keep the phone still.
In the camera settings, pay attention to resolution. The default may be a value optimized for social networks. To print or view in detail, set the maximum resolution available. It is also useful to include a framing grid that will help you comply with the rule of thirds when you build a composite frame.
- 📸 Turn it on. HDR to capture contrasting scenes to keep details in lights and shadows.
- 🌙 Use a tripod or stop when shooting in “Night” mode to avoid lubrication.
- 🎞️ For the video, select permission. 1080p 30 fps for optimal balance of file quality and size.
Don't forget the audio profiles. You can choose the equalizer or preset for your headphones in your audio settings. If you use wireless headphones, make sure that the Bluetooth codec is set to the highest quality supported by both devices.
⚠️ Attention: Shooting high-resolution video (4K or 1080p/60fps, If available, it quickly fills up memory and heats up the processor. Use these modes only when necessary.
Additional functions and gestures
The MIUI shell offers a lot of handy gestures that speed navigation, and instead of the standard buttons, you can use gesture control: swipe from the bottom to return to your desktop, swipe from the side to return back, which makes using a large screen smartphone more comfortable with one hand.
One of the unique features is Quick Apps, which allows you to run lightweight versions of popular apps (such as taxis, food delivery) without installing them, a perfect memory-saving solution, and you can find it in the Tools folder.
Also worth mentioning is In-Pack mode.The proximity sensor locks the screen when the phone is in your bag or pocket, preventing accidental taps.Make sure this feature is activated in the Lock and Protection section.
Hidden Call Recording Function
For users who type a lot, a keyboard setting will be helpful. Gboard or the standard MIUI keyboard allows you to configure swipes to type, change the height of the panel and add a second switching language, which will greatly improve the speed of typing.
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Properly configuring gestures and fast apps can reduce screen interaction time by 30%, making smartphone use more efficient.