How to set up Xiaomi Redmi 8: from unpacking to hidden chips

Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to balanced characteristics: Snapdragon 439 processor, capacious battery at 5000 mAh and camera with a resolution of 12 + 2 MP. However, “out of the box” the device does not work at full power – many functions are hidden in the MIUI settings, and standard parameters are often optimized for the “average” user, rather than for specific tasks.

This article will help not only to pass the initial setup after purchase, but also to reveal the hidden potential of the smartphone: from unlocking the bootloader (for installing custom firmware) to fine tuning autobrightness, control gestures and battery modes. We will also look at common beginner mistakes, such as why Redmi 8 can be lost after resetting to factory settings. 4G, if not activated SIM-card in the first 5 minutes after switching on.

The manual is suitable for all versions of Redmi 8 (M1908C3IC, M1908C3IE, M1908C3IG) based on MIUI 10-14 (including global and Chinese versions). If you have other firmware, check the compatibility of functions in the corresponding sections.

1. First Entry and Basic Setup

After unpacking Redmi 8 installation SIM-maps (Nano-SIM supported) + microSD or two nano-SIMs, start setting up the initial setup. SIM-card 1 (upper) supports 4G, slot 2 — only 3G/2G.

When first activated, the system will offer:

• 🌍 Select the language (Russian is available in global firmware).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (we recommend using 5 GHz for quick download updates).
• 🔄 Transfer data from another device (via Mi Mover or Google backup).
• 🔐 Set up unlocking: PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint (the scanner on Redmi 8 is located on the back panel).

At the stage of setting up a Mi Account, you can skip the binding, but note: without it, cloud backup, device search and some MIUI functions will not be available. If you plan to install custom firmware, do not tie the account - this will make it easier to unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi 8 from hand, make a full reset via Settings before setting up → The phone. → Resetting.This will delete the previous owner’s data and avoid problems with the Mi Account, which can be linked to the device.

Battery Optimization: How to Prolong Autonomy

Redmi 8 is famous for its long run time thanks to its 5,000mAh battery, but by default MIUI aggressively consumes charge in the background.

1. Activate Battery Mode: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Mode and select “Battery Saving” or “Balanced.” Turn off Performance Mode – it reduces the time of operation by 20-30%.
2. Limit background activity: In Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary applications (especially instant messengers and social networks). Also in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization enable optimization for all applications.
3. Adaptive Brightness: By default, the light sensor on Redmi 8 is not working correctly. Turn off Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Display and set a fixed value of 40-50%, which will save up to 15% of charge per day.

If the battery is still low, check the status of the battery through the engineering menu:

1. Enter the phone code in the app: ##4636##
2. Select "Battery Information".
3. Check the Health setting: If the value is below 80%, the battery needs to be replaced.

3. Customization of gestures and controls

MIUI on Redmi 8 supports navigation gestures, but by default they are disabled.

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
2. Select “Gestural Navigation.”
3. Set the sensitivity of swipes at the bottom of the screen (recommended “Average”).

Additional control chips:

• 👆 Double touch to wake up: activate in Settings → Display. → Screen wake-up. Works even with the display off.
• 🔄 Screen rotation by gesture: in Settings → Additional functions → Turn on Screen Turn – Now it’s enough to turn the phone twice to change the orientation.
• 🎵 Guest music control: swipe your finger over the left/right lock screen to switch tracks (setting in Settings) → Lock screen).

⚠️ Note: If the Back button disappears in some apps (e.g. YouTube) after activating gestures, return to Navigation button or install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).

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To return the standard navigation buttons after you turn on gestures, reboot your phone – sometimes MIUI resets the settings after you restart.

4. Unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware

If you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you first need to unlock the bootloader.

• 🔓 Unlocking is possible only through Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website).
• ⏳ You need to wait 72–168 hours after linking your account to your device.
• 📱 The phone must be on a global or Chinese firmware MIUI (customless).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Activate "Debugging by" USB» and “Unlocking” OEM» In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.
4. Once unlocked, run TWRP through fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

The following are the Redmi 8 Firmware:

5. Camera setup: how to improve photo quality

The Redmi 8 camera (12 MP, f/1.8 + 2 MP for background blur) is capable of good shots, but by default MIUI uses aggressive processing.

• 📸 Turn off the “AI camera”: in the “Camera” application, go to the settings and deactivate “Smart scene recognition” – this will reduce noise in the photo.
• 🌓 Use Manual Mode (Pro): Set up ISO 100–400 and endurance 1/100–1/200 day-shot.
• 🔍 Enable Ultra High Definition (48MP): Available in camera settings, but takes longer to shoot.

For the video, we recommend:

• 🎥 Permits to be established 1080p@30fps (1080p@60fps heats up).
• 🎤 Connect an external microphone through USB-C (The built-in microphone does not suppress noise).
• 📱 Use photography apps like Open Camera or GCam (Google Pixel port).

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For the best photos on Redmi 8, always clean the camera lens – even a slight contamination severely degrades the quality due to the small aperture (f/1.8).

6. Network and Internet setting

Redmi 8 supports 4G LTE (B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20 bands), but sometimes the internet speed is limited by MIUI settings.

1. Select Network Priority: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network settings and set "Only" 4G (recommended)».
2. Turn off Traffic Savings: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Save traffic: Deactivate this feature – it limits download speed.
3. Set up APN: If the Internet is not working, manually add your operator's APN. For example, for MTS: Name: MTS APN: internet.mts.ru Authentication type: PAP

To improve the Wi-Fi signal:

• 📶 B Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally, turn on “Smart switch Wi-Fi” – the phone will automatically switch to mobile Internet at a weak signal.
• 🔄 If Wi-Fi is often turned off, turn off “Wi-Fi Charge Savings” in the battery settings.

7. Resetting and restoring factory settings

If Redmi 8 started to brake or there were software errors, reset to factory settings.

1. Through the settings menu: Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select “Delete All Data”.
2. Through Recovery: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
3. Fastboot (if the phone is not turned on): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: After resetting on Redmi 8, access to the system may be lost 4G, if SIM-card is not activated in the first 5 minutes after activation. 4G, restart your phone or manually select network mode in the settings.

To avoid data loss, pre-create a backup copy of:

• 📱 Mi Cloud (Mi Account Required).
• 💾 Through Local Backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🖥️ Through ADB (For experienced users: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

8. Hidden features and chips MIUI

MIUI on Redmi 8 hides a lot of useful features:

• 🔊 Amplification of sound in headphones: in Settings → Sound. → Settings headphones turn on "Sound amplifier».
• 📡 Second Space Mode: allows you to create a separate work profile with other applications (activated in Settings) → Special facilities → Second space).
• 📱 Application cloning: in Settings → Annexes → Cloning applications can be duplicated messengers (for example, two WhatsApp).
• 🔒 Hidden folders: in Files, press your finger on the folder and select Encrypt – it will disappear from public access.

For experienced users:

• 🛠️ Engineering menu (#4636##) allows you to test sensors, battery and network.
• 📶 Hidden network settings: type ##4636## → Phone information → Set the preferred network type to «LTE only».

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The Redmi 8’s Second Space feature allows you to separate personal and work data without using two phones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi Redmi 8