The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains one of the most popular smartphones even years after its release. Its powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor, 64-megapixel camera and a capacious 4500 mAh battery make the device relevant for many users. However, over time, even such an “iron monster” begins to slow down, quickly discharge or overheat. In this article, 10 proven ways to improve the Redmi Note 8 Pro, from basic settings to advanced tweaks that will return your smartphone to its former performance.
We won’t offer obvious “remove unnecessary apps” tips, but instead focus on deep system optimization, hidden MIUI features, and hardware improvements, all tested on MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions) and don’t require root rights unless otherwise stated. For convenience, we’ve divided the content into blocks, from software tweaks to physical modifications.
1. Performance optimization: disabling excess
The first thing that Redmi Note 8 Pro owners notice after 1-2 years of use is that animations and hang-ups slow down when multitasking, not only because of battery wear, but also because of MIUI bloating, which accumulates background processes over time.
- 🧹 Turn off auto-start applications: go to Settings → Annexes → Autorun control and deactivate autoboot for all programs except system (e.g. Google Play Services) will reduce the load on RAM.
- ⚡ Activate the performance mode: in Settings → Battery. → Select “High Performance” modes (Warning: This will increase battery consumption!).
- 🔄 Reset the dalvik cache: Reboot to Recovery to do this (click Power). + Volume up) and select Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik Cache.
MIUI 12.5+ critical error: The system automatically turns on MIUI Optimization (Settings → Phone → MIUI → Icon Version... → MIUI Optimization), which actually slows down the smartphone, blocking background processes more aggressively than necessary.
To check the results, use the test in AnTuTu Benchmark or Geekbench 5. After cleaning the cache and disabling autorun, the increase in multithreaded tests can reach 10-15%.
2. Acceleration and Tweets for Gamers
The Redmi Note 8 Pro was marketed as a gaming smartphone, but over time, even it begins to “lay” in modern games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile.
- 🎮 Enable Game Turbo Mode: In Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo activate the feature and add games to the list. This will turn off notifications and optimize resource allocation.
- 🔥 Spread it. GPU (Requires root: With Kernel Adiutor, increase the frequency Mali-G76 MC4 Warning: This will increase heating!
- ❄️ Refrigeration: Use Cooling Master or CPU Cooler to force the processor temperature to drop during play.
⚠️ Attention: Acceleration GPU without additional cooling, it can lead to trottling (automatic frequency reduction) after 15-20 minutes of play.°C, return the standard settings. Game Standard settings Optimized settings Increase FPS PUBG Mobile Balanced + Medium Extreme + HDR (Game Turbo) +8–12 FPS Call of Duty: Mobile High + 60 FPS Very High + 90 FPS (acceleration GPU) +15–20 FPS Genshin Impact Medium + 30 FPS High + 40 FPS (cooled) +10 FPS 💡Before overclocking, check the state of the thermal paste: if the smartphone heats up to 50°C in simple tasks, it is better to replace it first (about this in the section "Repair"). 3. Extension of battery life 4500 mAh in Redmi Note 8 Pro should keep a charge of 1.5-2 days, but in practice after a year and a half the capacity drops to 70-80%. Here's how to slow down degradation: 🔋 Limit the charge to 80%: in Settings → Battery. → Battery settings turn on "Optimized Charging" and that reduces battery wear by 30%. ⚡ Turn off the fast charging (if you are not in a hurry): 18W-Charging heats the battery. 10W-night-loader. 🌡️ Control the temperature: do not use your smartphone on charging during games – this reduces the battery life by 2-3 times. ⚠️ Warning: If a smartphone suddenly turns off at 20 to 30% charge, it is a sign of severe battery degradation, in which case only a replacement (cost from 1500) will help. ₽ Use AccuBattery to diagnose capacity. If the battery is below 70%, consider replacing it, and further optimization of the software will not have a significant effect. Install AccuBattery|Look at the current capacity.|Check the number of charging cycles|Compare it to factory values (4500 mAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)--> 4. Improved camera quality 64-Megapixel main camera Redmi Note 8 Pro is capable of more than standard software offers. Here's how to unlock its potential: 📸 Use GCam: Download a modified version of Google Camera (e.g. GCam) 8.1 by BSG) for better processing HDR night-shot. 🎥 Set up bitrate video: in Camera Settings → Video resolution select 4K@30fps bitrate 50 Mbps (default — 35 Mbps). 🔍 Turn off digital zoom: in GCam, limit zoom to 2x (The loss of quality begins). Comparison of a standard camera and GCam when shooting at dusk: Standard camera setting MIUI Google Camera (GCam) Details in the dark Lubricated contours, noise Clear edges, less noise White yellow balance in artificial light Natural colors Dynamic range Overlights in the sky Balanced exposure How to install GCam on Redmi Note 8 Pro? 1. Download. APK-file from celsoazevedo.com (Redmi Note version) 8 Pro). 2. Enable installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications). 3. After installation, open GCam and import the config (e.g, BSG_MGC_8.1.101_A10_V2.xml). 4. In GCam settings, select Pixel 4 AWB for correct white balance. 5. Official updates for the Redmi Note 8 Pro stopped in 2022, but this does not mean that the smartphone is doomed to outdated MIUI. Let's look at all the options: 🔄 Official Global Firmware: The latest version — MIUI 14 based on Android 11. Update via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system. 🌍 Port port EU-ROM: unofficial firmware from Xiaomi.eu without bloat and with weekly updates. TWRP. 🤖 Custom firmware: LineageOS 19 (Android 12) or Pixel Experience for pure Android. Requires unlocking the bootloader. ⚠️ Attention: When you install custom firmware, you reset the encryption. TWRP Or Mi Mover before the start. Also note that on the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not work the official way to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool – you will need a workaround using fastboot and patched EDL. Instructions for installation Xiaomi.eu: 1. Unlock the bootloader (via fastboot oem unlock). 2. Install. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img 3. Get in the recovery (food) + Loudness up). 4. Swipe the firmware: Install → select the file.zip 5. Clear the cache: Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Cache. 6. Reboot. 💡Castom firmware gives +20% productivity due to the absence of bloat MIUI, You will be denied an official guarantee (if it is still valid). 6. If software optimization does not help, it is time to think about “iron” improvements. Redmi Note 8 Pro has a modular design, which allows you to replace many components yourself: 🔧 Thermopaste replacement: over time it dries up, leading to overheating.Use Arctic MX-4 Or the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut. 🔋 Installation of a new battery: the original battery BM4B worth ~1800 ₽, But you can take the analogue from Patona with a capacity of 5000 mAh. 📱 Display replacement: If the screen cracks, the original module will cost 4,000–5,000 ₽, But you can save money by buying. OEM-analogue (~2500 ₽). Replace the thermal paste: Unscrew 12 screws on the back cover (use Torx screwdriver) T3). Carefully disconnect the battery plume and the screen module, remove the radiator from the processor, clean the old paste with alcohol, apply the new paste with a thin layer (~0.3 mm) and put everything in reverse order. 💡After replacing the heat paste, check the temperature in AIDA64. If the load is CPU down from 85°C to 65-70°C — you did it right! 7. Alternative launchers and themes MIUI Not everyone likes it, and many users complain about the over-animation and the awkward arrangement of the elements: 🏠 Nova Launcher: allows you to customize gestures, hide unnecessary icons and speed up the opening of applications. 🎨 Lawnchair: Lightweight launcher with Pixel themes and adaptive icons. ⚡ Hyperion Launcher: Optimized for gaming and multitasking. To install an alternative launcher: Download APK with APKMirror or Google Play. Set and select it as the default launcher in Settings → Annexes → Default launcher: Customize gestures and appearance in the launcher menu (prolonged desktop pressing). Comparison of launcher performance (application opening time, MS): Launcher Cold start Hot start RAM consumption MIUI standard 420 miss 180 miss ~500 MB Nova Launcher 310 miss 120 miss ~350 Lawnchair MB 350 miss 150 miss ~300 MB FAQ: Frequent questions about improving the Redmi Note 8 Pro Can I Get Android? 13 on the Redmi Note 8 Officially — no, the latest version of Android for this model is Android. 11 (MIUI 14). However, there are custom firmware based on Android 12/13 (For example, LineageOS 20 or Pixel Experience 13). To install them, you will need to unlock the loader and stitch through TWRP. How to remove advertising in MIUI? Advertising in MIUI Disable in a few steps: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → My account. → Settings → Advertising preferences and deactivate all switches. B Settings → Annexes → Application management → System applications find Msa, Analytics and disable them. Install. ADB and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution Should I Change the Speaker to Redmi Note? 8 Pro? if the speaker started wheezing or playing quietly, a replacement is warranted. original speaker (L1811A) worth ~800 ₽, Replacement in the service will cost 1500–2000 ₽. The alternative is to clean the speaker's mesh from dust (sometimes that solves the problem). How do you turn up the volume of the headphones? By default MIUI Limit volume to protect your hearing. To remove the restriction: Set the volume. ViPER4Android (It requires Magisk. Turn on the Engine. → Headphone FX → Volume Boost and set the value +6 dB. Or use the Volume Booster app (no root requirement). ⚠️ Attention: Increase in volume above +3 dB can damage headphone dynamics! What to do if the smartphone does not turn on after firmware? If after firmware Redmi Note 8 Pro does not start (hang on the logo or flashes Fastboot), try: Boot in Recovery (Power) + Volume up, and make Wipe Data, and run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode, and if it doesn't work, check if it's gone. EFS-section (responsible for IMEI). Recovery will require a backup or help from a service center.