Xiaomi’s mobile devices have long since ceased to be just a means of communication, turning into powerful multimedia centers. The Redmi 8 Pro, released in late 2019, is still popular due to the balance of price and performance, but the standard system settings hide a lot of opportunities for advanced users.
To gain full control of the Android operating system, you need to activate the hidden menu section, which is not available to the average user by default, and this is where the tools for debugging, fine-tuning the interface and managing processor resources are located, which is especially important for devices with a Helio G90T processor.
Enabling this functionality is the first step to deep customization of your gadget, which does not require root rights, but opens the door to experimenting with the behavior of the operating system, allowing you to speed up the interface or prepare the phone to connect to the computer for complex manipulations.
Why you need access to hidden settings
Many users mistakenly believe that advanced settings are only for programmers to debug the code, and in fact, the list of features available in this section is useful for any enthusiast who wants to optimize the performance of their Redmi 8 Pro.
One of the main reasons for activation is the ability to control the animations of the interface. Standard values in the MIUI shell often seem redundant, creating the illusion of slow operation of the system, although the hardware copes with tasks quickly. Changing the scale of the animation allows you to make the response of the system instantaneous.
USB debugging is also critical, and without it, you can’t establish deep-level communication between your smartphone and your computer, which is required to transfer files to system folders, use emulators, or install apps outside of the Google Play store via the ADB command line.
⚠️ Warning: Changing parameters associated with CPU operation or background processes can lead to unstable operation of individual applications. Be careful with settings whose value you do not know.
Another important feature is selectively limiting background processes, so if you notice that your phone is starting to warm up or is running out quickly because of a heavy app, you can force it to shut down without removing the program completely.
Preparation of the device before activation
Before you start changing system parameters, it is recommended to conduct basic training of the device, which will help to avoid unforeseen situations, such as data loss or account lock.
Make sure your Redmi 8 Pro is signed in to Mi Account.While it is not always strictly necessary to enable a developer mode, having a linked account is the security standard of the Xiaomi ecosystem and may be required for further action.
Also check the battery level. Although the power-on process does not require much power, subsequent settings may require a reboot or active screen, preferably at least 30-40% charge.
- 📱 Make sure the screen is unlocked and you are on the desktop.
- 🔋 Check the battery level to avoid sudden shutdown.
- 📶 Make sure you have a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) for Google services and MIUI.
If you plan to use debugging to connect to your computer, install ADB drivers on your PC in advance so that the system recognizes the device immediately after turning on the corresponding switch in the menu.
Step-by-step instructions for the inclusion of the developer mode
The process of activating the hidden menu on the MIUI shell is standardized, but requires careful calculation of clicks. The algorithm of actions is the same for most versions of the firmware installed on the Redmi 8 Pro.
You first need to go to the main settings menu, and find and open the About Phone section, which is usually located at the top of the system settings list, and it displays all the basic information about your device.
Inside this section, look for the line MIUI Version. This is the one you need to use to put a series of quick taps on. Take your time, but don't pause between clicks either.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
After pressing 7, you will see a pop-up message saying “You’re a developer!” If that doesn’t happen, try changing the rhythm of the taps or checking if the random tap protection feature in your pocket is enabled, which can block the input.
Once activated successfully, go back to the main settings menu. Scroll down to the Additional section. There's a new Developer Item that didn't exist before, and it's secured with a screen unlock password or a graphical key for security.
The main parameters for optimization of Redmi 8 Pro
Once inside the menu, you're faced with a huge number of switches. Don't change everything, because it can disrupt the stability of Android. Focus on the key parameters that affect performance.
Find the section "Drawing" (or "Design"), where there are three parameters for animation: "Scale of window animation", "Scale of transition animation" and "Duration of animator"; by default, they are 1x.
It is recommended to change all three values to 0.5x or even Disabled, which will visually speed up the interface, as the system will spend less time rendering transitions between screens.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling animations completely can make the interface twitchy and less pleasing to the eye.The optimal balance for the Redmi 8 Pro is considered to be value. 0.5x.
Also worth paying attention to the parameter Limit of background processes: if RAM (4 or 6 GB) is not enough, you can set a limit of "No more than 2 processes", which will force the system to more aggressively unload applications from memory, freeing up resources for an active task.
For gamers using the powerful Helio G90T processor, the “Do Not Save Action” option is interesting, and its activation prevents the system from maintaining an activity state when it exits, which can be useful for testing applications but inconvenient in everyday use.
Configure debugging over USB and work with ADB
The USB Debugging function is the gateway for external control of the smartphone. When you first turn on this switch, the system will issue a security risk warning. Confirm the action by pressing OK.
Once you connect the cable to your computer, you'll see a request on your phone to allow debugging from that computer, and be sure to check the RSA keyprint and click "Allow" by ticking "Always Allow from this computer" so you don't have to confirm it again.
adb devicesThis command in the computer's command line will let you check if your PC sees your device, and if the list shows a serial number with device status, then the connection is correctly installed.
In modern versions MIUI There is also a function of “debugging” USB (If this item is active, normal debugging will not work. You need to switch it to "Enable (use default settings)" mode)».
💡
When connecting to a new computer, always check carefully. RSA-a key displayed on a smartphone screen to avoid connecting to fraudulent charging stations in public places.
For advanced users, the option “Select USB configuration” is available. Switching to MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) or PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) mode can solve file transfer problems if the standard mode is not working properly.
Additional tools and diagnostics
The developer menu contains tools that are useful for diagnosing network and display problems, such as the "Show Touch" feature that displays a white circle at the point where you touch your finger, which is useful for creating screencasts or training videos so that viewers can see where you're clicking.
The “Display CPU load” option displays a real-time graphic of the CPU cores, a great way to understand which application causes the Redmi 8 Pro to heat up while playing or browsing.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Scale of animation | 0.5x | Visual acceleration of the interface |
| Background processes | No restrictions / 2 process | Savings in RAM and batteries |
| Hardware acceleration | Included (by default) | Accelerating the rendering of 2D graphics |
| Strict Mode | Off. | Prevents application pop-up errors |
Also worth mentioning is the “Don’t Turn Off Screen” feature when charging, which is useful if you’re using your smartphone as a desktop clock or a navigator connected to a power bank so that the screen doesn’t go out on its own.
How to turn off the developer mode and reset the settings
If you've completed the setup or want to return to the original state, you don't have to reset the entire phone to factory settings. You can turn off the developer mode in a couple of clicks.
Go to the Developer menu and scroll to the top, and there's a master switch that's currently active, and just click on it to deactivate the entire partition.
After that, the "Developers" item will disappear from the "Additional" menu, and if you want to activate it again, you will have to repeat the procedure with the click on the version of MIUI.
What to do if you lose access to the settings?
If you use your phone to transfer data to your PC using specific methods, you will have to turn on the function again.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to change the settings in the sections associated with "Demo mode" or "Testing" if you do not understand their purpose.This can lead to blocking the interface or incorrect display of elements on the screen.
To completely reset all experimental settings, the developer menu includes a “Reset” button in the upper right corner of the screen (three-dot or gear icon) that returns all settings to factory values, but does not turn off the mode itself.