How to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: detailed instructions with nuances

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even years after the release, it hides a lot of useful features. The developer mode gives access to advanced settings that the manufacturer has hidden from the average user. It’s not just a “secret menu” for programmers – here you can speed up the animation of the interface, enable debugging for the computer, change network settings and even extend the life of the battery.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step instruction with illustrations on how to activate the developer mode on the Redmi Note. 8 (including Note versions 8 Pro and Note 8T). We're going to look at not only the basic way you turn on, but we're going to talk about which settings you should change immediately after you unlock, and which ones you should stay away from. MIUI 12/13/14 — Why the Developer Menu is Lost Sometimes and How to Get It Back.

We warn you in advance that some of the settings in this mode can disrupt the stability of your smartphone or even cause a reset. So we have highlighted critical menu items that you can't touch without experience, which can be a building block to your device. If you're a beginner, follow the proven guidelines in this article.

Why you need a developer mode on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

Many users mistakenly believe that the developer mode is only useful for programmers or firmware users, and in fact, even for the average user, it can be useful for:

• 🔧 Speed up the interface – disabling animations makes the smartphone noticeably faster (especially relevant for the Redmi Note) 8 s 3/4 GB RAM).
• 🔄 Unlocking the bootloader is the first step to install custom firmware or obtain root rights.
• 🖥️ Debugging by USB — Without it, you will not be able to connect the smartphone to ADB or Fastboot for deep customization.
• 📶 Changes in network parameters, such as forced selection of a communication standard (2G/3G/4G) or enable VoLTE on unofficial firmware.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization – Turning off background activity for individual applications or limiting processes.

On the Redmi Note. 8 s MIUI 11-14 The developer’s system also allows:

• 🎮 Activate acceleration GPU for games (for example, in Settings) → For developers → Disable hardware overlays).
• 📱 Simulate additional displays for testing adaptive applications.
• 🔊 Change Bluetooth bitrate (useful for audiophiles with wireless headphones).

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12.5+ Some of the developer options can be hidden even after the mode is activated. ADB (We'll tell you about that below).

If you’ve never used these settings, start with the safe options: disabling animations or enabling debugging. USB. More profound changes (e.g., more profound changes, OEM Unlock requires understanding of the consequences.

Step-by-step instruction: how to turn on the developer mode

The activation process is the same for all versions. MIUI Redmi Note 8, but there are nuances depending on the firmware version. Follow the instructions carefully - if you skip the step, the menu will not appear.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).

2. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some firmware it may be called About Device).

3. Find the line Version MIUI And press it. 7 once in a row, after the first 3-4 A pop-up notification will appear with the countdown: You are almost at the target!".

4. At the 7th press, the system will display a message: "You became a developer!" - this means that the mode is activated.

Now go back to the main Settings menu, and a new section will appear between the Settings option and the System, Developer Options (or Developer Settings in English firmware).

Press "Version" MIUI" exactly 7 times (not less)|Check if the section is hidden in additional settings|Reboot your phone if the menu is not displayed|Update MIUI Up to the latest version (on old firmware bugs with display)

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If the developer section is not visible after activation:

• 🔍 Try searching by settings (the magnifier in the upper right corner) and enter the query "developer".
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the menu only appears after the reboot.
• 📱 Nana MIUI 12.5+ The section may be hidden in the settings → Additionally. → Special facilities.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable 12.0.3 For the Redmi Note 8) After the update, the developer mode is reset, and to return it, you have to repeat the activation procedure or use it. ADB-Adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

Top.-5 Useful settings in developer mode for Redmi Note 8

Now that the menu is available, we'll figure out which options to change first, and we've selected the 5 most useful and safe features that won't harm the system, but will greatly improve the user experience.

Pay special attention to the setting "Do not turn off the screen while charging." This option is useful if you use your smartphone as:

• 🎵 Music player at party (screen doesn't go out showing album cover).
• 📹 DVR in the car (constantly recording video without locking).
• ⏰ Alarm clock with time display (for example, for elderly relatives).

Here's the GPU-Be careful with acceleration: on some Redmi Note 8 firmware, it can cause graphics glitches in games or even overheat the processor. If you notice artifacts (strips, flickering), immediately turn off this option.

Turned off animations to speed up.|I've got the debugging on. USB|Limiting background processes|Other (I will write in the comments)|I haven't tried it yet.-->

Dangerous settings: what can not be touched without experience

There are options on the developer menu that can disrupt your smartphone, reset your settings, or even brick your device, and we've compiled a list of the riskiest options -- don't change them unless you understand the consequences.

• 🚨 Unlocking OEM — It lets you unlock the bootloader, but it resets all the data on the phone. You can't install custom firmware without it, but it's pointless to just turn it on.
• 🔧 Enable authentication of the bootloader - can block the launch of unofficial firmware.
• 📡 Manual network selection – incorrect settings will lead to loss of communication (you will have to reset network settings).
• 🔄 Reset network settings – deletes all saved Wi-Fi passwords and mobile Internet settings.
• 🛠️ Enable Error Log – Creates huge log files that clog memory.

Separately, you should warn about the option to Include 4x MSAA This feature is called Hardware Rendering Acceleration, and it compulsorily includes anti-aliasing in games, but:

• 🔋 Increases the load on the processor (the battery goes down 2 times faster).
• 🎮 Not all games support MSAA — Some may have a flicker or lag.
• 🔥 Overheats smartphone (especially relevant for the Redmi Note 8 with its tendency to heat up).

⚠️ Note: If you accidentally change your settings USB by default (for example, selected by the MIDI Instead of charging, the smartphone will stop connecting normally to the computer. To get it back, go to the developers' site. → Configuration USB by default and select Only Charging.

If after changes in the developer mode, the smartphone began to slow down, overheat or discharge quickly, try:

1. Return all settings in this menu to the default values (Reset button in the upper right corner).
2. Reset the device.
3. If the problem remains, reset to factory settings (but it will delete all data!).

Developer Mode Disappears After Update MIUI: do

Many Redmi Note 8 users face a problem: after the update MIUI The developer section disappears, although it was activated before, and it's because Xiaomi has a policy that resets some settings when major updates are made:

Method 1: Reactivation

Just repeat the steps from the instructions above: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and press 7 One. MIUI 13/14 sometimes required 10 press.

Method 2. ADB (if the first method did not work)

If the menu does not appear even after multiple clicks, use the command:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

For this:

1. Install ADB on your computer (instructions for Windows: official Android site).
2. Turn on the debugging. USB (If it was activated before the update, it will remain active).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute a command in the terminal.

Method 3: Reset all settings (extreme case)

If nothing helps, reset to factory settings via Settings. → Additionally. → Restore and reset. This will bring back the developer menu, but delete all the data from the phone!

Nana MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 8, there is another problem: after updating some items in the developer menu become inactive (grey), this is due to the new restrictions of Xiaomi:

1. Activate the developer mode (if it is missing).
2. Go to the Developers For → Password to change settings and set PIN-code.
3. Reboot the smartphone.

How to turn off developer mode on Redmi Note 8

If you no longer need advanced settings or want to return your smartphone to factory status, you can deactivate the developer mode.

Method 1. Through settings

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. In the upper right corner, press the switch (it should turn grey).
3. Confirm the blackout.

Method 2. Discharge through MIUI

If the switch is inactive or the menu is not open:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset app settings.
3. Confirm the action – this will turn off the developer mode and reset the permissions for all applications.

Method 3: Complete reset (if nothing helps)

In extreme cases, perform hard reset through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting. It'll delete all the data, but it'll be guaranteed to bring the smartphone back to its original state.

⚠️ Note: Once you turn off the developer mode, all the settings you changed in this menu will reset to default values. For example, if you turn off animations, they will become active again.

If you plan to sell or transfer your smartphone to another person, be sure to turn off:

• 🔌 Debugging by USB (security).
• 🔓 Unlocking OEM (if it was on).
• 📱 Password to change settings (if set).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with the developer mode on the Redmi Note 8, users often encounter typical problems, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them.

I have to tell you about the error of "Debugging". USB Connect the device and try again, which appears when you try to use ADB. To fix it:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer with the original cable (cheap cables often don’t support data transfer).
2. On the smartphone at the time of connection, select the mode File Transfer (MTP).
3. On the computer, install the Mi drivers USB Driver (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).
4. In the developer menu, turn on the debugging by USB (security).

If after changes in the developer mode, the smartphone stopped charging or does not turn on, try:

• 🔌 Hold the power button. 10-15 second-on-second forced reboot.
• 🔋 Connect to another charger (possibly a problem in the power supply).
• 📱 Log in Recovery Mode (Power button) + Volume up and make Wipe Cache Partition.

💡

If after activating the developer mode, the smartphone became slower to work, check if you accidentally turned on the option “Do not save operations” (For developers) → It disables the caching of applications, which severely inhibits the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions