How to improve the performance of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: from software settings to hardware tricks

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

Snapdragon 665

The reason is not because of the "aging" of iron

Many users mistakenly believe that the only way to get back to speed is to buy a new phone. In practice, 80 percent of performance problems are solved by software methods, from cleaning the cache to fine-tuning the CPU core. In this article, we have specific instructions explaining why each step works, plus warnings about typical errors that only make things worse.

We tested all the methods on the Redmi Note. 8 firmware MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 14 (Android 10/11). Results:

• ⏱️ Application opening time has been reduced by 30-40% (s 2.1down 1.2chrome).
• 🔋 Battery consumption in standby mode decreased from 12% to 4% per night.
• 🎮 FPS into PUBG Mobile has grown up 28 before 38-40 (settings “Balanced").

Importantly, not all methods are equally useful, for example, turning off animations gives you a 5% increase in speed, and cleaning up the dalvik cache after updating it up to 15%, and we have arranged the methods for effectiveness, starting with the most effective ones.

1. Cleaning the system: remove the garbage that brakes the phone

The first step is to thoroughly clean up unnecessary files, cache and digital scum that have been accumulating for years. 8 s 64 GB of memory garbage can take up to 8-12 GB, even if you regularly clean the gallery.

Start with the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click Clear (remove the cache of system applications).
3. Choose Deep Cleaning. → Unnecessary files (here are hidden temporary data, logs and remnants of remote applications).

For advanced cleaning, use SD Maid (from Google Play):

• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: deletes files left over after uninstalling applications.
• 🧹 SystemCleaner: Cleans Dalvik cache and ART (speed up application launches).
• 🔍 AppControl: Finds and Disables Background Processes That Boot the CPU.

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After cleaning the cache, restart the phone - this will force you to update system processes and free up additional ones. 200-300 MB RAM.

What NOT to clean:

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete Android folders, MIUI or DCIM/.thumbnails This will cause the gallery to crash and the photo miniatures to be lost. → Memory. → Cleaning up garbage.

Optimization MIUI: Disable unnecessary functions and processes

MIUI — It's one of the heaviest shells on Android, and even on the Redmi Note 8 with 4GB of RAM, it can take up to 1.5GB of storage in the background:

Step 1. Turn off auto-start applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except instant messengers and system services (e.g. Google Play Services).

Step 2: Reduce the number of background processes:

• 🛑 B Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management select Energy Saving mode (limit background activity).
• 🔄 B Settings → Developer → Limit processes to set the maximum 2 process in the background.

Step 3: Turn off animation (for power users):

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the items: Window animation scale → Disable the animation scale of the transition → Disable the animation duration of animation → Disable

Critical point: after disabling animation, some system applications (for example, the Camera) can open with a black screen on the screen. 1-2 It's okay, just wait for the full load.

3. Firmware Update: Why It Matters for Performance

Many users ignore the updates as "useless." In fact, every major update is a "no use." MIUI contain:

• 🔧 Optimization of the CPU core (Snapdragon 665 in Redmi Note 8 received patches up to the end of the year) MIUI 14).
• 🗑️ Memory Leak Fixes (in older versions) MIUI 11 phone lost up to 500MB of RAM per day).
• 🔋 New energy saving algorithms (e.g. Ultra Battery Saver) MIUI 12.5+).

How to update correctly:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If an update is available, download it over Wi-Fi (the package weighs in). 1.5-2.5 GB).
3. Before installation: Battery charge at least 60%. Free up 3GB of storage (update requires unpacking space) Disable Pin/Print (sometimes unlock settings are lost after an update).

If the update is “hang” during the verification phase:

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the process and do not remove SIM-Wait a minute! 10-15 The system can check the integrity of the files for a long time. 20 minutes no progress, restart the phone manually (clip the power supply) + Volume up on 10 seconds).

4. Battery setup: how to extend battery life and speed up phone

The battery of the Redmi Note 8 (4000 mAh) degrades over time, and the phone begins to “brake” due to constant lack of power. 3 key settings:

1. Optimize the battery mode:

• 🔋 B Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery modes select Balanced (not Performance!).
• 📊 Turn on the adaptive battery (artificial intelligence will limit background processes).

2. Calibrate the battery (if the phone is turned off when the battery is in operation). 20-30%):

1. Discharge the phone to 0% (until it shuts down).
2. Charge up to 100% without interruptions (use the original power supply) 18W).
3. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

3. Check battery wear:

• Install the AccuBattery app (will show real capacity).
• If the capacity is lower 3000 MAC - it is time to change the battery (cost of replacement: ~1500-2000 ruble.).

Use the original cable and power supply

Disable all applications in the background

Charge at room temperature (18-25°C)

Do not use your phone while charging

Repeat the cycle 3 times in a row-->

5. Application optimization: what to remove and what to leave

Even if you have few apps installed, some of them can covertly load the processor on the computer. 20-30%. Here is a list of the most “gluttonous” applications for Redmi Note 8 (According to Battery Guru):

Top.-5 Apps that slow down the phone:

1. Facebook and Facebook Messenger – up to 15 users% CPU background.
2. Instagram keeps up to 400MB of memory even after closing.
3. UC Browser – contains hidden mining scripts (remove without pity!).
4. Clean Master/DU Speed Booster – they slow down the system under the guise of “optimization".
5. PUBG Mobile/Call of Duty – leave it behind until it is finished. 1 GB cache.

What to do:

• 🚫 Remove all cleaners and boosters – they only hurt.
• 🔄 For social networks, use Lite versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🎮 For games, turn off Background activity in the application settings.
• 📱 Replace the standard launcher with Nova Launcher (easier on the launcher) 200-300 MB RAM).

How to find and remove unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size and remove everything that takes up >100 MB and not in use.
3. In the Systems Apps section, disable: Mi Video (if you don't watch the video) Mi Music (replace with Spotify or VK Music) Mi Browser (use Chrome or Firefox)

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Delete system applications without root rights can cause crashes! It is better to disable them, not remove them completely.

6.Reset to factory settings: when it really needs to

If all the previous methods didn't work, the nuclear option is the factory reset.

• 🗃️ All user data (photos, videos, contacts).
• 🔧 All settings and passwords of Wi-Fi.
• 📱 All installed applications.

When to do the reset:

• The phone is slowing down even after cleaning and updating.
• There were “artifacts” on the screen or occasional reboots.
• Battery sits down for 2-3 hourly.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Backup: Photos/video – copy to PC or Google Photos. Contacts – export to VCF via Contact → Management → Exports. Messages -- use SMS Backup & Restore.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. After reset: Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain old errors. Install applications selectively (only essentials).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the reset process! If the phone "hangs" on the Redmi logo for longer than 10 minutes, wait for the battery to discharge (then charge and turn it on again). Forced reboot during reset can lead to a brick (completely inoperable) device.

7 Hardware Tricks: How to Make the Most of Iron

If the software methods are exhausted, you can try hardware improvements, which require more effort, but give you a noticeable increase in productivity.

Replacement of thermopaste:

• 🌡️ Redmi Note 8 is warming up because of cheap thermal paste on the processor.
• 🔧 Replacement with Arctic MX-4 lowers the temperature 8-12°C (GSMArena tests).
• ⚠️ Requires disassembly of the phone - trust this service center (cost: ~800-1200 ruble.).

2.Use of the memory card UHS-I:

• 📱 Applications on a slow memory card (Class) 4/10) brake 3-5 harder.
• 🚀 Buy a SanDisk Extreme Card (UHS-I U3) — The reading/writing speed will increase to 90/60 MB/s.
• 🔧 B Settings → Memory. → Select the memory card Internal memory (transfer heavy applications there).

3. Disconnection 5G-modem (if any):

• 📶 Redmi Note 8 does not support the 5G, But some firmware includes a Qualcomm modem X12, spender.
• 🛑 Turn it off via the engineering menu: ##4636## → Phone information → Establish a preferred network type → LTE/3G/2G

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If you play heavy games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty), a phone cooler (such as Black Shark Cooler) will reduce the processor’s trottling on the phone. 15-20%.

8. Alternative firmware: whether to switch to caste

If you’re ready for experimentation, custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can give you:

• 🚀 Increased productivity by 25-30% (due to the lack of "garbage" MIUI).
• 🔋 Improved energy consumption (up to) +2 hours of battery life).
• 📱 More modern version of Android (up to Android 13 instead of Android 11 in the official firmware).

Cons of custom firmware:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• ❌ Some functions are not working (IR-blaster, Game Turbo).
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" if installed incorrectly.

How to install custom firmware (briefly):

1. Unlock Bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (you need a Mi Account and wait). 7-14 days).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery (Redmi Note version) 8 — twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo).
3. Download firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for ginkgo) XDA Developers.
4. Flow through TWRP (Instruction: Wipe → Format Data → Install ZIP).

⚠️ Attention: Before firmware check the phone model in Settings → The phone. → Model: Redmi Note 8 is codenamed ginkgo, Redmi Note 8 Pro is codenamed begonia, and installing firmware not for your model will lead to hard brick!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note optimization 8