Fastboot on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: a complete user guide

The Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a powerful tool that allows you to access low-level features of the device, it allows you to flash custom recovery, install informal firmware, unlock the bootloader and even restore the “bricks” after unsuccessful manipulations with the system, but without understanding the principles of operation, this mode can cause serious problems from data loss to complete failure of the phone.

Unlike the usual Recovery Mode, Fastboot interacts directly with the hardware via the USB protocol, which requires a connection to the computer and the use of special commands. On Redmi 8 Pro (codename begonia), this mode is especially popular among enthusiasts, since the model supports unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool. However, even experienced users sometimes face nuances - for example, the need to authorize a Mi Account when unlocking or compatibility problems with custom firmware based on Android 10/11.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what Fastboot is on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, when to use it and when to refrain from it. You will learn how to enter and exit mode correctly, which commands are basic, and what mistakes beginners most often make. And for those who plan firmware experiments, we have prepared a training checklist and a compatibility table for popular custom ROMs.

What is Fastboot and why is it needed on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro?

Fastboot Mode (or Bootloader Mode) is a diagnostic protocol built into the hardware of Android smartphones. It is activated before the operating system boots and allows you to interact with the device via the computer using the command line. On Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, this mode is used to:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader (a mandatory step before installing custom firmware or TWRP).
• 📥 Firmware for official and informal images (including crash recovery).
• 🔧 Custom Recovery Installations (e.g. OrangeFox or PitchBlack).
• 🛠️ Restoration of bricks (if the phone is not turned on or got stuck on the Mi logo).
• 📊 View technical information (serial number, bootloader status, bootloader version).

The main difference between Fastboot and Recovery Mode is the access level. In recovery mode, you are limited to the functions that the manufacturer has set up (reset, update via OTA, mount /data partitioning). In Fastboot, you can reflash any partition of the phone, including boot, system or vendor, which gives almost unlimited possibilities for modification, but also increases the risk.

On the Redmi 8 Pro, Fastboot mode is particularly important due to the specifics of Xiaomi’s policy:

The bootloader is locked by default and requires the official Mi Unlock Tool to unlock it.

After unlocking, all data is resetted (factory reset), and the phone may lose its warranty.

Some custom firmware (for example, based on LineageOS) require pre-unlocking and installation of a modified vendor.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with Android 12-based firmware+ (MIUI 13+) Unlocking the bootloader may require you to link your Mi Account to your device for 72 hours.

How to enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

There are three main ways to activate Fastboot on the Redmi 8 Pro. The choice of method depends on the current condition of the phone: whether it works normally, hovers on the logo or does not respond to buttons at all.

Method 1: Through a button combination (if the phone is on or off)

This is the most versatile method that works even if the smartphone does not boot:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume Up for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons at the same time.
3. Hold them until a screen labeled FASTBOOT and an image of an Android robot appears.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the phone is on and USB debugging is allowed)

If you have USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB), you can use the command:

adb reboot bootloader

Once this command is entered into the CMD or Terminal, the phone will automatically reboot to Fastboot.

Method 3: Using the Mi Flash Tool (if the phone doesn't respond)

If the Redmi 8 Pro doesn’t even turn on in Fastboot, but it reacts to a USB connection (e.g., it makes a connection sound), try:

1. Connect your phone to a computer with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
2. Press the power + Volume reduction for 20-30 seconds.
3. If the drivers are installed correctly, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in the Device Manager - this is a sign of the EDL mode, from which you can exit to Fastboot using special utilities.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with Snapdragon 665 processor mode EDL requires an authorized Mi Account for firmware.Unauthorized use may result in blocking IMEI.

Main Fastboot commands for Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

After logging in to Fastboot, all further actions are performed via the command line (CMD on Windows or Terminal on Linux/macOS). Below are the basic commands that will be useful for working with Redmi 8 Pro.

For the Redmi 8 Pro, commands related to unlocking the bootloader are especially important:

- fastboot oem unlock - begins the unlocking process (requires confirmation on the phone).

Fastboot oem unlock-go – unlock without confirmation (does not work on all versions of MIUI).

Fastboot flashing unlock is an alternative method of unlocking (on new firmware).

On the Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5+, the fastboot oem unlock command can require authorization through a Mi Account, even if the phone has already been unlocked before.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy, which checks the status of the device on the company's servers.

Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro via Fastboot

Unlocking the bootloader is a must for installing custom firmware or TWRP on the Redmi 8 Pro. The process is officially supported by Xiaomi, but has several nuances:

Step 1: Preparation

• 📱 Make sure your phone has a Mi Account attached (without it, the Mi Unlock Tool won’t work).
• 💻 Download Mi Unlock Tool (version should match your firmware).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer in Fastboot mode.

Step 2: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool

After installation of the program:

1. Open the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account.
2. Connect Redmi 8 Pro in Fastboot mode (should be defined as fastboot).
3. Press Unlock and follow the instructions. New firmware may require 72–168 hours (3–7 days) to confirm the right to unlock.

Step 3: Status check

After successful unlocking, check the status of the team:

fastboot oem device-info

The output should be the bootloader Device unlocked: true.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 13+ When the bootloader is unlocked, all data is automatically resetted (factory reset), backed up via Mi Cloud or TWRP (if prescribed, necessarily!

Install custom recovery (TWRP) through Fastboot

Castomic recovery, such as the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), allows you to install informal firmware, make backups (nandroid backup) and restore the system after failures. On the Redmi 8 Pro, the installation process has its own peculiarities due to the specific partitions (dynamic partitions in Android 10+).

Step 1: Download TWRP

The following versions are suitable for Redmi 8 Pro (codename begonia):

• 📥 Official TWRP (may not support new firmware).
• 📥 Unofficial builds (e.g. from OrangeFox or PitchBlack).

Step 2: Firmware through Fastboot

Before the TWRP firmware, you must disable the bootloader signature verification (if the bootloader is unlocked):

fastboot flash recovery twrp-begonia.img


fastboot boot twrp-begonia.img

After that, the phone will load into a temporary TWRP. To make it permanent, you need to select Reboot → Recovery in the TWRP itself.

Step 3: Solving the problems

If after TWRP firmware the phone is loaded into stock recovery, then:

• 🔹 Firmware MIUI Recovery overwrites when booting. Solution: disable automatic recovery update via TWRP (mount → Disable recovery flash).
• 🔹 Established incompatible TWRP. Solution: Use a version that supports dynamic partitions.

💡

If the phone doesn't boot into the system after installing TWRP, try flashing vendor and dtbo from stock firmware, often because these partitions are incompatible with custom recovery.

Restore the brick through Fastboot

Brick is a state where the Redmi 8 Pro doesn't turn on, hovers on the Mi logo, or is loaded into an endless bootloom, most of which occurs after a failed firmware, interrupted update, or conflict of Magisk modules.

Scenario 1: The phone is stuck on startup the logo

If the phone is turned on but does not load beyond the logo:

1. Enter Fastboot (Power + Volume Down buttons).
2. Sweep the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select the Clean All option for full cleaning).
3. If the firmware doesn’t help, check the integrity of boot and dtbo partitions:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img

Scenario 2: The phone doesn't respond (hard brick)

If the phone doesn’t even include in Fastboot, it’s defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008:

• 🔹 Use the Mi Flash Tool in mode EDL (requires an authorized account).
• 🔹 Swipe the full firmware image with a clean all and lock tick (this will block the bootloader back).
• 🔹 If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t work, try the QFil utility or QPST manually indicating port 9008.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 Pro firmware through EDL Without authorization, it can lead to loss IMEI. If the phone is not even identified as 9008, it may be damaged. USB-Port or Power Controller – This requires repair.

💡

If the phone is identified as 9008 after a failed firmware, DO NOT try to stitch it through informal tools (such as third-party Miflash Unlock) and this can lead to eMMC locking and permanent damage.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Fastboot on Redmi 8 Pro is often accompanied by errors, especially for beginners. Below are the most common problems and ways to fix them.

Another common error is fastboot: error: Command failed when trying to flash TWRP. This is due to the fact that new versions of MIUI use dynamic partitions, and the stock TWRP does not know how to work with them.

• 📌 Use special assemblies TWRP for begonia with dynamic support (e.g. from OrangeFox).
• 📌 Switch recovery to both slots ( a and b):

fastboot flash recovery_a twrp.img


fastboot flash recovery_b twrp.img

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions