Update Android on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways + error solving

The Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) is still a popular smartphone among Xiaomi users, despite the release of new models. However, since 2022, the company officially stopped supporting the device by releasing the latest stable version of MIUI 13 based on Android 11. This does not mean that your phone is doomed to outdated software: in this article, we will analyze all the current ways of updating – from standard to alternative, including custom firmware.

It’s important to understand that the upgrade process on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is nuanced due to the peculiarities of its hardware platform (Mediatek Helio G90T processor). For example, there is no official Fastboot mode, and unlocking the bootloader requires additional steps. We will describe each method in detail, specify the risks and give recommendations for beginners.

If you've never updated your firmware yourself, don't worry. We structured the instructions so that even without technical knowledge, you can safely upgrade the system, and for power users, we'll give you advanced versions using ADB and informal builds.

1. Verification of the current version of MIUI and available updates

Before you start the update, make sure that your Redmi Note 8 Pro does have an outdated firmware version installed.

1. Open the Settings menu → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI version and Android version.
3. Compare the data with the latest official builds for begonia (see table below).

If your version matches the latest data from the table, there will be no official updates, in which case consider alternative firmware or optimize the current system (cleaning the cache, disabling unnecessary services).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro cannot officially upgrade to Android 12+ All firmware with the newer version of Android is unofficial and requires unlocking the bootloader.

2. Method 1: Update via Phone Settings (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in function. OTA-Over-the-Air updates are suitable if:

• 📱 Your firmware is not modified (no root rights, custom recavery).
• 🌐 There is a stable connection to Wi-Fi (update weighs 1.5-2.5 GB).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Press the Check Update button.
3. If an update is found, tap Download and wait for the download to complete.
4. After downloading, click Install and confirm the reboot.

The phone will automatically restart to Recovery mode, where the update will be installed, and it will take 5-15 minutes to complete the process. Don't interrupt it, which can cause the system to crash.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Connect to the charger

Make sure there is free space (minimum 3 GB)

Disable VPN (can block Xiaomi servers)

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⚠️ Warning: If after the update, the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo for more than 20 minutes, perform a hard reset (squeeze the Power supply). + Volume up 10 seconds. This won't delete user data, but it will reset settings.

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If the update is not available, try changing the firmware region through the Mi Flash app (requires unlocking the bootloader), for example, from Global to EEA or India.

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If OTA-Update is not available, but you want to install the latest official version MIUI, You can do this manually through stock recovery, which does not require unlocking the bootloader, but is only suitable for official firmware in.zip format.

Steps:

1. Download the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website (select the Redmi Note 8 Pro model and your region).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language, then Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (about 10 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will run on a new version of MIUI. This method does not reset user data, but we recommend backing up in case of a crash.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You want to install a clean firmware (for example, after a failure).
• 📦 We need to move from one region to another (global to another). EEA).
• 🔄 The phone is not switched on or got stuck in the bootloop.

For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the process has features due to the Mediatek processor:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from Xiaomi or the 4PDA forum.
3. Install Mediatek drivers and the SP Flash Tool (an alternative to the standard Mi Flash).
4. Connect the phone to the PC, keeping Volume down.
5. V SP Flash Tool select the downloaded file MT6785_Android_scatter.txt and press Download.

It takes 5-10 minutes. Once it's done, the phone automatically restarts. All data will be deleted, so backup in advance.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through SP Flash Tool can lead to loss of IMEI Or "bricking" devices. Use only proven firmware for the begonia model!

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Fastboot firmware on the Redmi Note 8 Pro requires SP Flash Tool, rather than the standard Mi Flash, due to the Mediatek architecture.

5.Alternative firmware: Android 12/13 on Redmi Note 8 Pro

With no official support, enthusiasts are developing custom firmware based on new versions of Android.

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 13) – pure Android with Google Pixel features.
• 🔄 LineageOS 20 (Android 13) – stable build with minimalist interface.
• ⚡ MIUI EU (Android 11 - modified MIUI without Chinese services.
• 🎯 Project Elixir (Android 13) - firmware with advanced settings.

Installation of custom firmware requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader.
2. Installed custom Recovery (OrangeFox or TWRP for begonia).
3. Experience with ADB and Fastboot.

For step-by-step instructions for each firmware, look for the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums, such as the Pixel Experience:

1. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).


2. Reboot to TWRP (clamp Power + Volume up).




Make wipe: Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.




4. Set ZIP- firmware file, then GApps.




5. Reboot.

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Before installing custom firmware, check user reviews on thematic forums. Some builds may have camera or mobile network bugs on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

6. Solving errors in the update

When updating the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often face problems. Let’s consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If the sound is gone after the upgrade, the camera is not working or other hardware problems arise, most likely, the firmware is incompatible with your modification of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (for example, you have a version with NFS, and you have flashed UFS).

7. System optimization after update

After a successful update, we recommend following several steps to improve performance:

• 🧹 Clear the app cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 📵 Set up battery mode to save charge: Settings → Battery → Battery mode → Balanced.
• 🛡️ Check the permissions of the apps, especially for Google and Miui services.

If the phone is hot or discharged quickly after the update, try:

1. Reset the settings to factory (Settings → Additional → Resetting).
2. Reverse the update (if the backup is saved in Recovery).
3. Install an alternative core (e.g. FrankoKernel for begonia).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note update 8 Pro