How to update Android to Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: All ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

olivelite

Android 9 Pie

MIUI 10

MIUI 14

Android 12

LineageOS

The Redmi 8 Pro firmware update solves several problems: improves security (closes vulnerabilities), optimizes battery life, adds new MIUI features and fixes bugs. However, the process has nuances, from locking the bootloader to the risk of “bricking” the device if you do not act correctly. In this guide, we will analyze all official and informal ways to update, as well as give a checklist for preparation and instructions for recovery if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Redmi 8 Pro does not support Android 13+ Officially, any firmware above. MIUI 14 (Android 12) are custom builds that may contain bugs or iron problems (e.g., a broken camera or fingerprint sensor).

If you want stability, stick to the official updates. If you want to experiment, read the custom firmware section, but be prepared for the risks.

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before you upgrade to the Redmi 8 Pro, make sure your device is capable of accepting the new firmware at all.

1. Open the settings → About the phone.

2. Find the lines:

MIUI version (e.g. MIUI Global 12.5.4 Stable)

Android version (e.g. Android 11 RKQ1.200826.002)

Model code (must be M1908C3XG for global version or M1908C3XC for Chinese version).

⚠️ Note: If the model code has an I letter (e.g, M1908C3XI), Your smartphone is for India, and the firmware for these devices may conflict with global builds.

The compatibility of the updates depends on the regional version:

• 🌍 Global (EEA/Russia) — Supports updates through Settings → Software update.
• 🇨🇳 China – requires manual installation via Mi Flash Tool or flashing to global version.
• 🇮🇳 India – updates are less frequent, sometimes blocked due to regional restrictions.

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If in Settings → No phone item on the phone. MIUI, So you have custom firmware, and you can't upgrade using standard methods, but you can't update through custom firmware. TWRP or Fastboot.

2.Preparation for the update: checklist and backup

Updating the firmware is always a risk, and even official updates sometimes cause failures, so preparation is mandatory.

Charge the battery to 60% or higher|Create a backup copy of the data|Check the vacant space (minimum 3 GB)|Disable the antivirus and VPN|Remember passwords from Mi and Google accounts|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi-->

Backup is the most important step. Use:

• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup).
• 📱 Local Copying through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 💻 Computer: copy files from internal memory to PC (photos, videos, documents).

⚠️ Warning: After updating via Fastboot or Recovery, all data on the device will be erased" (OTA), But it's better to be safe.

Free space check: Upgrades through OTA require a minimum of 3GB of free space on the internal drive.

1. Remove unnecessary applications (Settings → Apps → Delete).
2. Clear the cache (Settings → Storage → Clear the cache).
3. Move the files to SD-card.

Method 1: Update "over the air" (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is automatic updates over the Internet, which is suitable if:

• ✅ Your firmware is official (not customized).
• ✅ The device is not rooted.
• ✅ There is a stable connection to Wi-Fi.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (update via mobile Internet blocked).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update is found, tap Download (file weight ~1.5-2.5 GB).
5. After download, click Set and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: If the update is “hanging” during the verification phase, try it:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Reconnect to Wi-Fi or change network.
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 hours (sometimes Xiaomi servers are overloaded).

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OTA-If you don't have an update, and a friend on a Redmi 8 Pro already has one, don't panic. Wait 1-2 weeks or check manually through Mi Community.

What to do if the update is not available?

• 🔍 Check if updates are disabled in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Auto-update.
• 🌐 Try changing the region in the settings (for example, India or Russia), sometimes it helps to "knock out" the update.
• 📥 Download the full service package manually (see the next section).

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA doesn't work or you want to skip the queue, you can manually install the update via stock Recovery.This method saves data but requires you to download the correct firmware file.

Step 1: Download the firmware

• 🔗 Official firmware for Redmi 8 Pro (Olivelite code) is available on the Miui Downloads website.
• 📌 Choose the Stable version, not the Developer (it may contain bugs).
• 📁 Download a file with a.zip extension and a title like miui_OLIVELITEGlobal_V12.5.4.0.RCOMXM_....

Step 2: Transfer the file to your phone

• 📲 Connect Redmi 8 Pro to your PC and copy the downloaded.zip to the root folder of internal memory (not to the Download or folder). DCIM).
• 🔄 Rename the file for convenience, such as update.zip.

Step 3: Install the update via Recovery

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Chinese).
4. Tap Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
6. Select Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has been stuck on the Redmi logo for longer than 15 minutes after the reboot, then the firmware does not fit your model. → Wipe Cache) or refashion via Fastboot.

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If Recovery asks for a password and you didn’t set it, try default or leave the field blank. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to unlock the bootloader (see Fastboot section).

5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

This method is suitable if:

• ✅ You want to install a clean firmware (no trash from previous versions).
• ✅ Your system is damaged (the phone is not switched on or is constantly restarted).
• ✅ You want to change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global).

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot wipes all data from the device, including photos, messages and apps, and you will also need to unlock the bootloader, which will reset the phone to factory settings.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

• 🔓 Sign up for Mi Unlock and get permission to unlock (can take up to 72 hours).
• 📱 Connect Redmi 8 Pro to PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Nutrition).
• 🖥️ Start the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

Step 2: Download the firmware for Fastboot

• 🔗 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot is available on Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• 📌 Look for files marked fastboot in the title (e.g, olivelite_global_images_V12.5.4.0.RCOMXM_...).

Step 3: Run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool

1. Unpack the downloaded archive in a folder on the PC.
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (if there are none, download here).
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (a screen with a rabbit and the words Fastboot).
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must be determined.
6. Select Clean all mode (total clean) or Save user data (to save data, but this doesn’t always work).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

6. Method 4: LineageOS, Pixel Experience

If the official updates are no longer coming out and you want Android 13+, you can install custom firmware. Popular options for the Redmi 8 Pro:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface like Google Pixel.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized for Performance.

⚠️ Warning: Castom firmware may have problems:

• 📸 Inoperable main or front camera.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge.
• 📶 Problems with mobile network (especially firmware for other regions).

Installation requirements:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛠️ Installed custom Recovery (TWRP).
• 📥 Firmware compatible with olivelite.

Instructions for installing TWRP and custom firmware:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 8 Pro from twrp.me.
2. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olivelite.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olivelite.img
3. In TWRP, make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select Storage → Swipe to Backup).
4. Download custom firmware (e.g. lineage-20.0-20260310-UNOFFICIAL-olivelite.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services).
5. In TWRP, click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
6. Install → Select a file → Swipe to Confirm.
7. Install GApps (if necessary).
8. Reboot (Reboot → System)

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Custom firmware requires regular manual updates, and without them, bugs, security vulnerabilities, or application compatibility issues can appear over time.

7 Solving problems after the update

Even a successful update can cause a failure, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all:

• 🔌 Connect it to charging for 30 minutes – sometimes the battery drains to a level where the device doesn’t respond.
• 🔄 Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Food (or Recovery) (Loudness up) + Nutrition).
• 💻 If the phone is defined as a PC as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, so the firmware is completely gone, and in this case, only the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in mode will help. EDL (Requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

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If the speaker is missing after the update, check the settings of Settings → Sound → Sound quality. Sometimes resetting the audio settings solves the problem.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)