Owners of the popular smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often wonder about the possibility of getting the latest versions of the operating system. the Official upgrade to MIUI 12, based on Android 10, has long been available, but many users confuse the version of the interface and the kernel. It is important to understand that the “pure” Android 12 in the form of MIUI 13 on this model is not officially delivered globally, but MIUI 12.5 is the final major release for this device, which brings the functionality as close as possible to the new standards of Google.
The software upgrade process not only refreshes the look and feel, but also closes critical security vulnerabilities. MIUI With the 11th or initial builds of version twelfth, this article will be a comprehensive guide, and we will examine both standard methods through the settings menu and manual installation of firmware archives, which is especially true for errors. OTA-update.
Before you start taking action, you need to assess the current state of your gadget. Check the model in Settings → About the phone to make sure that you have the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) and not the regular version of the Note 8. An error in choosing a firmware can lead to the malfunction of the device, so attentiveness at this stage is critical.
Compatibility check and device preparation
The first step should always be careful preparation. Data backup is not just a recommendation, it is a necessity. Use the built-in Mi Cloud or make a local copy to your computer, as in the event of a reset (which is often required with major updates), all files will be deleted.
Make sure the battery is at least 60 percent, the flashing process is energy-intensive, and a sudden power outage at the time of writing system partitions can turn the smartphone into a brick. Also check for free space: a large MIUI 12.5 package requires a minimum of 5-7 GB of free memory.
⚠️ Warning: Before updating, be sure to untie your Mi Account in the settings if you plan to reset your phone. Otherwise, the activation lock may work and you will lose access to the device.
A stable Internet connection is another requirement for the standard method. If you plan to download firmware over Wi-Fi, make sure there are no traffic restrictions. USB-cable and a serviceable port on the computer.
Official Update Method through Settings (OTA)
The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in update mechanism. The system itself checks for a new version of the software for your region and specific model. To start the process, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Click on the MIUI logo or the "Check Updates" button. If Xiaomi servers see your device and it has up-to-date software available, it will start downloading. Speed depends on your communication channel. Once downloaded, the system will suggest a reboot and start installing.
- 🔄 Open the About Phone menu in the settings.
- 📲 Click on the version icon MIUI manually.
- ⬇️ Wait for the package to load and click “Update».
- 🔋 The phone will restart and install a new version.
Sometimes, the notification doesn't come, so you can try changing the region in the settings (Settings → Additional Settings → Region) to India or Global, check for updates, and then return your region, a trick that often helps push the server's update queue.
Manual installation of firmware through Recovery
If the automatic update doesn’t work or you want to install a specific version of MIUI 12.5, use the manual installation method.You will need to download the firmware archive (.zip format) from a proven resource, for example, the official MIUI bootloader website or the 4PDA forum.
Copy the downloaded file to the root of the phone’s internal memory (not the folder, just the main storage). Then go to the update menu and click again on the MIUI version logo.
☑️ Checklist before hand firmware
In the menu that opens, select "Select firmware file" (or "Choose file"), find your archive and confirm the action. The system will check the integrity of the file. If the version is newer than the current one, the installation process will begin. The phone will reboot several times - that's okay.
⚠️ Warning: Do not choose the option of "Wipe data" if you want to save files. However, if you move from the Chinese version to the global version or vice versa, data cleaning is mandatory, otherwise there will be a cyclical reboot.
Using the Mi Flash Tool for PC
For more advanced users or in cases where the phone does not load, there is a utility Mi Flash Tool. This method requires the smartphone to move to Fastboot mode.
Connect the device to the PC through USB-In the Mi Flash Tool, click the Refresh button to determine your device, select the path to the Fastboot version and install mode.
| Installation mode | Description of action | Data retention |
|---|---|---|
| clean_all | Complete cleaning of all sections | No (all removed) |
| save_user_data | Updating with preservation | Yes. |
| clean_all_and_lock | Cleaning and locking the loader | No (all removed) |
It is recommended to choose a regime clean_all For a clean installation without errors, but saving data beforehand. After selecting the mode, press Flash and wait for the process to be completed, which may take a long time to complete. 3 before 10 Do not turn off the cable until the message "Success" appears».
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
There may be a number of crashes during the upgrade process. There is often a "Can't verify update" error, which means you're trying to roll back to an older version or install firmware from another model. Make sure the firmware code name matches your device.
Another common problem is hanging on the MI logo (Bootloop).If the phone doesn't boot for more than 10 minutes, try entering Recovery mode (clamb up volume + power) and selecting "Wipe Data" to reset the settings to factory, but often resolves software conflicts.