How to upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all the ways 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still popular among users, despite the release of newer models. However, over time, support for official updates from Xiaomi for this device is reduced, and the relevance of the Android and MIUI versions becomes critical for security and performance. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to update firmware from standard to alternative, including solving typical errors and nuances for specific regions.

It’s important to understand that the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) has a unique architecture with a Mediatek Helio G90T processor, which imposes limitations on compatibility with custom firmware. We’ll analyze official update channels through Settings, manual installation through Recovery and Fastboot, and consider options with custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) for those who want to get the latest version of Android.

The article is relevant for 2026 and takes into account the latest changes in Xiaomi’s policy on supporting devices. OTA-Here you will find solutions to circumvent this restriction legally and safely.

1. Check the current version of MIUI and Android

Before you start updating, you need to know exactly which version of the firmware is installed on your Redmi Note 8 Pro. This will help you avoid errors when choosing the right file to update.

To check the version:

• 📱 Open the Settings menu on your phone.
• 🔍 Go to About the Phone (or About the Device).
• 📝 Note the lines: Version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.2) Android version (e.g. Android 11) Device code (must be begonia)

If there is no information about the device code in the About Phone section, you can find it through the Fastboot mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume Down buttons before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to your PC and enter the command in the terminal: fastboot getvar product The answer must contain product: begonia.

⚠️ Note: If the device code is different from the begonia, you have a different model (e.g., Redmi Note 8 without the "Pro"). Using firmware for the wrong model will lead to a knock (inoperability) of the phone!

Official Update via OTA (over the air)

The easiest and safest way is to upgrade through the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) system. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and minor updates even for older devices, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro is no longer getting major updates (for example, switching to Android 12+).

Instructions:

• 🌐 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (mobile Internet updates may be blocked).
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔍 Click Check for Updates.
• ⬇️ If an update is found, download it (file weight is usually 1.5-3 GB).
• 🔄 After download, click Reboot and Update.

If the system says “Updates are not available”, it can mean:

• 🚫 Your version. MIUI It is already relevant for the region.
• 🔒 Update blocked due to unlocked bootloader or root rights.
• 🌍 The device is tied to an unsupported region (e.g., Chinese firmware on a global device).

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through OTA phone hangs on the logo MI For more than 10 minutes, force it to restart by pressing the power button for 15 seconds. If the problem recurs, you will need to reset via Recovery.

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Before upgrading via OTA, make sure that the battery is at least 50%, otherwise the system may interrupt the process, which will lead to a failure.

3 Manual update via Recovery

If OTA doesn’t work or you want to install a specific firmware version, you can use Recovery mode, which is suitable for official firmware from Xiaomi in.zip format.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from the official website: 🌍 For the global version: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index 🇨🇳 For the Chinese version: https://new.c.mi.com/cn/miuidownload/index

Select the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) and download the latest stable version.

update.zip

root-folder

Recovery

• Turn off the phone.
• Press Power + Volume Up until the MI logo appears.
• 🌐 In the Recovery menu, select the language (if required) then: Install update.zip to System → confirm.
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes.

If there are errors after the update (for example, an infinite download), try:

• 🧹 Recovery: Wipe & Reset Cache → Wipe Cache.
• 🔄 Repeat installation with another firmware version (e.g. Fastboot).

Download the correct firmware for the begonia | model

Rename the file to update.zip|

Place the file in the root of the memory (not in the folder!)|

Charge your phone at least 60% |

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

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Update via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is used when standard methods fail or require a clean firmware installation, a riskier method because it requires a PC connection and command line operation.

Requirements:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the Android website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (downloaded from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you install an informal firmware).

Instructions:

1. 📥 Download the firmware for begonia (for example, begonia_global_images_....tgz) And unpack it in a folder on a PC.
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Turning down the volume).
3. 🖥️ Open the command line in the firmware folder and execute: fastboot flash all (or fastboot flash all) -w, if a data reset is required).
4. ⏳ Wait until the process is completed (the process can take up to 15 minutes).
5. 🔄 Reboot your phone with the command: fastboot reboot

If the error "flash not allowed" occurs, it means:

• 🔒 bootloader is locked (you need to unlock through Mi Unlock Tool).
• 📥 Downloaded firmware for another model or region.
• 🖥️ Lack of command prompt permissions (run it on behalf of the administrator).

⚠️ Attention: Use of the team `fastboot flash all -w` It will completely reset all the data on the phone, including photos, messages and apps!

5. Alternative firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others

If Xiaomi no longer releases updates for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and you want to get the current version of Android (for example, Android 13 or 14), you can install custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• 📱 Havoc-OS or crDroid – firmware with advanced customization.

Important: Installation of custom firmware requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool).
• 📥 Installed custom Recovery (e.g, TWRP).
• 🛠️ Team knowledge ADB and Fastboot.

Example of LineageOS installation:

1. 📥 Download the firmware from the official website: https://download.lineageos.org/begonia.
2. 📥 Download GApps (Google Services) from OpenGApps (select option) arm64 → Android 13 → pico).
3. 🔄 Move to the TWRP Recovery (squeeze power) + Volume up).
4. 🧹 Make a Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

GApps

Install

🔄 Reboot to the system.

Advantages of custom firmware:

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware will void Xiaomi’s warranty and may cause some features to fail (e.g., Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD or bank clients due to lack of certification).

6. Solving Common Update Errors

When updating the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often encounter errors. Let's consider the most common and ways to solve them.

Error 1: "Cannot verify update" in Recovery

• 🔹 Reason: A damaged firmware file or the wrong name.
• 🔧 Solution: Rename the file exactly to update.zip (Check the checksum without any extra symbols (MD5) file (should match the official one) Download the firmware again (maybe the file has not been downloaded completely).

Error 2: Hanging on the MI logo after the update

• 🔹 Reason: Data conflict or firmware incompatibility.
• 🔧 Solution: Squeeze power. + Turn up the volume to enter Recovery. Run Wipe Cache. If it doesn't work, do Factory Reset).

Error 3: "This package is for begonia devices; this is a" TWRP

• 🔹 Reason: The firmware is designed for another model.
• 🔧 Solution: Make sure you download the firmware specifically for begonia. Check the region (e.g. global, eea, china).

Error 4: Mobile network is not working after the update

• 🔹 Reason: Inconsistency of the modem firmware (baseband).
• 🔧 Solution: Install firmware in the same region as before. Manually flash modem via Fastboot: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after the upgrade, don’t panic: 90% of the time, resetting via Recovery or re-routing via Fastboot helps.

7.How to get back the official MIUI after custom firmware

If you’ve experimented with custom firmware but want to go back to the original MIUI, follow this guide.

Method 1: Through Fastboot (Recommended)

1. 📥 Download the official Fastboot firmware for begonia from Xiaomi website.
2. 🔌 Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode.
3. 🖥️ Run the command: fastboot flash all (this will completely rewrite all partitions, including boot and recovery).

Method 2: Using the Mi Flash Tool

• 📥 Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
• 📁 Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
• 🔌 Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
• 🖥️ In Mi Flash Tool, select a folder with firmware and click Refresh → Flash.
• 🔄 After completion, the phone automatically restarts.

After returning to the official firmware:

• 🔒 The bootloader will be automatically blocked (if previously unlocked).
• 📱 All data will be deleted (including internal memory).
• 🔄 The first download can take up to 10 minutes – do not interrupt the process!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note update 8 Pro