Update Android on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: official and hidden ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is a popular smartphone of 2019 release, which is still actively used due to balanced characteristics and support for updates. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI owners are faced with questions: how to update the firmware, what versions are available for this model and what to do if the update “hangs” or does not come automatically.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update the Redmi Note. 8T — standard OTA-Updating to manual firmware via Fastboot and Recovery, we will focus on the nuances associated with blocking the bootloader on models for the global and Chinese markets, as well as give recommendations for backing up data before updating.

If your smartphone is not getting official updates (and the Redmi Note 8T was stopped by Xiaomi in 2023), we will show you how to install custom firmware based on Android 13/14 with all the features saved.

1. Check the current version of MIUI and Android

Before you update the Redmi Note 8T, make sure you know the current firmware version.This will help avoid errors when choosing a file for manual updates.

To check the version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI version section – the current firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5.4 Global) is listed here.
3. Click multiple times on the MIUI version to see more information, including the Android version (like Android 11).

Also, look at the code of your device model (e.g. M1908C3XG for global version).This is critical when choosing firmware - files for Chinese (China ROM) and global (Global ROM) versions are incompatible!

Official Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest way to upgrade to the Redmi Note 8T is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) feature. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for supported devices, but from 2023 the Redmi Note 8T has been moved to the EOL (End Of Life) category, meaning official updates are no longer coming out. However, if your firmware is outdated, you can “reach” it to the latest available version.

Instructions:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔍 Click Check Updates. If the update is available, the system will prompt it to download.
• 📥 Connect to Wi-Fi (file weighs 1.5-2.5 GB) and wait for download.
• 🔄 After downloading, click Reboot and Update. The device will restart and install the update automatically.

If the system says “No Updates” but you’re sure your version won’t be the last, try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 🌐 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet (sometimes Xiaomi servers are blocked by providers).
• 📅 Change the date on the phone 1-2 days ahead (sometimes helps to bypass the update cache).

💡

If the update is “hanging” during the boot phase, clear the System Update cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → System Update → Storage → Clear the cache).

3 Manual update via Recovery

If OTA doesn’t work or you want to install a specific firmware version, you can manually update the Redmi Note 8T via Recovery Mode, a method that is suitable for official firmware in.zip format.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website: 🌍 For the global version: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index 🇨🇳 For the Chinese version: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index (Choose China ROM) Choose a stable version, not beta! The file should be called something like that: miui_WILLOWGlobal_V12.5.4.0.RCXMIXM_... (For the Redmi Note 8T codename: willow).
2. Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not folders!) The file name should not contain Cyrillic or spaces.
3. Boot in Recovery: Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears. Release the buttons - you will see the Recovery menu.
4. Install update.zip to System One (or similar). Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

Wait for completion

Download the correct firmware version for your model | Check battery power (minimum 50%) | Create a backup of data |Transfer the.zip file to the memory root |Disable password/fingerprint protection

-->

⚠️ Note: If you install firmware for another region (for example, Chinese on a global phone), after the update, Google services may disappear, and the system will no longer support Russian.

Update via Fastboot (for power users)

The Fastboot method is used to completely reflash the device, including restoring system partitions. This is the only way to “resuscitate” the Redmi Note 8T if it does not turn on or load into Bootloop (infinite reboot), but the process requires unlocking the bootloader and working with the command line.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz format (downloaded from the official website).
• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock through Xiaomi's website (you'll need a Mi Account tied to your phone). Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Volume Down + Power) and follow the instructions in Mi Unlock Tool. How long does it take to unlock? Officially unlocking the bootloader takes 72–168 hours (3–7 days). Xiaomi attributes this to "security concerns." Once you submit your application, you'll have to wait for a confirmation SMS. It's impossible to speed up the process - even appealing for support won't help.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without spaces (for example, C:\MiFlash\willow_global_images_...).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and connect the phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
5. Select the firmware method: Clean All – complete cleaning (data will be deleted!), Clean All and Lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (not recommended), Save User Data – data storage (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the phone doesn’t turn on or hovers on the Mi logo after you’ve firmware through Fastboot, try repeating the procedure with Clean All. If it didn’t help, it may not be suitable for your model (check the device code!).

5. Installation of custom firmware (Android) 13/14)

Since official support for the Redmi Note 8T has been discontinued, many users are switching to custom firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS. They offer fresh versions of Android (up to 14), better optimization and no MIUI ads.

To install custom firmware will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (see section above).
• 📱 Established custom recovery TWRP (guideline).
• 📦 Firmware in.zip format (downloaded from forums) XDA Developers or Telegram channels).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.

Installation steps:

1. Install TWRP: Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) from the official website. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (from Android SDK). Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and execute boot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img Reboot in Recovery command: fastboot twrp.img
2. Backup in TWRP (Backup section) by selecting System, Data and Boot.
3. Firmware: Transfer the firmware file to your phone. In TWRP, select Install → specify the.zip → file for confirmation. After installing the firmware, be sure to flash GApps (if they are not part of the firmware).

Clear the cache.

Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache + Cache

The following are the Redmi Note 8T firmware:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – Pure Android with Pixel features).
• 🔄 LineageOS - stable firmware with minimalist interface (download).
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized firmware with performance settings.

💡

Custom firmware requires manual update installation. OTA-updates usually do not work in them – you will have to monitor the releases of new versions on the forums and sew them manually through the TWRP.

6. Solving common errors during the update

When updating the Redmi Note 8T, users often encounter errors. Let's consider the most frequent and ways to fix them.

Error: “Failed to verify update” (OTA)

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📶 Connect to another network (sometimes locking on the network) IP).
• 🗓️ Change the date on your phone 1-2 days ahead.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of the application System Update (Settings) → Annexes → Updating the system → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Error: “Failed to install the update” (in Recovery)

• 📁 Check that the firmware file is in the root of the memory, not in the folder.
• 🔄 Rename the file to update.zip (sometimes).
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged >50%.
• 🔓 If the firmware is for another region, install it only through Fastboot!

Error: "This package is for willow devices" (TWRP)

• 📱 Make sure you download the firmware specifically for the Redmi Note. 8T (codename).
• 🔍 Check that the phone model matches the firmware (global/Chinese).
• 🔄 Try flashing through Fastboot instead of Recovery.

Error: The phone does not turn on after firmware ("brick")

• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes – sometimes it helps.
• 🔄 Try to boot up in Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Power) and repeat the firmware.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t work, run the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All selection.
• 🆘 In extreme cases, contact the service center (if the loader is blocked).

7. How to roll back an update if the new version is unstable

If after the update of the Redmi Note 8T began to brake, quickly discharge or have other problems, you can roll back to the previous version of MIUI.

• 🔙 The only way to do this is to have a version that was previously installed (you can’t switch from the previous version). MIUI 12.5 on MIUI 11 if no interim updates have been installed).
• 🔒 If you were updating through Fastboot with the bootloader unlocked, rollback will also require unlocking.
• 📉 Reverse from Android 11 to Android 10 can lead to data loss!

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the desired version of the firmware from the official website.
2. If you roll back to an older version of Android (for example, 11 to 10), do a full reset (Wipe Data) in Recovery.
3. Install firmware via Recovery or Fastboot (depending on the previous update method).
4. After rollback, do not update automatically - wait for a stable release.

⚠️ Note: Reverse to the old version MIUI It can lead to blocking of certain features, such as Mi Pay or Game Turbo, and there may be problems with the work of banking applications due to an outdated version of Google Play Services.

8. Alternative ways to get updates

If your Redmi Note 8T is no longer getting official updates, but you don’t want to install custom firmware, there are a few alternative ways to get the latest software:

1. Participation in MIUI beta testing

• 🧪 Xiaomi sometimes opens up beta testers for older devices.
• ⚠️ Beta versions may contain bugs, but often get new features before stable releases.

2.Update via Xiaomi Community

• 🌐 Xiaomi Community forum sometimes posts “fresh” builds for old devices.
• 🔍 Look for topics marked "Ported" ROM» For the Redmi Note 8T.

3. Firmware from third-party developers

• 🛠️ Nana 4PDA and XDA Developers are releasing modified versions MIUI corrected and optimized.
• ⚠️ Install only firmware with high rating and positive reviews!

4.Update via Mi PC Suite

• 🖥️ Set up Mi. PC Suite on the computer and connect the phone.
• 🔄 The program may offer an update, even if OTA doesn't work.

💡

If you decide to install an informal firmware, be sure to check it for malware using VirusTotal or similar services, and check the feedback of other users on the forums.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 8T update