How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all methods + instructions

Why it’s important to update your firmware on Redmi 8

Xiaomi Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) was released in 2019, but is still in use today due to the balance of price and performance. However, without regular firmware updates, even this reliable device begins to slow down, warm up or face errors in the application. MIUI updates not only fix bugs, but also add new features, improve security (especially relevant for Android Security Patch) and optimize power consumption.

The latest stable version MIUI for Redmi 8 — MIUI 12.5 Android-based 10. Although official support from Xiaomi has ended, enthusiasts continue to release custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS). OTA You can also use Fastboot or Recovery to manually run your firmware, and you can also learn how to avoid mistakes, like bricking a device because of a wrong firmware version for the region. EEA/Global.

Preparation for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start the upgrade, make sure your Redmi 8 is ready for the procedure.Neglecting preparation can lead to data loss, crashes, or even complete device failure.

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%.When upgrading via Recovery or Fastboot, 100% is recommended, as the process can take up to 30 minutes.
• 📱 Backup. Use Mi Cloud or local save via Settings → System system → Backup. Especially important to save: Contacts and SMS (export to.vcf file Photo/video (copy to PC or Google Photos) List of installed applications (app List Backup app)
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection. OTA-Update enough Wi-Fi, to download firmware manually - better to use a PC.
• 📥 Free space. The internal drive must be at least 3 GB (firmware weighs) ~1.8–2.5 GB).
• 🔧 Unlock bootloader (custom firmware only). Check status via command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: false, you will need official unlock through Mi Unlock Tool (takes 7-30 days).

⚠️ Note: If you are updating with MIUI 11 on MIUI 12.5, After firmware, a hard reset (Wipe Data) may be required, as the partition structure changes. /data. This will result in the loss of all user data!

Backup important data|Check the battery charge|Release. 3+ GB memory|Connect to Wi-Fi|Download the correct version of the firmware (Global/EEA)-->

Method 1: Air-to-air update (OTA) is the easiest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is an automatic update that comes directly from Xiaomi, which is suitable for most users because it does not require technical skills and saves all the data.

• ⏳ Updates come with a delay (sometimes up to 2-3 months after release).
• 🔄 You can’t jump over versions (for example, with the MIUI 11 straight on MIUI 12.5).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: firmware for Global will not come to the device with EEA china ROM.

To check for availability OTA-update:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package (if it is already downloaded).
3. If the update is available, click Download and wait until it is completed (may take 10 to 40 minutes depending on internet speed).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

If the update doesn’t come, try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the provider’s locks interfere with downloading).
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 weeks – updates are distributed in stages.

💡

If OTA-The update weighs less than 50MB, and it's probably an incremental patch, not a full firmware, and it's faster and doesn't require a data reset.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery – if OTA doesn’t work

If automatic updates are not available or if they are constantly in error (e.g. Couldn't verify update), you can install the firmware manually through Recovery Mode.This method saves user data but requires the correct firmware file selection.

You'll need:

• 📱 The official.zip firmware for your region. Download it from en.miui.com (choose Stable, not Developer, if you're not sure).
• 💾 Formatted MicroSD card (FAT32) or a free space in the internal memory.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware and rename the file to update.zip (important! without spaces and Cyrillic).
2. Transfer the file to the root directory of internal memory or to the SD-map.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. Select the language (if required), then go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).
6. After the reboot, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone.

⚠️ Note: If you have a phone stuck on the Redmi logo after you upgraded through Recovery, it means that the firmware was designed for another region. EEA ROM. In this case, you will need to flash the phone through Fastboot (see the next section).

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

Fastboot is the most reliable, but also the most risky method, and it is suitable if:

• 🔄 We need to downgrade the version. MIUI (downgrade).
• 🛠️ The device does not turn on or is stuck on the logo (bootloop).
• 🌍 Requires to change the firmware region (for example, from China to Global).

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed and ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz format (unpack it before using it).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you are running the unofficial version).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website and install it.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi8_fastboot).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All mode (complete clean) or Save User Data (retaining data, but may cause errors).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, It's better than the one that's supported by the current recoil protection, and you can only get it back to work through the current recoil protection. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

OTA (over air) |Recovery Mode|Fastboot|Castom firmware-->

Method 4: Install custom firmware (Pixel Experience, LineageOS)

If the official updates for Redmi 8 are no longer coming out, and you want a fresh version of Android, you can install custom firmware.

• 📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android with features from Google Pixel.
• 🔄 LineageOS – stable firmware with long-term support.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.

For custom firmware installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (it will take 7-30 days of waiting). SMS-code).
2. Install custom recovery, such as OrangeFox or TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Download firmware (for example, from the XDA Developers website) and Gapps (Google services).
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Install the firmware, then Gapps, and restart.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Updates to the latest versions of Android (for example, Android 13).
• ✅ No Advertising and Unnecessary Xiaomi Apps.
• ✅ More customization settings (themes, animations, gestures).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of official guarantee.
• ❌ Camera bugs are possible, NFC or sensors (depending on the firmware).
• ❌ No. OTA-Updates – you will have to hand-stitch.

💡

Custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and installation via TWRP. Before installing, be sure to check compatibility with the Redmi 8 (olive) model on the developer forum.

Common Update Errors and How to Fix Them

Even when following the instructions, there may be errors, and let's look at the most common ways to solve them:

If there are glitches after the update (for example, the battery quickly goes down or the mobile network does not work), try:

• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛠️ Perform reset to factory settings (if errors are critical).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 8