How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways 2026

Why it’s important to update the firmware on the Redmi Note 8 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) was released in 2019, but is still popular thanks to the powerful MediaTek Helio G90T processor and 64-megapixel camera. However, without regular firmware updates, even the most “iron” device begins to slow down, warm up or face security errors. The manufacturer releases new versions of MIUI and Android patches for a reason: they close vulnerabilities, optimize battery life and add fresh features – for example, improved photo processing or support for new communication standards.

The latest official firmware for the Redmi Note 8 Pro is based on Android 11 (MIUI 14), but many users are still sitting on outdated versions, which can not only slow down, but also risk virus attacks - especially if you use mobile banking or payment applications. MIUI Often bring hidden improvements for game mode and memory management, which are not advertised in changelog, but significantly affect the user experience.

But you have to update wisely. A wrong firmware or interrupted process can turn a phone into a brick. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update, from simple OTA to manual firmware via Fastboot, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors and what to do if something went wrong.

Preparing for the update: what to do before the start

Before you start the update, make sure your Redmi Note 8 Pro is ready for the procedure. Neglect of preparation is the main cause of failure. Start by checking the current firmware version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Write down or take a picture of this information – it will come in handy if you have to roll back.

Mandatory steps before updating:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%.When manually running through Fastboot, it's better to have 100%, as the process can take up to 30 minutes.
• 📱 Back up the data. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root:
• 🔌 Prepare the cable. USB Type-C (preferably original) and PC with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed (if you plan to manually firmware).
• 🌐 Make sure the internet connection is stable. OTA-upgrades to mobile Internet, but to download full firmware it is better to use Wi-Fi.

If you are upgrading from Android 9 or 10 to Android 11, please note that you may need to reset your Windows Data after the update, which is due to a change in the /data partition structure in new versions of MIUI.

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If you have a bootloader unlocked, check the lock status with fastboot oem device-info before upgrading. If Device unlocked: true, you can flash custom recovery (TWRP) and modified firmware.

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade over-the-air, which is suitable for most users if:

• 📲 The phone is not rooted and has no custom recovery.
• 🔄 Current firmware - official (global, European or Chinese).
• 📶 It has a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi is preferred).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Download the latest updates.
3. If you find an update, tap Download and wait until it is completed (the file weighs 1.5-3 GB).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update. The phone will reboot to recovery mode and install the firmware automatically.

If the update is not available, there may be reasons:

• 🚫 Your version. MIUI too old, for example, MIUI 10 won't get it. OTA on MIUI 14 - will require hand firmware).
• 🌍 The firmware region does not match the servers (for example, Chinese firmware on a global device).
• 🔒 The bootloader is blocked, but custom software is installed.

Version MIUI| Battery charge >50%| Backup of important data |Wi-Fi Connected |Background applications closed-->

Method 2: Hand-held firmware through Recovery

If OTA doesn’t work or you want to install a specific firmware version (like rolling back to a stable build), use manual installation via Stock Recovery.This method saves user data but requires a properly selected firmware file.

Steps:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) from the official website: 🌐 Official archives MIUI (Choose Recovery. ROM). 📁 The file must have a name of the type miui_BEGONIAGlobal_V14.0.2.0.QGGMIXM_... (global version).

update.zip

Volume up + Nutrition

Recovery Mode

Install update.zip to System

Confirm the installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

Reboot to System

Important! If you install firmware from another region (e.g. Chinese to global), you must run Wipe Data in recovery before you do it, otherwise the phone will get stuck on downloading. Also note that switching from Android 10 to Android 11 may require formatting the data partition.

Method 3: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

This method is suitable for "resuscitating" the phone after a crash, installing custom firmware or forcing an upgrade to the latest version. Requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC with drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for begonia from the official website (file with extension.tgz or.zip). Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, unpack the archive in the folder, C:\MIUI\begonia_global).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool (the latest version) and the drivers for MediaTek (if not, download from the Xiaomi website).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-In Device Manager, check that the device is identified as Android Bootloader Interface.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean All - complete cleanup (remove all data!), Save User Data - saving user data (does not always work correctly). Clean All and Lock - cleaning + lock the bootloader (to return to the drain state).

Flash

Warning! Fastboot firmware with Clean All option removes:

• All applications and their data.
• Photos, videos and documents in internal memory.
• Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth and accounts.

If you do not backup, it will be impossible to restore the data!

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to bring the phone back to life if it doesn’t turn on or is fixated on the MI logo.

Unlock the bootloader: when it is needed and how to do it

The bootloader on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is locked by default. Unlock is required for:

• 🔓 Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 📱 Fastboot Firmware with Clean All and Lock option (if the bootloader was previously unlocked).
• 🛠️ Getting root rights (Magisk).

Officially unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting due to Xiaomi's policy.Alternative methods (e.g. via EDL) are risky and can result in the Mi Account being blocked.

Official unblocking instructions:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync.
2. Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and log in to the program.
4. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot. Connect to your PC.
5. In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock. If you receive a waiting message, wait for the specified time (usually 168 or 720 hours).

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data will be deleted from the phone, and the Xiaomi warranty will be canceled. L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

Solving Common Errors in Updating

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If your phone starts to warm up, discharge quickly or brake after the upgrade, reset: Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Resetting. This often solves optimization problems after major updates (for example, Android 10 on 11).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 8 Pro update