How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone among users. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners are faced with the question: how to safely update the device so as not to lose data and turn the phone into a “brick”? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update firmware – from standard OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 8 officially supports upgrades to MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10 (the latest stable version).However, enthusiasts port custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and working with ADB. If you’re a beginner, stick to official methods.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge is at least 50% (when upgraded via Recovery or Fastboot, 100% is better).
• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection – Mobile internet can be interrupted at the most inopportune moment.
• 📁 Data backup – even an official update sometimes resets settings.

If your Redmi 8 hasn’t been updated in a long time, it may have blocked the automatic installation due to space shortage or version conflict, in which case manual installation via Recovery will help.

1. Check the current firmware version and available updates

Before you upgrade to Redmi 8, make sure the new firmware version does exist for your model.The device has several modifications:

• 📱 M1908C3JG is a global version.
• 📱 M1908C3JI is the Indian version.
• 📱 M1908C3JE is the European version (EEA).

To find out your modification, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Click a few times on the Android kernel line for additional information, including model code and region. Installing firmware from another modification will lead to IMEI blocking or network problems!

Check the available updates:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Update Package”.
3. If you have an update, the system will prompt you to download it, and if you don't, it will say "No updates."

If the system doesn’t find updates but you’re sure they should be (e.g., according to the 4PDA or Xiaomi Community forums), try:

• 🔄 Reset the update cache: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots → Show everything → System Update, then clear the cache and data.
• 🌐 Change region: sometimes updates come later in some countries, requiring a change of region in your Mi Account (but this may block some features, such as Google Pay).

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If updates still don’t appear after resetting the cache, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or using mobile internet (sometimes providers block Xiaomi traffic).

2. Air Update (OTA) is the easiest way

The OTA (Over-The-Air) method is an automatic update over the Internet, and it's suitable for most users because it doesn't require technical skills.

• ⚠️ Upgrade is only possible for the next version (e.g., from MIUI 12.0.1 to 12.0.2, but not 12.5 at once).
• ⚠️ If several updates are missed, OTA may not work — manual installation will be required.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (update "weighs" 1.5-2.5 GB).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Download (if the update is available).
4. After downloading, select “Install” and confirm the reboot.

The installation process will take 10-20 minutes. The phone will reboot several times - do not interrupt the process, even if the screen remains black for a long time. If the device is getting stuck on the Redmi logo after the update, wait 30 minutes. If nothing changes, start recovery through Recovery (section 4).

Battery charge ≥ 60%|Wi-Fi connection (not mobile internet)|Released. ≥ 3 GB of memory|Disabled. VPN proxy|Backup of important data is made-->

Manual update via Recovery (if OTA does not work)

If automatic updates are not available or if they give an error, you can install the firmware manually through stock Recovery, which is suitable for official firmware in.zip format and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Download the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website:

1. Go to the MIUI download page.
2. Choose the Redmi 8 and your region (Global/India/EEA).
3. Download the latest stable version (not beta!) The file will be called something like miui_HM8Global_V12.5.1.0.QCNMIXM_.

Installation through Recovery:

1. Copy the downloaded.zip file to the root folder of internal memory (not to the folder!).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on three → dots to select the update file.
4. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

If after selecting the file, an error appears “Can not check the service pack”, then:

• 🔹 The file is damaged – download it again.
• 🔹 Model mismatch – check the device code (M1908C3JG, etc.).
• 🔹 Firmware older than the current one – upgrade first to the intermediate version.

Update via Fastboot (for power users)

The Fastboot method is used when:

• 🔧 You need to flash the device from the "brick" (if it does not turn on).
• 🔧 Requires downgrading MIUI (downgrade).
• 🔧 OTA and Recovery are not working due to bugs.

This method will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz format (not.zip!).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware.tgz in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi8_Fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Make sure the drivers are installed (Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select “Clean all” or “Clean all and lock” (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it finishes (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If you select "Clean all and lock," the bootloader will lock and further firmware manipulation will require re-unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool. This takes up to 360 hours of latency (by Xiaomi's rules).

After successful firmware, the phone will restart. The first turn on can take up to 15 minutes - do not interrupt the process. If the device has hung on the logo longer than 30 minutes, try flashing again through Fastboot or using EDL- mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

5. Solving Common Update Errors

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 8 users encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error: “Failed to install an update” (OTA or Recovery)

• 🔸 Not enough memory – free up ≥ 3 GB of internal memory.
• 🔸 Damaged file – download the firmware again, check the checksum (MD5).
• 🔸 Version conflict – if several updates are missed, set them in order (e.g., first MIUI 12.0.1, then 12.0.2, then 12.5).

This package is for "M1908C3JG" devices; this is a "M1908C3JI"

So that means you're trying to install firmware for another modification of the device.

1. Check the code of your model in Settings → About the phone.
2. Download the firmware specifically for your region (Global/India/EEA).

The problem is “Anti-rollback protection”

This protection works if you are trying to install a version of MIUI older than the current one by 2+ updates or downgrade it below the allowable one, for example, if your phone is running MIUI 12.5 and you are trying to flash MIUI 12.0.

• 🔹 Find the middle firmware and upgrade in stages.
• 🔹 If you want to downgrade, use EDL- mode (requires authorization from Xiaomi).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stopped turning on after a failed upgrade (black screen, no logo vibration), don't try to flash it through Recovery, which can make the problem worse. In this case, only Fastboot or EDL will help. If you don't have experience, contact the service center.

6. Alternative firmware: should you install a caste?

Official support for Redmi 8 ended with MIUI 12.5 (Android 10), but enthusiasts port informal firmware such as:

• 📱 LineageOS – “pure” Android without shell MIUI.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• 📱 Havoc-OS is a custom firmware with advanced settings.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Updated Android 11/12 (instead of Android 10).
• ✅ No Advertising and Unnecessary Xiaomi Apps.
• ✅ More customization options (e.g. gestures, themes).

Cons and risks:

• ❌ Unstable operation – bugs with camera, sensors or mobile network are possible.
• ❌ Warranty Loss – Unlocking the bootloader voids the Xiaomi warranty.
• ❌ Installation difficulty – requires unlocking the Bootloader, working with ADB and TWRP.
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" - if the phone fails, it may stop turning on.

If you still decide to install custom firmware, follow this algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (it will take up to 15 days to wait).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (unofficial version for Redmi 8).
3. Make a full backup through TWRP (including the EFS section where IMEI is stored!).
4. Sweep through firmware and GApps (Google services, if they are not included in the list).

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Custom firmware is only suitable for advanced users, and if you need a stable phone for everyday tasks, stay on the official MIUI.

7. Optimization of work after updating

After a successful upgrade, Redmi 8 may run slower due to background optimization of the new MIUI version.

Step 1. Clear the cache.

• 🧹 Go to Settings → Memory → Clear (deletes temporary files).
• 🧹 For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Apps → App Management and manually clear the cache for heavy apps (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).

Step 2. Shutdown of animation

To speed up the interface:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the settings: Window animation scale → Disable the animation scale of the transition → Disable the animation duration of the animation → Disable

Step 3: Optimize the battery

Newer versions of MIUI sometimes aggressively optimize background processes, causing applications to notify.

• 🔋 Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
• 🔋 Select the apps you want to disable optimization for (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🔋 Enable AutoRun for Critical Applications in Settings → Apps → Permissions → AutoRun.

If the battery is discharged after the upgrade, calibrate the battery:

1. Charge your phone to 100% and hold on charging for another 1 hour.
2. Disconnect from charging and discharge until automatically shut down.
3. Charge again to 100% without interruption.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 8 updates