How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a popular smartphone with a balance of performance and price, but even it requires regular updates to keep things running smoothly.The firmware update not only adds new features, but also fixes bugs, improves security and optimizes power consumption. However, the upgrade process can be challenging, especially if you're doing it for the first time.

In this article, you will find three official ways to update (via OTA, Recovery and Mi Flash Tool), as well as solving typical problems - from the error "Cannot verify update" to hanging on the Mi logo. We will discuss each step in detail so that you can upgrade the Redmi 8 Pro without the risk of "bricking" the device.

Important: Before you start, check that you have enough battery power (at least 50%) and a stable Internet connection. USB-Xiaomi cable – cheap analogues can cause failures.

1.Preparation for the update: what to do before the start

Incorrect preparation is the main cause of failures in the update.

• 🔋 Battery charge: Make sure the charge level is at least 50%.When discharged during the upgrade, the device may stop turning on.
• 📡 Internet connection: For OTA-Wi-Fi is required (mobile internet is not recommended due to traffic restrictions).
• 📱 Backup: Save important data (contacts, photos, messages) to Google Drive or PC. Update rarely erases data, but it's better to be safe.
• 🔍 Make sure your device is the Redmi 8 Pro (Oliva model code) and not the Redmi 8 or Redmi. 8A. To do this, go to the Settings. → The phone. → Model.

If you are updating via PC, additionally:

• 🖥️ Install the Mi Flash Tool (latest version) and Qualcomm drivers.
• 🔗 Download the correct firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website. For Redmi 8 Pro, choose files marked olive.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 8 Pro with bootloader unlocked, upgrading through the Mi Flash Tool may result in the device being locked. OTA or recovery.

Also check if the phone has root rights (root) or custom firmware (like LineageOS) installed, in which case the official updates may not work – you will need to return the stock firmware first.

Check the device model (olive)

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone ≥50%

Connect to Wi-Fi (for OTA)

Download the correct firmware (for manual updates)-->

2. Method 1: Air Update (OTA) is the easiest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is an automatic update over the Internet that does not require a PC connection.

• 📲 You have official firmware. MIUI modificationless.
• 🔄 Upgrade weighs less than 2GB (large upgrades may require manual installation).
• 🔒 The device is not rooted.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, the Download button will appear.
3. After downloading, click Install and wait for the reboot.

If the Download button is inactive or there is an error called "Cannot verify update", try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and try again.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi (sometimes the lock is at the provider level).
• 🗓️ Check date and time in settings (incorrect settings may block the update).

⚠️ Attention: If after OTA-The phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes, don't panic. Try to force the device to restart by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds. If that doesn't work, you'll need firmware through Recovery.

The advantage of OTA is simplicity and minimal risk. However, sometimes updates come with a delay (especially for older models).

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OTA-Update is suitable for 90% of users, but will not help if the firmware is very outdated or modified.

3. Method 2: Update via Recovery - if OTA doesn't work

If OTA is unavailable or gives you errors, you can manually install the update via Recovery Mode, which does not require a PC, but you need to download the firmware in.zip format beforehand.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the latest version of MIUI for Redmi 8 Pro from the official website. Choose a file marked Recovery (not Fastboot!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip (required!) and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folder).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have an option), then: Install update.zip to System One or (in newer versions of MIUI): Apply update → Choose from internal storage → update.zip
5. Confirm the installation and wait until it is completed (usually takes 5-10 minutes).
6. After the reboot, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone.

If E: Signature verification failed appears in Recovery, it means:

• 📁 The firmware file is damaged (download again).
• 🔑 The firmware is not designed for your model (check the olive code).
• 🔧 You have custom firmware installed (requires to return the stock version via Fastboot).

Important: Don't leave Recovery Mode during installation! interruption of the process can result in data loss or a "brick" of the device.

4. Method 3: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool - for power users

This method is used if:

• 📱 The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo.
• 🔄 We need to downgrade the version. MIUI (downgrade).
• 🛠️ Requires to restore stock firmware after unsuccessful modifications.

To run through the Mi Flash Tool, you will need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware (.tgz or.zip file).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\olive).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers (come with the utility).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, and the COMX device should appear.
5. In the Select field, specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - clean (deletes all data!), Clean all and lock - clean + lock bootloader (for security), Save user data - save data (not always stable).

Flash

After successful firmware, the phone will automatically restart.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot resets all settings, including data in internal memory. If you don't backup, you can't restore files.

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If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t see the device, try running it on behalf of the administrator or disabling the antivirus (it can block drivers).

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right actions, the update can go wrong, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

Error: "Cannot verify update" in OTA

Causes and solutions:

• 🕒 Xiaomi servers are overloaded → Wait a few hours and try again.
• 📡 Blocking by provider → Use it. VPN or other Wi-Fi.
• 🔧 Modified firmware → Return the stock version via Fastboot.
• 🗓️ Wrong date/time → Enable automatic synchronization in the settings.

Error: phone is stuck on startup Mi logo after update

Possible action:

1. Wait 15-20 minutes – sometimes the first download takes a long time.
2. Force the phone to restart by holding the power button for 20 seconds.
3. If it doesn’t work, log in to Recovery and select Wipe data → Reboot (data will be deleted!).
4. In extreme cases, run your phone through Fastboot (see Method 3).

This package is for 'olive' devices; this is a ''

This error means that you're trying to install firmware not for your model.

• Check the model code in Settings → About Phone → Model (must be M1908C3JG or olive).
• Download firmware specifically for Redmi 8 Pro (not for Redmi 8 or Redmi Note 8 Pro!).

Error: There is not enough room for updates

If the message “Insufficient Memory” appears when downloading OTA:

• Clear the cache in Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
• Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to the SD-map.
• Download the firmware on PC and install through Recovery.

If none of these methods worked, contact Xiaomi Service Center. Don’t try to stitch your phone with unofficial tools (like the SP Flash Tool) – this can permanently put it out of order.

6. How to check the success of the update

After restarting the device, make sure the update is correct:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Check the fields: The MIUI version must match the installed version. The Android version -- if the update included a new version of Android, it must change. The build number must match the downloaded firmware.

• 📶 Mobile network and Wi-Fi.
• 🔊 Sound and microphone (call another phone).
• 📷 Camera (take a test shot).
• 🔋 Charging (connect the charger).

If after the update there are glitches (for example, quickly dies the battery or lays the interface), try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Reset the settings to factory (pre-make a backup!).

⚠️ Note: If after the update, mobile network data is lost (no signal), check the settings APN. To do this, go to the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) and restore the default settings.

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After a successful upgrade, it is recommended to calibrate the battery: completely discharge and charge the phone 1-2 times for the correct display of the charge level.

7. Where to Download Official Firmware for Redmi 8 Pro

To avoid installing fake or corrupt firmware, download files only from official sources:

Warning: Do not download firmware from torrent trackers or dubious sites!

• 🦠 Viruses or spyware.
• 🔧 Modified cores leading to unstable operation.
• 🚫 Blocking of Mi Account (if the firmware is pirated").

Before installing, always check the checksum (MD5 or SHA-1) of the downloaded file, and you can use utilities like WinMD5Free or 7-Zip to do this.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)