Update Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro to the latest version: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment even years after its release. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners are faced with the need to update the firmware — whether it is to get fresh features, fix bugs or improve security. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of updating, including nuances that the manufacturer does not always voice.

It’s important to understand that Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) has limited update support. The latest official version of MIUI 14 based on Android 12 was the final version for this model. However, there are alternative firmware (for example, custom firmware on Android 13/14), but their installation requires unlocking the bootloader and Fastboot skills. We will focus on official methods to ensure the stability and safety of the warranty.

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

Before you start updating, follow a few critical steps that neglect can lead to data loss, device blink, or firmware failure.

First, check the current version of MIUI and Android: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down or take a picture of this data – it will be necessary to choose the correct firmware file. For example, if you have MIUI 12.5.3 Stable, the transition to MIUI 14 is possible only through full firmware (Fastboot), not an incremental update.

Battery charge ≥ 60%|Create a backup in Mi Cloud|Download the firmware for your regional version|Disable the antivirus and VPN|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi-->

Pay special attention to the regional version of the firmware. Redmi Note 8 Pro came with different firmware: Global (EEA/IN/RU), China, India, etc. Installing firmware not for your region can lead to network loss (for example, the lack of 4G support on some frequencies) or errors in the work of Google services. Check your version in Settings → About phone → MIUI version (the last 2-3 characters, for example, RU or IN).

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone was purchased in China and works on China ROM, for the transition to Global ROM You'll need to completely flash through Fastboot and delete all the data, and that's irreversible without unlocking the bootloader.

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

Automatic updates via OTA (Over-The-Air) are suitable for most users, and they save all the data and settings, and they are also minimally risky.

• 🔄 It only works for incremental updates (e.g., with MIUI 12.5.2. MIUI For large updates (e.g. with MIUI 12 on MIUI 14) manual installation will be required.
• 📶 Requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi (file size can exceed 2 GB).
• ⏳ The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the speed of the Internet and the load of Xiaomi servers.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Update Package (if the update has already been downloaded but not installed).
3. If a new version is available, click Download. Wait for the download to be completed.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update. The device will restart and install the update automatically.

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If the update doesn’t come for a long time, try changing the region in the Mi Account settings. For example, users from Russia can temporarily switch to India or Global to get fresh firmware faster.

⚠️ Note: If during the update OTA Smartphone hangs on the logo MI longer than 15 minutes, don't force it to turn it off. Wait at least 30 minutes - sometimes the process takes longer due to application optimization. If after that time nothing has changed, try a hard reboot (clip the power supply). + Volume up for 10 seconds).

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery – if OTA does not work

If automatic updates are not available or if they give an error (e.g. Couldn't verify update), you can manually install the firmware via Recovery, which also saves user data but requires you to pre-load the firmware file.

Download the official OTA-A package for your model from Xiaomi Firmware Download. Choose a file marked Recovery ROM and the current version of yours, for example, if you MIUI 12.5.3 Stable, look for a package to switch to MIUI 12.5.4 Stable, not on MIUI 14.

Installation through Recovery:

1. Move the downloaded.zip file to the root folder of internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folder).
2. Turn off your smartphone. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select the language (usually English by default).
4. Go to Install update.zip to System One (or similar).
5. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
6. Once completed, press Reboot to System.

Over the Air (OTA) | Through Recovery | Through Fastboot |Castom firmware |No update-->

4. Method 3: Complete Fastboot Flash Firmware for Power Users

This method is required in cases where:

• 🔧 We need to downgrade the version. MIUI (downgrade).
• 🌍 Going with China ROM Globally ROM (vice versa).
• 🚨 The device does not turn on or is stuck on the logo ("brick").
• 🆕 Install MIUI 14 with Android 12 on old firmware.

Important: Fastboot reflashes all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. Without a backup, it will be impossible to restore them, and you will need to unlock the bootloader, which resets the smartphone to factory settings and can cancel the warranty.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional drivers will be required).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📦 Archive with Fastboot firmware for begonia (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).
• 🔑 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Mi Account → Link your account. Go to Mi Unlock and download Mi Unlock Tool. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → For developers. Connect your smartphone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down), launch Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions. Usually, unlocking takes 72-360 hours of latency.

Install the drivers.

Download and install drivers for MediaTek (Helio G90T) from Xiaomi’s website.


In Device Manager, check that the smartphone is defined as “Android Bootloader Interface”.

Switch the device.

• Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\begonia).
• Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
• Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode and press Refresh. The device must be determined.
• Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have been firmware).
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone does not turn on after firmware via Fastboot or gives an error in the Invalid image format, check: Compatibility of the firmware version with your model (begonia). MD5). Respect for the selected mode in the Mi Flash Tool (for downgrade use Clean all, not Save user data).

5. Alternative firmware: should we switch to custom?

Official support for the Redmi Note 8 Pro ended with MIUI 14 (Android 12), but enthusiasts are developing unofficial firmware based on new versions of Android (13/14), such as:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without shell MIUI.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• ⚡ ArrowOS or HavocOS – customizable firmware with advanced settings.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Support for new versions of Android (up to Android 14).
• ✅ Lack of advertising and unnecessary Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface and performance.

Cons and risks:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• ❌ Possible bugs: problems with camera, sensors or mobile communications.
• ❌ Lack of official security updates.
• ❌ Difficulty of installation for beginners (knowledge required) TWRP and ADB).

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Custom firmware is only suitable for experienced users who are ready for possible problems. For everyday use, it is better to stay on the latest official version of MIUI 14.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems. Consider the most common ones:

If after the update, the smartphone began to warm up strongly or discharge quickly, follow the following steps:

1. Reset the settings to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Turn off the background activity of applications (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
3. Check for updates for apps on Google Play.
4. If the problem persists, roll back to the previous firmware version.

7. How to roll back to the previous version of MIUI

Sometimes newer versions of firmware are worse than previous ones, such as camera bugs or battery failure, and you can downgrade them, but there are nuances to this process:

• 🔙 To roll back, you will need a full firmware through Fastboot (OTA And Recovery doesn't support downgrade).
• 📉 All data will be deleted (restore in advance).
• 🔒 If you unlock the bootloader, after rolling back it can be blocked back through the Mi Flash Tool (Clean all and lock mode).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the desired firmware version (e.g. MIUI 12.5.2) from the official Fastboot site.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the smartphone to the PC in Fastboot mode.
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All mode.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.
5. After the reboot, perform the initial setup as after the purchase.

⚠️ Note: Reverse to older version MIUI 12 can cause problems with some applications (for example, banking) as they require fresh versions of Android.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

If the smartphone is not detected by the PC, the bootloader may be damaged, in which case repairs will be required at the service center.