How to safely roll back Android update on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 3 working methods

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the brand's most popular smartphones, but not all MIUI updates are beneficial. Bugs, brakes after upgrading to Android 12/13, a discharged battery or loss of features make users look for a way to return to the previous version of the firmware. In this article, 3 proven rollback methods, including the official and unofficial, with step-by-step instructions, risk warnings and tips for data recovery.

Firmware rollback is not an easy process, it requires preparation, backup and understanding of the possible consequences, from loss of warranty to "brick" (complete failure) of the device. We will analyze each method in detail, taking into account the features of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia), its bootloader and the version of MIUI (Global/China/EEA).

Why You Might Need to Reverse the Update

MIUI updates aren’t always optimized for older devices. On the 2019 Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often face the following issues after the upgrade:

• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge – up to 30% per hour in standby mode due to background processes of the new version of Android.
• 🐢 Lags and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or playing games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact).
• 📵 Network problems: communication breakdowns, poor reception 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi errors.
• 🔊 Disappearance of features: for example, delete Game Turbo or Always On Display settings.
• 🔒 Blocking the bootloader after the update (less often, but happens on Chinese firmware).

According to the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, up to 15% of Redmi Note 8 Pro owners have tried to roll back firmware at least once. The main reason is the incompatibility of the new software with hardware: the Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 6 GB of RAM do not always cope with the requirements of the latest versions of Android 12+.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Unprepared firmware rollback is a surefire way to get a brick instead of a phone. Follow this checklist to minimize the risks:

Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the version of the current firmware in Settings → About the phone → MIUI version

Make sure that the battery charge is ≥ 60%

Download the correct version of the firmware (only for your model!)

Prepare a USB cable (original, without damage)

Install Mi Flash Tool and ADB drivers on PC

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Pay special attention to backup. A rollback will reset the phone to factory settings, so:

• 📁 Transfer your photos/video to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Save Contacts Through Settings → Google → Synchronization.
• 💬 Export. SMS using applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🎮 Save game data through your Google Play or Mi Account.

Important: If you have a locked bootloader, an official rollback is only possible within a single MIUI branch (for example, from MIUI 13.0.5 to 13.0.2). For a radical downgrade (for example, from Android 12 to Android 11), you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 1: Recoil through MIUI Downgrade Tool (official method)

The safest option is to use the built-in MIUI Downgrade Tool, which only works on global and European firmware (MIUI Global/EEA) and allows you to go back 1-2 builds without unlocking the bootloader.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download the MIUI Downgrade Tool (official Xiaomi website).
5. Launch the tool, select your model (Redmi Note 8 Pro) and the rollback version available.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen. The phone will reboot to Recovery and start rolling back.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It doesn't work on Chinese firmware (MIUI China).
• ❌ You can only roll back to the latest stable version (not any version).
• ❌ Requires an active Internet connection (downloads firmware from Xiaomi servers).

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If the MIUI Downgrade Tool doesn’t offer the right version, check the firmware region. For example, for the Redmi Note 8 Pro with EEA (Europe), a rollback to Global is impossible without a full firmware reflash.

Method 2: Manual rollback via Recovery (for unlocked bootloader)

If the MIUI Downgrade Tool doesn't work, you can manually flash the old version through Recovery.

• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).
• 📥 The right firmware in.zip format for your region.
• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the necessary firmware from the official website: 🌍 Global/EEA 🇨🇳 China (requires a Mi Account)

For the Redmi Note 8 Pro look for files with a name begonia_....

update.zip

cellphone

Volume up + Nutrition

Recovery

Install update.zip to System

Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the phone has been stuck on the MI logo for more than 20 minutes after the rollback:

⚠️ Don't panic or turn off the power! Wait another 30 minutes -- sometimes the first download after the firmware takes up to an hour. If the screen is still black, try going to Fastboot. + Power) and flash firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (method 3).

Method 3: Complete Fastboot Flashing (for experienced)

If the first two methods don't work, it's the Fastboot, and it's a radical way of doing this.

• ✅ It works even on the "bricks" (if the phone is determined by the PC).
• ✅ Allows you to change the firmware region (for example, from China to Global).
• ❌ Requires an unlocked bootloader and erases all data.
• ❌ Risk of damage IMEI or camera modules in case of error.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC (Mi Flash Tool drivers are unstable on the computer) macOS/Linux).
• 📋 Firmware in.tgz format (for example, begonia_global_images_V12.5.3.0.RGGMIXM_20220106.0000.00_11.0_global_0612d47b0d.tgz).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (Version 2020 or Newer).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the firmware.
5. Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have been firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

Critical: If the firmware is interrupted during flashing modemst1/st2, the phone will lose its IMEI and stop catching the network, in which case you will need to restore the IMEI via the SN Write Tool (instructions are on 4PDA).

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Use Clean all and lock mode only if you are sure of firmware stability. A blocked bootloader will make it difficult to re-roll or install custom software.

How to unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 8 Pro

Without unlocking the bootloader, a rollback to older versions of Android (for example, from 12 to 11) is impossible. Xiaomi officially allows you to unlock the bootloader, but the process takes up to 7 days (due to account verification).

Step-by-step:

1. Link Mi Account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Add an account.
2. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version).
3. In Settings → Additional → For developers, enable: OEM unlock and USB debugging.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
5. Turn off the phone, press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
6. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and log in to your Mi Account.
7. Press Unlock. If you receive a waiting message, wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours).

Important: After unlocking the bootloader:

• 🔓 The phone will be reset to factory settings.
• 🚨 Xiaomi warranty is canceled (but in Russia it is rarely checked during repairs).
• 📱 The download screen will display a warning This device is unlocked.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

If nothing helps:

⚠️ Don't try to flash firmware from another model! even the Redmi Note 8 (without the "Pro") has a different iron (the Snapdragon 665 instead of the Helio). G90T). This is guaranteed to lead to a "brick." In extreme cases, contact the service center with a request to flash the test firmware (usually costs 1-2 thousand rubles).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions