MIUI updates often bring new features, but sometimes cause problems: brakes, fast battery discharge or broken modules (for example, NFC or camera after upgrading to MIUI 14). Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) are more likely to face this than others due to the specific architecture of the Mediatek Helio G90T processor and closed manufacturer policy.
In this article, we will analyze three proven methods of rollback: through Fastboot (for experienced users), Recovery (universal method) and EDL-Mode (extreme case of "brick"): Particular attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader without waiting for 720 hours - a pressing problem for the Redmi Note 8 Pro after the updates of 2023-2026. All instructions are adapted to the latest version of the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi accounts with a linked phone number.
Why you can’t go back in the standard way
Unlike the Qualcomm Snapdragon, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has two key features:
- 🔒 Closed bootloader by default – even after unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, some partitions remain protected (lpm, keymaster).
- 🛠️ Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) — a mechanism that blocks firmware installation older than the current version. MIUI 14 can't go back to MIUI 12.5 without circumvention.
- 📱 Mediatek Helio G90T — a processor with a unique boot scheme that does not support standard fastboot flash commands for all partitions.
If you try to install old firmware through System Update or Recovery without preparation, you will get errors:
- Couldn't verify package - when checking the firmware signature
- Anti-rollback check fail – if the firmware version is lower than the current one.
- Invalid sparse file format at header – if you damage the files of system.img or vendor.img.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback on Redmi Note 8 Pro resets data in a section /data (Backing up through Mi Cloud or Google Account won’t restore your system settings, but you’ll have to reconfigure them.
Preparation for rollback: unlocking the loader
Without an unlocked bootloader, you won’t be able to flash the device through Fastboot or EDL. The procedure for the Redmi Note 8 Pro is different from other Xiaomi models:
- Link your Xiaomi account to your device: 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Synchronization. 🔄 Enable synchronization of contacts and notes (this is a prerequisite for unlocking). 📎 Link your phone number to your account (without this, Mi Unlock Tool will not allow unlocking).
- Connect the device to the Mi Unlock Tool: 🖥️ Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool (Windows only). 🔗 Sign in to the program under the same account as on the phone. ⏳ Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Volume down) and wait for a successful binding message (usually 168-720 hours).
How to get around the wait of 720 hours?
If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't unlock or Device not supported error, check:
- 🔌 Cable USB — Use the original from Xiaomi (cheap cables may not transfer data to Fastboot).
- 🖥️ Port port USB — connect to USB 2.0 (blue ports) USB 3.0 often causes crashes).
- 🔄 Mi Unlock Tool version – older versions (below 5.5.224.30) do not support Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Method 1: Recoil through Fastboot (recommended)
This method is suitable for rollback on any version of MIUI if you have an unlocked bootloader.
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (on macOS/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 📁 Firmware in.tgz format for Fastboot (download only from the official website).
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).
Download the firmware for begonia (Redmi Note 8 Pro)|Install Mediatek drivers and ADB|Unclose the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic|Disable the antivirus (can block the Mi Flash Tool)|Charge your phone at least 60%-->
Step-by-step:
- Install drivers: Download and install ADB & Fastboot Tools. Install Mediatek drivers via Mtk Driver Auto Installer.
- Connect the phone in Fastboot mode: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds. 3. Connect to the PC - a hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.
- Run Mi Flash Tool: Uncancel the firmware into a folder (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia_global_images_...). Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder. At the bottom, select Clean all or Clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware). Press Refresh — the list of devices should appear. COM-Click Flash and wait until it's finished. 5–10 minute).
If the Mi Flash Tool is an error flash_preloader failed or invalid preloader:
- 🔄 Try a different firmware version (for example, instead of Global take it). EEA India).
- 🛠️ Manually run the preloader through SP Flash Tool (instructions in the next section).
- 🔌 Check the cable and port USB — This error often occurs due to an unstable connection.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after firmware is done (black screen or Redmi logo), don't panic. + Volume up 20 seconds for forced reboot. If that doesn't work, go to method 3 (EDL).
Method 2: Recovery (without PC)
This method only works if:
- 🔓 You've got the loader unlocked.
- 📁 You downloaded the firmware in.zip format for Recovery (not.tgz!).
- 📱 Current version MIUI Does not block the installation of old firmware (check in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
Instructions:
- Download the firmware: Go to the official website and select the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) model. Download the Recovery ROM version (file with the.zip extension). Rename the file to update.zip and move to the root of the phone's internal memory.
- Start Recovery: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi Recovery logo appears. 3. Select the language and tap Install update.zip to System.
- Confirm installation: Select update.zip and confirm installation. Wait until it is finished (the phone will restart automatically).
If Recovery is making an E:footer error, it is wrong.
- 🔄 Download the firmware again - the file could have downloaded with errors.
- 📁 Check the checksum (MD5) File via HashMyFiles.
- 🔧 Try to flash through Fastboot (Method 1).
1. Press Power + Volume up.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the reset (data will be deleted, but the phone will work).-->
Method 3: Recoil through EDL (for "bricks")
EDL-Emergency Download Mode – The last chance to bring your phone back to life:
- 💀 Not turned on (black screen, no response to buttons).
- 🔄 It hangs on the Redmi or Fastboot logo.
- 🛠️ Not defined by the computer in Fastboot mode.
This method will require:
- 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers Installed HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- 🔌 Cable USB (necessarily original!).
- 📁 Fastboot firmware in.tgz format (can be used the same as in Method 1).
- 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool program or SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek).
- 🔑 Authorized Xiaomi Account (to unlock) EDL).
How to log into EDL:
- Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power for 30 seconds).
- Press Volume Up + Volume Down and connect the USB cable to the PC.
- Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds – the phone should be identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Device Manager.
The firmware through the Mi Flash Tool:
- Open the Mi Flash Tool and select the folder with the unarched firmware.
- Select Clean All mode at the bottom.
- Press Refresh – the list should appear COM-port.
- Click Flash and wait until the end (the process will take 10-20 minutes).
⚠️ If the Mi Flash Tool is an error SLA Auth Error or Mi Auth Error means your Xiaomi account is not authorized to use the same name. EDL. Solution: Go to account.xiaomi.com and check if the phone number is tied. Send a request to unlock. EDL Use informal tools like XiaoMiTool. V2 (at risk!).
💡
EDL-The mode is the only way to restore the Redmi Note 8 Pro after a “full breeze” (for example, after a failed firmware preloader). USB-cable.
Solving errors after rollback
Even after a successful pullback, you may encounter problems, and here are the most common solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone not turned on (black screen) | The boot or dtbo section is damaged | Flick your phone through EDL (Method 3) or manually flash boot.img through fastboot flash boot.img |
| Hanging on the Redmi logo | Conflict of vendor and system versions | Run Wipe Data in Recovery or re-sweeten the firmware with the Clean All option |
| Invalid IMEI error or no network | The nvram or nvdata partition is damaged | Restore the IMEI through Maui META or run the original nvram from the backup |
| The camera or fingerprint sensor is not working. | Incompatibility of drivers in old firmware | Update your firmware to an intermediate version (e.g., from MIUI 12.5 to MIUI 13 and then to the desired version) |
| Fast battery discharge | Resetting battery statistics | Completely discharge and charge your phone 2-3 times or run the battery module through TWRP |
If the root access or TWRP is lost after the rollback:
- 🔧 Reinstall Magisk with Fastboot: Fastboot Flash boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot
- 🔄 For TWRP Download the latest version for begonia from the official website and click: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-begonia.img fastboot reboot recovery
How to Avoid Problems with Future Updates
So that you do not have to roll back the firmware again, follow these rules:
- 📵 Do not update in the first 2 weeks after release – wait for user reviews about bugs.
- 🔄 Check out the Android version before upgrading: Switching from Android 11 to Android 12 could cause performance issues on Helio G90T. Nana MIUI 14 Some users complain about overheating of the processor.
- 📁 Create backups before updating: Use TWRP For backup sections boot, system, vendor and data. IMEI and NVRAM via Maui META or MTK Droid Tools.
- 🔧 Turn off automatic update: Go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings and disable Automatic Boot.
💡
If you’re a firmware experimenter, install OrangeFox Recovery instead of TWRP. It works better with Mediatek and supports backup to the cloud.