How to roll back firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: 3 proven ways

Why users want to return the old firmware on the Redmi Note 8T

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) is still popular with users due to its balanced characteristics: Snapdragon 665 processor, 48-MP camera and capacious battery for 4000 mAh. However, after the updates MIUI many are faced with problems from sudden slowdowns to critical bugs like overheating or fast battery discharge.

The Redmi Note 8T may need to be rolled back in several cases:

• 🔄 After updating to MIUI 13/14 The phone started to slow down or spontaneously reboot.
• 📵 Missing communications (not working) 4G, not catching the network due to errors in the modem.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged in 3-4 hours instead of the usual 10-12.
• 🎮 Games and apps are crashing with an error "MIUI optimize the system".
• 🔒 Installed custom software (e.g. Pixel Experience) is unstable.

It's important to understand that a firmware rollback isn't just a "back to factory settings." It's a complete flashing of the device that requires unlocking the bootloader, working with Fastboot or TWRP, and sometimes manual script editing. On the Redmi Note 8T with firmware newer than MIUI 12.5, you may need to bypass Anti-Rollback protection, otherwise the phone will turn into a "brick."

Preparation for rollback: what to do before the firmware

Before embarking on a rollback, make sure you follow all the critical steps.Neglecting preparation can lead to data loss, IMEI blocking, or even the inability to turn on the phone.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, SMS)|Check the current firmware version in Settings → The phone.|Download the desired firmware version (official or custom)|Install Xiaomi drivers and ADB/Fastboot PC-only|Charge your phone to a minimum. 60%|Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original)

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Pay special attention to the firmware version. The Redmi Note 8T has an Anti-Rollback (ARB) system that blocks rollbacks to too old versions. For example, if you have a MIUI 14 (ARB 4), you can't roll back to MIUI 12 (ARB 2) without bypassing the protection. To find out the current ARB, run the command to ADB:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.arb

Also check the status of the bootloader. If it is locked (which is typical for new devices), it will have to be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool, which will take up to 72 hours of waiting due to Xiaomi's policy.

Official MIUI (Stable)|Official MIUI (Global)|Pixel Experience, LineageOS)|I don't know, need help choosing

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Method 1: Recoil through Fastboot (official method)

This is the most reliable way to return the factory firmware, but it requires an unlocked bootloader, suitable for returning to an older official version of MIUI (for example, from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi Note 8T (willow) from MIUI Downloads official website. Choose the version marked Fastboot.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the C:\ disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic!).
3. Start the phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.

fastboot flash all -w

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it automatically reboots.

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot reboot

This will help to avoid errors with the layout of the sections.

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⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the logo MI longer 15 Just try to get in the Recovery. + Volume up) and make Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, re-swipe it, but with fastboot flash all. -s (data-free).

Method 2: Recoil through TWRP (for custom firmware)

If you have installed Pixel Experience, LineageOS or other custom firmware and it is unstable, you can return the official MIUI via TWRP. This method is also suitable for rolling back to an earlier version of MIUI if you have previously made a backup in TWRP.

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP for the Redmi Note 8T (the version should support your ARB!).
2. Load the phone to TWRP: Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume up.
3. Backup your current system (in case of failure): go to Backup and mark the Boot, System, Data sections.
4. Sweep through the official MIUI: Download the firmware in.zip format (like with Xiaomi Firmware Updater). In TWRP, click Install, select the archive and confirm the installation. Once complete, click on Wipe → Format Data (required!), then restart.

If the phone doesn’t boot after installation, try flashing vbmeta manually:

fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

Method 3: Bypass Anti-Rollback (for rollbacks to older versions of MIUI)

If you try to roll back to a version of MIUI older than the one you originally installed (e.g., from MIUI 14 to MIUI 12), Anti-Rollback will block the download.

1. Through a modified firmware script: 📥 Download a special firmware with a bypass ARB (search the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers by request of Redmi Note 8T ARB bypass). 🔧 Write it through the Fastboot or TWRP (as in Method 1 or 2). ⚠️ Risk: After the roundabout ARB certain functions (e.g, OTA-Google Pay or updates may not work properly.
2. Through editing vbmeta: 🛠️ Extract. vbmeta.img firmware-archive. 📝 Edit it with a Hex editor (such as HxD) by replacing bytes. 01 00 on 00 00 file-head. 🔄 Sweat the modified vbmeta separately: fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta_mod.img

⚠️ Warning: Bypassing Anti-Rollback may result in loss of warranty and unstable operation of the communication module (up to loss of warranty) IMEI). Before the procedure, check if your willow model supports alternative unlock methods through the EDL (emergency).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

• 🚫 "Missing partition in Fastboot: Reason: Super partition is damaged. Solution: Sweeve the full image super.img Posted in: fastboot flash super super.img If the file is not in the archive, download it from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• 🔄 Bootloop: Cause: kernel conflict or improperly stitched boot.img. Solution: boot to Fastboot and run only boot and dtbo: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
• 📵 No network after rollback: Reason: modem file incompatibility (modemst1, modemst2). Solution: Sweat them separately from the old firmware: fastboot flash modemst1 modemst1.img fastboot flash modemst2 modemst2.img If it doesn't help, check it out. IMEI team *#06# and restore it through SN Writer Tool (required) EDL).
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge after rollback: Reason: reset battery statistics. Solution: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat 2-3 times.

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How to avoid problems after a rollback

Successful firmware rollback is only half the battle. To keep the Redmi Note 8T running smoothly, follow a few additional steps:

1. Turn off automatic updates: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and turn off Auto Update. Otherwise, the phone may upgrade to the problematic version again.
2. Reset to factory settings: Even after a rollback, traces of old firmware remain in the system. To avoid conflicts, make Wipe Data in Recovery (press Power + Volume up when turned on).
3. Check the sensors: After a rollback, the calibration of the accelerometer, gyroscope or compass may be lost, and you can check them through the Sensor Test app (available on Google Play). If the sensors are not working correctly, run the persist.img file from the original firmware.
4. Restore IMEI (if network is lost): Use the SN Writer Tool in EDL mode. You will need an authorized Xiaomi account and the original cable. Detailed instructions are available on 4PDA.

If you notice that the phone is warming more than usual after a rollback, check the background processes in Settings → Battery. Often the cause of overheating is MIUI optimizations, which can be turned off in Settings → Special features → Optimization MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions