The Android operating system on Xiaomi devices is constantly updated, and with each version of MIUI the interface becomes more complex and the background processes consume more resources. Owners of the popular model Redmi Note 8T often face a situation when after an automatic update the phone starts to run slower, discharge faster or there are critical errors in the camera. The only effective solution in such cases is to return to an older but stable version of the software, which is technically called a downgrade.
This process is not a trivial “over the air” update, and requires the user to be prepared and understand the risks. You will not just press the “update” button, but completely rewrite the system partition of the device using special tools on the computer. It is important to understand that any manipulation of system files carries a potential risk, so following the instructions clearly is critical to the success of the operation.
Before we take action, we need to realize that standard phone menu methods will not be able to roll back. Xiaomi's security system blocks the installation of older versions on top of new ones to prevent vulnerabilities. So we'll use Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool, which allows you to ignore version verification and force the firmware archive to be stored in the device's memory.
Preparation of equipment and choice of software version
The first step is to find the right firmware file. You need the Fastboot version (which has the extension.tgz), not Recovery (.zip), as only the first one allows you to completely clean and flash all partitions. You can find current and archival versions for the Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) on official forums or specialized resources like Xiaomi Firmware Updater. Make sure to download the file for the global version if your phone is not Chinese imports.
In addition to the file, you will need a high-quality USB-Windows cable and computer. MacOS or Linux operating systems can also work with firmware utility, but drivers for them are more difficult to install and require additional manipulation. USB 2.0 or 3.0, located directly on the computer motherboard, avoiding front panels of the case or USB-Hubs that can give unstable food.
Where to find ADB and Fastboot drivers?
Be sure to back up all your important data before you start. The downgrade process involves completely cleaning up the device's internal memory. Contacts, photos and correspondence will be permanently deleted unless you transfer them to Mi Cloud, Google Drive or an external drive.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The key to successful flashing is the unlocked bootloader. In the standard state, Bootloader is locked, which prohibits the installation of any system images not signed with a Xiaomi digital signature. Without this step, the Mi Flash utility will give an error when trying to record data. The unlock procedure is official, free, but requires time to wait for permission from the company.
First, you need to link your Mi Account to your device through the settings menu. Go to About Phone, click on MIUI multiple times to activate Developer Mode, then go to Advanced Settings → For Developers and enable Factory Unlock. After that, the phone will suggest linking your current account to the device — confirm the action.
Once attached, download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your computer, launch it, log in to your account and put your smartphone into Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button when the phone is off and connecting the cable), the program will show the lock status and most likely report that unlocking is impossible right now, and you need to step in a certain time (usually from 7 to 168 hours).
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Unlocking the bootloader is the mandatory and longest step that cannot be bypassed or accelerated by official methods, requiring waiting for a security timer.
When the timer expires, repeat the Mi Unlock login procedure. This time, the program will suggest unlocking the device. Accept the risk warnings. The phone will reboot and completely clear the data. From now on, your Redmi Note 8T will display an open lock icon when turned on, indicating the successful completion of the preparatory phase.
Installation of drivers and software
Deep-firmware drivers are needed to communicate with your computer and smartphone, and they are usually installed automatically with the Mi Flash Tool, but in some cases, especially on Windows 10 or Windows 11, you may need to manually install or update the driver signature. If an unknown device appears in the Device Manager when you connect your phone in Fastboot mode, then the drivers are not standing correctly.
Download the latest version of the Mi Flash Tool from a trusted source. Unpack the archive into the root folder on disk C: so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, as this can cause an error when running the firmware script.
Inside the utility folder is often the drivers folder. If the automatic installation didn't work, run the driver installer manually. You may also need to disable driver signature verification in Windows if the system blocks the installation of Xiaomi components.
☑️ Verification of PC readiness
Make sure that your computer has free space on the system disk, as the unpacked firmware archive can take anywhere from 3 to 5 gigabytes. It is also recommended to temporarily disable antivirus software, which sometimes falsely responds to the scripts of the firmware and blocks their execution, interrupting the writing process.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
When you're done, you can go to the most important stage. Unpack the downloaded firmware archive (.tgz file) into a separate folder. The path to the folder should be short and simple, for example, C:\rom\willow. Inside the folder should be subfolders images, flash_all.bat Do not rename files inside the archive.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button in the program interface. Now turn the phone into Fastboot mode (turned off phone, press volume), connect USB. The serial number of your Redmi Note 8T should appear in the list of devices. If the number shows something else or nothing, check the cable and drivers.
Press the Select button and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. The program will automatically check the integrity of the files. The critical point is choosing the firmware method at the bottom of the window. To fully roll back and remove errors, select the Clean all option. This method completely erases all partitions and installs a clean system.
| Firmware method | Data retention | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Update | Keeps it. | Not recommended for downgrade |
| Clean all | Complete cleaning | Recommended for stability |
| Clean all and lock | Complete cleaning + Blocking | Only for original firmware |
After selecting Clean all, press the Flash button. The recording process will take 200 to 600 seconds. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable, turn off the computer or touch the phone. The screen of the smartphone will be black or will display the Fastboot logo with the image of a hare in a hat-eared.
Solving mistakes and problems
Even with the exact following of the instructions, technical failures can occur. One of the most common errors is Missmatching image and device. This means that you are trying to flash firmware designed for another model or region (for example, Chinese cn on global).
⚠️ Warning: If there is a bug in the firmware process and the process is dead for more than 10 minutes, don't panic. Try pressing the power button for 15 seconds for a forced reboot, then log back into Fastboot and repeat the procedure by selecting another one. USB-port.
Another common problem is the anti-rollback error: If you try to roll back to a version that is below the security threshold (for example, from Android 10 to Android 9), the utility will give an error and refuse to flash the device, in which case you will have to look for the version that is immediately after installed, or put up with the current one.
If your phone goes into an endless bootloop after you have firmware, try resetting it via the Recovery menu. Press the power and volume button + at the same time. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data from the menu, which will remove any conflicts between the old settings and the new system.
Primary setup and optimization
Once the firmware is successful, the phone will turn on as new. The initial setup process will take a few minutes. Don't rush to restore all applications from backup at once. Let the system run in a clean state for at least 30-40 minutes so that the MIUI background processes are optimized and indexed.
Check the main modules: cameras, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and fingerprint sensor. Make sure the version of the system in the settings matches the one you planned to install. If everything works correctly, you can gradually return data and applications, avoiding installing dubious software from unknown sources.
⚠️ Warning: After a downgrade, don't turn on automatic system updates immediately. Go to the update settings and turn off autoboot so the phone doesn't upgrade again on its own to the problematic version you just deleted.
To extend the battery life on older versions of Android, it is recommended to disable unnecessary animation and background activity of unnecessary services from Google and Xiaomi. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → For developers and reduce the scale of window animation to 0.5x. This will visually speed up the interface on the Redmi Note 8T.