How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi 8: official and custom firmware

The Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and the ability to install current versions of MIUI or custom firmware. However, over time, official support for the manufacturer ends, and users face slowdowns, errors or the desire to install a more recent version of Android.

In this article, we’ll look at all the available ways to run Redmi 8 (codenamed olive): from official updates via MIUI Updater to manual installation via Fastboot or TWRP Recovery. Focus on device preparation, bootloader unlocking, and the typical errors that can occur in the process. If you’ve never flashed a Xiaomi smartphone before, start with the official methods — they’re safer and easier.

Preparation for firmware: what you need to know before you start

Flashing Redmi 8 is not just a couple of buttons. Incorrect actions can lead to a device "brick" (completely inoperable) or data loss or blocking your Mi Account. Before you start, make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (preferably 80%) interruption due to discharge can make the phone unusable.
• 📱 You have a backup of important data. Fastboot or Recovery firmware erases all user files.
• 🔐 You remember the username and password from the Mi Account attached to the device. After unlocking the bootloader or resetting the settings, you may need authorization.
• 🖥️ Xiaomi drivers and tools are installed on the computer ADB/Fastboot (hand-stitch).

Also check the current version of MIUI and Android on your Redmi 8. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If your device is running Android 9 (MIUI 11) or older, you will need to unlock the bootloader to install custom firmware - this process takes up to 7 days due to Xiaomi's policy.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 8 is purchased in China (the domestic version), the firmware is global or European. MIUI This can cause problems with the modem (no network). → The phone. → Model: If there is a name in the title CN, Use only firmware for the Chinese version.

Official methods of firmware: MIUI Updater and OTA

The safest and most recommended method is to update through the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable for installing official updates without risking data loss or damage to the system.

• 🔄 Updates are delayed (sometimes months after release).
• 🚫 It is impossible to regress to the previous version. MIUI.
• 🔒 You can not install firmware for another region (for example, from Chinese to global).

To check for updates:

1. Open the MIUI Updater app on your phone.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package.
3. If the update is available, download it and confirm the installation. The device will restart automatically.

If the update doesn’t come, but you know it’s already out for your model, you can try manual installation via Recovery:

1. Download the official service pack (.zip) from MIUI Downloads (select Redmi 8 and region).
2. Move the file to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Go to MIUI Updater → Three points → Select the service pack and specify the downloaded file.

⚠️ Note: If you have a "Can't verify update" error when you manually install it, you're trying to install firmware for another region or older version.

💡

Official updates via MIUI Updater are the safest way, but it doesn’t allow you to change the firmware region or install custom builds.

Unlocking the bootloader on Redmi 8: step-by-step instructions

To install custom firmware or firmware through Fastboot, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi has introduced this security measure to prevent unauthorized changes to the system. The unlock process takes up to 7 days due to account verification.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 📱 Redmi 8 with Mi Account tied (account must be over 30 days old).
• 🖥️ Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps to unlock:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official en.miui.com/unlock website and install it on PC.
2. On the phone, turn on Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and activate OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.
4. Connect your phone to your computer, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account as your phone.
5. Follow the instructions of the program. During the account verification phase, a message may appear to indicate that you need to wait (usually 168 hours).
6. After the wait is over, repeat the process – the bootloader will be unlocked.

If you have a "Couldn't unlock" error, check:

• 🔹 Is the phone connected in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then pinch the Power) + Turning down the volume).
• 🔹 Do you use the original cable and port? USB 2.0 (not) USB 3.0).
• 🔹 Is the antivirus and firewall on the PC disabled.

Redmi 8 Firmware via Fastboot: Detailed Guide

Fastboot firmware is suitable for installing official firmware (including for another region) or recovering a device after a failure. This will require Mi Flash Tool and firmware in.tgz or.zip format.

Download the necessary firmware from the site MIUI Downloads (select Redmi) 8, region and Fastboot version. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g, C:\redmi8_fastboot).

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
2. Turn off Redmi 8 and turn it into Fastboot mode: Clip Power + Volume Down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom of the program, select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended when changing the firmware region); Clean all and lock - cleaning + locking the bootloader (use if you want to return the official firmware); Save user data - saving user data (does not always work correctly).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

💡

If after firmware through Fastboot the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Try to enter the Recovery (Food) + Increase the volume and make a wipe data/factory reset.

Install custom firmware through TWRP Recovery

If you want to install informal firmware (such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS), you will need custom TWRP recavators. This method gives more freedom, but the risks are higher - incorrect actions can lead to the loss of IMEI or a broken modem.

Before you start, make sure that:

• 🔓 The bootloader is unlocked (see section above).
• 📱 The phone has an official recavery (if previously put custom, return stock).
• 📁 You have a backup copy of the persist section (responsible for IMEI modem).

Steps of installing TWRP and custom firmware:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) from twrp.me.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the ADB/Fastboot folder on your computer.
3. Turn off the phone and transfer it to Fastboot (Power + Volume Reduction).
4. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
5. Without turning off the cable, reboot to TWRP: fastboot boot twrp.img
6. In TWRP, make a backup of the persist partition (click Backup → Select persist).
7. Download custom firmware (for example, from the XDA Developers forum) and transfer it to your phone.
8. In TWRP, click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (don’t touch Internal Storage and persist!).
9. Go back to the main menu, select Install, and specify the firmware file. Confirm the installation.
10. Once complete, press Reboot System.The first run can take up to 20 minutes.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 often doesn’t work on custom firmware L1 (no HD Netflix, Disney.+ This is due to the lack of official keys. DRM. If you care about the quality of streaming, stay on the official MIUI.

Solving typical problems after firmware

Even if you follow the instructions, you may have some problems after the firmware is installed, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the IMEI is missing after the firmware, try to restore it using the engineering menu:

1. Type ##4636## and select Phone Information.
2. Check your current IMEI. If it is missing or incorrect, use the Maui META or SN Write Tool (requires authorization).
3. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center – restoring the IMEI without experience can lead to a complete loss of the network.

If the phone stopped charging after firmware, check:

• 🔌 Other cable and power supply.
• 🔋 Battery status in the engineering menu (#4636## → Battery information).
• 🔄 Resetting settings via Recovery (Wipe Data).

How to Reverse to the Previous Version MIUI

If the new firmware is unstable or you don't like the changes, you can return the previous version. However, Xiaomi uses the Anti-Rollback mechanism, which blocks the installation of older versions of MIUI on some devices. For Redmi 8, rollback is possible, but with reservations:

• 🔙 You can only roll back within one major update (e.g., with a MIUI 12 on MIUI 11, but not on MIUI 10).
• 🔒 When rolling back via Fastboot, the bootloader can lock again.
• 📱 All data will be erased.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the desired firmware version in Fastboot format from the MIUI Downloads website.
2. Unpack the archive and run through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
3. If you have an Anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version, in which case you just have to wait for official updates or install custom firmware.

⚠️ Note: A rollback to an older version of Android (like Android 10 on Android 9) almost always leads to a hard brick due to changes in the modem section!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 8