Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: official and unofficial ways [2026]

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) is still a popular smartphone among customization enthusiasts, despite the release of new models, and flashing it can solve performance problems, add fresh features, or even bring the device back to life after software failures, but the process has nuances ranging from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of MIUI or custom firmware.

In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to reflash, from official updates through Recovery to install custom builds via Fastboot or TWRP. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, anti-rollback or brick with the wrong version of firmware) and how to get around them. If you are a beginner, start with the official methods. Experienced users will find instructions here for installing LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS.

Warning: wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a “brick.” On the Redmi Note 8 from 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the verification of firmware signatures – using older versions MIUI (below 12.5) without a prior rollback is fraught with blocking EDL-To avoid problems, follow the instructions strictly by steps and check the compatibility of files.

1. Preparation for flashing: what to do before the start

The first step is to save important data. Flashing (especially through Fastboot) erases the device's internal memory. Use Mi Mover, Google Drive, or physical backup on your PC via adb backup. Some custom firmware requires formatting the data partition, which will even delete files on the data partition. SD-card (if used as internal memory).

Next, check the current firmware version and bootloader status:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Write down the full number (for example, V12.5.3.0.RCOCNXM).
• 🔓 bootloader status: Turn off the phone, press Volume down + If you see the word Fastboot and the line Device is LOCKED — loader blocked.
• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60% Interrupted process due to discharge can lead to hard brick.

Also prepare the tools:

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8 from 2021, Xiaomi introduced a limit on unlocking the bootloader - now requires you to link your Mi Account to the device 168 hours (7 days) before you try to unlock. If you bought a phone recently or reset your settings, wait a week.

2. Unlocking the bootloader: step-by-step instructions

Without the unlocked bootloader, you can only install official firmware via Fastboot or Recovery. For custom builds (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or modified cores, unlocking is mandatory. The process takes 7 days (due to Xiaomi's policy) and requires:

• 📱 Device-associated Mi Account (you need to log in to Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account).
• 🔗 A stable Internet connection (better via Wi-Fi).
• 💻 Windows computer (official Mi Unlock Tool does not support) macOS/Linux).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your device.
4. Follow the instructions. During the device check phase, wait for a message to wait 168 hours.
5. After 7 days, try again - the bootloader will be unlocked.

⚠️ Note: After unlocking the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8 All data is dropped, including files on internal memory, and Widevine may also stop working. L1 (drop down L3), What will make the quality of the streaming worse in Netflix/Disney+.

Link your Mi Account to your phone | Enable debugging via USB| Install Mi Unlock Tool on PC | Wait 168 hours (7 days) | Make a backup of data-->

3. Official firmware via Fastboot: when and how to use

The method is suitable for:

• 🔄 Recovery of the phone after a crash (such as getting stuck on the Mi logo).
• 📥 Recoil on a stable version MIUI buoyancy.
• 🔓 Anti-rollback bypass (if you accidentally stitched a newer firmware than the device supports).

To get your firmware through Fastboot, download the correct version of MIUI for your model:

• 🌍 Xiaomi official website (select Redmi Note 8/Ginkgo).
• 📁 The file must have a.tgz extension (e.g, ginkgo_global_images_V12.5.3.0.RCOMXM_20211029.0000.00_11.0_global_1234567890.tgz).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the.tgz archive in a folder with the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Turn off the phone and turn to Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
3. Connect the device to the PC, start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Press Select and select the folder with unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

Important: If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you're trying to flash an older version.

• Download a newer firmware (for example, if you have V12.5.1.0, take V12.5.3.0 or higher).
• Or use it. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable).

4. Install custom firmware: TWRP and alternative OS

Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience, ArrowOS) provides:

• 🆕 Updated version of Android (for example, Android 13 instead of the regular Android 10).
• 🚀 Improved productivity and battery life.
• 🔧 Ability to fine tune (for example, changing the processor frequency).

The installation will require:

1. Unlocked boot loader (see Section 2).
2. Installed custom recovery TWRP.
3. Firmware in.zip format (download only builds for ginkgo!).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo.img

After uploading to TWRP:

1. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup) → Select sections → Swipe to Backup).
2. Please. ZIP-custom firmware file (Install) → Select a file → Swipe to Confirm Flash).
3. Clear the cache (Wipe → Format Data → type “yes”).
4. Reboot (Reboot → System)

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 8, some custom firmware breaks the work NFC Check the list of bugs in the firmware theme before installing. XDA Developers.

💡

If after installing custom firmware mobile network does not work, try to sew separately the vendor module from the official MIUI through TWRP. To do this, download the full MIUI firmware package, extract the file vendor.img and sew it as an image in the seller section.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

If your phone has turned into a brick (it doesn’t turn on, doesn’t respond to buttons), try:

• 🔌 EDL-Mode: Connect the phone turned off to the PC with the button "Loud up" + Volume down.Requires an authorized Xiaomi account and cable EDL.
• 🔄 Test Point: the motherboard Redmi Note 8 has contacts for forced transfer to the EDL. Instructions are available on YouTube (e.g., "Redmi Note 8 test point").

💡

On the Redmi Note 8, you can not flash firmware below the anti-rollback version (for example, if the phone has already upgraded to MIUI 12.5, a rollback to MIUI 11 will lead to brick).

6.Return to official MIUI after custom firmware

If custom firmware is unstable or you need official features (such as Mi Pay or Game Turbo), you can return to MIUI.

1. Download the full Fastboot firmware for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and swipe through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option (this will block the bootloader back).
3. If the phone does not boot after firmware, repeat the process with the Clean all option (without locking the bootloader).

Important: After returning to MIUI:

• 🔒 The bootloader will be blocked again (if you choose Clean all and lock).
• 📱 You will have to wait 7 days to unlock again if you want to return to custom firmware.
• 🔄 Some functions (such as Widevine) L1) Restore automatically after rebooting.

7.Alternative methods: Firmware through Recovery and OTA

If you don’t want to unlock the bootloader or risk data, you can upgrade the Redmi Note 8 via Recovery or OTA:

Method 1: Official OTA-update

• 📲 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
• 📁 Specify the path to the downloaded.zip file (for example, miui_blockota_ginkgo_global_V12.5.4.0.RCOMXM_...).

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery

1. Download the full Recovery firmware (.zip file) from the official website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Turn off the phone, press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip to System and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Recovery doesn't reset data, but if the firmware version is lower than the current one (anti-rollback), the phone will turn into a brick!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note 8 flashing