Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 8: official and custom methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2019, but even after 5 years it can be revived with new firmware. Firmware helps to eliminate lags, install the current version of Android, access new features or even install custom firmware like LineageOS. However, the process requires care: a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a “brick”.

In this article - 3 proven methods of flashing (through the MIUI Updater, Recovery, and Fastboot, detailed instructions for unlocking the bootloader, choosing the right firmware version, and solving common bugs, and unique nuances for Redmi 8 that are not in the general manuals: working with the software. EDL-mode in case of critical failures and bypassing the restrictions of Xiaomi on old models.

Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting

Redmi 8 flashing (codenamed olive) differs from Xiaomi’s newer models due to the outdated Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor architecture and bootloader features.

• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60% – when discharged during firmware, there is a high risk of damage to the boot partition.
• 📱 Make sure the Redmi 8 is the right model, not the Redmi. 8A or Redmi 8T (Check in the settings → The phone. → Models. They don't have firmware.
• 💾 Make a backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP (It is especially important to save folders. DCIM, Downloads and application data.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (if you plan to run through Fastboot or custom Recovery). For Redmi 8, it's a must!

If you're flashing your phone for the first time, start with the official firmware through MIUI Updater, which is the safest method. Fastboot or custom firmware is good for power users, but they require unlocking the bootloader and are risky when errors occur.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 with version MIUI 12.5 and newer Xiaomi blocks rollback on old firmware via anti-rollback. Trying to install the version below the current one will lead to a complete failure of the download (hard brick). → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Firmware via MIUI Updater (without unlocking the bootloader)

The easiest way to upgrade to Redmi 8 is to use the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable for installing official stable or beta versions of MIUI, but does not allow you to downgrade or install custom firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon «⋮» (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select Service Package.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (the.zip format, the name must contain olive - the code name of the model).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If the update is “hanging” during the verification phase, try:

• 🔄 Rename the firmware file to update.zip try again.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes Xiaomi servers are blocked) IP-address).
• 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings.

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through MIUI Updater phone loads into Recovery with Couldn't verify update package error, which means that the firmware file is corrupted or not intended for your model. MIUI Downloads.

Download the firmware from the official website (select the olive model)|Check the integrity of the archive (the size must match the size indicated on the site)|Rename the file to update.zip (Not necessarily, but it helps with mistakes)|Place the file in the root directory of internal memory (not in the folder)-->

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (TWRP or Stock Recovery)

Installing firmware through Recovery is suitable for official and some custom firmware. Redmi 8 has two options:

1. Stock Recovery is a standard recovery from Xiaomi (limited to official firmware).
2. TWRP - custom recovery, allows you to install any.zip firmware, make backups and modify the system.

For Stock Recovery:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format (for example, miui_OLIVEGlobal_V12.5.1.0.QCNMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip to System and confirm.

For TWRP:

1. Install TWRP via Fastboot (instructions below in the section about unlocking the bootloader).
2. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience for olive).
3. Boot to TWRP (Loud Up + Power), select Wipe → Format Data (required!), then Install and specify the firmware file.
4. After installing the firmware, install GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root rights).

Method 3: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

Fastboot is the most reliable way to bring Redmi 8 back to life if it doesn’t boot or is “blocked” by a computer with Qualcomm drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official Fastboot firmware (a file with the.tgz or.zip extension) and unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers (if Windows doesn’t recognize your phone in Fastboot).
3. Turn off Redmi 8, press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
5. In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the folder with the unpacked firmware, then Refresh (should appear). COM-port).
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures); Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (dangerous if not sure!); Save user data – saving user data (does not always work).

Flash

If the Mi Flash Tool is not allowed, then the critical partition flashing error is:

• 🔹 bootloader is locked – you need to unlock it (instruction below).
• 🔹 You are trying to flash firmware older than the current version (anti-rollback is prohibited).
• 🔹 The firmware file is corrupted or not intended for olive.

1. Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008").

2. Use another USB-port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).

3. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.-->

Unlocking the bootloader on Redmi 8: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, including Redmi 8. Without unlocking, it is impossible to install custom Recovery or flash informal firmware. The process takes 7 days (mandatory wait after the account is tied).

Instructions:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and log in. Enable Settings → Additional → Developer → Unlock OEM (if not, tap 7 times on the About Phone version of MIUI).

Mi Unlock Tool

Redmi 8

Fastboot

Loudness down + Nutrition

Mi Unlock Tool

Unlock

TWRP

If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't unlock error:

• 🔹 Make sure your Mi Account is linked to your phone and confirmed by SMS/email.
• 🔹 Try using a different version of the Mi Unlock Tool (e.g. 5.5.224.24 instead of the last one).
• 🔹 Turn off antivirus and firewall on PC – they can block the connection.
• 🔹 If the phone is not identified, check the cable and port. USB (It is better to use the original Xiaomi cable).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 with firmware MIUI 13+ Xiaomi has tightened account verification. If you recently reset your phone to factory settings, unlocking the bootloader may not work for 30 days after resetting.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader on Redmi 8 is only possible 1 time every 30 days.If you lock it again (for example, through the Mi Flash Tool), re-unlocking will require a new wait.

Solving Common Errors When Firmware Redmi 8

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions for the Redmi 8.

If the phone has turned into a hard brick, and even the Fastboot is not defined, there is a last chance – firmware through the phone. EDL-The Emergency Download Mode (ED) is the mode for this:

1. Download an authorized EDL account (or use your own if it is linked to a device).
2. Connect your phone to your PC by holding Volume Up + Volume Down + Power (should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil to firmware the full image (firehose).

Firmware selection for Redmi 8: official MIUI vs custom

Before you start, you need to decide on the type of firmware. Redmi 8 is available:

• 📱 Official. MIUI (stable/beta – maximum compatibility but limited customization options.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS) – current Android, but possible bugs with a camera or module NFC.
• 🔄 Ported firmware (e.g, MIUI Redmi Note 8 – not recommended due to instability.

Comparison of official and custom firmware:

For most Redmi 8 users, the best choice is the latest stable MIUI (like MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10).

Where to download firmware:

• 🔗 Officially: MIUI Downloads (choose olive).
• 🔗 Castomy: XDA Developers or Telegram channels.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 8