How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: official and custom firmware

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains one of the most popular mid-range smartphones even years after its release. Its performance based on the MediaTek Helio G90T chip and 64-megapixel camera are still impressive, but over time, the factory firmware MIUI begins to “brake”; reflashing the device can solve lag problems, expand functionality or even bring the device back to life after a software failure.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all the ways to flash flash, from the official update via Recovery to install custom firmware via TWRP. We will discuss how to unlock the bootloader, where to download verified firmware files, and what to do if the smartphone after the firmware does not turn on. Particular attention will be paid to the unique nuances of the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a MediaTek processor, they are fundamentally different from devices on Snapdragon.

Preparation for reflashing: what you need to know

Flashing is not just a system upgrade, it's a complete software replacement. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia), the process has several critical features:

• 🔓 Blocked bootloader - Xiaomi blocks it by default. Without unlocking, install custom firmware is impossible.
• 📱 MediaTek processor – requires special drivers and utilities (for example, SP Flash Tool instead of Fastboot for Snapdragon).
• 🔋 The battery charge should be at least 60%, otherwise the risk of “filling” increases significantly.
• 💾 Backup – all data in internal memory will be erased (except memory card).

Before you start, check the current version of MIUI in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version. If your firmware is older than MIUI 12.5, it is recommended to update officially first - this will make it easier to further manipulate.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro with version MIUI below 12.0.3.0, unlocking the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting.

Re-flashing methods: which to choose

The choice of method depends on your goal:

For most users, the best option is to have an official update via Recovery or firmware via Fastboot. Custom firmware requires experience and readiness for possible bugs (such as a broken camera or NFC).

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If your Redmi Note 8 Pro is stuck on the MI logo after a failed firmware, try pinching Power + Volume up 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot. In 30% of cases, this helps avoid complete flashing.

Unlocking the bootloader: Step 1 for custom firmware

Without an unlocked bootloader, you won’t be able to install TWRP or custom firmware. Xiaomi has made the process more complicated for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, so follow the instructions carefully:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and log in. Make sure that the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times) include OEM Unlock and USB Debugging.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (Windows only). Install Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers.
3. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume down).
4. Press Unlock. If you have a wait message (e.g., 168 hours), wait until the timer ends. Don't disconnect your phone from your PC at this time!

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the smartphone will perform a full reset (wipe). All data, including photos and apps, will be deleted.

Link Mi Account to your phone|Turn it on. OEM Unlock and debugging by USB|Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.24)|Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers|Charge the phone to 70%+-->

Firmware through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

This method is suitable for installation of official global or Chinese firmware (for example, when switching from MIUI EU to MIUI Global).

1. Download the correct firmware version for your region from MIUI Downloads. For Redmi Note 8 Pro, select files marked Fastboot and codenamed begonia.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia_global).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool (available in the firmware archive or at xiaomiflashtool.com).
4. Put the phone in Fastboot mode (turn it off, then press Power + Volume down). Connect to the PC.
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh.The device should be defined as COMX.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended when changing region); Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data - saving data (risky, can lead to bugs).

Press Flash and wait until it finishes (usually 5-10 minutes).

If the phone is stuck on the logo for longer than 15 minutes after firmware, do a hard reset: press Power + Volume up until the Recovery menu appears, then select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or a modified MIUI (such as MIUI EU) you will need custom recovery – TWRP. The process is more complicated than firmware through Fastboot, but provides more features.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the current version of TWRP for Redmi Note 8 Pro from twrp.me. The file will be in.img format.
2. Rename it to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (from Android SDK).
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot and connect to the PC.
4. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img The phone will boot to TWRP.

Step 2: Firmware custom OS

1. Download the firmware in.zip format (for example, with XDA Developers) and place it on a memory card.
2. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data. Swipe for cleaning.
3. Press Install, select a firmware file and confirm the installation.
4. Once complete, press Reboot System.The first run can take up to 20 minutes.

Step-by-step:

1. Install MediaTek Preloader drivers (can be found in the archive with SP Flash Tool).
2. Unpack the firmware and find the file MT6785_Android_scatter.txt.
3. Open the SP Flash Tool, click Choose and specify the scatter file.
4. From Download, select Firmware Upgrade (not Format All + Download, otherwise you will lose IMEI!).
5. Connect the phone to the PC, the utility should detect it.
6. Press Download and wait until it's finished (usually 5-10 minutes), and a green circle will appear, and the firmware is successful.

If the phone does not turn on after firmware, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB (Try another cable or PC).
• 📋 Correctness of the selected scatter file (must correspond to the begonia model).
• 🔋 Battery charge (if the phone is discharged to zero, hold it on charge for 30 minutes before firmware).

Solving common errors after firmware

Even with the right firmware, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can be unstable. Here are the typical problems and solutions:

If you lose your IMEI after the firmware, don't panic, it can be restored.

1. Download Maui META (available on the 4PDA or XDA forums).
2. Connect your phone in Meta Mode (clip Volume Up + Volume Down when connecting to your PC).
3. In the utility, select Connect, then go to the IMEI Download section and enter the original IMEIs (they are listed on the box or under the battery).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI Redmi Note 8 Pro with Android 12-based firmware+ It may require additional patches for the modem module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 8 Pro