How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: official and custom firmware

The firmware of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) may be needed to update the system, fix bugs or install custom software. However, the wrong actions can be fraught with “bricking” the device when the phone stops turning on. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of firmware: from preparation to final configuration, taking into account the features of the 2019 model.

Many users experience problems after self-firmware: hanging on the Mi logo, errors in Fastboot, or loss of IMEI. The reason is most often incompatible versions of the software or missed steps of unlocking the bootloader. We will describe in detail how to avoid these errors, and provide current links to official Xiaomi tools.

Important: Redmi Note 8T has a locked bootloader by default. Without it unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, install any firmware (except for the installation of the software). OTA-Updates are not possible.The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting for new Mi accounts - a security measure from Xiaomi.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before proceeding with firmware, make sure that the critical conditions are met:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (when discharged during the process, the device may turn off).
• 📱 Backup data: firmware erases /data and /cache (Photos, messages, apps. Use Mi Cloud or adb backup.
• 🖥️ Windows PC 7/10/11 (for Mi Unlock Tool and Fastboot. Mac/Linux Possible problems with drivers.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can interrupt data transmission).

Also check the current version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If it is older than 12.0.3, first update via OTA to avoid firmware conflicts. For models with Global ROM, you can not install China ROM without unlocking the region-lock, this will lead to a network lock.

2 Unlock the bootloader: why it can not do without it

Bootloader on Redmi Note 8T It's locked to protect against unauthorized changes, and without it, you can only install official ones. OTA-Any other firmware (including manual updates via Recovery or Fastboot) will require updates via the phone's menu:

1. Link the device to your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Enable Developer Options (7 times tap the MIUI version in About Phone).
3. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in the Developer Menu.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website).

Once you submit a request to unlock, Xiaomi will set a wait time of 168 to 720 hours (7-30 days), which depends on the activity of the account: new users wait longer, you can not speed up the process — even contacting for support will not help.

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If you already have a bootloader unlocked on another Xiaomi device tied to the same Mi Account, the wait can be reduced to 72 hours.

⚠️ Note: Once unlocked, the bootloader will reset all data and the phone will perform hard reset. Also, some functions (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) may become unavailable on unofficial firmware.

3. firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

There are three types of firmware available for the Redmi Note 8T (willow):

For most users, the optimal option with an official stable MIUI. If you need new features, choose the weekly version from Xiaomi.EU (without advertising and with GMS support).

4. Firmware through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

Fastboot is suitable for installing official firmware or recovering the device after a failure.

• 📌 Firmware archive for willow (.tgz or.zip format).
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (download from xiaomiflashtool.com).
• 🔧 Qualcomm Drivers for Redmi Note 8T (It is automatically installed when connecting to Fastboot).

Algorithm of action:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\willow_global).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect the device to your PC and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until the end (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Download firmware for willow | Install Mi Flash Tool| Check Qualcomm | Drivers Disable Antivirus (can block utility) | Charge your phone to 70%+

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⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "Couldn't find device" error, try: USB-cable to another port (preferably) USB Disable driver signatures in Windows (gpedit.msc) → User configuration → Administrative templates → System system → Install the driver. Use another PC (sometimes drivers from other Xiaomi devices conflict).

5. Firmware through Recovery: an alternative method

The Recovery method is simpler, but only suitable for official firmware in.zip format. It has the advantage of not requiring a PC.

• ❌ It does not work with custom firmware (needed). TWRP).
• ❌ You can't downgrade the story. MIUI (update).
• ✅ User data is saved (unless you choose Wipe Data).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware.zip and rename the file to update.zip.
2. Move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Log in Recovery: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
4. Select the language, then Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take ~15 minutes).

If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 20 minutes after firmware, perform a hard reset via Recovery (Wipe Data → Reboot).

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Firmware through Recovery doesn't reset data, but if the MIUI version is lower than the current one, the phone can get stuck on booting, in which case only Fastboot will help.

6. Install custom firmware (TWRP + LineageOS)

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need:

1. Unlocked boot loader (see section 2).
2. Installed custom recovery (TWRP) for willow.
3. Firmware in.zip and GApps format (if you need Google services).

Steps:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi Note 8T from the official website.
2. Install it with Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-willow.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Install the firmware (Install → select.zip), then GApps (if needed).
5. Reboot to the system.

The first launch of custom firmware can take up to 15 minutes. If the screen does not respond, wait - the system adjusts Dalvik-cache.

⚠️ Note: Widevine may not work on custom firmware L1 (no HD into Netflix/Disney+), Possible problems with VoLTE (calls through the phone) 4G). Before installing, check the reviews on the assembly XDA.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can fail, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them:

If the phone is no longer defined by the PC (Unknown device in the Manager), try:

• Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
• Use the QFil utility for emergency firmware (file required) prog_emmc_firehose.mbn).

8.After firmware: setup and optimization

After successful firmware, follow a few steps to work stably:

1. Check the IMEI: dial *#06# – if zeros are displayed instead of the number, restore it using Engineer Mode.
2. Update the apps: Go to Google Play and click “Update All”.
3. Disable unnecessary services: 📵 Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-run (disable for unnecessary programs). 📡 Settings → Battery → Performance mode (select "Balanced").

Check the Root Access.

Magisk

Magisk Manager

To improve autonomy, turn off Aoday (always-on display) and limit the background activity of applications. If you notice a fast battery drain, check Settings → Battery → Battery Use – perhaps some application consumes too much power.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions