How to Sweeten Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: Official and Unofficial Methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) may need firmware to upgrade to the current version of MIUI, install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, and restore functionality after crashes. However, the process has nuances, from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of the software. Wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick”, so it is important to understand each step.

This article covers all the current ways of firmware: through the regular MIUI Updater, manual update in Recovery, as well as installation through Fastboot with an unlocked bootloader. We will analyze the official firmware from Xiaomi, global and Chinese versions, as well as custom builds with support for Google Camera and other features. Particular attention is paid to typical errors (for example, Anti-Rollback or EDL Mode) and how to get around them.

If your Redmi Note 8 is stuck on the logo, does not turn on or requires a downgrade, here you will find solutions. For beginners, we recommend starting with the official methods, experienced users can immediately go to the sections about TWRP and custom firmware.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start firmware, be sure to back up your data. Even an official update through MIUI Updater can cause you to reset your settings, and installing custom firmware almost always erases custom files. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or physical copying on your PC.

Check out the current version of MIUI and Android:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Write down the values of the MIUI version (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5) and the Android version (e.g. Android 11).
3. Pay attention to the firmware region: Global, China, EEA (Europe) or India.

Make backup contacts and photos|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Download the correct version of the firmware|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Prepare. USB-cable (original!)

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To run through Fastboot or install custom Recovery, you will need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process takes up to 72 hours (due to account verification). If you plan to use informal firmware, unlock the bootloader in advance through the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! Don't use devices with tied payment systems (like Google Pay) for this - they will have to be reconfigured.

2. Official methods of firmware: MIUI Updater and Recovery

The safest method is to upgrade through the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable for installing the latest versions of MIUI without losing data, but only works if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and loaded into the system.
• 🔄 Update available for your region (e.g., with a MIUI 12 on MIUI 13).
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked (the unlocked bootloader can block the bootloader). OTA-update).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon "⋮" (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select firmware file.
3. If the update is available over the air, click Download and wait until it is completed.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

If the update “does not come” or you want to install a specific version, download the full firmware package (Recovery ROM) from the official website:

• 🌍 Global (for international versions).
• 🇨🇳 China (only for Chinese devices).

The file must have a type name. ginkgo_global_images_V14.0.5.0.QCGMIXM_20231010.0000.00_11.0_global_..., where:

ginkgo

Redmi Note 8

V14.0.5.0

QCG

global

For manual installation via Recovery:

1. Rename the downloaded file to update.zip and transfer it to the root of internal memory.
2. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select the language, then Install update.zip to System.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

Through MIUI Updater (over air)| Through Recovery (manual installation)| Through Fastboot (full firmware)| Custom firmware (TWRP)| Never stitched-->

3. Fastboot firmware: when you need a complete reinstallation

The Fastboot method is used to:

• 🔄 Downgrade on an older version MIUI.
• 🛠️ Recovery of the phone after a crash (such as stuck on the logo).
• 🔓 Installation of firmware on the unlocked loader.

This is the only way to flash a phone that is not turned on or locked with a password.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (recommended) 7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (faulty cable is a common cause of errors!).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM (Download from the official website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (Download).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\ginkgo_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Install drivers if Windows doesn't recognize the device (use Mi Phone Manager).
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the firmware.
5. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures); Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is an Anti-Rollback error, you are trying to install the version. MIUI Xiaomi blocks downgrade to protect against vulnerabilities. Solution: flash only the new version or use it EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

4. Install custom firmware: TWRP and alternative OS

Custom firmware (such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crDroid) gives you access to pure Android, regular updates and additional features, but they will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛠️ Established custom recovery (TWRP).
• 📦 Compatible firmware for Ginkgo.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the latest stable TWRP image for Redmi Note 8 from the official website.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (from Android SDK).
3. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb reboot bootloader
5. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
6. Download TWRP: fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 2: Install custom firmware

1. Download firmware (like LineageOS 20) and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or flash drive.
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Return to the main menu, select Install and specify the firmware file.
5. After installing the firmware, repeat the step for GApps (if needed).
6. Reboot to the system (Reboot → System).

Important: The first download of custom firmware can take up to 15 minutes.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

The Redmi Note 8 firmware can be accompanied by errors.

If the phone stopped responding to buttons and didn't load even in Fastboot, it might have switched to EDL Mode.

• 🔧 Special cable EDL (or).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro with an authorized Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Attention: Work in EDL Mode without experience can permanently disable the phone. If you're not sure, contact the service center.

6.How to return the official firmware after custom

If you’ve been experimenting with custom firmware and want to go back to standard MIUI, follow this algorithm:

Method 1: Fastboot (recommended)

1. Download Fastboot ROM for your region from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select Clean All and Lock (this will block the bootloader back!).
4. Connect your phone to Fastboot Mode and press Flash.

Method 2: TWRP (if Fastboot is not available)

1. Download Recovery ROM for your device.
2. Transfer the file to your phone and download to TWRP.
3. Run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes to confirm).
4. Install the firmware through Install.
5. After the reboot, the bootloader will remain unlocked (if you need to lock, use Fastboot).

After returning to the official firmware:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI through settings → Updating the system.
• 🔒 If the bootloader is blocked, unlocking will require a second wait (72 hours).
• 📱 Restore data from the backup (if you did).

7.Optimization after firmware: what to do first

After successful firmware, it is recommended to follow several steps for stable operation of the phone:

For the official MIUI:

• 🔧 Disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 📵 Configure auto-update applications only over Wi-Fi (Play Store) → Settings → Auto-update).
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge and charge the phone 2-3 once.

For custom firmware:

• 🎯 Install the FrancoKernel or Perseus kernel for better performance.
• 🔒 Set up Magisk for root rights (if necessary).
• 📸 For the camera, use Google Camera with config for ginkgo (you can download it on Celso Azevedo).

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After you have installed the custom OS, check the sensors (gyroscope, compass) using the Sensor Test application. If some sensors do not work, try another firmware build.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)