How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 3 ways with official files

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro (codenamed olivelite) is a popular smartphone with a Snapdragon 665 processor and a 48 MP camera, but even it requires periodic firmware updates. The firmware is needed to fix bugs, improve performance or install custom builds like the Pixel Experience. However, the wrong actions can turn a phone into a “brick.” This guide contains three proven ways to flash the Redmi 8 Pro, including unlocking the bootloader and solving typical errors.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s official firmware is divided into stable (monthly updates) and development (weekly, with new features but possible bugs). Castom firmware like LineageOS gives more freedom, but it’s not guaranteed, and it can disrupt Widevine L1 (lower streaming quality on Netflix), depending on your goals: stability or experimentation.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Firmware without preparation is like roof repairs in rain. 70% of problems are caused by missed steps at this stage. Let's start with the most important thing: backup data. Even if you upgrade over the air (OTA), a failure can erase photos, contacts or messages.

• 📱 Local Copy: Transfer files to your PC or memory card (in Settings) → Memory. → Backup copy).
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: sync contacts, notes and photos in Mi Cloud (Mi Account required).
• 🔧 ADB Backup: for full backup (requires adb backup) -apk -obb -shared -all command-line).

The second critical point is battery power, and it can take up to 30 minutes to run through Fastboot or Recovery, and a discharge below 50% will interrupt the process. Connect your phone to the original standard charger (5V/2A), because cheap cables can cause a USB disconnect error.

• 🔌 Cable: Use a branded cable USB Xiaomi’s Type-C (cheap counterparts often don’t transmit data).
• 🖥️ PC: on Windows, install the Mi Flash Tool drivers (download from the official website).
• 📡 Internet: to download firmware will need at least 2 GB of traffic (file weight) ~1.8–2.3 GB).

⚠️ Note: If you are flashing Redmi 8 Pro with an unlocked bootloader, after the upgrade, the phone may require a link to your Mi Account (Mi Account Lock). → Xiaomi account → Delete the account.

2. Method 1: Firmware via MIUI Updater (the safest method)

This method is suitable for updating the current version of MIUI without losing data, it does not require unlocking the bootloader and works out of the box.

• ❌ You can’t go back to an older version.
• ❌ Does not support the transition between regional firmware (e.g., from Global to China).
• ❌ Does not install custom assemblies.

Instructions:

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. Specify the path to the downloaded file with the.zip extension (for example, miui_OLIVELITEGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RCOMXM_...).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the update is stuck on the MI logo, don't panic: the first run after the firmware can take up to 10 minutes, but if the screen is black for more than 20 minutes, then there's been an error.

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through MIUI Updater is missing mobile internet, check your settings APN. Sometimes resetting the network (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings solves the problem.

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

The Fastboot method is used to completely flash the device, replacing all partitions, including boot, system and vendor.It is the only way to “resuscitate” the Redmi 8 Pro after a failed update or change of regional firmware.

• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).
• 💻 Windows computer (for the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 The original cable. USB Type-C.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Fastboot firmware from Xiaomi's official website. Select the Redmi 8 Pro (olivelite) and the desired version (e.g. Global Stable) and the file is in.tgz format - unpack it.
2. Install drivers: Download Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Qualcomm from xiaomiflashtool.com.
3. Put the phone in Fastboot mode: 1. Turn off the device. 2. Press Power + Vol Down until the hare appears in the eardress cap. 3. Connect to the PC.
4. Sweat through Mi Flash Tool: 1. Open MiFlash.exe. 2. Press Select and select the folder with the unpacked firmware. 3. Choose clean all (full cleaning) or clean all and lock (locking the bootloader). 4. Press Flash and wait for the end (green tick).

If the Mi Flash Tool is 0x80070002 or 0xc0000005, try:

• 🔹 Reinstall the driver manually through Device Manager.
• 🔹 Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
• 🔹 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

4. Method 3: Firmware through Recovery (TWRP or Stock Recovery)

The Recovery method is suitable for custom firmware installations (like LineageOS) or official.zip updates. This requires an unlocked bootloader and an installed custom recovery (TWRP). If you have stock Recovery, it only supports official Xiaomi firmware.

Instructions for TWRP:

1. Install. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olivelite.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olivelite.img (file TWRP Download from twrp.me).
2. Copy the firmware on the phone (internal memory or SD-map).
3. Boot in TWRP: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Press Power + Vol Up before the TWRP logo appears.
4. Squeeze: 1. Press Wipe → Advanced Wipe, mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data. 2. Go back to the main menu, select Install and specify the firmware file. 3. Confirm the swipe and wait for the end.

For stock Recovery:

1. Download the official firmware in.zip format (not.tgz!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Download to Recovery (Power + Vol Up).
4. Select Install update.zip to System and confirm.

⚠️ Note: If after the scaling of the TWRP phone doesn't load, check firmware version. Some custom builds require separate core firmware (boot.img) or a magnetic fix for SafetyNet (otherwise, banking applications will not work).

💡

If your mobile network is not working after installing custom firmware, download and swipe the RIL-fix.zip file for your model through TWRP. It can be found on the 4PDA forum on the Redmi 8 Pro theme.

5. Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi 8 Pro

Without unlocking the bootloader, you won’t be able to flash your phone through Fastboot or install TWRP. Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process takes 7-15 days due to account verification. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Link your Mi Account to your phone:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and log in.
2. Turn on Sync and Find the device.
3. In Settings → Additional → For developers, activate OEM-unlocking and debugging over USB.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot oem device-info

If the answer is Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked.

Step 3: Request unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account.
2. Connect your phone to Fastboot (Power + Vol Down)
3. Press Unlock and wait for a message to successfully unlock (or to wait X days).

If the tool is unable to unlock or Current account is different from the account info on the device, it means:

• 🔹 Mi Account on the phone and Mi Unlock Tool are different.
• 🔹 The phone was not tied to the account for 72 hours.
• 🔹 You are trying to unlock the bootloader on China firmware without being tied to a Chinese phone number.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! make a backup of the data in advance.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems. TOP-5 Redmi 8 Pro firmware errors and how to fix them:

If the IMEI or serial number is lost after the firmware, then the EFS partition is damaged. It can only be restored from the backup (if you did it through TWRP) or using the QCN Rebuilder tool (requires qualified help, since improper actions will lead to permanent loss of IMEI).

Another common problem is root rights loss after an update, which is because the firmware overwrites the boot partition, and to return root, you need to:

1. Download the current version of Magisk (github.com).
2. Sweep it through TWRP or boot.img patch:

7. How to Choose the Right Firmware for Redmi 8 Pro

The wrong firmware choice is the main reason for the “bricking” of phones. 4 types of firmware are available for the Redmi 8 Pro (olivelite):

• 🌍 Global Stable: Official firmware for the international market (supported by Google Services).
• 🇨🇳 China Stable: Firmware for China (without Google, but with additional features).
• 🛠️ Developer (Beta): Weekly builds with new features but possible bugs.
• 🔧 Custom ROM: Unofficial firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS).

How to determine your current version:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Note a code like V12.5.3.0.RCOMXM: RCO is the model code (Redmi 8 Pro).M is the regional code (M = Global, C = China).

Where to download the official firmware:

• 🔗 Xiaomi official website (select Redmi 8 Pro) → olivelite).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (archive of all versions).
• 🔗 Forum 4PDA (Russian-language discussions and patches).

For custom firmware, check compatibility with the type of loader (AB The Redmi 8 Pro uses the A-only. AB-partitions, so firmware for A-only (for example, for Redmi Note 7) will not work.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check reviews on XDA Developers or 4PDA. Some builds may not support VoLTE (4G calls) or Widevine L1 (Full HD on Netflix).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)