How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all the ways from official updates to custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) remains a popular smartphone even years after its release. However, over time, performance may fall, bugs appear, and official updates stop coming out. The firmware of the device is one way to return it to a “second life.” But how do you do it right, so as not to turn the phone into a “brick”?

In this article, you will find all the current ways to update the Redmi Note 8 firmware: from a standard update via MIUI Updater to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. We will discuss how to unlock the bootloader, what tools you will need, and what to do if something goes wrong. And also unique nuances for this model that are not mentioned in the general guides (for example, the problem with the persist partition when downgrading the firmware).

1. Firmware Preparation: What You Need to Know Before Starting

Redmi Note 8 firmware is not something you can do on your knee. Incorrect actions can lead to data loss, IMEI locking, or even a complete failure of your device. So first, answer three key questions:

• 🔹 Why do you need firmware? If the goal is just to upgrade the system, maybe the standard one will do. OTA-If you want to remove the ads in the MIUI Or install Android 13 – you will need custom firmware.
• 🔹 Are you prepared for the risks? Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data, and a firmware error can make the phone inoperable.
• 🔹 Is there a backup? Without it, it's impossible to recover photos, contacts or messages after the reset.

If you are determined to flash Redmi Note 8, prepare:

• 📱 The smartphone itself with a charge of at least 60% (when discharging during firmware, errors are possible).
• 💻 Computer on Windows 10/11 Linux (MacOS may require additional drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original, as cheap cables may not transmit data in Fastboot mode).
• 🔐 Mi Account tied to phone (to unlock the bootloader).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 with older firmware MIUI 12.5 can work with anti-Rollback protection. This means that after installing the new version of the firmware, you can not roll back - the phone will lock. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 2: Officially Update via MIUI Updater (Safeest Method)

If your goal is to just upgrade to the latest official version, this method is best suited: it doesn't require unlocking the bootloader and saves all the data, but only works for stable firmware, which Xiaomi still supports.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to About the Phone. → Updating the system.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update is available, download it (preferably via Wi-Fi, as the file can weigh 1.5-2.5 GB).
5. After downloading, click Reboot and install.

If the update is not available, your version of MIUI may be the latest, in which case you can try manual installation via Recovery (see next section).

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware Redmi Note 8 after updating through MIUI Updater can lose sound in the speaker, it's due to a bug in the drivers, the solution is to reset the audio settings to Settings. → Sound. → Additionally. → Resetting the sound settings.

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Officially updating via MIUI Updater is the only method that does not require unlocking the bootloader and does not reset data.

3. Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (for official and custom) ZIP-file)

This method is suitable if:

• 📦 You downloaded the official firmware in.zip format from the website en.miui.com.
• 🔧 You want to install custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) firmware.
• 🔄 Restore your phone after a crash (if it still turns on).

There are two types of Recovery for the Redmi Note 8:

• 🔹 Stock Recovery – allows you to install only official firmware Xiaomi.
• 🔹 TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project – required for custom firmware installation (e.g. LineageOS or Havoc-OS).

Instructions for stock recovery:

1. Download the desired firmware (for example, from here) and rename the file to update.zip.
2. Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip to System (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
5. Wait until the installation is complete and restart the phone.

To install TWRP:

You will need an unlocked bootloader (see section 5) and a fastboot utility.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo.img

Download the correct version of the firmware (for your region!)

Check integrity ZIP-file (MD5-sum)

Charge your phone at least 60%

Backup of data (if the firmware is not official OTA)

Disable password/pattern lock protection (may interfere with Recovery)-->

4. Method 3: Fastboot firmware (for official and custom firmware)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing official firmware, especially if the phone does not turn on or is stuck on the MI logo. It is also used for downgrade (downgrading the MIUI version), but there are risks due to Anti-Rollback.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download it here).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, here).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (required original!).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\ginkgo_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), you can continue.
4. Launch the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
5. Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the firmware is not official (for example, Xiaomi.eu), instead of flash_all.bat use the command:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 8, when you run through Fastboot, sometimes you get a critical partition flashing error that is not allowed, which means that the bootloader is locked even after you unlock it, so you can use the fastboot oem edl command, but that will put the phone into mode. EDL, For further firmware, you will need an authorized Xiaomi account.

5. Unlock the bootloader: without it can not do for Fastboot and TWRP

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, including the Redmi Note 8.This means that to install custom firmware or firmware through Fastboot, it must be unlocked. The process takes up to 72 hours (due to Xiaomi's verification) and erases all data from the phone.

Instructions:

1. Link Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔓 Unlocking OEM 🔌 Debugging by USB

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi Account

Fastboot

Food + Volume Down

Unlock

Once unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings, and you can now install TWRP or flash the device through Fastboot.

6. Install custom firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others

If you don't like MIUI with its advertising and restrictions, you can install custom firmware based on Android.

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• 📱 Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.
• 📱 Xiaomi.eu – modified MIUI Advertising-free and with enhanced functions.

What you need to install:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📁 Firmware in.zip format (download only for the Ginkgo model!).
• 🔋 Charge of the phone at least 80%.

Instructions:

1. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services) from the XDA Developers website.
2. Transfer files to your phone or to your phone SD-map.
3. Load to TWRP (Plug Power + Volume Up).
4. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup) → Select Partitions → System, Data, Boot).
5. Run the Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and mark: 🗃️ Dalvik / ART Cache 📁 System 📄 Data 📱 Cache

Install → Choose. ZIP-file → Swipe to Confirm

GApps

Reboot → System

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 with custom firmware may not work NFC (Because of closed Xiaomi drivers, and wide-angle camera (requires a separate GCam mod), and some firmware does not support VoLTE (calls through the GCam). 4G).

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Before installing custom firmware, check reviews on the XDA forum.Some builds may have bugs with autobrightness or fast battery discharge.

7. Possible errors and their solutions

The Redmi Note 8 firmware doesn't always go smoothly, but here are some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (even in Fastboot), try:

1. Connect to charging for 30 minutes - sometimes helps with deep discharge.
2. Clip Power + Volume up + Volume down for 20-30 seconds – this can lead out of the “soft brick”.
3. Use it. EDL-mode (requires a special cable or short circuit testpoints on the board).

For everyday use, the Pixel Experience is best – it’s optimized and supports most features.