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

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains one of the brand’s most popular smartphones years after its release. Its powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor, 64MP camera and capacious battery still attract users. However, over time, official support for updates ends, and the desire to install a fresh version of Android or custom firmware grows. The phone’s firmware can solve performance problems, add new features or even “resurrect” the device after a software failure.

In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to implement the Redmi Note 8 Pro firmware (codename begonia): from a standard upgrade via MIUI Updater to install custom ROMs via TWRP or Fastboot. We will focus on unlocking the bootloader, without which most firmware methods will not be available.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Firmware isn't just pressing a few buttons; it can cause data loss, a phone malfunction, or even a phone to fail, so the first step is to prepare thoroughly.

First, check the current MIUI and phone model. Go to Settings → About Phone to do this. Make sure your device is indeed a Redmi Note 8 Pro (not a Note 8 or other model), as the firmware is incompatible with each other.

• 📱 Model of the device (should be) M1906G7G, M1906G7E or M1906G7T for global versions).
• 🔢 Version. MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.2 Stable).
• 🤖 Android version (usually Android) 9/10/11 firmware-dependent).
• 🔓 bootloader status (unblocked or not - you can find out by the command fastboot oem device-info).

Second, back up all the important data, and the firmware, especially through Fastboot or TWRP, erases user files.

• ☁️ Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk).
• 💻 Local copying on PC through MTP (Just plug the phone in. USB).
• 📱 Backup applications (Swift Backup, Titanium Backup) require root).

⚠️ Note: If you install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), backup via Mi Cloud may not recover. Use third-party solutions or copy files manually.

Third, prepare the necessary tools:

Finally, charge your phone at least 60 percent. It can take 10 minutes to an hour to run out of battery at this point, and prepare a USB cable (preferably original) and a Windows PC (for Mi Unlock Tool and Mi Flash Tool, it is mandatory).

2 Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for most methods

If you want to flash the Redmi Note 8 Pro through Fastboot or install TWRP, you definitely need to unlock the bootloader. Without that, the phone simply won't allow you to make changes to system partitions. The official way to unlock is through Xiaomi's Mi Unlock Tool, but it has a number of limitations.

What you need to know before unlocking:

• 🔗 Mi Account binding: phone must be linked to Xiaomi account, otherwise unlocking is impossible.
• ⏳ 168 hours waiting: 7 days after the account is linked (sometimes less if the device has already been unlocked).
• 📱 Data reset: Unlocking erases all data from the phone, so backup is a must.
• 🚫 Number limit: One Mi Account can only unlock one device per month.

Step-by-step instructions for unlocking:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Activate USB debugging and OEM unlocking in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi account.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
5. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the program instructions.

⚠️ If you see a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error when unlocking, check: 🔌 Cable USB (Try another, preferably original one). 🔄 Mi Unlock Tool (download the latest version from the official website). 📡 Internet connection (the program checks the status of your account online) Also make sure that the phone has disabled automatic updates. MIUI — It can reset the waiting timer.

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will restart and reset to factory settings, so you can now flash it through Fastboot or install TWRP. If you only need official firmware through MIUI Updater, you don't need to unlock.

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

If you just need to upgrade the Redmi Note 8 Pro to the latest official version without risking data loss, use the built-in MIUI Updater.This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for most users.

How to update with MIUI Updater:

1. Open the MIUI Updater app on your phone.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select Service Package.
3. If you have an update, download it directly. If you don't, download the full firmware package (not OTA!) from MIUI and select it manually.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

What to do if the update is not installed?

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📡 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🗃️ Clear the update cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Update → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Try downloading firmware manually and installing through Select the Service Pack.

⚠️ Note: If you see a "Can't verify update" error when you install the update, chances are you've downloaded the wrong firmware version (for example, for another region (M1906G7G). China - for Chinese versions (requires Russification). EEA — for Europe (may not support some functions).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Safe – Minimum risk of error.
• ✅ No data loss if updated OTA).
• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Limited version selection (official builds only).
• ❌ There is no way to go back to the old version. MIUI.

💡

MIUI Updater is the best choice for beginners, as it does not require technical skills and retains a warranty.

Method 2: Fastboot firmware (for official and custom ROM)

If you want to install a full official firmware (like after a crash) or custom ROM (like LineageOS), but without TWRP, you can use Fastboot.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for power users.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows PC (for Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and the Mi Flash Tool ADB/Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official Fastboot firmware from MIUI (select the version for your model).
2. Unpack the archive with the firmware in the folder C:\MIUI\ (the way without Cyrillic!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (the screen will feature a picture of a hare in a hat-eared).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder and select Clean all (full cleaning) or Clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until the process is finished (usually 5-10 minutes).

Possible errors and their solutions:

If you install custom firmware through Fastboot, the process will be similar, but instead of the Mi Flash Tool, use manual commands:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: When you run through Fastboot, all data will be erased, including internal memory (Clean all). If you need to save files, back up in advance. Also, don't interrupt the process - this can lead to a phone blink (inoperability.

💡

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after Fastboot, try to pinch Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot.

5. Method 3: Install custom firmware via TWRP

If the official firmware does not suit you, you can install a custom ROM (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc OS). It's gonna take a while. TWRP Recovery – an alternative recovery that allows you to sew informal builds.

What to do before installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Section 2).
2. Download the current version of TWRP for Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) from twrp.me.
3. Download custom firmware (e.g., XDA Developers) and GApps (Google services if not included in ROM).
4. Download Magisk (to obtain root rights if necessary).

Step-by-step:

1. Move your firmware, GApps and Magisk files to the external SD-card or internal memory of the phone.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command to install TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-begonia.img fastboot reboot recovery
4. In TWRP, back up your current firmware (optional, but recommended): select Backup → System + Data + Boot.
5. Complete reset (required!): Wipe → Advanced Wipe →Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache
6. Install firmware: Install → Choose. ZIP-file ROM → Swipe to confirm.
7. Repeat step 6 for GApps and Magisk (if necessary).
8. Reboot your phone: Reboot → System.

Popular custom firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – The interface is like Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc OS — Highly casing software with many functions.
• 🔄 MIUI EU — formal MIUI China-bound.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware may not support: 📷 Full-power camera (48MP or 64MP modules may not work properly). 🔋 Fast charging (sometimes limited) 10W instead 18W). 📶 Dual 4G (two-way SIM-map 4G Check the feedback on the forums (e.g.) before installing, XDA).

The first download after installing custom firmware can take 10-15 minutes — that's fine. If the phone has been stuck on the logo for longer than 20 minutes, try repeating the firmware or choosing a different ROM.

6. Solving problems after firmware

Even if you followed the instructions, you might have problems after the firmware, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Phone is off (brick):

• 🔄 Hard reset: press the Volume up + Meals for food 15-20 seconds.
• 🔌 Fastboot Firmware: If your phone is detected in Fastboot, repeat the firmware using the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🛠️ EDL-mode: if the phone does not respond at all, you will need firmware through EDL (Requires an authorized Xiaomi account or boxing).

The phone is stuck on the MI logo:

• ⏳ Wait. 10-15 Minutes – the first load can be long.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone to Recovery (Loudness up) + Eating) and make a Wipe Cache.
• 📦 If it doesn’t work, use your phone on Fastboot or TWRP.

No network or no network. SIM-map:

• 📶 Check if your firmware supports your region (e.g. Global) ROM for Russia).
• 🔧 V TWRP Switch separately modem and vendor from the official firmware.
• 📞 In your phone settings, select the network manually: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choice of network.

Google services are not working:

• ☁️ If you haven’t stitched GApps, install them through TWRP.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and check your internet connection.
• 📥 Manually Update Google Play Services via Play Market.

Fast battery discharge:

• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge and charge the phone 2-3 once.
• 📊 Check which apps are using up charge in Settings → Battery.
• 🔄 If the problem persists, flash another firmware (perhaps the current one is poorly optimized).

⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is not identified by the PC in Fastboot or EDL, check: 🔌 Cable and port USB (Try another cable or USB 2.0 instead 3.0). 🖥️ Drivers (install Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008 for EDL). 🔧 Telephone mode (in) EDL The phone is not turned on, the screen is black, but is defined as QHUSB_BULK device-manager).

If you can’t solve the problem yourself, go to the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums, which have a section dedicated to the Redmi Note 8 Pro that addresses most of the issues.

7.How to return the official firmware after custom

If you've experimented with custom firmware, but you want to bring back the original MIUI, you can do it in two ways: Fastboot or Recovery. The first method is more reliable, because it completely rewrites all partitions.

Method 1: Fastboot (recommended)

1. Download the official firmware for Fastboot from the MIUI website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without spaces and Cyrillic (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia_global\).
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select the firmware folder and Clean all mode (if you want to unlock the bootloader back) or Clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it's over.

Method 2: Recovery (if Fastboot is not available)

1. Download the official firmware for Recovery (.zip format).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Turn off the phone and press the volume.