Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is one of the most popular budget smartphones with excellent price-to-opportunity ratio, but standard MIUI firmware does not always suit users: someone wants to get rid of advertising, someone wants to get the latest version of Android, and someone needs advanced custom firmware features. In this case, TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) comes to the rescue, an informal recovery that allows you to install any modified firmware, cores and mods.
But firmware through TWRP is not an easy process. One wrong action can turn your Redmi Note 8T into a brick, and mistakes in choosing firmware files can lead to endless reboots. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything from unlocking the bootloader to installing custom firmware, and how to avoid typical bugs and restore the phone if something goes wrong.
1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Installing TWRP
Before you start firmware, make sure all the preconditions are met. Skipping at least one item can make it impossible to recover the phone through standard methods.
First, check the MIUI version and the phone model. The Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) only works on firmware that's designed for that model. You can't install the firmware from Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) because it will cause the NFC module to fail and cause camera problems.
- 🔋 Battery charge at least 70% – firmware can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will lead to failure.
- 📋 Save all important data - firmware through TWRP It usually requires a complete reset (Wipe).
- 🔑 Unlock the bootloader - without it TWRP Xiaomi will not be able to install. Xiaomi blocks the bootloader by default.
- 💻 Install. ADB You'll need Xiaomi drivers for Windows. USB Drivers.
- 📥 Download the correct version TWRP — Willow only (Redmi Note) 8T).
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If you've never worked with ADB/Fastboot, practice on another device or virtual machine. Errors in commands can lead to data loss.
Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader. Xiaomi requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait 72 to 168 hours after the first link. If you did not do this in advance, the firmware will be delayed for several days.
2. Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8T: step-by-step instructions
Without the unlocked bootloader, you can't install TWRP. Xiaomi uses Anti-Rollback protection, which blocks the installation of old firmware versions and unofficial reverberies. The unlocking process consists of several steps:
- Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync. Make sure the device is linked to the account.EM-unlocking → The phone. → Version. MIUI (5 times to tap) → Additional settings → For developers.
Wait 7 days.
Mi Unlock Tool
From the official website of Xiaomi (only the latest version!).
Launch unlock.
1. Turn off the phone.
2.Put Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4.In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock.Linked to Mi Account on phone|On. OEM-unlock|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Download the Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version|The phone is charged at least to 70%-->
If the Mi Unlock Tool is running a "Couldn't unlock" error, check:
- 🔌 Connection to USB — Try another cable or port.
- 📱 Version MIUI — On some firmware, unlocking works only after rolling back to the old version.
- ⏳ Waiting period – if less than 7 days have passed, unlocking will not work.
⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including photos and apps, will be deleted from the phone!
3. Install TWRP on Redmi Note 8T: version selection and firmware
When the bootloader is unlocked, you can start installing TWRP. For the Redmi Note 8T (willow), only specially assembled versions of the reverie are suitable, since official builds from TeamWin may not support data encryption or work incorrectly with Dynamic Partitions.
Download the latest stable version of TWRP for willow from trusted forums (e.g. XDA Developers or 4PDA). Note the build date – if the firmware is older than 6 months, it may not support newer versions of MIUI.
Where to download the latest TWRP for Redmi Note 8T?
To install TWRP:
- Download the twrp-3.x.x-x-willow.img file and rename it to recovery.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (where adb and fastboot are installed).
- Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
- After successful firmware, immediately go to TWRP, holding Volume Up + Power (otherwise MIUI will reset the rekoveri).
If you go back to the standard recycle after the reboot, MIUI has restored it.
- 🔄 Repeat the firmware TWRP.
- 📛 Install Magisk or DM-Verity Disabler via TWRP, to disable system integrity check.
4. Backup (backup) before firmware: what and how to save
Before installing custom firmware, make sure to make a full backup of the current system, which will allow you to restore the phone if the new firmware is unstable or you do not like it.
TWRP has a built-in backup tool, and we recommend you keep the following sections:
- 📁 Boot - Boot partition (needed to restore the kernel).
- 📱 System - the main firmware.
- 🗃️ Data - user data (applications, settings).
- 🔑 EFS — section IMEI and modem settings (critical for communication!).
- 📡 Modem – radio module files (responsible for network and Wi-Fi).
How to make a backup in TWRP:
- In the main menu, select Backup.
- Check the necessary sections (see the list above).
- Select a save location (preferably on MicroSD or connected) OTG-accumulator).
- Press Swipe to Back Up.
| Section | What does it contain? | Should I backup? |
|---|---|---|
| Boot | The kernel and boot files | ✅ Yes. |
| System | Firmware (MIUI/Android) | ✅ Yes. |
| Data | Applications, settings, files | ✅ Yes, if you need to keep the data) |
| EFS | IMEI, serial numbers of modules | ✅ I'll be sure! |
| Cache | Temporary files | ❌ No (not critical) |
⚠️ Warning: If you don't make a backup EFS and lose IMEI Once you've done the firmware, it's going to be very difficult to restore, and in some cases, you need to go to the service center with proof of purchase.
5. Install custom firmware through TWRP: software selection and process
Now that the TWRP is installed and the backup is done, you can start the firmware. There are several types of firmware available for the Redmi Note 8T:
- 📱 MIUI-Firmware – modified versions of the standard shell (for example, MIUI EU, MIUI Pro).
- 🤖 AOSP-Firmware – “clean” Android without the shell Xiaomi (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS).
- ⚡ KernelSU core firmware – for fans of fine-tuning performance.
For beginners, we recommend starting with MIUI-Firmware, as they are most compatible with the Redmi Note iron 8T. AOSP-Firmware may have camera bugs, NFC sensory.
Installation process:
- Download the firmware (.zip format) and place it on the MicroSD or internal memory.
- Load to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
- Run Wipe: 1. Press Wipe → Advanced Wipe. 2. Mark Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Cache. 3. Swipe for confirmation.
- Install firmware: 1. Press Install. 2. Select firmware file. 3. additionally tick Zip signature verification (if any). 4. Swipe for installation.
- After installing the firmware, be sure to flash Magisk (if root is needed) or DM-Verity Disabler (to avoid download errors).
- Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)
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The first download after AOSP firmware can take up to 15 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen remains black for a long time!
If the phone does not load after firmware or there are errors, check:
- 🔍 Compatibility with model (willow).
- 📦 Integrity of the downloaded file (check it out) MD5-hash).
- 🔄 Wipe execution (if you leave the old data, conflicts are possible).
Typical errors and their solution
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Error 7 in TWRP | The firmware is incompatible with the device | Download the firmware specifically for willow |
| Infinite boot (bootloop) | Wipe or Mod Conflict Not Completed | Return to TWRP, make a full Wipe and repeat the firmware |
| No network after firmware | EFS partition or incorrect modem is damaged | Restore EFS from the backup or flash the stock modem |
| TWRP asks for password when mounting Data | Encryption of data is enabled | Format Data in TWRP (Wipe → Format Data → Yes) |
| The phone does not turn on after the firmware | Boot or the wrong kernel is damaged | Switch to boot.img via Fastboot |
If the phone has turned into a hard brick, and even the Fastboot doesn't respond, there's only one option left: EDL-mode firmware.
- 💻 Mi Flash Tool Programming.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erase EFS and may result in loss IMEI. Use this method only as a last resort!
MIUI (modified)|AOSP (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)|Stock MIUI via Fastboot|Until decided-->
7.Optimization and customization after firmware
After successful custom firmware installation, you have to configure the system for maximum performance and stability.
- 🔧 Disable unnecessary applications - even custom firmware may still have unnecessary services. ADB or Debloater-applications.
For firmware based on AOSP (for example, LineageOS), additional configuration may be required:
- 📷 Install GCam for improved camera (Xiaomi stock camera won't work).
- 🔊 Set up SELinux in Permissive mode if some features don’t work.
- 🔄 Update Open GApps (if you have installed Google services separately).
If the battery is quickly running out after firmware, check:
- 🔋 Background processes – some custom firmware aggressively used CPU.
- 📊 Consumption statistics in Settings → Battery.
- 🔄 Core – Change Governor to Ondemand or Conservative.