Xiaomi’s current smartphones often receive updates that don’t always please users. Owners of the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro sometimes face situations where the new version of MIUI is unstable, quickly drains the battery or contains critical errors.
The process of downgrade (rollback) of the system requires care and strict follow the instructions. You have not just to download the file, but also to prepare the device for deep interference with the software part. The smartphone loader is blocked by default, which is the main obstacle to installing old firmware official methods.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of returning the previous version of the software. You will learn how to unlock the bootloader, install the custom TWRP receptacles and correctly flash the archive with the system. Remember that any manipulation with firmware carries risks, so carefully study each step before starting work.
Preparation for rollback procedure
The first step is to collect the tools and prepare the smartphone itself. You'll need a Windows computer that's working. USB-cable (preferably original) and stable Internet connection. Without quality cable, communication with Fastboot mode can be unstable, leading to firmware errors.
You need to install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer, as well as the SDK Platform Tools platform. These components provide low-level communication between the PC and the smartphone. You should also download Mi Flash Tool, the official utility from Xiaomi for working with firmware in bootloader mode.
The critical point is to save personal data. The rollback process is almost always accompanied by the complete removal of information from the internal drive. Make backups of photos, contacts and documents to the Google Drive cloud or to the computer's hard drive.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any action, make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 60%. interruption of the firmware process due to battery discharge can lead to irreversible damage to the system (brick).
You also need to check the exact model of your device. Redmi Note 8 Pro has several modifications (global, Chinese, Indian), and firmware from one version will not work for another.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi’s official security policy prohibits the installation of untested software, so the bootloader is locked. Unlocking it will require a special utility Mi Unlock Tool and a Mi Account tied to the device, a mandatory step without which a system rollback is impossible.
The process of linking an account is through the developer menu, and you need to activate the developer mode by clicking seven times on the build number in the About Phone section, then in the advanced settings, enable Factory Unlock and link the current account.
After the peg, you have to wait a certain time. Usually the company sets a timer of 168 hours (7 days), but in some cases the wait can last up to 30 days.
To perform the procedure, put your smartphone in Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons simultaneously. Connect the device to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions on the screen. Successful unlocking will be confirmed by the corresponding message and data cleaning.
Finding and Choosing the Right Firmware
The quality of the rollback depends on the firmware file you choose: you want a version of the system that is older than the one installed now, but newer than the minimum threshold required for your bootloader, and there are strict limits on the minimum version below which you can not go (Anti-Rollback protection).
Search files should be on trusted resources, such as the official forum XiaomiFirmwareUpdater or specialized branches on 4PDA. The file must have the.zip extension for recovery via TWRP or be unpacked archive for Mi Flash.
Note the type of firmware: Recovery or Fastboot. For the method we’ll discuss later (via TWRP), you’ll need a ZIP Recovery version. Fastboot (tgz) versions are used for full firmware reflashing through the computer, but the method with TWRP is often easier for beginners.
Where is it safe to download the firmware?
The table below shows examples of software versions for different regions that users often roll back:
| Region | Android version | MIUI version | Type of protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global (Global) | Android 10 | MIUI 12.0.3 | Anti-rollback 4 |
| Europe (EU) | Android 10 | MIUI 12.0.4 | Anti-rollback 4 |
| Russia (RU) | Android 10 | MIUI 12.0.2 | Anti-rollback 4 |
| China (China) | Android 11 | MIUI 12.5 | Anti-rollback 5 |
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The regular recovery menu does not allow you to install old versions of the system, so you need to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which is a modified recovery that has advanced functionality and allows you to ignore some signature checks.
To install, you'll need a twrp.img image specially assembled for the begonia model (codenamed Redmi Note 8 Pro). Download the file and put it in the ADB tool folder on your computer. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode.
In the command line on the PC, enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the device is determined, execute the command for the recaveri firmware:
fastboot flash recovery twrp_begonia.imgImmediately after you execute the command, you need to turn the device into Recovery mode. Don't let the phone boot into a regular Android system, otherwise it will overwrite the TWRP with stock Recovery. Press the power button and increase the volume before the MI logo appears.
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If the phone boots into a regular system after installing TWRP, repeat the procedure, but this time don't release the buttons until you see the recovery menu.
The process of firmware of the old version of MIUI
Once you've successfully logged in to the TWRP menu, the first thing you need to do is clear the data. Go to the Wipe section and select Format Data. Enter yes to confirm. This step is mandatory for the new (old) system to work properly.
Then copy the pre-loaded ZIP-Firmware archive in the internal memory of the smartphone. TWRP Press the Install button, find the firmware file, and confirm the swipe installation.
Importantly, when you try to roll back, you may see a firmware version warning. TWRP usually has a slider that allows you to ignore the compatibility check. Activate it if the system blocks the installation.
⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the installation process, even if the progress bar has been frozen in place. Interrupting the data writing to the system partition can make the device unusable.
Once you have completed the installation, press the Reboot System button. The first download can last up to 10-15 minutes as the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files.
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Successful rollback is possible only when the Data partition is completely cleaned. Trying to update or downgrade the version without formatting the data most often leads to a cyclic restart (bootloop).
Solving problems and mistakes
In the process of downgrade, users often encounter an Anti-Rollback error, which is a security mechanism that prevents you from installing a version of the system below a certain threshold, and if you try to flash a version that is too old, the device can go into a hard brick.
Another common problem is cyclic reboot.If the phone is constantly rebooting on the logo, try cleaning the Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache and Data sections through the Wipe menu in TWRP.
In case your computer stops seeing your device in Fastboot mode, check the Windows Device Manager. If there is an unknown device with an exclamation mark, reinstall the Xiaomi or ADB Interface drivers manually.
Sometimes, after a rollback, the camera or fingerprint sensor stops working, which indicates that the firmware version is incompatible with the current bootloader or modem, in which case the only solution is to find another version of firmware or return to the current stable build.