How to change firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from unlock to installation

Why to change the firmware on Redmi 8 and what risks it carries

Xiaomi Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) came out in 2019 with MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie, but official support for updates has long since ceased. Users face slowdowns, lack of new features and security vulnerabilities. The change of firmware allows you to install the current version of Android (up to Android 12 through custom builds), improve performance or upgrade to a “clean” Android without a MIUI shell.

However, the process is not without risks. Mistakes can lead to a "brick" (complete failure of the device), loss of warranty or problems with the security system. IMEI, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. It is especially dangerous to install firmware from other models (Redmi). 8A or Redmi 9) — This is guaranteed to knock the phone out:

• 🔄 Purpose of firmware: update Android, remove MIUI, Improve autonomy or accelerate productivity?
• 🛠️ Technical Skills: Are You Ready to Work with ADB, Fastboot and manual recovery?
• 📱 Phone status: is the bootloader unlocked, is there a backup of data?

If you’re a beginner, start with official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, which is the safest way. Power users may consider custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, but they require unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized recover (TWRP).

Preparation for firmware: backup and unlock the bootloader

The first step is to save all the data. The firmware erases the internal memory, including photos, contacts and messages.

• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Photos for Media, Mi Cloud for Contacts and Notes.
• 💾 Local Copy: Connect your phone to your PC and copy files from folders DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp.
• 📱 Backup apps: Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup.

Next, bootloader unlocking, without which you can't install custom software. Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process takes 72 hours of waiting (related to the company's security policy).

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → More → For Developers.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: Once unlocked, the bootloader will reset and the phone will be erased to factory status. Xiaomi may also restrict access to certain features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device).

Linked to Mi Account on phone

USB debugging enabled

Developer mode activated

Backup of all data.

Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC

-->

Firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

There are two types of firmware available for Redmi 8: official (from Xiaomi) and custom (from the developer community), the first is suitable for restoring functionality or upgrading to the latest supported version of MIUI 12.5 (Android 11), the second is for installing alternative OSes.

For official firmware, use MIUI Downloads. Choose the olive version (codenamed Redmi 8). Look for firmware on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums, but check user reviews - some builds may contain malware.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware for Redmi 8A (Olivelite) or Redmi 9 (lancelot) are incompatible with Redmi 8! Installing someone else's firmware will lead to a "brick" with an error Invalid image.

💡

Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5/SHA1) using the HashMyFiles utility. This will protect against fake files with viruses.

Installation of official firmware via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

The most reliable way to flash Redmi 8 is to use the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode, which is suitable for recovering your phone from crashes or upgrading to the latest official version.

• 🖥️ Windows PC (7/10/11) and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Phone with unlocked loader and charge ≥50%.
• 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, olive_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RCNMIXM_20211012.0000.00_11.0_global_1d1a2a1b2c.tar.gz).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\olive).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

If the process is 99% frozen or there is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one already on your phone, in which case you will have to look for firmware with the same or a newer Anti-Rollback number (for example, ARB 4).

Install custom firmware through TWRP Recovery

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom builds, you will need TWRP Recovery, an alternative recovery menu. The official version for Redmi 8 is available on the TWRP website.

Installation algorithm:

1. Download. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olive.img and firmware (e.g, lineage-19.1-20230610-nightly-olive-signed.zip).
2. Rename TWRP to recovery.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (where fastboot.exe is located).
3. Turn on Fastboot on your phone and connect to your PC.
4. Enter the command to install the recavers: fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot boot recovery.img
5. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes for confirmation).
6. Go to Install and select the firmware file. Wait until it's finished.
7. Optionally, install GApps (Google services) and Magisk (root).

The first launch of custom firmware can take up to 15 minutes, and if the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, it means that the firmware is incompatible with your model or damaged, in which case, go back to TWRP and re-install.

💡

Custom firmware is often devoid of proprietary camera or NFC drivers. Before installing, check on the forums which features work in the selected build.

Solving common errors in firmware

Even with accurate follow-up, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or camera are no longer working after firmware, it is likely that proprietary drivers are missing from the firmware. For Redmi 8, you can download them separately (look for firmware-olive.zip on 4PDA) and install them via TWRP after the main firmware.

Another common problem is bootloop.

• 🔴 Incompatibility of the firmware core with the loader version.
• 🔴 Absence of file vendor.img custom-made.
• 🔴 Conflict with Magisk modules.

Solution: Return to TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (check Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) and re-install the firmware.

How to return the official firmware after custom

If custom firmware was unstable or you need all the features of MIUI (for example, for Mi Band or Mi Home), you can return to the official software.

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select Clean all and lock mode – this will return the stock Recovery and block the bootloader.
4. After the firmware, the phone will automatically reboot to MIUI.

If you want to save the unlocked bootloader (for example, for future experiments), select Clean all mode without locking. However, note that some features (for example, Mi Pay or Find Device) may not work.

⚠️ Warning: After returning to the official firmware, all data will be erased and root access (if it was) will disappear.

💡

If the IMEI is missing after returning to MIUI, restore it using the SN Write Tool (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and NV-data backup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions