Installing pure Android on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: from unlock to custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T with factory-made MIUI firmware offers rich functionality, but many users are annoyed by built-in advertising, unnecessary services and aggressive system optimization. The solution is to install a pure Android (AOSP, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which is free of these shortcomings. However, the process requires unlocking the bootloader, choosing a compatible firmware and carefully following the steps to avoid turning the smartphone into a “brick”.

In this guide, we’ll take you all the way from prepping your device to final customization, and focus on the critical things that 90% of users miss when they first flash, such as setting up the vendor partition for Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) and bypassing the anti-rollback error that is common with Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 devices.

If you've never worked with fastboot, ADB or custom Recovery, you better practice on a less important device.

1.Why you should install pure Android on the Redmi Note 8T

The MIUI factory firmware on the Redmi Note 8T has a number of drawbacks that the transition to custom assembly solves:

• 🚫 No Advertising: No banners in settings, apps or notification panels.
• 🔄 Projects like LineageOS support devices longer than Xiaomi (up to 4-5 years).
• 🛠️ Minimalist interface: A pure Android without duplicate features (e.g., two browsers, two file managers).
• ⚡ Performance: No background processes MIUI, They consume up to 15-20% of the battery.
• 🔓 More freedom: The ability to install modifications (e.g. Magisk for root rights) without restrictions.

There are, however, downsides:

• 📱 Loss of some functions: For example, IR-The blaster (DU remote) may not work on some assemblies.
• 🔋 Deterioration of autonomy: Optimization of energy consumption in the MIUI Often better than in custom firmware.
• 📸 Camera problems: Stock camera apps (like GCam) require manual setup.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids Xiaomi warranty. If the device is warranty, first check if you can return the stock firmware back (usually, but the process is time-consuming).

Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader

The first and most critical step is to unlock the bootloader, without which you can't install customized backups or firmware. Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process has nuances:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and log in. Unlocking is impossible without an account link.
2. Activate debugging on USB and OEM-Unlock: Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone. Then in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on: 🔌 Debugging by USB 🔓 Unlocking OEM (It may disappear after restarting – check before unlocking!)

Mi Unlock Tool

:

The official utility from Xiaomi: link. Use the latest version (at the time of 2026 - v5.5.224.31).

Then connect the Redmi Note 8T to your PC in fastboot mode (turn off your phone, then press Power + Vol− until the rabbit appears in the eardress cap). Launch Mi Unlock Tool, log in and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi can block unlock for 7 to 30 days if you haven't previously unlocked devices under this account. This timer can't be bypassed - you'll have to wait.

Mi Account linked to device|On. OEM-unlock|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Download the Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version|Phone's loaded on 60% more-->

3. Select firmware: what to install instead of MIUI

There are several types of firmware available for the Redmi Note 8T (willow), depending on your priorities:

For beginners, we recommend LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which is the most stable.

• 📱 Android 12 is the most optimized version for the Redmi Note 8T (better compatibility with iron).
• 🤖 Android 13/14 — There may be bugs with the camera or sensors (check the reviews on the forum) XDA).

Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP)

For custom Android firmware, you need a special recovery - TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project). The official version for the Redmi Note 8T is available on twrp.me, but we recommend using a modified build from mauronofrio (the best support for FBE - file encryption).

Installation instructions:

1. Download. TWRP: Link to the current version: XDA-Forum.Look for a file called twrp-3.7.0_12-willow-mauronofrio.img.
2. Fly the receptacles through fastboot: Connect your phone in fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-willow-mauronofrio.img Then immediately reboot to the recavers: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-willow-mauronofrio.img
3. Turn off forced encryption: In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data, type yes and confirm. This will delete all data, but prevent system boot issues.

⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP phone hangs on the logo MI, So, it's an anti-rollback, and the solution is to flash the stock back. MIUI The same or newer version is used via fastboot and then repeat the process.

💡

If TWRP Does not see internal memory, try to connect the phone to the PC MTP It's in the Recovery itself. USB-cable.

5. Clean Android firmware: a step-by-step process

Now that you have TWRP installed, you can start to run the firmware. Let's use LineageOS 20 (Android 13) as an example:

1. Download firmware and GApps: 📥 Firmware: LineageOS for willow (select the latest build). 🤖 GApps: Open GApps (Pico or Nano variant for minimum weight).

Transfer files to your phone

Connect your device to your PC in MTP mode (in TWRP, this is done via Mount → Enable MTP). Copy your firmware and GApps files into internal memory.

Cleaning sections

In TWRP, do:

Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data → Swipe to Wipe

Installation of firmware

Go to Install, select the firmware file (lineage-20.0-...-willow.zip) and swipe for confirmation. Once completed, repeat the process for OpenGApps.

First launch

Reboot → System: The first start can take 10-15 minutes — don't interrupt.

If the system does not boot or errors occur, check:

• 🔄 Version compatibility TWRP Firmware (e.g. LineageOS 19 requires a TWRP not older than 3.6.2).
• 📁 Correct cleaning of partitions (if you leave the old system, conflicts are possible).
• 🔋 Battery charge (if it is below 30%, the phone may turn off during firmware).

💡

The most common firmware error is ignoring the firmware version. If you had MIUI 12.5 and the firmware was designed for MIUI 11, you'd have a bootloop, and you'd have to flash the actual firmware through fastboot before you installed the custom firmware.

System configuration after installation

After successful firmware clean Android will require a basic setup:

1. Root rights activation (optional): If you need superuser rights, install Magisk: 1. Download Magisk (https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases). 2. In TWRP, file Magisk-v26.4.zip. 3. Reboot. Check the rights through the Magisk Manager app.
2. Camera setup: Stock camera app in custom firmware often concedes MIUI We recommend you install the Camera: 📷 GCam (e.g. assembly from BSG Wichaya). 🎥 ANX Camera – an alternative with support for 48 MP. Configs for Redmi Note 8T Look for Celso Azevedo.
3. Battery Optimization: Clean Android Could Be Dumping Faster MIUI. To improve autonomy: ⚡ Turn off the Always-on Display (if any). 🔄 Install AccA (App for Autostart Control). 📶 Switch to the switch. 2G/3G low-signal 4G.

We also recommend:

• 🔒 Install a Firewall application (such as NetGuard) to block background traffic.
• 🛡️ Check firmware updates through Settings → System system → Updates (on LineageOS they come weekly).
• 🎵 Set up the sound through ViPER4Android (Magisk demands).

💡

If the firmware stopped working after NFC or IR-blaster, check if support for these modules is included in the kernel settings. Sometimes it helps to firmware an alternative kernel (for example, FrancoKernel).

7. Solving common problems

Even with proper installation, errors can occur. Let's look at the typical cases for the Redmi Note 8T:

If the problem is not solved, check the error log through ADB:

adb logcat > log.txt

The log.txt file will help diagnose the problem on forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA).

8 Return to MIUI: How to roll back

If pure Android didn't live up to expectations, you can return stock MIUI.

1. Download the official firmware: Use the official Xiaomi website. For the Redmi Note 8T, choose the Global or EEA (Europe) region. The version should be no lower than the one that was before unlocking (due to anti-rollback).
2. Sweat through Mi Flash Tool: Unpack the downloaded archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Connect your phone in fastboot mode, select the firmware folder and press Flash. Use the clean all option for full cleanup.
3. Unlock the bootloader (if necessary): Once you return to MIUI, the bootloader will automatically lock. If you plan to install custom firmware again, repeat the unlocking process (see Section 2).

⚠️ Attention: When rolling back MIUI If you want to save files, back up through TWRP (Backup → Select Data, Internal Storage).

If after the firmware MIUI phone is stuck on the logo, try:

• 🔌 Connect to charging on 30+ Minutes (sometimes helps with a discharged battery).
• 🔄 Swipe the firmware again with the clean all and lock option (block the bootloader).
• 📡 Use the other USB-port or cable (connection issues may interrupt firmware).

fastboot flash persist persist.img

File. persist.img You can get it out of the stock firmware archive.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing clean Android on Redmi Note 8T