Installation of custom TWRP recavator on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a complete guide with nuances

Installing custom recovery on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is a key step for those who want to gain full control of their device. With TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project), you can back up the system, install unofficial firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, and modify system files without the risk of “bricking” the phone. However, the process requires care: an error in the stage of unlocking the bootloader or choosing the wrong version of the recovery can lead to data loss or even hard-brick (irreparable damage).

This guide is relevant to the Redmi Note 8 Pro, codenamed begonia, and will take into account all the features of the device, including working with the Mediatek Helio G90T processor and dynamic partitions memory sharing. We will analyze each step from preparation to final verification, and provide solutions to typical problems that users face. If you are new to Android customization, we recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the basics of working with ADB and Fastboot.

Important: the procedure voids Xiaomi warranty and erases all data from the device. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 14+, you may need to additionally bypass anti-rollback protection if you downgrade the firmware version. Before you start, make sure you have a backup of important files and enough time (the process takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours).

Preparation of the device and PC

Before you start installing TWRP, you have to prepare both the phone and the computer, and at this point, many people make mistakes that cause the malfunctions, and let's start with the PC requirements:

✅ Operating system: Windows 10/11 64-bit (Recommended) or Linux (for power users) on macOS, there may be problems with Mediatek drivers.

✅ Drivers: Install Mi Unlock Tool (includes drivers) ADB/Fastboot) and Mediatek drivers (to work with the SP Flash Tool).

✅ Download the archive from Platform Tools (including adb and fastboot) from the official Android website.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, do the following:

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)

Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → Additional → For Developers

Disable Find My Device in your Mi Account Settings

Charge your phone to at least 60%-->

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Note: If the OEM Unblock option is not available, check if your Mi Account is linked to your phone. On some versions of MIUI, it is hidden before you sign in.

Also, prepare a USB cable (preferably original from Xiaomi) and disable all programs that can block ports (antiviruses, device managers). For reliability, use the rear USB 3.0 port on your PC - this will reduce the risk of connection breakdown.

2 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

The bootloader on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is locked by default. Unlocking it is a must before installing a custom Recovery.The process takes up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi's policy, so start in advance.

📌 Steps to unlock:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and unpack the archive.
2. Launch it. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Vol−).
5. In the program, press Unlock and confirm the action.

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Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error with a timer, you've tried to unlock the bootloader before. Wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours) or use workaround methods (see spoiler below).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't worry, that's okay. You can now move on to TWRP.

3 Selecting a TWRP version for the Redmi Note 8 Pro

There are multiple versions of TWRP on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia), and choosing the wrong one can lead to data encryption problems or the inability to boot the system.The official version from TeamWin is often outdated, so we recommend using modified builds from the community.

🔍 Selection criteria:

• 📱 Support for dynamic parts: Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has moved to dynamic partition markup.Make sure the version TWRP supportive super.img.
• 🔐 Encryption: If you are using PIN/Password, choose a Recavator with support FBE (File-Based Encryption).
• 🛠️ Core compatibility: For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the kernel-based versions are relevant 4.14.x.

📌 Recommended versions (2026):

For most users, OrangeFox is the best choice – it offers a more user-friendly interface and works better with modern versions of MIUI. Download the file in.img format and save it to a folder with Platform Tools.

Official from TeamWin

OrangeFox (with additional features)

Castomic Assembly with XDA

Not yet decided)-->

4. Install TWRP via Fastboot

Now, to the most critical step, which is to install a Recovery, we'll use Fastboot, because it's the most reliable method for the Redmi Note 8 Pro. We'll look at the SP Flash Tool in the next section.

🛠️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Move the downloaded file twrp-3.7.0_12-0-begonia.img into the platform-tools folder.
2. Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as when unlocking the bootloader).
4. Check the connection command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
5. Install. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-begonia.img
6. Immediately after installation, restart to the recavery: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-begonia.img Do not use fastboot reboot – this will lead to a re-recording of the recaveri stock!

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Note: If you are asked to enter a password after rebooting to TWRP, but the keyboard does not appear, then the recovery does not support FBE. In this case, you need to format /data (the entire user partition will be erased!) or use another version of TWRP.

If it goes well, you will see the main TWRP menu with touch control, and we recommend you back up immediately by selecting the Boot, System and Data sections.

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To avoid automatic overwriting TWRP stock recapvery, after the first loading in the custom recapvery go to Advanced → Flash Current TWRP (If the feature is available, it will record the Recovery in both slots (recovery_a and recovery_b).

5. Alternative method: installation via SP Flash Tool

If Fastboot refuses to work (for example, because of a damaged partition recovery), you can use the SP Flash Tool, a tool for firmware devices on Mediatek, which is more risky, but sometimes the only possible method.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ SP Flash Tool (version 5.2 or later).
• 📄 Scatter file for Redmi Note 8 Pro (determines the memory structure).
• 🔧 File. recovery.img (version TWRP).

🔧 Firmware process:

1. Unpack. SP Flash Tool and Launch flash_tool.exe.
2. In the Scatter-loading File field, select downloaded MT6785_Android_scatter.txt.
3. In the section list, uncheck all boxes except RECOVERY.
4. Click on the RECOVERY bar and specify the path to the twrp.img file.
5. Connect the phone to the PC (no buttons!).
6. Click Download in the SP Flash Tool and wait until the end (green circle).

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Note: If the SP Flash Tool gives an error "PMT changed for the ROM", then the scatter file is not suitable for your firmware version, in which case you need to find the current scatter or use the method from Fastboot.

After successful firmware, turn off your phone and boot into TWRP with Power + Vol+. If the screen stays black for more than 10 seconds, try repeating the procedure with another version of recovery.img.

6. Solving typical problems

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

🔥 Problem 1: The phone is not loaded into TWRP (logo-hang MI)

• 🔹 Possible cause: Incompatible version of the recovery or corrupted file recovery.img.
• 🔹 Solution: Repeat installation with another version TWRP. If it doesn’t work, run the stock recavator through Fastboot and then repeat the procedure: fastboot flash recovery. stock_recovery.img fastboot reboot bootloader

🔥 Problem 2: TWRP Asks for a password, but the keyboard does not appear

• 🔹 Recaveri does not support File-Based Encryption (FBE).
• 🔹 Solution: Connect the phone to the PC and in TWRP Choose Advanced → File Manager. Go to the /data/system and delete locksettings.db, locksettings.db-wal, locksettings.db-shm. Reboot./PIN!

🔥 Problem 3: Error "Invalid sparse file format at header magic"

• 🔹 Possible cause: A damaged file super.img modification.
• 🔹 Solution: Download the full firmware image (fastboot) ROM) For your model and run it through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option.

If none of these methods worked, please refer to the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums with the exact phone model and firmware version (Settings → About phone → MIUI version).

7. Additional settings and tips

After successful installation of TWRP, we recommend to perform several actions for stable operation:

⚙️ Setting up TWRP:

• 📁 Backup: Create a full backup of Boot, System, Data, and Vendor partitions. Save a copy on PC.
• 🔄 Recovery Update: Check for updates to your version periodically TWRP official website.
• 🔒 Blocking overwriting: In some firmware MIUI Stock Recovery rewrites custom when you update. To avoid this, patch it. boot.img via Magisk.

💡 Useful chips:

• 🔧 Use it. ADB Sideload in TWRP fitting ZIP-Files without copying to your phone: adb sideload filename.zip
• 📱 For easy file management in Recaveri connect your phone to your PC in mode MTP (Mount → Enable MTP).
• ⚡ If your phone is dead in the process, plug in the charger and wait at least 20% before trying again.

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After installing custom recavator never take OTA-Update through the standard menu MIUI. This will cause a download failure! TWRP with a preliminary firmware compatibility check.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)