How to install MIUI on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: full instructions with nuances

Installing a custom or official MIUI version on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is a challenge that owners of this smartphone face for various reasons, from wanting fresh features to having to restore the device to work after a failure. However, the firmware process on this model has its own peculiarities due to the unique Mediatek Helio G90T chipset and the default bootloader. Unlike smartphones on the Qualcomm Snapdragon, you will not be able to use universal tools like the Mi Flash Tool without prior preparation.

In this article, we will discuss all the current installation methods. MIUI on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia): from official updates via Recovery to manual firmware through SP Flash Tool and TWRP. We will pay special attention to unlocking the loader without waiting. 720 (Relevant to new devices) and solving common errors such as BROM Error: S_FT_ENABLE_DRAM_FAIL (4032) or IMEI After the firmware, the instructions are adapted to MIUI 14/15 and newer versions, taking into account changes in Xiaomi’s policy on work with downloaders.

1.Preparation for MIUI installation: what you need to know before firmware

Before you start firmware, it is important to assess the current state of the device and prepare the necessary tools. Redmi Note 8 Pro has several pitfalls that can make the installation process MIUI impossible without additional manipulation:

• 🔒 Locked bootloader: On new devices (or after a reset), the bootloader is locked and it can take up to 30 days (720 hours of waiting) to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📱 The firmware version: If the smartphone is Global or EEA version MIUI, China firmware or custom build may cause network loss (requires modem unlocking).
• 🔧 Tools for Mediatek: Unlike Snapdragon, for working with the Helio chipset G90T need to SP Flash Tool or Modified Tool MTK Client.
• 📡 IMEI Serial number: Incorrect firmware can be erased IMEI, It's recommended to back up Maui. META or SN Writer Tool.

Also note that firmware is unofficial builds (e.g. xiaomi.eu or MIUI Mix may take your warranty away and cause problems with Widevine L1 (lack of HD into Netflix/Disney+). If your goal is to simply upgrade the system, first check if you have the system. OTA-Updates to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through SP Flash Tool on Redmi Note 8 Pro with version MIUI below 12.0.3.0 can cause a device to "brick" due to incompatibility of the preloader partition. Always check the firmware version and its compatibility with your model!

2 Unlocking the bootloader: official and alternative methods

The official way to unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8 Pro involves the use of Xiaomi’s Mi Unlock Tool utility. However, since 2021, the company has tightened the rules: now, after linking an account to a device, you need to wait 720 hours (30 days) before unlocking.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Mi Unlock Tool is not working).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original, as cheap cables may not transmit data in Fastboot mode).
• 📱 Mi Account tied to the device (the phone settings should include OEM unlocking and debugging). USB).
• 🔑 Mi Unlock Tool (you can download from the official website).

If you don’t want to wait 30 days, there are alternative methods to unlock through exploits in Fastboot or using patched versions of the Mi Unlock Tool.

Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, the phone screen will display a warning on the screen, This device is unlocked. This is normal and does not affect the device. You can now start installing MIUI.

3.Install MIUI via Recovery: The Safest Method

If your goal is to upgrade the Redmi Note 8 Pro to a new version of MIUI without losing data, the best option is to install it via stock Recovery, which is suitable for official firmware in.zip format and does not require an unlocked bootloader.

• ✅ You can only update within a single branch (e.g., with a MIUI 12 on MIUI 13, but not from Global to China).
• ❌ You can't downgrade the story. MIUI (downgrade).
• ⚠️ All data will be saved, but it is recommended to make a backup in case of failure.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) from Xiaomi. Choose the Recovery ROM version (not Fastboot!).
2. Rename the firmware file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select a firmware file.
4. Specify the path to update.zip and confirm installation. The phone will reboot to Recovery and start firmware.

If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Reset through Recovery (Food) + Loudness up → Wipe Data. This solves the problem 90 percent of the time.

Download the correct version of Recovery ROM for begonia

Check the battery (minimum 50%)

Backup important data

Disable password/pattern lock protection

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4. Firmware through Fastboot: for power users

Installing MIUI via Fastboot is a more flexible method that allows you to flash both official and custom builds. However, it requires an unlocked bootloader and command line knowledge. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this process is complicated by the fact that the standard Mi Flash Tool does not support Mediatek chipsets. Instead, it uses the SP Flash Tool or modified scripts.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Mediatek drivers (you can download through MTK Driver Auto Installer).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware ROM (For the Redmi Note 8 Pro will fit builds from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• 🛠️ Utility. SP Flash Tool (version 5.2 or later).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions for firmware through SP Flash Tool:

1. Unpack Fastboot ROM firmware into a folder with no path spaces (e.g., C:\MIUI\begonia).
2. Launch the SP Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. In the Scatter-loading File field, specify the path to the file. MT6785_Android_scatter.txt firmware.
4. Select Download Only (not Firmware Upgrade, otherwise IMEI will be deleted!)
5. Connect the phone to the PC, holding Volume up + Volume down (BROM mode).
6. Click Download in the SP Flash Tool and wait for the process to end (green circle).

If there is a mistake S_FT_ENABLE_DRAM_FAIL (4032), that means that:

• Mediatek drivers are not installed.
• This is an inappropriate version of the SP Flash Tool.
• The firmware is not compatible with your version of the bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through SP Flash Tool without backup NVRAM and IMEI This can cause network loss! Before you run the firmware, save this data with Maui. META or SN Writer Tool.

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If your phone doesn't turn on after you've run through Fastboot, try flashing only boot.img and recovery.img separately, often solving the problem of hanging on the logo.

5. Install MIUI via TWRP: for custom firmware

If you want to install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you will need TWRP Recovery. There is an unofficial version of TWRP for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, as official support from TeamWin is missing due to the closed Mediatek chipset.

We warn you that using TWRP on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is fraught with risks, as:

• 🔴 The wrong core firmware (boot.img) It may lead to a "brike».
• 📵 Loss of loss IMEI Serial number occurs in 30% of cases (backup required).
• 🔒 Some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) can block work on custom firmware.

Instructions for installing TWRP and firmware:

1. Download an unofficial TWRP for begonia (e.g., from wrzd79 developer to XDA).
2. Please. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-begonia.img fastboot boot twrp-begonia.img
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (required, otherwise the firmware will not stand up!).
4. Move the firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu_multi_HMK40Pro_V14.0.1.zip) on your phone and install it via Install.
5. After installation, swipe Magisk (if root is needed) and restart.

If you load your phone into Fastboot instead of the system, it's not the kernel.

1. Download boot.img from the firmware and flash it separately: fastboot flash boot.img
2. If it doesn't help, try to stitch it up. vendor_boot.img (for MIUI 13+).

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On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can’t use TWRP to run official MIUIs over OTAs! This will cause the E3004 to fail and require a full Fastboot flash.

6. Solving typical problems after firmware

Even with the right MIUI installation on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, there may be problems.

If Widevine L1 is missing after firmware (Netflix shows low-quality video), this means that the DRM partition has been damaged. It can only be restored by firmware of the original Fastboot ROM from the official Xiaomi website.

7 How to return the official firmware if something went wrong

If, after experimenting with the firmware, the Redmi Note 8 Pro stopped working stably (for example, does not catch the network, constantly restarts or does not turn on), the only reliable way to bring it back to life is to flash the official Fastboot ROM through the SP Flash Tool.

For this:

1. Download the latest stable version of MIUI for begonia from Xiaomi’s website (select Fastboot ROM).
2. Unpack the archive and delete preloader.bin and lk.bin files from the folder (their firmware can lead to a “brick”!).
3. In the SP Flash Tool, download the scatter file and select Download Only mode.
4. Connect the phone in BROM mode (off, with volume buttons clamped) and press Download.
5. After successful firmware, run Factory Reset through Recovery.

If the phone is not identified in the SP Flash Tool, try:

• 🔌 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🖥️ Reinstall Mediatek drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔄 Try another computer (sometimes drivers conflict).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't respond to buttons and isn't detected by the computer, it may be a "hard brick." ISP-a programmer (e.g. Easy-JTAG) or a service center, self-repair without experience can lead to the final loss of the device!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 8 Pro