Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, also known by the code name begonia, is still popular due to its excellent price-performance ratio. However, the standard MIUI shell may eventually fail to meet users' demands due to the abundance of advertising, overconsumption of resources or lack of fresh versions of Android. In such situations, the custom firmware Pixel Experience comes to the rescue, which turns your device into a clean Google background.
The process of replacing the operating system requires care and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions. Errors in the step of unlocking the bootloader or selecting the wrong file recovery can lead to the failure of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely install the Pixel Experience, gaining access to the latest security updates and smooth interface operation.
Before you take action, you need to be aware of the risks. Any interference with the software of the smartphone will void the manufacturer's warranty. In addition, you are acting at your own risk, so it is important to prepare all the necessary tools in advance and make a backup of important data.
Preparation of the device and collection of necessary tools
The first step is to have a stable connection between your computer and your smartphone. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, which guarantees data transfer, not just charging. Also make sure that your PC hard drive has 5GB of space for temporary files and firmware images.
On the computer side, you need to install the current ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without these components, the system will not be able to correctly recognize the phone in debugging mode. For Windows users, the optimal solution would be to install a minimalist platform-tools package from the official Android developer site.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any manipulations, make sure that the battery charge is at least 60%. interruption of the firmware process due to battery discharge can lead to a hardware brick of the device.
Remember to make a full backup of all contacts, photos and documents. The process of installing custom firmware involves completely cleaning the internal memory of the smartphone. Once formatted, it will be impossible to restore data without a preliminary copy.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi blocks the bootloader by default, which prevents the installation of third-party software. To remove restrictions, it requires official unlocking through the manufacturer’s servers, which can take from a few minutes to 168 hours (7 days), depending on the region’s policy and account status.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version. After the developer mode activation notification appears, go to the advanced settings and turn on the USB Debugging option.
Next, link your Mi Account to your device. From the Developer Menu, select Mi Unlock Status and click the Add Account button. Make sure your smartphone is connected to the mobile Internet, not Wi-Fi, as this often causes binding errors.
- 📱 Download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer.
- 🔌 Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode, clamping the power and volume buttons at the same time.
- 💻 Connect the device to the PC and start the unlock program.
- 🔓 Press the Unlock button and wait for the process to be completed.
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart and reset, which is Xiaomi's standard security procedure, and the bootloader is now open to write new partitions.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The regular recovery menu does not allow you to install modified firmware, so you need to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). For the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) model, it is critical to use a version that is compatible with a specific type of device memory, although in most cases a universal image is suitable.
Download the current twrp.img image file for begonia. Place it in the platform-tools tool folder. Open the command line in this directory and put your smartphone into Fastboot mode.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-begonia.imgOnce you've successfully recorded an image, you need to manually recover the Recovery mode. Press the power and volume buttons. Don't let them go until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, keep the volume up until the TWRP menu appears.
⚠️ Note: If you reboot your phone in the normal way before you first boot into the system TWRP, Xiaomi standard recapvery will re-write custom, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
From the TWRP menu, select a language (if available) and go to the Wipe section. Format the Data section with the Format Data command by entering the word yes. This action will remove the encryption and allow you to work correctly with the new firmware file system.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
Installation of the Pixel Experience
Now that the preparatory steps are complete, you can start installing the operating system itself. Download the current build of Pixel Experience for the begonia device. The file will have the.zip extension and weigh about 1 GB.
Copy the downloaded archive into your smartphone’s internal memory or to a microSD card if it’s supported by your version of the recovery. In the TWRP main menu, select Install and find the firmware file.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| File name | pixel_experience_begonia.zip | Depends on the version. |
| Firmware section | System | Automatically. |
| Additional options | Wipe Dalvik/Cache | Recommended |
| Time of installation | 3-5 minutes | Depends on the memory card. |
Move the slider to confirm the installation. The file copying process will take a few minutes. Once completed, a green success bar will appear. Don't rush to boot the system, you first need to clear the cache.
Go back to the main menu and select Wipe, then Advanced Wipe. Check Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache. Don't touch the System, Data, and Internal Storage sections at this point, as they've already been processed. Swipe for cleaning.
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After the first firmware installation, do not restore system applications from the backup immediately. Let the system work in its pure form for at least one day to eliminate conflicts.
First start and initial setup
After cleaning the cache, select Reboot and then System. The first launch of the Pixel Experience can take up to 5-7 minutes. The Android logo may appear on the screen or download animations - this is normal, application optimization is underway.
Go through Google's standard initial setup procedure. Choose a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and log in to your account. The interface will be different from the usual MIUI by having no extra elements and a clean launcher.
Immediately after the desktop, check for updates. Go to Settings → System → System Update. Pixel Experience developers often release security patches that fix minor bugs in a particular build.
- 🔒 Set up biometric protection techniques (fingerprint or Face) ID).
- 📶 Check the operation of communication modules (LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).
- 🎨 Adapt the interface to your tastes in the section "Themes" or "Wallpaper».
If you are switching from a different custom firmware or older version, a complete reset (Clean Install) may be required, in which case repeat the steps of formatting Data before installing the new one. ZIP-archive.
Solving Typical Problems and Bugs
Despite the project’s stability, the Redmi Note 8 Pro may have specific problems, such as VoLTE not working properly or not being able to record video in 4K. These limitations are due to the closedness of MediaTek drivers.
If you see a bootloop after installation, try booting into TWRP and doing a full Wipe of all partitions except the SD-Card. Then reinstall the firmware again, making sure the integrity of the downloaded file is assured.
⚠️ Note: Some banking applications may not work due to a breach of system integrity.To bypass SafetyNet checks, install Magisk, which is a separate procedure.
In case of camera issues, try to clear the Camera app data or install a Google Camera (GCam) optimized for the Samsung GW1 sensor that is installed in this model.The native firmware app may not work properly without proprietary blobs.
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The stability of the Pixel Experience is 90% dependent on the correct unlocking of the bootloader and the use of the current version of TWRP.