Modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro, have powerful hardware, but the standard MIUI shell often limits the capabilities of the advanced user. Installing custom recovery, such as TWRP, gives access to full control of the system, allowing you to make backups, clean cache and install modified firmware. This process requires care, as any errors when working with the bootloader can lead to the failure of the device.
Before you start manipulating software, you need to understand the risks and prepare the tools. You need a computer with a Windows operating system, a high-quality computer. USB-For the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia), it is critical to use the version of the receiver that is assembled specifically for this MediaTek Helio processor. G90T, As the firmware from other models will cause a bootloop.
The next steps involve working with the command line and system files, so calm and clear adherence to the algorithm is the key to success. Take your time, every step must be checked. In this guide, we will discuss the full cycle of preparation and installation, eliminating common mistakes of beginners.
⚠️ Note: All actions you perform at your own risk.The author of the article is not responsible for possible damage to the software or hardware of your device.
Preparation of the device and unlocking the loader
The first and most important step is unlocking Bootloader. Without this step, installing third-party software is impossible, since the system protection will not allow you to make changes to the recovery section. The unlocking process is officially supported by Xiaomi, but requires time to wait for permission from the servers.
You need to create or use an existing Mi Account and link it to your device. Go to the settings menu, find the About phone item, and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer mode. Then, in advanced settings, enable USB debugging and confirm Mi Unlock status.
- 📱 Link your account to the Mi Unlock Status menu via mobile internet.
- ⏳ Expect 168 hours (7 days) from the date of account linking.
- 💻 Download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer.
- 🔌 Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode by clamping the power buttons and reducing volume.
Once the wait period has expired, repeat the Fastboot login procedure and connect your smartphone to your PC. Launch the unlock program, log in to your account and press the unlock button. The device will be completely cleared, so save important data in advance.
It’s worth noting that once unlocked, some features, such as NFC (Mi Pay, Google Pay) payments, may stop working as standard due to security breaches, but there are ways to circumvent these restrictions, which we’ll discuss in separate materials.
Required tools and drivers
The Redmi Note 8 Pro requires a specific set of software to run a successful firmware, and the lack of the right drivers is the most common reason your computer doesn't see your phone in the right mode, and you'll need ADB and Fastboot drivers, as well as MediaTek drivers (MTK) because it's built on that platform.
It is recommended to download the ready-made Platform Tools package from the official Android developer website, which will ensure the compatibility of commands and stability of connection. Also make sure that the phone is debugging on USB and is authorized to access from this computer.
| Component | Appointment | Where to download |
|---|---|---|
| ADB & Fastboot | Managing the device via PC | Official Android website |
| Mi Unlock | Unlocking the loader | Website en miui.com |
| TWRP Image | Recaveri image file | Forum 4PDA/XDA |
| MTK Drivers | Drivers for MediaTek | Manufacturer's website |
Pay special attention USB-Cheap cables are often only for charging and don't transmit data, which leads to connection errors. Use the original cable or quality analogue with data support.
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Use it. USB-Port 2.0 on the motherboard (back of the system unit), as 3.0 ports can sometimes cause problems with defining old Fastboot protocols.
Finding and downloading the right TWRP image
Choosing the right recovery version is a critical point. There are many builds for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia), but not all of them are stable. The official TWRP website may not contain the current version, so it is better to consult proven sources such as the 4PDA forum or the XDA Developers branch.
You need a file with the.img extension. Look at the version of Android that the Recovery are sharpened for. If you plan to use Android 10, TWRP must be the same version. Version incompatibility can make it impossible to mount data sections.
There are also versions that support encryption (FBE) and without it. For most users who just want to backup the system and put custom, an encryption-encrypted version is needed to have access to the internal storage after the reboot.
⚠️ Warning: Never use recovery images designed for the Redmi Note 8 (not the Pro) or other models in the series.This is guaranteed to lead to a brick of the device due to differences in memory markup.
After downloading the file, rename it to twrp.img for convenience and place in the root folder where installed ADB-This will make it easier to put teams in later on.
The process of installing the Recovery through Fastboot
Now, we're going to go directly, make sure the phone is off or on standby, press the power and volume buttons at the same time to go to Fastboot, and you're going to have a hare repairing an android on the screen and you're going to have a Fastboot on the screen.
Connect your smartphone to your computer. Open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the ADB tool folder. Check the connection by entering the fastboot device command, and if you see the serial number of the device, the connection is established correctly.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
To install, use a temporary boot command, which is more secure than the direct firmware in the recovery section, which will check the image's performance before fixing changes.
fastboot boot twrp.imgThe device will reboot, and you'll see the TWRP interface. If you downloaded successfully and you see a menu with Install, Wipe, Backup buttons, then the image fits. Now, inside the TWRP, you can flash it permanently through the Install Image menu or repeat the command with the flash flag, but usually you don't need to if you install Magisk or firmware right away.
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The 'fastboot boot' team loads the image temporarily without erasing the old recavery, allowing for safe compatibility testing.
If you want to secure your recoveries permanently while you're inside TWRP, go to Install, select Image File, specify your twrp.img, and select Recovery.
First Start and Configure TWRP
When you first start custom recovery, the system may ask for a password, which is your lock password that you set in Android. If you didn't set the password, just swipe to unlock. If the password doesn't fit, you'll have to do a Wipe Data reset that will delete all the files.
TWRP interface can be in English. For many users, this is not a problem, but you can install a Russifier if you want. However, for basic operations, language skills are not required. The main menu contains all the necessary tools to manage the system.
- 📂 Install - installation ZIP-archives (firmware, patches, fashions).
- 🧹 Wipe – partition cleaning (Dalvik, Cache, Data).
- 💾 Backup – Create full copies of system partitions.
- ⚙️ Advanced – Additional tools, file manager, terminal.
Be sure to make a full backup of the current system before any further experiments. The Backup section allows you to save Boot, System, Data and other important batches. If you fail, you can recover in a few minutes.
⚠️ Attention: First launch TWRP It can't see internal memory. It's normal for Android with encryption. To access files, you either need to run an encryption patch or format Data (it will delete all data).
Root rights and solution
One of the main goals of custom recavers installation is often to gain superuser rights. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the standard is Magisk. ZIP-Magisk archive and place it on a memory card or in an internal storage.
From the TWRP menu, select Install, search for an archive from Magisk, and confirm the swipe installation. Once you have completed the procedure, click Reboot System. When you download Android, the Magisk icon will appear in the list of applications, confirming the successful root access.
What to do if the phone goes into a bootloop?
A common problem is reassembling a recovery after the first reboot in Android, which happens when the stock system checks the integrity of the recovery partition at start and replaces it with the original one. To avoid this, immediately after installing the TWRP, flash Magisk or a patch that modifies the boot image.
Users may also encounter a “Signature Verification Failed” error, which often requires signature confirmation in new TWRP versions for MIUI, whether by installing a “Disable Force Encrypt” patch or using a special version of TWRP that is sharpened for MIUI 11/12.
In conclusion, installing a custom recavator on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is a powerful step towards customization. By taking care and using verified files, you will turn your smartphone into a versatile tool with advanced features.