The process of modifying the software of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone often begins with the installation of a custom recavator, and TWRP remains the gold standard in this area.The availability of an alternative recovery environment allows users to obtain superuser rights, create full system backups and install custom firmware, even if official support has already ceased.
However, working with a device based on Android 11 requires special care, as the partition structure and methods of data encryption have undergone changes compared to previous versions of the OS. Wrong actions can lead to loss of access to files or, in the worst case, to the inability to boot the system.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step of installation preparation and execution, with a focus on the specifics of the begonia model, and you will go from unlocking the bootloader to successfully logging into the recovery menu for the first time, avoiding typical beginner errors.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary files
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to make sure that your computer and smartphone are fully ready for interaction. It is critical to download the current image of TWRP, specially adapted for the code name begonia, as using files from other models of Redmi Note 8 can lead to the inoperability of the touchscreen or fingerprint sensor.
You also need to install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer, which provide communication between your PC and your phone in bootloader mode. Without properly working drivers, your computer simply won't see the device in the right mode, and all commands will be ignored by the system.
⚠️ Before starting any work, be sure to create a full backup of important data on an external medium or in the cloud, as the process of unlocking the bootloader is guaranteed to destroy all information on the device.
Don’t forget to include USB debugging in the developer menu on the smartphone itself. Go to Settings → About your phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times, after which the desired item will appear in the advanced settings.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Without an unlocked bootloader, installing a third-party recovery is impossible, as Xiaomi’s integrity check system will block any changes to memory partitions, a process that requires filing an application through the official Mi Unlock website and waiting for a certain time, which can range from 7 to 168 hours.
Once you get permission, you will need to use the MiUnlock Tool utility on your computer. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode, pressing both the volume and power down buttons at the same time, and follow the program's instructions to unlock.
Why Xiaomi is waiting 168 hours?
Keep in mind that once successfully unlocked, the device will automatically perform a factory reset.This is a standard Android security procedure designed to protect the previous owner's data, so re-setting the phone is inevitable.
Installation of drivers and setting up ADB
For successful communication between the PC and the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you need the Android Bootloader Interface to be correctly displayed in Windows Device Manager. If you see an unknown device instead, you will need to manually install drivers through Device Manager by selecting the file.inf from the Google USB Driver package.
You can check the connection by typing a simple command in the command line, and if everything is set up correctly, you will see your device's serial number in the list of connected devices.
adb devicesAlso make sure you have an up-to-date version of the platform tools installed.Older versions of ADB may not work properly with the security protocols implemented in Android 11, leading to errors when sending firmware commands.
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Use the original. USB-cable and connect it directly to the motherboard port on the back of the PC, avoiding USB-hubs that can cause connection instability when transferring large amounts of data.
The installation process of TWRP Recovery
The moment of installation requires accuracy and speed. First, you need to put the smartphone in Fastboot mode, then execute a command to temporarily download the image of the recovery. It is important to understand that on modern Xiaomi devices you can not simply “swipe” TWRP to the recovery section forever without additional steps, since the system partition can overwrite it at the first boot.
Run the command to download the image by replacing twrp.img with your file name:
fastboot boot twrp_begonia.imgOnce the command is executed, the phone should restart directly in the TWRP menu. If you see the TWRP logo, then the first stage is successful, but it is too early to fix the result.
| Team team. | Description of action | The result |
|---|---|---|
| fastboot devices | Connection check | Display of the serial number |
| fastboot boot twrp.img | TWRP Temporary Launch | Entering recovery mode |
| fastboot flash recovery twrp.img | Permanent installation (if supported) | Enter the recovery section |
| adb reboot | System restart | Getting to Android or TWRP |
In some cases, especially when switching from certain versions of MIUI, it may be necessary to execute a fastboot erase recovery command before firmware to clear the old partition. Be extremely careful with erasure commands, checking them twice before entering.
Data Formatting and Encryption
The most critical step for Android 11 device owners is to solve the data partition encryption problem. By default, TWRP will not be able to mount the /data partition to write files, since it is protected by a password that the recovery does not know, resulting in a message that says "Unable to mount data" or you can only read files but not write.
To solve this problem, you need to format the data partition. In the TWRP menu, go to the Wipe section, select Format Data (not just a swipe, but a Format Data button), and type in the word yes. This operation will delete all files, including internal memory, but will remove encryption.
⚠️ Note: Formatting Data via Format Data completely destroys all photos, music and documents on the phone's internal memory. Make sure you copy everything important to the computer before you do this.
After formatting, you will need to reboot the Recovery with the Reboot team. → Recovery, only after the reboot. TWRP It can be properly installed section /data Read and write, which will allow you to install ZIP-archives such as Magisk or custom cores.
TWRP fixing and Magisk installation
To make a standard firmware MIUI non-replace TWRP On the stock recavator, the first time you reboot, you either need to quickly reflash the image or use a specific script installer. Redmi Note 8 Pro often uses the firmware method. ZIP-archive that contains a script for automatically writing an image to the recovery section.
If you are planning to get root rights, then right now, while in the TWRP, You need to install the Magisk archive. ZIP-file-to-phone USB, While the data partition is mounted and select it from the Install menu.
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Magisk can only be successfully installed after Data formatting, as without this step, TWRP will not be able to write files to system partitions to modify the boot image.
Once you have installed all the necessary components, reboot the system completely, and if the phone is loaded in Android and the Magisk app displays the status set, then the procedure was successful, otherwise you may need to repeat the formatting step or verify the integrity of the downloaded files.