Why install TWRP on the Redmi Note 8T?
TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a powerful tool for owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T (codename willow), which provides access to functions not available in standard MIUI Recovery. It can install informal firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), create full system backups (nandroid backup), remove bloatware (preinstalled Xiaomi applications), and restore the device after unsuccessful experiments with firmware.
However, installing TWRP on the Redmi Note 8T is not an easy process.It requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially supported by Xiaomi, but comes with risks: data reset, loss of warranty and potential problems with the /data partition encryption. In addition, due to the features of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 hardware platform and Xiaomi’s policy of blocking modifications, some versions of TWRP may work unstable or require additional manipulation with the kernel.
In this guide, we will discuss the current method of installing TWRP on the Redmi Note 8T, taking into account the changes in MIUI 14 and the new requirements for unlocking the bootloader in 2026, you will learn how to prepare the device, get permission to unlock, flash the recavers through fastboot, and avoid common errors such as hanging on the logo or losing the IMEI.
Requirements and preparation of the device
Before starting the procedure, make sure your Redmi Note 8T meets the following conditions:
- 📱 Model of the device: Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T (codename willow. You can check in Settings → The phone. → Quickboot Getvar Product Team or Model.
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 70%. Firmware at low charge can lead to a "brick" (unusable state).
- 💻 Computer: PC with Windows 10/11 Linux (macOS is not recommended due to fastboot driver issues).
- 🔌 Cable: original USB-C Xiaomi cables: Cheap cables can cause data errors.
- 📁 Backup: All data on the device will be erased! Backup photos, contacts and apps via Mi Cloud or locally.
The following tools will also be required:
| Tool. | Download link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Unlock Tool | Official Xiaomi website | The 2026 version requires a Mi Account with a phone number tied. |
| ADB & Fastboot (Platform Tools) | Android Developers | Unpack into the root of the disk C:\platform-tools\ convenienceally. |
| TWRP for Redmi Note 8T | Official website of TWRP | Choose a version. 3.7.0_9-0 Or newer. Older builds may not support MIUI 14. |
| Qualcomm drivers | Qualcomm Developer | It is necessary for fastboot to work correctly in Windows. |
⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (suffix version) CN In the model, unlocking the bootloader can take up to 360 hours (15 days) instead of the standard 72 hours.
Unlock bootloader on Redmi Note 8T
Unlocking the bootloader is a must before installing TWRP. Xiaomi officially allows this procedure, but links it to the Mi Account.
- Link your Mi Account to your device: 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account and log in. 🔗 Enable data synchronization and confirm the phone number. 🔐 Activate the Settings option → Additionally. → For developers → Unlocking OEM (If there is no paragraph, follow step 2).
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version. After that, the Developer option will appear in the menu.
- Connect the device to the Mi Unlock Tool: 🖥️ Run MiUnlock.exe on behalf of the administrator. 🔌 Connect your phone in fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press the Power). + Vol− before the appearance of the hare logo). 🔑 Log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone.
Start the unlocking process:
Press Unlock in the program. If you see a waiting message (e.g. Couldn't unlock. Wait for 168 hours), you have to wait for the specified time. For new accounts, it is usually 7 days.
Once successfully unlocked, the device will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't disconnect it from your PC until you see the MIUI initial setting screen.
Mi Account tied to phone|Developer mode activated|OEM Unlock on.|Fastboot drivers installed|Device in fastboot mode (logo of a hare)-->
⚠️ Warning: If the phone does not turn on after unlocking or hovers on the logo MI, Don't panic. Try to boot up to fastboot. + Vol−) And run the standard recaveri command: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot reboot Where recovery.img — Original Recovery from Official Firmware for Your Model.
Install TWRP on Redmi Note 8T via Fastboot
Now that the bootloader is unlocked, you can start the TWRP firmware. It is important to use the current version of the backpack, as older builds may not support the fbe (file-based encryption) encryption in MIUI 14.
Download the archive with TWRP for willow (e.g, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-willow.img) and follow the following steps:
- Rename the file: For convenience, rename the downloaded file to twrp.img and place it in the platform-tools folder.
- Open the command line: In the platform-tools folder, press Shift + right mouse button and select Open PowerShell window here (or Command Prompt in Windows 10).
- Please. TWRP: The command is fastboot flash recovery. twrp.img If there is a mistake FAILED (remote: 'Not allowed in Lock State', which means the bootloader is not unlocked!
- Boot to TWRP: Don't restart the device to the system! Instead, execute: fastboot boot twrp.img This will temporarily load the TWRP without firmware into the recovery section (useful for testing).
If TWRP If you downloaded successfully, you'll see the main menu with a touch interface. ZIP-files – first you need to disable forced data encryption, otherwise the device may get stuck on downloading.
What to do if TWRP asks for a password?
Solving common problems when installing TWRP
Even with the correct instructions, Redmi Note 8T users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| FAILED (remote: 'Not allowed in Lock State') | The bootloader is not unlocked | Repeat the unlocking procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool. Make sure that the wait (if any) is over. |
| Telphon hovers on MI logo after TWRP firmware | Core conflict or incorrect version of TWRP | Swipe the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode, then re-install TWRP. |
| TWRP does not see internal memory (/data) | Partition encrypted or damaged | In TWRP, select Wipe → Format Data (enter yes). This will delete all data but unlock access! |
| E: Unable to mount /system | TWRP is incompatible with MIUI | Download the newer version of TWRP or swipe through OrangeFox Recovery (an alternative to TWRP for Xiaomi). |
The problem of losing IMEI after firmware is particularly important, because it damages the modem partition or the nvram partition, and to restore the IMEI:
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
- Remove the files nvram.img and modem.img (located in the image folder).
- Fastboot: fastboot flash modem modem.img fastboot flash nvram nvram.img
💡
If after the firmware TWRP phone doesn't see SIM-check the radio module version (baseband) in Settings → If it's missing, just go through it. modem.img from the official firmware of your regional version (for example, willow_global).
Custom-based firmware ZIP-file TWRP
Once you have successfully installed TWRP, you can flash custom firmware, cores, or modifications, but there are a few nuances specific to the Redmi Note 8T:
- 📦 Magisk for root: To get superuser rights, download the latest version of Magisk (GitHub) and click on the new version. ZIP via Install → Select Storage → Downloads.
- 🔄 Disabler for the MIUI: If you are running custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), install it first. Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip, otherwise the device will not boot.
- 🔒 Encryption: If you plan to use encryption, select the TWRP Wipe → Format Data → F2FS (This is a file system that is better suited for custom firmware).
Example of the LineageOS firmware sequence:
- Download firmware and GApps (such as Open GApps Pico).
- Reboot to TWRP (Power + Vol+)
- Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
- Please. ZIP-Files are in order: Firmware (for example, lineage-20.0-willow.zip) GApps Magisk (optional)
- Reboot → System: The first boot can take 10-15 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8T Android-based firmware 12+ There may be a problem with loss of sound in the speaker after installing custom ROM. This is related to Qualcomm drivers. WCD937x. Solution: patching Audio_Fix_willow.zip (search the forum XDA Developers).
💡
Before you run your custom ROM firmware, always check it is compatible with your device’s codename (willow for Redmi Note 8T). ROM firmware for another model (e.g., ginkgo for Redmi Note 8) will result in a “brick”!
Restore the original MIUI firmware
If you have to return a standard MIUI after experimenting with TWRP or custom firmware, do it through the Mi Flash Tool.
- Download official firmware: Select a version for your region on the site MIUI Downloads. For the Redmi Note 8T These are tagged files. willow_global or willow_eea.
- Unpack firmware: Use an archiver (for example, 7-Zip) To extract files from a.tgz or.zip archive, you have to get a folder with images and flash_all.sh.
- Install Mi Flash Tool: Download the utility from the official website and install. During the installation, allow the installation of drivers.
- Switch the device: 🖥️ Run MiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator. 🔌 Connect your phone in fastboot mode. 📂 In the program, click Select and indicate the path to the unpacked firmware. 🔄 Choose Clean All (Full Reset) or Clean All and Lock (Reset) + loader-lock). 🚀 Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minute).
After successful firmware, the device will automatically reboot to the standard MIUI. If the bootloader has been locked (clean all and lock), to re-install the TWRP, you will need to unlock it again through the Mi Unlock Tool.