How to install TWRP on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: a complete guide to unlock the bootloader

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. With it you can install informal firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), create full system backups (nandroid backup), remove preinstalled Xiaomi applications (bloatware), and restore the device after unsuccessful experiments with firmware.

But installing TWRP on the Redmi Note 8T is not an easy process, requiring bootloader unlock, ADB and Fastboot tools, and following the instructions accurately. Failure at any stage can lead to a device blink. In this article, we will discuss the process from start to finish, including preparing, unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP, and solving typical problems.

Before you go any further, consider that installing a custom Recovery will void Xiaomi’s warranty and may affect the stability of the device. If you’re a beginner, carefully study each step and don’t miss warnings.

Requirements and Preparations Before Installing TWRP

Before you start installing TWRP, there are several prerequisites that must be met, and ignoring them can cause failures or inability to complete the process.

• 📱 Model of the device: Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T codenamed willow. Make sure you have this model (check Settings). → The phone. → Model).
• 🔓 Unlocked loader: without this install TWRP If the bootloader is locked, follow Xiaomi’s official unlock instructions (more on this in the next section).
• 💻 Computer: Windows 10/11 or Linux/macOS driverless ADB Windows will require Mi Flash Tool drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB: Original or high-quality cable with data support (not all charging cables are suitable!).
• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 70% Interrupted process due to battery discharge can lead to a "soft breeze".
• 📁 Backup of data: installation TWRP And unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the device. Copy photos, contacts, and other important files to your PC or cloud.

Also, prepare the following files (links are valid for 2026):

⚠️ Note: Do not download files TWRP Using unofficial or modified versions can lead to a constant breeze of the device (MD5 or SHA-1) downloaded.

Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8T

The bootloader is locked by default on all Xiaomi devices, a security measure that prevents unauthorized changes to system files, and must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool to install TWRP.

The unlocking process consists of several stages:

1. Linking the Mi Account to the device (required! without this utility will not unlock the bootloader).
2. Wait 168 hours (7 days) after a tie-up. This is Xiaomi's requirement for new accounts.
3. Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool in Fastboot mode.

Detailed instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version. After that, the Developer For Menu will appear in the Settings Menu.
2. Put the debugging on. USB unlock OEM: In the Developer Menu, activate: 🔧 Debugging by USB 🔓 Unlocking OEM (It may be called a factory unlock) 🔄 Allow unlocking of the loader (if any)

Without OEM Unlock enabled, Mi Unlock Tool won’t work!

Link your Mi Account to your device:

In the same Developer Menu, find Mi Unlock Status (or Link Account to Device) and link. Use the same account you'll unlock the bootloader under.

Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool:

Install Mi Unlock Tool on your computer, turn the phone into Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Reduction), connect it to your PC and follow the utility instructions.

If the utility gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error, check if 168 hours have passed since you linked your account, and make sure you’re using the original cable and USB 2.0 port (on some PCs, USB 3.0 ports are causing problems).

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, the device will automatically reset to factory settings. All data will be deleted.

Mi Account linked to device | 168 hours since linking | USB debugging and OEM unlock enabled | ADB/Fastboot drivers installed | Data backup made-->

Install TWRP on Redmi Note 8T via Fastboot

After unlocking the bootloader, you can start installing TWRP. To do this, you will need platform-tools files (which include ADB and Fastboot) and the TWRP image for the Redmi Note 8T.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack platform-tools: Unpack the archive to the root of the disk C:\ (for example, C:\platform-tools\). In this folder also copy the file. TWRP (It should have the.img extension, for example. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-willow.img).
2. Turn the device into Fastboot mode: Turn off the phone, then press the Power + Volume buttons until the Fastboot logo appears. Connect the device to the PC.
3. Check Connection: Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and go to the folder with platform-tools: cd C:\platform-tools Follow the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear) – you can continue. If not, check the drivers and cable.
4. Please. TWRP: Follow the command (replace). twrp-3.7.0_9-0-willow.img The name of your file: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-willow.img After successful firmware, execute: fastboot reboot recovery The device must boot into the TWRP. If it is instead loaded into MIUI Recovery means the standard firmware has been rewritten TWRP. In this case, you will need to disable the check of the Recovery (more about this in the next section).

A critical feature of the Redmi Note 8T: after installing the TWRP, you must immediately flash the Disable Force Encryption (DFE) file, otherwise the system may get stuck on booting due to forced encryption.

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If the "FAILED" error appears after the fastboot flash recovery command, then the bootloader is not unlocked. Go back to the previous section and repeat the unlock process.

How to prevent the replacement of TWRP with stock recavator

One of the common problems after installing TWRP on the Redmi Note 8T is the automatic replacement of the custom recovery with the standard MIUI Recovery when the system is first booted, due to the anti-rollback feature built into Xiaomi’s firmware.

To avoid this, it is necessary to:

1. Immediately after installation TWRP Disable Force Encryption (DFE): Download the file. disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt.zip (link in the table above) and copy it to the phone via MTP into TWRP (Mount → Enable MTP). Then in TWRP Select Install and run through this file. This will disable the forced encryption that often interferes with custom firmware.
2. Disable the Recovery Check: B TWRP Go to Mount and connect the System. ADB Sideload or file manager delete the file /system/etc/recovery.img (You can also edit the file. /system/etc/install-recovery.sh, Removing the lines responsible for rewriting the Recovery. ⚠️ Warning: Editing system files can cause the device to run in an unstable way!
3. Install Magisk to Save Root: If you plan to get root rights, install Magisk immediately after you install DFE (download on GitHub) to prevent TWRP from losing when you upgrade your system.

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After installation TWRP It doesn't load or it doesn't behave in a stable way -- don't panic. In 90 percent of cases, you can fix the problem with the firmware. MIUI via Fastboot or EDL-regime.

How to bring back stock Recovery and MIUI

If, after experimentation, TWRP You want to go back to standard firmware. MIUI, This can be done in two ways: via Fastboot or EDL-The first method is simpler and suitable for most cases, the second is for restoring the device after a serious failure (for example, "hard brick").

Method 1: Fastboot Firmware (recommended)

1. Download the latest stable firmware for Redmi Note 8T (willow) from the official website: MIUI Downloads (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!).
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder C:\platform-tools\.
3. Turn the device into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Reduction).
4. Run the command line in the platform-tools folder and execute: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot If there is a file in the firmware archive flash_all.bat — You can just run it (it will automatically stitch all the sections).

Method 2: Firmware via EDL (for "bricks")

If the device does not respond to buttons or is not detected in Fastboot, you will need firmware through the EDL-The Emergency Download Mode (ED) is the mode for this:

1. Download Mi Flash Tool and firmware in.tgz format for EDL.
2. Connect the device to the PC by pressing the Power + Volume + Volume + Volume Down button (to be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Resets all data, including IMEI and SN. After the firmware may require restoration IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##).

FAQ: Frequent questions on TWRP on the Redmi Note 8T