How to return the old firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: all ways to roll back MIUI

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro (codename begonia) often face a situation where the new version of MIUI performs worse than the previous one: bugs appear, performance decreases or familiar functions disappear. In such cases, the logical solution is to roll back the firmware - return to a stable version. However, this process requires caution: improper actions can lead to a "brike" (complete failure) of the device.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to roll back firmware on the Redmi 8 Pro, including official and informal methods. You will learn how to prepare a smartphone, where to download the correct version of MIUI, and what tools you will need. Particular attention will be paid to the risks and nuances that are often missed in standard instructions, such as why Google Pay may stop working after a rollback, or how to avoid data loss when reset via Fastboot.

Before you start, make sure your Redmi 8 Pro matches the M1906G7G (global version) or M1906G7E (China version), which is the choice of firmware, and check the bootloader status – if it is locked, most methods will not work.

Why You Might Need to Reverse the Firmware on Redmi 8 Pro

MIUI updates don't always work, but here are the typical reasons why users decide to return the old firmware:

• 🐢 Slowdown: New version MIUI It's actually a little bit slow, but it's a little bit flying, and it's often about optimizing for newer models.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: After the update, autonomy fell on the 20-30% — typical problem for firmware based on Android 10/11.
• 🚫 Critical bugs: For example, the camera does not work, the sound in the speaker disappears or the smartphone spontaneously reboots.
• 🔒 Limitations from Xiaomi: In new versions MIUI can block root rights, disable support for third-party launchers or cut functionality ADB.
• 📱 Application incompatibility: Some programs (such as banking or gaming) refuse to work on the latest versions of Android.

According to surveys on the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, about 30 percent of Redmi 8 Pro users have tried to roll back their firmware at least once, and 15 percent have experienced problems due to a mischosen version of MIUI or a procedural violation, and to avoid such errors, we will go through each step in detail.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

A firmware rollback is not just an old version, it's a set of actions that requires preparation, and neglecting this step can lead to data loss or damage to system files.

Here is the checklist of mandatory steps:

Pay special attention to backup. Even if you plan to roll back without resetting (which is not possible in all cases), it is better to be safe.

• 📁 Mi Cloud – for contacts, notes and some settings.
• 🖥️ Local copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔗 Third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup.

Important: If you have a bootloader unlocked, it may lock again after rollback! This means that you will have to wait 7-30 days to re-unblock (depending on Xiaomi policy).

fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

Ways to roll back firmware on Redmi 8 Pro: pros and cons

There are three main ways to revert to the older version of MIUI, each with its own characteristics, limitations and difficulty level, depending on the current state of the smartphone and your technical skills.

The safest way is to roll back through the official Recovery, but it is only suitable for transitions between close versions of MIUI (for example, from MIUI 12.5 to MIUI 12.0). If you want to go back to very old firmware (for example, from Android 11 to Android 10), you will have to use Fastboot or TWRP.

Critical information: After a rollback to a MIUI version older than 1 year (for example, from 2023 to 2022), Google (Play Market, Gmail) services may stop working due to outdated security certificates, in which case you will need to manually update Google Play Services via APK.

Step-by-step: rollback through official Recovery

This method is suitable if:

• ✅ You have not unlocked the bootloader.
• ✅ You're backing down on the version. MIUI older 2-3 months (e.g. with MIUI 13.0.5 on MIUI 13.0.2).
• ✅ You are ready for a complete data dump.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website. 8 Pro, select files marked Recovery and codenamed begonia: begonia_global_images_V12.0.3.0.QEGMIXM_20210315.0000.00_10.0_global_1234567890.tgz.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root directory of the smartphone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Boot in Recovery: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi.3 logo appears. Select the language (if required).
4. From the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System One (or similar).
5. Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart.

If the smartphone has been stuck on the MI logo for more than 15 minutes after the reboot, then the firmware is not suitable.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to re-swipe through Recovery - this can lead to a boot cycle.Plug the device to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool for recovery (instructions in the next section).

💡

If after the rollback lost access to the mobile network, check the settings APN. They're often dropped to factory floors. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).

Recoiling through Fastboot: a detailed guide with the Mi Flash Tool

This method is more reliable, but requires an unlocked bootloader and a complete data reset, and is suitable for radical rollbacks (for example, from Android 11 to Android 10).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important for stable connection!).
• 📦 Fastboot (not Recovery!).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).
• 🔑 Mi drivers USB Driver (installs automatically when you connect your phone in Fastboot mode).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia_fastboot).
2. Download the smartphone to Fastboot mode: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Press the power button + volume down until the hare appears in the hat-eared. 3. Connect to the PC.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
4. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All (Full Reset) or Clean All and Lock (Reset + Lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it's finished (10-15 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool is not allowed, it can't find fastboot or critical partition flashing is not allowed.

• 🔹 You didn’t download the firmware for your model (check the code name begonia).
• 🔹 Bootloader is blocked (you need to unlock through the official tool Xiaomi).
• 🔹 You have chosen the wrong mode in the Mi Flash Tool (always use clean all for rollbacks).

💡

When you roll back through Fastboot, never choose save user data mode, which will lead to system file conflict and a download cycle.

Recoil with data saving: method through TWRP (for advanced)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and a custom Recovery (TWRP) installed, you can try rolling back the firmware without losing data.

• 🚨 "Bootloopou” (cyclical reset).
• 🔐 SafetyNet loss of performance (bank applications will not work).
• 📵 Problems with mobile network or Wi-Fi.

If you are prepared for the risks, follow the instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format for Recovery (not Fastboot!).
2. Boot in TWRP (clamb power + volume up when the phone is off).
3. Backup your current system: Backup → Select System, Data, Boot → Swipe for confirmation.
4. Click Install, select the downloaded.zip and confirm the installation.
5. After you finish, wipe the cache: Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache → Swipe.
6. If the phone doesn't start, restore the backup via TWRP.

⚠️ Note: If after the retraction, TWRP The smartphone is loading but can’t see SIM-So, the card, so the firmware is not compatible with your version of the modem. modem.img From the old firmware through Fastboot: fastboot flash modem modem.img

This method requires experience, so if you’re a beginner, it’s best to use Fastboot or official Recovery.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If Google services (Play Market, YouTube, etc.) stopped working after the rollback, then the security certificates in the firmware are outdated.

1. Download the latest version of Google Play Services from APKMirror.
2. Install APK manually (allow installation from unknown sources).
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions