How to return the old firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 3 proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but MIUI updates don’t always work. New firmware can slow down, drain the battery faster or break your favorite features. If you encounter bugs after an upgrade, downgrade the firmware will be the solution. However, the process requires caution: wrong actions will turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, you will find three working methods for returning old firmware, from the official (via the Mi Flash Tool) to the manual (via TWRP), we will discuss how to avoid Anti-Rollback errors, save data, and what to do if the phone does not turn on after a rollback, and for beginners, a checklist is prepared with preparation for the procedure.

⚠️ Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) has Anti-Rollback protection (ARB). This means that the backlog on the version MIUI The bootloader will block the bootloader older than the one originally installed. ARB customized!

1. Preparation for the rollback of the firmware: what to do before the start

Downgrade firmware is not a knee-jerk operation, and unprepared rollback can lead to data loss, locking the bootloader or completely failing your smartphone.

📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or manually copy files to your PC. Cloud services (such as Mi Cloud) may not recover data after a version change MIUI.
🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60 percent. Interrupting the process because of battery drain will lead to a "brick».
🖥️ Install drivers for Xiaomi on PC. Download them from the official website or through Mi PC Suite.
🔓 Unlock the bootloader (unlocked) without it, you can't flash custom or official software through Fastboot.

Also check the Anti-Rollback (ARB) version of your device.

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Tap 7 times on the kernel version bar to activate the developer menu.
Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, find the Anti-Rollback Protection item.

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If the developer menu does not have an Anti-Rollback item, use the Device Info app. HW (Software section). ARB This is listed in the Anti Rollback Index.

If the current firmware has ARB higher than the one you want to roll back, downgrade is impossible by official methods - you will need to bypass the protection through the EDL-The mode (only for experienced users).

2. Method 1: Recoil through the Mi Flash Tool (official method)

The most reliable way to return the old firmware is to use the proprietary Mi Flash Tool, which works through Fastboot mode and is suitable for installing official MIUI builds. The advantage is that there is minimal risk of a "brick" if you follow the instructions.

Steps for rollback:

Download the desired firmware version from en.miui.com (select the Redmi Note 8 Pro model and region).
Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia_global_12.5.3.0).
Install the Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).
Put your phone in Fastboot mode: 1. Turn off the device. 2. Press Power Button + Volume Down for 10 seconds. 3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
Select firmware mode: Clean all – clean (recommended), Clean all and lock – clean + lock bootloader (dangerous!), Save user data – save data (may cause errors).

Flash

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⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Do the hard reset (squeeze the power supply) + Volume up for 15 seconds. If that doesn't work, re-sweep with Clean all.

Method 2: Recoil through TWRP (for power users)

If you want to save data or flash custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), you need TWRP, a custom recapvery, which is more flexible, but more risky: wrong actions can lead to the loss of IMEI or “brick”.

Pre-launch warnings:

🚨 TWRP Does not support data encryption on Redmi Note 8 Pro. If you have used PIN/Password, Recovery will not see internal memory.
🔄 Pushback through TWRP bypass ARB, but can cause bootloop (circular loading).
📡 After the firmware may disappear network – you need to restore IMEI through SN Write Tool.

Step-by-step:

Install. TWRP: Download the latest version TWRP For begonia from twrp.me. Transfer your phone to Fastboot and run the Recovery command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-begonia.img fastboot reboot recovery
Download firmware in.zip format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
Transfer the file to your phone or flash drive (FAT32).
Scroll to TWRP: In the Recovery, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data. Press Install, select the firmware file and confirm. Once complete, press Reboot System.

What if the phone does not turn on after the firmware is flashed through TWRP?

1. Try flashing stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean all. 2. If the bootloader is locked, use EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account). 3. Check IMEI In Settings → The phone. → Status. SIM-If it's missing, restore it through SN Write Tool (instructions on the 4PDA).

⚠️ Note: If you have been using custom software (e.g. LineageOS), return to the official software. MIUI You can only use Fastboot. TWRP lead to bootloop!

Method 3: Recoil through EDL-regime (extreme case)

If the first two methods fail (for example, due to a blocked bootloader or an Anti-Rollback error), the remaining EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that bypasses all protections but requires:

🔐 Authorized Xiaomi Account (for new devices).
💻 Special cable (or closing contacts on the board).
🛠️ Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL without authorization, the bootloader can permanently block the bootloader:

The phone is not turned on (hard brick).
The bootloader is locked and other methods do not work.
You are prepared for the risk of losing your guarantee.

Instructions:

Download the firmware for EDL (.mbn or.elf format) from forums (for example, 4PDA).
Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (manually through Device Manager).
Transfer the phone to EDL: Turn off the device. Close the Test Point contacts (on the motherboard) or use a button cable. Connect to the PC, the Device Manager should show up. QHSUSB_BULK.

Mi Flash Pro

prog_emmc_firehose.mbn

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EDL-The mode is the last hope for a bricked-up phone, but it requires technical skills. If you're not sure what you're doing, contact the service center.

5. Typical errors in the rollback of firmware and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, problems can arise, and the table below shows the most common errors and ways to correct them:

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
Anti-Rollback Error	Trying to roll back on a version with a smaller ARB	Switch only firmware with ARB ≥ current or use EDL
The phone is stuck on the MI logo	Data conflict after firmware	Run Wipe Data in TWRP or re-swipe with Clean All
Invalid sparse file format at header	A damaged firmware file	Download the firmware again, check the checksum (MD5)
No network after firmware	Loss of IMEI or modems	Restore IMEI via SN Write Tool or flash modemst1.stock.tgz and modemst2.stock.tgz
This package is for begonia devices	Inconsistency of the firmware model	I want to use the begonia (not begoniain!)

If your error is not listed in the table, check the firmware logs.

In the Mi Flash Tool, click View Log.
Find the lines with ERROR or FAILED.
Copy the error and find the solution in forums (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or 4PDA).

Official (Mi Flash Tool)|Through TWRP|EDL-regime|I'd go to the service.|I haven't decided yet.

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6.How to check the success of the rollback and avoid problems in the future

After the firmware rolls back, you need to make sure everything works correctly.

📱 Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone must match the one you installed.
📶 Test the network: calls, mobile Internet, Wi-Fi.
🔋 Watch the battery for 1-2 days. If the discharge is too fast, calibrate (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
🎵 Check the sound, camera, sensors (gyroscope, compass).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to overheat or turn off after a rollback, it's a sign of the modems' incorrect firmware:

Fastboot: fastboot flash modemst1 modemst1.img fastboot flash modemst1 modemst1.img fastboot flash modemst2 modemst2.img
If the problem persists, go back to the last stable firmware.

To avoid problems in the future:

🔄 Don't update blindly. Read forum reviews before installing a new firmware.
📥 Create backups before each update (via the TWRP Mi Cloud).
🔧 Use only official sources for downloading firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I roll back the firmware on the Redmi Note 8 Pro without unlocking the bootloader?

No, to install any firmware (except for the OTA-updates) requires an unlocked bootloader. Exception is rollback through EDL-Regime, but it requires authorization and technical skills.

Will I lose data when I roll back through the Mi Flash Tool?

Yes, if you choose Clean all or Clean all and lock mode. To save data, use Save user data, but this can cause errors (for example, bootloop).

What is Anti-Rollback and why does it block rollback?

Anti-Rollback (ARB) is Xiaomi’s protection against rollbacks on older firmware versions. It prevents installation of software with a lower ARB index. For example, if your phone has ARB=5, it is impossible to flash firmware with ARB=4 without bypassing the protection (via EDL).

Can I get rid of MIUI 14 to MIUI 12?

Theoretically yes, but only if the version ARB into MIUI 12 is no lower than the current firmware.In practice, the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 14 has ARB=9, and in MIUI 12 he was 4-5. No kickback by official means - it will take EDL or custom solutions (with the risk of "brick»).

After the rollback, the IMEI disappeared.

Loss of loss IMEI — frequent problem with the scaling of TWRP or EDL. To Restore: Download SN Write Tool and Qualcomm drivers.Find the original IMEI (In a box or check, enter commands in the SN Write Tool or via ADB: su setprop sys.usb.config diag,serial_cdev,rmnet,adb Detailed instructions are available on 4PDA.