Updating the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is not always smooth: the new version of MIUI can brake, discharge the battery faster or deprive the usual functions. If after the upgrade the smartphone became worse, return the old firmware is real — but with nuances. In this article, we will discuss three official methods of rollback (through Recovery, Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool), and also tell you how to avoid bricks (complete loss of device performance) in case of a failed firmware.
Important: Firmware rollback is not the same as factory resets. When you roll back, you change the Android and MIUI version, not just clear the data. The process requires preparation: backup, unlock the bootloader (if it's locked) and select the right firmware file. Errors at any stage can lead to bootloop (locked on) or loss of IMEI.
Before you start, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (better than 80%).
- 📱 Model: Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) or Redmi Note 8T (willow).
- 🔒 bootloader status: If it is blocked, you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
1. Preparation for the rollback of firmware: what to do in advance
Unprepared firmware rollback is like repairing a roof in the rain, and to avoid data loss or a breeze, follow these steps:
Step 1: Backup of data
- 📁 Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup to save contacts, messages and settings.
- 🖥️ Copy photos, videos and documents to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
- 🔑 Save the list of installed applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management (export to file).
Step 2. Check the current firmware version
Find out the current version of MIUI and Android in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down this data – it will be necessary to choose the right firmware. For example, if you have MIUI 14.0.5 based on Android 12, a rollback to MIUI 12.5 (Android 11) is possible, but will require a complete data cleanup.
Step 3: Download the right firmware
The official firmware for Redmi Note 8 is available on the following websites:
- 🌐 Official archives MIUI (Choose a Global Region, EEA Russia).
- 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source with version history).
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If you roll back from Android 12 to Android 11, download the firmware marked Fastboot - a rollback through Recovery in this case is impossible without errors.
⚠️ Note: Firmware for Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) and Redmi Note 8T (Installing the wrong version will result in a hard brick (not being able to turn on even in Fastboot mode).
2. Method 1: Recovery (without data loss)
This method is suitable if you have updated through OTA (over the air) and want to return to the previous version within the same MIUI branch (for example, from MIUI 13.0.4 to MIUI 13.0.2).
Instructions:
- Download the firmware in.zip format for your model (for example, ginkgo_global_images_V13.0.2.0.SCOMXM_20221010.0000.00_11.0_global_100d6a3a0d.tgz).
- Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory.
- Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- Select Install update.zip to System (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
- After installation, select Reboot to System.
If the smartphone is stuck on the MI logo after the reboot, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data → Wipe All Data).
Download the firmware in.zip format|Rename the file to update.zip|Transfer the file to the root of the memory|Charge the phone before 80%+|Prepare a spare cable USB-->
⚠️ Note: Recovery rollback is only possible within one version of Android. MIUI 14 (Android 12) on MIUI 13 (Android 12).Attempting to return to Android 11 will lead to E: Footer is wrong.
3. Method 2: Recoil via Fastboot (with full cleaning)
If you can’t roll back through Recovery (for example, when you switch to another version of Android), use Fastboot, which erases all data, but is more reliable.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).
- 📦 Firmware in.tgz format (unpacked in folder).
- 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (download here).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC. The Device Manager should display Android Bootloader Interface.
- Unpack the firmware.tgz in the folder (for example, C:\ginkgo_fastboot).
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
- Press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes). the phone will reboot automatically.
If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then the bootloader is locked. It must be unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool (instruction below).
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool can't see your phone?
| Mistake in Mi Flash | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| can't receive hello packet | Connection problems | Change USB cable/port, disable antivirus |
| flash not done, please unplug | Incompatible firmware | Download the correct version for your model |
| anti-rollback check fail | Trying to roll back on an too old version | Select firmware no older than 2-3 months from the current |
Method 3: Unlock the bootloader before rolling back
If you try to flash through Fastboot and see a message This device is locked, the bootloader is locked. Unlocking it is mandatory to roll back to the old firmware.
How to unlock the bootloader:
- Link your Mi Account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync.
- Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
- Log in to Fastboot and connect your phone to your PC.
- Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and press Unlock.
The process takes up to 72 hours (if the account is new) or 360 hours (if the bootloader has previously been blocked), and once unlocked, you can flash the old version through Fastboot.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings. If you don't back up, the data will be lost.
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Unlocking the bootloader is a must-do step to roll back on the MIUI version older than 6 months, and without it, the firmware through Fastboot will end in error.
5. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Firmware rollback is a risky process, and here are the typical Redmi Note 8 users’ mistakes and ways to prevent them:
- 🔄 Bootloop after rollback: occurs when Android versions are incompatible. The solution is to flash the full Fastboot package with data cleaning.
- 📵 Loss of network (IMEI): If the mobile Internet is lost after the firmware, restore IMEI Engineer Mode (instruction below).
- 🔋 Quick battery discharge: after rollback, calibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions).
- 🔒 bootloader blocked again: if you used Clean all and lock mode in the Mi Flash Tool, unlock it again.
IMEI recovery after firmware:
- Download the archive with IMEI-Ginkgo Firmware (see forums) 4PDA or XDA).
- Unpack and transfer the nvram.bin and nvdata.bin files to the firmware folder.
- Fastboot: fastboot flash nvram nvram.bin fastboot flash nvdata nvdata.bin
- Reboot the phone.
6. Alternative methods: TWRP and custom firmware
If the official methods didn't work, you can use TWRP to roll back, which is a method that's suitable for power users.
Advantages of TWRP:
- 🔄 Possibility of rollback on any version MIUI (including old builds).
- 📦 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
- 🔧 Backup and Restore with Nandroid Backup.
How to install TWRP on Redmi Note 8:
- Unlock the bootloader (see section 4).
- Download the latest version of TWRP for ginkgo from the official website.
- Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ginkgo.img
- In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (if you want a clean installation).
- Install your firmware through Install → Select Storage → Internal Storage.
⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP Cancellation of warranty and may cause problems with Widevine L1 (lack of HD Netflix and Disney+).
7 What to do if the phone does not turn on after rollback
If the Redmi Note 8 doesn’t respond to buttons or is stuck on the logo after you’ve firmwareed, try these steps:
Method 1: Forced resetting
Press Volume Up + Power for 20 to 30 seconds. If the phone vibrates, release the buttons - it should reboot.
Method 2: Firmware through EDL (Emergency mode)
If Fastboot is not available, use EDL (Emergency Download Mode).
- Download the firmware for EDL (see 4PDA in the Redmi Note 8 theme).
- Connect your phone to a PC with the button “Loudness up + Volume down” (hold when connecting the cable).
- Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Sweat through the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode.
Method 3: Contacting a Service Center
If independent attempts did not help, contact the official Xiaomi service. indicate that the phone does not turn on after the update - this is covered by the warranty (if custom firmware was not used).
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If your phone doesn’t respond to any buttons, try plugging it into a 1 to 2 hour charger, and sometimes a battery that’s dead blocks access to Recovery/Fastboot modes.