How to restore factory firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 64GB: the full guide 2026

Restore the factory firmware on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) is a challenge owners face after failing experiments with custom firmware, viruses or system failures. This smartphone, released in 2019, is still popular thanks to the powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 64 GB of memory, but its firmware requires a special approach due to the closed bootloader and specific chipset architecture.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to download any archive with firmware and flash it through Fastboot or Recovery. In practice, this can be a “brief” (complete failure of the device), if you do not consider the version of MIUI, the region of the firmware and the status of unlocking the bootloader. In this article, we will discuss three official recovery methods (via Mi Flash Tool, Recovery and EDL), and also explain how to avoid typical errors, such as Anti-Rollback or SLA Auth Error.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro is not supported by the TWRP project for modern MIUI versions due to anti-Rollback protection, which means that rolling back on the old firmware can lock the device permanently, so before starting the procedure, it is critical to determine the current version of MIUI and choose a compatible package.

If your smartphone is loading but not running smoothly, start with the Recovery method. If the device doesn't turn on or gets stuck on the Mi logo, you'll need a Fastboot or EDL mode, the latter being the most reliable option, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a dedicated cable.

1. Preparation for firmware recovery

Before you start firmware, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss or turn the smartphone into a “brick”.

First, save all the important data. Factory firmware recovery completely erases internal memory, including photos, contacts and apps. Use cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or physical copying to your PC via a computer. MTP-If the phone doesn't turn on, remove the memory card (if any) and its contents won't be affected.

Second, check the MIUI version and the firmware region. You can do this in settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. For example, if you have MIUI 14.0.2 Global, you need to download firmware marked Global and version at least 14.0.2 (due to Anti-Rollback protection).

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality – cheap cables can interrupt the connection).
• 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (Mi Flash Tool requires Microsoft OS).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (during firmware, the phone should not turn off).
• 🔐 Xiaomi account tied to the device (to unlock the bootloader).

⚠️ Note: If you previously unlocked the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, but did not tie the Xiaomi account to the device, you will not be able to restore the firmware through Fastboot - you will need a mode EDL and an authorized developer account.

2 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

Xiaomi’s factory firmware is only installed on an unlocked bootloader. If you’ve never unlocked it before, this step is mandatory.The procedure takes 72–168 hours (3–7 days) due to Xiaomi’s security policy.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to Xiaomi account tied to your phone.
3. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Down.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (if you have not previously unlocked, a waiting timer will appear).

If the timer shows 72 hours, it means that you are linking your account to the device for the first time. Re-unblocking before the deadline will result in a reset of the timer! After successful unlocking, the status will change to Unlocked.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone, including internal memory. If the phone is already off, this step can be skipped - firmware through EDL bypasses the loader lock.

Method 1: Recovery with the Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot)

This method is suitable if the phone is enabled in Fastboot mode (Mi Bunny logo with the inscription Fastboot). For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, it is critical to use the correct version of the Mi Flash Tool - at least 2020.3.14.0, since older versions do not support the Mediatek Helio G90T chipset.

Step-by-step:

The file will be in.tgz format – unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters.

Mi Flash Tool

Mediatek

Fastboot

Power + Volume reduction

Mi Flash Tool

COM-port

Select

• Clean All – Complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures).
• Clean All and Lock – Cleaning + Locking the bootloader (if you want to return to factory condition).
• Save User Data – Data storage (not always stable)
• Press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes). the phone will reboot automatically.
• Confirm the installation and wait until the end (the phone will restart automatically).

If the Recovery menu doesn’t have Install update.zip, you have custom Recovery installed (like TWRP), in which case use the Fastboot or EDL method.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware through Recovery doesn't reset Anti-Rollback protection.If you're trying to install firmware older than the current one, the phone will lock with an Anti 4 or Anti 5 error.

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If the phone loads in a loop after you have installed it via Recovery (the endless Mi logo), repeat the procedure, but before installing update.zip, run Wipe Dalvik/Cache (if available).

Method 3: Emergency firmware via EDL (for "bricks")

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) – the last chance to recover the Redmi Note 8 Pro if it is not turned on, not detected in Fastboot or blocked due to Anti-Rollback.This method requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable (or short circuit test points).

Step-by-step:

1. Download. EDL-firmware for begonia (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater). the file will be in.tar or.mbn format.
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (yes, despite Mediatek, you need a Qualcomm driver for EDL).
3. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 🔌 Method 1: Use EDL-cable (bar on contacts) GND and EDL cell-jack). 🛠️ Method 2: Disassemble the phone and close the test points (for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, these are contacts near the battery marked with the following data points). EDL).

Device Manager

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

QFil

• In the Mi Flash Tool, select Select and specify the path to the.tar file.
• Press Refresh – the program must define the device as COM-port.
• Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 10-15 minutes to run through EDL, and when it's finished, it automatically reboots to standard mode, and if it's 99 percent down, don't turn off the cable, wait for a timeout (up to 30 minutes).

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EDL mode bypasses boot lock and anti-Rollback protection, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new devices). Without authorization, the firmware will end up with an SLA Auth Error error.

6. Checking the performance after firmware

After successful firmware, several checks must be performed to ensure the stability of the device:

Verification of MIUI version:

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Make sure the version matches the installed firmware. If the old version is displayed, repeat the firmware through Fastboot with a full clean (Clean All).

Test of essential functions:

• 📶 Network: Check the work SIM-Maps, mobile Internet and Wi-Fi.
• 📷 Camera: Launch the camera app and take test shots (especially important for the Redmi Note 8 Pro due to camera drivers issues in custom firmware).
• 🔊 Sound: Check the speakers, microphone and 3.5mm connector.
• 🔋 Charging: Make sure the phone is charging and determines battery percentage.

Error check:

If artifacts appear on the screen after firmware, spontaneous reboots, or application errors, this may indicate:

Incompatibility of the firmware version (for example, installed by China instead of Global).

Damage to the EFS (responsible for IMEI and modem) section.

- malfunction of the hardware (for example, the dump of the memory chip).

If problems persist, try flashing the device again by selecting a different firmware region or MIUI version.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users encounter common errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

Error: Anti-Rollback Check Fail

Reason: Trying to install firmware older than the current version of Anti-Rollback (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 12).

Decision:

• Download the same or newer version.
• If you don’t know the current version, run the latest stable firmware for your region.

Error: SLA Auth Error (in EDL mode)

Reason: Xiaomi’s account is not authorized to run through EDL.

Decision:

• Use an authorized account (you can buy access on specialized forums).
• Try flashing through Fastboot (if the bootloader is unlocked).

Error: The phone does not turn on after the firmware

Reason: Incorrectly selected firmware mode (Clean All and Lock on the locked bootloader) or interrupted the process.

Decision:

• Repeat the firmware through EDL.
• Check the cable and USB port – interruption of the connection leads to a “brick”.

Error: No network after firmware

Cause: The EFS section (stores IMEI and modem settings) is damaged.

Decision:

• Restore the EFS backup (if you did backup via TWRP).
• Reflash the phone with the choice of Clean All mode (without locking the bootloader).
• If IMEI is reset to 0, contact the service center – self-restore IMEI is illegal in most countries.

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If you've lost the speaker after the firmware, check the settings for Settings → Sound → Sound quality. Sometimes, a factory reset turns off the sound amplification.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions