Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro bestseller often wonder about the current software of their device.This smartphone, released in late 2019, originally shipped with the Android 9 Pie operating system, which was the standard for the mid-range at the time. However, over the years, the software platform has undergone significant changes thanks to regular updates from the manufacturer.
Xiaomi has stopped supporting the device in its global stable releases, and the latest version available is Android 11, which is bundled with the MIUI 12.5 shell, meaning that users who have recently purchased the phone or haven’t updated it in years may encounter different versions of the software depending on the region of sale and the date of activation.
Many people wonder if the latest versions, such as Android 12 or 13, can be upgraded to the official methods. Unfortunately, Xiaomi has limited the major update cycle for this model to two major upgrades.
Official history of operating system updates
The Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) started with Android 9.0 Pie, a stable and optimized version that kept the MediaTek Helio G90T running. In the first months after the release, users received security patches and minor improvements to the MIUI 10 and MIUI 11 interface.
The first major update to Android 10 was a landmark for the device, bringing not only a new interface, but also improved gesture management, as well as enhanced privacy settings. Android 10’s adoption process has been phased in different regions, starting in China and India, and reaching the global version by mid-2020.
The final leg of official support was the release of Android 11, which brought widgets to the desktop, improved notification grouping and chat bibles, and Xiaomi implemented this version based on MIUI 12.5, which was considered one of the most stable builds for this generation of smartphones.
Why Xiaomi is Setting Up for Android 11?
It is worth noting that even after the release of new versions of Android, the device continues to receive rare security updates, you can check their availability in the settings menu, but you can not count on the emergence of new features at the system level.
Current status: MIUI 12.5 and Android 11
Today, Android 11 is the ceiling for owners of Redmi Note 8 Pro, using official firmware. shell MIUI 12.5, built on this basis, offers a fairly modern interface and functionality that meets the needs of most users.
This version of the system includes key features such as advanced application permission management and improved clipboard work, but some new features that have appeared in MIUI 13 and MIUI 14, based on Android 12 and 13, remain unavailable for this device at the official level.
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If you upgrade to MIUI 12.5 and notice a performance decline, try resetting your settings through Recovery, which often helps to fix bugs that have accumulated after switching between different versions of Android.
Users often confuse the MIUI version number and the Android version. It is important to understand that MIUI 12.5 is just a visual add-on. Android 11 kernel still works under the hood. You can check the exact version by going to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and clicking on the system logo several times.
The stability of the Android 11 and MIUI 12.5 bundle on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is rated as high. The device is rarely subject to critical bugs characteristic of early firmware versions, which makes the current state of the system quite comfortable for everyday use.
Is it possible to upgrade to Android 12, 13 or 14?
The issue of the possibility of obtaining newer versions of the operating system is acute for many owners. Xiaomi officially does not plan to release Android 12, 13 or 14 for the begonia model. The list of supported devices for the transition to the new HyperOS shell (based on Android 14) also bypassed this smartphone.
However, the development community has not left the device unnoticed. There are ports (portable firmware) from other Xiaomi models that theoretically allow you to install a fresher Android, for example, there are builds MIUI 13 and MIUI 14, adapted by enthusiasts to work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
⚠️ Note: Install ported firmware or global versions of the software on local versions (for example, Global firmware) ROM on a Chinese phone) may result in a bootloader lock or loss of warranty.
There are also custom firmware based pure Android (AOSP) products like LineageOS or Pixel Experience that offer Android 12, 13, and even 14 versions, which are devoid of MIUI shell and provide a similar experience to the Google Pixel.
Switching to such versions requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized Recovery (TWRP) – a process that is difficult for beginners and requires careful study of instructions, as an error can turn a smartphone into a “brick”.
Transition to custom firmware and GSI
For those who want to get the most relevance of the software, the only way out is to install custom firmware. GSI (Generic System Image) are universal system images developed by Google to test new versions of Android on various devices. Redmi Note 8 Pro supports the Treble project, which theoretically allows you to run such images.
Popular custom firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu (although the latter is more commonly based on official versions) offer excellent optimization. On Android 12 and 13, they work quite smoothly, but there may be problems with the camera or sensors.
☑️ Are you ready for caste?
The main advantage of custom firmware is the lack of advertising and unnecessary pre-installed software.In addition, you get fresh security patches and new Android features that are not available in stock MIUI. But there are also disadvantages: installation complexity, possible bugs and the inability to use some banking applications without additional manipulation (Magisk, Hide My Applist).
If you decide to experiment, be sure to look for firmware designed specifically for the code name begonia. Using firmware from other models (for example, Redmi Note 8 without the prefix Pro) is strictly prohibited and will lead to the failure of the device.
Compare Android versions on Redmi Note 8 Pro
To better understand the difference between the available versions, consider their key features in the context of this smartphone, each version brought its own changes to the interface and functionality.
| Android version | MIUI version | Key features | Status of support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 Pie | MIUI 10 / 11 | Basic stability, classical interface | Completed. |
| Android 10 | MIUI 11 / 12 | Dark Theme, Gesture Management, Privacy | Completed. |
| Android 11 | MIUI 12.5 | Widgets, chat bibles, improved clipboard | Only security patches. |
| Android 12/13 | Custom / Ports | Material You, new widgets, animations | Informally (enthusiasts) |
As you can see from the table, the official path ended on Android 11. Everything above requires intervention, and the choice between the stability of the old version and the novelty of custom firmware is left to the user.
For the average user who needs a phone for calls, instant messengers and social networks, Android 11 + MIUI 12.5 remains the smartest choice. It provides a balance between hardware performance and software capabilities.
How to check and update the software version
If you want to make sure that your device has the latest official version available, you need to check for updates.
To do this, go to Settings → About Phone. At the top of the screen, you will see the MIUI version logo. Click on it or select System Update. The device will contact the server and check for new packages.
Way to check: Settings → About Phone → (MIUI Logo) → Check UpdatesIf the update is available, the system will prompt you to download and install it. Before the process begins, it is recommended to connect the phone to the Wi-Fi network and charge the battery up to 50%.
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Officially OTA-If you have an update on one device and you don't have one on the other (the same firmware version) yet, that's okay. You can either manually update it through the firmware file.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to interrupt the update installation process by turning off the phone or retrieving it. SIM-This can damage the system partition and require flashing through the computer.