Related: Releasing the update to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all working ways in 2026

Why do users want to roll back the update to the Redmi Note 8 Pro?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) is still a popular device thanks to the powerful MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, 64MP camera and capacious battery. However, after some MIUI updates, users are faced with problems ranging from interface bugs to critical hardware errors, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many complained about:

✔ Overheating of the processor with minimal load (even in the settings menu).

✔ Departures of apps, especially Google Play Services and banking programs.

✔ Deterioration of autonomy – the battery was down 30-40% faster than on the previous version.

✔ Sensor problems (false touches or dead zones").

✔ No sound in the speaker or headphones after upgrade.

In such cases, a firmware rollback is the only solution — especially if Xiaomi doesn’t release bug patches. But it’s important to understand that the procedure is unsafe and requires preparation. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to roll back the Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2026, including official and informal methods, as well as risks that are worth considering.

Before you start, answer the key question:

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Rolling back firmware is not a "last-act cancellation" but a full-fledged flashing of the device. To avoid a "brick" (turning your smartphone into a "brick"), follow the mandatory steps:

1. Back up your data. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local backup or third-party utilities like Swift Backup. Important: copy files to your PC too – after rollback, the internal memory will be formatted.
2. Check the current version of MIUI. Path: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down the full number (e.g. V14.0.5.0.TGGRUXM).
3. Unlock the bootloader. Without this, you can't roll back through the Fastboot. Instructions: section below.
4. Battery Charging ≥ 60% Interrupted due to discharge can cause irreparable damage to the system.
5. Install drivers and tools. You'll need them: 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (official Xiaomi utility for firmware). 🔌 MediaTek Drivers (if you are using Windows). 📱 ADB Fastboot (part of Google’s Platform Tools).

Download the firmware for the rollback strictly under your model. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the following are relevant:

• 🌍 Global (Global): begonia_global_images_... — suffix...GLOBAL assembly-room.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (China): begonia_images_... — This is only if your smartphone was originally purchased for the Chinese market.
• 🇪🇺 European (EEA): begonia_eea_global_images_... — for EU countries.

Backed up the data | Recorded the current version of MIUI| Unlocked Bootloader| Charged the phone ≥ 60% | Downloaded the correct firmware for his model-->

Warning: If you roll back from MIUI 13/14 to MIUI 12 or lower, you may need to reset to factory settings after you have firmware, otherwise you may have bootloop cycles.

Unlocking Bootloader: A must-do step for rollback

Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices to protect against unauthorized changes.To flash the old version of MIUI through Fastboot, it must be unlocked.The procedure takes 3 to 7 days (due to Xiaomi's verification) and requires:

1. Make sure that the phone has an authorized Mi Account (required for unlocking).
2. Download the latest version from the official website.
3. Fastboot mode. Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.

Next:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account as on your phone.

Important! Once you unlock it, all the data on the device will be erased.

• 🔒 On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14) unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool is unstable - it may be necessary to roll back to an older version first through Recovery and then unlock.

Method 1: Recovery (without PC)

The simplest method, but it only works if:

• 📱 You're backing down on the version. MIUI, which is not more than 2 assemblies older (for example, with V14.0.5.0 on V14.0.3.0).
• 🔓 Bootloader is already unlocked (otherwise Recovery will not allow you to install the old firmware).
• 📁 You have an official ZIP-Firmware file for Recovery (not for Fastboot!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI in.zip format from the MIUI Downloads website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Go to Recovery: Turn off your phone. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi Recovery logo appears.

Install update.zip to System

Reboot to System

Possible errors and solutions:

💡

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after rolling back through Recovery, wait 10-15 minutes. If nothing has changed, reset to factory settings via Recovery → Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

Method 2: Recoil from Fastboot (most reliable)

This method is suitable for any rollback, including switching to much older versions of MIUI (e.g. from MIUI 14 to MIUI 12.5).

Instructions:

1. Download firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (for example, begonia_global_images_V12.5.3.0.RGGRUXM_...).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\begonia).
3. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In utility: Press Select and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. Select Clean all or Clean all and lock (if you want to lock Bootloader after you have firmware). Press Flash and wait for completion (usually 5-10 minutes).

Critical nuances:

• 🔧 If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, use Mi Flash Beta or disable signature verification in the settings of the utility.
• 🔄 Once firmware is in place, the phone can automatically upgrade to the new version when it first connects to the Internet. To avoid this: Do not connect to the first download. Wi-Fi/mobile data. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and disable automatic update check.

💡

Fastboot rollback is the only officially supported way Xiaomi has to install the old firmware, but it requires an unlocked Bootloader and a complete data reset.

Method 3: Use the MIUI Downgrade Tool (for power users)

If official methods have not worked (for example, due to a blocked Bootloader or errors in the Mi Flash Tool), you can use the unofficial utility MIUI Downgrade Tool.

Advantages:

• ✅ It works with a blocked Bootloader (in some cases).
• ✅ Supports rollback to any version MIUI, custom-made.
• ✅ Built-in firmware compatibility check with the model.