Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro became a real hit in 2019, offering users a powerful processor and camera with a resolution of 64 MP. However, over time, owners of the device begin to think about the software. Android is the heart of the system, and it depends on its version compatibility with new applications and data security. Many users are still actively using this model, so the question of the relevance of the operating system for them is critical.
At the time of release, the device was running Android 9 Pie with a proprietary shell MIUI 10. Since then, Xiaomi has released several major updates that significantly improve the functionality of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail which version you can officially update the phone, what features appeared in new builds and whether to install custom firmware to get fresher software.
History of operating system updates
The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s journey to the latest software was quite busy. Initially, the smartphone received Android 9, which was the standard for mid-range flagships of the period. Users quickly received the first major update to Android 10, which brought a long-awaited dark theme at the system level and improved application resolution management.
The company later announced that it would support the model on the list of Android 11 devices, a pleasant surprise as many competitors have already stopped supporting their bestsellers. The final major update for this model was the MIUI 12.5 shell, based on the eleventh version of the robot. There is no official update to Android 12 or 13.
⚠️ Note: Expect official security updates for this model after 2023 is not worth it, as the support cycle is completed.
It is important for device owners to understand the differences between the Android kernel version and the MIUI version. Often new features come with a shell update, even if the operating system version number remains the same, allowing the manufacturer to add new widgets, change the design and optimize the hardware without changing the underlying platform.
Technical specifications and compatibility
The Redmi Note 8 Pro hardware platform is built on the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset. This processor was one of the first to focus on mobile gaming, and had enough performance to work with heavy versions of Android. However, it was the MediaTek architecture that often became a bottleneck when trying to get newer versions of the software from the manufacturer.
RAM in various versions was 6 or 8 GB, which is even by modern standards is a comfortable minimum. This allowed the MIUI 12.5 system to run relatively smoothly, although heavy animations can sometimes cause micro-freezes. A UFS 2.1 type drive provided acceptable download speeds but was inferior to more modern UFS 3.0 standards.
Why is MediaTek getting worse at updating?
The compatibility of new versions of Android with the hardware of the smartphone is a difficult balance: if the device came out on pure Android, it could get support longer. But the heavy shell of MIUI requires more resources, and developers are forced to stop support when optimization becomes economically impractical.
| Parameter | At the time of exit | Final version |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | 9.0 (Pie) | 11 (R) |
| Shell | MIUI 10 | MIUI 12.5 |
| Security patch | 2019 | 2022-2023 |
| Type of memory | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
How to check and install an update
Checking for new versions of software is a standard procedure that should be done periodically, and even if official support is over, sometimes small patches are released to fix critical vulnerabilities, and first you need to make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, as service packs can weigh several gigabytes.
To check the system version, go to the phone's settings menu. Find About Phone and click on the large MIUI icon in the center of the screen. The system will automatically contact the server and check for a new build. If the update is available, a Download button will appear.
☑️ Preparations for renewal
If you don't get an automatic update, you can use the manual method, download the firmware file from the official website and put it in the root of the internal memory. Then click on the update menu three dots in the corner and select Select the firmware file. This method often helps when OTA-Update (over the air) is not working properly.
⚠️ Warning: Before manually installing firmware, be sure to make a full backup of the data, as the process can lead to loss of information.
Functional capabilities of MIUI 12.5
The MIUI 12.5 shell, which was the final for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, brought significant visual and functional changes, one of the main innovations was a live wallpaper system that responded to user actions by creating a dynamic interface, and a completely redesigned control center that now separates notifications from settings switches.
An important aspect was the increased focus on privacy, and the app log came out, and you could see which programs were accessing the microphone, the camera, or the geolocation, and that made Android on Xiaomi smartphones more transparent to the user.
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Enable the "Advanced Memory" feature in the settings if it's available for your version of MIUI. This will create a virtual paging file from the free storage drive, which can speed up heavy applications.
Animations were also improved and new sound effects were added, created in collaboration with professional sound designers. However, owners of the Redmi Note 8 Pro sometimes noted that their device had a slightly less smooth shell than previous versions, due to increased hardware requirements.
Should I install custom firmware?
As official support for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro ended with Android 11, many enthusiasts are turning to custom firmware. The development community has created LineageOS, Pixel Experience and other builds based on Android 12, 13 and even 14, the only way to get a more recent version of the system.
Custom firmware installation has its pros and cons. On the one hand, you get a clean Android without too much preinstalled software and advertising, as well as current security patches. On the other hand, the process requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets the warranty (if it is still valid) and can lead to a device failure if you do not perform well.
What is unlocking the bootloader?
If you are not sure of your abilities, it is better to stay on the stock MIUI 12.5. The stability of the work and the presence of all the original features of the camera often outweigh the desire to get a new version of Android. Custom firmware can have bugs in the operation of the communication module or camera, which is critical for everyday use.
Optimizing the work after updating
After upgrading to a new version of Android or a MIUI update, the system may run slower than usual in the early days, because background processes index files and optimize application databases, and it is recommended that the phone be left on a charger with the lock screen on for several hours.
Also worth checking is the animation settings to speed up the interface. In the developer menu, you can find options for scaling window animation, transition and duration of the animator. Changing the values from 1x to 0.5x visually speeds up the system response, making using the smartphone more enjoyable.
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The first update after reset to factory settings can take up to 30 minutes – do not interrupt the process and keep the device connected to the network.
Remember to clean up the cache of system applications regularly, especially if you notice strange behavior of the interface. MIUI has a built-in Security app that allows you to clean up garbage and speed up the device. Regular maintenance helps to extend the life of the smartphone even on the final versions of the software.