How to unlock the potential of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from developer mode to custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

2019

Mediatek Helio G90T

MIUI

bootloader

TWRP

Google Camera

There are no universal magic buttons. Working with developer mode and custom firmware requires understanding the processes: why you can't just unlock a bootloader on the Redmi Note 8 Pro via Fastboot, you need to link to a Mi Account, how to get around the limitations of Anti-Rollback, and why the wrong firmware can turn a smartphone into a brick. We'll go through every step from basic settings to advanced manipulations, with the specifics of this particular model.

Unlike devices on Snapdragon, Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on a chip Mediatek, which adds nuances: for example, to unlock the bootloader will require official software Mi Unlock Tool, and not universal utilities like fastboot oem unlock. MIUI: on old assemblies (below) MIUI 12.0.3) The unlocking algorithm is different. ADB or SP Flash Tool – Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything from scratch.

1. Activation of the Developer Mode: The First Step to Freedom

The Redmi Note 8 Pro's developer mode is hidden for a reason: it gives you access to dangerous settings that can disrupt system stability, but without it, you can't unlock the bootloader or install debugging tools. Here's how to turn it on:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and 7 times in a row tap on the item Version MIUI. After that, a notification will appear: "You became a developer!". Now a new section will appear in the main settings menu - Additional → For developers.

• 🔧 Debugging by USB: Turn on this switch to connect the phone to the PC via ADB. Without this, it is impossible to unlock the bootloader or sew custom software.
• 🔓 Unlocking OEM: This item must be active (gray means that unlocking is prohibited). MIUI last-minute.
• 📱 Kernel version: check that the build date is no older than 2021.Old cores can block unlocking.

⚠️ Note: If after activation of the developer mode, the Unblock point OEM is not available or inactive, meaning that the device is Chinese firmware (for example, for the China region). ROM). In this case, you will need to first make a global MIUI via Fastboot.

After the debugging is activated, USB You can connect your phone to your computer, and for the first time, you'll see a confirmation request. RSA-And if you want to do that, you have to check the box "Always allow this computer" and click "Allow" and you don't have to repeat the confirmations when you're working with this computer. ADB.

2. Unlock the bootloader: why the Redmi Note 8 Pro requires a Mi Account

Unlike most Android devices, Xiaomi locks the bootloader at the hardware level and ties it to the Mi Account.This means that even if you follow the command fastboot oem unlock, the phone will require authorization. The process takes up to 72 hours (according to official data), but in practice often goes faster.

Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Connect your phone to your Mi Account (go to Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account and log in).
2. Turn on the debugging. USB and Unlock. OEM (as in the previous section).
3. Download the official utility Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30).
4. Launch the utility on behalf of the administrator, log in under the same Mi Account as on the phone.
5. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode (turn off, then pinch Power + Volume down).
6. Connect your phone to your PC and click Unlock on the utility. Wait for a message about the successful account link.

⚠️ If the utility gives you an error "Couldn't unlock. The device is not supported" - then your version MIUI Update the firmware through Settings. → Update the system or manually via Fastboot.

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings.All data will be deleted, so back up in advance through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup or Mi Cloud backup.

Link your phone to your Mi Account|Enable debugging on USB unlock OEM|Download the Mi Unlock Tool for the latest version|Make a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone at least 60%-->

Installation TWRP: Custom Recovery for Advanced Users

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is an alternative recovery menu that allows you to install custom firmware, backup the entire system and even restore bricks. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) there are special builds. TWRP, But their installation has nuances due to anti-Rollback protection.

Download the latest version of TWRP for begonia from the official website:

👉 https://twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomiredminote8pro.html

Please note the version: MIUI 12 and newer fits. TWRP 3.6.2, for old firmware - 3.4.0.

Installation via Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_begonia.img


fastboot reboot recovery

⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into stock recovery, so the protection is working MIUI Anti-Rollback, that's what you're gonna need:

1. I want to use OrangeFox Recovery (alternative) TWRP circumventively).
2. Or go back to an older version. MIUI (for example, MIUI 11), establish TWRP, and then revamp.

After successful installation TWRP You can do it:

• 📁 Make full section backups /data (including applications and settings).
• 🔄 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔧 Modify system files (e.g. to port Google Camera).

4. Rooting: Why you need Magisk and how to install it

Root rights give full control over the Android system, but on the Redmi Note 8 Pro their obtaining is complicated due to DM-Verity and the use of the same. SAR (The classic SuperSU method doesn't work here, instead it uses Magisk, which disguises the root as system processes.

To install Magisk, you will need:

1. The unblocked loader and installed TWRP.
2. Downloaded file Magisk-v25.2.zip (The current version is available on GitHub).
3. Disabled signature verification in TWRP (if there is an error E3004).

Instructions:

1. Copy. Magisk-v25.2.zip internal memory of the phone.
2. Download to TWRP (Nutrition + Volume Up).
3. Press Install, select the Magisk file and swipe for installation.
4. Reboot the phone.

After restarting, install the Magisk Manager app (you can download from GitHub) and check the root rights status. If the status says "Magisk: Installed" - everything went well.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with newer firmware MIUI 12.5 Magisk may not work due to dynamic partitions, in which case you will need to patch boot.img manually:

magiskboot patch boot.img

Then, flash the resulting file through Fastboot:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

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If after installing Magisk phone is fixated on the Xiaomi logo, download to the TWRP and run the file Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip. This will disable the integrity check.

5. Installation of custom firmware: from MIUI up to LineageOS

Stock-stock MIUI Redmi Note 8 Pro is overloaded with unnecessary services and advertising. Alternative firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS offer “clean” Android with better performance and updates. IMEI or sensory problems.

Suitable firmware for begonia:

• 📱 LineageOS 19 (Android 12) – stable build with minimalist interface.
• 📱 Pixel Experience 12 – firmware with the Google Pixel design and GCam camera.
• 📱 MIUI EU — modified MIUI Advertising-free and Chinese-based.

General installation algorithm:

1. Download the firmware (for example, with XDA Developers) and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Make a full backup in TWRP (Boot, System, Data sections).
3. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Install firmware, then GApps (if needed), then Magisk (if root is needed).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware based on Android 11+ The camera module may not work. To fix this, after installing the firmware, patch it. ANX_Camera_Fix.zip (look for XDA).

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Before installing custom firmware, be sure to check its compatibility with the Anti-Rollback version of your phone. TWRP: Advanced → Anti-Rollback Check.

6. Porting Google Camera: How to improve 64MP photos

The stock camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro produces mediocre results, especially in low light conditions. HDR+ Night Sight can significantly improve the quality of images, but it requires the right port and settings to work.

The best versions of GCam for begonia:

• 📸 BSG GCam 8.1 - stable assembly with support for all modules (main, wide-angle, macro).
• 📸 Shamim GCam 7.4 – Optimized for Mediatek processors, better works with night mode.

You can download the current versions on the Telegram channel:

👉 https://t.me/RedmiNote8ProGCam

Configuration files (.xml) to configure:

• 🔧 BSG_RedmiNote8Pro.xml — Balance between quality and productivity.
• 🔧 Shamim_NightMode.xml — night-time.

How to determine:

1. Download. APK-GCam file and install it as a regular application.
2. Copy the configuration file (.xml) into a folder GCam/Configs memory.
3. In the GCam app, tap twice on the black area next to the down button and the config download menu will appear.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), GCam may not start due to the lack of libarcore library. ARCore_for_All.

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For better results in GCam, turn off MIUI Camera Optimization in the developer settings. This will reduce artifacts when processing. HDR.

7.Recovery after the "brick": what to do if the phone does not turn on

If you have manipulated the Redmi Note 8 Pro firmware and stopped turning on (black screen, logo getting stuck, Fastboot Mode error), don't panic. 90% of the time, the device can be restored.

• 🧱 Soft-brick: The phone turns on but boots to bootloop (cyclical reboot) or recovery.
• 🧱 Hard-brick: phone does not respond to buttons, is not detected by PC (required) EDL-regime).

For Soft-brick:

1. Download to Fastboot (Food) + Loudness down).
2. Swipe the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select the Clean All option).
3. If TWRP installed – try to restore the backup or flash the working firmware through recovery.

For Hard-brick:

1. Connect your phone to your PC, pinch the power. + Loudness up + Volume down for 10 seconds – this will translate the device into EDL-mode: 9008 port).
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool with firmware for EDL (look for 4PDA or XDA).
3. If the PC can’t see the device, install the Qualcomm driver. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

⚠️ Attention: Recovery through EDL drop off IMEI And the serial number, and to get them back, you'll need to get them back after the firmware is done:

fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin


fastboot erase modemst1




fastboot erase modemst2

File. NON-HLOS.bin You can get it out of the stock firmware for your model.

8 Performance Optimization: How to Speed Up Redmi Note 8 Pro After Custom Firmware

Even after installing custom firmware, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can brake due to improper kernel settings or background processes.

The kernel settings (via Kernel Adiutor):

Optimization MIUI (if you're left on the stock firmware):

• 🚀 Turn it off. MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings.
• 🚀 Remove unnecessary system applications through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
• 🚀 Turn off background activity for social networks: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

For advanced users, install the Universal DM-Verity Disabler Magisk module to disable system integrity checks, which will speed up boot and reduce lags.

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On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware based on Android 10+ It is better not to turn off SELinux (Permissive mode), which can lead to problems with Wi-Fi and mobile network.

FAQ: Frequent Development Questions on Redmi Note 8 Pro