Owners of a popular smartphone Redmi Note 8 Pro often face the question of the relevance of the software, because the device was released back in 2019. Despite its venerable age by the standards of the mobile market, this processor-based device has received official support up to the core-based version. Updating to this version is critical not only for the sake of new interface features, but also to improve system security and compatibility with modern applications. MediaTek Helio G90T received official support for version MIUI 12.5, based on the core Android 11. Updating to this version is critical not only for the new interface features, but also for increased system security and compatibility with modern applications.
The process of upgrading to a new OS version may take place differently depending on the region of your firmware and the current state of the device. Global versions often receive updates earlier or more stable than Chinese builds that require flashing. If the automatic notification never arrived, this does not mean that the phone is faulty - sometimes servers Xiaomi distribute update packages in waves, covering users gradually over several weeks.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available installation methods Android 11 on your gadget. We will look at both the standard method through the settings menu, and more advanced options using the recovery menu for those who prefer complete control over the process. You will learn how to prepare your device, avoid common mistakes, and what to do if the system reports that there are no new versions.
Preparing your smartphone for installing new firmware
Before starting any manipulations with the system partition, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps may result in the loss of personal data or, in the worst case, the device being turned into a brick. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 60%. The process of writing data to flash memory consumes a significant amount of energy, and a sudden power cut in the middle of the procedure is fatal to the bootloader.
The second critical step is creating a backup copy. Even if you plan to update over the air without losing data, failure can occur at any stage. Use built-in tools MIUI or synchronization with Google Cloud.
⚠️ Attention: When using the “three-point” method (local update), the data is usually saved, but if you manually flash it via Fastboot, the memory will be completely cleared.
Also free up space in the internal storage. The firmware archive for Redmi Note 8 Pro weighs about 2–3 GB, but the system requires an additional buffer for the unpacking and installation process. It is recommended to have at least 5–6 GB free memory. Delete unnecessary application caches or transfer heavy media files to your computer or memory card.
☑️ Checklist before updating
Official update method through settings (OTA)
The easiest and safest way to get Android 11 —use the built-in update mechanism. This method is intended for ordinary users and does not require a computer connection or special knowledge. The system itself will check the availability of the new version MIUI 12.5 on the manufacturer’s servers and download the necessary package.
First, open the “Settings” application and find the “About phone” item. At the top of the screen you will see a large version icon MIUI. Click on it to start checking for updates. If a new version is available, a Download and Install button will appear. However, sometimes the server does not see the update right away, even if it has already been released for your model.
In this case, you can try to force a review request. Click on the version icon MIUI several times in a row (usually 7-10 times) until the message “Additional update features are enabled” appears. After this, three dots will appear in the menu at the top right. Click on them and select “Select firmware file” (if you downloaded the archive manually) or simply “Check for updates” to request the server again.
If the download button is inactive, try switching the Internet type: sometimes an update is found faster via a mobile network than via Wi-Fi, and vice versa.
Manual installation of firmware via Recovery
If the automatic search does not produce results, you can download the full firmware package (Recovery ROM) manually. This method is more reliable because you are downloading a complete system image rather than a delta update. You will need to find the current version MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 8 Pro (code name begonia) on the official website or trusted resources.
The downloaded file must have the extension .zip. Do not unpack the archive! Rename the file to update.zip to simplify search and place it in the root directory of the smartphone's internal memory. Do not put the file in folders with photos or documents, the system may not see it in recovery mode.
Next, go to the “About phone” menu again, click on the version MIUI and through the “three dots” menu select “Select firmware file”. Specify the path to your archive update.zip. The system will check the integrity of the file and prompt you to reboot for installation.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the downloaded firmware matches your current region (Global to Global, China to China). An attempt to install Chinese firmware on a global version without unlocking the bootloader will result in a verification error.
What to do if the installation is interrupted at 99%?
If the process freezes at the final stage, do not panic. Most often this is due to lack of space or temporary recording failure. Wait for the automatic reboot. If the phone booted into the old system, clear the cache and try again. If the device does not turn on, you will need to enter Recovery mode to reset the settings (Wipe Data).
Using the Mi Flash Tool application for PC
For those who want to perform a “clean” installation or restore the phone after unsuccessful experiments, there is a utility Mi Flash Tool for Windows. This method requires an unlocked bootloader (Bootloader) and a USB cable. It allows you to install Fastboot ROMwhich completely overwrites all memory sections, while deleting all user data.
First you need to unlock the bootloader through the official utility Mi Unlockby linking your account Mi Account to the device and waiting for the required period (usually from 3 to 7 days). After unlocking, download the Fastboot firmware archive (extension .tgz) and unpack it to drive C so that the path does not contain Cyrillic or spaces.
Run Mi Flash Tool as administrator, connect the switched off phone in mode Fastboot (press and hold power button and volume down). Click the “Refresh” button so that the app sees the device with a serial number. Select the unpacked folder with the firmware and click "Flash". At the bottom of the window, it is important to select the cleaning mode: “Clean all” is recommended for a clean installation of Android 11.
| Option | OTA Update | Recovery (Manual) | Fastboot (Mi Flash) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low | Medium | High |
| Data loss | No | No (usually) | Yes (complete cleaning) |
| Requirements | Internet | Firmware file | PC, cable, unlocked BL |
| Speed | Depends on the network | Fast | Medium (10-15 min) |
The firmware process via PC takes from 10 to 20 minutes. At this time, the phone may reboot several times, and the progress bar in the app will change color until the “Success” message appears in the utility. After successful installation, the phone will boot into the system already with the version Do not disconnect the cable under any circumstances until the “Success” message appears in the utility. After successful installation, the phone will boot into the system with the version Android 11, but initial setup will be required, as when buying a new device.
Possible errors and ways to solve them
In the process of updating users Redmi Note 8 Pro may encounter a number of typical problems. One of the most common is a file verification error during manual installation. This often happens if you try to “roll back” from a newer version to an older one or change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to Global) without an unlocked bootloader.
Another problem is an endless reboot (bootloop) after installation. If the phone turns on, shows the logo MI and reboots again, try entering Recovery mode (power and volume up buttons) and perform a data reset (Wipe Data). This will delete all files, but may save the system from a software conflict.
It is also possible that the phone has been updated, but is slow or discharges quickly. In the first hours after the update Android 11 the system performs background optimization of applications and file indexing. Let the phone charge for about an hour without active use. If the problem persists for more than a day, it is possible that some old application conflicts with the new version of the OS.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available functions may vary slightly depending on the specific version of the MIUI 12.5 build. Some regional features (for example, the presence of Google services in Chinese versions) require additional manipulations.
Most updating errors are associated with a mismatch of the firmware region or a lack of free memory, and not with a hardware malfunction of the phone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You can Is it possible to update Redmi Note 8 Pro to Android 12 or 13?
Officially, the company Xiaomi has stopped supporting this model on version Android 11 (MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition). Updates to Android 12 and higher are only possible through the installation of custom firmware (Custom ROM), which requires unlocking the bootloader and carries the risk of losing warranty and stability.
Will my photos and contacts be erased when updating?
When updating through settings (OTA) or through the Recovery menu (file selection), user data is usually saved. However, when flashing the firmware via a computer using the Fastboot mode and the “Clean all” command, the phone’s memory will be completely cleared. Always make a backup copy before starting any work.
Why does the phone write “No updates available” even though there are some?
Servers distribute updates in stages. It may also depend on the region of your SIM card or the current firmware version. Try changing the Wi-Fi network, using the mobile data or the method of manually installing the file through the “three dots” in the update menu.
Is it safe to install Chinese firmware on the global version?
Without unlocking the bootloader (Unlocked Bootloader), it is impossible to install Chinese firmware on the global version — the system will generate a verification error. Even with an unlocked bootloader, this is not recommended for ordinary users, as there may be problems with notifications, the operation of banking applications and the lack of Russian language in some menus.