The Xiaomi Mi 8 (codename dipper) was the celebrated 8th-anniversary flagship from 2018, a device that brought high-end features like a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor and secure infrared face unlock to a mainstream audience. Its blend of power and value made it one of the most popular flagships of its time, and its capable hardware keeps it remarkably relevant for enthusiasts even in 2025.
The official software journey for the Mi 8 ended on Android 10, but a significant software divide occurred in its final days. The Chinese variant received a final, highly-optimized MIUI 12.5 update, while global users were left on the initial, often buggy, MIUI 12.0 build. This guide is for the passionate Mi 8 community, providing the tools to not only restore a bricked device but to upgrade any Mi 8 to the superior MIUI 12.5 experience it deserves.
This is the ultimate optimization guide for your Mi 8:
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 8
For a classic flagship, flashing is about unlocking its full, unhindered potential.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: dipper)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region for emergencies, and the recommended Xiaomi.eu ROM for the best daily experience.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Upgrading to MIUI 12.5 via Xiaomi.eu ROM (Recommended)
This is the best way to get a modern, stable, and debloated experience on your Mi 8.
➡ Your Mi 8 will now boot into a clean, optimized MIUI 12.5 system with full Google services.
Method 2: Flashing Official Stock ROM (For Unbricking/Restoring)
Use this method to restore a bricked device or return to the final official software for your region.
➡ This will restore your phone to its original factory state. This is also the perfect base for installing other custom ROMs.
FAQs
Q1: What's the real advantage of MIUI 12.5 over MIUI 12.0?
MIUI 12.5 was a major optimization update. It significantly reduced CPU usage and power consumption, and fixed many of the most annoying UI bugs from the initial MIUI 12 release, particularly in the control center and notification system. It feels much lighter and smoother.
Q2: Can I get Android 11, 12, or newer on the Mi 8?
Not officially. However, the Mi 8 (dipper) has one of the best and most active custom ROM communities. Due to its powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, you can find many stable, unofficial builds of Android 11, 12, 13, and even newer versions on forums like XDA-Developers.
Q3: Is the Mi 8 still a good phone in 2025?
Yes, absolutely. The Snapdragon 845 remains a very capable processor for all daily tasks and most modern games. With a clean software flash or a modern custom ROM, its performance can feel surprisingly close to a new mid-range phone.
Q4: Will this fix my infrared Face Unlock if it's not working?
If the problem is software-related, yes. A clean flash of the final official firmware is the best way to fix it, as this process reinstalls all the necessary drivers and services for the infrared camera and its related functions.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
The official software journey for the Mi 8 ended on Android 10, but a significant software divide occurred in its final days. The Chinese variant received a final, highly-optimized MIUI 12.5 update, while global users were left on the initial, often buggy, MIUI 12.0 build. This guide is for the passionate Mi 8 community, providing the tools to not only restore a bricked device but to upgrade any Mi 8 to the superior MIUI 12.5 experience it deserves.
This is the ultimate optimization guide for your Mi 8:
- ✔ A clear path to upgrade your Global/Russian Mi 8 to the superior MIUI 12.5
- ✔ Download links for all final official Fastboot ROMs
- ✔ The community-trusted Xiaomi.eu ROM for the best MIUI experience
- ✔ A direct link to a working TWRP custom recovery and all necessary tools
- ✔ A gateway to the vibrant custom ROM scene for even newer versions of Android
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 8
For a classic flagship, flashing is about unlocking its full, unhindered potential.
- Upgrade to the Superior MIUI 12.5 → This is the best reason to flash today. The Xiaomi.eu ROM brings the bug fixes, performance optimizations, and reduced resource usage of MIUI 12.5 to global devices.
- Fix Annoying MIUI 12.0 Bugs → Resolve the infamous notification and control center glitches, battery drain, and general instability that plagued the initial global MIUI 12 release.
- Optimize the Snapdragon 845 → A clean installation ensures the powerful hardware runs at peak efficiency, free from years of software clutter and background processes.
- Create a Clean Base for Custom ROMs → The Mi 8 is a developer favorite. Flashing the latest stock firmware is the perfect first step before you install newer, unofficial versions of Android like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
- Unbrick or Fix a Bootloop → The definitive method for recovering a soft-bricked device that is stuck on the Mi logo.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: dipper)
- Model: Xiaomi Mi 8
- Release Year: 2018
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
- Display: 6.21” Super AMOLED
- Key Feature: Infrared Face Unlock, Dual-band GPS
- OS at Launch: MIUI 9 on Android 8.1 Oreo
- Final Official OS: MIUI 12.0 (Global) / MIUI 12.5 (China) on Android 10
- Codename: dipper
A Flagship's Second Life: The Mi 8's global software support ended on the initial MIUI 12.0 release. The superior, more optimized MIUI 12.5 was exclusive to China. This guide enables global users to install the better version via the Xiaomi.eu community ROM, giving this classic device a new lease on life.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region for emergencies, and the recommended Xiaomi.eu ROM for the best daily experience.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | For flashing official Fastboot ROMs. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures PC-to-phone communication. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | Required to flash the Xiaomi.eu ROM. | TWRP 3.2.3 for Dipper |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Official MIUI 12.5 (Android 10) | V12.5.2.0.QEACNXM |
| Fastboot ROM (Global) | Official MIUI 12.0 (Android 10) | V12.0.3.0.QEAMIXM |
| Fastboot ROM (Russia) | Official MIUI 12.0 (Android 10) | V12.0.2.0.QEARUXM |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | Recommended MIUI 12.5 Upgrade | V12.5.2.0.QEACNXM |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Upgrading to MIUI 12.5 via Xiaomi.eu ROM (Recommended)
This is the best way to get a modern, stable, and debloated experience on your Mi 8.
- Unlock Bootloader: Ensure your bootloader is unlocked using the official Mi Unlock Tool.
- Flash TWRP: Boot your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down). Flash the downloaded TWRP image file with the command:
fastboot flash recovery recovery-TWRP-3.2.3-0214-XIAOMI8-CN-wzsx150.img - Boot into TWRP: Hold Power + Volume Up from a powered-off state to boot into the newly installed TWRP recovery.
- Wipe Data: This step is mandatory. In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data and type "yes" to confirm. This removes the stock ROM's encryption.
- Transfer ROM File: Connect your phone to your PC and copy the downloaded Xiaomi.eu .zip file to its internal storage.
- Install the ROM: In the TWRP main menu, tap Install, select the ROM .zip file, and swipe the slider to begin flashing.
- Reboot: Once finished, tap "Reboot System."
➡ Your Mi 8 will now boot into a clean, optimized MIUI 12.5 system with full Google services.
Method 2: Flashing Official Stock ROM (For Unbricking/Restoring)
Use this method to restore a bricked device or return to the final official software for your region.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your phone. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded .tgz Fastboot ROM twice until you have a folder with an images directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator. Click "select" and choose the extracted firmware folder.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone, click "refresh", ensure "clean all" is selected, and click "flash".
➡ This will restore your phone to its original factory state. This is also the perfect base for installing other custom ROMs.
FAQs
Q1: What's the real advantage of MIUI 12.5 over MIUI 12.0?
MIUI 12.5 was a major optimization update. It significantly reduced CPU usage and power consumption, and fixed many of the most annoying UI bugs from the initial MIUI 12 release, particularly in the control center and notification system. It feels much lighter and smoother.
Q2: Can I get Android 11, 12, or newer on the Mi 8?
Not officially. However, the Mi 8 (dipper) has one of the best and most active custom ROM communities. Due to its powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, you can find many stable, unofficial builds of Android 11, 12, 13, and even newer versions on forums like XDA-Developers.
Q3: Is the Mi 8 still a good phone in 2025?
Yes, absolutely. The Snapdragon 845 remains a very capable processor for all daily tasks and most modern games. With a clean software flash or a modern custom ROM, its performance can feel surprisingly close to a new mid-range phone.
Q4: Will this fix my infrared Face Unlock if it's not working?
If the problem is software-related, yes. A clean flash of the final official firmware is the best way to fix it, as this process reinstalls all the necessary drivers and services for the infrared camera and its related functions.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Bootloop after flashing Xiaomi.eu: You must use the "Format Data" option in TWRP before flashing. This is the most common mistake. A simple "Wipe" is not enough to remove the stock ROM's encryption, which causes the bootloop.
- TWRP asks for a password or shows encrypted files: This is a symptom of the issue above. The solution is to use the "Format Data" option in TWRP's Wipe menu. This will wipe your internal storage and decrypt it.
- Mi Flash Tool "can't find file" error: This error means you haven't extracted the .tgz Fastboot ROM correctly. Ensure you extract the file twice, until you have a folder that contains the images sub-folder.
- SafetyNet / Banking App Issues: An unlocked bootloader and custom ROM can sometimes cause these apps to fail security checks. Advanced users can often solve this by installing Magisk and using modules designed to hide the phone's modified state.