Flashing LineageOS on Redmi Note 8/8T (Android 10.0 and 9.0)

LineageOS is undoubtedly the most popular aftermarket Android ROM for many smartphones including those in Xiaomi Mi, Redmi Note, and Redmi series. Redmi Note 8 (Ginkgo) and Redmi Note 8T (Willow) are also lucky devices to received this super awesome custom ROM.

At the time of writing this article, the official version of LineageOS is not yet to come. Luckily, the unofficial builds have just landed for both devices which are basically identical.

Just a quick recall, Redmi Note 8T sports the same specification as its original 8 except with the additional NFC.

Therefore, the codename for each phone is different.

This article shows you exactly how to install LineageOS on Redmi Note 8 and 8T series. The steps for both devices are the same except you need to use the proper LineageOS build.

As the official version is not available yet, this article uses the unofficial one by an XDA member called tarkzim.

Requirements

These things below are required in order to flash LineageOS on Redmi Note 8/8T:

• A PC/laptop running Windows 10;
• A USB cable. Use the default cable coming with the phone;
• TWRP Recovery for Ginkgo/Willow (.img);
• Patched vbmeta (.img – extract the zip file);
• ADB Fastboot Drivers;
• Android Platform Tools;
• The latest version of Magisk (optional);
• The latest version of MIUI firmware (zip);
• Google Apps, choose ARM64 either Android 10.0 or 9.0;
• A cup of Japanese Ocha green tea (optional).

Prerequisites

Flashing a custom ROM is actually a safe process although some risks always peeking. Therefore,…

1. Please create backups of your important files and data. We hold no responsibility for any damages that may happen to your phone. Nobody forces you to do this.
2. You must have enabled USB debugging on your phone b enabling Developer Options first. Follow this sequence:

Enable Developer Options:

Settings >> About Phone >> Tap MIUI Version 7X >> Congratulation, you are developer!

Enable USB Debugging:

Settings >> Additional Settings >> Developer Options >> USB Debugging >> toggle it on.

Steps to Flash LineageOS

Step 1. Download ADB Fastboot Drivers (v1.4.3) and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Download Android Platform Tools and extract the zip file and you’ll have a platform-tools folder.

Step 3. Flash TWRP on Redmi Note 8/8T. Simply click the link and follow the instruction as mentioned in our previous guide.

Step 4. Download these files and place them in the platform-tools folder:

• LineageOS v17.1 or v16.0. Choose the one you wish to install depending on your device (either the 8 or 8T).
• GApps for Android 10. You can use OpenGapps or BitGapps. Use the one for ARM64 Android 10.
• Download Magisk root if you want to root your phone.

Step 5. Connect the phone to your computer using its USB cable. make sure the connection type is MTP or File Transfer.

Step 6. Reboot to bootloader mode, issue this command:

adb devices
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot devices
fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
fastboot reboot

Your phone shall reboot back to the system.

Step 7. Turn off your phone completely. Press the Power button then choose “Power Off“.

Step 8. Once it’s off, press the Power button and the Volume Up button simultaneously. This brings you to boot into TWRP recovery mode.

Step 9. Choose the Wipe menu then Advanced Wipe.

Step 10. Select System, Data, Dalvik, and Cache.

Step 11. Do the “Swipe to wipe” action. Go back to the main menu once done.

Step 12. Connect your phone to the computer using its USB cable.

Step 13. Copy all the zip files to the phone’s internal storage. Files example:

• ROM: lineage-17.1-20200112-UNOFFICIAL-ginkgo.zip.
• Gapps: open_gapps-arm64-10.0-micro-20190928-BETA.zip
• MIUI 11 firmware: fw_ginkgo_miui_GINKGOGlobal_V11.0.4.0.PCOMIXM_883ec1c954_9.0.zip
• Magisk: Magisk-v20.2.zip

You can simply copy-and-paste the files like you would in Windows Explorer. Alternatively, you can also use this command if you want:

adb push lineage-17.1-20200112-UNOFFICIAL-ginkgo.zip /tmp/
adb push open_gapps-arm64-10.0-micro-20190928-BETA.zip /tmp/
adb push fw_ginkgo_miui_GINKGOGlobal_V11.0.4.0.PCOMIXM_883ec1c954_9.0.zip /tmp/
adb push Magisk-v20.2.zip /tmp/

Copy each line in the command prompt window. Change the file names according to the actual files you use.

All the files will be copied in the /tmp directory which is a temporary folder stored in the device’s RAM.

Step 14. Choose “Install” from the main menu. Next, locate the LineageOS zip file. Tap on it to select it.

Step 15. Do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action. Wait till the process finished. Done? Go back to the main menu.

Step 16. Again, choose “Install“, find and locate the GApps zip file. Tap on it to select it.

Step 17. Do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action. Wait till the process finished. Done? Go back to the main menu.

Step 18. Again, choose “Install“, find and locate the MIUI firmware zip file. Tap on it to select it.

Step 19. “Swipe to confirm flash” again. Wait till the process finished. Done? Go back to the main menu.

Step 20. Optionally if you want to root, choose “Install” then find and locate the Magisk zip file. Tap on it to select it.

Step 21. Do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action. Wait till the process finished. Done? Go back to the main menu.

Step 22. Choose “Reboot” then choose “System“. This will reboot your phone to the main system. Initial booting time takes longer than usual. This is normal.

Step 23. Set up your Google Account and enjoy!

As usual, the initial booting time will take longer than usual. That is normal and you shouldn’t worry about it.

Congratulation! Please do not hesitate to drop a comment below.

LineageOS Preview

Screenshot pictures taken from Redmi Note 8T:

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