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| Redmi Note 8 Pro |
CFW and CFW builds and recoveries
CFW
What is a CFW?
The A10 Custom Firmware, or CFW for short, is a combination of multiple Xiaomi firmware packages.
Why do I need it?
You are probably aware of the leaked factory firmware for the Redmi Note 8 Pro. This firmware contains a preloader which was compiled with the download code.
Since the preloader does not need to setup platform security it allows us to unbrick without an authorized account.
Unfortunately, the MIUI bootloader do not run on the factory preloader - only the factory bootloader does, which works just fine with A9 kernels.
Furthermore, the A10 kernel source released by Xiaomi does not work with the factory bootloader/preloader, which was the reason agent_fabulous worked on a new kernel source based on Android 9 (A9) with several Android 10 (A10) drivers to work nicely with the A10 blobs.
In short, the CFW enables you to use the new builds without worrying about bricks while running newer proprietary vendor software.
What's special about the new builds?
New builds, tagged "[CFW]", come with their own vendor images. These builds are unified for all variants of the Redmi Note 8 Pro and have pretty much all issues fixed at this point. They ship with the new modified A10 kernel I mentioned earlier.
NOTE: While the builds are unified, the CFW is not. Please flash the correct version of CFW, for your variant
While flashing the wrong CFW is not catastrophic, it may lead to issues such as poor reception.
What really is inside this CFW?
The CFW contains firmware files from the latest A9 and latest A10 firmware image. Along with this, the CFW also installs the factory preloader and bootloader (LK) to make sure you're safe when modifying your device.
How do I install the CFW and builds?
CFW is a recovery-flashable package. You WILL HAVE TO downgrade to MIUI A9 to flash this since there are no recoveries which work nicely with MIUI A10.
Even though the CFW does install factory preloader and LK, I do highly recommend flashing preloader and LK from fastboot first and then the CFW.
Once you are sure you are running the CFW, simply flash a CFW compatible build. You may also need to update your recovery after installing CFW.
Recoveries? How do those work with CFW?
Since recovery images also contain their own kernel, there are also CFW compatible recovery images. After installing a CFW, reboot to fastboot and flash any CFW enabled recovery image.
Trying to run a non-CFW recovery on CFW will make it reboot to system or recovery itself after a few seconds of entering recovery.
Should you find yourself in a situation like this: as soon as recovery loads, hit [reboot] > [bootloader]. If you cannot do this, flash the new recovery image from SP Flash tools (or wait for your device to drain it's battery out )
Do I need to flash the CFW everytime?
Nope. If you flashed CFW once, you're good. Just make sure the ROM you're flashing does not install any firmware images. Ask your ROM developer before installing a zip.
ALL MIUI ZIPS CONTAIN FIRMWARE IMAGES. DO NOT FLASH ON TOP OF CFW
I'm on CFW and rocking a custom ROM. How do I go back to MIUI?
Flash a full MIUI Fastboot ROM, or use SP Flash tools to install the flash all MIUI partitions. Again, do not flash a recovery package for switching to MIUI.
What would happen if I install a non-CFW build on CFW?
Again, nothing catastrophic. It'll make the device reboot itself a few seconds into the bootanimation. All current non-CFW builds run the A9 kernel code. The new kernel is based on the A9 kernel code as well; some drivers just don't like the new firmware images included in the CFW So, save yourself the trouble and check what you're installing.
Where can I download the CFW?
While the whole CFW thing may seem a bit overwhelming to some, remember, it's something to protect your device in the long run! Take out a few minutes and please read through this post properly.
CFW Migration Steps
Coming from MIUI
- Downgrade to MIUI Android 9, if not already
- Flash preloader and lk as mentioned in first post
- Flash any non-CFW Android 9 recovery
- Boot into recovery
- Wipe system, cache, dalvik
- Flash CFW, CFW compatible ROM (flash GApps here if necessary, flash any extra mods later! )
- Format data (not wipe, select "Format Data", you'll lose all userdata)
- Reboot to bootloader
- Flash CFW recovery
- Reboot! You're now on CFW!
Coming from non-CFW Custom ROMs
- Make sure preloader and LK are installed (see first post)
- Boot into recovery
- Wipe system, cache, dalvik
- Flash CFW, CFW compatible ROM (flash GApps here if necessary, flash any extra mods later! )
- Format data (not wipe, select "Format Data", you'll lose all userdata)
- Reboot to bootloader
- Flash CFW recovery
Updating CFW-enabled builds on CFW
Since you're already on CFW, just install the update and reboot like any other device:
- Remove lockscreen if any
- Reboot to recovery
- Wipe data, system, cache, dalvik
- Flash ROM (+ GApps if necessary)
- Reboot!
Going back to MIUI from CFW
- Flash full MIUI firmware from SP Flash Tools or fastboot
CFW Downloads
We summarize this article from XDA, if it is still unclear, please visit the thread directly here.
