Guide: Installing Oxygen OS on Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia)
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING ⚠️ Before proceeding, you must understand the risks:
- Warranty Void: Unlocking the bootloader and installing custom ROMs will void your warranty.
- Risk of Bricking: There is always a chance of rendering your device unusable (hard brick) if steps are followed incorrectly.
- Data Loss: This process will wipe all data on your phone. Back up everything important before starting.
- GMS (Google Services): Some ports of Oxygen OS for this device are based on Chinese ROMs or beta versions and may require manual installation of Google Play Services.
Step 3: Download Required Files
- Oxygen OS GSI (ARM64 AB, no GApps included, or with GApps).
- vbmeta.img (disable verification – get from XDA begonia threads).
- Perf-kernel (optional, fixes some lag on OOS ports).
Part 2: The Hard Truth – Official vs. Unofficial
Post-Installation & Known Issues
Since this is a port (software meant for a OnePlus device running on a Xiaomi device), bugs are expected.
- First Boot: The first boot will take significantly longer than usual (up to 5-10 minutes). This is normal.
- Network: Check if VoLTE works. Sometimes IMS (calls over 4G) requires a specific fix or magisk module.
- Camera: The stock OnePlus camera app might not work perfectly with the Redmi Note 8 Pro hardware. You may need to install a GCam (Google Camera) port for better photo quality.
- Fingerprint Scanner: On some ports, the fingerprint scanner may be finicky or slow.
- Updates: You cannot update via the native Oxygen OS updater (System Updates). You will have to manually download new versions of the port and flash them via recovery.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Part 1: The Allure – Why Oxygen OS?
Before attempting any modification, it’s crucial to understand why Oxygen OS is so highly sought after:
- Clean UI: No advertisements in system apps. No duplicate apps (Xiaomi’s Mi Browser, Mi Video vs. Chrome, YouTube).
- Smooth Performance: Optimized animations and a lighter footprint mean lower resource usage.
- Customization: AOD (Always on Display), customizable gesture controls, Fnatic gaming mode, and the iconic Shelf panel.
- Fast Updates: While not as fast as Pixel, Oxygen OS updates (especially for older OnePlus phones) are historically quicker and more stable than MIUI for mid-range devices.
- No Bloatware: You get Google’s suite and essential OnePlus apps—nothing more.
For a Redmi Note 8 Pro user frustrated with MIUI’s lag over time, Oxygen OS feels like a breath of fresh air.
The Elephant in the Room: MediaTek
Here’s why it never happened officially — and barely unofficially.
Oxygen OS is built primarily for Qualcomm Snapdragon devices. Its kernel, drivers, and hardware abstraction layers (HALs) are tuned for Adreno GPUs, Snapdragon DSPs, and Qualcomm’s fastboot protocol. The Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on a MediaTek Helio G90T — different ISPs, different audio/video codec routing, and — the biggest blocker — no full open-source kernel or proper Camera HAL.
Yes, some developers managed to boot Oxygen OS GSI (Generic System Image) on begonia, but:
- RIL (calling/data) often broken
- No fingerprint sensor
- Camera quality tanked (no MediaTeK P6 camera HAL adaptation)
- Bluetooth audio glitches
- No deep sleep — battery drain
It worked, but not as a daily driver.