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REDMI NOTE 8 GINKGO STUCK BOOTING INTO RECOVERY AFTER FLASHING MULTIPLE ROMS CRDROID → EVOX

Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) Stuck Booting into Recovery After Flashing Multiple ROMs: A Comprehensive Troubleshooting and Resolution Guide

We understand the frustration that arises when a trusted device like the Redmi Note 8, codenamed ginkgo, enters a boot loop, specifically defaulting to recovery mode after a series of custom ROM installations. This issue, often encountered by advanced users experimenting with the vibrant Android development scene involving CRDroid, Evolution X (EvoX), and LineageOS, typically stems from deep-seated inconsistencies within the device’s firmware partitions. When a user transitions between these distinct custom ROMs without strictly adhering to the required preparatory steps, the bootloader often retains remnants of previous installations, causing the Android Runtime (ART) to fail during the initial boot sequence. This guide is meticulously crafted to address the specific scenario where a Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) is perpetually stuck in recovery mode, providing a definitive pathway to restore functionality and achieve a stable system.

Understanding the Root Cause of the Boot Loop on Ginkgo

The Redmi Note 8 is a device with a rich development ecosystem, but its A/B partitioning scheme and specific firmware requirements make it sensitive to improper flashing procedures. When a device loops into recovery, it essentially means the kernel located in the boot partition is unable to mount the system partition or encounters a fatal error during the initialization of system services. In the context of flashing CRDroid, EvoX, and LineageOS consecutively, several factors contribute to this state.

The primary culprit is usually the vendor firmware. Custom ROMs rely heavily on the underlying proprietary libraries and drivers provided by the manufacturer (Xiaomi). If the firmware version mismatched between the ROM you are flashing and what is currently flashed on the device, the system cannot initialize the hardware. For instance, flashing a ROM built on a newer Android Security Patch Level (ASPL) onto a device with older base firmware often leads to a selinux policy violation or a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) crash, forcing the device into a recovery boot.

Furthermore, the recovery environment itself can be a source of confusion. If the user utilizes a Custom Recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) to flash these ROMs, they must ensure the recovery image is up-to-date and supports the specific Android version (e.g., Android 12, 13, or 14) of the ROM being installed. An outdated TWRP version cannot decrypt the latest File-Based Encryption (FBE) utilized by modern LineageOS or EvoX builds, preventing the ROM from mounting its system directories correctly.

Finally, residual data from previous ROMs can corrupt the new installation. Even if a “Clean Flash” is attempted, leftover files in the /data partition, specifically in the /data/dalvik-cache or /data/property directories, can interfere with the new ART. This is why the transition from CRDroid to EvoX and then to LineageOS often results in a persistent recovery boot loop; the cumulative residue creates a complex environment for the boot process to navigate.

Prerequisites for Resolving the Ginkgo Boot Loop

Before attempting any software remediation, we must establish a secure baseline. The following prerequisites are non-negotiable for a successful restoration of the Redmi Note 8.

Securing the Device Environment

Acquiring the Correct Firmware Files

The most critical step for ginkgo is obtaining the correct Fastboot ROM and Recovery Image.

Method 1: The Nuclear Option – Restoring Stock Firmware via Mi Flash Tool

If the device is stuck in a boot loop and cannot mount the /data partition or recognize the internal storage in TWRP, the most reliable solution is to flash the stock Fastboot ROM. This will completely wipe the device and restore the partition table to its factory state, resolving any corruption caused by the multiple ROM flashes.

Flashing the Stock ROM with Mi Flash Tool

  1. Extract the Fastboot ROM: Download the MIUI Fastboot ROM for ginkgo and extract the .tgz file twice to get a folder containing .bat files and image files.
  2. Install Mi Flash Tool: Download and install the official Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
  3. Enter Fastboot Mode: With the device powered off, press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the Mi Bunny logo appears. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
  4. Select the ROM Folder: Open Mi Flash Tool, click “Select,” and browse to the folder where you extracted the Fastboot ROM. The tool should recognize the device (COM port).
  5. Clean All and Lock: At the bottom right of the Mi Flash Tool interface, ensure you select “Clean All” or “Clean All and Lock”. We recommend “Clean All” for custom ROM users to keep the bootloader unlocked, but “Clean All and Lock” will restore the device to a completely stock, unrooted state (which requires re-unlocking if you wish to flash custom ROMs again).
  6. Flash: Click the “Flash” button. Wait for the progress bar to turn green and say “success.” The device will reboot automatically into the stock MIUI system.

This process effectively wipes the slate clean. The corruption in the boot and vendor partitions that caused the recovery boot loop is eliminated because every partition is overwritten with verified stock images.

Method 2: Resolving the Loop via TWRP Recovery (Without PC Flash)

If you wish to avoid the full Mi Flash Tool procedure, we can attempt to fix the boot loop directly from the recovery partition. This assumes you can still boot into TWRP (or the device boots directly into recovery).

Step 1: Factory Reset and Format Data

The transition between CRDroid, EvoX, and LineageOS often leaves encryption artifacts.

  1. Boot into TWRP.
  2. Go to Wipe -> Advanced Wipe.
  3. Select Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache, and System. Swipe to wipe.
  4. Crucial Step: Go back and select Format Data (not just wipe data). Type yes to confirm. This wipes the /data partition and removes file-based encryption. Note: This will delete all your internal storage files.

Step 2: Cleaning the Partitions

Sometimes, the vendor partition contains incompatible blobs.

  1. In TWRP, go to Wipe -> Advanced Wipe.
  2. Select Vendor (if available) and wipe it.
  3. If the device still refuses to boot, you must re-flash the Vendor and Boot images via TWRP’s Install Image feature if you have the stock images on your SD card.

Step 3: Reflashing the Custom ROM

  1. Transfer the LineageOS (or your target ROM) ZIP to the device using ADB Sideload or by copying it to an SD card.
  2. In TWRP, go to Install and select the ROM ZIP.
  3. Swipe to flash. Do not reboot yet.
  4. Flash the GApps package immediately after.
  5. (Optional) Flash Magisk for root.
  6. Reboot System.

If the device hangs on the manufacturer logo or boots back to recovery, the underlying firmware mismatch remains.

Method 3: The “Clean Slate” Protocol (Advanced TWRP Operations)

We have observed that on the Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo), the vendor partition is frequently the source of boot failures when switching between ROMs like CRDroid (which may use older vendor setups) and LineageOS (which requires up-to-date vendor blobs). To resolve this without flashing the full MIUI ROM, we can perform a “Clean Slate” protocol.

Wiping System, Vendor, and Metadata

  1. Boot into TWRP.
  2. Go to Wipe -> Advanced Wipe.
  3. Select the following partitions: System, Vendor, Data, Cache, Dalvik / ART Cache, and Metadata.
  4. Swipe to wipe. The Metadata partition is particularly important on Xiaomi devices for handling decryption and partition state.
  5. Reboot to System. At this point, the device should say No OS installed. This is expected.

Using ADB Sideload for a Guaranteed Flash

To ensure the file transfer is perfect and not corrupted by a failing SD card or MTP connection, we recommend using ADB Sideload.

  1. Connect the device to the PC while in TWRP.
  2. On the PC, open Command Prompt in your Platform-Tools folder.
  3. On the device, go to Advanced -> ADB Sideload in TWRP. Swipe to begin.
  4. On the PC, type: adb sideload LineageOS.zip
  5. Once completed, immediately run: adb sideload GApps.zip
  6. And: adb sideload Magisk.zip (if desired).
  7. Wipe Cache/Dalvik one last time and reboot.

This method bypasses the storage entirely and writes the data directly to the partitions, minimizing the risk of a bad zip file causing the boot loop to persist.

Troubleshooting Specific Boot Failures on Ginkgo

Even after following the above steps, specific nuances of the ginkgo hardware may cause issues. We address these specific scenarios below.

Issue: Device Boots to “No Command” or “Red State” Warning

This indicates a Verification Failure or dm-verity corruption. This happens if the boot image is not signed or if the AVB (Android Verified Boot) is enabled but the system is modified.

Issue: Random Reboots or Bootloops after “Encryption Successful”

This is common when moving between AOSP-based ROMs like LineageOS and MIUI-based ROMs. The persist partition may have corrupted sensor calibration or encryption keys.

Issue: Recovery Mode is TWRP, but Internal Storage is Encrypted

If you format data to remove encryption but TWRP still cannot access internal storage or says Crypto Failed:

Post-Recovery: Ensuring Stability on Redmi Note 8

Once the Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) successfully boots into your preferred ROM (LineageOS, EvoX, or CRDroid), we must take steps to ensure the device remains stable and does not revert to a boot loop.

Avoiding Dirty Flashes Across Incompatible ROMs

While EvoX and LineageOS are both AOSP-based and may allow for dirty flashing (updating without wiping data) within their own incremental updates, jumping between them requires a Clean Flash. The internal database structures of the system apps and the Settings Storage app differ. Always wipe System, Data, and Cache when switching brands of ROMs.

Managing Firmware Updates

Keep the Vendor Firmware updated. Custom ROMs often extract the necessary blobs from the latest MIUI firmware. If you experience Wi-Fi or Bluetooth issues after flashing, it is likely because your Modem/Firmware is too old. We recommend flashing the latest available Firmware ZIP provided by the ROM developer (often found in the ROM thread on XDA) via TWRP. This ensures the Android OS can communicate effectively with the ginkgo hardware.

Using Magisk Modules Wisely

If you root your device with Magisk, be cautious with Magisk Modules. A module that modifies the system or vendor partition incorrectly can trigger a boot loop similar to the one you just fixed. We suggest testing modules one by one and always keeping a backup of the boot image. If you need reliable modules for your Redmi Note 8, visit the Magisk Module Repository. Our repository offers a curated selection of modules tested for stability on devices like the Redmi Note 8.

Conclusion

Resolving a boot loop on the Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) after experimenting with CRDroid, EvoX, and LineageOS is a solvable challenge, provided you follow a methodical approach. The key to success lies in understanding that the device’s partitions are interconnected; a mismatch in firmware or vendor blobs will invariably lead to recovery boot loops. We recommend the Stock Fastboot Flash method via Mi Flash Tool as the most robust solution for a device stuck in this state, as it replaces every byte of code with a verified baseline. For those seeking to retain data or perform a quicker fix, the ADB Sideload method within an updated TWRP environment is a viable alternative. By strictly adhering to these protocols and ensuring your vendor firmware matches your ROM version, you can restore the full potential of your Redmi Note 8 and enjoy a seamless Android experience.

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