[Xiaomi Mi 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] tsongming:
The last two times in a row when I attempted to dirty flash over Xiaomi.eu, I could not due to encryption. But it's possible that it was my fault for using a version of TWRP with Encryption issues.

For me this is the best version of TWRP to avoid issue : TWRP-3.2.3-0401-XIAOMI8-EN-wzsx150

The first time I tried Mi-Globe, I thought it was based on the Global build, because like you I assumed that there would be issues with the China Rom, compatibility issues, or bloatware chinese apps. But that isn't the case at all, Mi Globe may be based on the Chinese build but it's completely globalised, and uses the Global drivers.

In fact when you download the rom you are able choose the GPS region by selecting your continent to optimize the GPS for your region. In addition, you choose which options you want or do not want installed.

Even if you don't want to install it now, I would recommend downloading it to at a later date : here If you scroll down the download page you will see the checkboxes for which options you want.

Should you decide to try it, do not install the pre-root. It's better to root yourself after you have booted the system and have begun setup., otherwise you will likely get a bootloop, especially if you are attempting a dirty flash.

If you have a Global Mi8, you have zero risk with re-locking your bootloader or potentially bricking your phone.

By the way, with most custom roms based on Global beta, or Chinese beta you can dirty flash without issue. You can also dirty flash over custom roms based on Global stable. The exception is that you will likely have issues attempting to dirty flash from official to a custom build. Without a doubt, the custom builds are better, because they usually always have every option available, and there are zero ads. Which is the my main reason for using custom builds over official.

Finally, although the beta builds are coming to an end for now, I am sure that we will see many custom builds based on stable emerge. I am sure that Mi-Globe will carry on with Stable builds. You can find various mods, here on XDA and 4PDA for things such as universal face unlock, extra AOD themes, getting rid of the ünlocked"statement in the boot animation, and GPS optimizations. I have been able to use those mods on every single build regardless if its custom, official, beta or stable.

One last thing, I am assuming that you are unlocked, and do you own a Global or Chinese device. If you have a global device, you will very likely have to do a full clean wipe, including formatting user data. ARB is not in effect so there is nothing to worry about. The people that own Chinese devices often experienced bricks because they bought the phone falsely advertised as global and its pre-unlocked. As you know, you need your Mi-Cloud credentials to log-in and you must have permission to unlock ( It's not a big deal, I understand why they do it)

The people with bricks are not able to repair their bricks because they didn't have the credentials that were unethical used by the vendor. If you own a Global device and you unlocked the phone yourself there is no harm in using older builds. Just full wipe and format first.

If you need any additional help feel free to ask, I have experienced almost any issue that you can think of with custom roms, so there is usually a solution for any problem. All I ask is that you click thanks instead of saying it. Soon, I will make a new thread that will address solving various issues such as encryption, bricks etc.