The smartphone Redmi 5Areleased by the company Xiaomiat one time became a real bestseller due to its excellent price-quality ratio. However, time is inexorable, and every year software becomes more and more demanding on device resources. Many owners are wondering how to update Android on Redmi 5a to return the gadget to its former speed or get new security features.
The process of updating the firmware can radically change the experience of interacting with the phone, but it requires careful preparation. Incorrect actions can lead to data loss or even turn the device into a brick. In this article, we will analyze in detail all available update methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, and explain what you should be wary of at each stage.
Before you begin any manipulations with the system software, you need to make sure that your device really needs an upgrade. Users often confuse updating applications and updating the operating system. We will help you understand the nuances of MIUI and Android versions, and also tell you how to check the relevance of your software right now.
Preparing the device for flashing
Any intervention in the system files of the smartphone is associated with certain risks. To minimize the likelihood of failure, it is critical to take a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps may result in your phone not booting, and recovery will take a lot of time and effort.
The first step is to create a complete backup of all important data. Updating the system, especially if you plan to do a hard reset (Wipe Data), will delete all photos, contacts and messages. Use cloud services Google Drive or built-in utility Mi Cloud to save information.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting the process, make sure that the battery charge is at least 60-70%. A sudden power outage while writing system partitions can irreversibly damage the bootloader.
It is also worth freeing up space in the internal memory. Even if you update over the air, the system requires temporary space to unpack the archive with the firmware. Delete unnecessary video files or transfer them to a memory card microSD.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for the update
Don't forget to check the stability of the Internet connection. Downloading 1.5–2 GB firmware over a mobile network can take a long time and be unstable. It is best to use a reliable network Wi-Fi with good data transfer speed.
Checking the current version and availability of OTA updates
The easiest and safest way to upgrade the software is to use the built-in update mechanism OTA (Over-The-Air). This method does not require connection to a computer or special knowledge. The system itself will check the servers Xiaomi for the presence of a new version for your model.
First, go to the device settings. Find the section About the phone and click on the square icon with the version MIUI. The device will automatically contact the server and check the availability of the update. If a new version is found, a download button will appear.
However, it is worth considering that support Redmi 5A has been officially completed by the manufacturer. This means that new versions of Android may no longer arrive through the standard menu. In this case, the system will report that you are using the latest available version, even if there are newer builds in the world.
If the automatic search does not produce results, this does not always mean that there are no updates. Sometimes servers are delayed, or your firmware is in a region for which an update has not yet been released. In such cases, you have to resort to manual installation methods.
Manual installation of firmware via Recovery
The manual installation method via mode Recovery is suitable for cases when the OTA update does not work or you want to install a specific version of the firmware that you downloaded in advance. This method requires downloading a special archive with the extension .zip.
You need to find the official firmware file for Redmi 5A (code name riva) on trusted resources, for example, on the website miui.com or specialized forums. It is important to download the Recovery firmware and not the Fastboot version, since they are not interchangeable with this method.
After downloading the file, move it to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory. Do not put the archive in deeply nested folders so that the system can easily find it. The file should be located directly in the main directory, and not inside folders Download or MIUI.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the downloaded firmware is intended specifically for your model. Installing firmware from Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) on Redmi 5A (riva) will lead to serious errors and inoperability of the device.
Next, go to the update menu by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen (in the “About phone” section). Select Select the firmware file and indicate the downloaded archive. The phone will prompt you to reboot and begin installation. The process will take from 5 to 15 minutes.
What to do if the installation is interrupted?
If the installation process is frozen or interrupted, do not panic. Try rebooting your phone into Recovery mode (by holding Volume Up + Power) and select Wipe Data. Then try installing the same file again. If the problem persists, the file may be damaged - download it again.
Using Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot mode
For the most experienced users who want to gain full control over the device or restore a “bricked” phone, there is a method of flashing firmware via Fastboot. This method requires a computer, an installed driver ADB/Fastboot and utility Mi Flash Tool.
Unlike Recovery firmware, this method will require files in the format .tgzthat must first be unpacked on the computer. The path to the folder with the firmware should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the app will refuse to work.
Switch the smartphone to Fastbootmode by turning it off and holding down the volume down and power buttons at the same time. Connect your phone to PC via the original USB cable. The Windows Device Manager should display a device with the name Android Bootloader Interface.
Run Mi Flash Tool, click the button Flash and select data clearing mode Clean All. This ensures that the old system is completely removed, eliminating file conflicts. However, remember that all data on the phone will be irretrievably lost.
Use the USB 2.0 port on the computer's motherboard, not on the front panel of the case. Ports on the front panel often provide unstable power, which can lead to an error when writing firmware.
The firmware process via Fastboot is usually faster than via Recovery, but it is more demanding on the quality of the cable and drivers. If the computer does not see the phone, try installing drivers Qualcomm or Xiaomi USB Driver manually.
Unlocking the bootloader and custom firmware
Official support Redmi 5A ended on version Android 8.1 (MIUI 11/12). If you want to get a more recent version of Android, for example, 10 or 11, you will have to install custom firmware, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or xiaomi.eu.
To install third-party software, you need to unlock the bootloader (Bootloader). This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it requires submitting an application through the utility Mi Unlock and waiting from 7 to 30 days. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing a custom Recovery (TWRP) is impossible.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader automatically voids the warranty (if it is still valid) and erases all data from the device the first time it is unlocked. Also, some banking applications may stop working without additional security settings (Magisk).
After unlocking, you need to install custom recovery TWRP. Through it you can install unsigned system images. This opens up access to a huge number of modifications that allow you to extend the life of an old smartphone for several years.
Custom firmware allows you to install modern Android on old hardware, but requires high technical literacy and removes the official warranty.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
During the update process, users often face various difficulties. Understanding the nature of these errors helps to quickly eliminate them without contacting a service center. Most problems are related to the human factor or low-quality files.
One of the common errors is the message Can't verify update when trying to install the firmware via Recovery. This happens if you try to roll back to an older version of the system or install firmware from a different region (for example, Chinese to Global).
It is also possible that an endless download (Bootloop) occurs when the phone constantly reboots, showing the logo MI. In this case, entering Recovery mode and performing a factory reset will help. Wipe Data / Factory Reset. If this does not help, you will need to flash it via Fastboot.
Below is a table with common errors and methods for eliminating them:
| Error type | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Error 7 in TWRP | Android version mismatch | Download the correct GApps package or change the firmware |
| Phone is not visible in Mi Flash | Absent drivers | Install Qualcomm/ADB drivers manually |
| Password request after reset | FRP protection (Google Account) | Enter the details of a previously synchronized Google account |
| The camera does not work | Incompatibility of drivers | Install a GCam port or reflash the stock image |
If you encounter an error that you cannot solve yourself, look for information on specialized forums, indicating the exact error code and firmware version. The developer community often has ready-made solutions for specific bugs.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update Redmi 5A to Android 12 or 13 officially?
No, official support for the device has ended at Android 8.1. To get newer versions of Android, you need to install custom firmware after unlocking the bootloader.
Will the update delete my photos and contacts?
When updating via OTA or Recovery in the “Save Data” mode, the information is saved. However, when flashing the firmware via Fastboot with the “Clean All” option or installing custom firmware, the data will be completely deleted.
Why did the phone start working slower after the update?
This may be due to the fact that the new version of the system is optimized for more powerful hardware. In this case, it is recommended to perform a full factory reset after the update to clear the cache of the old system.
Is it safe to download firmware from third-party sites?
Download files only from trusted resources, such as the official MIUI website, 4PDA or XDA Developers. Files from unknown sources may contain malware or be modified.