Owners of a popular smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus are often faced with the need to update the software. Despite the fact that official support for the model with the code name vince has been discontinued, the device remains relevant thanks to the developer community. Updating operating system allows you not only to get new security features, but also to significantly extend the life cycle of the gadget.
The process of changing the software version can vary from a simple download through the settings to complex manipulations with unlocking the bootloader. It is important to understand that switching to a more recent build MIUI or clean Android requires preliminary data preparation. In this article, we will analyze in detail all available methods, from standard to advanced, ensuring maximum security of your data.
Before taking any actions, you need to assess the current state of the device. If your device works stably on the current version, radical changes may not be necessary. However, if you notice slowdowns or the absence of critical security patches, the update procedure becomes inevitable.
Official update methods via OTA
The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in mechanism OTA (Over-The-Air). The system independently checks the manufacturer's servers for the presence of new packages. To do this, the user just needs to go to the menu Settings → About phone → System update. If the server detects a new official firmware, a download button will appear.
However, given the age of the model Redmi 5 Plus, official servers may no longer offer updates for older regions. In this case, the standard method becomes useless. Sometimes changing the region in the phone settings helps, but this does not always work and depends on the company's policy Xiaomi at the moment.
⚠️ Attention: If the update button is inactive or says “No updates found,” this does not mean a breakdown. Most likely, your current version is the latest official version for your region.
There is a nuance with the firmware type. Global versions (Global Stable) receive updates less frequently than Chinese versions (China Stable). Switching from the Chinese to the global version via OTA is impossible without completely clearing the data and unlocking the bootloader. This limitation is due to licensing agreements and differences in pre-installed software.
Manual installation via Recovery (ZIP method)
If the automatic update did not work, you can download the full firmware image manually. You will need to download the archive with the extension .zipcorresponding to your current version or the next update stage. The file must be placed in the root of the internal memory or on the card microSD.
After downloading the file, go to the "System Update" application. Click on the three dots in the upper corner of the screen and select "Select firmware file". The system will check the integrity of the archive and, if everything is in order, prompt you to reboot for installation. This method is called Local Update.
It is important to maintain a strict version hierarchy. You cannot jump over several major versions MIUI at once. For example, switching from MIUI 9 directly to MIUI 11 may result in a verification error or a bricked device. First, you need to update to the intermediate version.
Always check the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded firmware file to ensure that the archive was not corrupted during download.
This method preserves user data if you are updating within the same branch (for example, from China Stable to China Stable). However, if you change the firmware type (from China to Global), the data will be deleted automatically, even if you did not select formatting.
Preparing the device for global changes
Before deciding to install a new operating system or change the region, it is critical to perform a backup. Even the most reliable methods can fail due to a power surge or software glitch. Save contacts, photos and documents to cloud storage or to your computer.
Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader). To install custom recovery or global firmware on Chinese versions, this is a required step. The procedure requires submitting an application on the official website Xiaomi and waiting from 3 to 15 days.
- 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 70-80% so that the device does not turn off during the recording of sections.
- 💾 Prepare a high-quality USB cable and a USB 2.0 port on the computer for a stable connection.
- 🔐 Enable USB debugging in the menu
For developershidden in the "About phone" section.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader automatically erases all data from the device (Factory Reset). Make sure you make a backup before submitting your application.
It is also worth checking the availability of free space. Unpacking and installing a major update may require 4 to 8 GB of free memory. If there is not enough space, the system will generate an error before the download process begins.
☑️ Ready for firmware
Using Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash utility
For those who want to completely clean the device or restore it after unsuccessful experiments, there is mode Fastboot. This method involves using a computer and the official utility Mi Flash Tool. You will need to download the firmware image with the extension .tgz and unpack it.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by holding down the power and volume down buttons. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash app, select the path to the unpacked folder with the firmware. At the bottom of the window, it is important to select the cleaning mode: clean all (complete cleaning) or clean all and lock (cleaning and re-locking the bootloader).
fastboot devicesfastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot reboot
Mode selection clean all and lock is available only when installing the official firmware. If you try to block the bootloader with custom firmware, the device will turn into a “brick” and will require service intervention to restore it.
| Firmware mode | Data saving | BL lock | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA / Local Update | Yes | No | Low |
| Recovery (manual zip) | Yes (usually) | No | Average |
| Fastboot (Clean All) | No | No | High |
| Fastboot (Clean & Lock) | No | Yes | High |
The firmware process via Fastboot takes from 300 to 600 seconds. During this time, you must not disconnect the cable or interrupt the app. Once completed, the phone will automatically reboot and the first boot may take up to 10 minutes.
What to do if Mi Flash gives an error? Most often, the error is related to file paths. Make sure that the path to the folder with the firmware does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces. Also try installing the Xiaomi USB Driver manually through the Device Manager.-->
Installing custom firmware and GSI
Since official support Redmi 5 Plus ended on version Android 8.1 (MIUI 9/10), enthusiasts often turn to custom solutions. Popular projects, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu, allow you to get more recent versions of Android and a clean interface.
Installing such systems requires a custom recovery, most often TWRP. The process is as follows
unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP via Fastboot, booting into Recovery mode, formatting the Data partition (to change the encryption) and installing a ZIP archive of the firmware.
Treble module in the Android architecture it allowed running universal GSI (Generic System Image) images on the Redmi 5 Plus. This opens access to Android 10, 11 and even higher, despite the lack of official support from the manufacturer.
⚠️ Attention: Custom firmware does not pass Google SafetyNet certification in the basic configuration. This may result in banking applications and Netflix in HD quality not working.
When using custom ROMs, you take full responsibility for the performance of the device. The camera in such firmware often works worse than in stock MIUI, due to the lack of proprietary image processing algorithms.
Solving common problems and errors
During the update process, users may encounter various difficulties. One of the most common is error 7 when installing in TWRP. It means the Android version or file system type does not match. This can be solved by formatting the Data section and trying again.
If the phone is stuck on the logo (Bootloop) after the update, try entering Recovery mode and doing Wipe Cache/Dalvik. In more complex cases, only a complete flashing via Fastboot with clearing all data will help. Don't panic, in most cases the software part is restored completely.
- 🔄 The device reboots endlessly: Try holding the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.
- ❌ Error "Can't verify update": The firmware file is damaged or does not match your model (check the code name vince).
- 📶 There is no network after the firmware: It is necessary to reflash the modem and radio frequency unit of the corresponding version.
Sometimes after the update the APN settings for the mobile data are lost. Go to the settings of SIM cards and mobile networks, select an access point and reset the settings to standard. This will solve the problem with the lack of 4G/LTE.
Is it possible to update Redmi 5 Plus to Android 11 officially?
No, official support for the device has ended with Android 8.1 Oreo. To get newer versions of Android, you need to install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.), which requires unlocking the bootloader.
Is it safe to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi?
The unlocking procedure is legal and supported by the manufacturer, but it will void the warranty (if it was still valid) and erase all data from the phone. Data security is reduced as the device becomes more vulnerable when physically accessed.
What is Xiaomi.eu firmware?
This is a modified version of the Chinese MIUI firmware, adapted for international use. It removes Chinese software, adds languages, optimizes battery performance and unlocks some system functions. It is updated weekly.
Will I lose data when updating via OTA?
When updating over the air (OTA) or through a local Recovery file within the same firmware branch, the data is usually saved. However, it is always recommended to make a backup copy before any manipulations with the system software.
How to return stock firmware after custom?
To return to stock, you need to download the official Fastboot firmware for your regional version, unlock the bootloader (if it was blocked by custom) and flash the device via Mi Flash Tool with the clean option all.