How to update Android to Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: all ways and life hacks

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) is still popular among users, despite the release of new models. However, every year the support of the device from the manufacturer is reduced, and the current versions of Android and MIUI are no longer available. In this article, we will discuss how to properly update the firmware on Redmi Note 5 in 2026 – from official methods to alternative solutions for advanced users.

It is important to understand that updating the Redmi Note 5 to the latest version of Android (for example, Android 14) is officially impossible - Xiaomi stopped supporting the device after the release of MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10. But this does not mean that your smartphone is doomed to outdated software. We will consider all the options available from standard updates through settings to install custom firmware with support for new features.

Before you start, make sure your Redmi Note 5 meets the following requirements:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (better than 80%+ securely).
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile data).
• 📱 Free space in memory at least 3 GB (for downloading firmware).
• 🔐 Backup of important data (update may reset settings).

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before you update, you need to know which version of MIUI and Android is installed on your Redmi Note 5, which will help determine whether official updates are available and what alternative firmware can be installed.

To check the software version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI version and Android version.
3. Write down or remember this data (e.g. MIUI 12.5.3 and Android 10).

Now compare your version to the latest official releases for Redmi Note 5:

If your version matches the latest data from the table, there will be no official updates, in which case you will move to the sections on custom firmware or manual installation via Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware from another region (e.g. Chinese on the global model) may result in loss of functionality (defunct Google services, lack of Russian language, etc.). Check compatibility by device code (whyred for Redmi Note 5).

2. Method 1: Update through Settings (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is an over-the-air update (OTA) that is suitable if your Redmi Note 5 is still getting official updates or if you want to upgrade to the latest available MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (updating via mobile internet can lead to additional costs).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If the update is available, click Download (file weight ~1.5-2.5GB).
5. After downloading, select Reboot and install.

It's going to take 10 to 20 minutes. Don't interrupt it or turn off your phone. If you don't get the update, try it.

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 🌐 Change region in settings (e.g., "India" or "Global") if your firmware is regional.
• 📡 Use it. VPN (Sometimes updates appear earlier in other countries).

⚠️ Note: If after the update the phone is stuck on the logo MI longer than 10 minutes, perform a hard reset (squeeze the power supply) + Volume up for 15 seconds. This won't delete the data, but it will restart the system.

Make a backup in Mi Cloud|Connect to Wi-Fi|Charge the phone to 70%+|Free up 3GB of memory|Shut down. VPN (if used)-->

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA-Update is not available, but you know that your region has a new version. MIUI, You can manually install it through stock Recovery, which doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, but only for official firmware.

Steps:

1. Download the full firmware package (not incremental!) for your model from Xiaomi's official website. Choose a version marked Recovery.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language (if required), then Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

After the reboot, the phone will run on a new version of MIUI. This method saves user data, but it is recommended to make a backup in case of a crash.

Method 3: Installation via Fastboot (for power users)

If stock Recovery refuses to install firmware or you want to upgrade to another regional version, you can use Fastboot.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.

Important: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Xiaomi can also block unlocking for older devices - check the status on the Mi Unlock website.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi Note 5 (file with.tgz or.zip extension).
3. Unpack the archive in a folder from fastboot on PC.
4. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when turned on).
5. Launch the file. flash_all.bat (For Windows, run the command in the terminal: fastboot flash all

It takes 5-10 minutes. When it's done, it automatically reboots. If you have an anti-rollback error, you're trying to install an older version of MIUI than the current one, which is blocked by the manufacturer.

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on after you have firmware through Fastboot, try re-swifting only the boot section with the command fastboot flash boot.img. Often this solves the boot problem.

5. Method 4: Castom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

If the official updates are no longer coming out and you want to get a fresh Android 12/13, you can install custom firmware. Popular options for the Redmi Note 5:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with interface and features from Google Pixel.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized firmware with advanced settings.
• 🔄 MIUI Pro - modified MIUI chip-in.

Installation of custom firmware requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader.
2. Installed TWRP Recovery (alternative custom Recovery)
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google services if they are not included in the package).

Example of installation of LineageOS 20 (Android 13):

1. Download the firmware from the official website.
2. Download Open GApps (select arm64 → 13.0 → pico).
3. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Install the firmware, then GApps and restart.

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs, especially on older devices. Check forum reviews before installing (e.g., forum reviews, XDA Developers) on the stability of a specific build for the Redmi Note 5.

💡

Custom firmware gives you access to new versions of Android, but deprives you of official support Xiaomi.Weigh the pros (fresh software) and cons (possible bugs, no bugs). OTA-update).

6. Solving problems after the update

Even if the upgrade is successful, there are some problems, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

If your data (photos, contacts) is lost after the update, restore it from the Mi Cloud or local backup.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Data Recovery and specify the required backup.

If the problem is not solved, contact the support forums Xiaomi or XDA – they often post patches for specific bugs.

7. Alternative methods of "updating" without firmware

If you don’t want to take the risk of installing custom firmware, but want to improve the performance of the Redmi Note 5, consider these options:

• 🛠️ System Optimization: Disable unnecessary applications in Settings → Apps, clear the cache and limit background activity.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Sometimes it speeds up the phone better than an upgrade!
• 📱 Use launchers: Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair for an interface similar to the new Android.
• 🔒 Shutdown MIUI-Fig: In Settings → Additionally. → Special features can turn off animations and speed up work.

You can also install Google Camera (GCam) to improve photo quality or Magisk to gain root rights and fine-tune the system, but remember that root can violate security and disgust warranties (if it is still valid).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 5 update