Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus smartphone in the past often face a dilemma: official support for the device has long been discontinued on the version of MIUI 11, based on Android 8.1, but modern applications require more recent versions of the operating system. The desire to access new interface features, improved security and software compatibility pushes enthusiasts to search for alternative ways. Unfortunately, regular means through the updates menu to raise the version of the system above the factory version will not work, since the company’s servers no longer provide packages for this model.
The only technically feasible way to install Android 10 on this device is to use custom firmware, which requires the user to have certain skills, have a computer and be prepared for the potential risks associated with modifying the system software. The process involves unlocking the bootloader, installing a special recovery, and directly installing a third-party operating system assembled by independent developers.
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand that going beyond the official software removes the device from warranty (although this is no longer relevant for the Redmi 5 Plus) and carries the theoretical probability of turning the smartphone into a “brick.” However, with strict adherence to instructions and using proven builds, the procedure is successful, giving the gadget a second life. In this guide, we will discuss each step in detail to minimize possible errors.
Risk assessment and equipment preparation
The first step is to be sober. Redmi 5 Plus is built on a Snapdragon 625 processor, which, while legendary, is physically limited in resources for heavy modern shells. Installing Android 10 can lead to the fact that the interface will become less responsive than on stock MIUI 11. In addition, the camera in custom builds often performs worse due to the lack of original drivers and algorithms for processing photos from Xiaomi.
You need to prepare the workspace. The computer must be running Windows (preferably 10 or 11), have a serviceable computer. USB-The cable for connecting a smartphone should be of high quality, preferably original, since cheap analogues often cause communication interruptions at a critical moment of firmware, which can lead to fatal errors.
⚠️ Note: All firmware actions are performed at your own risk. The author of the instructions is not responsible for possible damage to the software of your device. 60-70%.
Make sure to back up all your important data. The process of installing a new system involves formatting internal memory, which will lead to the permanent removal of photos, contacts and documents. Use cloud services or copy files to your computer. Also write down your Google and Mi Account accounts, as after the reset, the system will require them for authorization.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The foundation for any manipulation of the system partition is the unlocked bootloader. Xiaomi's official policy requires waiting for 168 hours (7 days) after the account is linked to the device. Without this procedure, installing a third-party recovery is impossible, since the signatures of the system files will not match the expected ones.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version. After the developer mode activation notification appears, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → For developers. Here you need to turn on the “Debugging by USB” and “Factory Unlock”.
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If the "Factory Unblocking" item requires a network connection, make sure that mobile Internet is used (3G/4G), Not Wi-Fi, as Xiaomi servers sometimes block requests from the Internet. IP-datacenter addresses.
Then download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your computer. Launch the program, log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to enter a confirmation code that will come in the form of a text message to the associated phone number. Once the device is successfully linked, the program will tell you to wait.
- 📱 Connect the phone in the off state by clamping the Volume buttons down + Food before the appearance of the Fastboot logo (hare in the hat).
- 💻 Connect the device cable to the PC and wait for the installation of drivers ADB/Fastboot.
- 🔓 In the Mi Unlock program, click the “Unblock” button and confirm the action.
- ⏳ Wait for the countdown timer to end if it is active and repeat the procedure after the specified time.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The standard recovery menu does not allow you to install modified firmware, so it needs to be replaced with the Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP). This is a specialized environment that provides access to Android file systems and allows you to perform complex operations with memory partitions. For Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince), there are various versions of TWRP, but it is better to use stable builds that support data encryption.
Download the current recovery image file (format.img) for your model from a trusted source, such as the XDA Developers forum or the official TWRP website. Place the file in the root folder on the C disk: for convenience, so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters. Rename the file to twrp.img.
Open the Windows or PowerShell command line in the folder with the recovery file. Make sure the phone is in Fastboot mode and connected to the computer. Enter the command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf you see the serial number of the device, it means that the connection is correct. Now you can run the firmware command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img☑️ Pre-installing check TWRP
Once the process is complete, don't press the turn on button in the standard way. Immediately press the Volume Up + Power combination. Hold the buttons until the MI logo appears, then release Power while continuing to hold Volume Up until the TWRP menu appears. This is a critical point, as stock firmware can automatically overwrite the recavereas on first boot.
Finding and Choosing the Right Firmware
The choice of operating system is the most important step, because there are no official updates to Android 10 from Xiaomi, we are talking about ports from independent developers, the most popular options are LineageOS, Pixel Experience or custom MIUI builds (so-called “ports” from other devices), each of which has its advantages and disadvantages.
LineageOS offers pure Android with a minimum set of preinstalled apps, which has a positive effect on the performance of weak devices. Pixel Experience copies the interface and functions of Google smartphones, ensuring smooth operation. MIUI ports retain the familiar design and functionality of Xiaomi shells, but may be less stable on new versions of Android.
| Type of firmware | Basis | Stability | Productivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOS | Pure Android (AOSP) | Tall. | Optimal. |
| Pixel Experience | Google Pixel | Medium | Tall. |
| MIUI Port | MIUI from other models | Low/Mediocre | Depends on optimization |
| Xiaomi.eu | Chinese MIUI | High (for Android 8/9) | Good. |
When downloading a firmware archive (usually the format.zip), be sure to check the checksum (MD5 or SHA256) if provided by the author.This ensures that the file has loaded without errors and was not corrupted during transfer.
Where to find secure firmware?
Android 10 installation process
After TWRP the firmware file is downloaded to internal memory or SD-Map, you can start installation. Load up to Recaveri mode. + Meals. On the menu. TWRP First of all, you need to clean up the data, as switching between different versions of Android or firmware types requires a clean environment.
Select Wipe, then Advanced Wipe. Tick the Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache, System, and Data sections. Internal Storage section is not necessary if the firmware file is there. Swipe to Wipe.
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Full Wipe Data is a must when changing the major version of Android, and skipping this step in 90% of cases leads to boot cycles and system errors.
Go back to the main menu and select Install. Find the downloaded zip archive with Android 10 firmware. Click on it. In most cases, the installation is automatic after confirmation. If you use firmware that requires a specific kernel or GApps (Google Apps) to pre-installe, they should be installed in the same session without rebooting between packages.
Once the installation is complete, the Reboot System button will appear. Press it. It can take 3 to 10 minutes to download the first one, as the system compiles applications and adjusts the environment. Don't panic if the screen is lit by the boot logo for a long time.
Setup and Optimization after Update
After a successful download, you'll see the welcome screen of the new version of Android. Go through the initial setup. It's worth noting that on Android 10, application permissions management has become more stringent. Watch your microphone, camera and geolocation requests carefully.
To improve autonomy and performance, it is recommended to disable unnecessary animations. Go to Settings → About Phone (or System) and press 7 times the build number to activate the developer menu. Then to Settings → System → For developers, find Windows Animation, Transition Animation, and Animation Duration. Set 0.5x or turn them off completely.
- 🔋 Enable Power Saving Mode for Background Apps That Are Rarely Used.
- 🚫 Turn off geolocation for system services if they are not critical to your work.
- 📡 Check the operation of communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), as in custom firmware drivers may not work correctly.
⚠️ Attention: In custom firmware based on Android 10 for Snapdragon 625 can be observed faster battery discharge in standby mode compared to stock MIUI. This is due to the features of process management in the new version of the kernel.
If you notice a significant performance drop, try using lighter launchers instead of the standard one. There is also the option of installing cores with support for overclocking or, conversely, downvoltage to save energy, but this requires deep knowledge and is installed separately through TWRP.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
There may be specific problems with custom firmware devices, and one of the most common is VoLTE or VoLTE that is not working. HD-This is because proprietary blocks (firmware) may not be fully compatible with the new version of Android.The solution is often to firmware the current underlying firmware before installing it. ROM.
Another problem is a bootloop: If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 15 minutes, you need to go back to TWRP and do a full Wipe, including the Data section, and if that doesn't help, the firmware file may be corrupted or not suitable for your device revision.
Also, users often complain about the camera. Android 10 older versions of Google Camera may not run. It is recommended to look for special GCam mods adapted specifically for Android 10 and the Snapdragon 625 processor. The standard camera application in custom builds often has a stripped down functionality.