How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: all ways + problem solving

Why it’s important to update your firmware on Redmi 5 Plus and when it’s needed

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince), released in 2018, is still a popular device due to balanced performance and support for MIUI. However, over time, even the most stable firmware requires an update: the manufacturer closes security vulnerabilities, optimizes iron and adds new features. For example, the latest versions of MIUI for Redmi 5 Plus have support for navigation gestures, improved camera performance in low light conditions, and were fixed bugs with a bright screen and battery discharge in standby mode.

Updating the firmware is recommended in several cases:

• 🔄 The phone started to “brake” or spontaneously reboot.
• 🛡️ Notifications of critical security vulnerabilities have appeared (for example, in Settings). → The phone. → Version. MIUI display).
• 📱 You want to get new functions. MIUI, such as superwalls, read 2.0, or improved resolution management.
• 🔋 Battery quickly goes down due to errors in the current version of the software.

But before you start the procedure, it is important to understand that not every update is good. For example, switching from MIUI 10 to MIUI 12.5 can lead to an increase in RAM consumption (from 3 GB to 4 GB in the background), which is critical for a model with 3/32 GB. So check the compatibility of versions and user reviews on the forums before upgrading.

Preparing your phone for an update: 5 mandatory steps

Incorrect preparation is the main reason for the Redmi 5 Plus to “brick” when upgrading.

1. Check the current version of MIUI. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down the build number (e.g. V12.5.1.0.OEGMIXM) to help you find the right firmware.
2. Charge the battery to at least 60%. When upgrading via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone should not turn off, this will cause a failure.
3. Back up your data. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root).
4. Free up space on the internal drive. Upgrade through OTA requires a minimum of 1.5 GB of free space, for manual firmware up to 3 GB.
5. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. Air-to-air (OTA) firmware downloads can reach 1.5–2 GB. Mobile internet is not suitable due to the risk of communication disruption.

Verified version. MIUI|Battery charged. >60%|Backup created|Released 2+ GB memory|Stable Wi-Fi connected-->

Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader if you plan to install firmware through Fastboot. On Redmi 5 Plus, the bootloader is locked by default, and unlocking it requires:

• 📱 Linking your Mi Account to your device.
• 🔑 Getting permission through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
• 🛠️ Installation of Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC.

⚠️ Note: If you are updating with MIUI 9 or older, right up to MIUI 12+, There is a high probability of E:unknown command error. [log] In this case, you will need to gradually update through intermediate versions (for example, MIUI 9 → MIUI 10 → MIUI 11).

Method 1: Air-to-air update (OTA) is the easiest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is an automatic update over the Internet that does not require a PC connection.

• 📲 The phone is not rooted and does not have custom Recovery (for example, the phone is not rooted, TWRP).
• 🔄 Official update for your regional version (Global, China, EEU).
• 📶 There is a stable connection to Wi-Fi.

Instructions for updating through OTA:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the Three Dots icon in the top right corner and select Update Package (if the update has already been downloaded) or Check Updates.
3. If a new version is available, click Download. Wait for the download to be completed (it can take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet).
4. After downloading, click Install. The phone will restart and start installing (this will take 5-15 minutes).

If the update is not available, try:

• 🔄 Switch to another regional version MIUI through settings → Additionally. → Region (e.g. from Russia to Global).
• 📥 Download full OTA-Package manually from the official Xiaomi website and install it through System Update → Three points. → Select the update file.

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If so, OTA-updates phone began to warm or quickly discharge, perform a cache reset in Recovery: turn off the device, press the Power + Volume Up, select Wipe → Wipe Cache and Reboot.

Method 2: Install firmware through Recovery – if OTA doesn’t work

This method is suitable if:

• 🚫 OTA-Update is not found or gives an error (e.g. E:footer is wrong).
• 📦 You already have a downloaded firmware file with the.zip extension.
• 🔧 You want a clean installation without saving data (optional).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the correct firmware for Redmi 5 Plus (vince) from Xiaomi Firmware Updater or official website: 🌍 Region (Global, China, EEU, India). 📅 Type of build (Stable or Developer). 🔢 Android version (such as Oreo 8.1 or Pie 9.0).

Move the firmware file.

miui_HM5PlusGlobal_V12.5.1.0.OEGMIXM_...

Download to Recovery.

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the Power + Volume Up buttons for 10 seconds.




3. Release when the Mi logo appears.

1. Click Install update.zip (or Choose update package).


2. Select the downloaded firmware file.




3. Confirm the installation with a swipe or Yes button.

Success

Reboot

⚠️ Note: If you install E:unknown command error [log], Solution: first upgrade Recovery to the latest version via Fastboot, then try again.

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

This method requires connecting the phone to a PC and is used in cases of:

• 💻 Clean installation is required (e.g. when system failures occur).
• 🔓 The bootloader is unlocked and you want to install custom firmware.
• 🚨 Phone is not turned on (brick) after a failed update.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Flash Tool, Qualcomm drivers.

Instructions:

1. Unclarify the firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\vince_fastboot).
2. Install drivers: 1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and install. 2. Connect the phone turned off to the PC, holding Volume Down. 3. In Device Manager, check that the device is identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Launch Mi Flash Tool: 1. Press Select and select the folder with the unpacked firmware. 2. At the bottom, select Clean all mode or Save user data. 3. Press Refresh – the device should appear in the list. 4. Click Flash and wait for completion (green tick).
4. After successful firmware, the phone will restart automatically (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Common Update Errors and How to Fix Them

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 5 Plus users often face problems.

If you have problems with your phone after the update:

• 📵 Network is not working: check your settings APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• 🔋 Battery goes down quickly: perform calibration (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 🎵 Missing sound: check if Do Not Disturb or No Sound is activated.

⚠️ Note: If after updating to MIUI 12.5+ Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) have stopped working, due to new security requirements. MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → For developers → MIUI Optimization).

How to Reverse to a Previous MIUI Version If You Don’t Like the Update

Firmware rollback is a risky procedure that can lead to data loss or bootloader lockdown, however, if the new version of MIUI is unstable, you can return the previous build.

For this:

1. Download the full firmware of the desired version (not OTA!) from the firmware archive.
2. If you roll back from MIUI 12+ to MIUI 11 or older, be sure to unlock the bootloader (otherwise the phone will lock).
3. Install firmware via Fastboot (clean installation) or Recovery (full reset).

Important:

• 🔙 A rollback to a version older than 1-2 builds can cause problems with the work of Google services (for example, an error Google Play Services stopped).
• 🔒 If the bootloader was blocked after the update, it will have to be unlocked again (wait 72 hours).

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A firmware rollback on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is possible, but it can be a risk of data loss. Always back up before the procedure and use only official firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 5 Plus