Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince) is a popular smartphone of 2018 release, which is still actively used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, over the years, the performance of the device may decline, and older versions of MIUI no longer support modern applications. Update firmware solves these problems, but requires caution: wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick”.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update the firmware on Redmi 5 Plus - from the official OTA-Update to manual firmware via Fastboot and Recovery, focus on device preparation, data backup and common errors that users encounter, if your smartphone has not received updates in a long time or you want to upgrade to a more recent version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 or HyperOS, this guide will help you get it right.
1. Preparing the phone for firmware updates
Before you start upgrading, there are a few critical steps that need to be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, phone malfunctions, or even a complete failure, starting with checking the current firmware version and free space.
To find out the MIUI version on your Redmi 5 Plus, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write this down – you’ll need it to choose the right firmware. Also check your battery level: it should be at least 60% to avoid a sudden shutdown during the process. If the phone is dead, plug it into the charger for 15-20 minutes.
Equally important, free up enough storage space for a device. Upgrades via Recovery or Fastboot will require at least 2-3 GB of free space; remove unnecessary photos, videos or apps you haven’t used in a long time; and if memory is critically scarce, transfer files to your computer or cloud storage (such as Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 Plus was purchased in China and is running on the Chinese version MIUI (prefixed CN In the firmware number, the update to the global version (Global) can block some functions, for example, Google Services. In this case, it is recommended to use firmware from Xiaomi.eu or stay on the Chinese branch.
- 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 60%).
- 📱 Find out the current version MIUI customized.
- 🗑️ Free up 2-3 GB of memory.
- 🔒 Create a backup of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
- 🔌 Prepare. USB-cable and computer (for manual upgrade methods).
Method 1: Air Update (OTA)
The easiest and safest method is an over-the-air update (OTA) that is suitable for users who don’t want to take risks and prefer official releases. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Redmi 5 Plus, but since 2022, support for the device is limited: new versions of MIUI are released less often, and Android remains at 8.1 Oreo or 9 Pie (depending on regional firmware).
To check for updates, follow the following steps:
- Open the settings on your phone.
- Go to the About Phone section.
- Click on System Update.
- Slip the button to check for updates.
- If the update is available, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
- After downloading, select Install and confirm the reboot.
The installation process will take 5-10 minutes. The phone will reboot several times, which is normal. Don't interrupt the update, even if the screen stays black for a long time: on Redmi 5 Plus, the first download after the firmware can take up to 15 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: If after the update the phone began to brake or discharge quickly, reset to factory settings through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. Pre-return the data!
| Advantages OTA-update | Deficiencies OTA-update |
|---|---|
| ✅ Safe and simple. | ❌ Updates rarely come out |
| ✅ Doesn't require a computer. | ❌ No way to choose a version MIUI |
| ✅ All data and settings are stored | ❌ It may contain regional restrictions. |
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OTA-Update is the best choice for beginners, but it’s not suitable if you want to upgrade to a newer version. MIUI, What Xiaomi offers to your region.
Method 2: Manual update via Recovery
If OTA-Update is not available or you want to install a specific firmware version (for example, MIUI 12.5 instead MIUI 11), you can use manual installation via Recovery, which is suitable for official firmware in.zip format and does not require unlocking the bootloader.
First, download the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website:
- Download the latest stable version (Stable) or weekly (Developer if you are ready for possible bugs).
The firmware file will have a name of the type miui_blockota_vince_global_*.Don't unpack it!
Now transfer the downloaded file to the root folder of the phone's internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folder!).
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold them for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- Select the language (if available) and tap on Install update.zip to System.
- Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed.
- After restarting, the phone will work on the new firmware.
Download official firmware.zip|Transfer file to memory root |Check battery power (60%+)|Run backup |Remember button combination for Recovery-->
If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 15 minutes after the update, perform a hard reset (Wipe Data) via Recovery. To do this, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data from the recovery menu and confirm the action. All data will be deleted!
4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)
Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing firmware, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and a computer.
- 🔄 You want to switch to another regional version. MIUI (For example, from Chinese to global).
- 🛠️ The phone does not turn on or freezes in the loading cycle.
- 📦 You need to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
To start, unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool, a process that can take up to 72 hours (requires a device-based Mi Account).
Once unlocked, download the.tgz firmware for Fastboot from MIUI Downloads and unpack it into a folder on your computer.
- Install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or just adb and fastboot).
- Connect the phone to your computer, holding Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the firmware folder and execute the command: fastboot flashall or (if the first command does not work): fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot flashall
- Wait until the process is completed (about 5-10 minutes).
- Enter the command to reboot: fastboot reboot
⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error appears during Fastboot firmware, it means you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, go back to the current or newer firmware. Xiaomi blocks rollbacks to older versions due to security risks.
What if Fastboot can’t see the phone?
5. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
If you are not satisfied with the official MIUI, you can install custom firmware based on Android 10/11, for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience. This will give a more recent version of the OS, but will deprive some of Xiaomi’s proprietary features (for example, Second Space or Game Turbo).
To install custom firmware will require:
- Unlocked bootloader (see section about Fastboot).
- Installed custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP)
- Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
Instructions for installing TWRP:
- Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi 5 Plus from twrp.me.
- Go to Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-vince.img
- Immediately after the firmware TWRP go to it, holding Volume up + Power.
- In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes for confirmation).
- Install firmware and GApps via Install.
Once installed, it can take up to 20 minutes to download the first one. If the phone is stuck on the logo, try repeating the process or choosing a different version of the firmware.
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Before installing custom firmware, check the stability reviews on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. Some builds may have problems with the camera, Wi-Fi or battery.
Typical errors and their solutions
When updating firmware on Redmi 5 Plus, users often encounter errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't verify update in Recovery | A damaged firmware file or region mismatch | Download the firmware again and check its hash amount. Use the version for your region. |
| The phone does not turn on after the firmware | Incorrectly installed firmware or interrupted process | Repeat the firmware through Fastboot or Recovery. If it doesn't work, run Wipe Data. |
| Anti-rollback check fail | Reversed to an older version of MIUI | Install firmware for the same or newer version. No rollbacks. |
| Hanging on the Mi logo | Module conflict or incomplete firmware | Wait 15 to 20 minutes. If it doesn't work, do Wipe Cache or Wipe Data. |
If the IMEI is missing or the network is not working, modem or EFS partitions are likely to be damaged.
- Download the original firmware for your model.
- Sweep it through Fastboot with the Clean All tick in the Mi Flash Tool.
- If the IMEI is not restored, use tools like the SN Write Tool (requires authorization on Qualcomm servers).
To restore the IMEI, you may need to back up the /efs folder before the firmware. If it's not available, contact the service center.
7. Backup before Updating
Updating your firmware is a process that may not go according to plan. To avoid losing important data, make sure to back up. On Redmi 5 Plus, you can do this in a number of ways:
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Use Mi Cloud (built into the MIUI) Google Drive to back up contacts, messages and photos.
- 💻 Computer: Connect the phone to USB and copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Download (downloads), WhatsApp (chats) on PC.
- 📱 Third-party apps: Utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup will save apps and their data.
- 🔄 Local copy in Recovery: In TWRP You can create a full backup system (Backup) → Select Partitions).
For backups via Mi Cloud:
- Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
- Enable synchronization for Contacts, Messages, Notes and Photos.
- Click Backup and select the data to save.
If you use a Google Account, enable automatic sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync. This will save contacts, calendar and some app settings.
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Backup is your data loss insurance, and even if the update is successful, the backup will help you quickly recover your phone after you reset to factory settings.