Update Android on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: official and unofficial ways

Why Updating Android to Redmi 5 Plus Isn’t Always Easy

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince) was released in 2018 with Android 7.1.2 Nougat and the shell MIUI 9. Despite the fact that the model is long since discontinued, many users still use it – and face the problem of outdated software. Official support for updates from Xiaomi for this model is discontinued in 2021, but this does not mean that the possibilities of upgrading the system are exhausted.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods of updating: from the standard OTA-Update (if it is still available) to install custom firmware based on Android 10/11. We will pay special attention to critical nuances for Redmi. 5 Plus with a locked bootloader, as incorrect actions can lead to a "brick" of the device. If your device does not already receive official updates, do not rush to get upset: Alternative methods allow not only to update the version of Android, but also to improve performance due to optimized builds.

Check the current version of MIUI and Android

Before you start updating, you need to know exactly which version of the firmware is installed on your Redmi 5 Plus, which will help you avoid errors when choosing an upgrade method.

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI

Here you will see two key lines:

• 📱 Version. MIUI — for example, MIUI Global 12.5.3 Stable (last official for Redmi 5 Plus).
• 🤖 Android version – likely to be 7.1.2, 8.1 or 9.0 (depending on previous updates).

If the System Update section (Settings → Phone → Update MIUI) displays a message that says “Updates are not available,” it means Xiaomi has stopped supporting your model, and then you’ll have to consider alternative options, which will be discussed later.

Official update via OTA: Does it still work?

In theory, the Redmi 5 Plus could receive updates over the air" (OTA) before MIUI 12.5 based on Android 9 Pie. However, since July 2021, Xiaomi has completely stopped releasing updates for this model. OTA-The update may still work:

If OTA-The update fails to start and the menu displays an error "Can't connect to the server", which means that Xiaomi has blocked access to updates for your model.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to update through MIUI bootloader or third-party OTA-For Redmi 5 Plus, this often leads to a reboot cycle due to incompatibility of anti-rollback versions.

Update via Mi Flash Tool: restore stock firmware

If your Redmi 5 Plus doesn’t already receive OTA, but you want to return it to the latest official MIUI, you can use the Mi Flash Tool, a PC firmware utility.

• 🔄 You want to “roll back” to a stable version after a failed update.
• 🔧 The device is unstable (lags, overheating).
• 📦 We need to prepare the phone for sale.

To use the Mi Flash Tool, you will need:

Download the latest stock firmware for Redmi 5 Plus (vince) from MIUI Download

Install Qualcomm and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC (Windows)

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap)

Unlock the bootloader (if not previously unlocked)

Charge your phone at least 60%

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Firmware process:

1. Unpack the downloaded archive with firmware (.tgz format) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
3. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select a firmware folder and press Refresh – the program must determine the device.
5. In the lower right corner, select Clean All (full cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If you choose Clean All and Lock and the firmware is incompatible with your anti-rollback version, the phone will turn into a brick. For Redmi 5 Plus, it is safer to use Clean All without locking the bootloader.

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After running through Mi Flash, the first start can take up to 15 minutes.Do not disconnect the phone from charging or press buttons, even if the screen is unresponsive.

Install custom firmware: Android 10/11 on Redmi 5 Plus

Since official support is no longer available, the only way to upgrade the Redmi 5 Plus to Android 10 or 11 is to install custom firmware.

• 🌍 LineageOS 17.1/18.1 — pure Android without branded Xiaomi apps.
• 🔹 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• 📱 Havoc-OS - customizable build with advanced settings.
• 🔄 MIUI 12.5/13 from Xiaomi.eu - unofficial versions MIUI supportive of new functions.

To install custom firmware, it is necessary:

1. Unlock the bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool).
2. Install custom TWRP recavers (version 3.5.2 or later for vince).
3. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. Complete reset (Wipe → Format Data in TWRP)

Example of commands for installing TWRP via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_vince.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_vince.img

⚠️ Note: Redmi 5 Plus cannot install firmware for Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred), despite the similarity of the models, which will lead to a broken modem and Wi-Fi.

Solving problems after updating

Even if the upgrade is successful, the Redmi 5 Plus may have typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone is stuck with the MI logo after the update, try:

1. Go to TWRP (clamb Volume Up + Nutrition).
2. Execute Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Cache
3. Reboot.

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If you've been installing custom firmware and you've encountered a "No OS installed" problem in TWRP, it means that the firmware doesn't support data encryption, so the solution is to format the data partition as F2FS instead of ext4.

Alternative ways to upgrade without Android update

If upgrading your system seems too risky or difficult, there are ways to improve the Redmi 5 Plus experience without changing the Android version.

• 🔧 Optimization MIUI: Turn off animations in Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations.
• 🗑️ Cleaning the system: Use SD Maid to remove cache and debris.
• 🔄 Launcher Replacement: Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair to speed up the interface.
• 🔋 Battery calibration: Discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

To improve performance, you can also turn off the background activity of applications:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Application Selection → Limit background activity

These measures will not replace a full Android update, but will help to breathe a second life into the aging device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi update 5 Plus