How to update the Android version on the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Owners of Xiaomi’s popular budget smartphone Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) often wonder about extending the life of their device through software updates. Despite the fact that official support for the model has already been discontinued, many users are eager to install the maximum possible version of the operating system to improve security and compatibility with modern applications, a process that requires care, since the device is based on the Snapdragon 625 processor, which has its own features of interaction with new versions of Android.

There are several ways to upgrade software, from a standard air update to manual flashing through the Recovery menu. It is important to understand that switching to a newer version of MIUI can significantly change the interface and feature set. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, assess the risks and prepare your gadget for the safe installation of new data packets.

Official restrictions and current support status

At the time of the release of the Redmi 5 Plus was running Android 7.0 Nougat with the shell MIUI 8. Officially the device received an update to Android 8.1 Oreo and the shell MIUI 11 (global version) or MIUI 12 (Chinese version). Official updates to Android 10 and higher for this model does not exist. This is a critical point that you need to be aware before starting any manipulation.

Trying to find the “official” firmware with Android 12 or 13 on the Internet will lead you to either fraudulent sites or modified builds from independent developers. Such builds do not have Google security certificates in full and may not work smoothly. The latest official stable version for the global market is MIUI 11 based on Android 8.1.

If your device is stuck on an earlier version, like MIUI 9 or 10, it makes sense to try to reach the final official point, which will close known security vulnerabilities and update system applications. However, you should not expect performance miracles from the old hardware on new OSes - optimization plays a key role.

Preparation of the device for the update procedure

Before you start any actions with system files, you need to perform a number of preparatory activities. Ignoring these steps can lead to loss of personal data or even turn your smartphone into a “brick.” First of all, make a full backup of contacts, photos and important documents, for this it is convenient to use the Google Drive cloud service or the built-in “Mi Cloud” application.

Charge the device battery to a minimum of 60-70%. the process of writing new system files is energy intensive, and a sudden power outage at a critical moment can disrupt the structure of the memory partitions. Also free up internal memory: it may take 2 to 4 GB of free space to download and unpack the archive updates.

• 🔋 Make sure your battery is over 60% before starting the procedure.
• 💾 Backup all important data to an external medium or to the cloud.
• 📶 Check the stability of the Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi).
• 🧹 Clear the app cache through the Storage menu to avoid write errors.

Do not neglect to check the integrity of downloaded files. If you take firmware from third-party resources, be sure to check checksums (MD5 or SHA-1) if provided by the author, this will protect you from installing corrupted or modified files.

Update method through the menu "About the device"

The easiest and safest way is to use a regular update mechanism. The system will check the Xiaomi servers for available updates for your region and version. To do this, go to Settings → About device → System Update. Click on the “Check Updates” button.

If the server says there are no updates, but you know they exist, you can try changing the region in the settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region). Sometimes changing the region to India or Global will force you to search for the current packages, but this method only works within the official support line.

⚠️ Note: If the system says "No Updates", it means that you are on the last official version available for your region.

In the process of automatic updating, the phone will reboot several times. The screen may go out and light up, the Android logo may appear with a boot bar. Do not touch the device at this point. The entire process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on memory speed and data volume.

Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

If the automatic search did not give results, you can manually update by downloading the firmware archive in.zip format. The file must be placed in the root of internal memory or on a microSD card. After downloading the file, open the update menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Select a firmware file".

The system will check the integrity of the archive. If the version in the archive is newer than the current one, an Update button will appear. Unlike Fastboot mode, this method does not require unlocking the bootloader and saving data (although a backup is still mandatory), this is a regular Recovery mode available to all users.

The table below shows the main differences between the types of updates so you understand which file to download:

If you try to manually install the system gives an error “failed to check the file”, chances are you are trying to roll back to the older version or move between regions (for example, from CN to Global) without unlocking the bootloader, in which case you need a full firmware reflash through the PC.

Using custom firmware for new Android

For those who want to get Android 10, 11 or even 12 on the Redmi 5 Plus, the only option is to install custom firmware such as LineageOS, Xiaomi.eu (port) or Pixel Experience. These versions are created by enthusiasts and are not officially supported. The main barrier here is the need to unlock the bootloader.

Unlocking requires you to submit an application via the Mi Unlock app on your PC and wait 7 to 168 hours. Once you unlock the warranty on your device (if it was still in effect), you are stripped of your warranty and your data is completely deleted, but you get superuser rights (Root) and the ability to install any modifications.

• 🚀 Allows you to install Android versions above 8.1.
• 🛡️ Requires unlocking the bootloader through Xiaomi servers.
• ⚠️ Resets all data and removes the device from the warranty.
• 📉 It can reduce the stability of the camera and NFC.

Installing custom Recovery (like TWRP) is a must for these experiments. TWRP can install not only full firmware, but also patches, mods, and security patches. However, for the average user who just needs a stable phone for calls and instant messengers, this path can be unnecessarily complicated.

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Before unlocking the bootloader, be sure to link your Mi Account to your phone and turn on “Device Search” in the cloud settings, otherwise Mi Unlock will not allow unlocking.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

Redmi 5 Plus users often experience a cyclic reboot or a “System has been updated” error during the upgrade process. + Power) and running Wipe Data, which will delete all the data, but bring the phone back to life.

The signature verification error when manually installed often occurs if you downloaded firmware for another region (for example, Chinese instead of Global), in which case only a complete flashing through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility and Fastboot mode will help.

⚠️ Warning: When you run through Fastboot, always choose Clear All mode, but never choose Clear All and Lock if you change the firmware region).

If the sound or camera stops working after the upgrade, try resetting your applications or performing a full reset. Residual files from the older version of MIUI can conflict with new system libraries, causing instability.

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The most common cause of problems after an update is the conflict of old user data with a new file system, so a full reset (Wipe Data) often solves 90% of errors.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions