How to Upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: All Ways in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) was released in 2018 with Android 7.1.2 Nougat and shell MIUI 9 Despite the age of the device, many users still actively use it - and naturally face the question: how to update the system to the current version? In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to update firmware, from official to custom, taking into account the limitations of the manufacturer and the technical features of the model.

Xiaomi officially ends support for Redmi 5 Plus in. 2021 This is why the last stable version MIUI for this device — MIUI 12.5 Android-based 10. However, there are alternative methods to install more recent builds, including unofficial Android ports. 11/12 Or custom firmware like LineageOS. We will consider each option in detail, evaluate their pros and cons, and also give recommendations on preparing the device for the process.

If your goal is simply to improve performance or get new features without risk, you might want to limit your current firmware optimization to the best, but if you’re ready to experiment, read on: the article has instructions for users of any level of skill.

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before you start updating, you need to know exactly which version MIUI Android is installed on your Redmi 5 Plus, which will help you determine what upgrade methods are available and avoid errors when installing incompatible firmware.

To check the software version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the version section MIUI — This is the current assembly (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.1 Stable).
3. Click multiple times on the Android version bar to see the exact kernel version (e.g. 10) QKQ1.190825.002).

Also pay attention to the firmware region (Global, China, EEA) — This is critical when choosing a file to update. You can recognize the region by the first letters in the build number:

• 🌍 Global — V12.5.1.0.QEGMIXM (ends MIXM)
• 🇨🇳 China — V12.5.1.0.QEGCNXM (ends CNXM)
• 🇪🇺 EEA — V12.5.1.0.QEGEUXM (ends EUXM)

⚠️ Warning: Installing a non-compliant region firmware (e.g., Chinese on a global device) can result in loss of support for Google services, modem errors, or a full phone "brick.

If your current version matches the latest official version (see table), it is not possible to update it further through standard methods, in which case only alternative methods remain, which we will discuss in the following sections.

Official Update via OTA (over the air)

The easiest and safest way to upgrade to Redmi 5 Plus is to use the built-in feature. OTA-Over-the-Air is a method that is suitable for:

• 📱 Your device has not been modified (no root rights, custom recavery).
• 🔄 Current firmware - official MIUI (non-custom).
• 📶 There is a stable connection to Wi-Fi (load volume can exceed 1.5 GB).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%.

Instructions for updating through OTA:

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the Check Updates button.
4. If the update is available, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
5. After downloading, select Install Now or Install Later (if you want to postpone the process).
6. The device will restart and install the update automatically (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the system says that “no updates” are available after checking, this means that your version is not updated. MIUI The Redmi 5 Plus is the latest official update, and further updates are only possible through manual installation or custom firmware.

If OTA-Update can not be downloaded (errors like Unable to download the service pack), try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and try again.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes operator locking interferes with booting).
• 🗃️ Clear the cache of the application System Update in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 📅 Check date and time on your device (incorrect settings may block access to Xiaomi servers).

💡

OTA-Updating is the only official way to ensure the stability of the device. All other methods require unlocking the bootloader and carry risks.

Manual update via Recovery (fastboot)

If OTA-Update is not available, but you want to stay on the official firmware, you can install the latest version MIUI manually through Recovery or Fastboot:

• 🔧 Recovery of the device after failure.
• 📥 Firmware installations, if OTA doesn't work.
• 🔄 Switching from one official version to another (e.g. from Global to Global) EEA).

For manual installation, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux (for the Fastboot method).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware file in.zip (for Recovery) or.tgz (for Fastboot) format).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (only for Fastboot if you switch to another branch) MIUI).

Download the official firmware for Redmi 5 Plus from the sites:

• 🌐 Official portal MIUI (Choose the Redmi 5 Plus and the right region).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source with archive of all versions).

Method 1: Installation through Recovery

This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for updating within a single branch. MIUI (for example, MIUI 11 on MIUI 12.5).

Download firmware (.zip) for your region|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Copy the file to the root of internal memory|Disable protection (password/fingerprint) at the time of the update|Prepare a spare cable (in case of a connection breakage)

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1. Download the firmware file (for example, vince_global_images_V12.5.1.0.QEGMIXM_20210310.0000.00_10.0_global_1d5a3b5b7d.tgz) and rename it in update.zip.
2. Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folder).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) then:

Method 2: Installation via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is used to:

• 🔄 Transition between different regions (e.g. China to Global).
• 🛠️ Recovery of the device after serious failures.
• ⚡ Clean firmware installations (with full formatting).

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Qualcomm Drivers for Your PC.
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz format (unpack it into a folder without spaces in the name).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power.
2. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
4. At the bottom, select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after installation).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 3-7 minutes).
6. After successful installation, the phone will restart automatically.

⚠️ Attention: Clean all and lock will block the bootloader, making it impossible to install custom firmware in the future.

4. Update via custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If the official methods do not allow you to update Android above the version 10, And then you have custom firmware, and that gives you access to Android. 11/12, new features and improved performance, but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established custom recaveri (TWRP).
• 📁 Compatible firmware for the Vince model.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.

The following are the best custom firmware for Redmi 5 Plus:

The process of installing custom firmware includes several stages:

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

To unlock the bootloader:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and enable OEM unlocking.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect to your PC and use the official Mi Unlock Tool (download from Xiaomi website).
5. Follow the program instructions (it may take 7-30 days to unlock).

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

After unlocking the loader, you must install a custom recapvere:

1. Download the latest version TWRP for vince from the official website.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB/Fastboot.
3. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 3: Installation of firmware

Now you can install custom firmware:

1. Download the firmware file (for example, lineage-19.1-20230610-UNOFFICIAL-vince.zip) Gapps (if you need Google services).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or flash drive.
3. Enter TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
4. Make a backup (backup) of the current firmware.
5. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
6. Install the firmware through Install, then Gapps (if necessary).
7. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware rollback to the official MIUI It may require a full flashing through the Fastboot, and some features (such as dual camera or gestures) may not work properly.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check the reviews on the forum XDA — Some builds may have critical bugs (e.g., Bluetooth or charging problems).

5. Solving problems after the update

Even if you upgrade successfully, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone will not turn on after the update

If the device is stuck on the logo MI or Redmi:

• 🔄 Try a hard reset: pinch the power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t work, log in to Recovery and select Wipe Data (this will delete all data!).
• 📥 If this does not work, then reflash the device via Fastboot (see section 3).

Problem 2: Fast battery discharge after upgrade

This is a common problem after installing new firmware.

• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 📵 Turn off Autobrightness and Constant Network Search in Settings.
• 🛑 Check the activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (if the problem is not fixed).

Problem 3: Google Services Are Not Working

If Play Market, Gmail or other services are missing after the update:

• 📥 Install Gapps (Google Apps) through TWRP (You can download it on OpenGapps).
• 🔧 Check the date and time settings (incorrect values block access to Google).
• 🛠️ If you use Chinese firmware, go to Global or EEA.

Problem 4: Mistake “No. OS installed in TWRP

This error occurs if:

• You have installed a firmware that is incompatible with your model.
• Incorrectly formatted sections before installation.
• Used a corrupted firmware file.

Decision:

1. Download the firmware again and check its checksum (MD5).
2. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes).
3. Re-install the firmware.

6.Alternative ways to improve the performance of the Redmi 5 Plus

If a firmware update is not possible or feasible, you can optimize your current system to improve performance:

Optimization of MIUI

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the app cache.
• ❄️ Turn off animation: Turn on developer mode (click 7 times on version) MIUI in the phone settings), then in the Developer Settings set: The scale of the window animation: 0.5x Scale of transition animation: 0.5x The duration of the animator: 0.5x
• 🚫 Background Process Limitation: In Developer Settings, select Process Limit → Maximum 2 process in the background.

Use of lightweight applications

Replace the resource-intensive applications with their “light” versions:

• 📱 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook.
• 💬 Messenger Lite instead of the full version.
• 🎵 Spotify Lite or YouTube Go to save memory.
• 📷 Open Camera instead of the standard camera app.

Installation of the custom core

For advanced users, custom cores (such as FrancoKernel or ElementalX) can improve performance and battery life.

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛠️ Established TWRP.
• 📁 Compatible core for your version MIUI/Android.

You can download the cores. XDA Developers (Look for themes with a tagline) [KERNEL]).

💡

If your goal is to just speed up the phone, it often suffices to clean the system and turn off unnecessary functions. Custom firmware and cores give you performance gains, but require technical skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)