How to upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 5 to MIUI 12: all working ways in 2026

Do you want to upgrade Redmi 5 to MIUI 12?

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in late 2017, originally ran on MIUI 9 with a shell based on Android 7.1 Nougat. Over time, the device received official updates to MIUI 11 (Android 9 Pie), but MIUI 12 for this model never came out in standard firmware. However, it is possible to install the twelfth version of the shell - and there are both official workarounds and informal solutions from the community.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of updating, their pros and cons, and give clear instructions for each method. It is important to understand that Redmi 5 does not support MIUI 12 at the manufacturer level, so any manipulation of the firmware you do at your own risk. However, with the right approach, the process goes smoothly, and the result meets expectations: new design, improved performance and current security features.

Before you start, answer two key questions: 1. Are you ready for a possible loss of warranty (if it is still valid)? 2. Do you realize that unofficial firmware can contain bugs?

Device requirements before updating

Before you upgrade Redmi 5 to MIUI 12, you must meet several mandatory conditions, and ignoring them can lead to a "brick" (complete failure) of the device or data loss.

Minimum requirements:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60%. Better — 80-100%, The process of updating may take up to 30 minute.
• 📱 Free space in internal memory: minimum 3 GB (for temporary firmware files).
• 🔒 Unlocked bootloader (if you plan to install an informal firmware).
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (for downloading firmware files) Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile network.
• 🔧 Backup data: Update can erase photos, contacts and apps.

On Redmi 5, it takes up to 72 hours because of Xiaomi's policy. If you've never unlocked the bootloader before, start the process beforehand:

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will reset the phone to factory settings. All data will be deleted, including gallery photos and instant messaging messages. Use Mi Cloud or local backup.

Also check out the current version of MIUI and Android: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and Android version.

If you have MIUI 10/11 running Android 8/9, you can proceed with the upgrade. If the version is lower, first upgrade to the latest official firmware via Settings → System Update.

Method 1: Update via unofficial MIUI 12 (Castom firmware)

The most common method is to install unofficial (custom) firmware based on MIUI 12, adapted by enthusiasts for Redmi 5.

• 🆕 Full functionality MIUI 12, including new animations and control centers.
• 🔄 Regular updates from the community (bug fixes, new features).
• 🛠 Ability to fine-tune the system (kernels, Magisk modules, etc.).

Of the minuses:

• 🚫 Loss of the official guarantee if it is still valid).
• 🐛 Possible bugs (e.g., non-functioning) NFC or camera problems).
• 🔒 The need to unlock the loader.

The installation will require:

1. MIUI 12 firmware file for Redmi 5 (see XDA Developers or 4PDA forums). Popular builds: MIUI 12 by StableTeam or MIUI 12 AOSP.
2. Utility. TWRP Recovery (Redmi version) 5 — twrp-3.5.2_9-0-rosy.img).
3. Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot firmware) or ADB (for TWRP installation)

Download firmware MIUI 12 for Redmi 5|Install drivers ADB and Fastboot|Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool|Download TWRP Redmi 5 (version 3.5.2)|Make a backup of data using Mi Cloud or Titanum Backup-->

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware file (usually in.zip format) and place it in the root directory of the phone’s internal memory.
2. Install. TWRP Recovery with Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.5.2_9-0-rosy.img fastboot boot twrp-3.5.2_9-0-rosy.img
3. In TWRP, run Wipe (clean) partitions for Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Install the firmware via Install → Select file.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
5. Once installed, restart the phone. The first launch can take up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the logo MI For more than 15 minutes, try to re-enter the TWRP (clamp down the Power + Volume Up) and run Wipe Cache. If that doesn't work, re-sweeve the Data partition before you format it. TWRP: Wipe → Format Data → enter").

Method 2: Update via the ported Global Stable (official workaround)

If you don’t want to install fully customized firmware, you can try a ported version of MIUI 12, which is based on official files for other Xiaomi devices, a method that is less risky because it uses the original MIUI components, but still requires an unlocked bootloader.

Advantages of Ported Firmware:

• 🔄 More stable work compared to fully custom assemblies.
• 📱 Maintaining the basic functions of the phone (camera, sensors, mobile network).
• 🔒 Less risk of "brika" when installed correctly.

Disadvantages:

• 📵 Small bugs are possible (for example, incorrect gestures or animations).
• 🔄 Updates come out less often than custom firmware.

Where to look for ported firmware:

The process of installing ported firmware is similar to custom, but there are nuances:

1. Download the firmware file (usually weighing 1.5–2 GB) and check its checksum (MD5) to avoid corrupted files.
2. In TWRP, only run Wipe Cache and Wipe Dalvik. Data formatting is optional (but it is recommended if you switch from a different version of Android).
3. Install the firmware and don't restart immediately. First, run Magisk (if root is needed) or Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt (avoid getting stuck in the logo).

💡

If, after installation, ported MIUI 12 mobile network is not working, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network settings and manually select operator. Network settings resetting (Settings) sometimes helps. → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings).

Method 3: Update via MIUI bootloader (semi-official method)

For those who don’t want to mess with TWRP and unlock the bootloader, there’s a semi-official way to do it: use the MIUI bootloader app, which lets you download and install firmware for other Xiaomi devices if their configuration is compatible with Redmi 5.

How it works:

1. Install MIUI bootloader from Google Play.
2. In the app, select the Redmi Note 5 model (codenamed whyred) – its firmware is often compatible with Redmi 5 (rosy).
3. Download Stable or Weekly version of MIUI 12 (note the Android version – should match your current one).
4. Transfer the firmware file (.zip) to the folder downloaded_rom internal.
5. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.

Warnings:

• 🔴 This method may not work if the Android versions don’t match (for example, you have Android 8 and the firmware for Android 9).
• 🔴 There is a risk of getting a “bootloop” if the firmware is incompatible.

⚠️ Note: If after selecting a firmware file, an error appears in the update menu saying "This update is not intended for your device", then the firmware is incompatible. ADB — Instead, look for a firmware that's ported specifically for Redmi 5.

💡

MIUI bootloader is the easiest way, but it only works if the firmware is Android- and hardware-compatible. Always check other users' reviews on forums before installing.

Solving problems after upgrading to MIUI 12

Even if you successfully install MIUI 12 on Redmi 5, you may have problems, and here are some of the most common ways to fix them:

1.The phone does not turn on or hovers on the MI logo

2. Mobile network or Wi-Fi is not working

• 📶 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network settings and select the mode Only 3G (sometimes 4G unstable).
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings.
• 🛠 If the problem is IMEI, Restore it with Engineer Mode (#3646633##).

3. Fast battery discharge

• 🔋 Turn off Auto Brightness and set the brightness manually on 50-60%.
• 📵 Enable Charge Saving Mode in Battery Settings.
• 🛠 Check Active Applications in Settings → Battery → Battery use and forcefully stop suspicious.

Interface lags and brakes

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes it solves the problem.
• 🗑 Clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.
• 🛠 Turn off animations: activate Developer Mode and install Windows animation = 0.5x, Animation of transitions = 0.5x.

If neither method worked, go to the 4PDA or XDA forums with error logs, and add screenshots and a description of the problem, and the community can help you find a solution.

Reverse to the previous version of MIUI

If MIUI 12 is unstable or you don't like the changes, you can return the previous firmware version.

Step 1 Download the official firmware

• 📥 Download the latest stable version MIUI 11 for Redmi 5 from Xiaomi official website.
• 🔍 Choose the Fastboot version (.tgz file) if you plan to flash through the Mi Flash Tool or the Recovery version (.zip) if you use it. TWRP.

Step 2. Install the firmware

• 🔧 For Fastboot: Unpack the.tgz archive into a folder. Connect your phone in Fastboot (Power) mode. + Volume Down. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Flash.

Recovery

1. Place the.zip file in the phone’s memory.
2. Download to TWRP and select Install → firmware → Swipe to Confirm.

⚠️ Note: When you roll back to an older version MIUI This can trigger anti-rollback protection, which will cause a device to "brick" -- so to avoid problems, don't go to a version older than the one you originally installed, for example, if your phone was coming from a computer. MIUI 10, roll back on MIUI 9 not allowed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 5 before MIUI 12