How to upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus to Android 8 Oreo: all the ways and nuances

Why do Redmi 5 Plus owners want to upgrade to Android 8?

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) came out in 2018 with a pre-installed MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1 Nougat. Although the device still copes with basic tasks, many users are eager to upgrade to Android 8.1 Oreo, the latest official version for this model. The reasons are different, from the desire to get new features to the need to launch modern applications that require a more recent OS.

However, the upgrade process isn't as easy as it seems: Xiaomi officially ended support for the Redmi 5 Plus in 2020, so the standard version of the update is not as simple as it seems. OTA-Updating through settings may not work. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways of firmware, from official to manual, and how to avoid errors and avoid turning a phone into a brick".

It’s important to understand that upgrading to Android 8 won’t make your Redmi 5 Plus faster or more modern. The main improvements will be in security, app stability and support for new APIs. If you expect performance miracles, consider buying a new smartphone.

Preparation for the update: what to do before the firmware

Before you start updating, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, malfunctioning of the phone or even its complete failure.

First, back up all the data, and updating your firmware is always a risk, especially if you're using informal methods.

• 📱 Contacts (export to file) VCF or sync with Google)
• 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 💬 Messages (use applications like this) SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🎵 Music and documents (transfer to external storage)

Second, check the current version of MIUI and Android. Go to Settings → About Phone. If you already have a MIUI 10 or newer, chances are that Android 8 is already installed (you can check the Android version in the same menu by tapping the line several times with the MIUI version).

Charge your phone at least 60%|Download the necessary firmware on the PC|Connect the original USB-cable|Disable antivirus on PC|Ensure the stability of the Internet connection-->

Third, prepare the tools:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (for the Fastboot method)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (low-quality cables can interrupt firmware)
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download only from official sources)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or the Mi Flash Tool ADB/Fastboot (hand-stitched)

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 Plus was purchased in China (the domestic version), the firmware version is global. MIUI It can block the network. Check the model in Settings. → The phone. → Model - Global versions have the suffix Global.

Method 1: Officially Update via OTA (if available)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade over-the-air, but it only works if:

• 📶 Your phone is still supported by Xiaomi (unlikely for the Redmi 5 Plus in 2026)
• 🔄 Previous updates were installed without failure
• 📱 Device not modified (no root rights, custom recaveri)

To check for availability OTA-update:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Stick to System Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If you can upgrade to MIUI 10 (based on Android 8) – download and install it.

If the system says “No Updates” or “Your version is up to date” but you are sure that Android 8 exists for your model, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and check again.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes updates come in waves by region).
• 🕒 Wait a few days – Xiaomi servers may be temporarily limiting updates.

💡

If OTA-If you don’t get an update, try changing your phone settings to India or Russia – sometimes it speeds up the updates.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 Plus already has an unofficial firmware or unlocked bootloader, OTA-The update may cause the device to break down, in which case only use manual methods.

Method 2: Manual firmware through Recovery (for power users)

If OTA is not available, you can install the official firmware through the stock recavator, which saves user data, but requires caution.

Steps for firmware through Recovery:

1. Download the correct firmware version for Redmi 5 Plus (vince) from the official Xiaomi website: 🌍 Global version MIUI 🇨🇳 Chinese version MIUI (Only for Chinese models)

Look for files with a.zip extension and a name like miui_HM5PlusGlobal_V10.x.x.x.x.x.x.zip.

update.zip

root-folder

Volume up + Nutrition

Recovery Mode

Install update.zip to System One


→ Confirm the selection

Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 15 minutes after firmware:

• 🔄 Force it to restart (clutch power on the power supply) 10-15 seconds).
• 📱 If it doesn’t work, repeat the firmware or try the Fastboot method.

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (the most reliable method)

Fastboot is considered the most stable method for Xiaomi firmware, as it completely overwrites system partitions. However, it requires an unlocked bootloader and a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked): 🔓 Go to the Xiaomi unlock page and download the Mi Unlock Tool. 📱 On your phone, turn on Settings. → For developers → Unlocking OEM and debugging. USB. 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions (you will need a Mi Account and wait). 72-168 unlock-hour).

Fastboot firmware

Redmi 5 Plus

.tgz

.zip

fastboot

C:\vince_fastboot

Loudness down + Nutrition

Fastboot Mode

fastboot flash all


fastboot reboot

(or use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option).

It takes 5-15 minutes, and after the reboot, the phone will be reset to the factory settings.

⚠️ Note: If you are looking for a Chinese version MIUI If you run on a global model (or vice versa), the network may disappear after the firmware is installed, in which case you will need to flash modem and persist partitions separately or return the original firmware.

💡

Fastboot firmware is the only method that is guaranteed to upgrade Android to 8.1 Oreo, even if OTA and Recovery don’t work.

Method 4: Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If the official methods do not fit, you can install unofficial firmware based on Android 8 or later. Popular options for Redmi 5 Plus:

• 📱 LineageOS 15.1 (Android 8.1)
• 🤖 Pixel Experience (Android 8/9)
• ⚡ Havoc-OS (Android 10) but may not work well)

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ More recent version of Android (up to Android 10 for Vince).
• ✅ No built-in garbage from Xiaomi (clean Android).
• ✅ Regular security updates (in some firmware).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Possible bugs (not working) NFC, camera trouble).
• ❌ No official support (risk of "brick" above).
• ❌ Requires an unlocked loader and custom recaveri (TWRP).

Instructions for installation of LineageOS 15.1:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for Vince (you can download it on the official website).
2. Download LineageOS and GApps (Google Apps) firmware for ARM64, Android 8.1.
3. Load to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
4. Make Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install LineageOS.zip, then GApps.zip.
6. Restart (the first launch can take up to 20 minutes).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the phone does not detect after the firmware SIM-map:

1. Check that the firmware is suitable for your region (e.g. Global for the international version).
2. Reflash only the modem and persist sections from the original firmware: fastboot flash modem modem.img fastboot flash persist persist.img
3. If it doesn’t work, do a full reset via Fastboot with the Clean All and Lock option.

⚠️ Attention: If after a failed firmware, the phone stopped responding to buttons and does not load even in the Fastboot, the bootloader may be damaged. EDL-mode (emergency firmware through testpoints), which requires special equipment and skills.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions