How to Upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 5 to the Latest MIUI Version: 3 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) was released in 2017, but still remains popular due to the reliability and ability to install modern firmware. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners are faced with the questions: how to update the device correctly to avoid losing data, avoiding “brick” and get the most out of hardware? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of updating – from standard OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot, and also tell you how to prepare the phone and what to do if something goes wrong.

It’s important to understand: Redmi 5 officially supports upgrades to MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10 (the latest stable version).Newer firmware, such as MIUI 13/14 or custom builds (such as LineageOS), require unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted. We will focus on official methods that do not violate Xiaomi’s policies and retain all the features of the smartphone.

1. Preparation of the smartphone for the update

Before you start upgrading, there are a few critical steps that need to be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, disruption, or even a build-up of the device, starting with checking the current firmware version and free space.

Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Here you will see the current firmware (e.g. V12.5.1.0.QEGMIXM). Remember or write down this information, it will come in handy if you need to roll back. Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60 percent. Upgrades via Recovery or Fastboot can take up to 30 minutes, and there are consequences to discharging in the process.
• 📱 Free space is at least 2 GB on the internal drive. The firmware weighs ~1.5-2 GB, plus you need some storage for temporary files.
• 🔌 Stable Wi-Fi connection. Downloading an update via the mobile Internet may be interrupted or incur additional costs.
• 🔒 Backup. Even with OTA- updates, there is a risk of data loss. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root).

If you plan to upgrade via Fastboot, you will additionally need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• ⚙️ Qualcomm and ADB/Fastboot drivers installed (instruction below).

⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 5 was purchased in China (the CN version in the firmware name), an update via global OTA may block some features (e.g. Google Services).

Check the version. MIUI Android|Make a backup of contacts and files|Charge the battery to 60%+|Release 2+ GB memory|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi-->

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most secure method is to upgrade through the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) system, which is suitable for most users, because it does not require technical skills and saves all the data.

• ⏳ Updates come with a delay (sometimes up to several months after release).
• 🔄 You cannot “jump” through versions (e.g., from MIUI 11 immediately to MIUI 12.5).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Global firmware (Global) is not updated to Chinese (CN) and vice versa.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Update Package (if you already have a.zip file downloaded with firmware).
3. If the update is available, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update. The phone will restart and install the firmware automatically (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the Update button is inactive or says “No updates”, try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes corporate networks block Xiaomi servers).
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 days — updates can come in waves.

⚠️ Warning: If after the OTA- update, the phone is stuck on startup the MI logo for longer than 10 minutes, don't panic. Try forcefully rebooting it by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds. If that doesn't work, go to method 2 (Recovery).

Once a month, if you have updates | Only when critical bugs |Never, I'm afraid to break |I don't know what firmware is-->

3. Method 2: Update via Recovery

If OTA- update is not available or you want to install a specific firmware version, you can use Recovery mode.

• 📥 Install manually downloaded updates (.zip).
• 🔄 Recovery after a failure OTA.
• 🚀 Switch to a newer version bypassing the OTA queue (e.g., from MIUI 12 to MIUI 12.5).

For this method, you will need an official firmware.zip file, which can be downloaded from MIUI Downloads (select Redmi 5 model, region and desired version).

• 🏷️ Firmware type: Recovery (not Fastboot!).
• 🌐 Region: Global, EEA (Europe), Russia or CN (China).
• 📅 Release Date: Take the latest stable version (labeled Stable).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware.zip file and move it to the root directory of internal memory (not in folders!). The file name should look like this: miui_HM5Global_V12.5.1.0.QEGMIXM_....
2. Turn off the phone.
3. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
4. In the Recovery menu, select the language (English or Chinese) then:

If the phone freezes after a restart or reboots cyclically, try:

• 🔄 Repeat installation by pre-executing Wipe Cache in the Recovery menu.
• 📥 Download the firmware again (possibly the file was corrupted when downloading).

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

Fastboot is the most reliable firmware installation method, but it's also the most complex one.

• 🔧 You want a clean installation without any residue from the old firmware.
• 🔄 OTA and Recovery do not work (for example, after a failed update).
• 📦 You need to flash custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP) for further manipulation.

This method will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (downloaded from the same MIUI Downloads site).
• 🛠️ Used by Mi Flash Tool, ADB/Fastboot drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\rosy_global_images_...).
2. Install ADB/Fastboot drivers (you can use Mi PC Suite or manually via Android SDK).
3. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot mode:

Mi Flash Tool

Select

At the bottom, select the firmware mode:

• Clean all – clean all (delete all data!)
• Save user data – saves user files (but there are possible glitches).
• Clean all and lock – Clean + lock the boot loader (not recommended).
• Press Flash and wait for completion (10-20 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Flash Tool is producing an error 0x80070002 or 0x80070005, check if the drivers are installed correctly (use the official instructions). If the phone is connected to the port USB 2.0 (some laptops have problems with USB 3.0).

💡

If the phone does not turn on after firmware through Fastboot, try to go to Recovery (Loudness up). + Power) and run Wipe Data. This will delete all the data, but often solves the problem of stuck on the logo.

5. How to check the success of the update

After restarting the phone, you need to make sure the firmware is installed correctly.

1. Check out the MIUI and Android version:

• Go to Settings. → The phone.
• Compare the build number to the one you set, for example, if you flashed V12.5.1.0.QEGMIXM, the settings should show the same value.

2. check the performance of key functions:

• 📶 Network and calls: make a test call, check the mobile Internet.
• 📷 Camera: Take a photo and video.
• 🔊 Sound: Listen to music through speakers and headphones.
• 🔋 Charging: Connect the charger and make sure that charging is underway.
• 👆 Sensors: Check the fingerprint, gyroscope (e.g. in-game)

If you notice any bugs:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone — sometimes it solves the temporary glitches.
• 📥 Reset the cache via Recovery (Wipe → Wipe Cache).
• 📧 Report the bug in the official Xiaomi forum (specify the model and firmware version).

If after the update, the phone began to discharge faster or warm up, give it 1-2 days to “flame” – the system optimizes the background processes. If the problem remains, try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings).

💡

Once updated through Fastboot with a clean all, the phone will be like new — no Mi Account, Wi-Fi passwords, or installed apps.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

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

Error: Cannot verify update in Recovery

Causes and solutions:

• 📄 Damaged firmware → Download it again and check the hash (MD5).
• 🏷️ Incorrect file name → Rename it to update.zip.
• 🔒 Region mismatch → Switch only the version that suits your phone (e.g. Global on Global).

This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device

This error means that you are trying to install the firmware:

• 📱 For another model (e.g. firmware from Redmi 5 Plus on Redmi 5).
• 🔙 To an older version (downgrade). Xiaomi blocks rollbacks to previous versions MIUI.
• 🌍 For another region (e.g., CN on a Global Device).

Solution: download the correct firmware from the official website.

phone is stuck on startup MI logo after update

If the phone does not load for more than 15 minutes:

1. Forced reboot it by clamping Power for 20 seconds.
2. If it doesn’t work, go to Recovery and do Wipe Cache.
3. If that doesn’t work, then swipe your phone over the Fastboot with a clean all.

Error 0x8007001f in Mi Flash Tool

This error is related to:

• ⚡ Unstable Connection USB → Try another cable or port.
• 🖥️ No Administrator Rights → Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the Administrator.
• 🛠️ Outdated drivers → Update drivers through Device Manager.

7. Alternative methods: Castomic firmware

If the official updates for Redmi 5 are no longer coming out, but you want to get a fresh Android, you can consider custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS is pure Android without shell MIUI (supports Android 11 for Redmi 5).
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• 🚀 Havoc-OS is a customizable firmware with many features.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 720 hours to wait!).
2. Install custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP).
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google Services Package) from the XDA Developers website.
4. Swipe through TWRP (instructions depend on firmware).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ A more recent version of Android.
• ✅ No Advertising and Unnecessary Xiaomi Apps.
• ✅ More opportunities to set up.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of official support and guarantees.
• ❌ There may be bugs (e.g., a broken camera or NFC).
• ❌ Technical skills are required.

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware can result in the loss of IMEI (and thus the mobile network) or the device's permanent blink. Before experimenting, make sure you have a persist partition backup (responsible for IMEI) and you're prepared for the risks.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions