Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in late 2017, is still a popular budget device, but over time, the standard software shell may no longer meet the needs of the user. Slowing down the system, the lack of fresh security patches or intrusive advertising in the Chinese version of firmware is only the tip of the iceberg of problems faced by owners of gadgets with 3-4 years of experience.
The process of flashing Xiaomi Redmi 5 may seem intimidating to a beginner, but when strictly following the instructions, it turns into a consistent set of simple actions. Modern tools from developers and enthusiasts allow you to carry out this procedure even without deep knowledge of programming. The main thing is to clearly understand what type of firmware you need: the official Global Stable for stable operation or custom build based on Android for maximum performance.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the risks and prepare the workplace. Breaking the process of writing data to flash memory in 90% of cases leads to irreversible damage to the bootloader, turning the phone into a brick. You need a stable Internet connection, good service. USB-cable (preferably original) and Windows computer. Don't neglect backup, as all data on the device will be irretrievably destroyed during the procedure.
Preparation of the device and choice of firmware type
The first step is to determine the current version of the software and the status of the account. Go to Settings → About the phone and write down the version of MIUI. If you have a Chinese version (CN) and you want a Russified version (Global), a simple installation on top of it will not do — you will need to unlock the bootloader. Without an unlocked Bootloader, you can not cross regions, and trying to do this will lead to a verification error.
There are two main installation methods: through Recovery (update over the air or through the recovery menu) and through Fastboot (complete cleaning and flashing from the PC). OTA-For a complete change of region, rollback to an older version or install custom builds, it is Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool utility that are needed.
It is also important to check the status of the device's association with the Mi Account. If Find Device is active, the phone will require a password from the previous account to be flashed, which is protection against theft, which can not be avoided by simple methods. So before starting work, be sure to log out of all Google and Mi accounts, and also turn off the lock screen by setting the password "No".
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 60% battery power. During the firmware process, the device can reboot several times, and a low-charge voltage surge can interrupt the critical stage of writing system files.
The choice of firmware file is critical. Files have the extension.zip for the Recovery method and.tgz for the Fastboot method. Redmi 5 (codename ros) is important not to confuse it with Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince). Installing an inappropriate image can cause a touchscreen, camera or modem to fail.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The official way Xiaomi requires you to submit an application through a special Mi Unlock application, which binds the Mi Account to a specific IMEI device and imposes a time limit that usually ranges from 7 to 168 hours (3 to 7 days).
The process starts with the developer mode, and you need to quickly click on the MIUI version number 7 times in the About menu, and then you go to the advanced settings and activate the USB Debugging option, and then you connect the account to the device on the Mi Unlock status menu, turning on the mobile Internet.
After waiting for the Xiaomi server to release, you can unlock it, you run the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, you log in to the same account you have on your phone, you put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, and you press the Unlock button in the program, and it takes a few minutes and you clean up the data completely.
- 📱 Download the official Mi Unlock utility from the site en.miui.com/unlock.
- 🔗 Link the account in the developer settings (required) SIM-map and mobile Internet).
- ⏳ Wait for the mandatory waiting timer (usually 168 hours).
- 🔓 Unlock through PC in Fastboot mode.
It is worth noting that unlocking the bootloader formally violates warranty obligations, although for a device that is several years old, this does not matter, and some banking applications may stop working due to a violation of system integrity, but this problem can be solved by installing Magisk patches if necessary.
Installation of drivers and preparation of PC
The computer must correctly recognize the smartphone in various modes of operation. Xiaomi Redmi 5 requires the installation of the ADB and Fastboot driver package, as well as Qualcomm drivers. Without them, the computer will see the device as “Unknown device” or simply charge it, ignoring commands.
It is recommended to use the original USB-cable, because cheap analogues often have high resistance and are only designed to charge. USB 2.0 on the motherboard, avoiding the use of front body panels or USB-hubs that may not produce enough current.
Once you install the drivers, check the Device Manager. In Fastboot mode, the Android Phone section with the Android Bootloader Interface device should appear. In USB debugging mode, Android ADB Interface. If you see yellow exclamation points instead, the drivers are not installed correctly and the procedure cannot continue.
☑️ Verification of PC readiness
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
This is the main stage, which requires maximum concentration. 5 (Fastboot version,.tgz extension, and unpack it to the root of the C disk so that the path doesn't contain Cyrillic or spaces: C:\ros_global_images.
Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button, your serial number device should appear on the list. If the device doesn't show, check the cable and drivers. Next, select "Clean all" to completely delete the data and install the clean system. The "Clean all and lock" option will lock the bootloader back, which is recommended only when you install the original global firmware.
Press Flash and wait for completion. Status bar will display progress. Don't touch the cable or turn off the computer. Once completed, the phone will automatically restart. The first boot can last up to 10-15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
fastboot devices
fastboot oem lock
fastboot rebootThe table below shows the basic Fastboot commands that can come in handy when manually running through the command line if the Mi Flash graphical interface fails.
| Team team. | Description of action | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| fastboot reboot | Rebooting the device to normal mode | No. |
| fastboot flash recovery image.img | Recording of the image of Recovery | No (but can fly caste) |
| fastboot erase userdata | Complete deletion of user data | Yes (100%) |
| fastboot oem lock | Locking the loader | Yes (clean firmware required) |
What to do if Mi Flash is a Flash Error Error?
Installation of custom firmware and Recovery
For advanced users, standard MIUI can be too heavy. The alternative is pure Android firmware, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which is devoid of advertising, consumes less RAM, and receives Android updates much longer than the official versions.
To install the custom, you must first flash the custom Recovery, most often TWRP. This is done through Fastboot by the fastboot flash recovery team twrp.img. Immediately after the firmware, you need to boot into TWRP (clamp volume up + power), otherwise the standard system will overwrite the recavereators back.
In the TWRP menu, you need to make a full backup of the current system to a memory card or PC. Then, through the Wipe, you format the Dalvik, System, Data and Cache partitions. Only then, through Install, you select the archive with custom firmware and GApps (Google applications), if they are not built in.
- 🚀 Castom firmware significantly accelerates the work of old iron.
- 🔒 Requires mandatory unlocking of the loader.
- ⚠️ There may be a problem with the camera or NFC assemblies.
⚠️ Note: When installing custom firmware, you lose the warranty (if it is still relevant) and take responsibility for the stability of the device. 4PDA or XDA pre-loading.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 flashing process can cause various failures. Often there is a “Waiting for device” error when the program can’t see the phone. Solution: reinstall the drivers, change the cable or USB-Sometimes it helps to simply restart the program on behalf of the administrator.
Another common problem is the "Anti-rollback" -- it's a security that prevents you from rolling back to an older version of Android or a bootloader. If you try to flash a version with a lower security index, the device can lock permanently. Always check the Anti-rollback version before you run the firmware.
If the phone went into an endless bootloop after firmware, try doing Wipe Data/Factory Reset via Recovery. If that doesn't help, it may be damaged by the persist or modem partition, and you'll need to re-overload through EDL mode, which requires disassembling the phone and closing contacts on the board.
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Use the 7-Zip archiver to unpack firmware files. A standard Windows archiver may not properly process long paths to files inside the.tgz archive, leading to a firmware error.
It is important to monitor the battery during the process, and if the phone runs out in the middle of the system partition recording, recovery will be difficult, always keep Power Bank handy or connect the device to a reliable power source.
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Successful Firmware Reflashing is 20% Reliant on File Correctness and 80% on Quality USB-Cables and drivers. Don't skimp on cables!