How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: Official and alternative methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A (The codename ugg remains a popular budget smartphone even years after its release, but over time, the device’s performance may decline due to outdated software, and official updates from Xiaomi for this model have long been discontinued. Firmware allows you not only to update Android to the current version, but also to improve performance, add new features or even install custom software like LineageOS.

In this guide, we will analyze all available ways to flash Redmi Note 5A — from official updates through MIUI Updater before installing unofficial firmware through TWRP We will pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader without waiting for 720 hours (current for 2026) and solving typical errors such as anti-rollback or bootloop.

Preparation for Flashing: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Flashing is not just about clicking the "Update" button, but doing the wrong thing can turn your Redmi Note. 5A Check the brick before you start:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 70%, and interruption due to discharge is almost guaranteed to cause a failure.
• 📱 Model of the device: flashing for Redmi Note 5A Prime (ugg) will not work for the basic version (ugglite). → The phone. → Model.
• 🔐 Backup: All data (photos, contacts, messages) will be erased. Use Mi Cloud or adb backup.
• 🖥️ Computer: to unlock the bootloader and firmware through fastboot you will need a Windows PC 10/11 Linux.

If you are planning to install custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS), consider:

• 🛠️ You will need to unlock the bootloader (officially via the Mi Unlock Tool).
• 🔄 Anti-Rollback: Redmi Note 5A It has protection against rollbacks to older versions. MIUI. Trying to install a firmware with a lower number ARB lock-in.
• 📡 Networking modules: Some custom firmware may not support VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling on this device.

⚠️ Please note: if your Redmi Note 5A was purchased in China (domestic version), firmware global or European MIUI It may lead to problems with IMEI Check the region in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Official firmware: update through MIUI Updater and Recovery

The safest way to upgrade is through Xiaomi’s built-in tools, which is suitable if:

• 📲 You want to stay on MIUI (For example, switch from Chinese to global).
• 🔄 You already have a bootloader unlocked (or you don't plan to install custom software).
• 🛡️ You are afraid of "bricking" and prefer official methods.

Step 1 Update through MIUI Updater

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
3. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 5A From en.miui.com (select the Recovery version) ROM).
4. After downloading the file (usually weighs) ~1.5-2 GB) select it from the update menu and confirm installation.

Step 2: Update via Recovery (if the first method didn’t work):

1. Downloaded firmware file (.zip) renamed to update.zip Put it in the root of internal memory.
2. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Install update.zip to System (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If you update with Recovery with E: Footer is wrong, you're corrupting the firmware file. Download it again and check the checksum. MD5 (For example, through the HashMyFiles utility).

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Official firmware MIUI For the Redmi Note 5A No longer updated (last version — MIUI 12.5 based on Android 9).

Unlocking the bootloader: bypassing the limit of 720 hours in 2026

Xiaomi has imposed a limit on unlocking a bootloader: 30 days (720 hours) must be waited after an account is linked to a device, but there are legal ways to circumvent this requirement.

Method 1. via Mi Unlock Tool (official)

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Enable OEM Unlock in Settings → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times on the Build Number in About Phone).
3. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
4. Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and watch the timer. In 720 hours, the Unlock button will appear.

Method 2: Accelerated Unlocking (2026)

Some users have successfully reduced the waiting time to 72–168 hours using the following trick:

1. Link your Mi Account to the device.
2. Install the XiaomiTool app on your phone V2 (available on GitHub).
3. Connect to the same account in XiaomiTool and select Check Unlock Status.
4. Repeat the status check every 2-3 hours. Sometimes Xiaomi servers reset the timer.

⚠️ Attention: Use of informal unlocking methods (e.g. through EDL) This may result in the blocking of the Mi Account or IMEI. In 2026, Xiaomi tightened control over such actions.

Installation of custom firmware: from TWRP up to LineageOS

If official MIUI You don't like it, you can install custom firmware based on Android 10-13. 5A:

• 📱 LineageOS (Pure Android without Bloatware).
• 🎨 Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface).
• ⚡ Havoc-OS (maximum customization).
• 🔧 ArrowOS (balance between performance and function).

Step 1 Installation TWRP Recovery

You need to install custom firmware TWRP — Alternative recovery with support for installing.zip files.

1. Download the latest version TWRP for ugg/ugglite official website.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and put it in a folder with fastboot (for example, C:\platform-tools).
3. Connect your phone in fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
4. Immediately after the firmware reboot to TWRP, holding up + Nutrition.

Step 2: Custom software firmware

Before installing the firmware, it is necessary to:

Make a backup through TWRP (backup)

Download firmware (.zip) and GApps (if necessary)

Check the compatibility of the firmware with the model (ugg/ugglite)

Format the section /data (Wipe → Format Data)

-->

1. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1) and Open GApps if necessary (select the option). arm64 → 10.0 → pico).
2. Transfer files to your phone or flash drive (into the fat32).
3. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Return to the main menu, click Install and select the firmware file, then GApps.
5. After installation, run Wipe Cache/Dalvik and restart.

Step 3. First setup

After downloading:

• 🔄 Wait for application optimization (may take 5-15 minutes).
• 📶 Set up a mobile network manually (some custom firmware is resetting) APN).
• 🔒 Turn it on. OEM Unlock again (if you plan to manipulate it further).

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If after firmware does not work camera or fingerprint sensor, download a separate fix from the forum XDA Developers (search for themes using the ugg model).

Solving Common Errors When Setting Redmi Note 5A

Even if you follow the instructions strictly, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1. "Anti-Rollback" error" (ARB)

If you are trying to install a firmware with a lower number ARB, The device will be locked, but not the current one:

• Hold the Loud up. + Power to enter the fastboot.
• Connect to the PC and execute: fastboot getvar anti
• Compare the output to the firmware version, for example, if the current ARB=4, you cannot install the firmware with ARB=3.

2. Bootloop (cyclic reboot)

If the phone is constantly rebooting:

• 🔄 Try to get in. TWRP and wipe Cache and Dalvik.
• 📦 Flip the same firmware version over it (without formatting data).
• 🔧 If the problem persists, go back to the official MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

Error "This package is for ugg devices; this is a ugglite"

You downloaded the firmware for the wrong model.

• 📱 Redmi Note 5A (basic version - code name ugglite.
• 📱 Redmi Note 5A Prime is the code name for ugg.

Retreat to official MIUI: return the stock firmware

If custom firmware worked unstable or you need official updates, you can return the stockware MIUI. It's gonna take a while:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool.
• 📁 Fastboot ROM For your model (download from the official website).
• 🔓 Unlocked loader.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot ROM in a folder without spaces (for example, C:\MIUI\ugg_global).
2. Connect your phone in fastboot mode.
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the folder with the firmware.
4. At the bottom, choose clean all (full reset) or clean all and lock (reset + lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: The clean all and lock option will block the bootloader, and you'll have to wait 720 hours to re-unblock.

After the firmware:

• 🔄 The first download can take up to 15 minutes.
• 📱 Set your phone as new (restore data from the backup).
• 🔒 Turn it on. OEM Unlock and USB Debugging again if you plan to manipulate it further.

Recommendations after flashing: optimization and security

Successful firmware is only half the battle. 5A worked steadily:

1. Optimization of productivity

• ⚡ Turn off animation: in Settings → For developers, set the scale of animation windows, transitions and animators on 0.5x or off.
• 🧹 Remove unnecessary applications via adb: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: fully discharge and charge the phone 2-3 times in a row.

2. Security.

• 🔒 Install Magisk for root rights (if necessary), but avoid modules that conflict with SafetyNet.
• 🛡️ Check SafetyNet through the SafetyNet Test app. If the test fails, use the MagiskHide Props Config module.
• 📡 Update modem and firmware to the latest versions (see for more details) XDA).

3. Backup

After setting up the system:

• 📱 Create a backup through TWRP (Boot, System, Data sections).
• ☁️ Download the backup to the cloud (Google Drive, Mega).
• 📝 Save the list of installed applications through adb: adb shell pm list packages -f > apps.txt

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After custom firmware firmware is installed, some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) may block work due to root rights. Use MagiskHide or Island to isolate such applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note flashing 5A