Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, also known as Vince, remains a popular device even years after its release, but over time, the software may no longer meet user requirements or receive official security updates. Flashing this gadget is an effective way to return him to a second life, speed up the system, remove advertising debris or upgrade to a custom version of Android if the standard MIUI no longer meets your needs.
The process of software replacement requires careful and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions, as any error in the interaction stage with the bootloader can lead to the failure of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps from unlocking Bootloader to the final installation of the new firmware through the Mi Flash Tool utility, so that you can perform the procedure safely and efficiently.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize that flashing is a deep system operation that completely erases all data from the internal drive. The Redmi 5 Plus model is based on the Snapdragon 625 processor, which has its own firmware features through Fastboot, different from the newer chipsets. So tool preparation and backup are critical steps that can not be ignored under any circumstances.
Preparation of the device and the necessary software
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the correct preparation of the workplace and the availability of all the necessary components. USB-cable, Windows computer and stable Internet connection to download files. USB-Hubs or front ports of the system unit, as unstable voltage or data transfer can interrupt the process of writing system files, which will lead to critical errors.
First of all, you need to download and install drivers. ADB And Fastboot, which will allow for proper communication between the PC and the phone, and without the drivers installed, the computer simply won't see the device in bootloader mode, and no further manipulation will be possible. You should also download the current version of the Mi Flash Tool utility, which is the official tool of Xiaomi developers to work with Fastboot. ROM.
The most important stage of preparation is to find and download the correct firmware image. For Redmi 5 Plus, there are different versions: Global, China, Russia, as well as Stable and Developer firmware types. You need Fastboot ROM, which has the extension.tgz, not Recovery ROM with the extension.zip, as the latter is designed to be updated through the recovery menu and is not suitable for full flashing through the PC.
- 📱 Original. USB-Micro-USB cable for reliable connection.
- 💻 Computer or laptop with Windows 7, 10 or 11 operating system.
- 🔋 Battery charge of the smartphone at least 60% to prevent shutdown.
- 📂 Fastboot Firmware Archive Unpacked in the Root of C Disk for Short Track.
⚠️ Note: Using firmware from another model (like the Redmi Note 5) is guaranteed to turn your phone into a brick.Always check the code name of the device - for the Redmi 5 Plus, it's a vince.
After downloading all files, make sure that the antivirus software on your computer does not block the driver or the firmware utility. Often, security systems mistakenly react to low-level access tools, considering them a potential threat, so you should add exceptions or temporarily disable protection during the procedure.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi’s official policy prohibits unofficial software installation and firmware from being installed through Fastboot without first unlocking the bootloader, a security mechanism that protects user data but is also an obstacle for enthusiasts. Unlocking requires linking the Mi Account to the device and waiting for a certain time, which can be from 7 to 168 hours.
To start, activate the developer mode by going to Settings → About Phone and quickly clicking 7 times on the MIUI Version. After you notice that you have become a developer, go to the Additional → For Developers menu and turn on the “Unlock bootloader” and “Debugging over USB” options. These actions will allow the phone to receive commands from the computer.
Next, you need to download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer, launch it and log into your Mi Account. Turn on Wi-Fi on your phone, insert SIM-the card (preferably the one to which the account is attached), and in the bootloader unlock menu, click the add account button. After successfully linking the utility on the computer will show the status of "Current status: Locked", which means that you are ready to wait for the timer.
After the latency (for example, 168 hours), repeat the procedure for logging into Fastboot mode on your phone, pressing the Volume Down + Power buttons, and connect it to your PC. In the Mi Unlock utility, press the Unlock button, confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed. The phone will reboot and clear all data, which is a standard security procedure.
What to do if the timer is reset?
Installation of drivers and Fastboot mode
Fastboot is a low-level diagnostic interface built into Qualcomm devices that allows you to perform operations on your phone’s memory before the operating system boots, and it’s in this mode that new partitions are written, so the drivers are critical here. When you connect an unlocked Redmi 5 Plus in this mode, the computer must emit a characteristic sound of connecting new hardware.
If the device appears as “Unknown” or with an exclamation mark in Windows Device Manager, you need to manually update the driver. Select the device in the list, click “Update driver” → “Select driver from the list available” → “Select driver from the list available.” In the list, you need to find “Android Bootloader Interface” or install drivers from the folder that comes with the Flash Mi Tool.
Visually, Fastboot mode on the Redmi screen 5 Plus is defined by the image of a hare in a hat-hushanka fixing an android, and the inscription FASTBOOT If you see this screen, it means the phone is ready to run, and you leave this firmware-free mode by pressing the power button for a long time. 10-15 seconds.
- 🔌 Connect the phone in the off state by clamping Volume Down + Nutrition.
- 🖥️ Check the Device Manager for Android Bootloader Interface».
- ⚡ Make sure the cable is good and has no overhangs.
- 🚫 Do not connect your phone in Recovery mode for Fastboot firmware.
It is worth noting that the lack of ADB drivers will not allow you to use Fastboot commands through the command line, although the Mi Flash Tool often has built-in drivers. However, for complete certainty and the possibility of manual diagnosis, it is better to install the full Minimal ADB and Fastboot package separately.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
The Mi Flash Tool is the main tool for recording system image. After running the program, press the Refresh button to make sure the computer sees the connected phone. The status bar should show the device with the serial number. If the device does not appear, check the cable connection and the correct installation of the drivers.
The next step is to choose the path to the unpacked firmware. Press the Select button and specify the folder where the firmware file is located. Importantly, the path to the folder should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the program may give an error when reading files. C:\rom\vince_global.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
At the bottom of the program window, you'll see three options: "clean all," "save user data," and "clean all and lock." Selecting clean all mode will clean the phone completely and install the new system, leaving the bootloader open. Clean all and lock mode will also clear the data, but will try to lock the bootloader back, which is only safe when you're firmware the original regional version.
| Firmware mode | Action. | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| clean all | Complete data cleanup | Recommended for changing the region or version of Android |
| save user data | Data retention | Update only within one version of MIUI |
| clean all and lock | Cleaning and locking | Only to return to stock before sale |
| recovery mode | Reconstruction regime | Not used for Fastboot firmware |
After selecting the mode, press the "Flash" button, the recording process will begin, which will take from 200 to 600 seconds, during which it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the computer, and the progress bar will be filled in green, displaying the status of the commands being executed.
Typical errors and methods of their elimination
When you run Redmi 5 Plus, you often encounter a “Flash Error: Can not find MD5” or “Anti-rollback check failed” error. The first error usually indicates a broken firmware file or the wrong path to it, so you should recheck the integrity of the archive and repackage it. The second error means you try to roll back to an older version of Android, which is prohibited by the Anti-rollback security mechanism.
If the process hangs on a certain percentage or gives an error "Unspported operation", this may indicate problems with the process. USB-Try the port (preferably the port) USB 2.0 instead of 3.0, replace the cable or reinstall the Qualcomm driver HS-USB QDLoader 9008 if the phone went into emergency mode.
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If the phone is gone into an endless restart (bootloop), try to press the volume button up and power to log in to Recovery and make Wipe Data, or reflash the device again in Fastboot mode.
Another common problem is the Not enough space in storage error, which occurs when you try to flash a heavy firmware version (like Global) over the Chinese version with a different partition markup. In such cases, you need to clean it completely or use special scripts to change the region, but for Redmi 5 Plus, the standard clean all firmware usually solves the problem.
⚠️ Warning: An anti-rollback error is fatal if you’re trying to roll back from the MIUI 11 on MIUI 9 on some versions. Always check the Android version in the firmware file name.
If the phone has stopped responding to buttons and the computer defines it as “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008”, this is Emergency Download (EDL) mode. To exit it on Redmi 5 Plus, it often helps disassemble the case and close the test points on the board, or wait for the battery to completely discharge.
First start and set up system
Once the firmware is successfully completed, the phone will automatically restart. The first launch of the new system can take up to 5-10 minutes, as it optimizes applications and creates cache. Don't be alarmed if the screen is lit with the MI logo for a long time - this is normal behavior for Android after a complete data cleanup.
At the initial setup stage, the system may request Wi-Fi connection and login to your Mi Account. If you have chosen firmware mode with bootloader lock, login to an account that was previously linked may be mandatory (Mi Account Lock protection). Make sure you remember the password from your account, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device.
After loading the desktop, it is recommended to immediately check the version of the system in the About Phone menu and update the applications through the Google Play Market. It is also worth configuring the sensors and screen calibration if there are deviations in the sensor or brightness in the new firmware.
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Successful firmware is completed only after full setup of the phone and check the operation of all modules: calls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and camera.