How to reflash Xiaomi Mi 5 Plus: 3 working methods + error solving

Reflashing the Xiaomi Mi 5 Plus is a challenge that may seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, it becomes feasible even for users with minimal experience. This smartphone, released in 2016, still remains relevant thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 820 processor and the ability to install modern firmware. However, the wrong actions during firmware can turn the device into a “brick”, so it is important to understand all the nuances of the process.

In this article, we will discuss three main methods of flashing: MIUI Updater (official), Recovery (power users) and Fastboot (the most reliable, but PC-required) will also help you avoid common bugs like Error: 7 or the Mi logo, and what tools will be needed to successfully upgrade. If your Mi 5 Plus is braking, discharged quickly or not getting OTA-This guide will help you get your second life back.

Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start firmware, there are a few critical steps to follow: neglecting them can lead to data loss, device failures, or even complete failure. Start by backing up all important files — photos, contacts, messages, and apps — using Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local storage on your PC.

Then check the current firmware version. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write this down as it will come in handy for choosing the right firmware. For example, if you have a global version of MIUI 12.5 installed, don’t try to flash Chinese MIUI 14 without first unlocking the bootloader.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or by TWRP (if established).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%, interruption of the process due to battery discharge can lead to serious consequences.
• 💻 Install drivers for Xiaomi Mi 5 Plus on PC. Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔗 Download the firmware from a proven source. for Mi 5 Plus, Xiaomi Firmware Updater or 4PDA.

Pay special attention to the choice of firmware type:

• The official (Stable) is a stable version from Xiaomi, suitable for most users.
• Custom ROMs, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, offer more features but require an unlocked bootloader.
• Beta version is a test firmware with new features, but possible bugs.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to flash custom firmware, first unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool. Without this step, the device will not accept unofficial software. The unlock process can take up to 72 hours (requires binding to the Mi Account).

Method 1: Firmware via MIUI Updater (the easiest way)

This is a way to install official updates without using a PC. It's perfect if your device receives the update. OTA-Update, but you want to speed up the process or return the previous version MIUI. The main advantage is the minimum risk of errors, since the firmware is installed through the built-in software.

Instructions:

1. Download a firmware file with the.zip extension (for example, miui_MI5PlusGlobal_V12.5.1.0.QGGMIXM_...) From the official website of Xiaomi or Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Place the file in the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not in the folder!).
3. Open the Update app on your phone.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

The device will restart to recovery mode, where the installation process will begin, and it will take 5-10 minutes, and don't interrupt or turn off the phone, which can damage system files.

Download the firmware for your model (Global/China)

Check integrity ZIP-File (no errors in the unpacking process)

Charge your phone to at least 50%

Disable the antivirus (can block the installation)

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you download via Updater)-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after firmware, try to go to Recovery (click Volume).+ + Power) and reset via Wipe Data, which will delete all data, but it will return to work.

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (TWRP)

This method is suitable for custom firmware or official MIUI installations if the standard Updater refuses to work. It will require TWRP Recovery, an alternative recovery menu that allows you to install unofficial software. Note that the Mi 5 Plus requires a TWRP version that is compatible with the Snapdragon 820 processor.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (if not done earlier).
2. Download TWRP for Mi 5 Plus from twrp.me (select the gemini version, the model’s coded name).
3. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2-gemini.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2-gemini.img
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (if you install custom firmware).
5. Press Install, select a firmware file and confirm the installation.
6. After completion, press Reboot System.

If you replace TWRP with standard Recovery after a reboot, you have to lock the bootloader, so you need to flash the TWRP again and install the firmware immediately after that without restarting the device.

💡

If your mobile network is not working after installing custom firmware, check if it supports your modem model. Sometimes you need to flash a separate modem.img file through Fastboot.

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

This is considered the most reliable method, since the firmware is installed directly into the device memory via a PC, it is suitable for restoring a bricked phone or installing an official firmware from scratch, but requires more time and accuracy.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers installed.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpack it into a folder).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume).− + Nutrition).
2. Connect the device to a PC. The device should appear in Device Manager Android Bootloader Interface.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
4. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when changing the version of MIUI); Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock the bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always working correctly).

Flash

If the Mi Flash Tool is 0x80070002 error, check the path to the firmware folder, which should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces.

Typical Firmware Errors and Their Solutions

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

1. Error error: 7 in TWRP

This error occurs if you are trying to install firmware that is incompatible with your model or MIUI version.

• Check that the downloaded firmware is designed specifically for Mi 5 Plus (code name - gemini).
• If you are running custom ROM, make sure it supports your version of Android (e.g. LineageOS 18.1 requires Android 11).
• Edit the updater-script file in the firmware archive by removing the line with the model verification (for power users only!).

2. the phone does not turn on after firmware

If the device does not respond to the power button, try:

• Hold the Loudness.+ + Power for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
• Connect to charging for 30 minutes – sometimes the battery is discharged in the process.
• Swipe the device again through Fastboot (method 3).

3. Hanging on the Mi logo

This is because of a conflict of system files.

• Go to Recovery and do Wipe Cache.
• If it doesn’t work, do a full reset (Wipe Data).
• Reflash the device with cleaning all partitions (Clean all in Mi Flash Tool).

💡

If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI If the network is not working, never restore it through an engineering menu (##4636##) — This can lead to permanent loss of communication. modem.img via Fastboot.

How to return the official firmware after custom

If you've experimented with custom firmware but want to go back to standard MIUI, follow this instruction. The process is a little more complicated than regular firmware, as it requires a complete cleaning of all partitions.

Steps:

1. Download the official firmware in.tgz format for Mi 5 Plus, for example, gemini_global_images_V12.5.1.0.QGGMIXM_...).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder with no path gaps (e.g., C:\Mi5Plus\proshivka).
3. Download your phone to Fastboot (Volume)− + Nutrition).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All mode and flash the device.
5. Once completed, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes.

If you have an unlocked bootloader after returning to the official firmware, you can lock it again via the Mi Flash Tool, selecting Clean all and lock mode, but remember that this will result in a reset of all data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi firmware 5 Plus