How to Refuse Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus for Global MIUI: A Complete Guide to Unlocking and Installation

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vinci) is still a popular smartphone due to its balanced hardware and the ability to install current firmware. However, many users face a problem: the Chinese version of the device (CN) is deprived of Google services, have limited localization and advertising in MIUI. Global firmware solves these problems, but its installation requires unlocking the bootloader and selecting the right files.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for reflashing Redmi 5 Plus on the official or custom global MIUI, including unlocking the bootloader, selecting the firmware version (Stable/Developer), as well as how to install via Fastboot and TWRP. We will analyze the nuances for different regions (EEA, Global, Russia) and warn against typical errors that can turn the phone into a “brick”.

Important: the procedure resets all data on the device. If you are not ready for this or doubt your abilities, contact the specialists. Also note that unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty (if it is still valid).

1. Preparation for flashing: what you need to know before you start

Before you start the procedure, make sure your Redmi 5 Plus meets the following key requirements:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%. Interrupting the process due to discharge can cause irreparable firmware damage.
• 📱 Device model: check Settings → About Phone → Model. Must be specified Redmi 5 Plus or vinci.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader. Without this, it is impossible to install global firmware (see section 2).
• 💻 Windows PC 7/10/11 (to unlock and firmware via Fastboot). macOS/Linux Driver issues are possible.

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Original USB- cable (preferably from the kit) Cheap cables can cause errors in data transmission.
• ⚙️ Drivers for Xiaomi (download automatically when connected or manually from the official website).
• 📁 Data backup. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copying on your PC.

⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 5 Plus is purchased in China and has a CN Stable firmware with a Mi Account binding, a 30-day wait may be required after unlocking the bootloader (as per Xiaomi policy).

2. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

The bootloader on all Xiaomi devices is locked by default, and unlocking it is a mandatory step before installing global firmware, taking 5 minutes to 30 days (depending on the status of the Mi Account).

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account to your device

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in (or create a new account).
2. Enable Settings → Additional → For developers → Unlock OEM.
3. Connect your phone to the Internet via mobile data (Wi-Fi may not work!) and try unlocking the bootloader through Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to For Developers and find the Unlock Status item).

Step 2: Use the Mi Unlock utility

1. Download the official utility Mi Unlock (version for Windows).
2. Run the program on behalf of the administrator and log in under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Power + Volume down until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. Press Unlock in the utility.

If you see a message saying “Couldn’t unlock. Wait 168 hours” it means that Xiaomi has set a 30-day waiting period (168 hours is 7 days, but in practice it often takes a full month).

• Connect your phone to your Mi Account every day (at least 1 hour).
• Do not reset your settings or change your account.
• Repeat the attempt to unlock every 7 days.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Redmi 5 Plus will automatically reset to factory settings. All data (photos, contacts, messages) will be deleted! If you don't backup, it won't be possible to return it.

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If Mi Unlock doesn’t see the device, try disabling driver signatures in Windows: run the command prompt on behalf of the administrator and perform bcdedit/set nointegritychecks on, then restart the PC.

3. firmware choice: official global vs custom

Once you unlock the bootloader, you need to decide on the type of firmware. Each option has pros and cons:

Where do I download the firmware?

• 🌍 Official global versions: miui.com (choose Redmi 5 Plus → Global or EEA).
• 🛠️ Castom firmware: XDA Developers (look for themes for vinci).
• 🔄 Archived versions: Xiaomi Firmware Updater (if you need a specific build).

For Redmi 5 Plus, current firmware versions (at the time of 2026):

• MIUI 12.5 Global Stable (the last official one for vinci)
• MIUI 13/14 via ported custom builds (unofficially)

Important! Don't download firmware from questionable sources. Files with the.tgz or.zip extension (for Fastboot) should weigh 1.5-2.5 GB. If a file is less than 1 GB, it's probably incomplete firmware!

4. Installation of global firmware via Fastboot (recommended method)

The method through Fastboot is suitable for official firmware and is considered the most reliable.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz format (unpack it into a folder with a path without Cyrillic!).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder, such as C:\MIUI\vinci_global.
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the device is off).
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean all – clean (recommended). Clean all and lock – clean + lock the bootloader (only if you are sure that you will no longer be flashing!). Save user data – does not work to change the firmware region!

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you an error "flash_all_lock.bin not found," you downloaded the incomplete firmware. Download the full package (.tgz) and try again.

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Use only the official Mi Flash Tool. Alternative utilities (such as the SP Flash Tool) are not designed for Xiaomi and can damage the device.

5. Alternative method: firmware via TWRP (for custom assemblies)

If you choose custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you will need to install a custom TWRP recavator.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the current version of TWRP for vinci from the official website (.img file).
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode and connect to the PC.
3. Open the command line in the fastboot folder (or use the Platform Tools from Android SDK) and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-vinci.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-vinci.img

Step 2. Firmware through TWRP

1. Place the downloaded firmware (.zip) on the internal memory or SD- card.
2. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install

Wipe Cache/Dalvik

Important nuances:

• 🔄 If you are running GApps (Google services), install them immediately after you have firmware without restarting!
• 🔒 Some custom firmware requires you to disable signature verification in TWRP settings (Settings → Disable DM-Verity).
• ⚠️ If you've got your phone stuck on your logo after you've run it, it's not compatible with your bootloader version. Try a different build.

6. Verification of the result and solution of possible problems

After successful firmware, follow the following steps:

1. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. It should be Global or EEA.
2. Make sure that you are working: 📶 Mobile Network (including 4G). 📶 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 📷 Camera (check both modules!). 🔊 Speakers and microphone.

Play Market

Typical problems and their solutions:

If the IMEI disappeared after the firmware or the sensors stopped working, the EFS section was most likely damaged.

1. Download the EFS backup for vinci (look for your firmware version!).
2. Run it through TWRP or Fastboot (fastboot flash modem command NON-HLOS.bin).

⚠️ Warning: If you flashed the Redmi 5 Plus to firmware from another device (like the Redmi Note 5), the phone may completely fail, in which case only flashing through EDL- mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and boxing).

7. Update the firmware after installation

After successful firmware for the global version, you can update MIUI in two ways:

• 🔄 Through OTA: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the update doesn't come, check the firmware region (should match the current version).
• 📥 Manually via Recovery: Download the full service pack (.zip) from the official website. Put it at the root of internal memory. Recovery (press Power + Volume Up). Select Apply update from SD card and specify the downloaded file.

Important for custom firmware:

• Updates through OTAs may not work. Stay tuned for updates on the XDA forum.
• Before upgrading, do a backup via TWRP!
• If Android 10+ is running and you’ve been running Android 9, you may need to completely reflash it.

If the phone stopped loading after the update, try:

1. Clear the cache through Recovery (Wipe Cache).
2. Reverse to the previous version (if there is a backup).
3. Swipe the full package through Fastboot.

8. rollback to Chinese firmware (if necessary)

If the global firmware was unstable or you need the Chinese version features (e.g., the IR- blaster with an extended set of commands), you can return the original firmware.

1. Download Chinese firmware (CN Stable) from the official website.
2. Sweep it through Fastboot in Clean All mode (see Section 4).
3. After the firmware, link the phone to your Mi Account (otherwise, there may be activation problems).

Nuances:

• When you return to CN, the firmware will be removed from Google Play and all related services.
• Some features (such as Google Pay) may not work even after re-routing to the global version – a DRM- key reset is required.
• If you blocked the bootloader after the firmware (Clean all and lock), unlocking will require a re-wait (up to 30 days).

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Before rolling back to Chinese firmware, back up your data via TWRP or Mi Cloud. After changing the region, all settings and applications will be deleted!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 5 Plus flashing