Despite its age, the Xiaomi Redmi 5A remains a popular device due to its reliability and low maintenance cost. However, over time, the software can become outdated, accumulate errors or require a change of region for applications to work correctly. Flashing through a personal computer is the most reliable way to restore the health of the gadget if the standard air-to-air update methods (OTA) do not work or are blocked.
The process of replacing the operating system using a PC requires some preparation and care, as the user gets full control over the partitions of the device's memory. Unlike surface reset settings, flashing allows you to completely install the latest version of MIUI, eliminating software conflicts, viruses and system debris that may have accumulated over the years of operation.
In this guide, we will go through all the preparation steps, tools and step-by-step algorithms for successful firmware installation. Using official utilities and verified files minimizes the risks, making the procedure accessible even for those who are faced with such tasks for the first time.
Preparation for flashing: tools and drivers
Before starting any manipulations with the software of the smartphone, you need to make sure that there is a high-quality USB-Cheap cables designed only for charging may not provide stable data transfer, which will lead to errors in the file writing process. It is recommended to use the original Micro-USB cable that came with the device, or its high-quality counterpart with thick wires inside.
The next critical step is to install the ADB and Fastboot drivers, as well as Qualcomm drivers. Without them, the computer simply will not see the smartphone in the desired mode. Most often these drivers are part of the Mi Flash Tool utility, but sometimes they have to be installed separately through Windows Device Manager, selecting files manually from the folder with the program.
You also need to download the firmware file itself. Redmi 5A (codenamed riva) has different versions: Global, China, India, etc. Make sure you download Fastboot ROM, not Recovery. The file extension distinguishes them: Fastboot has the.tgz extension, while Recovery comes in the.zip archive.
⚠️ Note: Only download firmware from official resources or verified mirrors, such as miui.com or xiaomirom.com. Using modified builds from unknown authors may result in identity theft or device failure.
It will also require an archiver that can work with tar format, such as 7-Zip or WinRAR. A standard Windows archiver may incorrectly unpack folder structure, which will lead to a firmware error. Once unpacked, there should be a folder inside with a name containing letters and numbers, and a lot of files with.img and.mbn extensions.
Choosing the Right Version of the Firmware
Choosing the right software version is the foundation of successful flashing. For the Redmi 5A, it is important to consider not only the region, but also the type of bootloader. If your bootloader is unlocked, you can choose between the Global Stable, Global Developer and China versions. If the bootloader is locked, installation is only possible on the same version of the region as it is installed now, or through the Mi Account with rights.
The Global Stable is recommended for most users because it has been fully tested and is free of critical bugs, and has a full range of languages, including Russian, and pre-installed Google services. Developer versions are updated more frequently, but may contain bugs and require weekly firmware to continue support.
The Chinese version of firmware (China ROM) is notable for its lack of pre-built Google services (which need to be installed manually) and the presence of many Chinese applications, but enthusiasts often choose it for the lack of advertising in system applications and faster receiving Android updates.
When choosing, pay attention to the version of Android, on which the firmware is assembled. Redmi 5A originally came out on Android 7.0, but supported the upgrade to Android 8.1. Installing a newer version of Android through custom recavaries is possible, but this is already beyond the standard procedure and requires an unlocked bootloader.
What is the difference between clean all and save user data?
Redmi 5A is now in Fastboot mode
Fastboot is a special diagnostic mode built into the Android bootloader. It allows you to perform low-level operations such as flashing memory partitions, unlocking the bootloader and debugging. To enter this mode on a switched-off phone Xiaomi Redmi 5A, you need to press the Volume Down button and the power button simultaneously.
Hold both buttons until the screen shows an image of a hare repairing an android with the words FASTBOOT in orange or blue. The blue color of the text usually indicates that the bootloader is unlocked, orange indicates that it is locked, but the mode is activated. If the screen remains black, try connecting the cable to the PC after the buttons are pressed.
Sometimes it can be difficult to enter mode due to sticking buttons or a deep battery discharge. In this case, leave the device on charge for 15-20 minutes, even if the indicator does not light up immediately. Once the minimum charge appears, repeat the login procedure. If the phone responds to the presses with vibration, but the screen does not light up, it may be a problem in the display, and reflashing the device in this state is risky.
☑️ Check before entering the Fastboot
Once you're in mode, connect your smartphone to your computer. In Windows Device Manager, in Qualcomm Devices or Android Bootloader Interface, a new device should appear. If you see an "Unknown Device" with an exclamation point instead, you need to manually update the drivers by pointing the path to the MiFlash driver folder.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
The main tool for flashing is the Mi Flash Tool. Once it starts and connects your phone in Fastboot mode, press the Refresh button. If the drivers are installed correctly, your device's serial number will appear in the list. If the number doesn’t show up, check the cable or try another one. USB-port, preferably located on the back of the system unit.
Then click Select and point the way to the folder with the unpacked firmware. It is important to choose the root folder version (where the files are.img), not the archive itself. Once you choose the path, the utility will check the integrity of the files. If the check is successful, you can proceed to the choice of firmware method at the bottom of the window.
There are three main methods: Clean All (complete cleaning), Save User Data (save data) and Clean All and Lock (clean and lock bootloader). For a clean installation, which is recommended when switching between versions or for treating errors, choose Clean All. The Clean All and Lock option will return the phone to the "store-like" state, but you can only use it when you are firmware in the same region as it was originally, otherwise the device will turn into a "brick".
| Parameter | Clean All | Save User Data | Clean All & Lock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data retention | No (all removed) | Yeah (attempted preservation) | No (all removed) |
| Status of loader | No change. | No change. | Locked down. |
| Recommendation | To change the region | To update the version | For the original only. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. | High-pitched |
Press Flash to start the process, you'll see a progress bar and a log of the actions you're doing, it takes 200 to 500 seconds, it's strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the computer's power, and any interruption of writing to the system or boot partition can make the phone unbootable.
⚠️ Warning: If the log shows a red "Flash Error" or "Missmatching image", stop immediately. This means that the wrong firmware is selected or the file is corrupted, and continuation can lead to irreversible consequences.
Resolving errors and problems
One of the most common errors is the message Flash error: Missmatching image and device. This occurs when a user tries to flash the firmware for another model (for example, for Redmi 5 Plus instead of 5A) or tries to block the bootloader when changing the region. The solution is one: carefully check the code name of the device (for 5A this is riva) and select the Clean All option instead of Clean All and Lock.
Another common problem is hanging up at the Sending hello or Firehose stage, which indicates driver or firehose issues. USB-Try reinstalling Qualcomm drivers, disabling antivirus that can block port access, or using another computer. USB 2.0 instead USB 3.0, as older Xiaomi devices sometimes don’t work smoothly with controllers USB 3.
If the process is 50-70% and it's an error, don't panic. Often the phone will reboot itself. If it's back on the loop, try re-entering Fastboot and repeating the procedure with the Clean All option. In some cases, the firmware through Recovery mode helps if the bootloader allows, but the Fastboot method is considered more reliable for recovery.
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Use the ports. USB, located directly on the motherboard (back of the PC), and not on the front panel of the case or through USB-This will provide stable voltage and data transmission.
In case the phone stopped responding to buttons and the computer makes a sound of connecting the device in QDLoader 9008 mode, this means that the device fell into emergency EDL mode. To exit it, you will need either a special combination of buttons (closing test points on the board), or an authorized Xiaomi account for firmware in this mode.
Primary setting after flashing
Once the process is completed successfully, the phone will automatically restart. The first boot after a clean firmware can last up to 5-10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates cache. Don't try to speed this up with reboots, be patient. The MI logo may appear on the screen, which will hang for a while.
When the system boots up, you'll be greeted by a welcome screen. Select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log in to your Google account. If you've changed your firmware region, make sure that the date and time settings are automatically determined to avoid problems with security certificates and Internet connection.
At this stage, it is recommended to immediately check the version of MIUI in the Settings → About Phone section and make sure that it matches the downloaded file. It is also worth checking the main modules: camera, speaker, microphone and sensor to exclude hardware malfunctions that could be masquerading as software.
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The first download after firmware always lasts longer than usual, and interrupting this process can lead to database damage and a repeat optimization cycle.
To completely clean up traces of the old system, you can reset to factory settings from the operating system. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset. This action is safe after successful firmware and ensures that no old configuration files conflict with the new system.