Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: official and custom methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A (codenamed ugg/ugglite) remains a popular budget smartphone even years after its release. However, over time, users face slowdowns, no updates or the desire to install custom firmware. Flashing the device can solve these problems, but requires care: wrong actions will lead to a breeze (completely inoperable) phone.

In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to implement the Redmi Note 5A firmware, from official updates via MIUI Updater to custom firmware installation via TWRP and Fastboot. We will focus on unlocking the bootloader, choosing the correct firmware version and typical bugs. Instructions are adapted for 2026, taking into account changes in Xiaomi policy and tool availability.

Warning: firmware voids warranty and can lead to data loss. If you're a beginner, start with official methods and then move on to custom solutions.

Preparation for firmware: what you need to know before starting

Redmi Note 5A flashing is a process that requires preparation, and without it, the risk of errors increases significantly.

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60%. Interrupting the process due to discharge can make the phone inoperable.
• 📱 Backup. Firmware erases all data (except internal memory in some cases). Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive or local copying on your PC.
• 🔐 Custom firmware requires official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting.
• 🖥️ Drivers and tools. Install the Mi Flash Tool, ADB/Fastboot and drivers for Xiaomi on PC.

Important: Redmi Note 5A models with Snapdragon 425 (ugg) and 435 (ugglite) processor have different firmware. Installing the wrong version will lead to a blink! To find out your modification, go to Settings → About Phone → Kernel Version and check the code name.

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality) cheap cables can interrupt the connection.
• 💻 PC running Windows 7/10/11 (Mi Flash Tool requires Windows).
• 📂 Folder with firmware (official or custom) and tools at the root of the C disk: (paths without Cyrillic!).

⚠️ Please note: if your Redmi Note 5A purchased in China (domestic version), firmware global version can block the network. → The phone. → Model: Global versions are labeled Global.

Method 1: Update via MIUI Updater (without unlocking)

The safest method is to update through the built-in System Update (MIUI Updater) application, which is suitable for installing official firmware without losing data and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select Service Package.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (.zip format).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ✅ Stores user data (unless otherwise specified in the firmware description).
• ✅ Minimum risk of error.

Limitations:

• ❌ Only official firmware can be installed. MIUI.
• ❌ Does not work if the current firmware is very outdated (an intermediate version is required).
• ❌ Not suitable for transition from China ROM Globally ROM.

⚠️ Note: If you update through MIUI Updater appears with the error "Cannot verify update", check the integrity of the firmware file (compare the hash amount with the official) or rename the file to the official one. update.zip and try again.

Download the correct firmware version (Global/China)| Check battery power (>60%) | Create a backup of data |Rename the file to update.zip (if required) | Disable the antivirus on your phone-->

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (official MIUI)

Fastboot is suitable for installing official firmware when a standard update is not possible (e.g., when a system crashes), requiring an unlocked bootloader and complete data erasure.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Flash Tool from the official Xiaomi website and firmware in.tgz format for your model (ugg or ugglite).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without spaces (for example, C:\MIUI\ugg_global).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a picture of a rabbit in a hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
5. In the program, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then select Clean all (full cleaning) or Clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes). the phone will reboot automatically.

Important nuances:

• 🔹 Clean all and lock will lock the bootloader back. Use this mode if you want to return the phone to factory status.
• 🔹 If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t see the device, check the drivers (install Mi). USB Driver or try another one USB-port.
• 🔹 For models with ugglite (Snapdragon 435), use firmware marked ugglite in the file name.

Common mistakes and their solutions:

• 🚫 "Flash is not done, try another one. USB-cable or port, disable the antivirus.
• 🚫 "Device Not Found – Check the drivers or reinstall the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🚫 The phone is stuck on the logo. MI — Do a hard reset (Loudness up) + Nutrition).

Method 3: Install custom firmware through TWRP

For enthusiasts who want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, TWRP Recovery is required, a method that gives full control of the system, but requires an unlocked bootloader and an experienced approach.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions in the next section).
2. Download TWRP for your model: ugg: twrp.me/ugg ugglite: twrp.me/ugglite

TWRP

recovery.img

ADB/Fastboot

USB debugging

Settings → For developers

ADB

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot boot recovery.img

TWRP

Wipe → Advanced Wipe

Dalvik, Cache, System, Data

Install

Magisk

Reboot to the system.

Recommended custom firmware for Redmi Note 5A:

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) is stable and optimized.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – The interface is like Google Pixel.
• 📱 Havoc-OS – flexible configuration and high FPS play.

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Redmi Note 5A With a Snapdragon 425 (ugg) processor, you may have problems with your camera or mobile network. XDA Developers.

💡

If after installing custom firmware does not work mobile network, try to sew separately modem module from stock firmware through TWRP. To do this, download the official firmware, extract the file modem.img and install it as a regular ZIP.

Unlocking the bootloader: a step-by-step guide

Without unlocking the bootloader, you can’t install custom recovery or firmware. Xiaomi has tightened the rules, now it takes up to 30 days to wait (720 hours), a process that consists of two steps: linking the account to the device and actually unlocking.

What you need:

• 📱 Phone with MIUI (custom-free!).
• 🔑 Mi Account with a confirmed phone number.
• 🖥️ PC with Mi Unlock Tool (download from the en.miui.com/unlock).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Link your Mi Account to your device: Settings → Mi Account → Link your account.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool (autonomy required).
5. Press Unlock. If you receive a waiting message, wait until the specified time (usually 168 or 720 hours).
6. After the wait is over, repeat the process – the bootloader will be unlocked.

Frequent problems:

• 🚫 "Cann’t unlock – check if your account is linked to your device and enabled OEM Unlock.
• 🚫 "Device Not Connected – Install drivers manually or try another one USB-port.
• 🚫 Waiting timer resets – don’t log out of your Mi Account or drop your phone.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A takes up to 30 days (720 hours) a process that cannot be accelerated or circumvented by official methods.

Solving typical firmware errors

Even when following instructions, users encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware (black screen, vibration without image), try:

1. Press Volume up + Power for 10-15 seconds for hard reset.
2. Connect to charging for 30 minutes - sometimes helps with the discharge of the battery.
3. Swipe through Fastboot with the clean all tick.

To diagnose problems with Fastboot, use the following commands:

fastboot devices # Check the connection


fastboot getvar all # View device information




fastboot oem device-info # Unlock status of bootloader

Selection of firmware: official MIUI vs custom solutions

Which firmware to choose for the Redmi Note 5A? It depends on your goals:

Official MIUI:

• ✅ Stable work and support of Xiaomi.
• ✅ Regular security updates (for current versions).
• ✅ Full compatibility with iron (camera, network, sensors).
• ❌ Many pre-installed applications (bloatware).
• ❌ Limited Customization Opportunities.

Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.):

• ✅ Clean Android without unnecessary apps.
• ✅ Longer supported updates (e.g. Android 11 on Redmi Note) 5A).
• ✅ Advanced settings (kernel, interface, performance).
• ❌ Possible bugs (for example, non-functioning) NFC camera).
• ❌ No official support from Xiaomi.

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 For everyday use, official MIUI (stable-developer).
• 🔹 For experiments and new versions of Android – LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
• 🔹 For gaming and performance, Havoc-OS or Corvus OS.

Where to download firmware:

• 📥 Official: miui.com (select Redmi Note) 5A → ugg/ugglite).
• 📥 Castomy: XDA Developers or LineageOS.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 5A