How to put Android 10 on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: a complete guide with unlock and firmware

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) officially received the latest update to Android 9 Pie (MIUI 12).However, enthusiasts have developed informal builds of Android 10 based on AOSP and LineageOS, which bring modern features: dark mode at the system level, improved privacy protection and navigation gestures. In this article, the only relevant in 2026 way to install Android 10 on the Redmi 5 Plus without a “brick”, taking into account the changes in Xiaomi’s policy to unlock the bootloader.

The process requires unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom TWRP recavator, and manually selecting a compatible firmware, and we'll go through every step from preparing drivers to setting up the system after the firmware, and also warn against typical errors that may stop the device from booting. If you're a beginner, be patient: the procedure will take 1-2 hours, but the result is worth the effort.

Preparation: What to do before the firmware

Before you start installing Android 10, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, a “brick” of the device or the inability to unlock the bootloader.

First, check the current version of MIUI on your Redmi 5 Plus. Successfully unlocking the bootloader requires a version at least MIUI 10.2.3.0 (Android 8.1). If you have older firmware, update it via Settings → About Phone → System Update. Also make sure that the device is debugging on USB:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB and Unlock. OEM.
• 🔒 Link your Xiaomi account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi account (this is required to unlock the bootloader!).

Second, prepare the computer:

• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or separately adb and fastboot).
• 🔌 Download drivers for Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Phone Manager).
• 📁 Backup all data – the firmware will erase internal memory!

💡

If you have Windows 10/11, turn off the driver digital signature check before connecting your phone in fastboot mode. To do this, type in the command line on behalf of the administrator: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on, then restart the PC.

Unlocking the bootloader: how to get around the restrictions of Xiaomi in 2026

Unlocking the bootloader is the most important step. Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules: it now requires an account to be linked to the device and wait 7 days after submitting an application.

Follow the instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and check for detection by command: fastboot devices If the device doesn’t show up, reinstall the drivers.
3. Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool under the same account as your phone.
4. Press Unlock – the program will show a waiting timer (usually 168 hours).

Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will display a warning on the screen: This device is unlocked. You can now start installing TWRP.

TWRP installation: which receptacles to choose for Redmi 5 Plus

Android 10 firmware on Redmi 5 Plus requires custom TWRP recovers. TeamWin's official version is outdated and does not support new firmware. We recommend using modified recovers from developer mauronofrio (with support for FBE - file encryption).

Download the current version of TWRP for Vince:

• 🔗 TWRP 3.6.2_10-1 (Android-tested 10).
• 🔗 Alternative: Redmi 5 Plus support channel (fresh builds are posted there).

Install TWRP via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_10-1-vince.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_10-1-vince.img

Then the phone automatically reboots to TWRP. Don't reboot to the system! Go straight to the firmware, or the stock recavator will overload the TWRP.

✅ bootloader unlocked (checked through Mi Unlock Tool)

✅ Custom recaveri installed TWRP 3.6.2+

✅ Downloaded firmware Android 10 for Vince

✅ Data backup (photos, contacts, SMS)

✅ Battery charge > 50%

-->

Choosing Android 10 firmware: what builds work on Vince

For Redmi 5 Plus (vince) available several stable builds of Android 10:

We recommend LineageOS 17.1 for maximum stability or Pixel Experience if you want a pixel interface.Please note: Android 10 firmware does not support Widevine L1 – Netflix and other services will work at a resolution of no more than 480p.

Before the firmware download:

• 📱 The firmware itself (e.g, lineage-17.1-20230510-UNOFFICIAL-vince.zip).
• 🔄 Open GApps (select the option) arm64 → 10 → pico).
• 🔒 Magisk (for root rights, if necessary).

💡

Do not download firmware from questionable sources! Use only verified repositories on XDA Developers or official project sites (LineageOS, CrDroid, etc.).

Android 10 firmware via TWRP: step-by-step instructions

Now, to the most important step, installing the firmware, follow the instructions in strict order to avoid errors:

1. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache. Don't touch MicroSD and OTG!
2. ROM firmware: Press Install, select the downloaded firmware file (e.g. lineage-17.1...zip) and confirm the installation.
3. Install GApps: Repeat the step 2 file-wise open_gapps-arm64-10-pico...zip.
4. Magistrate (optional): If you need a root, stitch Magisk-v25.2.zip.
5. First download: Press Reboot → System. The first turn on will take 10-15 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

If the phone has been stuck on the LineageOS or Xiaomi logo for more than 20 minutes after the reboot, then there is an error. Return to TWRP (clamping Volume Up + Power) and repeat the firmware by repeating Wipe.

Set up Android 10 after installation: optimization and problem solving

After successful firmware Android 10 on Redmi 5 Plus will need to perform the initial setup and solve possible problems.

• 🔧 Set up gestures: Go to Settings → System system → Gestures and select System Navigation.We recommend the option of gesture with 2 buttons for convenience.
• 🔒 Disable Signature Verification (if you need root rights): In Magisk, activate the MagiskHide option and add apps to the list that you need to hide from finding root (for example, banking applications).
• 📶 Mobile network settings: If it doesn’t work 4G, check APN-settings in the settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Additionally. → Access points (APN).
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Include Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery and turn off background activity for unnecessary apps.

Typical problems and their solutions:

If you encounter another problem, check your error logs via adb logcat or contact the Redmi 5 Plus support chat.

💡

To return the original MIUI firmware, download the official fastboot-ROM for your model and run it through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode.

Reverse to MIUI: how to return the stock firmware if something went wrong

If Android 10 is unstable or you don’t like custom ROM, you can return the official MIUI.

1. Download fastboot firmware for Redmi 5 Plus (select Global or EEA region).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with fastboot.
3. Download the phone to fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
4. Run the command: fastboot flashall or (if not working): miflash unlock & & fastboot flash all

After rollback, the device will be completely reset to factory settings. To avoid blocking your Xiaomi account, untie the device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete your account (if the system is still booting) before you start firmware.

⚠️ Note: When returning to the MIUI All data will be deleted via fastboot, including files on internal memory. If you want to save photos, remove the memory card before you run the firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions