How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 5: official and custom firmware

Why do you want to use Redmi 5 and what are the risks?

Xiaomi Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) can be used for a variety of reasons, from a banal desire to update the system to the need to restore the “brick” after a failed experiment. Official firmware from Xiaomi solves bug problems, improves performance and adds new features, and custom (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) allow you to install a clean Android without the shell MIUI.

But the firmware process is not harmless. On the Redmi 5 with a Snapdragon 450 processor and a closed-loop booter, any error when unlocking or installing software can cause a complete loss of device performance, such as an incorrectly selected firmware version for the EEA region instead of Global will block the network, and an interrupted process through Fastboot will make it impossible to boot even to Recovery mode.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of firmware Redmi 5 in 2026: from updating through MIUI Updater to installing custom firmware through TWRP. Special attention will be paid to preparation - without it, 80% of errors occur even before the process begins.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

The first step is to determine the current version of MIUI and the status of the bootloader.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Write down the build number (e.g., V12.5.3.0.RDGMIXM).
3. Check the status of the bootloader: turn off the phone, press Volume down + Power - if a flashing Mi Bunny appears, the bootloader is locked.

Next, prepare the tools:

• 🔌 Charge the battery to at least 60%.Fastboot firmware can drain your phone to 0% in 10 minutes if the battery is weak.
• 💻 Computer on Windows 10/11 (for the Mi Flash Tool or Linux/macOS (for ADB/Fastboot).
• 📁 Data backup: firmware erases internal memory. Use Mi Mover or Google Photos for backup.
• 🔗 USB-cable (original, undamaged) Cheap cables often break the connection during firmware.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 is purchased in China (market version) CN), If you run the global version of Global without unlocking the bootloader, you'll get an anti-rollback error. → The phone. → Model (should be) MDE6 global version).

Make backup contacts and photo | Check the version of MIUI and phone model | Download the correct firmware for your region | Install Xiaomi drivers on PC | Disable antivirus (it can block Mi Flash Tool)

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2. Method 1: Update via MIUI Updater (without PC)

The safest method is an over-the-air update (OTA) that is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is on and running stably.
• 🔄 You need to update to the latest official version. MIUI.
• 🔓 The bootloader is locked (you haven't unlocked it before).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
3. Download the full ROM from en.miui.com (select Redmi 5 and region).
4. Transfer the.zip file to the phone’s root folder (not to folders!).
5. Return to MIUI Updater, select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

It takes 5-15 minutes. The phone will reboot automatically. If you have a Can't verify update error after the update, you've downloaded firmware for another model or region.

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If the update via MIUI Updater does not find new versions, try changing the region in the settings: Settings → Additional → Region (select India or Russia).

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (for official ROM)

If the phone turns on but MIUI Updater refuses to install firmware, use Recovery Mode.This method is also suitable for recovery after a crash.

Step-by-step:

1. Download recovery ROM (zip file for your model from the official website, for example, for Redmi 5 Global is going to be a file of the view rosy_global_images_V12.5.3.0.RDGMIXM_20220315.0000.00_11.0_global_XXXXXXXXXX.tgz.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the phone’s root folder (not folders!).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. Select the language, then Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm installation. Once completed, select Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If E:footer is wrong appears in Recovery, it means that the firmware file is corrupted or not completely downloaded (MD5).

Through MIUI Updater | Through Recovery | Through Fastboot | Through TWRP | Never stitched

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Method 3: Fastboot firmware (for a locked bootloader)

If the phone is not turning on or you need to install firmware from scratch, use Fastboot mode. This method requires unlocking the bootloader, but is suitable even for "bricks".

Step 1. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked):

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Apply for unlock via unlock.mi.com (can take up to 720 hours = 30 days!).
3. After approval, download the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to Fastboot Mode (Loudness Down + Power) and connect your phone to your PC.
4. Start the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

Step 2. Install firmware through the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download fastboot ROM (.tgz file) for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\rom\redmi5).
3. Install Xiaomi drivers (download Mi PC Suite or drivers manually).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
5. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then you are trying to flash the version older than the current one (anti-rollback violation). EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

5. Method 4: Install custom firmware via TWRP

TWRP Recovery is required to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, which is suitable for power users and requires an unlocked bootloader.

Step 1. Set TWRP:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi 5 (rosy) from twrp.me.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB/Fastboot.
3. Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times on "Version" MIUI", Then go back to the settings. → Additionally. → For developers).
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the ADB folder and do:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot flash recovery twrp.img




fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 2. Install custom firmware:

1. Download firmware (e.g. lineage-18.1-20230510-UNOFFICIAL-rosy.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Transfer files to your phone via MTP to TWRP (or use ADB Sideload).
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
4. Press Install, select the firmware file, then GApps (if necessary).
5. Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5 Castom firmware often has VoLTE issues 4G) and Wi-Fi (due to Qualcomm proprietary drivers). Before installing, check the reviews of a particular build on the forum XDA Developers.

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Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and can cause the camera module or fingerprint sensor to work unstable. Always backup the original firmware through TWRP (Backup option).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors.

If the phone has been stuck on the MI logo for more than 15 minutes after the firmware was installed:

1. Turn it off with a long press of Power (20-30 seconds).
2. Log in to Recovery and run Wipe Cache.
3. If it doesn’t work, repeat the firmware with a full clean (Clean all in the Mi Flash Tool).

7.How to return the official firmware after custom

If custom firmware is unstable or you want to return the warranty, install the official MIUI via Fastboot:

1. Download fastboot ROM for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select Clean all and lock mode – this will lock the bootloader and return the phone to factory condition.
4. Once the firmware is in place, the phone will automatically restart. The first download can take up to 10 minutes.

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you flash not allowed error even after unlocking, try:

• 🔄 Use a different version of the Mi Flash Tool (e.g. 20180528 instead of the latest version).
• 📥 Download firmware from another source (e.g. Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🖥️ Try on another PC (sometimes antiviruses block the process).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions