How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: 3 proven ways to unlock the bootloader

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) is still a popular budget smartphone, despite its release in 2017, and owners face the need to reflash the device for various reasons, from wanting to install a fresh version of MIUI to having to restore the “brick” after a failed update. In this article, three current firmware methods (2026), including bypassing Xiaomi’s new restrictions on unlocking the bootloader, as well as solving typical errors that are not described in the official documentation.

The Redmi 5 Plus firmware has nuances related to the Snapdragon 625 processor architecture and the features of eMMC 5.1 memory partitions. For example, when using informal builds (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a patch for the camera module may be required, since the original qcom-camera driver does not always work correctly with custom cores. We will analyze not only standard methods through Fastboot and Recovery, but also alternatives for devices with a locked bootloader.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

The first step is to determine the current state of the smartphone. Go to Settings → About the phone and check:

• 📱 Version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.2). This will help you choose the right firmware - you can not install an older version without special manipulations.
• 🔒 bootloader status: If you have Locked in the Mi Unlock status bar, you will have to unlock it (instructions in the next section).
• 📡 Firmware Region (Global, China, EEA). Installing firmware from another region can cause network loss or errors in Google services.

Download the necessary tools:

• 🖥️ Mi Unlock Tool (official software for unlocking the bootloader, version not lower than 5.5.224.24).
• 📁 Official firmware for Redmi 5 Plus (choose by model and region).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Pro (for Fastboot firmware) or TWRP (custom-fix).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 Plus was purchased in China (the domestic version), Global’s firmware may not support some frequencies. 4G (For example, Band 20, which will cause problems with mobile Internet in Europe.

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original – cheap cables can cause firmware errors).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (at a rate below 30%, some versions of Fastboot refuse to work).
• 💾 Backup of data (firmware erases internal memory if you do not use the option to save user data in Mi Flash).

2. Unlock the bootloader: bypassing the new restrictions of Xiaomi

Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened its policy of unlocking the bootloader.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device (in Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Find your device).
2. Waiting 168 hours (7 days) after a link is a must for new accounts.
3. Use the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool (older versions may not recognize the device).

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → More → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and log in to your Mi Account.
4. Turn the device into Fastboot mode (turn off the smartphone, then press Power + Volume Down).
5. In the program, click Unlock. If a Couldn't unlock error appears, check that 168 hours have passed since the account was linked.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the smartphone will reset to factory settings. If you used data encryption (default enabled). MIUI 12+), Recovering files without backup will be impossible.

If Mi Unlock Tool is a lock by Mi Cloud error, try:

• 🔄 Re-link your Mi Account (go to your account settings and click Exit, then log in again).
• 📡 Use the other IP-address (e.g., via mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi) – sometimes Xiaomi blocks unlocking from “suspicious” networks.
• ⏳ Wait another 24 hours - sometimes the 168-hour counter is knocked down.

3. Method 1: Fastboot firmware (official method)

This method is suitable for installing official MIUI firmware (Global, China, EEA) and recommended by Xiaomi.It completely erases data, but guarantees stable operation.

Steps:

1. Download the firmware in.tgz format for your model (for example, vince_global_images_V14.0.2.0.TEGMIXM_20231012.0000.00_12.0_global_100d2fd3b4.tgz).
2. Unblock the file to a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\vince_fastboot).
3. Install Mi Flash Pro and run it on behalf of the administrator.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as described above) and press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
5. In the Select field, specify the path to the folder with the unarched firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: clean all – complete cleaning (recommended). save user data – saving user data (may cause errors). clean all and lock – cleaning + lock the bootloader (only for official firmware).

Flash

If the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 15 minutes - do not interrupt the process.

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (without PC)

This method allows you to update MIUI without a computer, but only works for official firmware in.zip format. Suitable if you already have a bootloader unlocked and a custom recovery (such as TWRP) installed.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware.zip (for example, miui_VINCEGlobal_V14.0.2.0.TEGMIXM_100d2fd3b4_12.0.zip) Put it in the root of your internal memory.
2. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Up to log in to Recovery.
3. If you have stock Recovery, select the language, then Install update.zip to System.
4. If you have TWRP, click Install, select a firmware file, and swipe for confirmation.
5. After installation, select Wipe cache/dalvik and reboot.

Important: When you are running your firmware through TWRP, don’t use the Format Data option unless you want to lose all your files. Instead, choose Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache + Cache.

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Recovery won’t work if you’re trying to install the version MIUI older than the current one without prior update via Fastboot. MIUI 12 and you want to put MIUI 14, an intermediate firmware may be required.

For devices with a locked bootloader, this method is not suitable – you will have to use Fastboot or EDL.

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If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after you run through Recovery, try going to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down) and run fastboot erase userdata, then reboot. This often helps when you get stuck on the download.

5. Method 3: Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware allows you to get the current version of Android (for example, Android 13 instead of the standard Android 7/8), but require an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP.

Step-by-step:

1. Install. TWRP for Redmi 5 Plus: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-vince.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-vince.img (Download the image on the official website TWRP).
2. Download custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS 20) and Gapps (a package of Google services, such as MindTheGapps).
3. Reboot to TWRP and run Wipe → Advanced Wipe by selecting Dalvik/ART Cache System Data (if you want a clean installation) Cache

Gapps

Typical problems and solutions:

• 📵 No network after firmware: Install a patch for the modem (look for the XDA Developers under your firmware).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Turn off AOD (Always On Display in Settings and Check Background Processes with AccuBattery.
• 📷 Camera not working: Install ANX Camera or GCam with Snapdragon 625 settings.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Havoc-OS) may not support VoLTE on Redmi 5 Plus due to lack of proprietary drivers IMS. Before installing, check the reviews on the forum.

To return to the original firmware, use the Fastboot method with the clean all and lock option.

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Custom firmware requires manual camera and modem setup, and without patches, you could lose access to your mobile network or video capture.

6.Brick recovery: what to do if the firmware was unsuccessful

If Redmi 5 Plus doesn’t turn on after the firmware (black screen, hanging on the MI logo, red stripe in Fastboot), try the following methods:

Option 1: Emergency mode EDL (Qualcomm 9008)

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons but is defined by the PC as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, it can be restored via EDL:

1. Download Mi Flash Pro and firmware in.tgz format.
2. Connect your phone to your PC by holding Volume Up + Volume Down (sometimes you need to short-circuit the test points on the board).
3. In Mi Flash, select firmware and press Flash. Use clean all mode.

Option 2: Fastboot flashing with a patch

If the device loads into Fastboot but the firmware isn’t installed, try:

1. Download firmware marked anti-rollback (e.g. MIUI 10.2.2.0 for Redmi 5 Plus).
2. Use the command for forced firmware: fastboot flash partition gpt.bin fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img fastboot flash dzdata dzdata_qpst.bin fastboot flash aboot emmc_appsboot.mbn fastboot flash rpm rpm.mbn fastboot flash tz tz.mbn fastboot flash hyp hyp.mbn fastboot flash keymaster keymaster.mbn fastboot flash cmnlib cmnlib.mbn fastboot flash cmnlib64 cmnlib64.mbn fastboot flash devcfg devcfg.mbn fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn fastboot erase ddr fastboot flash splash splash.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash oem oem.img fastboot flash userdata userdata.img fastboot reboot

Option 3: Checking hardware malfunctions

If the phone is not detected in any mode:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB — Try another cable or computer.
• 🔋 Connect the charger for 30 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery blocks access to the battery. EDL.
• 🛠️ If the screen is red, this may indicate damage to the boot or modem partition.

7.Optimization after firmware: what to do first

After successful firmware, follow these steps for stable operation:

For the official MIUI:

• 🔄 Update all apps through Google Play or App Store.
• 🚫 Disable unnecessary Xiaomi services: Settings → Memory. → Autoboot (disable Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser, and other pre-installed apps).
• 🔋 Enable Adaptive Charging in Settings → Battery to extend battery life.

For custom firmware:

• 📡 Set up. APN for mobile Internet (path: Settings) → Mobile network → Access points (APN)).
• 🎵 Install. ViPER4Android To improve sound (SELinux patches required).
• 🔒 Check SafetyNet status through the SafetyNet Test app. If the test fails, install Magisk with Universal SafetyNet Fix module.

For all types of firmware:

• 📱 Install AccuBattery to calibrate the battery (especially important after a data reset).
• 🔒 Change the Mi Account password if you unlock the bootloader – this will protect against unauthorized access.

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If you have lost your IMEI after the firmware, restore it through the engineering menu. Enter the dial ##4636##, select Phone Information and check for IMEI status. If it is missing, use the SN Write Tool (IMEI backup required!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 5 Plus