How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: all ways from A to Z

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 The Pro (codenamed whyred) remains one of the most popular custom firmware smartphones even years after its release. 636, 4/6 GB of RAM and active support of the development community, but the firmware of this device has nuances that are not written in the standard instructions, such as unlocking the bootloader on the Redmi Note. 5 Pro requires linking the Mi Account to the device at least for 72 An hour before the procedure is a rule Xiaomi can not get around.

In this article, you will find current firmware methods (including Fastboot, Recovery and Fastboot). OTA), You will get a choice of versions MIUI (Global, Chinese, custom, and how to avoid common bugs like anti-rollback or brick-in devices. We're not going to describe the obvious steps like "download firmware" -- instead, we're going to focus on the critical points that distinguish a successful firmware from a failed firmware.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before You Start

The first and most important step is not downloading the firmware, but checking the current state of the device, which depends on which firmware method you will be able to use and whether you will avoid problems with anti-rollback (backwards protection mechanism) MIUI).

Let's start with the basics:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60%, and if you run through the Fastboot, the device must not turn off, or you risk getting a brick".
• 📱 Backup – Use Mi Mover or TWRP Backup to save data. Cloud backups (like Google Drive) won't restore system settings.
• 🔑 Unlock the bootloader -- if you're planning on installing custom firmware, the bootloader has to be unlocked. TWRP, custom ROM never set.
• 📡 Version. MIUI — Check the current version in Settings → This is the phone. This is the right way to choose a compatible firmware (more on that below).

Xiaomi requires that the device be tied to the account for at least 72 hours before unlocking the bootloader. If you just created an account or reset your phone, unlocking will not be available. This rule applies even for devices purchased from hand – the previous owner must untie your account in Settings. → Mi Account → Delete the account.

⚠️ Note: If you buy Redmi Note 5 Pro from your hands for firmware, make sure the seller untied your Mi Account. Otherwise, unlocking the bootloader will not be possible without its data.

2. Unlocking the bootloader: a step-by-step guide

Without an unlocked bootloader, you can only flash official versions. MIUI through MIUI Updater or Fastboot (but without the possibility of installing custom Recovery or ROM). The unlock process takes 3 to 10 days due to Xiaomi’s checkout, so start with it in advance.

Here's what we need to do:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Enable USB debugging: in Settings → Additional → For developers, activate USB debugging and OEM unlocking.
3. Link your Mi Account: in the same menu, find Mi Unlock Status and link your account. The device must be connected to the Internet.
4. Download Mi Unlock Tool: official Xiaomi software (link). Install it on your PC.
5. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Volume down + Food until the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).

Once successfully unlocked, the bootloader will remain unlocked, but every time you restart, you will see a warning, which is normal and doesn't affect the device. TWRP custom-made.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a “This device is locked” error after several attempts, check that the developer settings have enabled the option. OEM Unlocking. On some versions. MIUI It may be reset after updates.

Developer mode activated|Debugging is on. USB and OEM Unlock|Device tied to Mi Account for more than 72 hours|Download and install Mi Unlock Tool|Phone's 60-charged%+-->

3. Selection of firmware: official MIUI vs. custom

On the Redmi Note 5 Pro, you can install three types of firmware:

• 📱 Official. MIUI (Global, Chinese, European) – stable, but with restrictions (for example, there are no Google services in the Chinese version).
• 🛠️ Castomy MIUI (for example, MIUI EU, MIUI Pro) — official MIUI without Bloatware and with additional functions.
• 🤖 Castomic firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience, ArrowOS) – “pure” Android without a shell MIUI.

How do you choose? Answer the questions:

• Do you need Google services? If so, avoid the official Chinese language. MIUI.
• Do you want weekly updates? Then it's fine. MIUI EU (It is less stable than the global one).
• Are you willing to sacrifice camera and performance for a clean Android? Custom firmware is often less optimized for the Snapdragon 636.

Redmi Note 5 Pro is especially important to keep track of the anti-rollback version (ARB). This is Xiaomi’s mechanism that blocks rollbacks to older versions. MIUI. For example, if your device is on ARB 4 You will not be able to edit the version of ARB 3 or lower. Check the current version. ARB Fastboot team:

fastboot getvar anti

Version compatibility MIUI for whyred (as of 2026):

If you opt for custom firmware, pay attention to camera support.Redmi Note 5 Pro dual camera (12MP) + 5 MP) does not work in all firmware. For example, Pixel Experience may not have Portrait mode, and LineageOS may not have Night Mode.

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Before the custom firmware ROM Check the reviews on the forum XDA Developers (whyred section) Pay attention to module bugs NFC (if you need it) and data encryption (some firmware does not support FBE).

4. Fastboot firmware: the most reliable method

Fastboot firmware is a “clean” installation that is suitable for:

• 🔄 Recovery of the device after failure ("brick").
• 📥 Official installations MIUI (For example, when switching from custom firmware back to stock).
• 🔒 Updates to the Anti-Rollback version (if the new firmware requires a higher version) ARB).

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Qualcomm drivers installed and ADB/Fastboot.
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, whyred_global_images_V14.0.4.0.TEIMIXM).
• 🔌 Cable USB (It is desirable to be original, since cheap cables can cause data transmission errors).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Launch it. flash_all.bat I'll be working on the administrator's behalf. 5-10 minute.
4. When it's finished, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 15 minutes.

If you see a “flash not done” or “critical partition flashing is not allowed” error, it means that:

• You are trying to run a lower version. ARB, more current.
• You do not have the bootloader unlocked (even for the official firmware, some versions require unlocking).
• You use an unofficial firmware collected for another region.

⚠️ Note: When you run through Fastboot, all data on the device will be erased, including internal memory (/data). If you need to save files, back up to an external drive or PC.

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to “reanimate” the Redmi Note 5 Pro after a failed customization ROM This method works even if the device does not turn on or is stuck on the Mi logo.

5. Firmware through TWRP: custom-made ROM and modifications

If you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you’ll need to TWRP Recovery. It's an alternative Recovery that allows you to sew ZIP-files, backups and modify system partitions.

Redmi Note 5 Pro is recommended for use TWRP from mauronofrio (version 3.7.0 or later) as it supports FBE (File encryption and works correctly with Android 10+. You can download it. XDA.

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the file. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img And put it in a folder with ADB/Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img
3. Immediately after the firmware reboot to TWRP, holding up + If you just reboot your phone, the stock recaveri will overwrite. TWRP.
4. V TWRP run the Wipe → Format Data (this is a must to avoid encryption errors).

Now you can make a customized firmware:

1. Copy. ZIP-Firmware file on the phone (via MTP into TWRP external memory card).
2. In TWRP, select Install, specify the firmware file and confirm the installation.
3. After the firmware ROM Install GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root rights).
4. Run Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache and reboot.

Common errors when running through TWRP:

• 🚫 "Error 7" - incompatibility of firmware with the device (for example, trying to flash whyred firmware for vince).
• 🔒 "Data decryption failed" - Format Data not executed before firmware.
• 🔄 "Bootloop (cyclic reboot) – no vendor or firmware in firmware.

6. Firmware through MIUI Updater: The easiest way

If you don’t need custom firmware and you just want to upgrade MIUI Before the latest version, use the built-in MIUI Updater.This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves all the data.

How to update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
3. Specify the downloaded firmware file (.zip format, the name should contain whyred).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

Limitations of this method:

• 🔄 You can install only official firmware (global, Chinese, European).
• 📈 You can't downgrade the story. MIUI (because of the Anti-Rollback).
• 🔒 Custom firmware or modifications are not supported (e.g., removing Bloatware).

If the update is “hanging” during the verification phase, try:

• Rename the firmware file, removing the Cyrillic alphabet and spaces.
• Download the firmware again (possibly the file is corrupted).
• Use it. VPN (Xiaomi servers are blocked in some regions).

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If you need to upgrade the Redmi Note 5 Pro with minimal risk, use the method. MIUI Updater + Cache cleanup. After the update, go to Recovery. + Power) and choose Wipe Cache, which will help you avoid lags after the update.

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you may encounter problems, and here are the most common errors in the Redmi Note 5 Pro firmware and how to fix them:

If the phone hangs on the Mi logo after firmware, this may mean:

• Incompatibility of the kernel (boot.img) firmware.
• Absence of file dtbo.img (important 10+).
• Damaged section /data (need to format in TWRP).

For diagnosis, connect the phone to the PC and check the logs through the command:

adb logcat

Look for lines with E: (errors) or F: (fatal crashes).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)