Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, also known as Vince, has been popular with mobile enthusiasts for several years. Despite the age of the device, installing custom recovery like TWRP can significantly extend the life of the smartphone, providing support for current versions of Android, which the manufacturer does not officially provide. This opens up access to advanced functionality, including creating full system backups, installing kernel patches and obtaining superuser rights.
The process of replacing a standard bootloader with a modified one requires careful and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions. Any error during the interaction with system partitions can lead to the failure of the device, so preparing the theoretical basis here is no less important than having the necessary files. In this guide, we will discuss in detail each step, from unlocking the bootloader to the first successful boot in the recovery menu.
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to make sure that your device is fully charged and all important data is copied to an external medium. The process of modifying the software always involves the risk of losing information, and unlocking the bootloader irrevocably erases all user data from internal memory. This is not just a recommendation, but a mandatory security requirement, ignoring which can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Preparation for system modification
The initial step of any intervention in the software structure of a smartphone is to collect the necessary tools. You will need a Windows computer, original or high-quality. USB-cable, as well as installed drivers ADB Without properly working drivers, the computer will not be able to recognize the device in bootloader mode, which will make further action impossible.
You also need to download the current image of the recovery, specially collected for the Redmi 5 Plus. The use of files from other devices in the Redmi or Xiaomi line is strictly prohibited, as this can damage memory partitions. It is recommended to download files only from trusted sources, such as the official XDA Developers forum or the TWRP developer site.
⚠️ Note: Make sure you download a file with the.img extension, not.zip. The.img file is designed to be firmware through Fastboot, whereas the.zip is installed inside the Recovery itself.
An important aspect of the preparation is to activate hidden capabilities in the operating system settings. By default, USB debugging access is closed, and the system does not allow commands to be executed from the computer, you need to access the Developer Menu, which is hidden from the eyes of the average user.
- 📱 Open the Settings menu and go to About Phone».
- 🔨 Find the item "Version" MIUI» And press it quickly. 7-10 Once in a row before the notification “You became a developer” appears».
- ⚙️ Return to the main settings menu, select “More” and open “Developers».
- 🔌 Activate the "Debugging by" switch USB».
After activating debugging, connect your smartphone to your computer. When you first connect, a confirmation request will appear on the device screen. RSA-You need to tick the "Always Allow from this computer" box and click "OK." This action will create a trusted connection between your PC and your smartphone, which is critical for the future of your work with your computer. ADB-team.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi has implemented strict protection of its devices, requiring official unlocking of the bootloader before installing any third-party software. Without this procedure, trying to firmware custom Recovery will lead to an error or simply will not give a result. The unlock process is carried out through the official utility Mi Unlock Tool, which can be downloaded from the MIUI website.
To start the procedure, you need to link your Mi Account to your device. Go to the Developer Settings and select Mi Unlock Status. Here you need to click Add Account and Device. The system will require an Internet connection and successful authorization. Once successfully linked, the utility can tell you that unlocking is impossible right now.
⚠️ Attention: Once an account is linked, it often takes 168 hours (7 days) to actually unlock.
When the wait period expires, you can start the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer, log in to the same account as your phone, and put the smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, you need to pinch the device off with a combination of Volume Down + Power buttons. In this mode, connect the phone to your PC and press the Unlock button in the utility. The process takes a few minutes and complete data cleanup.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool is 99% locked?
Successful unlocking is confirmed by the appearance of an open lock icon when booting the device, as well as the corresponding message in Fastboot mode. From this moment, your device receives the status of “unlocked”, which allows you to make changes to system partitions, but also reduces the level of security of data stored on the phone.
The installation process of TWRP Recovery
Now that the bootloader is unlocked, you can move to the direct installation of the recovery image. We will use the Fastboot mode, as it allows you to write a new image to the recovery section, replacing the standard Xiaomi module. Make sure that the image file (for example, twrp-3.x.x-x-vince.img) is in the folder with the ADB tools on your computer.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by pressing Volume Down + Power buttons. Connect the device to your computer and open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the ADB folder. First, check the connection by entering the fastboot device command. If you see the serial number of the device in response, then the connection is established correctly.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
To install the Recovery, the command fastboot flash recovery is called file.img. However, for Xiaomi devices, there is an important nuance: if you just flash the recovery and reboot, the standard MIUI system automatically replaces custom recovery with stock. To avoid this, immediately after the firmware you need to perform a command to reboot to recaveri mode.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-vince.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.x.x-x-vince.imgUsing the fastboot boot command allows you to temporarily boot into TWRP without final fixation, which makes it possible to install a patch to save the Recovery or immediately flash the ROM. If you use the fastboot boot command, then inside the TWRP you will need to install a special patch "Disable DM-Verify" or similar so that the system does not overwrite the next boot.
Configuring and maintaining access rights
Once you first log in to the TWRP menu, you'll see an interface that may require you to enter the unlock password if you have installed it. In some cases, the encryption system may prevent you from accessing data. If the password doesn't fit or you don't want to enter it, you can format the data, but this will lead to the loss of all information.
A critical step is to prevent automatic replacement of the Recovery system. MIUI. There are special services for this. ZIP-files that need to be flashed through the Install menu in the TWRP. Often these are packages called “LazyFlasher” or specific patches for Redmi 5 Plus that block the recovery partition from the system’s recording.
| Action. | Team/File | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Communication check | fastboot devices | Display of the serial number |
| Image recording | fastboot flash recovery file.img | Replacement of stock recovery |
| First launch | fastboot boot file.img | Temporary download in TWRP |
| Conservation | Flash LazyFlasher.zip | Protection against MIUI overwriting |
TWRP also recommends enabling “Keep recovery decrypted” if you plan to use data encryption, which will ensure compatibility with secure applications such as banking clients, although in some cases they will require additional Magisk setup and root rights hiding.
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After installation TWRP Make a full backup of the Boot, System and Data partitions on SD-This will save you in case the new firmware is unstable.
Installation of the operating system and Root rights
One of the main reasons for installing custom recavers is the ability to install custom firmware or obtain superuser rights. To install Magisk, which is the modern standard for obtaining root access, you just need to download it. ZIP-Magisk Manager archive on the phone, go to the Install menu in TWRP and select this file.
The process of installing third-party operating systems such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience requires partitions to be cleaned beforehand. In the Wipe menu, select Advanced Wipe and mark the Dalvik, Cache, System and Data sections. You don't need to touch the Internal Storage section if the firmware files are on it, otherwise you will lose the installer.
⚠️ Note: When installing a new operating system (Custom) ROM) Make sure you do a full Wipe, install it over the stock. MIUI Without cleaning, it will cause a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
After the choice ZIP-If you have a firmware file or patch, swipe to confirm the installation has started, it takes 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the speed of the memory card and the amount of data you're running, and then you can click "Reboot System" to start the clean system for the first time.
Typical Problems and FAQs
Users may encounter various difficulties in modifying the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus. Often problems are related to ADB drivers on Windows 10/11 or incompatibility of TWRP versions. If the phone goes into a bootloop (cyclical reboot), try booting into TWRP again and restoring a backup or reflashing the stable version of MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool.
Another common problem is a failed proximity sensor or touchscreen in custom firmware, which is solved by installing a current modem before installing the ROM. Always check the firmware developer's requirements for the basic software version.
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The key to success is version compatibility. Never mix old backups with new firmware and always use the latest Firmware for your version of Android.
Below are answers to the most common questions that Redmi 5 Plus owners have when modifying the device.