How to install TWRP on Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus: instructions for kettles from scratch

Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus is one of those smartphones that is still relevant today thanks to the powerful hardware and support for custom firmware. But to install an alternative OS (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you first need to unlock the bootloader and flash TWRP Recovery. If you have never done this, no problem! This article will help you understand all the nuances, from preparing the PC to the final reboot to the new recovery.

We specifically avoid complex terminology and explain each step as if you are holding the Mi 5s Plus for the first time, learn what drivers you need for fastboot, how to get permission to unlock from Xiaomi, and why it is important to download TWRP for your version of the device (natrium), and what mistakes are most common for beginners and how to avoid them.

⚠️ Important: The firmware of the custom recovery voids the warranty and can lead to a "brick" of the device if you interrupt the process or use inappropriate files!

Preparation: What You Need Before Installing TWRP

Before you start firmware, make sure you have everything you need. Without proper preparation, even the most detailed instructions won’t help — you either get an error in fastboot or the device won’t boot.

Here is the minimum set of tools and files:

• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus with at least 70% battery charge (to avoid sudden shutdown).
• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (On macOS or Linux, the process is different).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables often don't transmit data to fastboot).
• 📁 Archives with TWRP for Mi 5s Plus (Natrum version is the coded name of the device).
• 🔧 Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download it as part of Google’s Platform Tools).
• 🔐 Mi Account with a linked phone number (to unlock the bootloader).

Where do I get the files? TWRP for Mi 5s Plus can be downloaded from twrp.me. The version must be at least lower. 3.6.0 — Older builds may not support modern firmware. Also check that the file has a.img extension (e.g., a file with a.img extension, twrp-3.7.0_natrium.img).

⚠️ Attention: If you download TWRP For other models (for example, for the Mi model) 5s without the "Plus", the device will not load into the Recovery or will stop turning on at all. 5s Plus is natrium, and Mi is. 5s — capricorn.

Before you start, disable the antivirus – it can block ADB or Fastboot as “suspicious” files. Also make sure that the phone is debugging over USB (how to do this – read the next section).

2. enable debugging over USB and unlock OEM

To enable your computer to communicate with your Mi 5s Plus in fastboot mode, you need to activate the hidden developer settings and enable two key settings: USB debugging and OEM unlocking.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
4. Activate the switches: 🔧 Debugging by USB (A confirmation request will appear – click “Allow»). 🔓 Unlocking OEM (may require input PIN-code).

If there is no OEM Unlock, don’t panic! some versions of MIUI have it hidden, in which case skip this step and proceed to unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (more on this below).

⚠️ Note: After activation of the debugging USB When you connect your phone to your PC, you'll get a request for debugging permission. RSA (It should match what's on the screen on your smartphone, and click "Allow." If you skip this step, ADB won't be able to connect.

Now connect the phone to your computer and check if it is detected in ADB.

1. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Go to the Platform Tools folder (e.g., cd C:\platform-tools).
3. Enter the command: Adb devices
4. Waiting for confirmation: ⏳ The utility will show a timer (usually 72-168 hours) This is the time it takes to check your Xiaomi account. 📅 At the end of the period, try again - unlocking will take a few minutes.

Important: If you previously unlocked the bootloader on another Xiaomi device, the wait can be reduced to 24 hours. Also note that the Mi Unlock Tool only works on official versions of MIUI. If you have custom firmware, first sew the stock through fastboot.

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings.

4.Installation of ADB and Fastboot drivers

Without the right drivers, your computer simply won’t see the Mi 5s Plus in fastboot mode. Unfortunately, standard Windows drivers often don’t fit, so they need to be manually installed.

Here are two proven ways:

• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool: Download MiFlash and install. Connect your phone in fastboot. Launch MiFlash, the drivers will install automatically.

Manual installation through Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find a device with an exclamation point (usually an Android Bootloader Interface).
3. Right-click → Update the driver → Search on this computer.
4. Specify the path to the driver folder (they are in the Platform Tools archive or in MiFlash).

Check the work of the drivers by the team:

fastboot devices

If the response shows the serial number of the device, the drivers are installed correctly. If not, try another one. USB-port or disable driver signatures in Windows (instructions are available on Microsoft website).

The bootloader is unlocked (Mi Unlock Tool showed 100%).

Fastboot drivers installed (team) `fastboot devices` work).

TWRP is downloaded for the natrium model (check the file name).

The battery is 70% or more charged.

Backup data created (unlocking will reset the phone).-->

5.TWRP turn-based firmware on Mi 5s Plus

Now, the most important step is to get the customized recavery firmware, so don't disconnect your phone from your PC or interrupt the process, or you risk getting a brick.

Instructions:

1. Turn your phone into fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.

Connect to the PC and check the connection

fastboot devices

The serial number (e.g. 1234abcd fastboot) must be displayed.

Please TWRP.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_natrium.img

Replace. twrp-3.7.0_natrium.img in the name of your file.

Block the firmware of the stock Recovery

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_natrium.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_natrium.img

The second command loads the phone directly into TWRP so that MIUI doesn't overwrite it when it first boots.

If it went well, you'll see the TeamWin logo and the Recovery menu, and you can start building a backup or running a custom OS.

⚠️ Attention: After the firmware TWRP MIUI It can automatically restore the stock recavator when it first loads, so to avoid this, right after installation. TWRP plough disable_force_encrypt.zip (You can download it on the forum XDA). This will disable forced data encryption, which interferes with the work of custom firmware.

If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after you have flashed it, don't panic. Try logging into TWRP manually (click Volume Up + Power on) and reset it via Wipe → Format Data.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them.

If your error is not from the table, look for a solution on the XDA-Developers forum (section Xiaomi Mi). 5s Plus. There are usually current discussions and patches for new versions. MIUI.

💡

If after TWRP firmware the phone doesn't see internal memory, don't panic! That's OK - just go to Mount in the TWRP menu and plug System and Data manually.

7.What to do after installing TWRP?

Now that you have a custom recaveri that works, you can get to more interesting things: custom OS firmware, root rights, or backup.

• 📁 Create a backup: In TWRP Go to Backup and select Boot, System, Data. Save backup to Backup. SD-It'll save your data if something goes wrong when you're firmware.
• 🔓 Install Magisk for root: Download the latest Magisk.zip From GitHub and run it through Install in TWRP. This will give you root access without losing the ability to use banking applications (thanks to Magisk Hide).
• 📱 Sweep custom firmware: Popular options for Mi 5s Plus: LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS. Before you run your firmware, be sure to read the instructions on the forum. XDA — Some firmware requires additional patches (for example, for a camera or modem).

Remember, after firmware custom OS may stop working encryption, NFC or dual camera. these are known problems Mi 5s Plus, which are solved by installing additional fixes (look for them in the themes of firmware on XDA).

💡

Do not update MIUI over OTA after installing TWRP! This will result in loss of the Recovery and possible blink. All updates must be manually stitched through TWRP.

8 How to get back stock Recovery (if something went wrong)

If you have lost your phone after experimenting with TWRP or want to get it back to normal, you can flash back the stock recavers, and you will need the official MIUI firmware in.tgz format (you can download it from Xiaomi).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware and find the recovery.img file.
2. Put your phone in fastboot mode.
3. Fastboot flash recovery recovery recovery.img
4. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

If the phone doesn't boot after that, run the full firmware through MiFlash (select Clean All option), which will return the device to factory status, but delete all data.

To avoid future problems, before returning to the drainage Recovery:

• Remove root rights (if installed).
• Disable Magisk or other system modifications.
• Reset your settings via Wipe → Factory Reset in TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TWRP on Mi 5s Plus