Installing a custom TWRP recavator on the Xiaomi Redmi 5A smartphone opens up a wide range of options for deep system configuration. The standard MIUI shell, despite its functionality, often limits access rights to system partitions, preventing you from making full backups or installing modified firmware. That is why many enthusiasts are looking to replace the standard Recovery with a more advanced counterpart that gives full control over the device.
The process of replacing a standard bootloader requires careful and careful follow-up, as any deviation from the instructions can lead to software failure. Owners of the Redmi 5A model (codename riva) are lucky with a high degree of community support, which makes it easier to find relevant files. Before you start manipulating, you need to realize that you are taking responsibility for the state of your gadget.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps from tool preparation to the first successful launch of the recovery menu, learn how to properly prepare the device, what files you will need, and how to avoid the typical mistakes that beginners often make when working with Fastboot mode.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The first step is to ensure a stable connection between your computer and your smartphone. USB-cable, preferably original, because cheap analogues often do not withstand stable data transfer, which is critical when firmware partitions. 60-70%, so that a sudden power outage does not interrupt the critical recording process.
The computer must have the appropriate ADB and Fastboot drivers installed, without which the system will not be able to correctly recognize the phone in bootloader mode. These are usually part of Google's Platform Tools, which can be downloaded from the official developer's website, and you will need the recovery image file with the.img extension, adapted specifically for the riva model.
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
- 💻 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot on PC.
- 📂 Image file TWRP (recovery.img), downloaded.
- 🔋 Charge of the smartphone battery at least 60%.
It is also important to enable USB debugging in your smartphone settings. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number seven times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the Developer menu that appears, find the USB Debugging option and activate it.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you download the file TWRP specifically for Redmi 5A (Using an image from Redmi 5 (ros) or other models will cause the device to fail.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Without an unlocked bootloader, installing third-party software on Xiaomi devices is impossible. The company blocks this feature for security reasons, so the first step will be to get permission to modify the system, which can take from a few minutes to several days, since it requires an association with a Mi Account.
First, you need to apply through a special application Mi Unlock Tool on your computer. After logging in to your account and connecting your smartphone in Fastboot mode (pressing Volume Down + Power), the program will check the status of the device. If the status shows "Locked", you will need a wait set by the company's server.
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will be completely cleared of user data, so back up important contacts and files in advance. The Mi Unlock menu will display an appropriate warning, and the process will go automatically after pressing the unlock button. Successful completion of the operation will be confirmed by the message "Unlocked successfully".
The process of installing TWRP via Fastboot
The most reliable and quickest way to implement custom recovery menu is to use the command line in Fastboot mode. This method requires a minimum number of actions, but critically depends on the correctness of the commands entered. recovery.img toolbox ADB/Fastboot on a computer to simplify the path to the file.
Put your smartphone into bootloader mode by turning it off and holding the Volume Down + Power key combination before the Fastboot logo with the hare appears. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the tool folder. Enter the connection check command:
fastboot devicesIf you see the serial number of the device in response, the connection is correct, followed by a command that directly records the image in the recovery section:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.imgOnce the command is successfully executed, the terminal will receive a message about the end of the recording, but you can not immediately boot into the system, since a standard bootloader can overwrite the custom partition at the first start, you need to immediately switch to Recovery mode, holding the combination Volume up + Power immediately after restarting.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
First Start and Navigation on the Menu
After you've done all the command-line manipulations, there's a moment of truth -- the first entry into the TWRP menu. If you've done it right, instead of the MI logo or Android, you'll see a touch-controlled interface. The default interface language may be English, but it can be easily changed under Settings → Select Language.
The main feature of this version of the recovery for Redmi 5A is the support of the touch screen, which greatly simplifies navigation compared to the button control in the drain mode. The main menu is divided into logical blocks: Install (installation), Wipe (cleanup), Backup (backup) and Reboot (reboot).
| Function | Description | Danger. |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Installation ZIP-archives (firmware, fashions) | High (you can remove the system) |
| Wipe | Cleaning partitions (Dalvik, Cache, Data) | Critical (deletion of all data) |
| Backup | Creating a complete copy of the system | Safe. |
| Reboot | Reboot to the system or Recovery | Safe. |
When you first run it, you can ask permission to make changes to the system partition, and you'll see a Swipe to Allow Modifications slider on the screen, and you'll have to swipe it, or you'll have a stock TWRP on the restart, which is the key to fixing the result.
Why does TWRP fly off after the reboot?
Backup and data cleanup
Before installing new firmware or modifications, experienced users always create a rollback point. The Backup section allows you to keep the current state of all important partitions: System, Data, Boot and Vendor. If you fail, you can restore the phone to working condition in a couple of minutes.
To create a backup, select the desired partitions (it is recommended to mark all available ones) and slide the slider at the bottom of the screen. The process will take a few minutes, after which the archive will be stored in internal memory or on the screen. SD-file-card TWRP/BACKUPS. Having such a copy is the only guarantee of the security of your data.
If you are planning to install custom firmware, you need to clean up the data. Go to Wipe and select Advanced Wipe. Here you should note the Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache, System and Data sections. Internal memory cannot be cleaned unless you want to lose all files, photos and music.
- 🛡️ Always backup before any manipulations.
- 🗑️ Do not clean the Internal Storage section without extreme need.
- 🔄 Use Advanced Wipe for a clean Android installation.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
In the process of working with Redmi 5A And one of the most common is that the phone is not detected by the computer in Fastboot mode. USB-Reconnect or reconnect to another port. USB 2.0, located directly on the motherboard (back of the PC).
Another common bug is Error 7 when installing firmware, which means that the install script cannot check the device model or Android version, whether by editing the updater script inside the firmware archive or selecting the option "Ignore Blurry Zip Signature" in the TWRP settings before installing.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP You can try to clear the Dalvik and Cache partitions and then run Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, you'll have to return the stock firmware through MiFlash.
There is also a situation where the touch screen in the Recovery is not working, which is a sign that a TWRP image that is not adapted for the Redmi 5A screen has been used, or the recovery partition itself has been damaged, in which case you need to reflash the device again, strictly following the instructions for the riva model.
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If your computer can’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, try pressing the volume button (up or down) when you connect the USB cable, which often helps the system recognize the device.
Completion and return to the system
Once you have successfully installed the necessary components or backed up, it’s time to return to normal smartphone operation. Go to Reboot and select System. The first download after the modification can take longer than usual – from 5 to 10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
If you only installed TWRP without changing the firmware, you'll be in your usual MIUI shell with all the data saved (unless you did Wipe Data). If you did a full flash, the initial Android setup will start. In any case, having a customized recovery now allows you to go back and make changes at any time.
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Successful system start-up after installing TWRP means that the bootloader and partitions are working correctly and you have full control of the device.
Now, your Xiaomi Redmi 5A has a powerful tool for modifications: You can set up Root rights, change the themes at the system level, remove embedded debris and make full copies of the system, the main thing is to use these capabilities wisely and always have an up-to-date backup at hand.