When will the update for Xiaomi Mi5s: official information and instructions

Introduction: Relevance of updates for Xiaomi Mi5s in 2026

Xiaomi Mi5s, released in 2016, has long since stopped receiving regular updates from the manufacturer.The latest official version of MIUI 12.5 based on Android 8.0 Oreo was the final for this model. However, owners of the device are still looking for ways to update the firmware - whether through custom builds or unofficial ports.

In 2026, the situation with updates for the Mi5s remains ambiguous. On the one hand, Xiaomi officially stopped supporting the model in 2020, on the other hand, enthusiasts continue to develop alternative firmware, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS, which can give the device a “second life”.

If you’re still using the Mi5s as your primary device, it’s important to understand the risks and limitations: The last official firmware for the Mi5s (V12.5.1.0.OAGMIXM) came out in January 2021 — there won’t be any new versions from Xiaomi. But that doesn’t mean your smartphone is doomed to outdated software: we’ll talk about all the options available.

Previous articleWhy Xiaomi no longer supports Mi5s

Xiaomi has a clear policy of updates: most smartphones receive 2-3 major MIUI updates and 1-2 Android updates during the life cycle. For the Mi5s, released on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the path ended on Android 8.0 Oreo with the final version of MIUI 12.5.

The main reasons for the termination of support:

• 📅 Age of the device: 8 years on the market - a critical period even for flagships.
• 🔧 Hardware Restrictions: Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor 821 and 3/4 GB RAM does not pull the modern versions of Android.
• 📱 Xiaomi strategy: the company focuses on new models (Redmi series, POCO, Xiaomi 14).
• 🔒 Security: Lack of patches for vulnerabilities after 2021 makes a device vulnerable.

However, some users are still hoping for a "miracle": For example, in 2023, rumors were circulating about the possible porting of MIUI 14 for older devices, but these have not been confirmed.

⚠️ Warning: Any reports of an “Official Update” coming soon Mi5s» — Xiaomi does not comment on the support of outdated models, and all the “leaks” from unknown sources are fraud.

How to check the current version of MIUI and Android on Mi5s

Before you look for updates, make sure your device has the latest firmware available.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll to the MIUI version section – the current build is listed here (e.g. V12.5.1.0.OAGMIXM).
3. Click on the MIUI version several times to see more information, including the Android version.

If your version is below V12.5.1.0, you can try to upgrade through the standard mechanism:

Check the Wi-Fi connection|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system|Click "Check updates»|Follow the instructions if an update is found-->

If the system says “No updates found”, it means one of two things:

• 🔄 You have already installed the latest official version.
• 🌍 Your region is not supported (e.g. global firmware vs. Chinese firmware).

Where to download the latest official firmware for Mi5s

If the automatic update doesn't work, you can install the latest version of MIUI manually.

• 🌐 Official portal MIUI Downloads (select the model) Mi5s region).
• 📦 Xiaomi Firmware Updater – an unofficial archive with verified builds.

Instructions for installation through Recovery:

1. Download a firmware file (.zip format) for your model (for example, miui_MI5SGlobal_V12.5.1.0.OAGMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.
5. Select update.zip and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware for another region (e.g. Chinese instead of global) can lead to loss of functionality (no Google services, language problems!

Alternative firmware: how to update Mi5s to Android 10/11

If the official updates are no longer available, there is a custom firmware option available for the Mi5s:

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) – stable build with minimalist interface.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience (Android 10/11) — Firmware with pure Android and features from Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS (Android 10) - customizable firmware with advanced settings.
• 🔧 MIUI 13/14 Ports (unofficial) – attempts to migrate new versions to older devices.

Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP. This is a risky process that can lead to a device breaking down.

Backup all data (photos, contacts, messages)|Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool|Install TWRP Recovery|Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services)|Check the compatibility of the firmware with the model Mi5s (capricorn)-->

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ New versions of Android (up to 11).
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ Improved performance (optimization for weak iron).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of the official guarantee (if it was still in effect).
• ❌ Risk of errors (camera, sensors, mobile communication may not work correctly).
• ❌ No support for banking applications (due to lack of Google certification).

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check the reviews of a particular build on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. Pay attention to camera and mobile bugs, which often can not be fixed.

Frequent problems with updating Mi5s and their solutions

Even when installing the official firmware, users encounter errors.

If after the update, the smartphone began to work worse (brakes, discharges quickly), try:

1. Reset the settings to factory (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Clear the cache with Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition).
3. Reverse to the previous version of the firmware (if there is a backup).

⚠️ Note: If the fingerprint has stopped working after the update, or NFC, It's probably a firmware incompatibility problem, and in that case, it's just a rollback to the previous version or an alternative build.

Should you update the Mi5s in 2026: pros and cons

The decision to upgrade depends on how you use your smartphone. Consider the pros and cons:

Pros of the update:

• 🔒 Closing security vulnerabilities (relevant to custom firmware).
• 🚀 Improved productivity (in some cases).
• 📱 Access to new features (such as navigation gestures in Android 10)+).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Risk of a breeze (especially when installing custom firmware).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (newer versions of Android are more demanding).
• 📸 Camera or sensor problems (frequent problem of informal builds).

If the Mi5s is used as a backup phone or for simple tasks (calls, instant messengers), the upgrade may not be worth the risk. But if you want to extend the life of the device, custom firmware based on Android 10/11 can be a good option - provided you are ready for possible bugs.

💡

For most Mi5s users in 2026, the best solution is to stay on the latest official firmware (MIUI 12.5) and come to terms with its limitations.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the update Xiaomi Mi5s