Owners of the budget hit Xiaomi Redmi 5 often wonder about the future of their operating system. After the release of MIUI 10, many users began to worry whether their model will affect a large-scale update of the interface and functionality. In this article, we will analyze in detail the chronology of events, technical nuances and the real situation with the release of a new shell for this device.
The situation around updates on Redmi devices has always been ambiguous, especially when it comes to entry-level models.Redmi 5, released in early 2018, received a powerful boost from the 18:9 screen, but software support has become the subject of heated debate on forums.Let's get to the bottom of what really happened.
Company’s official position and history of updates
Xiaomi has traditionally been slow to release major updates for budget smartphones, with the resource allocation policy of making the Mi and Mi Note flagship series the first new versions of Android and MIUI. Only after firmware stabilizes on top-end devices do engineers begin to adapt the code for more affordable models like the Redmi 5.
Official announcement MIUI 10 took place in the summer of 2018 and the initial list of supported devices raised many questions.Redmi 5 owners were looking forward to the news, however in the early waves OTA-This model was not updated (Over-The-Air), which gave rise to rumors that the device may be completely removed from the list of supported devices.
But the company confirmed that the update would be out, but with a significant delay, and it is standard practice for the company to weed out critical bugs on more powerful hardware before migrating to the Snapdragon 450 chipsets installed in Redmi 5.
It’s important to understand that global firmware is always behind Chinese, and if updates are the first to arrive in China, Global ROM users have to wait for Google to localize and certification, adding weeks or even months to the waiting times.
Technical requirements and compatibility of iron
One of the main reasons for the delays was the optimization of the interface for the Snapdragon 450 processor. MIUI 10 brought significant changes to the visual part, including new animations and a redesigned design of the notification curtain. These elements require more processing power than previous versions of the shell.
Engineers had to rewrite some of the code to ensure smooth operation of the 3GB of RAM, which is equipped with the basic version of the smartphone. Attempting to run a heavy shell on a weak iron without proper optimization would lead to lags and rapid battery discharge, which is unacceptable for the brand image.
In addition, the new version of Android, which was the basis of MIUI 10, required updating modem drivers and graphics accelerator, a complex process that often becomes a narrow neck when porting firmware to devices of the past.
⚠️ Warning: Installing unstable or unoptimized firmware on the Redmi 5 could overheat the processor and shorten battery life.
Users should keep in mind that even after the release of the update, the work of some functions may differ from the flagship models. The limitations of iron do not disappear, and miracles from the software should not be expected.
Chronology of the release: Global and Chinese versions
The story behind MIUI 10 for Redmi 5 (codenamed roses) was as follows: The initial test builds appeared on the Chinese forum MIUI in late 2018, a version of Developer ROM available to a limited number of users willing to put up with bugs.
The China Stable version began rolling out in early 2019, when users saw the final design and got most of the features they claimed, but for the rest of the world, the process took a long time.
The Global Stable version was only available for download and installation via OTA in the second quarter of 2019, a 4-5-month delay between China and Global typical of Xiaomi’s budget segment.
Below is a table showing approximate release dates for different regions:
| Type of firmware | Region | Withdrawal status | Approximate period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | China | Completed. | November 2018 |
| Stable | China | Completed. | January 2019 |
| Stable | Global (EEA/Global) | Completed. | June 2019 |
| Stable | Russia (RU) | Completed. | July 2019 |
How to Check and Install Update Manually
If you don't get an automatic update, you can install it manually, you'll need to download the firmware archive from the official website or verified sources, and the file should have a.zip extension and weigh about 1.5-2 GB.
There are two main ways to install: through the file selection menu in the update section or through Recovery mode. The first way is easier and safer for the average user. You need to go to the Settings menu → About phone → MIUI version and click on the three dots in the corner of the screen.
☑️ Preparation for manual installation
Once you select "Select a firmware file," point the path to the downloaded file, the system will check the integrity of the data and suggest a reboot, a process that will take about 10-15 minutes.
The second option is to use Recovery mode, which means turning off and pressing the combination of the Volume+ and Power buttons, and selecting the language (if available) or installing it immediately (Install) from memory.
⚠️ Note: When you manually install firmware, all data can be deleted. Be sure to back up important files and photos before starting the procedure.
What's new for MIUI 10 for Redmi 5?
MIUI 10 brought with it several key changes that updated the look and functionality of Redmi 5. One of the main innovations was a redesigned interface inspired by the concept of “limitless screen”.
The notification curtain and control center became more compact and informative, and support for control gestures came, which was especially true for 18:9-part ratio devices, such as the Redmi 5, which allowed for more efficient use of display area.
- 🎨 Design: Completely redrawn icons of applications, which have become more voluminous and bright.
- ⚡ Performance: Optimizing RAM, which allowed faster application launches.
- 🔊 Sound: Improved system sounds created with natural noise in mind.
- 📱 Interface: Support for full-screen swipe gestures that replace navigation buttons.
The two-app experience has also been improved, and Second Space has become more stable, allowing you to create an isolated environment for personal data or work.
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Use the “Second Space” feature if you want to hide personal photos or apps from prying eyes without creating a second Google account.
Problems after updating and ways to solve them
Like any major upgrade, the upgrade to MIUI 10 could be a problem. Redmi 5 users often complained about increased battery consumption in the first days after installation.
In some cases, there were "boots" (cyclic reboot) or freezes on the logo, most often solved by cleaning the cache or completely resetting to the factory settings (Wipe Data), if the problem persisted, you needed to flash through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Another common problem was that some apps were not displayed correctly, and older versions of the software could conflict with new Android libraries, and the solution was simple: updating all apps through the Google Play Store.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the upgrade?
Summary and future prospects
To sum up, we can say that Xiaomi Redmi 5 still received its version of MIUI 10, albeit late. for the device 2017-2018 release, this was a significant event, extending its relevance for another year and a half.
However, the support for the model has almost ended. MIUI 11 has not been officially announced for Redmi 5 in the global version, which marks the end of the life cycle of the device in terms of major software updates.
Users who are still using this smartphone are advised to stay on the latest stable version of MIUI 10. Attempts to install newer versions through custom firmware (Custom ROM) are possible, but require unlocking the bootloader and technical skills.
💡
The Redmi 5 has officially received the MIUI 10, but it is the latest major update for the model in global support.