Owners of the popular smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (model vince) often wonder about extending the life cycle of their device. Despite the fact that the official support of this model from the manufacturer was stopped on the version of MIUI 11, enthusiasts and third-party developers continue to release the latest builds of Android.
The process of installing a new shell may seem complicated only at first glance. There are several methods, from a standard “over the air” update to manually installing archives through Recovery mode or deep flashing through Fastboot. The choice of the particular method depends on the current version of the software, the region that your device is designed for, and the desired end result — whether it is pure Android or custom build MIUI.
Before taking action, you need to clearly understand the risks and prepare tools. Wrong actions can lead to data loss or software errors, so we will discuss each step in detail, paying special attention to preparing the device and choosing the right firmware files for your specific modification of the smartphone.
Determination of the current version and preparation of the device
The first step is to identify your device accurately. The Redmi 5 Plus model is codenamed vince, and firmware from other models (such as the Redmi 5 or Note 5) is categorically not suitable and can bring the gadget down. → About the phone and make sure that in the line "Version" MIUI» It is a stable assembly, not a test assembly (Beta).
This is followed by a mandatory backup procedure. Even if you plan to simply upgrade on top of old data, the risk of losing contacts or photos is always there. It is best to use the built-in Mi Cloud or create a local copy through the Security → Backup application. Save the archive to your computer or external drive.
⚠️ Before starting any manipulations, charge the battery at least to the minimum. 60-70%. Interrupting the firmware process due to battery discharge is one of the most common reasons for turning a smartphone into a “brick».
It's also important to free up space in memory. To properly decompress the installation package, the system requires a free space equal to about twice the size of the firmware archive, and if there's not enough memory, delete the unnecessary videos or transfer them to a microSD card.
Official update via OTA and Recovery Menu
The easiest and safest way is to wait for an official notification, the system itself checks the servers for new versions, but since official support for Redmi 5 Plus is complete, this method only works for transitioning between versions within MIUI 11 or if you are in a region where late security patches have been released.
If the automatic update doesn’t come, you can initiate manual verification. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click on the system logo. If the server responds that there are no updates, but you know about the new version, you will need a manual method through the restore menu.
- 📥 Download the current firmware archive (.zip format) from the verified resource, strictly corresponding to your region (Global, Russia, China).
- 💾 Place the file in the root of the device’s internal memory without renaming it.
- 🔄 Go to the update menu and select three dots in the corner of the screen, then “Select a firmware file».
- ✅ Confirm the action and the system will begin checking and installing.
It is important to note that switching between firmware types (e.g. China to Global) through this menu is not possible. The system will give an error "Can't verify update." Cross-regional transitions require an unlocked bootloader.
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Use a stable Wi-Fi connection when downloading firmware weighing more than 1.5 GB to avoid damaging the archive when downloading over a mobile network.
Manual installation of firmware through Recovery Mode
The manual installation method through Recovery is the middle ground between simplicity and functionality, allowing you to install the full firmware version, which often solves the system bug problems that accumulate with conventional “over the air” updates.
To start, download the full firmware archive (Recovery ROM), which is usually about 1.5-2 GB. The file should have the.zip extension. After download, place it in the root directory of internal memory. Then you need to get into recovery mode: turn off the phone and press the Volume + and Power buttons simultaneously.
From the menu that appears, select a language (usually English and Chinese available). Then click Wipe Data (if you want a full cleanup) or immediately go to Connect with MIAssistant (for advanced) or select the installation from memory if the menu allows. In standard Mi Recovery 3.0/4.0/5.0 mode, a PC connection is often required.
☑️ Checklist before entering Recovery
If the standard menu does not see the file or prohibits installation, you can use the MIUI bootloader utility on a PC or ADB command. Connect the phone in Recovery mode to the computer and enter:
adb sideload name file firmware.zipThis method allows you to push the firmware file directly, bypassing the limitations of the phone’s file manager, and the process will take 5 to 15 minutes, after which the device will automatically restart.
Firmware via Fastboot with unlocked bootloader
The most radical, but also the most effective, method is to use Fastboot mode, which allows you to completely rewrite partitions of memory, which ensures that old errors and file conflicts are avoided, but this requires an unlocked bootloader.
Unlocking the bootloader is a separate procedure that requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait 3 to 7 days (sometimes longer). Once you get Unlocked status in the Mi Unlock app, you can start firmware. You'll need a Windows PC, USB-cable and Mi Flash Tool.
| Parameter | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Regime. | Fastboot (via USB) | Tall. |
| File type | Fastboot ROM (.tgz archive) | Critically. |
| Drivers. | Qualcomm / Xiaomi USB Drivers | I'll be sure. |
| Cleanup | "Clean All" is recommended | Recommended |
Unpack the downloaded.tgz archive to the root of the C disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic). Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press the Refresh button after connecting the phone turned off (clamped Loud and Power). Select Clean all mode for clean installation or Clean all and lock if you want to return the lock (only when changing region to the original).
⚠️ Warning: When selecting the "Clean all and lock" option, make sure you flash the region corresponding to the device.Firmware on the Global version on the Chinese device with the bootloader lock will make it impossible to boot the system (bootloop).
Install custom firmware and Android 12/13
Since official support for Redmi 5 Plus has stopped at MIUI 11 (Android 9), many users are turning to custom firmware such as Pixel Experience, LineageOS or Xiaomi.eu.They are based on newer versions of Android (10, 11, 12 and even 13), ensuring the relevance of the interface and applications.
To install such systems, an unlocked loader and an installed custom recavery are required, most often TWRP. The process includes unlocking, installation TWRP via Fastboot, creating a full copy (Backup) TWRP, Data partition formatting and installation ZIP-new-system.
- 🚀 Performance: Castom assemblies often run faster than stock assemblies due to the lack of excess software.
- 🔒 Security: You get fresh security patches that aren't in the official MIUI 11.
- 🎨 Design: Pure Android or unique chips from developers.
However, it’s worth remembering the drawbacks: the camera may perform worse due to the lack of Xiaomi algorithms, and some banking apps may not run without additional manipulation of Root rights and Magisk modules.
What is Xiaomi.eu?
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Unforeseen situations can occur during the upgrade process, and one of the most common is the “Update package isn’t compatible” error, which means you’re trying to roll back to an older version or install firmware in another region without the bootloader unlocked.
Another common problem is “bootloop”: If the phone is constantly rebooting after the upgrade, you need to log in to Recovery and do Wipe Data/Factory Reset. If this does not help, you will need to flash through the Fastboot with a full cleanup.
Users also face the problem of “brick” when the screen does not light up at all. In the case of Qualcomm processors (as in vince), it is often helped to enter EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode), to disassemble the phone and close special contacts on the board or use a specialized cable, after which the device is identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 and it can be revived through service programs.
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The main rule of successful updates is to match the device model (codename) with the downloaded firmware file. Never use files intended for other models, even if they are called similar.