Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: Which Android Versions Will Support the Smartphone in 2026?

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2018, which is still used by many users. However, with the release of new versions of Android, owners of this device are faced with the question: which version of Android supports Redmi 5 Plus today and can you install a more recent firmware?

In this article, we will discuss official updates from Xiaomi, the capabilities of custom firmware, and give practical recommendations for updating the system. You will learn which versions of Android are compatible with Redmi 5 Plus, how to check the current firmware and what to do if official updates are no longer coming out.

We will pay special attention to the manufacturer’s limitations related to the hardware capabilities of the device, and consider alternative ways to extend the life of the smartphone due to unofficial firmware.

Official Android Versions for Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince) was released in early 2018 with Android 7.1.2 Nougat preinstalled and the MIUI 9 shell. the manufacturer promised updates to Android 8.1 Oreo, which was completed during 2018-2019. However, further official updates were limited to only MIUI updates without changing the Android version.

The last official Android version for this device was Android 8.1.0 Oreo (OPM1.171019.019). Xiaomi stopped releasing new versions of Android for the Redmi 5 Plus in 2020, focusing on supporting newer models.However, security updates and bug fixes within MIUI were released until mid-2021.

• 📱 Original firmware: Android 7.1.2 Nougat + MIUI 9
• 🔄 Last official update: Android 8.1.0 Oreo + MIUI 12.5 (2021)
• ❌ Official support for Android 9+: absent

It’s important to understand that the Redmi 5 Plus is a budget-friendly platform, and its hardware platform (Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625 processor and 3/4GB of RAM) isn’t designed for modern versions of Android.This means that even if Xiaomi released Android 9 Pie or Android 10, the performance of the device could be significantly degraded.

How to check the current version of Android on Redmi 5 Plus

To find out which version of Android is installed on your Redmi 5 Plus, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click on the MIUI version - the shell version will be listed here.
4. Then tap several times on the Android version bar to see the full firmware information.

The alternative is to use Recovery Mode.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Reboot to Bootloader (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. The Android.baseband or ro.build.version.release bar will include the Android version.

If your device is running Android 7.x, it means you haven’t updated your firmware in a while, and it’s a good idea to at least upgrade to the latest official version of Android 8.1 Oreo to get security fixes and performance improvements.

Can I upgrade Redmi 5 Plus to Android 9, 10 or later?

Xiaomi has not released updates to Android 9 Pie or later for the Redmi 5 Plus, but there are informal firmware that allow you to install more recent versions of Android.

• 🔧 LineageOS – supports Android 9–11 (depending on build).
• 🛠️ Pixel Experience – ported firmware with pure Android and features from Google Pixel.
• 🔄 Havoc-OS and Resurrection Remix – custom firmware with advanced settings.

Before installing custom firmware, consider the following risks:

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware can lead to loss of warranty, unstable operation of the device or even complete failure (brick, IR-Blaster or dual camera may not work properly.

If you still decide to upgrade, you will need:

1. Unlock the Bootloader (officially via Xiaomi’s website).
2. Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
3. Download compatible firmware for the Vince model.
4. Perform a full reset (Wipe) before installation.

Redmi 5 Plus users are popular with LineageOS 16 (Android 9 Pie), which offers a more modern interface and improved security. However, don’t expect miracles: limited hardware resources can slow down when multitasking.

Comparison of official and custom firmware for Redmi 5 Plus

To help you choose between official and custom firmware, we have compiled a comparative table:

As the table shows, the official firmware provides better stability and compatibility, but is inferior in relevance.Castom firmware gives access to new Android features, but requires technical skills and can impair performance.

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Before installing custom firmware, back up your data via TWRP or Mi Cloud to help restore contacts, photos and apps in the event of a crash.

How to Upgrade Redmi 5 Plus to the Latest Official Version of Android

If your Redmi 5 Plus is still running Android 7.x, you can upgrade to Android 8.1 Oreo through the standard update menu.

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update is available, download and install it.

If the update is not automatically installed, you can manually install it:

1. Download the latest official firmware for vince from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Place the.zip file in the root directory of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Note: When you manually install firmware, make sure the file is for the Redmi 5 Plus (vince) model. Installing firmware from another model (e.g., Redmi Note 5) will cause the device to blink!

After the update, it is recommended to perform a factory reset (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) to avoid conflicts between old and new versions of the software.

Alternative ways to extend the life of Redmi 5 Plus without an Android update

If upgrading to a new version of Android is impossible or impractical, you can optimize the device in other ways:

• 🔄 Install a light firmware: For example, MIUI Lite or Android Go Edition (if available for your model).
• 🧹 Clean up the system: Remove unnecessary apps, turn off autoboot and use Settings → Annexes → Cleanup.
• 🔋 Replace the battery: Over time, battery capacity decreases, which affects performance.
• 🛡️ Use antivirus: Outdated versions of Android are vulnerable to malware.

You can also consider installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), which will visually update the interface without changing the Android version.

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If your Redmi 5 Plus is slow, try disabling the animations in the developer settings, which will speed up the system’s response without updating the firmware.

Frequent issues after Android update to Redmi 5 Plus

Even official updates sometimes cause problems, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

• 🔳 Device does not turn on after the update: Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot. If it does not help, load into Recovery Mode and execute Wipe Cache.
• 📱 Strong heating or battery discharge: Reverse to the previous firmware version. Check background applications in Settings → Battery.
• 📶 Network problems (not catching) 4G): Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset settings. Update the radio modem via Fastboot (technical skills required).

If after the update Redmi 5 Plus began to work worse than before, you can perform a firmware rollback.

1. Download the old firmware version from the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.
2. Install it via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool (in Fastboot mode).
3. Complete the full reset (Wipe Data).

Important: Xiaomi blocks rollbacks to older versions of MIUI through standard recovery.This will require an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Redmi 5 Plus and Android