Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 firmware via Fastboot: a complete guide with unlocking the bootloader

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed Whyred) remains a popular smartphone even years after its release, but its firmware through Fastboot often raises questions among users. This method allows you to install both official software from Xiaomi and custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but requires accurate follow-up instructions – an error at any stage can lead to a “brick” of the device.

Unlike the Recovery update, Fastboot gives you complete control over the process: you can choose a specific version of MIUI (including global or Chinese), roll back to old firmware or install modified software. However, this will require unlocking the bootloader, which is officially supported by Xiaomi, but has its own nuances - from waiting 72 hours to binding your Mi Account.

In this article, we will take a look at the whole process from A to Z, from preparing drivers and unlocking the bootloader to directly fixing firmware and solving typical bugs, and focus on critical issues that 90% of users miss – such as checking the bootloader version (UFS vs EMMC) and choosing the right firmware file for your Redmi Note 5 modification (3/32 GB, 4/64 GB or Indian version).

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before You Start

Before you go into action, make sure all the preconditions are met. Skipping at least one item can cause firmware failure or data loss.

• 📱 Check the model of the device: Redmi Note 5 has two modifications - whyred (global / Indian) and vince (for China). → The phone. → Model or via the Quickboot Getvar Product command.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. Fastboot firmware drains the battery faster than usual — if the phone turns off during the process, it will be difficult to restore it.
• 💾 Back up all the data. Fastboot firmware formats the data and cache sections so contacts, photos and apps will be deleted. Use Mi Cloud, Google Photos or physical copying on your PC.
• 🖥️ Prepare your PC: You will need Windows 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Possible problems with drivers), USB-cable with data support (not all charging cables are suitable!) and free disk space (firmware weighs) 2–3 GB).

Pay special attention to the bootloader version. The Redmi Note 5 has two:

• UFS – a newer revision (most devices of 2018+ year of release).
• EMMC is an old revision (early batch).

You can find out the type through the command fastboot getvar soc – if the answer is msm8953, it is UFS. EMMS requires a special firmware, otherwise the device will not boot!

⚠️ Note: If you're flashing Redmi Note 5 Pro (codename vince), this instruction doesn't fit! It has a different processor (Snapdragon 636) and a different firmware structure. Using files for whyred will cause the device to fail.

2 Unlock bootloader on Redmi Note 5

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, so it must be unlocked before running through Fastboot, a process officially supported by the manufacturer, but with a number of limitations:

1. Link to Mi: Unblocking is only possible through an authorized Mi Account linked to the device. If you bought the phone with your hands, the previous owner must remove the link to Settings → Mi Account → Devices.
2. Wait 72 hours: Once your account is linked to your device, Xiaomi blocks unlocking for 3 days, a security measure that cannot be circumvented legally.
3. Official software: The latest official MIUI firmware is required to unlock. If you have custom software, go back to the stock first.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Download the official Mi Unlock Tool (version for Windows).
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in the settings) and activate OEM Unlock in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down until the hare appears in the eardress cap).
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in under the same account as your phone, and follow the program instructions.

If the utility gives you a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not connected" error:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Try the port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🔄 Reinstall Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 manually via Device Manager.
• ⏳ Wait 72 hours if your account has been linked recently.

3. Installation of drivers and PC configuration

To successfully run through Fastboot, the right drivers must be installed on your PC, and without them, your computer won’t be able to “see” your phone in firmware mode.

List of required drivers:

• 🖥️ ADB & Fastboot drivers — to interact with the device through the command line. SDK Platform Tools.
• 🔧 Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 is a critical driver for the Snapdragon 636 processor, usually installed automatically, but sometimes requires manual installation.
• 📱 Xiaomi USB Drivers – official drivers from the manufacturer (you can download on the Xiaomi website).

Installation instructions:

1. Download and unpack Android SDK Platform Tools at the Root of the Disk C:\platform-tools\.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
3. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
4. Find a device with a yellow exclamation point (usually Android Bootloader Interface or a mobile phone). QHSUSB_BULK).
5. Update the driver manually by specifying the path to the folder with platform-tools or downloaded Xiaomi drivers.

Check the correctness of the driver installation:

1. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open command window”).
2. If you see the serial number of the device (for example, 1234567890abcdef fastboot) in response, the drivers are installed correctly.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is identified as Qualcomm after connection HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (COMXX), But it doesn't respond to Fastboot commands, it's a "brike" sign. EDL-mode (emergency firmware) that requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable.

4.Select firmware for the Redmi Note 5

The right firmware file is responsible for 90% of the success, and Redmi Note 5 (whyred) has several firmware types available:

For beginners, it is recommended to start with the official Fastboot firmware, it is guaranteed to be compatible with the device and contains all the necessary drivers.

• 🌍 Global – for the international version (supported by Google Services).
• 🇨🇳 China - Chinese firmware (without Google, but with additional features) MIUI).
• 🇪🇺 EEA — European version (corresponding to the GDPR).

The firmware file has the extension.tgz or.zip and weighs ~2–3 GB. After downloading, unpack it in the folder platform-tools - there should appear files of the form flash_all.bat, images\boot.img others.

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If you downloaded firmware from Xiaomi’s website but it is not unpacked by the archiver, rename the file from.tgz to.tar, then unpack it twice (there will be another archive inside).

5. Step-by-step instruction: firmware via Fastboot

Now, to the firmware process itself, follow the instructions strictly by step, and skipping or changing the order of action can lead to errors.

Make sure the battery is charged at 60%+

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable

Close all programs except the command line.

Unpack the firmware in the folder platform-tools

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1. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press the Power + Volume buttons down for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears.

Connect your phone to your PC

fastboot devices

The serial number of the device must be displayed.

Run the firmware.

• If you have official Xiaomi firmware, run the file flash_all.bat (double-click).
• If you are manually flashing, use the commands: fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot flash recovery system.img fastboot flash vendor.img fastboot flash modem modem.img fastboot flash fsgs fsgs.img fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot