Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A firmware: a complete guide from preparation to installation

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still actively used. However, over time, standard firmware becomes obsolete, lags appear, and new applications require fresh versions of Android. The firmware of the device can solve these problems, but the process requires care: a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Redmi Note 5A firmware is run, from official updates via MIUI Updater to custom firmware installations like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. Focus on unlocking the bootloader, choosing the right firmware version, and restoring the device after a failed attempt. If you’ve never flashed your smartphone before, don’t worry: the instructions are customized for beginners, with explanations of each step.

Before you start, make sure your model matches the Redmi Note 5A (codenamed ugg or ugglite).

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Firmware isn't just pressing a few buttons. Incorrect preparation can cost you all the data on your phone, or even its performance, and let's start with the most important thing: backup.

Create a backup of all critical data:

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf via Contacts app)
• 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or Google Cloud Photos)
• 🔑 Messages (use) SMS Backup & Restore from Play Market)
• 🎮 Save games (synchronize with your Google Play Games account)

Redmi Note 5A

Mi Cloud

Then check the battery power: it must be at least 60%, the firmware at low charge can interrupt, leaving the phone inoperable.

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or certified)
• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (certain methods)
• 🛠️ Programs: Mi Flash Tool, ADB/Fastboot, Xiaomi drivers

⚠️ Please note: if your Redmi Note 5A purchased in China (domestic version), firmware global or European version MIUI It can block the network. Check the model in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

2. Official firmware via MIUI Updater: the safest way

If your goal is to simply upgrade to the latest official version, start with the built-in MIUI Updater tool, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves all the data.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
3. If the update is available online, download it (file weight ~1.5-2 GB).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

It's going to take 10 to 15 minutes. The phone will reboot a few times, which is normal.

What to do if the update is not available?

• 🌍 Regional restrictions (your version) MIUI supportive OTA-update)
• 🔄 Outdated firmware (intermediate update required)
• 🔒 Blocked bootloader (relevant to Chinese versions)

In such cases, you will need to use the Mi Flash Tool (more on this below).

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If the update has been stuck in the checkout phase, try clearing the MIUI Updater app cache in the settings or using a VPN to change region.

3. Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for custom firmware

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, including the Redmi Note 5A. This means that installing custom firmware or even official through Fastboot will require unlocking.The process takes up to 72 hours and requires a Mi Account to be tied.

Step-by-step:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then return to Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and run it on behalf of the administrator.
5. Log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone and follow the instructions.

Important nuances:

• 🕒 After sending the request for unlocking you will have to wait 3-7 days (the period depends on the region).
• 📱 The phone must be connected to the internet via SIM-Card (Wi-Fi is not suitable for activation).
• 🔄 If the process is interrupted, the waiting counter will reset and you will have to start again.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the phone, including internal memory.Don't rely on backups made through Mi Cloud - they may not recover after unlocking.

4. Install custom firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others

Custom firmware gives Redmi Note 5A a second life: updated Android, no ads in MIUI and better performance. However, installing them requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP recovery.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for ugg/ugglite from the official website twrp.me.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB/Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
4. In the command line, run: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 2: Firmware through TWRP

• 📁 Download firmware (for example, LineageOS 16 for Redmi Note) 5A) GApps (Google Services Package).
• 🔄 Reboot to TWRP (clamp down on power. + Loudness up).
• 🧹 Make a Wipe. → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
• 📥 Install firmware, then GApps, and restart.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware based on Android 10+ It can be unstable on the Redmi Note. 5A Due to the limitations of iron (Snapdragon processor) 425 and 2/3 GB of RAM. The best choice is Android. 8.1 or 9.0.

bootloader unlocked | Downloaded TWRP for ugg/ugglite| Backup of all data | Battery charge ≥ 60% | Downloaded firmware + GApps-->

5.Fastboot Firmware: Recovery from Errors

If the phone doesn't turn on or is stuck on the MI logo, the only way to bring it back to life is through Fastboot with the Mi Flash Tool.This method is also suitable for downgrading the MIUI version.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for the Redmi Note 5A in.tgz format from MIUI Downloads.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on your PC.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and start Mi Flash.
5. Select the firmware folder and press Refresh, then Flash.

Selection of firmware mode:

• Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended in case of failure)
• Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!)
• Save user data – data retention (not always stable)

Critical error: If the Mi Flash Tool is giving an anti-rollback message, it means you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on your phone, in which case you need to flash an intermediate version or use special patches.

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Fastboot is the only way to restore the phone if it doesn't load or is stuck on the logo, but it erases all data without the ability to recover.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device

• 🔹 Reason: a mismatch in the firmware model (for example, trying to flash ugglite on ugg).
• 🔹 Solution: download the firmware specifically for your modification (check in Settings). → The phone. → Model).

Mistake: Hanging on the MI logo after firmware

Error: "Device is locked. Please unlock first"

• 🔹 Reason: Trying to flash custom recovery with a blocked bootloader.
• 🔹 Solution: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (see Section 3).

7. Post-Firmware Optimization: How to Get Productivity Back

After successful firmware, the phone may be slower than expected, due to the background processes of the new system. Here's how to optimize the Redmi Note 5A:

For the official MIUI:

• 🚀 Turn off animation: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → The scale of the animation (select) 0.5x).
• 🔄 Limit background processes: Settings → Annexes → Auto-start (disable unnecessary ones).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.

For custom firmware:

• 🔋 Install the FrancoKernel kernel (if you have support for your firmware).
• 📉 Turn off unnecessary Google services: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Disable (if not used).
• 🔄 Use Greenify to hibernate background apps.

If the battery is quickly down after firmware, calibrate it:

1. Discharge the phone before automatically shutting down.
2. Charge to 100% without powering on.
3. Repeat 2-3 times.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions