Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a popular budget smartphone that is still widely used due to its reliability and customization, but when you are running a firmware, unlocking a bootloader or repairing a test point, a special contact platform on the motherboard that allows you to put the device in EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode).
In this article, you will find the exact coordinates of the testpoint on Redmi 5 (rosy and vince models), detailed photos with markup, as well as step-by-step instructions for using it. We will also explain why you need a testpoint, what risks exist when it is closed, and how it differs from similar solutions on other Xiaomi devices, if you plan to sew your phone through MiFlash, unlock the bootloader after a failed attempt, or restore the brick, this information will be critical.
What is Testpoint and Why You Need It on Redmi 5?
Testpoint (or test point) is a microscopic contact platform on the smartphone motherboard, which, when closed to GND (ground), forcibly transfers the device to EDL mode.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader after unsuccessful attempts through the Mi Unlock Tool.
- 📱 Brick firmware (a device that does not turn on or respond to buttons).
- 🔧 Recovery IMEI or other critical memory areas.
- 🛠️ Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions in service centers.
The Redmi 5 doesn't always require a testpoint, for example, if you don't need a bootloader to unlock it through the official Mi Unlock Tool, you don't need one.
- 🚫 The device is not defined by the computer in Fastboot mode.
- 🔄 Firmware through TWRP It is an error and the phone is not switched on.
- 🔒 bootloader locked after failed attempt to unlock.
It's important to understand that using it resets all the data on the device and can lead to a loss of warranty.
⚠️ Warning: Closing the testpoint on a working device can short-circuit and disable the motherboard. All manipulations are carried out only on a phone that is turned off with the battery turned off!
Where is the testpoint on Xiaomi Redmi 5?
On the Redmi 5 (Rosy models - 2/16 GB and vince - 3/32 GB), the testpoint is located on the motherboard next to the battery connector.
- 📍 Right of the battery connector, next to the chip PMIC (feeding-control).
- 🔍 Two small metal plates marked as TP or without marking (on some audits of the fee).
- 🎯 Distance between sites: ~1 mm (needs a thin wire or tweezers).
Below is a diagram with markup (conditional designations for visual search):
| Fee element | A search reference | Photo (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery connector | The testpoint is on the right of it. | 📷 [connector] |
| PMIC chip | The floors are below it. | 📷 [chip-picture] |
| TP contact | Two small round areas | 📷 [testpoint] |
| GND (ground) | Any metal screw or body | 📷 [ground-case] |
Critically, on some Redmi 5 board revisions, the testpoint can be hidden under a protective varnish, in which case it must be carefully cleaned with a scalpel or needle without damaging the track.
Step-by-step: how to close the testpoint on Redmi 5
Before you start, prepare the following tools:
- 🔧 Thin tweezers or needles (diameter not more than 0.5 mm).
- 🔌 USB-cable (original, with data transmission support).
- 💻 Computer with Qualcomm drivers and MiFlash program installed.
- 🔋 Screwdriver for disassembling the body (usually) T3 or T4).
Now, follow the instructions:
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-card.
- Remove the back cover (on Redmi 5 it is kept on latches - carefully tuck the mediator).
- Disconnect the battery by disconnecting the plume from the motherboard (it is not necessary to remove the battery completely).
- Find the testpoint on the scheme above and lock it on the GND (for example, on the case or screw of the board). Use tweezers or wire.
- Connect. USB-Hold the circuit for 5-10 seconds until the device is identified in Device Manager as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Release the testpoint and proceed to the firmware via MiFlash.
Turn off the phone from the network|Remove the back cover|Disconnect the battery|Find a testpoint and GND|Prepare tweezers and USB-cable-->
⚠️ Note: If after the testpoint is closed, the phone is not detected in the mode EDL, Check: Contact quality (possibly site oxidation) availability of Qualcomm drivers on PC. Integrity USB-cable (try another one).
What is the difference between testpoint on Redmi 5 and other Xiaomi models
Each Xiaomi smartphone has a different location and method of activating the testpoint.
| Model | Location of testpoint | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi 5 | Right of the battery connector. | Requires GND closure |
| Redmi Note 5 | Under the speaker (near the camera) | Often hidden under protective film |
| Redmi 4X | Next to the charging connector | You might need a soldering iron. |
| Mi A1 | Under a metal screen | Hard access without disassembly |
On Redmi 5, the testpoint is relatively available, but there are nuances:
- ✅ It does not require soldering (unlike some Mi models).
- ⚠️ Sensitive to statics – work in an antistatic bracelet or grounded room.
- 🔄 On some boards, the testpoint is duplicated in two places (main and backup).
💡
If you are not sure about your skills, try first to find a testpoint on a broken board (for example, from a donor phone) – this will help to avoid errors when working with the main device.
Frequent mistakes when working with testpoint and how to avoid them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that can lead to a complete loss of functionality of the device, and here are the most common ones:
- It's a circuit on a working phone, it causes a short circuit, and it can burn the power chips. Always turn off the battery!
- Testpoint contacts are fragile, thick wire can damage them, optimal diameter: 0.3-0.5 mm.
- Wrong grounding: If you close the testpoint on a different track than the GND, the device may not enter the EDL or fail.
- Interrupting the firmware process. If you turn off the cable while you're recording the firmware, the phone becomes a brick without any recovery.
To minimize the risks, follow these tips:
- 🔍 Use a magnifier – the contacts on the board are very small.
- 📸 Take a picture of the fee before work starts so as not to confuse contacts.
- 🔋 Check the voltage with a multimeter before closing (should be 0 V on the disconnected battery).
What to do if after closing the testpoint the phone is not determined?
Alternative ways to enter EDL without testpoint
If you’re afraid of damaging the fee or can’t find a testpoint, there are alternative methods to put Redmi 5 into EDL mode:
- 🔄 via Fastboot (if the phone is turned on):
- 📱 With the help of the engineering menu (for some firmware):
- 🔌 By short-circuiting the contacts USB (riskyly!):
However, these methods are not universal and depend on the firmware version and the state of the bootloader, and Testpoint remains the most reliable option for bricks.
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If the phone is powered on but not detected in Fastboot, try resetting your settings via Recovery (Wipe Data) first.This can fix the problem without risking damage to the board.