How to activate Xiaomi Redmi 5: full instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still widely used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, after buying from hands, resetting settings or prolonged downtime, many users face the need for initial activation, this process may seem simple, but has a number of nuances, especially if the phone was purchased abroad or previously linked to another Mi Account.

In this article, we will go through all the steps of activating Redmi 5, from the first turn on to setting up basic functions, learn how to bypass possible locks, what to do when connecting to the network, and how to properly link a device to your Xiaomi account, and give recommendations for optimizing the performance of the smartphone after activation, so that it lasts longer and more stable.

Preparation for activation: what to do before turning on the smartphone

Before you start activating the Xiaomi Redmi 5, make sure you have everything you need on hand, which will help you avoid interruptions and possible errors.

First, check the battery. The device must be charged at least 30% to avoid suddenly shutting down during setup. If the smartphone is dead, plug it into the original or certified charger 15-20 minutes before turning on.

Second, prepare. SIM-You can use mobile internet if you don't have Wi-Fi, but note that some carriers may block access to Xiaomi servers on newer ones. SIM-card.

• 🔋 Charger (original or Quick Charge 2.0 support)
• 📶 SIM-Nano-SIM card or Wi-Fi access
• 📧 Mi Account information (if you link to an existing profile)
• 🔑 Backup code (if previously enabled Find Device)

If you buy a smartphone with your hands, be sure to ask the seller to untie the device from your account, otherwise you may need to unlock through Mi Unlock, which will take up to 72 hours.

First inclusion: step-by-step instructions with photo

The process of first turning on Redmi 5 begins with pressing the power button. Keep it clamped for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.

1. Selection of language: On the first screen, select Russian (or another convenient language). If the language is not listed, click Others and find it manually.
2. Connection: Select your Wi-Fi network or click Skip if you want to use mobile Internet. Without an Internet connection, activation is impossible - the system will block access to basic functions.
3. Acceptance of Terms: Read and accept the User Agreement and Privacy Policy, without which you will not be able to continue the configuration.
4. Sign in to Mi Account: If you already have a Xiaomi account, enter your username and password. If not, click Create an account and follow the instructions.

Once logged in successfully, the system will offer you to adjust your fingerprint and face unlock. These features are optional, but we recommend that you activate them for convenience. If you miss this step, they can be configured later in the Settings → Lock and Protection menu.

If the login error appears at the stage of the account, "This device is linked to another account", then the previous owner did not untie the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to reset the device via Recovery - this can lead to hard-brick (completely inoperable.

Set up the main parameters after activation

Once activated successfully, Redmi 5 will offer you to adjust the basic settings, which you can skip, but we recommend that you pay attention to it to avoid problems in the future.

The first thing you need to do is update the firmware, and even if it's new, the probability that it's running an outdated version of MIUI is very high.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If an update is found, connect to Wi-Fi and click Download and Install.

Next, set up notifications and permissions for applications. By default, MIUI blocks background activity of many programs, which can cause important notifications to be missed.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔄 Select AutoRun and turn it on for instant messengers and social media.
• 🔔 In the Notifications menu, activate the notification display for the desired applications.

We also recommend that you disable ads in MIUI that may appear in system applications.

1. Open the settings → Additional → Advertising.
2. Turn off the option of personalized advertising.
3. In the menu, select Never to show recommendations.

💡

If the smartphone is slowing down after the upgrade, try resetting the cache to Recovery. To do this, turn off the device, then press Power + Volume up and select Wipe Cache.

Solving problems when activating Xiaomi Redmi 5

Although the process is simple, there are a number of errors that can occur when Redmi 5 is activated, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If a smartphone requires you to enter an unlock code after a reset and you don’t know it, the only official solution is to contact Xiaomi Support with proof of purchase.Unofficial methods (e.g., via EDL) can lead to a loss of warranty.

Another common problem is that you don't have a network after you activate it, and this can be related to:

• 📵 Incorrectly inserted SIM-card (check the tray).
• 🔄 An outdated version of the firmware (update) MIUI).
• 📡 Blocking. IMEI (Check through *#06#).

⚠️ Attention: If IMEI missing or displayed as 00000000, do not attempt to recover it through unofficial programs.This may result in loss of communication forever.

How to link Xiaomi Redmi 5 to your Mi Account

Linking Redmi 5 to your Mi Account is a must if you want to use Find Device, Mi Cloud and receive updates, and if you missed this step when you first turned on, you can do it later:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Enter your email or phone number associated with your account.
3. Confirm the entry via SMS or email.
4. Enable the data sync option to reserve contacts and photos.

If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, you can restore it at account.xiaomi.com, which requires access to the email or phone number specified during registration. If access is lost, contact support with a document confirming the purchase of the device.

If the limit is exhausted, you will have to untie one of the old devices.

Optimization of the smartphone after activation

After successful activation of Xiaomi Redmi 5, it is recommended to perform several actions to improve its performance and extend its life.

One is to disable unnecessary system applications, and many pre-installed programs (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser) can be removed or frozen without harming the system.

1. Install App Manager from Google Play.
2. Find unnecessary apps and choose Remove or Disable.

Second, set up auto-launch applications, and by default, MIUI limits the background of programs, which can interfere with the work of instant messengers.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔄 Select the desired application (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🔘 Enable Auto Start Options and Show Notifications.

Third, optimize your battery consumption.

• 🔋 Open the Settings. → Battery and productivity.
• 📊 Choose Balanced or Saving Charge mode.
• ⚡ Turn off Adaptive Brightness and set a fixed value (50–70%).

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and turning off unnecessary background processes can increase the battery life of the Redmi 5 by 15-20%.

Frequent questions about activation of Xiaomi Redmi 5