The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but even it is not immune to software failures that turn the device into a “brick.” The reasons are diverse: a failed MIUI update, interrupted firmware, experiments with customized recavers or errors when unlocking the bootloader. Unlike hardware breakdowns, scraping is a process of restoring functionality through software methods, and in 90% of cases it can be done independently.
This article is not a universal guide for “all Xiaomi”, but a detailed guide for the Redmi Note 5A (codenamed ugg or ugglite), we will analyze all the stages from the diagnosis of the “brick” type to choosing the right firmware and recovery method (Fastboot, EDL or Mi Flash), and pay special attention to the unique nuances of this model – locking the bootloader after 2019 and problems with the authorization of the Mi Account.
1.Diagnostics: What type of "brick" does your Redmi Note 5A have?
Before you act, identify the symptoms.
- 🔄 Soft-brick: The phone turns on but hovers on the Mi or Redmi logo>, It doesn't load any further. It reacts to the buttons being pressed.
- 🖥️ Hard-brick: The screen is black, no button response, but the computer identifies the device as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (mode) EDL).
The Redmi Note 5A is critical to distinguish between the first two types: If the device is responsive to Power + Volume Down, the chances of recovery without EDL are 80%. If the smartphone is only defined as QDLoader, you will need an authorized Xiaomi account to run through the Mi Flash Pro.
⚠️ Please note: if your Redmi Note 5A was purchased after 2019, the bootloader is most likely blocked.Attempt to sew custom recaveri (for example, TWRP) Unlocking will lead to a hard brick!
2.Tool preparation: what will be needed for recovery
List of required tools and files:
- 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (Mi Flash Pro requires Windows. Virtual machines are not suitable!
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality) cheap cables can interrupt the connection.
- 🔧 Programs: Mi Unlock Tool (to unlock the bootloader), Mi Flash Pro (official firmware tool). QFil (alternative to the bootloader) EDL, If Mi Flash is not working). ADB & Fastboot (for command line).
- 📁 Firmware: For Fastboot: Official MIUI (Choose the version for ugg or ugglite. EDL: firmware-updater (look for files with.mbn extension).
Important: Redmi Note 5A is not suitable firmware from other models (for example, Redmi Note 5 or Redmi 5A). Using the wrong firmware will lead to repeated bricks or damage to the modem module (network loss).
☑️ Preparation for the Redmi Note 5A
3. Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for firmware
If your Redmi Note 5A was released after 2019, the bootloader is locked.Unlocked, it is impossible to flash custom Recovery or unofficial firmware.The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting due to Xiaomi's policy.
Instructions for unlocking:
- Link your Mi Account to your phone (if it still turns on): Settings → Mi Account → Sign in
- Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times to unlock developer options) Settings → Additional → Developers → OEM Unlock and USB Debugging
- Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and log in to the same Mi Account.
- If you see a message that says "Wait 720 hours," wait until the timer ends.
⚠️ Note: After unlocking the Redmi Note bootloader 5A You'll be able to do a full reset. All data will be deleted.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the device?
4. Fastboot Recovery: If the phone responds to buttons
If the Redmi Note 5A goes into Fastboot mode, use this method. It is the safest and does not require Xiaomi authorization.
Step-by-step:
- Download the official firmware for Fastboot (.tgz file). Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic (e.g., C:\MIUI\ugg).
- Transfer your phone to Fastboot: Turn off your phone → Press Power + Volume Down → Connect to your PC
- Launch Mi Flash Pro, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
- Choose Clean All (Full Reset) or Clean All and Lock (Reset) + Loader locking. Any option is suitable for unburdening.
- Press Flash and wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.
If the Mi Flash Pro is running a "Couldn't find fastboot" error, try it.
- 🔌 Reconnect. USB-cable.
- 🖥️ Launch the program on behalf of the administrator.
- 🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Mi Unlock Tool.
💡
If the Mi Flash Pro is 99 percent freezer, don't turn off your phone! Wait 15 to 20 minutes. Often the process is successful despite the visually suspended band.
5. Firmware through EDL: if the phone doesn't respond (hard brick)
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to recover the Redmi Note 5A if it is not enabled and defined in Fastboot. This method will require an authorized Xiaomi account (or workarounds, which we will discuss below).
Instructions for EDL:
- Install Qualcomm drivers: Download QDLoader Driver. Disable driver signatures in Windows (see spoiler section 3). Connect the phone off to your PC, press Volume Up + Volume Down, and paste the cable (should be defined as QDLoader 9008).
prog_emmc_firehose_*.mbn
Xiaomi Firmware Updater
Mi Flash Pro
Flash
Bypassing EDL authorization for Redmi Note 5A:
| Method | Description | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Patch Mi Flash | Use a modified version of Mi Flash with a check-by-check (e.g., Mi Flash Unlock). | You can block your Mi Account. |
| QFil | Firmware via Qualcomm Flash Image Loader (requires files) prog_emmc_firehose.mbn and rawprogram.xml). | High risk of damage to the modem partition if you make an error. |
| Official unlocker | Buying authorization from Xiaomi (about $5–$10) through the official website. | Legal, but it pays. |
⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Unauthorized can lead to blocking IMEI If the phone is important for work, use official methods!
6. Solving common errors in the process of cleaning
Even if you follow the instructions, you can still get errors, and consider the typical problems with the Redmi Note 5A and their solutions:
- 🚫 Anti-rollback error: The reason: trying to flash the old version MIUI Solution: download the firmware of the same or newer version that was installed earlier. Check the version in the file title (e.g., the file name, V12.5.1.0).
- ⚡ Phone doesn't charge after firmware: Reason: Battery partition damaged. Solution: just swipe this partition through Fastboot: fastboot flash battery battery.img (file battery.img I have a firmware file).
- 📶 No network after recovery: Reason: modem damaged. Solution: swipe modem separately: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin If it doesn’t help, re-sweep the full firmware.
💡
If Redmi Note 5A does not turn on after firmware, but is determined in Fastboot, repeat the process with the Clean all and lock option. This will reset all partitions, including user data.
7. Data recovery after scraping
If you haven’t done a backup to brick, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are ways to partially restore:
- 📱 Photo and video: Use DiskDigger to scan internal memory. Connect your phone in mode MTP (if it is turned on) or remove the memory chip (requires a soldering iron).
- 📞 Contact and SMS: If you have synced with Google or Mi Cloud, the data will be restored automatically after you log in to your account.
- 🔑 Passwords and apps: Restore from Google backup (if AutoRecovery was enabled in settings).
For the Redmi Note 5A with the unlocked bootloader, you can try extracting data via TWRP (if it was installed to a brick):
- TWRP for ugg/ugglite via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
- In TWRP, connect your phone to your PC and copy files from /data/media/0.