Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: how to go and what to do next

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vincent) is a popular smartphone of 2017, which is still actively used today due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. TWRP — Recovery mode access required.

In this article, you will find not only standard ways to log into stock and custom recoveries, but also solutions to common problems: what to do if the phone does not respond to buttons, how to bypass the lock Mi Account when resetting, and why after leaving Recovery, the smartphone can hang on the logo. We will also understand when the standard Mi Recovery is sufficient, and when it is not. TWRP don't do it.

Important: The procedures described below can cause data loss or locking of the device if you do not act correctly with the bootloader unlocked. If you plan to install informal firmware, please read the section on unlocking the bootloader first.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Redmi 5 Plus

Recovery Mode is a separate boot environment built into Android devices, and on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, it comes in two types:

• 🔄 Stock Mi Recovery – the official utility from Xiaomi with basic functions: resetting settings, cleaning the cache, installing updates through update.zip.
• 🛠️ Custom recovery (TWRP) — Extended version with support for backups, installation of unofficial firmware and system modifications.

Without access to Recovery, you will not be able to:

• ⚙️ Perform hard reset (hard reset) when the system freezes.
• 📦 Install firmware updates manually (for example, if you OTA-update is not working).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader) for installing custom firmware.
• 📱 Recover data from the backup or flash the kernel (kernel).

On Redmi 5 Plus, you may need to log in to Recovery in emergency situations, such as if the smartphone is constantly restarted (bootloop) or locked with a pattern lock, in which cases, stock recoveries are often the only way to bring the device back to life.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, some features in Mi Recovery may be limited, such as trying to install an unofficial firmware will result in an error: "Couldn't verify package".

Preparing for Recovery Entry: What to Do in advance

Before you start taking action, follow a few mandatory steps:

1. Check the battery level. It should be at least 50%, otherwise the risk of suddenly turning off the device during operations in Recovery increases.
2. Back up your data. Even a simple reset will delete all user files. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or connect your smartphone to your PC for a backup.
3. Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (if you plan to use it) TWRP). Check the status of the command fastboot oem device-info (more in the section about unlocking).

If you are going to sew the device, additionally:

• 📥 Download the official firmware for Redmi 5 Plus from Xiaomi or custom (for example, LineageOS) from a trusted source.
• 🖥️ Install drivers on the PC ADB Fastboot (part of Android) SDK).
• 🔌 Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original) to connect to a computer.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 5 Plus with firmware MIUI 12+ The anti-Rollback protection may be triggered. MIUI This will result in a brick (complete inoperability) device!

Method 1: Entering Recovery with hardware buttons

This is the most versatile method that works even if the smartphone is not turned on or locked. TWRP.

Sequence of action:

1. Turn off the Redmi 5 Plus, holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
2. Press the combination: Power button (Power) + The Volume Up button (Volume Up)
3. Hold both buttons for 8-10 seconds until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears on the screen.
4. Let go of the buttons. If you have a menu in Chinese, you're in a drain Recovery. If you have a touch-controlled interface in English, you have a touch-controlled interface. TWRP.

Some firmware may require additional confirmation: after the appearance of the Mi logo, release the buttons and immediately press Volume Up again. + Power.

Device is off.|The button combination is pinched correctly|The Mi logo appeared on the screen|Recovery menu loaded-->

What to do if the buttons don’t work?

• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged (plug in 5-10 minutes and try again).
• 🔌 Try another charger – sometimes a faulty cable blocks the entrance to Recovery.
• 🛠️ If the buttons are physically damaged, use the method of using ADB (described below).

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If you log in to the Mi Recovery menu in Chinese, select the second item on top (reset settings) or the third (clear cache) using volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for confirmation.

Method 2: Entry through ADB (If the smartphone is on and connected to the PC)

This method will come in handy if the hardware buttons are faulty or you prefer to control the device via a computer.

• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable and on-debugging USB smartphone.
• 📱 Redmi 5 Plus enabled with unlocked screen.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging USB (When a request appears on the phone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) on your computer and type: adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list (a string with the serial number should appear).
3. Run the command to reboot in Recovery: adb reboot recovery
4. Wait for the automatic reboot to restore mode.

If the adb device command does not show your device:

• 🔄 Reinstall the drivers ADB (Download the latest version from the Android Developers website).
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 📱 Turn on the "File Transfer" mode when connecting the cable.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone is disabled debugging by USB, This method will not work, and then you only have to use the hardware (buttons) or disassemble the device to turn off the battery (extremely).

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if the smartphone is not turned on)

If the Redmi 5 Plus doesn't respond to the power button or is stuck on the logo, you can boot into the Fastboot Mode first and then into Recovery. TWRP before entering the custom Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the smartphone (if necessary, remove and insert back the battery if it is removable).
2. Press the combination: Power button (Power) + Volume Down button Hold until the image of a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot Mode) appears).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line.
4. Check the connection with the command: fastboot devices
5. Recovery: Fastboot Reboot Recovery

If after this command the device is loaded again in Fastboot, it means:

• 🔧 The smartphone does not have installed Recovery (for example, after a failed firmware).
• 🔓 The bootloader is locked and the system automatically returns to Fastboot.

In such cases, you will need to first TWRP team:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot reboot recovery

(where twrp.img — Custom Recovery File for Redmi 5 Plus).

The difference between Mi Recovery and TWRP: pick?

Stock Recavator from Xiaomi and Custom Recavator TWRP They're doing different things. Below is a comparison table of possibilities:

When Mi Recovery is Enough:

• 🔄 You need to reset the settings due to freezes or viruses.
• 📦 Official establishment of OTA-manually.
• 🔓 The device is locked with a pattern lock (but note that after the reset, you will need to enter data from Mi Account!).

When necessary TWRP:

• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.).
• 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk.
• 💾 Creating a full backup system before experiments.
• 🔄 Recovering data from backup after failed firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP on the Redmi 5 Plus with the boot loader locked will cause the device to reset each time it reboots, and to avoid this, you need to immediately load into the backup after the backup is installed and disable the loader check (in the case of the reboot). TWRP: Reboot → Bootloader, then go back to Recovery and flash disable_force_encrypt.zip).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right steps, logging into Recovery on Redmi 5 Plus can be a bit of an error.

1.The smartphone does not respond to the button combination

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery discharged. Connect the charge for 15 to 20 minutes, then try again.
• 🔌 Faulty cable or port: Try charging the device with another cable or wireless charging (if supported).
• 🛠️ Stick buttons. tap buttons carefully or use alcohol to clean (if the buttons are contaminated).
• 🔧 Software glitch. Try booting into Fastboot first. + Volume Down and from there to Recovery.

2.After logging into Recovery, the smartphone immediately restarts

This is a typical problem for devices with a locked bootloader and a damaged Recovery.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding required).
• 📥 Fastboot Recovery: Fastboot Flash Recovery recovery.img Fastboot Reboot Recovery (File) recovery.img You can get it from the official firmware for Redmi. 5 Plus).
• 🛠️ Install. TWRP (If you're planning custom firmware).

3. Mi Recovery does not have an item "Install" update.zip"

This means that:

• 📌 You have a stripped down version of the recaveri (often found on firmware for the Chinese market) installed).
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked and some functions are hidden.

Solution: Scroll the full version of stock Recovery or install TWRP.

4. After resetting to Recovery, data from Mi Account is required

Xiaomi blocks devices after reset if they were tied to a Mi Account.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi in the Recovery menu (if there is one).
2. Enter the email and password from the account that was linked to the phone.
3. If you do not remember the data, use the recovery form on the Xiaomi website.

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If you bought the Redmi 5 Plus with your hands, make sure the previous owner untie the device from their Mi Account.Otherwise, unlocking may require contacting Xiaomi Support.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions