Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still actively used. However, over time, official support ends, and users experience slowdowns, errors, or the desire to install a new version MIUI or custom firmware. Firmware flashing the device can solve these problems, but requires careful approach: incorrect actions lead to "briku" (complete inoperability) of the phone.

In this guide we will look at all the current firmware methods Redmi Note 5A (including versions Prime And Lite), from official updates via MIUI Updater before installing custom firmware via TWRP. We will pay special attention unlocking the bootloader - without it it is impossible to install unofficial software, as well as typical errors that users encounter when trying to update their device.

1. Preparing for firmware: what you need to know before you start

Firmware Redmi Note 5A - a process that requires preparation. Without it, the risk of turning your phone into a “brick” increases significantly. Here are the key points to consider:

  • 🔋 Battery charge must be at least 60%. If discharged during firmware, the device may turn off, which will lead to a failure.
  • 📋 Data backup. The firmware erases all user files (photos, contacts, messages). Use Mi Cloud or local copy to PC.
  • 🔐 Unlocking the bootloader. Required for custom firmware. Official updates via MIUI Updater this is not required.
  • 🖥️ Drivers and tools. Install Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot) or ADB/Fastboot (to unlock).

If you plan to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), please note: Xiaomi warranty is void. Also some functions (for example, IR blaster or NFC in some modifications) may not work correctly.

⚠️ Attention: On the model Redmi Note 5A with processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (version Prime) and Snapdragon 435 (version Lite) different firmwares are used. Installing incompatible software will result in an error ERROR: 7 in TWRP.
📊 What type of firmware are you planning to install?
  • Official MIUI
  • Custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
  • Stock via Fastboot
  • I don't know, I'm looking for information

2. Official ways to update MIUI

The safest method is to update through the built-in tools Xiaomi. It is suitable for users who want to stay on the official firmware and get the latest security patches.

2.1. Update via MIUI Updater

This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for most users:

  1. Go to Settings → About phone → System update.
  2. Click Check for updates. If a new version is available, download it.
  3. After downloading, click Reboot and install.

If the update is not found, your model may no longer be supported. In this case you can try manual installation through Recovery:

  • 📥 Download the official .zip-firmware file from the website MIUI Downloads (select model Redmi Note 5A).
  • 📁 Move the file to the root directory of the phone (not to folders!).
  • 🔄 Go to Settings → About phone → System update → Three dots (menu) → Select firmware file.
⚠️ Attention: When installing manually via Recovery do not use files marked Fastboot - they are designed for flashing via Mi Flash Tool and can damage the system when installed through a standard recovery.

2.2. Firmware via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

If the phone does not turn on or requires a clean installation of MIUI, use Mi Flash Tool. This method erases all data and returns the device to its factory state.

Instructions:

  1. Download Fastboot-firmware for your model with official website (file in format .tgz or .zip).
  2. Unzip the archive to a folder on your PC.
  3. Turn off your phone and put it in mode Fastboot: press Volume Down + Power before the logo appears Mi Bunny.
  4. Connect your phone to PC via USB.
  5. Run Mi Flash Tool, select the folder with the firmware and click Refresh. The device must be detected.
  6. Select mode Clean all (full cleaning) or Clean all and lock (clean + bootloader lock) and press Flash.

Download official Fastboot firmware for Redmi Note 5A|

Install Xiaomi drivers (Mi Phone Manager)|

Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic |

Charge your phone to at least 70%|

Prepare a USB cable (preferably original)

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3. Unlocking the bootloader on Redmi Note 5A

To install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS) or TWRP you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows you to do this, but the process requires time and an account Mi.

3.1. Step by step instructions

Follow these steps:

  1. Link your Mi account to your phone:
    • Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in.
    • Turn on Settings → Advanced → For Developers → OEM Unlocking.
    • Link your device to your account in Settings → Mi Account → Devices.
  2. Apply for unlocking:
    • Go to the site Mi Unlock and download Mi Unlock Tool.
    • Launch the program, log in with the same account Mi.
    • Connect your phone in Fastboot (press Volume Down + Power).
    • Click Unlock and wait for completion (up to 720 hours may be required for new accounts).

After unlocking the bootloader, a warning will appear on the phone screen when you turn it on This device is unlocked. This is normal and does not affect the operation of the device.

⚠️ Attention: If you have unlocked the bootloader but have not installed a custom recovery (TWRP), the phone will remain vulnerable to malware. It is recommended to flash it immediately after unlocking TWRP and disable signature verification in recovery settings.
What to do if Mi Unlock Tool does not see the device?

1. Check if drivers are installed ADB/Fastboot (download via Android Studio).

2. Try another USB cable (preferably the original one from Xiaomi).

3. Disable driver signing in Windows: restart the PC while holding down the key Shift, select Diagnostics → Advanced Options → Boot Options → Restart, then click F7 to disable signature verification.

4. Launch Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.

4. Installing custom firmware via TWRP

Custom firmware allows you to update Redmi Note 5A up to the latest versions Android (For example, Android 12 or 13), even if Xiaomi no longer supports the model. To do this you will need:

  • 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (see section 3).
  • 📱 Installed custom recovery TWRP.
  • 📦 Compatible firmware (for example, LineageOS 18.1 for ugglite - code name Redmi Note 5A Lite).

4.1. Installing TWRP Recovery

Download the latest image TWRP for your model from the official website twrp.me (for Redmi Note 5A Prime — ugg, for Lite — ugglite).

Instructions:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_ugglite.img

fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_ugglite.img

After executing these commands, the phone will reboot into TWRP. Don't reboot into the system - start flashing the firmware immediately, otherwise standard recovery (MIUI Recovery) will overwrite TWRP.

4.2. Firmware for custom software

Installation algorithm:

  1. Download the firmware (for example, LineageOS) and GApps (if you need Google services) to your phone.
  2. B TWRP execute Wipe → Advanced Wipe and note:
    • Dalvik / ART Cache
    • System
    • Data
    • Cache
  • Return to the main menu and select Install, then flash:
    1. Firmware file (for example, lineage-18.1-ugglite.zip).
    2. File GApps (if required).
    3. File Magisk (for root rights, optional).
  • Reboot into the system (Reboot → System).
    • Firmware Android version Download link Features
    LineageOS 18.1 Android 11 Official website Stable operation, but no support for Widevine L1 (Netflix in HD does not work)
    Pixel Experience Android 12 Official website The interface is like the Google Pixel, but there may be bugs with the camera
    HavocOS Android 11/12 Official website Lots of customization options, but updates come out less frequently
    💡

    Before flashing custom software, disable signature verification in TWRP: go to Settings → Installation and uncheck ZIP signature verification. This will speed up the process and avoid mistakes.

    5. Common mistakes and their solutions

    When flashing Redmi Note 5A Users often encounter problems. Let's look at the most common ones:

    5.1. Error "This package is for ugg devices; this is a ugglite"

    This error occurs if you are trying to install firmware for Redmi Note 5A Prime (codename ugg) per model Lite (ugglite) or vice versa.

    Solution: Download the firmware that matches your model. You can find out the code name in TWRP (section About) or through the command:

    adb shell getprop ro.product.device

    5.2. Stuck on MI logo after flashing

    Reasons:

    • 🔄 Incompatible firmware or incomplete cleaning before installation.
    • 🔋 Incorrectly installed GApps or Magisk.

    Solution: Return to TWRP (press Volume Up + Power when loading) and repeat the firmware with full Wipe.

    5.3. Error "Error: 7" in TWRP

    This means that the firmware is not intended for your device or its structure is broken.

    Solution:

    • Check the integrity of the downloaded file (compare the hash sum with the official one).
    • If you are flashing custom software, make sure it supports your model (ugg or ugglite).

    💡

    If the phone does not turn on after flashing the firmware, try booting into Fastboot (press Volume Down + Power) and flash the official firmware via Mi Flash Tool. In 90% of cases this restores functionality.

    6. Rollback to official firmware

    If the custom firmware is unstable or you want to return the warranty, you can flash the official MIUI. To do this:

    1. Download Fastboot-firmware for your model with official website.
    2. Unpack the archive and run Mi Flash Tool.
    3. Connect your phone in Fastboot.
    4. Select mode Clean all and lock - this will return the stock recovery and block the bootloader.

    After this procedure, the phone will be “like new”, but all data will be erased. If you need to save files, make a backup via TWRP before the rollback.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you lock the bootloader after installing custom firmware, the phone will stop booting. Flash the official MIUI first and then lock the bootloader.

    7. Optimization after firmware

    After successful firmware (especially custom) it is recommended to perform several actions to improve performance:

    • 🔄 Reset cache: in TWRP select Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache + Cache.
    • 📉 Disabling unnecessary services: in developer settings (Settings → About phone → MIUI version - press 7 times) disable animations and background processes.
    • 🔋 Battery calibration: Discharge your phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption.
    • 🛡️ Installing Magisk (optional): for root rights and modules (for example, ViPER4Android to improve the sound).

    If you asked LineageOS or other firmware without GApps, but then decided to add them, download the appropriate package (for example, Open GApps Pico) and stitch through TWRP.

    💡

    After installing custom firmware, the phone may work slower than usual for the first 2-3 days - this is normal. The system is optimized for your use.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Redmi Note 5A firmware

    Is it possible to flash Redmi Note 5A without unlocking the bootloader?

    Yes, but only official updates via MIUI Updater or Recovery. For custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) and TWRP unlocking is required.

    How do I know which version of Redmi Note 5A I have: Prime or Lite?

    There are several ways:

    • Look on the box or under the battery (model MDE6S — Prime, MDE6 — Lite).
    • Enter the code into the telephone dialer *#*#4636#*#* and check the model in the device information.
    • B TWRP or through ADB run the command getprop ro.product.device (ugg — Prime, ugglite — Lite).

    Why doesn't the mobile network work after updating the firmware?

    This is a typical problem when installing custom firmware. Solutions:

    • Check if the firmware supports your modem model (for example, for Redmi Note 5A Need firmware marked ugglite or ugg).
    • Install a separate package with the modem (search on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA).
    • In the network settings, select the mode 2G/3G/4G (auto) instead of 4G only.

    How to return IMEI after flashing if it has been reset?

    If it disappeared after the firmware IMEI, restore it through the engineering menu:

    1. Enter in dialer *#*#3646633#*#* (or *#*#4636#*#* → Phone information).
    2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
    3. Enter the commands (replace XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX to your IMEI): 
      AT +EGMR=1,7,"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"

      AT +EGMR=1,10,"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"

    4. Reboot your phone.

    Attention: Entering IMEI incorrectly may result in network blocking. Find out the original IMEI on the sticker under the battery or on the box.

    Is it possible to flash Redmi Note 5A on Android 13?

    Officially - no, because Xiaomi does not release updates for this model. However there are unofficial ports LineageOS 20 or Pixel Experience 13 from the developer community. Their stability is not guaranteed and there may be camera, Wi-Fi or performance issues.

    Look for links to firmware at XDA Developers or 4PDA.