Redmi Note 5A firmware: step-by-step guide for beginners and experienced users

Redmi Note 5A (codename ugg) is one of the most popular budget smartphones from Xiaomi, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still actively used due to its reliability and the ability to install modern firmware. However, the process of flashing this device has nuances that are important to consider: from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the correct software version.

In this article you will find detailed instructions for updating and flashing Redmi Note 5A, including official MIUI, custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, as well as solutions to common mistakes. We'll figure out how to avoid bricking (turning your phone into a brick), what tools you'll need, and what to do if something goes wrong. We will pay special attention A unique feature of this model is the lack of official support for unlocking the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool after 2021, which complicates the installation of custom firmware.

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

Firmware Redmi Note 5A requires careful preparation. The first thing to do is determine current MIUI version and bootloader status. To do this:

• 📱 Go to Settings → About phone → MIUI version and write down the build number (for example, V12.5.1.0.NCGMIXM).
• 🔒 Check bootloader status: turn off your phone, then press Volume Down + Power. If the message appears This device is locked - bootloader is locked.
• 🖥️ Install on PC Mi Flash Tool (for official firmware) or Platform Tools (for ADB/Fastboot).
• 🔋 Charge your phone for at least 60% - this is critical to avoid failures during firmware.

Important: Redmi Note 5A has two modifications - with a processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (ugg) and MediaTek Helio X20 (ugglite). The firmware for them is incompatible! Check your model at Settings → About phone → Model or through the command fastboot getvar product.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi Note 5A was purchased after 2021, unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool may not be possible. In this case, it will be necessary to use alternative methods (for example, EDL mode), which increases the risk of damage to the device.

2. Official firmware: update via Recovery and Fastboot

The safest way to update Redmi Note 5A - use official firmware from Xiaomi. They can be installed in two ways: via Recovery (no data loss) or Fastboot (complete flashing).

Method 1: Update via Recovery

This method is suitable for installation incremental updates (for example, with MIUI 12 on MIUI 12.5). Instructions:

1. Download the firmware from the website MIUI Download (select model Redmi Note 5A and region).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About phone → System update, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select update file.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for it to complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Method 2: Full firmware via Fastboot

If your phone does not turn on or requires a clean installation, use Fastboot:

Download Mi Flash Tool from the official website|Extract the firmware (.tgz → file folder)|Install Qualcomm/MediaTek drivers|Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (Volume down + Power)|Disable antivirus on PC-->

Next:

1. Run Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot (screen with a hare in a hat with earflaps).
3. In the program, click Refresh — The serial number of the device should appear.
4. Select flashing method:
   • 🔄 Clean all — complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures).
   • 📦 Clean all and lock - cleaning + bootloader blocking (only for official firmware!).
   • 🔧 Save user data — saving data (does not always work stably).

Click Flash and wait for completion (usually 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: If Mi Flash Tool gives an error can't find fastboot, try running the program as an administrator or installing drivers manually via Device Manager (the device must be detected as Android Bootloader Interface).

3. Unlocking the bootloader: bypassing 2021 restrictions

From 2021 Xiaomi no longer supports bootloader unlocking for many older models, including Redmi Note 5A. This means that the standard Mi Unlock Tool won't work. However there are workarounds:

Method 1: Using an old version of Mi Unlock Tool

Some users have successfully unlocked the bootloader using the version Mi Unlock Tool 5.5.224.24. Algorithm:

1. Download the archive from XDA Developers.
2. Install the program and log in Mi-account (the account must be linked to the phone!).
3. Put your phone in mode Fastboot and connect to PC.
4. B Mi Unlock Tool click Unlock. If an error appears Couldn't unlock, please try again after 72 hours (Xiaomi limitation).

Method 2: Unlock via EDL mode (for experienced)

If the standard method does not work, you can use EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode). It's risky, but sometimes it's the only option. You will need:

• 🔧 Cable USB-to-UART (for Qualcomm) or boxing Medusa Pro (for MediaTek).
• 💻 Program QFil (for Qualcomm) or SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek).
• 📄 File auth (can be obtained through the service Xiaomi Authorized Service Center or forums).

Detailed instructions for EDL are beyond the scope of this article, but the essence comes down to forcing the phone into firmware mode through hardware manipulation (closing contacts on the board).

What happens if you unlock the bootloader incorrectly?

Incorrect unlocking can lead to:

- Lost IMEI (the phone will not connect to the network).

- Partition damage modem (requires flashing via EDL).

- Mi account blocking (if a non-original account was used).

Recovery is possible, but will require in-depth knowledge or contacting a service center.

4. Installing custom firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others

After unlocking the bootloader you can install custom firmware. For Redmi Note 5A available:

• 📱 LineageOS 16/17.1 (Android 9/10) - stable build with a minimalistic interface.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience - firmware with pure Android and chips from Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable build with many settings.
• 🔄 MIUI EU — a modified version of MIUI without Chinese services.

Installation process:

1. Download the firmware from XDA Developers (make sure the version is suitable for your model - ugg or ugglite).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (version 3.3.1-0 or newer). For this purpose in Fastboot do:

   fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
   fastboot boot twrp.img

3. B TWRP make a backup (partitions Boot, System, Data).
4. Flash the firmware: Wipe → Advanced Wipe (check Dalvik, Cache, System, Data), then Install -> select ZIP file.
5. Install Gapps (if required) and Magisk (for root rights).

Firmware	Android version	Stability	Features
LineageOS 17.1	10	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Supports OTA updates, minimalistic design
Pixel Experience	11	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Google Camera, Pixel live wallpaper
MIUI EU	12.5	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	No Chinese services, weekly updates
Havoc-OS	10	⭐⭐☆☆☆	Maximum customization, possible bugs

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

Firmware Redmi Note 5A often accompanied by errors. Let's look at the most common ones:

Error 1: "This package is for ugg devices; this is a ugglite"

This means that you are trying to install the firmware for Qualcomm-versions on MediaTek-device (or vice versa). Solution:

• Check the model via fastboot getvar product.
• Download the correct firmware (for ugg or ugglite).

Error 2: Stuck on the MI logo after flashing

Reasons:

- Incompatible version TWRP.

- Lack vendor-section in the firmware.

- Incorrect wipe before installation.

Solution:

1. Reflash TWRP (version 3.3.1-0 or newer).
2. B TWRP execute Wipe → Format Data (enter yes).
3. Install the firmware again, then Gapps And Magisk.

Error 3: "Device is locked" after flashing via Fastboot

If you selected the option Clean all and lock in Mi Flash Tool, the bootloader will be locked automatically. To unlock it again you will need:

• Wait 7 days (limit Xiaomi).
• Use Mi Unlock Tool old version (see section 3).

6. Restoring IMEI and network after flashing

One of the most unpleasant problems after the firmware Redmi Note 5A — loss of IMEI (phone does not connect to the network). This occurs due to partition corruption modem or nvram. There are two ways to restore IMEI:

Method 1: Through Engineering Mode (for Qualcomm)

Instructions:

1. Install the application MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek) or use the code *#*#4636#*#*.
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. In the field AT+ enter:

   AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1"
   AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"

   (replace IMEI_1 And IMEI_2 to the original numbers from the box or sticker under the battery).

4. Reboot your phone.

Method 2: Via Fastboot (for Qualcomm)

If the first method did not work, restore modem through Fastboot:

1. Download the file modem.img from stock firmware.
2. Enter the command:

   fastboot flash modem modem.img

3. Reboot your device.

⚠️ Attention: Entering someone else's IMEI numbers is illegal! Use only the original numbers found on the box or under the battery of your phone.

7. Firmware optimization: how to speed up Redmi Note 5A

Even after installing new firmware Redmi Note 5A may slow down. Here are some ways to optimize:

• ⚡ Disable animation: in Settings → About phone press 7 times on MIUI version, then in Settings → Advanced → For Developers install Window animation, Transition Animation And Animation duration on 0.5x.
• 🗑️ Clear cache: in TWRP select Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Cache + Dalvik.
• 🔄 Install Magisk and modules:
  • Universal GMS Doze — optimization of background work.
  • Greenify — forced hibernation of applications.
• 📉 Use lightweight firmware: LineageOS without Gapps or MIUI Lite.

For MediaTek-versions (ugglite) additionally you can:

• 🔧 Disable unnecessary CPU cores via Kernel Adiutor (leave 4-6 active cores).
• 📶 Switch to 2G-network in the SIM card settings (if 4G is not needed).

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 firmware through Mi Flash Tool in mode Fastboot with option Clean all and lock. Custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader.

How do I know which version of Redmi Note 5A I have - Qualcomm or MediaTek?

There are three ways:

1. View in Settings → About phone → Model:
   • MDE6 or MDG6 — MediaTek (ugglite).
   • MCE6 or MCG6 — Qualcomm (ugg).

Enter in Fastboot team fastboot getvar product.

Remove the back cover and look at the markings on the board (chip Qualcomm usually signed as MSM8917).

What should I do if the camera does not work after updating the firmware?

The problem is typical for custom firmware on MediaTek-versions. Solutions:

• Install an alternative camera app (for example, GCam or Open Camera).
• Sew separately vendor-section from the stock firmware:

  fastboot flash vendor vendor.img

• Try a different firmware build (for example, LineageOS instead of Pixel Experience).

How to return stock firmware if the phone does not turn on?

If the phone is in a "brick" state (does not respond to buttons, does not boot), proceed as follows:

1. Download the stock firmware for your model (ugg or ugglite) from the site Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Unpack the firmware and find the file flash_all_lock.bat (for Qualcomm) or use SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek).
3. Connect your phone in EDL (this may require shorting the test points on the board).
4. Run the firmware via Mi Flash Tool or SP Flash Tool.

If you are not confident in your abilities, contact the service center.

Is it possible to flash Redmi Note 5A on Android 11 or later?

Officially Xiaomi did not release updates above Android 7.1.2 (MIUI 12) for this model. However, there are unofficial ports:

• LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) - works with bugs (no Video Call, problems with Bluetooth).
• Pixel Experience 11 - more stable, but requires disabling hardware acceleration in some applications.

For everyday use, we recommend using Android 10 (LineageOS 17.1 or MIUI 12.5).