Redmi Note 5A/Prime Pie update news and more: Stable MIUI 10.2.1 and beta 9.1.24 available for download

Redmi Note 5 Oreo update release

Latest news

February 13, 2019: After months of testing, the stable version of MIUI 10 is now available for both Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime. These two are receiving an update to MIUI 10.2.1, but being early rollouts, only a few units of each model will be served with this update before a wider rollout follows suit in the coming days.

Unfortunately, both updates are still based on Android Nougat and it doesn’t seem like they’ll get past that, although we still expect a few more MIUI updates.

According to the changelog, the two updates install a new Android security patch, fix issues where UI elements for switching between cameras during video calls were displayed incorrectly, device couldn’t send SMS during conference calls, Notifications about incoming calls disappeared after 5 seconds during video calls, and the button that returns you to an ongoing call overlapped with time.

This update also fixes issues where users couldn’t restrict floating notifications, users couldn’t use fingerprint to unlock the device when it was locked during a call, the earphone icon sometimes disappeared, scrolling screenshots didn’t always work properly, notifications about missed calls came without vibration if they weren’t tapped in DND mode, and the recording status wasn’t updated in the Notification shade when a recording was paused.

January 28, 2019: The Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime are receiving new MIUI 10 beta updates that bump the software version to 9.1.24. The update tags along plenty of bug fixes, optimizations, and improvements, all of which are captured in this post.

If the OTA hasn’t arrived yet, feel free to grab the recovery file from the respective tables below and install manually using the guide at the end of this post.


Original article below:

Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime in August 2017 and in some markets, the two are known as Redmi Y1 Lite and Redmi Y1, respectively. Launched with MIUI 9 running on top of Android Nougat build, you may be wondering if and when the Redmi Note 5A and its Prime editions would get the Oreo update alongside the latest MIUI 10 ROM.

It’s easy to guess that many Xiaomi fans have already dreamed up Redmi Note 5A as their next device, as it’s easily one of the best in its range. And even though software update isn’t a reason why you’d buy a Xiaomi phone, it’s still good to know in advance if you do care about Android Oreo and MIUI 10 updates.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A updates timeline

 Date  MIUI version  Download link  Changelog
11 Feb 2019 MIUI 10.2.1 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Installs MIUI 10.2.1.0.NDFMIXM stable update

Installs new Android security patch, fixes issues where UI elements for switching between cameras during video calls were displayed incorrectly, device couldn’t send SMS during conference calls, Notifications about incoming calls disappeared after 5 seconds during video calls, the button that returns you to an ongoing call overlapped with time, users couldn’t restrict floating notifications, users couldn’t use fingerprint to unlock the device when it was locked during a call, the earphone icon sometimes disappeared, scrolling screenshots didn’t always work properly, notifications about missed calls came without vibration if they weren’t tapped in DND mode, and the recording status wasn’t updated in the Notification shade when a recording was paused

24 Jan 2019 MIUI 10 9.1.24 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update Bug fixes, optimizations, and more
10 Jan 2019 MIUI 10 8.12.20 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update Bug fixes and optimizations
20 Dec 2018 MIUI 10 8.12.20 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes
13 Dec 2018 MIUI 10 8.12.13 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance improvements
06 Dec 2018 MIUI 10 8.12.6 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
29 Nov 2018 MIUI 10 8.11.29 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
22 Nov 2018 MIUI 10 8.11.22 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes
15 Nov 2018 MIUI 10 8.11.15 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
25 Oct 2018 MIUI 10 8.10.25 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance enhancements
18 Oct 2018 MIUI 10 8.10.18 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
11 Oct 2018 MIUI 10 8.10.11 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
20 Sep 2018 MIUI 10 8.9.20 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Plenty of bug fixes and performance
13 Sep 2018 MIUI 10 8.9.13 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance
06 Sep 2018 MIUI 10 8.9.6 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance
23 Aug 2018 MIUI 10 8.8.23 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Multiple bug fixes and optimizations. Details here
16 Aug 2018 MIUI 10 8.8.16 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update July 2018 security patch, fixes for Duals Apps issues, and more
15 Aug 2018 MIUI 9.6.2 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update Fixes for sound issues when shooting videos, it’s now possible to uninstall apps in the Settings app,
26 July 2018 MIUI 10 8.7.26 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes, performance improvements, and more
19 July 2018 MIUI 10 8.7.19 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Multiple bug fixes and performance improvements
12 July 2018 MIUI 10 8.7.12 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Installs MIUI 10 beta
12 Jun 2018 MIUI 9.5.9 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance improvements
28 Apr 2018 MIUI 9.5.5 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update  NA
19 Apr 2018 MIUI 8.4.19 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Added a confirmation dialog for deleting Quick apps from Home screen, Fix the issue of Yellow page FC, No menu shows in notification shade even after enabling the option
 12 Apr 2018 MIUI 8.4.12 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Top Sites introduced with New UI, Quickly switch the language in News Feed (India and Indonesia), Added quick SMS action buttons for popular SMSes, more
29 Mar 2018 MIUI 8.3.29 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Online content in Mi Music, Artist’s work page is revamped, Direct apps are called Quick apps now 
05 Feb 2018 MIUI 9.2.5 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Improved system stability
08 Jan 2018 MIUI 9.2.1 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update
Mi Mover now supports data migration restarting, Simplified the UI,  “Add to favorites” icon adjustments, and more
06 Dec 2017 MIUI 9.1.2 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Mi Mover, supports data migration restarting, Simplified the UI, “Add to favorites” icon adjustments, and more

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Prime updates timeline

 Date  Software version  Android OS  Changelog
11 Feb 2019 MIUI 10.2.1 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Installs MIUI 10.2.1.0.NDKMIXM stable update. Installs new Android security patch, fixes issues where UI elements for switching between cameras during video calls were displayed incorrectly, device couldn’t send SMS during conference calls, Notifications about incoming calls disappeared after 5 seconds during video calls, the button that returns you to an ongoing call overlapped with time, users couldn’t restrict floating notifications, users couldn’t use fingerprint to unlock the device when it was locked during a call, the earphone icon sometimes disappeared, scrolling screenshots didn’t always work properly, notifications about missed calls came without vibration if they weren’t tapped in DND mode, and the recording status wasn’t updated in the Notification shade when a recording was paused
24 Jan 2019 MIUI 10 9.1.24 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update Bug fixes, optimizations, and more
10 Jan 2019 MIUI 10 8.12.20 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update Bug fixes and optimizations
20 Dec 2018 MIUI 10 8.12.20 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes
13 Dec 2018 MIUI 10 8.12.13 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance optimizations
06 Dec 2018 MIUI 10 8.12.6 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
29 Nov 2018 MIUI 10 8.11.29 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
22 Nov 2018 MIUI 10 8.11.22 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and enhancements
15 Nov 2018 MIUI 10 8.11.15 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
25 Oct 2018 MIUI 10 8.10.25 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance enhancements
18 Oct 2018 MIUI 10 8.10.18 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
11 Oct 2018 MIUI 10 8.10.11 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and improvements
20 Sep 2018 MIUI 10 8.9.20 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Plenty of bug fixes and performance
13 Sep 2018 MIUI 10 8.9.13 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance
06 Sep 2018 MIUI 10 8.9.6 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance
23 Aug 2018 MIUI 10 8.8.23 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Multiple bug fixes and optimizations. Details here
19 Aug 2018 MIUI 9.6.2 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update You can remove applications in the Settings application now, delete applications in the Settings application, and more
16 Aug 2018 MIUI 10 8.8.16 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update July 2018 security patch, fixes for Duals Apps issues, and more
26 July 2018 MIUI 10 8.7.26 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes, performance improvements, and more
19 July 2018 MIUI 10 8.7.19 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Multiple bug fixes and performance improvements
12 July 2018 MIUI 8.7.12 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Installs MIUI 10 beta
12 Jun 2018 MIUI 9.5.9 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Bug fixes and performance improvements
28 Apr 2018 MIUI 9.5.5 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update  Fixed rebooting issue when making phone calls and Wi-Fi connectivity issue.
19 Apr 2018 MIUI 8.4.19 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Added a confirmation dialog for deleting Quick apps from Home screen, Fix the issue of Yellow page FC, No menu shows in notification shade even after enabling the option
12 Apr 2018 MIUI 8.4.12 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Top Sites introduced with New UI, Quickly switch the language in News Feed (India and Indonesia), Added quick SMS action buttons for popular SMSes, and more
29 Mar 2018 MIUI 8.3.29 (beta) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Online content in Mi Music, Artist’s work page is revamped, Direct apps are called Quick apps now 
05 Feb 2018 MIUI 9.2.3 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Improved system stability
12 Jan 2018 MIUI 9.2.1 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Mi Mover, supports data migration restarting, simplified the UI, “Add to favorites” icon adjustments, and more
06 Dec 2017 MIUI 9.1.2 (stable) | Android 7.1 Recovery update | Fastboot update Switch for turning Battery saver automatically when charged, New display formats for update logs in Updater, Search for apps in Dual apps settings, Added Mi Drop, and more

Xiaomi MIUI 10 update

  • Released on Feb 11, 2019

After weeks of testing the MIUI 10 beta on the Redmi Note 5A and Redmi Note 5A Prime, Xiaomi started rolling out the stable version on February 11, 2019. Unfortunately, the update for both devices is still based on Android Nougat.

Android Oreo update

Expected release date: Q4 2018

  • Xiaomi hasn’t revealed its Oreo plans for Redmi Note 5A and 5A Prime
  • The pair should get Oreo, though
  • Can expect the release in Q4 2018

Quick software updates isn’t Xiaomi’s strength, but that’s not to say their software track record isn’t impressive. In fact, MIUI9 is one of the most revered of custom skins out there, and there aren’t many that users like more than it.

So, even though Xiaomi would be late to upgrade to Oreo, it will always have plenty of nice updates even on Nougat to keep Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime users happy. Talking Oreo strictly though, well, it might take Xiaomi up to somewhere between Q3 and Q4 2018 to release Android 8.0 update for Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime.

Redmi Note 5 Oreo update: All you need to know

With the Oreo update, you get some cool features like picture-in-picture, way faster device restart, Notification dots, new Settings app, notifications snooze, and more. Looks-wise though, you get MIUI on top of Android 8.0 Oreo (or maybe Oreo 8.1). The Oreo update on Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime would be nothing like how it looks on Google Pixel 2, but it’s still pretty good.

Also: Android 8.0 Oreo Root | Android Oreo features

How to install Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime update

There are different methods you can use to install MIUI updates besides the usual OTA downloads. All of them involve manual installation and we have procedures for each one right below. Note that in most cases, Xiaomi provides all three files in distinct packages, so make sure you grab the right one depending on the method you want to use.

How to install Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime system update

Before you take down this route, Xiaomi notes that you should wipe all data in Recovery mode if you want to update to a discontinuous ROM version or downgrade to an older ROM version using MIUI full ROM pack.

With that out of the way, let’s get down to the steps on how to install MIUI ROM using system update method.

  • Download the latest MIUI recovery ROM file from the table above
  • Connect your device to a Windows PC using a USB cable and transfer the ROM file downloaded (above) into the folder ‘downloaded_rom’ in the internal storage of your phone.
  • Launch ‘Updater’ app on your device and tap the ‘…’ icon at the top-right corner, select ‘Choose update package’, and choose the ROM file you’ve put in ‘downloaded_rom’ above.
  • After choosing the right ROM file, your device will begin upgrading. Your device should automatically boot to the new version when the update is completed.

How to install Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime Recovery update

Like the system update, there are a few things you also need to note before going the recovery update route.

  1. Please wipe all data in Recovery mode if you want to update to a discontinuous ROM version, or downgrade to an older ROM version using MIUI full ROM pack.
  2. Due to the differences in Recovery interface, this method is not applicable to devices with a locked bootloader.

Now, onto the main steps of installing MIUI recovery update on your Xiaomi phone.

  • Download the latest MIUI ROM file from the table above and rename the downloaded ROM file to ‘update.zip’ on the computer.
  • Connect your device to the computer above using a USB cable and copy the ROM file downloaded and renamed in Step 1 above into the root directory of the internal storage of your device (Do not put it in any folder).
  • Enter the Recovery mode of your device. There are 2 methods to do it as follows:
    Method 1: Launch ‘Updater’ app on your device, click the ‘…’ icon at the top-right corner, and select ‘Reboot to Recovery mode’ to enter.
    Method 2: You can also turn off your device and then hold both Volume up button and Power button at the same time to enter Recovery mode.
  • In Recovery mode, you can use Volume up/down to scroll through the options and Power button to confirm your selection. After entering Recovery mode, choose the language you use, select ‘Install update.zip to System One’ and confirm. Your device will begin updating automatically. Wait until the update is completed, choose ‘Reboot to System One’, and then your device should boot to the new version.

How to install Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A and Note 5A Prime Fastboot update

Before any attempts to install the MIUI fastboot update on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A or 5A Prime handset, take note of the following:

  1. A Windows PC/laptop will be needed for this to work.
  2. Make sure that your device is fully charged or has enough power for this process.
  3. All user data will be purged in this process, so make sure you back up your data and think twice before proceeding.

With that out of the way, here’s how to install MIUI fastboot update on your Redmi Note 5A or 5A Prime.

  • Download MIUI ROM Flashing Tool. If your device is locked, please click here to unlock it first. If your device is unlocked, please just follow the following tutorial to complete the ROM flashing.
  • Download the latest fastboot update ROM from the table above.
  • Turn off the device. Press the Volume down + Power buttons at the same time to enter Fastboot mode. Then connect the device to a Windows PC via a USB cable.
  • Open your phone’s storage and double click on the downloaded ROM file to decompress it. Open the file folder for the decompressed ROM pack, and copy its path on the computer.
  • Decompress the MIUI ROM flashing tool downloaded in Step 1, and double-click on it to install on your PC (if there is security warning, select ‘Run’). After installation is complete, open MiFlash.exe and paste into the address bar the ROM file folder path copied in the last step.
    Click on the first button (circled out in yellow) to Refresh, and MiFlash should automatically recognize the device. Then click the second button to flash the ROM file to the device.
  • Wait until the progress bar inside MiFlash turns fully green, which means the ROM has been successfully installed. Then your device should automatically boot to the new version.

Note that if the flashing guide could not help you, please download Mi PC Suite here. After Mi PC Suite is installed, make sure that your phone is in fastboot mode, connect it to the PC in question and select the correct ROM file to flash.

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]