[Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Guides, News, & Discussion] senerex:
Dear Redmi Note 5 user,

This guide is suitable for the international version: Redmi Note 5, and the Indian version: Redmi Note 5 Pro!

I'm not responsible if anything happens to your device. If you execute this procedure properly then you shouldn't face any problems. I tried this procedure on several Redmi Note 5 and every time it worked flawlessly. I used a computer with Windows 10.

Before you proceed please back up all your important data and make sure that your phone battery is charged >80%!!!

A. Prerequisites:

1. Disable driver signature enforcement in Windows

How to do this pls read here: http://en.miui.com/thread-237673-1-1.html

2. Install ADB and Fastboot tools with drivers on Windows

How to do this pls read here: https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2588979

Restart your computer.

3. Enable "OEM unlocking" and "USB debugging" in your device

a. Enable Developer Options in: Settings/About Phone/MIUI version. Click on MIUI version seven times

b. Now go to: Settings/Additional Settings/Developer Options and check "OEM unlocking" and "USB debugging"

4. Check if your bootloader is locked

a. After successful installation of "ADB and Fastboot" enter the fastboot mode by holding together "Volume Down + Power" and connect your device to your computer via USB cable (best would be the original cable).

b. Go to the folder where you have put the "ADB and Fastboot" and open a command window inside that folder. To do that hold together "Shift + Right Click" on any empty white space inside the folder and then select "Open PowerShell Window Here" or "Open Command Window Here"

c. Enter the terminal command in command line: >>fastboot devices<<

If you don't see your device it means that the drivers weren't installed properly or the device wasn't connected properly. If this happens please reinstall your drivers from Point A. 2. or try these drivers here:

http://xiaomiadvices.com/download-xiaomi-usb-drivers/

d. If you see your device then enter the terminal command in command line: >>fastboot oem device-info<<

If your bootloader is locked, you'll get the following status (or something similar):

…………………………………………………………………….

(bootloader) Device tampered: false

(bootloader) Device unlocked: false

(bootloader) Device critical unlocked: false

(bootloader) Charger screen enabled: false

(bootloader) Display panel:

OKAY [ 0.058s]

finished. total time: 0.063s

………………………………………………………………………

If your bootloader is unlocked, you'll get following status (or something similar):

…………………………………………………………………….

(bootloader) Device tampered: false

(bootloader) Device unlocked: true

(bootloader) Device critical unlocked: true

(bootloader) Charger screen enabled: false

(bootloader) Display panel:

OKAY [ 0.053s]

finished. total time: 0.055s

………………………………………………………………………

5. Request Permission from Xiaomi to Unlock the Bootloader

a. Create a Mi Account: https://global.account.xiaomi.com/pass/register

b. Sign to Xiaomi and apply for unlocking http://en.miui.com/unlock

You have to give a reason for requesting to unlock the bootloader. I gave following reason on my request:

"I purchased my Xiomi Redmi Note 5 from the vendor xxx and they have installed a fake (custom) rom. I want to install an original rom from Xiaomi. So please approve my request to unlock the bootloader."

c. Wait for permission. I have 5 different accounts approved by Xiaomi and the longest I had to wait for the approval of each account was 1 day. Most of the users are reporting the same, however very few users are reporting a waiting time of up to 10 days . If your request is approved then you should receive a message with following content:

"You've been granted the permission to unlock your device (Mi Account xxxx). Donload Mi Unlock Tool At http://en.miui.com/unlock"

6. Connect your Mi Account to your Device

Go to: Settings/Additional Settings/Developer Options/Mi Unlock status and check "Add account and device"

In case you face "86006 Error" and you cannot connect your Mi Account to your device: There are several solutions offered at Mi Forum but the easiest way is to download the rom Developer Version for Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (whyred) here http://en.miui.com/download-342.html or Redmi Note 5 Pro (whyred) here http://en.miui.com/download-341.html.

a. Put the downloaded rom into internal memory of the device

b. Go to: Settings/About phone/System update. On the upper right corner there are three points, click them, select "Choose update package", select "File Manager" and choose the Developer Version package you just downloaded on your internal memory and press OK.

B: Unlock the Bootloader

Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will erase all your data! So please back up your data before you unlock the bootloader!

1. You must enable "OEM unlocking" and "USB debugging" as per point A. 3.

2. You must connect your Mi Account with your device as per point A. 6.

3. Download Mi Unlock Tool here: http://en.miui.com/unlock

4. Enter the fastboot mode by holding together "Volume Down + Power" and connect your device to your computer via USB cable (best would be the original cable)

5. Start the Mi Unlock Tool

6. Enter your eMail and your password of your Mi Account

7. Connect you device to your computer and start the unlock procedure

8. Follow the unlock tool instructions until the unlock procedure is finished

9. Reboot your device

P.S.: In case you get the message, that the unlocking can be done after 360h or 720h then you have to wait for that time to pass.

C: Install the TWRP Recovery

1. Your bootloader must be unlocked

2. Download the latest "twrp-x.x.x-x-whyred.img" from here: https://twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomiredminote5pro.html and put it into a dedicated folder in your computer.

3. Go to the folder where you have put the twrp-file. Now open a command window inside that folder. To do that hold together "Shift + Right click" on any empty white space inside the folder and then select "Open PowerShell Window Here" or "Open Command Window Here"

4. Enter fastboot mode by holding together "Volume Down + Power" and connect your device to your computer

5. Enter the terminal command in command line: >>fastboot flash recovery twrp-x.x.x-x-whyred.img<<. Attention: Do not restart your device otherwise Xiaomi's original recovery might overwrite the custom recovery TWRP!

6. Boot your device into recovery (3 possible methods)

+ by entering terminal command in command line: >>fastboot boot twrp-x.x.x-x-whyred.img<<, or

+ by holding together "Volume Up + Power" until you see the MI logo, release "Power" button but keep pressing "Volume Up" until you see the recovery, or

+ by holding together "Volume Up + Volume Down + Power" until you see recovery

If you only want to root your smartphone, then please continue to point E.

If you want to install a custom rom, then please continue to point F.

E. Root Your Smartphone

+ Donwload latest Magisk from here: https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445

+ Put Magisk into internal memory of your smartphone or into the micro sd-card or into on-the-go memory stick

+ Flash Magisk

+ Restart your smartpphone

F. Install A Custom Rom

1. Download the desired rom and put it into device's internal memory or into the micro sd-card or into on-the-go memory stick:

a. Lineage

https://download.lineageos.org/whyred

b. Resurrection Remix

https://get.resurrectionremix.com/?dir=whyred

c. AospExtended

https://downloads.aospextended.com/whyred

2. (in case you want to have root on your device) Download "addonsu-arm64-signed.zip" (for Lineage: https://download.lineageos.org/extras) or latest Magisk (from here: https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445) and put it into device's internal memory

3. Download Google Apps ARM64, Pico, Nano etc. at www.opengapps.org and put them into device's internal memory or computer or on-the-go memory stick or micro sd-card.

4. Enter recovery mode:

+ by holding together "Volume Up + Power" until you see the MI logo, release "Power" button but keep pressing "Volume Up" until you see the recovery, or

+ by holding together "Volume Up + Volume Down + Power" until you see recovery

5. Wipe: Dalvik / Art Cache; System; Data; Cache; (be careful, don't wipe internal storage!)

6. Go back to main TWRP screen and install the rom, install Google Apps, install "addonsu-arm64-signed.zip" (in case of Lineage) or the latest Magisk (in case of other roms).

7. Reboot. That's it, you are done.

If my guide helped you please click "thanks" and enjoy your phone. :fingers-crossed: