The Xiaomi Redmi 5A (codename riva), launched in 2017, is one of the most iconic budget smartphones ever released. Famously marketed in India as “Desh Ka Smartphone” (The Country’s Smartphone), it aimed to bring a reliable and accessible experience to millions. The device was a massive success, built on the dependable Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, a compact 5.0-inch display, and a dedicated microSD card slot. For owners of this legendary entry-level device, this page provides the final official fastboot ROMs for the China and Global regions, which are essential for unbricking the phone or restoring it to its original factory software.
Important: You must verify your device is a Redmi 5A (riva). This firmware is not compatible with the larger, 18:9 screen Redmi 5 (rosy). Flashing the incorrect ROM on your device will cause a hard brick.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Redmi 5A (riva)
- Release year: 2017
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425
- Display: 5.0″ IPS LCD
- Battery: 3000 mAh
- Original MIUI: Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), MIUI 9
Required Downloads
These are the essential tools needed for flashing the official fastboot ROMs. Please download and install them on your Windows PC.
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Included with Mi Flash Tool |
| Bootloader Unlock Tool | Official Mi Unlock Page |
Note: For older devices like the Redmi 5A, if the latest Mi Flash Tool gives an error, an older version (e.g., from 2018) can sometimes resolve flashing issues.
Official Fastboot ROMs
| Region | Build | Android | Release Date | Download | Codename |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | V11.0.6.0.OCKCNXM | 8.1 | 2019-12-23 | Download | riva |
| Global | V11.0.2.0.OCKMIXM | 8.1 | 2019-11-06 | Download | riva |
How to Flash Guide
This method is for restoring the official stock firmware and is the best way to unbrick your device or perform a clean install.
- Backup Your Data: This process will completely erase all data on your phone.
- Extract the ROM File: Download the correct .tgz firmware file for your region. Use a tool like 7-Zip to extract it twice until you have a folder with an images subfolder and several flashing scripts.
- Enter Fastboot Mode: Power off your Redmi 5A. Then, press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons simultaneously until you see the MITU bunny logo.
- Connect to PC: Use a high-quality USB cable to connect your phone to your computer.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the Mi Flash Tool application on your PC, preferably as an administrator.
- Flash the Firmware:
- Click the “select” button and navigate to the folder you extracted in step 2.
- At the bottom right of the tool, select the “clean all” option.
- Click the “refresh” button. Your device should appear in the list with a COM port number.
- Click the “flash” button to begin the process. Do not disconnect the phone until it shows a “success” message and reboots.
FAQs
Q1. What was the significance of the “Desh Ka Smartphone” tagline?
This marketing slogan, which translates to “The Country’s Smartphone,” was used in India to position the Redmi 5A as a device built for everyone. It emphasized its affordability, reliability, and accessibility, contributing to its massive sales success.
Q2. What is the difference between the Redmi 5A (riva) and the Redmi 5 (rosy)?
The Redmi 5A (riva) has a 5.0-inch 16:9 screen. The Redmi 5 (rosy) was its successor, featuring a larger 5.7-inch 18:9 “full screen” display and a more powerful processor. Their firmwares are not compatible.
Q3. What was the final official update for the Redmi 5A?
The Redmi 5A launched with Android 7.1 Nougat and received its final major OS upgrade to Android 8.1 Oreo. The MIUI 11 builds provided on this page are the last official software updates released for this model.
Q4. Are these official and safe to use?
Yes. The download links are from Xiaomi’s official bigota.d.miui.com servers. These are untouched, official fastboot ROMs. As long as you follow the guide carefully and use the correct ROM for your device, the process is safe.
Troubleshooting
- Pre-flashing Checklist:
- Have you backed up all important data from your phone?
- Is your phone’s battery charged to at least 50%?
- Have you installed the correct Xiaomi USB drivers on your PC?
- Are you absolutely sure you downloaded the correct firmware for riva and not another model?
- Common Flashing Errors:
- “error: not catch checkpoint” or “Flash system error” → This almost always means you have selected the wrong folder in Mi Flash Tool. Make sure you have selected the main folder that contains the images sub-folder, not the sub-folder itself.
- Device is not detected in Fastboot → Ensure drivers are correctly installed. Try a different USB port (preferably a USB 2.0 port on the back of a desktop PC) and a high-quality data cable. Run Mi Flash Tool as an administrator.
- Flashing fails with an unspecified error → For an older device like the Redmi 5A, the latest version of Mi Flash Tool is not always the best. Try using an older, stable version of the tool (e.g., MiFlash20180528).
