In this article you will see a comprehensive but easy way to flash TWRP and gain root access on Redmi Note 5A device. The steps involve several developers-like tasks like rebooting the phone into bootloader mode, which is also known as fastboot mode, and transferring SuperSU package file that is needed to gain root access. Please do not worry since the process has been made simple – thanks to a WTRP installer tool.
This method is applicable for both Redmi Note 5A (Ugglite) and Redmi Note 5A Prime (Ugg). We will simply call both as RN5A and RN5A Prime for the rest of the article to make it simple.
Specs-wise, both phone are basically similar. Both devices are equipped with 5.5-inch display having resolutions of 720 x 1280 pixels, 401 PPI, 70% NTSC Color Gamut, and 450 NIT. However, the basic differences are located at the horsing power planted within each device.
The younger variant, RN5A, is powered with MSM8917 Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset having Cortex A53 Quad-core CPUs, Adreno 308 GPU, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB ROM Internal storage. On the other hand, the RN5A Prime, sports MSM8940 Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset having Octa-core Cortex A53 CPUs, Adreno 505 GPU, 3GB RAM, and 32GB ROM Internal storage.
One more thing, the Prime version is also powered with 16MP f/2.0 front-facing camera (instead of 5MP) along with a front flash. This makes a perfect selfie obviously.
Now let’s go to the steps..
Prerequisites
- A Xiaomi RN5A (Codename Ugglite) or RN5A Prime (Codename Ugg) device running at least MIUI 9 Android 7.1.
- A compatible USB data cable. Make sure it is a USB data cable and not USB charging cable only or you can simply use the one comes with your device;
- A Windows-based laptop / PC. We strongly suggest you to use Windows 8/8.1/10 with 64-bit system;
- Your phone should have enough juice. Make sure it has at least 65% battery power remaining;
- Download Minimal ADB & Fastboot Driver – extract this package;
- Download TWRP Installer tool. Choose corresponding version according to your device type: TWRP for RN5A Ugglite or TWRP for RN5A Prime Ugg – extract this package;
- Download latest version SuperSU root tool – do not extract this package;
- Download DM No Verity package – do not extract this package;
- Download TWRP Dark Theme for RN5A;
- A spare time of your life which is not more than 30 minutes.
Attention: Please read thoroughly the article before really implementing the steps. Make sure you understand what you are going to do prior doing it. We hold NO responsibility of any risks of broken device so please proceed with caution. Do not forget to create backup of all your important data and files including Contact, Call logs, messages, photos, apps, and so on.
Also please do not hesitate to click on any image(s) to click its larger version.
Steps to Flash TWRP Recovery
Step 1 – Extract and install Minimal ADB & Fastboot driver into your computer. It is recommended to firstly disable Windows Driver Signature Enforcement mechanism prior installing the driver. You can re-enable that Windows feature again once you have installed the driver.
Necessary reading: Windows Driver Signature Disabler and Enabler tool.
Step 2 – Now install Minimal ADB & Fastboot driver software into your computer.
Step 3 – Grab your phone and enable Developer options and OEM Unlock options in your phone.
Go to Settings > About phone > Tap MIUI Version 7 Times (You are now developer), and then back to setting > Additional settings > Developer option > USB debugging > Enable.
Step 4 – Next, you need to firstly unlock the bootloader of your device. The unlocking mechanism is basically easy but you have to wait for official permission from Xiaomi developers team. Please read and follow our previous guide on how to unlock your phone bootloader.
Read: How to properly unlock MIUI bootloader – a complete guide.
Step 5 – At this point we assume you have already unlocked your device bootloader. Open up Windows Explorer in your computer. Find and extract the TWRP Installer .zip package file that you have downloaded earlier. Winzip, WinRAR, or 7zip will come in handy for this task.
Step 6 – Once extracted, you will get following files inside the extracted folder:
Step 7 – Next, grab your phone again, and turn it off completely. Reboot your phone into bootloader mode (which also known as fastboot mode) by pressing Volume Down (-) and Power buttons together simultaneously until you see the Bunny Fastboot logo.
Step 8 – Connect your Ugg or Ugglite device which is already in Fastboot mode into your computer using its USB cable.
Step 9 – Now back to Windows Explorer. Go to the location of where you have extracted the TWRP installer files (see Step 6 above).
Step 10 – Next, right-click on the twrp-installer (.bat) file and choose “Run as Administrator“.
Step 11 – The TWRP Recovery Installer window will come up. You may read some information displayed on the screen. However, the basic principle of using the tool is simple, simply press the Enter key on your keyboard to start flashing.
Step 12 – Now sit tight and wait for the tool to install TWRP into your phone. The actual process should take no longer than 3 seconds.
Step 13 – Next, simple press any key on your keyboard to boot your phone into the newly flashed recovery:
Step 14 – You will now see the popular screen of TWRP being displayed. Unfortunately, since the TWRP is ported from a Chinese forum, the default language is set to Chinese.
You can change the default language to English following this illustration:
Alternatively, you can put the downloaded TWRP Dark Theme above, put it in SD Card, and flash it from TWRP. Simply follow the next steps below on how to flash zip files in TWRP.
Step 15 – Choose Install from the available menu.
Step 16 – Then look for the .zip file you have copied earlier in your phone’s storage. Simply tap on its file name to select the file. At this point, you will need to firstly install No Verity package downloaded above.
Step 17 – Now do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action. Once you have done this, the zip file will be flashed. Finally, tap the “Reboot System” to reboot your phone into normal state.
Rooting Redmi Note 5A / Prime
Step 18 – Assuming at this point your phone is in normal state. At this point you can transfer the downloaded SuperSU .zip file into phone’s internal storage.
Step 19 – Now turn your phone off again. Once it has been off completely, press and hold the Power and Volume Up (+) buttons all together to reboot the device into TWRP Recovery.
Step 20 – Rooting your phone via TWRP is basically easy. Simply tap on “Install” and select the .zip file to flash. Finally, do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action and done. This task is similar to what you have done in previous steps.
Step 20 – Simply wait until the whole process is finished. Once done, simply tap on “Reboot system“.
Step 21 – That’s all. Upon rebooting, you will see a new app installed called SuperSU. You can open it to see its settings and make adjustment if necessary. However, its default settings are more than enough for your daily root things.
You can also double-check its root status by installing Root Checker app from Play Store.
That’s all and enjoy your newly rooted Redmi Note 5A / Prime phone. Do not forget to thanks the creator of TWRP installer (sepneela), TWRP Dev Team, and SuperSU developer (Chainfire).
Also read: How to revert back from TWRP into MIUI Stock Recovery.