Let's take a look back at a compact flagship powerhouse from 2016, the Xiaomi Mi 5s (codename `capricorn`). This device was a true enthusiast's phone, packing a powerful Snapdragon 821 processor and an innovative under-glass ultrasonic fingerprint sensor into a premium all-metal body. In places like Nigeria, it was a "geek phone"—a status symbol for those who knew how to get flagship power for a fraction of the price.
The official software story for the Mi 5s ended with a significant divide: the Chinese version received a final, polished update to MIUI 11, while the Global version was left behind on the older MIUI 10. For the dedicated owners still cherishing this classic in 2025, this guide provides the key to unlock its final, best software experience. By installing the community-made Xiaomi.eu ROM, you can give your global Mi 5s the modern MIUI 11 update it always deserved.
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 5s
For a classic flagship like `capricorn`, flashing is about optimization and getting the best possible software.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: capricorn)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region for emergencies, and the recommended Xiaomi.eu ROM for a major upgrade.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Upgrading to MIUI 11 via Xiaomi.eu ROM (Recommended)
This is the best way to get a modern, stable, and feature-rich experience on your global Mi 5s.
➡ Your Mi 5s will now boot into the modern MIUI 11 interface, an update it never received officially in global markets.
Method 2: Flashing Official Stock ROM (For Unbricking/Restoring)
Use this method to restore a bricked device or return to the final official software for your region.
➡ This will restore your phone to its original factory state (MIUI 10 for Global users).
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Mi 5s a 'geek phone' in Nigeria?
In 2016, getting a phone with a top-tier Snapdragon 821 processor usually meant spending a huge amount of money. Tech-savvy people in Nigeria knew that the Mi 5s offered the same power as international flagships for a much better price. It was a compact beast, and importing one was a sign that you really knew your technology.
Q2: Is the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner reliable?
It was a first-generation technology and was famously less reliable than traditional capacitive sensors. It can be picky about wet or dirty fingers. Flashing the final MIUI 11 firmware provides its best-ever software drivers, which can help improve consistency, but it will never be as fast as a modern sensor.
Q3: Can I get newer Android versions on the Mi 5s?
Not officially. However, the Mi 5s (`capricorn`) has a very strong custom ROM community. You can find many unofficial builds of Android 10, 11, and even 12 on forums like XDA. This is the best way to keep the device secure and running modern apps.
Q4: Is it really worth upgrading from MIUI 10 to MIUI 11?
Yes. MIUI 11 was a major visual and functional overhaul. It introduced a cleaner, more minimalist design, a system-wide dark mode, new dynamic sounds, and many other quality-of-life improvements. It makes the phone feel much more modern.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
The official software story for the Mi 5s ended with a significant divide: the Chinese version received a final, polished update to MIUI 11, while the Global version was left behind on the older MIUI 10. For the dedicated owners still cherishing this classic in 2025, this guide provides the key to unlock its final, best software experience. By installing the community-made Xiaomi.eu ROM, you can give your global Mi 5s the modern MIUI 11 update it always deserved.
- ✔ The definitive guide to upgrading your Global Mi 5s to the superior MIUI 11
- ✔ Download links for the final official firmware to unbrick and restore your device
- ✔ A working TWRP custom recovery and all essential tools
- ✔ Device-specific troubleshooting for the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner
- ✔ A gateway to the custom ROM scene for even newer versions of Android
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 5s
For a classic flagship like `capricorn`, flashing is about optimization and getting the best possible software.
- Upgrade Your Global Device to MIUI 11 → This is the #1 reason to flash. The update brings a completely refreshed user interface, a system-wide dark mode, and numerous optimizations that were never officially released for the global model.
- Improve Fingerprint Scanner Performance → The final MIUI 11 build contains the most optimized drivers and algorithms for the first-generation ultrasonic sensor, which can significantly improve its accuracy and speed.
- Unleash the Snapdragon 821 → A clean flash of a more modern MIUI ensures the powerful hardware runs at its peak, free from years of software clutter.
- Unbrick a Bricked or Bootlooping Device → The essential recovery guide for restoring a phone that is stuck on the Mi logo or fails to boot.
- Prepare for Modern Custom ROMs → Flashing the latest stock firmware is the perfect stable starting point before installing newer, unofficial versions of Android from the developer community.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: capricorn)
- Model: Xiaomi Mi 5s
- Release Year: 2016
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
- Display: 5.15” FHD IPS LCD
- Key Feature: Under-glass ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, premium metal unibody
- OS at Launch: MIUI 8 on Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Final Official OS: MIUI 10 (Global) / MIUI 11 (China) on Android 8.0 Oreo
- Codename: capricorn
SOFTWARE NOTICE: The Global Mi 5s never officially received the MIUI 11 update. The only way to get this final, more modern version of MIUI is to install the community-made Xiaomi.eu ROM, which is based on the final China build. This guide shows you how. Due to its age, the stock software is not secure for online use.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region for emergencies, and the recommended Xiaomi.eu ROM for a major upgrade.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | For flashing official Fastboot ROMs. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures your PC can communicate with your phone. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | Required to flash the Xiaomi.eu ROM. | TWRP 3.2.3 for Capricorn |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Official MIUI 11 (Android 8.0) | V11.0.2.0.OAGCNXM |
| Fastboot ROM (Global) | Official MIUI 10.2 (Android 8.0) | V10.2.3.0.OAGMIXM |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | The Essential MIUI 11 Upgrade | V11.0.2.0.OAGCNXM |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Upgrading to MIUI 11 via Xiaomi.eu ROM (Recommended)
This is the best way to get a modern, stable, and feature-rich experience on your global Mi 5s.
- Unlock Bootloader: Ensure your bootloader is unlocked using the official Mi Unlock Tool.
- Flash TWRP: Boot your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down). Flash the downloaded TWRP image file with the command:
fastboot flash recovery recovery-TWRP-3.2.3-1028-XIAOMI5S-CN-wzsx150.img - Boot into TWRP: Hold Power + Volume Up from a powered-off state to boot into the newly installed TWRP recovery.
- Wipe Data: This step is mandatory. In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data and type "yes" to confirm.
- Transfer ROM File: Connect your phone to your PC and copy the downloaded Xiaomi.eu `.zip` file to its internal storage.
- Install the ROM: In the TWRP main menu, tap Install, select the ROM `.zip` file, and swipe the slider to begin flashing.
- Reboot: Once finished, tap "Reboot System."
➡ Your Mi 5s will now boot into the modern MIUI 11 interface, an update it never received officially in global markets.
Method 2: Flashing Official Stock ROM (For Unbricking/Restoring)
Use this method to restore a bricked device or return to the final official software for your region.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your phone. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded `.tgz` Fastboot ROM for your region twice until you have a folder with an `images` directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator. Click "select" and choose the extracted firmware folder.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone, click "refresh", ensure "clean all" is selected, and click "flash".
➡ This will restore your phone to its original factory state (MIUI 10 for Global users).
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Mi 5s a 'geek phone' in Nigeria?
In 2016, getting a phone with a top-tier Snapdragon 821 processor usually meant spending a huge amount of money. Tech-savvy people in Nigeria knew that the Mi 5s offered the same power as international flagships for a much better price. It was a compact beast, and importing one was a sign that you really knew your technology.
Q2: Is the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner reliable?
It was a first-generation technology and was famously less reliable than traditional capacitive sensors. It can be picky about wet or dirty fingers. Flashing the final MIUI 11 firmware provides its best-ever software drivers, which can help improve consistency, but it will never be as fast as a modern sensor.
Q3: Can I get newer Android versions on the Mi 5s?
Not officially. However, the Mi 5s (`capricorn`) has a very strong custom ROM community. You can find many unofficial builds of Android 10, 11, and even 12 on forums like XDA. This is the best way to keep the device secure and running modern apps.
Q4: Is it really worth upgrading from MIUI 10 to MIUI 11?
Yes. MIUI 11 was a major visual and functional overhaul. It introduced a cleaner, more minimalist design, a system-wide dark mode, new dynamic sounds, and many other quality-of-life improvements. It makes the phone feel much more modern.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor Not Working: This is the most common specific issue for `capricorn`. If it fails after a custom ROM flash, the first step is always to flash the latest official China ROM or the Xiaomi.eu MIUI 11 ROM. This restores the correct proprietary firmware for the sensor. If it still fails, it is likely a hardware issue.
- Dead Hard Brick (EDL Mode): If your phone is completely dead and only shows up as "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008", it is in EDL mode. Recovery is possible but advanced, requiring specific EDL flashing procedures, and sometimes a "deep flash cable" or "test point" method to force the connection.
- "Can't read from port" error in Mi Flash Tool: A classic error for older flagships. It's almost always a driver issue on modern PCs. Reinstall drivers, restart your PC, use a USB 2.0 port, and run Mi Flash Tool as an administrator.
- Bootloop after flashing Xiaomi.eu: You MUST use the "Format Data" option in TWRP before flashing. This is required to remove the stock MIUI encryption and is the #1 fix for bootloops.