How to roll back firmware on Xiaomi: safe ways and step-by-step instructions

New version MIUI Does it work unstable, have bugs appeared or did the device slow down after the update? POCO — But the process requires caution: wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a brick. In this article, we will examine all the official and informal methods of rollback, their pros and cons, and also give a checklist for preparation.

A firmware rollback is not the same as a factory reset, which simply cleans the data, and a rollback changes the software version to an earlier one, which may be necessary if:

The new update “eats” the battery or overheats the device.

Familiar features (e.g. Game Turbo or Always On Display settings) have disappeared.

The smartphone began to lag or spontaneously reboot.

But before you start, consider that the firmware rollback on Xiaomi through official channels is only possible for 72 hours after the update - later the system blocks this option. If more time has passed, you will have to use alternative methods with unlocking the bootloader.

1. Preparation for the rollback of the firmware: what to do before the start

First rule: never start rolling back without a backup. Even if you're an experienced user, the risk of data loss or soft-brick remains.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or use Mi Mover to transfer data to PC.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%, interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to irreversible consequences.
• 🔍 Find out the current version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Write it down - this will help you choose the right firmware for rollbacks.
• 🖥️ Install drivers for Xiaomi on PC (you can download from the official website or through Mi). PC Suite).

Also check if you have a bootloader unlocked. If not, most rollback methods will have to unlock it, which erases all data and requires a Mi Account. ADB:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.verifiedbootstate

If the answer is orange, the bootloader is unlocked, if the green is blocked, it will require official permission from Xiaomi to unlock it (the process takes up to 72 hours).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi Note 11 or POCO M4 Pro) rollback via Fastboot could lead to loss IMEI. It will be difficult to restore it later – you will need specialized software like Maui. META.

Make sure that no more than 72 hours have passed since the update (for official rollback)

Download the correct firmware version (stable or developer)

Check firmware compatibility with the device model (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) ≠ Redmi Note 10)

Disable Find My Device protection in your Mi Account settings

Prepare the cable. USB (preferably original) and PC with Windows/Linux

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2.Official rollback through System Recovery (in the first 72 hours)

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in System Restore feature, which is available only for three days after the update and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slap the icon «⋮» (three dots) in the upper right corner and select the Update Package.
3. Click Restore the previous version (only if it has passed) ≤72 hours).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (takes 5-10 minutes).

This method saves user data, but not all settings, for example, application permissions or display settings may reset, and if the "Restore previous version" option is inactive, then:

• 🕒 It's been over 72 hours.
• 🔄 The device has been rolled back in this way before (disposable function).
• 📦 Update was installed manually (not through the OTA).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) After a rollback through the "Restore system" may disappear access to the 5G. In this case, only a complete flashing through Fastboot will help.

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If, after a rollback, your smartphone requires a password from your Mi Account when you didn't have one before, try entering the password from the last Google email linked to you.

3. Recovery rollback: when the official method is not available

If more than 72 hours have passed or there is no recovery option, you can try rolling back the firmware through Recovery mode, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires manual firmware download.

First, download the correct version. MIUI official website:

1. Go to the Xiaomi downloads page.
2. Select your model (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) → sweet).
3. Download the stable firmware version (file with.zip extension).
4. Check the hash amount of the file (should match the one listed on the site).

Now transfer the firmware file to the root of the smartphone’s internal memory (not to folders!) and follow the steps:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select Install update.zip to System (navigation – volume buttons, choice – power button).
4. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

If after the reboot the smartphone stuck on the logo MI, So the firmware is not suitable for your model or damaged, in which case only the firmware through Fastboot will help (see next section).

4. rollback via Fastboot: for power users

Fastboot is the most reliable, but it's also the riskiest, and it's good if you:

• 🔓 Loader unlocked.
• 📦 You have a full firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
• 🖥️ There are PCs with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.

Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater (select the Fastboot version). Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC and follow the instructions:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img




fastboot reboot

If after executing commands, the smartphone does not turn on or hovers on the screensaver, try flashing vbmeta with the check turned off:

fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T pro POCO F3) After Fastboot Firmware, you may need an additional command to unlock critical partitions:

fastboot flashing unlock_critical

⚠️ Note: If you are flashing a Qualcomm processor device (e.g., Redmi) K40), Never use fastboot erase commands for modem or bluetooth partitions, which will result in loss of network and Wi-Fi!

5. Automatic tools: MIUI bootloader and XiaomiTool

For those who don't want to manually type commands, there are tools that automate the rollback process.

MIUI Downloader

The program downloads and installs the desired version MIUI It supports rollbacks both through Recovery and through Fastboot:

1. Download. MIUI bootloader with XDA Developers.
2. Choose your model and target version of the firmware.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

XiaomiTool V2

A more advanced tool that can unlock the bootloader, stitch TWRP and even restore IMEI. However, it doesn’t work with all models (e.g., it doesn’t support Xiaomi 13 and newer models).

• ✅ Pros: automatic model definition, support for custom firmware.
• ❌ Cons: complex interface, risk of errors in the wrong settings.

Both utilities require an unlocked bootloader. If it's not available, the program will offer to go through the unlock procedure, but remember: this erases all data!

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Use automatic tools only if you are sure they are compatible with your model. For example, XiaomiTool does not work with devices on MediaTek Helio. G96 (For example, Redmi Note 11S).

6. Solving problems after a firmware rollback

Even if the rollback is successful, there may be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If you lose data (photos, contacts) after a rollback, try to restore it through Mi Cloud (if backup was enabled) or programs like DiskDigger (for internal memory), but the chances are slim – when you run through Fastboot, data is usually erased irrevocably.

If the device has turned into a “brick” (no buttons, no PC is detected), there are two options:

1. Take to the service center Xiaomi (if the warranty is valid, but the rollback of the firmware cancels it).
2. Try to "resuscitate" through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and Qualcomm boxing or MediaTek).

7. Alternative methods: custom firmware and TWRP

If the official methods don’t help or you want to install a non-standard version MIUI (for example, MIUI EU without advertising, you can use custom Recovery — TWRP.

Advantages of TWRP:

• 🔄 Possibility of rollback on any version MIUI (even very old).
• 📦 Install modified firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
• 🔧 Backup and restoration of individual sections.

To establish TWRP:

1. Unlock the loader (required!).
2. Download the TWRP image for your model from the official website.
3. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img
4. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
5. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup) → Select the System, Data, Boot sections).
6. Install the necessary firmware through Install.

Important: On new Xiaomi devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13 series) TWRP It may not work because of protection. AVB 2.0. In this case, you will need to disable the signature verification:

fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware on Dynamic Partition devices (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) can lead to data loss in the userdata section.Be sure to backup through the userdata section before firmware is installed. TWRP or Mi PC Suite.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when rolling back firmware.

• 🔄 The firmware is the wrong model, like trying to install the Redmi Note 10 firmware on the Redmi Note 10 Pro (codenames mojito and sweet respectively!
• 🔌 Using a non-original cable. Cheap. USB-cables can interrupt data transmission, which leads to firmware failure.
• ⏳ Interrupting the process. Even if it seems that the smartphone is getting stuck at 10.+ Do not disconnect it from the PC for a minute, POCO X3 Pro) file processing takes a long time when firmware.
• 🔒 If your Mi Account is tied to your device, you may need to enter your password after you have firmware, even if you didn't have one before.

Another common problem is the anti-rollback error, which occurs when you try to roll back the firmware to a version older than the one that was installed on the device initially, for example, if your Xiaomi Mi 11 was running on the device. MIUI 12.5 and you are trying to install MIUI 12.0. In this case, only the firmware through EDL service-centre.

If after rollback the smartphone began to discharge quickly, check the battery settings:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
2. Press «⋮» → Resetting battery statistics.
3. Turn off Adaptive Charging and Battery Optimization for critical applications.

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Before rolling back the firmware, always check if your model supports firmware through Recovery. For example, devices on MediaTek (for example, Redmi). 9A) Often you do not allow.zip files to be flashed through standard Recovery, only through Fastboot or SP Flash Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions