Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation when the system starts to work unstable after an automatic update, the battery runs out faster, there are bugs in the interface or the usual applications stop working correctly, at such moments the only sensible solution is to return to the previous, more stable version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system.
The process of rolling back a version of software is technically more complicated than a regular update, and requires careful attention to detail. You will have to search for firmware archives, choose the right firmware mode and strictly follow the sequence of actions so as not to turn the device into a brick. Below we will discuss all the steps of the procedure in detail.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize that rolling back a system version is always a risk. You can only roll back one previous firmware version without completely cleaning up the data, older versions require a complete reset. If you are not confident in yourself or are afraid of losing important files, you better wait for a patch from the developers.
Preparation of the device and choice of firmware method
The first step is to determine the current version of the software and find the right archive to replace it. You need to know the exact device model and the region for which the firmware is released (Global, Russia, China, EEA), download files only from trusted resources, such as the official website miui.com or authoritative forums like XDA Developers.
There are two main ways to get the old version back: through the standard Recovery menu and through the low-level diagnostics mode (Fastboot). The first method is easier and safer for beginners, since it does not require unlocking the bootloader in most cases. The second method is more powerful, allows you to change the firmware region, but requires an unlocked Bootloader and a computer.
⚠️ Note: Before any manipulations, make a complete backup of the data. Even if the instructions promise to save files, a failure to write memory sectors can lead to complete loss of information.
Make sure your battery is at least 60 percent powered. Breaking the firmware process due to battery drain is the most common reason for a smartphone to fail. Also free up space in your internal memory if you plan to use the Recovery upgrade method, as the firmware archive can weigh between 3 and 5GB.
Search and preparation of firmware archive
The key to a successful rollback is choosing the right file. The archives for the Recovery method have the.zip extension, and for the Fastboot method,.tgz. You can't try to install the.tgz archive through the phone's recovery menu, the system just won't see the file or will give a compatibility error.
When searching, look for the encoding of the version. It usually looks like V14.0.3.0.NGLMIXM. The last letters indicate the region: MI is the global version, RU is for Russia and the CIS, CN is China. Importantly, when the version is rolled back, you can only switch between firmwares of one region when the bootloader is not unlocked.
Once you download the file, put it in the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Don't put it in deep nested folders, it's best to make the path to the file look like it's just like it's a file. /miui_X.X.X.zip. This will eliminate search errors by the installer.
- 📂 Download the Recovery Archive (.zip) for your model.
- 📂 Check the checksum of the file if it is provided by the author.
- 📂 Move the file to the root of internal memory.
- 📂 Rename the file to a simple name, for example update.zip, if the instruction requires.
Where to look for old versions of the firmware?
Recovery Method through Recovery Menu
This is a good way to go back to one version and your bootloader is locked. The Anti-Rollback protection mechanism can prevent you from installing a much older version, so most often the method works to return to the previous minor update.
To start, activate the hidden menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the MIUI version number. You become a developer notification will appear. Then go to Advanced Settings → For Developers and select File Selection for Update. Specify the downloaded.zip archive.
After selecting the file, click the update button in the upper right corner of the screen (three dots). If the system detects the file and the version is compatible, the verification and installation process will begin. The phone will restart and the process will take 5 to 15 minutes.
☑️ Checklist for Recovery Method
In some cases, the standard menu does not see the file or prevents installation, then you can use the Recovery Mode mode, caused by pressing the volume and power button when the phone is turned off. However, in the stock Recovery, the functionality is limited, and the installation of arbitrary zip archives is often blocked by the manufacturer.
Reverse version via Fastboot and Mi Flash
If you want to roll back or change the region, you use the Mi Flash Tool on your computer, which requires an unlocked bootloader, and if the bootloader is locked, the program will give you an error when you try to run the firmware.
Download and install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers, and Mi Flash itself. Unpack the.tgz firmware archive into the root of the C disk so that the path doesn't contain Cyrillic characters. Rename the firmware folder to a short name, like rom.
C:\rom\images\...Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by slamming the volume button and connecting the USB cable to your PC. In Device Manager, the device should be defined as Android Bootloader Interface. In Mi Flash, select the path to the firmware folder and press the Refresh button.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Requirements | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean All | Complete removal | Unlocked BL | Average. |
| Save User Data | Conservation | Unlocked BL | Tall (bugs) |
| Clean All + Lock | Complete removal | Same region | Tall (brick) |
⚠️ Please note: Never choose the Clean All option. + Lock, if you change the firmware region (eg, from Global to China), this will lock the device at the bootloader level, and it will be officially impossible to unlock it.
Select Clean All for Clean Installation or Save User Data if you want to save files (but it is recommended to do a clean installation to avoid system libraries conflicts). Press Flash and wait for the process to end. The phone will reboot automatically.
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Use the original cable that came with the device, or a quality analog with thick wires. Cheap charging cables may not provide stable data transfer, which will lead to a firmware error.
Solving common mistakes
In the rollback process, users often encounter errors, and one of the most popular is the Can't verify update, which occurs when you try to install an older version on top of a new one through the standard menu, and only the Fastboot method, with a complete data cleanup, will help.
The Missmatching image and device error in the Mi Flash Tool indicates that you are trying to flash the firmware from another model. Make sure the codename of the device matches. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito) will not stand on the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet).
If the process is stuck on a certain percentage or the program has issued a Flash All Except Data Storage error, try:
- 🔌 Replace USB-cable to another, preferably short.
- 💻 Change port USB on the computer (use the ports behind the system unit).
- 🔄 Reinstall drivers ADB and Fastboot.
- 📂 Check if the path to the firmware file contains Russian letters.
Sometimes antivirus software can block the Mi Flash Tool. During the firmware, it is recommended to temporarily disable real-time protection or add a folder with the utility in exceptions.
Consequences of rollback and system setup
Once the procedure is completed successfully, the phone will boot into the new system (old), the first run can last up to 10 minutes, as the applications are optimized. Don't be afraid if the device warms up for the first half an hour of operation - this is a normal indexing process.
Since the versions of databases and system applications may have changed, it is recommended to reset the application settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find system services and clear their data. This will help eliminate possible interface lags.
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Fastboot rollback with a complete cleanup is the most reliable way to return stability to the system, but it requires an unlocked bootloader.
Remember to turn off automatic system updates if you want to lock in the current version. To do this, click on the MIUI logo several times in the update menu to add an additional menu, and select "Disable Updates." Also, turn off auto-update in the Update Recipient settings.