How to completely disable updates on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Automatic MIUI updates can be a real headache for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. the manufacturer aggressively introduces new versions of the firmware, often ignoring the wishes of users to keep the device stable. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that after updates, bugs often appear, performance decreases or familiar functions disappear.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to disable updates on any Xiaomi models – from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14. You will learn how to block automatic firmware downloads through standard settings, hidden developer settings, and radical methods for power users. MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and the possible consequences of disabling updates.

Why users want to disable updates on Xiaomi

The main reason is the instability of new firmware versions, and according to service centers, up to 30% of calls after the release of major MIUI updates are related to:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (especially relevant for Redmi) 9/10 and POCO X3)
• 🐢 Slowing down the interface and lags in games
• 📱 Spontaneous reboot or overheating
• 🔊 Problems with sound or camera
• 🚫 Blocking Root Rights or Custom Recovery

The second common situation is the desire to keep the current version of MIUI due to:

• 🎮 Optimization for specific games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile)
• 🔧 Works with unique modifications (castom cores, patches for Magisk)
• 📦 Compatibility with specialized software (taxi terminals, barcode scanners)

⚠️ Warning: Disabling updates deprives you of important security patches.If you use your smartphone to work with payment systems or corporate data, assess the risks.

The third category of users is traffic-saving: Auto-loading firmware weighing 2-3 GB can be a nasty surprise at a limited rate, especially for Xiaomi owners with MIUI Global, where updates come more often than in Chinese versions.

Method 1: Disabling updates through standard settings

The simplest method that works on all versions MIUI (Suitable for users who don’t want to go into technical details.Instructions are relevant for Xiaomi models 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 other modern devices.

Steps:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in some versions – About Device).
3. Tap on the item MIUI Update (or System Update in HyperOS).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
5. Turn off the automatic download slider via Wi-Fi.
6. Also deactivate Auto Update (if there is such a point).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 9), the menu may look different:

Settings → System → Advanced settings → System update

Limitation of method: Xiaomi can ignore these settings and still show notifications about new versions.

Make sure that the autoboot is disabled | Check no update notifications |Reboot the device to apply changes | Check once a month in case of resetting the settings-->

Method 2: Blocking through the developer settings

If the standard method doesn't work, you can use the hidden developer parameters, which are more reliable, but you need to activate the developer mode.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times tap on the MIUI Version (you will receive a message "You became a developer").

Settings

For developers

Updating the system

Auto-Update MIUI

• Automatic verification of updates
• Downloading over Wi-Fi
• Notifications of updates
• Return to the main screen and restart the device.

Important: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 11), after cleaning the data, the update app can automatically enable autoboot.

• 🔒 Disable Auto-Run for System Update in Battery Settings.
• 📵 Turn off notifications from this application.

Method 4: Blocking through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can completely disable the update service via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but gives 100% result.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB smartphone

Instructions:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → Developer → Enable USB debugging. Confirm permission when you connect to your PC.

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

(Your device serial number should appear)

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.providers.downloads

Reboot your smartphone.

How to return the updates back:

adb shell pm enable com.android.updater

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the command may not work due to a modified system architecture, in which case you will need to use Magisk or custom recovery.

After completion ADB-The system update application will disappear from the settings menu, and all attempts of the system to download the firmware will be blocked at the Android level.

Method 5: Radical methods (for advanced users)

If you’re willing to go to extreme lengths, there are a few ways to get rid of updates forever, but they require unlocking the bootloader and could potentially take away warranties.

To block through the hosts file:

1. Open /system/etc/hosts with root rights.
2. Add the lines: 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com 127.0.0.1 api.update.miui.com
3. Save the changes and restart the device.

Warning: Any manipulation of system files can result in bootloop (loop boot).Before experimenting, back up via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool.

💡

If you use custom firmware but only want to receive updates manually, install the OTA Updater app from Magisk, which allows you to selectively download firmware without installing it automatically.

What to do if the update has already been downloaded

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the firmware is already loaded into the device memory, and every time you reboot, you get a suggestion to install it.

Method 1: Manually remove the update file

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Go to the folder: /sdcard/Download/rom or /sdcard/downloaded_rom
3. Delete the file with the.zip extension (usually called type) miui_*.zip).
4. Clear the cache of the System Update application (see Method 3).

Method 2: Rename the file (if no deletion rights are available):

1. Rename the update file by adding the name at the beginning OLD_.
2. Create an empty file with the original name in the same folder (for example, miui_block.zip).

Method 3: TWRP-Blocking (for custom recovery devices):

1. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find and delete update files in folders: /data/ota_package/ /cache/

💡

Disabling updates does not mean your smartphone will become invulnerable. Regularly check for critical security patches manually through the official Xiaomi website.