How to safely roll back MIUI to the previous version on Xiaomi Redmi Note: the full guide

Reverse MIUI firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones is a procedure that may be necessary for critical bugs of the new version, reduced performance or incompatibility with key applications. Unlike the standard update, downgrade requires preparation: from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of the firmware. Without knowing the nuances, the risk of turning the device into a brick is up to 30%, especially on models with Anti-Rollback protection.

In this article, we will discuss three official rollback methods (via Fastboot, Recovery and Mi Flash Tool) relevant to the Redmi Note 10/11/12 and older series. Special attention will be paid to bypassing the Anti-Rollback protection on Qualcomm and MediaTek processors, a key point that misses 90% of the guides on the network, and you will learn how to save user data (photos, contacts) before the procedure and what to do if the smartphone stopped turning on after a failed downgrade.

Why MIUI may need to roll back and when it is dangerous

The main reasons for the downgrade of the firmware on the Redmi Note fall into two categories: software bugs and hardware limitations. In the first case, we are talking about critical errors of the new version of MIUI — for example, Android 13 on the Redmi Note 10 Pro massively complained about the overheating of the Snapdragon 732G processor and spontaneous reboots. In the second — about incompatibility with hardware: for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the Helio G90T chip after upgrading to MIUI 14 lost up to 20% of autonomy due to optimizations for new cores.

But rollbacks are not always safe.

• 🔒 Lock the bootloader on models with Anti-Rollback 3+ (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G). Trying to install the old firmware without bypassing the protection will lead to hard-brick (the device will not respond even to the connection to the PC).
• 📱 Loss of loss IMEI on devices with MediaTek (Redmi Note series) 9/10). It's because of the discharge. NVRAM downgrade.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot if the firmware version is incompatible with the current bootloader.

Before you start, check if your model falls under the list of devices with anti-Rollback protection.

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And find the Anti Rollback Version line. If the value is higher than 2, you'll need an additional patch to bypass the protection.

Preparing for rollback: backup and unlock the bootloader

The first step is to save all the data, and even if you plan to use the non-reset rollback method (OTA downgrade), the risk of losing information remains.

• 📁 Use Mi Mover (the built-in Xiaomi app) to transfer photos, videos and documents to another smartphone or PC.
• ☁️ Upload important files to Google Drive or Mi Cloud (but note that you may need to re-authorize after a reset).
• 📱 For copying SMS The Swift Backup application (requires root rights).

The second step is unlocking the bootloader, and without this step, installing any firmware through Fastboot will be impossible. The procedure takes 3 to 7 days due to Xiaomi's verification:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Install Mi Unlock Tool on your PC and follow the instructions of the program. Importantly, the account should be active for at least 168 hours (7 days).

⚠️ Note: If you previously unlocked the bootloader, but then updated MIUI Check the status of the command: fastboot oem device-info Device unlocked: true must confirm the unlock.

Backup data | Check the Anti-Rollback version | Unlock the bootloader (if not done) | Download the correct firmware for your model | Charge your smartphone at least 60%-->

Choosing the Right Firmware: Where to Download and How to Check Compatibility

Firmware error is the main reason for bricks in downgrade. There are three types of firmware for the Redmi Note:

You need to download firmware only from official sources:

• 🌐 Xiaomi official website – all stable and development versions are available here.
• 📥 Xiaomi Firmware Updater – a firmware archive with history of changes.
• 🔧 XDA Developers – for custom firmware (only for experienced users).

Before downloading, check:

1. Model of the device: for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro has the index sweet, and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G – peux. You can find the code in Settings → About Phone → Model.
2. Android Version: Android 12 firmware is not suitable for Android 13.
3. Region: Firmware for Global and China are not interchangeable (different in terms of service).

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If you are not sure about the choice of firmware, use the utility MIUI bootloader to automatically select a compatible version of the device model.

Method 1: Recoil through Fastboot (the most reliable way)

Fastboot is Xiaomi’s only officially supported downgrade method, and it’s suitable for all Redmi Note models, including those with Anti-Rollback protection.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (Fastboot version).
• 🔓 Unlocked loader.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without gaps in the path (for example, C:\MIUI\fastboot_rom).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
4. Connect the device to a PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All (Full Reset) or Clean All and Lock (Reset) mode. + Clean all is recommended for downgrade.
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process takes 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If after firmware device stuck on the logo MI, Don't panic. 15-20 If nothing has changed after this period, repeat the procedure with the choice of Clean all and lock mode.

For devices with Anti-Rollback 3+ (For example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) file must be edited before firmware flash_all.bat:

fastboot flash anti 4


fastboot oem anti 4

Add these lines to the main firmware command. The number 4 should match the version of the Anti-Rollback of your current firmware (you can find it in the engineering menu).

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The Fastboot method is the only officially supported downgrade method, but requires an unlocked bootloader and a properly selected firmware.

Method 2: Recovery (without PC)

If you don't have access to your computer, you can try reversing MIUI through Recovery, which is only suitable for.zip firmware and requires TWRP or stock recovery to support update installation. Importantly, on most modern Redmi Notes (starting in 2021), stock recovery does not allow you to install firmware older than the current version.

Instructions for devices with TWRP:

1. Download firmware in.zip format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
4. Select Install → specify the downloaded file → swipe for confirmation.
5. After installation, press Wipe cache/dalvik and restart the device.

For stock recovery:

1. Put the firmware in the folder. downloaded_rom memory.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select Install update.zip to System (the name of the item may vary).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: If, after installation, through TWRP The smartphone does not load, most likely, the firmware is incompatible with the current version of the bootloader.

Method 3: Official Downgrade via OTA (only for some models)

Some Redmi Note models (mostly releases) 2019-2020 years) support rollback through OTA-This is the simplest method, but it only works if you're not updated:

• ✅ Xiaomi officially allowed downgrade for your model (check on the firmware page).
• ✅ Current version MIUI No older than 2 builds from the one you roll back on.
• ✅ There is no Anti-Rollback or version below 3 on the device.

Instructions:

1. Download. OTA-packet MIUI (The file will have a name of the type miui_BLOCKOTA_V12.5.1.0.RJFCNXM_20210913.0000.00_11.0_cn_...).
2. Put the file in the folder. downloaded_rom memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select the service pack.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

If the device produces a Couldn’t verify update error after restarting, it means:

• 🔹 The firmware is incompatible with your model.
• 🔹 File corrupted (check checksum) MD5).
• 🔹 Anti-Rollback protection is activated on the device.

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To check the checksum of a firmware file, use the MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility (Windows) or the md5sum name file.zip command in Linux/macOS.

What to do if after the MIUI rollback the smartphone does not turn on

If the Redmi Note has stopped responding to the power button after a downgrade, don’t panic – in 80% of cases the device can be restored.

To restore through EDL-mode (emergency loading mode):

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model in.tgz format.
2. Turn off your smartphone, press Volume Up + Volume Down and connect to your PC (the device should not be defined as a Fastboot).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh – the device should be determined as COM-port.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process can take up to 30 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool is a MiAuth error, it means:

• 🔹 Your Mi Account does not have firmware rights to EDL.
• 🔹 Authorization is required through Xiaomi Authorized Account (can be obtained from forums, for example, XDA).

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI rollback on Redmi Note