How to roll back the browser update on Xiaomi smartphones: all working ways

Browser updates on Xiaomi smartphones usually go unnoticed, improving performance and security. But sometimes the new version brings problems: brakes, page loading errors, incompatibility with favorite sites or even a complete failure. If you encounter such a thing, do not rush to reset the phone to factory settings. In most cases, you can roll back the Xiaomi browser to the previous version without losing data.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods of rollback - from simple (through system settings) to advanced (using the use of the system). ADB and hand-mounted APK). We will pay special attention to the nuances for different models Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco, And also the risks that are important to consider before you start the procedure, and if you're not sure about your technical skills, start with the first method and only move on to the difficult ones when you need to.

Why Browser Update May Not Work

Problems after the browser update on Xiaomi are most often associated with:

• 🔄 Conflicts with MIUI — Some versions of the browser are optimized for specific firmware builds. v12.5.7 may be sluggish MIUI 14, but steady working on MIUI 13.
• 🛠️ Incomplete installation – if the update is interrupted (for example, due to weak Internet), the browser files are corrupted.
• 📱 Incompatibility with iron - budget models (Redmi) 9A, Poco C31) Sometimes they do not pull new versions due to limited RAM.
• 🔒 Blocking corporate policies – on work phones, administrators can restrict browser versions.

Before you start rolling back, check:

1. Restart your phone – sometimes it solves the problem without additional action.
2. Clear the browser cache in Settings → Applications → Browser → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Make sure the problem isn’t online (try another Wi-Fi or mobile network).

⚠️ Note: If the browser does not start after the update or gives an error "Application stopped", do not try to delete it through Settings. → On most Xiaomi, the browser is system-based and not removed by standard methods – this can cause a crash. MIUI.

Method 1: Recoil through MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method is to use the built-in application management feature in MIUI. It is suitable for most models (Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11, Poco F3/F4) and does not require technical skills.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Browser (may be called Mi Browser or Browser) in the list.
3. Stick to three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action. The phone will restart, and the browser will return to the factory version.

If there is no update to delete:

• 📌 Your Xiaomi model may not support this feature (relevant to the MIUI Global over 12.5).
• 🔧 Try an alternative path: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Remove updates to system applications.

⚠️ Note: After rollback, the browser can automatically update again via Google Play or MIUI Updater.To avoid this, disable the auto-update for the browser in the Play Store → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Not update.

Make a backup copy of bookmarks (export to HTML)

Remember the username/password from synchronization Xiaomi Cloud

Check the space available (need ≥500 MB)

Shut down. VPN (Can block access to update servers)-->

Method 2: Install an older version of APK manually

If the standard rollback did not work, you can install the previous version of the browser through APK-This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires caution - download APK only from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the desired browser version (e.g. Mi Browser 12.5.6) from a reliable site. Pay attention to bitiness (arm64 for most modern Xiaomi).
2. Transfer the.apk file to your phone (for example, via Telegram or cable).
3. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Install unknown applications (select the file manager you will install through).
4. Run the APK installation. If you see a warning about replacing the system application, confirm.

Critical: Only install browser versions that are compatible with your firmware. For example, the browser from MIUI 13 will not work on MIUI 14 without errors.

💡

Before installing an APK, check the hash file (MD5) on the APKMirror site – this will protect you from fake versions with viruses.

Method 3: Recoil through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can roll back the browser using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but gives you more control over the process.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
• 📱 Developer's Included Mode and Debugging USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear serial number of your device.
3. Run the command to roll back the browser: adb shell pm install -r -d /path/to/old_browser.apk Replace. /path/to/old_browser.apk real-world path to the file.
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the team makes a mistake "INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE", Use an alternative method:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser


adb install old_browser.apk

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware blocks adb uninstall commands for system applications, in which case only root rights or factory resets will help.

Method 4: Reset the browser to factory settings

If the browser crashes after the update, but rollback is impossible, try resetting its settings. This will not remove the update, but return the default settings, which often solves performance problems.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Browser → Storage.
2. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
3. Return to the main browser menu and select Resetting (if there is such a item).

What will be removed:

• 🔖 Bookmarks (if not synced with Xiaomi Cloud).
• 📁 Viewing history.
• 🔐 Saved passwords (unless a password manager is used).
• ⚙️ All user settings (themes, fonts, gestures).

💡

Resetting your browser is the safest way to get back up and running without risking damage to the system, but it doesn't cancel the update itself, it only resets the configuration.

Method 5: Completely reset your phone (extreme case)

If none of these methods worked, and the browser is critical to the job, you'll have to reset to factory settings, and that will put the phone back out of the box, including the factory version of the browser, but all the data on the device will be deleted.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.
4. After the reboot, set the phone up as new. The browser will be in the factory version.

What will remain after the discharge:

• 📁 Files on SD-map (if it is installed).
• 🌥️ Data synchronized with Xiaomi Cloud (contacts, notes, photos).

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📸 Photo and video in internal memory (if there was no backup).
• 🔑 Settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other networks.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9T POCO M3) After the reset, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

How to Prevent Automatic Browser Updates in the Future

To avoid repeated problems, set your phone up so that your browser doesn't update without your knowledge.

1. Turn off auto-update in Google Play:

• Open Play Store → Click on profile avatar → Settings → Network settings → Auto-update applications.
• Choose Not to Update Automatically.

2. Block the updates via MIUI Updater:

• Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
• Stick to three points (⋮) → Settings → Turn off Automatic Update Downloading.

3. Use an alternative browser:

If Xiaomi’s regular browser is constantly causing problems, install another browser (like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Brave) and make it the primary browser in the default settings.

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

This will turn off the background update service. To get it back, use the same command with enable-user instead of disable-user.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about the rollback of the Xiaomi browser