How to roll back an update on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways (2026)

Firmware updates on Xiaomi devices often bring new features, security fixes and performance optimizations. However, users often face the downside: after an upgrade, the system starts to slow down, discharge faster or completely stop working correctly. If you are in this situation, do not panic. The rollback of the update on Xiaomi is possible, and we will explain in detail how to do it safely.

In this article, you will find the latest rollbacks for smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi), Mi TVs and even Mi Band smartwatches. We will look at both official methods through Recovery and Fastboot, as well as alternative solutions for devices with a locked bootloader. Importantly, the procedure requires care - improper actions can lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the device.

Why might I need to roll back the update?

Before we get to the instructions, we'll see if the kickbacks are really justified, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🐢 Performance: After the update, the smartphone began to noticeably slow down, applications open for a long time, animations twitch.
• 🔋 Autonomy: Battery life has decreased by 30% or more (e.g., from 8 hours to 5 hours).
• 📱 Unstable work: Accidental reboots, crashes from applications, System UI Stopped errors.
• 🔊 Sound/network problems: the speaker is missing, Bluetooth or mobile internet is not working.
• 🎮 Game/application incompatibility: Favorite programs have stopped running or are working with artifacts.

According to statistics from service centers, up to 15% of Xiaomi users experience similar problems after major updates (for example, switching from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14 or from Android 12 to Android 13), most often complaints are received on the Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4 and Mi 11 Lite models – their hardware is not always optimized for new versions of the software.

⚠️ Warning: If your device is warranty-free, rolling back the firmware may result in it being cancelled. Before the procedure, check the warranty status in the Mi Community app or on the Xiaomi website.

Preparation for rollback: what to do in advance

Retracting an update is not something you can do spontaneously, but doing the wrong thing can turn your smartphone into a brick. To minimize the risks, follow these steps:

1. Back up your data. Backing down will reset all settings and delete files. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copy on your PC. Be sure to save: 📞 Contacts and Messages 📷 Photos and videos (especially from the DCIM folder) 🎵 Music and downloads 📄 Documents from the Downloads folder
2. Check the device model and firmware version. Go to Settings → About phone. Write: Model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G or 2201116SG) MIUI version (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5) Android version (e.g. Android 13 TKQ1.221114.001)
3. Download the firmware you want. To roll back, you need a stable version of MIUI that worked smoothly, and you can find it on official resources: 🌐 Official website MIUI (choose Global, EEA or Russia) 📥 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative archive with version history)
4. Prepare the tools: 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 (for Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool) 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original) 🔧 Programs: Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot, Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers (depending on the processor)

If you are not sure about your device model, check it out through the ADB command:

adb shell getprop ro.product.model

⚠️ Warning: Don't download firmware from unverified sources (torrents, forums with no reputation). There is a high risk of running into modified software with viruses or spyware modules. Use only official channels or verified archives like Xiaomi Firmware Updater.

Backed up the data.|I recorded the model and firmware version.|I downloaded the right version. MIUI official website|Install drivers and Mi Flash Tool|Checking the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

Method 1: Recovery (the safest method)

If your Xiaomi device is still on and coming into the recovery menu, this is the best option. It does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for most models (Redmi, POCO, Mi).

Instructions:

1. Download a firmware file in.zip format (e.g. miui_BLOCKOTAGlobal_V14.0.4.0.TKCMIXM_20230315.0000.00_12.0_global.zip) and rename it update.zip.
2. Move the file to the root folder of the device’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Power + Volume up For POCO F3/F4: Power + Volume down

1. Go to Install update.zip to System One (or similar).
2. Confirm the installation.
3. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, the device will return to the previous version of MIUI.

This method works if:

• 🔹 The device is not locked (no message is "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device").
• 🔹 You are rolling back to the version that was previously installed on this machine.
• 🔹 The firmware is suitable for your region (e.g. Global for the international version).

💡

Recovery is the only officially supported method by Xiaomi.It retains the warranty and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Method 2: Recoil from Fastboot (for power users)

If the Recovery method doesn't work or the device doesn't turn on, you'll have to use the Fastboot, which is more complicated, but more reliable, and it involves completely flashing the device through the computer.

Requirements:

• 🖥️ Windows computer and administrator rights.
• 🔌 Unlocked bootloader (if not previously unlocked, see the instructions below).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Used by Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in the folder (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
2. Turn off your smartphone and put it into Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds. Connect the device to your PC - a Fastboot notification should appear on the screen.

Mi Flash Tool

Select

Clean all

Clean all and lock

Flash

After successful firmware, the device will restart automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool is making an error, try:

• 🔹 Install drivers manually through Device Manager (look for Android Bootloader Interface).
• 🔹 Run the utility in Windows 7 compatibility mode.
• 🔹 Use an alternative program: XiaoMiTool V2.

⚠️ Warning: If you choose Clean all and lock, the bootloader will lock and the next firmware will require re-unlocking, an option recommended if you want to return the device to factory state.

Method 3: Unlock the bootloader (if required)

Many modern Xiaomi devices (especially flagships like the Mi 12 or POCO F4 GT) come with a locked bootloader, which means that it will require official unlocking to firmware via Fastboot or install custom software.

Important: Xiaomi tightened its unlocking rules in 2023, now requiring:

• 📱 A linked Mi Account (not older than 30 days)
• 🔗 Confirmed telephone number.
• 🕒 Wait 168 hours (7 days) after an account is linked to a device.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Activate Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI 7 times.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → More → For Developers.
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account.
4. Connect the device in Fastboot mode (see method 2) and follow the program instructions.
5. After successful unlocking, restart your smartphone.

If the Mi Unlock Tool is a "Couldn't unlock" error:

• 🔹 Make sure your account is logged in for more than 7 days.
• 🔹 Check that in Settings → Xiaomi account displays your profile.
• 🔹 Try using another version of the utility (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool 5.5.224.24).

💡

If you don’t want to wait for 7 days, you can try to bypass the restriction through EDL- mode (emergency firmware).However, this requires special hardware (an authorized Xiaomi account or a Qualcomm box) and is not recommended for beginners.

Method 4: Reverse updates to Xiaomi TV

Mi TVs (series 4A, 4S, 5, Q1, Q2) also receive updates that sometimes break functionality. For example, after an update, the sound may disappear through HDMI ARC or stop working Netflix.

Important: For the Xiaomi TV, the rollback is only available through the USB- drive. There is no internal Recovery menu, like on smartphones.

Instructions:

1. Download the desired firmware version for your model from the official website: 🌐 Support page Mi TV 🔍 Enter the model (for example, Mi TV 4S 55" or L55M6-6ARG).

update.zip

empty

Turn the TV off the socket.

Insert the flash drive in the USB-port on the TV (usually located on the side).

Menu

Update

Wait until the process is complete (TV will restart automatically).

If the TV doesn't respond to the flash drive:

• 🔹 Check the file system format (should be FAT32, not NTFS or exFAT).
• 🔹 Rename the file to update.zip (registration is important!).
• 🔹 Try another USB- port or flash drive (some Mi TV models don't read drives larger than 32GB).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi MStar TVs (models up to 2019), the rollback could result in the loss of Netflix and Prime Video licenses. In this case, the DRM- keys will need to be reinstalled through the service center.

Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can try alternatives, they require more skill, but sometimes they save you in desperate situations.

5.1. rollback via ADB Sideload

Suitable if Recovery does not accept update.zip, but the device is turned on and there is debugging over USB.

1. Download the firmware in.zip format and rename it to update.zip.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable debugging over USB.
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices (should display your device).
4. Recovery is now available in ADB: Adb Reboot Recovery
5. In Recovery, select Apply update from ADB.
6. On PC, run the command: adb sideload update.zip

5.2. Recoil through EDL- Mode (emergency firmware)

This is an extreme method if the device does not turn on at all ("brick"). It requires a special EDL cable or short circuit test contacts on the board.

Warning: Wrong actions in EDL can permanently kill the device. Use only if there are no other options.

• 🔹 Download the firmware for EDL (.mbn or.elf format).
• 🔹 Connect the device to EDL (usually clamp Volume up + Volume down + Power or close contacts on the board).
• 🔹 Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm) for firmware.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you roll back updates, users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common bugs and ways to fix them.

If you have an error that is not in the table, try:

• 🔹 Search for solutions on the Mi Community or XDA Developers forums.
• 🔹 Refine the error code in MIUI Wiki.
• 🔹 Contact the Xiaomi support Telegram chat (there are Russian-speaking communities).

💡

90% of rollback errors are due to incorrect firmware or locked bootloader. Always check that the file is compatible with your model!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions