Related: Releasing the update to Xiaomi Mi A3: 3 working methods (2026)

Why users want to return the old firmware to the Mi A3

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A3, The first version of the Android One, released in 2019, originally ran on a "clean" Android One, which provided stable operation and quick updates. MIUI 12 and later versions, many owners have faced problems ranging from battery failure to system lags. V12.0.2.0.QFQMIXM and V12.5.1.0.RFQMIXM, After which the device began to overheat, and the camera worked with artifacts.

The main reasons for the rollback:

• 🔋 Battery sits down for 3-4 with moderate use (typical for the MIUI 12+)
• 🐢 Strong brakes for multitasking (even with 4GB of RAM)
• 📸 The camera gives a green tint in the photo (Sony driver problem) IMX486)
• 🔄 Endless reboots after update OTA
• 📵 Mobile network problems (signal disappears) 4G)

It is important to understand that rolling back the firmware is not just a “return to the previous version”, but a complete flashing of the device. On the Mi A3, this is complicated by the fact that the model was released with a locked bootloader, and after updating to MIUI 12+, Xiaomi tightened the unlock policy, so before starting the procedure you need to assess the risks and prepare backups.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

First rule: rolling back firmware on the Mi A3 without unlocking the bootloader is possible only within one MIUI branch (for example, from 12.0.3 to 12.0.1), but not from MIUI 12 on Android One. If you need to go back to the original Android 9/10, you will have to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool tool.

List of mandatory training:

• 📱 Charge the phone at least 70% (when discharging during firmware risk of "bricking" - 90%)
• 💾 Make a backup copy through Settings → System system → Backup or Mi Cloud (Contacts, SMS, photo)
• 🔧 Install on PC: Android SDK Platform-Tools (for the purposes of ADB/Fastboot) Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers (download from official website) Archivator 7-Zip or WinRAR for unpacking firmware
• 📁 Download the desired firmware version: For rollback within MIUI: Firmware archive (select.tgz for Fastboot) To return to Android One: anti-rollback. 💡If you have no experience working with ADB, Practice on another device or in an Android Studio emulator. A mistake in the team can result in a reset of all data. 1: Recovery rollback (without data loss) This is the safest method, but it only works if: 📲 You have a stock firmware installed. MIUI (riverless) 🔄 You are going to be on the same page (for example, with the 12.0.3 on 12.0.1) 📁 You have a firmware file in.zip format (not.tgz!) Step-by-step instruction: Download the desired firmware version in format update.zip (for example, miui_LAURELSPROUTGlobal_V12.0.1.0.QFQMIXM_...) and rename it in update.zip. Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!). Turn off the phone, then press the power. + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode. From the recovery menu, select: Install update.zip to System One (use volume buttons for navigation, power for selection) Confirm installation and wait until completion (5-10 Select Reboot to System if the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for longer after the reboot. 15 Reset the data with Recovery: Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → What to do if recovery does not see update.zip? 1. Check that the file is named exactly. update.zip (symbolless). 2. Make sure the file is copied to the memory root, not the Download folder. 3. Try another one. USB-cable (sometimes the problem is slow data transmission). 4. If recovery says E:footer is wrong, then the firmware file is corrupted – download it again. ⚠️ Note: If you are trying to install firmware older than the one that was originally installed (for example, with a firmware that is not installed). MIUI 12 on MIUI 11), the phone may lock because of the Anti-Rollback mechanism, in which case only a complete flashing through the Fastboot with the bootloader unlocked will help. Method 2: Recoil through Fastboot (complete flashing) This method is suitable for radical rollbacks - for example, with the help of a new model. MIUI 12.5 back to Android One (Android 10) It requires an unlocked bootloader and erases all data from the device. Algorithm: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool: Link Mi Account to phone in Settings → Xiaomi account. OEM Unlock in Settings → Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions (waiting can take up to 720 hours!). Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, laurel_sprout_global_images_V11.0.8.0.QFQMIXM_...) And unpack it into a folder on your PC. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot Mode. + Volume down. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device). Run the firmware through the script: fastboot flash all or manually (if the script does not work): fastboot boot flash boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img fastboot reboot Type Firmware Download Link Do I need to unlock? Is data erased? MIUI (Fastboot - Yes Yes Yes Android One (Fastboot) Google OTA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes MIUI (Recovery) Xiaomi Firmware Updater No No (if no wipe) Castomium (TWRP) XDA Developers Yes By Choice ⚠️ Note: When running through Fastboot, never interrupt the process, even if it is stuck on Sending 'system' more 10 It's normal for Mi. A3 because of the slow memory of the eMMC. Interrupt will damage the partition system, and the phone will not turn on. --disable-verity flash vbmeta vbmeta.img This often solves the problem of endless loading.--> Method 3: Pushback through ADB Sideload (alternative to Recovery) If you can’t boot into recovery or your phone can’t see update.zip, can be used ADB Sideload. This method works even on damaged systems, as long as recovery is saved. Instructions: Download the firmware in.zip format (do not unpack!). Enter the Recovery (Squeeze the Power) + Volume up. Select Apply update from ADB. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: adb sideload name file.zip (e.g. adb sideload) miui_LAURELSPROUTGlobal_V12.0.1.0.QFQMIXM_20210115.0000.00_10.0_global.zip). Wait until it's finished (recovery will have a progress bar) Reboot your phone: ✅ It works even if your internal memory is damaged. ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader ✅ Save data (if you do not wipe: ❌ Slower than Fastboot (up to) 20 minute) ❌ Not all firmware supports sideload (check out Xiaomi Firmware Updater) 1. Reconnect. USB-cable (better to use the original from Xiaomi). 2. Disable and re-enable debugging USB phone-on. 3. Run a command on behalf of the administrator (in Windows).--> Solving errors after the firmware rollback Even if the firmware was successful, after the rollback on Mi A3 There may be problems. Here are the most common ways to fix them: Error Reason Decision Phone vibrates and turns off after the logo Mi Busted boot or dtbo Sweep these sections separately: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img Constantly burning red indicator Verification error vbmeta Disable verification: fastboot --disable-verity flash vbmeta vbmeta.img No mobile network (no signal) Modem firmware incompatibility Sweat modem section from stock firmware: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin Camera is not working (mistake) 0xA00F4000) No sensor drivers Install a patch for the camera via Magisk If after a rollback the phone does not turn on at all (black screen, no vibration), try: + Loudness up + Loudness down on 20 Seconds (emergency reset) Connect to charge on 1 Hour (sometimes helps with the discharge of the power controller). Squeeze through EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and box Mi Flash Pro). EDL Mode on Mi A3 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-plug-in. 3. Hold the buttons. 10-15 Seconds until the PC identifies the device as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008. 4. Use the Mi Flash Tool to Firmware in EDL-How to avoid problems with future updates So you don't have to roll back the firmware, follow these rules: 🛡️ Turn off automatic update: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update → Off. 🔍 Before installation OTA Check the reviews on the forums (4PDA, XDA). 📦 Install updates only through Recovery, not through System Update (so there is less risk of errors). 🔋 Keep an eye on the temperature of your phone after the update (use it). CPU Monitor) If the battery is warmed higher 45°C - roll back. If you are critically interested in stability, consider alternatives: 📱 Install custom firmware (like LineageOS 18.1 or Pixel Experience). MIUI, but require an unlocked loader. 🔄 Use dual booting via MultiROM (allows you to test new firmware without risk to the main system). 🛠️ Replace the battery (many lags) with Mi A3 It is connected to a worn-out battery, not to a firmware). 💡On Mi. A3 After rollback on Android One (Android 10) can not be installed MIUI 12.5+ — This will lead to a hard brick because of the partition structure change — MIUI 12.0.3.0. FAQ: Frequent questions about the rollback of firmware on Mi A3 Can I roll back? MIUI 12.5 on Android One without unlocking the bootloader? No (MIUI ↔ Android One always requires unlocking the bootloader. Without that, the phone will lock in the signature verification phase. Why doesn't the mobile network work after the rollback (NON-HLOS.bin). Solution: Download the stock firmware of your version. Unpack and flash only modem: fastboot flash modem. NON-HLOS.bin Reboot your phone. How to get it back. TWRP After the firmware is run through Fastboot, custom recovery (TWRP) To return it, unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked). Download the current version. TWRP for Mi A3 (Fastboot: Fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_9-0-laurel_sprout.img Immediately after the firmware, pinch the power. + Loudness up to enter into TWRP (If you do that, then the firmware will overrun it. What if, after you roll it back, the phone asks for the password for your old Mi Account? FRP-Factory Reset Protection (Factory Reset Protection). Solutions: If you remember the password, enter it when you first turn it on. If you don't remember: Log in to Fastboot Mode. persist.img Perform a reset through recovery. ⚠️ Attention: Removal FRP Through third-party tools (such as Mi Account Unlock Tool) you may be blocked. IMEI. Use only official methods. Can you roll the firmware back to Mi? A3 On a PC without a cable? Technically yes, but it's extremely unreliable. To do this, connect your phone and your PC to the same Wi-Fi network. ADB Wi-Fi: Adb tcpip 5555 adb connect [IP-phone]:5555 Use adb sideload as usual.Risks: Connection break = interrupted firmware. Slow speed (in 5-10 slowly USB). It does not work in recovery (only in the system).