How to roll back an update on Xiaomi TV

Modern Smart TVs running on Android TV or PatchWall are often automatically updated. Owners of Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV devices often face a situation when the new version of the firmware interface becomes less responsive and the usual applications stop working correctly. There is a natural desire to return the system to a state where everything worked stably and without failure.

However, the process of returning to the previous version of software on TVs is different from the standard update. Unlike smartphones, there is no built-in “Roll back” button, and the procedure requires careful approach to the files of the system. Downgrade firmware is a technically complex operation that in some cases can lead to loss of warranty or damage to the bootloader if you do not follow the exact sequence of actions.

In this article, we will discuss proven methods that allow you to reduce the version of the software on Mi TVs. TV Stick, Mi Box and full-fledged Smart Panels.We'll look at both official reset methods and manually installing older versions through the use of the newer ones. USB-drive so you can choose the safest path for your device.

Why is it necessary to roll back the system?

The main reason for the dissatisfaction of users is often the optimization of the PatchWall interface, which after the update can begin to consume more RAM resources, this is especially critical for models with 1 or 1.5 GB of RAM, where the system starts to work noticeably slower, there are delays when switching channels and hanging menus.

Another common problem is changing the algorithms of the image or sound processor: new algorithms can mishandle colors or create artifacts when viewing low-quality content, sometimes removing support for certain codecs or file formats, making it impossible to play the media library from an external hard drive.

And with each update, manufacturers can increase the number of banner ads on the system or impose their own services that cannot be removed by standard methods, which are the factors that most often push users to find ways to return the previous stable version of the operating system.

Preparation of equipment and software

Before you start any manipulation of system software, you need to carefully prepare the workplace and tools, you need a personal computer or laptop with Internet access to find and download the necessary firmware files. USB-drive, preferably not more than 32 GB, formatted into a file system FAT32.

It is critical to find the firmware version you want to install. Files should be strictly for your TV model, as installing inappropriate software can lead to irreversible consequences. You can identify the model in the Settings → About TV menu, which indicates the exact device code, for example, MILED43M5-5AF or L43M5-5ABS.

When searching for files online, look at the region of the device. Global ROMs are different from Chinese ROMs and Indian versions. Trying to reflash a global TV with Chinese firmware or vice versa often ends up with a bricking device, so matching the regional version and model is a prerequisite for a successful rollback.

Reset method to factory settings via menu

The safest, though not always effective, way to solve upgrade problems is to completely reset the system, which will not roll back the firmware version to the older version, but will clean up the system of accumulated debris, application conflicts and erroneous settings that may have arisen during the upgrade process.

To perform the reset, go to the main menu of the TV and select Settings. Next, look for Device About or System where the Reset or Factory Reset option will be located. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted, so it is recommended to copy important files to an external medium before starting the procedure.

⚠️ Note: Resetting via the menu will not bring back the old version of Android or PatchWall, it will only clear the current system of user data and temporary files.

Once confirmed, the TV will restart and begin the cleanup process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes. Upon completion, the device will turn on as new, requiring initial Wi-Fi and Google account setup. Often this step allows you to eliminate the lags that arose after the update, without the need for complex file manipulation.

💡

Before reset, take screenshots of important network settings and Wi-Fi password lists so you don’t waste time restoring them.

Manual installation of old firmware via USB

If a soft reset does not help, the only way to return the previous version of the software is manual installation. To do this, the downloaded firmware file (usually has the extension.zip) must be renamed according to the manufacturer's requirements. Often for Xiaomi and Redmi TVs, the file needs to be renamed to update.zip root USB-storage.

There are two main ways to start the installation process: One is through a hidden engineering menu, which can be accessed by entering a special code with a remote control or selecting a specific version from the update menu. The second method is more versatile: copy the file to a flash drive, turn off the TV, insert the drive into a USB 2.0 port (black, not blue), and, holding the switch on the TV body (not on the remote), connect the device to the network.

If done correctly, the Mi or Android logo will appear on the screen and the installation progress lane will begin. It is important not to interrupt the power supply of the TV at this point, as this can damage the system partition. The process can take up to 20 minutes, after which the device will restart with the new (old) version of the system.

💡

The success of manual installation depends on the exact match of the bootloader version and firmware, so use files only from official archives.

Using ADB to remove updates

For advanced users with access to USB debugging, it is possible to remove service packs via the command line. This method requires connecting the TV and computer to the same Wi-Fi network and activating the developer mode in the Settings → About TV → Version (you need to press 7 times).

After the debugging is activated, USB, Connect to the TV from your computer through ADB-In the command line, enter the command to connect: adb connect IP_AREZ TELEVISOR:5555. After a successful connection, you can try to remove system updates or disable automatic version check, which will prevent the re-installation of unwanted software.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mi.tv.upgrade


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

These commands block system services responsible for finding and installing updates. This is an effective way to fix the current version of the system, but it requires caution. Incorrect removal of system packages can lead to instability of Smart-functions or the inability to run some applications that require current security certificates.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands to remove system components can disrupt the operation of Smart-services and deprive the device of warranty.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

When you roll back a firmware, users often encounter a message that says, “Update package verification failed” or “Installation failed.” This means that the security system has detected a discrepancy between the digital signature of the file or its version, which happens if you try to install the older version on top of the new one without fully formatting the partitions, which is blocked by the Anti-Rollback mechanism.

Another common problem is that the TV doesn't see the update file. Make sure the flash drive is formatted in FAT32 and the file is at the root of the drive, not in the folder. Some models also require that the file name be written in a certain way, such as all capital letters UPDATE.ZIP.

In the event that none of the methods helps, and the device stopped turning on correctly, it may be necessary to use the device. UART-They're going to use a console or a service center to reprogram a memory chip, but 90 percent of the time, they're going to be doing manual installation instructions correctly. USB It allows you to successfully return the desired version of the software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)