How to roll back the app update on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still one of the most popular smartphones among users, despite the release of new models. However, after automatic or manual updates of applications (especially system), many are faced with bugs, from sudden departures to complete failure of functions. In this article, we will discuss how to safely roll back the application update on Redmi Note 4, including cases when standard methods do not work.

It’s important to understand the difference between an app rollback (like Google Play Services or Mi Browser) and a pullback of all MIUI firmware. The former usually solves problems with a particular software, the latter solves system failures after a global update. We’ll look at both scenarios, as well as the nuances for the Redmi Note 4 with the unlocked and locked bootloader.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On the Redmi Note. 4 last-stable firmware — MIUI 12.5 (Android 7/8), But many people still use it. MIUI 10/11.
• 🔒 bootloader status: if it is blocked, some methods will not be available.
• 📦 Having a backup: A rollback can erase data (especially when downgrading firmware).

1. rollback of app updates through Android Settings

The easiest way to bring back the previous version of the app is to use the built-in Android tools, which works for most user applications (like YouTube, Chrome), but not for system components like Mi Security or Theme Manager.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action. The app will return to the factory version.

⚠️ Note: After rollback, the app can automatically update again via Google Play:

• 🛑 Turn off auto-update for this app in Play Market → Settings → Auto-update of applications.
• 📵 Disable the application from accessing the Internet in Settings → Annexes → [Name] → Mobile Data & Wi-Fi.

2. Removal of system application updates (without root)

Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Security) do not always allow you to remove updates through the standard menu. ADB (Android Debug Bridge – a tool for debugging through a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect Redmi Note 4 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
5. Open the command prompt in this folder and type: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "name packet" to find the exact application identifier (e.g. com.miui.video for Mi Video).
6. Run the rollback command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video Replace com.miui.video with the desired package.

⚠️ Note: This method removes updates only for the current user (--user 0). After rebooting or resetting, the app can recover.

3. Backup by Backup (TWRP)

If you backed up the system through TWRP before the update, you can restore the previous version of the application in 5 minutes.This method is suitable for Redmi Note 4 with an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery installed.

Algorithm of action:

1. Load the phone into TWRP mode: Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume up.
2. Select Restore and specify a backup folder (usually /TWRP/BACKUPS/...).
3. Check the Data section (if you only need to restore applications) or System (for rollback of firmware).
4. Swipe for confirmation and wait for completion.

TWRP recovery erases all the data created after the backup (photos, messages, installed apps) if the backup is older than a month, it is better to use alternative methods.

4. MIUI firmware downgrade (full system rollback)

If problems arise after updating the entire MIUI firmware (e.g., from MIUI 10 to MIUI 12), a full downgrade is required, a process that is more complex than rolling back an individual application, and requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (otherwise the phone will be blocked).
• 💾 The same type of silk (for example, with MIUI 12.0.2 can be rolled back to MIUI 12.0.1, but not on MIUI 11).
• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers installed.

Instructions:

1. Download the desired firmware version from the official Xiaomi website (choose Fastboot for Redmi Note 4 with the codename mido).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Load the phone into Fastboot mode: Turn it off, then press Power + Volume down.
4. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Specify the path to the firmware folder and press Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
6. Select Clean All and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Downgrade on Redmi Note 4 with the bootloader locked will lead to a breeze (phone will not turn on).Unlocking takes up to 360 hours of waiting (according to Xiaomi rules).

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Before downgrade, check firmware compatibility with your model! firmware for Redmi Note 4X (code mido) will not work for Redmi Note 4 (code nikel).

5. Alternative methods: APK-files and third-party services

If the standard methods did not work, you can manually install the old version of the application through the APK-This method is suitable for any application, including Google Play Services or Mi Home.

Where to get APK:

• 📥 APKCombo – Archive of versions of popular applications.
• 🔍 APKMirror - vetted APK digitally signed.
• 📁 Pre-saved backups (e.g., Titanium Backup).

How to determine:

1. Download the APK version to your phone.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch it. APK-file and follow the instructions.
4. If there is a mistake INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE, First, remove the current version of the application through ADB: adb uninstall com.example.app

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK - from unverified sources, it may contain malicious code (MD5) on websites like VirusTotal.

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Installing an older version of the APK does not guarantee stable operation – some applications (such as Google Play Services) require current dependencies.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you roll back updates on Redmi Note 4, users face typical problems.

If the application does not work after rollback:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🧹 Clear the cache and application data in Settings → Annexes.
• 🛠️ Check the integrity of system files through Mi PC Suite (Repair tool).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions