Many users are faced with a situation where a fresh update of the operating system brings not the expected optimization, but new bugs, increased battery consumption or unstable interface. In such cases, the only sure solution is to return to an older but stable version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. However, the downgrade process is much more difficult than a regular update installation and requires careful preparation.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand that Xiaomi’s security system by default blocks the installation of old versions of software on top of new ones. This is a security mechanism designed to prevent vulnerabilities and conflicts of system files. So the standard method of updating through the settings menu here will not work – you will need to completely delete the current system and clean all user data.
In this article, we will discuss two main ways to roll back the update of the system Xiaomi: through the built-in menu Recovery and using the computer and the utility Mi Flash. Both methods require strict sequence of actions, as any error can lead to the failure of the device.
Preparation of the device and collection of necessary files
The most important step is to prepare the environment. You will need not only the smartphone itself, but also a stable Internet connection, as well as a computer with the Windows operating system. Before starting the procedure, be sure to create a full backup of all important data, as during the rollback, a full reset (wipe data) will occur, and photos, contacts and messages will be irretrievably deleted.
The second critical step is to find and download the right firmware, and you need an archive with the.zip extension for Recovery or.tgz for Fastboot. It's important that the firmware version you plan to install is older than the one you're currently using on your phone, and you can find current and archival versions on official forums or on specialized resources like Xiaomi Firmware bootloader.
☑️ Preparation for rollback of the system
Remember to check the integrity of the downloaded files. If the firmware archive is damaged during download, the installation process will interrupt, and the device may go into a cyclical restart. Also make sure that your Mi Cloud account has disabled the Find Device function, otherwise after reset, the phone will request a password from the previous owner or account.
Method One: Recoil through the Recovery Menu
This is the most affordable way to do this, because it doesn't require a computer connection or complex software, and it's suitable for cases where you want to roll back one version or if you have access to a full Recovery firmware. ZIP-archive in the root folder of the phone's internal memory.
Then you need to switch to Recovery mode. To do this, turn off your smartphone and press the combination of the buttons Volume Up + Power. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continue to keep the volume. From the menu that opens, select the language (usually English or Chinese) and go to the installation point.
Here's an important nuance: if you just select a firmware file, the system may give an error "Can't verify update" because of version check. To get around this, you need to activate the extended menu. While in Recovery mode, click several times on the MIUI logo or update icon until the message "Additional update enabled features" appears.
What if Recovery doesn’t see the firmware?
Once you activate the optional menu, select the "Pick zip package" option and specify the path to your archive. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action and wait for the process to end. The phone will automatically restart with a cleaner, older version of the system.
Method Two: Fastboot and Mi Flash
If the Recovery method didn’t work or you want to run a deep downgrade (e.g., from the global version to the Chinese version or through multiple Android versions), you’ll need to use a PC, a method that’s considered more reliable, but also more risky. You will need the Mi Flash Tool and drivers ADB/Fastboot.
Unpack the downloaded firmware archive (.tgz format) on your computer. The path to the folder should not contain Cyrillic or spaces, it is best to place it at the root of the C disk. Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator and press the "Refresh" button, pre-connecting the phone turned off to the PC by pressing the button Volume Down + Power (Fastboot mode).
In the program interface, select the path to the firmware folder. At the bottom of the window, be sure to select the option "Clean all" (Clean everything). This command forcibly erases the data and cache sections that are necessary for a successful rollback. The option "Save user data" does not work when downgrading and can lead to errors.
| Parameter | Recovery Mode | Fastboot Mode |
|---|---|---|
| I need a PC. | No. | Yes. |
| Type of firmware | Recovery (.zip) | Fastboot (.tgz) |
| Speed. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Low. | Medium. |
| Depth of rollback | Limited. | Complete. |
After selecting the settings, press the "Flash" button. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the program. Upon completion, the status will change to "Success", and the phone will go into a reboot.
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Use the original. USB-cable and connect it directly to the motherboard port (back of the PC) avoiding USB-hubs to prevent connection breakage during firmware.
Anti-Rollback problem and bootloader lock
There is a serious limitation that anyone who plans a downgrade should be aware of: Since certain versions of MIUI, Xiaomi has implemented Anti-Rollback protection, which prohibits installing firmware if its protection index is lower than that of the current installed system.
If you try to flash a device with a lower level of Anti-Rollback, the smartphone can be completely locked (hard brick), and it will be impossible to restore it using software methods. You can check the current level of protection in Fastboot mode, it is displayed in the "Anti" or "VB" bar.
⚠️ Warning: Never ignore Mi Flash warnings about anti-Rollback versions being incompatible. If the utility says that the firmware is lower than the current one, you can’t continue installing it, it will cause irreversible damage to the bootloader.
In addition, some models and regions may require an unlocked bootloader.If the bootloader is locked, you will only be able to install the official global firmware of the same version as it is now, or later. Downgrades often require an unlock status, which is obtained through waiting for 7-168 hours after submitting an application to the Mi Unlock Tool.
Data recovery and initial setup
Once the system is successfully rolled back, the phone will turn on as a new one, and you will be greeted by a welcome screen and asked to select a language, since all data was deleted in the Clean all process, you will need to re-activate, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Mi Account.
At the setup stage, the system will suggest recovering data from the backup. If you have backup done beforehand via Mi Cloud or on your computer, select the appropriate item. However, be careful: restoring settings from the backup made on the newer version of Android may cause errors again.
It is recommended to perform a “clean” configuration: install only the necessary applications manually and do not restore system settings from the old backup, this ensures that there are no “junk” files from the new firmware version that could cause conflicts in the system.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
During the rollback process, users often encounter an error such as “Update package is corrupted” or “Status 7.” The former usually indicates a corrupted firmware file or the wrong file name. The latter, more critical, means that the installation script is incompatible with the current restore partition or that the default updater is unenforceable.
If the phone goes to bootloop after the firmware, try resetting it again via Recovery. Go to the menu, select Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data. If that doesn't help, the integrity of the system partitions may have been compromised and you'll need to flash it through Fastboot with the "Clean all" option.
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The main reason for the failure of the rollback is an attempt to save user data. For the stable operation of the old firmware, a complete reset (Wipe) is required.
Another common problem is that you can’t connect to your PC in Fastboot mode. Make sure you have Xiaomi and ADB drivers installed. Windows Device Manager should define your device as “Android Bootloader Interface.” If you have “Unknown Device,” the drivers are not installed correctly.