How to roll back the update on the Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways

MIUI updates often bring new features, but sometimes instead of improvements, users are faced with bugs: fast battery drain, overheating, application crashes or even a “brick.” If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO after the upgrade began to work worse, do not rush to carry it to the service. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved by returning the previous version of the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss three official methods of rollback: through Recovery, Fastboot and the utility MIUI bootloader. Each method is suitable for different situations, from mild failures to complete failure of the device, and also tell you how to avoid errors when rolling back and what to do if the phone does not turn on after a failed firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware rollback resets all data on your phone. If you don't have a backup, save important files first.

1.When to roll back Xiaomi update

Not every update requires a rollback, sometimes it's enough to clear the cache or reset the settings, and here are the clear signs that it's time to return the old firmware:

• 🔋 The battery sits down in 2-3 hours with normal use (before the upgrade kept the day running).
• 🐢 Phone slows down, apps take a long time to open or fly out.
• 📡 Network problems: not catching 4G/5G, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is cut off.
• 🚨 Persistent system errors: com.android.phone stopped, MIUI glitch.
• 🧱 The phone does not turn on after the update ("brick") or hung on the logo. MI.

If you have symptoms right after the upgrade, it's probably the new firmware that's to blame, but check before rolling back.

Backup (via MIUI or Google Drive) |

Check the vacant space (needs at least 3 GB)|

Write down the current version of MIUI (in Settings → About Phone)|

Connect charging (the battery must be charged at 50%+)|

Download the right firmware for your model

-->

💡 Tip: If the phone is still on, try first resetting to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and resetting. This often solves problems without rollbacks.

2. Method 1: Recovery (for working phones)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Recovery, which is fine if the phone is switching on but not running smoothly, and important, it won't work if you have customized recovery (TWRP) installed.

Instructions:

1. Download the full firmware (not OTA!) for your model from MIUI Downloads' official website. Choose the Stable version instead of the Developer.
2. Rename the firmware file to update.zip and move it to the root of the phone’s internal memory (not folders!).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. In the menu, select Install update.zip to System (control - volume buttons, choice - power button).
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 15 minutes, do not force it to turn off. Wait for full download or reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).

Method 3: Fastboot Recoil (for bricks and serious crashes)

If the phone doesn't turn on or is stuck on the logo, firmware via Fastboot will help.This method requires a computer and a Mi Flash Tool utility. Suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, including the new Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13 series.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz format (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🛠 The Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔑 Unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked – read below).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz) into a folder on your computer. The path to the folder should not contain Cyrillic!
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi (come with the utility).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your computer. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All mode (complete clean) or Save user data (save data, but may not work).
6. Press Flash and wait for completion (5-15 minutes). the phone will reboot automatically.

💡 If the Mi Flash Tool can’t see the phone, try running it on behalf of the administrator or using an alternative version of the utility.

:Through Recovery|Through Fastboot|Through MIUI bootloader|I haven't tried |Another way-->

Method 3: Recoil through MIUI bootloader (for beginners)

If the first two methods seem complicated, use the MIUI bootloader utility, which automatically picks up the right firmware and helps you install it without manually searching for files, and is suitable for Xiaomi models starting with the Redmi Note 5.

How to use:

1. Download MIUI bootloader from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (as in Method 2).
3. In the utility, select your phone model and the desired version of MIUI (for example, V14.0.5.0 instead of V14.0.6.0).
4. Click Download & Flash - the program itself downloads the firmware and offers to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.

✅ Pros of the method:

• ✔️ Automatic firmware selection (no risk of downloading the wrong version).
• ✔️ Support for old and new models.
• ✔️ Interface in Russian.

❌ Cons:

• ❌ Requires a computer.
• ❌ It doesn’t always work with custom firmware.

5. How to unlock the bootloader before rolling back

If you have never unlocked a bootloader on Xiaomi, you will have to do so before running through Fastboot, otherwise the Mi Flash Tool will give you a Device is locked error.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and log in.
2. Go to the Mi Unlock website and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Turn on the phone Developer Options (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About phone).
4. Activate. OEM-unlocking and debugging USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, log in to the same Mi Account and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
6. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be deleted! Xiaomi can also block unlock for 30 days if you haven’t done it before.

1) Use another Mi Account (over 30 days).

2) Connect the phone to another USB-port (preferably 2.0).

3) Disable the antivirus on the computer.

(4) Repeat the attempt after 24 hours (sometimes helps).

-->

6. How to save data before rollback

Firmware rollbacks almost always result in data loss. To avoid losing photos, contacts and messages, back up in advance.

Methods of backup:

• 📱 Built-in reservation MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Backup: Save contacts, messages, notes and settings.
• ☁️ Google Account: syncs contacts, calendar and some settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Google).
• 💾 Computer: Connect the phone to USB Transfer files and copy folders DCIM (Photos, Download (downloads), WhatsApp (chats).
• 🔄 Titanium Backup: Requires root: Stores applications and their data.

💡 Tip: If the phone is not turned on, but is defined by the computer as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, you can try to recover data using the Miracle Box or UFED (experience).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users face the same problems when rolling back.Here's the top-5 mistakes and their solutions:

⚠️ Note: If after rollback the phone stopped catching the network, check the settings APN (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)). Sometimes you have to enter them manually.

(1) Compatibility of firmware with telephone model.

2) Anti-Rollback version (you can't roll back to an older version than you originally did).

(3) Battery charge (minimum 50%).

(4) Availability of a backup copy of the data.

-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions