How to safely roll back the MIUI update on Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

MIUI updates often bring new features, but sometimes instead of improvements, users encounter bugs, brakes, or an uncomfortable interface. If your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO gets worse after the update, a rollback to the previous version may be the solution. However, the downgrade process of the firmware has nuances, from locking the bootloader to losing data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of MIUI rollback (including official and informal), elaborate on device preparation, risks and typical errors. Instructions are adapted for models of 2018-2026 release, including the Xiaomi 12/13/14 line, Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO F/X. Particular attention will be paid to data security and circumvention of restrictions that Xiaomi has introduced in the latest versions of MIUI 14/15.

Why would you need to pull back MIUI?

According to surveys on the 4PDA and XDA-Developers forums, up to 30% of Xiaomi users have at least once faced the need for a downgrade.

• 🐢 Productivity: New versions MIUI often "heavier" than the old - lags, overheating, fast battery discharge.
• 🔧 Critical bugs: for example, in MIUI 14.0.4 for Redmi Note 11 was a bug with the shutdown of the mobile network after sleep.
• 🎨 Interface: Radical design changes (as in the MIUI 12.5→13) Not everyone likes.
• 🔒 Blocking: Some updates disable root, unlock the bootloader, or work with ADB.
• 📱 Incompatibility: Apps or games stop working (e.g. Genshin Impact on the game) MIUI 15 with HyperOS).

Before you start rolling back, check if the reset will solve the problem (Settings → About Phone → Reset). If the bugs remain, read on.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Recoiling MIUI without pre-preparedness in 70% of cases leads to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device. To avoid problems, follow the following steps:

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the device model and current version of MIUI

Download the correct firmware (stable or developer)

Make sure you have ≥50% battery charge

Prepare a USB cable and PC with ADB/Fastboot drivers

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First thing you do is save all the important data. Firmware rollback almost always erases your internal memory.

• 📁 Local Copy: Transfer files to a PC or memory card.
• ☁️ Cloud: Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Telegram Saved Messages.
• 🔄 Backup MIUI: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.

Next, define the exact device model and MIUI version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Write down a model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G = veux).
3. Check the version of MIUI (e.g. V14.0.3.0.TKCCNXM).
4. Find out the firmware region (last letters: CN – China, RU – Russia, EU – Europe).

⚠️ Note: Install firmware with another region (e.g, CN instead RU) will cause a loss of support LTE, Google services and localization. Use firmware only for your region!

Method 1: Official rollback via Recovery (for unlocked bootloader)

The safest method is to use stock Recovery. Suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (if you previously received permission from Xiaomi via Mi Unlock).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the full firmware (not downloaded) OTA!) For your model from the official website: 🌍 Global MIUI (for RU/EU/Global) 🇨🇳 China MIUI (Chinese-only firmware)

update.zip

Volume up + Nutrition

Recovery

Install update.zip to System

Reboot → Reboot to System

⚠️ Warning: If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo MI more than 10 minutes – perform a hard reset (Loudness up) + Nutrition → Wipe Data. It will delete all the data, but it will bring back the workflow.

💡

If the error "Can't verify update" appears in Recovery, try renaming the firmware file to miui_blockota.zip repeat.

Method 2: Recoil through Fastboot (for a locked bootloader)

If the bootloader is locked, but you're ready to unlock it, this is a good method. Importantly, unlocking erases all data and requires you to link your Mi Account to your device.

What you need:

• 🖥️ PC with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot (download).
• 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📥.tgz firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔓 bootloader unlock permission (received via Mi Unlock, waiting time up to 720 hours).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware.tgz in the folder with fastboot (files should appear) flash_all.bat, images/ etc.).
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Launch it. flash_all.bat (for a complete clean installation; or flash_all_except_storage.bat (It saves data, but can cause bugs).
4. Wait for the completion (10-15 minutes) and reboot.

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot reboot

If the process is interrupted with an anti-rollback error, your device has rollback protection (see next section).

💡

Unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock is mandatory for the Fastboot method. Without it, the firmware will not install, and the device can lock.

Method 3: Bypassing Anti-Rollback (for new devices)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has implemented an Anti-Rollback (ARB) mechanism that blocks rollbacks on older firmware versions.

• Anti-rollback check fail (in Fastboot)
• This package is for "xxx" only (in Recovery),

So your device is protected by ARB. There are several solutions:

Option 1: Find firmware with a suitable ARB

On sites like Xiaomi Firmware Updater, look for firmware marked ARB=X, where X is your current version or lower. For example, if you have ARB 5, look for firmware with ARB 4 or ARB 5.

Option 2: Use of patched firmware

Some developers modify official firmware by removing the ARB check. Look for them in the forums:

• 🔗 XDA-Developers (Section of your Model),
• 🔗 4PDA (downgrade).

Option 3: Recoil through EDL-regime (risky!)

The method is for power users. It requires:

• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi Account (to access the EDL).

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL Xiaomi without authorization (through unofficial accounts) may result in a lockdown IMEI. This will make the phone unsuitable for calls!

Method 4: Recoil without data loss (for firmwares of one branch)

If you want to roll back to the previous stable version of MIUI (e.g. 14.0.5 to 14.0.3), you can try the method without resetting. This only works for firmware on one branch (e.g. both MIUI 14).

Instructions:

1. Download. OTA-Package (not full firmware!) from the site MIUI Downloads.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Open the Update app (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
4. Click on the three dots at the top → Select a firmware file → specify update.zip.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work for a rollback to another version of Android (for example, from Android 13 to Android 12).
• ❌ Not suitable for different regions (CN ↔ Global).
• ❌ It can cause bugs if the new version has been modified system partitions.

💡

If after a rollback without reset, the phone began to slow down - clean the cache in Recovery (Wipe → Wipe Cache).

Method 5: Recoil through Custom Recovery (TWRP)

For advanced users with TWRP installed, MIUI rollback is simplified.

• 🔄 Install any firmware versions (including custom ones).
• 📦 Save data (when properly configured).
• 🛠️ Correcting errors through ADB Sideload.

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions at twrp.me).
2. Download firmware in.zip format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
3. Load to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
4. Backup of the current system (Backup) → Select Partitions → System/Data).
5. Click Install → select firmware file → swipe for confirmation.
6. After installation, run Wipe → Format Data (if you need a clean installation).
7. Reboot to the system.

Advantages of TWRP:

• ✅ Possibility of rollback on any version MIUI (downgraded ARB).
• ✅ Backup and Recovery through Nandroid.
• ✅ Installation of modified firmware (e.g, MIUI EU publicity).

⚠️ Note: On new devices (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Redmi Note 12) installation TWRP can block the bootloader due to Dynamic Partition!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems.

Additional advice:

• 🔋 If the phone doesn’t turn on after rollback – plug in to charge for 30 minutes, then try logging in to Recovery.
• 📡 If the connection to the network is missing, check it. IMEI (*#06#) and if necessary, restore it through QCN-file.
• 🔄 If after the rollback there are bugs - reset settings (Wipe Data in Recovery).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions