Modern updates to MIUI often bring not only new features, but also hidden issues, such as battery instability or interface errors. Users who experience performance deterioration after an update often look for ways to return to a previous, more stable version of the system. The return process, or downgrade, requires care, but is quite feasible at home with the necessary tools.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods to help you roll back Xiaomi firmware to an earlier version. You will learn about device preparation, finding the right files and the nuances of working with system partitions through special boot modes. Proper execution of each step is critical to maintaining the health of your gadget.
Before you start taking action, you need to be aware of the risks associated with software interference. Any error in writing system partitions can lead to the inability to boot the device, so strictly follow the described algorithms and double check the compatibility of firmware versions.
Risk assessment and device preparation
The first and most important step is to understand that the rollback process is not a standard feature provided by developers. Android has an anti-rollback built-in protection mechanism that prohibits installing an older version of the bootloader or system if the current version is above a certain mark.
You need to determine beforehand whether your device’s bootloader is locked. For unlocked Bootloader, the procedure is much easier and safer, as it allows you to use Fastboot mode for full flashing. If the bootloader is locked, your options are limited to Recovery mode, which also has its own version limitations.
Make sure to back up all your important data, as the downgrade process involves a full reset of user information 99% of the time.Photos, contacts and messages will be deleted, so use cloud services or a computer to save important information before you start work.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to flash the device with the enabled function Anti-rollback on the version below the current is guaranteed to lead to hardware locking of the phone, which cannot be removed by software methods.
Make sure that your smartphone’s battery is at least 60-70%. The flashing process can take a considerable time, and a sudden power outage at a critical moment of writing system files is fatal for the device. USB-cable, as cheap analogues often cause connection errors when transferring large amounts of data.
Necessary tools and firmware search
To successfully perform the procedure, you will need specialized software installed on your computer. The main tool for working with Xiaomi devices is the Mi Flash Tool, which allows you to download system images in Fastboot mode. Recovery mode will be enough built-in update manager and file manager.
Finding the right firmware version is a careful task. You need to find an archive that is strictly smaller than the one you have installed now, but not below the Anti-rollback threshold. Information about the current version can be found in the Settings → About the phone menu, paying attention to the build number and release date.
You should only download firmware from trusted sources, such as the official Xiaomi Community forum or authoritative archives like XiaomiFirmwareUpdater. It is important to choose the type of firmware "Recovery" to install through the update menu or "Fastboot" to use through the Mi Flash Tool. Archives usually have the extension.zip for Recovery and.tgz for Fastboot.
Where to find the exact version of the anti-rollback?
Recovery method through Recovery Mode
This is a good way to use locked bootloaders if the target firmware version allows you to install on top of the current one. You need to download the.zip (Recovery ROM) firmware archive and put it in the root folder of the device's internal memory. Don't unpack the archive, it should remain in its original form.
After you place the file, go to the language selection menu and click on the update button. If the standard Settings path → About Phone → System update does not allow you to select the file manually (three dots in the corner), try running the installer through a hidden menu, however, in newer versions of MIUI this is often blocked.
A more reliable way to enter recovery mode is to use a combination of buttons. Turn off the phone completely, then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, continuing to keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
☑️ Checklist for Recovery Mode
From the Recovery menu, select a language (usually English or Chinese) and press Install zip. The system will alert you that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete. Once the installation is successful, press Reboot to reboot to the updated system.
⚠️ Note: If you see a message that says “Can’t verify update” or “Update package is corrupted” when you try installing via Recovery, then the selected file is incompatible or the version is too old for the current bootloader.
Use of Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool
The most powerful and versatile method, requiring an unlocked bootloader. First, download and install the ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer, as well as the Mi Flash Tool utility. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot ROM archive (extension.tgz) into the root of the C disk so that the path to the folder is short and does not contain Cyrillic characters.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons simultaneously when the device is turned off. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, indicating a successful transition to boot mode. Connect the device to your computer via a computer. USB-cable.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator and press the Refresh button. If the drivers are installed correctly, your device with the serial number will appear in the list. Press the Select button and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. At the bottom of the window, select the Clean all option, which will completely clear the memory before installation.
| Firmware mode | Description of action | Impact on data | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean all | Complete cleaning and installation | All data is deleted | Retraction of version, change of region |
| Save user data | Data retention | Data is retained | Reinstallation of the same version |
| Clean all + lock | Cleaning and locking | All data is deleted | Return to Stock (global only) |
After selecting the mode, press the Flash button. The process will take from 300 to 600 seconds. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the program. Upon completion, the status will appear “success”, and the phone will automatically restart.
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If the Mi Flash Tool is running a "Miss matching image and device" error, check if you've confused the firmware for China with Global or vice versa.
Advanced pullback through ADB team
For power users who need spot changes or work with specific partitions, there is an Android Debug Bridge toolkit. This method requires the USB debugging mode enabled in the Developer Menu. Once you connect your phone, open the command line in the ADB folder and enter the adb device command to check the connection.
With ADB, you can force the device to Recovery or Fastboot mode, and download individual images. For example, the adb reboot bootloader command will put the phone into bootloader mode. Direct firmware installation often uses a bunch of commands that depend on the type of recovery (TWRP or stock).
If you use custom TWRP recoveries, the process is simplified to loading the zip archive through the interface or command adb sideload filename.zip. Xiaomi's stock Recovery is less flexible and requires firmware signatures to match the device keys, making ADB less effective for a downgrade without an unlocked bootloader.
adb reboot recovery
adb sideload update_package_name.zipUsing the command line gives you more control, but it increases the risk of human error. One incorrectly entered command can wipe the persist or modem partition, which will lead to loss of communication signals and sensors. Always double-check the syntax of commands before executing them.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
One of the most common problems is the Check for updates failed error when trying to install firmware manually.This is often due to the fact that the firmware file is unsupported format or corrupted when downloaded. Check the checksum (MD5 or SHA1) of the downloaded archive and compare it with the data on the source site.
Another common situation is a never-ending reboot after a rollback attempt. If the phone doesn't load beyond the logo, try resetting Wipe data and resetting it. If that doesn't work, the only way out is to flash it through Fastboot with a full cleanup.
Users also face a problem of computer recognition, where Windows Device Manager may display an unknown device with a yellow exclamation point, in which case you need to manually update the driver, indicating the path to the folder with Qualcomm or MTK drivers, or use the universal Google USB Driver.
⚠️ Note: If the fingerprint or proximity sensor stopped working after the firmware, the persist partition was most likely lost. It can only be restored with a backup made before the firmware, or by contacting a service center.
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The most common reason for a downgrade failure is to ignore the Anti-rollback version. Always check ARB indexes before you start any action.