How to roll back Android on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with 3 proven ways

Why Users Want to Reverse Firmware on Xiaomi and When to Really Need It

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO regularly receive MIUI updates, both planned (monthly security patches) and large (change Android version), but not every update goes smoothly: some users face slowdowns, overheating, interface bugs or even critical battery discharge after an upgrade, in which case the system rollback to the previous version becomes the only solution.

But it's important to understand that rollbacks are not always a return to factory status. There are three scenarios where this is relevant:

• 🔄 Downgraid firmware - transition from the new version MIUI old (e.g. with the MIUI 14 on MIUI 13 due to instability).
• 🏭 Reset to factory settings – complete system cleanup while maintaining the current version Android/MIUI (eliminates software bugs).
• 🛠️ Recovery after a failed update – if the phone “blocked” or cyclically reboots after the update.

Before you start, check if the problems are due to other factors: filled memory, application background activity or viruses. For example, if the phone slows down after an update, try first clearing the cache in Settings → Memory → Clear cache. If this does not help, read on.

Method 1: Reset to factory settings via phone menu (without loss of data on memory card)

This is the safest method, but it doesn’t roll back the MIUI version — it just clears all user data, returning the system to a “clean” state on the current firmware.

How it works:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset).
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete files from a memory card (SD-card or Internal Storage), but erases files from the memory card:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).
• 🔑 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, fingerprints.
• 🎵 Music, photos and videos stored in internal memory (not on the computer) SD-map!).

Synchronize contacts with Google account|Copy photos/videos to PC or cloud|Write down passwords from Wi-Fi and apps|Make sure the battery is charged >50%|Unplug your Mi Account (if you sell your phone)-->

If after reset the problems remained - it means that they are associated with the firmware itself, and you need a downgrade (see the following methods).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (for power users)

This method is suitable if the phone does not boot or you want to install the old version of MIUI manually.

• 📱 Phone with unlocked bootloader (if you plan to install custom firmware).
• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📁 Official firmware (.zip) for your model from en.miui.com.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
2. Select the language, then Install update.zip to System (if the firmware is in internal memory) or connect the phone to your PC and transfer the file over MTP.
3. After installation, select Wipe Data (required!) and confirm the reset.
4. Restart your phone through Reboot → System.

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware through Recovery can lead to:

• 🚫 Brick (breakdown) of the phone if the firmware file is not suitable for your model.
• 🔒 Blocking your Mi Account if your phone was linked to another region (e.g. trying to put Global Account) ROM Chinese-style).
• 📵 Poose. IMEI (in rare cases), if the firmware is damaged.

Before the procedure, check the phone model in Settings → About Phone → Model and download the firmware strictly for it. For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) will not work with the firmware from Redmi Note 10 (mojito).

Method 3: Recoil via Fastboot (most reliable, but complex)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 We need to forcefully downgrade the version. MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on MIUI 12.5).
• 💥 The phone is not switched on or stuck on the Mi logo.
• 🔓 You need to unlock the loader before the firmware.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Windows PC with Mi Flash Tool installed + driver Qualcomm/Mediatek (depending on the processor of the phone).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged!).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\proshivka).
2. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select, and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. At the bottom, choose Clean all and lock (complete cleaning) or Clean all (no bootloader lock).
5. Press Flash and wait for the end (10-20 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then the phone boot is locked. Unlock it through the official Mi Unlock Tool application (requires binding Mi Account and waiting 7-30 days).

⚠️ Note: When running through Fastboot:

🔴 If you select the Clean all and lock option, the bootloader will be locked, and you will have to wait for the unlock to be re-implemented (up to 30 days). 🔴 Don’t interrupt the process – it can lead to loss. IMEI or damage to the modem partition (the phone will lose the network).

How to return data after a firmware rollback

If you haven’t done a backup before reset, the chances of recovering the data are there, but they depend on the rollback method:

1. After resetting through settings:

• 📱 Contact and SMS — Restore through sync with Google or Mi Cloud.
• 📷 Photo/Video – Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (unless files have been overwritten).
• 🎮 Game data – check if your account is linked to Google Play Games or Facebook.

2. After firmware through Fastboot/Recovery:

• 🛑 Recovery is almost impossible – data is erased at a low level.
• 🔍 If the phone was defined in Fastboot, try tools like Dr.Fone (but the odds are minimal).

Mi Cloud (free of charge 5GB)

Google Drive (synchronization of contacts, photos, applications),

- TWRP Backup (for advanced users).-->

Frequent Firmware Recoil Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Error "This package is for 'xxx' devices; this is a 'yyy'"

🔹 Reason: Firmware is not suitable for your model.

🔹 Solution: Check the device codename in Fastboot by the team:

fastboot getvar product

Then download the firmware for that code (e.g., surya for POCO X3 NFC).

2.The phone got stuck on the Mi logo after firmware

🔹 Cause: Core incompatibility or boot partition damage.

🔹 Solution: Repeat the firmware through Fastboot with the Clean All option.

3. network loss (no signal, no SIM catches)

🔹 Cause: The modem is damaged or IMEI.

🔹 Solution: Restore IMEI via Engineer Mode (type in #4636##) or swipe modem separately.

4. "Anti-rollback check" error

🔹 Reason: Trying to put too old firmware (for example, with a MIUI 14 on MIUI 10).

🔹 Solution: Look for firmware marked "Anti-rollback bypass" or use it TWRP circumvent.

When the rollback of firmware will not help: alternative solutions

If after the rollback problems remain, perhaps they are not related to software, but with:

• 🔋 Battery – if the phone is quickly discharged, check battery wear in Settings → Battery → Status or through the AccuBattery application.
• 🔥 Overheating the processor - clean the charging connector from dust and check the background processes in Settings → Annexes → Launched.
• 📡 Hardware malfunctions – if the phone does not catch the network or the camera is bugging, contact the service center.

Before visiting the service, try:

1. Install a custom core (e.g., FrancoKernel) to optimize performance.
2. Disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Disable MIUI optimization).
3. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

If nothing works, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).But remember: this voids the warranty and requires unlocking the bootloader.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Firmware Recoil