How to roll back Xiaomi to the previous firmware: a step-by-step guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running on MIUI or the new HyperOS regularly receive updates that are designed to improve performance and security. However, it often happens that after installing a fresh version of the operating system, the device begins to work unstable, discharge faster or critical bugs appear, in such situations, the only sure solution is to return to a more stable, tested version of the software.

The system rollback procedure, or downgrade, requires careful and careful follow-up to the algorithm, as it involves profound changes in the structure of the phone's file system. Wrong actions can lead to data loss or even to the device turning into a "brick", so you need to carefully prepare and study all the nuances of the recovery process before starting any manipulations.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to return to old firmware, explain the difference between methods of cleaning data and without it, and also consider solving common errors that occur when flashing through a computer. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, where to download official images and what tools are necessary for successful execution of the procedure.

Preparation for the downgrade procedure and choice of method

The first and most important step is understanding what type of firmware is installed on your device right now and what kind of firmware you plan to install. There is a global division into versions for Recovery (regular zip archives) and Fastboot (tgz firmware archives for PCs). To revert to an older version of Android or MIUI Fastboot is almost always required, as a standard update through Recovery blocks installation of an earlier version.

You need to download the full firmware archive that matches your smartphone model in advance. It is important to make sure that the firmware region matches the region of the device: you can not flash the Chinese version on a global device without unlocking the bootloader, and vice versa. Mi Flash Tool - the main tool that will be used to work, must be installed on a Windows computer, since drivers and utilities are optimized for this platform.

Be sure to back up all important data, photos, contacts and correspondence. Downgrade process in most cases requires a complete cleanup of the internal memory of the device, which will lead to the permanent deletion of user files if you do not backup in advance. Use the cloud services Google Drive, Mi Cloud or transfer files to an external hard drive.

• 📱 Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 60% power to avoid turning off at a critical moment.
• 💻 Install current drivers ADB and Fastboot on your personal computer or laptop.
• 🔓 Check the status of the bootloader: rollback from global to global often requires its unlocking.
• 💾 Download the original firmware image only from official resources or verified archives.

⚠️ Warning: Trying to roll back firmware without unlocked bootloader on new versions MIUI This can lead to an anti-rollback error. Check the anti-rollback version carefully before starting the procedure.

Unlock the bootloader and Fastboot mode

Without an unlocked bootloader, you won’t be able to install an older firmware version if the current version has a higher anti-rollback index.Unlocking is an official process from Xiaomi that requires you to apply through a special Mi Unlock utility and link your Mi Account account to the device. After applying, you often have to wait 7 to 168 hours before permission is given.

To enter Fastboot mode, you need to turn off your smartphone and press the volume down and power button at the same time, and an image of a rabbit repairing an android will appear on the screen, indicating a successful transition to low-level mode. It is in this mode that the computer can interact with the memory partitions of the phone, ignoring the limitations of the installed operation.ONsystem.

It's important to understand that unlocking the bootloader automatically triggers the Wipe Data process, even if you're just logged in to the unlock menu, a security measure designed to protect your user data from unauthorized access when you change ownership or flash it back, so if you haven't already, save all your important files right now.

After successfully unlocking the phone, the appropriate status will appear in the settings, and when the device is loaded for a few seconds, a warning will appear that the bootloader is unlocked. This is a normal phenomenon that does not affect the operation of the smartphone, but indicates that the system partitions are now available for modification.

Instructions for firmware through Mi Flash Tool

The main tool for rollback is the Mi Flash Tool. After starting the utility, you need to connect the smartphone in Fastboot mode to the computer. Press the Refresh button in the program interface: if the drivers are installed correctly, the serial number of your device will appear in the list. If the number does not appear, check the cable and Windows Device Manager.

Next, choose the path to the unpacked firmware folder. Note that the path must not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the program may give an error when writing. Choose the Clean all firmware method, as it ensures that there is no conflict between the old and new file structures.

Sequence of action:


1. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.




2. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode.




3. Press Refresh and select the device.




4. Indicate the path to the firmware folder.




5. Select Clean all mode.




6. Press Flash.

The firmware process takes 300 to 600 seconds, during which time it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the program. Once the procedure is completed, the phone automatically restarts. The first boot can last up to 10-15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates new partitions.

• 🚀 Use the port. USB, located on the back of the system unit, for the stability of the connection.
• 📂 Unpack the firmware archive into the root of the disk, for example, into a folder C:\mi_rom\.
• ⏳ Don’t panic if the progress bar hangs on a percentage – this is often the case when writing large sections.

Comparison of rollback methods: Fastboot vs. Recovery

People often wonder why you can't just download a firmware archive and upgrade through the standard recovery menu, because the version checker in Recovery blocks the version with a lower build number than the current one, which is a downgrade protection built into the bootloader that can't be circumvented without special manipulation.

Fastboot ignores this because it writes directly to memory, bypassing standard update integrity checks. However, this method requires a computer, a cable and usually an unlocked bootloader. Recovery is convenient for up-up or reinstall the same version, but useless for rollback without superuser rights.

There is also a rollback method through ADB Sideload, which is an intermediate option: it requires Root rights and a modified Recovery (such as TWRP), which is more difficult for beginners, but allows you to save user data without full cleaning, although it carries high risks of unstable system operation after the procedure.

⚠️ Note: When using the Clean all method, all your personal data, including photos, contacts and installed applications, will be permanently deleted.

Common Errors and How to Resolve Them

During the firmware process, users often encounter a Miss matching image and device error, which means that you are trying to flash the firmware intended for another smartphone model, or the bootloader version does not match the image, the solution is one: double-check the device model (codename) and download the strictly corresponding archive.

Another common problem is the Can not flash this device over unlocked bootloader error, which occurs when you try to flash global firmware to the Chinese version of the device (or vice versa) without first changing the account region or using special scripts, in which case you either need to change the account region in the phone settings or use modified versions of Mi Flash.

If the process freezes at the writing partition stage or the program issues a timeout, the problem most often lies in the hardware: bad. USB-Try using another cable, preferably original, and connect the phone directly to the computer motherboard without passing the power. USB-hub.

• 🔌 “No device found” error: reinstall Qualcomm or Xiaomi drivers USB Driver.
• 📉 Anti-Rollback check failed: You try to roll back below the approved version, which is physically impossible without soldering the chips.
• 💿 Not enough space error: Free up space on the C system disk where the firmware files are temporarily copied.

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90% of firmware errors are due to poor quality USB-cable or wrong drivers, not with the malfunction of the smartphone.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about MIUI rollback

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If the phone is slow after rollback, do a full reset (Wipe all data) again via Recovery Mode (Power + Volume Up), which will remove the cache residue from the new firmware and speed up the system.