How to roll back Xiaomi to the old firmware: the complete guide

Modern updates to the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS often carry not only new features, but also hidden bugs that can significantly complicate the life of the smartphone owner. Users often face a situation when after an automatic update the device begins to run faster, spontaneous reboots appear or communication stability disappears. In such cases, the only sensible solution is to return to a previous, proven version of the software that worked without complaints.

The rollback procedure on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is technically more complicated than a regular update and requires careful attention to detail. It is important to understand that it is impossible to downgrade the system with the standard “About Phone” menu tools, since the system blocks the installation of older software on top of the new one.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand the risks and prepare tools. Incorrect choice of a firmware file or interruption of the process can lead to the failure of the gadget, so following the instructions should be accurate. Below we will discuss all the available methods, from simple methods through the recovery menu to advanced use of Fastboot and EDL modes.

Preparation for the system downgrade procedure

Any interference with the software part of a smartphone should start with a backup of data. If you roll back the MIUI or HyperOS version, all user data, including contacts, photos and installed applications, will be permanently deleted. The system will force a full reset (Wipe Data) when you move to an older build, this requirement cannot be ignored.

You need to back up important files to your computer or cloud storage, as there is no internal memory left after the procedure, and make sure that the battery is at least 60% charged so that the device does not turn off at a critical time of writing system partitions.

You will need quality work to do. USB-The cable, preferably the original one, that comes bundled with, and the Windows Driver for Xiaomi must be installed correctly, otherwise the computer won't see the smartphone in Fastboot mode. You can check the presence of drivers through the Device Manager by connecting the phone in the off state with the volume reduction button pressed.

Finding and Downloading the Right Version of the Firmware

The key to a successful rollback is choosing the right Firmware file. Xiaomi device firmware is divided into several types: Global (global), EU (European), CN (Chinese) and RU (Russian). It is strictly forbidden to install firmware from another region unless you plan to change the region of the device, as this can lead to "bricking" or problems with banking applications.

You need to find the version of the system that was installed on your device before the last update, or any earlier stable build. The file should have the.zip extension for the method through Recovery or.tgz for the method through Fastboot. You should only download the software from trusted resources, such as the official Xiaomi forum or authoritative portals like XiaomiFirmware.

Note the type of firmware: Recovery ROM allows you to update or roll back with loss of data, and Fastboot ROM requires an unlocked bootloader to install. If the bootloader is locked, the method through Fastboot will not work for you, and you will have to use the method through Recovery with file renaming.

Recovery Mode (No PC)

This is the most affordable way to do this, because it doesn't require a computer or a complicated driver manipulation, but it has a limitation: Xiaomi's security system won't allow you to install the old version, and we'll have to do the trick of renaming the firmware file to get around the version check.

First, copy the downloaded firmware file (.zip archive) to the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Don't put it in folders, it should be right at the root, next to the DCIM and Download folders. Then rename the file to update.zip if it's called otherwise. Be careful: the extension should remain.zip, not.zip.zip, so turn on the file extensions in the Explorer settings.

Then you have to go to the recovery menu. To do this, turn off your smartphone and press the power and volume buttons at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, keep the volume up. In the menu that appears, select the language (usually English and Chinese) and click on Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. This will clean the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Once the data is cleaned, the phone will restart. You need to get back into Recovery, or it won't work. The second time you've selected the language, you'll see Connect with Assistant or something like that, ignore it. Click three dots in the corner (or swipe) to open the optional menu and select “Install from internal storage).

In the list that opens, look for update.zip. The system can warn you that the version is older than the current one and suggest you cancel the action. If you tick the Validate update file, uncheck it (if the menu allows), or simply confirm the installation, hoping to bypass the check. If the system says "Can't verify update", this method will not work without the unlocked bootloader, and you will have to switch to using Fastboot.

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If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, navigate by icons and colors. The confirmation button is usually on the top right, and the choice of actions is made by the volume buttons.

Reverse via Fastboot with unlocked bootloader

If the previous method did not work, then Anti-rollback protection or signature verification prevented the installation of the old version, in which case Fastboot mode and unlocked bootloader are required. Unlocking BL requires pre-submission of the application through the Mi Unlock Tool utility and waiting from 7 to 30 days, depending on Xiaomi's policy at the time of execution.

To run through Fastboot, you will need the Mi Flash Tool. Download and unpack the archive with the firmware (.tgz) on your computer to the root of the disk, for example, in a folder. C:\xiaomi_rom. The path should not contain Cyrillic or spaces. Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.

Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by holding down the power and volume button on the device that is turned off. Connect your phone to your PC. In the program, press the Refresh button to make your device determine. At the bottom of the window, select Clean all or Clean all and lock. The latter option will return the phone to the store-like state, but can lock the device if the firmware regions do not match.

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


fastboot reboot

Press Flash and wait until the process is over. The progress indicator will show status, and at the end it will appear green "Success." The phone will automatically restart. The first start can take up to 10 minutes, which is normal for a system that is reconfigured.

Using Xiaomi PC Suite to roll back

The official Xiaomi PC Suite (or Mi PC Suite) offers a friendlier interface for those who are afraid of the command line. However, the functionality of the program is limited, and it may not see the older version of the firmware automatically. This method is suitable if you just want to reinstall the current version or if the program itself offers affordable alternatives.

Start the program and plug the phone in with the volume down (clamping the volume down). If the device is determined, select Upgrade or Switch ROM. In some versions of the program (XiaomiTool V2 or custom versions of Mi PC Suite), you can choose the firmware file manually.

Select the previously downloaded firmware archive. The program will check the integrity of the file and begin the installation process. The advantage of the method is that the utility controls the steps of the firmware and minimizes the risk of user error. However, as in other cases, all data will be deleted.

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An unlocked bootloader is the key to full control of the device, allowing you to install any version of the software, custom recavators and get root rights.

Possible mistakes and ways to solve them

Downgrade users often encounter an error that says, “Current package is older than the one installed.” This is standard system protection, and as mentioned, the solution is to rename the file or use a Fastboot with a clean flag.

Another common problem is the “Waiting for device” error in the Mi Flash Tool, which means the computer can’t see the phone in Fastboot mode. USB-Try another port (better) USB 2.0 at the back of the system unit) and reinstall the drivers. Sometimes it helps to run the program on behalf of the administrator.

If you have bootlooped your phone after you have firmware, try Recovery and do a full reset (Wipe All Data). If that doesn't work, you may have chosen the wrong firmware or region, and you'll need to recover through EDL mode, which often requires an authorized Mi Account and paid services.

⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the firmware process, even if it seems to be stalled. Interrupting the recording of system partitions is guaranteed to turn the smartphone into a “brick”, the restoration of which at home may be impossible.

Also worth mentioning is Anti-rollback protection. Some models (especially Snapdragon processors) have a security version counter. If you try to install firmware with a lower security index than the bootloader puts it in, the phone will go into a hard brick. Always check forums for such protection for your particular model before rolling back.

Final setup after rollback

Once you successfully return to the old version of the system, you will be greeted by the initial setup screen, since all data has been deleted, you will need to re-enter your Google account and Mi Account.

First, check the basic functions: calls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cameras. Make sure the version of the system in the settings matches the one you installed. If everything is stable, you can start installing applications.

It is recommended to disable automatic system updates to avoid re-installing the problematic version. To do this, go to the update settings and turn off autoboot, or use more advanced methods to block updates through ADB.