How to roll back the version of Android from 10 to 9 on Xiaomi: safe downgrade

Modern Android updates often bring new features, but also performance problems on devices that are not new. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face a situation when, after switching to Android 10, the device starts to run slower, discharge faster or loses connection stability. In such cases, the only sensible solution is to return to a more stable and optimized version of the firmware based on Android 9 (Pie), a process called downgrade.

You can roll back the system version, but it requires strict adherence to all technical steps and preliminary preparation. Any interference with the software carries risks, so the procedure must be approached consciously. Below we will discuss all available methods, necessary tools and nuances that will help to return the device to its previous speed without losing important data, if you act carefully.

Risk analysis and device preparation

Before you start installing an older version of MIUI, you need to be clear that downgrade is a more complex operation than a regular upgrade. Xiaomi's security system blocks installing older versions of firmware on top of new standard methods through the settings menu. This is done to protect against malware and user errors. So you'll have to use more advanced tools like Recovery Mode or Fastboot mode.

The most critical aspect is the total loss of data. When you move from Android 10 to an earlier version of Android 9, the file partition structure can change. Even if you try to save files, the system after installing the old firmware will likely require a complete reset, so backing up all photos, contacts and documents is a must-do step that you can't ignore.

⚠️ Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is charged at least to the maximum. 60-70%. Interrupting the firmware process due to battery discharge can cause permanent damage to software, turning the phone into a brick".

Also worth checking is the model of your device. The firmware is created strictly for a specific hardware. Trying to install the image from the Redmi Note 8 on the Redmi Note 8 Pro will lead to fatal errors. Carefully study the exact model name in the settings or on the box to download the correct file.

Necessary tools and firmware search

For successful operation you will need a high-quality USB-Drivers for Xiaomi must be installed correctly, otherwise the computer will not see the smartphone in boot mode. The main tool for working with firmware files in Recovery mode will be a standard file manager or specialized utilities if you choose the method through Fastboot.

Finding the right firmware is a separate task. The official MIUI bootloader website or trusted forums like 4PDA and XDA Developers are your best friends. You need Recovery ROM (for the method through the menu) or Fastboot ROM (for the method through the PC) that corresponds to your region (Global, Russia, China).

Once you download the archive, check its integrity. The firmware file usually has the.zip extension for the Recovery method or.tgz extension for the Fastboot. If the archive is damaged, the installation process will interrupt in the middle, which is highly undesirable.

Method 1: Installation with Recovery Mode (without PC)

This is the most accessible way for the average user, as it does not require a connection to a computer and install complex drivers. However, it has a limitation: the official Recovery menu Xiaomi often blocks the installation of an older version, giving an error "Can't verify update." If this happens, you will have to move to the second method.

First, copy the downloaded firmware file (.zip archive) to the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Don't put it in folders, just in the main file manager window. Then go to settings, select About phone, and click multiple times on the MIUI kernel version to open the file selection menu. In the window that appears, click three dots in the corner and select Select firmware.

Find the previously copied archive and confirm the action. The system will check the file. If the version is really older, you may see a warning. In some cases, if the lock is not strict, the phone will prompt you to restart and start updating. If there is a message that you can't install, this method is closed for your version of MIUI.

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If the standard menu blocks installation, try renaming the firmware file to “update.zip” and placing it at the root of the memory card (if there is a slot), then run the update through the Recovery menu by pressing the volume buttons.

If successful, the phone will go into recovery mode, where the MIUI logo and progress scale will appear. Don't touch the device at this point. The process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.

Method 2: Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool

This is the most reliable and professional way to bypass many software locks. To implement it, you will need to download the Mi Flash Tool utility to your computer and unpack the firmware archive (.tgz format) into the root of the disk, preferably into a short-path folder, for example, C:\mi_flash. The path should not contain Cyrillic.

Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, and then press the volume button and, holding it, connect it. USB-And then there's a rabbit on the screen that's going to fix an android, and it says, FASTBOOT. If the drivers are installed correctly, the Android Bootloader Interface will appear in Windows Device Manager.

Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to detect the connected device. En route to the firmware, specify the folder with the unpacked files. In the lower right corner, make sure to select the "Clean all" option. This command will completely delete the current system and data, which is critical in downgrades, to avoid file conflicts.

Press Flash and wait until the process is over. The green "Success" bar signals success. The phone automatically reboots. The first run of the old system can last up to 10 minutes.

Possible mistakes and ways to solve them

Users often face technical difficulties in downgrading, and one of the most common errors is the Error 7 or version mismatches, which means that the bootloader is locked or the bootloader version is lower in the old firmware than in the new one, in which case installation is impossible without unlocking the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.

Another problem is the logo hover. If you have Android 9 installed, try resetting your phone infinitely through the Recovery menu, press the power and volume buttons, select a language, and click "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data."

If nothing works, maybe your hardware is physically incompatible with optimizing your old firmware, or you're trying to install an image from another model.

Set up the system after rollback

Once you get back to Android 9, you'll have a pretty clean system. All your apps will be removed. This is a good time not to recover all the junk from the backup right away. Install only the necessary programs by observing the behavior of the system. This will help you to identify if a particular application is causing conflicts.

Note the battery settings. The new version of the system may have changed the energy saving algorithms. Go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving and select Balanced or Classic mode so that the phone doesn't restrict background processes too aggressively, as it does on stock settings.

It is also recommended to reconfigure application access rights. When recovering from a backup, some programs may request access to a microphone or geolocation that you previously denied.

⚠️ Note: After rolling back to an earlier version of Android, some banking apps may stop working properly if they require a newer version of Google Play Services security.Be prepared for the fact that individual services may require the OS itself to be updated back.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Downgrade is an effective way to extend the life of an old smartphone, returning it to performance, but requires a mandatory data backup and strict follow-up instructions.