How to return MIUI instead of HyperOS to Xiaomi without resetting

Moving from HyperOS to MIUI is a challenge that many Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone owners face after an automatic update. The new interface may seem uncomfortable, and some features may work worse than the old shell. The main problem is that official tools don’t allow you to roll back without completely resetting. However, there are proven methods of downgrading firmware, saving user files, applications and settings.

In this article, we will discuss three working ways to return MIUI to HyperOS without losing data: via Fastboot, using ADB Sideload, and an alternative method for devices with a locked bootloader. Each option has its own nuances, so it is important to choose the right one based on your smartphone model and the current state of the system. We will also provide relevant links to firmware, tools and detailed screenshots of key steps.

⚠️ Critical warning: Downgrade is always a risk-averse process; wrong actions can lead to a device being "bricked"; if you're unsure of your skills, contact your service center. Xiaomi is not responsible for the consequences of self-flashing.

Why do users want to return MIUI instead of HyperOS?

The new HyperOS shell, introduced in late 2023, is positioned as a more modern and productive alternative to MIUI. However, in practice, many users face a number of challenges:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – background processes of the new OS are often consumed on the 15–20% More power, especially on Snapdragon devices 7xx/8xx.
• 📱 Unstable gestures – delays in swipes, random activation of functions (for example, Xiaomi assistant) AI).
• 🔄 No familiar features – some personalization settings have disappeared, the location of interface elements has changed.
• 🎮 Compatibility issues – a number of games and applications (such as Genshin Impact or banking clients) are bugged.

According to surveys on the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, about 30% of users who upgrade to HyperOS are considering returning to MIUI 14.

Preparing for Downgrade: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start rolling back, there are several critical steps that need to be taken, and ignoring them can lead to data loss or the inability to restore the system.

1. Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or by using Mi PC Suite, pay special attention: 📁 Contact, SMS and call logs (export to.vcf and.xml). 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud). 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and apps (use Google Password Manager or Bitwarden).
2. Check the device model and current firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down the exact name (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (rubens)).
3. Download the right tools: 🖥️ Mi PC Suite (official backup software). 🔧 Android SDK Platform-Tools (for the purposes of ADB and Fastboot). 📦 Firmware MIUI for your model (see section below).

⚠️ Note: If your device has Find My Device enabled, you must turn it off in Settings. → Google → Security: Otherwise, after the firmware, the smartphone may be blocked.

Where to download the official MIUI firmware for downgrade

To successfully return to MIUI, you will need a stable firmware version that matches your model, and using informal builds can lead to errors and loss of warranty.

🔍 How to Choose the Right Firmware?

1. Find out the code name of your device (e.g. rubens for Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G).
2. Download only files marked Stable (stable version).
3. For a downgrade without reset, a firmware in the format of Fastboot (extension.tgz or.zip) is suitable.

⚠️ Note: If you download firmware for another model (even from one line), the device may stop turning on!

💡

Use the Xiaomi Firmware Updater Tool to automatically determine the current firmware by IMEI or model code.

Method 1: Recoil through Fastboot (recommended method)

This method is suitable for most Xiaomi devices and is considered the most reliable: it requires unlocking the bootloader, but allows you to save user data when you perform the steps correctly.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

By default, the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is locked.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → More → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock

Step 2: Install firmware through Fastboot

After unlocking:

1. Unpack the downloaded MIUI firmware in the folder with Fastboot.
2. Launch the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
3. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

🔹 Important: If there is a file in the firmware archive flash_all_except_storage.bat, Use it – it will save your data.

Method 2: Downgrade via ADB Sideload (without unlocking)

If you can’t unlock the bootloader (for example, due to the limitations of the Mi Account), you can try the ADB Sideload method. It works through Recovery and is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or some POCO models.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in Recovery ROM format (.zip file).
2. Reboot the phone to Recovery mode (clip Power + Volume up).
3. Select Connect with MiAssistant (connect to PC).
4. On PC, execute the command: adb sideload name file.zip

⚠️ Note: This method does not guarantee the safety of data. ~50%, so backup is mandatory.

Method 3: Alternative method for blocked bootloader

For devices with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi) 13T Redmi Note 12 on some regional firmware) there is a workaround through EDL-It requires special equipment (EDL-cable or Deep Flash Cable and experience in firmware.

🔧 Short instruction:

1. Put your phone in EDL mode (usually by a combination of buttons or through ADB).
2. Connect. EDL-Cable and run the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select the MIUI firmware file and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: This method is risky and can result in permanent lockdown IMEI. Use only if other methods have not worked.

💡

For most users, the best option is the Fastboot method, which requires unlocking the bootloader, but gives the best chance of saving data.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you're downgrading, you often have typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

💡 Advice: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Try resetting the cache via Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe Cache).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions