Owners of the popular smartphone Redmi 4X Often faced with intrusive function of automatic download and install system updates MIUI. While developers have positioned this as a way to improve security and stability, in practice, frequent updates can slow down the device, consume traffic or simply be unnecessary for an already stable device. 4X, which has already received all major official updates, and further changes may be of a promotional nature only.
Users who want to keep the current firmware version should be aware that simply switching the slider in settings is often not enough.The Android system in the MIUI shell has several levels of protection against disabling updates, including hidden system services. In this article, we will examine all known methods of blocking updates, from standard settings to advanced manipulation of application permissions.
Disabling the background update process not only saves battery power, but also avoids accidental installation of "heavy" versions that can adversely affect the performance of the Snapdragon 435 processor installed in this model. It is important to understand that you take responsibility for the security of the device on yourself, but for experienced users this is a necessary step for full control over the gadget.
Standard settings for the MIUI update
The first and most obvious step that every Xiaomi owner needs to take is to check the basic settings in the update menu, which users often ignore by relying on third-party methods, although this is where the primary control mechanism lies: You need to open the Settings app, then go to the About phone section and click on the system version.
In the window that opens, you'll see the current version of MIUI and the three dots in the top right corner of the screen, and you'll click on them and you'll be taken to the Update Options menu. Here are the main switches that control how the system behaves when new firmware versions are detected, but it's worth noting that even after all the ticks are turned off, the background process can continue to work.
To adjust correctly, follow the following steps:
- 🔘 Find the Auto Update and uncheck it to prevent the system from downloading files on its own.
- 🔘 Turn off Wi-Fi Download option to prevent background packet loading even when you have a network.
- 🔘 Make sure that the Night Update item is also deactivated, as it often ignores the basic prohibitions.
⚠️ Note: Even when settings are disabled in this menu, the Updater system process can periodically start and check for a new version by displaying a notification in the status bar. MIUI.
Once you do this, the system will stop automatically downloading files, but notifications of a new version may keep coming, because checking for updates and downloading them are two different processes controlled by different components, so you need to move to a deeper setup of application permissions to completely block them.
Disabling the Updater system application
The most effective way to stop intrusive updates on Redmi 4X is to work with the system application rights System Update. Unlike conventional programs, you can't just click "Delete", but you can limit its capabilities to a minimum. This method requires care, because you will change the permissions for a critical component.
To access the hidden app settings, go to Settings → Advanced settings → For developers. If the developer menu is hidden, click 7 times in a row on the build number in the About Phone section. In the developer menu, find and activate Enable MIUI Optimize (if it's off, turn it on and restart, then turn it off again). → Annexes → All applications.
In the list, find the System Update app (which may be called System Updater) and you need to do the following:
- 🚫 Click Stop to kill the current process.
- 🚫 Select Limit or Disable Notifications to Hide Pop-ups.
- 🚫 In the Permissions section, disable network access (Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet).
☑️ Checking Updater's Restrictions
The most important step is to deny access to the network. If an application does not have access to the Internet, it will not physically be able to check Xiaomi servers for new files. However, in some versions of MIUI, the "Network" option may not be in the permissions. In this case, the method of renaming the file described below will help.
Once the restrictions are applied, the system will assume that the application is working, but in fact it will be isolated. This will not disrupt other functions of the phone, such as calls or the camera, but it will guarantee to stop the background activity of the updater. Remember, after resetting the settings to the factory, all these restrictions will be removed automatically.
Rename the APK file (Advanced)
If standard restrictions fail or no access point is available, a more radical method is to rename the application executable file, which requires debugging mode and root-righted file manager or system folder access. On Redmi 4X, this is often the only 100% solution.
The method is to change the name of the folder or file that runs the update to one that the system cannot read, and you need a file manager that can work with system partitions, such as Root Explorer or a standard Explorer with the "Show Hidden Files" mode enabled. You need to go on the path /system/app/Updater or /system/priv-app/Updater.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Find a folder or file called Updater.apk or just Updater.
- Rename it by adding any character at the end, such as Updater.apk.bak or Updater_disabled.
- Change the access rights (chmod) of the renamed file, removing all the ticks so that the system can not run it.
⚠️ Warning: Changing system files can lead to unstable system operation.Be sure to create a full backup of the data (backup) to an external medium before starting the procedure.
Once renaming and changing access rights, restart your smartphone.The system will try to run the update service, will not find the file with the original name and just ignore this procedure.This action is irreversible without re-interfering with the file system, so make sure you really want to permanently block the update option.
What if the phone stops loading after renaming?
Blocking through hosts and DNS
Another effective method that doesn’t require root rights is to lock down network-level update servers, so you can set your router or smartphone to redirect your requests to Xiaomi servers, which is especially useful if you have multiple Xiaomi devices in your home and want to ban updates at all.
To implement this, you can use local DNS management applications like Blokada or AdGuard at the smartphone level, but a more reliable method is to edit the hosts file if you have root rights. The file is on the /system/etc/hosts path, and you need to add strings to it that redirect the update domains to the local address.
Add the following lines to the hosts file:
127.0.0.1 update.miui.com
127.0.0.1 update.c.mi.com
127.0.0.1 zhuti.mi.comIf you don't have superuser rights, set up a lock on the router. In the router interface, look for Parental Control or Site Block and blacklist update.miui.com domains, which will prevent any device connected to your Wi-Fi network from receiving updates.
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Use third-party. DNS-servers with ad blocking and tracker function, such as AdGuard DNS (176.103.130.130) to automatically block Xiaomi telemetry domains and updates at the connection level.
Comparison of disconnection methods
The choice of method depends on your technical background and the availability of root rights. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Below is a table that will help you determine the best option for your Redmi 4X.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI settings | Low. | Low. | No. |
| Restriction of the rights of the annex | Medium | Tall. | Minimum |
| Rename APK | Tall. | 100% | Possible bootloop |
| Block hosts/DNS | Medium | Tall. | Depends on the network. |
As you can see from the table, the most effective method is often the least effective, and the combination of methods is the best, for example, disabling notifications in settings plus denying access to the network in application permissions creates a double barrier for the system.
Users without experience with Android system files are strongly advised not to climb into the root folders. In this case, it is better to limit access to the network for the System Update application. This is enough in 90% of cases for comfortable use of the smartphone without intrusive offers to update.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to completely disable updates on Xiaomi?
Can I remove the Updater app completely?
Will the settings reset after the phone restarts?
Why does the notification come after the shutdown?
Does disabling updates affect the operation of banking applications?
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The most reliable way for Redmi 4X is to combine disabling notifications in settings and disabling network access for the Updater system application through the permissions menu.
To sum up, the user is in control of updates on Xiaomi Redmi 4X. Proper use of built-in tools Android and MIUI allows you to get rid of annoying reminders and maintain the stability of the device. Choose a method that suits your level of knowledge and enjoy the operation of the smartphone without unnecessary interference of the system.