Why MIUI Auto Updates May Get In the Way, and When to Turn Them Off
Automatic updates to the MIUI operating system on Xiaomi Redmi 9 are a two-way sword. On the one hand, they provide timely security fixes, new features and performance optimizations; on the other hand, they can lead to unexpected crashes, data loss or even locking the device if the update is installed at the wrong time, for example, during an important call, video shooting or when the battery is low.
This is especially important for users who:
- ๐ Use a smartphone with a worn-out battery (updates consume a lot of power and can discharge the phone to zero).
- ๐ฎ Install custom firmware or modified versions MIUI (Auto Updates Can Reset Settings or Block bootloader).
- ๐ฑ Work with enterprise data or critical applications where any system change is unacceptable.
- ๐ Located in regions with unstable Internet (updates can โhangโ and spoil the user experience).
In this article, weโll look at all the ways you can disable auto-updates on Redmi 9, from standard settings to hidden commands for power users, and discuss the risks of disabled updates and how to minimize security threats.
Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in options, which is suitable for most users and does not require additional knowledge.
- Open the Settings menu (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
- Tap on the item Update MIUI (or Update system in new versions).
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (โฎ) Select the settings (or additionally).
- Turn off the switch Automatic download updates over Wi-Fi.
- Also deactivate the option of Automatic Update Installation (if available).
After this, Redmi 9 will stop downloading and installing updates without your knowledge, but the system will still notify you of new versions โ additional actions will be required to completely hide notifications (see Method 3).
Back up important data | Check the current version of MIUI in settings |Plug your phone to charge (if the battery is below 50%)|Make sure you have access to Wi-Fi (for downloading manual updates if necessary)
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Method 2: Using Developer Mode and ADB
If standard settings do not give full control (for example, in some regional firmware), you can use the developer mode and the ADB command. This method requires connecting the phone to the computer, but allows you to completely block the background update processes.
First, activate the developer mode:
- Go to Settings. โ The phone.
- Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row until you get a message: Youโve become a developer!
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
- Activate the debugging switch over USB.
Now connect Redmi 9 to your PC and execute the command via ADB:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updaterThis command disables the system app Updater, which is responsible for checking and installing updates. To get it back, use:
adb shell pm enable com.android.updaterWhat if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Method 3: Hidden MIUI settings (for power users)
MIUI firmware has hidden options that allow for more flexibility in managing updates, such as disabling not only automatic installation, but also checking for new versions and notifying them.
- Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##2432546## (this is the code to access test settings).
- In the menu that appears, select Software Update (or a similar item in Russian).
- Turn off all switches associated with Auto Download and Auto Install.
โ ๏ธ Note: Not all codes work on different versions MIUI. If nothing happens after you enter the combination, your firmware doesn't support this method, and don't change the other settings in the test menu, which can cause your phone to crash.
Alternatively, use Activity Launcher (available on Google Play) to manually run hidden system activations, such as:
- Install and open Activity Launcher.
- Find it in the list of com.android.updater.
- Select.settings.UpdaterSettingsActivity.
- In the menu that opens, turn off all options related to automatic verification.
Method 4: Disconnection through system applications (without root)
If previous methods have not worked, you can try to "freeze" the system application MIUI Update using standard Android tools.
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- In the search bar, type the Update and select the MIUI Update (or Updater).
- Click Stop (or Forced Stop)
- Then select Warehouse and click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
This won't permanently shut down updates, but it will slow them down and prevent them from automatically booting, so when you reboot your phone, the app can be activated again, in which case you'll have to repeat the procedure.
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Method 5: Complete removal of Updater (root users only)
The most radical method is to remove the Updater system app responsible for updates, which is only possible on phones with unlocked bootloader and root rights. If you don't know what it is, don't use this method, as it can lead to loss of warranty and unstable device operation.
For removal:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /system/priv-app/Updater or /system/app/Updater.
- Remove the Updater folder or rename it (for example, in the Updater_bak).
- Reboot the phone.
โ ๏ธ Note: After that, you will not be able to update MIUI It's not manually, it's not automatic. To get back to functionality, you'll need to refashion your phone through Fastboot or Recovery.
| Method | Difficulty | PC required | Root is required. | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings | โญ (lungy) | โ No. | โ No. | โ Yes. |
| ADB-team | โญโญ (middle-class) | โ Yes. | โ No. | โ Yes. |
| Hidden settings | โญโญ (middle-class) | โ No. | โ No. | โ Yes. |
| Stopping the annex | โญ (lungy) | โ No. | โ No. | โ Yes. |
| Removal of Updater | โญโญโญ (complex) | โ No. | โ Yes. | โ No (no flashing) |
Risks of disabling auto updates and how to minimize them
By disabling automatic updates, you take responsibility for the security and stability of your Redmi 9.
- ๐ก๏ธ Security Vulnerabilities: New Versions MIUI Without updates, your phone becomes vulnerable to viruses and hacker attacks. 2-3 Check for updates manually and install them at a safe time.
- ๐ Bug accumulation: Over time, errors may appear in the system that are only fixed in new versions.Solution: Watch for feedback on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers) on the stability of the current firmware.
- ๐ฑ Application incompatibility: Some programs (especially banking or government) require an up-to-date version of Android.Solution: Before installing mission-critical applications, check their OS version requirements.
- ๐ Battery problems: Older versions of firmware may be less efficient at managing power consumption.Solution: Use battery monitoring apps (like AccuBattery) and reset battery statistics if necessary.
If you decide to completely abandon updates, consider installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which often lack the โextraโ features of MIUI and are updated on a different schedule, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and experience with firmware.
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