How to completely disable auto-update on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 proven ways

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:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Use a smartphone with a worn-out battery (updates consume a lot of power and can discharge the phone to zero).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Install custom firmware or modified versions MIUI (Auto Updates Can Reset Settings or Block bootloader).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Work with enterprise data or critical applications where any system change is unacceptable.
  • ๐ŸŒ Located in regions with unstable Internet (updates can โ€œhangโ€ and spoil the user experience).

In this article, weโ€™ll 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.

๐Ÿ“Š You are disabling auto updates on your Xiaomi?
Yeah, right after the purchase.
Only if they're in the way.
No, I update regularly.
I don't know how to do that.

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.

  1. Open the Settings menu (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
  3. Tap on the item Update MIUI (or Update system in new versions).
  4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (โ‹ฎ) Select the settings (or additionally).
  5. Turn off the switch Automatic download updates over Wi-Fi.
  6. 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:

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ The phone.
  2. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row until you get a message: Youโ€™ve become a developer!
  3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
  4. 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.updater

This 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.updater
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Make sure that the PC has drivers for Xiaomi (download from the official site). Also check that the developer settings have enabled the option to Allow debugging by USB (If the problem persists, try another one. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).

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.

  1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##2432546## (this is the code to access test settings).
  2. In the menu that appears, select Software Update (or a similar item in Russian).
  3. Turn off all switches associated with Auto Download and Auto Install.

โš ๏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:

  1. Install and open Activity Launcher.
  2. Find it in the list of com.android.updater.
  3. Select.settings.UpdaterSettingsActivity.
  4. 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.

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. In the search bar, type the Update and select the MIUI Update (or Updater).
  3. Click Stop (or Forced Stop)
  4. 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:

  1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to /system/priv-app/Updater or /system/app/Updater.
  3. Remove the Updater folder or rename it (for example, in the Updater_bak).
  4. Reboot the phone.

โš ๏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.

MethodDifficultyPC requiredRoot is required.Reversibility
Standard settingsโญ (lungy)โŒ No.โŒ No.โœ… Yes.
ADB-teamโญโญ (middle-class)โœ… Yes.โŒ No.โœ… Yes.
Hidden settingsโญโญ (middle-class)โŒ No.โŒ No.โœ… Yes.
Stopping the annexโญ (lungy)โŒ No.โŒ No.โœ… Yes.
Removal of Updaterโญโญโญ (complex)โŒ No.โœ… Yes.โŒ 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.

  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏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.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ 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.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ 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.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ 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 โ€œextraโ€ features of MIUI and are updated on a different schedule, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and experience with firmware.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you turn off updates for specific applications, not the entire system?
No, the auto-update settings in MIUI are for system components only. However, you can turn off automatic app updates in Google Play: Open Play Store. Tap profile avatar โ†’ Settings. Select Network Settings โ†’ Auto-Update Apps. Set Do Not Update Auto.
After the auto updates were turned off, the phone started to slow down.
The problem is probably not with the updates being turned off, but with the accumulated cache or background process. Try: Clear the system application cache (Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Clear the cache). Perform a soft reset (reboot with the volume button pressed). Check the free space in memory (less than 1 GB can cause lags). If the brakes started immediately after the updates were turned off, try returning the default settings (see Method 1).
How to check if auto updates are disabled?
To make sure that the settings are applied: Connect your phone to Wi-Fi. Manually check for updates (Settings โ†’ Phone โ†’ Update MIUI). If the system doesn't start downloading the update automatically, everything works. For reliability, restart your phone and recheck. You can also use the NetGuard app (without root) to block Internet access for the com.android.updater process.
What if some features (such as themes or the Mi cloud) stopped working after disabling the updates?
Some Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Cloud or Themes) depend on update services. If they stop working: Return auto update settings to their original state (see Method 1). Clear the data and cache of the problematic application (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ [application name] โ†’ Storage). If the problem persists, try manually updating MIUI to the latest version and then disabling auto updates again.
Can you turn off updates forever so you canโ€™t even manually update?
Yes, but it will require: Remove the system app Updater (see Method 5, you need root). or reflash the phone to custom firmware without Xiaomi services. โš ๏ธ Warning: This will make any updates, including critical security patches, impossible, and only valid for devices that are not connected to the Internet or are used on isolated networks.