Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone often face intrusive notifications about the availability of a new version of the operating system. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and improvements to the MIUI interface, but for many users these changes bring more problems than benefits. The device can start to work slower, and in some cases new firmware contains critical errors that affect the stability of the work.
Disabling automatic download and installing updates is a smart move for those who value the stability of the current state of the gadget.System files will not be changed without your knowledge, eliminating the risk of a sudden reset or data loss due to a failed update. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available blocking methods. OTA-Updates on your device.
There are several levels of restriction, from simple menu settings to more complex manipulations of system services. Complete locking is only possible when you turn off the system application Updater through ADB or root rights, which requires caution. We will look at the safe ways available to the average user that will help save the current version of the firmware indefinitely.
Why block MIUI updates on Redmi Note 8 Pro
Many users are wondering if they should interfere at all, and the answer lies in the specifics of how Chinese electronics manufacturers work. Often new versions of MIUI are optimized for more powerful hardware, which on the 2019 Redmi Note 8 Pro model can cause performance drops. The processor and RAM get an additional load that was not in the original build.
Another important reason is the removal of ads: In some regions, new updates return ad units to system applications that the user previously successfully disabled. By saving the current version of the software, you capture the customized environment. In addition, the autonomy of the device on old, proven firmware is often higher, since the background processes are optimized for this release.
There is also a risk of losing root rights or unlocked bootloader when you upgrade. If you modify the system, automatic patch installation can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).
Set up traffic restriction for system services
The first and most secure method is to prevent the system update application from using mobile Internet and Wi-Fi, which will not remove the service completely, but will deprive it of the ability to download the data packet. First, you need to find the hidden system update application in the list of all programs.
Go to your smartphone settings and find the data section. The path may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. You need to find a particular application in the list and limit its network access rights, and this will create an artificial barrier to download files.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the App item.
- 🔍 Select All Apps and find System Update (or Updater) in the list).
- 🚫 Click on Traffic Control or Data Use.
- ⛔ Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi sliders for this app.
Once you do this, the system will assume that there is no Internet connection and will not be able to download the service pack, but notifications of the availability of a new version may continue to come, as the version is verified through other communication channels, this method is effective in conjunction with other settings.
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If you can’t find the System Update app in the general list, turn on the system processes display in the settings menu (three dots in the corner of the screen).
Disabling notifications and autoboots
Even if you ban traffic, annoying pop-ups can continue.To get rid of reminders completely, you need to turn off notifications for the update service.This will make the process "quiet" and will not distract you while using the Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone.
In the System Update settings, find the Notifications section, where you need to uncheck all the ticks that allow alerts, pay special attention to "Download Complete" and "Update available." It is also recommended to disable auto-start so that the service does not activate immediately after turning on the phone.
☑️ Checking notification settings
It's important to understand that this method is cosmetic. It hides the symptoms, but it doesn't treat the cause. The background service will still periodically try to contact the server when connecting to Wi-Fi, unless you've restricted traffic as described in the previous section. Combining the methods gives the best result.
Using Developer Mode and Wi-Fi
One effective way to prevent an update is to use Wi-Fi settings. Android and MIUI have a feature that prevents large files from automatically downloading via mobile networks, but often updates are initiated over Wi-Fi. We can try to trick the system.
Extended Wi-Fi settings (often found in the Wi-Fi settings menu -> In addition, or through Developer Mode, you can find parameters related to the behavior of the network. IP-address with the wrong gateway, but that will take away your phone's Internet connection, so you better focus on shutting down the service.
| Locking method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic restriction | Medium | Low. | Absent. |
| Disabling notifications | Low. | Low. | Absent. |
| Rename the folder (Root) | Tall. | Tall. | Average. |
| Disconnection through ADB | Tall. | Medium | Average. |
Don't just rely on your router settings. Even if you block update domains at the router level, the application can use other domains. IP-address CDN-Local lock on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is more reliable.
Advanced method: Disconnection via ADB
For users who are not afraid of computers and cables, there is a more reliable way: with the help of the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, you can completely freeze or delete the update package for the current user, this will not delete files physically, but make them invisible and inactive to the system.
You'll need to enable USB Debugging in the Developer Menu. To activate this menu, you need to quickly click on the MIUI version number seven times in the About Phone section, and once you connect to your PC and install the drivers, you can execute a command to disable the component.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updaterThis command disables the com.android.updater package, and once it is executed, the update icon will disappear from the menu, and the background processes will stop running, and if you want to return the ability to update manually, you just need to enter the command with the replacement of the enableable-user.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Type the wrong packet name can cause other system functions to work in an unstable way.
Working with the file system (requires Root)
If your Redmi Note 8 Pro has an unlocked bootloader and SuperUser (Root) rights, you can use the most radical method: it is to rename or delete the updater executable. This is guaranteed to stop any attempts to update the system.
Using a file manager with access to the system partition (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer), go to /system/app/Updater or /system/priv-app/Updater.
What if the phone does not load after renaming?
Once renaming, be sure to restart the device. The system will not be able to find the executable file and will simply ignore the availability of the update module. This is a "hardened concrete" method, but it requires superuser rights, which in itself are a difficult procedure to obtain.
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The safest way for the average user is to combine traffic restriction and notifications disabling without requiring Root or computer rights.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users find that the settings are reset by themselves, this can happen after cleaning the cache or optimizing the system with built-in tools. If you notice that the auto-update has been activated again, just repeat the traffic restriction procedure.
Also worth mentioning is the network reset, so if you do a full Hard Reset, all the restrictions will be removed and the phone will try to update when it first connects to the Internet, so don't connect Wi-Fi immediately, but repeat the locking steps first.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your settings to factory, all your data will be deleted. Before any manipulation of the system, back up important photos and contacts.
Some antivirus or "cleaners" may view disabled system services as a mistake and try to reactivate them. Add the System Update app to the exclusion of your antivirus or battery optimizer to prevent it from being forced to run.