How to disable MIUI 12 on Xiaomi: a guide

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the desire to change the software of their device. The question of how to disable MIUI 12 usually arises for two reasons: either the new shell works unstable on the old device, or the user is not satisfied with the abundance of advertising and intrusive services. It is important to immediately understand the technical essence of the problem: completely remove the system shell, like a regular application, it is impossible without losing the functionality of the phone, since it is part of the Android operating system.

However, there are effective ways to solve this problem: You can roll back to an earlier firmware version (e.g. MIUI 11 or 12.5 based on Android 10), replace the global version with the Chinese version, or even install pure Android through custom firmware. Each of these methods requires different degrees of preparation and carries its own risks. In this article, we will discuss all the options available, from simple settings to complex manipulations with the bootloader.

Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about the difference between shutting down functions and completely replacing the system. If your goal is just to remove the annoying elements, you may not have to refashion the device. But if the system is slow or contains critical bugs, the only way out is to downgrade the software version. Let's consider the preparatory stage, without which any further action can lead to a breakage of the smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: All manipulations with the firmware and the bootloader are at your own risk. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of warranty or turn the device into a brick. Be sure to make a full backup of the data before starting work.

Why do users want to remove MIUI 12?

The MIUI 12 shell has been one of the most controversial updates in the company’s history, bringing beautiful designs and new privacy features, and many users have faced major optimizations, with mid-range and low-end devices like the Redmi Note 8 or Redmi 9 often running slower than its predecessor.

The company’s aggressive policies on advertising and pre-installed software have been the main cause of the discontent.In MIUI 12, pop-ups and intrusive offers have peaked, annoying even experienced owners.In addition, many have complained about fast battery discharge and GPS module problems that were only fixed in later security patches.

Another factor is the desire for a cleaner Android experience, which rivals like Motorola or Nokia offer. Some users are just used to MIUI 11 logic and don't want to relearn, which is why finding a way to roll back or change the system remains relevant.

Can the MIUI shell be completely removed?

Technically, you can't remove MIUI without leaving the phone functional without installing an alternative. The shell is deeply integrated into the core of the system and manages all the basic functions: calls, messages, camera. If you try to delete system files through ADB or root rights without installing a new firmware, the phone will stop booting.

“Delete” in enthusiastic settings usually means installing custom firmware (Custom ROM), which can be LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu (the lightweight version of the official firmware), which are advertising-free, have less pre-installed debris and often run faster than stock.

However, custom software installation requires unlocking the bootloader.This is the official procedure from Xiaomi, but it requires waiting from 7 to 168 hours and having a Mi Account. Without an unlocked bootloader, you will not install a third-party system, since the protection will not allow you to download unsigned code.

Preparation for flashing or rollback

If you've decided that MIUI 12 is not right for you, you need to get the device ready, and chaotic actions without preparation are the main cause of data loss, and the first step should always be to back up all the important files: photos, contacts, and documents.

The second critical step is charging the device, which can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to flash or roll back, and if the battery sits down at a critical time when the system partitions are written, it's going to be extremely difficult to restore the phone, often requiring ration from the programmer, and the charge should be at least 60-70%.

You will also need quality. USB-Windows cable and computer. To work with official Xiaomi tools such as the Mi Flash Tool, drivers are needed ADB And Fastboot. Without them, the computer won't see the phone in firmware mode.

Method 1: Recoil to an earlier version (Downgrade)

The safest way to disable MIUI 12 problems is to return to stable MIUI 11 or early 12.5. Xiaomi officially forbids rollback versions, so simply updating through the settings won't work.

To roll back through Recovery (without PC), you will need to download Recovery-rom (file with extension.zip) of the desired version. Importantly, you can not jump over the versions of Android. If you have Android 11 on MIUI 12, then you can roll back immediately to MIUI 11 with Android 10 through the recovery menu without full data clearing (Wipe All Data).

The process is as follows: the firmware file is renamed update.zip and placed in the root of the internal memory. Then, through the File Selection menu in Recovery mode, this archive is selected, the system will check the version and, if rollback is allowed for this model, prompt you to install it.

The situation is more complicated if you want to roll back the version of Android (for example, from 11 to 10). In this case, you often need an unlocked bootloader and use the Fastboot mode. The Mi Flash Tool computer program allows you to forcibly record an image of the old system, but this will completely erase all data from the phone.

⚠️ Note: When you try to roll back an Android version (for example, 11 to 10) via Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader, you may get an “Anti-rollback check failed” error.

Method 2: Install custom firmware (Custom ROM)

A radical solution to the problem MIUI 12 is a complete abandonment of the shell in favor of pure Android. Popular firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, provide high speed and current versions of Android even on older Xiaomi smartphones" MIUI forever.

The main advantage of this method is the absence of advertising, telemetry and unnecessary software. The interface becomes light and responsive. However, there are disadvantages: the camera can shoot worse than on stock firmware, because the photo processing algorithms of Xiaomi are proprietary. Some specific functions, such as a second space or advanced theme settings, may also stop working.

The installation process always starts with unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock utility, and then installs custom Recovery (usually TWRP) into the phone, which is already sewn up by the operating system itself, a path for advanced users willing to spend time setting up.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, be sure to find a branch on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum specifically for your phone model. The firmware from Redmi Note 9 can hopelessly ruin the Redmi Note 8.

Alternative: Disabling advertising and unnecessary services

If the flashing seems too difficult to you, you can try to "de-fuse" MIUI 12 by disabling advertising mechanisms and heavy services, which will not remove the shell, but will make it more comfortable to use. MSA (MIUI System Ads).

Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Find msa on the list and turn off the switch. The system will try to convince you to leave it as it is several times, you need to be persistent and wait 10 seconds before you try again.

Next, go to the settings of each system application (Conductor, Cleanup, Music, Themes), each of which has an "About Program" section or just the settings where the "Receive recommendations" toggle is hidden. Disabling these items will remove pop-up ads in folders and menus.

Another effective method is to use a private DNS. In the connection settings (Connection and General Settings → Private DNS), write the address dns.adguard.com. This will filter most of the advertising traffic at the system level without installing third-party applications.

💡

Disconnection of service MSA use DNS-filtering allows you to remove 90% of advertising in the MIUI 12 without the need to flash the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)