How to permanently disable system updates on Xiaomi: working methods for 2026

Automatic MIUI updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often cause inconvenience: from sudden reboots to loss of root access (root) or resetting individual settings. The manufacturer strongly recommends keeping firmware up to date, but not all users agree with this policy. The reasons for refusing updates can be different: from the desire to keep a stable version of the software to avoid blocking the bootloader or losing the functionality of custom firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable updates, from standard settings to hidden methods for power users. It’s important to understand that some require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, and the wrong actions can lead to loss of warranty or buildup of the device. If you’re not sure about your skills, it’s better to limit yourself to the safe methods from the first sections.

Why do users turn off MIUI updates?

Before we get to the instructions, we need to understand why we might need it, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔄 Instability of new versions: many updates MIUI contain bugs that impair performance or drain the battery faster.
• 🔓 Save root rights: After an update, you often need to re-unblock the bootloader and re-flash Magisk.
• 📱 Individual settings: new versions MIUI Can reset user themes, gestures or system tweaks.
• 🛡️ Data security: In some regions, updates include forced installation of services that users prefer to avoid.
• ⚡ Saving traffic: downloading weight updates 2-3 Mobile Internet might be a surprise.

On the other hand, the failure to updates has its downsides: security vulnerabilities, lack of new features, and possible incompatibility with modern applications.

Method 1: Standard disabling in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → System Update.
4. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (gear) in upper right corner.
5. Turn off the switches: 🔄 Automatic booting over Wi-Fi 📶 Downloading over mobile 🔔 Notifications of updates

Automatic installation

This method does not block the updates from being checked completely, but it prevents them from downloading and installing without your knowledge.

Method 2: Blocking through ADB (without root)

If standard settings are not enough, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — This is a tool for debugging Android devices, which doesn't require root rights, but it requires a computer and a computer. USB-Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB) on PC.
2. Activate debugging by USB in the developer settings on your smartphone.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics
6. Reset the device.

Instructions:

1. Boot into TWRP mode (usually Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete the following folders and files: /system/priv-app/Updater/ /system/app/Updater/ /data/data/com.android.updater/

Reset the device.

After that, the system will stop checking for updates at all. OTA-Packets can recover deleted files when forced to install via the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 4: Blocking through hosts file (for experienced)

Another effective method is to redirect update servers to non-existent addresses through the hosts file, which prevents the device from communicating with Xiaomi servers from where the downloads are coming from. OTA-It works without root, but it requires ADB.

Steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB.
2. Download the original hosts file from the device: adb pull /system/etc/hosts
3. Open the file in the text editor and add at the end of the line: 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com 127.0.0.1 ota.miui.com 127.0.0.1 api.io.mi.com
4. Save the file and download back: adb push hosts /system/etc/ adb shell chmod 644 /system/etc/hosts
5. Reset the device.

Installation:

1. Download the module in.zip format (for example, from the XDA Developers forum).
2. Open Magisk Manager and go to Modules → Install from Storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the installation to be completed.
4. Reset the device.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: modules can be disabled or updated without losing data. However, they can conflict with other modifications of the system, so make a backup before installing.

💡

If the phone stops booting after installing the module, boot to TWRP and delete the module file from the /data/adb/modules/ folder.

What to do if the update has already been downloaded?

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the update has already been downloaded but not installed, in which case it can be manually removed to free up space and prevent accidental installation.

Instructions:

1. Open any file manager with access to system folders (e.g. MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /data/ota_package/ or (on some devices) /cache/ota/
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension – these are the service packs.
4. Clear /cache/ from temporary files (optional).

If the folders ota_package No, try searching for the update file through the built-in file manager, sorting the files by the date of the change. OTA-bags 1.5–3 GB and have a name like this. miui_*.zip.

⚠️ Note: on some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Pro) folder /data/ota_package/ It can be hidden. To see it, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Xiaomi

💡

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), MIUI updates are automatically disabled, but keep an eye on your firmware updates through its official channels.