How to permanently disable component updates on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Automatic component updates on Xiaomi smartphones are often a headache for users, and the system downloads tens of megabytes of “useful” updates without warning, which take up space in memory, drain the battery and sometimes even break the stable operation of the device, especially for owners of devices with limited memory or weak hardware, where every megabyte counts.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable component updates on Xiaomi, from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands via ADB. You’ll learn how to block app-specific updates, why the system persists in imposing them, and what to do if errors occur after the shutdown. This material is relevant for MIUI 12, 13, and 14 (including HyperOS), and also covers most models, from the Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Why is Xiaomi pushing for component updates?

Xiaomi is actively promoting the MIUI ecosystem, where system components are closely integrated with cloud services, and these are the main reasons why devices are persistently updating these modules:

• 🔄 Security: Some components (such as Mi Security or Google Play Services) receive critical patches to protect against vulnerabilities.
• 📊 Analytics: modules like MSA (Mi System Ads collect data about device usage for targeted advertising.
• 🔧 Compatibility: Newer versions of applications (e.g. Mi Home or Mi Fit) require up-to-date system libraries.
• 💰 Monetization: Some components (Mi Browser, Mi Video) contain advertising SDK, Updated to display new advertising formats.

However, in practice, most users are faced with the fact that these updates:

• ⚡ Battery discharge in the background (especially noticeable on budget models like Redmi). 9A).
• 📉 They're up. 1-2 GB of memory in the section "System applications".
• 🐢 Slow down the device due to constant activity of com.xiaomi.midrop and similar services.

Fun fact: In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, Xiaomi has started to divide updates into “critical” (security) and “recommended” (new features), but even then, the system defaults to download everything without asking the user.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which is suitable for most users and does not require root rights or technical skills.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
4. Find the auto-update option and turn it off.
5. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
6. In search, type in the Software Update (or Updater), open the application and click Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Stop).

This method only blocks major firmware updates, but does not affect components like Google Play Services or Mi Security.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) after disabling Updater, notifications of critical security patches may disappear. 2-3 Manually check for updates through Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.

Method 2: Blocking through Google Play Settings

Many Xiaomi components are updated through the Google Play Store, even if they are system-based.

1. Open the Google Play Store and go to your profile (the icon in the upper right corner).
2. Select Settings → Network Settings → Auto-Update Applications.
3. Set the value of Do not update automatically.
4. Go back to your profile and select App and Device Management.
5. In the list, find system components (e.g. Mi Security, Mi Drop, Mi Browser) and click on three points for each of them → Disable Auto Update.

This method works for most “user” components, but does not affect deeply integrated services like com.xiaomi.finddevice or com.miui.analytics.

Critical information: Disabling auto-updates for Google Play Services could cause banking apps, Google Pay, and other services that depend on Google’s current APIs to crash.If you decide to block this component, be prepared for possible compatibility issues.

Method 3: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

For advanced users who are ready to work with the command line, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) offers the most powerful tool for managing system components.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Steps to disable component updates:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. To block updates for a specific package (e.g. Mi Browser), do: adb shell pm hide com.android.browser Replace com.android.browser with the desired component ID (see below for a list of popular packages).
4. To completely remove the system application (requires adb root rights on some devices): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

A list of popular Xiaomi packages that can be turned off:

• 🌐 com.android.browser – Mi Browser (browser with ads).
• 📎 com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (file transfer).
• 🛡️ com.miui.analytics – Analytics collection.
• 📢 com.miui.systemAdSolution – Advertising Module MSA.
• 🔍 com.miui.finddevice – Device search (you can turn it off if you don’t use it).

⚠️ Note: Removal of system components through ADB It can lead to unstable work MIUI Or even a "brick" of the device. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) To remove system applications, you need to unlock the bootloader, which resets all data!

Method 4: Blocking through hosts file (without root)

If you don’t want to delete components altogether, but want to stop updating them, you can block access to Xiaomi update servers via the hosts file.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with access to the root folder (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts (if the file is not available, it may be in /etc/hosts).
3. Copy the hosts file to any folder (like Download) for backup.
4. Open the original hosts file in the text editor and add the following lines at the end: 127.0.0.1 api.mi.com 127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 ota.miui.com 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com
5. Save the changes and restart the device.

This method blocks access to update servers, but does not affect Google Play Services, which will require additional records to be added:

127.0.0.1 android.clients.google.com


127.0.0.1 play.googleapis.com

💡

If the Internet is lost after editing hosts, check the syntax of the file. Each line should end with a line translation (click Enter after the last entry).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root or unlocking the bootloader.
• ✅ Easy to cancel (it is enough to delete the added lines).
• ✅ Blocks updates for all applications, including system.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It can break some services (e.g. Mi Cloud or Find Device).
• ❌ Requires re-use after resetting settings.

Method 5: Reverse component version (for experienced)

If a component has already been updated and started to cause problems (for example, Google Play Services started eating the battery after the update), you can return it to the previous version.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the old version of the component from a reliable source (such as APKMirror). For Google Play Services, choose the version that is compatible with your firmware.
2. Install. APK-File via any file manager or command: adb install -r -d com.google.android.gms_12.3456789-10_minAPI28.apk Flag. -r permit, -d — downgrade.
3. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the component and click Disable Auto Update.
4. (Optional) Block access to update servers via hosts (see Method 4).

Important nuances:

• 🔄 For Google Play Services, cache cleaning may be required after rollback (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Services → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 🚫 Some apps (such as banking) refuse to run on older versions of Google Play Services, and in this case, you will have to return the current version.
• 🔍 Before rolling back, check the version’s compatibility with your firmware on forums (e.g, 4PDA).

💡

Reverse the system component version is a last resort, and only use it if the component is actually interfering with the device and other methods have not worked.

What if there are errors after the updates are turned off?

In some cases, blocking updates can cause a crash, and here are the typical problems and solutions:

If after manipulating the system components, the device began to slow down or reboot, try:

1. Clear the cache through Settings → Additional → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Perform factory reset (without deleting data): Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. If nothing helps, try to reflash the device via the Mi Flash Tool (see xiaomiflash.com for instructions for your model).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi component updates