Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face intrusive notifications about the release of a new version of the system. Often, automatic patch installation occurs at the wrong time, causing a device reboot or traffic consumption. Disabling updates becomes a necessity for those who want to maintain the stability of the current build or avoid advertising on the system.
Xiaomi doesn’t provide a single button to completely ban updates from the standard menu. MIUI and the new HyperOS are designed to make it as easy as possible to get new products, sometimes to the detriment of the owner. However, there are proven methods to block the background services of the bootloader.
In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways, from simple Wi-Fi settings to advanced methods via ADB and USB debugging.You’ll learn to block update servers and hide the red notification point while maintaining full control over your gadget.
Why Block Automatic System Updates
The main reason users are looking for a way to stop updates is the risk of bugs. New firmware versions often come out with bugs that can reduce autonomy or cause the housing to heat up. Stable operation is more important than new features that may not be necessary.
Another factor is the space taken up. Installation files can weigh several gigabytes, which is critical for models with little internal storage, and automatic booting often occurs in the background, consuming mobile traffic and battery power.
Also worth mentioning is customization: Advanced users often install modified versions of MIUI or use root rights, and an official update can fly over the custom build, causing system file conflict and cyclical reboot.
Finally, there's the problem of intrusiveness, and the constant pop-ups that suggest that you upgrade are annoying and disruptive, and blocking these processes restores calmness and predictability to the device.
Basic settings: disabling autoboot via Wi-Fi
The easiest, but not the most reliable, method is to limit boot conditions, so in standard settings, you can prevent the system from downloading service packs over the mobile network, which will save traffic, but will not stop the process completely if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
To do this, go to the Settings menu and select About Phone. Click on the system version (MIUI or HyperOS logo) to open the update menu. Then tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Update Settings.
In the list that opens, find the Autoboot option and turn it off. It is also recommended to uncheck the Receive Notifications box. This action will hide the red dot on the settings icon, but the background version check will still be performed.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → About the phone and click on the logo version.
- 🔘 Click on three dots in the corner and go to Update Settings.
- 🚫 Deactivate Toggles Autoboot and Receive Notifications.
- ⚠️ This method does not block the installation if you run it manually.
It's important to understand that this only limits the conditions, but it doesn't block the mechanism itself. The system will continue to check the servers, and if there's Wi-Fi, it may suggest patching.
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If you use public Wi-Fi frequently, this method will not protect you from accidental downloads, as the network can be recognized as secure.
Disconnection method through debugging via USB and ADB
The most effective method that works on most versions MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS are the things that turn off the system update component through your computer, USB-cable and minimum set of tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
The first step is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the build number (MIUI version). After the message "You became a developer" appears, go to Additional Settings → For developers.
Turn on the debugging switchboard via USB. When you connect to your computer, a request for debugging permission will appear on the smartphone screen - be sure to tick "Always Allow" and click "OK".
☑️ Preparation for ADB-team
After connecting your phone to your PC, open the command line (terminal) in the folder with ADB and enter a command to disable the service pack:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updaterThis command freezes the system application updater, making it impossible to start the verification and installation process. If you ever need to upgrade, use the command adb shell pm enable com.android.updater.
⚠️ Note: After applying this command, the update icon may disappear from the menu. This is normal behavior. ADB.
Blocking through hosts file (requires Root)
For owners of devices with superuser rights (Root) there is the most reliable method - lock at the DNS level. By changing the hosts system file, we prohibit the phone from connecting to Xiaomi boot servers.
You’ll need a file manager with access to system partitions, such as Root Explorer or MT Manager. Find the /etc/hosts file and add the following lines at the end:
127.0.0.1 update.miui.com
127.0.1.1 update.intl.miui.com
127.0.0.1 update.c.mi.comOnce the file is saved and the device restarted, any attempts by the system to contact the update server will be blocked.The method is effective, but requires root rights, the receipt of which can void the warranty.
- 🔓 Root rights and unlocked bootloader required.
- 📝 Editing of the system file /etc/hosts.
- 🛑 Blocking update.miui.com and their regional counterparts.
- 🔄 100% effective, but difficult to implement for beginners.
The good thing about this is that it doesn't depend on the Android version or shell, and even if you try the phone over, saving a backup of the hosts file will allow you to quickly restore the lock.
List of additional domains to block
Comparison of methods of disabling updates
The choice of method depends on your technical training and goals. Below is a table that will help you determine the best way to lock for your case.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | I need a Root. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi settings | Low. | 20% | No. |
| ADB (Switch Off Packet) | Medium | 95% | No. |
| Hosts file | Tall. | 100% | Yes. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | 50% | Often. |
As you can see from the table, ADB is the middle ground, and it doesn't require super-user rights, but it gives you almost complete control over the process, and the hosts file method is ideal for enthusiasts who want to block telemetry as well.
A simple shutdown in the settings is only suitable for those who are afraid of accidentally downloading via mobile Internet, but are willing to put up with notifications. For complete peace of mind, it is recommended to combine methods or use ADB.
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The safest and most effective way for the average user is to disable the com.android.updater service through ADB without root rights.
Possible problems and solutions
Unforeseen situations may occur during the lockdown process, such as when the system itself is updated (if it does happen), the ADB settings may reset and the service will have to be disabled again, which is the normal behavior of Android.
Sometimes users complain that important security notifications stopped coming after the updater was turned off.In fact, security patches in Xiaomi often come separately through the Security app or the GetApps store, so the risk of being left unprotected is minimal.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to sell your phone, be sure to turn the updates back on through ADB. The new owner may not understand why the device is not working version check, and decides that the phone is defective.
Another problem is that there are bugs in the logs, and some system processes may try to trigger an update service and get a failure, which doesn't affect the phone, but can be annoying for those who follow logcats.
In rare cases, on global firmware versions, the ADB command may fail the first time. Try running it twice or restarting the device after executing the command, and then checking the status of the package through adb shell pm list packages | grep updater.