How to disable MIUI updates on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi and Redmi users often face the obsession of MIUI to update at the most inopportune moment, which can occur during an important call, a game, or simply when the smartphone battery barely holds charge. Many device owners prefer the stability of the current firmware version, as new updates sometimes carry not only bug fixes, but also new bugs, interface changes or even slowing down the device.

There are several effective ways to stop this process, from simple menu settings to deeper methods through the computer. Disabling updates is not just a whim, but often a necessary measure to maintain the familiar logic of the device. In this article, we will discuss all the available lock options, from the most secure to radical.

You can't completely remove the system update component without superuser rights, but you can either make it inactive or block access to servers. The specific method you choose depends on your version of Android and the HyperOS or MIUI shell. Let's look at the step-by-step instructions.

Disconnection through standard system settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in menu options, and Xiaomi has introduced manual file download controls, but it's worth noting that in the latest versions of the shell, this option is becoming less visible or stops working completely without any further manipulation, but it's worth starting with this.

You have to go to the Settings menu, then select About Phone and click on the MIUI version logo. In the window that opens, click on the three dots in the upper right corner. Here you will see Update Options. This is where the switch that formally forbids automatic booting is hidden.

Once you turn off the boot box, the system will stop downloading packets in the background, but it can still periodically check for a new version and show notifications. To completely ignore these reminders, you will need a deeper approach, described below.

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The standard shutdown in the menu does not guarantee 100% notification blocking, but it prevents heavy firmware files from loading in the background.

Blocking through the Security app

Every Redmi smartphone has a system application called Security, which controls not only antivirus, but also the network access of other programs, and because the system component is responsible for updating, we can restrict its access to the Internet, thereby physically blocking the ability to communicate with the server.

Open the Security app, go to Data Transfer (or Traffic Statistics) and find Traffic Limitation. You need to find the system process responsible for updates in the application list, which can be called System Update, MIUI bootloader, or the packet name com.android.updater.

You have to uncheck the Wi-Fi and Mobile data boxes for this process, and now, even if the system wants to check for a new version, it won't be able to connect to the server, which is one of the most reliable methods, and it doesn't require a PC connection.

• 🔒 Open the Security app on the home screen.
• 📶 Go to the Traffic Management section and find the access restriction.
• 🚫 Find the system bootloader and deny him access to the network.
• ✅ Save the changes and restart the device to apply the rules.

Using ADB to disable a component

For more advanced users who aren’t afraid to connect the phone to a computer, there is a method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to “freeze” the system service package, making it completely inoperable until you decide to activate it again, which is more effective than just banning traffic.

First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI build number. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on “Debugging USB.” Connect your smartphone to a PC with ADB installed and execute the command to disable the updater.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater

This command turns the update application into a sleeper process, and the system will think that the application is removed or not installed. If you want to go back to receiving updates, you just need to run the command adb shell pm enable com.android.updater. Be careful when you type commands so that you don't affect other system services.

Modification of the hosts file (Root Requires)

If your Xiaomi smartphone has an unlocked bootloader and superuser (Root) rights, you can block access to update servers at the lowest level.

You'll need a file manager with access to system partitions, like Root Explorer or MT Manager. Go to /system/etc/hosts and open the file for editing. At the end of the file, you'll need to add lines that block the domains of Xiaomi servers.

⚠️ Note: Editing system files can cause the device to work unstable.Be sure to back up the hosts file and important data before making changes.

Add the following lines:

127.0.0.1 update.miui.com


127.0.0.1 update.intl.miui.com




127.0.0.1 rom.miui.com

Once you save the file and reboot it, the phone will try to send you a request for an update, but it will get a response from itself (localhost), which will not lead anywhere. This is a "hardware" method that works even after you reset the settings, if you don't reflash the device clean.

Comparison of blocking methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a summary table that will help you assess the risks and effectiveness of each method for your Redmi model.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the best solution is a bundle: disabling settings plus blocking traffic in a security application, which gives a double barrier without having to go into code or get root rights.

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If you use the ADB method, write down all the commands you typed into a notebook, which will make it easy to return everything back if necessary, simply by replacing the word disable with enable.

Possible problems and solutions

Sometimes, after updating the MIUI system itself, the settings may get lost, or the system update process may be replaced by a newer one that ignores the old prohibitions. In such cases, notifications may return. If you notice that the phone has started downloading firmware again, check the list of applications with access to the network again.

Another common problem is that pop-ups are popping up to update even if downloading is prohibited, which is part of Xiaomi's marketing policy, in which case only the ADB method or completely ignoring the window (clicking the Remind Later button or cross), some users install special ad blockers that can cut out such system windows.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party programs to cut out ads from the system may disrupt other Google services or MIUI. Use these tools with caution.

Also, remember that the complete lack of security updates makes your Redmi vulnerable to new viruses and exploits, and it is recommended that you check for critical security patches periodically (once every six months) and, if necessary, temporarily allow the update.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)