How to permanently disable updates on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from simple ways to ADB-team

Why Redmi 9 users want to disable updates and what the dangers are

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T) often face an aggressive policy of automatic MIUI updates. The system not only downloads service packs in the background, but also obsessively reminds you of installing them - sometimes several times a day. This is annoying, especially if you are happy with the current version of the firmware or fear that the new software will slow down the smartphone.

But disabling updates is a two-way sword. On the one hand, you get rid of intrusive notifications and save traffic; on the other, you lose important security patches, new features and optimizations. For example, updates for Redmi 9 often close vulnerabilities through which attackers can access your data.

In this article, we'll look at 5 ways to disable updates, from standard MIUI settings to deep system changes. Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that suits your skill level. Start with the simplest and end with advanced user solutions.

Method 1: Disabling update notifications (without root)

The safest and most reversible method is to simply hide notifications from the system application Software Update. This will not stop downloading updates in the background, but at least eliminate annoying pop-ups. It is suitable for users who do not want to interfere with system settings.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Software Update” (or “com.android.updater” for an accurate search).
• 🔔 Tap the app, then select Notifications.
• 🚫 Turn off the switch Show notifications.

This method does not require superuser rights and works on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14).

1. Updates will still download in the background, taking up space in memory.
2. When manually checking updates (via Settings → About Phone → Software Update), the system will still offer to install available updates.

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If they continue to appear after disabling notifications, clear the Software Update app cache in the same application management menu.

Method 2: Limit background activity of the Software Update application

A more radical method is to prevent the application from running in the background, which not only turns off notifications, but also stops automatic update downloads.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Software Update.
2. Select Battery (or Charge Consumption in older versions of MIUI).
3. Set a limit to limit background activity.
4. Go back and select Mobile Data, then turn off Background Data.
5. Repeat step 4 for the Wi-Fi point.

After these actions, the Software Update application will not be able to:

• 📥 Download updates automatically (neither via Wi-Fi nor mobile network).
• 🔔 Show notifications about new versions.
• ⚙️ Check for updates in the background.

⚠️ Warning: If you ever want to upgrade your smartphone, first return your background settings to their original state. Otherwise, the system may give an error when trying to download firmware.

Clear the cache of the application "Update software"|Disable autoboot for this application|Check that your smartphone is not connected to Wi-Fi during the change|Make a backup copy of important data-->

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (without root but with PC)

For users who are ready to connect Redmi 9 to a computer, there is a more reliable method – disabling updates via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require superuser rights, but requires installing drivers and minimal knowledge of working with the command line.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Completely blocks the check and download of updates.
• 🔄 Reversible process (you can take it all back with one team).
• 📱 It does not affect the performance of the smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (the official tool from Google).
2. Turn on Redmi 9 Developer Mode (tap 7 times on the build number in Settings → About phone).
3. Activate Debugging by USB in the Developer Menu.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

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


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.updater

The first command disables the application, the second - deletes it for the current user (without deleting system files).

⚠️ Note: If you want to return updates, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.android.updater But note that after that you may need to manually reinstall the application via Settings. → Annexes.

Method 4: Remove updates via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

For advanced users who have unlocked the bootloader and installed custom recovery (such as TWRP), there is a radical way to remove the system application updates physically. This will permanently eliminate updates, but will require manual restoration of the application if you ever want to upgrade.

Step-by-step:

• 🔧 Install. TWRP Redmi 9 (version must match model: Lancelot for standard Redmi 9, Angelica for 9C).
• 📱 Boot to recovery (turn off the phone, then pinch the power) + Loudness up).
• 🗑️ Go to Advanced. → File Manager.
• 📂 Find the file. /system/priv-app/Updater and remove it.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

After this procedure:

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may lead to impassable verification MIUI (bootloop) on the next major update. If you decide to return the stock firmware, first restore the Updater folder through TWRP or fastboot.

Method 5: Blocking through the hosts file (root required)

If you have root rights, you can block the Software Update app from Xiaomi servers by editing the hosts file, which will prevent new versions from being checked, but will not delete the app itself.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Open /system/etc/hosts file in the text editor.
3. Add the following lines to the end of the file: 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com 127.0.0.1 api.account.xiaomi.com
4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

This method works because:

• 🌐 Redirects requests to update servers to a local address (127.0.0.1).
• 🔒 Does not require the removal of system files.
• 🔄 Easy to cancel (remove added lines).

However, please note that some versions of MIUI can automatically reset the host file after rebooting.

• Install an app like Hosts Editor to automatically apply the rules.
• Or make the hosts file immutable (Chmod 444 /system/etc/hosts in the root terminal).

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Blocking through hosts is the only method that leaves no traces in the system (does not delete files, does not disable services).However, it requires root and can conflict with VPNs or antiviruses.

What to do if the update has already downloaded - how to remove it

If you're too late to catch up and the update has already been downloaded to your phone's memory, you can manually delete it.

Steps for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Files.
2. In the search box, enter “update”.
3. Find the file. downloaded_rom (commonly 1.5-2.5 GB).
4. Delete its contents.

Alternative method (if the folder is not located):

• 📁 Use a file manager (e.g., File Manager)+) and cross the path: /sdcard/MIUI/downloaded_rom/
• 🗑️ Delete the file with the.zip extension (for example, miui_LANCELOTGlobal_V12.5.1.0.RJCMIXM_...).

If the folder appears again after deleting, it means:

• 🔄 Background Update Service is still active (go back to Method 2 or 3).
• 📥 The update has been partially downloaded and will be downloaded (turn off the Internet on the Internet). 10-15 minutes, then repeat the removal).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Redmi 9