How to completely disable updates on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 5 working ways

Automatic updates on the Xiaomi Redmi 7A can be a real headache: they consume mobile traffic, drain the battery at the most inopportune moment and sometimes even worsen the performance of the smartphone. This is especially true for the budget model of the Redmi 7A, where every megabyte of memory and percentage of charge is accounted for. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide an obvious “disconnect for good” button – but there is a way out.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can block updates, from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions through ADB and modifications to system files, how to disable updates without root rights, what risks radical methods pose, and what to do if the system stubbornly ignores your settings, and how to return everything back if something goes wrong.

Important: Redmi 7A is MIUI-based (versions 10-12), and some methods may vary depending on the firmware. If your smartphone has already upgraded to a new version, some of the instructions will require adaptation.

Why do you want to turn off Redmi 7A updates?

At first glance, the updates seem useful: they fix bugs, add new features and improve security. But for the Redmi 7A, with its modest specs (2/16 GB or 2/32 GB, the Snapdragon 439), each new version of MIUI can do more harm than good.

• 📉 Performance: New versions MIUI Optimized for fresh models, and on Redmi 7A They often brake, “lay down” and overheat the device.
• 📶 Traffic: Updates weigh 1-2GB – critical if you have a limited rate or slow internet.
• 🔋 Battery: Background download updates eat up to 15-20% charge per night.
• 🔄 Instability: Redmi users 7A Often complain about bugs after updates – from Wi-Fi issues to spontaneous reboots.
• 🛠️ Risk of “bricking”: When interrupted updates (for example, due to battery discharge), the smartphone can turn into a “brick».

Xiaomi is also known for its aggressive update policy: it can download firmware on its own even when Wi-Fi is turned off, and then insist on installing it.

Method 1: Disable updates through standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in options of the system. It does not guarantee 100% lock (MIUI sometimes ignores these settings), but will reduce the frequency of reminders about updates.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Tap on System Update (or MIUI Update in older versions).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
5. Turn off the automatic download slider via the mobile network.
6. Below, find the Update Notification option and turn it off.
7. Return to the update screen and click Check for Updates, then Cancel if the system offers to download the new version.

This doesn't block the download of updates completely, but it reduces the intrusiveness of the system. If you want a more radical solution, read on.

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Once you turn off notifications, manually check for updates every 2-3 months. Sometimes Xiaomi releases critical security patches that are worth installing.

Method 2: Block updates via ADB (no root rights)

If standard settings don't work, you can use the ADB debugging bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but it will require a computer and a little technical skill. The point is to disable the com.android.updater system application, which is responsible for the updates.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until it says "You're a developer." Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB debugging and confirm permission.

Connect your smartphone to your PC

File transfer

Open the command line.

CMD

ADB

adb devices

If the device is displayed, it's ready. If it's not, check the drivers.

Disable the update app

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

If there is a mistake, try:

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

Reboot your smartphone

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete the updates that have already been downloaded. If they have been downloaded before, they must be manually removed through Settings. → Warehouse → Files. → Downloads (look for files with.zip size extension) >1GB).

Method 3: Remove updates via MIUI Optimized (for advanced)

This method is suitable if you are willing to sacrifice some MIUI features for the sake of full control over updates.The point is to disable the MIUI Optimized system process, which manages background tasks, including updates.

Instructions:

1. Download and install MIUI Optimized Disabler (available on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums) on PC.
2. Connect Redmi 7A to USB with debugging enabled (see Method 2).
3. Open the utility and select the option Disable MIUI Optimized.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the smartphone to restart.

After that:

• ✅ Updates will stop downloading automatically.
• ⚠️ Some functions may be missing MIUI (For example, battery optimization or animation).
• 🔄 To get it back, repeat the procedure with the Enable option. MIUI Optimized.

Critical: On some Redmi 7A firmware, disabling MIUI Optimized results in loss of access to the theme settings. If you’re actively using custom themes, this is not the way to go.

Method 4: Blocking through a firewall (without a root)

If you don’t want to interfere with system files, you can block access to Xiaomi update servers through a firewall, and this is the case with the NetGuard app (free, no root rights).

How to set up:

1. Install NetGuard from Google Play.
2. Open the app and enable Traffic Filtering.
3. Find the System Update app (or com.android.updater) in the list.
4. Slap it and turn off access to Wi-Fi and mobile data.
5. Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

Pros of the method:

• 🔒 Does not require root rights or ADB.
• 📱 It works on any version. MIUI.
• 🔄 Easy to cancel (just allow access to NetGuard again).

Cons:

• ⚠️ The application should work in the background (can slightly drain the battery).
• 🔄 Does not block notifications about updates – only their download.

Method 5: Radical method – Delete system files (routed devices only)

If you're willing to go to extreme lengths and you have root rights, you can manually delete update files, which is a 100% guarantee, but it's dangerous: if you're careless, you can damage the system.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/Updater/
3. Delete or rename (add.bak at the end) files: Updater.apk Updater.odex
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention:

• Without root licenses, this method won't work.
• Deleting system files can result in loss of warranty.
• If you accidentally delete the wrong file, the smartphone may stop loading.

If updates continue to download after deleting, check for duplicate files in folders:

/system/app/Updater/


/data/app/com.android.updater-*/

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Deleting system files is the most effective, but also the riskiest method, and only use it if other methods have not worked and you are confident in your actions.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key characteristics of each method in the table:

For most Redmi 7A users, the best solution is a combination of methods 1 and 4: disabling notifications in the settings + blocking traffic through NetGuard.

If you are technically savvy, try ADB. Radical methods (root, delete files) leave it for an emergency.

What to do if the update has already been downloaded?

Sometimes MIUI can load the update before you turn it off, in which case the firmware file takes up space in memory and can automatically install when you restart it. Here's how to delete it:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Files.
2. Open the Download (or Download) folder.
3. Find a file with a name like this: miui_HM7AGlobal_V12.0.1.0.QCMMIXM_... (size 1.5–2 GB).
4. Delete it.
5. Clear the /cache folder through the Cleanup app (built into MIUI).

If the update has already started to be installed:

• 🔋 Do not turn off your smartphone or interrupt the process – this can damage the system.
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed (may take up to 20-30 minutes).
• 🔄 After installation, immediately disable the updates in one of the ways described above.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updates on Redmi 7A