Many owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphone face a situation where the device begins to download and offer to install new versions of the operating system. For a budget model released several years ago, this can be a serious problem, as new shells MIUI often require more resources than can provide the “iron” of the last generation.
Users often look for ways to disable updates on Xiaomi Redmi 5 to keep the current stable firmware version and avoid performance loss. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and MIUI shell provide multiple levels of control over this process. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the blocking methods available, from simple menu settings to more complex manipulations with system services.
It is important to understand that completely stopping service packs requires a comprehensive approach. On Redmi 5 with a Snapdragon 450 processor, it is critical to stop the background loading of large files so as not to overflow internal memory. We will look at ways to help you take control of the device into your own hands and prevent the system from making decisions about software upgrades.
Why you should limit automatic updates on older models
Every year, mobile operating systems are becoming more demanding on hardware. Xiaomi Redmi 5, being a popular budget of its time, was equipped with 2 or 3 gigabytes of RAM and a mid-level processor. New versions of MIUI are optimized for modern chipsets and large amounts of RAM, ignoring the limitations of older devices.
If you allow the phone to upgrade to the latest version available, you may face a number of unpleasant consequences: System services will consume more power, which will lead to a quick battery drain, the interface may become less responsive, and the startup time of applications will increase, and for many users, the transition to the new version is a step backwards in terms of usability.
⚠️ Warning: Installing the latest firmware on outdated iron can cause the body to freeze and overheat.If your current version of the system is stable, there is no point in risking changing it.
In addition, new updates often change the logic of the interface, remove familiar features or add advertising to system applications. Blocking updates allows you to preserve the interface as it is convenient for you, this is especially true for those who are used to a particular version of MIUI and do not want to re-examine the layout of menu items.
Basic configuration of update parameters in MIUI
The first step to controlling the system is to check the standard settings, and the MIUI has a built-in mechanism to control the frequency of checks and how files are downloaded, and while you can't completely disable the Update button through the regular menu, you can make it much harder for the system to automatically upgrade.
To start, you need to go to your device's settings menu. Find About Phone and click on the MIUI version icon. This shows the current version of the system and the update check button. However, we're interested in the hidden settings available through the optional menu.
- 📱 Click on three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- ⚙️ Select the option Update options.
- 🚫 Turn off the option “Auto Update” or “Download Automatically».
- 📶 Set a Wi-Fi-only download limit if this option is active.
Once you do this, the system will stop downloading service packs in the background on its own, but it will continue to check for new versions when you connect to the network, and to completely block this process, deeper measures will be required, which we will discuss in the next sections.
Disabling system services through the developer menu
A more effective method is to work with the system components responsible for version verification, which in Android and MIUI are responsible for special services that can be temporarily or permanently stopped, this method does not require obtaining superuser rights (Root), but requires careful work with system settings.
First, activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. After you become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and find the Additional or Advanced Settings section.
Inside the developer menu, we're interested in managing running services, but the more direct way is through managing applications. Search the System Updater system applications. Depending on the firmware version, the name may differ, but it usually contains the word "Updater."
| System component | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Updating the system | Clearing the data | Resetting the check cache |
| Security | Disabling notifications | No pop-ups. |
| Loader | Lockdown | Banning change of |
| Google services | Background restriction | Reduced traffic |
| MIUI Updater | Disable autostart | The service doesn't start on its own. |
| Security Scan | Uncheck the auto check box | No reminders of the update |
| Package Installer | Limit background activity | Locking down the quiet installation |
| Download Manager | Clearing the line | Deletion of uploaded files |
Once you find the System Update app, click on it. You need to find the Disable or Stop button. If the button is inactive, try first press Clear Data and Clear Cache. This will delete temporary files and reset the status of the current check.
☑️ Verification of disconnection of services
Blocking through the Security app
Xiaomi smartphones have a pre-installed Security app that controls many aspects of the phone’s operation, including permissions for other programs, and it can prevent the system updater from accessing the network, effectively making it impossible to download updates.
Open the Security app and find the Permissions or Permissions Manager section. Search the Internet access section on the list, which shows all the apps that are trying to get online, search the System Update list, and uncheck the Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet boxes.
⚠️ Note: After the system components have disabled network access, notifications of new versions may stop coming, but the check button in the settings will remain active.
The good thing about this is that it doesn't require any technical knowledge, you just block the communication channel for a particular application, and even if the system tries to check for a new version of MIUI, it won't be able to connect to the server and download the file, and it's an effective way for users who are afraid to make changes to the system files.
Additionally, you can set up auto-start in the Security app. Go to Permissions → Auto-Start and make sure that the Update Service does not have the right to start with the system, which will prevent the verification process from starting immediately after the phone is turned on.
Using ADB for Deep Locking
For advanced users who want to be guaranteed to remove the upgrade option, there is a method using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging bridge, which allows you to “freeze” or even remove the system application updater from a device without root rights. For Redmi 5, this is one of the most reliable options.
You'll need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable to start with. You'll need to enable USB debugging on your phone. This is done in the Developer Menu, which is activated by tapping the build number seven times, as described earlier. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer Mode.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updaterThis command will put the com.android.updater package into a “disabled for the current user” state, the system will assume that the application exists, but will not run it, visually the icon may disappear from the menu, and in the settings the application will be marked as disabled.
How do you get it back?
If the standard command doesn’t work or you want to go further, you can try removing the packet for the current user (this doesn’t physically delete the file, but makes it inaccessible):
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.updaterUsing ADB gives you maximum control. You can block not only the updater, but also other system components that you do not need. However, be careful: disabling critical system packages can lead to unstable phone operation.
Modifying the hosts file to lock servers
Another technical but very effective method is to block the domain names of Xiaomi update servers at the device level, using a hosts file that tells the phone which ones are the best. IP-If the phone can't find the update server address, it won't be able to physically download the firmware.
Root rights are usually required to edit a hosts file on Redmi 5, as the system file is protected from writing. However, if you have Root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can add the following lines to the /system/etc/hosts file:
- 🚫 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com
- 🚫 127.0.0.1 update.intl.miui.com
- 🚫 127.0.0.1 api.miui.security.xiaomi.com
- 🚫 127.0.0.1 resolver.msg.xiaomi.net
Once you add these lines and reboot the device, all requests to the update servers will be redirected to the local address (127.0.0.1), meaning they won’t go anywhere. This is a “hardware” way that works even if you accidentally click the update check button on the menu.
💡
Use a file manager with access to system folders (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer with plugins) to safely edit the hosts file. Always back up the file before making changes.
It is worth noting that this method can also block some MIUI services that depend on network requests for shaomi domains, such as receiving themes or working some system widgets, so use it if you are fully confident in your actions and are ready for possible side effects in the interface.