How to disable updates on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: the full guide

Owners of budget smartphones like the Redmi 9A often face intrusive notifications about the release of new versions of firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases update packages that, on the one hand, fix bugs, and on the other hand, can slow down the device or add unnecessary functions. This is especially true for models with limited RAM, where each new version of MIUI becomes heavier than the previous one.

Users who appreciate the stability of the current build often look for a way to prevent the system from downloading and installing updates on its own. Completely disabling this process requires a comprehensive approach, since manufacturers have provided several layers of protection against user actions. In this article, we will discuss all available blocking methods, from simple settings in the menu to deeper manipulation of system services.

It's important to understand that not updating means you won't get fresh security patches, but for many, it's a conscious choice in favor of the speed of the interface and the lack of advertising that is often embedded in new versions of the shell. Let's look at how to take control of your device.

Why you should limit automatic updates

Entry-level smartphones like the Redmi 9A have modest hardware specs. Newer versions of the operating system are often optimized for more powerful hardware, which can lead to a noticeable drop in performance on older devices. Users notice that after the update, the interface begins to slow down, and battery life is reduced.

Another reason is intrusive advertising and changes in the familiar interface: new system applications can appear in new MIUI builds or change the location of elements, which is confusing, and the upgrade process takes place in internal memory, which is often limited to 32 or 64 gigabytes on public employees.

⚠️ Warning: When you disable updates, you need to be aware of the risks. New versions often close security vulnerabilities that allow attackers to access your data.

Also worth mentioning is app compatibility: Some banking programs or games may eventually stop supporting older versions of Android or MIUI shells. So the decision to disable should be considered.

Disconnection through standard system settings

The first step that the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 9A needs to do is to check the basic update settings. The system provides the ability to disable automatic boot, although it will not be possible to completely hide the “Check Updates” button with standard means.

To start, go to your device's settings menu, and you'll need to find the partition that handles your phone information, and the path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same across all the brand's devices.

Next, perform the following actions:

• 📱 Open Settings and scroll down to About Phone.
• 🔄 Click on the version icon MIUI (It's usually a logo in the center of the screen).
• ⚙️ In the menu that opens, click on three dots in the upper right corner.
• 🚫 Select Update Options and uncheck the box from Autoload Updates.

This will prevent the phone from downloading its own firmware files in the background, but notifications that the new version is available may come, and to minimize their impact, you can also turn off notifications for the update application itself, as discussed in the next section.

Blocking MIUI Notifications and Services

Even if you turn off autoboot, you can see a red dot or pop-up with an offer to upgrade. This is the MIUI bootloader system application, and to get rid of visual noise, you need to limit its notification rights.

Find the app list for "Lowloader" or "System Update." Depending on the regional firmware (Global, Russia, China), the name may vary. We need to get into the settings of this system component.

Procedure for blocking notifications:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 📂 Find the bootloader app (or Updater).
• 🔔 Select Notifications and turn them off completely, putting the switch in an inactive state.
• 📵 It is also recommended to disable Auto Start for this application so that it does not activate after restarting.

After this manipulation, the system will stop bothering you with pop-ups, but if you accidentally run the update check yourself, the process will still begin.

Use of Developer Mode and ADB

For advanced users who want to be guaranteed to stop the process, there is a method of debugging via USB, which allows you to “freeze” the system component responsible for updates, making it inoperable until you decide to turn it on.

You'll need a computer and an ADB driver installed for this method. Don't worry, the procedure is pretty simple if you follow the instructions. First, activate the developer menu on the Redmi 9A smartphone itself.

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Before using ADB, make sure your smartphone battery is above 50% and the USB cable is in good working order and supports data transfer, not just charging.

Instructions for activation:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Quickly press 7-10 times on the MIUI version until the words “You became a developer” appear.
3. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → for developers.
4. Activate the debugging switch over USB.

Now connect your phone to your computer. You'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen -- be sure to click OK. Then you'll have to type a command on your computer at the command line (terminal) to turn off the update pack.

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

This command will force you to stop the update service. If you want to get it back, use the adb shell pm enable com.android.updater command, which is a powerful tool that gives you complete control over system processes.

Blocking through the hosts file (for advanced)

Another effective method is to block the phone from accessing update servers at the network level, and the smartphone tries to contact certain domains to check for new firmware, and if we ban that connection, the update simply won't start.

This method requires superuser rights on Redmi 9A, because the hosts file is in the system partition, and without root rights, it's hard to apply, but it's the most reliable.

You need to edit the /etc/hosts file and add strings to it that redirect requests to the local address, which will make the phone “think” that the server does not exist or is not available.

⚠️ Attention: Editing system files requires caution. An error in the syntax of the hosts file can lead to problems with the network connection of other applications.

If you don’t have Root rights, you can try using local. VPN-A client (such as Blokada or AdGuard) that allows you to filter traffic and block ad and tracker domains, including update domains.

Possible problems and solutions

While disabling updates on Xiaomi, users may encounter various difficulties, and the MIUI protection system sometimes tries to automatically return default settings or force the service to start.

A common problem is that the update icon reappears after the reboot, which means that the Updater service has been restarted by the system, in which case only a complete shutdown through ADB or freezing the application through special utilities will help.

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The most reliable way to stop updates forever is by combining disabling notifications and blocking server access through a hosts file or a hosts file. VPN-filter.

There may also be increased traffic or battery consumption if the phone is constantly trying but cannot connect to the server, in which case it is better to use the ADB method, which completely kills the process, preventing it from even trying to start a connection.

Sometimes, after you reset the settings to the factory, all the changes will fly away. You'll have to re-set the procedure, so if you decide not to upgrade, try not to do a full reset unnecessarily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)