How to cancel Android update to Xiaomi: Full Guide

Firmware updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones usually bring new features, bug fixes and security improvements. However, sometimes users are faced with a situation where the update freezes during the boot phase, causes device failures or simply does not need to work for personal reasons.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from stopping the update download to completely rolling back the firmware. You’ll learn what methods work on different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), how to avoid typical errors, and what to do if the update is already installed but is causing problems.

Why You May Need to Cancel an Update

Before we get to the instructions, it is important to understand when canceling an update is justified.

• 🔄 Update hung during the boot or installation phase (progress bar does not move for more than 30 minutes).
• 📉 New firmware works worse: there were lags, fast battery discharge or overheating.
• 🔒 Loss of functionality: Sensors, camera or wireless modules stopped working after the update.
• 🛑 Incompatibility with root rights or custom firmware (for example, after the update, Magisk disappears).
• 📱 Personal preferences: new version MIUI Has an inconvenient interface or remote functions.

According to statistics from Xiaomi service centers, about 12% of calls are related to problems after updates, and in 60% of cases, users tried to interrupt the process incorrectly, which led to soft-brick (the device is turned on, but does not load beyond the logo).

Method 1: Stop downloading the update (if it has not already been installed)

If the update is just downloading and not yet installed, you can cancel it without any consequences.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three-point icon (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Remove the downloaded service pack.
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

If there is no delete button, try an alternative method:

• 📁 Go to the File Manager. → Memory of the device → MIUI → downloaded_rom.
• 🗑️ Delete the file with the.zip extension (the name will contain the firmware version, for example) miui_BLOCK_23.12.12.zip).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

Important: If the update is partially downloaded, the system can automatically resume downloading when you next connect to the network. To avoid this, turn off the automatic update in the settings:

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) When the update file is deleted, an error notification may appear, and it can be ignored, as it does not affect the device.

Method 2: Cancel the Update installation (if the process has already begun)

If the update has already begun to install (the MIUI logo with the progress bar is on the screen), it is highly recommended not to interrupt the process - this can cause the bootloader to fail.

Method A: Wait for completion (if progress is made)

If the progress bar is moving, wait until the installation is complete. Even if the update takes 1-2 hours, it is not necessary to interrupt it.

• Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
• Click on the firmware version 10 times to activate the developer mode.
• Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
• Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to roll back the firmware (instructions in the next section).

Method B: Forced reboot (if the update is suspended)

If the progress bar doesn’t move for more than 1 hour, try:

1. Press the power button + increase the volume for 10-15 seconds until the phone turns off.
2. Wait 2-3 minutes and turn the device on again.
3. If the phone boots normally, delete the update file (see Method 1).

⚠️ Note: On models with a Qualcomm processor (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5) Forced reboot during an update may result in loss IMEI. In this case, the restoration of QCN-file-in-center.

Method 3: Recovery Mode Firmware Reset

If the update is already installed, but you want to go back to the previous version, you can use the stock recovery (MIUI Recovery), which works on most Xiaomi devices, except models with HyperOS (they need a Fastboot).

You'll need:

• 📱 Previous version firmware file (download from Xiaomi official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB and computer (for transferring the file).
• 🔋 Battery charge ≥70%.

Step-by-step:

1. Rename the firmware file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the phone’s memory.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume Up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select the language and go to Install update.zip to System.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).
5. After the reboot, the phone will return to the previous version of MIUI.

💡

Before rolling back the firmware, check if your model supports Anti-Rollback Protection. If so, downgrading the version may block the device. A list of models with protection can be found on the XDA Developers forum.

Method 4: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the firmware is left over via Fastboot mode, which requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for devices that:

• 🔧 Not included after a failed update.
• 🚫 Have a blocked rollback through Recovery.
• 🔄 Need complete flashing (for example, after resetting to factory settings).

Tools required:

• 🖥️ PC with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 📦 Official firmware in.tgz format (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder on the PC.
2. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
5. Start the firmware (for Windows): flash_all.bat For Linux/Mac: sudo./flash_all.sh
6. Wait for the finish (10-20 minutes) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 13T And the new firmware through Fastboot can block IMEI Prepare a backup of the partition before the procedure. modemst1 and modemst2 The command is: adb pull /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modemst1

Method 5: Disabling Automatic Updates

To avoid repeated problems, it is recommended to disable automatic download of updates.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ and select the Update Settings.
3. Turn off the options: 🔄 Automatic booting over Wi-Fi 📶 Automatic download over mobile network 🔔 Notifications of updates

ADB

adb shell settings put global auto_update_enabled 0

On some firmware (HyperOS), these settings can be reset after rebooting, in which case the App Ops app (root rights required) will help to block the background of the com.android.updater service.

💡

Disabling automatic updates does not interfere with manually checking new versions. You can install firmware manually, having previously studied the reviews on the forums.

What to do if nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, radical measures remain:

• 🔧 Reset to factory settings (via Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. This will delete all data, but it will return the phone to working condition.
• 🛠️ Contact the service center. Xiaomi official centers can reflash the device with a guarantee of preservation IMEI.
• 🤖 Installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) requires an unlocked bootloader and experience with the software. TWRP.

Anti-Rollback Protection (Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi) K20 Pro) an attempt to roll back the firmware can lead to hard-brick (complete failure). EDL-Mode with an authorized Xiaomi account.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to consult specialists. The cost of firmware in the service center is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, which is cheaper than repairing after a failed independent attempt.

FAQ: Frequent questions about canceling updates on Xiaomi