How to cancel the Xiaomi Redmi phone update: the full guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face more problems than benefits when automatically updating MIUI. Instead of the expected performance gains, users notice increased battery consumption, bugs in the interface or a slowdown in application speed. The desire to “get it back” becomes especially acute when the new version of the software is unstable on your particular device.

Fortunately, the Android ecosystem allows you to roll back the system to the previous version, but this process requires care and strict follow-up. Simply removing the update file through the file manager does not always solve the problem, since key system files may already have been changed. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to undo the update on Xiaomi Redmi, from simple settings to complete flashing through the computer.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand the difference between removing the update installer and returning to the old firmware version completely.A full downgrade is only possible on an earlier official build released before your current version.A wrong action can lead to data loss or maintenance, so carefully study each step.

Why You Should Remove the MIUI Update

The decision to roll back is rarely made spontaneously, and users usually notice critical changes in the operation of the device immediately after installation. OTA-Update. Instability is the first signal that the new firmware is not optimized for your hardware, especially for models that are no longer flagships and receive residual updates.

Often, after an update, there are problems with communication modules; the phone can be worse catching the network, lose signal indoors or slowly switch between towers; also suffers autonomy: background processes of the new version of MIUI can not work correctly with the old battery, causing its rapid discharge even in standby mode.

Another common reason is to change the interface. Xiaomi likes to experiment with the layout of controls and notification curtains, which may be unusual for you. If you don't like the new design or functionality, going back to the proven version is the only solution.

⚠️ Warning: Before you start any firmware manipulation, be sure to back up your data completely. The rollback process almost always involves a complete reset of your device (Wipe Data).

Software bugs, camera bugs, typing lags, or system applications crashes are good reasons to return to stable build. Sometimes developers themselves recognize critical bugs in certain versions and advise users not to install them, but if an update has already arrived, you need to know how to “defeat” it.

Disabling Automatic Updates in Settings

The first step to controlling the system is to prevent new versions from automatically downloading, which will help to avoid accidentally installing unwanted software in the future. First, go to the settings menu of your smartphone. Find the About Phone section and click on the MIUI version.

In the window that opens, click on the three dots in the top right corner, where you're hiding important parameters. Select "Update settings." This is where you can turn off the "Download Automatic" function. If this slider is active, the phone will waste traffic and memory, downloading heavy packets of data without your knowledge.

Also on this menu, it is helpful to disable the Notify Updates option, which will save you the constant annoying reminder of a new version, but remember that ignoring security updates completely can make your device vulnerable to viruses in the long run.

There is another hidden method of disabling that doesn’t work on all versions of the shell: In the theme selection menu, click 10 times on the “MIUI” icon. This action can activate additional settings for developers, where you can sometimes completely disable the update service.

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If the Download Auto slider is gray and not active, your version of MIUI is forced to update, in which case only a full reset or use of special applications to freeze system services will help.

Removing the downloaded service pack

If you've downloaded an update but haven't installed it, you can manually delete it, freeing up space in the memory, which requires access to system files. Open the standard File Explorer and go to the root directory. You need a folder. downloaded_rom.

Inside this folder is a firmware file, usually with the.zip extension, and its name often contains the version number, such as the version number, update.zip or MIUI_...zip. Simply select this file and press the delete button. The system can request a superuser rights confirmation or password from the account.

Once you delete the file, restart the device, which will prevent the installation from starting accidentally the next time you turn on, but if the update process has already begun and you see the logo screen and the progress bar, you can't interrupt it, it will damage the system partition.

Sometimes a file can be hidden or protected, and then you can use the Security app built into MIUI, go to Cleanup, and if the system finds an update file, it will prompt you to delete it, which is a safer way for inexperienced users.

Recovery method through Recovery Mode

The most effective way to undo the upgrade is to use Recovery Recovery mode, which allows you to install an earlier firmware version on top of the current one. First, you need to find and download to your computer or phone the exact firmware version you installed earlier (or earlier).

Rename the downloaded firmware file to update.zip and place it in the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Then you need to go to the Recovery menu. To do this, turn off the phone and press the button combination of Volume Up + Power. Hold them until the MI logo appears.

In the Recovery menu, you can control volume buttons (up/down) and power button (select). Select a language (if available) and find Wipe Data. This is a must-do step - without clearing the data, the rollback may not work or the system will not work correctly. Confirm the reset.

After cleaning, select Install update.zip (or similar, such as "Install from your phone"). The system will find the file and prompt you to start installing. Once the process is complete, select Reboot. The first run can take up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: When rolling back from a newer version MIUI Downgrade activation of Anti-Rollback protection can lock the device. ARB, or versions are similar to this parameter.

Using the Mi Flash Tool for PC

For advanced users who haven't been helped by the mobile method, there's the Mi Flash Tool, the official Windows utility that lets you flash your phone over your computer in Fastboot mode, which is considered a "clean install" and is guaranteed to remove any trace of a problematic update.

First, you need to turn your phone into Fastboot mode. Turn off the device and press the Volume Down + Power buttons. Connect the phone to your PC with a cable. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Windows Device Manager.

Launch the Mi Flash Tool and press the Refresh button. If the drivers are installed correctly, the program will see your smartphone. Press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware (Fastboot ROM). It is important to choose the cleanup mode at the bottom: Clean all (delete all data) or Clean all and lock (delete everything and lock the bootloader).

Press Flash and wait until the process is over. The green success bar signals completion. The phone automatically reboots with a clean, factory-made version of the system without any unnecessary updates.

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Using the Mi Flash Tool is the most reliable way to get your phone back to factory status, but it requires an unlocked bootloader for some regions or using official Fastboot firmware.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

In the rollback process, users often encounter errors, and one of the most popular is the "Can't verify update," which happens if you're trying to install global firmware on a Chinese version of your phone or vice versa. Regions must be strictly matched.

Another problem is that you can bootloop indefinitely after you install the old version, which means that the data from the new firmware is in conflict with the old system, and the solution is one: re-enter Recovery and do Wipe All Data again, completely clearing the internal memory.

If the phone stopped responding to buttons and only the logo burns, you may have interrupted the firmware process or violated the integrity of system files, in which case only Emergency Download (EDL) mode, which is activated by parsing the phone or a special button, and firmware through a service account, will help.

Remember that after a rollback, some apps may stop working properly if they are updated and require a new version of Android or libraries. MIUI. In this case, you will have to look for old versions. APK-Files or to put up with restrictions.