How to Cancel Updates on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways for All Devices

Software updates on Xiaomi devices often bring new features, security fixes and performance improvements. However, not all users want to receive these updates automatically. The reasons can range from unstable performance of recent versions of MIUI to limited mobile Internet traffic or a desire to stay on proven firmware. In some cases, updates can even lead to loss of functionality on custom firmware or modified devices.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable updates on Redmi, POCO, Mi, Mi TVs and other smart devices in the Xiaomi ecosystem, and learn how to temporarily suspend updates, block them completely through system settings, or even delete update files that have already been downloaded.

Why users want to cancel Xiaomi updates

Before we get to the instructions, it is important to understand when disabling updates is justified.

• 🔄 Unstable operation of the new version MIUI — Many users encounter bugs after major updates (for example, switching from a computer to a computer). MIUI 13 on MIUI 14 frequently breaks gestures or notifications).
• 📶 Limited Internet traffic – Automatic downloads of updates 1-3 GBs can quickly deplete mobile traffic.
• 🔧 Modified devices – on phones with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or unlocked update boot OTA This can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot).
• 🕒 Wanting to stay on the old version – some users prefer a proven firmware (for example, a firmware, MIUI 12.5 on Redmi Note 10 Pro due to better optimization).
• 🛠️ Software testing – developers or enthusiasts sometimes block updates to avoid debugging conflicts.

On the other hand, disabling updates has its downsides: you lose critical security patches (especially for Mi Band or Mi Home devices connected to a smart home) and new features, for example, MIUI 14 added support for Android 13, which is important for compatibility with modern applications.

Method 1: Disabling automatic updates in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO MIUI-based smartphones (including MIUI 12/13/14).

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Slip on the item MIUI Update (or System Update).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) Select the settings (or additionally).
5. Turn off the Automatic Download switch via mobile network and Automatic Update.
6. For reliability, also deactivate the Notify of new updates option.

On some firmware (e.g. POCO Launcher or global versions of MIUI), the path may be slightly different. If you don't have Settings displayed in the update menu, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (⋮) → Show system → Find "Update MIUI" → Disable notifications

Check the current version of MIUI (Settings → About Phone)

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you have already downloaded updates)

Backup important data (Settings → Additional → Backup)

Make sure the battery is more than 50% charged

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⚠️ Note: (even if you have disabled automatic updates), the system will still check for new versions when you manually run the check. To block this feature completely, you will need to use the methods in the following sections.

Method 2: Delete downloaded update files

If the update has already been downloaded to the device but has not yet been installed, it can be manually removed, which will free up space in memory (update files can weigh up to 2-3 GB) and prevent accidental installation.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Update MIUI.
2. If the update is downloaded, you will see the Install or Reboot and Install button.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Remove the update file.
4. Confirm the action.

For root-enabled devices or through ADB, you can manually delete the file. Updates are stored along the way:

/data/ota_package/

Or (for some versions of MIUI):

/cache/ota/

To delete the file via ADB, connect the phone to your PC and do:

adb shell


su




rm -f /data/ota_package/*




rm -f /cache/ota/*

Method 3: Blocking updates via ADB (without root)

If standard settings don’t work, you can block the update service using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Steps:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (stick 7 times to become a developer) → Back to Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command line (cmd) in this folder and do:

adb devices

(Make sure your device is listed.)

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


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.updaterservice

These commands disable the system applications responsible for the updates. To get it back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.updater


adb shell pm enable com.miui.updaterservice

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If you lose MIUI Update after you turn off the updates in Settings →, don’t worry, it’s okay. To return it, turn it on or restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) after disabling the updates through ADB Checking for updates manually may stop working. If you need to update later, turn the services back on first.

Method 4: Cancel updates to Mi TV and Mi Box

Xiaomi’s smart TVs and Mi Box consoles also automatically check for updates, which can be a problem with slow internet or unstable firmware.For example, upgrading the Mi TV 4S to Android TV 11 often leads to interface lags.

Instructions for Mi TV:

1. Open the Settings (button with a gear on the remote).
2. Go to About TV. → Updating the system.
3. Turn off the automatic update option.
4. If the update has already been downloaded, select Delete the update file.

For the Mi Box S or Mi TV Stick:

1. Go to Settings → Device → Software Update.
2. Select Settings (cog icon).
3. Turn off Automatic Update Check.

On Android TV consoles, you can also block updates via ADB (similar to smartphones), but this will require you to enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → Device → About the program → tap 7 times on the Assembly Number).

💡

On Xiaomi TVs, disabling automatic updates does not block manual checks. To completely ban updates, you will need to turn off the Internet or use a firewall (for example, via a router).

Method 5: Radical methods (for power users)

If you're willing to go to extreme lengths, there are a few ways to block updates completely, but they require root rights or modifications to system files.

• 📱 Devices with unlocked loader (bootloader).
• 🔧 Phones with custom firmware (LineageOS, ArrowOS).
• 🛡️ Advanced users who want to permanently freeze the version MIUI.

Options:

1. Delete system APKs: With Root Explorer or ADB, delete files: /system/priv-app/Updater/Updater.apk /system/app/UpdaterService/UpdaterService.apk After deletion, reboot.
2. Freeze via Magisk: Install the DisableForceEncrypt module or use App Systemizer to disable the update service.
3. Change the build.prop file: Add ro.miui.update.force=0 to /system/build.prop (requires write rights to the system partition).

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK This can cause some functions to fail (e.g. Finder or Security) before experimenting, make a full backup through the TWRP Or OrangeFox.

Frequent problems and solutions

When you turn off updates, users often encounter (typical problems), and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If you encounter bootloop (infinite reboot) after a failed update, try:

1. Clip Power + Loudness up to enter Recovery.
2. Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset (reset to factory settings).
3. If it doesn’t work, run the firmware through Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions