How to safely upgrade to the old Xiaomi firmware: all ways to roll back

The firmware rollback on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that may be necessary for critical bugs of the new version of MIUI, reduced performance or incompatibility with important applications. However, downgrade (switching to an earlier version of the software) is not officially supported by the manufacturer and is fraught with risks from data loss to complete bricking of the device. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of rollback – from the simplest through Recovery to complex using Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool, and explain how to minimize possible problems.

It’s important to understand that downgrade firmware violates Xiaomi’s update policy. The company blocks the ability to roll back on older versions through standard tools, so most users will have to unlock the bootloader, which automatically resets all data. If your goal is to return the stable operation of the phone without losing files, first try alternative solutions: resetting settings, cleaning the cache or installing a custom TWRP recap (for power users).

Why you might need to roll back firmware

Newer versions of MIUI don't always bring improvements, but here are the typical situations where users decide to go downgrade:

• 🐢 Performance: New firmware slows, warms or discharges the battery quickly, especially for older models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi) 9T), Not optimized for the latest updates.
• 🐛 Critical bugs: the basic functions (mobile network, Wi-Fi, camera) do not work or there are accidental reboots. MIUI 14 Many users complained about Bluetooth issues.
• 🔒 Blocking features: Xiaomi sometimes removes useful features (for example, Second Space or Game Turbo in regional firmware).
• 📱 App incompatibility: Some banking software or games refuse to run on newer versions of Android.

Before you start rolling back, check if you can solve the problem differently:

• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (hold the switch off button) → "Restart in Safe Mode) to eliminate the impact of third-party applications.
• 🧹 Clear the cache through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📲 Install Google Play version of the problem app (if available).

⚠️ Note: Firmware rollback on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader is not possible without official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.This process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting and erases all data. If you are not willing to wait, consider alternatives (for example, installing Global Unlock Tool). ROM through TWRP).

Preparation for Downgrade: What to Do in advance

Incorrect preparation is the main reason for the "bricks" when rolling back. Follow this checklist to avoid problems:

Make a backup copy of all data (photos, contacts, SMS)

Check the phone model and current version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Download the correct firmware version (only for your model!)

Make sure the battery is > 60%

Prepare a USB cable (preferably original)

Install Mi Phone Manager drivers on PC

Unlock the loader (if required)

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Pay special attention to the choice of firmware. You can install only the version of MIUI that was officially released for your model. For example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet), you can not take firmware from the Redmi Note 10 (mojito), even if they look similar.

• 🌐 Official website MIUI (Choose Stable or Recovery ROM).
• 📁 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (archive of all versions with hash sums for verification).

If you plan to use the Fastboot method, additionally download:

• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (last version from official website).
• 🔧 ADB and Fastboot (part of Google’s Platform Tools, download here).

⚠️ Attention: Labeled firmware EEA (Europe or Global is incompatible with China (CN) Installing an inappropriate firmware will cause loss IMEI Check the region in the file name (for example, check the region in the file name, miui_SWEETGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RKFMIXM_...).

Method 1: Recovery (without PC)

The simplest method, but it only works if:

• 🔓 You've got the loader unlocked.
• 📱 The phone is turned on and goes into Recovery.
• 📁 You have Recovery. ROM (file extension).

Instructions:

1. Download the desired version of Recovery ROM and rename the file to update.zip.
2. Move it to the root folder of internal memory (not in folders!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select a language (if you have an option) and then:
5. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

If after the reboot the phone is getting stuck on the MI logo, reset via Recovery:

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm

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If Recovery doesn’t have “Install update.zip” option, your firmware uses a new menu. Try selecting “Apply update” → “Choose from internal storage” and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on devices with a locked bootloader (the “Couldn’t verify update package” error appears) and it is also impossible to roll back to a version older than the one installed when the bootloader was unlocked.

Method 2: Recoil from Fastboot (from PC)

A universal method that works for most models, but requires an unlocked bootloader and a computer. All data will be erased.

Steps:

1. Download Fastboot ROM (.tgz or.zip file) for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder. C:\miui_fastboot (cyrillic!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
6. Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have been firmware).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool is a flash not done error:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (try USB 2.0).
• 🔄 Reinstall the Mi Phone Manager drivers.
• 📁 Make sure the path to the firmware does not contain spaces or Cyrillic.
• 🖥️ Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.

Critical error: if after firmware through Fastboot the phone does not turn on and flashes a red indicator - this is a sign of damage to the persist partition. Solution: flash the firmware again with the Clean all and lock checkmark, but pre-download the full package from the official site (not custom!).

Method 3: Recoil through TWRP (for power users)

If your device has a custom TWRP recap, you can roll back without completely clearing the data (but the risks are higher).

• 📱 Devices with an already unlocked loader.
• 🔧 Users ready for manual adjustment.
• 📁 Custom installations ROM (LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Instructions:

1. Download Recovery ROM (zip file and place it on the external file SD-card.
2. Boot in TWRP (usually Volume Up + Power).
3. Backup of the current system (Backup) → Select Partitions → System, Data, Boot).
4. Select Install → specify firmware file → swipe for confirmation.
5. After installation, run Wipe → Format Data (if required) and restart.

⚠️ Note: Installation of the firmware through TWRP on devices with dynamic partitions (for example, Xiaomi) 12 or later) may cause data loss in the userdata section.Be sure to make a full backup through the userdata section before the procedure. ADB: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

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The rollback through TWRP allows you to save data only if the new and old firmware are based on the same version of Android. For example, you can safely upgrade from MIUI 13 to MIUI 12.5 if both are on Android 11. When changing the version of Android (for example, from 12 to 11), you need a full reset!

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If the IMEI is missing or the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth is not working:

1. Check that the firmware is suitable for your model and region.
2. Refuse the phone with full cleaning (Clean all in Mi Flash).
3. If the problem persists, restore the IMEI via Engineering Mode (type ##4636## → Phone Information → Select Radio Gang).

How to avoid the “brick” when rolling back

90% of all “bricked” devices are the result of not following simple rules.

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60%, and when discharged during firmware, the phone can turn into a brick".
• 📡 Stable connection: if you use a PC, turn off the Internet cable (to avoid interrupting the driver loading).
• 📁 File Checking: Compare MD5-hash of the downloaded firmware with the official (use the HashMyFiles utility).
• ⏳ Patience: Don’t interrupt the process, even if it’s stuck at 10.+ The average firmware time on Fastboot is 15 minutes.

If the phone is still "bricked" (does not turn on, does not respond to buttons):

1. Connect it to charging for 30 minutes – sometimes helps to restore the minimum charge for a Fastboot.
2. Try to log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Nutrition) or EDL (Loudness Up + Down + Nutrition).
3. If your device is defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, use the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

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If the Mi Flash Tool requires authorization to EDL-If you don't have a mode, you can go to Xiaomi's service center, and if you try to stitch it through unofficial tools like QFil, you can kill the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about firmware rollback