Xiaomi smartphone users often face a situation where, after automatically updating their MIUI or HyperOS system, the device starts to work unstable, the battery runs out faster, the interface slows down, and critical errors appear in their favorite applications that have not been seen before, at such moments, the only sensible solution is to return to a previous, more stable version of the operating system, which is technically called a downgrade.
But the downgrade process on the brand’s devices has its own stringent security and limitations: The bootloader of modern smartphones is blocked by default by the manufacturer, which makes it impossible to simply install the old build on top of the new one. You will have to go through a series of procedures, including unlocking and completely cleaning the data to bring the gadget back to life.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the preparation steps, the necessary tools and the algorithm of actions. Attention: any manipulation of system software carries risks, so it is extremely important to read each paragraph of the instructions carefully before starting active actions.
Why you should roll back the software version and what are the risks
The main reason why phone owners are looking for a way to downgrade firmware on Xiaomi is because of optimization: Newer versions of shells often contain bugs that are not noticed by testers, or simply work worse on a particular hardware.
On the other hand, the potential dangers of the procedure cannot be ignored: Downgrade is not a routine update, but an interference with the structure of memory partitions. If you interrupt the process or use an incompatible file, the device can turn into a brick and stop responding to commands.
⚠️ Note: Downgrade always involves the complete loss of all user data.Photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted during the formatting of memory partitions.
Anti-Rollback (ARB) protection systems in some models physically prohibit the installation of the old version if the current protection index is already increased.
Preparation: Tools and Files for a Successful Recoil
Before you start doing this, you need to have a workspace and software ready, and you need a computer running Windows, because the basic tools of the sewer work in this environment. USB-cable, preferably original, to provide a stable connection without breaks.
The most important element of preparation is to find the correct version of the firmware. The file should be designed specifically for your model (the code of the model can be found in the settings or on the box) and be a version lower than the one installed now. Download images should only be from trusted sources, such as the official website. MIUI bootloader or authoritative forums.
To work with the device in special mode, you will need Fastboot drivers and the Mi Flash Tool utility. Without them, the computer will not be able to correctly interact with the phone at a low level. Make sure that the C disk is free space, and the antivirus will not block the work of the scripts of the firmware.
☑️ Checklist before downgrade
Unlocking the loader: a mandatory stage
A key obstacle to installing old firmware is a locked bootloader. While it is closed, the phone will only accept official upgrades with a higher version number or a recovery version. To get full control, you need to apply to Xiaomi.
The process starts by linking your Mi Account to your device. Go to settings, find the About phone option, and click on the kernel version or MIUI several times to activate the developer menu. Then, in advanced settings, enable USB debugging and bootloader status.
Once the bootloader status is turned on, the system will ask you to confirm the action and warn you of the risks. SIM-card with mobile Internet (Wi-Fi is not suitable for binding) and click "Add Account". After successful binding, you need to download the Mi Unlock Tool utility on your PC.
1. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your account.
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power).
3. Connect the phone to the PC and press "Unlock".It is important to know that once an account is linked, you often have to wait 7 to 168 hours (depending on the region and company policy) before unlocking becomes available.
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If Mi Unlock delivers an error called “Account isn’t bound to this device,” make sure that the phone settings in the “Trackloader Status” section display the “Unlocked” or “Bound” status, rather than just debugging enabled.
Search and preparation of a compatible version of the firmware
Finding the right version of software is not always easy, as official servers often store only the latest available build. Downgrade requires a Fastboot file (extension.tgz), not Recovery (.zip).
Pay attention to the region for which the firmware is intended. Global versions are marked with the letter Global or MI, European ones are marked with EEA, and Russian ones are marked with RU. Installation of firmware from another region is possible, but may require additional manipulation of regional codes.
It is also critical to check the Anti-Rollback protection index, and if you have a version with an ARB index 4 on your phone, a firmware with an index of 3 or lower will not install, which can usually be found in the description of the firmware file or checked through special informant applications on the device itself before the process begins.
After downloading the archive, it must be unpacked into the root of the C disk or another short-path folder, such as C:\rom. The path must not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the firmware utility may not see the files.
Instructions: How to Downgrade Firmware through Fastboot
When you're done, you can start the process. Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. Turn it off completely, then press the volume button and hold it back and plug it in. USB-The screen should show a hare in a hat-eared, repairing the android.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button and your device with its serial number should appear in the list. If you see an error instead of the number or you can't see the device, check the driver installation in Windows Device Manager.
Press the "Select" button and point the path to the unpacked firmware folder. At the bottom of the program window, you'll see three options for firmware mode. To clean downgrade and reset all errors, select clean all mode. This mode completely erases data and re-marks memory partitions.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Update | Yes. | Update without data loss (not suitable for a downgrade) |
| Clean All | No. | Complete cleaning and installation (recommended for rollback) |
| Clean All + Lock | No. | Cleaning, installation and locking of the bootloader (hazardous when changing the region) |
After selecting clean all, press the "Flash" button. The recording process will begin, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or touch the phone.
What to do if you are stuck at 60%?
Decision and possible errors
Downgrade users often encounter errors, one of the most popular being Miss matching image or Flash all except data storage, which means you're trying to install firmware that's not compatible with your current memory markup or device region without first cleaning.
Another common problem is the Can't verify the update error, which can be due to a firmware file being damaged when downloaded (check the MD5 checksum), or because the Android version in the new firmware is lower than the current bootloader requires, in which case an intermediate firmware may be required.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone goes into an endless bootloop after firmware, don't panic. + Powering) and making Wipe Data/Factory If it doesn't work, the procedure in Fastboot will have to be repeated.
Also worth mentioning is the Unlocked status is false error, which occurs when the bootloader has not been unlocked or the unlock has gone off, in which case you need to re-go through the Mi Unlock Tool, making sure that the account is tied and the waiting period has expired.
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A successful downgrade is only possible if the device model, the bootloader version and the firmware file are strictly matched, and using files from other models is guaranteed to break.