How to install the old version of MIUI on a Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide

Reverting to the old MIUI on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a challenge that users face after unsuccessful updates. New firmware versions don't always work consistently: bugs appear, performance declines, familiar features disappear. Fortunately, rollback is possible, but requires caution and preparation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can install an older version of MIUI, from official methods through Recovery to manually stitching through Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool. You’ll learn what tools you’ll need, how to avoid a blink, and what to do if something goes wrong. Importantly, the procedure can void warranty and requires unlocking the bootloader on most models.

Before you start, check if your model is suitable for rollback. Some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) have downgrade protection that can block the smartphone. Also note that after a rollback, some features tied to the new version of MIUI (such as updated gestures or camera modes) may stop working.

Why are users returning to the old version of MIUI?

The main reasons for firmware rollbacks are due to the inconvenience that updates bring, and here are the most common complaints:

• 🐢 Productivity decline: new version MIUI It can brake on older models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi). 9T), It is optimized for new iron.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: background processes and new services often eat up charge faster than before.
• 🚫 Features disappear: Xiaomi often removes useful features (for example, Second Space in some regions or Game Turbo settings).
• 🐞 Critical bugs: from accidental reboots to problems with connecting to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Application incompatibility: Some software (especially banking or games) may not work properly on newer versions MIUI.

According to surveys on the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, about 30% of Xiaomi users have tried to roll back firmware at least once, and not everyone achieves it – often due to an incorrectly selected version of MIUI or a violation of the installation procedure.

Preparing for rollback: what to do before installing the old MIUI

Before you start rolling back, follow the mandatory steps, which minimizes the risks and simplifies the process:

1. Backup your data. Use Settings → About Phone → Backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup. Without a backup, you’ll lose all your data when you reset!
2. Check the model and code name of the device. You can find it in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (for example, raphael for Redmi K20 Pro).
3. Unlock the bootloader (unlocked) without it, most rollback methods will not work. The instructions are on the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).
4. Charge the phone at least 60 percent, interrupting the process because of battery drain can lead to a breeze.

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable USB (It is preferably original to avoid connection problems).
• 💻 Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool or ADB).
• 📁 Firmware (download only from official sources: Xiaomi or Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (China version) ROM), Global firmware installation (Global) ROM) This may cause problems with the mobile network or Google services!

MIUI Recoil Methods: Which Method to Choose?

There are three main ways to install an older version of MIUI, depending on the device model, the status of the bootloader and your experience.

For most users, the best method is through the Mi Flash Tool – it is more reliable than Recovery, and easier than ADB. However, if the bootloader is blocked, only the option with Recovery remains (but it does not work on all models).

Below we will go into detail about each method, start with the simplest and move on to the most complex, only if the previous ones have not worked.

Method 1: Recovery (without unlocking the bootloader)

This is the safest way, but it's only for official firmware and not all models. If your device supports installation via Recovery, follow the instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format for your model (for example, miui_BLOCKEDGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RKFMIXM_...). The file should be specifically for Recovery (usually the name has the word recovery).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Boot in Recovery: Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

Choose a language

Install update.zip to System

Confirm installation

Reset the device

Reboot → System

If the phone hangs on the Mi logo after the reboot, try resetting the settings via Recovery (Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T or Redmi Note 10 Pro) installation via Recovery can block the bootloader if the firmware version is older than the current one by more than 2-3 months!

Method 2: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

This method is universal and works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If you haven’t unlocked it yet, do it in advance (the instructions are on the official website).

You'll need firmware.

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).

Step-by-step:

1. Install drivers: Download and install Mi Phone Manager (it will automatically install the drivers you want) or manually install drivers through Device Manager (if the phone is not identified in Fastboot).
2. Upload the phone to Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down + Power and hold until the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).

Connect your phone to your PC

Mi Flash Tool

Select

.img

Select firmware mode

• Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended for rollback).
• Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (do not choose if you plan to experiment with firmware!).
• Save user data – data retention (not always working when rolling back).
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).
• Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

If the Mi Flash Tool is an error (e.g., can't find fastboot), check:

• Connecting the cable (try another USB port).
• Are drivers installed (Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager).
• Whether the firmware is unpacked (files should be in the folder, not in the archive).

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool is 99% freeze, don't panic - that's OK for some models. wait for the phone to automatically reboot (can take up to 5 minutes).

Method 3: Installation via ADB Sideload (for power users)

This is a useful tool if Recovery is not working and Fastboot is not available. It requires knowledge of ADB commands and unlocked bootloader.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📁 Firmware in.zip format for Recovery (same as in Method 1).
• 🔌 USB-cable and on-debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the version MIUI, then settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command prompt in the ADB folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the command window).
2. Check the connection command: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
3. Download Recovery: Adb Reboot Recovery
4. In Recovery, select Connect with MIAssistant (or similar for ADB Sideload).
5. In the command line, type: adb sideload path to file/update.zip For example: adb sideload C:\MIUI\update.zip
6. Wait until the installation is complete (the progress bar will appear in Recovery).
7. Restart your phone through Reboot → System.

If the process is frozen at 47% or another value, check:

• File integrity update.zip (Maybe he's jumping in with a mistake).
• USB connection (try another cable or port)
• ADB Version (update to the latest version via Android SDK)

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3 Xiaomi Mi 11) ADB Sideload may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, and then only Fastboot is left.

💡

ADB Sideload is the only way to flash the device if the Recovery is damaged and the Fastboot is locked, but it requires pre-setting the debugging over USB and doesn't work on all models.

What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the MIUI rollback?

If the device doesn't boot after installing the older version of MIUI, don't panic. In most cases, the problem can be solved. Here are the possible reasons and ways to fix it:

If none of these methods help, try:

1. Install the latest version of MIUI via Fastboot, then repeat the rollback.
2. Contact the service center (if the device is warranty, but the bootloader was unlocked, the warranty burns).
3. Swipe custom Recovery (TWRP) and install old firmware through it (requires root and experience).

In extreme cases, you can use recovery services (for example, XiaomiUI or Mi Community), where experienced users help with the firmware remotely.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI rollback