How to check the anti-rollback on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

Buying a used Xiaomi smartphone or trying to flash a device often faces the problem of an anti-rollback — protection against rollback of firmware to an older version. If you ignore this system, the phone can turn into a brick after a failed update. But how do you know whether the rollback is on your Redmi, POCO or Mi? In this article, we will examine all the current methods of verification, from standard MIUI menus to ADB commands and hidden engineering modes.

It's important to understand that anti-rollback is not a manufacturer's whim, but a security measure, and it prevents the installation of outdated firmware that may contain vulnerabilities, but for enthusiasts who want to roll back on a stable version of MIUI or install custom firmware, it becomes a serious obstacle, and we'll show you how to check the status of the rollback without the risk of blocking, and what to do if it is already activated.

What is Xiaomi’s Recoilout and Why It’s Dangerous

Anti-Rollback Protection is a software lock introduced by Xiaomi since MIUI 9 (2017) that aims to prevent installing firmware older than the one already on the device, for example, if your Redmi Note 10 Pro runs on MIUI 14, trying to flash MIUI 12 will result in a full lockdown of the bootloader (called a “hard brick”).

The danger of a rollback is that it works irreversibly. Even an official service center can't always restore the phone after such a lock - often a motherboard replacement is required. So be sure to check the status of the rollback before any firmware manipulation.

• 📱 Which devices have a rollback? Almost all models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, Excluding some budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A), but it's rare.
• ⚠️ When does the lock work? When you try to flash the firmware with the number anti_version below the current (even via Fastboot or EDL).
• 🔧 Can we bypass the recoil? Technically yes, but only through EDL-A mode with an authorized Xiaomi account (which is almost impossible for ordinary users).

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a used phone and the seller claims that the "rollback is off," demand proof. Often, scammers just don't know that the lock is activated the first time the firmware is activated.

Method 1: Check the anti-rollback through the MIUI menu (the safest)

The easiest and risk-free method is to see the status of the rollback in standard MIUI settings. It works on most devices, but not all (for example, on some POCO models this item may not be available).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → For developers.
4. Find the Anti-rollback status item, and if you don't, use other methods.

What do the meanings mean?

• 🟢 No or Disabled – Recoil is disabled (you can flash any version).
• 🔴 Yes or Enabled – Recoilout is active (the firmware of the old version will block the phone).
• ❓ N/A or no item – check through Fastboot or ADB.

Enable the developer mode (stamp according to MIUI)

Check for the item "Anti-rollback status"

Record the current value (if any)

Do not try to change the settings manually-->

Method 2: Fastboot commands to check for anti-rollback

If you don't have any rollback information in the MIUI menu, you can use Fastboot, a bootloader mode available on all Xiaomi devices, which requires a computer and an ADB/Fastboot driver installed, but gives you an accurate result.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

fastboot getvar anti

Possible answers:

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) The fastboot getvar anti command may not work. In this case, use an alternative command:

fastboot getvar anti_version

Yeah, the phone's turned into a brick.

No, but I'm afraid of it.

I tried to stitch it up, but it went well.

I don't know what that is.-->

Method 3: Checking through ADB (for advanced users)

If Fastboot is not successful, you can try it. ADB — Android debugging tool, which requires the developer mode to be enabled and USB-debugging.

Instructions:

1. Turn it on. USB-debugging → For developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. In the command line, type:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.anti_version

What do the answers mean?

• 🔢 0 - Recoilout disabled.
• 🔢 1, 2, 3, etc. – Recoil is active (number indicates protection version).
• ❌ Empty answer or error – command not supported (use another method).

Alternative command for new devices:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.anti

💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling the drivers or using the original USB-Xiaomi cables, cheap cables often don't support data transmission.

Method 4: Hidden Engineering Menu (for power users)

Some Xiaomi devices have a hidden engineering menu where you can see the status of the rollback.This method is not officially documented, so use it at your own risk.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Go to the phone information or engineering mode section.
4. Find the Anti Rollback Version or ARB Status.

If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try the alternative codes:

• #36446337## for some Redmi models
• ##4636## → Battery Information → ARB Status.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu if you do not know their purpose! IMEI or lock-in.

Method 5: Verification through firmware files (for enthusiasts)

If you have access to a fastboot ROM or recovery ROM, you can manually check the rollback status, a method that is suitable for those who plan to stitch through the device and want to know the risks in advance.

How to check:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Unpack the archive and find the file. flash_all.sh or flash_all.bat.
3. Open the file in the text editor and find the line with anti_version.
4. Compare the value to the current firmware on your phone (you can find out through ADB or Fastboot).

Example of a line in flash_all.sh:

if [ "$(getprop ro.boot.anti_version)" -gt "2" ]; then


echo "Anti-rollback protection triggered!"




exit 1




fi

If the firmware file is specified anti_version=3, And it's on your phone. anti_version=2, The firmware of this version will result in a lock.

What to do if the anti-rollout has already been activated

If the test shows that the anti-recoil is active (anti: 1, anti_version=3 etc., you have several options:

• 🔄 Only new versions are required. MIUI. Install firmware with anti_version below the current.
• 🛠️ Use the official service.In some cases, Xiaomi can reset the anti-rollback through EDL, This is a paid service (and not guaranteed).
• 📱 Buy a phone with the recoil disabled. AliExpress or Avito sometimes sell devices marked "No Anti" (but the risk of getting scammed is high).

If you decide to go for a firmware, you must:

1. Back up your data (Mi Cloud or TWRP if the bootloader is unlocked).
2. Check firmware compatibility with your model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G are different devices!).
3. Use only official firmware from Xiaomi or verified sources (XDA Developers).

💡

The only safe way to avoid blocking is to only flash through those versions. MIUI, whose anti_version equal to or above the current.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's anti-rollback