How to roll back the latest update on Xiaomi: 3 working ways (2026)

Why MIUI Update May Go Wrong and When to Recoil

Firmware updates on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones usually go smoothly, but sometimes newer versions of MIUI bring more problems than good. Users face slowdowns, overheating, rapid battery drain, or even critical bugs — for example, when the phone spontaneously reboots or refuses to connect to the mobile network, in which case a rollback to the previous version of the firmware becomes the only sensible solution.

It’s important to understand that not every update can be rolled back by standard means. Xiaomi often blocks downgrades through the usual update menu, especially when it comes to switching from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13 or lower. However, workarounds exist – through Recovery, Fastboot or ADB mode.

Before you start rolling back, check:

• 🔍 Your device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G Xiaomi 13T). The methods of rollback may differ for different lines.
• 📥 Current and Targeted Version MIUI. Sliding MIUI 14.0.5 is 14.0.3 easier than MIUI 13.
• 🔒 Bootloader status. It's locked on new devices, and you'll need to unlock it to roll back.

Method 1: Recoil through the Recovery menu (without PC)

The easiest method is to use the built-in recovery menu (Stock Recovery), which is suitable if:

• ✅ You've been updated by air (OTA) You want to go back to the previous version within the same thread. MIUI (For example, from 14.0.6 to 14.0.4).
• ✅ You do not have a bootloader blocked (on most devices until 2021 release it is unlocked by default).
• ✅ You downloaded the official firmware for your model from the site MIUI Downloads.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware file in.zip format (for example, fw_redminote12_global_14.0.3.0.zip) and rename it in update.zip. Don't unpack!
2. Move the file to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folder).
3. Turn off your phone. Press the button combination to log in to Recovery: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Food (hold on) 10–15 seconds). 📱 For POCO F5/Xiaomi 13: Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

From the Recovery menu, select a language (if you have an option), then go to Install update.zip to System (or similar).

Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

Download the correct version of the firmware (.zip)|Rename the file to update.zip|Transfer to the root of memory|Turn off the phone.|Press the buttons to enter Recovery-->

⚠️ Note: If after the rollback the phone is stuck on the logo MI If it's longer than 15 minutes, it's not a good firmware for your model.

Method 2: Recoil from Fastboot (for power users)

If the Recovery rollback fails or you want to return to an older version of MIUI (e.g., from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13), you will need a Fastboot mode and a computer, a method that is more complex but more reliable, and is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader (if not, unlock first through the Mi Unlock Tool).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download here).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (not to be confused with Recovery!).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\fastboot_rom).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press Volume down + Power before the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select, and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "Couldn't flash cust" error, try renaming the firmware folder, removing the spaces and Cyrillic. Also check that the path to the folder does not contain Russian characters.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after you've run through Fastboot, try squeezing Volume Up + Power for 20 seconds to force you to restart. 80% of the time, it helps you get out of the brick.

Method 3: Recoil through ADB Sideload (alternative to Recovery)

If standard Recovery doesn’t see the update.zip file or gives an error, you can use ADB Sideload, a command-line firmware method that works even on devices with a locked bootloader (but not on all models).

What you need:

• 🖥 Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (Download Platform Tools).
• 📱 On. USB-Debugging in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 📁 Firmware in.zip format (the same as for Recovery).

Instructions:

1. Place the firmware file in the folder with the platform-tools (for example, C:\platform-tools\update.zip).
2. Open the command prompt in this folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and follow the command: adb devices If the device appears in the list, type: adb sideload update.zip
4. Wait for the firmware to be completed (a progress bar will appear on the phone screen).

How to avoid problems after a rollback

Firmware rollback is only half the battle, so to keep your phone running smoothly, you can do a few extra steps:

1. Reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) This will remove the residual files of old firmware that can cause conflicts.
2. Turn off Auto Update: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Tap three dots in the upper right corner and select Update Settings. Turn off Auto Boot over Wi-Fi.

Check the key functions:

• 📶 Mobile network and Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Charging and battery level.
• 🎵 Sound and speakers.
• 📸 Camera (sometimes after rollback, drivers need to be reinstalled).

If the IMEI is lost or the mobile network is no longer working, then the firmware was damaged or not suitable for your model, in which case only re-running through Fastboot with the choice of "Clean all" mode will help.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

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If none of the methods worked, the last hope is firmware through the EDL-However, this requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions