How to reset Android version to the previous one on Xiaomi: secure downgrade firmware

Updating the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones usually brings new features, security improvements and performance optimization. However, often users are faced with a situation where the latest version of MIUI or Android works worse than the previous one: bugs appear, autonomy decreases, the interface slows down. In such cases, the logical solution is to roll back to stable firmware. But how do you do it correctly without turning the phone into a brick?

In this article, we will look at all the working methods of downgrading on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from official methods through Fastboot to alternative solutions using custom recavators. We will focus on the risks of blocking the bootloader on new models (2022-2026), as the company has tightened its security policy. If you are not ready for experiments, you better wait for a patch from developers.

Before you start, answer two key questions: why do you need a rollback (bugs, performance, app compatibility?) and which version you want to install, which will determine the choice of method. For example, switching from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13 will require different actions than downgrading from Android 14 to Android 13.

1.Downraid Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

A firmware rollback is not just installing the old version on top of the new one; it is a set of actions that requires backing up data, unlocking the bootloader (on most models), and correctly matching firmware files, and skipping even one step can lead to a bootloop ( looped download) or complete data loss.

Here is the checklist before starting:

Backup all data (photos, contacts, messages)

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

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

Charge your phone at least 70%

Prepare a USB cable and a computer (for the Fastboot method)

Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (if not, unlock)

Disable Mi Account protection (if you plan to reset completely)-->

Pay special attention to the firmware version. On MIUI Downloads, select your model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, not just Redmi Note 12). Download stable, not beta, and only a.tgz or.zip file marked Fastboot or Recovery will do a downgrade.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro) Downgrade via Fastboot can block the bootloader automatically, in which case official permission from the support service will be required.

2.Official method: Downgrade via Fastboot

The most reliable way to roll back is to use the Fastboot firmware from the official website, which is suitable for most models, Released until 2023, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If you have never unlocked a bootloader, first perform this procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 72 hours to wait). SMS-code).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi) and unpack it on your computer.
2. Unpack the downloaded.tgz archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
3. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Flash Tool. The utility should identify the device.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Then select Clean all or Clean all and lock mode. + loader-lock).
6. Press Flash and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after the firmware, don’t panic — wait 10-15 minutes. Sometimes the first download takes a long time. If nothing changes after this period, repeat the procedure by selecting Save user data mode (but this will only work if you have not previously formatted the data partition).

3. Alternative method: rollback through Recovery

If you have a custom recap (for example, TWRP), Downgrade can be done without a computer, and this method is suitable for advanced users, because it requires manual installation. ZIP-Important: Not all Xiaomi models support TWRP newer MIUI (particularly Android 13/14).

Instructions for TWRP:

• 📱 Download firmware in.zip format (for example, from the forum) XDA Developers and move it to a memory card.
• 🔧 Come in. TWRP Recovery (click the volume up) + Power with the phone turned off).
• 🗑️ Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup section) → Select System, Data, Boot).
• 📦 Press Install, select downloaded ZIP-file and swipe to confirm.
• 🔄 After installation, run the Wipe → Format Data (if clean installation is required).
• 🔄 Reboot to the system (Reboot) → System).

⚠️ Note: On devices with dynamic partitions (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) firmware TWRP This is a problem with E: Unknown command. [log]. In this case, use only the Fastboot method.

If the phone does not boot after installation, try flashing vendor_boot.img and dtbo.img separately via Fastboot:

fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img


fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot reboot

4. Downgrade without unlocking the bootloader: is it possible?

Starting in 2021, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy, and on most new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K50/K60, POCO F5), a downgrade without unlocking the bootloader is impossible.

1. Using the MIUI Downgrade Tool is an unofficial utility that automates the rollback process for some models. It only works on devices with MediaTek chipsets (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro).
2. Pushback through OTA-Package – if you have an older version installed on your phone before MIUI, You can try to “roll back” through the settings. → Update of the PO → Three points. → Select the service pack. However, this method only works within one Android branch (for example, with the help of a single Android branch). MIUI 14 on Android 13 on MIUI 13 on Android 13).

On devices with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra, Redmi K40 Gaming), any downgrade will cause the anti-rollback to be activated, and the phone will refuse to boot, in which case only the official service center will help.

💡

If your model supports the Xiaomi.EU project, you can install their downgrade firmware via TWRP. It is based on the official MIUI, but with advanced settings and no rollback restrictions.

5. The risks and consequences of downhrade

Firmware rollbacks are always a risk, even if you follow the instructions, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

The most critical error is to lock the bootloader after a downgrade. On newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K60), this can happen even with the right firmware, in which case the screen will show the inscription This device is locked. The solution is one - to contact the service center with a proof of purchase (check or box), as unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool will not be available.

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Before downgrade, check if your model supports rollback. For example, on Xiaomi 11T Pro and the newer downgrade from Android 13 to Android 12 is officially banned due to a change in the structure of the super partition.

6.Recovery of data after downgrade

If you backed up before rolling back, that's great! But what if you didn't have data and the phone was clean after you did? Here are a few ways to get some of that back:

• 📱 Photos and videos: If they were stored on an SD card, just paste it back in. If you have internal memory, try programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (only on an unlocked phone).
• 📞 Contact and SMS: Restore your Google Account (if sync is enabled) or export from your old backup TWRP.
• 🎮 Game Savings: Many games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) linked to your account. Sign in again to make progress.
• 📁 Document files: Check the folder MIUI/Backup/AllBackup internal memory – sometimes backups are left there.

If the phone is not turned on but is detected by the computer in Fastboot mode, you can try retrieving data via ADB:

adb pull /data/media/0/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

This command will copy all user files from internal memory to a folder on a PC, but it requires root access, which is impossible to obtain on locked devices.

⚠️ Note: Do not use software to "recover data after firmware" from unknown developers. Many of them contain malicious code or simply do not work with the software. F2FS-Partitions that are used in the new Xiaomi smartphones.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when downgrading. TOP-5 Failures and how not to repeat them:

1. The wrong firmware version. For example, trying to flash Redmi Note 11 firmware from Redmi Note 11 Pro. The result is a brick. Always check the exact model name in Settings → About Phone → Model Name.
2. Starting with MIUI 12.5, many models have downgrade protection. If you flash the old version to the new one, the phone locks. Check compatibility on the forums before you start.
3. Incomplete cleaning before firmware. If you don't do Wipe Data, you may experience conflicts between old and new files. Use Clean all mode in the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Power outage during firmware, even a brief shutdown USB-A cable or phone discharge below 30% can damage the system partition.
5. Skip step unlock bootloader. On Xiaomi models after 2020, without unlocking, downgrade is impossible. If you do not do it in advance, you will have to wait 7-14 days for approval from Xiaomi.

If you do encounter a problem, don't panic. In 90% of cases, the phone can be reanimated by re-running or through the firmware. EDL-This will require an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable (or adapter). EDL can be found 4PDA.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions