How to make a rollback on Android after updating Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Firmware updates on Xiaomi smartphones often bring new features, but sometimes instead of improvements, users are faced with bugs: sudden reboots, battery drain in a few hours or broken sensors. If after the MIUI update, your Redmi, POCO or Mi began to slow down, overheat or lose functionality - a rollback to the previous version may be the only solution.

In this article, we will discuss three official methods of rollback: through Recovery, Fastboot and the Mi Flash Tool. Each method has its own nuances: somewhere you will need to unlock the bootloader, somewhere you can do without losing data. We will also explain how to avoid the device blink (complete loss of performance) and which versions of firmware are compatible for downgrade.

Important: the rollback procedure is not supported by Xiaomi at the level of warranty service. If your smartphone is warranty, it is better to first contact the service center - independent manipulation of the firmware can cancel the warranty.

1.Preparation for rollback: what to do before the start

Before proceeding with a downgrade, follow the mandatory steps to minimize the risks:

• 📱 Backup all data through Settings → Google → Backup or manually copy files to a PC. rollback often erases internal memory.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. interruption of the process due to discharge can turn the smartphone into a "brick».
• 🔗 Download the correct firmware. Use only official files from the site. MIUI Download. To roll back, you need a version older than the current one, but not older than 2 years (otherwise there will be problems with the compatibility of modules).
• 🔓 Check the status of the bootloader. If it is blocked, you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (more in section 3).

Note the model of your device. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (veux) will not work for the Redmi Note 11 Pro (peux) — even if the names are similar. The code name of the model can be found in the Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click several times on the line with the kernel version).

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If you are not sure about the model code, use the CPU-Z app (Device section) which displays the exact platform name, such as tucana for Mi 10.

Also check if your device is a region-locked device (e.g., models for China do not support global firmware).

⚠️ Warning: Installing a firmware inappropriate region may result in network loss (will not work) 4G/5G), Camera or sensor failure, for example, Chinese firmware often lacks Google services.

2. Method 1: Recovery (without data loss)

This is the easiest method, but it only works if:

• 🔄 Your current firmware is no older than 2 years (otherwise Recovery will refuse to install the old version).
• 📦 You do not have a bootloader blocked (checked by the command fastboot oem device-info – if Device unlocked: false, the method will not work).
• 📂 You downloaded the full firmware package (a file with the.zip extension, weighing 2-3 GB, not a file with a.zip extension). OTA-update).

Instructions:

1. Rename the downloaded firmware file to update.zip and move it to the root of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
2. Turn off your smartphone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System (navigation is done with volume buttons, the choice is with the power button).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).

Download the full firmware (not a full firmware) OTA)|Rename in update.zip|Put it in the root of memory|Deactivate signature verification (if required)-->

If you have a Can't verify update error after the reboot, you will:

• 🔹 The firmware file is damaged (download again).
• 🔹 The difference between the region (for example, trying to establish the EU Chinese smartphone).
• 🔹 Recovery includes signature verification (solved by installing custom Recovery type) TWRP, But it requires unlocking the bootloader).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) Recovery rollback is blocked by the manufacturer. Use methods 2 or 3.

Method 2: Recoil via Fastboot (with bootloader unlocking)

This method is suitable for most Xiaomi devices, but requires unlocking the bootloader. If you already have it unlocked (for example, you previously installed custom firmware), skip the first step.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync.
2. Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and log in to the program.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power When the device is off) and follow the instructions in the utility. Unlock waiting time is 3 to 720 hours (depending on Xiaomi policy).

Step 2: Install firmware through Fastboot

1. Download the Fastboot firmware (file with.tgz extension) for your model from MIUI Download.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and launch the script flash_all.bat.
4. Wait until it's finished (the process will take 5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the phone has been stuck on the MI logo for more than 10 minutes after firmware:

• 🔹 Try to go to Recovery and make Wipe Data (all data is erased!).
• 🔹 Repeat the firmware, but instead flash_all.bat use flash_all_except_data.bat (User files will be retained).
• 🔹 If nothing works, run the device through the Mi Flash Tool (method 3).

Recovery (without loss of data)|Fastboot (with unlocking)|Mi Flash Tool (full firmware re-flashing)|I haven't decided-->

Method 3: Recoil through the Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi's official firmware utility for EDL (Emergency Download Mode) devices, which allows you to restore your smartphone even if it doesn't turn on or freezes in the bootloop.

• 🔧 Unlocked loader.
• 💻 Windows computer (the utility does not work on the computer) Mac/Linux).
• 🔌 Supported cable EDL (common USB-C might not fit).

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Download the Fastboot firmware (as in method 2) and unpack it.
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds at the same time to enter EDL mode (the screen will be black).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Device Manager should have a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
5. In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh (should show up) COM-Choose Clean all (full cleaning) or Clean all and lock (with bootloader lock after firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

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Regime. EDL — Last chance to restore "brick."If the Mi Flash Tool can't see the device, check the drivers or try another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Warnings:

• 🚨 Do not interrupt the process – it is guaranteed to kill the device.
• 🔒 After the firmware with the Clean all and lock option, the bootloader will lock, and it will take 720 hours to re-unblock.
• 📵 If the phone is not identified in EDL, Try the testpoint method (closing contacts on the board), but it is risky for beginners.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical mistakes and how to fix them:

If you encounter an Anti-rollback error, it means you are trying to install a firmware with a lower anti-rollback number than the current one. /vendor/build.prop (line ro.vendor.build.security_patch). Decisions:

• 🔢 Find firmware with the same or higher antirollback number.
• 🔧 Use the Anti-Rollback Remove patch (risky, can lead to a brick).
• 📱 Contact the service center – they can flash the device through authorized tools.

6.How to avoid problems after a rollback

After a successful rollback to the previous version of MIUI, follow a few steps to keep the device running smoothly:

• 🔄 Reset settings through Settings → Additionally. → Resetting: This will help avoid conflicts between old and new configuration files.
• 🔒 Turn off automatic update: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Auto-update (Off.).
• 📥 Restore data from backup (but don’t restore system applications!).
• 🛡️ Check security: After a rollback, you may need to re-authorize in banking applications (due to a change in the device’s fingerprint).

If you notice after the retraction that:

• 📶 Mobile network is not working – check your settings APN Or reflash the modem via Fastboot.
• 🔋 Quickly sits down the battery – perform calibration: completely discharge and charge the phone 2-3 times.
• 🎵 No sound, maybe the audio drivers are gone. Try flashing the vendor section.

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If you lose Always-on Display after rollback, check settings in Settings → Screen → Always-on and lock. Sometimes you need to re-enable the option.

7. Alternative methods: when recoiling is not possible

If none of the methods worked (for example, due to a blocked bootloader or the lack of a suitable firmware), consider alternatives:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) requires unlocked bootloader and installation TWRP.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (sometimes solves problems without rollback).
• 📱 Contacting the service center – if the device is warranty, the wizards can flash it through authorized tools (for example, Mi Account Remove Tool).
• 🛒 Sell/exchange device – if the problems are critical (e.g., the camera or sensor is not working) and rollback is not possible.

For custom firmware installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in method 2).
2. Install TWRP Recovery via Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

1. In TWRP, backup Boot, System, Vendor and Data.
2. Sweep through custom firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may deprive you of official Xiaomi support, and also lead to problems with banking applications (due to lack of SafetyNet certification).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions