How to roll back the update on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

MIUI updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO aren't always helpful. Newer versions often contain bugs, reduce performance or remove familiar features. If after the Android upgrade, your device slows down, discharges quickly or behaves unstable, there is a way out: roll back firmware to the previous version. But here it is important to act carefully so as not to turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to roll back updates on Xiaomi in 2026, from official methods through MIUI bootloader to manual downgrades through Fastboot and Recovery. You’ll learn what tools you need, how to avoid errors and what to do if something goes wrong. And also a table of compatibility methods with popular models and answers to frequent questions.

Why do you need to roll back the MIUI update?

Manufacturers rarely recognize the problems of new firmware, but Xiaomi users regularly face:

• ⚡ Decrease in performance – lags, hanging, slow animation after upgrading to MIUI 14/15 on weak chipsets (for example, Redmi Note) 8 Pro with Helio. G90T).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption - new versions of Android and MIUI Often optimized for fresh models, and old smartphones begin to “eat” the charge on the device. 20-30% faster.
• 🚫 Removal of functions, for example, in MIUI 14 removed the ability to disable advertising in system applications, and in MIUI 15 Changed the Logic of the Signs.
• 🐞 Critical bugs – from the inability to connect to 5G prior to spontaneous reboots (relevant to the POCO F3 After upgrading to Android 13).
• 🔒 Blocking bootloader Unlock – Some updates close the ability to unlock bootloader if it wasn’t done in advance.

According to the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, up to 15 percent of Xiaomi users have tried to roll back their firmware at least once, with 60 percent doing so due to bugs and 30 percent due to inconvenience in the new interface, but before you start, make sure that the problem is the software: sometimes the brakes cause cache or conflicting applications.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Firmware rollback is not about removing an application. Here, an error can cause a device to fail (totally).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi bootloader is blocked, you won’t be able to use most of the rollback methods without first unlocking. Check the lock status with fastboot oem device-info – if Device is unlocked: False, first unblock it through the official Xiaomi tool.

• 📱 Back up all the data — rollback will reset the phone to factory settings. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copying on your PC.
• 🔋 Charge the battery by at least 60% – if the phone turns off during the process, there is a high risk of damage to system files.
• 💻 Install drivers to work with Fastboot and ADB You need Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔗 Download the correct firmware – the version should match your model and region (Global/China/EU). Inconsistency will lead to errors.
• 🔑 Check the bootloader unlock – if it is locked, unlock it in advance (the process takes up to 7 days of waiting). SMS-code from Xiaomi).

To determine the current firmware version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down the full name (e.g. V14.0.5.0.TKMCNXM) – it will be needed to find the right version for the rollback.

Backup contacts and files|Charge the phone. >60%|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the firmware for your model|Check the status of bootloader|Prepare. USB-cable (original)-->

Method 1: Recoil through MIUI bootloader (official method)

The safest way is to use the MIUI bootloader, which allows you to download and install previous firmware versions directly from Xiaomi servers, but does not work on all models.

Instructions:

1. Download MIUI bootloader (available for Windows) and install it.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. In the program, select your model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) and region (Global/China/EU).
4. In the firmware list, find the one you want to roll back (for example, from MIUI 15 to MIUI 14).
5. Press Download, then Install – the program will put the phone in Recovery mode and install the firmware.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ✅ Automatic compatibility check.
• ✅ Minimum risk of error.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT Xiaomi 12T) MIUI bootloader may not show older firmware versions. In this case, use alternative methods.

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MIUI bootloader is the only official way to roll back without the risk of losing warranty, but it doesn’t work on all devices.

Method 2: Manual rollback via Recovery (TWRP)

If MIUI bootloader is not suitable, you can install the old firmware through the custom TWRP recavator. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the desired firmware version in.zip format from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Move the firmware file to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
4. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (this will erase all data!).
5. Return to the main menu, select Install, find the downloaded.zip and confirm the installation.
6. After completion, press Reboot System.

Important nuances:

• 🔧 If after the rollback the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Repeat the steps and additionally swipe the vendor and boot.
• 📁 For some models (e.g. Redmi) K40) You need a fastboot firmware, not a recovery.
• 🔄 After a rollback, you may need to re-activate the device through your Mi Account.

Method 3: Recoil via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most reliable, but also the riskiest, and it works for devices with a locked bootloader (unlockable) or when other methods don't work, and requires a PC with ADB and Fastboot installed.

Instructions:

1. Download the full firmware in.tgz format for your model from the Xiaomi archive.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the PC (must be files) flash_all.bat, images.).
3. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot (Mi Bunny logo with Fastboot labeled).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start it. flash_all.bat (for Windows) or run in the terminal: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot reboot

If the phone doesn't turn on after you've run through Fastboot and the console has a FAILED error (remote: 'Partition not found'), then you've downloaded the firmware not for your model or region. Repeat the process with the correct file.

Method 4: Recoil through EDL-regime (for “bricks»)

If after an unsuccessful update the phone does not turn on (hang on the logo or does not respond), it remains EDL-This method requires special equipment (Mi Flash Pro or UFi box) and is suitable only for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.mbn format for your model.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode (usually close the test points on the board or use a resistor cable).
3. In Mi Flash, select the downloaded file and press Flash.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right EDL If you're not sure about your skills, you can go to a service center. EDL in workshops - from 1500 to 5000 rubles.

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If the phone isn't included in the EDL, try clamping Volume Up + Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds. On some models (Redmi Note 8), this works.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the correct following of the instructions, problems can arise, and here are the most common mistakes and their solutions:

• 🔴 Error: Cannot load 'vendor' - download the firmware marked vendor or scrolle this section separately with the fastboot flash vendor team vendor.img.
• 🔴 Anti-rollback check fail - your model has rollback protection on older versions.There's no solution but to wait for new firmware with bug fix.
• 🔴 phone is stuck on startup logo after rollback – run Wipe Data in Recovery or re-flash boot and dtbo.
• 🔴 Mi Flash does not see the device – install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 manually via Device Manager.

If your IMEIs are missing or your network is not working, restore them via the engineering menu (#4636##) or the SN Write Tool (requires NV-data backup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions