Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the device decides when to upgrade.This can be convenient for getting new security features, but sometimes leads to performance declines or bugs in the new version of MIUI. This is especially relevant for those who prefer stability or plan to get root rights, which requires fixing the current version of the firmware.
HyperOS and earlier MIUI shells are designed to aggressively impose the latest software on the user. Update mechanisms are deeply integrated into system processes, and simply turning off one tick in the settings is often insufficient.
In this article, we will discuss all the known ways of blocking, from simple settings in the menu to advanced methods through ADB and modifying the hosts file. You will learn to fully control your gadget and prevent it from downloading data without your knowledge, this will save traffic, memory space and avoid unexpected reboots at the wrong time.
Basic settings in the update menu
The first and most obvious step is to check the standard system settings, and while Xiaomi tries to hide the full functionality, the basic management options are still available in the standard interface, you first need to go to Settings and find the About phone item.
You can click on the MIUI or HyperOS icon to get into the update check menu. The top right corner of the screen often hides a three-dot menu where the switches are located. However, in recent firmware versions, the company can hide these options deeper or remove them from the visible interface altogether.
If you are lucky enough to have a menu available, you will see the Auto Update option, which should be put inactive, and you should also turn off the Wi-Fi Download option so that the system does not cache update files in the background, taking up space in the /data section.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → About the phone and click on the logo version of the OS.
- 🔘 Click on three dots in the corner of the screen and select “Update Settings».
- 🚫 Uncheck the box from the item "Auto Update" and "Download over Wi-Fi».
⚠️ Warning: Even after disabling these settings, Updater’s background service can continue to check for a new firmware version and notify you with a red icon.
For complete certainty, it is also recommended to deny the update application access to the network, this can be done through the traffic management menu, search the list of system applications "Update" or Updater and prevent it from transferring data over both Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
Disconnection through the developer settings
If standard methods don't work, you can use a hidden menu for developers. Android and MIUI have special debugging features that allow you to control the behavior of the system at a deeper level. To activate this menu, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times.
Once activated, a new Developer section will appear in the advanced settings, and inside it you should find the item associated with automatic system updates, and in some versions of MIUI it is called Automatic System Update and requires switching to the Off position.
Some users also recommend disabling the “App Verification via Play Protect” option, as it sometimes triggers background checks on system components, but this reduces the overall security level of the device, so you should only take this step if you have full confidence in the sources of the applications you install.
It is important to understand that the developer settings can be reset after a device reboot or network settings are reset, so this method is better used in conjunction with other lock measures, and checking this section regularly after major system updates will help maintain control over the device.
Blocking through the Hosts file
The most effective way to stop auto-update is to block the system from accessing Xiaomi servers at the network level. DNS-By adding update server addresses, you're going to make the phone think that there's no such server.
Editing the hosts system file requires root rights. If your smartphone is rooted, you can use a file manager with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer or MT Manager. The file is on the path /system/etc/hosts.
At the end of the file, you need to add a list of domains responsible for telemetry and updates, which will not only stop downloading firmware, but also reduce the number of advertising requests. The list of addresses can change, so it is recommended to use current data from the verified forums.
127.0.0.1 update.miui.com
127.0.0.1 update.intl.miui.com
127.0.0.1 api.miui.security.xiaomi.com
127.0.0.1 updater.intl.miui.com
127.0.0.1 http.o2o.api.xiaomi.com⚠️ Warning: Make sure to back up your system files before editing them. An error in the syntax of the hosts file can lead to Internet connection problems.
If root is not available, you can try changing the hosts file through Recovery mode with your computer and the adb push command, but this requires an unlocked bootloader. For devices with a locked bootloader, this method without obtaining superuser rights will not work.
Using ADB to Disable Services
Method by using ADB (Android Debug Bridge is the middle ground between simple settings and complex rooting, allowing you to delete or freeze system applications without obtaining full rights. USB and installed drivers ADB.
The first thing you need to do is activate USB debugging in the Developer menu, then plug the smartphone into your PC and enter adb devices in the command line to make sure the device is visible, and once you confirm access on your phone screen, you can start disabling the components.
We need to find and freeze the packet that's responsible for the updates, usually called com.android.updater or com.miui.updater.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.updaterOnce the command is executed, the update icon may disappear from the menu and the background processes will cease to be active, and this action is reversible: to return everything as it was, it is enough to replace the word disable-user in the command with enable.
☑️ Checking before blocking ADB
It's worth noting that once you reset to Factory Reset, all changes made through ADB will be reversed and you'll have to reconfigure the system, so keep the list of commands you've used in a safe place.
Comparison of blocking methods
The right way to do it depends on your technical skills and goals. Simply turning off the menu is good for lazy users, but it has a weak effect. Hosts editing is effective but requires root. ADB is a versatile tool, but requires a PC.
The table below compares the main characteristics of each method so that you can choose the best one for your situation.
| Method | Difficulty | I need a Root. | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI settings | Low. | No. | Low. | Absent. |
| Hosts file | Medium | Yes. | Tall. | Average. |
| ADB team | Medium | No. | Tall. | Low. |
| Disconnection at Recovery | Tall. | Yes. | Maximum | Tall. |
For most users, the best option is to combine a shutdown and a shutdown for a system application, which is safe and does not require complex hardware, and more radical measures should be applied only to experienced enthusiasts.