How to permanently remove updates on Xiaomi: phones, TV and smart devices

Why do users want to disable Xiaomi updates?

Updates to MIUI and HyperOS firmware on Xiaomi devices often become a headache for users. The manufacturer aggressively implements automatic software updates, which leads to unexpected reboots, slowdowns and even loss of functionality after installing new versions. This is especially true for owners of older models (Redmi Note 5, Mi A2, Mi Box S), where fresh firmware “brakes” the hardware optimized for earlier versions of Android.

Another common problem is forced updates on Mi TVs and Xiaomi TV A Pro, which leave favorite apps (like YouTube in older versions) gone or change the interface to a less user-friendly one. Some users also face blocking the bootloader after the update, which makes it difficult to install custom firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the legal and non-obvious ways to stop unnecessary updates, from standard settings to technical tricks for advanced ones.

Method 1: Disable updates through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS. Importantly, after resetting or updating via Fastboot, these parameters can be reset.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → About the phone (or About the device).
• 🔄 Tap on item Update MIUI (HyperOS - System Update).
• ⚙️ In the upper right corner, click on the icon "⋮" (three dots) and select Settings.
• 🚫 Turn off the slider Automatic download via Wi-Fi.
• 🔕 Deactivate Update Notices (if any).

On Mi TVs, the path is a little different: Settings → All settings → About TV → System Update → Turn off automatic check. Note that on some models (such as Mi TV 4S 55) these settings are reset after manually updating!

☑️ Verification of disabling updates

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⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) After disabling automatic updates, the system may still show a notification about the availability of a new firmware 1 time per week. ADB (see method 3).

Method 2: Block updates through background restriction for System Updates

If a standard shutdown doesn’t work, you can strangle the system app that handles the updates, a technique that works on all Xiaomi devices running Android 8.0+, but requires root rights or ADB use for some models.

Steps for smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type System Update (or Updater in English firmware).
3. Select the application and tap the Battery → Background Limitation.
4. Install the Restricted (on some firmware - Do not allow).
5. Go back and press Notifications → turn off all sliders.

For Mi TVs, the path is: Settings → Apps → System apps → Software Update → Stop and Disable. On some models (e.g. Mi TV Q1E), this method only works until the first reboot.

Method 3: Disable updates via ADB (for advanced)

If system methods don’t work, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that disables system-level updates, is suitable for all Xiaomi devices, including TVs and Mi Box, but requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your device: Settings → About Phone → 7 times tap on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the device to your PC, install Xiaomi drivers and download ADB Tools.
4. Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and do:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the driver and cable.)

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.updater

For Mi TVs, use:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.droidlogic.OTAUpdate

Once you have completed the commands, the System Update app will be disabled until the next reset. To return everything back, replace the disable-user with enable.

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If updates still come after the ADB commands are executed, check for duplicate packages through the adb shell pm list packages | grep -i update command. On some firmware, an additional package is responsible for updates, for example com.xiaomi.market (app store).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked boot loader (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3 etc.) after disabling updates through ADB You may get a "system malfunction" notification, which you can ignore, but if it's annoying, use Hide Mock Locations (available in Magisk) to mask the changes.

Method 4: Manually Delete Update Files

Even if you turn off automatic boot, the system can secretly download update files in the background, which take up space and can be installed the next time you turn on the device, to delete them:

On smartphones:

• 📁 Open any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /sdcard/Download/rom or /sdcard/downloaded_rom.
• 🗑️ Delete all files with the.zip extension (commonly referred to as miui_*.zip).
• 🧹 Clear the folder. /cache through settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

On Mi TVs:

• 📺 Connect the flash drive to USB-port.
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Storage and discharge → Internal memory.
• 🗃️ Find the Download folder and delete files with the name update.zip or ota_*.zip.

If the folders downloaded_rom No, so the updates haven't been downloaded yet. To prevent them from happening, create an empty file at the root of the memory called.nomedia (via a PC or file manager with root rights).

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Deleting update files does not prevent them from automatically downloading in the future. To completely stop the process, combine this method with disabling through ADB or settings.

Method 5: Using Magisk and Custom Modules (for rooted devices)

If your device has an unlocked bootloader and Magisk is installed, you can use special modules to block updates, which is the most reliable method, but only suitable for advanced users.

Steps required:

1. Install Magisk (see instructions for your model on XDA Developers).
2. Download the module. Disable_Force_Encrypt or MIUI/OEM Unlock Bypass (to block forced updates).
3. Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the device.
4. For additional protection, install Universal SafetyNet Fix if you use banking applications.

For Mi TVs, TV fit the module ATV-X Mod, which, among other things, disables update checks. Note that on some models (e.g. Mi). TV 4A) After installation of modules can fly DRM-key to Netflix and Disney+.

⚠️ Note: Installing Magisk and custom modules violates Xiaomi’s security policy. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), this can lead to blocking of banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) or Google Pay services. TWRP!

Method 6: Blocking Update Servers via Hosts File

The Radical method is to block a device from accessing Xiaomi update servers at the network level, which can be done by editing the hosts file on the device or through a router.

For smartphones (root required):

1. Install any hosts editor (such as Hosts Editor from Play Market).
2. Add the following lines to the end of the file:

127.0.0.1 update.miui.com


127.0.0.1 ota.miui.com




127.0.0.1 api.io.mi.com




127.0.0.1 data.mistat.intl.xiaomi.com

For TVs and consoles, use the ADB:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




echo "127.0.0.1 update.miui.com" >> /system/etc/hosts




mount -o ro,remount /system




exit

To block updates for all devices on the network, add these domains to the router’s blacklist (in the Parental Control or Firewall settings). On Xiaomi Mi Router routers, this is done through Settings → Additional → Firewall.

What to do if the update has already been installed?

If you did not have time to disable the update and the device has already been updated, there are several ways to roll back:

• 🔙 Download the desired firmware version from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com and swipe through the Mi Flash Tool (see instructions for your model on the website). 4PDA).
• 📦 Install the old version via Recovery: Rename the firmware file to update.zip, Place it in the root of memory and boot to Recovery (press the Power) + Vol+ switch-on).
• ⚠️ Factory reset: If the new firmware is unstable, reset via Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. Be aware that this will delete all data!

For Mi TVs, TV Recoiling is possible only through USB-firmware:

1. Download the desired version of the software from the official website.
2. Unpack. ZIP-archive and place the upgrade folder on the formatted FAT32 flash-drive.
3. Insert the flash drive into the TV, go to Settings → About TV → System Update → Update via USB.

⚠️ Warning: Retracement to old firmware can lead to blocking IMEI on smartphones with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 11, POCO X3 NFC). Before rolling back, check the compatibility of versions on the forums!

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Xiaomi updates