How to permanently remove the update alert on Xiaomi: from simple settings to hidden commands

Notifications about MIUI updates on Xiaomi devices can appear daily, even if you do not plan to install a new firmware version. These pop-ups not only distract, but also consume battery power, and in some cases even block access to basic phone features until the updates are checked, especially annoying owners of older models (such as the Redmi Note 4X or Mi A1), where new versions of the software are slower or contain critical bugs.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable update alerts, from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands for power users, how to block notifications through system menus, disable updates manually, or even remove them completely (at your own risk), and analyze why Xiaomi is so insistent on offering updates and what risks these actions pose to device security.

Important: Some methods require root or ADB permission, which can lead to a loss of warranty, and if you're not sure about what you're doing, stick to the first three, they're safe for any device.

Why is Xiaomi so active in bringing updates?

Xiaomi has an aggressive update policy for several reasons:

• 📊 Statistics: Each notification captures how many users ignore updates, which helps analyze audience behavior.
• 🛡️ Security: In new versions MIUI Vulnerabilities are being closed, so the company is looking to update as many devices as possible.
• 📱 Support for older models: Even for 2016-2018 smartphones (such as the Mi 5 or Redmi 4 Pro) patches are coming out, but they often contain ads or unnecessary services.
• 💰 Monetization: In new versions MIUI Additional promotional modules or paid features may appear (e.g. Mi Cloud)+).

However, for the user, this often turns into constant interruptions: notifications pop up when the screen is unlocked, in the status bar or even on top of running applications. Moreover, on some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 for the global version), the system automatically downloads updates in the background, taking up space on the drive.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling updates deprives you of critical security patches.If you use your phone to work with banking applications or store sensitive data, check for updates manually regularly (every 1-2 months).

Method 1: Disable notifications in MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and most secure method is to block notifications from the update service via the standard menu, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 9 and later, including POCO and Black Shark.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type “Update” (or Updater for global firmware).
3. Select the System Update app (the icon with the arrow up).
4. Slip on the Notifications item and turn off all switches:

• 🔔 Pop-up notifications (responsible for banners on top of screens).
• 📩 Notifications in the status bar (icon in the top panel).
• 🔄 Audible signals (if enabled).

After that, the notifications will no longer appear, but the update service itself will remain active.

• ✅ You can still check the updates manually.
• ✅ The system will not download firmware in the background.
• ❌ Some “important” updates (such as fixes for Google Play Services) may still be installed automatically.

Method 2: Limit background activity of the Update application

If disabling notifications didn’t work, you can completely block the update service in the background, which will prevent you from automatically checking new versions and downloading files without your knowledge.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → find System Update.
2. Choose the Battery. → Background restriction.
3. Set the switch to the "Limited" position.
4. Go back and tap Data → turn off Background data and Autostart.

These actions:

• 🛑 Completely stop automatic update checks.
• 📴 Prevent downloading firmware via mobile Internet (saves traffic).
• ⚠️ Can cause errors when manually checking updates (you will have to temporarily remove restrictions).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10 Pro) after these manipulations, the System Update app may disappear from the menu altogether.

Settings → About the phone → System update (shut down several times)

Method 3: Using ADB to disable the Service Update

For users who are willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge, a more radical method, is to completely disable the system service package. It doesn't require root rights, but it will require a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes adb).
2. On the phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About the phone).
3. Enable USB debugging in the developer menu.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

adb shell pm hide com.android.updater

For global firmware (Mi A2, POCO F1, etc.) use:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.updater

This command will hide the System Update app from the user and stop all associated processes. To return it back, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.android.updater

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 with) MIUI 14) after this command, functions like Fastboot or Recovery may stop working. Before experimenting, check if you have a backup of the data.

Method 4: Remove updates via TWRP (root only)

If you have custom recovery (e.g. TWRP) installed and root rights, you can completely remove the system update application, which is suitable for advanced users, as it carries risks to system stability.

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for your Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro or Mi 9T).
2. Download to recovery (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume Up).
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Delete the following folders:

• 📁 /system/priv-app/Updater (global firmware).
• 📁 /system/app/Updater (Chinese versions MIUI).

After the reboot:

• ✅ The System Update app will disappear from the menu.
• ✅ Notifications will no longer appear.
• ❌ You can't install it. OTA-Updates (only via Fastboot or Recovery).

Method 5: Blocking through the host file (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users who want to block Updater’s access to Xiaomi servers.It requires root rights and editing the /etc/hosts system file.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager).
2. Open /etc/hosts file in the text editor.
3. Add the following lines to the end of the file:

127.0.0.1 update.miui.com


127.0.0.1 api.io.mi.com




127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com

Save the changes and restart the device.

• 🔒 System Update will not be able to contact Xiaomi servers.
• 📵 Notifications for new firmware will stop coming.
• ⚠️ There may be problems with other system services (e.g. Mi Cloud or Themes).

💡

Before editing /etc/hosts, back it up. If you have internet problems after the changes, just return the original file.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the methods but notifications keep coming, the problem may lie in:

• 🔄 Custom firmware: Some builds (e.g. xiaomi.eu or LineageOS) have their own update mechanisms. Try disabling them in the firmware settings.
• 📱 Corporate Services: On Devices with MIUI for Russia/Europe (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) This may be forced verification via Google Play Services.
• 🛠️ Hardware limitations: On some models (e.g. Mi Mix) 2S) service-in-service boot.img. Here only the flashing through Fastboot will help.

The last option is a rollback to the old version MIUI. For example, if you have updated with MIUI 12 to MIUI 13 and started receiving annoying notifications, you can return the previous firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

⚠️ Note: Reverse to the old version MIUI This can cause data loss (including photos and messages) and lock the bootloader on new devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 or Redmi). K50). Before the procedure, be sure to unlock Bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool.

💡

If notifications appear even after all services are turned off, check for viruses. Some Trojans mimic system alerts. Scan your device through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Xiaomi