How to Remove the Latest Android Update on Xiaomi Mi 9: 3 Verified Ways

Xiaomi Mi 9 is one of the brand's most popular flagships, but sometimes fresh MIUI updates bring more problems than good. performance bugs, overnight battery discharge, broken sensors or sudden reboots - familiar? If you're facing similar issues after an update, a rollback to the previous firmware version could be the solution.

In this article, we will discuss three official methods of rollback: through Recovery, Fastboot and the utility MIUI bootloader. Each method is suitable for different situations, from a simple downgrade to recovery of the brick, and you will learn how to save data before the procedure and what to do if the phone stopped turning on after a failed update.

⚠️ Important: rolling back firmware on Xiaomi Mi 9 (codename cepheus) requires an unlocked bootloader.If you've never unlocked Bootloader, first go through the official procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool (details in the section below).

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

Before you start downgrade, follow the mandatory steps to avoid data loss or turning your smartphone into a “brick”.

Step 1. Check the current version of MIUI

Go to Settings → About → MIUI version. Write down the full firmware name (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5 Stable) This information will be needed to select the correct rollback version.

Step 2. Make a backup copy

The firmware rollback erases all user data, including photos, contacts and messages.

• 📱 Local Backup: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: sync contacts, notes and photos in Mi Cloud
• 💻 Computer: Copy files from internal memory to PC via USB-cable

Step 3. Charge the phone.

Make sure that the battery level is not lower than 60%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to a hard brick (complete failure of the device).

Step 4: Unlock the bootloader (if not done previously)

To roll back via Fastboot or Recovery, an unlocked Bootloader is required. If it is blocked:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down) and follow the program instructions.

Method 2: Recovery (for power users)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on but is unstable. We will use stock Recovery (not to be confused with TWRP!).

Advantages:

• ✅ It does not require a PC connection.
• ✅ Save data (if the correct firmware is selected)
• ✅ Faster than Fastboot.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI
• ❌ Risk of getting stuck on the logo when making an error

Step-by-step:

1. Download the full firmware (not downloaded) OTA!) Xiaomi Mi 9 official website: 🌐 MIUI Downloads (select the cepheus model) 📁 The file name should end in.zip (for example, the file name should be, miui_CEPHEUSGlobal_V14.0.4.0.SFAMIXM_...)

root-folder

Recovery

1. Turn off the device.


2. Press the <power button> + <volume up> before the Mi logo appears.

Install update.zip to System (or "Install Update")


→ Select the downloaded file




→ Confirm installation

Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

What if Recovery doesn’t see the file?

If the firmware is not displayed on the menu, rename it to update.zip (registrar is important!). Also check that the file is not corrupted (compare the MD5 hash with the official one).

3. Method 2: Recoil via Fastboot (most reliable)

Fastboot is the most versatile method, but requires a PC and minimal command line knowledge, and it works even if the phone doesn't turn on or is stuck on the logo.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Fastboot firmware for Xiaomi Mi 9 (cepheus) from the official website. The file must have the.tgz extension.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\Mi9_Fastboot).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi (unless Windows recognizes them automatically).
4. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: 1. Turn off the device. 2. Press <power button> + <volume down> until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
5. Connect your phone to your PC. In Mi Flash Tool: Press Select and select the folder with the unpacked firmware. Select Clean all or Clean all and lock mode. + Press Flash and wait for completion (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to flash a version older than the one you installed earlier:

🔹 Use firmware no older than 1-2 updates from the current version. 🔹 If the error persists, try to flash through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Method 3: Recoil through MIUI bootloader (for beginners)

If the first two methods seem complicated, use the utility MIUI bootloader – it automates the process of downloading and installing firmware.

Advantages:

• 🎯 Suitable for users with no experience
• 🔍 Automatically finds compatible versions MIUI
• 📥 Downloads firmware from official servers

Instructions:

1. Download MIUI bootloader from the official website.
2. Connect Xiaomi Mi 9 to your PC and launch the utility.
3. In the search box, enter cepheus (codename of the model).
4. Select the desired version of MIUI (e.g. V13.0.6.0 instead of V14.0.5.0).
5. Click Download, then Flash and follow the hints.

⚠️ Note: the utility uses the Fastboot method, so:

🔹 Unlock Bootloader in advance. 🔹 Disable the antivirus – it can block Xiaomi drivers. 🔹 Do not interrupt the process even if the progress bar is 99% frozen (it can last up to 10 minutes).

💡

If MIUI bootloader doesn't see your model, try manually specifying the firmware region. For the global version, use the suffix global, for the European version, use eea.

Possible problems and solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Phone stuck on Mi logo after rollback

Reasons:

• 🔴 Incompatible firmware version (for example, trying to sew EEA Globally)
• 🔴 A damaged firmware file
• 🔴 Incomplete data resetting

Decision:

1. Press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If it doesn’t work, repeat the firmware through Fastboot with the Clean all selection.
3. Check the firmware region: it must match the original (you can find out in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).

Problem 2: The Mi Flash Tool's "Anti-rollback" error

This error occurs when you try to flash a version older than the one you installed earlier, such as if your phone was running a MIUI 14 and you're trying to return a MIUI 12.

Decision:

• 🔹 Use firmware no older than 1-2 versions of the current one (for example, from 14.0.5.0 to 13.0.8.0).
• 🔹 If you want to return a very old version, first go through the intermediate version (for example, 14.0.5.0). → 13.0.8.0 → 12.5.4.0).

Problem 3: Phone doesn't turn on after a botched rollback

If the screen is black or only the charging indicator is lit:

1. Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes – the battery may have run out.
2. Try to log in to Fastboot (Nutrition + Volume Down) or Recovery (Nutrition + Volume Up).
3. If there is no reaction, try to stitch through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized account and Deep Flash cable).

💡

If the phone doesn't respond to the buttons, but it warms up when you connect to the charger, the most likely problem is the bootloader's firmware, in which case only the firmware through the EDL in the service center will help.

6. How to avoid problems with future updates

So that you do not have to roll back the firmware after each update, follow these tips:

Tip 1: Wait 1-2 weeks before updating

Early versions of new firmware often contain critical bugs.

• 🌍 XDA Developers
• 🌍 4PDA (Russian-speaking community)

Advice 2: Use alternative firmware

If stock MIUI is constantly causing problems, consider:

• 🔄 MIUI EU — European firmware without bloatware (junk applications).
• 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience – pure Android without a shell Xiaomi.

⚠️ They will need to be installed. TWRP and unlocked loader.

Tip 3: Turn off automatic updates

To prevent MIUI from being updated without your knowledge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Turn off Auto Booting via Wi-Fi and Auto Update.

💡

If you still want to receive updates but are afraid of bugs, turn on the Notify of New Versions option, but turn off the automatic installation so you can read reviews before the update.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the rollback of firmware on Xiaomi Mi 9