How to remove the update notification on Xiaomi MIUI 11

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones using the MIUI 11 shell often encounter an intrusive red icon in the settings menu. This number "1" or arrow constantly reminds you to download and install a new version of the operating system. For those who prefer the stability of the current build or do not have enough memory, this behavior becomes a serious irritant. You can remove this indicator, but you can not do this with standard interface tools.

The MIUI Updater system mechanism is deeply integrated into the firmware and is set up by default to constantly poll the manufacturer's servers. Even if you ignore the notification, it will appear again and again, demanding user attention. To break this cycle, you need to take a comprehensive approach that affects application settings, Internet access for system services and, in some cases, the device's file system.

In this guide, we will look at secure methods that do not require Root rights and will not lead to loss of warranty.You will learn to block system components, hide visual indicators and prevent automatic download of service packs, which will allow you to use the device in the usual mode without being distracted by constant system requests.

Disabling notifications through application settings

The first and most secure step is to limit the capabilities of the System Update application itself. In MIUI 11, this component has its own set of permissions that can be modified. You don't have to delete system files, you just restrict their functionality so that they stop bothering you with pop-ups.

Go to Settings, then select About Phone and click on MIUI. In the window that opens, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Options. You need to turn off all available switches like Auto Update and Notify Updates. However, this is often not enough as background services continue to work.

For a deeper cleanup, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find System Update (or MIUI bootloader) on it and select Notifications. In this menu, uncheck all ticks allowing notifications, beeps and display on the lock screen, which will hide the visual part of the problem, but will not stop the background check of servers.

• 🛑 Turn off the display of icons on the app icon.
• 🔇 Stop playing sounds when checking for updates.
• 📵 Remove permission to display over other windows.
• 🚫 Block access to storage for this application.

⚠️ Note: Once notifications are disabled, you may stop receiving information about critical security updates. periodically check for patches manually if you are concerned about data protection.

It is important to understand that completely disabling notifications does not always mean stopping the verification process. The system can continue silently downloading data in the background, consuming traffic, so it is recommended to combine this method with restricting access to the network.

Blocking Internet access for system services

The most effective way to prevent updates from being checked is to deny services access to the global network. MIUI 11 has a powerful firewall that allows applications to access Wi-Fi and mobile data without third-party software, a method that is especially relevant for users with a limited plan.

Open the Security app, which is standard for Xiaomi devices. Go to Data Transfer or Traffic Consumption. In the list, look for System Updater and MIUI bootloader. You need to deny them access via both mobile network and Wi-Fi. Once you have set up, the red number should disappear, as the app will not be able to communicate with the server.

Sometimes the upgrade process is disguised as other system services. If the icon appears again, check the Services and Feedback app or Mi Credit. Restricting traffic for them can also help, but requires caution so as not to disrupt other features of the Mi ecosystem.

There is a nuance associated with time synchronization: If the system time is downed, some services may try to catch up with the current time through the network, which indirectly activates the update check. Make sure that the date and time settings are automatically synchronized, but the network access for the updater is closed.

After the restrictions are applied, it is recommended to restart the device, which ensures that all background processes restart with new network access rules. If the icon appears again after a few days, it may be used by the system cached data or an alternative communication channel.

Cleaning up data and stopping processes

If simple settings don’t work, you have to force the update application to clean up the data, resetting all temporary files, cache and status of the current check, and in some cases, tricking the system into thinking that the check has not been done or has been interrupted.

Go to Settings Again → Apps → All Apps → System Update. Press Clean and select Clear All. Then click Stop. It is important to do these actions in a strict sequence: first clean, then stop. If the Stop button is inactive, try turning off the Internet on your phone first.

For more advanced users, there is the option to disable the application itself. The same app settings menu may have a "Disable" button available. If it's active, the system will stop running the component completely until you turn it on, but in global versions of MIUI, this feature is often blocked.

⚠️ Note: Cleaning up the data will not remove the already downloaded firmware file from memory. It must be deleted separately through the file manager if you want to vacate space.

The role of cache in this process should not be ignored. Accumulated temporary files may contain triggers for re-appearance of the notification. Regular cleaning of the browser cache and Google Play Services system services can also indirectly affect the frequency of update requests.

Using ADB for Deep Locking

For users who are not afraid of the computer and the command line, the most reliable method is the use of ADB debugging (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to forcely freeze or remove the system update application for the current user without affecting the system partition.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to About Phone and quickly click on MIUI 7 times. Then in the advanced settings, turn on "Debugging by USB." Connect your smartphone to your PC, install Xiaomi drivers and the SDK Tools platform. In the command line, enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. On the phone screen, a request for debugging permission will appear - confirm it.

To block the update component, use the following command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater. If you want to block the bootloader as well, add a command for com.miui.packageinstaller (be careful, this may affect the installation of other applications). Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the installed list and stop running.

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

To get things back to normal, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.android.updater. This is a versatile solution that works on most versions of Android and MIUI, including version 11. It does not require superuser rights and does not violate the integrity of system files.

• 💻 Connect your phone to your computer via the original cable.
• 🔓 Allow debugging on USB pop-up.
• ⌨️ Enter the shutdown command in the terminal.
• ✅ Check for the disappearance of the update icon.

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ADB is the most effective method, as it blocks the process from starting at the system level, rather than simply hiding its symptoms.

Removing update files manually

Sometimes the notification is hanging because the new version file is already downloaded and is in memory, waiting to be installed, and even if you turn off the Internet, the system sees the file and reminds you of it, in which case manual deletion of the installation package helps.

Open the standard file manager and go to internal memory. downloaded_rom or just a file update.zip At the root of the directory, also check the folder. MIUI → downloaded_rom. If you find a file weighing several gigabytes, this is exactly what you need to delete.

After deleting the file, be sure to clear the System Update cache as described in the previous sections. If the file is downloaded again, then the background service is still active and you need to return to the step of blocking access to the network through the firewall.

Some users are renaming the folder downloaded_rom, by adding any symbol to the name, for example _downloaded_rom. The system tries to write the file down the old path, can't do it, and stops generating the notification.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete.apk files from system folders unless you are sure of their purpose.

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Use the Cleanup app built into MIUI, it often finds update file residues in the Cash or Other section.

Analysis of causes of occurrence and prevention

Understanding why MIUI 11 is so demanding updates helps to combat the problem more effectively. The manufacturer is interested in making sure all devices run on the latest version of the software, which makes it easier to support and collect statistics. However, for the user, this often means a decrease in performance on older devices or unstable work.

A frequent reason for the notification is a reset of network settings or a change of SIM-When you register for a new network, the operator sends a signal that can trigger a version check of the base stations and, as a result, update the system, and notifications can come after cleaning the cache of the entire phone.

For prevention, it is recommended to check the application permission list regularly. After major MIUI updates, security settings can be reset to factory, returning network access to system services.

If nothing works, consider installing custom firmware where Xiaomi’s intrusive services are completely removed.However, this requires unlocking the bootloader, which is a more complex procedure that goes beyond the scope of this instruction.