How to Remove New Xiaomi Firmware and Return Old

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where, after a planned system update, the device begins to work unstable, interface errors appear, the battery quickly drains or important functions disappear. At such moments, the only sensible decision is to want to roll back to the previous, more stable version of the software. However, this is impossible with standard system tools, since developers do not provide a “back” button.

The process of downgrade requires a deeper intervention in the Android operating system than a normal restart. You have to work with the bootloader, special utilities for the PC and the system image files. It is important to understand that any manipulation of the firmware carries certain risks, and they must be approached prepared. Wrong actions can lead to software failures that require complex recovery.

In this article, we will discuss safe and proven methods to remove new firmware and return the old one on Xiaomi devices. We will consider the hardware preparation, the procedure for unlocking the bootloader and the step-by-step process of installing the previous version of MIUI or HyperOS. Clear adherence to the instructions will help avoid typical errors and return your gadget to its previous performance.

Why a new firmware may work worse than an old one

The release of a new update is always a lottery for smartphone owners. Global versions of shells often contain bugs that were not detected during the testing phase. Users notice that after the update, the phone begins to heat up even in standby mode, and the autonomy drops significantly, this is due to the optimization of processes for the new code, which in practice is ineffective.

In addition, the new version can conflict with already installed applications or change the algorithms of the communication module, as a result of which the mobile Internet disappears or stops working. GPS-Sometimes the changes are only visual, but there are system errors that affect the stability of the entire device, and to go back in this situation is to restore the usual comfort of use.

It’s also worth considering that the company is implementing more aggressive power optimization every year, which on older phone models can lead to forced closure of background apps and loss of notifications. If you value the functionality that was in the previous build, rolling back the system will be the only way out.

⚠️ Attention: The process of removing the current firmware and installing the old version involves completely erasing all data from the internal drive.

Preparation for rollback procedure

Before you start active replacement of the software, you need to perform a number of preparatory activities. Ignoring this stage can cause the process to stop in the middle, and the phone turns into a "brick". First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 60-70%. Sudden power out while writing data to memory flash chip can damage the partitions of the bootloader.

You will need a computer with Windows operating system, since most tools for working with Xiaomi are sharpened for this platform. USB-The cable, preferably original, comes with the device. Cheap cables often do not provide stable data transfer, which leads to firmware errors.

Be sure to check for free space on your computer’s hard drive. Firmware files can take anywhere from 3 to 5 GB, and temporary files are created during the work, and install all the necessary drivers for your device so that the PC correctly recognizes the smartphone in different modes of operation.

Unlocking the loader: a mandatory stage

The most difficult and important step is unlocking the bootloader. By default, it is blocked on all Xiaomi devices, which prohibits installing unofficial or older versions of the software. Without this procedure, you will not be able to clean data sections and write a new image of the system. The process of unlocking is officially authorized by the manufacturer, but requires time and certain conditions.

First, you need to link your Mi Account to your device through the settings menu, and then you need to apply for unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, which can require you to wait 7 to 168 hours (one week) before allowing unlocking, a security measure designed to protect your device from theft.

Once you get permission, you go Fastboot. Turn off your phone, press the volume and connection buttons, then connect the cable to your PC. In Mi Unlock, press the unlock button. Remember, after this operation, all the data on your phone will be deleted automatically, even if you haven't already installed the old firmware.

Finding and Choosing the Right Version of the Firmware

The critical thing is to choose the right file to install. You can't just pick up any old firmware; you have to follow the versioning rule. To successfully roll back, the target firmware version (the one you're installing) must be strictly below the current version installed on the phone. If the versions match or the new one above, the process won't start.

Firmware is divided into two main types: Recovery and Fastboot. For complete cleaning and installation of an older version, we need a Fastboot image. It has a.tgz extension and weighs about 3-4 GB. Recovery files (.zip) are not suitable for deep downgrade through the computer, as they often check the version of the current system and block the installation.

You should only download files from trusted sources, such as the official MIUI bootloader website or authoritative forums like 4PDA and XDA Developers. Using modified builds from unknown authors can lead to leakage of personal data or unstable communication modules.

Below is a table that helps determine the type and purpose of firmware files:

⚠️ Note: It is strictly forbidden to try to flash the device with firmware from another phone model. Even if the models look the same, their internal hardware may differ, which will lead to irreversible damage.

Instructions for installing old firmware through Fastboot

Once the bootloader is unlocked and the firmware file is downloaded, you can move to the practical part. Unpack the firmware archive into the root of the C disk so that the path to the folder is short and has no Cyrillic characters. C:\mi_rom\. Inside the folder, find the executable file. flash_all.bat (for complete cleaning; or flash_all_except_data_storage.bat (saves data, but it is better to use a full cleanup for rollback).

Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, you need to connect the device to the computer by holding the volume button. The screen should show a picture of a hare repairing the android, or the inscription FASTBOOT. Make sure that the Windows Device Manager defines the phone as Android Bootloader Interface.

Run the firmware script on behalf of the administrator. The console window opens, where lines of code run. At this point, you erase old partitions and write new ones. Don't touch the cable or turn off the power. The process can last from 5 to 15 minutes. Once completed, the phone automatically restarts.

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Use the team. flash_all.bat If you're ready to delete all your data, it's the cleanest way to fix the bugs in the new system.

Alternative method: use of Mi Flash Tool

If running scripts through the command line seems too difficult for you, you can use the graphical interface of the Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool program. This is the official utility that visualizes the firmware process. Once you install the program, run it on behalf of the administrator and press the Refresh button. If the drivers are installed correctly, your device with its serial number will appear in the list.

Press the Select button and specify the path to the folder where you previously unpacked the Fastboot firmware. The program will automatically check the integrity of the files. At the bottom of the window, it is important to choose the correct firmware mode. To completely remove the new system and return to the old one, select clean all. This mode ensures that all user data and conflicts are deleted.

Press the Flash button to start the process. The progress bar will show the status of the execution. Once the status is successfully completed, the word "Success" will appear in the status, and the phone will go into reboot. The first launch may take longer than usual, as the system will optimize the applications.

⚠️ Note: In the Mi Flash Tool, never select Clear all and lock if you are flashing the global version to a global version but changing region, or if you are not sure of compatibility.

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If there is an error in the process of firmware, try USB-port, use another cable, or restart your computer, often because of an unstable connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)