Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation when, after automatically upgrading to Android 11, the device begins to work unstable, the battery runs out faster, interface bugs appear or some applications stop functioning correctly.
The process of removing a new firmware is technically called downgrade, and is more complex than a regular update. MIUI has built-in security mechanisms that by default prohibit the installation of an older version of software on top of the newer one, which is done for data security and system integrity, but creates additional obstacles for those who want to roll back.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to return to the old version of Android, assess the risks of data loss and prepare you for the possible difficulties. Remember that the forced installation of old firmware without first resetting data (Wipe Data) in 99% of cases will lead to a cyclic reboot.
Why you should consider the rollback of the system and what are the risks
The decision to remove Android 11 should be considered. Often users want to do it because of the habit of the old interface or minor flaws that can be fixed in the next security patch. However, if the smartphone has turned into a brick or warms up into a simple one, rollback is the only reasonable solution before the patches are released.
The main risk of the procedure is the complete loss of user data. Unlike the “over the air” update, which saves photos and contacts, a downgrade requires a complete cleanup of the Data partition, which means that without prior backup, you will lose everything: instant messenger correspondence, banking application settings and saved passwords.
- 📉 Instability of work: New version MIUI It can conflict with the cache of old apps, causing constant crashes.
- 🔋 Battery issues: Android 11 background processes may mismanage energy saving on your particular hardware.
- 🔒 Locking bootloader: Trying to flash the global version over the Chinese (or vice versa) with the bootloader blocked can lead to an Anti-rollback error.
⚠️ Attention: The Anti-rollback mechanism in Snapdragon and MediaTek processors prevents the rollback to a version below the one whose index is sewn in the hardware. If you try to flash a version with a lower protection index, the device can be completely locked at the bootloader level.
Before you start, make sure you have access to your computer and are properly maintained. USB-It's also critical to check the battery power: it should be at least 60 percent, and interrupting the system file writing process because of battery drain is the surest way to get a non-functioning device.
Preparation: data backup and firmware version selection
The first step before any interference with the system partition is to create a full copy of the data. Since we'll do a full reset, a standard cloud backup may not be enough for large files. It's best to use a built-in MIUI backup tool or third-party tools on a PC.
Find the exact model of your device. It's on the box or in the Settings menu → About your phone. You'll need to download the firmware archive (.zip for recovery or.tgz for Fastboot) for your model and the version you want to return to. You'll want to download firmware from official sources or trusted forums.
☑️ Checklist for rollback preparations
To create a backup through settings, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Backup and Restore. Select Backup, tick all the data you need, and click Start. Once completed, copy the backup file you created to your computer or to the cloud, as it will be deleted when reset.
- 💾 Local Storage: Backup files are saved along the way MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
- ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Allows you to save contacts, notes and photos, but has a limit of free space.
- 💻 PC Suite: Official PC program allows you to make a full cast of the system, but may not support new models.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to restore backup made on Android 11 after rollback on Android 10. database structure may vary, which will lead to errors in the application).
Method 1: Local updates via Recovery (no PC)
This method is suitable if the phone bootloader is unlocked or if you are installing the same regional version of the firmware but earlier build. It does not require a connection to the computer, but requires a firmware file in the device's memory, a method often referred to as "manual update."
First, download the firmware archive (.zip) and rename it to update.zip. Place this file in the root of the smartphone’s internal memory. Then activate the hidden menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version several times until it says “Additional Features Enabled.”
What to do if the menu does not appear?
Now click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen and select "Select firmware file." Find your update.zip. If the system gives an error "Cannot verify update," then the security policy prohibits rollback, in which case only the method with the unlocked bootloader or a full reset via Fastboot will help.
If the file is accepted, click OK and select Reboot and Update. The phone goes to Recovery mode, the verification and installation process begins. At the end, the device prompts you to do Wipe Data.
- 📲 Simplicity: No need for a computer or special drivers.
- ⏱ Speed: The process takes 10-15 minute.
- ❌ Restriction: Does not work if signature verification is enabled or the bootloader is blocked when changing region.
Method 2: Recoil with Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool
This is the most reliable and clean way to remove Android 11. It requires an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, the Mi Flash Tool will not flash the device by giving an authorization error. The unlocking process takes 3 to 7 days to wait after submitting an application.
First, download and install the drivers. ADB/Fastboot You'll also need a firmware archive in.tgz (Fastboot) format. ROM). Unpack the archive in the root of the C disk so that the path is short, for example: C:/xiaomi_rom/. Important: there should be no Russian letters and gaps on the way.
adb reboot bootloaderThis command will put the phone into Fastboot mode. Connect the phone to your PC with a cable. In Mi Flash Tool, press the Refresh button, the device needs to be determined. Select Clear all mode from the bottom menu, guaranteed to remove Android 11 and install the old version clean.
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Clear all mode is mandatory for downgrades. Attempting to save data ("Save user data") when changing the version of Android will lead to system failure.
Press Flash and wait for the process to end. The green success bar means the firmware is recorded. The phone automatically restarts. The first run can last up to 10 minutes -- that's okay, there's an application optimization going on.
| Parameter | Clean All | Clean All + Lock | Save User Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| User data | Removed | Removed | Preserve. |
| Loader | Unlocked. | Locked down. | Unlocked. |
| Downgrade risk | Safe. | Safe. | Tall (Bootloop) |
Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools
For advanced users who don’t want to mess with manual commands, there’s Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility from developer Szaki.It’s a graphics shell that automates many processes, including system debris removal and downgrade.
The program itself determines the device model and offers the available actions. To remove Android 11, you need to go to the “Fastboot” tab and select the “Downgrade” option. The utility itself downloads the desired version (if there is one in the database) or asks you to specify the path to the file, which reduces the risk of human error when entering commands.
- 🛠 Automation: The program itself checks the status of the bootloader and firmware compatibility.
- 🧹 Deblotting: Immediately after the rollback, you can remove unnecessary Chinese or advertising applications.
- ⚙️ Flexibility: Supports many hidden teams for engineers.
⚠️ Note: Use only verified versions of utilities from GitHub. Downloading "cracked" versions from questionable sites can lead to theft of your Mi accounts or the installation of malware.
It's important to understand that even with automatic tools, the requirement for an unlocked bootloader remains valid. ADB-commands on a locked device, you will receive a denial of access from Xiaomi servers.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
The most common is Status 7 or Error 10006, which means you try to install firmware from another model or region without first unlocking it, and only solves with a complete cleanup and the right file selection.
If the phone is stuck on the logo MI After installation, don't panic. Press the power and volume button on the 15 If the cycles continue, you will have to log in to Recovery again. + Powering) and making Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
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If the Mi Flash Tool is running a "Missmatching image and device" error, check if you've confused the global version with the Chinese version.
Another common problem is drivers. If your computer can't see your phone in Fastboot mode, install universal Google drivers. USB Driver or original drivers from Xiaomi site. Sometimes it helps to change USB-port on the back of the PC (connecting directly to the motherboard).