How to Uninstall MIUI Update on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work (2026)

MIUI updates often bring new features, but sometimes cause problems, from sudden bugs to a critical performance drop. If after the upgrade your Xiaomi started to slow down, discharge in a few hours or give out errors like com.android.phone, rolling back to the previous version may be the only solution. However, removing the MIUI update is not a safe process: improper actions lead to a “brick” (complete failure) of the device or data loss.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of rollback – from official (via Recovery and Fastboot) to alternative (using ADB and custom firmware). Particular attention will be paid to models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), where the procedure requires unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Why might a MIUI upgrade require a rollback?

The manufacturer tests the firmware before release, but the bugs still slip, and here are the most common reasons why users want to uninstall the latest MIUI update:

• 🐢 Critical performance drop: lags when opening applications, interface freezes, slow animations. Often occurs after upgrading to MIUI 14/15 on weak chipsets (for example, Snapdragon) 660 or Helio G85).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: firmware can activate background processes (e.g. miui.analytics) that eat up to 30% of charge per hour in standby mode.
• 🚨 System errors: constant crashes of com.android.systemui, inability to connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network, camera failures.
• 🔒 Root rights incompatibility: if you used Magisk or TWRP, Update can block the bootloader or erase modifications.
• 📱 Loss of functions: in new versions MIUI Sometimes useful features are removed (for example, Game Turbo in the game). POCO F3 post-update MIUI 13).

Before you start rolling back, check if the problem is temporary, for example, after a major update, the system can index files for 24 to 48 hours, which leads to an increased load on the processor and battery.

• 🔄 Reboot the device (sometimes helps to reset the cache).
• 🧹 Clear the application cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 📡 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

⚠️ Warning: If the problem is related to security (e.g. vulnerability in the MIUI 14.0.4.0 for Redmi Note 11, a rollback may leave the device vulnerable to attacks. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Method 1: Recovery (official method)

The safest way to return the previous version MIUI — It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO, It requires a full-fledged firmware (not a OTA-It's important that this method doesn't work if it's not a package:

• 🔐 The device has a locked boot loader (checked by the command fastboot oem device-info).
• 📦 You are trying to install firmware older than the one that was originally on the device (for example, roll back from the device). MIUI 15. MIUI 12).
• 🔧 The firmware is modified (for example, installed) TWRP or system applications removed).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the full firmware for your model from the official website MIUI Downloads. The file name should look like this: fw_redminote11_global_os1.0.1.0.tkodmixm_12.0.zip (where redminote11 — codename of your device).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders like Download!).
3. Turn off your smartphone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. In the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System (navigation – volume buttons, choice – power button).
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (usually takes 5-10 minutes).
6. After the reboot, reset settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting), as the rollback can cause conflicts with user data.

Is the firmware downloaded specifically for your model (code name can be found in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)

The file is renamed to update.zip and lies at the root of the memory.

Battery charge of at least 50%

Backup of important data is made (rollback erases user files)

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If the device gets stuck on the MI logo after the rollback, try re-entering Recovery and selecting Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, go to the Fastboot method.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) Official Recovery can block the installation of old firmware, in which case you will have to use Fastboot or EDL-regime.

Method 2: Recoil through Fastboot (for a locked bootloader)

If stock Recovery refuses to install the old firmware, the next step is to use Fastboot. ADB/Fastboot and official firmware in.tgz or.zip format (not to be confused with the OTA-Suitable for devices with a locked bootloader, but does not work on models with anti-rollback protection (for example, Xiaomi). 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Platform Tools.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware (downloaded from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool for Windows).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\fastboot_rom).
2. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a screen with a rabbit in a hat-eared).
3. Connect the device to your computer. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process takes 5-15 minutes).

Once the firmware is successful, the device will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to start the first run -- don't interrupt the process! If the screen stays black for more than 20 minutes, try flashing the device back in clean all mode.

Official Recovery

Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool

Castom Recovery (TWRP)

ADB Sideload

I have never been back, but I want to try.

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Method 3: Recoil through ADB Sideload (without data loss)

If you want to uninstall the MIUI update without completely resetting, you can try the ADB Sideload method, which allows you to install the firmware through Recovery, but transfer the file directly from your computer.

• 📲 Devices with unlocked loader (but not necessarily with TWRP).
• 🔄 Situations where user data needs to be saved (although the risk of loss remains!).
• 📦 Incremental installations OTA-packets (e.g. rollbacks from MIUI 14.0.5.0 at 14.0.4.0).

Instructions:

1. Download the full OTA-The package (not fastboot!) for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site. The file must have the.zip extension and weigh 1.5-3 GB.
2. Place the file in an ADB folder (e.g., C:\platform-tools) and rename it to update.zip.
3. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB).
4. Connect the device to your computer and execute the command: adb reboot recovery
5. In Recovery, select Apply update from ADB.
6. On your computer, type the command: adb sideload update.zip The process will take 5-10 minutes. Once completed, select Reboot system now.

⚠️ Warning: If you have errors like android.process.media has stopped after the reboot, do a Wipe Cache reset.

This method does not guarantee the safety of data, but the chances are higher than using Fastboot. For reliability, make a backup using Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

1. Reinstall the driver (use Universal ADB Driver).

2. Change. USB-cable (cheap cables often do not support data transmission).

3. Enable Transfer Files (MTP) mode when connecting to a PC.

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Method 4: Using Custom Recovery (TWRP)

For advanced users who have custom Recovery (TWRP) installed, MIUI rollback is easier.

• 🔄 Install any firmware versions (including custom ones, for example, LineageOS).
• 📦 Make a full backup of the current system before rollback.
• 🔧 Bypass recoil protection (on some models).

However, there are risks:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 🔐 Possibility of "brick" in case of error in firmware.
• 🛡️ No official support (e.g., Mi Pay or Game Turbo will not work).

Instructions:

1. Download firmware in ZIP format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Copy the file to the external SD-card.
3. Sign in to TWRP (Plug Volume Up + Power when Enabled).
4. Click on Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache, Data (do not check Internal Storage if you want to save internal memory).
5. Return to the main menu, select Install and specify the path to the firmware file.
6. Confirm the installation and wait for completion.
7. After the reboot, perform the initial setup (as after the purchase).

If the device does not boot after rollback, try:

• 🔄 Install the firmware again (sometimes it helps to re-firmware).
• 📦 Switch separately the kernel (file) boot.img) via Fastboot:

💡

Custom Recovery (TWRP) is the most flexible way to roll back, but requires an unlocked bootloader and technical skills. For beginners, we recommend starting with the official methods (Recovery or Fastboot).

Method 5: Recoil through EDL-regime (for “bricks")

If after a failed rollback the device does not turn on (black screen, flashes red indicator, vibrates and turns off), there is a last chance — EDL-The Emergency Download Mode is a method used to:

• 🧱 Recovery of "bricks" (for example, after interrupted firmware).
• 🔒 Bypassing the blocked loader (on some models).
• 📡 Firmware devices that do not respond to Fastboot.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm chipsets).
• 📦 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format (downloaded from specialized forums, for example, 4PDA).
• 🔌 Testpoint (for some models, for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro).

Instructions (for Qualcomm chipsets):

1. Shut down the device. Close the testpoint (if required) and connect to the PC. The device should be identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
2. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).
4. Turn off the device and try to turn it on (the first start will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erases all data, including IMEI After recovery, you may need to restore the serial number. IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##) or programs like SN Writer Tool.

For MediaTek devices (such as Redmi 9A or POCO C31), the SP Flash Tool is used instead of the Mi Flash Tool.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If you encounter an error that is not in the table, look for a solution in the forums:

• 🌍 4PDA (Russian-speaking community).
• 🌍 XDA Developers (English language guides).
• 🌍 Telegram channels on firmware Xiaomi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions