How to uninstall the update on Xiaomi Mi A3: 3 working ways to roll back firmware

Why upgrading to the Mi A3 could be a problem

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A3 (codename laurel_sprout) belongs to the line of Android One, which means a clean version of the operating system without a proprietary shell. MIUI. However, even such devices are not immune to problems after updates. Users often face slowdowns, overheating, rapid battery discharge or critical bugs (such as a broken camera or module). NFC) After installing new versions of Android.

The main difficulty of the firmware rollback on the Mi A3 is related to Google’s policy: Android One devices do not support official downgrade through standard tools. This means that you can’t simply “unrefuse” the update through the settings menu. However, there are workarounds – from reset to factory settings to manual firmware via Fastboot or Recovery. It is important to understand that each method has its own risks and requires preparation.

Before you start to roll back, answer two questions:

🔹 What exactly is the problem with the update? (for example, apps crash, phone slows down, mobile network is not working)
🔹 Are you ready for a possible data loss? (in 90% of cases, a rollback requires a complete reset)

📊 What happened after the Mi update? A3?

The phone started to slow down.

The battery goes down fast.

The camera's not working.

Mobile Internet is missing

Other

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Incorrect preparation is the main reason for the Mi A3 to "brick" when rolling back the firmware.

Backup all data (photos, contacts, messages)|Check the battery charge (minimum) 70%)|Download the correct firmware version for your model|Install drivers ADB/Fastboot PC-only|Prepare. USB-cable (original or high quality)|Disable the lockdown OEM developer-setting-->

Pay special attention to backup. Even if you plan to use the method without resetting, an error in the process can lead to data loss.

📁 Transfer photos and videos to a PC or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk)
📞 Export contacts to file VCF via the Contacts app
💬 Save your message history with apps like SMS Backup & Restore
🎮 Save game data via Google Play account or locally (if supported)

You will need a PC running Windows 7/10/11 or Linux to work with firmware (macOS may need additional drivers).

🖥️ Google Platform Tools (includes adb and fastboot)
🔌 Drivers for Xiaomi Mi A3 (You can download it through the Mi Flash Tool)
📂 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (only for your model!)

⚠️ Note: Using firmware from another model (e.g. Mi) A2 or Mi A3 Lite will cause the device to fail. Check the name of the firmware file, it must contain a code name. laurel_sprout.

Method 1: Resetting through reset to factory settings (the safest)

If the problem occurs immediately after the update, hard reset sometimes helps, which doesn’t guarantee a rollback to the previous version of Android, but often solves performance problems and bugs, and the main advantage is that it doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader.

Instructions:

Turn off the phone.
Press the Power + Volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
In the Recovery menu, select Wipe data/factory reset (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
Confirm the action by selecting Yes.
After reset, select Reboot system now.

If after the reboot, the Android version remained the same, but the problems disappeared, the reset helped. If not, move on to more radical methods.

⚠️ Note: On some versions of the Mi firmware A3 Recovery resets can result in a device being locked, requiring you to enter a Google account that was tied before the reset.If you don't remember your account details, use the method with Fastboot.

💡

If, after resetting, the phone requires a password from a Google account you don't remember, try connecting to Wi-Fi and entering the account that was last synced, sometimes the system accepts it automatically.

Method 2: Recoil from Fastboot (for power users)

This method allows you to install any official firmware for the Mi A3, including the older version of Android. However, it requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and can void the warranty.

Step-by-step:

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the Build Number 7 times.
Return to Settings → System → For developers and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line: adb reboot bootloader
Download the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account and follow the unlock program instructions.

Step 2: Install firmware through Fastboot

Download the desired firmware version from the official Xiaomi website (for example, Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
Unpack the archive in a folder with platform-tools.
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (black screen with a rabbit and the words Fastboot).
Launch the file. flash_all.bat (For Windows, run the command: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot reboot

It takes 5-10 minutes, and after you reboot, you'll have a clean system of the version you've chosen.

Android version	Firmware reference	Features
Android 10 (QKQ1.190910.002)	Download	Stable version without critical bugs
Android 11 (RP1A.200720.002)	Download	NFC problems on some devices
Android 9 (PPR1.180610.011)	Download	The most stable version for weak iron

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware erases all data, including files in internal memory. If you don't backup, it won't be possible to recover information.

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The Xiaomi Mi A3 bootloader can only be unlocked once every 30 days, and if you’ve already unlocked it, you’ll have to wait or use alternative methods.

Method 3: Install custom Recovery and roll back through it

If unlocking the bootloader is not available for some reason, you can try installing custom Recovery (like TWRP) and running the old version through it, which is more complicated, but sometimes works on locked devices.

Instructions:

Download. TWRP for Mi A3 (file twrp-3.6.2_9-0-laurel_sprout.img).
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_9-0-laurel_sprout.img It'll temporarily load. TWRP install.
In TWRP, go to Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
Connect your phone to your PC and copy the firmware (in.zip format) to your internal memory.
In TWRP, select Install, specify the firmware file and confirm the installation.

The advantage of this method is the ability to choose informal firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which often work more stable than stock ones, but they can deprive you of some features (for example, VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling).

What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?

If TWRP does not display files in internal memory, try: 1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB-OTG and copy the firmware to a flash drive. 2. Use the firmware adb push command.zip /sdcard/ to transfer the file. 3. Reflash the kernel with support for F2FS (for power users).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right instructions, Mi A3 users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

🔴 "Invalid sparse file format at header magic" - Fastboot firmware error. Solution: re-download firmware (possibly damaged archive) or use another version of Platform Tools.
🔴 "Device is locked in Fastboot.Solution: Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool or use the method with the TWRP.
🔴 The phone doesn't turn on after the firmware. Solution: try to clamp the power. + Volume down 20 seconds for forced reboot. If it doesn't work, repeat the firmware.
🔴 Loss of loss IMEI Or mobile network. Solution: Restore. IMEI Use Engineer Mode (code #4636###) or run the modem module separately.

If the phone is unstable after rollback (for example, spontaneously restarts), follow the following steps:

Reset your settings via Recovery (Wipe data/factory reset).
Switch the same firmware version again (sometimes files are incorrectly installed).
Check the integrity of firmware files with a hash sum (for example, through the MD5 Checker utility).

Alternative solutions: if the rollback did not help

If none of these methods solve the problem, consider alternatives:

🛠️ Installation of a custom core (such as Kirisakura or FrancoKernel) to optimize performance. XDA Developers.
🔄 A rollback to Android 9 (if you had a newer version) This OS is better optimized for the Snapdragon 665 and less likely to cause lags.
📱 Using a Launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) to speed up the interface without rollback.
🔋 Battery replacement. A3 After 2-3 years of operation, the battery often degrades, which manifests itself as a “brake” after updates.

If the device is warranty, contact Xiaomi Service Center. In some cases (for example, critical firmware bugs), they can reflash the phone for free. However, note that traces of unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware usually do not warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I roll back the update to Mi A3 without losing data?

No, any method of rollback (except for resetting through Recovery, which doesn't always work) requires complete data erasure. The only way to keep the information is to make a full backup before starting the procedure.

Which Android version is the most stable for the Mi A3?

According to user reviews, Android 10 (QKQ1.190910.002) is the optimal balance between performance and functionality. Android 11 often causes problems with NFC and mobile network, and Android 9 may be too outdated for modern applications.

What if the phone asks for a password from an old Google account after a rollback?

This is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection. To get around it: Connect to Wi-Fi. Enter the Google account that was tied to the phone before the reset. If you don't remember the password, try to restore it through the Google Restore page. If the account is deleted, you will need to use Fastboot to disable FRP (instructions are on XDA).

Can I roll back the update via the Mi Flash Tool?

The Mi Flash Tool is designed to run devices on MIUI, and the Mi A3 runs on pure Android. It is not recommended to use it, you are at high risk of getting a brick. Instead, use Fastboot or TWRP, as described above.

Why is the mobile internet not working after the rollback?

This is a typical problem when running your firmware through Fastboot. Solutions: Check your APN settings (path: Settings → Mobile Network → Access Points (APN)). Scroll the modem and vendor modules separately. Reset your network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Network Settings Reset).