How to uninstall the update to Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face intrusive offers to upgrade the operating system MIUI or HyperOS. Sometimes new versions come raw, contain errors or simply dislike users with a modified interface. The question arises: can you delete an already downloaded package or roll back to the previous version? Unfortunately, the standard "Delete" button for system updates in the phone menu is missing.

However, there are several proven methods to get rid of the installation file or even return an earlier firmware. You will need to carefully study the settings and possibly use a computer. APK-file before complex flashing procedure via Fastboot.

Before you start taking action, it is important to understand that you can’t completely remove an already installed system without losing data. We’ll talk about either removing the installer or completely reinstalling the old version of the software.

Removal of the installation update file

Most often, by "remove the update," users mean clearing the memory space that a downloaded but not yet installed package takes up. MIUI automatically downloads files in the background, and they can take up several gigabytes. To manually delete this file, you need to find it in hidden system folders.

You will need a file manager with access to system partitions, for example, MT Manager or standard Explorer with "Show Hidden Files" mode enabled. The path to the file usually looks like /data1/MIUI/downloaded_rom or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/downloaded_rom. Inside you will find an archive with the.zip extension, which is the service package.

Just delete this file. Once deleted, it is recommended that you clear the Update app cache so that the system stops believing that the file is loaded. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System Update and click Clear.

⚠️ Attention: Delete the file from the folder downloaded_rom It doesn't cancel an update that's already installed. It just frees up space and resets the "ready to install" status".

If you want to prevent rebooting, this method needs to be combined with disabling auto-updates, otherwise Updater will simply download the file again the next time you connect to Wi-Fi, which is a secure way for user data.

Disabling Automatic Updates

To make the phone stop searching and downloading new versions of software, you need to limit the rights of the system application Updater. In modern versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, developers have hidden a direct shutdown button, but workarounds exist.

The first step is to disable notifications. Go to Settings → Notifications and Control Center → Application Notifications, find “Component Update” and disable notifications. This won’t stop downloading, but will remove annoying pop-ups.

The second, more effective step is to limit background activity. Go to Settings → Applications → All apps → System Update. Here, select "Energy Saving" and set "No Limits" (paradoxically, but in some versions it resets the process) or vice versa, "Strict Limitation" if this option is available through third-party utilities. It is also useful to turn off Internet access for this application through firewall settings or third-party firewalls.

There's also a method through the engineering menu, which is to type ##6485## into the phone. If your region and the software version support this feature, you'll see Auto check. Set false. This will prevent the system from checking the servers for a new version.

Reset Updater settings and clean up data

If the update has already downloaded and causes errors or takes up space, sometimes a complete reset of the update application itself helps. This will not affect your personal photos or contacts, but will return the update component settings to factory ones.

To do this, go to the application management menu. Find System Update (may be called Updater) on the list. Click on Clear and select Clear All or Clear Data.

After this operation, when you re-enter the About My Device menu, the system will behave as if you just bought a phone: it will re-check the version and possibly suggest updating again.

• 📱 Open the smartphone settings.
• 📂 Go to the Appendix section → All applications.
• 🔍 Find System Update (logo icon) in the list MI).
• 🗑️ Press Clear Clear. → Clear it all up.

This method is often used when the installation process is frozen or error-free, and resetting the installer application allows you to start the download process from scratch.

Reverse to the previous version (Downgrade)

When the phone gets worse after the upgrade, it requires more drastic measures. Full removal of the installed version of Android or MIUI is possible only through a procedure called Downgrade, a complex process that requires an unlocked bootloader in most cases.

Without the unlocked bootloader (official) rollback method only works in the rare cases when the version you want to return to is newer than the one standing now (which is logically impossible when rolling back), or if you use special engineering versions.

You will need to find a stable firmware version for your model (Redmi Note 10, Xiaomi 13, etc.) on the official website or verified resources. The file should have the.zip extension for the recovery method or.tgz for the Fastboot method.

⚠️ Note: Downgrade almost always results in the complete removal of all data from your phone. Make a full backup to your computer or the cloud before starting!

The process of rolling back through Recovery is this: rename the downloaded firmware file to update.zip, put it in the root of internal memory. Press a combination of buttons (usually Volume Up + Power) to log into Recovery. Select a language, then Wipe Data (data cleanup), and then Install update.zip.

Using ADB to remove system components

For advanced users, there is a method of removing or “freezing” the system application updates through USB debugging.This requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and installing the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) platform.

First, activate the developer mode. Seven times click on the build number in the About Phone menu. Then turn on the USB Debugging menu from the Developer menu. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line:

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

This command doesn't physically delete the file, but it makes the application invisible and non-working for the system. The phone will stop offering updates and checking for them. To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.updater

The method is effective, but it requires caution: if you type the wrong package name, you can disrupt other system services. The name of the com.android.updater package is relevant for most global versions, but it may differ in Chinese firmware.

Frequent problems and their solution

When dealing with updates, users often encounter errors, such as a phone that may freeze on the logo after a rollback attempt, or a computer may not see the device in Fastboot mode. Often the problem lies in drivers or a corrupt firmware file.

If you have a local update that says “fails to update,” check the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded file. If the file is corrupted on download, installation is not possible. Also make sure you don’t try to roll back on an overly old version that is blocked by anti-rollback protection.

Anti-rollback protection is a Xiaomi security mechanism that prohibits installing a version of software with a lower protection index than the current one. Trying to circumvent this restriction can lead to a “bricking” of the device, which can only be fixed in the service center.

If the phone is still booted (cyclical reboot), the only way out is often a full reset via Recovery (Wipe All Data) or a Fastboot flash with a full cleanup.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Main conclusion: Complete removal of the update is possible only by flashing the older version, which requires unlocking the bootloader and leads to data loss.