How to uninstall an app or firmware update on Xiaomi Redmi 6A: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 6A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face problems after automatic updates. App malfunctions, sudden crashes, battery drain or even a “brick” of the device can all be the result of a failed update. Unlike the flagships, the Redmi 6A does not roll back through the settings, so users have to look for workarounds.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to remove updates - from simple cache reset to complex manipulations through Fastboot and other devices. ADB. We'll focus on the risks of why you can't interrupt the rollback process, what data you can lose, and how you can avoid the phone becoming a brick. MIUI and step-by-step checklists for safe execution of operations.

If your Redmi 6A is slowing down, overheating, or making errors after the upgrade, don't rush to bring it to the service. In 80 percent of cases, you can solve the problem yourself by following our instructions. Let's start with the safest method, which is cleaning the app cache.

1. Removing the update of a particular application through settings

If the problem occurs after updating one application (e.g. Google Play Services, Mi Browser or Gallery), it can be rolled back to the factory version without losing data.

Here's how to do it:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find a problem app in the list (like YouTube or Facebook).
• 🗑️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Delete Updates".
• ⚠️ Confirm Action. The app will return to the version that was originally installed (before the first update).

Important: After a rollback, the app can update automatically again. To avoid this, disable the auto-update for it in the Google Play Store:

1. Open the Play Store and find the app.
2. Click on the three dots next to the Update button.
3. Uncheck the checkmark from Auto Update.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. Security or Themes) do not have the "Delete Updates" button. ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI.

2.Reset cache and application data: when it helps and when it doesn't

If you can’t remove the update (for example, for system applications), try clearing the cache and data. This often solves problems with brakes, errors and sudden closures. The method is safe, but will lead to loss of settings and stored data inside the application (for example, bookmarks in the browser or chat history).

Instructions:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select a problem app (such as Camera or Messages).
• 🧹 Click "Clear the cache" (this will not delete personal data).
• 🗑️ If it doesn’t help, click “Clear the data" (⚠️ all settings will reset!).

This method is effective for:

• 📷 Camera – if after the update it gives an error “Can not connect to the camera".
• 🌐 Mi Browser – if the pages do not load or the browser closes itself.
• 📩 Messages – if SMS is not sent or notifications are not received.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the data of the Settings, Google Play Services or Xiaomi Services applications - this may disrupt the system.

3. Recurring MIUI firmware through Recovery: step-by-step instruction

If problems started after the entire system was upgraded (e.g., from MIUI 10 to MIUI 12), you can return the old version via Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for the Xiaomi Redmi 6A with the bootloader unlocked. If the bootloader is locked, you will need to unlock it first (instruction below).

What you need:

• 📱 Redmi Smartphone 6A chargeable%.
• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔗 Firmware (.zip) for your model (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot firmware).

Steps for rollbacks through Recovery:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI in.zip format and rename the file to update.zip.
2. Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Choose a language (if you have a choice) and then:
5. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).
6. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

Important: If the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo after rollback, do Wipe Data (reset to factory settings) through Recovery.

4. Unlock the bootloader and firmware through Fastboot

If you don't get a retracement through Recovery, or if you have a bootloader blocked, you'll have to use Fastboot, which is a harder method, but more reliable. Without unlocking the bootloader, you can't flash the old MIUI version on Redmi 6A, because the system just won't let you do it.

Steps to unlock the loader:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Go to Mi Unlock and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Launch the tool on your PC, log in to your Mi Account.
4. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and follow the instructions in the Mi Unlock Tool.

Once unlocked, you can flash the old version of MIUI:

• 📥 Download the desired firmware in.tgz format (for example, cactus_global_images_V10.2.2.0.OCLMIXM_20190426.0000.00_8.1_global_4d6a0d56b4.tgz).
• 🖥️ Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
• 📂 In Mi Flash Tool, select a folder with unpacked firmware.
• ⚙️ Press Refresh, then Flash (select clean all for full cleanup).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

1. Have you installed ADB/Fastboot drivers (you can download via SDK Platform Tools).

2. disable driver signatures in Windows (via gpedit.msc).

3. Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).-->

5.Use ADB to remove system updates

For power users, there is a way to remove system application updates via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which is a risky method, as the wrong command can disrupt MIUI. Use it only if other methods have not helped.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
• 🔍 The name of the package of the problem application (you can find out through the App Inspector in the Play Store).

Commands to remove updates:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package

Examples of packages:

• com.android.vending - Google Play Store.
• com.miui.browser — Mi Browser.
• com.miui.gallery - Gallery.

Important: Once you run the command, the app will return to the factory version, but it won't automatically update. To return auto-updates, do:

pm install-existing name.packet

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete system packages like com.android.settings or com.miui.home, which will lead to system failure. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

💡

ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution: Always check the name of the packet before deleting and back up the data.

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of these methods work, you'll have to reset completely, which will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the phone to a factory-based "clean" state. On the Redmi 6A, you can do the reset in two ways:

Method 1: Through settings (if the phone is turned on)

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method 2: Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the reset and wait until it is completed.

After resetting, the phone will boot with factory firmware, but:

• ✅ All system errors related to updates will be fixed.
• ❌ You will lose all data that is not stored in the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Account).
• ⚠️ The first turn on will take 5-10 minutes – do not interrupt the process!

💡

After reset, take your time to restore data from the backup. First, check if the update problem has been resolved. Sometimes errors return with the restored settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rollback updates on Redmi 6A