How to roll back MIUI update on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working ways

MIUI updates on Xiaomi Redmi 9 often bring not only new features, but also unpleasant surprises: interface brakes, a discharged battery in half a day or suddenly disappeared the theme settings. If after the update the smartphone became worse, do not rush to carry it to the service center. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved by rolling back the update to the previous version. But here there are nuances: not all methods are suitable for all types of updates, and the wrong actions can turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, we will look at three proven rollback methods: Recovery Mode, Fastboot, and full factory reset. Each method is illustrated with screenshots from Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SC) and contains warnings about possible risks. Importantly, before any firmware manipulation, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally, after rollback, all user files will be deleted.

1.What is the difference between updating a theme and updating MIUI?

Many users confuse these concepts, but the ways they roll back are fundamentally different.

• 🎨 Theme update is a visual change (wallpaper, icons, fonts) that is installed through the Theme app. These updates do not affect system files and roll back in two clicks.
• 📱 Update MIUI — This is a change in the firmware version (for example, with MIUI 12.5 on MIUI 13), which affects system operation, battery and application compatibility.

If you have received the update:

• ❌ The appearance of icons / wallpapers has changed → theme.
• ❌ There are lags, quickly sits down the battery, do not work some functions → it's firmware MIUI.

For Redmi 9 (as for other Xiaomi smartphones), the rule is: the theme is controlled by the application, the firmware is controlled by system tools, and if you make the wrong choice of method, you risk losing data or blocking the device.

2. How to roll back theme update on Redmi 9

This is the easiest and safest way, which does not require technical skills. All actions are performed through the standard application Topics:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to My Themes section (the tab at the bottom of the screen).
3. Find a topic marked Current and tap it.
4. In the window that opens, select Delete → Confirm.

After that, the smartphone will automatically return to the standard MIUI Default theme, if you want to return the previous custom theme:

• 🔍 Check the Downloaded Themes section – maybe the old theme is saved there.
• 📥 Reinstall theme from the Store if it has been removed.

💡

If after changing the theme, some icons remain from the previous version, restart the smartphone - it will reset the cache of design.

⚠️ Note: Some themes from third-party sources (not from the official Xiaomi store) may contain malicious code. If after installing such a theme, the smartphone began to slow down or show ads - perform a full reset settings.

3.Returning the MIUI Update via Recovery Mode

This method is suitable if you have updated your firmware through OTA (over the air) and want to go back to the previous version. Redmi 9 has two versions of Recovery available:

• 🔄 Stock Recovery (standard recovery) – limited features, suitable only for resetting or installing official firmware.
• 🛠️ Custom Recovery (TWRP) — Extended features, allows custom firmware installation, requires unlocking the bootloader.

We will look at both options, but first, prepare:

Download the previous version of MIUI for Redmi 9 (codename lancelot) from the official website

Check integrity ZIP-file size (size must match the size of the site)

Copy the firmware file to the root of internal memory (not to folders!)

Charge your phone at least 60% |false

Disable Mi Account protection in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security|false

Connect your smartphone to your PC and make a backup |false

-->

3.1.Recoil through Stock Recovery

Standard recovery allows you to install only official firmware with the signature of Xiaomi.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have an option), then go to Install update.zip to System.
4. Select the downloaded ZIP-file firmware and confirm the installation.
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If you see E: Signature verification failed, it means that the firmware is unofficial or corrupted.

3.2. rollback via TWRP (for power users)

Custom Recovery offers more features, but requires pre-unlocking the bootloader, and if you haven't done this before, don't use this method, as wrong actions can lock the device.

Instructions for those who already have TWRP installed:

1. Download the firmware in format ZIP (for example, miui_LANCELOTGlobal_V12.5.1.0.RJCMIXM_...).
2. Load to TWRP (clip Volume Up + Power).
3. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache.
4. Return to the main menu, click Install and select ZIP-firmware.
5. After installation, run Wipe Cache/Dalvik and restart.

4.Return through Fastboot: the most reliable way

If Recovery fails or you want to install the full firmware (not an incremental update), use Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer and the Mi Flash Tool program, but guarantees the result.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the full firmware for Redmi 9 (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery). ZIP-file-back.
2. Install Mi Flash Tool on PC and drivers for Xiaomi.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable.
5. In Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware.
6. Select Clean All (delete all data!) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to block the bootloader after you have been firmware).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error occurs during the firmware process, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI. In this case:

• So, you can download a newer firmware (but not the one that is already installed).
• Repeat the process by selecting Clean All mode.

💡

Fastboot is the only method that is guaranteed to work even in severe firmware failures, but it requires a computer and complete data erasure.

5. Complete reset to factory settings

If the firmware rollback didn’t help or you don’t want to take risks, return Redmi 9 to its original state.This method will delete all data, but save the current version of MIUI (just clear the user settings).

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The smartphone will return to the state of “out of the box” with the preservation of the current version MIUI.
• 📱 All apps, photos and settings will be deleted (except for files on the site). SD-map).
• 🔒 If you forget the Mi Account password, reset will lock the device.

💡

Before reset, check if your Mi Account is linked to your phone. If not, create it in Settings → Accounts, otherwise your device may be blocked after reset!

6.How to avoid update issues in the future

To avoid the need for a kickback, follow these rules:

• 🔍 Check out reviews about the new version MIUI in forums (for example, 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu) before installation.
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 weeks after the release of the update – during this time critical bugs will be revealed.
• 📥 Install firmware only through official channels (Settings) → Update or Xiaomi website).
• 🔋 Watch the level of charge – if during the upgrade the battery is discharged, the smartphone may fail.

If you like to experiment with custom firmware:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader in advance (the process takes up to 72 hours).
• 📦 Make backup copies through TWRP before-the-shoot.
• 🛡️ Use only trusted sources (e.g. Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

7. Frequent Questions (FAQ)