Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where after another automatic update of the system application “Luncher” the interface begins to work unstable, this can manifest itself in the form of freezes, disappearing widgets, missing icons or even a complete reboot of the device when trying to unlock the screen, in such cases, the only right solution is a forced rollback to the previous, stable version of the system component.
The process of removing the launcher update on the Android platform does not require root rights, but involves access to hidden settings menus or using a computer with an ADB installed. It is important to understand that the launcher is not just a wallpaper, but a system component responsible for building the desktop, app menus and gestures. Its incorrect operation makes the smartphone almost unusable, so the ability to quickly restore the factory version of the application is a critical skill for the owner of MIUI equipment.
In this article, we will take a look at all the known methods of returning an old version of the launcher, from simple reset via settings to advanced debugging methods, learn how to prevent automatic re-installation of the problem package and what precautions you need to take to avoid losing contact data or the location of icons.
The reasons for the unstable operation of the MIUI interface
The main reason for removing updates is the release of buggy versions of system software. Xiaomi engineers are constantly testing new features, but sometimes errors in the code of System Launcher leak into stable builds. This is especially true for global versions of firmware, where localization and adaptation to different regions can cause conflicts.
In addition to software bugs, problems can arise due to cache conflict or incompatibility with installed themes. Custom themes often modify the launcher system files, and after updating the basic application, these modifications stop showing correctly, resulting in "broken" icons or a black screen instead of the desktop.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system applications, it is strongly recommended to create a complete backup of data.While a standard rollback is usually safe, the risk of losing desktop settings always exists.
Also, consider that some versions of the launcher can be optimized for specific versions of Android. If your smartphone runs on an older version of the OS, and the launcher has upgraded to a version that requires new libraries, the device will not work correctly, in which case removing the update is the only way to return the tab.
The method of rollback through the application settings
The easiest and safest way to remove the launcher update on Xiaomi is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. This method does not require a connection to a computer and is available to every user. However, if the interface is completely frozen and does not respond to touch, you will need to first get into the settings menu through the notification bar or voice assistant.
To start, you need to go to the application management section, and look for a system application that might be called Louncher, System Launcher, or Desktop, and that's where the current version information and the update management button are stored.
Once you log into the app menu, you'll see the "Delete Updates" button, which will trigger the factory-built recovery process, the system will alert you that all application data will be deleted, and this is a standard procedure that will reset your desktop settings to "out of the box."
☑️ Algorithm of actions in settings
It's important to note that after this procedure, the layout of the icons on the desktop can get lost and the widgets disappear. This is normal behavior, because the launcher configuration has been reset. You'll have to reconfigure the appearance of the interface, but it's guaranteed to work stably.
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If the Remove Updates button is inactive (gray), it means that your device has a factory version of the launcher installed, and there is nowhere to roll back, in which case only a full reset or waiting for a new patch will help.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
If the standard interface is not available or the delete button is blocked by the manufacturer (which is found in new versions). MIUI 13/14), And the Android Debug Bridge toolkit comes to the rescue, and this method requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer through a computer. USB-cable and availability of drivers ADB. It allows you to force the current version of the package to be deleted, even if the system resists.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. To do this, quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times. After the message “You became a developer” appears, a new option will appear in the settings menu “Additional” or “Extended settings”, where you need to turn on “Debugging by USB”.
Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the ADB tool folder. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesYou'll see a debugging permission request on your phone screen -- make sure you check the "Always Allow" box and click "OK." If the console displays the serial number of the device, the connection is successful, and you can now proceed to remove the problem package.
| ADB Team Team | Description of action | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| adb shell pm list packages | Deletion of the list of all packages | Safe. |
| adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package> | Removal of updates for the user | Medium. |
| adb shell pm clear <package> | Clearing the data and cache | Safe. |
| adb reboot | Rebooting the device | Safe. |
| adb shell pm list packages | grep launcher | Finding the exact name of the launcher package | No. |
| adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.home | Forced rollback of MIUI launcher | Resetting settings |
| adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home | Attempt at the reinstal factory version | Demands a license. |
| adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.Launcher | Manual launch of launcher | No. |
After executing the removal or cleaning command, the system will automatically pull the base version of the launcher from the system partition /system. This is similar to the factory state of the device. If the interface does not appear after that, try rebooting via the menu or the adb reboot command.
⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when typing commands ADB. Removing the wrong system package (e.g., system framework) can lead to a cyclical restart (bootloop) and the need to flash the device.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
Manual installation of the old version of APK
Sometimes simply removing updates is not enough, as the system can automatically “pull” the same problematic version from hidden storage.In such cases, experts recommend installing a proven stable version of the launcher. APK earlier-date.
You can find secure versions on reputable resources like APKMirror or 4PDA. Look for files called SystemLauncher or MIUI Home that match your version of Android. Look for the processor architecture (usually arm64-v8a) and pixel density, although system launchers often suit universal builds.
Before installing a new version, be sure to remove updates to the current version, as described in the previous sections. Then enable installation from unknown sources in the browser or file manager and run the downloaded file.The system may swear at the "older version," but usually allows you to continue installation after confirmation.
Once you install the older version, it is recommended to immediately disable the automatic update for that particular app through the GetApps store or Google Play so that the situation does not recur in a couple of days.
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Hand-mounted APK-The file is the only way to upgrade to a launcher version that is newer than the factory version, but more stable than the current installed version.
Disabling Automatic Updates
To prevent the problem from returning, you need to block the auto-renewal mechanism of system components, and in the Xiaomi ecosystem, not only Google Play, but also its own GetApps service, as well as the system update service, is responsible for this.
First of all, open the GetApps app, go to profile and settings. Find the "Auto-App Update" option and select "Never" or disable the update via the mobile network. Also, look for the "Luncher" itself in the list of applications and make sure that the auto-update switch for it is turned off.
Additionally, you can limit background activity of the update service. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Show system → Services and feedback MIUI (or “System Updater”). In this menu, turn off autoboot and limit background activity. This will prevent new packages from quietly loading in the background.
Some users resort to more drastic measures by freezing the app updates through ADB, but this can deprive you of the ability to receive important security patches for the entire system, so this method is not recommended for ordinary users.