How to Remove the Update on Android Xiaomi: Safe and Radical Methods

After installing the new MIUI update, your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone started to slow down, discharge quickly or give out errors? Don’t rush to reset the device to factory settings – in 80% of cases, the problem can be solved by rolling back firmware. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to remove updates, from the most secure (through hidden menus) to radical (flashing through Fastboot).

It's important to understand that not every update can be removed without consequences. For example, on devices with a bootloader, a rollback through Recovery will lead to a "brick" (complete failure) if you do not follow the sequence of actions. We will explain in detail what methods are suitable for your model, how to check the status of the bootloader and what to do if something goes wrong.

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi smartphones based on Android 10-14 with a MIUI 12-15 shell, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Xiaomi 11T/12/13 and others. If your device is older than 2019, pay attention to the section about unlocking the bootloader - there are nuances.

1.Can you uninstall the update on Xiaomi without losing data?

The short answer is yes, but not always, depending on the type of upgrade and the method of rollback.

• 🔄 Incremental updates (small patches weighing 50-300MB) can be removed via Settings → Annexes → Managing updates without data reset.
• 📦 Full firmware (files weighing 2-4 GB) require rollback via Recovery or Fastboot, which usually results in the deletion of user data.
• 🔒 Security updates (monthly patches) are the hardest to remove – they are integrated into the system and often require complete flashing.

If you upgraded to OTA and didn’t reset after installation, the chances of resetting without losing data are higher, and if you ran Wipe Data in Recovery after the upgrade, you won’t be able to return the old version of MIUI without losing files.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic RAM Expansion (virtual memory) rollback of the update can cause partition failure /data. Before the procedure, disable this function in Settings. → Additionally. → Memory.

Method 1: Remove the update via MIUI settings (without PC)

This is the easiest method, but it only works if:

• 📱 The update was installed less than 24 hours ago;
• 🔧 You did not restart your smartphone after installation;
• 📦 The update was "incremental" (not complete firmware).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the System Update (or MIUI Updater) app and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Go back to Settings → About the phone → System update.
5. If the update has not yet been applied finally, the “Cancel Update” button will appear – click it.

If there is no button, try another method.This method often works on the Redmi Note 9/10 and POCO X3, but on newer models (Xiaomi 13/14) may not work due to changes in MIUI logic.

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If the update is still active after cleaning the cache, try turning off Wi-Fi/mobile data for 10 minutes – sometimes this resets the update status.

Method 2: Recovery (with data storage)

This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and custom Recovery installed (such as TWRP). If you have stock recovery, skip this partition - it will not work.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the full firmware of the previous version of MIUI for your model from the official Xiaomi website (select Recovery ROM).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of internal memory.
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. In TWRP, select Install → update.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
5. After installation, press Wipe cache/dalvik and restart.

If you have stock recovery, try the following method:

• 📁 Download the firmware and rename it to update.zip;
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC and move the file to the folder downloaded_rom;
• 🔄 In Recovery, select Install update.zip to System.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Anti-Rollback Protection (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) rolling back through Recovery without first unlocking the bootloader will result in hard-brick (irreparable damage.

Download the correct version of the firmware|Check the device model in Settings → The phone.|Make a backup of data (photos, contacts, SMS)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Disable Dynamic RAM Game Turbo-->

4. Method 3: Fastboot Flashing (radical method)

This is the most reliable way to roll back, but it completely erases data and requires an unlocked bootloader. If you have never unlocked a bootloader on your Xiaomi, do this first (instruction below).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux;
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original;li>
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM for your model;
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
2. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the device.

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “Couldn’t load device” error, install Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager (download here).

5. Method 4: Recoil through ADB (for power users)

If you're familiar with the command prompt, you can try uninstalling the update through ADB without completely flashing it.This method doesn't work on all devices, but it sometimes helps to bring back a previous version of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC (instructions here).
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.updater pm clear com.android.updater
4. Reset the device.

If the update was systemic, this method won't remove it, but will stop the automatic installation of new patches.

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Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions – the wrong commands can cause the system to crash.

6. Method 5: Hidden settings for cancellation OTA-update

V MIUI There is a hidden menu that allows you to cancel the last OTA-This method works on devices before MIUI 13 and some models with MIUI 14.

How to open the hidden menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##2432546###
2. In the menu that appears, select OTA Update.
3. Slip on the latest update in the list and select Uninstall.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative:

• 🔢 Enter the phone application ##6484##;
• 📋 Choose. MIUI Version → OTA Menu;
• 🗑️ Press Delete. OTA Package.

On new devices (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), these codes may not work – the manufacturer removed access to hidden menus for security.

7.What to do if the phone does not turn on after rollback?

If after trying to remove the update, the smartphone hangs on the logo or does not respond to buttons, do not panic - in 90% of cases, the device can be restored.

Recovery actions:

1. Hard reboot: Press Power + Volume up for 20-30 seconds.
2. Log in to Recovery: If the phone vibrates but doesn’t turn on, try logging in to Recovery and doing Wipe Data.
3. Fastboot flash: If your device is detected by a PC in Qualcomm 9008 mode, run it through the Mi Flash Tool with Clean all and lock selection.
4. Contacting the service: if nothing helps, it may be damaged EMMC-Chip – only repairs will help.

If the phone is running an error, "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device," you're trying to install firmware that's not for your model.

fastboot getvar product

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO C31) Recovery after a failed recoil will be required SP Flash Tool and the authorization file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rollback updates on Xiaomi