Many owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones face a situation when, after automatically updating the MIUI operating system, the device begins to work unstable, application errors appear, the battery quickly drains or important functions that were in the previous version disappear, in such cases, there is an urgent need to return the system to its original state or simply delete update files that occupy gigabytes of memory.
The process of undoing or removing updates is not always obvious, as Mi developers do not always provide the rollback button in the standard menu. However, there are several proven ways to solve this problem, from simply cleaning the bootloader cache to completely flashing the device, the choice of method depends on whether the update has been installed completely or it only downloaded in the background.
In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios: how to remove a downloaded update file, how to reset to factory settings, and how to manually install an older firmware version. Attention: any action with system files carries risks, so follow the instructions strictly so as not to turn your smartphone into a brick.
Delete the downloaded update file through the menu
Most users want to free up space in memory that was taken by the downloaded, but not yet installed service pack. MIUI default hides the path to these files, but access them through the standard update menu. First, go to Settings → About the phone and click on the system version.
In the window that opens, click three dots in the top right corner of the screen. In the drop-down list, select Update Options. Here you need to activate the option "Download Updates in the Background" if it is disabled, and then find the delete button. In some versions of the shell, it may be called "Delete Package" or "Clean".
⚠️ Note: Deleting a downloaded file will not roll back an already installed update.This method is only suitable for cleaning the memory of the downloaded, but not applied, data packet.
If there is no standard delete button, you can use the file manager. Downloaded_rom This is where the installation packages are stored. Select a file with the.zip extension and delete it. 2 before 4 GB, which is essential for devices with a small amount of storage.
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Before deleting system files, make sure to check if the file is part of important application data, although MIUI packages usually have specific names beginning with version digits.
Resetting settings to roll back changes
If the update has already been installed and caused critical errors, it is not easy to delete the file, in which case the most effective method is a complete reset, known as Hard Reset, which will return the software to factory state, removing all user data and settings that may conflict with the new version of MIUI.
Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up important contacts, photos and documents. Reset will destroy all information on the device without recovery. After preparation, go to the Settings menu → About phone → Reset. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action by entering the unlock password.
☑️ Preparation for full discharge
An alternative way to enter recovery mode is to use control buttons. Turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume up and power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. In this menu, select the language (usually available in English and Chinese) and press Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
Once the process is complete, the phone will restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to boot first, it will be clean, no user debris, which often solves the performance problems after the upgrade, and if the problem is errors in the latest firmware version, this method may not help, and you will need manual flashing.
Hand-held flashing through Recovery Mode
The most radical, but also the most reliable way to remove the current update is to install an older, stable firmware version on top of the current one. To do this, you will need to download the archive with the desired version of MIUI from the official website or trusted resources. It is important that the version is the same regional branch (Global, Russia, China), otherwise you can block the device.
Copy the downloaded firmware file (.zip extension) to the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Rename the file to update.zip to make it easier to search, although this is not always necessary. Then you need to get into Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the phone and press the power and volume button up.
| Action. | Buttons/Menu item | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Recovery | Volume + and Nutrition | The appearance of the Mi logo, then the menu |
| Choosing a language | Volume buttons (up/down) | Activation of the English or Chinese clause |
| File selection | Power button (confirmation) | Opening of the file manager |
| Installation | Click on update.zip file | Starting the Flashing Process |
From the Recovery menu, select English. Then click Install update.zip (or manually select a file via Install from internal storage). The system will check the integrity of the file and, if the version allows rollback, will begin installing. If the system prohibits the installation of an older version, you will need to unlock the bootloader.
Why does the system forbid rollback?
Disabling automatic MIUI updates
To avoid the need to remove updates or deal with their consequences in the future, it is recommended to disable automatic download.This will prevent sudden downloading of heavy packets in the background and unexpected reboots. MIUI Hiding the function has become more difficult.
The first step is to disable update notifications. Go to Settings → About Phone, click on the system version, then click on three dots and select Update Settings. Uncheck the boxes on Download Automatically and Notify. This will stop background activity, but does not guarantee that the system will not prompt you to update again when you manually enter the menu.
To turn off the system more deeply, you can use the developer mode. Activate it by clicking 7 times on the build number in the About Phone menu. Then go to Advanced Settings → Developer. Find the item associated with the automatic system update (the name may vary depending on the version of Android and MIUI), and turn it off.
There is also a method of disabling through application settings, but it requires hidden system applications.Look for the Component Update or MIUI bootloader app list and disable them.Be careful: disabling system services can affect other smartphone features.
Using the Mi Flash Tool for PC
If the software methods through the phone menu don't work, the Mi Flash Tool for your computer comes to the rescue, which allows you to completely rewrite partitions of memory on your smartphone, effectively removing the current firmware and replacing it with any other compatible model. This is a professional method that requires a PC and USB-cable.
To get started, download and install the Xiaomi USB Driver and the Mi Flash Tool itself. You will also need a firmware image in.tgz (Fastboot ROM) format, not.zip (Recovery ROM). Unpack the archive with the firmware in the root of the C disk so that the path is short, for example, C:/rom/.
Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, plug the phone off to your PC by holding down the volume button. The screen will show an image of a hare in a hat-eared android repairing. In the Mi Flash Tool, click the Refresh button and the device must be determined.
Important: Make sure that the "Clean all" mode is selected in the lower right corner of the program.Clean all will clean up the memory and install the clean system. Save user data will try to save the data, but when you change the firmware version, it often leads to errors. Press Flash and wait until the process is over. Once installed successfully, the phone will automatically restart.
⚠️ Note: Using the Mi Flash Tool with incorrect firmware or interrupting the process may cause the device to fail completely.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
In many cases, especially when trying to roll back a significantly older version of MIUI or change region (eg, from Global to China), you need an unlocked bootloader, without which the security system Xiaomi will block the installation of unsigned or older software.
The unlocking process is officially supported by the company, but takes time. You will need a Mi Account tied to the device and the Mi Unlock Tool utility on your PC. After applying for the phone settings ("Trainer Status"), you will have to wait 3 to 7 days (sometimes longer) before the server allows you to unlock.
Once you've been authorized, re-enter Fastboot, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions. Once unlocked, all data on your phone will be deleted automatically for security purposes, and then you'll have the advanced custom recavator (TWRP) and any firmware version available.
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Unlocking the bootloader is a prerequisite for deep modification of the system, but it removes part of the warranty obligations and reduces the overall level of data security.