How to remove the update on Xiaomi: 5 working ways to roll back firmware

After installing the new MIUI update, your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO started to slow down, discharge quickly or give out errors? Don’t rush to reset your phone to factory settings – in most cases, you can roll back the update and return the previous stable version of firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove updates on Xiaomi devices, including official and alternative methods.

It is important to understand that the rollback process depends on the type of update: incremental patches (small patches) are removed easier than full-fledged versions of MIUI (for example, switching from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14). Also plays a role, whether the firmware was installed via O TA (over the air) or manually through Recovery/Fastboot. We will look at the options for all scenarios, but first – the key points you need to know before you start.

1.Preparation for rollback of the update: what to do before the start

Before you try to remove the update, follow the mandatory preparatory steps, which minimizes the risks of "bricking" the device and data loss.

Back up all your important data. Firmware rollback often results in a reset and in some cases, a complete cleanup of internal memory.

• 📱 Mi Cloud – sync contacts, notes, photos (settings in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud)
• 💾 Local backup – in Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup
• 🖥️ Computer – copy files from internal memory to PC via USB-cable

Check the current MIUI version and the device model, and you'll need this information to download the correct firmware.

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI


Settings → About phone → Device model (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G)

💡

If your device supports unlocking the bootloader, do it beforehand – after rollbacks may require re-unblocking, and Xiaomi has a 30 day limit on linking the account to the device.

Charge your phone at least 60 percent, interrupting the rollback process due to battery discharge can cause serious failures.

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or certified)
• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux (for methods with Fastboot or ADB)
• 📥 Firmware for your model (download only from official sources)

2. Method 1: Recoil through the Recovery menu (for unlocked devices)

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

• 🔓 The device is NOT unlocked (the bootloader is in Locked state)
• 📦 Previous firmware saved in the recovery section (automatically created when updated via O) TA)
• 🔄 The update was installed no more 2-3 Days ago (old backups can be automatically deleted)

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up before the Mi logo appears (transition to Recovery Mode).
3. Choose your language (if required).
4. Go to Reboot → Recovery (on some devices, the item may be called Apply update from recovery).
5. The system will automatically find a backup copy of the previous firmware and prompt you to install it.
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If Recovery doesn't have a rollback option, then the backup of the previous firmware has been removed by the system, in which case use other methods.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50 And newer) the automatic firmware backup feature in Recovery can be disabled. Check this in advance in the update settings.

Method 2: Remove the update via Fastboot (for unlocked devices)

Fastboot is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires a connection to a computer.It allows you to install any compatible version of MIUI, but has risks if you do not perform correctly.

Steps:

1. Download the official Fastboot firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads. Choose the version that was installed before the problematic update.
2. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\fastboot_rom).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).
4. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
5. Connect the device to your computer. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
6. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
7. At the bottom, select Clean All mode (complete clean) or Save user data (save data, but may cause errors).
8. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

After the reboot, the device will be on the selected version of MIUI. If there is an anti-rollback error, then you are trying to install too old firmware - check the compatibility of versions.

Method 3: Recoil through ADB Sideload (for power users)

ADB Sideload allows you to install firmware through Recovery, but with a connection to a computer. Suitable for devices where standard rollback via Recovery is not available.

Instructions:

1. Download the Recovery firmware (file with.zip extension) for your model.
2. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer (instructions here).
3. Transfer your phone to Recovery Mode (Power + Volume Up).
4. From the Recovery menu, select Connect with MiAssistant (or ADB Sideload on newer versions).
5. On your computer, open the command line in the platform-tools folder and do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb sideload path to firmware.zip

Example:

adb sideload C:\MIUI\miui_REDMINOTE11_V13.0.5.0.SGCEUXM_2104123456_11.0.zip

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it automatically restarts.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Xiaomi) 13, POCO F5) function ADB Sideload can be disabled by default. To activate it, before you switch to Recovery, run the command in the terminal: adb shell setprop persist.sys.adb_sideload 1 5. Method 4: If a self-kickback seems difficult or you are afraid of damaging the device, you can contact an authorized Xiaomi service center: 🔧 Data retention (where possible) 🛡️ Guarantee for work performed 📄 Official documentation on repair The cost of rollback of the update in the service varies from 1 500 before 4 000 Before your visit: Check if your service center supports firmware rollback (not everyone does). Back up the data - the service may require a full reset. Take a check or confirmation of purchase (if the device is guaranteed).A list of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com. 💡Official rollbacks in the service are the safest, but also the most expensive way. Suitable if you are not sure about your skills or the device is warranty. 6. Method 5: Recoil through custom Recovery (TWRP) — For advanced users, if custom Recovery is installed on your device (for example, TWRP), It's a little bit easier to pull back, and it's a little bit more control, but it requires a lot of control: 🔓 Unlocked loader 🛠️ Established TWRP 📦 Backup (nandroid backup) or firmware file Instructions: Download the desired version MIUI in.zip format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater). TWRP Recovery (usually food) + Volume up. Backup the current system. → Select sections → Swipe to confirm). Click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Cache Return to the main menu, select Install and specify the path to the firmware file. Swipe to confirm and wait for completion. Reboot → System. If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after a rollback, reset via TWRP (Wipe → Format Data, then reboot). 7 Frequent errors when rolling back updates and how to avoid them Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and their solutions: Problem Cause Solution Device does not turn on after rollback Incompatible firmware or interrupted process Repeat firmware through Fastboot with full cleaning (clean all) Error 7 in TWRP Inappropriate firmware for your model Download firmware specifically for your device (check the model code in Settings) → About the phone) Loss IMEI After rollback Damaged modem or nvram Restore IMEI through SN Write Tool or contact the service Located on the Mi logo Data conflict between old and new firmware Run Wipe Data in Recovery (data loss!) How to avoid errors: 🔍 Always check the device model code (e.g, 2201116TI For the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G). The firmware must match the code exactly! 📋 Download firmware only from official sources: MIUI Downloads or Xiaomi Firmware Updater. 🔋 Do not interrupt the firmware process – even if it seems that the device is “hanging”, wait. 15-20 minute. 8. What to do if the rollback didn't help: alternative solutions If after rollback problems remain, perhaps they are not related to the firmware. Try: Reset to factory settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Setting reset. Select Erase all data and confirm. After rebooting, set your phone as new. Install custom firmware: If the official version MIUI They are not stable, consider alternatives: 🌍 Global ROM — official firmware for the international market (often more stable than the Chinese version) 🔧 LineageOS or Pixel Experience – custom firmware based on Android ⚡ MIUI EU — modified MIUI without Chinese services To install custom firmware will require: Unlocked bootloader Installed TWRP Compatible firmware for your model Contact the service: If none of the methods did not help, there may be a problem in the hardware (for example, damaged memory or controller. 💡Before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your model on the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA. Incompatible firmware can bring the device down! FAQ: Answers to frequent questions Can you roll back an update without losing data? Most of the time, no. When you roll back through Fastboot or Recovery, you often need to clean up the system partition, which leads to the deletion of user data. The exception is a rollback through the Recovery menu if the backup of the previous firmware is saved automatically. In any case, backup in advance. How do I know which firmware was installed before the update? View the update history at Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Update history. If this list is empty, check the folder. /data/ota_package through the file manager with root rights - there can be saved log files updates. What is anti-rollback and how to get around it? Anti-rollback is a protection mechanism Xiaomi, which prohibits installing firmware older than a certain version. If you see an Anti-rollback check fail error, you are trying to put too old firmware. MIUI (but not the one that causes problems. EDL Mode to reset the rollback (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and special equipment) Contact the service center for an official reset. Can I roll back the update on a locked bootloader? Yes, but only through the Recovery menu, if there is a backup of the previous firmware. For other methods (Fastboot, ADB Sideload) requires unlocking the bootloader, except for the official rollback at the service center, why does the mobile network or Wi-Fi not work after a rollback? This is a typical problem when you roll back to firmware with another modem (radio module). Install firmware with the same modem number (check in Settings) → The phone. → Baseband version). Sweep the modem file separately via Fastboot: fastboot flash modem modem.img fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn If it doesn't help, perform a full reset.