Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the basis of shells MIUI and HyperOS, constantly receive new versions of the software. Often automatic updates are released in beta mode or contain errors that can slow down the device or disrupt the functionality of familiar programs. Users often face a situation when after the next update the interface becomes uncomfortable and the battery discharges faster.
Fortunately, the Android operating system provides flexible tools to manage installed packages. rollback version allows you to return to a stable build that came from the factory or was installed earlier. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to remove updates, from simple settings in the menu to advanced methods using a computer.
It is important to understand that the process of returning to the old version can vary depending on the type of application. System components require a more careful approach than conventional user programs. Before starting any manipulation, make sure that you know exactly which component is causing problems so that you do not disrupt the entire smartphone.
Difference between system and user applications
Before you start removing, you need to be clear about the architecture of the Android operating system, and all programs fall into two main categories: custom programs that you download from Google Play or GetApps, and system programs that are part of the firmware, and the mechanism of work with them is radically different.
Custom applications are stored in a separate memory partition and do not have deep integration with the core of the system. Their removal or rollback version is safe and rarely leads to critical errors. You can freely experiment with versions of messengers, browsers or games without risking the stability of Xiaomi.
⚠️ Removal of critical system components such as System UI, Security or Google Play Services may result in a cyclical device reboot or a complete phone failure.
System applications, by contrast, are integrated into the /system or /product partition. Standard tools cannot remove them completely, you can only remove updates, returning the program to the factory state. The factory version is the one that was installed on the device at the time of purchase or after resetting to the factory settings.
For ordinary users, the difference is the menu options available. If the "Delete" button is active in the application settings, it is user software. If only the "Remove Updates" button is available, you have a system component that requires special attention.
The standard method of rollback through smartphone settings
The safest and easiest way to return a previous version of an app is available right in the smartphone interface, which doesn't require a computer connection, root rights, or complex commands, and is ideal for those who are first-timers facing a rollback.
The procedure is done through the application management menu, and you can see all the information about the current version, the size of the space you occupy, and the installation date, and this is where the feature that allows you to reset all the updates you receive is hidden.
Follow the following steps to recoil:
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the problem app in the list and click on its name.
- ⬇️ At the bottom of the screen, find the Remove Updates button (for system) or Remove (for user-generated ones).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window, agreeing to the risks.
Once you do this, the app will return to the version that was pre-installed at the factory. All the data that has been accumulated since the last reset will be lost, so backup of important information is better done in advance.
It's worth noting that this method doesn't allow you to pick a particular older version from the list, and it automatically rolls the application back to the factory build that's sewn into the current firmware version, and if you want an older version than the factory version, you'll need more sophisticated methods, as described below.
Using ADB for forced removal
For advanced users who don't use standard methods, there's an Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which is a console utility that allows you to control your smartphone from your computer at a deep level, and it can remove even system applications that are usually hidden from the user.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode on your Xiaomi. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone and click 7 times in a row on the field MIUI Version or OS Version. After that, a new section Additional → For developers, where you need to enable debugging over USB will appear in the menu.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
After connecting the phone to your computer and confirming debugging, open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf a device has been installed as a device, the connection is successful. You can now start removing updates. This is done using the pm (package manager) command. To remove updates to the system application and return it to the factory version, type:
adb shell pm clear name packetHowever, to completely remove the updated package and return to the factory, it is often necessary to know the exact name of the package.
adb shell pm list packagesOnce you find the right package (e.g. com.android.chrome or com.miui.securitycenter), you can apply a cleanup command. In some cases, especially on newer versions of Android 13/14, you may need to use the cmd package install-existing command to reactivate the system version after forced removal.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB A mistake in the packet name or using the uninstall command instead of clear for critical system components can make the phone unusable without flashing it over.
Recovery Mode and Data Reset
If the application has been updated along with the system update and causes critical errors, sometimes the only way out is a complete reset of the device.Recovery mode allows you to return the phone to factory state by removing all user data and updated system files.
This method is radical and is used when software errors do not allow the smartphone to work properly.Be sure to create a full backup of important files before starting the procedure, as all data will be irretrievably deleted.
Procedure for entering the recovery mode:
- 🔌 Turn off the smartphone completely.
- 🔘 Press the buttons at the same time.+ and power before the appearance of the Mi or Xiaomi logo.
- 📋 Select the language (usually English or Chinese) with volume buttons and confirm the power button.
- 🔄 Select the Wipe Data option → Wipe All Data.
Once the process is complete, the phone will restart and launch as new, and all apps will return to the same versions as they were when they were (the factory firmware), a guaranteed way to get rid of any software conflicts caused by the updates.
What is Factory Reset Protection?
Comparison of methods of removing updates
The choice of method depends on your goal, level of technical training and type of application. Below is a table that will help you navigate the ways to solve the problem.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone settings | Low. | Application data only | User and system applications |
| ADB Commands | Tall. | No (no reset) | System Components and Hidden Services |
| Recovery Mode | Medium | Full (whole phone) | Critical system failures |
| Third-party utilities | Medium | Depends on the utility. | Mass disposal of system debris |
As you can see from the table, for most household tasks, standard settings are sufficient. The use of ADB is justified only in cases where the system blocks standard actions or requires fine-tuning.
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Before using ADB, take a screenshot of the About Phone screen and a list of installed apps, which will help you quickly find the right packages in the command line.
Possible risks and precautions
The process of rolling back versions does not always go unnoticed. Modern applications often update databases and file structures. When you return to the old version, you may experience incompatibility of storage formats, which will lead to errors or "outputs" of the program.
In addition, some apps, especially Google’s banking and services, have the minimum version required to work, and if you roll back too far, the service may simply stop logging in or require a forced upgrade to continue working.
⚠️ Note: A rollback of the system component of Google Play Services may temporarily disrupt push notifications, geolocation and account sync until it is automatically updated again.
Also, it is worth considering that on Xiaomi smartphones with a locked bootloader, some system partitions are protected from modification even through ADB without root rights. In such cases, the system can ignore deletion commands or automatically restore deleted files after restarting.
Always check version compatibility. If the application required Android 12 and you rolled back to a level that emulates Android 10 (conditionally), the program will not work.
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The safest way is to remove updates only to apps that are clearly causing problems, not to roll back the entire system unnecessarily.