How to Remove Desktop Updates on Xiaomi: 5 Verified Ways

The desktop on Xiaomi smartphones is regularly updated through the MIUI system, but not always new versions of the launcher or interface suit users. Frequent complaints are changed design, missing widgets, brakes or awkward arrangement of elements. If after the update the desktop becomes worse, it can be rolled back to the previous version or completely remove unnecessary changes.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove desktop updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO – from a simple reset to manual rollback via ADB. Each method is suitable for different situations: for example, if the update came through the Play Market, it can be removed as a regular application, and if the launcher is sewn into the firmware – more radical measures will be required.

Important: Before any manipulation of system files, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup. Some methods can result in resetting personal settings or even needing to flash the device.

1.Removal of Launcher Updates via Play Market

If your Xiaomi desktop has been updated through Google Play (such as MIUI Launcher or POCO Launcher), it can be rolled back in the standard way.This method works for most models where the launcher is installed as a separate application, rather than part of the firmware.

How to check if the launcher has been updated through the Play Market:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI (or POCO Launcher) launcher in the list.
3. If there is no gray color next to the Remove Updates button, then a rollback is possible.

• 📱 Step 1. Open Google Play, find it. MIUI Launcher (or) POCO Launcher).
• ⚙️ Step 2. Press three dots in the upper right corner → Remove updates.
• 🔄 Step 3: Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.
• ✅ Step 4: After the reboot, the desktop will return to the factory version.

If there is no button Remove updates, then the launcher is sewn into the firmware - proceed to the next method.

2.Resetting launcher settings to factory

Sometimes the problem isn't the update itself, but the desktop settings that have gone wrong, like when you update, icons, fonts, folders, or changes, and then you can reset the launcher without removing the updates.

How to reset your settings:

1. Click the empty space on the desktop → select Desktop Settings.
2. Scroll down and find Reset (or Restore by default)
3. Confirm the action. The smartphone will reboot, and the desktop will return to its original appearance.

• ⚠️ What will reset: the location of icons, widgets, wallpaper, folders.
• 🔄 What will be saved: installed applications, account data, files.
• 📱 Suitable for: All Xiaomi, Redmi models, POCO.

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If after resetting the desktop still works incorrectly, try to clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.

3. rollback through ADB (for power users)

If the launcher is sewn into the firmware and is not removed through the Play Market, you can use the ADB-This method requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer and enable debugging. USB, It also allows you to remove system updates.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. On your smartphone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.home

After completing the command, the launcher will be removed for the current user (not from the system completely!). To return it, just reboot the smartphone or update the MIUI through Settings → System Update.

⚠️ Note: Removal of system launcher through ADB If the screen becomes empty after the command or there is an error "Luncher stopped", install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) through the Play Market.

4.Remove updates via Recovery Mode

If the desktop update came along with the MIUI firmware, it can be removed via Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for rolling back the entire system, not just the launcher, so use it only if other methods have not helped.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select the language, then the Wipe & Reset option.
4. Click on Wipe Cache (this won’t delete your data, only temporary files).

If you need to roll back the firmware completely:

1. In Recovery Mode, select Install Update.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and transfer the old version of the firmware to it (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).
3. Select the firmware file and confirm the installation.

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Recovery Mode rollback is an extreme method. If you are not sure about your actions, you should use a launcher reset or a third-party desktop installation.

5. Installation of a third-party launcher

If neither method helped or you don’t want to risk system files, the easiest way to install an alternative launcher is to completely replace the standard MIUI desktop with a more flexible and customizable one.

Popular launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – maximum customization, gesture support, backup settings.
• ⚡ POCO Launcher – the official launcher from Xiaomi with a minimalist design and easy sorting of applications.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – open launcher with support for themes and adaptive icons.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – lightweight and fast, with support for plugins.

How to install a third-party launcher:

1. Download your favorite launcher from Play Market.
2. Open the app and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. When requesting, select Always use by default.
4. Set up your desktop for yourself: change the icons, add widgets, turn on gestures.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎛️ Full interface configuration (image size, fonts, animations).
• 🔒 No forced updates from Xiaomi.
• 📱 Support for themes and plugins (for example, KWGT customize).
• ⚡ Smoother work on weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 5A or Redmi Note 4).

Download APK-File from the official website (if not in the Play Market)

Make a backup copy of the current desktop settings

Clear the cache of the standard launcher

Check compatibility with the Android version-->

6.How to prevent automatic launcher updates

To avoid unwanted desktop updates in the future, you can disable their automatic installation, which is true for both launchers from the Play Market and for system updates to MIUI.

Ways to disable updates:

• 📱 For Play Market: Open Google Play → Profile → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Choose Not to Update Automatically.
• ⚙️ For MIUI Launcher: Go to Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Three points. → Disable updates (if available).
• 🔒 For system updates: In Settings → Update system press three points → Settings → Turn off Automatic Booting.
• 🛡️ Through ADB (Execute the command adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.home to block launcher updates.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system updates MIUI This can lead to security issues, as you will not receive critical patches. 2-3 month, check the list of changes.

If you still want to receive updates, but are afraid of desktop crashes, make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup before installing the new version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi desktop updates