How to Remove Desktop Updates on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Risks and Solutions

Desktop updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO Often bring not only new features, but also unpleasant surprises: interface brakes, disappeared widgets or an uncomfortable layout of icons. MIUI Or HyperOS, your device has become worse β€” don't rush to put up with problems. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to roll back updates, including resetting through settings, manual removal. APK-Files and recovery via Fastboot.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. For example, removing system APKs without root rights can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device, and incorrect firmware rollback to a "brick" (complete failure). We will describe each method in detail, specify the models for which it is suitable, and warn about the possible consequences. If you are a user of Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or POCO F5, in this article you will find the relevant instructions for your device.

1. rollback through reset to factory settings (without data loss)

The easiest way to return the previous version of the desktop is to use the built-in reset function, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, as well as on HyperOS. The main advantage is that it does not require root rights and does not erase user files (photos, videos, documents).

How to do this:

  • πŸ“± Open the Settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI/HyperOS and 7 Click on the version line to activate the developer mode.
  • βš™οΈ Return to the main settings menu, select Additional β†’ Resetting settings β†’ Resetting application settings.
  • πŸ”„ In the list, find com.miui.home (desktop) MIUI) or com.miui.hyperos.launcher (HyperOS) and confirm the reset.
  • πŸ”„ Restart the device. Once turned on, the desktop will return to the factory version (but updates to the system applications will remain!).

⚠️ Note: This method only resets desktop settings (images, widgets, folders) but does not roll back the firmware itself, MIUI 14 β†’ HyperOS 1.0, this method will not help.

πŸ“Š What version? MIUI/HyperOS You're using it?
MIUI 12/13
MIUI 14
HyperOS 1.0
HyperOS 2.0
I don't know.

2. Removal of updates via ADB (for power users)

If resetting the settings did not help, you can try to delete APK-Manual update files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but it works on some models without them (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or other devices). POCO X3 Pro).

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. Activate USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI Version β†’ 7 taps β†’ For developers).
  3. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
  4. Run the command to remove desktop updates: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.home For HyperOS use: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.hyperos.launcher
  5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) this can cause system services to fail.Before executing, back up via adb backup or Mi Cloud.

Install ADB Tools on PC| Enable USB debugging on your phone | Download the original firmware for your model | Backup data | Check battery power (minimum 50%)

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3. disable automatic desktop updates

If you don't want to go back to the old version, but you don't plan to install new updates, you can block them completely, which is true for users who are happy with the current version, but the system constantly offers to update.

Methods of shutdown:

  • 🚫 Through Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Three dots (menu) β†’ Show the system. Find the software update or MIUI Updater, open and disable Auto Update.
  • πŸ“΅ For HyperOS: Go to Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system β†’ Settings (cogs) β†’ Auto Download Updates and Select Off..
  • πŸ”§ For advanced users: through ADB Disable the update service with the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater
Method of disconnectionSuitable forReversibilityRisks.
Through the application settingsAll models.Yes.No.
ADB-teamMIUI 12+ / HyperOSYes (re-enactment)Update settings may be confused
Removing APK UpdatesOnly rootPartially (reflashing needed)Possible system failures

πŸ’‘ Useful tip: If you've disabled updates, but the system still downloads them, check for the com.xiaomi.market (Mi App Store) app. Sometimes updates come through it. Turn off auto-update in this app, too.

4. Fastboot Recovery (for critical cases)

If the desktop stopped starting at all after the upgrade (for example, after switching from MIUI to HyperOS), you may need to completely flash through Fastboot mode.This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires a PC.

What you need:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers installed.
  • πŸ“± Original firmware for your model (download from the official website in the Fastboot section).
  • πŸ”Œ Cable USB (preferably original).
  • πŸ”‹ Battery charge of at least 60%.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
  2. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
  3. Select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh – the program must determine the device.
  4. At the bottom, choose Clean all and lock (complete cleaning) or Clean all (no bootloader lock).
  5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: This method completely erases all data, including photos, contacts and apps. If you do not have the bootloader unlocked, after firmware, the device may require authorization to the Mi Account account associated with the phone.

What if the Mi Flash Tool can’t see the device?
1. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Xiaomi") ADB Interface. 2. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0). 3. Disable the antivirus - it can block the connection. 4. Use the original Xiaomi cable. 5. Restart the PC and phone, then try again.

5 Manually remove updates via TWRP (root only)

If you have a custom TWRP recavator installed on your device, you can manually delete desktop update files, a method that is suitable for users with root rights and an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

  1. Boot to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Power on).
  2. Go to Advanced β†’ File Manager.
  3. Open /system/priv-app/ and find: For MIUI: MiuiHome or Launcher3.

Delete the folder with the updated launcher (or replace it with a backup of the old version).

Reset the device.

πŸ’‘ Useful advice: Before deleting, make a backup folder /system/priv-app/ through TWRP. If the desktop does not start after deleting, you can restore files.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove updates, users often encounter typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to solve them:

  • πŸ”„ "Desktop resets, but updates return after reboot" β†’ This means that the system automatically recovers deleted files. Solution: disable the com.miui.systemAdSolution service via ADB or remove it through TWRP.
  • 🚨 "Phone stuck on logo after being deleted APK" β†’ Chances are you deleted a critical system file.Solution: Fastboot your device (see section 4).
  • πŸ”’ "I can't enter the settings after the rollback" β†’ The system application permissions may have been lost. Solution: execute the command to ADB: adb shell cmd package reset-permissions

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) manual removal APK This can lead to blocking some features, such as Control Center or Mi Share.Before experimenting, check your model compatibility on forums. XDA Developers.

πŸ’‘

Before any manipulation of system files, be sure to back up via TWRP or Mi Cloud. 80% of the time, the problems after a rollback are due to a lack of backup.

❓ Can I remove desktop updates without root rights?
Yes, but with limitations. You can: Reset the launcher settings through the application menu (section 1). Disable auto-updates (section 3). Use ADB to remove updates (section 2), but this does not work on all models. Complete removal of system APKs without root is impossible.
❓ After the rollback, all the app icons are gone?
This is because the launcher resets. To restore the icons: Reboot the device. If the icons don't show up, go to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Desktop and press Clear cache. In extreme cases, reset the launcher settings (section 1).
❓ Will this method work for POCO F6 Pro?
Yeah, but with nuances: POCO F6 Pro (HyperOS) reset via settings (section 1) works without problems. ADB-method (section 2) may require unlocking the bootloader. Fastboot firmware (section 4) is only possible with the official firmware for POCO F6 Pro (Do not use firmware from other models!).
❓ How to find out which version of the desktop is installed?
Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Three dots (menu) β†’ Show system. Find the desktop (or Launcher) and open information about it. The version section will show the build number.
❓ Can you roll HyperOS back to the MIUI?
Technically, yes, but it's a complex, high-risk, "brick" process. MIUI For your model (e.g. Xiaomi Firmware Updater), unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked), flash the device through Fastboot with full cleaning (Clean all). ⚠️ Warning: New devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Turbo 3) will roll back from HyperOS to the newest devices MIUI This may cause the module to fail. 5G Before the procedure, check the feedback on the forums.