Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where automatic updating of the MIUI or HyperOS system brings more problems than benefits. Instead of promised improvements, the user can get reduced autonomy, heating the case or the appearance of intrusive advertising in the system interfaces.
The process of rolling back the software version is not a trivial task, since the manufacturer specifically limits the ability to simply remove already installed packets for the sake of data security. Downgrade (downgrading the version) requires deeper intervention in the system than a conventional update installation.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the available methods, from simply blocking future updates to completely resetting the system to an earlier version of the firmware. Remember that forced downgrade always comes with the complete deletion of all user data, so backup is critical. We will look at both software methods through the settings menu and advanced methods using a computer.
Why You Should Disable or Remove the MIUI Update
Many users are wondering why they should remove new security patches or new shell versions at all. The answer lies in the optimization of the code. Often new versions of MIUI are tested on a wide audience, and if critical errors are found in the code affecting the modem or Bluetooth, the stability of the smartphone decreases. Removing the problematic update allows you to return the device to factory performance parameters.
Another reason is app compatibility: some banking programs or corporate customers may not work properly on beta firmware or new major Android updates, and in such cases, returning to a time-tested version of the OS is the only way to continue working normally.
⚠️ Note: The rollback of the system below the current installed version is not possible with standard means without a complete data cleanup. All your photos, contacts and applications will be irretrievably deleted during the downgrade process.
Also worth mentioning is the desire of users to keep root rights or custom reclaims. Official updates often "cure" vulnerabilities through which access to the system partition was made, so removing the update helps to preserve the modified state of the system.
Blocking Automatic Updates in Settings
Before you start taking drastic steps to remove an already installed version, you need to prevent the unwanted package from being rebooted. MIUI has an inbuilt auto-update mechanism that can be deactivated. This is the first step to controlling your operating system.
To start, go to the settings menu and select About Phone. Click on MIUI to open the update menu. In the upper right corner of the screen, there is a three-point menu where you want to select the Update Settings setting.
However, simply switching the toggler is often not enough, as the system service Updater can ignore the ban.To ensure a guaranteed result, it is recommended to further limit the background activity of this service. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the Update of components (or Updater) in the list.
- 📱 Click on Autostart and disable it.
- 🚫 In the charge saving section, select the option No restrictions, and then force the application to stop.
- 🔒 If possible, revoke all permissions for this system component.
This will not delete a firmware file that has already been downloaded, but will prevent it from being installed and downloaded in the future, a soft way of fighting that is suitable for most users who do not want to go into deep system settings.
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Use Flight Mode when you first turn on your new phone to skip the initial setup phase and block the upgrade until you get superuser rights.
Removing the downloaded update package manually
If an update has already been downloaded but has not yet been installed, it takes up space in memory and can spontaneously initiate installation when rebooted. The firmware files are usually stored in hidden system directories that are restricted to access. However, using a file manager with system folder permissions, you can delete the update bootloader.
The standard path to Android update files is either /data/111710215E/ or /data/326C9B3E/ (the character set can vary depending on the version of MIUI). Inside this folder is a rom.zip file or similar firmware archive, deleting this file will free up memory and reset the status of "update ready to install."
To do this, you’ll need a file manager that supports root rights, like MT Manager or Root Explorer, and if your phone isn’t rooted, this method won’t work, and you’ll have to resort to more sophisticated ways through ADB or Recovery.
☑️ Check before packet removal
Full Downgrade via Fastboot and Mi Flash
The most effective, but also the most difficult way to remove the Xiaomi update is to flash the device to an earlier version via Fastboot mode, USB-Unlocked bootloader and cable, without unlocking the bootloader, you can't install the software below the current version because of the Anti-rollback protection.
The process starts with finding the right firmware. You need a version of Fastboot ROM (which has the.tgz extension) that is older than the one you have installed now. Download it from the official website or trusted sources. Then install the ADB and Fastboot drivers, and the Mi Flash Tool utility on your computer.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by pressing the Volume Down button when the device is off and connecting the cable to your PC. In the running Mi Flash program, press the Refresh button so that your computer sees the device. Choose the path to the unpacked firmware folder.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Risk of error | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Update | Keeps it. | Low. | You can't do a downgrade. |
| Clean All | Complete removal | Medium. | Unlocked BL |
| Clean All + Lock | Complete removal | High-pitched | Same firmware region |
Critical point: when downgrade, be sure to choose Clean All mode. Trying to save data when downgrading the version will result in a cyclic reboot or touch screen failure. Press Flash and wait for the process to be completed, which can take 5 to 15 minutes.
⚠️ Note: If you try to flash a version with a higher Anti-rollback index than allowed, the device can turn into a black screen brick, which can only be restored in the service center.
What is an Anti-Rollback?
Using Recovery Mode to Reset
If the goal is not to install the old firmware, but simply to remove the consequences of a failed update (gluts, lags), sometimes it is enough to reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) through the Recovery menu.This will not delete the version of MIUI itself, but will clean up system debris and configuration file conflicts that arose after the update.
To enter Recovery mode, turn off your phone and press the Volume Up + Power button combination. After the Mi logo appears, release the power button, while continuing to keep the volume. In the menu that appears, navigation is done with volume buttons, and the choice is made by the power button (or touching the screen if the touch is working).
Select a language (usually English or Chinese) and go to Wipe Data, confirm the action, which will delete all user data, but return the system to a "clean" state, after restarting the phone will work as soon as you buy it, but with the current version of the software.
- 🔄 Select Wipe All Data for a complete cleanup.
- ✅ Confirm the action by entering the code or pressing the confirmation button.
- ⏳ Wait for the message "Data wiped successfully" and select Reboot.
This method often helps if the upgrade is successful, but the system is unstable due to residual files of old settings.
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Recovery does not change the version of Android or MIUI, but it does eliminate software conflicts that arose after the update.
Frequent problems and errors when removing updates
When you downgrade or block updates, users often encounter errors, and one of the most common is "Can't verify update," which occurs when you try to install firmware through the update menu on your phone, but the signature doesn't match (e.g. global to Chinese or vice versa), in which case only the Fastboot method helps.
Another problem is that you lock your Mi Account after flashing it, and if you don't log out of your Mi Account before you reset, the system will require you to enter your password when you first download it, so make sure you remember your account information, otherwise the device will remain locked.
It is also possible to crash drivers in Windows when the computer stops seeing the phone in Fastboot mode. In this case, you need to reinstall the Qualcomm or Xiaomi USB Driver drivers using the Device Manager and manual driver update.