How to return Android 10 to Xiaomi after upgrading to Android 11: all working ways

Upgrading to Android 11 on Xiaomi smartphones doesn’t always go smoothly: users are faced with brakes, fast battery drain or broken features. If you’re among those who want to get your device back running smoothly, rolling back to Android 10 may be the solution, but it requires preparation, from data backup to choosing the right firmware.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of downgrade: from official reset via the Mi Flash Tool to manual stitching through fastboot and TWRP. Particular attention will be paid to Xiaomi models on Qualcomm and MediaTek processors - for them the algorithms are different, you will also learn how to avoid a "brick" (system failure) and what to do if the phone does not turn on after a rollback.

We warn you right away that the procedure carries risks, including loss of warranty and data, but with the right approach, the chances of success are 95% or higher.

Why users are returning from Android 11 to Android 10

According to surveys on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums, up to 30% of Xiaomi owners are trying to roll back after upgrading to Android 11.

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption - background processes MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 consume 15-25% more power than on Android 10.
• 🐢 Slowing down the interface – animations and transitions begin to “sweep” even on flagships (Mi 10, POCO F2 Pro).
• 📱 Compatibility issues – some apps (such as banking or anti-cheat games) refuse to work.
• 🔊 Disappearance of functions - in MIUI 12.5 Removed Volume Slider in Notification Curtain, Changed Signal Logic.
• 📡 Network problems – some users are missing 4G/LTE or worsening the reception of Wi-Fi.

Interestingly, on budget models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9A) problems appear more often than on flagships, this is due to the optimization of firmware for different hardware.

Preparation for rollback: what to do before the firmware

Before you start downgrade, follow 4 critical steps:

1. Back up your data. Use Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud. Local backup via TWRP is more reliable, but requires an unlocked bootloader.
2. Check the model and firmware version. Go to Settings → About the phone. Write down: Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro — joyeuse). Current version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.5.3 Stable). Firmware region (Global, China, EEA).

Unlock the loader

fastboot

Charge your phone at least 60%

Backup contacts and photo | Recorded model and codename of device | Checked version of MIUI and region | Unlocked bootloader (if needed) | Charged phone >60% | Downloaded the correct firmware for his model-->

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (China version) ROM), firmware Global ROM can block the network (IMEI). In this case, look for a firmware with a mark. CN.

The official way: rollback through the Mi Flash Tool

The most reliable method is to run the official Android 10 firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 9S, Mi 9T Pro).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website: Go to the downloads page MIUI. Select a model, then find the latest stable version on Android 10 (the file title will be the same as the one you have in your file). V11 or V12.0.x.x for MIUI 12 based on Android 10. Download a file with the extension.tgz (for fastboot) or.zip (for recovery).
2. Install drivers: Download Qualcomm QDLoader for devices on Snapdragon. Connect your phone in fastboot mode (press Volume Down + Power When the phone is off). Install the driver manually through Device Manager (select a folder with downloaded drivers).
3. Sweat through Mi Flash Tool: Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz →.img files). Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the firmware folder. Select clean all or clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware). Connect the phone to fastboot and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after firmware, don't panic. + Power) and wipe data. If that doesn't work, re-sweeten clean all.

💡

For MediaTek devices (Helio G90T, G85, etc.), the Mi Flash Tool is not suitable – use the SP Flash Tool or manual firmware via TWRP.

Recoil for devices on MediaTek: SP Flash Tool and TWRP

Xiaomi’s MediaTek-based smartphones (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9C, POCO C3) require a different approach: Mi Flash Tool doesn’t work, instead using the SP Flash Tool or custom recovery TWRP.

Method 1: Firmware with SP Flash Tool

1. Download the SP Flash Tool and the firmware in.zip format for MediaTek.
2. Unpack the firmware and find the scatter.txt file (it describes the firmware structure).
3. In the SP Flash Tool, click Scatter-loading and select this file.
4. Connect the phone to the PC (no buttons!).
5. Press Download and wait until the end (the green circle will appear).

Method 2: Firmware via TWRP (if custom recovery is installed):

1. Download the firmware in.zip format for recovery.
2. Reboot your phone to TWRP (clip Volume Up + Power).
3. Make Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, Data, System.
4. Press Install, select a firmware file and confirm the installation.

🔹 Important: For Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) use firmware marked MTK. Firmware version for Qualcomm will lead to a “brick»!

Solving problems after rollback

Even with successful firmware, there can be problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

🔹 Tip: If Google Pay or other Google services are missing after a rollback, check SafetyNet status through the SafetyNet Test app. CTS Profile Mismatch will help Magisk with Universal SafetyNet Fix.

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If the phone is slower than Android 11 after rolling back, try calibrating the battery: completely drain the device, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat 2-3 times.

Risks and how to minimize them

Downgrading firmware is not a harmless procedure, but here are the real risks and ways to avoid them:

• 💀 «Brick: The device stops turning on, cause: wrong firmware, interrupted process, incompatible with hardware».
• 📵 Loss of loss IMEI/Networks – more common when using Global firmware ROM Chinese-made.
• 🔒 Blocking Mi Account – if the phone was tied to Xiaomi account, after reset, you may need to enter a login / password.
• 🚫 Loss of warranty – unlocking the bootloader and firmware cancel the official warranty.

How to reduce the risks:

• Use only official firmware from Xiaomi or trusted sources (Xiaomi.eu, 4PDA).
• Check it out. MD5-hash of the downloaded firmware file (should match the one listed on the site).
• Do not interrupt the firmware process – even if it seems that the phone is “hung”.
• For models with MediaTek, use the SP Flash Tool version 5.20xx or later (older versions may not support newer chips).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 9 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) after-roll-back from Android 11 Android 10 The encryption stops working. PIN/Password, phone may require a fastboot reset with data loss.

Alternative methods: without unlocking the loader

If unlocking the bootloader seems difficult, there are 2 workarounds (but with limitations):

1.Rollback through OTA-Package (only for some models)

Some devices (Mi A3, Redmi Note 7) support rollback through a local update:

1. Download the full OTA-downgrade package (seek on 4PDA Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on three points → Select the service pack and specify update.zip.

2. Use of custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu)

Firmware from Xiaomi.eu often contains corrections for downgrade:

• 🔄 They are based on official assemblies, but with modifications.
• 🔓 Do not require unlocking the bootloader (but root rights are required for some functions).
• 🌍 Supports many languages, including Russian.

🔹 Important: Castom firmware may not pass SafetyNet, which blocks Google Pay and some banking applications. + SafetyNet Fix module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rollback from Android 11 to Android 10