How to roll back Android update on Xiaomi: the full guide 2026

Why MIUI Update May Require a Pushback and When It’s Safe

Firmware updates on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices typically bring new features, security fixes, and performance optimizations. However, it is not uncommon for the new MIUI to perform worse than the previous one: the phone starts to brake, quickly discharge, or stops turning on, and in such situations, a rollback to the old firmware becomes the only solution.

It is important to understand that not every update can be safely "undo"; for example, if the new firmware has changed the structure of the memory partitions (as it was when switching to Android 12 for some models), a simple rollback can lead to loss of all data or "brick" of the device.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways of rolling back firmware on Xiaomi – from official methods through Recovery to manual stitching through Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to the models of Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4 and Mi 11/12, where the procedure has its nuances.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Before you start rolling back the firmware, follow the mandatory preparatory steps, which minimize the risk of data loss and simplify the recovery process.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud, especially important to keep contacts, SMS photo.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. Interrupting the process due to discharge can make the phone inoperable.
• 💻 Install drivers for your Xiaomi model on your PC. Download them from the official website or through Mi. PC Suite.
• 🔗 Download the correct firmware. Use only official firmware. ROM From the Xiaomi Firmware website for your model.

Note the firmware version. For example, if you upgraded from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, the rollback must be on the same 13.x.x build as the one you installed earlier. Installing an older version (e.g. MIUI 12.5) can cause conflicts.

⚠️ Note: If your device has an unlocked bootloader, some official rollback methods may not work.

Method 1: Recovery (official method)

The easiest and safest way to get your old firmware back is to use In-house Recovery, a method that works for most Xiaomi models if:

• 📲 The device is switched on and loaded into the system.
• 🔄 You've been updated by air" (OTA) You want to go back to the previous version.
• 🔓 The bootloader is not unlocked (if unlocked, read Method 3).

Instructions:

1. Download a firmware file with the.zip extension for your model (for example, miui_BLOCKEDGlobal_V13.0.1.0.SKCMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Please specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.

The process will take 5-15 minutes. After restarting, the device will return to the previous version of MIUI with data storage (if there was no reset).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone gets stuck on the Xiaomi logo after rollback, reset it via Recovery (Wipe Data) and delete all data, but return it to work.

Method 2: Recoil through the Mi Flash Tool (for a locked bootloader)

If the device doesn’t turn on or rollback through Recovery didn’t help, use Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi’s official firmware utility for Fastboot.This method is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader, but requires a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Download Fastboot-ROM for your model (file with the extension.tgz or.zip). Unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off your phone. Press Volume Down + Power to go to Fastboot mode.
4. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable.
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. Select Clean All (Full Clean) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

Once you've firmware, the phone will automatically restart. This method deletes all the data, so prior backup is mandatory.

Method 3: Manual rollback via ADB Sideload (for unlocked bootloader)

If your device has an unlocked bootloader unlocked, you can use ADB Sideload to install the old firmware, which saves data but requires command line skills.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format (not Fastboot-ROM!).
2. Go to Recovery (click Volume Up + Power when the phone is off).
3. Select Apply Update → Apply from ADB.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command: adb sideload path to file.zip
6. Wait for the installation to be completed (progress is displayed on the phone screen).

If the process is interrupted, try again or use Fastboot.This method does not work on all models - for example, on POCO F3, additional confirmation may be required via Fastboot.

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via Zadig (select the libusb-win32 driver for Android Bootloader Interface).

Method 4: Recoil through EDL mode (for "bricked" devices)

If the phone does not turn on even in Fastboot (the so-called "brick"), there is a last chance - firmware through the phone. EDL-Emergency Download Mode: This method requires special equipment (EDL-cable or testpoints and is only suitable for experienced users.

Instructions:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in mode EDL (This may require disassembly and closure of contacts on the board).
• 💻 Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil to Firmware Full ROM (file).
• ⚠️ Carefully choose firmware - the wrong version can finally disable the device.

EDL-The mode is often used to restore the Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1 But without experience, it's better to contact the service center, because the error can cost the device.

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EDL-The mode is a "resuscitation" for phones that don't respond to buttons, only use it if other methods don't work and you're confident in your actions.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you roll back firmware, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🚫 The "Couldn't verify update" error in Recovery: means that the firmware file is corrupted or not intended for your model. Download the file again and check its checksum (MD5).
• 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: try another USB-port or cable. Some PCs help disable driver signatures.
• 🔄 Fixing on Xiaomi logo: run Wipe Data in Recovery. If it doesn't work, go through Fastboot with a full cleanup.
• 📵 Network Loss After a Pushback: This Can Happen If the Modem Version (modem.img) The solution is to flash only the modem partition through Fastboot: fastboot flash modem. modem.img

If the device is unstable after rollback (for example, quickly discharges or overheats), try resetting to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions