How to return the previous firmware to Xiaomi: safe rollback MIUI

After updating MIUI Is your Xiaomi smartphone slower, discharges faster, or is there a glitch? Maybe the new firmware version is not optimized for your model, and the best way to get back to the previous stable build. POCO — The procedure is not simple, but is doable even for beginners, if you strictly follow the instructions.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to roll back firmware, from official methods through Fastboot and Recovery to customized solutions, how to prepare a device, where to download the right files, and how to avoid the critical errors that can turn a smartphone into a brick, and we’ll also analyze the risks and consequences of rollbacks, from losing data to locking the bootloader.

Importantly, the procedure is different for devices with a bootloader locked and unlocked. If you have never unlocked it before, some methods will not be available to you. But don't worry, we will provide solutions for both.

Why you might need to roll back firmware on Xiaomi

Newer versions of MIUI don't always bring improvements, and here are the most common reasons users choose to return the old firmware:

• 🐢 Performance: The new version runs slower, there are lags when opening applications or scrolling through the interface.
• 🔋 Autonomy: increased battery consumption, the smartphone discharges in a few hours even in standby mode.
• 🐞 Bugs and glitches: sensors do not work, the camera emits errors, sound disappears or problems with connecting to the network.
• 🔒 Restrictions: The new version has removed useful features (e.g. Second Space or developer settings).
• 📱 Incompatibility: Some apps or games stopped running after the update.

Most often, problems arise after major updates (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14) or when you switch to HyperOS, a new firmware from Xiaomi that is not yet fully optimized, and the risks are higher on budget models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3), where hardware resources are limited.

⚠️ Note: If your device is updated through OTA (Just removing the update through the settings won't help.

Preparation of the device for rollback of the firmware

Before you start rolling back, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, locking the device or even breaking it.

1. Create a backup of all data

Firmware rollback is almost always accompanied by a full reset (Wipe Data), which means that all your photos, contacts, messages and installed applications will be deleted.

• 📱 Contacts and Messages: sync with Google Account or export through Settings → Google → Backup.
• 📷 Photos and videos: copy to your computer or upload to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Applications and Games: Save Data through Settings → Annexes → Backup or use Titanium Backup (root rights required).
• 📝 Notes and Documents: Export from Mi Notes or other apps manually.

💡

If you have a bootloader unlocked, make a full backup through TWRP, which will allow you to restore the system in case of failure.

2. Check the device model and firmware version

Not all firmware is compatible with your model, but installing the wrong version is a surefire way to get a brick.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Write down a model of the device (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 NFC).
3. View the current version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5.0.SKFMIXM).
4. Find out the firmware region (Global, China, EEA, etc.).

This data is needed to find the right firmware, and you can only install the version that is designed for your model and region.

3. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked)

Most Xiaomi devices are sold with a locked bootloader, which means you can’t install firmware through Fastboot or TWRP without first unlocking.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to your computer and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer is Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked.

To unlock, you need:

1. Apply on the Mi Unlock website (Mi Account required).
2. Wait 7-15 days (depending on Xiaomi policy)
3. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to unlock.

⚠️ Attention: unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, and some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.

Official ways to roll back firmware on Xiaomi

If you don’t want to take risks and prefer official methods, Xiaomi has two options for rollback: via Fastboot and Recovery. Both require downloading full firmware from the official website.

Method 1: Recoil through Fastboot (for a locked bootloader)

This method works if you have a bootloader locked, but you're ready to unlock it, and it works on devices where the unlock has already been done.

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website: 🌍 Global (for international versions) 🇨🇳 China (for Chinese versions) 🇪🇺 EEA (Choose a stable version, not a Developer or Beta.
2. Unpack the archive with the firmware in a folder on the computer.
3. Install drivers: Download Mi Phone Manager to automatically install drivers. Or manually install ADB/Fastboot drivers through Device Manager.

Run the firmware.

• Turn off your smartphone and log in to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
• Connect the device to the computer.
• Launch the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
• Select Install update.zip to System.
• Confirm the installation and wait for completion.

If you don't have one in Recovery, your model doesn't support it, and then you're left with Fastboot or custom solutions.

Firmware rollback via TWRP (for power users)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and a custom TWRP reclaimer installed, the rollback process becomes easier and more flexible.

• 🔄 Install any firmware versions (including custom ones).
• 📦 Make full system backups before changes.
• 🧹 Selectively clean partitions (Dalvik, Cache, Data).

However, there are risks: improper actions can lead to loss of IMEI, a broken camera or other hardware problems.

Step-by-step instruction

1. Download firmware in.zip format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

Install the firmware

• Press Install.
• Select the downloaded.zip file.
• Swipe for installation.
• Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Warning: if after installation the smartphone is stuck on the logo MI, Try to re-enter the TWRP and to flash Disabler (for example, Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip). This will help to bypass the integrity of the system.

How to avoid mistakes when rolling back firmware

Even experienced users sometimes have problems rolling back firmware, and here are the most common bugs and how to prevent them:

If you encounter an error that is not in the table, try searching for a solution on the XDA-Developers or 4PDA forums. Most often, problems are solved by re-routing the firmware with a complete partition cleanup.

💡

If your smartphone is unstable after rolling back the firmware, try resetting to Factory Reset via Recovery, which helps 80% of the time.

What to do if the firmware rollback failed

If after all the manipulations, the smartphone doesn't turn on, gets stuck on the logo or makes errors, don't panic. In most cases, the device can be restored.

1. The device does not turn on (black screen)

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Battery was discharged (even if before the firmware was 50%, the process could discharge it completely).
• 🔌 Incorrectly stitched boot or modem.
• 🛠️ Hardware failure (less often but possible when interrupting firmware).

Decision:

1. Connect your smartphone to charge for 30 to 60 minutes (even if there is no reaction).
2. Try to log in to Fastboot (Food + Volume Down).
3. If you can, swipe your smartphone again through the Mi Flash Tool (select clean all).
4. If Fastboot is not available, contact the service center – you may need to solder eMMC.

2. Bootloop (Infinite Download)

If the smartphone is constantly rebooted or hangs on the MI logo, the reason is usually:

• 🔄 Conflict of firmware versions (for example, attempt to put a MIUI 12 overhead MIUI 14).
• 🗝️ Damaged. boot.img.
• 📁 Incorrectly cleaned sections.

Decision:

1. Enter Recovery or TWRP.
2. Run Wipe → Format Data (you need to enter Yes in TWRP).
3. Fix the firmware again.
4. If it doesn't work, run boot.img separately through Fastboot: fastboot flash boot.img.

3. Loss of IMEI or network

If it's gone after the kickback IMEI, not determined SIM-card or not working mobile network, fault damaged partition modem.

Decision:

• 📡 Restore the backup modem (if you did it in the TWRP).
• 🔧 Squeeze modem separately through Fastboot: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin (file NON-HLOS.bin It should be in the firmware archive).
• 📞 If IMEI Dropped to 0, use it. SN Write Tool (requires an auth file from Xiaomi).

⚠️ Attention: recovery IMEI If you're not sure, it may be illegal in some countries without permission.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the rollback of firmware on Xiaomi