Many Xiaomi users are faced with a situation where, after an automatic update, the system starts to work unstable, errors appear, the battery quickly dies or the usual functions that were in the previous build disappear. In such cases, the only reasonable solution is to downgrade, that is, return to an earlier, proven version of the operating system, this process requires care, but allows you to restore the comfortable operation of the device.
Unlike a simple reinstallation, Xiaomi rollback has its own technical limitations and features. The company has implemented anti-Rollback protection, which in some cases prohibits installing old firmware on top of a new one. However, with the right methods and with caution, you can get around most obstacles. Below we will discuss all the available methods, from simple methods through settings to complex flashing through the computer.
Before you take action, you need to understand the risks. Any interference with the software of a smartphone carries the potential threat of data loss or, in rare cases, the device will turn into a brick. Full data reset in a downgrade is mandatory in 99% of cases, so backup is a critical first step. If you are ready for the procedure, you can proceed to the preparation of tools.
Preparation of the device and collection of necessary data
The first step in any firmware manipulation is careful preparation, and you'll need to find the exact version of the software that's installed on your device now and the one you plan to upgrade to. → About the phone. Write down the build number, for example, MIUI 14.0.5, as it will be necessary to find the right file.
Next, you need to have a stable connection and charge. The battery of the smartphone should be charged at least 60%, better than more. The process of writing data to the memory of the phone is energy intensive, and a sudden shutdown in the middle of the procedure can damage the bootloader. USB-cable, preferably original, and computer with Windows operating system.
Remember to back up all important data. When downgrading, your internal memory will be completely cleared. You can use Google cloud services or MI Cloud, as well as third-party PC software, and save your contacts, photos and documents to a safe place so that you don't lose important information when you return the system.
Verification of Anti-Rollback and Compatibility
The key before starting the procedure is to check the status of protection of Anti-Rollback, a security mechanism implemented by the manufacturer to prevent the installation of vulnerable versions of the software. If your current firmware has a higher protection index than the one you want to install, the process will be blocked, and in the worst case, the device may stop loading.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to install firmware with a lower Anti-Rollback index than the current one can cause permanent damage to the bootloader (Hard Brick.
You can find out the protection index by going to Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the phone and press the power and volume buttons at the same time. The screen will show an image of a rabbit in a hat-eared, and at the bottom of the screen will show the text Anti: X, where X is a number. It should match or be less than the number in the new (old) firmware.
Where to find the Anti-Rollback index in the firmware file?
The security index is usually listed in the name of the firmware file or in the text file inside the archive. AR If the file name has a number, for example, _V12.0.3.0.OHJMIXM_12345, The last digits may indicate the version, but more accurately check with official forums or specialized firmware databases for your particular model.> Global versions (Global) cannot be replaced with Chinese (China) or Indian versions without unlocking the bootloader. For a downgrade within a region (e.g., global to global) the requirements are milder, but compatibility checks are still necessary. 1: The easiest and safest method that does not require a computer is to use the built-in recovery mode. However, it only works if you downloaded the full firmware archive in.zip and renamed it correctly, which is suitable if the differences between the versions are not too large and the key signatures are the same. ROM) And put it in the root of the phone's internal memory. update.zip. Then go to the Settings menu. → About the phone and click on the version MIUI. In the window that opens, click on three dots in the corner and select "Select firmware file". 📂 Find the downloaded archive in the file list update.zip. 🔄 Click on it and confirm the start of the update (in this case, rollback). ⏳ Wait until the process is over, the phone will reboot automatically, and if the system says "Can't verify update" or "Bag is damaged," it won't work for your two versions. This means that the signatures of the firmware are different, and a deeper method is required using the computer and Fastboot mode. Don't worry, this is a standard situation for major Android updates. Method 2: Downgrade via Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool The most versatile and reliable way to return the old version of Android to Xiaomi is to use the Mi Flash Tool utility on your computer. This method requires downloading the Fastboot version of the firmware (has the.tgz extension) and unblocking it to your PC. It is important that the path to the folder with the FastBook, you need to identify the "Refrot" file file file file with the device, and the "Fast" button on the device. At the bottom of the program window, you'll see three options: To do a full and clean rollback, you'll need to choose the clean all option, which will completely remove all data from your phone, but ensures there is no conflict between the old and the new system. The clean all and lock option will block the bootloader, which can be dangerous if you use custom software, so it is better to choose just clean all. Option Description Flash all Installation with data storage Not recommended for downgrade Clean all Complete cleaning and installation ✅ Clean all and lock Clean, install and lock Only for original firmware After selecting the mode, press the "Flash" button. The process will take from 300 to 600 seconds. At this time it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the power of the computer. When completed, the phone will go into a reboot, which can last up to 10 minutes. Method 3: Using ADB commands for advanced For users who prefer control over each step of the process or cannot use the Mi Flash GUI, the command line and ADB method are available. This method requires the presence of ADB and Fastboot drivers installed on the computer. It allows you to manually send commands to the device, avoiding possible interface errors. Once you connect the phone in Fastboot mode and open the command line in the tool folder, you can check the connection with the fastboot device command. If the device is displayed, you can go to the firmware. However, manually stitch all partitions for a long and dangerous, so you more often use the command to log in to restore or log in. The basic command to reset the settings before installation is this: fastboot erase userdata This command clears the partition with user data. Once it is executed, you can start installing the firmware through Recovery if the automatic updater does not work. ADB You can force the device to restart in the desired mode if the buttons are physically damaged. ⚠️ Attention: The fastboot erase command can erase critical data without specifying the partition, use it only with the userdata or cache option if you know exactly what you're doing, and a syntax error can cause the persist partition to lose, which will disrupt sensors and Wi-Fi. Possible errors and methods of their elimination In the process of downgrade users often face typical problems. One of the most common is the error "Anti-rollback check failed". It means you're trying to install a version with a lower security index than the current one, and there's no solution to that problem, except to find a newer version of the firmware that's still "old" relative to your current one, but has a good index. MI (If the phone is stuck on the screensaver more 10 For a minute, try to force reboot it by pressing the power button on 15-20 If that doesn't work, you'll have to repeat the Fastboot firmware procedure by selecting clean all mode, and you may also experience a situation where your computer doesn't see your phone in Fastboot mode, in which case, check Windows Device Manager. If there is a device with a yellow exclamation point, you need to update the drivers by manually selecting them from the folder with the Mi Flash utility or downloading the official Xiaomi USB Driver. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can Android roll back without losing data? In the vast majority of cases, when you downgrade (return to an older version), data loss is inevitable. The structure of files and databases in new versions of Android often changes, and the old system can not read the files of the new. So formatting the data partition is a mandatory security requirement. Will the warranty fly out after the firmware rolls back? If you use the official firmware and do not unlock the bootloader, formally the guarantee will remain. However, if in the process there are traces of unauthorized interference or damage to the software, the service center can not turn on the phone after the repair. If the screen is black and there is no response to buttons, try entering Recovery mode. + If you can do that, make a Wipe. Data/Factory If the phone doesn’t respond at all (Hard Brick), you will need to connect to a service center to reprogram through the phone. EDL-It's a mode that only you can have with an authorized account. Where is it safe to get old firmware? The most reliable source is the official miui.com site or trusted developer communities, such as: 4PDA or XDA Avoid random sites that offer "modified" versions, as they may contain malicious code.Always check the checksum of the file if it is provided by the author.