Modern Xiaomi smartphones receive updates regularly, but they don’t always please users. Sometimes a new version of MIUI or HyperOS is unstable, quickly lands a battery or contains critical errors. At such moments, device owners begin to look for ways to return everything to the past. Downgrade system is a process of rolling back firmware to an earlier version that requires care and accuracy.
Before you take any drastic steps, you need to be aware of the risks. The process is not a regular function of the system, available through the usual settings menu. Data reset is inevitable, so saving personal information is a priority. Incorrect execution of instructions can lead to software failures.
In this article, we will take a look at all the stages of preparation and the rollback process itself. You will learn about the need to unlock the bootloader, choose the right version of software and use specialized utilities. Technical literacy is not the last thing, so follow each step carefully.
Risk analysis and backup preparation
The procedure for rolling back the Android version on Xiaomi devices involves the complete removal of user data. The MIUI security system does not allow you to simply switch to the old build on top of the new one due to differences in the structure of memory partitions. So creating a full backup is not just a recommendation, but a prerequisite.
Use built-in tools to save contacts, messages and call history. Photos and documents are best suited for cloud storage or a computer connection. Backup via Mi Cloud is convenient, but may not save all application and login settings.
⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Xiaomi’s security system will automatically perform a full reset (Wipe Data.
It is also worth checking the status of your Mi Account. Linking the device to your account is mandatory for filing an application for unlocking. If you forget your password from your account after resetting, unlocking your phone will be extremely difficult or impossible without a purchase check.
Necessary tools and software
To successfully run a downgrade, you'll need not only the smartphone itself, but also a Windows PC. Standard air-to-air upgrade (OTA) methods don't allow you to pick older firmware versions. You'll need specific utilities developed by the manufacturer.
The main tool will be the Mi Flash Tool, which is the way you force the system image to be recorded in the device’s memory, and you will also need the ADB and Fastboot drivers, which are usually installed with the utility or separately through the SDK Platform Tools.
☑️ Tool preparation
Don’t forget to prepare a quality USB-Cheap charging cables often don't provide stable data transfer, which can interrupt the firmware process at a critical stage.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The key step, without which you can not install an older version of the software, is to unlock the bootloader, by default on all Xiaomi smartphones it is locked to protect against malware.
You first need to apply through the Mi Unlock app on your PC. Once you have your account linked to your device in the developer settings, the system will ask you to wait, and the wait time varies from 7 to 168 hours (7 days), depending on the region and account status.
What to do if the timer is not going?
After the waiting time has expired, you can start unlocking. The phone will restart in Fastboot mode, and the utility will confirm the successful removal of restrictions. From now on, the device will receive warnings about an unprotected bootloader at each turn on.
Search and selection of compatible firmware
One of the hardest things to do is find the right version of the software, and you don't just need the "old" firmware, you need a specific build that's lower than your current version, and the type of firmware that matters is that the Mi Flash method requires a version of Fastboot, not a Recovery version.
Fastboot firmware has the extension.tgz, while Recovery is.zip. The archive must be unpacked on the computer, the path to the folder must not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces so that the firmware utility correctly recognizes files.
Pay attention to the firmware region (Global, EU, Russia, China) – Transition between regions (e.g. China to Global) is possible, but requires additional manipulation and can lead to errors in the operation of banking applications or Google services.
Instructions for firmware through Mi Flash Tool
When you're done, you can move to the practical part, and you can connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your computer, and you can then press the device that's off with the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously before you see the Fastboot logo.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to allow the program to detect the device. In the path field, specify the folder with the unpacked firmware. At the bottom of the window, select Clean all mode, which will completely clear the memory and install the new system.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clean all | No (full reset) | Recommended regime for downgrade |
| Save user data | Yes. | It doesn’t work when changing Android versions. |
| Clean all + lock | No (full reset) | Blocks the loader after the firmware |
Press the Flash button and wait until the process is complete. The green bar at the end means success. The phone automatically reboots, and the first download can take up to 10 minutes. Don't panic if the screen is lit with the Mi logo for a long time.
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If you have a "Missmatching image and device" error during the firmware process, you have not downloaded the firmware for your model, check the code name (e.g. guacamole, cepheus) in the firmware files and compare it to the phone model.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Downgrades can be technically challenging, and users often encounter an anti-rollback error, a security mechanism that prevents the software from being installed below a certain threshold set by the manufacturer, and if you try to flash below the minimum allowed, the phone may become a Hard Brick.
Another common problem is drivers. If your computer can't see your phone in Fastboot mode, check Device Manager. You may need to manually update your Android Bootloader Interface driver. Antivirus programs can also block the Mi Flash Tool, so you'd better turn it off temporarily.
⚠️ Note: If you experience an “Anti-rollback check failed” error, stop the procedure immediately. Continuation may lead to an irreversible lock of the motherboard, which can only be removed at an authorized service center.
If the phone has gone into a cyclic reboot, try entering Recovery mode. + Powering) and making Wipe Data/Factory If this does not help, you will need to re-flash through Fastboot with a choice of a different version of the software.
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The downgrade rule: Never try to install the Android version below the one the phone came out of the box with, or below the minimum allowed in official sources.