How to permanently disable auto-update on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Automatic updates on Xiaomi devices often cause unexpected problems, from sudden battery drain to app failures. The manufacturer strongly recommends keeping the system up to date, but not all users need it. Perhaps you are using a stable version of firmware, fearing bugs in new builds or just want to control the update process yourself.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable auto-update on Xiaomi smartphones and TVs, including hidden MIUI and Android TV settings. We’ll focus on the nuances for different firmware versions, from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15, and look at the risks and consequences of disabling updates. If you’re looking for a way to stop intrusive notifications about new software versions or want to completely block the background download of updates, here you’ll find working solutions.

Why Xiaomi is imposing auto updates and whether it is safe to disable them

Xiaomi has positioned regular updates as a key element of security and stability of devices. However, in practice this is not always justified: new versions of the firmware can contain errors, conflict with custom settings or simply be uncomfortable for the user. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many owners of the Redmi Note 10 Pro complained about increased power consumption and lags in the interface.

Technically speaking, disabling auto updates does not violate Xiaomi’s warranty obligations unless you use unofficial firmware or root access.

• 🔒 Security: Without regular vulnerability patches, the device becomes more susceptible to attacks (especially for Android 10 and lower models).
• 📱 Compatibility: Some applications (e.g., banking or government services) may require an up-to-date version of the OS.
• ⚠️ Brick Risk: If you manually interrupt the update download halfway through the process, the device may stop booting.

Before you turn off auto-updates, consider how critical these risks are to you. If you use your device to handle sensitive data or connect frequently to public Wi-Fi networks, it’s best to leave at least security updates on.

Method 1: Disable auto updates via standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO base MIUI 12-15. The instructions are also relevant for devices with global (MI), and Chinese (CN) firmware.

To disable automatic download and install updates:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Tap on the item Update MIUI (or Update system on new versions).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
5. Turn off the switches: 🔄 Automatic booting via Wi-Fi 📥 Automatic installation of updates 🔔 Notifications of updates (optional)

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5), the Settings option may not be available. In this case, simply uncheck the Auto Update box in the main update window.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) After disabling auto updates, a notification of "critical security patches" may continue to arrive. ADB (described in Method 4).

Method 2: Block updates through mobile data restriction

If your Xiaomi device tries to download updates over the mobile Internet (for example, when Wi-Fi is turned off), you can block this process through traffic settings. This method does not cancel auto-updates completely, but prevents large files from unexpectedly downloading over 3G/4G/5G.

For this:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Go to the use of mobile data.
4. Scroll down to the App section and find the MIUI Update (or Updater).
5. Turn off the switch Mobile data and Background data.

For reliability, it is also recommended to limit background activity of the MIUI Update application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Update in the list and tap it.
3. Choose the Battery. → Limit background activity.
4. In the Mobile Data section, set a limit on background traffic.

Method 3: Disable updates on Xiaomi TV (Android TV)

Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV, Xiaomi TV A) are based on Android TV, and the process of disabling auto updates is different from smartphones. The main problem is that the manufacturer often hides these settings deep in the menu, and in new versions of the software (Android TV 11/12) they may not be at all.

Instructions for most models:

1. On the remote control, press the Settings button.
2. Go to Device Preferences (or Device Settings in Russian).
3. Select About (About the device).
4. Find the System Update and click on it.
5. In the window that opens, uncheck the Automatic updates box.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with Android TV 12 (e.g. Xiaomi) TV Q2 2023) disabling auto-updates may reset after restarting. ADB Or roll back the firmware to an earlier version.

💡

If the TV still tries to install updates after turning them off, try to shut down the Internet for 10-15 minutes during the expected update time (usually at night), which can interrupt the download process.

Method 4: Complete disabling via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on the POCO F4 GT or Xiaomi 12T Pro with custom firmware), you can block the update service via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the device to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).

ADB Tools

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

(Your device should show up with a serial number. If not, check the drivers or cable.)

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater

This command disables the Updater system application responsible for updates.

To get it back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.updater

Xiaomi TVs will have a similar command, but instead of com.android.updater, you may need to specify com.xiaomi.mitv.updater (check with adb shell pm list packages | grep update).

Method 5: Manually remove update files (for power users)

If the update is already downloaded but not installed, it can be manually removed through the file manager, a method that is suitable for smartphones and TVs, but requires caution - accidentally deleting system files can lead to crashes.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /data/ota_package/ or /cache/
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (e.g, miui_*.zip).
4. Clear /cache/recovery/ from update.zip files.
5. Reset the device.

For Xiaomi TVs, the path may be different:

/data/data/com.xiaomi.mitv.updater/files/

or

/cache/recovery/block.map

After deleting files, it is also recommended to clear the cache of the MIUI Update application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Update.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.

Option 2: Blocking via Fastboot (advanced method)

If the device is stuck on the MI logo or in recovery mode, you can try:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open ADB.
2. Transfer the device to fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
3. Run the command: fastboot reboot or (if it doesn't help): fastboot reboot recovery

Option 3: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the update has resulted in critical failures (e.g., the device is not turning on or is permanently restarted), a complete reset may be required.

1. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume and power buttons).
3. After reset, the device will return to the factory firmware (possibly an older version).

Important: the reset will delete all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps, and if you had Mi Cloud enabled, some of the data can be restored after authorization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about auto updates on Xiaomi