Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive updates that can significantly affect the autonomy of the device and take up free space in memory. Sudden installation of a new version of MIUI or HyperOS sometimes leads to a decrease in performance, the appearance of bugs or changes in the familiar interface, which is especially critical for users who value stability.
Stopping the update process requires a comprehensive approach, as developers have several mechanisms to check and download new firmware versions. There is no simple switch in the settings menu for this, because the company is interested in distributing current software to the entire user base. However, using hidden application settings, system restrictions and network locks, you can effectively isolate the smartphone from the update servers.
In this article, we will look at all the available methods: from simple actions in the application menu to advanced methods of blocking through the hosts file and the hosts file. ADB-Warning: Disabling system updates makes it impossible for your device to receive fixes for critical security vulnerabilities, so weigh all risks before starting the procedure.
Why you should turn off automatic MIUI updates
The MIUI Updater automatic update system runs in the background, periodically checking for new firmware versions, which results in constant Internet traffic consumption even if you are not using the device at the moment. In addition, background verification processes can cause micro-twitching of the interface and increase the response time of the system, which is especially noticeable in mid- and low-end models.
Often, new versions of the shell contain not only improvements, but also new advertising features or changes in the logic of the system that may not please the user. Xiaomi is known for its policy of aggressive implementation of services, and it is extremely difficult or impossible to roll back to the previous version of MIUI without a complete firmware reflash. Blocking updates allows you to lock the system in a state that fully suits the owner.
⚠️ Note: By disabling updates, you take responsibility for data security. If a critical vulnerability is found in the current firmware version, your phone will remain defenseless against potential attacks until the patch is manually installed.
Another reason is to keep the space free: update cache and downloaded firmware packs can take up 2 to 5 GB of storage, which is critical for devices with a small amount of internal storage, and cleaning this data after each notification is time-consuming, it is easier to block the mechanism of their occurrence once.
Basic setting: disabling notifications and auto downloads
The first step to isolating the update system is to configure the MIUI Updater app itself, which doesn’t block the checkout completely, but removes visual reminders and the ban on automatic packet loading, a method that is suitable for those who want to just stop seeing annoying notifications.
To start, you need to find the application in the installed program list, often hidden in the Tools or System Apps folder. Open it, go to the settings menu (three dots in the upper right corner) and select Update Settings, where you need to uncheck the box from Auto Update and Notify Updates.
☑️ Application settings Updates
Next, limit the background activity of the application. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find System Update (or MIUI Updater). Go to Battery or Power Consumption and select No Limits mode (so that the system doesn’t kill the process if you want to control it manually), or vice versa, limit background activity if your goal is to completely ignore it.
It is also recommended to disable notifications for this system component.In the app information menu, find the Notifications section and disable any alerts.This will hide the pop-ups about the availability of a new version, but will not stop the server itself from checking when the application is opened.
The method of blocking through the Hosts file (for advanced users)
A more radical and effective way is to block the smartphone from accessing update servers at the network level, using the hosts system file, which is more important than the previous one. DNS-Adding Xiaomi server addresses to the servers will make the phone think that there are no servers, and the request for an update will not pass.
To edit the hosts file, you will need root rights or the use of specialized applications such as AdAway (requires root) or rootless methods through the hosts file. DNS-If you have root access, the file is on the way. /system/etc/hosts. You need to add the following lines to the end of the file:
127.0.0.1 update.miui.com
127.0.0.1 update.intl.miui.com
127.0.0.1 api.miui.security.xiaomi.com
127.0.0.1 updater.miui.comAfter adding lines, the file must be saved and restarted, and this method is the most reliable for locking. OTA-updates, but requires caution when editing system files, as the error can lead to network connection problems.
If root rights are not available, you can use the application “Personal” DNS Filter or analogues: In the settings of such an application, you need to add the same domains to the block list of hosts (Blocklist). VPN-A tunnel that will filter traffic and cut connections to update servers.
Using ADB to hide a system application
The cleanest way to do this, which doesn't require root rights and doesn't change system files, is to freeze or hide the update component through USB debugging (ADB). The computer sends a command to the smartphone that disables the update package for the current user. The system continues to work, but the buttons and update functions disappear.
For this you will need a PC, USB-cable and the installed platform Platform Tools (ADB). On the phone, turn on “Developer Mode” (7 times click on the build number in “About Phone”) and activate “Debugging by phone” USB». Connect your phone to your PC and enter the next command in the terminal:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updaterThe command com.android.updater may differ on different versions of the firmware, sometimes used com.miui.updater. Once the command is executed, the update icon will disappear from the menu, and in the settings the update item will become inactive or disappear. This completely eliminates the possibility of accidental start of the process.
⚠️ Note: To get it back, use the command adb shell pm enable com.android.updater. Do not delete the application completely if you are not sure of your actions, it is better to use the command disable-user.
List of package names for different versions of MIUI
Comparison of methods of blocking updates
The choice of method depends on your technical skills and the availability of root rights. Simply disabling notifications is only a cosmetic measure, whereas blocking through hosts or ADB gives a real result. Below is a table that helps you choose the best option for your situation.
| Method | Difficulty | Root's right. | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabling notifications | Low. | Not necessary. | Low (notifications only) |
| Traffic limit (MB) | Low. | Not necessary. | Medium (only mobile data) |
| Hosts file | Tall. | Desired. | High (blocks Wi-Fi and LTE) |
| ADB (hiding) | Medium | Not necessary. | Maximum (complete shutdown of the function) |
Combining methods gives you a better result, for example, you can turn off notifications in the settings and further restrict the background data transfer for the update application in the section “Data Transfer”, which will create a double barrier that is difficult for the system to overcome automatically.
Restriction of background data transmission
Another effective folk method that works on all versions of Android without exception is a ban on data transfers for the system update application, and if the application does not have access to the Internet, it will not be physically able to check for a new firmware or download it.
Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use → Mobile Application Data Use (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI). Go to System Update and uncheck the “Mobile Data” and “Wi-Fi” boxes. It is also recommended to disable the “Background Mode” option.
The good thing about this method is that it's reversible and secure. You can allow access at any time if you decide to upgrade manually, but if you connect to an open Wi-Fi network that your phone believes is trusted, the lock may not work if you don't turn off access for Wi-Fi, too.
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Use Traffic Saving mode in your mobile network settings. Add System Update to the exception list for savings if this option is available in your firmware version to ensure locking.
Possible risks and consequences of disconnection
The user who decides to block updates completely must understand the consequences: the main thing is the absence of security patches. In the world of mobile OS vulnerabilities are found regularly, and ignoring updates leaves holes in the protection of personal data, banking applications and passwords.
The second risk is app compatibility: Over time, popular software developers (banks, instant messengers) may stop supporting older versions of Android or require certain system libraries that come only with a firmware update. Xiaomi may also block some services from running on too old versions of MIUI.
The third aspect is the accumulation of errors. If your current version has a camera or communication module bug, it's not going anywhere. Updates often contain hotfixes that fix critical errors that affect the stability of the iron, and by turning them off, you preserve the device in its current state with all its problems.