How to permanently ban updates on Xiaomi devices: phones, TVs and smart watches

Automatic updates on Xiaomi devices are often a headache for users. Unexpected MIUI updates can reset, slow down your smartphone or even block access to favorite features. Especially a problem for owners of older models — for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T, where new firmware versions are unstable. But what if you want to keep the current version of the system and prohibit any changes?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable updates, from standard settings to hidden commands for power users, how to block updates on smartphones, Mi TVs, and even Mi Band smartwatches, and how to safely disable updates and minimize risks. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or the rights of a super user (root), so read the warnings carefully before actions.

Why Xiaomi is imposing updates and whether they can be completely removed

Xiaomi is actively promoting its ecosystem, and regular updates are part of that strategy, and here are the main reasons why it is pushing hard to introduce new versions:

• 🔄 Security: Closing Vulnerabilities in MIUI Android (although this often leads to new bugs).
• 📱 New features: Adding branded chips like HyperOS or an improved camera.
• 📊 Data collection: new software versions better integrated with Xiaomi Cloud services and advertising mechanisms.
• 🚀 Device support: artificially accelerating the ageing of older models (for example, Redmi 5 Plus stopped supporting after Android 9).

Can you completely ban updates without consequences? Technically yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ At the settings level - partially (the system will still check for updates).
• ✅ Through ADB root – almost completely, but with the risk of losing the guarantee.
• ❌ At the server level, it is impossible (Xiaomi controls firmware distribution).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling critical security updates (e.g., patches for vulnerabilities) CVE-2023-XXXX) It can make your device vulnerable to hacker attacks. If you store payment data or corporate mail on your phone, weigh the risks.

Method 1: Disable updates in standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap on the item MIUI Update (or System Update in HyperOS).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Settings.
4. Turn off the switches: 🔄 Automatic booting via Wi-Fi 📶 Automatic download via mobile network 🔔 Notifications of updates

Skip this update

This method does not block updates from being checked, but prevents them from automatically downloading and installing, and the system will still show a notification about a new firmware every 1-2 weeks.

Is automatic download over Wi-Fi disabled?

Is the notification of updates turned off?

Are there any active downloads in the background (check in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Update)

Important data is stored (in case of resetting)

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Method 2: Blocking through ADB (without root)

If standard settings don't work, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which doesn't require superuser rights, but you need to activate the Developer Mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap on MIUI Version 7 times. Enter the Mi Account password if necessary.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

ADB Tools

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified.

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


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




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

Once these commands are executed, system update services will be suspended until the next reboot. To make the lock permanent, add tasks to the autoboot via applications like MacroDroid or Tasker.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3 with HyperOS) disabling com.miui.systemAdSolution may cause malfunctions in the advertising module MIUI. If you notice lags in proprietary applications, return service with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.systemAdSolution

Standard settings of MIUI

ADB-team

Root methods

I've tried nothing.

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Method 3: Remove updates through root (for experienced)

If you have superuser rights, you can radically remove the components responsible for the updates, a method that is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk or SuperSU installed.

What needs to be done:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/Updater//system/app/Updater/ (the path may vary depending on the model).
3. Delete or rename files: Updater.apk Updater.odex (if any)

Reset the device.

After that, the system will stop checking for updates at all, but there are nuances:

• 🔧 On some firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU) the updater is integrated into the Settings.apk — Removing it will lead to a collapse of the settings.
• 🔄 After resetting to factory settings, files can be restored.
• 🚨 Xiaomi can lock the device if changes are detected in the system partition (the risk is minimal, but there is a risk of a device).

Method 4: Blocking updates on Mi TVs

Xiaomi’s smart TVs (Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1, Redmi Smart TV) also impose updates that can disrupt applications or change the interface, and are more difficult to turn off than on smartphones, but possible.

Options for action:

For Android TVs (such as Mi TV Stick), you can use the same method with ADB as you would for smartphones, but with different packages:

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

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If the TV has already started downloading the update, don't turn it off the outlet! this could damage the firmware. instead wait for the installation to be completed, then roll back through Recovery or block the updates in advance.

Method 5: Disable app updates in Google Play

Even if you block system updates, Google Play can automatically update apps, which is not always desirable, for example, newer versions of the Mi Home or Mi Fit may lose compatibility with older Xiaomi devices.

How to ban auto-updates:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar → Settings.
3. Select Network → Auto-Update Applications.
4. Set the value of Do not update automatically.
5. For individual applications (e.g. Mi Community): Find the app in the Play Market. Tap on three points → Turn off auto-update.

You can also block background activity of Google Play Services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services.
3. Select Mobile Data and Wi-Fi → Limit background activity.

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If you have disabled updates on a device older than 3 years (like the Redmi Note 7), be sure to keep an eye out for vulnerabilities. Sites like CVE Details publish threat lists for specific versions of Android.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling updates on Xiaomi