How to prevent Xiaomi from updating firmware: methods of blocking OTA

Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is often accompanied by regular notifications of new versions of the operating system. Although developers position this as an improvement in security and functionality, in practice, automatic installation of OTA (Over-The-Air) packages can bring more problems than benefits.

That is why the question of how to prevent Xiaomi from updating firmware remains a topical issue for the enthusiastic community: Forced updates can block the bootloader or remove root rights without your consent, making preventive system protections necessary. In this article, we will examine proven ways to isolate the system updater from the company’s servers.

There are several layers of protection, from simple menu settings to deep editing of system files, and the specific method you choose depends on your version of MIUI or HyperOS, and whether you have superuser rights, and let's look at what update mechanisms the system uses and how to effectively neutralize them.

Why you should block automatic MIUI updates

Many users ignore the potential risks until they face them in person. Auto updates often happen in the background when the phone is connected to Wi-Fi and is charging, which can lead to a situation where you pick up a device and it is already rebooted by the new version's installation failure.

The main reason for blocking is to keep the current build stable. If your system is working perfectly, there is no point in risking a raw release that may contain critical errors.

Here are the main reasons why you should disable this function:

• 🚀 Maintaining performance: New shells are often heavier than previous ones, which slows down iron.
• 🔒 Root rights protection: Update almost guaranteed to remove access to superuser and reset modifications.
• 📉 Savings in traffic and battery: Background loading of bulk packages consumes resources even without the owner’s knowledge.

Regional features are also worth considering: Global firmware versions sometimes get features later than Chinese ones, or vice versa, some services are lost, and locking allows you to stay on the version that is time-tested and convenient for you.

Disabling notifications in the Updater app

The first and easiest step that is available to every user without the need for special permissions is to set up the update application itself, and while this does not provide a 100% guarantee of protection against forced installation, it significantly reduces the likelihood of an accidental start of the process.

To start, you need to find the standard System Update (or MIUI bootloader) application, which is usually hidden in the Tools folder or located in the back of the settings menu. Open it and click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.

In the drop-down menu, select Settings, and you will find a list of options related to how the system behaves when new versions are released.

• 🔕 Receive notifications: move the switch to an inactive position.
• ⏰ Background boot: forbid the system from downloading packages without your knowledge.
• 🌙 Scheduled Installation: Make sure the night installation function is turned off.

⚠️ Note: These settings only work within the application. the system process updater can ignore these flags when critical security updates or when resetting the application settings.

After changing the settings, it is recommended to clear the data of the application itself. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find System Update and click Clean → Clear Everything. This will reset the check timers for the new version.

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After cleaning the update application data, do not reopen it for 24 hours to prevent the server from being re-checked.

Blocking through Wi-Fi and mobile network settings

The Android operating system and MIUI shell have built-in background limiting mechanisms to save traffic, and you can use them to your advantage by denying the update app access to the Internet.

This method is effective because without a server connection, it is physically impossible to download firmware, but it requires manual adjustment for each type of connection. First, set the limit for mobile data.

Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Search System Update (may be called MIUI Updater) in the list. Click Data Use. Here you will see switches for Wi-Fi and Mobile Data. Turn off both.

Now, the system can't connect to the server either via SIM card or wireless network, but here's the caveat: when you connect to a new Wi-Fi router, the system can request permission again, so it's worth combining this with others.

You can also use Traffic Saving mode. In the access point settings or in the task manager, find a list of applications that are allowed to run in the background. Remove the system updaters from there.

Editing the hosts file to lock servers

The most reliable software method is to block domain names of update servers at the operating system level. DNS-request.

To implement this method, you will need Root (superuser) rights and any file manager with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer or the Root Explorer. MT Manager. The file is on its way. /system/etc/hosts.

Open the edit file and add the following lines at the end. These addresses belong to Xiaomi servers responsible for checking and downloading firmware:

127.0.0.1 update.miui.com


127.0.0.1 update.intl.miui.com




127.0.0.1 http.res.miui.com




127.0.0.1 api.sec.miui.com

After adding the lines, be sure to save the file and check the permissions. the hosts file must have rw-r rights.--r-- (If the rights change, the system may not read the changes or, conversely, block the download.

⚠️ Note: If you miss the syntax of the hosts file or have incorrect access rights, you may have problems connecting to other services. MIUI, including cloud synchronization or theme.

The effectiveness of the method is that when you try to check the updates, the phone receives a response "localhost" instead of the real one. IP-So the connection just doesn't get established.

Using ADB to disable the system component

If you don’t have Root rights but you do have a computer, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which allows you to freeze or completely remove the system update application for the current user.

First, you need to activate USB debugging mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version 7 times. You will see a message saying "You are a developer." Then turn on USB Debugging in the Advanced Settings menu.

Connect the phone to your PC, install drivers and ADB. In the command line, type the following command to disable the component:

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

Once the command is executed, the application icon will disappear and the background process will stop running. The system will “think” that the application is deleted, although the files will physically remain on the disk.

To get it back to the way it was, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.updater

This method is considered one of the most secure, as it does not change the system partition /system, but only changes the status of the package for the user.

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The ADB method does not require Root rights and is reversible, making it an ideal choice for ordinary users who are afraid of damaging the system.

Comparison of methods of blocking updates

The choice of method depends on your technical training and goals. Simply turning off notifications only gives a temporary effect, while editing hosts or using ADB provides long-term protection.

The table below compares the main characteristics of the methods considered:

For most users, a combination of methods would be best: limiting traffic plus disabling notifications, and advanced users who value full control would choose hosts or ADB editing.

Remember that blocking updates completely means you won’t receive security patches, which can make your device vulnerable when using public Wi-Fi networks or installing apps from unverified sources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)