Updated Xiaomi phone – how to return everything back: 5 proven ways to roll back firmware

Updating the firmware on Xiaomi should make it work better, but sometimes instead of optimizing, users get bugs, brakes or an uncomfortable interface. If after upgrading MIUI your Redmi, POCO or Mi started to work worse, don't panic. You can bring back the old firmware version in several ways, and we will discuss each of them in detail.

In this article, you'll find instructions for scenarios ranging from simple reset via Recovery to manually stitching through Fastboot. It's important to understand that the rollback process depends on the phone model, current MIUI, and even the firmware region. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with a global version, the algorithm will be different from the Redmi Note 10 on Chinese firmware. We've taken these nuances into account and prepared universal solutions.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Phone model (find in Settings) → The phone. → It's the choice of firmware.
• 🔢 Version MIUI (You need to know the current and target version.
• 🔒 bootloader status. On new Xiaomi models, it's locked, and you'll need to unlock it to roll back.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback will reset all data on the phone if you don't use backup. Make backup photos, contacts and apps via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud.

1. Method: Recovery rollback (without PC)

The easiest method is to use a built-in Recovery, which is suitable if:

• 📲 The phone is turned on and loaded into the system.
• 🔄 You've been updated by air" (OTA) You want to go back to the previous version.
• 🔓 The bootloader is not locked (on older models until 2021).

This is the official.zip firmware for your model, which can be downloaded from en.miui.com (select Recovery ROM). Pay attention to the region: if you have Global, don't install China, which can block the network.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware to your phone or memory card (folder) downloaded_rom automatically created by the root of the storage).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
4. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
5. After the reboot, the phone will return to the old version of MIUI.

Download the correct version of the firmware (Recovery ROM)

Check the battery (minimum 50%)

Move the firmware to the folder downloaded_rom

Disable Mi Account protection (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security)

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If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after the reboot, try logging into Recovery manually:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi Bunny logo appears.
3. Select Install update.zip to System (Management – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models 2022-2026 (e.g. Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi) 13T) This method may not work because of the downgrade lockdown.

2. Method: Manual stitching through Fastboot (from PC)

If you can't roll back through Recovery, you'll have to use Fastboot mode, which is universal, but requires a computer, a USB Type-C cable, and an unlocked bootloader. On new Xiaomi models, the bootloader is locked by default, and you need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11) Linux.
• 🔌 The original cable. USB (Don’t use cheap Chinese cables – they can interrupt the firmware).
• 📦 Fastboot Firmware Archive ROM For your model (download only from the official website!).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if the phone is new).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MiFlash\rom).
2. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, specify the path to the firmware folder and press Refresh (the phone must be determined).
6. Select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
7. Press Flash and wait until the end (usually 5-10 minutes).

Critical error: If an Anti-rollback check fail message appears during firmware, it means you are trying to install an older version. MIUI. In such cases, only the firmware through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

3. Method: Recovery from backup

If you backup your system through Mi Cloud or local backup before upgrading, you can return the system to its previous state without firmware, which saves data, but doesn't work on all versions of MIUI.

How to recover from the backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
2. Select the backup made before the update (note the date!).
3. Click Restore and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone.

If there is no local backup, try recovering from the Mi Cloud:

1. Sign in to your Xiaomi account.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
3. Select the device and backup date, then click Restore.

Recovery from the backup

Firmware through Recovery

Fastboot firmware with PC

Contacting the service center

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⚠️ Recovery from Mi Cloud may not return version MIUI, It's just app data and settings. It's not a good way to roll back the firmware completely.

4. Method: Using Custom Recovery (TWRP)

For power users, there is a variant with the installation of TWRP, a custom recavator that allows you to flash through any version of MIUI, including downgrade. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for models where the official methods do not work.

Advantages of TWRP:

• 🔧 Ability to sew informal firmware and modifications.
• 📦 Creating a complete backup system (Nandroid backup).
• 🔄 Bypassing the limitations of the antirollback (on some models).

How to Switch TWRP and Reverse MIUI:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the Xiaomi website).
2. Download TWRP for your model (.img format).
3. Install ADB and Fastboot on your PC (for example, through Android Studio).
4. Connect your phone to Fastboot and type in the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-alioth.img (replace alioth with your model's code name).
5. Download to TWRP: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-alioth.img.
6. In TWRP, select Install and run the desired version of MIUI (.zip format).

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Before you run TWRP, make a full backup of the current system in the backup button, which will save your data if something goes wrong.

List of code names of popular Xiaomi models:

• Redmi Note 10 Pro — sweet
• Xiaomi 11T Pro — vili
• POCO F3 — alioth
• Xiaomi 12 — cupid

5. Method: Contacting the service center

If the self-rollback seems too difficult or the phone after a failed firmware does not turn on ("brick"), it is better to contact the official Xiaomi service.

When to go to the service:

• 🔴 The phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo after firmware.
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked and you can’t unlock it (for example, due to an account link).
• 📵 Anti-rollback error appears and other methods don’t help.
• 🛠️ We need to rebuild. IMEI or serial number after a failed firmware.

How much does it cost?

To find the nearest Xiaomi service center, go to the website mi.com/ru/service/location Check by phone before you visit to see if they're firmware, and some centers specialize in iron repair.

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The official service is the only legal way to roll back firmware on phones with a locked bootloader and anti-rollback.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you roll back firmware, you often have typical problems, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to solve them:

Error 1: Phone not visible in Mi Flash Tool

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Use the original Xiaomi cable).
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers USB Driver and disable driver signatures in Windows.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone, then reconnect.

Error 2: Anti-rollback check fail

• 📵 That means you're trying to flash a version older than the acceptable one.
• 🔧 The only solution is to run through the EDL (Requires authorization from Xiaomi).

Error 3: phone is stuck on startup MI logo after firmware

• 🔄 Try to go to Recovery (Loudness Up). + Power) and make Wipe data.
• 📱 If it doesn’t work, run your phone over Fastboot.

Error 4: Unable to unlock the bootloader

• 🔓 Make sure your Mi Account is linked to your phone and synced.
• ⏳ Wait 7-15 days after the account is tied (on new models Xiaomi has a wait).
• 📶 Use a stable Internet connection (better cable).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions