Application updates on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO often bring not only new features, but also bugs, brakes or incompatibility with MIUI. If after the update of Google Play, the Store, Gallery or other system application became worse, it can be rolled back to the previous version. In this article, we will analyze all available methods from standard settings to the use of ADB and third-party tools.
The rollback of updates is especially relevant for owners of devices with older versions of MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 or MIUI 13), where new versions of applications may conflict with the firmware. It will also help if the features disappear after the update (for example, the camera has disappeared shooting modes) or the application begins to consume more battery. It is important to understand that not all methods are universal — some require unlocking the bootloader or root rights.
Before you start, make sure that the problem is with the app update, not the system failure. Try clearing the app cache through Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Storage → Clear the cache. If that doesn’t work, read on.
1. rollback through MIUI settings (no root)
The easiest way to return a previous version of the app is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works for most system applications (e.g. Camera, Gallery, Browser), but is not suitable for applications from Google Play (they need to roll back separately).
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the app you want (like the Camera) and tap it.
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates.
- Confirm the action – the application will return to the factory version.
⚠️ Note: This method will not work if the app has been updated through the Google Play Store (such as YouTube or Gmail.
Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)
Backup of the application data (if important)
Close the application before rolling back
Reboot your phone after the procedure-->
After rollback, the system application can automatically update again.
- Open Google Play Store → Profile → Settings → Auto-Update apps.
- Choose Do Not Update Automatically or Wi-Fi Only (if you want to control the process).
2. rollback of apps from Google Play
If the application was installed or updated through the Google Play Store, you can return the previous version in two ways: through the Play Store itself (if an option is available) or manually, downloading the previous version. APK-file.
Method 1: Google Play (if available)
- Open the Google Play Store and find the app you need.
- Tap it on three points (⋮) Next to the Update/Delete button.
- If you have the option to Remove Updates, select it. If you don't, go to Method 2.
Method 2: Manual installation of the old version (APK)
- Download the APK version from a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror).
- Before installing, delete the current version of the application (or clear the data through Settings → Apps).
- Install the downloaded APK by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
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Before installing an APK, check the hash file (MD5/SHA-1) on the source site to protect against fake or infected files.
⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From third-party sources, it may violate Google Play Protect and result in account blocking. Use only verified sites (e.g. APKMirror or APKPure).
3. rollback through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for system applications that can’t be rolled back through settings, but require a computer connection and USB debugging enabled.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, enter the rollback command (replace package.name to the name of the application package, for example, com.miui.gallery): adb shell pm install -r -d package.name
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, make sure you have an adb backup).
How to find out the name of the application package?
4. rollback via TWRP (root required)
If your Xiaomi has a custom recavator installed TWRP and unlocked bootloader, you can roll back the application through backup (nandroid backup) or manually replace APK-file.
Instructions:
- Download the APK of the desired version of the application (for example, with APKMirror).
- Reboot your phone to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
- Connect the device to your PC and copy the APK to /system/priv-app/[PackageName] or /system/app/[PackageName].
- Set the correct access rights: chmod 644 /system/priv-app/[PackageName]/[PackageName].apk
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly replacing system files can lead to bootloop.If you are not sure about your actions, use other methods.
Through MIUI settings
Through Google Play
With ADB
Through TWRP/Root
Never rolled back.-->
5. Use of third-party utilities (App Cloner, Titanium Backup)
If the previous methods do not work, you can use specialized utilities, for example:
- 📱 App Cloner – allows you to create a copy of an application with a different version (requires root for system applications).
- 🔄 Titanium Backup – saves and restores versions of apps (root users only).
- 🛠️ APK Extractor - extracts APK Current version for backup.
Examples of Titanium Backup:
- Install the utility and provide root access.
- Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
- Select Restore and specify the date of the backup with the desired version.
Important: Applications recovered through Titanium Backup may conflict with MIUI if their system dependencies have been updated, in which case only a complete firmware rollback will help.
Comparison of rollback methods
| Method | Need root? | Suitable for | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI settings | ❌ No. | System applications | ⭐ | Minimum |
| Google Play | ❌ No. | Apps from the Play Store | ⭐⭐ | Auto-update |
| ADB | ❌ No (but I need debugging) | System and user applications | ⭐⭐⭐ | System failure in case of error |
| TWRP | ✅ Yes. | Any applications | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Bootloop with an error |
| Titanium Backup | ✅ Yes. | Any applications | ⭐⭐⭐ | Dependency conflicts |
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For most users, the first two methods (MIUI or Google Play settings) are sufficient. ADB and TWRP should only be used if you are confident in your actions or other methods have not worked.
What if the pullback didn't help?
If the application still does not work correctly after rollback, the problem may be more serious:
- 🔧 Conflict with MIUI — Some applications (e.g. Camera or Calls) are tightly integrated into the system, in which case only the rollback of the firmware or the installation of custom (e.g. LineageOS) will help).
- 📱 Damaged Data – Try resetting the app’s settings through Settings → Annexes → [Annex] → Warehouse → Drop it.
- 🔄 Auto Update – Disable it in the Google Play Store or through ADB: adb shell dumpsys device_idle whitelist +com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the package name).
If none of the methods worked, consider resetting to factory settings (don’t forget to back up!).In extreme cases, reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the official Xiaomi website).