How to cancel the update of the application on Xiaomi Redmi: rollback version, block updates and error solving

Application updates on Xiaomi Redmi often bring not only new features, but also bugs, increased battery consumption or incompatibility with other programs. What if the application becomes worse after the update and automatic update is turned on by default? In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to cancel updates, from standard settings to technical solutions for experienced users.

Many people face the problem of Google Play or MIUI forcing apps to update without asking permission, for example, after updating WhatsApp or Facebook, support for old features may disappear, and games begin to slow down on weak Redmi models (for example, Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 8 Pro). Fortunately, you can roll back changes or block updates in several ways - choose the right one depending on your situation.

If you are not sure about your actions, never interrupt the process of updating system applications (for example, Mi Security or Mi Account) - this can lead to a failure of MIUI and the need to completely reset your settings. For regular programs from the Play Market, the risks are minimal, but still require caution.

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1.Cancel the update via Google Play settings

The easiest way to return a previous version of an app is to use the built-in Google Play tools, which works for most programs other than system ones (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music) that are updated via MIUI Updater.

To roll back the app:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find the right app through search.
3. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates (if the option is active).

If there is no Remove Updates button, the app does not support rollback through the Play Market, in which case you will have to use alternative methods (see the following sections).

• ✅ It works for most of the apps on Google Play.
• ❌ Not available for system programs MIUI.
• ⚠️ After rollback, the application can be updated again automatically if you do not disable this option.

2.Blocking automatic updates

To prevent the re-update, you need to disable automatic updates, which can be done for individual programs, and globally for all applications.

For a separate annex:

1. Open Google Play → Find the app.
2. Slip on three points → Auto Update settings.
3. Choose Not to Update Automatically.

For all applications:

1. Go to Google Play Settings → Auto Update apps.
2. Choose Never or Only via Wi-Fi (if you want to control the process).

On some firmware MIUI (Especially on Redmi for the Chinese market, the auto-update option may be hidden. ADB-team:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command redirects the installation of applications to SD-card (if any) that sometimes blocks automatic updates, but it doesn't work on all devices.

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3. Pushback through APK-file (manual installation of the old version)

If the standard rollback did not work, you can manually install the previous version of the application through APK-This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires downloading files from third-party sources.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the old version of APK from a trusted site (for example, APKMirror or APKPure).
2. Before installing, remove the current version of the application (or simply install it on top if the system allows downgrade).
3. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications.
4. Install the downloaded APK and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK If a malware alert appears after installation, delete the application and check the file with an antivirus (for example, Dr.Web or Malwarebytes).

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4.Use of ADB for Forced Backtracking

For system applications (e.g. Mi Gallery, Mi Calculator) standard methods do not work, in which case Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a debugging tool that allows you to manage applications at a low level will help.

To roll back the system application:

1. Install ADB on your computer (you can download from the official Android website).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find it through App Inspector or the adb shell pm list packages command).

This command removes updates only for the current user (--user 0), After the restart, the app will return to the factory version.

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If you don't know the batch name of the application, use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword word." For example, for Mi Browser, grep browser is suitable for you.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. Mi Security or Mi Account) are protected from rollbacks. Forced change can result in bootloop.

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5. Undo the update via MIUI Optimization (for firmware with unlocked bootloader)

On custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU or LineageOS) and unlocked Redmi, you can use MIUI Optimization to manage updates. This method requires root rights and installed Magisk.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk and MIUI Optimization module via Magisk Manager.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → MIUI Optimization
3. Find the App Updates section and turn off automatic updates for the apps you want.
4. For forced rollback, use the Downgrade App option (not available for all versions of the module).

This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and can potentially disrupt the stability of the system. MIUI Global/China module MIUI Optimization will not work.

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Using MIUI Optimization allows you not only to roll back applications, but also to customize hidden MIUI features such as animations, performance and access to experimental options.

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6. Solving problems after rollback

When you cancel the update, you may experience errors: the application does not open, issues a packet analysis error message, or constantly requests an update.

• 🔄 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Reinstall: Remove the app completely and install it again (preferably the same version).
• 🔧 Reset rights: If the app requires new permissions, reset them to Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🛠️ Compatibility check: Make sure the old version supports your firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 may not work with APK for MIUI 12).

If the application is still updated after rollback, check:

1. Google Play Settings (see Section 2).
2. Auto-update via MIUI Updater (relevant for system applications)
3. Work of third-party auto-updates (for example, APKUpdater or F-Droid).

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7. Alternative methods: disabling Google and MIUI services

If nothing works, you can radically block updates by disabling the relevant services, a method that is suitable for users who are willing to sacrifice some functionality for stability.

Turning off Google Play Services for a specific application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Permissions.
2. Turn off permissions associated with updates (such as Install Packets or Run in the background).

The following is the MIUI Battery Saver:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy Saving.
2. Select the application you want to block the updates for.
3. Activate the option to limit background activity.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services may disrupt other applications that depend on Google services (e.g. Gmail, YouTube or Google Maps.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about canceling updates on Xiaomi Redmi