How to roll back an app update on Xiaomi: a complete guide with working methods

Why App Updates Sometimes Have Problems

App updates should improve their performance, but in practice, users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often face the opposite effect: new versions can contain bugs, slow down the interface or remove familiar features, especially for system applications like Mi Browser, Security or Gallery, which are closely integrated into MIUI and are not always properly updated through Google Play.

Owners of MIUI 12-14 devices often complain about:

• 🔄 Halts after system utilities update (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter)
• 📱 Black screen when you run updated applications (typical for the POCO Launcher)
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to background activity of new versions
• 🚫 Blocking features (for example, the disappearance of options in Mi Home after the update)

Fortunately, you can roll back the update on Xiaomi in several ways - from a simple reset through settings to manually installing the old version through ADB. Next, we will analyze all the methods, including the nuances for different versions of MIUI and smartphone models.

Method 1: Recoil through application settings (without root)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Android tools.It works for most custom apps (like Facebook, Instagram), but is not always available for MIUI system utilities.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the problem app in the list and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: This method will not work if:

• 🔒 The application is system (for example, com.miui.home - launcher).
• 📦 The update was installed manually (not through Google Play). APK).
• 🔄 The device has disabled the option to Allow removal of updates (relevant for some firmware) MIUI Global).

Method 2: Manual installation of the old version of APK

If the standard reset did not help, you can manually install the previous version of the application through APK-This method is suitable even for system utilities, but requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the old version of APK from a reliable source (e.g. APKMirror) and make sure it is compatible with your Xiaomi model and MIUI version.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Install Unknown Applications → Select a browser / file manager → Allow
3. Remove the current version (if possible) or simply install the downloaded APK on top of it.
4. Turn off automatic updates in Google Play: Google Play → Profile → Application management → Find the app → ⋮ → Turn off auto-update

🔹 Important for system applications: If you roll back com.miui.gallery or com.miui.securitycenter, you may need to restart the device after installing the older version. MIUI automatically updates system utilities to the current version - then you will have to repeat the process or use ADB.

Method 3: Recoil through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed and the application is critical (e.g., Mi Home for smart home management), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Execute commands in the terminal (replace com.example.app with the application package): adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword" # Find the exact adb shell pm uninstall package -k --user 0 com.example.app # Remove updates for current adb install user old_version.apk # Install the old version

⚠️ Attention: Adb uninstall teams -k Remove updates only for the current user without affecting system files. However, for some applications (for example, com.miui.home), this can cause a launcher failure.

💡

To find a system application package, use the command adb shell pm list packages -s (flag -s shows system only).

Method 4: Resetting the application settings to factory

If rollback doesn't help and the app continues to malfunction, try resetting it. This won't remove the updates, but will return the configuration to the default state, which sometimes solves performance problems.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App].
2. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
3. If available, select Settings Reset (some apps, such as Mi Browser, support this option).

🔹 Consequences: Be prepared for the fact that:

• 📁 All local application data (such as bookmarks in the browser or Mi Home settings) will be deleted.
• 🔑 You may need to log in again to your account (e.g., Google or Mi Account).
• ⚙️ Some features may temporarily run unstable until the next restart.

Method 5: Completely reset the device (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and the application is critical to work (e.g., com.xiaomi.finddevice for finding the device), the last option is a factory reset, which will return all system applications to the original version, but delete all user data.

How to reset:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader unlocked, a reset may result in Mi Account being blocked. Make sure you remember the username and password from your Xiaomi account, otherwise the phone will turn into a brick".

💡

Factory reset is a nuclear option, only use it if other methods have failed and you are ready to lose all the data on the device.

Table: Compatibility of methods with application types

FAQ: Frequent questions about rollback updates on Xiaomi