Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation when the system application starts to work incorrectly after an automatic update. Gallery is one of the key components of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, which is responsible not only for viewing, but also for basic editing of images. When the new version contains errors, the user may notice a slowdown in the interface, the disappearance of albums or the inability to open certain file formats.
An important technical nuance is that standard system tools, such as the Remove button in the settings, cannot completely erase the system application. Android blocks the removal of critical components for stability. However, there is a proven method of removing updates that returns the application to the factory version that existed at the time of purchase of the device or the last firmware reflash.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for rolling back the Gallery version, which can be restored through both the hidden settings menu and the computer, and the method depends on whether the application menu on your device is blocked by the manufacturer.
Why the new version of the gallery may not work well
Xiaomi developers regularly release security patches and new features, but testing on a huge fleet of devices is not always perfect. Often it happens that optimization for a particular model of the processor or screen resolution is not performed correctly, as a result, the system cache is filled with erroneous data, and the interface begins to “freeze” when you flip through photos.
Another cause of problems is the conflict of versions. If you only updated the Gallery app but didn't update the MIUI firmware itself, there may be a malfunction in the libraries, especially for devices that don't already receive full system updates, but continue to receive app updates through the GetApps store.
⚠️ Note: Before any manipulation of system components, we strongly advise you to back up important photos. Although the rollback process is usually safe, the risk of data loss when working with system files always exists.
Users also complain about ads or redundant permissions after an update, and the new version may request geolocation or contacts that were not previously required, and returning to the previous build often resolves these privacy issues and returns a familiar, clean interface.
Preparation of the device for the rollback procedure
Before you start technical actions, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, this minimizes risks and ensures the successful completion of the procedure. First of all, check the battery power: it should be at least 50-60%.
It is also important to understand that the process of removing updates will only affect the settings and cache of the application itself. Your personal photos stored in internal memory or on the SD card will remain intact. However, thumbnails and facial recognition data can be deleted, so the application will take time to re-index.
☑️ Preparing for removal of updates
It is recommended to disable automatic updates of applications in the GetApps store for the duration of work. This will prevent the system from loading the problematic version in the background again immediately after your successful rollback, you can do this in the store settings in the "Auto-App Update" section.
Method 1: Recoil through the application settings menu
The easiest and safest way most users can find is that you don't need to connect to a computer. It works unless the manufacturer has blocked this feature in a particular firmware version. First, go to your smartphone's Settings menu and find the Apps section, then select All Apps.
In the list that opens, look for the Gallery app. Note that it may be simply called "Gallery" or be system-named com.miui.gallery. Click on it to open the app information page. Here we're interested in a button or menu with three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
In the drop-down menu, select Remove Updates. The system will request confirmation of the action, warning that all application data will be deleted. Once confirmed, the process will begin, which will take a few seconds, and the device will return to the factory version of the component.
| Action. | Expected output | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Click "Delete Updates" | Return to the factory version | Minimum |
| Clearing the data | Resetting the view settings | The "Favorites" albums will be lost |
| Forced stopping | Temporary resetting of the process | No. |
| Removal of updates (gray) | Function locked. | ADB is required |
If the Gallery opens and works correctly after the procedure, the problem is solved. However, in many modern versions of HyperOS and new MIUIs, this item may not be available or hidden, in which case the button will be inactive or the item will be missing from the menu.
What to do if the “Remove Updates” button is grey?
Method 2: Using ADB for forced removal
If the standard path is closed, Android Debug Bridge comes to the rescue (ADB). It's a powerful debugging tool that allows you to manage the system at a deep level. You'll need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux), USB-First, you need to activate the developer mode: seven times click on the build number in the About Phone menu.
In the menu Advanced settings or additionally enable debugging over USB. When connecting your smartphone to your PC, confirm the debugging permission in the pop-up window on your phone screen. Next, download the Platform Tools package from the official Google website and unpack it.
Open the command line in the ADB folder and enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is determined, you can proceed to deletion. For the Xiaomi Gallery, the batch name com.miui.gallery is used. The command to remove updates is as follows:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.galleryThis command does not remove the application completely (which is impossible without root rights), but removes its updates for the current user, effectively returning the factory version. After completing the command, restart the device. The gallery should work normally.
⚠️ Be extremely careful when typing commands. Removing the wrong package (such as a system launcher or security service) can cause a smartphone to fail (bootloop).
Alternative solutions and third-party galleries
If neither method worked, or the factory version of the Gallery also works unstable, it makes sense to consider alternatives.The Android market offers a plethora of great media viewing apps that often run faster and have richer functionality than standard solutions.
One of the best options is Google Photos, which is pre-installed on many devices and syncs perfectly with the cloud, and Simple Gallery Pro (or its forks since the original was sold) and A+ Gallery, which are lightweight, ad-free and support all modern formats.
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Use the third-party gallery as the default app, and the standard one simply hide or disable via ADB if it continues to cause system crashes.
To install a third-party application by default, go to Settings → Apps → Application settings (three dots in the corner) → Default Apps. Select Gallery and specify the installed application. Now, when you open a photo from other programs, you will use the viewer of your choice.
Preventing problems with updates
To avoid similar situations in the future, set up automatic updates more flexibly. In the GetApps store, you can turn off auto-update for system applications or configure the update only via Wi-Fi so you can first check reviews of the new version on the Internet.
Regularly cleaning the cache also helps maintain stability. Once a month, go to the Gallery's storage settings and clear the cache. This will not delete your photos, but will remove temporary files that may have been damaged or taken up extra space.
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The stability of the Gallery depends on the firmware version, and if the bugs are critical, it is sometimes easier to wait for a global system update than to fight a separate application.
Also keep an eye on the device. When internal memory is over 90% full, system processes, including photo indexing, start to malfunction, and releasing even 1-2 GB can significantly speed up media content.