How to Remove an App Update on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Risks and Solutions

App updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often bring not only new features, but also unpleasant surprises: bugs, increased battery consumption or an uncomfortable interface. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide a built-in mechanism for rolling back updates through Google Play - the "Delete Updates" button is simply absent here. This is due to the MIUI security policy, where system applications are protected from accidental changes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods to return a previous version of the application to Xiaomi, including hidden shell functions, commands, and other methods. ADB, and even hand-mounted APK-It's important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which may take away your warranty. We will describe the risks of each method in detail and give recommendations on how to minimize the consequences.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Model of your device (settings in Settings) → Some methods don't work on the phone. POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 due to changes in the MIUI 14+.
• 🔒 The status of the loader. If it is blocked, the methods ADB will be limited.
• 📦 Availability of backup. Save application data through Settings → Annexes → [Name of the annex] → Backup.

If you're willing to take a risk, let's go. If you're not, consider alternatives like cleaning the cache or resetting the app (more on that in the last section).

1. Remove updates via “MIUI Settings” (without root)

The most secure method, but it only works for system applications (e.g. Camera, Gallery, Browser) is not suitable for third-party applications from Google Play.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to uninstall (such as Mi Video).
3. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) in the upper right corner and select “Delete updates»**.
4. Confirm action. The system will automatically return the factory version of the application.

⚠️ Attention: After restarting the device MIUI It might suggest updating the app again to avoid it:

• 🚫 Turn off automatic updates for this app on Google Play (go to the app page) → ⋮ → «Turn off auto-update»).
• 📵 Temporarily turn off the internet before launching the app to block the background download of updates.

Check the MIUI version (should be at least 12.5)

Create a backup copy of the application data

Turn off Wi-Fi/mobile data for the target application

Close all background processes through “Recently used”

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2. rollback through ADB (no root, but with the bootloader unlocked)

This method is suitable for remote system applications (for example, if you accidentally upgraded the Mi Home and it stopped working). ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn on the phone “Debugging by USB”** (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap on version → return to Settings → Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line (in the folder with ADB): Adb devices should appear your device.
4. Find out the name of the application package (for example, for the Camera it is com.android.camera). You can do this through the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name" Or use the App Inspector app from Google Play.
5. Do rollback: adb shell pm install -r -d --user 0 /system/priv-app/[NamePaketa].apk Note: the path to APK may be different - check it through adb shell ls /system/priv-app/.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong team ADB If the application disappears from the menu after completing the command, try restarting the phone in Safe Mode (Power button) → Click "Switch off power» → «Safe regime»).

3.Install the old version of APK manually

If previous methods didn’t work, you can download the old version of the app in.apk format and install it on top of the current one, which is suitable for any application, including third-party ones from Google Play.

Where to get APK:

• 🌐 APKCombo – Stores the version history of popular applications.
• 📦 APKMirror – a trusted source with signed files.
• 🔍 APKPure – an alternative with a wide catalog.

Important:

How to determine:

1. Download the correct version of APK to your phone.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → [App Name] and click “Delete”** (not “Delete Updates”, but completely remove!).
3. Open an APK file through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
4. Allow installation from unknown sources if a request arises.
5. After installation, turn off the automatic update in Google Play.

💡

Before installing an APK, check its hash (MD5) through VirusTotal to make sure the file has not been altered by malicious hackers.

4.Using Magisk and App Systemizer module (root required)

If your device has an unlocked bootloader and root rights (installed by Magisk), you can convert the user application to the system one, and then roll it back through ADB or MIUI. This method is suitable for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Install the App Systemizer module through Magisk Manager.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Open a terminal on your phone (e.g., Termux) and do su systemize -i [packet name] For example, for Google Chrome, it would be com.android.chrome.
4. After conversion, the application will become system-based and you can remove the updates through the MIUI Settings (as in the first method).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect conversion of applications to system can lead to:

• 🔄 Cyclical restart (bootloop) if the application conflicts with the system.
• 🚨 Data loss in the next update MIUI.
• 🛡️ Blocking Google services (e.g. Google Pay will stop working due to SafetyNet trigger).

💡

Magisk is only suitable for advanced users, and if you are not sure about your actions, use alternative methods or contact the XDA-Developers forums for help.

5. Reset application to factory settings (without data loss)

If the rollback fails but the app malfunctions, try resetting it. This won't bring back the old version, but it can fix bugs caused by the update.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the problem app.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”**.
4. If you have a “Reset” button, use it.
5. Reboot the phone.

What's it gonna do?

• ⚡ Delete temporary files that may have caused the crash.
• 🔄 Returns the application settings to the default values».
• 📱 It will not affect other data on the phone (photos, contacts, etc.).

If the reset didn’t work, consider installing an alternative app, for example, instead of a standard MIUI Camera, you can use Google Camera (GCam) from 4PDA forums.

6. Alternative solutions: what to do if nothing helps

If none of the methods worked, consider the following options:

Disabling the application (for system):

• Go to Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Disable.
• The app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system (it will not consume resources).
• 🔹 Minus: Some functions MIUI may stop working (for example, disabling Mi Security will block access to security settings).

2. Installation of the patched version:

• XDA or 4PDA forums often post modified versions of system applications without ads and with bugs fixed.
• 🔹 Risk: The like APK They may contain vulnerabilities or spyware.

Complaint to the developer:

• If the problem is massive, write a review in Google Play with a detailed description of the bug.
• The more complaints, the faster the patch will come out.

4. rollback of the entire system through Fastboot:

• Extreme method: flash the old version of MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔹 This will completely erase all data on the phone!

FAQ: Frequent questions about rollback updates on Xiaomi