How to Remove VC Update on Xiaomi Redmi Android Smartphones: A Complete Guide with Risks and Solutions

Updating the VK app on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones doesn’t always go smoothly: the new interface can slow down, eat the battery or not start at all. Especially a problem for owners of budget models of the Redmi Note or POCO series, where limited resources conflict with heavy versions of the social network. But returning the old version of VK is not an easy task: Google Play automatically updates applications, and manual installation of APK is fraught with compatibility errors.

In this article, we will analyze all working ways of rolling back VK updates on Xiaomi - from safe (disabling auto updates) to radical (installing modified versions via the Internet). ADB). We pay special attention to the nuances of firmware MIUI, blocker APK We will also analyze why some methods stop working after Android updates. 13/14 and how to get around it.

⚠️ Important: App rollback may result in VK account being blocked on suspicion of using unofficial clients.Risk is minimal if you install original ones APK from trusted sources (e.g. APKCombo), but it cannot be completely ruled out.

1.Why is the VC upgrade on Xiaomi Redmi causing problems?

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI have two key features that complicate the work with applications:

1. Aggressive battery optimization: The system forcibly closes the background processes, which is why new versions of VC may not receive push notifications or dye when switching between chats.
2. APK installation restrictions: By default, MIUI blocks the installation of applications from unknown sources, even if you downloaded the APK manually.

In addition, VK regularly updates the server part, and older versions of the application may no longer be supported, for example, after the revisan of 2023 (VK 2023+), customers older than version 22.7.0 stopped working - they simply do not connect to the servers.

Typical complaints of Redmi users after the VC update:

• 🔋 Battery sits down in 2-3 hours with active use of the messenger.
• 🐢 The application slows down when scrolling the tape or opening dialogs.
• 🚫 VK leaves with the error "Application stopped" or "No connection".
• 🔔 No notifications are received, although everything is included in the settings.

2. Method 1: Disabling Auto Updates in Google Play

The easiest and safest method is to block automatic VC updates, which will not bring back the old version, but will prevent the situation from worsening in the future.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find the VKontakte app (not to be confused with VK Messenger!).
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select “Remove from Auto Update List”.
4. Return to Google Account Settings: Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google → Account Settings → Auto-Update Apps.
5. Select “Do not update automatically” or “Update only via Wi-Fi”.

⚠️ Warning: If you've already upgraded your VC to the latest version, it won't help you get the old one back. It only works as a prevention for future updates.

3. Method 2: Remove updates through Android settings

On some MIUI firmware (especially the Redmi Note 10/11), you can roll the app back to the factory version via system settings, which only works if the VC was preinstalled by the manufacturer.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find VKontakte in the list and tap on it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots → select “Delete Updates”.
4. Confirm the action. The system will return the app to the version that was there when you bought the phone.

🔍 How to check if the VC is pre-installed?

• If the Google Play button next to the "Update" button has the inscription "Installed" - the application is preinstalled.
• If the “Install” button is downloaded later, this method will not work.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi with Android 12+ This menu item may not be available. In that case, try the following method.

Method 3: Manual installation of the old version of the VC via APK

If you can't roll back the system, you have to manually install the old VC version.

• APK-file of the desired version (for example, 22.5.0 or 21.9.0).
• Permission to install from unknown sources.
• File Manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer)

📌 Where to download the old versions of VK?

🛠 Installation instructions:

1. Download the APK version you want (e.g. VK 22.3.0).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Install Unknown Applications.
3. Select the browser or file manager through which you will install the APK and allow installation.
4. Open the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
5. If you see an error "Application not installed", first delete the current version of the VK.

5. Method 4: Using ADB for Forced Backtracking

For advanced users, there is a rollback method through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

• The VC is pre-installed and not removed in the standard way.
• You want to remove all system application updates.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB This method is recommended only if you understand what you are doing.

📋 Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: Adb devices (your device should appear).
5. To remove VC updates, type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.vkontakte.android This command will reset the app to the factory version.

🔧 If the team didn't work out:

• Try adb shell pm clear com.vkontakte.android (clears data, but does not delete updates).
• Some Xiaomis require root rights first.

💡

Before using ADB, back up VC data (chats, photos). To do this, export the backup in the application settings: Settings → Account → Data Export.

Method 5: Alternative VC clients (if rollback is not possible)

If you can’t get your old version back, consider alternative VK clients, which are lighter than the standard app and often lack advertising.

📱 Top.-3 alternatives:

⚠️ Note: Unofficial customers (such as VKontakte Reborn) may result in account suspension on suspicion of using bots. VK Messenger Lite is secure but lacks many features.

7. Risks and consequences of VK rollback on Xiaomi Redmi

Before you remove the updates, evaluate possible problems:

🔴 Principal risks:

• 🚫 Account blocking: VC may suspect unofficial access and temporarily block the profile (especially when using modified ones). APK).
• 🔄 Automatic Update: Even after a rollback, Google Play can update the VC again if you don’t disable auto updates.
• 🛑 Incompatibility: Older versions of the VC may not support new features (e.g, VK Clips or Audio calls).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: On some firmware MIUI old-fashioned APK conflict with energy optimization.

✅ How to minimize risks?

• Use only original APKs from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror).
• Turn off background VK activity in battery settings: Settings → Battery → Applications selection → VK → No restrictions.
• Regularly check the permissions of the application in Settings → Applications → VKontakte → Permissions.

💡

The safest way is to use the official VK Messenger Lite instead of a rollback.It is optimized for weak smartphones and does not conflict with MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the rollback of VK on Xiaomi