How to Remove Application Updates on Android Xiaomi: Full Guide

App updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often bring not only new features, but also bugs, increased battery consumption or an uncomfortable interface. If after the update the program becomes worse, slow down or consume more traffic, it can be rolled back to the previous version. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to remove updates, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB commands and third-party tools.

It is important to understand that not all applications support rollback: system services (such as Google Play Services or MIUI Security) usually block this feature, and after rollback, some functions may temporarily stop working — for example, if the version of the program is outdated for the current firmware, we will explain in detail how to minimize risks and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why you should remove the application update

The main reasons why Xiaomi users want to return the old version of the program:

• 🐌 Brakes and lags – the new version may not be optimized for your device (especially for low-end models like Redmi). 9A or POCO C31).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – some updates add background processes that drain the battery (like Facebook or Instagram updates).
• 📶 Traffic Leakage – Newer versions of social networks and instant messengers often collect more analytics, which increases mobile Internet consumption.
• 🎨 Uncomfortable redesign – changing the interface (like in YouTube or Google Maps) can make the app less intuitive.
• 🔒 Loss of features – developers sometimes remove useful options in new versions (for example, downloading video to TikTok or offline maps in Yandex.Navigator).

Before you delete the update, check if the problems are related to other factors: overheating of the device, lack of RAM or background processes. To do this, open Settings → About the phone → System status and look at the load on the CPU and RAM.

⚠️ Attention: Recoiling system applications (e.g, MIUI Launcher or Settings) can cause shell malfunctions. If after removing the update, the phone starts to glittle, reset settings through Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.

Method 1: Recoil through application settings (for user programs)

The simplest method works for apps installed from Google Play or manually (APK).It doesn't require root rights and is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates (if no item is available – the method is not suitable).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After rolling back, the app will return to the version that was preinstalled on the phone. If you want to install a specific version (not factory), use methods 3 or 4.

☑️ What to do if the “Remove Updates” button is inactive

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Method 2: Remove updates via ADB (for system applications)

If the standard method doesn’t work and the application is system-based (e.g. MIUI Gallery or Music), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but does not need root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).

ADB Tools

adb devices

(Your device name should appear – if not, check the drivers)

adb shell pm list packages -f

(Look for the package of the desired application, for example com.miui.gallery)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.gallery

(Replace com.miui.gallery in the name of your package)

Once you have completed the command, the app will be pumped to the factory version. To return it back, upgrade through Google Play or MIUI App Store.

Install the App Inspector or Package Name Viewer from Google Play, which shows the packet names of all installed programs without a PC connection, for example, for Google Chrome, the package name is com.android.chrome, and for MIUI Calculator it is com.miui.calculator.

Method 3: Install an older version of APK manually

If the first two methods didn’t work or you want to install a specific version of the application (not factory), you can download it. APK-A file from a trusted source and install it on top of the current version, which is suitable for any application, including WhatsApp, Telegram or other applications. VK.

Where to download APK:

• 📥 APKCombo – stores all versions of popular applications.
• 📦 APKMirror – checks files for viruses and modifications.
• 🔍 APKPure – easy search by version and update date.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the desired version of APK to your phone or computer.
2. Transfer the file to the device (if downloaded on PC).
3. Before installation, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙️) → Install unknown applications and allow installation from your file manager (e.g. Files by Google or Google) MIUI File Manager).
4. Launch it. APK-file and confirm installation.
5. If the error "Application not installed", first delete the current version of the program.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Always download files from official mirrors (e.g. APKMirror checks developers' signatures) and use Google Play Protect to scan before installing.

Method 4: Using third-party launchers to roll back system applications

Some MIUI system applications (such as MIUI Home or Security) do not allow you to remove updates using standard methods, in which case you can use alternative launchers that block updates or allow you to return an old version.

Popular solutions:

For use with Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Download the old version of the system application (for example, MIUI Gallery) in APK format.
3. In the Nova settings, select Shortcuts → Widgets → Activities.
4. Find the right app in the list and create a shortcut for its older version.

💡

If the system application stopped opening after rolling back, try clearing its cache through Settings → Apps → [name] → Memory → Clear the cache. If that doesn’t help, you’ll have to update the program back.

Method 5: Recoil through TWRP (for power users)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery TWRP installed, you can remove system app updates through backup or manual file deletion.This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires knowledge of the firmware structure.

Step-by-step:

1. Make a backup of the current firmware through TWRP (Backup section).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ (depending on the application).
4. Find a folder with the name of the roll-out application (for example, Gallery2 for MIUI Gallery).
5. Delete files with the.apk and.odex extensions (if any).
6. Reboot the phone.

After the reboot, the system will restore the factory version of the application from a backup. If this does not happen, download the original APK from the Xiaomi.EU forum and install it manually.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system If the phone doesn't turn on after manipulation, run the firmware again through Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

What to do if the rollback does not help: alternative solutions

If problems persist after removing the update or the application refused to work, try these methods:

• 🔄 Data Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → [name] → Memory. → Clear the data. That'll reset the program to the factory.
• 🛠️ Reinstall: Remove the application completely, then install the desired version from APK.
• 📵 Block Updates: On Google Play, open the app page, click on three dots (⋮) and uncheck the auto update box.
• 🔧 Lite usage: Some programs (such as Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite) consume less resources and are less likely to be updated.
• 🚀 Resetting: If the system application is glitching, reset via Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings (user data not affected).

If none of these methods worked, check if there are any problems with the firmware itself. 4PDA or Xiaomi.EU forums often post patches to fix bugs in system applications.

💡

Before rolling back system applications (such as MIUI Home or Security), be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup or TWRP. This will help quickly restore the phone to work if it crashes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing updates on Xiaomi