How to Remove Application Updates on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones automatically update system and third-party applications through Google Play and MIUI Optimized, which is not always convenient. Updates can take up extra space, slow down the device or break familiar functionality. For example, after the update Mi Video or Mi Browser users often encounter a modified interface, advertising or bugs.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways to remove updates - from standard methods through settings to advanced tools like ADB and roll back APK-We also explain why some applications (such as Google Play Services or Security) cannot be rolled back in traditional ways, and what to do in such cases.

Why apps are automatically updated and can you turn it off?

On Xiaomi Redmi, two mechanisms are responsible for automatic updating:

• 📱 Google Play Store – Updates all apps downloaded through it (including system apps if distributed through the Play Store).
• ⚙️ MIUI Optimized is a built-in Xiaomi service that updates branded applications (Mi Home, Themes, Gallery, etc.) even without your consent.

Auto-updates can be partially disabled:

• 🔄 In Google Play: Go to Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 🚫 V MIUI: path of adjustment → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Auto-update of applications → Shut down.

⚠️ Note: Even after auto-updates are disabled, some system applications (such as Google Play Services or Mi Security) can be updated forcibly through background services, in which case only removing updates manually or blocking through the background will help. ADB.

If you want to not just disable auto updates, but return the previous version of the application, read on - consider all available methods.

Method 1: Remove updates via MIUI settings (for standard applications)

The simplest method works for most Xiaomi branded apps (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Themes, etc.) and does not require root or PC connection rights.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application (for example, the browser) and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action - the application will roll back to the factory version.

If the Remove Updates item is inactive or absent, it means:

• 🔹 The application is a system critical component (e.g., Security or Settings).
• 🔹 It was not established through MIUI Optimized and manually (e.g, APK-file).

Method 2: Recoil through APK-file (for any application)

If the standard method does not work, you can manually install the old version of the application through the APK-This is a method that works even for system applications, but it takes care.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the APK version from a reliable source (e.g. APKMirror). Pay attention to the architecture (Redmi is usually suitable for arm64-v8a).
2. Before installing, remove the current version of the app (if possible) or simply install on top of the old one.
3. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special permissions → Install unknown applications (select browser or file manager).
4. Install the downloaded APK and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Third-party developers may disrupt system services, for example, if you roll back Google Play Services to the old version, some applications (such as Google Maps or banking services) may stop working.

For Xiaomi system applications (such as MiuiHome or Security), it is better to use APKs that are downloaded from the same device, and can be found on thematic forums (such as 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Method 3: Remove updates via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to remove updates even for secure system applications, but requires a connection to a PC.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Redmi: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the name of the application package (for example, for Mi Browser it is com.android.browser). You can do this through the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name" or use the App Inspector application from Google Play.
5. Remove the updates by the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package For example, for Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Once the command is executed, the application will roll back to the factory version. No reboot is required.

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If the team doesn’t work, try adding a flag. --user 0 (for the current user or check if the application is blocked by policies MIUI. Some Xiaomi firmwares require you to first disable Miui Optimized with the adb shell cmd package disable-user command. --user 0 com.miui.optimized (but this can lead to unstable system operation!).

Method 4: Magisk and App Systemizer

For users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, there is a more flexible method – the App Systemizer module. It allows you to convert custom applications to system and vice versa, which helps manage updates.

How it works:

1. Install Magisk and App Systemizer module via Magisk Manager.
2. Launch the module and select the application you want to remove.
3. Select the option Convert to System App (if the application is user-generated) or Convert to User App (if system-based).
4. Reset the device.

After that, the application will become system (or user-friendly), and its updates can be removed in standard ways, minus the method – requires root rights and can disrupt the work of SafetyNet (which is important for banking applications).

Method 5: Blocking Updates through MIUI Hidden Settings

MIUI firmware has hidden settings that allow you to block updates for specific applications, which does not require root, but does not work on all versions.

How to enable hidden settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Type in the search bar ##4636## (some firmware works ##225##).
3. Go to the section Information about the phone → Menus (⋮) → Show hidden settings.
4. Find the Application Management → Block Updates section and add the desired apps to the list.

If this method does not work, try the alternative method through ADB:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command will unlock access to hidden APIs, but may require a reboot.

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Blocking updates through hidden settings is the safest way for system applications, but it doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI. If the partition is missing, use ADB or disable auto-updates on Google Play.

What to do if nothing helps: radical measures

If none of these methods work, there are extreme measures:

• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings - will return all applications to the original version, but delete all data.
• 📥 Fastboot Firmware – Installation of Clean Firmware MIUI No updates. Requires an unlocked bootloader.
• 🚫 Shutdown MIUI Optimized – can be done through ADB Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.optimized But this can cause some system functions (such as themes or gestures) to fail).

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimized on some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi) K50) This leads to persistent interface errors. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

If you decide to flash it, use the official ROM from Xiaomi.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and a wait of 7 days).
2. Download Fastboot ROM firmware for your model.
3. Sweat through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing updates on Xiaomi Redmi