How to roll back Android to a previous version on Xiaomi: complete guide

Modern updates to the operating system Android and proprietary shell MIUI or new HyperOS from the company Xiaomi often carry not only new functions, but also unexpected errors. Users experience rapid battery drain, interface lags, overheating, or incorrect operation of cameras after installing a new security patch. In such situations, the only way out is to return to a more stable build that worked without failures.

The rollback, or downgrade, procedure is technically more complex than a regular update and requires careful attention to detail. Important to understandthat this cannot be done using standard methods through the settings menu, since the system blocks the installation of an older version over the new one. You will have to use special tools and modes of operation of the smartphone to bypass these restrictions.

Before taking active steps, you need to understand the risks and prepare the device. Wrong actions can lead to data loss or, in the worst case, to turning your smartphone into a “brick”. However, by following clear instructions and observing safety precautions, you can return your gadget to its previous performance and stability.

Risk analysis and device preparation

The first step before any intervention in the software part of the smartphone is to create a full backup. A system rollback often involves a complete data reset, so saving contacts, photos and documents is critical. Use cloud services Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud, as well as local copying to your computer via ADB or a file manager.

The second important aspect is battery charge. The flashing process can take from 15 minutes to an hour, and interrupting the power at this point is fatal. Make sure the charge level is at least 60-70%. Also check the integrity of the USB cable that you plan to use to connect to the PC, as poor contact may interfere with the transfer of firmware files.

⚠️ Attention: Installing firmware for another region (for example, Global to Chinese version) or from another type (Stable to Beta) without an unlocked bootloader will result in an error and may disrupt the operation of basic phone functions.

You will also need to know the exact model of your device. This information is in the menu Settings → About phone. Write down the alphanumeric model code, for example M2102J20SG, since firmware for different modifications of the same smartphone are not compatible with each other.

Unlocking the bootloader

Official company policy Xiaomi requires unlocking the bootloader to perform most manipulations with system software, including rolling back versions. This is a defense mechanism to prevent malware from being installed, but it makes life difficult for enthusiasts. The procedure requires submitting an application through a special tool Mi Unlock Tool on a Windows computer.

After linking your account Mi Account in the developer settings, you will have to wait a certain period of time. Usually this is 7 days (168 hours), but in some cases the period can be extended to 30 days. During this time, you cannot log out of your account on the device, otherwise the time countdown will be reset.

To start the unlocking process, switch the smartphone to Fastbootmode. This is done by turning off the phone and then holding down the volume down button when connecting the cable to the PC. In the app Mi Unlock press the button Unlock and wait for the process to complete, which will clear all data on the device.

Search and select compatible firmware

The key to a successful rollback is selecting the correct firmware file. You need a version Recovery ROMthat has the extension .zip. Files like Fastboot ROM (extension .tgz) are intended for flashing via a computer and require an unlocked bootloader, but for a simple rollback through the recovery menu, the Recovery version is often sufficient if the Android versions are the same or the difference is small.

Download files only from trusted sources, such as the official forum MIUI Download or authoritative resources like Xiaomi Firmware Updater. Pay attention to the firmware region (Global, EEA, Russia, China) - it must match the region currently installed on your smartphone, or be the one you want to switch to (which requires additional steps).

When choosing a version, pay attention to the build number Android. A direct rollback from Android 13 to Android 11 may not be possible without completely clearing the partitions via Fastboot. The protection system Anti-Rollback can prohibit the installation of very old versions if the current one has a higher protection index.

Rollback method through the Recovery menu

This is the simplest method that does not require connecting to a computer, but only works if you do not change the firmware region and the difference in versions is not critical. First, place the downloaded file .zip to the root of the smartphone’s internal memory. Then go to the menu Settings → About phone and click on the version number several times MIUIto make an additional menu appear.

In the menu that appears, select the three dots in the corner and click Select the firmware file. Find the previously downloaded archive and confirm the action. The phone will reboot and begin the installation process. If the firmware file is not suitable (for example, the version is newer than the current one or the region is different), the system will throw an error and roll back.

An alternative way to enter Recovery mode is through the buttons: turn off the phone, hold down the volume up button and the power button at the same time. When the logo Miappears, release the power button, but hold down the volume until the menu appears. Select the language (usually English) and press Install Update (or Wipe Data if a complete clear is required), then select the file from memory.

⚠️ Attention: When migrating from the Chinese version of the firmware to the global one (or vice versa) via Recovery, even with an unlocked bootloader, manual selection may be required "Wipe Data" option (clearing data), otherwise the phone will go into a cyclic reboot.

Using Mi Flash Tool for a full rollback

If the Recovery method did not work or you need to change the region, you will have to use Mi Flash Tool on a PC. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and file Fastboot ROM (extension .tgz). Unpack the archive with the firmware to the root of drive C so that the path is short, for example C:\rom\.

Run Mi Flash Tool as administrator. Switch your smartphone to Fastboot mode (pressing the volume down button when connecting to a PC). Click the button Refresh in the app so that it detects the device. At the bottom of the window, select the operating mode: Clean All (full cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (cleaning and locking the bootloader).

Firmware modes in Mi Flash Tool:
1. Update - saves data (not recommended for rollback).
2. Clean All - deletes all data, the bootloader remains unlocked.
3. Clean All and Lock - deletes data and locks the bootloader (only for the original region!).

Click Flash and wait for completion. A green bar with "Success" means success. Using the option Clean All and Lock is strictly prohibited if you are flashing the global version onto a Chinese device or vice versa - this will lead to blocking the device at the bootloader level.

Resolved problems and errors

During the rollback process, users often encounter the error "Can't verify" update" or "Zip file signature verification failed". This means that the firmware file was corrupted when downloaded or is not suitable for your model. Check the file checksum (MD5 or SHA1) and compare it with the data on the source site. If the amounts do not match, download the file again.

Another problem is the "Anti-rollback check failed" error. This is a protection mechanism that prevents rollback to a version with a lower security index. In this case, you can only roll back to a version with the same or higher index, or use special bypass methods that require deep knowledge and carry high risks.

If after flashing the firmware the phone constantly reboots (bootloop), try entering Recovery mode and doing a full data reset (Wipe Data → Wipe All Data). This will remove the conflicting files from the old system. If this does not help, perhaps an incompatible firmware was selected, and the process will have to be repeated with the correct file.