We all like to receive updates on mobile. These usually offer new security guarantees and some come with interface updates that are very attractive. And of the different layers of customization that exist in Android, Xiaomi’s is one of the ones that receives the most updates .
With the arrival of MIUI 13, more and more users of the Chinese manufacturer want to have this latest version. However, there is a group of people who want the opposite: to go back to an old version of the customization layer . Whether it’s because the new version of MIUI has bugs or because you prefer the aesthetics of the previous interface, if you want to learn how to downgrade MIUI right away we’ll explain how to do it.
The best method to go back to a previous version of MIUI
To begin with, you need to know that, although it is possible to return to an old version of MIUI easily and safely , this does not mean that you can downgrade the operating system. You can only recover a version of MIUI that is based on the same version of Android that your mobile has. For example, moving to MIUI 12 from MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition with both customization layers based on Android 10 or 11.
With this method that we explain below, it is not possible to return to a previous version of Android. This is because Google’s operating system has a security feature that prevents software downgrades . This feature called anti-rollback (ARB) protects the integrity of the system and although it is possible to violate this restriction, the reality is that it is very dangerous. Therefore, we recommend that you avoid methods based on skipping this function, since you can lose your mobile.
Now, although the official means provided by Xiaomi will be used to return to a previous version of MIUI, you should know that this procedure is not without risk. Therefore, we recommend that you make a backup of your mobile before starting the tutorial. Once you guarantee the integrity of all your information, the first thing you have to do is find out what version of MIUI you have installed . To do this you must follow these steps:
- Go into your Xiaomi settings and tap on About phone .
- Here you have to see the MIUI Version section to know which one you have on your Xiaomi. We recommend that you write down both the numbers and the letters of the version , as they will be very useful for the next steps. Just below this section is Android version , which is also important for you to know.
- If you still do not have the developer options activated on your Xiaomi, you will have to do it by pressing 10 times in a row on MIUI version .
Get the ROM of the MIUI version you want to go back to on Downmi
If you already know what version of MIUI your phone has, the next thing to do is look for the ROM of a previous version of this customization layer. To do so, we recommend using the Downmi website, as it is specially designed for this purpose. But now, before entering it, you must know certain details about the MIUI version you have in order to download the correct ROM.
In the example of this tutorial, the version of MIUI that the mobile has is the following: 12.5.3.0 (QFGMIXM). Well, with the first numbers we can know what version it is , in this case MIUI 12.5.3 Enhanced Edition. This means that if we want to go back to a previous version, the closest option is MIUI 12.5.1.
Now it is important to know the meaning of the letters . The fourth and fifth are the ones that tell us the region of the ROM you need (EU for Europe, MI for global and CN for China). In this case it would be a ROM for global models.
Finally, the final two letters of the MIUI version must always be XM (as in the example), as this indicates that the layer has not been customized for an operator. If this is not the case, unfortunately you will not be able to downgrade MIUI with this method. Once you have taken all this into account, the next thing will be to enter the web and do the following:
- Click on the Select a device window and look for the Xiaomi model you have.
- Now you have to click on Select ROM type and there you must choose a global, European or Chinese ROM depending on which one your mobile uses.
- The next thing is to touch Select version and choose one that is below the one you already have installed.
- Finally, you just have to click on Download to download the ROM that you will install on your mobile.
Install the MIUI ROM you have downloaded
When you have already downloaded the ROM of the MIUI version you want to return to, you must change the file name using the Xiaomi file manager or any other manager available on Android. The new name that you must give it is: update.zip . This is very important, since MIUI will not recognize it as an installation file if it is not named this way. Once you do this, the next thing will be to complete these steps:
- Open the settings menu of your Xiaomi and enter the About phone section.
- The next thing is to click on MIUI Version (the window where the logo of this customization layer is).
- Here you have to press on the three points that are in the upper right corner and then choose the option Select update package .
- This will open the Xiaomi file manager and here you have to select the update.zip file that you have previously renamed and that’s it.
Doing these steps will start the installation of the version of MIUI on your Xiaomi that you want to go back to. And remember to have your mobile battery charged , as this process may take a few minutes. If you have any questions regarding this tutorial, let us know in the comments.
