How To Downgrade Android 15 to 14 On Xiaomi – OrcaCore

Considering that downgrading the operating system is one of the common methods of software optimization, this article from the orcacore website will teach you How to Downgrade Android 15 to 14 On Xiaomi. Some users are facing numerous software bugs after updating their Xiaomi phone to Android 15.

Prerequisites before Downgrading Xiaomi Phone Software

Before you attempt to downgrade Android 15 to 14 on Xiaomi, you should pay attention to some crucial points. Failure to heed these warnings could result in data loss or a bricked device.

1) First, back up important phone data. This is paramount. The downgrading process can potentially wipe your device clean, so ensuring you have a recent backup is essential. Use Xiaomi’s built-in backup tool, a third-party app, or manually copy files to your computer.

2) It is also better for your phone to have at least 50 percent charge. A power interruption during the flashing process can lead to irreversible damage. A fully charged battery minimizes this risk.

How to Downgrade Software on Xiaomi Phones?

The primary method for downgrading involves using Xiaomi’s flashing tools and a suitable ROM. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

– In the first step of Downgrade Android 15 to 14 on Xiaomi, you should back up your phone. This will prevent data from being erased during the downgrade process.

– Then you should go to reputable sites or even the Xiaomi official website and find your phone’s ROM and the version you want to downgrade the operating system to.

– Next, you need to go to the phone settings and enable Developer options, USB Debugging, and OEM Unlocking. To enable Developer options, go to Settings -> About Phone and tap on "MIUI Version" (or Build Number) repeatedly until you see a message saying "You are now a developer!". Then, go to Settings -> Additional Settings -> Developer options to find the USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking toggles.

– Finally, you need a computer or laptop to finish the job. After installing the MiFlash program on the system, connect the phone to the computer in Fastboot mode. To enter Fastboot mode, power off your phone, then press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until you see the Fastboot screen. Then the installation process will begin. Open MiFlash, select the downloaded ROM file, and click "Flash."

Methods of installing ROM on Xiaomi phones

In the previous section, we mentioned one of the methods of Downgrade Android 15 to 14 on Xiaomi. In this section, we intend to show that there are other methods for installing ROM.

1) You can first download the ROM you want and send it to your phone’s internal memory or memory card. Ensure the ROM file is compatible with your specific Xiaomi device model.

2) After turning off the phone, press the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously to enter recovery mode. The key combination may vary slightly depending on the Xiaomi model.

3) In this case, select the “Install update from SD card” option to proceed with the ROM installation process. Navigate to the ROM file you transferred earlier and select it to begin the flashing process.

Some developers have also developed tools like SP Flash Tool to install ROMs so that you don’t face any problems in learning to downgrade Xiaomi.

Note that the downloaded ROM must be exactly compatible with the phone model. Otherwise, your phone may have problems. In some cases, downgrading the phone’s software can void the phone’s warranty. Check your warranty terms and conditions before proceeding.

Alternative Downgrading Methods

While using MiFlash is the most common approach, here are two alternative methods you can explore to downgrade Android 15 to 14 on Xiaomi.

1. Using Custom Recovery (TWRP)

This method requires you to have a custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) installed on your Xiaomi device. This is a more advanced method and requires unlocking the bootloader.

• Explanation: TWRP allows you to flash custom ROMs, backups, and other modifications to your device. If you have a TWRP backup of your Android 14 ROM, you can easily restore it.

• Steps:

  1. Download the Android 14 ROM: Find a compatible Android 14 ROM for your Xiaomi device and copy it to your phone’s internal storage or SD card.
  2. Boot into TWRP: Power off your phone, then press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously to enter TWRP recovery.
  3. Wipe Data (Optional but Recommended): In TWRP, go to "Wipe" and select "Advanced Wipe." Choose "Dalvik / ART Cache," "Cache," "System," and "Data" partitions. Swipe to wipe. This will erase your current data, so make sure you have a backup.
  4. Install the ROM: Go to "Install" and select the Android 14 ROM file you downloaded. Swipe to flash the ROM.
  5. Wipe Cache/Dalvik (Optional): After flashing the ROM, you can optionally wipe the Cache and Dalvik Cache again for a cleaner install.
  6. Reboot: Go to "Reboot" and select "System." Your phone will now boot into Android 14.

• Code Example: There is no direct code example for this method, as it primarily involves using the TWRP interface. However, here’s a conceptual representation of the flashing process within TWRP:

  # Conceptual TWRP flashing process (not actual code)
  wipe_partition("dalvik_cache")
  wipe_partition("cache")
  wipe_partition("system")
  wipe_partition("data")
  flash_zip("/sdcard/android14_rom.zip", "system")
  wipe_partition("dalvik_cache")
  wipe_partition("cache")
  reboot_system()

  This is a simplified representation of what TWRP does behind the scenes.

2. Using Xiaomi’s Updater App (If Applicable)

In some cases, Xiaomi allows downgrading through their built-in updater app, although this is less common and depends on the specific device and ROM versions. This method usually works if you have the previous version’s OTA update package.

• Explanation: The Xiaomi updater app usually only allows updating to newer versions. However, some older versions of MIUI might allow you to flash older ROMs if you provide the correct OTA update package.

• Steps:

  1. Download the Android 14 OTA Package: Find the OTA (Over-The-Air) update package for Android 14 that corresponds to your Xiaomi device. This package should be specifically designed for upgrading from Android 15 to Android 14. This can be difficult to find.
  2. Rename the Package (If Required): Some updater apps require the package to have a specific name (e.g., update.zip). Rename the downloaded package if necessary.
  3. Copy the Package to Internal Storage: Copy the OTA package to the root directory of your phone’s internal storage.
  4. Open the Updater App: Go to Settings -> About Phone -> System Update.
  5. Enable Additional Features: Tap on the MIUI logo multiple times (usually 7-10 times) to enable additional features.
  6. Choose Update Package: Tap on the three dots (or a similar menu option) in the top-right corner and select "Choose update package."
  7. Select the OTA Package: Navigate to the location where you copied the OTA package and select it.
  8. Confirm and Install: The updater app will verify the package. If it’s a valid OTA package, confirm the installation and wait for the process to complete.
  9. Reboot: After the installation, your phone will reboot into Android 14.

• Code Example: This method doesn’t involve direct coding, but it relies on the Xiaomi Updater app’s internal processes. The OTA package contains instructions and files for the update. Here’s a simplified conceptual representation of what the Updater app might do:

  # Conceptual OTA update process (not actual code)
  verify_package("/sdcard/update.zip")
  extract_files("/sdcard/update.zip", "/system") # Example: Extracting system files
  update_bootloader() # Example: Updating bootloader (if needed)
  update_system_properties("ro.build.version.sdk=30") # Example: Setting SDK version (Android 14)
  reboot_system()

  This code represents the steps the Updater app takes to apply the update.

Important Considerations for Alternative Methods:

• Risk: These methods carry a higher risk of bricking your device if not performed correctly. Proceed with caution and follow instructions carefully.
• Compatibility: Ensure that the ROM or OTA package you download is specifically designed for your Xiaomi device model.
• Bootloader: Unlocking the bootloader is often required for custom ROM installation. This will void your warranty in some regions.
• Backups: Always create a full backup of your device before attempting any downgrading procedure.

Downgrading your Android version can be complex and potentially risky. Always back up your data and ensure you have the correct files and tools before you begin. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and comfort level. These steps allow you to downgrade Android 15 to 14 on Xiaomi and potentially resolve the software bugs you are experiencing. Remember to research thoroughly and proceed with caution to avoid any irreversible damage to your device.