How to Safely Downgrade from HyperOS to MIUI 14 on Your Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco Device

Xiaomi has introduced HyperOS, a new operating system designed to replace MIUI on many of its devices, including those from Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco. HyperOS promises better integration and a refined experience for Xiaomi’s ecosystem, but for some users, the transition hasn’t been smooth. Issues such as bugs, errors, and unwanted changes have left many users frustrated and eager to switch back to MIUI 14.

If you’re one of those users and want to revert to MIUI 14, this detailed guide will walk you through the entire process of downgrading from HyperOS to MIUI 14 on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco device. While downgrading can be a bit tricky, following these steps carefully will help ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Why Downgrade from HyperOS to MIUI 14?

Before we get started, you may wonder why some users prefer MIUI 14 over HyperOS. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Familiarity: MIUI 14 offers a more familiar user interface and feature set that many Xiaomi users are accustomed to.
2. Performance Issues: HyperOS may cause performance slowdowns, battery issues, or app crashes, which can be frustrating.
3. Bugs and Glitches: As with any new operating system, HyperOS has its fair share of bugs that may not have been fixed yet, while MIUI 14 is more stable.
4. Personal Preference: Some users simply prefer the look and feel of MIUI 14 and the features it offers, such as a more customizable home screen and the use of MIUI themes.

Important Notes Before Downgrading

• Backup Your Data: Downgrading your device will erase all data, so it’s critical to back up your important files, photos, contacts, and messages before proceeding.
• Device Warranty: Unlocking the bootloader and flashing custom ROMs can void your warranty, so proceed with caution.
• Risk of Bricking: If not done correctly, downgrading your OS may result in a bricked device. Follow each step carefully to avoid this risk.
• Data Loss: As mentioned, this process will wipe all data on your device. Ensure you’ve backed up everything.

Step 1: Unlocking the Bootloader

Unlocking the bootloader is necessary for downgrading to MIUI 14. Xiaomi has made bootloader unlocking more restrictive with HyperOS, so you’ll need to meet certain requirements. Here’s how to unlock the bootloader on your device:

Requirements:

1. Your Mi account should be active for at least 30 days.
2. Your Xiaomi Community App should be version 5.3.31 or above.
3. You can unlock 3 devices per year with the same Mi account.

Unlocking Steps:

1. Launch Xiaomi Community App: Open the Xiaomi Community app on your device.
2. Go to the ‘Me’ Section: Navigate to the Me section at the bottom-right corner of the app.
3. Change Region: In the settings, change your region to Global.
4. Unlock Bootloader: In the Me section, tap Unlock Bootloader, then click Apply for Unlocking. If successful, you’ll be granted permission to unlock the bootloader.
5. Reapply if Necessary: If the application quota is reached, you’ll need to wait and try again later.

Once permission is granted, the bootloader unlocking will remain valid until the specified date, after which you’ll need to reapply.

Enable Developer Options:

1. Go to Settings: Open Settings and tap About Phone.
2. Activate Developer Options: Tap 7-10 times on the OS version to enable Developer Options.
3. Mi Unlock Status: Go to Additional Settings > Developer Options > Mi Unlock Status and add your Mi account.
4. Mi Unlock Tool: On your PC, download the Mi Unlock tool from Xiaomi’s official site.
5. Fastboot Mode: Power off your device, then press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button to enter fastboot mode.
6. Unlock: Connect the phone to your PC and click Unlock in the Mi Unlock tool.

Step 2: Download the Correct Fastboot ROM for MIUI 14

After unlocking the bootloader, you’ll need the MIUI 14 fastboot ROM to downgrade. Here’s how to get it:

1. Go to Xiaomi Firmware Updater: Visit xiaomifirmwareupdater.com and scroll down to find the download section.
2. Choose Your Device: Select your device from the list and click Download.
3. Ensure Fastboot ROM: Make sure you select the Full ROM and confirm the ROM type is “Fastboot” before downloading.

It’s recommended to download the ROM directly to your PC for convenience.

Step 3: Flash the Fastboot ROM

Flashing the Fastboot ROM will install MIUI 14 on your device. Here’s how to do it:

Tools Needed:

• MiFlash Tool: Download the MiFlash Tool from the official Xiaomi site and extract the ZIP file.
• Fastboot ROM: Extract the downloaded ROM to your PC.

Flashing Steps:

1. Power Off Your Device: Turn off your Xiaomi device.
2. Enter Fastboot Mode: Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously to enter fastboot mode.
3. Connect to PC: Use a USB cable to connect your phone to the PC.
4. Open MiFlash Tool: Launch the MiFlash Tool on your PC and click Refresh. Your device should appear in the tool’s list.
5. Select ROM Folder: In the MiFlash Tool, click the Select button and browse to the folder where the fastboot ROM is extracted.
6. Choose Flashing Option:
   • Clean All: Select Clean All if you want to wipe all data.
   • Save User Data: Select Save User Data if you want to keep your data.
7. Click Flash: Once everything is set, click Flash to start the installation process.

This process will take several minutes. Once the flashing process is complete, your device will boot into MIUI 14.

Final Steps: Completing the Downgrade

After flashing the Fastboot ROM, your device will restart and should now be running MIUI 14 instead of HyperOS. Here are the final steps:

1. Set Up Your Device: Complete the initial setup, including signing in to your Mi account.
2. Restore Data: If you’ve backed up your data, now is the time to restore it.