Uninstalling Android Updates: A Guide to Reverting to Previous Versions

Do you want to uninstall Android updates? Perhaps the newer version of Android isn’t compatible with apps you have downloaded and either doesn’t support those apps at all or is causing bugs. Or, perhaps you simply like certain features in older Android versions.

In this guide, I will tell you all you need to know about reverting your Android version to a previous one. Unfortunately, it’s not usually possible, but there are some ways you can still downgrade Android OS.

Can You Uninstall an Android Update?

Unfortunately, no. Direct Android update rollback is not possible on Android, unlike on platforms like Windows. This is for security reasons. Android does not support rolling back new updates because they often contain critical security patches.

Why Android Updates Cannot Be Reversed Easily

So, why can Android updates not be undone? As mentioned, this is due to security reasons. New updates generally contain security patches, and rolling them back can lead to security risks. Furthermore, updates are usually managed by device manufacturers and often overwrite the existing system, making rollback complex.

Previously, you were able to uninstall app updates. Now, however, this feature has also been removed from the Play Store, so once you update an app, you can’t uninstall that update.

Important Things to Do Before Reverting Your Android Version

Uninstalling Android Updates: A Guide to Reverting to Previous Versions 2 — Important Things to Do Before Reverting Your Android Version

If you do need to revert your Android version to an earlier version, I will tell you a few ways to do so. However, make sure to prepare for your Android downgrade by backing up your Android first.

There is an important caveat. Generally, a backup of a newer Android version cannot be restored on an older Android version. So, if you backed up your entire phone on the latest Android version, you can’t usually restore it once you go back to an earlier version.

However, you can still back up important data. For example, you can back up all your images using Google Photos and all your files using Google Drive. Also, make sure that you have access to your 2FA method, if you have 2FA set up for your Google account. Consider adding your phone number as a 2FA method if you have a physical sim card, so you can get the 2FA code as soon as you factory reset your phone, and print out your backup codes.

How to Revert Android Using Factory Reset

Most of the time, factory resetting your Android will cause it to downgrade to the version it came with originally. This doesn’t allow you to roll back your phone to a specific version that isn’t that original version, but you can reset your phone to factory settings and revert it to the original Android version it shipped with.

However, this will wipe all of your data. So, make sure to back up your important data first.

To reset your Android to factory settings, go to Settings > System Management > Reset Options and select Factory Reset. If you can’t find it, search for “Factory Reset” in your Android settings. Click on Factory Reset and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.

How to Downgrade Android by Flashing a Factory Image

Uninstalling Android Updates: A Guide to Reverting to Previous Versions 4 — How to Downgrade Android by Flashing a Factory Image

Some phones, including most Pixel phones, also allow you to flash a factory image using the Android Flash Tool. Here is a list of phones the Android Flash Tool supports:

Pixel 2 and newer
DragonBoard RB3 (also known as db845c)
HiKey 960
HiKey

To flash an image, first enable Developer Options, USB Debugging, and OEM Unlocking on your phone by following these steps:

Go to Settings > About Phone > Build Number (or Settings > System > About Phone > Build Number on Android 8).
Tap the Build Number option 7 times until you see a notification popup that you are a developer.
Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options and enable both USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking. On Android 8, go to Settings > System > Developer Options to find the Developer Options. On Android N and earlier, go to Settings > Developer Options.

Next, install a flash image by following these steps:

Go to flash.android.com and click on Get Started.
Provide the necessary access requested and download any USB drivers requested (on Windows, you need to download the Android USB Driver).
Connect your phone to your laptop via USB.
Click on Add New Device and select your device.
Select your desired build option.
Click on Install Build and wait for the build to install.

Uninstalling Android Updates: A Guide to Reverting to Previous Versions 6

Note that you can also browse builds for different devices here. Scroll down, accept the terms and conditions, and browse available builds. Click on “Flash” next to a build to open it up in the SAndroid Flash Tool and proceed as above.

Note that only certain older Android versions are supported.

How to Downgrade a Specific App

Although downgrading apps to a previous version isn’t possible in the Play Store anymore, you may be able to find APK files of older app versions online, either on third-party websites or the app developer’s website. You can then download and install the APK file.

Note that the app may not work as intended with your newer Android version. Also, downloading APK files from third-party websites is risky. Make sure to download it from a trusted third-party website (avoid those with excessive popups) and scan your device for malware using an antivirus app after installing it.

Risks of Downgrading Android Versions

There are several risks to downgrading your Android version. It could cause device instability with certain apps, and it could also cause you to lose important data, hence why I stressed the importance of data backups. It could also open you open to security vulnerabilities, especially if you download APK files from untrustworthy sources.

What to Do if You Do Not Like a Recent Android Update

If you do not like a recent Android update, you may not have any other choice than to wait for the issue to be fixed in future versions. You may be able to adjust certain things, such as your notification bar and theme, in your settings. Depending on your phone, you may be able to revert to your factory build or flash a build using the Android Flash Tool. However, Android doesn’t allow for granular rollback of system updates like Windows does.

Conclusion

I hope this Android downgrade guide was useful and helped you learn how to revert your Android version safely. While rollback isn’t officially supported on most phones, you may be able to restore your phone to its factory build or flash a build on some phones. Avoid using third-party flashing tools, as they lead to security risks.