How to roll back the android system. How to return to the old version of Android after updating your smartphone

Flashing a phone or tablet yourself is a risky endeavor, especially if the procedure is performed by the user for the first time. As a result of inept actions or software errors, the device may stop turning on, and then you have to look for ways to restore it.

Why could there be a fight?

There are several reasons why the firmware fails:

• The update crashed (the phone was disconnected from the computer, the battery was low).
• Incorrect firmware version.
• User errors when flashing.

Problems after the update can be resolved.

In the worst case, the phone will turn into a “brick”, but even from this state the Android device is restored.

Crash after official update

If you used official tools to update Android, then you can restore your phone after an unsuccessful firmware update using a utility from the manufacturer. Download the necessary software on the company’s website, in the “Support” or “Service” section. In addition, you will need mobile device drivers, which must be installed on your computer.

1. Connect your phone to your computer.
2. Find the partition that allows you to perform a restore and roll back the changes you made.

Each manufacturer has its own update program, so look carefully at all items and menus. If you have an LG phone, then in the LG Mobile Support Tool, in the “Advanced Features” section, you will see the “Recovery after an update error” option.

After launching this tool, the utility will download the appropriate version of Android from the Internet and return the phone or tablet to a working state.

Problems after custom firmware

If problems with Android occur after installing custom firmware through Recovery mode, you can restore the phone by updating it again. If you installed the firmware yourself, you should already know how to open Recovery mode. It is usually launched by simultaneously pressing the power button and the volume key.

The Recovery menu is navigated using the volume keys and the power button. If you made a backup of Android before the unsuccessful firmware, then use the “Backup and restore” item to restore the phone to a previously saved state. If there is no backup:

Once the installation is complete, the phone should start working correctly. You can install another firmware version if the first one was unsuccessful - just replace the archive on the SD card and follow the above recommendations.

Firmware reset

If the phone works after re-flashing, it is recommended to reset Android settings to factory state. This procedure will correct any errors that may arise and return the original version of the operating system.

Surely you have heard about the Android operating system, unless you yourself are the owner of a device running this shell. This platform has appealed to a good portion of gadget owners and is the most common OS among mobile devices. Since 2009, when the first version of the “robot” was released, the developers have not stopped improving and modifying their brainchild. New versions and updates are released regularly. But do you always need to update your device and how to return the old version of Android after updating? We will talk about this in this publication.

Why are updates needed?

First of all, for the proper operation of the system. Developers optimize performance, improve the interface, correct lags, because it is almost impossible to release a perfect system right away, and minor faults will only be noticeable during its active use. In most cases, you can find out about the availability of an update using a regular message that appears in the notification line. You can upgrade by going to the update center, downloading and installing the new version.

Why might gadget owners be unhappy with the update?

In most cases, after the update procedure, the device should work faster, and all shortcomings should become a thing of the past. All that users can complain about are some changes in the interface or, for example, the disappearance of shortcuts from the desktop (accordingly, the applications themselves disappear). This happens because the installed programs are already outdated and simply do not correspond to the new firmware.

New versions of applications or their analogues can still be found on the Play Market, and trying to return the previous version of the OS due to the loss of old applications is a rather stupid idea. What else can irritate owners in the new firmware version is the appearance of some programs that cannot be removed. For example, these could be new services from Google. And then all users begin to think about whether it is possible to return the old version of Android. But most of all those who want to return to the old firmware are among those who tried to reflash their device on their own. Here, a huge variety of problems may appear, to the point that your gadget may turn into a “brick”, that is, it may stop showing signs of life altogether.

So before performing such manipulations, make sure that you have enough knowledge and experience, and best of all, contact a professional. Reflash the device only in extreme cases, when you cannot do without it, because such a procedure completely voids your warranty. But you can still return the previous version.

How to return to the old version of Android after updating?

First, come to terms with the fact that standard system resources do not provide a system rollback option, such as in the Windows OS. Accordingly, when you return to the old version, all installed programs and personal files will be deleted. Therefore, immediately before the procedure for returning the old version, make backup copies of all important documents, files, phone numbers, and so on. Be prepared to say goodbye to user settings, saved accounts or applications, they will be erased, everything except the built-in ones.

Next, you will have to perform a factory reset yourself. How to do this depends only on your version of the operating system, but most often this item is found if you go to “Settings” and “Recovery and reset”. This parameter can also be found in “Confidentiality”. In any case, finding a factory reset will be easy. Next, you will need to perform a series of actions that are a little more complicated, that is, enter recovery. And how to return the old version of Android using it - read on.

Login to recovery

"Recovery" is a special boot mode on Android, with which you can reset settings or flash the system. If you buy gadgets in trusted certified stores and with an already installed OS, then they should have the stock “recovery” mode. How to enter recovery depends only on your device model. The most common combination is the power button and the volume down key.

For example, if you don’t know how to return the old version of Android to Lenovo, then this combination will work for most of their devices. I would like to note that before entering recovery, you need to turn off the phone. If you are looking for how to return the old version of Android Sony Xperia, then you need to press three buttons: those that we have already named, and the camera button. You can easily find more detailed instructions for various models on the World Wide Web. But what to do after entering boot mode?

How to return the old version of Android after updating through recovery mode?

You can navigate through the menu using the " key" highlight", and to select a specific item you need to press "select". There is no need to be afraid of this mode; if you understand it well, it becomes clear that there is nothing complicated. Now look for the line with " wipe data / and select it. A new menu will open in which you will have to confirm the action. Afterwards, wait for the reboot and the OS will return to factory settings.

Charge your smartphone

What is worth noting first of all is that before starting this procedure you need to charge the device well. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to roll back the system and how long the gadget will reboot after that.

If during such manipulations in the “recovery” mode the device does not have enough charge and is unable to complete its task, then, most likely, problems with its further use cannot be avoided.

The same applies to flashing your phone yourself. For some users, certain system functions disappeared or did not work, even to the point where the touchpad became inoperable. In some cases, the firmware did not install at all and it was simply impossible to enter the OS. But even then recovery helped again. If you cannot enter this mode or it simply does not exist, there are a number of simple utilities for flashing this mode directly through the operating system. Sometimes you may need a PC for this task.

We told you about how to return the old version of Android after updating. Treat your gadget with care and it will serve you for a long time.

There are probably several people who would delve into this issue after they tried to independently return the version of the operating system to the previously installed one. But, if faced with any difficulties, we would decide to read online to figure out what these difficulties might be associated with. And then it turns out that there are many nuances that need to be foreseen in advance.

In addition, from the huge number of foreign names and abbreviations, instead of understanding the process, the information in the head turns into mush. And every sentence you read adds more and more misunderstanding to the overall picture.

Well, let's figure it out together!

Brief educational program

• There is no universal algorithm of actions! This is the first thing you need to know about reverting Android OS to an earlier version. Each brand (and even model!) of device may have its own characteristics
• Reverting the OS version is a process that affects the system kernel. Consequently, manufacturers make sure that only “advanced” users in this matter can get there. Root rights were invented for this. They are intended to give you administrator rights. There are both pros and cons to their use. Before you start doing anything, find out how to get them and what the use of Root rights on your device can promise!
• If you are not scared by everything you read about Root rights and you are also full of confidence to return the Android 4.4 version, then another concept that you need to understand before starting the process is Backup. Speaking in Russian - .

After returning the system, you can easily restore all contacts, applications, settings, and more. The main thing is to choose the right program that will perform Backup on your device as correctly as possible.

How to return Nexus

The developer of the Android operating system and the manufacturer of Nexus devices is one company - Google. Therefore, for Nexus devices, the return process remains as simple as possible and consists of 4 simple steps:

1. Download and install on your device the image of the Android firmware that you need;
2. Run this firmware directly from the device and wait for the installation to complete;
3. Load data from a backup.

How to return everything else

Devices from other manufacturers have their own characteristics when performing a system reset. But despite this, there are still general manipulations.

You will need a PC or laptop

Typically, to downgrade Android from version 5.0 to version 4.4 or similar, you will need:

1. Required firmware;
2. Program for creating a backup copy;
3. Program for establishing Root rights;
4. Personal computer or laptop;
5. The device (tablet, phone) on which you want to make a return;
6. USB cable.

Firmware

The first thing you need to take care of is, of course, the firmware itself. You need to clearly understand and imagine what you want to see as a result of manipulations with Android. Decide what firmware you want, custom or official? Official firmware can usually be downloaded from the official website of your device manufacturer. Custom - search the forums, compare and choose. It is necessary that the firmware is suitable for your device and is known to be working, that is, tested. To find out, you will have to study more than one forum, read a lot of reviews and ask a bunch of questions. But this must be done, because otherwise you risk saying goodbye to your favorite device!

The selection of custom firmware should be approached responsibly

Backup

The main rule of any gamer or programmer is “SAVE!!!” And in our case, this rule has the same importance.

It has the function of creating a backup copy and saving it to your Google account. But in this case, you can only save contacts. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire the necessary software. And then you can reserve almost everything: contacts, messages, system settings, and information about applications, thanks to which the system will automatically download them from Google Play and install them.

But, whatever one may say, you will again have to make a choice yourself. We will only list the most popular programs today:

• Titanium Backup
• GO Backup
• HTC backup
• Clickfree Mobile Backup.

You can use various programs to save data

The backup process looks roughly the same for all devices:

1. Install the memory card into your mobile device;
2. Search, read reviews and download the Backup program you like on your tablet or smartphone;
3. Install it and launch it;
4. In the program settings, mark what you want to reserve. Don't forget to check in your settings if you have enough space to save your backup. This free space needs to be on the memory card;
5. You start the reservation process, wait for it to finish, and remove the card.

Now all the important information is on the flash drive and after returning your Android from version 5.0 to the previous one, it will be restored using the same program.

Root

An additional program is required on your device. You also choose, read reviews, ask questions, compare. Then download and install on your computer.

The process itself

So, you are all ready to start the process. Let us remind you that this process is individual for each device, so we will focus on manipulations that are the same in most cases. We present you the procedure:

1. We do Backup (see above);
2. We put the device into programming mode (may have a different name; see instructions);
3. Connect the device to the computer;
4. Launch the Root program;
5. Launch the downloaded program and select its version;
6. We start the installation process, wait;
7. When finished, it is advisable to reset the settings to factory settings;
8. Reinstall the program you used to make the Backup, insert a memory card with a backup copy, and start the data recovery process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to examine one more concept that you will definitely come across while studying the forums. This is the concept of "brick". A “brick” is a device that, after returning from Lollipop to Kitkat, stopped working altogether. To prevent this from happening to your Android device, you need to approach the matter as carefully as possible and carefully study all aspects. Only after the whole picture of the planned actions is clear and understandable can you be sure of a successful result.

Google and software developers for Android smartphones or tablets are constantly developing updates, trying to make them better and fix bugs.

Moreover, if you do not disable them, they will be installed automatically, although the system usually asks if you want to update.

Only sometimes the process may not go according to plan and problems will arise. What to do then? Those who have already dealt with the computer will, of course, try to rollback.

But Android is not Windows and it does not provide such a function as in a computer.

For example, your Asus or Samsung phone had Android 4.4 when you bought it, and over time the system was updated to Android 5.1, but you were not satisfied with this firmware.

Before this you had Android 5.0, 4.4.2. Is it possible to automatically rollback to 5.0 or 4.4.2 No, you can’t, only to 4.4, just like you can’t roll back the Android system for a week or a month, like on a computer or laptop.

This is just an example to show you that you can only rollback to the version that was installed at the factory.

Still, there are some nuances. Let's look at them - if you're not in a hurry, read about them below.

How to roll back the system on Android to the previous version

So, after updating the firmware, you are not happy with the operation of your smartphone or tablet, which means we will roll back to the previous version, or rather to the factory firmware.

NOTE: if you need the previous firmware, then you can only install it, so to speak, reflash it yourself, after downloading it first.

IMPORTANT: if you roll back the system update to the factory firmware, you will lose all data, including contacts, photo programs, and so on, except for those stored on the memory card.

If you still decide to do a rollback, turn off your smartphone or tablet and use the following key combination:

• Most often you need to press and hold two buttons: power and volume down.
• on Samsung, press and hold power and volume up;
• on Sony switch on, volume down and camera;
• On LG, press and hold the power button, volume down and home screen. When the logo appears, release the power button and hold the rest until recovery appears;
• on Huawei, press and hold the power button, volume down and volume up;
• on HTC - press and hold the volume down button, then briefly press the power button. When the recovery menu appears, release the Volume Down button. Find “Clear Storage”, select it by clicking on the power button and confirm the action with the volume down button.

When you perform the steps described above, you will be taken to “Android system recovery”. There you will see several options.

1. highlight – will move you through the menu;
2. select – selecting a specific menu item;
3. “wipe data / factory reset” - rollback the phone to the factory one (after clicking, you need to confirm).

After selecting “wipe data / factory reset” in the new menu, go down to the action confirmation sub-item and select it.

Now wait for the reboot, after which you will get the Android firmware that was installed at the factory. To whom from the above written little is understood -.

How to rollback settings on Android

To roll back Android settings in all versions of smartphones or tablets, the first thing you need to do is open the settings.

Further actions depend slightly on the Android version. I will show you pictures from a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with Android 6.0.1.

How to reset on Android?

When your smartphone starts running slowly, running apps for 10 minutes at a time, and won’t open files for completely unknown reasons, it may be time to reset it to factory settings. This procedure returns the phone to the same condition in which you took it out of the box after purchase. All your personal data such as applications, accounts in various services, etc. will be erased. But problems in the operation of the device will also disappear.

To learn how to reset on Android, read this article.

Preparing for a rollback

It is necessary to understand that it is impossible to restore factory settings without losing data, so before performing a reset on any device, we recommend backing up all data on the phone to an alternative media. Otherwise, you risk losing them forever.

• to save the data that is stored on your MicroSD card inserted into the device, you just need to remove it from the phone;
• if you stored important data directly in the memory of the smartphone itself, then you will need to first connect the phone to the computer using a USB cable, wait until the devices are synchronized, and then copy all the necessary files to a separate folder on the computer;
• If you don’t have any device at hand to which you could copy the necessary files, you can use the Google Drive virtual data storage specially designed for such purposes, the application for which is available on Google Play.

Now let's move directly to the procedure for performing a device rollback.

First method

The algorithm for resetting a tablet or smartphone to factory settings is identical:

1. Go to your phone menu and open Settings.
2. Find Backup and reset.
3. Click on Reset settings.
4. At the same time, you can clear the phone’s memory by checking the appropriate box (relevant for smartphones). This way you can simultaneously delete all your photos, audio and video recordings and other materials that you have ever downloaded to your phone.
5. Confirm the action by clicking the Reset phone settings button (or simply “reset settings” for a tablet).

As you can see, there is nothing complicated about this. Now let's move on to the second method of performing a rollback to the factory settings of the device.

Second method

A hard reset is a forced reset of a device if the operating system is completely out of order and the tablet/smartphone refuses to turn on. Using a certain key combination, you can start the device in Recovery mode and use it to perform a rollback.

In other words, if the first method does not suit you, then it’s time to move on to plan B.

1. Turn off your phone. If your smartphone is frozen, simply remove the back cover, take out the battery and after a few seconds insert it back.
2. Press the key combination that the manufacturer has programmed to perform a factory reset. This key combination differs for different models and manufacturers. You can find out how a hard reset is performed specifically on your phone model in the instructions for it or on the Internet. The most commonly used combinations are: volume up button+menu+lock/power button; volume down+lock/unmute; menu+lock/shutdown.

These key combinations must be pressed and held until Recovery mode starts.

1. After you manage to select the required key combination, a menu will open in front of you. You need to navigate through it using the volume buttons. Select wipe data/factory reset by pressing the lock/shutdown button or the context menu button. Then use the same button to confirm the selected action.
2. After the reset process is complete, reboot your phone by selecting Reboot System.
3. Wait until the phone turns on with factory settings.

If you want to resort to such a thing as a hard reset of an Android tablet, then the algorithm of actions will not be much different from resetting the settings on a smartphone:

1. If the tablet refuses to turn on, then press two buttons at the same time: Home/power (depending on the device model) and the volume control button (depending on the model, you must press either volume up or down).
2. Keep the buttons pressed until the operating system logo appears on the screen. After that, release the buttons and wait until the tablet enters Recovery mode.
3. A menu will open in front of you. Select "wipe data/factory reset" using the volume control and confirm with the Home/Power button.

Third method

In some phone models, factory reset can be done by entering engineering, or as they are also called, secret codes. They are used by software developers and testers to reduce time when performing simple operations.

To reset settings using this code, try using the following combinations:

• *# * # 7780 # * # *;
• *2767 * 3855 #;
• *#*#7378423#*#*.

Often the best way to restore Android is to reset it to factory settings. This way you can solve most problems with the device freezing and various glitches. If the gadget turns on and is able to boot on its own, then the easiest way to clean the system to its original state and delete all user data is through the settings menu.

Performing a Hard Reset from a running system

This feature is already included initially in the interface of any Android device, so no third-party utilities are required to completely reset the device if it turns on:

1. Go to the device settings, sometimes the folder is called “Settings”;
2. Here go to the data archiving and settings reset section;
3. Make sure that the data archiving and auto-recovery items are checked, then you can easily restore the current settings of the gadget after it resets;
4. In “Personal Data”, click on the data reset line.

After this, all that remains is to read the system warning that all installed applications and the user account will be deleted from the device’s memory. Confirm your intention, after which the gadget will reboot and you will have a completely “clean” smartphone or Android tablet in your hands. It will be cleared of all personal information and malicious applications.

You can also restore your Android device to its factory settings using a computer, using the gadget manufacturer’s proprietary program. You just need to connect it to your PC, find the “Restore” item and start the process, following the instructions of the program.

Entering the Recovery menu

Just like in any system, you can perform a data reset procedure, the capabilities of the Recovery console are built into any Android device, even if it does not turn on. The only difference for gadgets from different manufacturers is the procedure for entering this mode. Let's present an approximate algorithm of actions for entering Recovery Mode, and also describe how it can restore the system.

For Samsung devices:

• simultaneously hold down the Volume Down and Power buttons;
• After the logo appears, release the Power button while still holding Volume Down until a list of Recovery Mode commands appears on the display.

If the algorithm described above does not work, then simply hold down three buttons at once - Power, Volume Up and Home until you enter reset mode.

Please note that the device must be disconnected from USB and charging, so better recharge your device before performing a hard reset procedure.

• hold down the Power buttons and the volume rocker in the middle for a few seconds;
• then once - on Volume Down or Volume Up.

If the method does not work, press Power until the device vibrates, then press Volume Up several times at once.

For Nexus, ASUS, etc. devices, the method of pressing the Power and Volume Down keys simultaneously is usually suitable.

Recovery mode features

It provides the user with several options at once, even if the tablet does not turn on. The most accessible thing for any user is a complete reset and deletion of all user files. In this way, you can solve problems with unstable operation of the gadget, for example, as a result of a virus:

1. Using the volume rocker, highlight the wipe data/factory reset menu item;
2. Activate this feature by pressing Power;
3. Once the reset is complete, which usually takes no more than a few seconds, activate the Reboot System Now command in the same way.

The device will reboot, and it will fully restore functionality. True, user applications, files and settings will be deleted. Therefore, if the device turns on, make a backup of it.

Making a backup from the recovery console

In order to be able to restore its functionality after resetting the device, it would be useful to make a full backup of the device. It is enabled in the Recovery console:

1. Using the volume rockers and the Power button, select and activate the Backup and Restore line.
2. In the menu that opens, open the Backup item in the same way.

The process of creating an archive takes about 10 minutes. To restore the system from the created archive, in the Backup and Restore section, select Restore. But keep in mind that a full system backup can be made using this method only if you have Root rights.

Android recovery without Root access

Few ordinary users want to solve problems with obtaining Root access to their device. Therefore, let's consider the Safe Backup application, with which you can back up various data if the smartphone/tablet is turned on - contacts, alarms, calendars, bookmarks, photos, videos, application installation archives, etc.