How to roll back an Android update: 3 proven methods (without data loss)

Android updates are designed to improve the performance of your smartphone, but sometimes they bring more problems than good. System slowdowns, sudden errors, incompatibility with favorite applications, or simply poor design of a new interface - all this forces users to look for ways return to the previous firmware version. Unfortunately, Android doesn't provide a built-in rollback feature like Windows or macOS do. But this does not mean that the task is impossible.

In this article we will analyze Three working methods for rolling back updates - from the simplest (through the phone settings) to the advanced (using ADB custom firmware). You will learn what tools you will need, how to save data before the procedure and which Risks exist for specific smartphone models from Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other brands. Important: the process may vary depending on the manufacturer and version of Android, so carefully read the instructions for your model.

Why you may need to roll back an Android update

Before you begin complex manipulations, you should make sure that the problem is really related to the update. Here are the most common reasons why users decide to return to the old version:

• 🐢 Slowdown: The new version of Android has started to slow down on your device, although everything worked quickly before. This is especially true for budget smartphones with 2–4 GB of RAM.
• 🔌 Battery problems: After the update, the phone runs out of charge in a few hours, although previously it held a charge all day. This may be due to errors in the new firmware.
• 🚫 Application incompatibility: apps that are important to you (for example, banking or games) have stopped running or are working with errors.
• 🎨 Unsuccessful interface: The design of the new version of Android is absolutely not for you I like it (for example, Material You in Android 12+ or One UI 5.0 from Samsung).
• 🔒 System errors: Constant crashes, reboots, inability to connect to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.

If you encounter one of these problems, try first reset settings to factory settings (without deleting data) or wait for the next patch. Rolling back the firmware is an extreme measure that can lead to loss of warranty or “brick” of the device.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy s Knox or Google Pixel with a locked bootloader) rolling back the firmware can lead to irreversible blocking of functionssuch as Samsung Pay or data encryption. Before you start, check whether your model supports downgrade (lowering the software version).

Preparing for a rollback: what needs to be done before you start

Rolling back firmware is not an operation that you can start spontaneously. Wrong actions can turn your smartphone into a brick. To minimize risks, follow these steps:

Back up all data

Check the model and current version of Android

Download the correct firmware for your device

Charge the phone at least 70%

Prepare a USB cable and computer (for methods with ADB)-->

1. Data backup

Rolling back the firmware almost always leads to complete deletion of user data. Save:

• 📱 Contacts (export to .vcf or synchronize with Google)
• 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 💬 Messages (use applications like SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🎮 Game saves (if cloud backup is supported)
• 📝 Notes and documents (export manually)

2. Checking the Android model and version

Find out the exact model of your device and the current firmware version:

• Go to Settings → About phone
• Write model (for example, SM-G973F for Samsung Galaxy S10) and build number (for example, TP1A.220624.014)
• Check whether bootloader (Bootloader). On most devices it is locked by default.

3. Finding the correct firmware

Download the firmware only from official sources:

• For Samsung: service Sammobile or Frija
• For Xiaomi: Mi Flash Tool or forum XDA Developers
• For Google Pixel: official website Google Factory Images
• For other brands: search forums 4PDA or XDA

⚠️ Attention: The firmware must match Device model and Region (for example, SM-G973F/DS for Europe and SM-G973U for the USA - these are different firmware!). Installing the wrong version may result in the modem or touchscreen not working.

Method 1: Rollback via Recovery Mode (the safest method)

If your device supports installing updates via Recovery mode, you can try to roll back without connecting to a PC. This method works on most smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi and some models Motorola.

Step 1. Download the required firmware

The firmware must be in the format .zip and intended specifically for installation via Recovery. For Samsung these are files marked AP, for Xiaomi — Fastboot or Recovery ROM.

Step 2. Move the file to your phone

• Copy the downloaded .zip in the root folder of the internal memory (not in folders like Download or DCIM)
• Rename the file for convenience, for example, in update_old.zip

Step 3. Go to Recovery Mode

Enter methods depend on the model:

• 📱 Samsung: Turn off the phone → Press Volume up + Power button + Bixby (if available)
• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: Turn off → Press Volume up + Power button
• 📱 Google Pixel: Turn off → Press Volume down + Power button, then select Recovery Mode

Step 4. Install the firmware

In the Recovery menu:

1. Select Apply update from SD card (or Apply update from ADBif the file is on a PC)
2. Find your .zipfile and confirm installation
3. Wait for completion (do not turn off the phone!)
4. Select Reboot system now

Brand	Does recovery support rollback?	Features
Samsung	Yes (on most models)	Requires firmware in format AP + BL, CP, CSC (for Odin)
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Yes (Recovery ROM only)	You need to unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool
Google Pixel	No (only via Fastboot)	Required unlocking OEM Unlock in the developer settings
OnePlus	Partially	Works only on older models (up to OnePlus 8)

Method 2: Rollback via ADB Sideload (for advanced users)

If your device does not support installing firmware via Recovery, but it has a mode ADB Sideload, you can download the firmware from your computer. This method works on most devices with an unlocked bootloader. What you will need: A computer with installed Google) unlocked bootloader.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot (download Platform Tools from Google)
• 📱 USB cable (preferably original)
• 📄 Firmware in format .zip for ADB Sideload

Step 1. Enable USB debugging

Go to Settings → About phone → Build number and click on it 7 times to activate Developer mode. Then:

1. Return to Settings → System → For developers
2. Activate USB debugging i OEM unlocking (if available)

Step 2. Connect the phone to the PC and check connection

Open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and enter:

adb devices

If the device is shown in the list, the connection is established.

Step 3. Go to ADB Sideload mode

1. Turn off the phone and hold down the combination to login to Recovery (see Method 1)
2. In the Recovery menu, select Apply update from ADB
3. On your computer, enter the command:

   adb sideload file_name.zip

4. Wait for the download to complete (it may take 5–15 minutes)

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if the drivers are installed (download for Windows Google USB Driver).

2. Try a different USB cable or port.

3. Turn on USB debugging again and confirm the permission on the PC.

4. If you are using Windows, run the command line as an administrator.

Step 4. Reboot the device

After successful installation select Reboot system now. The first launch may take up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung with Knox (for example Galaxy S22+ or later) ADB may work only once. A repeated attempt will lead to a trigger Knox and loss of warranty.

Method 3: Complete reset and installation of old firmware via Fastboot

If the previous methods did not work, the most radical method remains — full flashing via Fastboot. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires connection to a PC.

Preparation:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (instructions for Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other brands differ)
• 📥 Download full firmware in format .tgz or .img (for example, Factory Image for Pixel or Fastboot ROM for Xiaomi)
• 🛠️ Install Minimal ADB and Fastboot or Platform Tools from Google

Step 1. Unlock the bootloader

For Xiaomi:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Mi Account
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions (may require waiting 7-30 days)

For Google Pixel:

1. Enable OEM Unlock in the developer settings
2. Go to Fastboot Mode (press Volume Down + Power)
3. Enter the command:

   fastboot flashing unlock

Step 2. Flash the old version of Android

Unpack the downloaded firmware and follow the instructions for your model. Example for Google Pixel:

fastboot flash bootloader file_name.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash radio file_name.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash --slot=all firmware_name.zip
fastboot reboot

For Xiaomi use Mi Flash Tool:

1. Select the folder with the firmware
2. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode
3. Press Refresh, then Flash

Common errors and how to avoid them

Rolling back an Android update is a risky process, and even experienced users encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and ways to solve them:

Error	Cause	Solution
Error 7 in Recovery	The firmware is not suitable for your model	Download the correct firmware version (check the model and region)
Device not found to ADB	No drivers or cable is faulty	Install drivers, try another cable/USB port
The phone does not turn on after firmware	Wrongly flashed bootloader or modem	Repeat the firmware with the correct files or contact the service
Knox triggered on Samsung	Attempting to rollback on a locked device bootloader	It is impossible to restore Knox, the warranty is lost

How to avoid a "brick" (non-working device):

• 🔋 Do not interrupt the firmware process (even if it is stuck at 99%)
• 📋 Always check the compatibility of the firmware with your model
• 🔒 Do not block the bootloader after a rollback (on some devices this will lead to blocking)
• 🔄 If something goes wrong, try flashing stock firmware via Fastboot

⚠️ Attention: On devices with dynamic partitions (Android 10+), rolling back to the old version may lead to loss of data in the partition /data, even if you did not reset. Always create a backup copy!

Alternative methods: if a rollback is not possible

Not all devices can roll back the update. For example, Google Pixel with a locked bootloader or Huawei with the latest versions of EMUI do not support downgrade. In such cases, try:

1. Install custom firmware

If the manufacturer has blocked the rollback, you can install unofficial firmware based on an old version of Android (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). To do this:

• Unlock the bootloader
• Install custom Recovery (TWRP)
• Flash the appropriate firmware

2. Use the "Guest" mode session"

If the problem is in the interface or applications, and not in the system core, try:

• Create guest profile in user settings
• Use Safe Mode (press the power button → "Restart in Safe Mode")

3. Wait for the next update

If the problem is caused by a bug in the new version of Android, the manufacturer may release a patch within 1-2 months. in Settings → System → Software update.

FAQ: Answers to frequent questions. questions

Is it possible to roll back an Android update without losing data?

In most cases no. Firmware rollback almost always requires a factory reset. The exception is if you make a backup via TWRP or Titanium Backup to updates and restore it after a rollback.

Will Samsung Pay work after a rollback firmware?

No, if it works on your device Knox flag (for example, on Galaxy S21 or newer). Samsung Pay and other protected functions (for example Secure Folder) will stop working after any manipulation with the firmware.

Is it possible to roll back Android on a phone with a locked bootloader?

It depends on manufacturer:

• Samsung: Possible through Odin, but with the risk of a trigger Knox.
• Xiaomi: No, unlocking required.
• Google Pixel: No, the bootloader must be unlocked.
• Huawei: Almost impossible on new models (EMUI 10+).

How to find out which version of Android was installed before the update?

If you did not write down the build number before the update, try:

1. View update history in Settings → System → Software update → History updates.
2. Find information about your model on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA).
3. Use applications like CPU-Z or AIDA64 to view current and previous versions.

What what to do if the phone does not turn on after a rollback?

If the device does not respond to the power button:

1. Connect to charge for 30 minutes - the battery may be low.
2. Try to log in Recovery Mode and do Wipe data/factory reset.
3. If that doesn't help, flash stock firmware via Fastboot or Odin.
4. As a last resort, contact the service center (indicate that you tried to roll back the update).