If you’ve upgraded to Android 15 on your Pixel device but are facing issues or prefer the previous version, you might want to downgrade. This guide will walk you through the steps to downgrade Android 15 on Pixel devices. We will cover the process in detail to ensure you can complete it without any issues.
Why Downgrade Android 15 on Pixel?
There are several reasons why you might want to downgrade Android 15 on Pixel devices. Perhaps you’re experiencing bugs or performance issues with the new update. Alternatively, you may prefer the interface or features of the previous version. Whatever your reason, downgrading can help resolve these issues.
Before You Start
Before downgrading Android 15 on your Pixel device, there are a few things you need to do. First, back up your data. Downgrading will erase your device, so ensure all your important information is saved. You can use Google Drive or any other backup method to keep your data safe.
Next, download the necessary tools and files. You will need the Android SDK Platform Tools, which include ADB and Fastboot. You will also need the factory image for the version of Android you want to downgrade to. You can find these files on the official Google website or other reliable sources.
Steps to Downgrade Android 15 on Pixel
Step 1: Enable Developer Options
To start, you need to enable Developer Options on your Pixel device. To do this, go to Settings, then About Phone, and tap on the Build Number several times until you see a message that Developer Options have been enabled. After this, go back to Settings and find Developer Options. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
Step 2: Unlock the Bootloader
The next step is to unlock the bootloader. This process will erase all data on your device, so make sure you have a backup. Connect your Pixel device to your computer using a USB cable. Open the command prompt or terminal on your computer and navigate to the folder where you installed the Android SDK Platform Tools.
Type the following command to check if your device is recognized:
adb devices
If your device is listed, proceed with unlocking the bootloader by typing:
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock
Confirm the action on your device. Once the process is complete, your device will restart.
Step 3: Flash the Factory Image
Now, you need to flash the factory image to downgrade Android 15 on your Pixel device. Extract the factory image file you downloaded earlier. Inside the extracted folder, find and open the flash-all.bat or flash-all.sh file, depending on your operating system.
Run this script to start the flashing process. This process may take a few minutes. Once it’s complete, your device will reboot automatically.
Step 4: Lock the Bootloader
After flashing the factory image, you need to lock the bootloader again to secure your device. To do this, go back to the command prompt or terminal and type:
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing lock
Confirm the action on your device. Once locked, your Pixel device will restart with the previous version of Android.
What to Do After Downgrading
Once you have successfully downgraded Android 15 on your Pixel device, you may need to set up your device again. Restore your data from the backup you created earlier. Check if everything is working correctly and ensure that all your apps are functioning as expected.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues while downgrading Android 15 on your Pixel device, make sure to check the following:
- Ensure that you have downloaded the correct factory image for your specific Pixel model.
- Verify that you have installed the latest version of the Android SDK Platform Tools.
- If your device is not recognized by ADB or Fastboot, try using a different USB cable or port.
If problems persist, you can seek help from online forums or contact Google’s support for assistance.
Conclusion
Downgrading Android 15 on your Pixel device can be a straightforward process if you follow the steps carefully. Remember to back up your data and ensure you have the necessary tools and files before starting. By following this guide, you should be able to revert to a previous version of Android and resolve any issues you might be facing.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance with downgrading Android 15 on your Pixel device.