Best Way to Downgrade Apps on Android
The fact that there are millions of apps and games available for free is what makes Android phones fascinating to many users. On our Android smartphones, we all have a few favorite apps or games. Apps and games automatically update to the most recent version of an app. This is to make sure that users get the best features available from the developers.
However, Android app upgrades might not always be welcoming because they could impede your previously seamless experience and force you to downgrade your Android apps to resume your earlier, uninterrupted experience. There are occasions when an update from the previous version to a new version causes more damage to users than it fixes issues and adds features. To remove it, it’s crucial to downgrade to an earlier version of the Android app.
But how do you possibly downgrade a system app on Android? In this article, we will discuss two incredible methods for you to follow whenever the need to downgrade apps arises.
Ways on How to Downgrade Apps on Android
Method 1: Downgrade Android apps Using a Third-party App Store
Directly downgrading an app from the Play Store is not currently an option. Any updated software must first be uninstalled before an old version of the app may be downloaded and installed via a third-party app store, such as UpToDown, ApkMirror, ApkPure, etc.
If you want to downgrade an app update, start by deleting the current app version via the Settings app. Select Settings > Apps. On the App Info page, choose the desired app, then hit the “Uninstall” button.
Begin reinstalling an earlier version of the desired software once the program has been uninstalled. Simply visit this website and search for the necessary app. Download the.apk file and install it on your device once you’ve located the version of the app you want.
Remember that later updates may once more overwrite the one you just installed. Therefore, it could be a good idea to turn off Google PlayStore’s auto-update feature.
However, please be reminded that by using this method, you can remove all the settings and data associated with your program. Therefore, make sure your data is backed up before deleting it.
You won’t be able to go back to an older version of an installed or built-in program than the factory version.
Method 2: Downgrade an app using ADB
On Android, you can downgrade apps with a simple ADB command without losing your app data. This approach is incredibly easy to use and doesn’t need root access to function.
There are two things that you must be sure of before moving on.
On your Android device, enable USB Debugging.
Obtain and install the ADB and Fastboot drivers
When you’re ready, use a USB cord to connect your phone to your computer and enable USB debugging.
Save the APK file for the app you wish to downgrade to. The APK file should now be pasted into the ADB tools folder. Holding down the “Shift” key on your keyboard, right-click on a space while you are still in that folder. Choose “Open PowerShell window here” from the context menu that displays.
In the command window that opens, run the following command;
adb push app.apk /sdcard/app.apk adb shell pm install -r -d /sdcard/app.apk
You must substitute the name of your APK file for “app.apk.” For instance, I’ll call it “whatsapp.apk” because I’m downgrading WhatsApp.
When the command has been completed successfully, you may check the app’s version to see if it has been downgraded.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How can I downgrade an app on my Android device?
To downgrade an app on your Android device, you can follow these steps:
a) Open the Google Play Store.
b) Search for the app you want to downgrade.
c) On the app’s page, scroll down to find the Version information.
d) Tap on the Downgrade button to install the older version.
To downgrade an app on your Android device, you can roll back to an earlier version. Firstly, uninstall the latest version of the app you want to downgrade. Then, search for the specific app on the Google Play Store. Once found, select the app and scroll down until you see a “Read More” section. Tap on it to expand and navigate to the “What’s New” section.
Here, you will find a link that says “View all”, which will take you to a list of all the previous versions available for that app. Select the desired version and install it to downgrade the app on your Android device. Note that the availability of earlier versions may depend on the version of Android you are using.
Q2: What should I do if I want to revert back to an older version of an app?
If you want to go back to an older version of an app, you can:
a) Find the APK file of the older version you want to install. You can download it from reputable sources or use an APK mirror website.
b) Uninstall the current version of the app from your device.
c) Enable the installation of apps from unknown sources in your device settings.
d) Install the older version of the app using an installer app or file manager.
If you want to revert back to an older version of an app, there are a few steps to follow. First, ensure that your device allows the installation of unknown apps. Then, go to app management settings on your Android 8.0 Oreo or later device. Find the app you wish to revert and look for its version number.
Next, search for the old version of the app online, making sure it’s a trustworthy source. Download and install the version you want, ensuring that the app is compatible with your device. By learning how to downgrade an app, you can easily go back to a previous version if needed.
Q3: How can I downgrade a system app on my Android phone?
To downgrade a system app on your Android phone, you need to:
a) Ensure that your Android phone is rooted.
b) Use a root-enabled file manager (e.g., ES File Explorer) and navigate to the app you wish to downgrade.
c) Rename the app’s filename extension to “.bak” or “.apk.bak”.
d) Download the older version of the app’s APK file and install it.
If you want to downgrade a system app on your Android phone, you can do so by installing an older version of the app. Firstly, you need to find the app bundle of the updated app that you don’t like. Then, on your Android device’s settings, go to the “Apps” or “Applications” section. Locate the app you want to downgrade and tap on it.
From there, navigate to the “App Info” page and select the “Uninstall Updates” option. This will revert the app back to the version you had before the update. Don’t forget to create a backup of the app before downgrading, in case you ever want to go back to the new version.
Q4: Is it possible to downgrade an app on Android without losing app data?
No, downgrading an app usually requires uninstalling the current version and installing the older version. This process typically results in the loss of app data. Therefore, it is advisable to back up your app data before downgrading. Yes, it is possible to downgrade an app on Android without losing app data. Users can achieve this by using certain methods like downloading an older version of an app from a trusted source or utilizing third-party tools.
While Android does not have a built-in feature to allow an older version of an app to be installed over the latest version, users can still revert an app to a previous version by manually uninstalling the latest version and then installing the old version. However, it’s important to note that not all apps support this process, and some may require users to backup and restore their app data before downgrading. Additionally, starting from Android 10, Google introduced Project Mainline, which provides updates for certain system components without the need for a full OS update.
Q5: Can I downgrade an app using the Google Play Store?
No, the Google Play Store does not directly provide an option to downgrade apps. However, you can manually download and install older versions of apps from trusted sources. Yes, it is possible to downgrade an app using the Google Play Store. However, Google only provides the latest version of an app on its platform. To use an older version manually, you need to uninstall the current version of the app first.
Once the app is uninstalled, you can search for older versions of most Android apps on various app stores like Google Play or even on third-party app download sites. Simply download the desired older version of the app and then install it on your device.
Q6: How can I install the older version of an app if it is not available on the Play Store?
If a specific app is not available on the Play Store, there are still methods to downgrade or install an earlier version. One way is to search for the specific APK file of the desired older version without relying on the Play Store. Websites like APKMirror offer older versions of various apps for download. However, caution should be exercised when downloading APK files from unknown sources to avoid malware.
Additionally, app developers often provide alternative channels, such as their official websites or beta testing programs, where users can download specific older versions. By exploring these options, users can successfully downgrade applications to their desired versions.
How to downgrade iOS apps?
If you have updated an app and don’t like the new version, you can still go back to the earlier version of the app. To downgrade iOS apps, you need to find the old version of the app that you want to install. However, Apple doesn’t provide an option to install unknown apps by default. You will need to change your device settings to allow installation from unknown sources. Once you have the old version of the app, you can uninstall the updated app and then install the older version using a third-party app store or through iTunes.
Conclusion
The security of your device requires frequent app upgrades, but not all updates may be compatible with your device. Your favorite software may see changes that lessen its intuitiveness and change how it feels overall. Downgrading to an earlier version of the software should always be an option if you find yourself in a position like this. You now have detailed instructions on how to downgrade any Android app available on the market thanks to this post.
