In this guide, we present two methods to revert your device from Android 15 back to Android 14. The tech giant from Silicon Valley recently unveiled the fifteenth version of its operating system, known as Vanilla Ice Cream. This update brings a range of exciting features including Private Space, Notification Cooldown, Lock Screen widgets, Battery Health Percentage, App Archive, and Bluetooth Quick Settings.
However, at the time of writing, the operating system is still in its early stage, specifically in the Developer Preview phase. Due to this early stage, it is expected that there will be several bugs, issues, and system instability concerns. Additionally, many applications may not yet be compatible with this new API level. To address these challenges, your best course of action would be to revert your device from Android 15 back to Android 14. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through two effective methods to accomplish this task. Kindly proceed with us as we provide detailed steps to assist you in this process.
How to Downgrade from Android 15 to Android 14 [2 Methods]
The following procedure will erase all data from your device, so be sure to take a full backup first. we and cannot be held liable for thermonuclear war, a missed alarm, or any issues with your device or data resulting from following these steps.
STEP 1: Install Android SDK
To begin, you need to install the official Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This package includes the essential ADB and Fastboot binaries recommended by Google. Once downloaded, extract the files to a location of your choice on your computer. This will create the platform-tools folder, which is necessary for following this guide.
STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
Next, you’ll need to turn on USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. USB Debugging helps your PC recognize your device in ADB mode, enabling you to boot to Fastboot Mode. On the flip side, OEM Unlocking is necessary for unlocking the bootloader.
Head over to your device’s Settings, then navigate to About Phone. Once there, tap on the Build Number option 7 times. After that, go back to Settings and find the System section. From System, proceed to Advanced and then Developer Options. In Developer Options, make sure to enable both USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
STEP 3: Unlock Bootloader
To proceed, you’ll need to unlock the device’s bootloader. Please note that downgrading from Android 15 to 14 or any other OS version isn’t feasible via ADB Sideload with a locked bootloader.
In this case, you’ll need to utilize Fastboot with an unlocked bootloader. It’s important to be aware that unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device and could void the warranty. If you’re comfortable with this, refer to our comprehensive guide on How to Unlock the Bootloader on any Android Device: Link.
Please select either STEP 4A or STEP 4B below to proceed with the update process. Method 4A is predominantly automated, streamlining the procedure for you, whereas method 4B requires manual execution of the majority of steps, giving you more control over the process. Take a moment to review both methods thoroughly before making a selection based on which one best aligns with your specific requirements and preferences.
STEP 4A: Downgrade Android 15 to Android 14 Android Flash Tool
- Start by connecting your device to the computer using a USB cable.
- Next, visit the Android Flash Tool website and select “Allow ADB Access.”
- Click on “Add new device,” choose your device from the pop-up, and then click “Connect.”
- Upon receiving a Debugging prompt on your device, please select Allow.
- Choose the preferred Android 14 build from the list, with the latest version typically being the recommended option.
- Select the preferred Android 14 firmware from the provided list.
- Click on the pencil (edit) icon next to the Selected build. You will notice that Wipe Device, Lock Bootloader, and Force Flash All Partitions are enabled by default.
- In this context, it is essential to select Wipe Device and Force Flash All Partitions; thus, please ensure those boxes remain checked.
- Alternatively, the choice of bootloader depends on personal preference. I prefer to keep it unlocked even after flashing, so I’ve de-selected the Lock Bootloader option.
- Next, after making your selection, proceed by clicking on “Install Build.” The tool will display the chosen build along with your device name. If everything appears correct, click on “Confirm.”
- The tool will initiate the download process and then proceed to flash the Android 15 build onto your device.
- Your device will boot to Fastboot and FastbootD Modes automatically during the flashing process.
- After the flashing process is complete, you will receive a notification. You can then safely disconnect your device and proceed to boot it to the operating system [if it doesn’t start up automatically].
STEP 4B: Downgrade Android 15 to Android 14 via Fastboot Script
- Download the Android 14 factory image for your device from the official Google Developers website, instead of opting for the OTA version.
- Once downloaded, extract it inside the platform-tools folder
- Navigate to the platform tools folder, enter “CMD” in the address bar, and press Enter to initiate the Command Prompt.
- Subsequently, enter the specified command in the Command Prompt window to switch your device to Fastboot Mode.
- Double-click on the flash-all batch file to initiate the flashing process.
- During the process, your device will boot to Fastboot and FastbootD Modes automatically, which is a standard operation.
- Upon completion of the process, you will receive a notification. Subsequently, your device will automatically boot to the operating system.
- In certain instances, your device may enter a boot loop while attempting to access the operating system. If this occurs, allow the boot loop to cycle 3-4 times until it leads you to the Android Recovery screen. At this point, perform a Format Data, and your device will then boot up with the downgraded OS [this process is also demonstrated in the video].
That’s it. Those are the two distinct methods you can use to downgrade your device from Android 15 to Android 14. If you encounter any challenges or have questions regarding the steps mentioned above, please feel free to share them in the comments section. Your feedback is valuable, and we will promptly provide you with a solution to address any issues you may face during the process.