If you have a Google Pixel And, out of impatience, you have installed Android 10 Once you've received the update, the experience might not have been what you expected. You might notice the phone is a bit slower. slowthat you miss certain settings or functions of Android 9 Pie, or perhaps you simply prefer to wait for the system to mature a bit more. In either case, you might consider back to Android 9Don't worry: we'll teach you step by step how to make one downgrade Downgrade from Android 10 to Android 9 on your Pixel.
At AndroidAyuda we always recommend keeping the latest version available of the system for reasons of to maximise security and your enjoyment.vulnerability patches and access to the new arrivalsHowever, there are very specific situations in which an update causes compatibility problems, errors with important applications or interface changes that don't suit your needs. If this is your case, we'll guide you through the process. downgrade (downgrade) from Android 10 to Android 9 on a Google Pixel, in an orderly manner and with all the Precautions necessary.
What is an Android downgrade and when does it make sense to do it?
When we talk about downgrade We are referring to the technique of replace a newer software version with an older oneOn Android, this can be applied to specific applications (reverting to a previous version of an app) or to the app itself. device firmware (change the operating system version).
Android updates are usually released to introduce performance improvements, new functions y security patchesTherefore, in general, it's not advisable to give them up. However, there are very clear cases where downgrading can be a valid solution:
- When an update introduces critical bugs that affect calls, connectivity, camera, audio, or other essential elements.
- If you find compatibility problems with work applications, banking, home automation or tools that do not work correctly in the new version.
- In devices where the manufacturer has not planned correct in the short term You've encountered some errors and need a solution to continue using your mobile phone normally.
In all cases, it is essential to understand that a Android downgrade It is not a trivial process; it involves risks and, generally, it implies completely erase the data of the telephone.
Important considerations before downgrading from Android 10 to Android 9
Before starting the process on your Google Pixel, it's important to understand several factors that influence the to maximise security and your enjoyment. of the procedure and in your personal data:
- Downgrading is not always possible.Some manufacturers, or even Google itself, may block the installation of older versions. In the case of Pixel phones, Google offers official factory images which allow you to revert to previous versions, but on other mobile phones this may not be possible or may be very limited.
- You will lose all your dataThe process of installing a factory image of Android 9 on a Pixel removes all the information stored on the device (apps, photos, chats, files, etc.). It is essential to perform a full backup before starting.
- Unlocking the bootloaderTo flash an older version of the system, it is usually necessary unlock bootloaderThis can cause the device to become unusable. formatted and in some cases even affect the Warranty.
- Less security and compatibilityBy reverting to Android 9, you give up the security patches and improvements in Android 10. Some apps may become incompatible with the previous version in the medium term.
- Evaluate alternativesSometimes, a factory reset about Android 10 or the use of XNUMXrd party ROMs It can solve the problems without having to give up the latest version.
If after considering all this you are still decided, we will explain the process in detail to minimize risks and avoid common mistakes.
Installing the Android SDK tool package
The first thing you'll need to do is install the Android SDK (Platform Tools) packagewhich includes utilities ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and FastbootThese tools allow you to communicate with the phone from your computer and modify the system from the command line.
You can install them on any desktop operating system: Windows, MacOS o LinuxDownload the corresponding compressed file and extract it to an easy-to-remember location (for example, in a folder called adb in the root directory of your disk). It is recommended to have all the files in that same folder. necessary files for the process, so that you can execute the commands without confusion.
These are the tools you will use to reboot the Pixel into bootloader mode, check that the computer recognizes it correctly and flash the factory image of Android 9.
Make sure your Pixel phone is fully updated
Even if your goal is to make a downgradeIt's important that the phone is completely updated to the latest available build of Android 10. The reason is that this method does not work correctly if there are any remaining issues. pending updates on your Pixel, since Google uses a partitioning and patching system that can cause conflicts.
Accede to Settings > System > System Update and check that the device does not have downloads or installations Pending. If updates are available, install them, restart your phone, and check again until the system indicates you're up to date. latest version available.
This point is key to reducing the possibility of flashing errors and make sure that the Android 9 image is installed on a consistent basis.
Download the Android 9 image for your Google Pixel
The next step is to download the Android 9 factory image corresponding to your specific Pixel model. These images are obtained from the Google's official download pagewhere you'll find a large list of system versions classified by device.
You must locate the latest factory image Download the Android 9 Pie build that is compatible with your model and region. It's important to choose the correct build to avoid boot errors or incompatibilities. Once downloaded, save the compressed file in the same folder where you have the ADB and Fastboot tools to facilitate later commands.
When the download is complete, don't extract it yet if you're going to follow the steps exactly as described: you'll do it at the indicated time, directly inside the folder of platform-tools so that the script flash-all find all the necessary files.
Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking on the Pixel
In order for your computer to communicate with the phone using ADB you need enable USB debuggingThis setting is found within the developer optionswhich are not activated by default.
Los followed are the following:
- Go to Settings > About phone and press several times in a row on Build Number until a message appears indicating that the developer options They have been activated.
- Go back and enter Settings > System > Advanced > Developer options.
- Scroll to the section Wastewater Treatment and activate the option USB debugging.
- In that same menu, also enable OEM unlockessential to be able to unlock bootloader from Fastboot.
Without these two options enabled, the computer will not be able to send commands relevant to the phone, nor unlock the bootloader or start the Android 9 image flashing process.
Connect the phone to the computer and prepare the ADB/Fastboot environment.
Once you have everything ready, connect your Google Pixel connect to the computer using the USB cable. On the phone, confirm the USB debugging authorization When the corresponding message appears, check the box to Always trust this team if you wish.
On the computer, open a command line window:
- In Windows, press the key Windows, writes cmd and open the Symbol of the system.
- On macOS or Linux, open the application. Bus Terminal.
Use the appropriate command to navigate to the directory where you have the ADB/Fastboot tools and the Android 9 factory image. From there, type:
adb reboot bootloader
This command will restart your phone. bootloader mode (or Fastboot mode). In the case of Windows, you may need to install the Google USB drivers so that the system correctly recognizes the device.
To do this, unzip the drivers, open the Device administratorLocate the Pixel, right-click on it, choose Update Driver and point to the directory where you extracted the USB drivers. Then, disconnect and reconnect your phone to make sure the system detects it correctly.
Verify that everything is correct by typing the following in the terminal:
fastboot devices
If your Pixel's serial number appears, it means the computer recognizes the device in Fastboot mode and you can continue with the process.
Unlock the bootloader and flash Android 9 on the Google Pixel
Once you have confirmed that Fastboot recognizes the phone, copy (if you haven't already) the compressed file from the Android 9 factory image Place the files in the same folder as the ADB tools and extract them there, without creating any additional subfolders. This will make all the necessary files available to the script. flash-all.
The next step is unlock bootloader from the Pixel. This process will completely erase all data from your phone, so make sure you have a backup. In the terminal, type:
FastBoot Flashing Unlock
A warning will appear on your phone's screen indicating that you are about to unlock the bootloader. You will need to confirm using the physical buttons Use the volume up and down buttons to navigate and the power button to accept. Once accepted, the device will be formatted and ready to install the operating system.
Meanwhile, on your computer, you should already have the Android 9 factory image extracted to the same folder as the ADB/Fastboot executable. Now, in the terminal, run:
flash-all
This automated script will take care of flash all necessary partitions (system, boot, recovery, etc.) with the Android 9 version you downloaded. If the command doesn't work or is interrupted, check that all the image files are correctly extracted and that the build is correct for your Pixel model. If the error persists, it's recommended to try another build. compatible factory image.
When the process is complete, your device should restart automatically with Android 9 installed. The first boot may take several minutes, so be patient and do not disconnect the phone until it finishes.
Once it boots up, restart the Pixel in fastboot mode Press and hold the power and volume down buttons. To re-lock the bootloader and further strengthen device security, type the following in the terminal:
fastboot flash lock
Accept the operation on your mobile phone using the physical buttons. The device will restart and the bootloader will be locked. Android 9 fully installed.
First boot, checks and downgrade alternatives
Finally, restart your phone again, select Home in the boot menu and complete the initial setup wizard (language, Wi-Fi, Google account, backup restore, etc.). Once you access the desktop, go to Settings > About phone to check that the android version shown corresponds to Android 9 and that the build number matches the image you installed. If everything is correct, you now have your Google Pixel with Android 9.
Remember that if you decide to try Android 10 or a later version again in the future, you can update again from Settings > System > Update or by manually installing a newer factory image. Before considering another downgrade, consider options such as:
- conduct a factory reset keeping the newest version, which often fixes bugs after a major update.
- Try one Alternative ROM Developed by the community if your model supports it, which can offer performance improvements and customization without giving up current versions.
- Wait for the manufacturer to publish new patches correcting the problems that led you to downgrade.
Having the possibility to do downgrade from Android 10 to Android 9 A Google Pixel gives you room to continue using your phone with a stable experience while the latest software matures, as long as you keep in mind the risks, the loss of data and the security implications of using an older version of the system.