Google announced Android M developer preview at Google I/O 2015. Nexus device owners are lucky to get this new update for testing on their Nexus devices including Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 or Nexus player. This new Android OS is in beta version means that it carries some bugs and not carries all the device drivers so shouldn’t be used as regular firmware. So people who already install this new update and facing some problems then here is a little guide to downgrade Android M back to Android Lollipop.
In this guide we’ll use the Nexus devices which includes Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Nexus player, and if you are using other Android device then don’t apply these steps. So all Nexus users who are experiencing some bugs or drivers issues can downgrade safely to any Android Lollipop version (Android 5.1.1, Android 5.0.2, Android 5.0.1 or Android 5.0).
One thing to remember that downgrade is very easy procedure but it will completely wipe all your device data. So it is important to take proper backup before doing anything else.
Note: iPho9 and its team will not be responsible for any kind of device damage while following this downgrade process. So you should proceed at your own risk.
Downgrade Android M To Android Lollipop Steps:
Checkout following points before proceeding:
- This guide should be used for Google Nexus device only.
- Back up your device data and settings before proceeding, as this process will wipe your device data completely.
- Ensure that the device is not rooted, but its bootloader must be unlocked to run ‘unlock’ and other commands during the flashing process.
- Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on your Nexus device by going to Settings > About phone > Developer Settings > USB debugging.
- Tap the build number at the bottom of screen seven times to unlock the developer settings option.
- Download follow things:
- Google Android M factory image
- ADB installer for Windows (To downgrade Android M)
- Nexus Tools for Mac
- Connect your device with computer via USB cable and hit “Yes” for trusted source prompt
- For Mac users launch Terminal app and enter “adb devices” command
For Windows users Open Command windows and at c:\adb> enter “adb devices” command, both the above commands will show all the connected devices
- In command/ terminal window enter this command adb reboot bootloader
- Type following command: fastboot oem unlock when your device booted with bootloader menu
- Press Volume Up and then Power button to select and confirm the wipe the device option from menu
- Follow these steps to factory reset and wipe cache your device:
- Power off the device
- Press and hold the Volume Down and Power button to reboot into Bootloader mode.
- Use Volume key to switch to Recovery Mode and Power button to select it.
- Now the device should reboot and a small Android logo should appear on-screen along with “No command” message below it.
- At this moment, tap the Power button and then hit Volume Up once.
- On the ensuing screen, choose the option: Wipe Cache Partition. Use Volume buttons to scroll and Power button to select an option in Recovery.
- Finally, select Wipe Data/Factory Reset option and then select Yes to confirm.
- Browse the location where you kept the Android M factory image on your computer and keep connected your Nexus device with your computer using USB cable
- Switch off your device and press both the Power and Volume Up buttons right until your device boots into bootloader mode
- Launch the Command window (Windows) or Terminal app (Mac)
- In Command window enter flash-all.bat command (For Windows)
- In Terminal window enter sudo ./flash-all.sh command (For Mac)
- If system password is prompted provide the password and you’ll see list of different commands execution on-screen
- Finally your device will reboot and a finished message will appear on terminal/Command screen.
After your device rebooted you will notice that now your device is running Android Lollipop rather than Android M, means that you have successfully downgrade Android M back to Android Lollipop.
