How to downgrade from Android P to Oreo on your Pixel phones

rollback from Android P to Oreo

With the Android Oreo still in the rollout phase for many devices, not to mention some flagships — we’re looking at you, Galaxy Note 8 — Google is already enticing us with the release of Android P. Last week we saw the release of the first Developer preview for Android 9.0 which is exclusive to the Google Pixel lineup of devices, and it sent the Android fans into a feeding frenzy.

But now that a week has passed and the storm has calmed down, it is easy to see the reasons why you wouldn’t want to stick to Android P for now. If you’ve had your fun and want to go back a much more stable Android 8.1 Oreo version for your Pixel device, here’s how you can downgrade from Android P to Oreo.

Related: How to install Android P

How to rollback from Android P to Oreo easily

Things you will need:

Download Android 8.1 Oreo Factory Images

How to downgrade from Android P to Oreo

Since you’ve flashed Android P Developer preview already, you must have the bootloader unlocked already.

  • Download and unzip the Factory Image file for your specific Pixel device in the Minimal ADB and Fastboot tool folder.
  • Open the terminal window on your computer, connect your Pixel device via USB and type in the following code – adb reboot bootloader
  • Once the device reboots into bootloader mode, run/execute the flash-all.bat file that you had earlier extracted from the Factory Image file.
    → This will wipe everything on the device. And that is needed too otherwise the rollback won’t be without issues (if you keep data). So, have an appropriate backup.

The flashing process will now begin, during which time your Pixel device will reboot multiple times. Once the process is completed, your Google Pixel phone will be back on Android 8.1 Oreo for good.

Posted by
Husain

Sharing a love-hate relationship with Biotechnology in college, Husain moved on to his true calling of being a tech geek through and through. While briefly being persuaded by the iPhone, he made it back to the Android camp with the OnePlus One and has been a loyal comrade since.