How to downgrade ZTE Axon 7 from Android 7.1.1 to Android 7.0

ZTE recently updated their device to Android 7.1.1 and although the update is a minor shift from 7.0, various users are reporting bugs ranging from random network drops to broken mobile data.

Although various problems could be solved by a factory reset, some issues require you to downgrade your device to 7.0. If factory resetting your device does not solves your problems, read the following guide to downgrade your Axon 7.

How to Downgrade Axon 7 from Android 7.1.1 to 7.0 or Android 6.0 Marshmallow

To downgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat, use either of method A and B. While for going back to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, use method C.

Downloads

A. Downgrade to Android 7.0 using Stock Recovery

Note: The steps steps below would completely wipe the data — that is, delete everything on your device, including music, videos, pictures and other files on your device’s internal storage.

  1. Download the Axon 7 B15 .zip file provided above and rename it as update.zip.
  2. Copy the downloaded file to your SD card.
  3. Go to  Settings » About phone » and tap “Build number” seven/ten times. This will enable Developer options on your Axon 7.
  4. Power Off your device.
  5. Press “Volume Up + Power Button” simultaneously to boot your device into recovery mode.
  6. Select “Apply update via SD-card”.
  7. Select the zip file of the B15 firmware. That will start the the installation process, wait until that is finished.
  8. Reboot your device using the ‘reboot system now’ option.

That’s it. Once your Axon 7 starts, it would be running Android 7.0.

B. Downgrade to Android 7.0 using TWRP Recovery

Note: The steps steps below would completely wipe the data — that is, delete everything on your device, including music, videos, pictures and other files on your device’s internal storage.

Also, your recovery will reset to stock and you will lose your root capabilities.

If the installation of the zip fails or you run into an error called “invalid zip signature” then you have the option of rolling back to Marshmallow directly from Android 7.1.1 Nougat, given in Method C below.

  • Make sure you have TWRP recovery for ZTE Axon 7 installed on your device as this method requires it.
  • Download the Axon 7 B15 .zip file and rename it as update.zip.
  • Boot into TWRP Custom Recovery
  • [Important] Tap on Mount and check “Mount System as Read-only“.
  • Tap on Install.
  • Select the update.zip and do the swipe action at screen’s bottom to install the B15 Android 7.0 build.

C. Downgrading from Android 7.1.1 Nougat to Android 6.0 Marshmallow

  • Download the modded Axon 7 B29 Android 6.0 firmware .zip file.
  • Boot into TWRP recovery.
  • [Important] Tap on Mount and check “Mount System as Read-only“.
  • Tap on Install.
  • Select the modded B29 rollback .zip and swipe to install.
  • (Optional) The downgrade removes TWRP recovery from your device. You can re-flash TWRP recovery provided in the downloads section.

Do let us know if you need any help with this.

2 Comments

  1. Is this for A2017g or a2017u ?

    1. disqus_OtMU0kYYUN

      Download links show A2017U good sir.

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