Your Google Pixel may have received the stable Android 13 version or even an earlier Beta release, and as a result, you may be missing out on some features or not getting the optimal experience. Fortunately, if you have any significant issues or simply don’t like the current iteration of Android 13, you can downgrade your build of Android 13 back to a stable version of Android 12 as long as you’re not using the Pixel 6/6 Pro or 6a.
If you haven’t already, you should check out our incredibly simple guide on how to install Android 13 on your Pixel. Although the transition from Android 12 to 13 is rather painless, you might want to know how to downgrade from this build if you simply don’t like it or run into issues you weren’t expecting.
Although this procedure hasn’t changed much since the Google Pixel series debuted back in 2016, it may be well known to seasoned users and Android enthusiasts but may not be as well known to those who are new to the mobile platform, which is why we’ve provided this guide. However, it is now simpler than ever to flash factory images on Pixel devices thanks to the Android Flash Tool.
Before we get started, it’s crucial to understand that there are a few steps you’ll need to take and some restrictions about which you should be informed before you can return to a stable Android 12 build.
First off, downgrading is NOT possible on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, or Pixel 6a after sideloading or installing the Android 13 stable release. The bootloader update in this OTA update raises the anti-rollback version. This practically means that you should proceed with caution because, after you have updated a Pixel 6 series phone to the stable build, there is no way to go back to Android 12. You can use this guide if you’re still using the Android 13 Beta. For the majority of users, this probably won’t be an issue, but you should be aware that the transition from Android 12 to Android 13 only happens once. Therefore, the Pixel 4/4 XL, Pixel 4A, Pixel 4A 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a are the primary targets of this tutorial.
Second, before ever attempting anything, make sure to back up all of your data. Due to the fact that this procedure necessitates a FULL device wipe, which will be performed multiple times, you WILL lose your device’s data. For anyone wishing to utilize the Chrome browser-based flashing tool, we have also supplied instructions.
Note: Since this article is also written for Windows users, the procedure for people using MacOS or Linux may differ.
FAST METHOD: DISCONTINUE FROM THE BETA Simply go to the dedicated Android 13 Beta page and unenroll your chosen device from these user-facing preview builds if you are still running the public preview. Locate your phone and tap the Opt out button. An OTA update will then be sent, wiping all of the device’s data and installing Android 12.1/12L, the most recent stable version of the operating system. We usually advise backing up all crucial data and files beforehand if you go with this strategy.
DOWNGRADE FROM ANDROID 13 BETA 4 OR DEVELOPER PREVIEW ON GOOGLE PIXEL Subscribe to 9to5Google on YouTube for more videos VIDEO
Video How to downgrade from the Android 13 Beta 4 or Developer Preview on Google Pixel 2. Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking 3. Download the Factory Image for your device 4. Boot into device bootloader 5. Unlock the bootloader 6a. Enter the flash command 7. Relock the bootloader (optional) dedicated Android 13 Beta page 0 To downgrade your current Android 12 build to an earlier version, you’ll need to use ADB or Android Debug Bridge. For easy access while executing commands, we advise placing the unzipped platform-tools package on your desktop. The most recent platform-tools zip file is available for download from dedicated Android 13 Beta page 1.
As an alternative, dedicated Android 13 Beta page 2 provides a very straightforward method to guarantee that you always have the most recent version of Platform-Tools installed on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Nexus Tools was created in Dart and is compatible with Chrome OS, Windows Subsystem for Linux, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Once Nexus Tools is complete, you can run adb, fastboot, and other instructions without encountering any difficulties.
2. TURN ON OEM UNLOCKING AND USB DEBUGGING
Make sure that Developer Options are turned on on your Pixel first. Go to Settings > About Phone on your handset, then tap Build number until a message appears confirming that Developer options are enabled.
You must now navigate to Settings, System, Advanced, and Developer Options (you may need to expand a hidden menu for this). You must scroll down and turn on OEM unlocking before we can move on because it is necessary for the following stages. Go to the Debugging area a little farther down and select Allow USB debugging.
3. DOWNLOAD YOUR DEVICE’S FACTORY IMAGE For the Android 13 downgrade process, this is required. You must obtain the proper version of dedicated Android 13 Beta page 3. Essentially, this is merely a clean slate for your smartphone or a snapshot of that specific Android build at that time. All Factory Images for Pixel smartphones are available on Google’s Factory Image OTA hosting site, where you can download it.
For later access, you must add this file and unzip its contents to the platform-tools folder.
Please remember to extract all files into the main platform-tool folder rather than an internal subfolder.
4. LOAD A BOOTLOADER ONTO THE DEVICE There are several ways to accomplish this. Connecting your device to your Windows PC, opening the platform-tools folder, and entering cmd into your file manager’s address bar is the simplest method. The appropriate Command Prompt window will be opened as a result. To start the adb daemon, type the following command:
reboot bootloader using adb
Now that your Pixel smartphone has started up, you can send commands via the bootloader.
Alternately, you can hold down the volume down key while pressing the Power button until the Android figure is lying down. You must now quickly push and hold the volume up key while simultaneously holding down the power button. You can scroll to choose into fastboot by using the up and down volume buttons.
5. DISABLE THE BOOTLOADER
Unfortunately, you can’t flash a Factory Image and downgrade your Android version using the marginally easier ADB sideloading approach, therefore unlocking the bootloader is required for the flashing process. But this is a rather easy procedure. Enter the following command into your command-line interface:
unlock fastboot flashing
On your display, a somewhat intimidating notification will inform you that unlocking the bootloader can result in device instability. Select the Unlock the bootloader option by pushing the power button after selecting it with the physical volume keys. As this method will wipe your smartphone, restart your Pixel.
In order to prepare for the following stage, we will also need to skip the device startup procedure and re-enable USB Debugging. Once you’ve done that, make sure your Pixel is connected to your computer, and then repeat the following command to restart your device’s bootloader:
Enter the flash command in step six. having all of your Factory Image files accessible and extracted into the platform-tools folder. Now that Command Prompt/PowerShell is open, you may perform the following command:
flash-all
Your Pixel will now start the procedure that can take a few minutes to downgrade from Android 13 Beta 2 to Android 12. When the procedure is complete, you will get a completion message if you keep the Command Prompt window open.
Access the Android Flash Tool
in step 6B.
Using Google’s useful dedicated Android 13 Beta page 4 is a significantly simpler way to downgrade your device. In a much more user-friendly Chrome browser window, this successfully imitates the command line process. The method is simple as long as you followed the previous instructions.
Go to the firmware page specifically for your model of Pixel and connect it to your computer using a USB-C cord. Below are the direct links for each of the supported devices:
Only dedicated Android 13 Beta page 5 dedicated Android 13 Beta page 6 dedicated Android 13 Beta page 7 dedicated Android 13 Beta page 8 dedicated Android 13 Beta page 9) Subscribe to 9to5Google on YouTube for more videos 0) Find the appropriate build or the build you want for your particular phone, then click the Flash link that is located next to the build Version. By doing this, the Android Flash Tool page will now open, and the firmware you selected will load immediately and be ready for installation on your device.
You must accept the pop-up that appears when you tap the Get Started button in order to grant ADB access. The downgrading procedure from Android 13 Beta 3 (Beta 1 or 2, Preview 1 or 2) back to Android 12 (or another available software build) can now start since your Pixel will be able to interface with your PC.
There will be a new page that details the steps (which we have detailed above). If your smartphone is connected and in the required Recovery mode when you click the Add a new device button from here, it should be recognized. Choose your Pixel and verify the software build to make sure it’s the one you want to install. Additionally, from here, you can speed up the process by relocking the bootloader without using the command line. If you’re satisfied, select Install when the License Agreement dialog box displays, and then select I accept.
It should just take a few minutes to complete this installation now, but make sure your device is firmly attached and does not disconnect during this time. A new page will greet you, confirming that the software update was successful, and your Pixel will now start up with the software you choose.
7. LOCK THE BOOTLOADER (POSSIBLE)
If you wish to receive OTA updates in the future, you must complete this optional step. If not, every time you reboot your device, a splash screen with a warning will display up. There is a handy setting for people using the Android Flash Tool that will take care of this for you (as noted above). You can completely omit this step if you have already completed it.
You can completely omit going through the device setup process once more. Now that the bootloader has been unlocked, return to step 2 and turn on USB debugging once more. OEM unlocking should now be grayed out.
Reconnect your device to your Windows PC, navigate to the platform-tools folder, and then use the cmd to launch a Command Prompt window once more. To quickly load your device’s bootloader, type the following command into your device:
Now, by inputting the following, we may re-lock the bootloader:
lock flashing in fastboot
On your Pixel, scroll to the option to lock the bootloader using the volume keys, and touch the power button to confirm. When validated, locked will show up on the bootloader menu screen. Note: After restarting your Pixel, this method will erase your device once more.
8. POWER OFF YOUR PHONE You have now successfully downgraded from the Android 13 Developer Preview, Beta, or stable release back to Android 12. You can reconnect your smartphone and restart. Now that it has loaded, you should be able to sign up and use your stable Android build after going through the device setup process.
I’ll emphasize that using this method on devices like the Pixel 5/5a and Pixel 4/4a will only be successful if you actually want to downgrade from Android 13 to Android 12. We must emphasize that if you upgrade, the Pixel 6 and 6a series will remain on Android 13. We do not advise doing this, though, as it poses a number of device security threats as well as additional possible problems. However, you do so at your own risk if you decide to downgrade from one Android version to another. If you switch from Android 11 to Android 10 on the Pixel 4, Face Unlocking will also become unavailable on earlier releases.
Contributors to this manual include Kyle Bradshaw and Dylan Roussel.
