Despite the fact that Google releases updates for the mobile version of Chrome more than once a month, all the changes that the browser has undergone have been mostly functional. That is, no external transformations occurred to it, and the design of Chrome remained the same almost all the time. Perhaps the only significant change to the browser interface was at the beginning of the year, when Google added a mechanism for grouping tabs. But now she has also changed the start screen, which many would prefer to abandon. We tell you how to do this.
Chrome gets a new design. We tell you how to turn it off
What features have appeared in the new Google Chrome for Android
The change to the design of the Chrome start screen , which occurred as a result of the latest update, can hardly be called that large-scale. It’s just that now another new block has appeared between the block of frequently visited sites and recommended articles from Google’s selection. It contains running web pages that you can quickly open without having to go to the tab menu.
How to disable app updates in the future
To prevent this application from being updated again, you need to disable updates for it in the Google Play service. To do this, go to the Google Play application on your Android phone and use the search to find the page for the application you need. After opening the application page, click on the button with three dots. It should be at the very top of the screen.
After clicking on this button, a small pop-up menu will appear in which you can disable the update for this application.
Once app updates are disabled, only your grandchild can update the app.
See also:
- How to disable and remove Alice from an Android phone
- How to disable auto-update of applications on Android
- How to remove built-in apps on Android
Account synchronization instructions
Once we managed to restore access to the profile, we still need to enable synchronization with the account through the Play Store application. This is not difficult to do.
- We launch the Play Market service on the phone.
- A login form will immediately appear, enter your profile information.
- Synchronization is now active.
If the application has crashed and does not prompt you to enter a password, you will have to restart it. To do this, go to “Settings”, “All applications” and go to the “Play Market” application. Here we stop the program, select “Clear cache” and launch the application again.
Why do a rollback on Android?
The software of the phone is important, as is its technical content. The fresher the software is on it, the faster and more stable it works. With the OS update, developers will improve their gadgets (expand functionality, improve their performance, interface, etc.), and also eliminate previously made shortcomings. But sometimes after installing a new version of Android OS the following problems arise:
- the device startup time increases;
- performance drops (sometimes the smartphone just starts freezing);
- the touch screen does not respond to user actions;
- Shortcuts disappear from the home screen;
- Some applications won't launch.
To fix all these bugs, you have to roll back the OS version.
Experts do not advise installing new firmware on old gadgets, because this often ends in serious problems.
When is it possible to do this?
To save money, many manufacturers of technological devices, such as laptops, optimize them only for specific versions of operating systems. And if the device initially ran Windows 10, then installing Windows 7 on it in most cases will be almost impossible. A similar situation occurs with smartphones - rarely does anyone manage to download firmware of an earlier version than the preinstalled one.
The whole reason often lies in the components, namely the installed processors. Manufacturers do not consider it necessary to incur additional costs by optimizing their hardware for all existing versions of Android. Therefore, it turns out that the modern Snapdragon 845 simply will not run on Android 5.0.
However, we are talking about a rollback, which means that a previous version of the operating system was once installed on the smartphone. Yes, this is true, but the file with the old firmware after the next update is simply deleted without the possibility of recovery. That is why you have to resort to complex flashing methods that are not always understandable to the average user.
And on an iPhone?
For all those iOS users, you should know that the rollback options in any iOS app are complex. Apple has limited the ability to install legacy apps for several generations, preventing us from manually fixing problems with some apps. We need to be sure that our bugs will be fixed soon by the developer in the App Store and proceed with the update as soon as possible.
What to do before installing an old application
First, prepare your smartphone. By default, the system prohibits installation of applications from anywhere except from the official store. Go to the “ security ” tab and check the box next to “ unknown sources ”. After this, you can install the APK downloaded from any site.
However, this instruction is not relevant for the eighth version of Android. In Oreo, you will have to give permission to an application, such as Google Drive or Chrome, to run third-party APKs. This depends on how the application gets to your smartphone: if you are going to download it using a browser, give permission to Chrome or the browser you are using. This setting is located in the “ privacy and security ” tab – “ more ” – “ install unknown applications ”.
Why do you need regular updates?
When first getting acquainted with the Android operating system, many do not even notice that the software (software or firmware) is updated automatically. Such an operation has not only advantages, but also disadvantages, which are worth mentioning separately.
The main task of updating the software is to eliminate various problems and shortcomings that were made by the developers. If all components work correctly, then the functionality of the system increases, as does its ability to withstand new models of viruses.
Every coin has two sides, so it would be wrong to evaluate only the positive sides. Many Android OS users are looking for a way to disable automatic software updates because they have encountered serious problems. The most important is the malfunctioning of the system due to a conflict between new and old parameters. Re-flashing the smartphone, deleting certain utilities, or rolling back the software to an older version will help eliminate such an imbalance.
"Rollback" to the old version
To do this, you can reset all settings using a special code, which can only be obtained from official representatives of the manufacturer.
Go to their website, find their contacts, get in touch. You dictate the IMEI of your phone to them, and in response you receive the necessary code. The details of the “rollback” will be explained to you.
You can synchronize with a computer via cable. But first install the drivers on your computer. They can be found either on the official website or on a special disk that came with your phone.
Returning factory firmware
This option is suitable for those who are disappointed in any update versions, realizing that their mobile device can only function normally on the factory firmware version.
The simplest and most effective method is a “hard reset”, or Hard Reset. This will allow you to return the software that the manufacturers installed.
There are two options for how to return the old update to Android: through the settings in the menu of the phone itself and using a “magic” key combination when the firmware “killed” the phone and it doesn’t even turn on.
- Through settings.
- Go to them through the menu, select “About device”, and then “Reset settings”.
- Sometimes you may need to enter security codes, which should be given to you along with the phone (may be given in the instructions).
- However, remember that if the firmware changes, then the location and names of the sections also change. You will have to restore your data.
- Each type of phone has its own combinations.
- Therefore, go to specialized forums or seek help in the technical information section, which you can find on the official website of the manufacturer.
- Often this is a combination: power button (or unlock) + menu + volume down button (in some cases, volume up). Moreover, not just press, but hold.
- Do not forget that all information on the phone will be destroyed. All memory will be formatted.
By default, Android applications downloaded from the Google Play Market are automatically updated, as is the smartphone's operating system. If you prefer to first view changes that affect an application or device system before downloading them, we recommend that you read these instructions to the end and choose the most optimal method for you, which will allow you to block all updates.
Login to recovery
“Recovery” is a special boot mode on Android, with which you can reset settings or flash the system. If you buy gadgets in trusted certified stores and with an already installed OS, then they should have the stock “recovery” mode. How to enter recovery depends only on your device model. The most common combination is the power button and volume down key.
For example, if you don’t know how to return the old version of Android to Lenovo, then this combination will work for most of their devices. I would like to note that before entering “recovery”, you need to turn off the phone. If you are looking for how to return the old version of Android Sony Xperia, then you need to press three buttons: those that we have already named, and the camera button. You can easily find more detailed instructions for various models on the World Wide Web. But what to do after entering boot mode?
What happens if you never update the software - for new and old models
Software updates are an important component of the proper functioning of the entire Android OS system, including installed programs. If the user intentionally turned off the auto-update function and does not perform it himself, the smartphone will begin to freeze.
The whole point is the outdated program algorithms, with which new utilities will interact incorrectly or will not be able to interact at all.
The system will also become vulnerable to new types of virus programs that periodically penetrate it through downloaded programs or when viewing pages on the Internet. The threat to the smartphone can become critical, which will lead not only to the system freezing, but also to its complete failure.
However, the situation is completely opposite with outdated Samsungs produced in 2022 and older. Here, a software update, on the contrary, leads to the same conflict and the smartphone often starts to slow down. In this case, disabling is even recommended.
How to downgrade Android version
There are many ways to roll back the OS to a previous version, so the user can choose the most suitable one for himself. But before performing this procedure, you need to study the instructions for the chosen method.
Via PC
Many inexpensive phones run on an MTK processor, so let’s look at the firmware of such a device using an example.
It is stitched as follows:
- The firmware of the required version is downloaded to the PC (it comes as a Rar archive).
- The mtk_driver_auto_installer_v5.1453 driver is installed on the phone.
- The SP Flash Tool Windows flasher is downloaded to the computer.
- The smartphone is completely turned off, and then connected to the computer using the original USB cable. If you use a third-party cable, then most likely the phone will not be able to be flashed.
- Then the flasher program is launched, in the menu of which the scatter firmware file is selected (located in the folder with the firmware). After which the firmware files will be automatically registered in the application.
- Next, in the program, click the Download tab, after which the process of flashing the smartphone will start. After completing the procedure, you need to disconnect the device from the PC, start it and configure it.
Via the update menu
This method is suitable for those users who do not want to bother with wires.
To do this you need:
- Download the required firmware version to the gadget.
- Open settings on the device.
- Select the “About phone” item there.
- Select the “System Update” tab.
- Click the icon with three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the display.
- Find and select the line “Select firmware file” and specify the path to the software.
- Then you need to wait for the procedure to complete, after which you can start the device.
Through custom Recover
You can also flash your Android gadget using cwm recovery, which you need to install yourself.
This requires:
- Create a separate folder on your PC.
- Download a custom recovery file for your phone model into it.
- Be sure to rename it to recovery and place the scatter file from any firmware for your phone in the same folder.
- Launch the SP Flash Tool Windows flasher.
- Select the scatter file, after which the recovery file to be flashed will automatically appear in the utility.
- Next, you need to connect the gadget using a USB cable to the PC. In this case, it must be turned off.
- Then you need to click the “Download” tab in the application.
- Next, custom recovery will quickly be uploaded to the device.
- Now you need to launch Recovery. To do this, with the gadget turned off, simultaneously press the “Volume Down + Power” or “Volume Up + Power” keys.
- Then in the recovery menu you need to select “Wipe” and clear the device’s file system.
- Then you need to select the “Install” line, select the firmware file and click “Ok”.
- Then the smartphone firmware process will start, after which you need to reboot the gadget. To do this, go to the main menu of the utility and select the “Reboot System” item there.
To navigate through the Recovery items, you need to use the phone’s volume buttons, and confirm the selection with the power button.
With ROOT rights granted
When using a more advanced method of custom flashing a smartphone, you will need ROOT rights, standard Recovery and firmware in the gadget’s memory.
Then you need to do the following:
- Download and install the Android ROM Manager utility on your device.
- To select the “Flash Clockwork Mod Recovery” function in it.
- Then click the “Reboot into Recovery” tab and run the utility.
- Then, as in the previous case, you need to clear the gadget of old data and install new firmware on it.
How to get ROOT rights
To get ROOT you can use the following applications:
- Kingo Root;
- Root Dashi;
- Baidu Root;
- superuser;
- DingDong Root.
There are many such applications, so if you can’t get root access using one utility, try others.
Almost all steps to obtain Root come down to installing the application and activating it. The utility will perform the rest of the actions on its own, after which you only need to periodically give it permissions.
Each program is supported by certain models of smartphones, so you need to install only the one intended for it on your gadget.
Contact the service center
If you are not confident in your abilities and knowledge, then it is best to contact a specialized repair center, where they will quickly roll back the system for you. You just need to take into account that if you installed a new version of Android using something other than the phone’s standard tools, the repair warranty will be void. That is, you will have to pay money for this procedure, and you will need to pay a considerable amount to repair an expensive gadget.
Turn off notifications
Another serious irritant is notifications about the availability of an update. There are three ways to escape from them: install the update, get root rights and uninstall the update or turn off notifications. Everything is clear with the first two, let’s study the third option in detail.
Open "Applications" in Settings. Find "Google Play Services". Click on "Notifications" and turn them off.
You can't do without notifications at all: there is a chance of missing an important message or update. Therefore, this option should be considered as a temporary measure. Next you need to make a decision: either root and remove the update, or clear the memory to install it.
Articles and Lifehacks
All owners of devices based on the “green robot” who constantly or periodically update the software should know how to return the old update to Android.
This will help you “roll back” to a previous, more stable version.
Why might gadget owners be unhappy with the update?
In most cases, after the update procedure, the device should work faster, and all shortcomings should become a thing of the past. All that users can complain about are some changes in the interface or, for example, the disappearance of shortcuts from the desktop (accordingly, the applications themselves disappear). This happens because the installed programs are already outdated and simply do not correspond to the new firmware.
New versions of applications or their analogues can still be found on the Play Market, and trying to return the previous version of the OS due to the loss of old applications is a rather stupid idea. What else may irritate owners in the new firmware version is the appearance of some programs that cannot be removed. For example, these could be new services from Google. And then all users begin to think about whether it is possible to return the old version of Android. But most of all those who want to return to the old firmware are among those who tried to reflash their device on their own. Here, a huge variety of problems may appear, to the point that your gadget may turn into a “brick,” that is, stop showing signs of life altogether.
So before performing such manipulations, make sure that you have enough knowledge and experience, and best of all, contact a professional. Reflash the device only in extreme cases, when you cannot do without it, because such a procedure completely voids your warranty. But you can still return the previous version.
Charge your smartphone
What is worth noting first of all is that before starting this procedure you need to charge the device well. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to roll back the system and how long the gadget will reboot after that.
If during such manipulations in the “recovery” mode the device does not have enough charge and it cannot fully complete its task, then, most likely, problems with its further use cannot be avoided.
The same applies to flashing your phone yourself. For some users, certain system functions disappeared or did not work, even the touchpad became inoperable. In some cases, the firmware did not install at all and it was simply impossible to enter the OS. But even then recovery helped again. If you cannot enter this mode or it simply does not exist, there are a number of simple utilities for flashing this mode directly through the operating system. Sometimes you may need a PC for this task.
We told you about how to return the old version of Android after updating. Treat your gadget with care and it will serve you for a long time.
Thanks to the Google Play service, developers of applications for Android phones and tablets have the opportunity to efficiently distribute updates for their products. As soon as they update the application in the Google Play service, it is automatically updated on all Android devices where it is installed. In most cases, this is very convenient. For both developers and users.
But updates are not always successful. Sometimes after updating the application is not stable or contains errors. In such situations, the problem arises of how to remove an application update on Android and return its old version.