How do I download an older version of an app on Android?

Quick Answer

There are a few different ways to download older versions of apps on Android devices:

• Use the APKPure app to search for and download an older APK (app file).
• Find the app’s APK on websites like APKMirror.com and manually download and install it.
• Use the App Downgrader app to downgrade apps you already have installed.
• Uninstall app updates in your device’s settings to revert to the original factory version.

The easiest options are using APKPure or APKMirror to get an older APK file and sideload it onto your device. Downgrading apps or uninstalling updates can also work but is a bit more time consuming.

As Android apps are updated over time, you may find that you prefer an older version of an app compared to the latest release. Perhaps the old version had a feature you liked that got removed, or maybe a recent update introduced bugs or other issues.

Fortunately, Android’s open ecosystem allows you to downgrade or install old app versions rather easily in most cases. Here’s an in-depth look at the various methods for downloading older app releases on your Android device.

Use APKPure to Find and Install an Older APK

One of the simplest ways to download an older app version on Android is using the APKPure app. APKPure is an app store alternative to the Google Play Store that specializes in distributing APK files.

Here are the steps to use APKPure to find and install an older app release:

1. Download and install the latest version of APKPure from www.apkpure.com.
2. Open APKPure and search for the app you want to downgrade.
3. Select the app and tap the Versions tab.
4. Browse the list of versions and tap Download on the one you want.
5. Once downloaded, tap the APK file to install it.

The key benefit of using APKPure is you can quickly see all available versions of an app in one place. And downloading an old APK takes just a couple taps.

Pros of Using APKPure

• Simple interface makes finding old app versions easy.
• Includes most popular Android apps.
• Reliable download source for authentic APKs.
• Additional app info like recent changes.
• Also great for region-restricted apps.

Cons of APKPure

• Must install separate app store app.
• Some apps missing.
• Contains ads.
• Downloads may be slower than other sources.

So in summary, while not perfect, using the APKPure app is one of the quickest and easiest solutions for downloading older app versions on Android. It puts all available APKs in one spot for simple browsing and downloading.

Manually Download APKs from APKMirror

Another great source for finding older, unofficial APK files is APKMirror. This is a website that hosts APK files for thousands of Android apps across all versions.

To use APKMirror to get an older app version, follow these steps:

1. Go to www.apkmirror.com.
2. Search for the app you want to downgrade.
3. Open the app’s page and browse the version history.
4. Tap the Download APK button on the version you need.
5. Open the downloaded APK on your device to install.

As you can see, the process is very similar to using APKPure. The main difference is you browse and download the APK files directly in your phone’s or computer’s web browser instead of within an app.

Pros of APKMirror

• Contains APKs for tons of apps.
• Clean interface and version histories.
• Reputable source for official APKs.
• Can download files on computer.
• No installation of additional apps needed.

Cons of APKMirror

• Must manually search each app.
• No app change logs/release notes.
• Some apps and versions missing.
• Slow download speeds at times.

In summary, APKMirror is ideal for finding APKs you can directly download and sideload. While you lose the change log info and have to search apps manually, it’s still an excellent source for Android app APKs across all versions.

Use AppDowngrader to Revert Installed Apps

The AppDowngrader app takes a different approach to getting older app versions on Android. Instead of downloading separate APK files, it reverts the already installed apps on your device to older releases.

Here’s how AppDowngrader works:

1. Download and install AppDowngrader from the Play Store.
2. Open it and grant root permissions if prompted.
3. Tap an app to see its version history.
4. Choose the version to downgrade to.
5. The app will be downgraded.

In other words, AppDowngrader accesses the app data on your device to forcibly swap out the current release with an older one. It does not download or install any separate APKs.

Pros of AppDowngrader

• Easily revert apps already on your device.
• Preserves app data and settings.
• Good for downgrading a few select apps.
• Includes change log info for each version.

Cons of AppDowngrader

• Must have apps installed already.
• Requires root access.
• Only works with certain apps.
• Bugs and crashes may occur.

In summary, AppDowngrader lets you quickly downgrade apps already on your phone as an alternative to sideloading older APKs. But it requires root, may not work properly in all cases, and is best for downgrading just a few apps rather than many.

Uninstall App Updates Through Android Settings

The final method we’ll cover is using your Android device’s App Settings to uninstall app updates. This reverts apps to their original factory version that came pre-installed on your phone or old backups.

Here are the steps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications.
2. Tap the app you want to revert.
3. Tap the three dot menu > Uninstall updates.
4. Confirm to uninstall all updates.

This will instantly roll the app back to the factory version without downloading anything. Keep in mind the original version may be much older than other methods.

Pros of Uninstalling App Updates

• Reverts app to factory version.
• Doesn’t require other apps or files.
• Preserves all app data and settings.
• Simple process using built-in tools.

Cons of Uninstalling App Updates

• Only reverts app to original factory version.
• May be very outdated versions.
• Doesn’t work if app came pre-updated.
• Must repeat process if you want to update app again.

In summary, using your device’s Settings to uninstall app updates can get you back to a basic older version of an app. But it’s limited compared to other methods that give you granular version choices. Still, it’s a built-in option worth considering in some cases.

Comparison of Methods

To recap, here’s a quick comparison of the main pros, cons, and differences between each method:

As you can see, each method has its own pros, cons, and use cases. Choosing the right one depends on your specific needs and preferences when wanting to downgrade apps on Android.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about downloading older versions of apps on Android:

Is downgrading apps safe for my device?

In most cases, downgrading Android apps is safe if you use reputable sources like APKMirror. But there are a few risks to be aware of:

– Security flaws if using very old app versions.
– Potential device instability or app crashes.
– Malware if downloading from unknown sites (though rare from major sources).

Will I lose app data if I downgrade?

Typically downgrading an app will not cause you to lose any saved data or preferences. As long as you use the same account and downgrade using a reliable method like APKPure, your app information should remain intact.

Is this legal / allowed by Google?

Google discourages downgrading apps and third-party app stores. But sideloading old APK files does not actually violate Google’s terms and conditions in most regions. It falls into a legal gray area typically not punished unless downloading pirated content.

Will downgraded apps still get updates?

No, if you downgrade an app using methods other than uninstalling updates, the old version will no longer get automatic app updates from the Play Store. You would have to manually update to a newer version again later if desired.

Can I downgrade apps requiring Google Play Services?

Usually not – apps that integrate Play Services like Google Maps, Gmail, etc. can malfunction if downgraded, since older versions may not support the required Play Services framework version. Downgrading these apps is not recommended.

Conclusion

While Android doesn’t directly let you downgrade apps, there are several handy workarounds:

– Use APKPure or APKMirror to find and install older APK versions.
– Use AppDowngrader to revert installed apps to previous releases.
– Uninstall app updates to get factory versions.

The best all-around options are APKPure and APKMirror if you want an extensive selection of customizable old app versions. AppDowngrader is also handy but works best for a few select apps rather than all downgrades.

Just be aware downgrading apps can occasionally cause stability issues, so it’s recommended to backup data beforehand. Overall though, the process is fairly seamless in 2022.

So if you come across an Android app update that causes problems or removes features you like, just use one of these downgrade methods to get back an older version more suited to your needs. With the power of sideloading and APK files, you can enjoy almost any release of an app.