Unless you’ve already installed some backup software which keeps copies of each version of an app (see Automatically backup app versions below), undoing an update isn’t straightforward. Android doesn’t have a handy ‘roll back’ button. You could factory reset your smartphone or tablet to go back to the original system apps, but that won’t help you for other apps you’ve installed as they will be completely removed and your only option is to reinstall the latest version. See also: Android app reviews
Undo an Android app update: Find the APK file
One way you can go back to a previous version of an app is to find the installation file for that version. Android uses APK files for apps, so called because of their .apk file ending. As long as you know which version number you need, you can search the web for the app name, version number and APK. For example, if you wanted to find version 1.5 of BBC iPlayer, you’d search for BBC iPlayer 1.5 APK. Be careful where you download files, as you could inadvertently download an app riddled with malware.
If you have an older version of the app on another device, you should be able to extract the APK file from it. If that device is rooted, you can simply grab the APK file from the /data/app/ folder. Otherwise, you can try an app such as My Backup Pro (below, £3) to make a backup of the app on a microSD card in that device (assuming it has one).
Once you have the file, you can uninstall the newer version of the app from your device, and copy the older APK file you found to the phone or tablet using Windows Explorer. Copy it to either a new folder, or the existing Download folder. Then, you’ll need a File Explorer app to find the file on your Android device, at which point you can tap on it and install it. (Note that you will need to tick the box somewhere in your device’s settings menu to allow the installation of apps from “unknown sources”. Most but not all Android devices have this option.)
Undo an Android app update: Automatically backup app versions
If all of the above fails, there’s really not much you can do. To avoid ending up in the same situation in the future, it’s worth installing an app such as AppMonster Pro Backup Restore (£2.50). This automatically creates a backup each time you install a new app, meaning you’ll always have a copy of the APK files for every version of an app you’ve updated.
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
