Downgrading Leak OS to Official OS
After a day of exhaustive reading/trying/waiting on hold below is my account on what I learned about downgrading BB10 OS on the Z10.
Much to my surprise Verizon finally produced an update 10.1.0.2051 however I am running 10.1.0.2354 which as well all know is a newer OS than the �official release� Being a BlackBerry self-proclaimed �fan boy or all things BlackBerry� I decided to downgrade to the VZW release, I had no idea what research I would eventually do, not to mention the frustration
.
Looking on Crackberry many, many people said the below options:
1. Do a security wipe from the phone (settings > security and privacy > Security Wipe). However, that does not downgrade the OS! That only �refreshes� the current OS installed on the Phone, taking it back to the day you installed that OS. Even if that OS is a leak.
2. Do a �reload device software� from BlackBerry Link (Settings > Reload Device Software > Reload). That is supposed to work, however there is no guarantee due to the �leaked software�. And that option for me gave me a message stating there is no update for my BB device.
3. Start to re-install the �leaked� software and pull the USB cable out of the phone as the software is installing on the phone, essentially bricking the phone. Which then BB Link will recognize the phone does not have software and install the correct OS.
Trying options 1 and 2 above with no success, I decided to give BlackBerry tech support a call. After many, many attempts, with the BB tech, to do a factory re-install of the software (see steps below) this is what the level 2 tech told me. He said that there was never any plan �downgrade� software, the plan was to always upgrade (I find that hard to believe, but I have heard worse, look at Windows 8, �nough said). He said if I could find an older leak and install it (E.G. 10.1.0.2009) then BBLink would see that there was a newer �official� release of software and install it (He also said this is what they been telling everyone all day today). Also, unlike older BB OS�s there is no plan to place the OS out there on BB site so people can download it directly to their PC. I asked about option 3 (bricking the phone), he said only if you cannot live with the software you have on your phone, and you were as unsuccessful as I was today and absolutely had to downgrade, then there is a slight chance it would truly brick the phone. Remember you are putting the software through a crash, which the debugging part of the software must take over, which could make it truly brick. He did say that they might be able to un-brick phones, however, there is no guarantee, and it is like a 50/50 chance it would work.
Factory Re-install Software
1. Do not have your phone connected to the PC
2. Turn off your Phone
3. Have BB Link Running
4. Using a BB USB cable, plug it into the PC then into your BB Phone
5. In BB Link, go to Settings > Reload Device Software > Reload. (Note: Link is supposed to still read that your BB Phone is plugged in even though it is off)
6. You will get a message stating that you are about to reset your phone to the original factory OS, click yes to continue.
7. After installation and a reboot your phone will now be back to the original BB10 OS.
8. Now you should be able to upgrade the OS.
So, after an exhausting day of trying to downgrade, I am left with OS 10.1.0.2354 and I will live with it until someone somewhere comes out with a method like we use to use on our old BB phones like JL Commander
Hope this helps someone out there.