Download Windows Phone 8.1 ROM Now to Roll Back from Windows 10 Mobile Later
This is like a post Windows 10 Mobile Roll out scenario, but you need to prepare for it now. If for any reason, you feel that Windows Phone 8.1 was much smoother for you, and you still need MS to fix few bugs, here is how you an roll back to Windows Phone 8.1 later from Windows 10 Mobile. Post Windows 10 Mobile roll out, all Windows Phone 8.1 ROM will not be available any more.
Disclaimer: Its an unofficial method, and nobody is here to take responsibility if something goes wrong with your phone. Please follow this method only at your own risk.
Download Windows Device Recovery Tool:
This tool will detect your phone, and download the respective ROM. You can download, and install from here.
Connect Phone & Download ROM:
Now open the program, and connect your phone through a USB data cable. Once your phone is detected, the ROM will start downloading on your PC. Make sure to disconnect the phone right away else, you will end up loosing all data.
A word of caution here. If you have used this tool previously, chances are that you already have an image, and it will instantly flash your phone. Browse and ensure there are no packages listed in c:\programdata\Microsoft\packages\products.
Copy Downloaded ROM to Backup :
One the download is complete, skip the flashing process. Now Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Packages\Products. Right-click on RM-XXX and save it a safe place. If you have online storage, upload a copy there.
Use WP Internals Tool to Flash your Lumia Offline.
WP Internals Tool is a third party software which can use an image, and then flash it your phone. Download the program from here, and run it as an administrator. There is an option in this tool which says Flash original FFU”. Click on Select the FFU-file to flash to the phone, and then navigate to the occasion of the image. Click to Flash.
This way you can roll back your device to Windows Phone 8.1 to Windows 10 Mobile if you find it buggy for day to day usage. However make sure to disable automatic update for your Windows Phone 8.1 device. More on Reddit
Note : It is possible that your phone may get locked again, and hence you need to make sure if you can get it unlocked or not. If you are testing this on an unlocked version, most of the problems should not show up. Still stay sharp.
Our Author Tejas Also contributed to this.
