[GUIDE] How to revert back to Android Wear 1.5

[MikaelG]

Hi guys,

I have a ZenWatch 2 and want to revert back to Android Wear 1.5 and based on everything I read in this thread, I think that I will be fine doing so (I have a link to the correct dump) but the only thing that keeps me from doing so is that I don't see an easy way to prevent the 2.0 update... In the original post, it seems that the steps will not work, and the second suggestion seems a bit complicated because it is done via TWRP and I'm not familiar with this, and don't know where to find the good file for the ZW2.

Can you please advise if there is any other solution without TWRP and root, and if not, can you please detail the process for an beginner/intermediate user?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Misterjunky]

Block / Disable OTA Updates and Notifications for OTA Updates

I have spent many many hours trying to hunt google for a sure way to block/disable any firmware
updates and those persistent OTA notifications for the Android Wear 2.0 Zenwatch 3 update after
I installed / downgraded to the good old Android Wear 1.5 firmware.

Finally I have found a sure way to do it!

Please note: this procedure will work on any android wear watch.

You will need to either boot into TWRP or install TWRP
in your watch before you can do any of this.
Don't forget to MOUNT SYSTEM in TWRP before you
use the ADB commands below.

Be sure to enable adb debugging at developer options
in your watch before doing any of this.

Here it is, it's easy IF you know how to use ADB.
To disable OTA updates and OTA notifications do this:

adb shell
cd /cache/
echo "" > update.zip
chattr +i update.zip

Reboot the watch.

Here is the download link for the 1 byte update.zip file (don't try to unzip it):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qvmjqz9w5l882t/update.zip?dl=

copy or push this 1 byte update.zip into the /cache folder in the
root of your watch BEFORE using the ADB commands above.

Once you have finished doing this successfully you will no longer
get notifications or ota updates. ROOT IS NOT REQUIRED.

If you decide you want notifications and updates at a future time
then do this:

adb shell
cd /cache/
chattr -i update.zip
rm update.zip

Reboot the watch

PLEASE NOTE:

Everything in the above information assumes that you
have already downgraded to Android Wear 1.5 and
your watch is currently working properly.

The above information will NOT downgrade your firmware,
it will only disable ota updates and ota notifications.

Good luck, have a great day!

 

[nmdang]

Hi guys,

I have a ZenWatch 2 and want to revert back to Android Wear 1.5 and based on everything I read in this thread, I think that I will be fine doing so (I have a link to the correct dump) but the only thing that keeps me from doing so is that I don't see an easy way to prevent the 2.0 update... In the original post, it seems that the steps will not work, and the second suggestion seems a bit complicated because it is done via TWRP and I'm not familiar with this, and don't know where to find the good file for the ZW2.

Can you please advise if there is any other solution without TWRP and root, and if not, can you please detail the process for an beginner/intermediate user?

Thank you in advance!

There're steps I did to prevent OTA for my watch (root required):

*** revert steps ***
./fastboot devices

./fastboot oem unlock

fastboot flash system system.img

fastboot flash boot boot.img

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

*** root steps ***

./fastboot oem unlock

./fastboot boot recovery_swift-3.1.0-0.img

./adb push root_watch.zip /sdcard

./fastboot oem lock


*** disable OTA steps (after rooted, we have to enable adb debugging at developer options) ***

./adb shell

su

pm disable com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateService

pm disable com.google.android.gsf/.update.SystemUpdateService

exit

*** Links ***
Recovery twrp: https://xdaforums.com/zenwatch-3/development/recovery-unofficial-twrp-3-0-2-0-touch-t3528478
Root file: https://docs.google.com/a/thanhdo.e...=0BwxryTxXnpbKbDQ3WlJDeVIzWm8&export=download

 

[Boateys]

My watch is shot

I have attempted this and followed all directions. The watch never boots past the "Device software can't be checked for corruption" notice. It either boots into recovery or just reboots again until it gets to recovery. I installed TWRP to check if I can see what the problem is. I am unable to mount /data. Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[Misterjunky]

There're steps I did to prevent OTA for my watch (root required):

*** revert steps ***
./fastboot devices

./fastboot oem unlock

fastboot flash system system.img

fastboot flash boot boot.img

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

*** root steps ***

./fastboot oem unlock

./fastboot boot recovery_swift-3.1.0-0.img

./adb push root_watch.zip /sdcard

./fastboot oem lock


*** disable OTA steps (after rooted, we have to enable adb debugging at developer options) ***

./adb shell

su

pm disable com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateService

pm disable com.google.android.gsf/.update.SystemUpdateService

exit

*** Links ***
Recovery twrp: https://xdaforums.com/zenwatch-3/development/recovery-unofficial-twrp-3-0-2-0-touch-t3528478
Root file: https://docs.google.com/a/thanhdo.e...=0BwxryTxXnpbKbDQ3WlJDeVIzWm8&export=download

Is your watch a Zenwatch 3 or a Zenwatch 2 ?

Also why is it that after searching my watch for those 2 systemupdate
files names I never could find any files even close to those filenames?

Where are those 2 files located in the watch?

Thanks for the info, have a great day!

 

[nmdang]

Is your watch a Zenwatch 3 or a Zenwatch 2 ?

Also why is it that after searching my watch for those 2 systemupdate
files names I never could find any files even close to those filenames?

Where are those 2 files located in the watch?

Thanks for the info, have a great day!

My watch is Zenwatch 3. What "2 system update file names" do you mean? You mean pm disable com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateService and pm disable com.google.android.gsf/.update.SystemUpdateService? They are not really 2 files. They are just commands to disable system services for OTA updating of the watch. But you have to type "su" before using those commands. It means that you have to root your watch. Other files like recovery_swift-3.1.0-0.img or, system.img, .. *.img, root_watch.zip should be stored in the computer folder where fastboot and adb are put. After you call "./adb push root_watch.zip /sdcard". root_watch.zip will be stored to your watch to be ready for rooting.

 

[Misterjunky]

re: disable OTA updates and notifications

My watch is Zenwatch 3. What "2 system update file names" do you mean? You mean pm disable com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateService and pm disable com.google.android.gsf/.update.SystemUpdateService? They are not really 2 files. They are just commands to disable system services for OTA updating of the watch. But you have to type "su" before using those commands. It means that you have to root your watch. Other files like recovery_swift-3.1.0-0.img or, system.img, .. *.img, root_watch.zip should be stored in the computer folder where fastboot and adb are put. After you call "./adb push root_watch.zip /sdcard". root_watch.zip will be stored to your watch to be ready for rooting.

Ok, I will try it again,... my watch is already rooted, that's no problem.

But I did do the adb shell and su and there was a "#" charactor meaning the watch was rooted properly
and yet issuing those two commands systemupdateservice gave me some errors,, forgot exactly what it was.


Thanks for letting me know that those were not files and that's why I never did find them.

I will try it again though.

Thanks, have a great day!

 

[asafgolan]

I was able to flash AW 1.5 successfully but I don't seem to understand how to disable the OTA.
Any chance for a more detailed guide?

 

[Misterjunky]

re: Android Wear 1.5 rom.

I was able to flash AW 1.5 successfully but I don't seem to understand how to disable the OTA.
Any chance for a more detailed guide?

Did you flash the 3 IMG files in FASTBOOT or did you
flash the excellent rootable custom Android Wear 1.5 rom? (which is 1 zip file)

Here is how to disable updates and notifications about the 2.0 update:

Please note: This only works with a rooted rom, if your watch is not
rooted then the following will not work.

*** disable OTA steps (after rooted, we have to enable adb debugging at developer options) ***

./adb shell

su

pm disable com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateService

pm disable com.google.android.gsf/.update.SystemUpdateService

exit

If you are interested in flashing the 1.5 rooted custom rom then here
is the link with full instructions on how to do it.

This following link also contains download links for the two files which
are required. One is the 1.5 rom and the other is the rooting file.

https://xdaforums.com/zenwatch-3/development/rom-asus-zenwatch-3-swift-t3537340

The custom rom is a lot smoother and way less laggy than the stock android wear 1.5.

It's very easy to to do.

Have a great day...

 

[asafgolan]

I flashed the 3 files in fastboot.
I'll give that custom rom a try, thanks!

 

[mkengel]

Ota update notification

I have spent many many hours trying to hunt google for a sure way to block/disable any firmware
updates and those persistent OTA notifications for the Android Wear 2.0 Zenwatch 3 update after
I installed / downgraded to the good old Android Wear 1.5 firmware.

Finally I have found a sure way to do it!

Please note: this procedure will work on any android wear watch.

You will need to either boot into TWRP or install TWRP
in your watch before you can do any of this.
Don't forget to MOUNT SYSTEM in TWRP before you
use the ADB commands below.

Be sure to enable adb debugging at developer options
in your watch before doing any of this.

Here it is, it's easy IF you know how to use ADB.
To disable OTA updates and OTA notifications do this:

adb shell
cd /cache/
echo "" > update.zip
chattr +i update.zip

Reboot the watch.

Here is the download link for the 1 byte update.zip file (don't try to unzip it):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qvmjqz9w5l882t/update.zip?dl=

copy or push this 1 byte update.zip into the /cache folder in the
root of your watch BEFORE using the ADB commands above.

Once you have finished doing this successfully you will no longer
get notifications or ota updates. ROOT IS NOT REQUIRED.

If you decide you want notifications and updates at a future time
then do this:

adb shell
cd /cache/
chattr -i update.zip
rm update.zip

Reboot the watch

PLEASE NOTE:

Everything in the above information assumes that you
have already downgraded to Android Wear 1.5 and
your watch is currently working properly.

The above information will NOT downgrade your firmware,
it will only disable ota updates and ota notifications.

Good luck, have a great day!

I'm doing something wrong
This is what I get:

C:\adb>adb shell
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
~ # [6n cd /cache/
/cache # [6n echo "" > update.zip
/cache # [6n chattr +i update.zip

Or from your other post:

C:\Users\Mike\Desktop\ADB_Fastboot_Windows>adb shell
adb server is out of date. killing...
* daemon started successfully *
~ # cd /cache/
cd /cache/
/cache # chattr -i update.zip
chattr -i update.zip
/cache # rm update.zip
rm update.zip

NO LUCK!

Can you give me an idea of what is going on?

Thanks for share.

 

[cushcalc]

Shortcomings of AW 2.0

The only way I found to block updates and notifications for updates
is to ROOT the watch.

I rooted my watch 3 days ago after really trying to like this AW 2.0
but after all was said and done I just could not see any reason to
keep the new AW 2.0.

The only two things which we good and nice in AW 2.0 was the
really good looking and smooth/fast scrolling of the app drawer
and the nicer notifications which AW 2.0 has.

But everything else in AW 2.0 is really crappy way too crappy for me. . .

I did the revert to 1.5, then let it go to 2.0 again because I thought I was rooted and the OTA wouldn't stick but it did. One thing worked that wasn't before - InstaWeather watch faces.
But it seems like on 2.0, the watch is frequently losing its bluetooth connection to phone. I don't remember that happening on 1.5.
Also it seems wasteful/redundant that left swipes and right swipes both take you to watchface change screen.
Many things seem to take extra steps to complete, compared to 1.5.
So I am going to revert again, and root, and try to stay on 1.5!

 

[cushcalc]

custom ROM for ZenWatch 2? or 3?

<redacted>

 

[cushcalc]

I have spent many many hours trying to hunt google for a sure way to block/disable any firmware
updates and those persistent OTA notifications for the Android Wear 2.0 Zenwatch 3 update after
I installed / downgraded to the good old Android Wear 1.5 firmware.

Finally I have found a sure way to do it!

Please note: this procedure will work on any android wear watch.

You will need to either boot into TWRP or install TWRP
in your watch before you can do any of this.
Don't forget to MOUNT SYSTEM in TWRP before you
use the ADB commands below.

Be sure to enable adb debugging at developer options
in your watch before doing any of this.

Here it is, it's easy IF you know how to use ADB.
To disable OTA updates and OTA notifications do this:

adb shell
cd /cache/
echo "" > update.zip
chattr +i update.zip

Reboot the watch.

Here is the download link for the 1 byte update.zip file (don't try to unzip it):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qvmjqz9w5l882t/update.zip?dl=

copy or push this 1 byte update.zip into the /cache folder in the
root of your watch BEFORE using the ADB commands above.

Once you have finished doing this successfully you will no longer
get notifications or ota updates. ROOT IS NOT REQUIRED.

If you decide you want notifications and updates at a future time
then do this:

adb shell
cd /cache/
chattr -i update.zip
rm update.zip

Reboot the watch

PLEASE NOTE:

Everything in the above information assumes that you
have already downgraded to Android Wear 1.5 and
your watch is currently working properly.

The above information will NOT downgrade your firmware,
it will only disable ota updates and ota notifications.

Good luck, have a great day!

Didn't work for me.
But perhaps Will work if add command "su" after getting into shell, before executing other commands. (?) I say this after the other method recommended, using PM disable, wouldn't work until executing "su" after getting into shell (as recommended by @GTDarthYoda)

 

[Hrishi135]

Android 1.5 downgrade

Hello, i am hating this android 2.0 update for zenwatch 3 and want to downgrade badly ... Many have posted the procedure nicely in this forum but as i have not done anything like this before i am scared to do it as a small mistake can make my watch non working... So can anyone please post a video of the procedure in detail so amateurs like me can do it with confidance... Thanks in advance

update: thanks to this thread i have successfully downgraded to 1.5 and my watch is back to being great...yhank u guys. but facing few issues.. hope u guys can guide me
1. i see a red sign on zenwatch manager in watch.. on clicking it tells me to download zenwatch manager 3.0 . but it ia allready installed on my phone.. tried resyncing apps from android wear app but same problem.
2. cant find gmaps anywhere on watch though its installed on phone. voice commands to navigate say something went wrong.
( using nexus 6p running android 8.0)

 

[WaxysDargle]

in the instructions for disabling updates, the first two commands need to be:

adb shell
su

then disable the packages. doesn't seem to work without the "su"

 

[avchd]

in the instructions for disabling updates, the first two commands need to be:

adb shell
su

then disable the packages. doesn't seem to work without the "su"

Please, someone, just post the entire procedure.

All these commands, "su", "mu", "flu"... Are so confusing

 

[BIGWORM]

Would definitely advise you read up on how to run ADB before you attempt ANYTHING with ADB. You easily brick anything you're sending commands to.

 

[Coltonbyu]

may have bricked it

I have had issues with my zenwatch 3 being crazy slow on android wear 2.0, and i read some possible solutions..

I also have an issue where whenever i turn my watch on it says "device software cannot be checked for corruption" and it makes it take an additional 10-15 seconds to boot up. This has been on the watch since i got it (i bought used and the bootloader was already unlocked, if thats why its doing that. When going through forums I also saw mention for disabling dm verity and wondered if that would get rid of that annoying screen.

I wanted to see if i could remove the zenfit stuff, cause i saw that some users claimed speed improvements, so i flashed twrp, and when i booted in i accidentally said to allow modifications (even though now i see that people say not too). I didnt make any changes while in here, but thought that might be important to state. In the instructions to remove zenfit i again saw to disable dm verity, so i moved onto that.

I then connected through adb and ran the command fastboot oem disable_dm_verity, but that didnt seem to do anything. I then ran the command "adb reboot "dm-verity enforcing" which i dont think was a good one to run, and i wonder if caused my issue. When i tried to boot back into twrp it would boot to a dead android.

I decided at this point that instead of screwing things up further, i would just flash to AW 1.5 and hope for speed improvement there. I downloaded the files, and through fastboot flashed the stock 1.5 boot, system, and recovery. using this thread https://xdaforums.com/zen...-boot-t3535589

i rebooted the device and it went to the android wear screen and loaded for a while, and then to the upgrading android screen. when it got to step 7 it went back to the aw loading animation and then attempted to boot up and gave an error "unfortunately process android.process.acore has stopped" and started all over again trying to upgrade android and then getting to this point and failing. I then downloaded the images for stock 2.0 and flashed and got the same exact error.

I then tried to flash twrp again, and now if i try to flash 1.5 or 2.0 it just goes to a dead android screen. I can boot into twrp still with the boot adb command

I want to try flashing 1.5 or 2.0 through trwp, but my watch will not mount/connect at mtp to my PC while at twrp for some reason...

Any ideas or solutions? how can i flash everything straight back to default. Including whatever i may have done to the dm verity?

Please help

 

[csrow]

I got tired of AW 2.0 losing sync and asking to connect the watch again time after time.

So, I down graded to 1.5 which worked fine but could not stop the OTA updates. I tried the 'chattr' setting to +i. That didn't work. Tried setting the permission using pm but pm was not found.

As a last step, I installed the custom ROM based on MWG68 odexed. After the start up, I used the build prop editor of Root Essential to change the build name from MWG68 to MWR68_hold.

That seems to work. When I try to force the system update, it tries but does not complete.

So for me, this is a good solution to have a rooted custom ver1.5 based ROM with few extra helpful apps.