The social network VKontakte is one of the most popular. Today, millions of users from different countries people around the world visit this Internet resource every day. It's about not only about residents of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, but also about representatives of the United States of America, Great Britain, France and other countries.
Most recently, the social network VKontakte changed its design. Today many are interested in how to return old version VK and is it possible to do this? Now we will try to answer this question, and also tell you in detail how you can change the new version social network to the old one, to which everyone is already accustomed. Go!
Why was the version updated?
A new version of the popular social network VKontakte was introduced only in April 2016. The previous version is outdated, because it has existed for a long period of time. It should be noted that at first, when representatives of social. networks carried out tests of the new design, each user had the opportunity to independently connect himself to the new version, after which, if he did not like it or was inconvenient, he had the opportunity to return the old one.
Later, experts launched a new version for everyone and removed the option to return to the old one. It was then that people began asking questions about how to return the old version of VK after updating.
New version of VKontakte
On June 9 last 2016, approximately 10% of VK users were connected to new version social network. This was done forcibly, since the update occurred independently, and it was not possible for them to return the outdated version of the site. However, it didn’t end there either, because on August 17, 2016, the social network VKontakte completely updated its design for all users. At the same time, the opportunity to return to the old version was lost for every registered person on social media. networks.
After this, people spend a long period of time trying to find out whether it is possible to return the old version of VK. Moreover, if the answer is yes, then they want to know how it can be done. As representatives of the social network VKontakte say, there will never be a return to the old version of the site!
Partial return
It is quite problematic to completely return the old version of VKontakte, but some changes can still be made. As you know, the update has completely changed appearance dialogues. To keep the message design the same as it was a few years ago, you need to go to the “Messages” section. Further on the bottom right you will find a gear, which you need to hover your mouse over and select “Go to the classic interface”.
By completing the previous steps, you can return the classic dialog box, but everything else will remain unchanged, since without any additional actions and special applications it is impossible to return the previous version of the VK social network!
"We do not like!"
Now there are a lot of people who are not satisfied with the new version of the social network. Many people are trying to find out a comprehensive amount of information on how to return an old version of VK to a computer, but it is simply impossible to do this without the help of additional programs developed by experienced specialists. People are sure that the previous version was more convenient. In addition, some are confident that the new design of VKontakte is very similar to the Odnoklassniki and Facebook networks. By the way, did you know that users even created a petition containing demands to preserve the old version, but this did not affect anything?
At the same time, representatives of the social network VKontakte simply laughed at users who promised to leave this network if the previous version of the site was not returned. The fact is that a month after the promises were made, people continued to be online. It is quite logical that they are accustomed to the new version, because for many it really seems more convenient, modern and simpler.
However, if you still cannot get used to the new version of the social network and are trying to find out how to return the old version of VK to your computer, then in this case you can use additional applications, one of which we will talk about in more detail right now.
Stylish
This online program is a special software that can help you get back old design on the social network VKontakte. We will provide information on how to return the old version of VK to Windows, focusing on the Chrome browser.
So, to get started, you need to launch your browser and select the vertical ellipsis at the top right. After that, click on more tools and select Extensions. Next, you should scroll down and click on the “More extensions” button.
You are now in the Google Chrome web store. In the store search column, enter the name of the program, that is, Stylish. The next step is to select the Stylish program from the list of drop-down programs and click on the “Install” button.
After installation, you need to click on the userstyles.org link, which will be called “Programs”. In the search above, you must enter the following data: “Old VK design.” Next, press Enter and you will see the custom theme. Go to the appropriate section and click on the “Install” button.
The next step is to log into VKontakte, but there will be no new version of the social network, because you just managed to install the old version of VK.
Try to see if you are comfortable using the outdated version, because in a year you could get used to the new version of the site, which many find much more convenient, pleasant and simpler.
Despite the fact that developers strive for perfection, a new update to a familiar application does not always bring pleasure to the user. Although this is more a matter of habit. However, many people want to leave the application as it was before the changes were made and are looking for information on how to.
It is worth noting that VKontakte completely updated its mobile app. This is one of the most noticeable changes that the program interface has undergone over the years. Lately, before this, a similar upgrade was presented by the developers in April last year. Almost everything has changed, from new user capabilities to the general organization of the workspace. And even “likes” are now red.
Despite the fact that the optimization is quite good and the application itself has become more convenient, many (like last time) want to continue using the old, more familiar version.
All Android users are well aware of the PlayMarket service for downloading and installing new applications. Depending on the settings configured in this application, programs installed on the user’s device will be updated in two available modes:
- Manual – when PlayMarket simply offers and recommends available updates, and the owner of the gadget independently decides which of them to install and which to ignore.
- Automatic – as soon as a new update appears in the device Market, the installed program automatically accepts it and updates itself. In this case, the user logs into the application and sees new design and interface (as happens with VKontakte).
In this connection, the first action that a follower of the old software for VKontakte should take is to disable automatic application updates and switch it to manual mode.
To do this, you need to go to the PlayMarket application menu, to do this, click on the “sandwich” in the upper left corner, in the menu that appears, go down and find the “Settings” section. In the group of general settings we find the item “auto-update applications” and select “Never” for the three proposed settings options. 
At this stage, the settings are complete. This was the first step in resolving the issue,how to return the old version of VK on Android.Now PlayMarket will not update automatically installed programs, and the user will be able to safely use the old-style program without fear of autocorrect. If you need to get a new version of the program, just go to the installed applications section yourself and check for updates, and also, if necessary, start the upgrade.
After the external settings that affect the version update have been installed, you can start working with the program on the device itself., if the Market no longer updates applications automatically? In this case, the process is quite simply divided into two steps, which involve uninstalling the updated program and installing the desired version.
Uninstalling the updated application
This step is extremely simple and straightforward, you just need to completely remove the existing . If you are an inexperienced user and are worried that you will lose information or access to your account, then these are groundless fears. The old version will contain everything that is on your page now, this does not depend on the use of the software.
There are several ways to remove an installed application:
After the updated version, you can additionally clear the cache and delete unnecessary files on the phone. The procedure is not mandatory, but it won’t be superfluous.
Install the required version
After the smartphone's memory has been cleared of the remnants of the previous version of the program, it is time to take the final step in resolving the issue,how to return the old version of VK on Android.
The main question at this stage is where to get the distribution kit of the previous version of VK. Today on the Internet you can find a lot of offers to download and install any program, not just VKontakte. Before turning to any source, you should first check its reliability. Installing software for mobile access to a personal VK page from a third-party resource can be fraught with unpleasant consequences, and VKontakte itself does not distribute previous versions of the application.
Before downloading a package of files and installing them on your phone, you should look for reviews about the source. Today, old versions of VK can be found on TrashBox or UpToDown.
Before downloading the distribution, you need to set the settings on the gadget. To ensure greater security, devices have default settings that prohibit downloading and installing applications from third-party resources. To install the old version you need to change these settings. Usually, when you try to install the desired program, a pop-up window pops up. A warning about unauthorized actions and a proposal to prohibit or allow the process. 
After the developers in VK made large-scale changes in 2017, and installed applications VK for a phone or tablet stopped playing music from the cache, many users began to wonder how to return the old version of Android. In this article, you will learn how to roll back an application to a previous version of Android, and at the same time make sure that the software stops updating automatically.
How to return the required software version: recovery instructions on Android
Many users are interested in the question of how to roll back VK to older versions. To do this, you do not need to create 2 accounts or change the firmware to the previous version of Android. You can return the old version of the application using the standard settings menu only in the case of pre-installed applications, for example, from the Play Market. But with the VKontakte social network for Android, returning the previous version will not be so easy. The simplest solution on the path to recovery is to delete the current version of the social network, and then download from a third-party resource the version that suits you best. After downloading, we simply install it on the device and restore access (enter the password and email in the program again).
This can lead to viruses appearing on Android. Users who downloaded the old VKontakte application, although they regain the desired software, complain that important data was deleted or their pages were hacked, so download the old version of VK on Android only from those resources that inspire your trust . And the advice “Install an antivirus”, naturally, should be followed before downloading a file with unknown software begins.
You can roll back not only to the previous version, but also to an older version of VK. Both specialized sites where you can download the necessary software and VKontakte public pages, which appeared in the wake of users’ requests to download the old version of VK on Android, will help you with this. They allow you to return the old application to your device for free and enjoy the previous version. All sites, public pages and other resources independently publish instructions describing how to download and install the old version of VKontakte, and such instructions may differ for each resource.
Remember that the new design of a social network from a computer cannot be replaced with the old one. The latest version for PC was introduced forcibly for all users, and unfortunately, there is no answer to the question of how to roll back the system for PC and return to the old design.
How to cancel automatic updates
To stop your smartphone or tablet from automatically downloading updates, you need to follow these steps:
- Run Play Market.
- Call the main menu from the left sidebar, and then select “Settings”.
- Click on the “Auto-update” sub-item.
- In the window that appears, you need to select the “Never” line.
- The same steps can be repeated for two or more devices, for example, if you use both a smartphone and a tablet running Android OS.
After you have learned how to return the old version of VK Android and were able to restore the application to the form in which it was before the update, you should make sure that your efforts are not in vain. To do this, you need to disable the “Auto-update applications” function in the settings.
Surely you have heard about the Android operating system, unless you yourself are the owner of a device running this shell. This platform has appealed to a good portion of gadget owners and is the most common OS among mobile devices. Since 2009, when the first version of the “robot” was released, the developers have not stopped improving and modifying their brainchild. New versions and updates are released regularly. But do you always need to update your device and how to return the old version of Android after updating? We will talk about this in this publication.
Why are updates needed?
First of all, for the proper operation of the system. Developers optimize performance, improve the interface, correct lags, because it is almost impossible to release a perfect system right away, and minor faults will only be noticeable during its active use. In most cases, you can find out about the availability of an update using a regular message that appears in the notification line. You can upgrade by going to the update center, downloading and installing the new version.
Why might gadget owners be unhappy with the update?
In most cases, after the update procedure, the device should work faster, and all shortcomings should become a thing of the past. All that users can complain about are some changes in the interface or, for example, the disappearance of shortcuts from the desktop (accordingly, the applications themselves disappear). This happens because the installed programs are already outdated and simply do not correspond to the new firmware.
New versions of applications or their analogues can still be found on the Play Market, and trying to return the previous version of the OS due to the loss of old applications is a rather stupid idea. What else can irritate owners in the new firmware version is the appearance of some programs that cannot be removed. For example, these could be new services from Google. And then all users begin to think about whether it is possible to return the old version of Android. But most of all those who want to return to the old firmware are among those who tried to reflash their device on their own. Here, a huge variety of problems may appear, to the point that your gadget may turn into a “brick,” that is, stop showing signs of life altogether.
So before performing such manipulations, make sure that you have enough knowledge and experience, and best of all, contact a professional. Reflash the device only in extreme cases, when you cannot do without it, because such a procedure completely voids your warranty. But you can still return the previous version.
How to return to the old version of Android after updating?
First, come to terms with the fact that standard system resources do not provide a system rollback option, such as in the Windows OS. Accordingly, when you return to the old version, all installed programs and personal files will be deleted. Therefore, immediately before the procedure for returning the old version, make backup copies of all important documents, files, phone numbers, and so on. Be prepared to say goodbye to user settings, saved accounts or applications, they will be erased, everything except the built-in ones.
Next, you will have to perform a factory reset yourself. How to do this depends only on your version operating system, but most often this item is found if you go to “Settings” and “Backup and reset”. This parameter can also be found in “Confidentiality”. In any case, finding a factory reset will be easy. Next, you will need to perform a series of actions that are a little more complicated, that is, enter recovery. And how to return the old version of Android using it - read on.
Login to recovery
"Recovery" is a special boot mode on Android, with which you can reset settings or flash the system. If you buy gadgets in trusted certified stores and with an already installed OS, then they should have the stock “recovery” mode. How to enter recovery depends only on your device model. The most common combination is the power button and the volume down key.
For example, if you don’t know how to return the old version of Android to Lenovo, then this combination will work for most of their devices. I would like to note that before entering recovery, you need to turn off the phone. If you are looking for how to return the old version of Android Sony Xperia, then here you need to press three buttons: those that we have already named, and the camera button. You can easily find more detailed instructions for various models on the World Wide Web. But what to do after entering boot mode?
How to return the old version of Android after updating through recovery mode?
You can navigate the menu using the " key" highlight", and to select a specific item you need to press "select". There is no need to be afraid of this mode; if you understand it well, it becomes clear that there is nothing complicated. Now look for the line with " wipe data / and select it. A new menu will open in which you will have to confirm the action. Afterwards, wait for the reboot and the OS will return to factory settings.
Charge your smartphone
What is worth noting first of all is that before starting this procedure you need to charge the device well. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to roll back the system and how long the gadget will reboot after that.
If during such manipulations in the “recovery” mode the device does not have enough charge and is unable to complete its task, then, most likely, problems with its further use cannot be avoided.
The same applies to flashing your phone yourself. For some users, certain system functions disappeared or did not work, even the touchpad became inoperable. In some cases, the firmware did not install at all and it was simply impossible to enter the OS. But even then recovery helped again. If you cannot enter this mode or it simply does not exist, there are a number of simple utilities for flashing this mode directly through the operating system. Sometimes you may need a PC for this task.
We told you about how to return the old version of Android after updating. Treat your gadget with care and it will serve you for a long time.
If, after installing the update, the VKontakte client on Android begins to work with errors, users have a logical desire to remove the updates. You can't just abandon the latest version. To roll back an application, you will have to uninstall it and then install the old version using the APK file.
Disable automatic updates
Before you understand how to remove an update to the VK application on Android, you need to prevent programs from updating without your permission.
- Launch Play Market, call the main menu and go to settings.
- In the Auto Update option, select Never. Check the box next to the “Notifications – notify about new updates” option.
After disabling auto-updates, applications will not download updates until you allow them. Install Last update You can do it manually through the Play Market. Go to the “My Applications” section, and you will immediately understand for which programs the developers have released updates - next to them there will be an “Update” button.
Uninstalling a new version
You have prohibited automatic downloading of new versions, but if the program has already been updated, how can you cancel the upgrade? Errors often appear in VK after updates, so there is a need to remove the updates. This can only be done by completely deleting the application from the phone.
U system programs In the settings there is a button “Uninstall updates”. If you go to options Google Services or Play Market, you can easily roll them back to their original state. In the case of third-party applications, this is not possible. Therefore, you have to remove programs and then install them again, downloading old versions in the form of APK files. To remove VK from Android:
- Open settings, go to the “Applications” section.
- Find the VKontakte client in the list. Open its properties.
- Click "Uninstall" and wait until the uninstallation process completes.
When deleting a client, user data will not be affected, since it is posted on the VK website, and the application is only one way to use the account.
Finding and installing the old version
Only available on Play Market latest version client, so there is no point in downloading the application from there. Old versions can be found on forums and specialized sites. Use only trusted sources - for example, the website 4pda.ru, where you can find almost any version of all popular applications and at the same time read how it works.
If we talk specifically about the VK client, then old versions can be found on this page: https://trashbox.ru/link/vkontakte-android. You just need to select the appropriate assembly and download it to your computer. After downloading the installer, one question remains - how to install the program from an APK file on your phone? Separate instructions will be required here.
Instead of a file manager, you can use a browser to install from an APK file. Open it and enter the command “content://com.android.htmlfileprovider/sdcard/FileName.apk” in the address bar. The "sdcard" fragment indicates that the installer file is stored in the root of the SD card. If you placed the APK in another directory, indicate the path to it and be sure to write the file name correctly.