In this guide, we will show you the steps to fix the “Error Recovery Denying OTA Because it’s SPL Downgrade” on your Android device. In earlier days, there used to be just one single route to flash a custom ROM- pick up a custom recovery like Clock Work Mod, TWRP, or OrangeFox, and then flash the ROM ZIP file. However, that is no longer the case for numerous devices and with many ROMs.
Due to underlying compatibility issues with the TWRP and/or encryption-related problems, many ROM developer ships their own recoveries along with their ROMs. In this regard, you should flash the ROM using those recoveries themselves [via its ADB Sideload feature] instead of using the TWRP Recovery. However, even while using the AOSP Recovery, you might come across a roadblock or two.
For instance, many users have voiced their concern that they are getting greeted with the “Error Recovery Denying OTA Because it’s SPL Downgrade” error when trying to sideload the ROM via the AOSP recovery provided along with the ROM. As a result of which, they are stuck in recovery mode with no way out. If you are also facing the same issue, then this guide will make you aware of the reason and more importantly the fix for this issue. So without further ado, let’s get started.
The Reason for SPL Downgrade Error in ADB Sideload
The reason why you’re getting the SPL downgrade error is because you’re flashing an older version of the ROM with a newer recovery version. For instance, if the recovery is for the month of July and the ROM is for the month of June, and you’re trying to flash it via that recovery, then it will be considered as an SPL Downgrade and you’ll be greeted with the aforementioned error message. So this begs the all-important question- how to rectify this issue and flash the ROM? Let’s find out.
Fix Error Recovery Denying OTA Because it’s SPL Downgrade
To rectify this issue, you’ll have to download an AOSP recovery that is closest to your ROM’s release date. For instance, in my case, the ROM was for the month of May, so I’ll be downloading an AOSP Recovery which is nearest to that month. But which recovery should you download? Well, it’s obvious you wouldn’t be using the recovery from the ROM that you are flashing because that is the culprit in the first place.
So what you can instead do is use a Recovery from any other AOSP ROM such as LineageOS, crDroid, EvolutionX, and so on. It’s always a recommended approach to start with LineageOS Recovery and if things don’t work out, then you may try out the recovery from any other ROM. So with that in mind, here are the required instruction steps
Before starting with the process, please take a backup of all the data on your device. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps. [We are assuming that as of now, you are on the “Denying OTA Because it’s SPL Downgrade” screen aka the recovery mode].
- Download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Then download the recovery from any other AOSP ROM
- Now rename the recovery to recovery.img and transfer it to platform tools.
- Then reboot your device to Fastboot Mode from the Recovery Mode.
- You may either do so from the Recovery menu or via the command:
adb reboot bootloader
- Now type in the below command t0 flash the recovery file:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
- Then reboot your device to this newly flashed recovery via:
fastboot reboot recovery
- Now from the AOSP Recovery, you may flash the desired ROM.
- For that, do a Format Data and then the ADB Sideload of the ROM ZIP file.
That’s it. These were the steps to fix the “Error Recovery Denying OTA Because it’s SPL Downgrade” on your Android device. Just remember to use a recovery from any other AOSP ROM that is close to that ROM build date and you’re good to go. Apart from that, If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.
