Is there any possible way to get the old firmware of GL4?

[catlipsx]

I purchased a GL4 on eBay, and it arrived today in South Korea. While I was waiting for it to charge, it automatically updated its software. Unfortunately, due to this update, I am unable to download any other Android apps using ADB as I cannot enter USB debugging mode. I was wondering if there's an alternative method to downgrade the firmware version?

[JSWolf]

Sorry, but you cannot go backwards.

[gforgiraffe39935]

Go over to XDA. I think I saw your same post on Reddit, too. Someone responded to this but if that wasn't clear enough, just go over to XDA--there's threads talking about how to. Not hard at all, but you will be eventually updated again, so make sure are not on Wi-Fi while you're doing what you need to do.

[catlipsx]

Do you have any links for that post? I looked up at XDA and couldn't find it

[Luisxv]

Hi, for those that updated the password to access the developer options is "NOOK-BNRV1300" without the quotes, alternative for the glowlight 4 is "NOOK-BNRV1100" and for the glowlight 4E is "NOOK-BNRV1000"

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sorry, but you cannot go backwards.

You might be able to go backwards, but it doesn't look easy.

Fortunately for the OP, the password is known (see Luisxv post) so ADB should be available.

[Renate]

Originally Posted by rcentros

You might be able to go backwards, but it doesn't look easy.

It is easy, but you don't want to go backwards, that's a dead end.

AFAIK, all the B&N updates are still Edify script based (updater-script).
You can flash them with a custom recovery once you have edited out the first line in the script that does anti-rollback.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Renate

It is easy, but you don't want to go backwards, that's a dead end.

I would like to go backwards if it was doable because 1) I want a better selection of font sizes (in the size range I use them) and 2) I want hyphenation back.

I've looked at the XDA website, but all I can see on this seems to be a garbled mess — at least to someone slow on the uptake, like me.

If there is a step-by-step procedure I would definitely install older firmware.

[plainbriny]

It is possible to downgrade, but you need to get the 'update.zip' file for the specific version you want to downgrade to.

As Renate pointed out (on XDA), the lateset firmware can be found from manifest on B&N website.
For GL4, it's
https://www.nook.com/services/cms/do...ifest_rel.json
for GL4e, it's
https://www.nook.com/services/cms/do...ifest_rel.json
for GL4 plus, it's
https://www.nook.com/services/cms/do...ifest_rel.json

From this we can find the url to the latest 'update.zip'.
For example, the latest firmware for GL4 is 8.1.4.102 (mine still on 8.1.4.95): http://su.barnesandnoble.com/nook/pi...102/update.zip
One can experiment on the version number to get previous versions.
For example, the last version was 8.1.4.95, so the url would be:
http://su.barnesandnoble.com/nook/pi....95/update.zip
And the version before that one was 8.1.4.88 (development not locked), the url is:
http://su.barnesandnoble.com/nook/pi....88/update.zip
and so on... (I have got 8.1.3.123, 8.1.2.112, 8.1.1.110, etc)
If you know the specific version number, you can get it directly from the url.

Once you get the update.zip file for the version you want, put it to the internal storage of your device, the root directory is fine. Keep your device plugged to a power source, and it will update (downgrade) to the version you want.