Alex Ruben
How To Upgrade Versions in Minecraft Bedrock Edition on Phone
Step 2: Find and Download an Older Version of Minecraft Bedrock APK
After backing up your worlds, the next hurdle is getting an older APK. This part can be kinda tricky because not all sites are trustworthy, and malware is lurking everywhere. So, you’ll want to find a reputable source—maybe a well-known APK site like APKMirror or similar backup sites. Avoid sketchy links that promise “Minecraft version 1.8” with dubious reviews. Once you find a legit source, pick the exact version you want—say, 1.16—and download it. Usually, these sites have a straightforward way to download the APK file. Just remember: never download from unknown sources without checking reviews or comments because the last thing you need is a compromised device.
One thing I’ve noticed—sometimes the APK files on these sites are named oddly or get renamed, so double-check the file version and size before hitting install. Also, because of course, Android has to make this harder than necessary, you might need to enable installation from unknown sources (or, in newer Android versions, give permission on a per-app basis). This is usually found under Settings > Apps > Special Access > Install unknown apps. Pick your file manager or browser, and toggle “Allow from this source” on.
Once downloaded, it’s a good idea to scan the APK with a trusted security app, just to be safe. Honestly, on one setup it worked perfectly on the first try, but on another, the APK kept crashing or reinstalling unexpectedly. So, it’s not always a flawless process, which is kinda annoying. But generally, if you grab it from a decent site and follow the steps, you should be good to go.