Restore Oracle Database to Lower Version

Oracle does not restore a database dump of a higher version into a lower version if regular import and export are used. To restore a database dump of higher version to a lower version use the following steps.

1. Goto the source database and export the database using expdp command. (Regular export is done using exp command).


2. This will export the database dump into the oracle installation directory.


3. Transfer the backup datafile into the source database machine. The file should be kept in oracle installation directory.


4. Import the data using impdp command.


5. This will restore the database to lower version of oracle also. DP stands for Data Pump.


6. For details on how to restore databases refer  Oracle DB restoration.