In the modern world, the mobile phone plays an important role in the life of each of us. In a century, the production of cellular phones stands still, operating systems are updated, new functions appear, and the design itself is important when choosing a new handset. In order to keep up with new products, many of us resort to the service of flashing our phone, but not everyone knows what it is.
Reflashing a phone means updating its software, installing new devices (player, flash, etc.) and adding functions, in general, making your device more modern and convenient to use. As a rule, the correct flashing of the phone does not have any disadvantages, and you can do it yourself at home.
Before that, you should understand why you need it. The reasons for the “repair” can be the slow response of the device, frequent freezing, shutdown for no apparent reason, and other ailments. Flashing phones for no apparent reason also takes place. If you want your device to gain new features, be able to support trendy flash applications, games and music, you should try reinstalling the software. After the firmware, parameters such as signal reception and the brightness of colors are also improved. Even resources can become much higher after flashing to the phone.
In order for the flashing of the phone to take place at home, you will need:
- The phone itself
- A computer
- Special data cable
- Drivers for cable and phone
- Current firmware version
Also, before starting work, you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of terminology:
Reflash - used to update the phone software. All settings of your device are saved.
Flex is a file system used in a mobile device. The phone book, all sounds, melodies, pictures, applications and games are stored here.
LangPack - this utility contains all fonts, languages supported by the device. If you want to Russify your mobile phone, you will need this package.
FullFlash - this package contains all the above utilities, additions to them (multimedia applications, self-installed programs, etc.).
You will need all of the above packages if you are seriously interested in flashing your phone.
Today, there are many firms, companies and individuals involved in the reinstallation of mobile phone software. Specialists will be able to do it quickly and efficiently, without spending much effort. If you seriously decide to do it yourself, we advise you to make copies of all the software before starting work, and only then feel free to start working.
Flashing a phone of Chinese origin takes much less time than working on its European or American counterpart. The manufacturer does not consider it necessary to complicate the software itself, so flashing phones of this quality will not make it difficult even for a novice programmer.
All hardware components of each manufacturer are extremely individual, so if you think it's a great idea to "fill" Nokia software into a Samsung device, then you are unlikely to turn on your phone after that. Within the same line, such experiments are allowed, but at the risk of the life of the mobile phone. You can turn a Sony Ericssson K750I into a Wolkman, but you can't turn a Samsung GT-C3011 into a Galaxy S II phone of the latest generation!
The big advantage of firmware within the same line of mobile phones is that for modest money you can get the latest generation device with all the fashionable functions and programs. But do not be naive to believe that suddenly you will have such functions as bluetooth, the highest resolution of the camera, and so on, this will not happen. But you will certainly become the owner of new themes, wallpapers and games, and the phone itself will be more nimble and hardy.
He maintains active customer support, releasing updates and upgrades for his gadgets with varying success. In practice, the developer delivers official firmware mainly “over the air” (via OTA updates), as well as posting a special firmware image file on his website or portal.
You can flash the image thanks to a set of special software:
- CWM recovery.
- TWRP recovery.
- Using a computer and a special set of programs (Fastboot, KDZ Update, Odin and other utilities).
As a rule, firmware images before the update are packed in special archives with the ZIP, ISO, and other extensions.
In addition to official firmware, very often users and the gadget community form support for devices by releasing custom firmware versions and posting them on amateur forums and portals. Such updates can provide extended or reduced functionality of official images, adding or removing unnecessary features from them.
To begin with, before the flashing process, be sure to take care of your data on the internal memory of the device. When updating, all files are erased, which means that you need to make a backup in advance and save important files on external media.
On the question how to flash android we will not stop under OTA updates “over the air”, but rather we will concentrate all our attention on other methods of updates.
Phone firmware using CWM Recovery
The rich functionality of CWM Recovery allows you to perform many manipulations with the device, including rolling firmware. By default, stock Recovery is installed in the devices, which means that first you need to install the ClockWorkMod Recovery utility itself.
The general flashing process described below is for ZIP files. Instruction:
- We go to Recovery. To do this, you need to completely turn off the device, and then hold down a certain sequence of buttons on the body of the device. The set of keys may vary depending on the manufacturer of the device. Each combination may differ from each other. Additional information can be found through search engines by asking the appropriate question. A universal option is a set of the following clicks:
- Volume up button + power key
- Volume down button + power key
- Volume up/down buttons + Power key + Home.
- Simultaneously clamped volume keys up + down and the power key of the device.
Once in the recovery, you will see the central menu, which you can navigate using the volume up and down buttons, and the power key will perform the function of selecting an action.
- Before starting the device, it obliges you to perform a complete reset of the gadget to factory settings. To do this, go to the “wipe data / factory reset” item and confirm the action by clicking on the line that says “Yes - Wipe all user data”.
- Back in the main lobby, select "Install zip".
- Next, click on the “Choose zip from / sdcard” item and select the file with the previously saved firmware in the explorer tree.
- We confirm the choice by clicking on the item "Yes - Install ...".
- The process of flashing the device will start. At the end of the process, the user will see the inscription on the screen "Install from sdcard complete".
- All that remains for the user to do is return to the main CWM Recovery lobby and perform the gadget reboot process by clicking the “reboot system now” line.
After these steps, the installation of the firmware will begin. Do not panic, because the installation algorithm can take up to 10 minutes.
How to flash an android phone using TWRP Recovery
For those who prefer working with the utility in the form of TWRP Recovery, the following instruction is provided for a step-by-step installation of the update in the form of a ZIP archive:
- Throw the file with the firmware image into the device's memory.
- Go to TWRP recovery. This is done by analogy with CWM.
- Perform a factory reset by clicking on the "Wipe" option in the main menu. Drag the lever to the right. After cleaning the gadget, return to the original lobby by pressing the "Back" button.
- In the main lobby, select the "Install" item and find the previously downloaded image in the file system tree. Click on it by dragging the slider to the side.
- After that, the firmware process will start. According to the standard, it does not exceed 2-3 minutes.
- Upon completion, the utility will automatically display a message about a successful flashing. By clicking on the "Reboot System" item, reboot the device.
Installing updates using ROM Manager
With this application, you can not only flash the firmware, but also create a system backup. Use this option in order not to lose important data and quickly restore all the functionality of your smartphone.
To get started, you will need special files on your device that allow you to access the internal files of your device at the system level. To do this, you can use any of the presented programs.
The second important aspect of the ROM Manager is custom recovery. All actions on the firmware take place directly in the Android launcher itself, and the ROM Manager serves as a visual add-on to Recovery.
To get started, download the firmware file for your gadget, and follow the instructions below:
- Transfer the firmware archive, in the ZIP extension, to the memory of your device.
- In the utility menu, go to the "Install ROM from SD card" item.
- Select your image among folders and files and click on it.
- In the new lobby, select "Reboot and Install". Don't forget to check the "Keep current ROM" checkbox. In this case, you will have the opportunity to restore the system at any time.
- By clicking "OK" your gadget will go into Recovery mode, and the process of updating the firmware will begin.
Thanks to the extended functionality of the ROM Manager application, users can directly download images for their device in it. You can do this by clicking on the "Download firmware" item. Access to some ROMs is available only in the paid version of the program.
Updating or installing firmware can eliminate many problems associated with the operation of an Android device. With prolonged use, the system memory of mobile gadgets becomes clogged with residual files () (“casts” of previously downloaded programs), malicious code () and other unnecessary data. All this leads to a decrease in the performance and speed of the processor and RAM. As a result, the smartphone (tablet) often freezes and reboots on its own. And if the factory reset () did not lead to a positive result, the user can only update the software himself. Consider how to reflash a phone running on the Android OS.
Types of firmware and how to install them
Android firmware at home is in many ways different from installing the rest of the software. This process is more time consuming and is associated with many risks. If you choose the wrong version of the software or violate the update process, there is a chance that your phone or tablet will turn into a useless "". However, having learned how much a flashing from professionals costs, many still decide to change the software version on their own.
For flashing Android, there is no single instruction that would fit all models of mobile devices. It all depends on the manufacturer of the device and what software is planned to be installed.
All Android firmware are divided into two types:
- Official. They are supplied directly by smartphone manufacturers and are usually only suitable for a certain brand. Such programs are considered the most reliable, so they should be used whenever possible.
- Unofficial (custom). Developed by users of Android devices and small firms. They are applied when Android is reinstalled on Chinese devices (for example, Lenovo, Meizu, Xiaomi, etc.).
When using custom software, there is a possibility of installing a low-quality update, as a result of which the gadget will start to slow down even more. Therefore, you need to download the executable file only after reading its description in detail and reading user reviews.
There are several ways to change the firmware on Android:
Preparing for self-flashing
Before reinstalling the software on an Android device, a number of preparatory measures must be taken:
- download a software update program on a PC (Odin, Kies or SP Flash Tool and find a high-quality usb cable (if the reinstallation is done using a computer);
- (if you plan to reinstall Android to an unofficial version);
- charge the battery of the gadget by 100%;
The functionality of the installed software largely depends on its version and assembly. So that the new firmware does not start to conflict with the hardware after some time, you need to find out the serial number of the mobile device:
We will consider a more detailed procedure for updating Android on a phone using the example of Samsung and Lenovo, although this instruction is also suitable for many other brands.
Smartphone firmware from Samsung
Software updates on Samsung devices are performed using the Kies program. This utility allows you not only to reflash a tablet or phone, but also to backup the old system, synchronize personal data with a PC, and much more.
Before upgrading the firmware to the latest software, you need to properly configure Kies. This is done as follows:
After setting up Kies, create a backup of the software available on your smartphone. This will restore the system to working capacity in case of unsuccessful firmware. To backup Android via PC, in the initial window of the application, select "Backup", check the items that you want to save, and start the procedure by clicking the appropriate button. 
After creating a backup, feel free to reflash your phone or tablet through a computer. To do this, open the "Tools" section in Kies and activate the item marked in the figure, thereby starting the update process. 
While the device is being flashed, in no case disconnect it from the PC and do not perform other actions that may lead to a disconnection.
After flashing the Android phone through a computer, check the performance of all its functions. If nothing fails, then the software update was successful.
Replacing the firmware on a Lenovo tablet via a PC
Before flashing a Lenovo tablet, you need to understand that there is no software developed specifically for this brand. Therefore, one has to be content with universal developments. One such application is the SP Flash Tool. Consider how to update the software on Lenovo using this utility:
After you managed to update the firmware, check the performance of all tablet functions.
Articles and Lifehacks
Users often ask the question what does it mean to "flash the phone" And what is involved in this process?
What does the term "phone firmware" mean?
This term means the replacement of software (software) in a mobile device, the complexity of which cannot be compared with, this is indisputable .. The goals of this process are to eliminate program malfunctions, hack device protection and reinstall software. The operation of the hardware of the device is controlled by special software, for example, the Windows operating system. If the system setup fails, you will need to reinstall it, and in some cases, a complete update.
Device software is its code, which unites and ensures the solidarity of all parts of the phone. A specific firmware cannot be universal, it is individual for any device.
This procedure is carried out thanks to special software using adapter cables. It is impossible to flash the gadget through the infrared port. To perform the firmware, you will need firmware and software downloaded from the Internet at special forums or manufacturers' websites. To connect the phone to a computer, you will need a cable, often supplied in the kit.
Using unofficial firmware that contains viruses and bugs, the user takes some risk. It may turn out, for example, that if the firmware was performed unskilled. The official firmware used in the service will fix the previous version and expand the functionality of the gadget without spoiling anything.
Why and how is the firmware of the phone done?
What does it mean to flash a phone with high quality? A qualified firmware implementation guarantees uninterrupted and fast operation, and the wrong actions of amateurs can damage the device with the loss of the owner's personal information.
Phone firmware updates the software, improves shooting and sound properties, makes small changes to the code, changes or improves the interface (screensavers, images, ringtones), and replaces key functions.
Firmware shortcomings - incorrect or illiterate selection of firmware for a particular device. As a result, individual functions of the phone may fail at all (for example, a call will not be made). Some self-confident users prefer to improve the phone's firmware on their own (without the help of service centers), and sometimes with a negative result.
Remember, if you decide to carry out the firmware yourself, then the warranties provided by the manufacturer are void. Inexperienced users are advised to seek the help of specialists in the service, despite the fact that special equipment is not required to perform such procedures. As a rule, the masters give a guarantee for the work performed.
Android is open source, so developers are free to modify it, add new features, and create their own operating system images for phones and tablets. Some of these firmware are gaining immense popularity and even become the basis for successful commercial projects. We introduced you to some of them in this and also. And now we want to discuss with you those reasons that may convince you to take a chance and install third-party firmware on your Android.
Get the latest version of Android
It's no secret that many manufacturers of even expensive devices don't bother to support their products too much. As soon as they sell you their product, they immediately forget about the need to release new firmware versions for them. As a result, it turns out that you do not have the opportunity to upgrade to a new version of Android, even if the hardware of the smartphone freely allows it.
In this case, the best and sometimes the only solution would be to use the well-known CyanogenMod, which, although it has many of its own "chips", is in many ways similar to stock Android. Thanks to this development, owners of even fairly old devices can use the latest versions of the system.
Refusal of "branded" shells
Many popular manufacturers (let's not point fingers) are very fond of equipping phones with their proprietary shells, which, however, is not to the liking of all users. Not only are many of them frankly ugly and inconvenient - as you know, this is a matter of taste, but they also manage to noticeably slow down the system. Naked Android against this background shows speed records and impresses with its responsiveness.
Yes, of course, you can install your own launcher and remove all these widgets, but there is no way to refuse all the dubious settings that the manufacturer has made in the operating system. So in order to get a truly "clean" Android, you will need to install a custom ROM.
Removing pre-installed software
Having received your brand new phone and played enough with the programs installed on it, the understanding gradually comes that it would be better if they did not exist at all. Most often, manufacturers complete the software package of the device, focusing not on expediency and quality, but purely for commercial reasons. In addition, these programs are considered system programs and it is not so easy to remove them. As a result, we get an apparatus full of frank rubbish that prevents us from living.
A radical solution to this problem is just flashing the device to a custom assembly that does not contain pre-installed software.
Getting more features and system settings
Many firmware have such a different appearance and feature set from the original Android that we can already safely talk about independent operating systems. First of all, we are talking about such popular Chinese projects as MIUI, Lewa, Oppo, which are developing at a gigantic pace. It is likely that once you try this oriental cocktail, you will look at the insipid Android dish with undisguised regret.
Other firmware, such as AOKP, although they are based on stock Android, but give such scope in the settings, such customization options that owners of ordinary smartphones never dreamed of.
Safety
It may sound strange, but firmware created by the free community can sometimes be more secure than a Google product. In them, if you wish, you can completely get rid of the all-seeing eye of this company, completely replacing all their services and applications with third-party developments. It turns out, therefore, "Android without Google", no matter how strange it may sound.
In addition, many custom ROMs contain a built-in antivirus and permission settings for each application so detailed that you can thoroughly specify who, what for what purpose can move on your device.
Reasons not to use third-party firmware
But, as you understand, everything is far from being so rosy and there are quite serious problems that you may encounter in your experiments with firmware.
- bricks. The flashing process, although thoroughly designed and fairly easy, with some degree of bad luck and curvature of the hands, can turn your device into just a dead block of plastic and microcircuits.
- Battery problems. A custom ROM may not be optimized enough for a specific device and will drain your battery faster than the official firmware.
- Hardware problems. Your new firmware may not fully support all the hardware in the phone, so you may encounter errors, individual broken modules and other issues. For example, your device's camera may not be shooting as well as it used to, or your GPS may be suddenly slow to find satellites.
- Mistakes. The manufacturers of your device do a good job of testing the software before releasing it to the market, which, of course, cannot be said about independent firmware developers. Therefore, you may encounter annoying errors, which, although they will be corrected in the future, can spoil a lot of blood for you.
- Guarantee. If you use third-party firmware, you will void the warranty. If this is important to you, then consider it.
And now I would like to know your opinion about the need to flash Android. We ask you to participate in the survey and express your point of view in the comments.
