When you bought your phone, it was among the most advanced devices, included the latest version of Android, and made your heart sing. After a year or two, it no longer receives new updates, and performance begins to drop. But you can breathe new life into your phone and expand its capabilities with many additional features by installing one of the custom firmware.
Why should I do this?
There are many reasons why you might want install new firmware on your phone. You get new features and options, get rid of unnecessary apps that were installed on the device by default, and you can install stock Android instead of the manufacturer's version with an awkward modified user interface (I'm talking about you, Samsung). But most importantly, you will be able to upgrade to the latest and most optimized version of Android, even if the manufacturer has already stopped supporting your phone.
The reality is that most manufacturers and operators quickly forget about older devices and stop releasing updates for them. The economic rationale for such an attitude is quite understandable. It is simply unprofitable for manufacturers to invest in the development of new updates for obsolete phones. It's unfortunate that good devices go to landfill so quickly.
Take, for example, the Samsung Galaxy S III. At the time of its release in 2012, it was an incredibly popular (and powerful) phone. But the latest update for it was Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, not to mention the fact that the manufacturer released it only six months after the introduction of Jelly Bean from Google. Of course, technology is constantly moving forward, and this device can no longer be compared with new models, but it's too early to get rid of it. Thanks to people who modify phones, we can install on this device using firmware like CyanogenMod. And the performance gains in recent versions of Android are reported by users to greatly improve the performance of the Galaxy S III.
Therefore, if you have a phone that the manufacturer no longer likes, but it still suits you, installing new firmware can be a great way to keep it fresh.
Note: Modifications to your tablet, phone, or other device that are not intended by the manufacturer or carrier will technically void your warranty (at least some of it). In addition, you risk damaging the device. However, I've been unlocking and updating firmware on phones, tablets, consoles, and other electronics for many years now, and have never run into any serious problems. Read the instructions carefully and you'll be fine.
What will you need
You can’t just take a new phone and start installing third-party firmware on it. First, you need to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery environment like TWRP. If you haven't already, use the guides above and then return to this article.
Next, you need the firmware itself. You can find countless firmwares from various independent developers and tweakers on the net. Some, like CyanogenMod, are very popular and available for many devices. Others are made by more independent developers and are designed for one or two phone models. To find out what firmware is available for your device, head to the XDA Developers forums and go to the section dedicated to your phone model.
Remember what you need to know accurate your phone model and other important information. Information about the exact model and "code name" of the device will help you to separate it from the rest. For example, the GSM Galaxy Nexus (GT-i9250) was known as "maguro", while the Verizon version (SCH-i515) was named "toro". Verizon Galaxy Nexus users need to install firmware created for their phone. They will not be able to use firmware designed for the AT&T version of GSM.
Models of other phones may not depend on the operator, therefore, in some cases this does not affect anything. Don't forget to do your research and download the firmware compatible with your device.
In this guide, we will be installing CyanogenMod 12.1 firmware in the form of a ZIP file on a Moto X 2013 phone. First, we will download the latest stable firmware for our device from the CyanogenMod website (on the left side there is a list of devices that allows you to go to the pages with firmware for them). If you need the latest version of Android that is not yet in the stable release, click on the "nightly" link on the left side of the page.
Regardless of which firmware you choose, you will probably need a "Google Apps" ZIP file, which includes Google's proprietary apps like the Play Store, Gmail, and so on, as they cannot be bundled with firmware. They can be found on the OpenGApps.org website. Make sure you are downloading the correct utility options for your phone's processor and Android version (if you're not sure which processor your device is equipped with, search this information through Google). In our case, we needed Google apps for Android Lollipop 5.1 (since that version of the operating system is based on CyanogenMod 12.1) and an ARM processor (which runs Moto X 2013). Are you still here? Do you already have an unlocked phone with TWRP, as well as firmware and ZIP files with Google utilities? Great, then let's get started.
How to install firmware using TWRP recovery utility
In order to install the new firmware, we need to download these two .zip files to our phone. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable and drag and drop ZIP files to the device's built-in memory or to .
We will erase most of the information on your phone. Data stored in the built-in memory (photos, music and other files) will not be affected, but you will lose most application settings and some other information. If you want to keep this data, use the export or backup functions within the applications. In addition, it is better, just in case, to make a backup copy of the internal memory.
Then turn off your phone and download the TWRP recovery utility. On different phone models, this process may vary. For example, you may need to press the power and volume down keys at the same time, and then use the volume keys to select "Recovery Mode". Search the Internet for instructions for your phone model.
You will then be greeted by the familiar TWRP home screen.
Note: Before proceeding with the installation, make a backup copy of the current system in TWRP.
On the home screen, tap on the Reset button and swipe the bar at the bottom of the screen to perform a factory reset. Before installing a new firmware, you should always reset the device to factory settings. If you are just updating the current firmware, you can skip this step. If there are any problems after installing the new firmware, resetting to the factory settings can solve them.
You will see the following screen. Scroll through the folder list and find the firmware .zip file we downloaded to the phone earlier.
When nothing works on your Android phone or everything slows down and lags, while the usual tips (clearing the cache or freeing up the phone’s memory) do not help, it’s time to resort to drastic measures, such as flashing Android. Flashing an anodroid phone is not a difficult task, you can flash the phone at home, by yourself, today we will tell you in detail how to do it!
- The core "Android" itself;
- Drivers that ensure the coordinated functioning of the components of a particular device model, that is, hardware.
The verb “Flash” the device refers to the procedure for installing the platform. However, the process of installing an operating system for a computer and for a mobile gadget on the Android platform is significantly different. The reasons for this are the huge variety of implementations of this most common OS in mobile devices. A lot of software is created individually for certain models of smartphones and tablets. Therefore, often for inexperienced users, the installation of a new firmware ends unsuccessfully due to a lack of information and the lack of correct action algorithms before their eyes.
The following guide will help you reflash Android at home, as well as introduce you to the possible risks of the procedure and ways to minimize them.
Why you need to reflash an android phone?
Gadgets are made and programmed by people, so no device is completely immune from errors. In the event of a failure in a smartphone (tablet) on Android, a cardinal method of getting rid of the problem is flashing.
Arguments "For" reinstalling the OS
Thanks to the openness of this operating system, manufacturers are free to improve and customize it to fit their gadget models. Many of their advanced software have already won the love and trust of users. In this regard, often the owners of smartphones and tablets take risks and decide to flash their electronic friend. This is also facilitated by some developers who eventually stop releasing updates for their gadgets. Users from various sources of information learn about new software modifications that can make optimal use of the hardware capabilities of the device and, of course, wonder how to reflash Android.
Even very well-known companies producing smartphones and tablets often sin by installing their own software in them, which for obvious reasons is not suitable for most users. In addition to the unsuccessful external design of the shell, these proprietary software significantly slows down the functioning of the device. At the same time, pure Android, not stuffed with unnecessary marketing chips from the developer, often impresses with its high performance and stability. Therefore, the answer to the question posed is the installation of custom software, in which there is no pre-installed "trash" from the manufacturer.
Arguments "Against" OS reinstallation
With a lack of experience or insufficient care, there is a big risk of getting a non-working and useless piece of chips and plastic after the procedure, or as experts used to call this failed device - “Brick”.
In the case of firmware firmware taken from unofficial sources, the device warranty will be void.
Not all drivers included in the software package from a third-party developer work correctly with gadget components. It happens that after flashing the GPS module refuses to search for satellites, and the camera takes low-quality frames. Also, not optimally selected software can cause rapid battery discharge.
How to flash an Android phone yourself and what is needed for this?
The success of any event depends on how carefully the preliminary preparation was carried out.
Preparatory activities include the following main points:
- Be sure to fully charge the device before starting the procedure;
- Through the gadget's settings menu, find out the name of the device and the modification of the current software (it is recommended to write them down to the last character and sign, otherwise, if the firmware is not of the appropriate assembly, you can get a “brick” as a result);
Each user must independently decide which version of the software to prefer:
a) official;
b) a third party.
Having completed all three points of the preliminary measures and, most importantly, having accurately determined the modification of the software, you should proceed directly to the installation procedure.
There are the following ways to do this:
- Update (When an updated version of the software has already been released for the device, the “Auto-update” is a convenient method for all users. In order to find out if a new firmware version is available, open the “About phone” section through the settings and go to the “System Update” subsection).
- Manual installation (For models from different manufacturers, different firmware methods are used using different software, which are called “Flashers”. For example, for gadgets from Samsung, the Odin program is used, for Nexus, Sony and HTC - "Fastboot", "Lenovo" - "Flash Tool", "LG" - "KDZ Updater", etc.).
The list of steps in the flashing procedure using the ROM Manager program:
- Get root rights to the android gadget;
- Install the ROM Manager utility;
- Create a copy of the current OS;
- Find and save the appropriate firmware;
- Install it;
- Test the work of the new software and, if you are not satisfied with the results, return to the former version using the created copy in paragraph "3".
You can find and install the "ROM Manager" utility from the Google play store. Then, by opening the main application window and clicking on the top line, you can install "ClockWorkMod" (CWM), and using the second line - "Load Recovery Mode".
In order to save a copy of the OS, you will need to install "CWM".
Important digression: During the installation of "CWM", the gadget should not be connected to the PC.
By clicking on "Install CWM" you will need to specify the exact name of the gadget and wait for the installation procedure to complete.
Where to get firmware for Android?
They are available for download on the official resources of the smartphone and tablet developers themselves. If the user has sufficient experience, then by the name of the model, he can find many versions of the software on third-party sites, from which the appropriate one is selected and its archive file is saved in the computer's memory. Then you can write it to a memory card without unzipping the file.
In the case of using the "ROM Manager Premium" utility, the user can click on the line "Download Firmware". After that, the application will display a list of software suitable for the device. This useful program eliminates the loss of time searching for software in the Internet resources of third-party developers, of which there are currently a huge number.
Why do we need non-official (custom) firmware for Android?
Non-official software is developed in order to ensure faster operation of the device, and some useful functions and good design can be added to it.
Custom firmware sometimes continues to be improved by developers even when an outdated gadget is discontinued. Therefore, the user receives a device with updated software that optimally meets modern requirements.
For some users, it happens that the decisive criterion for deciding in favor of installing a third-party product is battery savings and a more attractive interface.
By installing non-official software, you can immediately provide yourself with root rights, which means you can increase your security by installing a powerful firewall. The owner of the gadget, at his discretion, will be able to install any fonts he likes, as well as increase the speed of the GPS module, etc.
You can get rid of unused system utilities that not only take up memory space, but also consume mobile traffic, this is especially true if the user does not have access to an unlimited Wi-Fi network.
How to flash an Android phone through a computer at home?
If the owner of the device is interested in the question of how to flash an Android phone through a computer, then the following will be needed:
- Install drivers on the PC to work with the device;
- Download the firmware corresponding to the gadget model;
- Create a backup copy of the current OS in the device;
- Install the firmware application (flasher).
The essence of the actions is the same for various models of devices. Below is an example of working with the Odin flasher from Samsung:
- Connect your device to PC in download mode. To do this, turn off the gadget and simultaneously press the keys: "Home", "On / Off." and "Sound up".
- Next, "Odin" will see the device;
- Then in the column "AP" indicate the location of the downloaded software;
- Set marks in the columns "F. Reset Time" and "Auto reboot";
- Click "Start";
- Wait for the process to complete.
The sequence of actions consists of the following steps:
- Launch "ROM Manager" and click "Install ROM from SD card";
- Specify the location of the distribution kit copied to the map with the OS;
- In the menu that appears, check the boxes of the items of interest to the user and click on “Ok”;
- Wait for the installation procedure to complete.
How to reflash Android via Recovery yourself?
To install the software using Recovery, you must first save the firmware file on the device card. Next, you will need to perform the following steps:
- Turn off the device;
- Simultaneously press the keys: "On / Off." and "Increase the sound level" (on some models, the combination of buttons may be different);
- In the window that appears, specify "Recovery Mode" (the transition between the columns is done with the buttons to increase and decrease the sound level);
- Next, specify "apply update from external storage" and click the "On / Off" button;
- Wait until the process completes.
To the question of how to flash an Android tablet, there are already detailed answers in the above paragraphs of this guide. All actions in gadgets on Android will be identical. For example, consider the procedure using a PC in relation to a model from the popular Lenovo company.
You need to follow these steps:
- Fully charge the tablet;
- Install the "Software Update Tool" application and drivers. Save an archive with a suitable firmware distribution kit in memory;
- Disable mobile gadget;
- Simultaneously press the keys: "On / Off." and “Volume down” (the device should vibrate);
- After displaying "Fastboot USB" on the display, connect the gadget to the computer;
- Open the installed application and specify the location of the saved distribution;
- Next, in the program menu, specify the type of software;
- Click "Erase user data";
- Click "Start" and wait until the process is completed.
Programs for flashing Android
Many applications have already been developed for this purpose. Here are the most successful utilities that have proven their reliability and have earned positive user reviews.
This utility is installed directly into the device itself. The firmware is installed from the gadget's CD-card.
A universal utility that is suitable for almost all devices on the Android platform. Installation is done only through a computer, so you will definitely need a USB cable. Intuitive interface allows even novice users to cope with the difficult task of reinstalling the system
fastboot
This is one of the most difficult applications for beginners. The actions in it are a bit confusing. The installation procedure is carried out through the console of the Windows operating system.
How to flash a phone if it does not turn on?
It will be possible to successfully solve the question posed only if the integrity of the bootloader is not violated. In order to find out this, you can hold down the "On / Off" button. If a response from the device appears in the form of a robot display or some icon, for example, “!”, then we can conclude that the OS has failed. You can also try to connect the device to the PC via the USB cable and press the following keys on the device: "On / Off." and "Volume". When after that the PC finds the gadget, then resuscitation will not be difficult and in 95% of cases it will be successful. Then you can use one of the above methods and install new software. Not infrequently, incorrectly executed firmware violates the recovery partition, after which only the installation of the correct OS modification will allow the gadget to be restored.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Install the firmware utility on the PC;
- Download and save the firmware file;
- Open the utility;
- Connect the device to the computer and press the keys (combinations differ for different models);
- Specify the location of the distribution kit with the new OS in the utility;
- Click "Start";
- Ready. You just need to wait until the installation procedure is completed and the device is restarted.
What to do if the flashing failed?
You can resort to system restore. This will require a backup of the system.
The TouchScreenTune app optimizes touch screen sensitivity and responsiveness. It will be especially useful in the following cases: ...
The most used OS for mobile phones is Android. Well-known manufacturers of tablets and smartphones install this OS on their products. Its advantages are ease of use, accessibility of the interface, high speed. With its help, tablets and smartphones are equipped with paid and free software from the Play Market application.
Although this platform has many advantages, Android device owners feel the need to flash their tablet or smartphone.
Do not confuse flashing and updating.
How and why are tablets and smartphones reflashed?
Sometimes programs require ROOT access from users. With standard firmware, you cannot have administrator rights. For example, serious overclocking of the processor on the device is possible, provided that you have ROOT rights.
Flashing will save the device from the "garbage" that could be left by the manufacturer. Instead, really necessary and necessary programs will be installed on a smartphone or tablet. Flashing will give faster and more stable operation of the device, which will also please.
It may take a couple of months from the time the device was manufactured at the factory until it falls into the hands of the user. During this time, the software firmware could have seriously changed and give more advanced features to the device. This article describes the independent ability to flash a Samsung Galaxy phone on Android. There are several methods to reflash "Android" through a computer.
Why you need official firmware
Do not forget that the firmware itself must be official. Amateur versions eliminate the shortcomings of the OS, but can bring many other "bugs". Be sure to require detailed information on the firmware "Android" before its implementation.
Today, there are many methods for flashing an Android smartphone and tablet. The most understandable and common options will be described below.
How to reflash "Android" using a PC and the Odin program?
First method
This is done directly from the phone through the Android system. For example, a smartphone is running version 4.0. If in this version you open the section “Settings - Information about the phone - Software update”, then automatic firmware is configured for this phone. To do this, you need to check the "Auto-update" box. It is also recommended to activate the "Wi-FI only" item. In this case, the availability of the new version is carried out only if there is a wireless network for the phone. Mobile traffic will be spent differently, which will cause considerable expenses. The check is started manually after pressing the "Update" button.
You can reflash "Android" through a computer only if the battery is 100% charged. But this method of updating the Samsung Galaxy firmware is not very convenient and can break off in the middle of the process itself. It is recommended that you perform this task using a special program that is installed on the computer when connected to it via the phone's USB cable.
Special software
This can be done using the Samsung Kies program or the popular Odin. In the case of the latter, it is possible to use both the official Samsung firmware and firmware from other developers. They are often more convenient and provide more options for the phone, but they void the factory warranty. For this reason, the implementation of any instructions regarding whether "Android" is unofficial, is only permissible after the end of the warranty period.
The official Samsung Galaxy firmware can be seen on the example of updating using the Samsung Kies program. It was created similarly to Apple's iTunes and can fully synchronize your computer with your smartphone - move files, music, contacts. Before starting the firmware update, it is recommended to create a backup copy to avoid data loss.
Task execution order
To begin with, the program itself is installed. During this, drivers for devices of the specified company will be downloaded to the computer and phone. After starting the program, the phone is connected to the computer via the USB port, then we are waiting for its detection. After opening a window with all the data of the phone, you need to select "Firmware update", if available, this will be reported in the window that opens. After clicking "Update" you need to agree with the rules and confirm the actions. You should wait until the end of the action, how to reflash Android Samsung. You do not need to touch the smartphone at this time and disconnect the cable connecting it to the computer. It may happen that the antivirus or firewall will display a message that requires permission in order for Kies to be able to perform its functions. You should also disable the antivirus on your smartphone, as it simply will not allow the system to update. After that, you need to confirm the end of the update.
Samsung firmware using Odin
To flash a phone using this application, a special driver is installed on the PC that came with the phone, or this driver is downloaded from the website of the Android device manufacturer itself.
Then the firmware itself is downloaded. It is easy to find it on the forums or on
file sharing sites. The file must have an .ops extension.
Then you need to simultaneously press three buttons on your smartphone. These are “minus volume”, “power” and “homer”. The message “downloading” will appear on the device screen, which indicates a flashing.
Ensuring the connection of a smartphone to a PC
To do this, the smartphone and computer are connected using a USB adapter. Then the Odin program is launched. The latest version of the program is recommended for downloading, especially in cases of installing a new firmware. In the menu you need to find the inscription "Select Ops", click on "OPS", which is located below it. Next is the path to the firmware file.
Then you need to click on "Start" and wait for the flashing to finish, it will all take no more than five minutes. After completion, the message “Pass” will appear in the first window, which indicates a successful flashing of the smartphone.
This is a "gray" way of how to reflash an Android smartphone. To begin with, the phone is put into download mode "Downloading". This requires pressing the following buttons at the same time: “power”, “home” and “volume minus” (or “volume plus” on some models). If everything is done correctly, the Android logo and the inscription about boot mode will be displayed on the display. Then the Odin Multidownloader program is downloaded and installed. It can be found through a search engine or on a specialized site.
This program is professional for use in service centers. If it is used correctly, then no damage will happen to the phone. You will also need firmware files downloaded from the official website or from the support forum. There are four of these files. PDA - the main firmware file, PHONE - for working with the operator's network, CSC - telephone settings and PIT - for storing service information. Make sure the presence of these programs in the set. Also, versions can be single-file. In this case, they are imported in place of the main file - PDA.
If the work is being done on a computer with Windows 7 and higher installed, then this will be enough. If Windows XP is installed, then the Kies program is additionally installed to install drivers for an Android smartphone on the OS or the individual drivers themselves - Samsung USB Driver for Mobile Phones. On the same site, specific drivers are selected for the desired model and version of the computer operating system. For example, you need the appropriate drivers from Microsoft if you are following instructions on how to reflash "Android" to Windows.
Now it is required to stop all Kies software processes, if they were previously installed and started. To do this, you need to press the Control + Alt + Del keys and find the processes where there is "Kies" in the name. Then these processes must be completed. After that, you need to launch the Odin program. At this time, the smartphone is in boot mode. Next, it is connected using a USB cable and the "Add volume" button is pressed (for phones of the Samsung Galaxy S2 model). Now the software update starts.
Odin will display the first ID:COM section in yellow. In total, there are several of these sections for working with several phones at the same time. Checkboxes are set in the program for F.Reset Time, Autoreboot, Re-Partition. Now the Start button is pressed. You need to wait until the schedule reaches the end. Then the green color will light up and the inscription "Pass" will be displayed. After that, the phone will reboot and the new software version will start working.
To additionally check the version, use the *#1234# command. To completely clear all data, use the service code *2767*3855#. Now the firmware of the phone is completely completed. To search for firmware and software for phones from other manufacturers, you need to go to their website and go through the subcategories to select the desired model. For example, those who are looking for how to flash a Lenovo Android will need the Open Source Code.
The above method of how to reflash an Android phone is quite simple and convenient, and does not even require any great knowledge from the user. However, it is not the only solution to this issue.
Second method
Another way to flash Android through a computer is to use TAR archives or a three-file firmware.
The method described below is suitable for smartphones and tablets. If you don’t know exactly how an Android tablet is flashed, then use this method. Three-file ones are not common. Because of this, not all applications work with them. The Mobile Odin Pro program does this well. It is paid, but it does a lot that competitors can't. The advantage of this program is its simplicity, but it requires ROOT rights.
Changing Android Firmware Using This Method
- Installing and running the Mobile Odin Pro application.
- Selecting an item in the main menu Open file.
- Search for a folder or archive with firmware where it was downloaded.
- Firmware check. After its completion, press Flash firmfire.
That's all. Firmware "Android"-devices will not be difficult. Now you know yourself.
Before flashing Android, you need to make sure that there are no important files on the device. If there are any left, they should be transferred to the PC. When flashing, the information is permanently deleted.
This information has a generalized form and is intended for a general understanding of the flashing process. Each device has its own characteristics. In addition, you can find methods and methods on the network that are better not to practice in practice, because. the risk of damaging the device and causing errors in its operation is too great. So, now you can often see step-by-step recommendations on how to reflash Android to iPhone, but it’s better not to follow them.
Need to upgrade your hardware platform? Mobile device is buggy and does not function properly? You can fix the situation by learning how to flash a phone at home. The procedure is available for gadgets of almost all manufacturers. The firmware can be implemented in different modes - traditional and "dead". All you need is a desktop PC or laptop, a cord, a special program and instructions.
Programs for flashing mobile phones
The modern market offers a huge range. The most popular are devices of such brands as Nokia, Lenovo, LG, Sony Ericsson, Apple and others. Each brand offers a wide range of phones. To flash the latter, you need to find an individual program for the device of a certain brand and model. There is universal software designed for smartphones of a certain manufacturer. You can find them on the Internet. Software can be both paid and free. You can choose any, trusting only reliable sites.
The subtleties of the procedure for flashing a mobile phone
When installing a new firmware on any phone, you need to follow a few recommendations:
- Device charge. Before flashing, you need to make sure that the battery life is at least 50%.
- Saving data. Photos, music, documents and other information should be backed up.
- Installing software on a computer. The software intended for firmware must be run directly on the PC by selecting the drivers suitable for the device of a certain brand and model. After the complete installation of the software, the computer must be restarted.
- Connecting phone to PC. First, it is advisable to connect the cord, and then start the computer and connect the mobile device.
- Firmware update. After choosing the mode of operation, you need to follow the instructions. Successful completion of the firmware is only guaranteed if the requirements are fully met.
Important advice! During the firmware, it becomes necessary to select the software version. Experts do not recommend lowering the latter. This can lead to the death of the device. The numbers in the file names should be an order of magnitude higher than the values on the current hardware firmware. Do not update or reinstall software on phones that are under warranty. The latter will be cancelled.
You can trust this work only to employees of the appropriate service centers. It is undesirable to carry out firmware in the absence of good skills in working with a PC. Good luck!
Many holders of smartphones and tablet computers at some point think about how to flash an android. The need to flash the device may arise due to problems in the operation of the gadget. It also makes sense to update the android in other cases, for example, to improve the functionality of the operating system and.
What you need to do before flashing android
The wrong approach to the issue of flashing can lead to serious problems with the device, and therefore you need to prepare for this event. Before flashing an android, it is imperative to do the following:
- Before you start updating the operating system, make sure that the device is fully charged. It is important to exclude the possibility of disconnection. You can connect the gadget to the charger during the procedure. If the tablet or smartphone is turned off during a firmware update, the system and data will be lost.
- Specify the version of the android operating system that is relevant for your device, and also find out what firmware is currently installed. You can specify this information in the device settings in the “About phone” section. Pay attention to the android version, kernel version and build number.
- Now, based on these data, you need to find and download a new firmware that will fully match your smartphone or tablet model.
How to flash Android using a computer
It should be said that there are several ways to flash Android and in this article we will consider the most common ones. Let's start with flashing the gadget using a special program that is pre-installed on the computer. There are many applications that allow you to install a new version of the OS on your device, but we decided to stick with the Fastboot program, as it is safe, convenient and reliable, and also best suited for the model that we will be flashing as an example. So, let's figure out how to reflash Android using the Fastboot booster.
Note: The program for flashing Android should be selected based on which manufacturer's device you are using. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following list of programs by manufacturer:
- Samsung-Odin
- Lenovo-Flash Tool
- HTC-Fastboot
- LG-KDZ Updater
- Sony Flashboot
- Nexus-Fastboot.
First of all, you need to download this application. There will be no problems with finding Fastboot, it is enough to be able to use search engines, and today everyone can do it. Download the program and unzip it to the root of drive C so that the file path looks like this: C:\Android.
The “Tools” folder contains the necessary utilities, and the “Driver” directory contains the drivers. Now you need to connect the device that you plan to reflash to the computer and install the driver. As a rule, the device automatically finds the necessary drivers, but sometimes this does not happen. In this case, you need to open the website of the manufacturer of your smartphone or tablet and download the software. Please note that the firmware that you plan to download is suitable for your gadget model. The firmware must be downloaded in .zip format and placed in the Tools folder, which is located here: C:\Android.
Before flashing an android, you need to unlock the bootloader on your device. The bootloader unlocking process will differ depending on the specific gadget model. Open the Start menu on your computer, type "cmd" in the search box, and select the cmd.exe program.
In the command prompt window, type cd C:\Android\Tools. Confirm the command by pressing the Enter key, after which you will find yourself in the "Tools" directory.
Now you need to enter the command command of the following form: fastboot devices.
If you were given a device code, then fastboot identified your smartphone or tablet and you can start flashing the android. If the message “waiting for device” appears in the window, you need to turn off the gadget and install the drivers. Now you need to enter the command for the firmware: fastboot update firmware_filename.zip After that, the flashing will begin. Don't forget to reboot your device after finishing the operating system update.
How to flash android via recovery
Another way to reflash Android is to use standard recovery or custom (TWRP \ CWM). What are custom recovery we will explain in more detail below. In short, these are unofficial firmware. So, find on the Internet the firmware that suits you, download it and save it to the root of the file system of your device.
Reboot your device into recovery mode. The process for entering this mode may differ depending on the specific tablet or smartphone model. This is most often done by a combination of the power buttons and the Volume Down key. After entering recovery mode using the up and down keys, you need to open the firmware and patch installation section and specify the firmware file previously downloaded from the Internet. As a rule, this item has the following name: “apply update from externel storage”, in TWRP - Install ZIP, in CWM - “apply update from sdcard”.
Following the instructions above, you will start the flashing, after which you need to reboot the gadget and reset the factory settings. To restore the factory settings, go to your device settings and go to the "Privacy" section, then click on "Reset settings". After that, you can check the functionality of the newly installed firmware.
How to flash Android using ROM Manager
ROM Manager is designed to perform various tasks, for example, using this application, you can create a system backup. By the way, we strongly recommend that you perform this procedure before flashing, in order to restore the data later. Also ROM Manager can be used to flash android.
ROM Manager will not work if you are not rooted. Such rights can be obtained using special programs, for example, the following applications are perfect: Kingo Android ROOT, Unlock Root, Framaroot or Vroot (detailed instructions here). In addition, custom recovery must be installed. By the way, in fact, with the help of ROM Manager, you flash the device through recovery, but unlike the previous version, this one involves working with a much more convenient and understandable interface.
So, we find and load the ROM Manager program. Now you need to download the firmware suitable for your device. Open the ROM Manager utility and do the following:
1. Place the .zip archive of the firmware in the memory of your Android gadget.
2. In the ROM Manager menu, open the "Install ROM from SD card" section.
3. Find the archive with the firmware and click on it.
4. Next, select "Reboot and Install". In order to be able to restore the operating system in the future if such a need arises, you need to check the box next to "Keep current ROM".
5. In the next window, click "OK", after which the smartphone or tablet will go into Recovery mode and the device will be flashed.
What is Android custom ROM?
Custom firmware is called unofficial versions, that is, created from scratch, or modified. To install them, the procedure for obtaining is not always mandatory. As you already understood, such firmware has nothing to do with official developers, but is created by enthusiasts in order to improve the OS by adding additional features to it and removing errors. At first glance, it may seem that custom firmware offers solid advantages and surpasses the official versions in everything. However, not all so simple.
The fact is that often such firmware is not stable and can lead to problems with the device. That is why, before you flash an android using custom firmware, you need to study the reviews of those who have already done this. Only after a detailed study, you can download the firmware and proceed with its installation. As for installing unofficial firmware, the above options are quite suitable. In addition, detailed instructions for installing custom firmware are almost always available on the site where this firmware is located.
It should also be said that the unofficial android flashing involves some differences depending on the specific developer, therefore, the approach to the firmware will be different. If you plan to use a special application to flash the device, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following list of programs by manufacturer:
- Samsung-Odin
- Lenovo-Flash Tool
- HTC-Fastboot
- LG-KDZ Updater
- Sony Flashboot
- Nexus-Fastboot.
This is where we will end this article. We hope now you know how to flash an android. If you still have questions, ask them in the comments or in the "ask a question to an expert" section.
