How to flash a phone using a computer. Required tools for flashing android

The phone needs to be reflashed if it suddenly refused to work. This usually happens to users who buy smartphones from unscrupulous sellers. Another time the owner itself is the cause the death of their own smartphone, downloading applications to it from suspicious sites. As a result, he receives, along with the application, a bunch of viruses that destroy his operating system or block it. You can't do without flashing your Android phone or tablet through a computer.

If you go to the workshop, then such a procedure will cost a pretty penny. You can do it yourself. You can find out how to reflash Android through a computer by reading the article.

Precautionary measures

In order to reflash the gadget and not turn it into a brick, you must follow following rules... Be sure to check it for viability. That is, just turn on the Power button. If the screen lights up and the device emits at least one signal when turned on, then the smartphone is working properly. It is recommended to update it.

In other cases, hardware damage is possible. And updating the operating system can damage the device.

Training

Before starting the OS update, you need to check battery health... Does it hold the charge long enough. Does not turn off when charging the smartphone. If the smartphone battery is not reliable, then it is better not to risk the flashing until you get a new battery.

In addition to checking the battery, it is necessary to check for the exact connection to the USB ports of the wires for connecting to the computer. Any disconnection of the device in the process will lead to the fact that the smartphone becomes a brick.

And also, in addition to the battery and the wire, it is necessary make a reservation the current firmware, so that in case of incorrect installation of the new one, you can roll back the whole process. And be sure to make a backup of all data so as not to lose them. Since in case of a successful update, a completely clean smartphone will be received.

Search and download firmware

Usually, the firmware version is indicated in the device settings in the item " About the phone". You search on the Internet and download just such a firmware, or the version is better, if the device supports such an update. Best downloaded from secure sites. These resources are usually the websites of handset manufacturers.

Connecting and installing drivers

After everything is downloaded, first of all, you will need to download drivers from the website of the smartphone manufacturer to the computer from which the tablet or smartphone will be flashed via USB. Then, if they are in the archive, they need to be unpacked into a separate folder and click on the "Install.exe" button. The firewood will be installed and the phone will be detected in the computer.

Then all that remains is to connect it via USB and start the update with the installation file. How to do this will be discussed below.

Flashing Android through a computer

For example, let's take the firmware of smartphones from LG, while the Mobile Support Tool will serve as the program for flashing Android through a PC. It is located on the official website of the manufacturer. It is recommended to download only from there to avoid additional computer problems.

Then the device is connected via USB cable. Turns on via the power button and the volume rocker at the same time. The device is displayed on the screen.

Now the owner of the gadget will have to open the "Additional features" tab. Then it is recommended to click on the button " Recovering from an update error". Then the application will start executing the specified program. It fixes all the problems that occurred during use.

If this does not help or there is no such button, then it is recommended to use custom firmware made by other users. Or use the official firmware versions that can be found on the Internet.

Each smartphone has its own program for flashing Android through a computer, which can usually be downloaded from the manufacturer's website. For Samsung - One, for Lenovo - SP Flash Tools. For LG, in addition to the above utility, KDZ Updater is suitable.

It is worth noting that with the help of FlashTools and ADBRun programs, you can install Android via a computer on a phone of almost any brand and model.

They are all used in the same way. That is, the application is downloaded, installed, the phone is connected, and the firmware is reflashed. The result is a smartphone with updated firmware.

The phone does not turn on after the firmware

The mobile device turns to brick or won't turn on after updating for several reasons.

Incorrect firmware version, incorrect actions of the owner of the device, sudden completion of the installation due to disconnection of the device from the computer during the update process.

It is recommended to go to menuRecovery and click on the reset button of the device, as shown in the picture above. The device should start up the first time. Then just reflash the device more carefully.

Another way is Flashtool. Install it on your computer, connect the device, if the device sees the program, then continue.

Turn off Flashtool. Find the folder with the installed application and find the firmwares directory, where you should copy the firmware file. Turn on Flashtool and click on the "lightning". Select Flashmode, then select the file that you copied there in the firmwares. Connect your device to your computer.

It remains to wait for the completion of the procedure until the message "Flashing finished" appears. Reboot device.

Read in this article how to flash Android through a computer. How to flash a smartphone, what is a phone firmware on Android, why is it needed - common questions from novice users who first encountered problems on a device controlled by a "green man".

As a rule, flashing comes to the aid of users whose gadgets refuse to work or are unstable. With the proliferation of Android devices from China that cannot boast long-term manufacturer support, third-party firmware has become popular, allowing you to update to the latest OS version. So that you do not get confused, let's go in order.

What is Android flashing, why is it needed

The term "flashing" itself began to be widely used with the filling of the market with smartphones running Android OS. The newly minted system opened up a bunch of possibilities for the user, including openness, which allowed everyone to change Android at will.

You can reflash not only a smartphone, but also a regular mobile phone - they also work on the OS, albeit a simpler one.

What does the term “flash Android” conceal? Any modern smartphone, as we have already indicated, runs on an operating system (a set of software tools that ensure the correct operation of the hardware), which is characterized by errors, glitches and other problems. The OS of the phone can also crash, just like Windows on your computer. And in this case, the way out is to reinstall the system or flashing.

However, flashing can fix not only errors. Installing a new firmware brings updates that ensure the stable operation of the smartphone, and often make the process of interaction between a person and a device more understandable and enjoyable.

Firmware can be divided into two classes:

• Official (stock). Firmware produced by the manufacturer of the Android device. Since they are developed specifically for a specific model, the likelihood of errors during flashing or during operation is minimized.
• Third-party (custom, unofficial). Firmware developed by common users or small groups. Android is taken as a basis (the OS is open, so everyone can work with its program code), which is subsequently updated. Third-party firmware does not guarantee perfect performance on your device; it may contain various errors that the developer has not noticed.

Unofficial firmware, as a rule, is developed for which have not acquired localization of the system in other languages ​​or do not receive updates. Developers are especially interested in inexpensive devices with good hardware, which are popular among users.

How to upgrade a smartphone to Android?

There are several fairly simple ways.

• OTA-update... In fact, this is not a firmware. You just update the OS version using the standard device tools. The process is very simple, moreover, we have already talked about it in detail,. The only thing worth noting is that not every smartphone receives updates "over the air", and the owners of models from little-known companies may never see them at all.
• Flashing using a smartphone... Using only a smartphone and a couple of applications, you can easily install a new firmware downloaded from an official or unofficial resource. The method is quite simple, but you should first familiarize yourself with what we have already written about.
• FlashingAndroidthrough a computer. The way to flash Android, which we will talk about today. It is, let's say right away, somewhat more complicated than those presented above. But it offers much more options.

Before reflashing

Let's not rush. To begin with, you should warn against possible undesirable consequences and some of the nuances that may arise when flashing Android through a computer.

Data backup

The very first thing you should do is back up your important data. Necessarily! During the flashing process, absolutely all files from the device's memory will be deleted. Therefore, save the necessary information in advance on a personal computer or in the cloud storage in order to quickly restore everything later.

Backup copy of installed firmware

It will not be superfluous to make a backup of the system itself, so that in case of problems during the flashing, there is something to recover from. To create an OS backup, the simplest tool is the one we already wrote about.

High quality wire, fully charged battery

Quite often, the reason for errors in the process of flashing Android through a computer is a poor-quality USB cable, bought for a few cents. It is not uncommon for a smartphone to not be detected by the PC at all due to a bad wire. Therefore, we recommend buying a high-quality cable in the store, but more expensive.

Be sure to charge your smartphone battery to 100%. The firmware may take a long time and the power supply from the USB port is inconsistent.

Possible problems

Remember! You are doing the flashing at your own peril and risk. This process, although not so complicated, is often accompanied by errors that can lead to the inoperability of certain functions of the smartphone or oskirpichivaniya (complete failure). Although most of the problems that arise can be corrected, some cannot be treated even at service centers.

Be careful when flashing. It will be very useful to first familiarize yourself with the forums where users share what can destroy your particular device. Feel free to clarify the nuances that you do not understand.

The market is filled with all sorts of different Android devices, so it is difficult to predict what errors might occur in your particular case. The reasons may be incorrect user actions, "clumsy" third-party firmware, problems with the cable, drivers, and so on.

Reflashing your device will void the manufacturer's warranty.

If you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to contact the service center. Experts with a guarantee will reflash your device, and you will not have to read the article further.

How to flash an Android device through a computer

So, the readers who were scared of possible problems dropped out, and we are moving from theory to practice.

USB debugging mode and required drivers

First, let's take a smartphone or other Android device in hand to activate the "Debugging via USB" mode. This is done so that the computer was able to make changes for the device connected via USB. So, the instruction:

1. first of all, we will acquire developer rights so that a special menu in the settings becomes available to us;

To access the developer menu, you need to make multiple clicks on the "OS version" item. It is located in the "About phone" section (the very last item in the device settings).

1. after the rights are obtained, go to the "Developer menu", which will appear in the settings;
2. here we find the item "Debugging via USB", make the switch opposite to it active.

The smartphone can be put aside. Let's move on to the drivers that come in handy for flashing Android through a computer.

The drivers for each device are different. You can download them on the official website of the manufacturer or on one of the forums.

To install drivers:

1. connect the device to the computer;
2. go to the "Device Manager" (use the search or find the section in the "Control Panel";
3. find the item with the name of your device (the smartphone or tablet may not be detected by the system, in this case a line with an unknown device will appear, next to which there is a yellow triangle);
4. right-click to bring up the context menu for this device;
5. select "Update driver" from the list;
6. click on the item "Search for drivers on this computer";
7. then click "Select a driver from the list of already installed";
8. by clicking the "Have Disk" button, specify the path to the downloaded drivers;
9. restart your PC and smartphone for the changes to take effect.

The smartphone driver alone is often not enough. For a number of devices, additional USB port drivers have to be installed in order for the PC to detect them. In addition, numerous machines require an ADB tool to be installed.

Android Debug Bridge is a console application that is used to control Android devices through a personal computer.

Returning to the fact that there are countless devices on Android, you have to download a whole bunch of special software for individual devices. The list of software can be found on the official websites of manufacturers or on thematic forums dedicated to flashing your specific gadget.

Programs for flashing Android through a computer

We come to the choice of software that we will use directly to install the firmware on a smartphone or tablet. For these purposes, a whole bunch of programs are presented, but they can all be divided into two broad groups:

• Software for flashing certain models. Proprietary software released by companies exclusively for their devices. Almost every major manufacturer offers a free version for download. Programs for flashing certain models provide a quick and error-free installation of a new firmware, in addition, they have additional tools that will allow you to make a system backup and rollback in case of critical errors. Similar software was presented by the following companies: Samsung (Odin); Lenovo (Flash Tool); HTC (Fastboot); LG (KDZ Updater); Sony (Flashboot); Nexus (Fastboot).
• Universal software for firmware. Programs that can be used to flash any Android device. There are also a lot of them, but the possibilities are about the same. The most popular tools are QFIL and SP Flash Tool: the first for flashing devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, the second for Mediatek.

Unlock Bootloader

Many smartphones, so that the user cannot freely make changes to the system, are presented with a locked Bootloader (bootloader). Bootloader is a special program that is responsible for accessing the kernel. From which we conclude that while it is blocked, we will not be able to flash anything.

Unlocking Bootloader is done using special software, which is provided by the manufacturer with the necessary instructions. As a rule, it all boils down to installing a special program (for example, for HTC - Bootloader Unlock), activating the USB debugging mode on the smartphone (it is described just above how to do this) and pressing just one button - “Unlock”.

Choosing the firmware

When all the drivers are installed, the bootloader is unlocked and the program for flashing Android through the computer has been downloaded, you can start choosing the firmware. It all depends on your device: there may be darkness or no firmware at all. There are several types of firmware:

• Official. Presented by the manufacturer without any changes.
• Informal based on official. Firmware that has been finalized by third-party developers, but the minimum changes have been made (language support added, bugs fixed, and so on).
• Unofficial. There are also revised firmwares, which are simply crammed with a variety of features. They are developed on the basis of Android, they are ready to offer a bunch of new features, but they often contain bugs. The most famous of them are CyanogenMod, Lineage OS, OxygenOS and others.

You can download firmware on official websites, forums and other resources.

As we have already noted, the principle of operation of all programs for flashing is approximately the same. We will tell you more about the firmware using the SP Flash Tool.

We remind you once again that SP Flash Tool is a tool for flashing only devices with processors from Mediatek. You can find out which chip your smartphone has on the manufacturer's official website or using special applications (AIDA64 and similar).

So, we do not connect the smartphone yet, we work only with the program on a PC:

1. unpack the firmware, if it is in the archive (it is better to do this in the root of the C drive);
2. run the SP Flash Tool (recommended as administrator);
3. specify the path to the scatter file by clicking on the "Scatter Loading" button, which is located in the right part of the window (the file is located in the folder with the firmware, the name ends like this - emmc.txt);
4. necessarily uncheck the Preloader item (if your device runs on an MT6575 or MT6577 processor, then uncheck the dsp_bl item as well);
5. select Download Only from the list;
6. press the Download button, next to which there is a blue or green arrow icon (depending on the version of the program);
7. only now we are connecting the Android device to the computer without using any adapters - only one wire;

The device must be turned off.

1. the program will start searching for a smartphone (if it does not find it, remove and insert the battery; if the device has a non-removable battery, then disconnect and reconnect the cable);
2. after identifying the device, the flashing process will begin, which may take a long time;

Do not disconnect the device from the computer!

1. we are waiting for the appearance of a window with a green circle;
2. only now we disconnect the device from the computer and try to turn it on.

The first launch process can take quite a long time (about 10 minutes), just wait.

In approximately the same way, devices are flashed with other programs. However, do not neglect the instructions for use. Study them thoroughly, only then proceed with the firmware.

Conclusion

Flashing an Android device via a personal computer is a rather difficult task, with a lot of nuances, but it can be done even by beginners. The main thing in this business is not to lose sight of every moment, so that afterwards you do not look on the Web for how to reanimate a brick. Take your time, carefully study the instructions specifically for your smartphone, since there are a lot of them on the Internet, and figure out the sequence of actions. Well, we can only wish you good luck with the flashing!

The most common operating system for mobile devices and phones today is Android. All leading electronics manufacturers install this operating system on their products.

The advantages of this operating system include usability, high performance and interface availability.

All smartphones and tablets on which this operating system is installed have the ability to download free and paid software from the Play Market application. Despite the many advantages of this operating system, many owners of Android-based devices feel the need to flash. Why is a smartphone flashing needed?

Let's try to understand this issue.

In some cases, when installing the program, ROOT access is required. In smartphones with standard firmware, the user does not have administrator rights. Overclocking the device processor is possible only if you have ROOT rights. Re-flashing will help rid the device of all that is superfluous that was put into it by the manufacturer. Instead, only the most essential programs will be installed on the smartphone. This will make the device work faster and more stable.

It may take some time from the moment the device was manufactured at the factory to the purchase by the user. During this period, the firmware of the device could become seriously outdated. This review will describe the procedure for self-flashing an Android phone using the example of a Samsung Galaxy phone.

There are several methods for flashing the Android operating system using a personal computer.

Why is the official firmware needed?

Don't forget that the firmware must be official. Of course, with the help of amateur options, you can smooth out some of the shortcomings of the operating system, but, on the other hand, they can introduce other "bugs" into the OS. So, before flashing Android, you should definitely get detailed information about the firmware.

Today there are many methods to reflash an Android tablet and smartphone. This article will describe only the most common and understandable options.

Flashing Android using Odin

Method one

The flashing is performed directly through a mobile device with an Android system. If your smartphone has Android 4.0 installed, then you need to open the "Settings" section, select the "Phone Information" option and click "Software Update". This will begin setting up automatic flashing for your phone. Check the box next to "Auto update". It is recommended to activate the "Wi-fi only" item. In this case, the access to the new firmware version will be carried out only via the wireless network. Otherwise, you will have to spend a lot on mobile traffic. After clicking the "Refresh" button, the check will start.

You can reflash the Android OS using a computer only if the battery of the mobile device is charged. This method of updating the firmware is not very convenient, as the flashing process can suddenly stop. It is recommended to perform this task using special programs. To do this, you need to connect your mobile device to your computer using a USB cable.

Special programs for flashing

Flashing an Android mobile device can be done using the Odin program. This program allows you to use the official firmware for devices from different manufacturers. This method, of course, is very convenient and allows you to use all the capabilities of your mobile device to 100%, but remember - if you use this method, you will lose the factory warranty. That is why it is possible to unofficially perform all procedures for flashing an Android-based phone only after the warranty period expires.

Consider the process of officially flashing a Samsung Galaxy mobile device using the Samsung Kies program. This program is created by analogy with iTunes. Samsung Kies allows you to fully synchronize your mobile device with your computer. With this program, you can move audio files, documents and contacts.

Sequencing

First of all, you need to install the program on your personal computer. During installation, drivers for the device will be downloaded to your phone and computer. Then, after starting the program on the computer, you need to connect your mobile device via the USB port. Now you need to wait for the device to be detected.

After the window opens in the phone data, you must select the "Firmware update" item. After clicking on the "Update" button, you must confirm the selected action and agree to the terms. Then you need to wait for the end of the action. During this time, it is recommended not to touch the smartphone or disconnect the USB cable.

Perhaps a firewall or antivirus will display an informational message that you need permission to perform further actions by the Kies program. It is also recommended that you disable your antivirus software on your mobile device. Otherwise, the system may not be updated. Now you can confirm the end of the update.

Flashing Samsung Galaxy using Odin

To flash a mobile device using this application, you must first install on your computer a special driver that came with your phone. You can also download the driver from the Internet from the manufacturer's website. After that, you can download the firmware itself. You can find it on file hosting services or forums.

The firmware file must have the OPS extension. After that, you need to press the following key combination on your mobile device: "homer", "power" and "- volume". As a result, the information message “Downloading” should appear on the screen of the mobile device, which signals the completion of the flashing process.

How to connect a mobile device to a personal computer

You need to connect your smartphone to your computer using a USB cable. Then you can start the Odin program. It is recommended to use the latest version of the program, especially when installing a new firmware. In the menu you need to find "Select Ops", select the "OPS" item located below it. Then you need to specify the path to the firmware file, and then click on the "Start" button. Now you need to wait for the completion of the flashing process. It will only take a few minutes. After the end of the process, the information message Pass will appear in the first window, which indicates the successful completion of the flashing process.

"Gray" method

There is another way to flash an Android mobile device

First of all, you need to put your mobile phone into the Downloading mode. To do this, you need to simultaneously press the buttons "-Volume", "Home", "Turn on". If everything is done correctly, the Android OS logo and an inscription about the boot mode will appear on the display. This will begin the download and installation process for Odin Multidownloader. You can also find this program on specialized sites and through a search engine.

The program is professional and is often used in specialized service centers. If you use this program correctly, nothing bad should happen to your mobile device. You will also need to download the files for the firmware. You can download them from the support forum or from the official website of the manufacturer.

Only four files are required for flashing. The main firmware file has the PDA extension; to work with the operator's network, you will need the Phone. The CSC file contains telephone settings. The PIT file is used to store service information. Make sure all of these files are present. Single-file versions can also be used, which are imported in place of the PDA - the main firmware file. If the work on the flashing is carried out on a computer with the Windows 7 operating system, then the steps described above will be quite enough.

If the operating system is Windows XP, then you need to additionally install the Kies program, if you need to install drivers on a mobile device based on Android, or separate drivers. You can find specific drivers for a specific model of a mobile device on the manufacturer's official website. For example, if you are performing flashing actions on an Adnroid mobile device on Windows, then certain drivers from Microsoft are required. Next, you need to stop all Kies processes.

To do this, you can simultaneously press Alt + Ctrl + del and find in the list processes with the word Kies in their names. All these processes must have a status of "completed". After that, you need to restart the Odin program. The smartphone will be in download mode at this time. Next, you need to connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable. Then you need to press the volume up button (for Galaxy S2). The software update has started. In Odin, the first ID: Com section should turn yellow.

There are several sections in total. Further in the program, checkboxes are set on the items re-Partition, Autorebort, F_reset. After that, you need to click on the "Start" button and wait for the schedule to reach completion. At the end of the procedure, the green light will turn on and the inscription "Pass" will appear. Only after that the phone will be rebooted and you can start working with the new software version.

To check the version, you can use the command * # 1234 #. To completely clear the information, you can use the code * 2767 * 3855 #. After that, the process of flashing the phone can be considered complete. To find a file for flashing mobile devices from other manufacturers, you need to go to the manufacturer's official website and select the desired phone model. So, for example, to flash Lenovo mobile devices on Android, you need to use Open Source Code.

Your described method of flashing an Android-based mobile device does not require special knowledge in the field of electronic devices. But this is not the only way to solve the problem.

Method two

There is another way to reflash Android using a personal computer. To do this, you need to use TAR-archives or three-file firmware. This method has not received much widespread use, since not all applications work well with three-file firmware.

If your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) has stopped working normally, a flashing can help it. You will learn how to reflash Android from the article below.

Modern smartphones and tablets based on Android today have become very common devices that almost everyone has. To a large extent, this was facilitated by the influx of such Chinese-made equipment. It is inexpensive, presentable on the outside and can be quite "smart" on the inside. However, such devices very often work unstable, and at one point they may even refuse to work at all ...

To help "put on its feet" your device with a 50-50 chance of flashing it. And it is this process that today's article will be devoted to. By the way, you can download almost all the tools for flashing most Chinese devices mentioned in the article under the article!

Firmware principle

Roughly, the process of flashing any phone can be compared to the process of installing Windows on a computer. However, if Windows can be installed on almost any PC, then the Android installation is fraught with many pitfalls. The fact is that the firmware contains not only the system itself, but also a full set of drivers and programs suitable exclusively for a particular device model.

Considering that the Chinese collect their smartphones from everything that can be bought inexpensively from various manufacturers, it is not difficult to state the fact that the same outwardly copy, for example, the Samsung S7, can be based on completely different platforms! Actually, the main problem with firmware is just finding the one that ideally fits your device in all respects.

You can search for firmware on the Internet by the model name of your device. However, if it is not a branded one, but a Chinese copy, then it may be tight ... You will need to perform preliminary tests in order to at least roughly find out what kind of "stuffing" Uncle Liao shoved into the phone. First of all, we are interested in the build platform and its ALPS number.

To find out this information, it is most reliable to open the device and "punch" the numbers indicated on the motherboard on the Internet. However, not every device can be disassembled without damage. Therefore, there are a number of diagnostic software tools. They can be installed both on the smartphone itself (for example, AIDA64 or CPU-Z) and on a computer. In the latter case, you will also need to install a special driver (it will also be needed for firmware).

After installing the driver, you can use one of the most commonly used tools for the "Chinese" based on the MT65xx platform - the MTK Droid Root and Tools program:

When you connect your device with a USB cable to your computer, the program will scan it and give you a certain piece of information that you can start from when searching for the required firmware. The most important data are platform version(Firmware) and system build number(Build number). Knowing them, you can already more accurately determine which firmware to download (and sometimes there are a lot of them!)

So, suppose you have found the required firmware for your device model. We download it and be sure to read the instructions for installing it. It can be installed using:

• regular recovery (the easiest way);
• modified recovery (most often CWM or TWRP);
• flasher or flasher software (for example, Odin, SP Flash Tool, etc.).

In any case, before flashing, it is highly desirable for you (if, of course, the device starts up) to make a full backup of all data on the device and its firmware. If this is not done, you risk getting a so-called "brick" instead of your favorite device, which will go into an "eternal reboot". But more on that below, and now we will consider the options for the Android firmware.

Firmware through regular recovery

If you are very lucky, then the official firmware for your device can be installed from a memory card through standard recovery. For example, I was lucky with my experimental Cubot GT99 (see screenshot above)! All that is needed for its firmware is to drop the archive with the required files to the root of the flash drive (only, it is desirable that there are no other archives there):

When the firmware is already on the SD card, you need to turn off the device and load it in recovery mode. To do this, as a rule, you need to clamp volume rocker up(less often down) and power button... When the menu for choosing the boot method appears, you need to select the mode with the same "rocker" down "Recovery Mode" and press the rocker up (less often the power button) to go to recovery:

In the menu that appears, you need to select the item with the volume rocker "apply update from external storage" or "Install ZIP from SD Card" and apply it by pressing the shutdown button. The firmware process will start and we just have to wait for it to end:

Firmware through modified recovery

Regular recovery is a useful thing, however, not all firmware are installed with its help. With it, you can only install official systems signed with all certificates. If you want to experiment with custom firmware, then you need to install a custom recovery for yourself.

The most popular and widespread versions today are the CWM and TWRP already mentioned above. Ready-made assemblies of such recovery exist for most popular device models. However, for Chinese smartphones you have to look for them. True, in some of them, custom recovery is already installed by default, which greatly simplifies various experiments.

The principle of flashing the device through custom recovery is similar to the one described above. The only difference is that it can be used to install almost any suitable ZIP archive, even if the files in it do not have any signatures. Moreover, if the firmware does not fit, the recovery will automatically roll back to the backup you created (you, after all, did not forget to make it?;))

The entrance to custom recovery is usually carried out with the same combination as in the stock one (volume rocker + power button). To install the firmware from an SD card to CWM, you need to follow the path install zip from sdcard - chooze zip from sdcard... In this case, it is usually advisable to disable signature verification in the section toggle signature veritification:

In TWRP, to achieve the same result, you need to go to the section Install and follow the prompts. By the way, in this recovery, control is performed not by physical buttons, but by means of a touchscreen (although there is a similar CWM touch assembly).

Custom recovery is a very useful thing. In addition to the firmware, it can be used to get root on your device, connect in ADB debugging mode, manage phone memory sections, etc. The only trouble is that such a useful thing has been ported only for a few devices ...

Firmware using a PC

One way or another, even if there is no custom recovery assembly for your device, you can flash it using a PC. To do this, you will need at least:

1. Driver to recognize your device by the computer.
2. Firmware suitable in all respects.
3. Backup current firmware on SD card in case the new firmware doesn't work.
4. Worker USB cable to connect the device to a computer.
5. Program for firmware Your phone or tablet model (aka flasher).

From the above list, we are most interested in the last item. For popular branded devices, there are also branded flasher utilities. For example, for Samsung - Odin, for LG - LG GSM Multi or PC Suite, HTC - HTC Sync, etc.

Let's consider the principle of firmware using an example Odin for Samsung. First, you need to connect the device in download mode to your computer. You can enter this mode by holding down the "rocker" of the sound up, the "Home" button and turning on at the same time on the switched off device. After connecting the phone in this mode, Odin should recognize it as a connection on one of the COM ports.

Now in field "AP" You need to select the archive with the firmware (usually in .tar or .tar.md5 formats). Check the activity of the options "Auto reboot" and "F. Reset Time", after which you can press the button "Start"... If everything is fine, the firmware will start downloading to the phone and installing it:

For Chinese devices, most of which are based on the MediaTek platform, there is its own universal firmware program SP Flash Tool(or just Flash Tool).

The principle of the firmware is as follows. We open the program on the "Download" tab(usually opens by default) and click the "Choose" button opposite the field. The firmware selection dialog will open. It must be previously extracted from the archive into a folder (preferably in the root of the disk, like the flasher itself) and contain a text scatter file with a map of the system partitions.

When the file is selected, a table of available partitions will open. Usually you need to uncheck the "Preloader", "Cache" and "Userdata" boxes, but for more detailed information, read the instructions for your particular device model. The last step is pressing a button "Download"... Now all that remains is to connect to the computer TOTALLY OFF phone and wait until the files are copied:

"Brick" and what to do with it

As you can see, the firmware itself is not a very difficult process (considering that the bootloader is not locked on your device). But why, then, are many so afraid of her? And here the fact is that the success of the firmware is never guaranteed and you run the risk of getting the so-called "brick"- a device that does not boot at all or constantly reboots before turning on the system itself.

There can be, by and large, two options for "oskirpichivaniya": a complete "brick" and with preserved recovery. If you still have access to the recovery and you have previously made a backup of the system on a USB flash drive, then you can "ruin" the device very quickly by using the method of flashing or restoring the image (if there is such an option) through the recovery.

If, with an unsuccessful firmware, the partition from the recovery was violated, then you can return the device to life only by installing the correct firmware version on it. Here, as they say, you have nothing to lose and you can try different firmware until you find the one you need! Usually, such dances with a tambourine are required when working with Chinese phones, in which the developers themselves programmatically hide the platform version or the hardware package.

In the most advanced cases, it may turn out that none of the firmware available on the Internet will suit you ... If you are faced with such a situation, do not rush to despair! Firstly, over time (a couple of months or six months), the image of the firmware version you need may appear. Secondly, you can always ask experienced users for help on the largest Russian-speaking forum w3bsit3-dns.com or English-speaking XDA. Owners of "china phones" can try their luck on the resource China-iPhone.Ru.

conclusions

The general principles of Android firmware, as you can see, are not very complicated. However, this, alas, is only in theory ... In practice, you may encounter various non-standard situations that most often occur when trying to flash another Chinese device from an unknown manufacturer. Here everything can turn into a very confusing quest with an unknown outcome (which is why at the very beginning I wrote that the probability of success is 50/50).

In any case, when starting to deal with Android firmware, the first thing to do is to MAKE BACKUP! The second thing - do not be lazy to read the instructions that are written on the forums by other more experienced users (if these instructions are available). After all, sometimes a checkmark that is not even there can turn your device into a "brick" literally with one touch!

One more thing. Always start work with a fresh mind and at least a couple of hours of time. This will give you the opportunity to calmly think about your actions if something suddenly goes wrong. In general, let the Android firmware for you always be successful!

P.S. It is allowed to freely copy and cite this article, provided that an open active link to the source is indicated and the authorship of Ruslan Tertyshny is preserved.

Updating or installing the firmware can fix many problems related to the functioning of the Android device. During long-term operation, the system memory of mobile gadgets is clogged with residual files () ("casts" of previously loaded 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 starts to freeze and reboot on its own. And if factory reset () does not lead to a positive result, the user can only perform the software update himself. Let's take a look at how to reflash an Android phone.

Types of firmware and how to install them

Android firmware at home differs in many respects from the installation of the rest of the software. This process is more time consuming and associated with many risks. If you choose the wrong software version or disrupt the update process, there is a possibility that your phone or tablet will turn into a useless "". However, having learned how much the flashing costs from professionals, many still decide to change the software version on their own.

There is no single instruction for flashing Android that would apply to 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:

1. Official. Supplied directly by smartphone manufacturers and usually only fits a specific brand. Such programs are considered the most reliable, so they should be used whenever possible.
2. Unofficial (custom). Developed by users of Android devices and small firms. They are used when reinstalling Android 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 a detailed reading of its description and familiarization with user reviews.

There are several ways to change the firmware for Android:

Preparing for self-flashing

Before reinstalling the software on an Android device, you need to make a number of preparatory measures:

• download a software update program on your PC (Odin, Kies or SP Flash Tool and find a high-quality usb cable (if the reinstallation will take place 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 build. So that the new firmware after a while does not start to conflict with the hardware, 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

The software update on Samsung devices is carried out using the Kies program. This utility allows you not only to reflash your tablet or phone, but also to make a backup copy of the old system, synchronize personal data from a PC, and much more.

Before changing the firmware to the latest software, you need to properly configure Kies. This is done as follows:

After configuring Kies, create a backup of the software available on your smartphone. This will allow you to restore the system in case of unsuccessful firmware. To backup Android via PC, in the initial window of the application, select "Backup", mark 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 your computer. To do this, open the "Tools" section in Kies and activate the item marked in the picture, thereby starting the update process.

While the device is being stitched, under no circumstances disconnect it from the PC and do not perform other actions that may lead to a break in the connection.

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 designs. One of these applications is the SP Flash Tool. Let's look at how to update Lenovo software using this utility:

After you succeed in updating the firmware, check the functionality of all functions of the tablet.