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:
- 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.
- 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.
Despite the high level of reliability of Android devices produced by Samsung, one of the leaders in the world market for smartphones and tablet computers, users are often puzzled by the possibility or necessity of flashing the device. For Android devices made by Samsung, the best solution for manipulating software and restoring is the Odin program.
Download ODIN for free:
>>> Odin - v3.12.7
>>> Odin - v3.13.1
It doesn't matter for what purpose the procedure for flashing a Samsung Android device is carried out. Having resorted to using the powerful and functional Odin software, it turns out that working with a smartphone or tablet is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Let's figure it out step by step with the procedure for installing various types of firmware and their components.
Important! Odin application can damage the device if the user does wrong! All actions in the program are carried out by the user at his own peril and risk. The site administration and the author of the article are not responsible for the possible negative consequences of following the instructions below!Step 1: Download and Install Device Drivers
Drivers will need to be installed in order for Odin to communicate with the device. Fortunately, Samsung has taken care of its users and the installation process usually doesn't cause any problems. The only inconvenience is the fact that the drivers are included in the package of Samsung branded software for servicing mobile devices - Kies (for older models) or Smart Switch (for newer models). It should be noted that when flashing through Odin with Kies installed in the system at the same time, various failures and critical errors may occur. Therefore, after installing the drivers, the Kies must be uninstalled.
1. Download the application from the download page of the official Samsung website and install it.
2. If the installation of Kies is not included in the plans, you can use the auto-installer of drivers. You can download SAMSUNG USB Driver from the link:
3. Installing drivers using the auto-installer is a completely standard procedure.
Run the resulting file and follow the instructions of the installer.
Step 2: Put the device into download mode
Odin can only interact with a Samsung device if the latter is in a special Download mode.
1. To enter this mode, turn off the device completely, hold down the hardware key "Volume-", Then the"Home»And holding them press the power button of the device.
2. We hold all three buttons until the message “ Warning!»On the device screen.
3. Confirmation of entering the mode " Download"Press the hardware key" Volume +". You can verify that the device is in a mode suitable for pairing with Odin by looking at the following image on the device screen.
Step 3: Firmware
Using the Odin program, installation of single and multi-file firmware (service), as well as individual software components is available.
Installing single-file firmware
1. Load the ODIN program and firmware. We unpack everything into a separate folder on the C drive.
2. Necessarily! If installed, uninstall Samsung Kies! We follow the path: " Control Panel» - « Programs and Features» - « Delete».
3. Run Odin as Administrator. The program does not require installation, so to start it, you need to right-click on the Odin3.exe file in the folder containing the application. Then, in the menu that opens, select the item " Run as Administrator».
4. We charge the device battery by at least 60%, switch it to the " Download"And connect to the USB port located on the back of the PC, ie. directly to the motherboard. When connecting, Odin must determine the device, as evidenced by the filling in the blue color of the field “ ID: COM", Displaying the port number in the same field, as well as the inscription" Added !!"In the log field (the" Log»).
5. To add an image of a single-file firmware to Odin, press the button " AP"(In versions One up to 3.09 - the button" PDA»)
6. Specify the program path to the file.
7. After pressing the button " Open»In the Explorer window, Odin will start checking the MD5 amount of the proposed file. Upon completion of the hash-sum check, the name of the image file is displayed in the field “ AP (PDA)". Go to the tab " Options».
8. When using single-file firmware in the " OptionsF. Reset Time" and " Auto reboot».
9. Having determined the necessary parameters, press the button " Start».
10. The process of writing information to the device's memory sections will begin, accompanied by the display of the names of the recorded sections of the device's memory in the upper right corner of the window and filling in the progress bar located above the field “ ID: COM". Also, in the process, the log field is filled with inscriptions about the procedures taking place.
11. Upon completion of the process, the inscription “ PASS". This indicates the successful completion of the firmware. You can disconnect the device from the USB port of the computer and start it by long pressing the power button. When installing a single-file firmware, user data, unless it is explicitly indicated in the Odin settings, in most cases is not affected.
Installing multi-file (service) firmware
When restoring a Samsung device after serious failures, installing modified software and in some other cases, so-called multi-file firmware will be required. In reality, this is a service solution, but the described method is widely used by ordinary users.
A multi-file firmware is called because it is a collection of several image files, and, in some cases, a PIT file.
1. In general, the procedure for writing partitions with data obtained from multi-file firmware is identical to the process described in method 1. Repeat steps 1-4 of the above method.
2. A distinctive feature of the procedure is the way of loading the necessary images into the program. In general, the unpacked archive of multi-file firmware in Explorer looks like this:
It should be noted that the name of each file contains the name of the device memory section for writing to which it (image file) is intended.
3. To add each software component, you must first press the download button for the individual component, and then select the appropriate file.
Some difficulties for many users are caused by the fact that, starting with version 3.09, Odin has changed the names of the buttons designed to select a particular image. For the convenience of determining which download button in the program corresponds to which image file, you can use the table:
4. After all the files have been added to the program, go to the " Options". As in the case of single-file firmware, in the “ Options"Must be unchecked except for" F. Reset Time" and " Auto reboot».
5. Having determined the required parameters, press the button " Start", Observe the progress and wait for the appearance of the inscription" Pass"In the upper right corner of the window.
Firmware with PIT file
The PIT file and its addition to ODIN are the tools used to repartition the device memory into sections. This method of carrying out the device recovery process can be used in conjunction with both single-file and multi-file firmware.
The use of a PIT file for flashing is permissible only in extreme cases, for example, if there are serious problems with the device's performance.1. We follow the steps required to download the firmware image (s) from the above methods. To work with the PIT file, use a separate tab in ODIN - “ Pit". When you switch to it, a warning from the developers about the danger of further actions is displayed. If the risk of the procedure is realized and appropriate, press the button " OK».
2. To specify the path to the PIT file, press the button of the same name.
3. After adding the PIT file, go to the "Options"And mark the items"Auto reboot», « Re-Partition" and " F. Reset Time". The rest of the items should be left unchecked. After selecting the options, you can proceed to the recording procedure by pressing the button "Start».
Installing individual software components
In addition to installing the entire firmware, Odin makes it possible to write to the device individual components of the software platform - the kernel, modem, recovery, etc.
4. Press the button " Start". The recovery is recorded almost instantly.
5. After the appearance of the inscription "PASS"In the upper right corner of the Odin window, disconnect the device from the USB port, turn it off by long pressing the"Nutrition».
6. The first launch after the above procedure should be carried out in TWRP Recovery, otherwise the system will overwrite the recovery environment with the factory one. We enter custom recovery by holding down the “Volume +" and " Home", Then holding them, the button"Nutrition».
It should be noted that the above methods of working with Odin are applicable for most Samsung devices. At the same time, they cannot pretend to be absolutely universal instructions due to the presence of a wide variety of firmware, a large model range of devices and small differences in the list of options used in specific applications.
Download ODIN free for Android you can follow the link below.
Before flashing samsung through Odin, you need to adhere to some strict rules, otherwise you can get an excellent tool for cracking nuts, because it will not work for anything else! To eliminate such errors, our instructions will help.
Before flashing, we recommend doing Backup (backup information on the phone)... There are several applications: for older devices up to android 4.3 and for android 4.3 and higher. You can also try, but you need it for it.
Firmware via Odin main rules
You need to know that you should never flash Samsung through Kies or Smart Switch, the reason is this:
- Incompletely downloaded firmware from Samsung's server.
- Low-quality Android firmware files, due to which the device regularly restarts (the / data partition is not deleted).
- Flash the smartphone exclusively with the Odin program
- It is imperative to flash with a battery charge of at least 50% and a stable power supply to the PC.
- Do not pull the USB cable while flashing the smartphone.
- You need a branded and undamaged USB cable.
- It is important to use only the original USB cable supplied with the device. Using low-quality wires, you run the risk of turning your smartphone into a brick.
- The path to the firmware must be without Russian letters (C: folder - wrong, C: or C: samsung - right).
How to flash smartphone preparation via Odin
- Download the official Samsung firmware file to your PC.
- Install the driver.
- Download and unzip.
- Prepare an original USB cable.
- Go to the settings - "Developer options", "Enable USB debugging", for new devices you will also need "OEM unlock" and disable "Remote control", see the diagram at the very bottom in the last picture.
Sources where to download firmware
How to use this software:
For example, you are looking for the firmware for the S7 Edge SM - G935F smartphone.
Launch Firmware Linker.
Type in the program the name of the group to which your device belongs (EK, GT, SC, SCH, SGH, SHV, SHW, SM, SPH, YP) and press " Enter".
Type the model, for example (G935F) - press Enter.
You will be redirected to the Samsung firmware website.
Switching a Samsung smartphone to flash mode
After downloading and installing drivers and firmware, switch your smartphone to firmware mode (bootloader or boot):
Turn off the device and press the buttons " Volume Down" + "Center button" + "Power button".
A similar menu will be displayed, release all buttons and hold down " Volume up".
We put the smartphone into the " Download". Turn off your device and press the buttons" Volume down" + "Power button".
A similar inscription will be displayed:
If it does not come out to enter the " Download":
- Download ADB RUN program.
- Activate USB debugging.
- Connect your Android smartphone to your PC.
Open the Adb Run program and enter the menu:
"Reboot Device" - "Reboot Download".
Connect Android to PC and wait for the drivers to install.
Enter the Odin program, a notification will be displayed at the top left, when the smartphone is connected:
We load the firmware files into the Odin program. After that, we will start the flashing process, more precisely, we will set it up correctly so that everything works.
Single-file and multi-file firmware
Firmware with Odin can be single-file and multi-file:
Single file - there is a single firmware file.
Multi-file - have several firmware files.
The firmware extension (* .tar or * .tar.md5).
Single file firmware:
Load the file into the AP or PDA field (to load, press the AP or PDA button).
Multi-file firmware:
Select the firmware files and paste them into the appropriate fields:
- PIT (if any) on the PIT line (press the PIT button)
- APBOOT _ *****. Tar.md5 in BL line or Bootloader (click on Bootloader button)
- CODE _ *****. Tar.md5 in AP or PDA line (click on the button)
- MODEM _ *****. Tar.md5 on line CP or PHONE (press the button)
- CSC _ *****. Tar.md5 in the CSC line (click on the button)
Do not touch anything else or mark the boxes in the left corner unnecessarily.
When you select the files, click the " START", then the flashing process will start at intervals of about 2 - 5 minutes. At the end of the download, a notification will be displayed" PASS" or " RESET", then you can disconnect Android from the PC.
What to do if the smartphone freezes and does not boot after flashing?
If an error occurs or Samsung stagnates on an eternal boot, when the firmware was made via Odin, then you need to do a factory reset (Hard Reset) or otherwise referred to as WIPE If you provided Root or installed custom firmware, the electricity went out, then you will need advice on how to restore Samsung after an unsuccessful firmware.
The main troubles arising at the stage of flashing:
- Odin does not recognize the device
- Freeze at boot stage
- Crash at the stage when the firmware was made using Odin
- Sudden break
- Failure to start updating the smartphone
To understand the malfunction of the Odin program, your PC and Samsung, you will need this guide - Major mistakes at the stage of Samsung flashing.
How to flash kernels (boot.img, zImage), recovery files or modems
How to flash a modem
If you need to flash the modem, then load the modem file in the CP (Phone) line in the Odin program and start the flashing process.
How to flash the kernel or Recovery
Firmware using Odin third-party kernels or Recovery with Android 5.X.X and higher installed, requires changing some parameters in the Android settings:
Activate "USB Debugging" in the same tab activate "OEM Unlock"
Turn off " Remote control"Samsung. Flash the kernel, Kernel or CWM means that the file must be loaded into the AP or PDA field and then flash it.
Possible errors at the recovery installation stage
In case, after flashing the custom Recavery, it remains the usual factory one, then see what you can do:
- Uncheck the box Auto reboot in the Odin program.
- Try to flash your custom Recovery again.
- Turn off Android device.
- Turn on Recovery mode (if the smartphone starts to boot in normal mode, repeat the process a couple of times).
- Use the patch (root rights).
Follow the guide exactly and you will succeed! Before starting the operation, check that your device is more than half charged!
1. Create a folder on the disk in English at once for the files you need (for example: D: i9300)
2. Download everything you need for the firmware from the links below:
Download Odin PC Odin3_v3.09.zip
Download recovery recovery-clockwork-touch-6.0.4.4-i9300.tar.md5
Download the latest firmware miui_v4.1.1_m0.zip
Download rootkit CF-Auto-Root-m0-m0xx-gti9300
Download SAMSUNG USB Driver for Mobile Phones v1.5.29.0 Driver
3. Disable unnecessary on PC:
If you have the Kies utility installed, then you have 2 options:
Kies - remove.
Enter the application manager (ctrl + alt + del) and finish all the procedures where it says - Kies.
If you have an antivirus installed, you need to disable it.
4. Install the utility required for the firmware:
Install driver SAMSUNG USB Driver for Mobile Phones v1.5.29.0.exe
Unpack Odin3_v3.09.zip (Put in Odin3_v3.09)
5. Put the device into Download Mode:
Turn off the smartphone completely, everything should go out.
Press three keys simultaneously "Power + Volume Down + Home"
There will be a warning - press "Volume up"
The "Downloading" mode should appear with a green man in the center.
6.1. Installing root rights:
You need to run Odin3 v3.09.exe, it will be in the Odin3_v3.09 folder
Click on the PDA field and find the CF-Auto-Root-m0-m0xx-gti9300 file downloaded to the i9300 folder.
Connect the device with the original cable to the PC, the first ID: COM field will light up blue as in the picture
If all the foreground points have been made and passed successfully, press "Start"
6.2. Rooting
The installation operation will proceed quickly
Then the smartphone will reboot to normal mode. In order to check the presence of root rights, you need to check the presence of the SuperSU application
Disconnect your phone from your PC
7. How to install recovery (cwn):
Make the 5th point!
Run Odin3 v3.09.exe, it should be in the Odin3_v3.09 section
Click on the PDA field and look for the recovery-cwmtouch-6.0.3.2-GTI9300 file that was downloaded to the i9300 folder
Connect the device with the original cable to the PC, the first field ID: COM it will light up blue
If all the previous points are done and passed successfully, click "Start"
After the end you will see the word "RESET" and the smartphone will start to reboot
8. Installing MIUI 5 firmware:
Turn on your smartphone
Connect the device to the PC in disk mode
Copy to the device's internal memory:
Firmware miui_v4.1.1_m0_3.8.23
Turn off your smartphone
Turn off your smartphone completely, everything should go out.
Press three keys simultaneously "Power + Volume up + Home"
In the loaded recovery, put the wipes in order:
Wipe data / factory reset
Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
Wipe cache partion
Mounts & storage -> format / system
Then you need to install the firmware itself and the utility step by step:
Install zip from sdcard, find the archive with firmware miui_v4.1.1_m0_3.8.23
Reboot your smartphone. If everything is done correctly, you will have an animation of MIUI 5 loading and after that the device itself will be loaded with a brand new firmware.
Hello everyone! Here is another article for you on the topic "how to flash a smartphone" today we will talk about the ODIN utility developed by the company S amsung is a special utility for the software update of Samsung smartphones, it is easy to use and does not require any special skills. There are various modifications of Odin. With this program you can flash various firmwares like .tar, tar.md5 or .bin. Further in the article, the firmware process will be described in detail.
A short tour of the program options
Re-Partition- redistributes the file system on your device by default (RFS);
F. Reset Time
- resets the flash counter;
PIT - Partition Information Table.
If you selected Re-Partition, then you must also specify the .pit path to the .pit file to redistribute the device's file system;
Bootloader-
for flashing the bootloader;
PDA -
assembly of the firmware. To select a file with firmware, kernel, etc.
Phone-
modem. To select a modem file for firmware;
CSC -
Comsumer Software Customization. To select a CSC file containing region- and operator-specific data;
Attention: Be very careful when using Odin, especially with the Re-Partition option and the correct .pit file. If you do not have the required .pit file in any case, do not check the box next to Re-Partition. Odin can only be used on Samsung devices!
How to flash Samsung Galaxy using Odin?
Preparation
1. Download and install USB drivers for Samsung. Or you can install Samsung Kies, when installed, the drivers will be installed automatically.
2. Make sure that you have backups of all important information for you (contacts, SMS, MMS, videos, photos, documents, etc.) on the internal or external SD card of your device (or on your computer).
3. Make sure that the battery of your device is charged at least 60-80%, the more the better (I would not want to shake the phone during the firmware if the power is lost).
4. In the device settings, enable USB debugging in Developer Options.
5. Make sure Samsung Keis is not running. It is possible to "kill" the process through the task manager.
Firmware
1. Download the zip file with the official firmware for your device and unpack the archive on your computer. You will see either one .tar or .tar.md5 file, or several files:
If you see one file, then inside it there will already be everything you need for a successful flashing (PDA, PHONE, CSC);
If there are several files, then use separate PDA, PHONE, CSC buttons to select the corresponding files;
2. Download the archive attached to the post below, unpack it. You will see the following files:
Odin3 v3.04.exe;
Tmax.dll;
Zlib.dll;
Odin3.ini;
3. Run Odin3_v3.04.exe as an administrator (right click ---> in administrator mode).
4. Boot your device into download mode. For most Samsung devices, to do this, turn off the device and then simultaneously hold down the Home (home) + Power + Sound down buttons and in the menu that appears, confirm the entry into the boot mode by pressing the sound up.
5. After the phone is in download mode, connect it to your computer via USB cable. If Odin recognizes your deviceDevice This ID: COM field will turn yellow or blue and display the COM port number (screenshot below).
6. If the zip archive with the firmware had only one file, then click on the PDA button and through the browse select the .tar or .tar.md5 file with your firmware. If the zip archive with the firmware had several files:
Click on PDA and select the file that has CODE or PDA in its name;
Click on PHONE and select the file that has MODEM in its name;
Click on CSC and select the file that has CSC in its name;
7. Make sure the checkboxes are placed correctly:
Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time must be checked;
All other checkboxes are unchecked;
8. After selecting the appropriate files and checking the check boxes, click the Start button. The firmware process will start. Never disconnect your phone from your computer during this process. This can take a few minutes.
9. Once the flashing process is complete, your device will reboot. You can now disconnect it from your computer and start using it.
Attention: If you do not see the port number in the ID: COM field, or if the field is not yellow or blue, please do not proceed. Disconnect USB and reboot your device by pressing and long holding the power button. Check if the USB drivers for Samsung are installed correctly.
Installing factory / official firmware via Odin is usually quite safe if done correctly. But it is worthwhile to understand that there is always a chance to shake / break the device, albeit not great. So you will do all this at your own peril and risk, and the author of the post does not bear any responsibility if something goes wrong.
