Android firmware. Android Firmware and Updates - What? Where? When? What for? Zip firmware

Today, you can update or change the firmware of your device without contacting specialized centers. You are, in essence, only wasting your money and time. How do I reflash my phone myself? We will give specific answers to this question in our article.

Features for firmware

Now we will list several important elements that are necessary for reflashing your cell phone.

1. First, make sure that the battery is 50 percent or more charged (the best option is a full charge), since the flashing process can be quite lengthy.
2. If you are afraid of losing important data contained on your cell, then make backup copies of files and information you need.
3. For flashing, you need a standard USB cable that comes in addition to the phone.
4. The PC must have the appropriate software to flash your phone. All drivers can be found on the manufacturers' official websites or in numerous alternative sources. There are pirated and licensed versions of software that differ significantly in their functionality. It should be noted that the official ones are not always better than the pirated ones. After a successful installation, you need to restart your smartphone.
5. Your device must have a clean ESN, that is, it must not be in the stolen or lost database.
6. Next, you need to find out (for some models) the MEID and ESN, where the first consists of 18 (starting from 2) or 15 digits, and the last of 8.
7. Today there are 3 types of firmware: from ZIP-archive, TAR-archive or three-file. Below we will tell you more about each of them.

Are you still wondering how to reflash your phone? Trust me, it's not difficult at all. You will see for yourself a little later.

Firmware: "Android" from ZIP archive

This is one of the best methods used by many users. So, how to reflash a phone ("Android") from a ZIP archive? First, you need to set root rights. It should be noted that not all devices have this feature. Plus, having achieved root-rights, you will immediately lose the warranty on the device. Secondly, you need to make a backup, that is, a backup of important files. What is needed for this? You can, for example, install a special program for system recovery, an excellent example of which is ClockWorkMod. It is intended for flashing phones running on Android OS, and in case of any failures, it allows you to return to the source code. To make a backup using the above program, you need to take the following steps:

1. Launch ClockWorkMod Recovery.
2. Select "Backup & restore".
3. Further "backup".
4. Confirm with "YES".
5. Reboot your device by clicking "Reboot system now".

After completing these steps, a backup should appear on your MicroSD in the "clockworkmod / backup" folder. After completing all of the above operations, you can proceed directly to the flashing. So, how to reflash a phone ("Android") from a ZIP archive?

1. When the ROM file has finished loading, write it to the memory card. The name of the firmware can contain Latin letters and numbers, and the file itself must be in a ZIP archive.
2. Disconnect your phone from the PC and charger.
3. Next, turn off the mobile phone and start the recovery mode.
4. In the menu we find the item "Wipe", which erases the current system information.
5. Then you need to return to the root of the menu and select the item "Flash Zip from SD-Card" or "Install zip from sdcard".
6. Find the ROM firmware located in the ZIP archive.
7. We confirm the firmware and follow the instructions on the screen.
8. If everything went well and without errors, we restart the phone by selecting "Reboot system now".

We're done with the first method. Now let's move on to the 3-file firmware.

How to reflash Android with three-file firmware

For this method, we need the Mobile Odin Pro app, which is another program for Android firmware. If you decide to perform a flashing in this way, then you can not get root-rights. How to reflash a phone with 3-file firmware? Let's move on to the algorithm of actions:

1. First, you need to write files to your smartphone or tablet (3 files with the words CSC, CODE, Modem in their names). It is advisable to put all 3 files in one folder.
2. In the Mobile Odin Pro app, select "Open file".
3. Next, a window should be highlighted where you need to select a file that has the word "CODE" in its name. Click "OK".
4. Then select the item "Modem" and press the "OK" button.
5. We check that there is data in all sections.
6. At the end of the check, click "Flash Firmware".
7. We are waiting for the completion of the firmware process, which can last over 15 minutes.

Finally, we move on to the last firmware method.

How to flash Android from a TAR archive

Not the most popular method, as there are very few firmwares that are packed into a TAR archive. Generally speaking, most of the process is the same as the previous method. How to reflash a phone from a TAR archive?

1. In Mobile Odin Pro select "Open file".
2. In the window, find and select the downloaded firmware in the .tar or .tar.md5 format, which were previously written to the "Firmware" folder. Click "OK".
3. Then we check that all sections have the necessary data.
4. Next, click on "Flash Firmware".
5. We are waiting for the installation to complete and reboot the device.

I would like to say a few words about the firmware of Chinese phones. Such devices are updated in exactly the same way, but there are a number of nuances. Firstly, it is very difficult to find high-quality firmware, and for some gadgets it is completely impossible. Secondly, various fakes (like iPhone, Galaxy S4 and others) are unreliable, which is why custom firmware can cause irreparable damage to the device. That's all, we hope that our instructions answered your question on how to reflash a Chinese phone and original devices in order to update an already boring system. However, remember that flashing Android is an operation at your own peril and risk, which may not have very positive consequences.

How to reflash a Samsung phone

In this section, we will describe flashing using the MultiLoader application. After downloading it, you need to run and select the item "BRCM2133". Then follow these instructions:

1. We pass to the "Download" mode, holding down the shutdown (lock) and volume keys. If the message "Download" appears on the screen, it means that everything went well.
2. We connect the phone to the PC using a USB cable. After finding the device, press the "Download" button and wait a couple of minutes.
3. Disconnect USB and restart the smartphone. If the mobile phone is launched in English, then we do a simple "Pre-configuration" by dialing "* # 6984125 * #" → "Pre-configuration", and then enter the password "* # 73561 * #". We select the country of residence and reboot. Next, in the window we drive in "* 2767 * 3855 #", which will help reset the settings.
4. Everything is ready. The system has been updated. We think you figured out how to reflash a Samsung phone.

Nokia firmware

New models support firmware over-the-air function, that is, without connecting to a PC. All you need is high-speed Internet. So, how to reflash a Nokia phone? First of all, go to the "Settings" \u003d\u003e "Phone" \u003d\u003e "Phone Management" \u003d\u003e "Device Update" section. You will be presented with all the important information about the phone model and firmware version. Choose "Functions" \u003d\u003e "Check for Updates". If more recent versions of the software are found, you will be informed about this and offered to update the old firmware. Everything is done automatically.

If you want to update your system via your PC using the USB cable connection, just download the Nokia Software Updater application and launch it. Then follow the instructions that appear on the screen of your smartphone.

How to reflash an HTC phone

First you need to download the firmware itself. In addition, it is important to get root rights and make a backup according to the method we described earlier. You can also create a backup using the Titanium Backup application. We start, in fact, to the process:

1. First, do a full wipe. We have already described how to do this.
2. Then select "install zip from sd-card" in recovery.
3. Then you need to enable or disable "toggle verification mode" signature verification.
4. We find our firmware and run it. We are waiting for the update to complete and reboot. At the end, "Installation completed" should be displayed.

As you can see, the firmware of the phones of this model largely coincides with the method of flashing from the ZIP archive we described earlier.

Sony Xperia firmware

For the firmware we need the Flashtool program and a USB cable. Let's get down to the process. So how to reflash your Sony Xperia phone?

1. First, load the required firmware, which will be in the .ftf format.
2. We upload this file to the / flashtool / firmwares folder.
3. Then you need to run the FlashTool utility, turn off the phone and wait 30-60 seconds. Next, click on the button in the application where the lightning is drawn and select "Flashmode".
4. A little later, you will be given a message that the firmware is ready for installation, and you need to connect the device.
5. We hold down the key responsible for lowering the volume, after which the Flashtool program identifies your device.
6. We are waiting for the end of the firmware until the message "Flashing finished" appears. We reboot the device and enjoy the updated software.

Let's move on to the last phone, for which we'll tell you the firmware process.

Fly firmware

So how do you reflash a Fly phone? Follow the algorithm:

1. We connect the phone (switched off) to the PC using a USB cable.
2. Download, install and run all the same FlashTool.
3. Go to the "Download" section, where we indicate the COM port and speed (we do not recommend setting it higher than 460800).
4. We indicate the download agent ("Download Agent").
5. We load the memory allocation scheme of your smartphone ("Scatter-loading") and then tick the lines with the flash memory areas of the device, which should be programmed.
6. Click on "Format FAT" and select "Manual Fat Format". In "Begin address" and "Format Length" in hexadecimal format, you must specify the starting address (0x0), as well as the size of the smartphone's memory, which needs to be cleared. Be careful as it is possible to inadvertently delete the calibration data.
7. Click "OK", then press the power button of the device.
8. To start the firmware process, you must click the "Download" button.
9. After the update is complete, disconnect the phone from the USB cable and reboot it (several times if necessary).

As you can see, everything is pretty simple.

Finally

Many users of phones running Android OS sooner or later ask themselves about changing the firmware, as the original one becomes obsolete, which affects the overall performance of the phone. At the same time, interruptions in the operation of the system very often occur, which is especially important for Chinese phones. Nevertheless, for various reasons, not everyone wants to go to the service center, preferring to reflash their smartphone themselves. In this article, we have provided many illustrative examples of this process. We think you were interested.

There are both official and custom firmwares for every smartphone or tablet. Their installation is carried out in different ways: OTA updates come over the air, firmware in ZIP archives are installed manually via CWM, TWRP Recovery or the ROM Manager application, using a computer, you can flash Android using the Fastboot and SP Flash Tool utilities.

After flashing Android, all data from the internal memory will be erased, so to save contacts, settings and applications, first.

Android firmware via Recovery

Unofficial firmware in ZIP format, such as CyanogenMod, can be installed via custom Recovery: CWM or TWRP, as well as applications that use Recovery, for example, ROM Manager. Kernels and patches are sewn in the same way. To download the official "Update.zip" there are enough capabilities of the standard recovery mode, for more details see the article at the link above.

Install the ZIP file in CWM

On all devices "out of the box" there is a stock Recovery from the manufacturer, instead of it you need to install CWM software. Then find and download the ZIP archive with the firmware. Please note that firmware of other formats cannot be installed via CWM.

1. Now go to Recovery. To do this, turn off the device and press a certain combination of buttons. Depending on the manufacturer, the key combination is different, below are all possible options (the new one says how to enter Recovery on specific models):

• Volume up + power button
• Volume down + power button
• Volume up / down + power button + "Home"
• Volume up + volume down + power button

Great, you are in Recovery. The movement is carried out using the volume buttons, and confirmation of the selection with the power button.

2. Before installing the firmware, you must first reset the settings: select "wipe data / factory reset".

4. Great! Return to the main menu and select "install zip".

5. After that "Choose zip from / sdcard".

6. Navigate to the folder where you saved the firmware and select it.

7. A confirmation message will appear. Click "Yes - Install ...".

8. The process of installing the firmware will go through and at the end at the bottom of the screen the inscription "Install from sdcard complete" will appear.

Great, Android is flashed. We return to the main menu of CWM Recovery and reboot the system. To do this, select "reboot system now".

How to install firmware via TWRP Recovery

If you like TWRP Recovery rather than CWM, flash it guided by. You can also install the firmware from the ZIP archive through it:

1. Download the firmware and place it anywhere you like in your smartphone's memory.

2. Go to TWRP. This is done in the same way as CWM.

3. Now you need to reset the system. To do this, select "Wipe" from the main menu.

4. To initiate a factory reset, drag the slider to the right.

5. Upon completion of cleaning the smartphone, tablet, press the "Back" button.

6. You will be returned to the main TWRP Recovery menu. Now let's go directly to the firmware itself. To do this, select "Install".

7. Go to the place in memory where the firmware is saved. Click on it.

8. Drag the slider to the right to start installing the firmware.

9. The process will begin. It usually lasts 2-3 minutes.

10. At the end, a message will appear about the successful completion of the firmware. Click on "Reboot System" to download Android.

Another way is considered how to flash Android using a ZIP update. You can also use a special application. More on this below.

Using ROM Manager

ROM Manager application allows. By the way, I advise you to make a backup of the internal memory before the firmware, in order to restore the data later. Now we will use another function of the program: flash the phone using the ROM Manager.

The utility requires root rights - they are obtained using exploits:, or.

A custom Recovery must be installed (in fact, using the ROM Manager, you flash the device through it, but at the same time you work with a simple and intuitive application interface, not Recovery). There are links to instructions in the previous paragraphs.

So, install ROM Manager, find and download the correct firmware for your device. Open the app and follow the instructions:

1. Place the .zip archive of the firmware in the memory of your Android phone or tablet.

2. In the ROM Manager menu, open the "Install ROM from SD card" item.

3. Find the archive and click on it.

4. In the menu that opens, select "Reboot and Install". I advise you to check the box next to "Save current ROM" in order to be able to restore the system if necessary.

5. In the next window, click "OK", after which the device will boot into Recovery mode and the firmware process will begin.

Also in the ROM Manager there is a ROM search function for the device. In the main menu of the program, select "Download firmware". Some of them are available only in the premium version of the program.

Above, I talked about three ways to install firmware from ZIP archives on the device itself. Next, there will be information about the Android firmware using a PC.

How to flash Android via computer

Many mobile devices are flashed using special PC utilities: below are instructions for working with Fastboot and SP Flash Tool. Through the second program, various manipulations are performed with Chinese phones based on Mediatek processors.

Fastboot: instructions for flashing your phone

Many firmware must be installed from a computer using the Fastboot utility by rebooting the mobile device into the mode of the same name. The program is included in the Android SDK Platform Tools, the installation of which is described in. In addition, you will need drivers (all information is available here).

Also, on devices from some manufacturers, you must first unlock Bootloader:

• How to do on HTC:.

Next, download the archive with the required firmware and unzip it in the "platform-tools" folder, which contains "ADB" and "fastboot". It should look something like this (I have the necessary components in a separate folder "adb").

Then we connect Android to the computer via USB and transfer the smartphone or tablet to fastboot mode. The easiest way to do this is as follows:

1. We include
2. On the computer, go to the command line
3. We enter the commands sequentially and after each press "Enter":

cd path to "adb" file

For example, it is located in "C: \\ Program Files (x86) \\ Android \\ android-sdk \\ platform-tools". Then the path will look like this:

cd Program Files (x86) \\ Android \\ android-sdk \\ platform-tools

Then the Android gadget will reboot into fastboot mode.

Before flashing any of the system partitions, you first need to format it so that there are no problems in operation. To do this, use the commands (after entering each press "Enter"):

fastboot erase boot

fastboot erase userdata

fastboot erase system

fastboot erase recovery

fastboot erase cache

After cleaning the partitions, you can flash them. Enter commands (there may be more of them - it all depends on the presence of certain files in a particular firmware, below is a set of basic ones):

fastboot flash boot imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash userdata imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash system imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash recovery imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash cache imya-fayla.img

"Imya-fayla.img" is the name of the corresponding firmware file. For example, since in my case Recovery is being sewn and its image is called "recovery.img", I enter:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Usually, the firmware can be installed in its entirety, that is, all files can be flashed at once. For this, "flash-all.bat" must be located in the folder with the firmware files. If it is, then just enter this command and the firmware installation process will begin:

As a result, a message will appear at the end about the successful completion of the firmware.

You can boot the system. To do this, you need to exit fastboot mode on the device itself or using a computer. In the second case, you need to enter one more command:

Installing ZIP updates in Fastboot

Using Fastboot you can install ZIP firmware. To do this, download and place the firmware in the folder where "ADB" is located. Put your smartphone or tablet into fastboot mode and enter the command:

fastboot flash zip imya-fayla.zip

"Imya-fayla.zip" is the name of your firmware, replace it with your own.

Wait for Android installation to complete and restart your device.

SP Flash Tool: flashing Chinese Android smartphones on MTK

Chinese smartphones Fly, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Meizu, ZTE, Doogee, Bluboo, UMI, Elephone, Oukitel, Blackview and others powered by MTK processors are flashed with a special utility SP Flash Tool. She knows how to sew individual partitions, format the system and create backups. Supported models are MT6572, MT6577, MT6580, MT6582, MT6589, MT6592, MT6750, MT6737, Helio P10, Helio P20, Helio X10, Helio X20 and other less popular chips.

The current version of the program is available on the website: http://spflashtool.com/. Before starting the process, install the USB drivers for the MTK processor (the link to the FAQ is in the "Fastboot" section of this manual).

1. Unzip the SP Flash Tool folder on the "C: \\" drive, next to "put" the firmware. The file path must not contain Cyrillic characters.

2. The folder contains the "flash_tool" file. Start it up.

3. In the "Download-agent" field, the path to "MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin" will already be indicated. Next, you need to click "Scatter-loading" and select the scatter file in the firmware folder.

4. Leave the switch to "Download Only" and mark which partitions you need to flash (by default, all are selected).

5. Click "Download". Then we turn off the phone, remove the battery for a few seconds, insert it back and connect the turned off Android smartphone to the computer via USB.

6. The red bar "Download DA 100%" appears first.

7. Then yellow with the firmware process. Percentages indicate how close the installation is.

8. SP Flash Tool will inform you about the completion of the firmware of the mobile device - the “Download Ok” window will open with a check mark.

Switch on your phone. The first launch usually takes a long time.

Flashers for Samsung and LG

Devices of some manufacturers need to be flashed through special proprietary utilities (flashers). There are instructions on this topic on our website:

• Samsung -

Leads active customer support, releasing updates and updates for its gadgets with varying success. In practice, the developer supplies official firmware mainly "over the air" (through OTA updates), as well as posting a special firmware image file on his website or portal.

You can flash the image thanks to a set of special software:

• CWM Recovery.
• TWRP Recovery.
• Using a computer and a special set of programs (Fastboot, KDZ Update, Odin and other utilities).

As a rule, prior to updating, firmware images are packed in special archives with ZIP, ISO and others extensions.

In addition to official firmware, users and gadget communities very often form support for devices by releasing custom firmware versions and posting them on amateur forums and portals. Such updates can provide extended or reduced functionality of the official images, supplementing or removing unnecessary moments from them.

To begin with, before the flashing process, be sure to take care of your data on the internal memory of the device. When updating, all files are erased, which means that you need to make a backup in advance and save important files on external media.

On the question how to flash android we will not stop under OTA updates "by air", but rather concentrate all our attention on other update methods.

Phone flashing using CWM Recovery

The rich functionality of CWM Recovery allows you to perform many manipulations with the device, including rolling the firmware. By default, stock Recovery is installed in the devices, which means that first you need to install the ClockWorkMod Recovery utility itself.

The general firmware process below is for ZIP files. Instructions:

1. We go to Recovery. To do this, you must completely turn off the device, and then hold down a certain sequence of buttons on the body of the device. The set of keys may vary depending on the device manufacturer. Each combination may differ from each other. Additional information can be found through search engines by asking the appropriate question. A universal option is to set the following clicks:

• Volume up button + on key
• Volume down button + on key
• Volume up / down buttons + Power key + Home.
• Simultaneously pressed volume keys up + down and the power key of the device.

Once in the recovery, you will see the central menu, which you can navigate using the volume up and down buttons, and the power key will perform the function of selecting an action.

1. Before starting the device, it requires you to completely reset the gadget to factory settings. To do this, go to the "wipe data / factory reset" item and confirm the action by clicking on the line that says "Yes - Wipe all user data".
2. Back in the main lobby, select "Install zip".
3. Then click on the item "Choose zip from / sdcard" and in the explorer tree select the file with the previously saved firmware.
4. We confirm the choice by clicking on the item "Yes - Install ...".
5. The process of flashing the device will start. At the end of the process, the user will see the message "Install from sdcard complete" on the screen.
6. All that is left for the user to do is return to the main lobby of CWM Recovery and perform the process of rebooting the gadget by clicking the line "reboot system now".

After these steps, the installation of the firmware will begin. Don't panic, because the installation algorithm can take up to 10 minutes.

How to flash an android phone using TWRP Recovery

For those who prefer working with the utility in the form of TWRP Recovery, the following instructions for the step-by-step installation of the update in the form of a ZIP archive are offered:

1. Upload the file with the firmware image to the device's memory.
2. Go to TWRP recovery. This is done by analogy with CWM.
3. Perform a factory reset by clicking Wipe in the main menu. Drag the lever to the right. When finished cleaning the gadget, return to the original lobby by pressing the "Back" key.
4. In the main lobby, select the "Install" item and find the previously downloaded image in the file system tree. Click on it by dragging the slider to the side.
5. After that, the firmware process will start. According to the standard, it does not exceed 2-3 minutes.
6. Upon completion, the utility will automatically display a message about successful flashing. By clicking on the item "Reboot System", reboot the device.

Installing updates using ROM Manager

Using this application, you can not only perform the firmware, but also create a backup copy of the system. Use this option so as not to lose important data and quickly restore all the functionality of the smartphone.

To get started, you will need special devices on the device that allow you to access the internal files of your device at the system level. To do this, you can use any of the presented programs.

The second important aspect of the ROM Manager is custom recovery. All actions on the firmware take place directly in the Android launcher itself, and the ROM Manager serves as a visual add-on over Recovery.

First, download the firmware file for your gadget, and follow the further instructions:

1. Transfer the firmware archive in ZIP extension to the memory of your device.
2. In the utility menu, go to "Install ROM from SD card".
3. Select your image from folders and files and click on it.
4. In the new lobby, select Reboot and Install. Do not forget to check the box "Save current ROM". In this case, you will have the opportunity to restore the system at any time.
5. By clicking "OK" your gadget will go into Recovery mode and the firmware update process will begin.

Thanks to the extended functionality of the ROM Manager application, users can directly download images for their device in it. This can be done by clicking on the "Download firmware" item. Access to some ROMs is available only in the paid version of the program.

How to flash android via computer

Fastboot utility is a universal tool for flashing Android devices using a PC. It is part of the SDK Platform Tools, which means it is suitable for a large number of devices.

The second step before starting the firmware is to gain access to the system kernel. Very often, many manufacturers block this system parameter, not wanting users to change the system files of their firmware images with their own hands. Such manufacturers include HTC, the Nexus line of devices, Sony and others. To do this, you need to unblock Bootloader. To do this, you need to study the detailed instructions for configuring and managing the command line. Before starting the firmware using a computer, do not forget to enable USB debugging of the device in the engineering settings of the device.

A quick guide to installing ZIP firmware using Fastboot

1. First, copy the .zip archive with the image and place it in the "ADB" folder.
2. Put your smartphone or tablet into fastboot mode and write the prompt in the command line: fastbooflash zip filename.zip, where filename.zip is the name of your firmware.
3. Wait until the end of the installation and reboot the device.

Need to flash Android using FastBoot, but don't know how? This article provides detailed instructions on how to use the FastBoot utility, how to use it, where to download it and how to flash an Android device.

This instruction will fully explain how to use FastBoot! How to clean partitions using Fastboot, flash IMG files, reboot and many others.

If you do not know how to install archived updates, then you need an article - how to install firmware in zip format on android with pictures.

Download and install FastBoot

Before flashing Android using FastBoot, you need to download this utility and install it on your computer. There are several options:

1. You can download FastBoot from the Android developers page included platform-tools .
2. Or use the program Adb run, more precisely better, in which "all inclusive", and also knows how to unlock the Android pattern.

Why is ADB RUN better?

Launching the Fastboot utility

Depending on what you have chosen, downloaded the fastboot utility separately or selected adb run, the launch may differ!

If downloaded separately Fastboot

Extract the files:

1. adb.exe
2. AdbWinApi.dll
3. AdbWinUsbApi.dll
4. fastboot.exe
5. libwinpthread-1.dll

Move them to C: \\ drive, Windows folder. You've managed to install ADB and Fastboot on your computer!

After you have downloaded and installed FastBoot, open the program “ Command line".

Windows Command Prompt Example

An example of installing ADB and Fastboot.

If you downloaded ADB RUN

If your choice fell on a branded program ADB RUNthen run it, type the A button and press Enter.

Files which need to flash desirable place in the same folder with the Fastboot utility.

Instructions on how to flash Android
with FastBoot

Fastboot Android firmware means flashing separate files for different memory blocks of the device (system, data, boot).

It is very important to write commands and firmware files as specified!

If you have the command specified:

fastboot flash cache NazvaniAFiLe.img

then you need to write exactly that way, and not otherwise. In other words case of letters is important otherwise you get - no such file.

Reload commands
Fastboot into firmware mode (bootloader)

• In order to start working with an Android device using Fastboot, you first need to put your smartphone or tablet into bootloader mode using adb:

adb reboot bootloader

• Rebooting Android from bootloader mode to the same mode:

fastboot reboot-bootloader

• Rebooting Android from bootloader firmware mode to bootloader mode:

fastboot reboot-bootloader

• Reboot Android to normal mode from bootloader firmware mode:

fastboot reboot

The command "sees" your Android PC

Get in the habit of checking if there is a connection between your computer and Android before doing anything in Fastboot:

• To check if the PC sees your Android:

fastboot devices

This command must be executed when the device is already in the firmware mode (bootloader)

Bootloader unlock and lock commands
Google Pixel, Nexus in Fastboot

• Unlock bootloader for Pixel, Nexus:

fastboot oem unlock or fastboot flashing unlock

• Load bootloader for Pixel, Nexus:

fastboot oem lock

Command find out bootloader version

Shows the bootloader version number installed on Android:

fastboot getvar version-bootloader

Section formatting commands
in Fastboot (Fastboot Erase)

Before flashing any section in Android, you first need to format it so that there are no problems in further work:

• Erases the Cache section in Fastboot:

fastboot erase cache

• Erases the Date (Data / UserData) section in Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata or fastbot -w

• Erases the System section in Fastboot:

fastboot erase system

• Erases the Recovery partition in Fastboot:

fastboot erase recovery

Commands for flashing Android partitions in Fastboot
(Fastboot Flash)

After you have formatted the Android partition or partitions, you can proceed to the next step, firmware:

• Flash the system section (System):

fastboot flash system imya.img

• Flash the cache section (Cache):

fastboot flash cache imya.img

• Flash section date (Data):

fastboot flash userdata imya.img

• Flash Recovery section:

fastboot flash recovery imya.img

Instead imya.img you must insert the name of the file to be flashed!

• Flash all partitions (boot, recovery and system):

fastboot flashall

Command to install update.zip

Flashes an update archive on Android in the update.zip format - a ZIP archive with IMG images of various sections:

fastboot update filename.zip

For Sony devices

Checking the connection of the Sony device, if the answer is 0.3 device, then connected:

fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version

Unlock bootloader Sony

fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0x Received_Key

More detailed information on unlocking Sony Bootloader - How to unlock Sony Bootloader.

Waiting for Device error

If you have a long time in the command window the inscription waiting for device- means:

• Driver not installed or installed incorrectly - reinstall or install
• Android device not in Bootloader mode - translate
• Incorrect connection to the USB port - use the rear USB 2.0 ports of the computer, do not use USB hubs

Video example of working with the Fastboot utility

For those who did not understand anything!

For those who did not understand anything, then use the proprietary application ADB RUN, this program contains almost all the commands that are needed for FASTBOOT!

Below is an example of how ADB RUN works - how to flash a Recovery file quickly using ADB RUN in less than 5 seconds (just don't forget to switch to bootloader mode first)!

That's all! Read more articles and instructions in the section Articles and Hacks Android ... Stay with the site, it will be even more interesting further!

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 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 break 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 poor-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 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 performed using the Kies program. This utility allows you not only to reflash your tablet or phone, but also 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 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 figure, 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 consider how to update Lenovo software using this utility:

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