How to restore a phone after unsuccessful android firmware. Unsuccessful firmware on an Android device: how to restore a tablet or phone

There are cases when, after trying to install custom firmware on Android, unlock Superuser rights (root access) or delete system data, the device stops functioning. This manifests itself in the inability to log into the mobile device and even load the Recovery environment. This state of a phone or tablet is popularly called “brick”.

No matter how serious the problem of “scrapping” may seem, in most cases you can revive the gadget at home. Let's look at how to restore Android if it has turned into a brick.

There are three effective methods Android recovery if they lose their ability to work:

using the standard recovery environment Recovery;
through custom Recovery;
through a computer and special software.

Which method to use directly depends on the state of the system on the device.

If, when trying to enter the workspace, devices are observed constant reboots or the phone freezes on the system logo, but the Recovery environment is working, which means you are in luck, since you can restore the Android firmware through it. To do this you need:

After rebooting, the smartphone should display factory settings. If Hard Reset did not help fix the problem, we try to revive Android after unsuccessful firmware using a previously created system backup or a file with firmware downloaded from the Internet.

To restore Android from a previously created backup, you need to do the following:

If you did not take care of creating a return point in advance, then you can return Android to your tablet or smartphone using the downloaded firmware. IN in this case We revive the gadget as follows:

Once the Android “brick” has been restored, the downloaded file can be deleted.

If the “bricking” led to the crash of not only the operating system, but also the standard Recovery, then you can restore the system using a custom recovery environment - the CWM Recovery program.

Before restoring a brick on Android, you need to install Modrkaveri on the problematic device:

The installation of CWM Recovery will begin, after which you can disconnect the smartphone from the computer and proceed directly to resuscitation:

After completing these steps and rebooting, the phone (tablet) should work.

Reanimation of a “brick” via a PC and special software

When considering how to restore Android after being bricked, it is worth noting specialized software developed individually for each manufacturer mobile devices. Thus, the FlashTool recovery program is used for gadgets from Sony and some other brands, and Odin is used for Samsung.

We will return the functionality of the “brick” with using Odin:

The process will begin automatic recovery system, upon completion of which you will again be able to enjoy your working device.

Android has turned into a brick: methods for restoring the device

Staining is a complete or partial loss of performance Android device. Not a single user who independently flashes a gadget is immune from turning smart phone into a meaningless “brick”, so the question of how to perform restoration at home arises quite often on various forums.

If the smartphone constantly resets when loading or the logo appears on the screen for 5-10 minutes, but the system does not start, then technically it is not yet a “brick”. Such a device can be quickly restored via Recovery menu, reflashing it again.

Turn off your phone.
Hold down the Volume Down key and press the Power button to get to the Recovery menu.

You have two options - restore the backup if you made one (this is one of the main requirements for flashing), or re-flash the phone. To start a backup, go to the " Backup and Restore" and start restoring the previous system state.

To flash the firmware, select the “Install zip from sdcard” section and specify required file operating system. This method corrects errors that occur when the firmware is incomplete: for example, when the phone turns off while writing files.

The opposite situation is that the firmware starts, but you cannot get into Recovery. This problem can be resolved even easier: to return the Recovery Console, you can use TWRP apps Manager, ROM Installer or ROM Manager. After installation, these applications determine the smartphone model and independently download the required recovery.

If the listed applications did not cope with the task, find instructions for installing the recovery console for your mobile device model.

Let's consider a more complex option, when the smartphone actually turns into a “brick” - neither the system nor the Recovery menu starts. Restoring it at home is also possible: for this you need to use the official firmware from the manufacturer. Let's look at the recovery procedure using a Samsung phone as an example:

Install on your computer latest version USB drivers from Samsung.
Install the latest version of the Odin application.
Download the official firmware for your model and country.
Turn off your smartphone. Turn it back on by holding down the Volume Down key and the Home button. Wait for the warning to appear (after about 5 seconds).
Put your phone into Odin mode by pressing the Volume Up key.
Connect your phone to your computer.
Launch Odin, click on PDA and point to the tar.md5 file inside the firmware directory.
Launch the firmware using the “Start” button and wait until the operation is completed.

Your “brick” will again become a working device, returning to its original state.

This method is suitable for Sony phones, but it can be used on mobile devices from other manufacturers. You will need:

The “brick” itself that you want to restore.
Official firmware in FTF format.
Installed on a computer Flashtool program with firmware drivers.

Before starting work, it is advisable to disable your antivirus and firewall to avoid incorrect operation Flashtool utilities. In addition, when starting to restore the brick, make sure that the phone is fully charged.

Turn off your phone.
Place the FTF firmware file in the C:\Users\UserName\.flashTool\firmwares folder.
Launch Flashtool (32 or 64-bit depending on the OS bit depth).
Click the lightning bolt button.
Select Flashmode.
Indicate in the window the firmware you need, which you previously placed in the “firmwares” folder.

The recovery program will prepare the Android firmware and offer to connect the “brick” to the computer. Press the Volume Down key on your device and connect your phone to the computer.

The Flashtool program must identify the “brick” connected to the computer and run the firmware on it. If the recovery is successful, you will see the message “Flashing finished” at the end of the log. After this, you can disconnect the phone from the computer and turn it on - Android should start without errors.

Each manufacturer has its own flashing utility, so it’s better to look for recovery instructions for a specific phone model that has turned into a brick. If you cannot return the device to a working condition at home, then all you have to do is contact service center.

I've been using Android for a long time. From the first days of purchase it flies like an airplane, but then it hangs and slows down. The article was very helpful. Thank you very much to the authors. The phone is flying now.

The phone is 2 years old and has gradually become very dull. .I tried to reflash the phone using the 1st method and it helped)

Tell me, is it suitable for LG?

Good afternoon, yes, the instructions are also suitable for LG if your model is on Android.

Flashtool is suitable for Samsung galaxi i8552 win duos

Android brick restoration

Loss of Android performance on a smartphone or tablet, or so-called bricking, occurs for a variety of reasons. Most often this contributes to wrong firmware, which can turn an advanced phone into a useless brick. The question of whether it is possible to restore a gadget yourself interests many users.

If after the logo appears when you turn it on, the system does not start for several minutes or the boot constantly resets, then this is not a “brick” and not all is lost. To get started, you need to go to the Recovery menu from your smartphone and do a new flashing.

To do this you need to follow these steps:

If the gadget is turned on, you need to turn it off. Press and hold the volume down key and the power key. The Recovery menu opens, which offers 2 methods:

restore the backup (this is the main requirement for the firmware; if the phone was flashed, then the backup was also restored). The backup starts running in the “Backupand Restore” section when you select the previous system location.
flashing - carried out by selecting the “Install zip fromsdcard” section, in which you need to specify the required operating system component. This option corrects errors of incomplete recovery, which can occur, for example, due to the phone being turned off while the files are being written.

Another situation may arise: when starting the firmware, you cannot enter Recovery. This can be easily resolved by returning the console to fix the system. special applications TWRP Manager, ROM Manager or Installer. These applications were created to determine the gadget model and independently download all necessary components to launch a suitable Recovery.

If none of the above-mentioned programs corrected the error, you can find instructions for downloading the recovery console for a specific brand of smartphone or tablet.

We looked at what can be done in case of partial loss of smartphone functionality. Now it’s time to talk about how to restore a completely “dead” Android when nothing starts. It is not at all necessary to immediately go to a workshop; you can try to start the system at home using simple steps.

Let's look at what to do step by step:

Install the latest Samsung USB drivers on your computer.
Download and install the latest version of the Odin application.
Download licensed firmware that is suitable for a specific model and country.
Turn off the brick, then press the volume down key and the Home key. After a few seconds, a warning will appear on the screen.
By pressing the button on the phone that increases the sound, switch it to Odin mode.
Connect the gadget to the computer.
Launch Odin, press PDA, in it indicate the file tar.md5 in the directory with the firmware.
Press the “Start” key, start the recovery, wait until the end of the operation.
Hurray, the “brick” is working!

This option is 100% applicable to Sony phones, however, devices from other brands can be restored in the same way.

“brick” Android;
licensed firmware in FTF format;
Flashtool program installed on the computer, firmware drivers for it;
disabled antivirus, firewall, which can react to Flashtool as a viral component;
It is enough to charge the phone well so that it does not turn off during recovery.

Step-by-step recovery instructions via Flashtool

Each manufacturer of gadgets based on the Android OS also has its own proprietary flashing utility. If it happens that your phone or tablet turns into a “brick,” you should first choose the instructions for your model. If all the above attempts to restore the device remain in vain, you should contact a professional workshop.

Of course, many users have encountered difficulties associated with incorrect operation of gadgets. Often it freezes due to incorrect actions of the owners. The most common problem is not knowing how to restore a tablet after unsuccessful firmware. Before running to the service center, let's try to figure out why it doesn't work.

First of all, or it does not turn on because unofficial firmware is installed. The owner will have to repair the device himself, since the gadget broke down due to his fault. The warranty is void in this case. However, there are tools that will help bring the tablet back to life. But before that, you need to determine the nature of the breakdown.

There are two types of failures of unsuccessful firmware. First view characterized the following signs:

The tablet does not turn on, or rather, the screen saver does not light up;
After unsuccessful firmware, some functions of the device do not work: it does not respond to the sensor, programs freeze, folders and files do not open, the display is mirrored;
They appear and disappear, but when connected to a PC, everything remains safe and sound.

A non-working tablet is possible if one of the above situations occurs to you. For example, gadgets Chinese companies revived by downloading the zero or first firmware, which is traditionally installed upon purchase. But with an Apple tablet, the situation is much more complicated, since it is practically impossible to restore at home. It is better to contact a service center immediately after a breakdown. If it comes to other traditional brands, then restoring and reflashing them will not be more difficult than their Chinese counterparts using updates.

The second type of failure indicates the following:

The tablet does not turn on or the white screen lights up and immediately goes out;
When connected to a PC, files, folders or none at all are displayed.

A tablet with such problems is usually already dead, but even in such a situation you can help.

How to restore your tablet yourself?

First case: the computer sees the device

As already mentioned, it is the easiest to restore. To do this, you should find the manufacturer's official website on the Internet, download updates for your device and install the first firmware. Remember that you need to download the first version; under no circumstances use the one you tried to install before. Before flashing your tablet, it is important to make sure that it is fully charged, otherwise problems may arise again.

For electronic devices of traditional brands, you first need to find updates and download zero firmware. However, you should not perform the installation right away. Before doing this, the firmware file must be renamed “update.zip” (it is important to write this word correctly, since the execution of the entire further process depends on it). After that, it is placed in the root folder on the flash drive. Exactly file placement in our case plays an important role.

Before flashing the tablet, make sure that it is fully charged, insert the USB flash drive and turn on the device (hold down the “volume +” and “power” keys for a few seconds), after turning it on, wait until the installation is complete.

Second case: the computer does not respond to the device

This type of breakdown after an unsuccessful flashing is much more serious and, most likely, you will not be able to do it without outside help. Not everyone can disassemble the tablet and properly close the flash memory contacts on their own.

First, you need to figure out what happened, since a failure could have occurred not only in the system, but also in the tablet’s memory (for example, in the bootloader). Such restoration takes more time and effort, so it is best to take the tablet to a service center where professionals will take care of it.

However, if you decide to finish the job, then you will need a soldering iron and an LPT programmer (it connects to the chip), after which you need to perform the following steps:

Find and download the tablet diagram;
Find and unsolder the SPI memory (it is responsible for installing the software);
Connect the chip to the programmer and flash it with the old bootloader;
and turn on the tablet, as in the first case.

This method is universal for any tablet, but before flashing the device, you should remember that the circuit boards in each gadget are different, so try to find exactly the one that it matches. After this, there will be no old programs and files left, so everything will have to be restored.

Some recommendations and precautions when performing repairs

There may be some consequences to the above method, so be sure to check out how the professionals do it.

Problems that often arise when repairing a device:

If the system reports that the memory is corrupted, then before flashing the device, you will have to format it;
Install the drivers correctly in the tablet, it may not start 3 to 6 times, so try, install, uninstall, etc.;
The contacts should be closed by pressing the power button, so be careful when making the connection;
Pay attention to the legs and contacts as they may have different type and close in different ways, so watch the diagram;
The PC can see the device only if you hold down the power button on the tablet, so you will have to constantly hold the button down until the installation is completed;
Long USB cords can only interfere with flashing the firmware and bringing the tablet back to life, so use a 10–15 cm cord.

Perhaps this is the main thing to remember. In any case, if something seems incomprehensible or complicated to you, it is better not to take risks, but to entrust knowledgeable people to restore the tablet after unsuccessful firmware.

Many of us are familiar with the operating system “Android”. All owners of devices running this shell know that using Android is simple and convenient: your favorite applications, useful functions are always at hand, and the interface is so flexible that you can almost completely change it at your discretion.

"Brick" - what is it?

“Android” began its journey back in 2009, and since then the developers have been promoting and improving the shell, without sleep or rest. Updates and new versions are regularly released. As a rule, a user buys a gadget with an operating system already installed on it, and throughout the entire “life” of the device, the firmware of this version (operating system version) remains. But sometimes it needs to be reinstalled due to technical problems or at will user. Then you have to take your favorite device to a service center, to an experienced technician, and some people start reflashing it themselves.

Here, many novice users who are familiar with Android at a level no higher than installing applications from the Play Market “grow wings.” Having read various instructions on the World Wide Web, they think that reinstalling the OS is not a difficult task and that they can handle it themselves. In addition, they will save a certain amount that they would have taken at the service center. But soon such users realize that they have exaggerated their own strength and cannot complete the flashing properly.

In this case, there are different scenarios for the development of events. The most unfortunate of them is when the phone turns into a brick. You may have heard this phrase before but didn't understand what it meant. "Bricking" or "bricking" a device means that it partially or completely stops working. That is, it does not turn on, does not respond to pressing buttons or connecting to a computer. Is it possible to restore bricked Android? Of course you can. Hence the name - brick, because the functionality of the gadget is now no more than that of a stone, and now you can only crack nuts with it. It is quite difficult to bring the device to such a state; it requires talent. But we hasten to please you - the device is in any case subject to restoration, if you did not take the idea about nuts seriously, and the device itself is safe and sound. So, how to restore an Android brick?

Why can a device become a brick?

In order to understand how to restore an Android brick, you first need to understand the mechanism by which the device turns into it. So to speak, go from the opposite. And once again it would be nice to prove to users that without physical intervention in the case and internal structure A smartphone or tablet cannot be completely “killed” and can be returned to work in ways that we will discuss below. We will explain in simple language. Your device has a recovery console. It is located in internal memory and has no points of intersection with the operating system, that is, these are two independent substances. And even if failures, malfunctions or errors occur during the flashing process, this same console will remain intact and you can use it to reinstall the firmware again. In addition, you can backup the OS with all the necessary information to this console.

Don't panic

The question arises: “What if there is something wrong with the console itself and it disappears?” Liquidation of the console occurs quite rarely, but even if this happens, the operating system will remain in place, and from it using special utilities It will be possible to restore the console. There are practically no cases when both the console and the operating system “fly away”; you just need to have incredible luck to destroy these two shells at the same time, but recovery is possible in this case too.

How to restore bricked Android at home

If you are well versed in technology, but for some reason you turned your device into a brick, you can restore it at home. There are several options in which scaling occurs. Let's look at each case separately.

Unable to log into the operating system

That is, the gadget itself shows signs of life, you can turn it on, but the firmware freezes endlessly, resets, or you simply see a loading or power-on window on the screen, but in fact nothing happens. Firstly, don't rush to conclusions. For example, people who do not understand how to restore a Chinese brick Android begin to panic just a few minutes after the power-on screen appears, but such a device needs even more time to “think” than a high-quality device. You can only come to the realization that something went wrong 10-15 minutes after turning it on.

Then your actions are as follows: turn off the device completely and log back in recovery mode(the system console, being in which is an integral part of the flashing itself, so there is hardly any need to talk about what it is and how to get there). After that, you can try again to install the same firmware as the first time (Install zip from sdcard -> Chooze zip from sdcard) or do system backup(Backup and restore -> Restore). Please note that if after the first attempt to reflash the device you were unable to log in, then perhaps the OS itself was of poor quality or not intended for your gadget, and there is no need to “install” it again. Choose another version or restore the old one. The same problems may occur if there was not enough battery power to complete the process or memory to install new system(device model is outdated for new version firmware).

It is impossible to enter recovery mode after flashing

There is also an option that after flashing the OS itself works fine, but you can’t access the console. Everything is fixable and much simpler than you think. On the Play Market of the same name you can find special programs, designed to return you to recovery mode. For example, applications such as TWRP Manager or Installer do an excellent job. If your device is specific and similar utilities did not help you, then there are other ways to restore the “Android” brick of console mode.

You "killed" both the firmware and the console mode

This happens very rarely, and if you were looking for how to restore an Android brick through a computer, then your time has come. You can't do this without a PC. You will need to go into fastboot mode and perform a series of simple steps. We do not focus on this point, because each device model has its own way to enter this mode, and it is the type of gadget that determines all further actions of the user. How to restore an Android brick on a tablet? The series of actions is not much different from the procedure with a smartphone.

We told you about how to restore an Android brick. Bring your gadget back to life and use it with pleasure!

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Android has turned into a brick: methods for restoring the device

Scrapping is a complete or partial loss of functionality of an Android device. Not a single user who independently flashes a gadget is immune from turning a smart phone into a meaningless “brick,” so the question of how to perform recovery at home arises quite often on various forums.

Correcting the consequences of unsuccessful firmware

Turn off your phone.
Hold down the Volume Down key and press the Power button to get to the Recovery menu.

You have two options - restore the backup if you made one (this is one of the main requirements for flashing), or re-flash the phone. To start a backup, go to the “Backup and Restore” section and start restoring the previous system state.

To flash the firmware, select the “Install zip from sdcard” section and specify the required operating system file. This method corrects errors that occur when the firmware is incomplete: for example, when the phone turns off while writing files.

The opposite situation is that the firmware starts, but you cannot get into Recovery. This problem can be resolved even easier: you can use the TWRP Manager, ROM Installer or ROM Manager applications to return the recovery console. After installation, these applications determine the smartphone model and independently download the required recovery.

If the listed applications did not cope with the task, find instructions for installing the recovery console for your mobile device model.

Restoring the "brick"

Your “brick” will again become a working device, returning to its original state.

Firmware using Flashtool

This method is suitable for Sony phones, but it can be used on mobile devices from other manufacturers. You will need:

The “brick” itself that you want to restore.
Official firmware in FTF format.
Flashtool program installed on the computer with firmware drivers.

Before starting work, it is advisable to disable the antivirus and firewall to avoid incorrect operation of the Flashtool utility. In addition, when starting to restore the brick, make sure that the phone is fully charged.

The recovery program will prepare the Android firmware and offer to connect the “brick” to the computer. Press the Volume Down key on your device and connect your phone to the computer.

recoverit.ru

Android brick restoration

Loss of Android performance on a smartphone or tablet, or so-called bricking, occurs for a variety of reasons. Most often, this is facilitated by incorrect firmware, which can turn an advanced phone into a useless brick. The question of whether it is possible to restore a gadget yourself interests many users.

How to eliminate the consequences of unsuccessful firmware

To do this you need to follow these steps:

If the gadget is turned on, you need to turn it off. Press and hold the volume down key and the power key. The Recovery menu opens, which offers 2 methods:

restore the backup (this is the main requirement for the firmware; if the phone was flashed, then the backup was also restored). The backup starts running in the “Backupand Restore” section when you select the previous system location.
flashing - carried out by selecting the “Install zip fromsdcard” section, in which you need to specify the required operating system component. This option corrects errors of incomplete recovery, which can occur, for example, due to the phone being turned off while the files are being written.

Another situation may arise: when starting the firmware, you cannot enter Recovery. This can be easily resolved: returning the console to fix the system is carried out using special applications TWRP Manager, ROM Manager or Installer. These applications are created to determine the gadget model and independently download all the necessary components to launch a suitable Recovery.

If none of the above-mentioned programs corrected the error, you can find instructions for downloading the recovery console for a specific brand of smartphone or tablet.

How to restore a real Android brick

Let's look at what to do step by step:

Install the latest Samsung USB drivers on your computer.
Download and install the latest version of the Odin application.
Download licensed firmware that is suitable for a specific model and country.
Turn off the brick, then press the volume down key and the Home key. After a few seconds, a warning will appear on the screen.
By pressing the button on the phone that increases the sound, switch it to Odin mode.
Connect the gadget to the computer.
Launch Odin, press PDA, in it indicate the file tar.md5 in the directory with the firmware.
Press the “Start” key, start the recovery, wait until the end of the operation.
Hurray, the “brick” is working!

How to reflash a smartphone with Flashtool

This option is 100% applicable to Sony phones, however, devices from other brands can be restored in the same way.

What you need:

“brick” Android;
licensed firmware in FTF format;
Flashtool program installed on the computer, firmware drivers for it;
disabled antivirus, firewall, which can react to Flashtool as a viral component;
It is enough to charge the phone well so that it does not turn off during recovery.

Step-by-step recovery instructions via Flashtool

AndroidKak.ru

Bringing a bricked smartphone back to life - “Hacker”

Most of the articles in the X-Mobile section are devoted to hacks and tweaks that require obtaining root rights, modifying the firmware or replacing it with a custom one. However, not every reader is ready to subject their smartphone to such operations, fearing that they can turn the device into a brick or lead to instability in operation. Today I will debunk these myths and show that even in the most stalemate situation, bringing a smartphone back to life is not so difficult.

Let's talk about what it is to “turn a smartphone into a brick” and what other pitfalls can wait for the user on the way to changing the system and installing custom firmware. What glitches can be caught in this case and is it possible to kill a smartphone by reflashing it incorrectly? Will you lose the warranty forever or can the smartphone be returned to its previous condition? Can custom firmware really fail a smartphone owner at the most inopportune moment and are they worth it?

Myth 1. Incorrect flashing can kill a smartphone

A fall from the fifth floor can kill a smartphone, but not flashing it. The main problem that anyone who wants to reflash a smartphone faces is that during installation of the firmware, a failure may occur, which will lead to its inoperability, and the smartphone will actually turn into a brick.

All this is true, but only on paper. To understand why, it’s enough to understand how the process of flashing a smartphone works and what system components are used. To be able to install third-party firmware on your smartphone, you need to unlock the bootloader (not in all cases), get root and install a custom recovery console (ClockworkMod or TWRP), capable of installing firmware from any digital signature.

Console TWRP recovery

The recovery console is stored in a separate partition of the internal NAND memory and is in no way connected with the installed operating system. After installing a modified version of the console, it will be possible to flash custom firmware or even another OS (Firefox OS, for example). If a failure occurs during the installation of the firmware, the smartphone will not be able to boot it, but the recovery console will remain in place, and all you need to do is boot into recovery again and reinstall the firmware.

In addition, any custom recovery console contains a backup/restore function, which allows you to make a backup copy of the main firmware and restore it unchanged (with all applications, settings and data) in the event that something goes wrong. In fact, the smartphone can be returned to its original state.

Before flashing, be sure to make a backup using a custom recovery console

You can restore a backup using the Nandroid Manager Android application

You may ask: what happens if the installation of the Recovery Console itself fails? Nothing, in this case the situation will be the opposite, when the operating system itself will remain in place, and the console will be lost. To deal with it, you just need to re-flash recovery directly from Android.

Hypothetically, one can imagine a situation where both the firmware and the recovery console are killed (although this is quite difficult to do), but even in this case the primary bootloader, flashed in permanent memory smartphone.

Conclusion: it is impossible to kill a smartphone by installing third-party firmware through a custom recovery console. Either the recovery or the primary bootloader will always remain in place.

Myth 2. Custom firmware is unreliable

Firmware is different from firmware. In the vastness world wide web You can find a huge number of Android builds for every taste and color, and most of them are really slag, which can lead to instability in the operation of the smartphone and loss of some functionality. Therefore, the first thing to remember is that you should only deal with serious custom firmware developed by large teams of experienced developers. First of all, these are CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android, AOKP, OmniROM and MIUI.

Second. There are two types of firmware: officially supported and ported by third-party developers. The same CyanogenMod, for example, has an official version for the Nexus 4 smartphone, but does not have one for the Motorola Defy. But for Defy there is an unofficial port of CyanogenMod 11 from a developer with the nickname Quarx. The difference between them is that the CyanogenMod team is responsible for the support and proper operation of the first, while the second is Quarx personally. Official firmware versions are usually fully functional, but the correct operation of the latter depends on the third-party developer.

Well, third. There are stable and development versions of the firmware. Stable versions of CyanogenMod have the index M (CyanogenMod 11.0 M7, for example). This firmware version usually does not contain bugs. Development versions (in the case of CyanogenMod these are daily nightly builds) may contain bugs and are therefore not recommended for everyday use.

Conclusion: if you install a stable official version of the “normal” firmware on your smartphone, the risk of encountering bugs is minimal. Everything else is for experimenters.

Myth 3. Software that requires root rights can brick a smartphone

In theory, an application with root rights can do anything with the smartphone's firmware, including erasing it completely. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful with such software. The software we talk about on the pages of the magazine is completely safe and tested in our own skin. In addition, in all the time I have been using smartphones on Android (and this is starting from version 1.5), I have never encountered a situation where software with root support killed a smartphone.

Software distributed through Google Play, usually fully corresponds to the stated characteristics, and if it led to a brick or left a backdoor in the depths of the smartphone, it would not last even a week in the store. In any case, here you need to follow the “trust but verify” rule and carefully read the instructions for using root applications.

Myth 4. Root rights make a smartphone vulnerable to viruses

What makes a smartphone vulnerable to viruses is not root rights, but the bugs used to obtain them. Rooting tools and viruses can exploit the same Android vulnerabilities to gain root privileges, so the fact presence of root does not change anything on the device. A well-written virus will not ask for permissions in a standard way, giving away his presence, he will instead take advantage of the same vulnerability to obtain them covertly.

Moreover, having root, you get the opportunity to install the latest Android version(in the form of custom firmware), in which these bugs have already been fixed. Also, do not forget that most custom firmware allows you to disable root or create white lists of applications that can use these rights.

Myth 5. A rooted smartphone may fail

Software designed to obtain root does four simple things: launches an exploit that allows you to gain root rights in the system, mounts the /system partition in write mode, copies the su binary required to obtain root rights in the future to the /system/xbin directory, and sets SuperSU app or SuperUser, which will take control every time any application requests root privileges using su.

None of these steps can crash or kill the smartphone. The only thing that can happen is that the exploit will cause a segmentation fault and the smartphone will reboot, after which it will continue to work normally.

All root requests can be tracked using SuperSU or the built-in custom firmware feature

Myth 6. By getting root and installing custom firmware, I will lose the warranty

The guarantee is lost not from the very fact of obtaining root, but due to its detection by the service center. Most devices can be removed from root rights using Universal applications Unroot or reinstall stock firmware using official application from the manufacturer.

There are, however, two exceptions to this rule. The first is the Knox system, pre-installed on new smartphones and samsung tablets, such as Galaxy S4, S5, Note 3 and Note 10.1. Knox provides increased level Android security, responding to any firmware modifications and installation of third-party kernels and firmware. If the user performs these actions, the system sets a trigger that confirms the fact of the modification. The trigger is implemented in hardware (eFuse chip), so it cannot be reset to its initial position. On the other hand, it is not entirely clear whether the service center will refuse to repair the device on this basis. Second: the eFuse chip is installed on some other devices (for example, smartphones from LG), and it also allows you to accurately determine whether the smartphone has been rooted or flashed.

If we talk about custom firmware, everything is more complicated. Typically, the flashing operation requires unlocking the bootloader, and this can be done either using special exploits or using the smartphone manufacturer's web service. In any case, the unlocked bootloader will definitely indicate that the smartphone did not belong to a blonde.

On some smartphones, it is possible to lock the bootloader back, but you should learn about this separately, and also keep in mind that the newly locked bootloader will most likely receive the status Re-locked, and not Locked, as it was originally (this happens on HTC smartphones, For example). The only exceptions here are smartphones and tablets of the Nexus line, the bootloader of which can be locked and unlocked in three clicks without any dancing with a tambourine, and no one will find fault with anything.

On Linux, ADB and Fastboot can be installed separately from Android SDK. On Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install android-tools-fastboot. On Fedora: sudo yum install android-tools.

To prevent Knox from interfering with root applications, you can disable it using the following command from the terminal: su pm disable com.sec.knox.seandroid.

Conclusions

Getting root and flashing a smartphone are absolutely safe operations that cannot brick the smartphone for purely technical reasons. The only exception is an attempt to hack the bootloader in order to unlock it. In this case, the eFuse chip (if the smartphone has one) may work and block the ability to turn on the smartphone.

Fortunately, today smartphone manufacturers either prefer not to block the ability to turn on a smartphone with a hacked bootloader (by setting a trigger indicating the fact of such an action, as Knox does), or implement a special web service that allows you to painlessly unlock the bootloader with loss of warranty on the smartphone. which saves users from having to risk breaking the bootloader.

So, now let's talk about what problems may arise when getting root and flashing and how to deal with them.

Scenario one: after an unsuccessful flashing, the smartphone stopped booting

Unsuccessful flashing can be caused by several factors: the battery ran out and the firmware was only half filled, the firmware turned out to be faulty or was intended for a different smartphone model. In the end, there was simply not enough space on the smartphone, which can happen when trying to install the latest version of Android on a smartphone that is three or four years old.

Outwardly, all these problems usually manifest themselves either in endless resets of the smartphone to the initial manufacturer logo, or in the so-called boot loop, when the boot animation plays on the screen for more than five to ten minutes. There may also be problems with the screen (multi-colored ripples) and a non-working touch screen, which also prevent the use of the smartphone.

In all these cases, it is enough to do one simple thing: turn off the smartphone by long pressing the power button, then turn it on while holding down the volume down button (some smartphones use a different combination), and after you get into recovery, reinstall the firmware (Install zip from sdcard -> Chooze zip from sdcard) or restore the backup (Backup and restore -> Restore). Everything is easy and simple.

Scenario two: the firmware works, but recovery is not available

This can happen after a failed installation or update of the Recovery Console. The problem is that after rebooting the smartphone and turning it on while holding down the volume down button, a black screen appears, after which the smartphone either resets or freezes.

Solving this problem is not easy, but very simple. You can install the recovery console on the vast majority of smartphones using the TWRP Manager, ROM Manager or ROM Installer applications. They themselves determine the smartphone model, download and flash the required recovery, without requiring a reboot. If you can’t restore the console with their help, just find instructions on the Internet for installing recovery on your device.

ROM Manager allows you to install recovery in two steps

Scenario three: neither firmware nor recovery is available

To be honest, it is difficult for me to imagine such a scenario, but, as practice confirms, it is quite real. There are two ways to get out of this situation: use fastboot to upload recovery to your smartphone, or use a tool from the manufacturer to install stock firmware. We'll look at the second method in more detail in the next section, and I'll talk about fastboot here.

Fastboot is a tool that works directly with the device’s primary bootloader and allows you to upload firmware to your smartphone, recovery, and unlock the bootloader (in Nexus devices). Fastboot support is available in many smartphones and tablets, but some manufacturers block the ability to use it. So you will have to consult the Internet about its availability.

To access fastboot, you will need drivers and the Android SDK. When they are installed, open command line, go to the SDK installation directory, then to the platform-tools directory, turn off the smartphone, turn it on with the volume buttons pressed (both) and connect it using a USB cable to the PC. Next, you need to find the recovery image in .img format for your device and run the command:

$ fastboot flash recovery image.img

Or even force the smartphone to boot recovery without actually installing it:

$ fastboot boot image.img

In the same way you can flash official update firmware:

$ fastboot update update-file.zip

You can find a recovery suitable for your device either on the TWRP website or in the XDA-Developers and 4PDA forums.

In this section, I will talk about ways to return your smartphone to clean stock, no matter what state it is in. These instructions can be used both to unbrick your smartphone and to remove traces of rooting and flashing. Unfortunately, I can’t talk about all possible models, so I’ll focus on the four most popular flagships: Nexus 5 (I call this sample the control one), Galaxy S5, LG G2 and Sony Xperia Z2.

Nexus 5 and other Google phones

Restoring Nexus devices to their original state is easier than any other smartphone or tablet. In fact, it is so simple that there is not even anything to talk about. In fact, all you need to do is install the ADB/fastboot drivers (on Linux you don’t even need them), download the archive with the firmware and run the script. The whole operation looks like this step by step:

Download and install Android SDK.
Download the archive with the firmware for the desired device from the Google website.
Turn off the device, turn it on with the volume buttons pressed (both) and connect using a USB cable.
Unpack the archive with the firmware and run the flash-all.bat (Windows) or flash-all.sh (Linux) script and wait for the operation to complete.
We launch the command line, go to the directory with the Android SDK, then platfrom-tools and execute the fastboot oem lock command to lock the bootloader.

For those who are interested in what the script does, here is a list of commands:

Fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-DEVICE-NAME-VERSION.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot flash radio radio-DEVICE-NAME-VERSION.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot flash system system.img fastboot reboot-bootloader fastboot flash userdata userdata.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot erase cache fastboot flash cache cache.img

Galaxy S5

Co Galaxy smartphone S5 is a little more complicated, but overall quite simple. This time you will need a Samsung one Odin app, with the help of which the smartphone’s firmware will be flashed. Sequence of actions:

Download and install the latest version of Samsung USB drivers from here.
Download and install the latest version of Odin from here.
Go to the website samfirmware.com, enter the SM-G900F model in the search, find the firmware marked Russia, download and unpack.
Turn off the smartphone and turn it on with the Volume Down and Home buttons pressed, wait five seconds until a warning message appears.
Press the volume up button to put the smartphone into Odin mode.
We connect the smartphone using a USB cable.
Launch Odin, press the PDA button and select the file with the extension tar.md5 inside the directory with the unpacked firmware.
Click the Start button in Odin and wait until the firmware process is completed.

As I already said, this operation will return the smartphone to its original state, but will not reset the trigger set by the Knox system (if it was in standard firmware). Therefore, the service center may refuse to repair.

Odin himself

Odin is even available in mobile version

LG G2

Restoring the LG G2 to factory condition will also not cause special problems. The number of steps in this process is somewhat larger, but they themselves do not require special preparation and knowledge. So what to do to return to G2 factory firmware:

Download and install ADB Driver Installer from here.
Download the official firmware (Europe Open 32G or Europe Open) from here.
Download and install LG Mobile Support Tool, as well as FlashTool (goo.gl/NE26IQ).
Turn off the smartphone, hold down the volume up button and insert the USB cable.
Expand the FlashTool archive and run the UpTestEX.exe file.
In the window that opens, select Select Type -> 3GQCT, Phone Mode -> DIAG, in the Select KDZ file option select the firmware downloaded in the second step.
Click the CSE Flash button at the bottom of the screen.
In the window that opens, click Start.
In the next window, select the country and language and click Ok.
We wait for the firmware to finish, and then turn off and turn on the smartphone.

This is all. But keep in mind that, as in the case of Samsung, the smartphone will still have Rooted status, and this cannot be fixed.

Sony Xperia Z2

Now about how to return to factory condition Sony smartphone Xperia Z2. As in the previous two cases, this will require stock firmware and the official utility for firmware. You launch the utility on your PC, connect your smartphone using a USB cable and start the update process. Step by step it all looks like this:

Download and install ADB Driver Installer from here.
Reset your smartphone to factory settings.
Download and install Flash Tool from the official Sony website and latest firmware from here.
Copy the firmware file to the C:/Flashtool/Firmwares directory.
Turn off the smartphone and turn it on while holding down the Volume Down and Home keys.
We connect the smartphone to the PC using a USB cable and launch the Flash Tool.
Click the button with the lightning icon in the Flash Tool. In the window that opens, select Flashmode, double-click on the firmware in the list that opens.

In many smartphones, an unlocked bootloader will not allow an over-the-air update.

In 90% of cases, unlocking the bootloader will entail deleting all data from the smartphone, including the memory card.

Flashing a smartphone, and even more so gaining root access, is not at all such a scary and dangerous operation as it may seem at first glance. If you do everything correctly and do not resort to tools that unlock the smartphone’s bootloader, bypassing the manufacturer’s tools, you will not be able to brick your smartphone. Yes, in some cases you will have to tinker to get everything back in place, but what is better - to use a locked smartphone that does not allow you to do even half of the things that it is capable of, or to gain complete control over the device? In the end, reinstalling Windows on a PC doesn't scare anyone.

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Restoring Android "brick"

No matter how serious the problem of “scrapping” may seem, in most cases you can revive the gadget at home. Let's look at how to restore Android if it has turned into a brick.

Methods for resuscitating Android when “bricked”

There are three effective methods for restoring Android if it loses its functionality:

using the standard recovery environment Recovery;
through custom Recovery;
through a computer and special software.

Which method to use directly depends on the state of the system on the device.

If, when trying to enter the workspace of the device, there are constant reboots or the phone freezes on the system logo, but the Recovery environment is working, then you are in luck, since you can restore the Android firmware through it. To do this you need:

To restore Android from a previously created backup, you need to do the following:

If you did not take care of creating a return point in advance, then you can return Android to your tablet or smartphone using the downloaded firmware. In this case, we revive the gadget as follows:

Download the firmware file to your PC specifically for your Android models devices. This should only be done from trusted sources.
We remove the memory card from the device and connect it to the computer via a card reader.
Copy the downloaded file there.
We return micro sd to the phone.
We enter Recovery and select the item marked in the figure.
We indicate the path to the firmware and start resuscitation.

Once the Android “brick” has been restored, the downloaded file can be deleted.

Using custom recovery

Before restoring a brick on Android, you need to install Modrkaveri on the problematic device:

The installation of CWM Recovery will begin, after which you can disconnect the smartphone from the computer and proceed directly to resuscitation:

After completing these steps and rebooting, the phone (tablet) should work.

Reanimation of a “brick” via a PC and special software

When considering how to restore Android after being “bricked”, it is worth noting specialized software developed individually for each mobile device manufacturer. Thus, the FlashTool recovery program is used for gadgets from Sony and some other brands, and Odin is used for Samsung.

Let’s restore the functionality of the “brick” using Odin:

The process of automatic system recovery will begin, upon completion of which you will again be able to enjoy your working device.

Each of us loves to play with our Android device. We're talking about new firmware, user interfaces, hacks, ROOT, etc. In my opinion, this is the most interesting part of the Android operating system. But sometimes unpleasant situations happen when something goes wrong. First of all: don't panic! Unlike iOS, Android platform is open, so quite often fixing an error is easier than it seems at first.

In this guide, we will tell you about the standard steps on how to restore Android after a failed firmware update. However, depending on your device and the problem, the solution may be quite complex. As a rule, Android devices have unlocked bootloaders and stock files that can be restored. Android smartphone after unsuccessful firmware it is called a brick.

What is the difference between hard and soft brick?

Before I get into the restoration instructions, I want to quickly tell you what the difference is between soft and hard brick. Ask yourself the following question: What can I do with my smartphone when it is a “hard brick”? Most often - nothing! You can easily identify a hard brick if it meets the following points:

The smartphone does not turn on.
Your computer does not recognize your smartphone.

A soft brick means the Android device is only half dead. In most cases, something went wrong during the flashing process. Many users often encounter the problem constant loading or failures after unsuccessful firmware. The main solution to this problem is to restore working version Android. There are several ways to do this, but most often experts recommend restoring a backup copy, installing another custom firmware or official firmware.

The easiest solution to the problem: Use a set of tools for your device

Search on the website w3bsit3-dns.com or XDA-forum for a set of tools for your device that will allow you to restore it. Such a set of tools performs the following operations: installs the necessary drivers, downloads the necessary files and restores the smartphone to a working state.

We found a set of tools for the following three devices:

Nexus 5 – download for Windows
Samsung Galaxy S6 – download for Windows
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 – download for Windows

If you haven't found a set of tools for your device, or want to do everything manually, then make sure that the latest ADB and FastBoot drivers are installed on your computer.

Remember, or better yet, write down the location of the drivers on your computer. You'll need this a little later.

Android constantly boots after unsuccessful firmware

If you are able to turn on your Android device but booting is stuck at the logo, it is called "bootloop". This happens if you have installed firmware that is not suitable for your smartphone. In this case, the device tries to download something that constantly reboots system memory. This causes the device to fail.

Step 1. Is your device booting?

Yes- Go to step 3
No— Go to step 2

Step 2. Click special combination buttons for your device to enter recovery mode. Typically, the combination consists of a power button and a volume button. Read the article - or search this information on the Internet.

Did you succeed?

Yes— Go to step 3
No- It looks like you have a “hard brick.” In this case, you need to contact specialists on the 4PDA or XDA-forum.

Step 3. Have you accessed recovery mode or bootloader?

Yes— Go to step 4
No— Go to step 2

Step 4. Do you have a Nandroid backup?

Yes- Go to step 9
No - Go to step 5

Step 5. Do you still have the same working custom firmware on your device?

Yes - Go to step 6
No - Go to step 7

Step 6. Install the previous working firmware and reboot the device.

Did it work?

Yes- Enjoy your working device!
No - Go to step 8

Step 7. Try installing another custom firmware on your smartphone. Search on the Internet new firmware and instructions on how to install it. Typically, you need to download the firmware file to the SD memory card and then install it through recovery mode. If the smartphone does not support SD cards, then you can use ADB commands. I'll talk about this method a little lower.

Step 8 Are stock firmware files available on your smartphone?

Yes- Try installing them. Most stock files have installation instructions.
No– Write on the 4PDA forum. Most likely, your problem has already been encountered by other users.

Step 9 Restore your backup. The device should work again.

Recover Android via Custom Recovery Mode

Sometimes during flashing the custom recovery mode may be overwritten. There are two ways to set a custom recovery mode.

1. You have ROOT rights

Install ROM Manager, and use it to install ClockworkMod Recovery
Install TWRP, and use it to install Team Win Recovery Project

2. You do not have ROOT rights

Download the TWRP or CWMR image for your device and save it in the same directory as ADB/FastBoot.
Boot your smartphone into bootloader mode.
Open command prompt to Windows computer, and go to the directory where the ADB/FastBoot files are located (previously we asked you to save the location of the drivers on your computer).
Run the following command:

fastboot flash recovery filename.img

where FileName.img is the name of the image that you downloaded in step 1.

Custom recovery mode should work again!

How to Copy Files to or from a Device That's Stuck on Constant Downloading

If your Android device keeps booting up but won't turn on completely, there is one way to copy files to or from it. Luckily, TWRP and CWMR include ADB drivers.

Open a command line on Windows or a terminal on a Mac, then go to the directory where the ADB/Fastboot drivers are located.

Use the following command to copy files from your computer to your device:

ADB push filename(or folder) directory on your device

Example: ADB push /backup/ /sdcard/ - this command allows you to transfer a folder with backup copy from your computer to the SD card that is built into the device.

Use the following command to copy files from your device to your computer:

ADB get filename(or folder) directory on your computer

Example: ADB get /downloads/ /backup – this command allows you to transfer the “downloads” folder from your Android device to the “backup” folder on your computer.

Now you know how to copy files from your smartphone to your computer and vice versa.

Final words

I hope that you were able to restore android after a failed firmware update. There are many ways to get your Android device back into working order. You can leave a comment below if you have any questions, or go to the 4PDA form to find out more detailed information.

Correcting the consequences of unsuccessful firmware

Turn off your phone.
Hold down the Volume Down key and press the Power button to get to the Recovery menu.

If the listed applications did not cope with the task, find instructions for installing the recovery console for your mobile device model.

Restoring the "brick"

Your “brick” will again become a working device, returning to its original state.

Firmware using Flashtool

This method is suitable for Sony phones, but it can be used on mobile devices from other manufacturers. You will need:

The “brick” itself that you want to restore.
Official firmware in FTF format.
Flashtool program installed on the computer with firmware drivers.

The recovery program will prepare the Android firmware and offer to connect the “brick” to the computer. Press the Volume Down key on your device and connect your phone to the computer.