• Firmware for any android. The complete procedure for flashing an Android phone via a computer

    As of 2015, devices running Android accounted for just under 80% of the total number of smartphones sold worldwide. Simply put, four out of five smart phone owners have Android, although the percentage varies depending on the country.

    Considering that Android is a free system, it is installed on a variety of devices: from Samsung flagships to unknown Chinese or Indian smartphones for a few dollars. As a result, optimization suffers: some official builds are openly laggy, forcing users to look for information on how to flash an Android phone via a computer.


    How to flash an Android phone via a computer

    Firmware rules

    Before you start flashing your device, read the rules and recommendations:

    • Be sure to check if there is a separate guide for flashing your model. This is especially true for Chinese smartphones like ZTE. The general procedure for flashing the firmware is described below.
    • Download files from trusted sources (for example, the 4PDA site).
    • Make sure your device's battery is 100% charged. Emergency shutdown of the phone will result in errors.
    • Use only the original USB cable that came with your smartphone.

    You perform all actions at your own peril and risk. Incorrect flashing can lead to the device becoming bricked, that is, it will no longer turn on. If the phone is still under warranty, then it is better to contact a service center to correct software errors. Attempting to flash the device yourself will void the warranty.

    Finding the right version and software

    The most difficult thing is to find a suitable version of the system that will not conflict with the hardware. To select the correct system version, you need to find out the current firmware:

    1. Open your phone settings.
    2. Find the “About device” item and look at the firmware version (not Android, but firmware, can be written as “Build number”).

    Try to download files in a ZIP archive, it’s easier to install the system. Be sure to read the installation guide and comments from other users.

    If you have a Samsung smartphone, then use the Odin program to flash it. Chinese devices have their own utilities. Some models are flashed via FastBoot. I have a ZTE Blade AF3 model in my hands, for flashing it I used the ResearchDownload utility for Spreadtrum processors. But we will look at the general order for all Android devices.

    Preparing your phone

    To avoid problems with flashing, you need to obtain Root rights on the device. Let's do this through the KingoRoot program.

    Launch the KingoRoot program. Enable USB debugging on your phone and connect to your computer using a USB cable. After synchronization is complete, press "ROOT".

    After rebooting the device, you will have superuser rights on it, which allows you to make any changes. It is also recommended to make a backup copy in case of unsuccessful flashing. For backup, use the Titanium Backup application: make a backup copy of all user software and system data.

    The next step is installing CWM Recovery. You can do without this add-on by using the standard Recovery menu, but on some models it is greatly reduced. Download the CWM Recovery file and place it in the root directory of the memory card.

    CWM Recovery is installed via RomManager. For correct installation, the CWM Recovery file must be located in the root of the memory card and named recovery.img. The downloaded file with the system in the form of a ZIP archive also needs to be placed in the root of the memory card.

    Firmware process

    After completing all the preparatory steps, you can proceed to flashing the device. The file with the system is already in the root of the memory card. Turn off the device, and then turn on the recovery menu by holding down the Power key and the Volume Down button at the same time.

    Before installing a new system, you need to remove the old version and clean up some memory sections. Navigation in the Recovery menu is carried out using the volume keys and the power button.

    Firmware is the basic software of a smartphone, which allows you to perform all the functions included in the device. By correctly configuring the firmware, you can achieve optimal operation of the device: improve performance, increase battery life, or enhance the quality of GPS and cellular signal reception.

    How to reflash Android and what is required for this?

    Taking into account the fact that currently the development of smartphones on Android is carried out by almost everyone who is not too lazy, the number of firmware options is growing, and accordingly, each device will require an individual approach, however, the main stages of firmware remain unchanged.

    1. First of all: Before flashing the device to Android, you need to make sure that your the device is charged and will not sit down at the most inopportune moment.

    2. Secondly: you need to look in the settings of the device itself the exact name of your device and firmware version, since attempting to install incorrect firmware may damage your device.

    3. Thirdly: you need to decide what firmware you need: official or “custom”.

    Official firmware- This is the firmware that the device manufacturer develops itself, assuming that its settings are most suitable for the majority of users. As a rule, official firmware has stable operation, but can be overloaded with unnecessary “garbage” consisting of pre-installed programs.

    Custom firmware– firmware created from scratch, or a modification of the official firmware. It is created by enthusiasts in order to speed up the operation of the device, add additional features and functions, and also remove errors found in official firmware. However, not all custom firmware may have good operating stability, so before installing them, you need to study the reviews of those who have already done it.

    Once the firmware itself has been selected, you can begin the process of installing it on the device.

    Let's look at some options with which you can flash Android devices.

    The most common method is to flash the device's firmware using auto-update. It is suitable in cases where your device has an outdated version of the software and there is an update for it. To check if there is an update for your device, you need to go to “settings” - “about phone” - “system update”.

    If you want to install custom firmware or “roll back” to earlier versions of your own, then you need to resort to using other flashing methods. Different smartphone developers have different approaches to flashing their devices, and accordingly, different software will be required.

    List of programs by manufacturer:

    1. Samsung - Odin
    2. Lenovo - Flash Tool
    3. HTC - Fastboot
    4. LG – KDZ Updater
    5. Sony - Flashboot
    6. Nexus - Fastboot.

    These are not all smartphone manufacturers and, accordingly, applications for their firmware.

    Video to help:

    Phone firmware is software that is installed on the microchip during manufacturing. Sometimes there is a need to reflash a smartphone. That is, update the device's operating system. Why is this necessary? Flashing is necessary if various OS failures occur while working with the smartphone. Or if you need to Russify the device. In any case, information on how to flash an Android phone via a computer will certainly not be superfluous.

    Before proceeding directly to flashing the smartphone, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures. This event must be approached very responsibly. Otherwise, serious problems with the gadget may occur. So, before flashing Android, you need to:

    1. Charge your smartphone. If the gadget turns off during flashing, this will lead to undesirable consequences (loss of system files, data). Therefore, make sure that your device is charged to maximum. Better yet, connect the device to a power source while reinstalling the OS. Then the device will definitely not turn off.
    2. Check the current OS version specifically for your device. To do this, use the information stored in the “Settings” menu in the “About phone” section. There you can view the current firmware, device build number, number of cores, etc.
    3. Download new firmware. Using the information received, find the new firmware on the Internet and download it. Remember that the OS must match all the characteristics of your device.

    Flash the device via PC

    If you want to reflash your smartphone yourself using a computer, then first you need to download the appropriate software to your PC. The program must be selected depending on the brand of your phone. For example, if you own a smartphone from Samsung, then download and install a utility called Odin on your PC. Here is a detailed list of utilities for specific manufacturers:

    • Lenovo - Flash Tool;
    • Sony - Flashboot;
    • LG - KDZ Updater HTC;

    We will use a software called Fastboot. It is suitable for people who use devices from Nexus or HTC.

    Instructions for flashing

    Find the Fastboot program on the Internet and download it to your computer. We unpack the downloaded files in the root of the system drive C. As a result, the path to the file should look like C:\Android. The downloaded utility consists of two folders. The directory called Tools contains utilities that are needed to update the system. The Driver folder, as the name suggests, contains drivers.

    The next step is to connect the device to be flashed to the PC via a USB cable. After the computer connects to the device, the automatic installation of drivers will begin. However, sometimes the gadget cannot find firewood on its own. In this case, you need to go to the manufacturer’s official website and download the latest version of the OS from there. Do not forget that the downloaded version of Android must meet all the characteristics of your phone. After downloading the appropriate OS, upload it to Tools as a .zip archive.

    Before flashing Android via PC, you need to unlock the so-called bootloader on your mobile device. To do this, you need to open the command line. To do this, press the hot combination R + Win, after which the standard “Run” utility will open. Type cmd into the line, and then press Enter. The Windows command window has opened.

    Enter cd C:\Android\Tools into the terminal, and then press Enter. You will be taken to the Tools section. You need to use the fastboot devices command. After this, the console will display the code for your mobile device. This indicates that the utility has identified the device and you can proceed directly to flashing the operating system. If the line waiting for device appears, this means that the smartphone was not found. To get the device code, you need to install the drivers.

    To update the Android OS on your gadget, you need to use the fastboot update command. Enter fastboot update ***.zip into the console and click on the Enter button. Instead of *** you need to specify the name of the file with the finished firmware. The system update process will begin, which will take a certain amount of time. After the firmware is reinstalled, you need to restart the mobile phone.

    Firmware via Recovery

    There is another way to flash an Android phone without a computer. The essence of the method is to use custom or standard Recovery. So, to update Android, find the firmware on the Internet that matches the characteristics of your mobile phone. After that, download the OS and transfer it to the root of the gadget’s file system. If you want to use custom Recovery, then install TWPR or CWM on your smartphone (you can download applications for free through the Play Market).

    After this, you need to reboot the device and enter recovery mode. Recovery Mod is activated differently on different smartphones. It all depends on the manufacturer. As a rule, recovery is turned on by simultaneously pressing the Power (smartphone on/off button) + Volume Down (volume down key) keys. After you go to the Recovery menu, you need to open the section that is intended for installing firmware. In standard recovery, this item is called “apply update from external storage”. As for custom Recovery, in TWRP you need to select “Install ZIP”, and in CWM - “apply update from sdcard”. Navigating through the recovery is done using the Volume Down and Volume Up keys.

    After you click on the desired item, you must specify the path to the firmware that you previously downloaded to your device. The operating system update process will begin. After you finish flashing, you need to restart your mobile device and reset the characteristics to factory settings. To do this, go to the “Settings” section on your smartphone and find the “Reset settings” item there.

    Flashing via ROM Manager

    You can flash the firmware at home using a program called ROM Manager. The utility, unlike CWM and TWRP, has a simple interface, which simplifies the process of updating the firmware. In addition, the program has a couple of interesting properties. For example, you can make a backup copy of the system and return the OS to its original state if the firmware process was unsuccessful. So, in order to flash your Android phone yourself via ROM Manager, you must have root rights. it is possible through special applications like Unlock Root, Vroot, etc. In addition, the smartphone must have a custom recovery on board (the same CWM or TWPR).

    If you have all of the above, then download and install the ROM Manager application from the Play Market or the Internet. Then we look for suitable firmware and download it too. Then launch ROM Manager and follow the following instructions:


    How to restore the system via ROM Manager

    If any problems arise after updating the OS, you can roll back the changes by returning the old firmware version. This is done as follows (provided that you made a backup in advance):


    If you have any questions about the firmware of your phone or something doesn’t work, leave your comments. Also, one of the methods is shown in the video below using Lenovo as an example:

    Hello everyone! In today's article I will tell you how to flash an Android phone via a computer. Nowadays, all people use phones. Some use Android, others iPhone. But according to statistics, most people prefer Android phones. Everything would be great if there were no problems with the firmware.

    How much does it cost to flash an Android phone?

    Over time, problems may arise with the gadget, which may require flashing. If the user wants to update the functionality or speed up the operation of the device, then again the firmware will come to the rescue. In fact, the firmware procedure is not complicated, but certain difficulties may still arise. Usually, having learned this, people think: “Is it even worth doing the firmware yourself?” In order not to encounter this, I propose to figure out together how to properly flash Android.

    Of course, there is a lot of information on the Internet on how to flash a phone yourself, but if you don’t want to bother with flashing the firmware yourself, then give the phone to a specialist, and he will do everything for you. However, nothing is free, so you will have to spend a little money. The cost of the firmware will depend on many factors. This will be influenced by: Android version, current state and installed firmware version.

    In many regions, flashing a “brick phone” can cost from 500 to 900 rubles. The average price in Moscow is 600 rubles. The procedure lasts no more than 30 minutes. The specialist has all the necessary tools at hand, and this is very important, because if you decide to do the firmware yourself, you may not have such tools.

    Preparing to flash the firmware of a telephone device

    If you do not seriously approach the issue of phone firmware, then it is quite possible to cause serious problems that are quite difficult to solve. Before the procedure, you need to do the following:

    1. Make sure your device is 100% charged. This is very important, since turning off the gadget during the procedure can lead to data loss.
    2. In the settings, namely in the “About phone” section, you need to look at the device version, kernel version and build number.
    3. And finally, based on this data, you need to download new firmware. It must fully match your phone device.

    How to flash a phone without a computer?

    If you need to restore the functionality of a java device, then it is best to roll back the firmware to factory settings. If the user is going to change the firmware, then it must be taken into account that the procedure is significantly different. There are main differences between these two options - the use of the program in the second case to install unofficial firmware.

    This can be done at home. If you decide to use the second option, then install the program first. Press two recovery buttons: volume button and power button. Now through recovery, reset the settings and clear the cache. More detailed phone firmware without a computer video, using Samsung as an example:

    How to flash a Chinese phone via PC?

    Many people wonder how to flash an Android phone at home? Firmware from Windows to Android is done using various programs.

    As has already become known, the mobile phone market is quite diverse: Nokia, Zte, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, lenovo a5000, lenovo a319, Fly, etc. To update the phone firmware, you need to download the program; by the way, it is different for each manufacturer. So, Nokia can be flashed using Phoenix or JAF programs. There is a separate program for each Samsung model, but Toolbox is universal. It is possible to flash Sony Ericsson devices using:

    • Far Manager,
    • XS++,
    • SETool2Lite.

    As mentioned earlier, before flashing the firmware you need to charge the device so as not to lose data. You need to install software and drivers on your PC (they will be different for each model). You need to restart your computer after installing the program and drivers. First you need to connect the cable to the disconnected computer and already, then turn it on. Now run the program and follow the instructions. Each program contains separate instructions, it depends on the firmware mode. If everything is done correctly, then success is guaranteed. After completion of work, install standard programs.

    Important: all programs and drivers can be downloaded from the official website of the developer, and nowhere else!

    You can transfer the required firmware to your PC via a flash drive or SD card.

    How to flash a switched off phone?

    What to do, if the phone doesn't turn on, what to do? If you are facing this problem and your phone is, so to speak, " dead", then contact a specialist or perform this procedure at home with special care.

    Prepare for the procedure: download the program " Phoenix" and firmware, and also find the publisher's code on the device's battery.

    Now move on to the procedure itself...

    1. In administrator mode, install and run the Phoenix program. Next to “Connections”, check for the “NO CONNECTION” entry. Click on the "File" menu button and select "Open Product".
    2. Now you need the code that you looked at on the battery. Select it from the list. Click on the “Flashing” menu, select “Firmware Update”. In the new window, click on the button with the image of 3 dots and select the desired language pack.
    3. In the Firmware Update window, check “Dead Phone USB flashing”, click “Update Software” and wait until the firmware is completed. Ready!

    Important! This instruction does not guarantee restoration of the life of the mobile device.

    How to flash Android via SD card?

    Download the required firmware and save it in the root directory of the memory card. Then go to the ClockworkMod Recovery menu. To do this, with the device turned off, hold down the volume and power buttons. Next, find “Wipe data/factory reset”. All actions in this menu are implemented using the volume buttons and the back button.

    Now look for the downloaded section, which writes the menu as “Install zip from sdcard”. In it, select “Choose zip from sdcard”. Next, simply specify the required firmware by simply selecting it from the list.

    How to flash an Android phone via a computer using Flashtool?

    Through flash tools You can flash your phone device. To do this, check all drivers and install them if necessary. Run FlashTool. In the window that opens, select “scatter-loading file”, then open the folder with the downloaded firmware and select it.

    Check the box “DA DL All with check amount”. Click "firmware-upgrade". Connect your telephone device. Now that you have installed the new firmware, you can turn on the phone and check the results.

    This method is suitable for almost all phones, including smart start.

    Thus, you now know how to flash an Android phone via a computer. I hope everything has become clear to you, and you will no longer wonder “Can I flash a phone myself?” For many phones the principle is the same, you just have to do everything carefully. If you have questions for me, be sure to ask them in the comments, we’ll figure it out together. Bye everyone!

    We continue the topic of experimenting with my new phone. From the experience of using routers and other equipment, I have developed a strong habit - first of all, update their “brains”. The thing is that from the moment the device leaves the factory until it falls into your hands, more than one month may pass, and during this time its firmware could undergo significant changes and open up wider possibilities for use for the user. And today we will clearly check how to flash a phone Samsung on Android 4.4 and how safe is it to do it yourself?

    Ways to flash a Samsung phone on Android 4.4

    There are several ways to flash an Android phone. The first is directly from him through the system. My Samsung was running Android 4.4, and if you go to Settings > Phone Information > Software Update, you can configure it to automatically check for new firmware for your model. To do this, check the “Auto-update” box. I also recommend activating the “Wi-Fi Only” option; in this case, the presence of a new version will be checked only when the phone is connected to a wireless network, otherwise your mobile traffic will constantly be wasted through the cellular operator, which is fraught with loss of money.

    The scan can be started manually by clicking on “Update”.


    Flashing a Samsung phone on Android, like any other, can only be started with a 100% charged battery

    However, this option for updating the Samsung Galaxy firmware is not entirely convenient and can fail in the middle, as happened to me. Therefore, I recommend performing this task using a special program installed on a computer and with a phone connected to it via a USB cable.

    There are also variations here - you can do it using the official Samsung Kies program, or you can use the popular Odin or its equivalent. In the latter case, it is possible to use both official firmware for Samsung phones on Android, and from third-party developers, which are often more convenient and open up wider possibilities for the phone, but it will not be covered by the factory warranty. Therefore, it is recommended to install third-party firmware only after the warranty period has expired.

    How to officially flash a Samsung phone on Android?

    So, let's start figuring out how to flash Android using the Samsung update as an example, and turn to the Samsung Kies program, which can be downloaded here. By the way, it was created by analogy with Apple's iTunes and with its help you can completely synchronize your phone with your PC - contacts, files, music, etc.

    Before you start updating the Samsung firmware to a new Android, it is recommended to make a backup copy using your phone or via Kies to avoid possible data loss

    First we install the program. At the same time, drivers for all kinds of devices from this company will be added to the computer, including yours. We launch it, connect the phone to the computer via USB and wait until it is recognized.
    Next, after a window opens with all the basic data about your phone, select “Firmware update” and if it is available, this will be reported in an additional window that opens.


    Click the “Update” button, agree to the rules and confirm our desire. And we wait for the end.. Do not touch the phone during this time and under no circumstances disconnect it from the cable from the computer. By the way, I also don’t recommend leaving for a long time, since your antivirus or firewall may crash a couple of times, in which you will need to allow Kies to perform its functions. Also disable the antivirus on the mobile phone itself, otherwise it will not allow the system to update.

    As a result, we get this and confirm the end of the software update.

    Updating Android Firmware on Samsung Phone via Odin

    Now let's turn to the “gray” firmware. I suggest you watch the step-by-step video first, and then we’ll continue.


    First of all, you need to put the phone into download mode (“Downloading”), which is done by simultaneously pressing the “Home”, “Power” and “Volume minus” (or “Volume plus” depending on the model) key combination. If done correctly, the Android logo and an inscription about boot mode will appear on the screen.

    Next, download and install the Odin MultiDownloader program (it’s easy to find it on any thematic site or Google it in a search engine) - this is a professional program intended for service centers, so you don’t have to be scared, if you do everything correctly in it, then nothing bad will happen to your phone.

    And you will also need the firmware files that you downloaded from the official website or any third-party firmware support forum. As a rule, there are four of them - PDA, the main firmware file; PHONE, which is responsible for working with the cellular operator’s network; CSC - phone settings; and PIT - service information storage. Make sure they are all included in the set. However, there are also single-file versions, in which case it will need to be imported in place of the main one - PDA.

    If you are working on a computer with Windows 7 or higher installed, then this will be enough. If you have XP, then you will also have to install the Kies program that we have already disassembled, which will install drivers for your Android phone on Windows, or separately the drivers themselves - Samsung USB Driver for Mobile Phones. On the same site you can also select firewood specifically for your model and version of the computer OS.


    Now you must first of all kill all Kies processes if you installed and launched it. To do this, press the key combination Ctrl+Alt+Del on your computer and look for processes whose names contain the word “Kies”. And we complete them. Then we launch Odin - our smartphone is already in download mode - connect it via a USB cable and press the “Volume Up” button (in relation to the Samsung Galaxy S2).

    Now you can start updating the software.

    In the Odin program, one (first) ID:COM section should be displayed in yellow (there are several of them for simultaneous work with several phones). In the program, check the boxes for “Re-Partition”, “Autoreboot” and “F.Reset Time”.

    Now press the “Start” button and wait for the process to complete until the process graph reaches the end, lights up green and the word “Pass” appears.

    After this, the phone will reboot and start working on the new software version. Additionally, you can use the *#1234# command to check the current version. You can also completely clear all data using the service code *2767*3855#.

    This completes the firmware for a Samsung phone based on Android OS, thank you all for your attention!

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