Android smartphone firmware for dummies. Why do you need to flash a digital phone? Why is official firmware desirable?

With the advent of the Apple touch device, the era push-button phones ended. Many users recognized the convenience of “sensors” and switched to the “shovels and bricks” camp. But touch phones There are also disadvantages, as a result of which some users preferred regular push-button phones to them.

And the “push-button” market has not yet completely died out. Nokia, Alcatel, Explay do not stop releasing budget phones aimed at fans of classic phones. As long as such devices exist, the question of how to reflash the phone will also be relevant.

Methods for flashing mobile phone firmware

There are a couple of firmware methods mobile phone: manual and automatic. Any user can handle the second method. So, for Sony phones there is an official software for firmware - SEUS, and for models from Nokia - NSU. Install the program, connect your phone and activate automatic update. The utility itself will find the firmware, download it and upload it to your mobile phone.

For “manual” flashing, you will need certain knowledge, as well as patience and ability to work with a PC. ABOUT this method We will talk about mobile phone firmware in the article.

Firmware rules

Before installing the firmware, you should understand a few rules that must be followed so as not to turn your phone into a “dead brick”.

The device must be charged 100%. The firmware process can take a long time, and if the mobile phone battery runs out at the wrong time, you can literally throw it in the trash.
This also applies to the laptop that will participate in the firmware process. If you have a choice between a PC and a laptop, then it is better not to risk it and choose a laptop, since in case of a power outage the laptop has a battery.
Before flashing the firmware, be sure to backup your data: contacts, SMS, multimedia files. After flashing the phone, all this will be erased, and you will not be able to restore the files with any programs.

What do you need to flash your phone?

So, to flash the phone firmware you will need the following:

A mobile phone with a 100% charged battery.
A laptop or computer, preferably with a UPS.
Data cable: Usually phones are flashed using a USB cable that can be used to connect the phone to a PC. But there are some models that require special data cable for flashing.
Drivers for cable or mobile phone, which can be found on the manufacturer’s website.
Mobile phone firmware. Firmware is often posted on the official websites of the phone manufacturer, but it is better to look for them on fan sites of the phone brand. You can find out the firmware version as follows: type *#06# on the keyboard (for Nokia models— *#0000#). But if only IMEI is displayed, then we find the corresponding item in the menu and look at the version current firmware.
Special software for flashing phone firmware. You can't just upload firmware to your phone. A so-called stitcher is required.

Procedure for flashing mobile phone firmware

If you are still tormented by the question of how to flash a phone yourself, then here is the answer.

We connect the mobile phone to a laptop or PC.
We install drivers for a mobile phone or cable.
Download the firmware and program for flashing.
We make backups of contacts and files.
We reboot the mobile phone into a special boot mode.
We launch the flasher and begin the firmware process.
We reboot the cell phone and enjoy the new firmware.

Undoubtedly, the process of flashing one mobile phone may differ from another. And in one article it is simply impossible to describe the firmware process for each model. The above instructions are just standard procedure. Firmware for Nokia and instructions for their “use” can be found on the website http://allnokia.ru. For other models, the 4pda.ru forum is recommended: http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showforum=268. The most complete catalog of firmware is collected there. But in order to download anything from the forum, registration is required.

The service center will charge a good amount for flashing, which can be equal to half the cost of the phone. But it’s easier to do it differently and flash the phone yourself. Mobile phones are not updated only because of breakdowns. Some people want to update the firmware, while others just want to play around with menus, icons, and so on. As for mobile phones from the Middle Kingdom, flash chinese phone It will be doubly difficult, since finding firmware and drivers for them is very difficult.

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. On my Samsung there was Android version 4.4, in it, if you go to the “Settings > Phone information > Software update” section, you can configure automatic check new firmware for your model. To do this, check the “Auto-update” box. I also recommend activating the “Wi-Fi Only” item, in this case the availability new version will only be checked when the phone is connected to wireless network, otherwise you will constantly waste your mobile traffic through mobile operator, which is fraught with loss of money.

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

Firmware Samsung phone on Android, like any other, you can start only with a 100% charged battery

However this option firmware updates Samsung Galaxy not entirely comfortable and can fall off in the middle, as happened to me. Therefore, I recommend performing this task using special program installed on the computer, and when connected to it via USB cable phone.

There are also variations here - you can do it using official program Samsung Kies, 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 warranty period.

How to officially flash a Samsung phone on Android?

So, let's start figuring out how to flash Android using the example of a Samsung update, and turn to Samsung program Kies, 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 Samsung firmware on 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 key combination “Home”, “Power” and “Volume minus” (or “Volume plus” depending on the model). 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 (you can easily 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 XP, then you will definitely have to install the one we have already disassembled Kies program which will install Windows drivers for your Android phone, or separately the firewood itself - 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 kill all Kies processes if you installed and launched it. To do this, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Del on your computer and look for processes that have the word “Kies” in their names. 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 “Pass” will appear.

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 do a complete clearing of all data using service code *2767*3855#.

That's it for Samsung phone firmware Android based OS is complete, thank you all for your attention!

The phone needs to be reflashed if it suddenly refuses to work. This usually happens to users who buy smartphones from unscrupulous sellers. Another time the owner himself is the cause the destruction of your own smartphone by downloading applications onto it from suspicious sites. As a result, he receives a bunch of viruses along with the application, which destroy his operating system or block him. You can't do this without flashing the firmware for your Android phone or tablet via a computer.

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

Precautions

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

In other cases, hardware damage may occur. And update operating system may lead to damage to the device.

Preparation

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

In addition to checking the battery, you need to check for accurate connection to the ports USB wires to connect to a computer. Any disconnection of the device during the process will result in the smartphone becoming a brick.

And in addition to the battery and cable, you need make a reservation current firmware, so that in case incorrect installation new, you could roll back the whole process. And be sure to back up all your data so as not to lose it. Since in case successful update, you will receive a completely clean smartphone.

Search and download firmware

Typically, the firmware version is indicated in the device settings in the “ About the phone" Search on the Internet and download just such firmware or a better version if the device supports such an update. It's best to download from secure sites. Such resources are usually the websites of phone manufacturers.

Connecting and installing drivers

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

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

Flashing Android via computer

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

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

Now the owner of the gadget will have to open the “ Additional features" Then it is recommended to click on the “ Recovering from an update error" The application will then begin execution. given program. It fixes all problems that occurred during use.

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

For every smartphone there is own program for Android firmware via a computer, which can usually be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. For Samsung - One, for Lenovo - SP Flash Tools. For LG, except as described above utilities will do KDZ Updater.

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

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

The phone does not turn on after flashing

The mobile device turns into a brick or does not turn on after an update for several reasons.

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

It is recommended to go to menuRecovery and click on the device reboot button, as shown in the figure above. The device should start the first time. Then re-flash the device again, just more carefully.

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

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

All you have to do is wait until the procedure is completed until the message “Flashing finished” appears. Reboot the device.

To improve the performance of the device, you can flash your Android phone via a computer or via Recovery mode. Methods for performing flashing at home do not bother the user to contact service centers. It can use official or custom firmware and set standard programs for this.

Despite the 100% guarantee of long-term performance from the manufacturer, Android devices are not protected from breakdowns or bugs. Sooner or later, tablets and smartphones begin to slow down, glitch, or stop working altogether. You can contact a service center if, for example, the warranty covers the cost of troubleshooting. But often the user is able to eliminate them himself.

If clearing the cache or freeing up memory does not help improve the performance of the gadget, the best solution, although very drastic, it will be to reflash the device.

Flashing Android devices is an important procedure for improving their performance or customizing them. In this case, it is necessary to select programs and methods for changing standard software that are suitable for the required gadget. The result may depend on this.

Why do you need official firmware?

Official firmware is the firmware from the device manufacturer. Exists in the form stock update, which is automatically (or with the user’s permission) installed on the smartphone. You can download it from the official website and install it yourself.

This type of firmware is made for quick setup gadget and software installation, in which you can be 100% confident, because manufacturers are interested in the high-quality operation of their devices. With its help, for example, you can install “pure” Android without various add-ons and unnecessary software.

Why do you need non-official (custom) firmware for Android?

To ensure better performance You can use custom (or non-official) firmware.

They are installed on the phone for:

receiving additional functions, not available in the official version;
removing software that interferes with or is not used by the user.

By using unofficial firmware You can customize the device at your discretion, for example, choose the appropriate ones:

fonts;
language (for example, setting the Russian language on a Chinese phone);
device theme;
icons, etc.

Not official firmware is supported by the developer in the case when the device is already out of production and the manufacturer does not update the official firmware of the device.

Is it worth it to reflash Android devices yourself?

Reflashing the device yourself has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of self-flashing

Advantages of flashing devices at home:

Saving money that will go service center for servicing the device.
Save time. Re-flashing by a specialist takes several days.
Select the firmware yourself or the ability to update the installed one. The user chooses which one to install so that it meets all his requirements.

Disadvantages of do-it-yourself flashing

Firstly, flashing the firmware will void the warranty on the device. Secondly, you can damage the device if you do not follow all the steps according to the instructions or install the wrong firmware. Therefore, if you decide to reflash the device yourself, this must be done responsibly.

Problems may arise due to failure to follow the instructions or select the wrong firmware:

Loss of device functionality. Some functions may not work, for example, wi-fi, sending messages, or may begin to work incorrectly (Cyrillic characters will not be displayed).
The device does not turn on or constant reboot. In such cases, the device is called a “brick”, since it is no longer suitable for use.

Flashing an Android device via computer

You can flash an Android phone via a computer in a few steps:

Preparing the device.
Reservation installed version Android.
Copying data.
Unlock Bootloader.
Firmware installation.

Preparing the device for the flashing procedure

First, you need to install the necessary flashing software on your device. The sequence of actions when installing the firmware will depend on the selected program. Then you need to download drivers for the corresponding device. They can be found on the official websites of smartphone or tablet manufacturers. PCs running Windows 7 and higher operating systems load themselves necessary drivers when connecting your smartphone to your computer via USB.

On the 4pda website you need to download the firmware for the corresponding device to your PC.

Backing up the installed version of Android

To create a backup copy of the firmware you will need:

To restore the Android version, you need to go to ROM program Manager, click “Backups”, select a backup and click “Restore”.

Copying data using USB

There are two ways to copy all data from the device via a USB cable:

manual copying;
using the MyPhoneExplorer program.

Manual copying is carried out by transferring all folders from the device to the computer. To recover data, you need to transfer the data back. It is very fast and easy, but this method does not guarantee full transfer data, for example, contacts may be deleted. To be completely sure, it is better to use special programs.

Transferring data with MyPhoneExplorer

First you need to download and install the MyPhoneExplorer program

Step by step guide:

To restore data, select “Miscellaneous - Restore from backup.”

Instructions on how to properly backup Android were prepared by the PC Help channel.

Unlock Bootloader

For each device, unlocking the bootloader differs by obtaining a special unlock key. It can be obtained from the official website of the smartphone or tablet developer. This example will look at obtaining a key and unlocking the bootloader of an HTC smartphone.

The following steps need to be taken:

Download ADB program Installer
Install in Android folder in the root of the C: drive.
Connect the device to the PC via a USB cable and enable USB debugging.
Log in to cmd.
Write a command to go to the folder with Fastboot utility by registering the commands cd/ then cd Android.
Wait until the device enters firmware mode. Check if Fastboot sees the required device: fastboot devices.
Put the device into bootloader mode using the command: adb reboot bootloader.
Next comes registration on the HTCdev website. After that you need to go to home page and select Unlock Bootloader.
Click “Get Started”, select your phone model or “All Other Supported Models”. Click on “Begin Unlock Bootloader”.
Next, you need to agree to all the terms and conditions and click Proceed to Unlock Instructions.
Skip step 4 as the instructions are in English.
Scroll to the very bottom of the page and see a form for a special “token”.
This token is obtained using the command fastboot oem get_identifier_token, which needs to be written in cmd.
This code must be copied and pasted into the form above. After which, there will be a message that the token is correct, and an unlocking file will be sent to your email.
It needs to be copied to the Android folder, where ADC is installed.
The fastboot command is written in cmd flash unlocktoken Unlock_code.bin.
At this time, the phone will ask you to confirm whether to unlock the bootloader. Use the volume button to select “Yes”.
The phone will reboot and the settings will be restored to factory settings. Device with open bootloader:

Installing firmware using a computer via a USB cable

There are several programs that can be used to install firmware via a USB cable:

Fastboot;
Odin Multi Downloader;
KDZ Updater;
SP Flash Tools.

The choice depends on the type of device and flashing speed.

Firmware using FASTBOOT

It’s not a simple flashing method, but if you look at it, it’s the fastest, especially in cases where the device doesn’t turn on.

You must strictly follow the instructions:

Instructions for using Fastboot were prepared by the “Everything for Android, Mac, Windows, iOS” channel.

Flashing using the ODIN MULTI DOWNLOADER program

This program is used to flash Samsung devices.

Step by step instructions:

The Message field will display the flashing process:

The PASS message symbolizes the end of the firmware.

Flashing an LG Android device using the KDZ UPDATER program

To update LG firmware using KRZ Updater you will need:

Laptop or PC.
Charge your smartphone/tablet to at least 50%.
Download the archive to your computer KDZ_Update. zip
Download and install drivers for your LG device
USB cable from smartphone/tablet.
The required firmware is in . kdz CIS firmware for the CIS countries and Russia, respectively.
Remove other programs for the device (except the driver).

Step by step instructions:

Flashing Lenovo smartphones and tablets using SP Flash Tools

Tools needed for flashing:

Download and install Lenovo Device Drivers
Download SP Flash Tool
Download required version firmware.
The phone is charged at least 60%.

Firmware installation is carried out in three stages:

Preparatory stage.
Installing drivers.
Flashing.

Preparatory stage:

To the root of drive C: unpack the archive with the SP Flash Tools program. Place the necessary drivers and firmware there.
Flashing:
1. IN open program SP Flash Tools you need to select the required flashing components by checking the box. If you need to reflash only some parts, you need to uncheck unnecessary sections. In this case, select the “Download Only” mode.
2. If the device needs to be completely reflashed, in case of a non-working state (“bricked”), select the “Format All + Download” mode.
3. When installing new firmware select the “Firmware->Upgrade” mode.
4. Flashing is initialized by the Download button.
5. The appearance of the “Download OK” window means that the device has been reflashed.

Provides active customer support, releasing updates and upgrades for its gadgets with varying degrees of success. In practice, the developer delivers official firmware mainly “over the air” (via OTA updates), as well as by posting special file firmware image on your website or portal.

You can flash the image using 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, firmware images are packaged in special archives, having the extension ZIP, ISO and others.

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

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

On question how to flash android We will not stop at OTA updates “over the air”, but rather concentrate all our attention on other update methods.

Flashing your phone using CWM Recovery

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

The general flashing process described below concerns ZIP files. Instructions:

Go to Recovery. To do this, you need to completely turn off the device, and then press 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 be different. Additional information You can find out thanks to search engines by asking the appropriate question. A universal option is to set the following keystrokes:

Volume up button + power key
Volume down button + power key
Volume up/down buttons + Power key + Home key.
Simultaneously hold down the volume up+down keys and the power key.

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

Before starting the device, you must complete full reset 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”.
Returning to the main lobby, select “Install zip”.
Next, click on the “Choose zip from /sdcard” item and in the Explorer tree, select the file with the previously saved firmware.
Confirm your choice by clicking on “Yes – Install...”.
The process of flashing the device will begin. At the end of the process, the user will see the message “Install” on the screen from sdcard complete".
All that remains for the user to do is return to the main CWM Recovery lobby and complete the process of rebooting the gadget by clicking the “reboot system now” line.

After these steps, the firmware installation 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 a utility in the form of TWRP Recovery, we offer next instruction step-by-step installation updates in the form of a ZIP archive:

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

Installing updates using ROM Manager

With the help this application, you can not only flash the firmware, but also create backup copy systems. Use this option so as not to lose important data and quickly restore all the functionality of your smartphone.

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

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

To get started, download the firmware file for your gadget and follow the instructions below:

Transfer the firmware archive to ZIP extension to your device's memory.
In the utility menu, go to “Install ROM from SD card.”
Among the folders and files, select your image and click on it.
In the new lobby, select “Reboot and Install”. Don't forget to check the "Save current ROM" checkbox. In this case, you will have the opportunity to restore the system at any time.
By clicking “OK” your gadget will go into Recovery mode and the firmware update process will begin.

Thanks to the advanced functionality of the ROM Manager application, users can directly download images for their device from it. You can do this by clicking on the “Download firmware” item. Access to some ROMs is only available in paid version programs.