Firmware or Firmware is the software that is installed on your Android device. Firmware can be official - it is developed by the device manufacturer (or Google, if it is a device from the Nexus line), and also unofficial - it is developed by enthusiasts. In general, firmware is a set of basic software that is installed on your device. Without Android firmware, the gadget is just a brick that won’t even turn on.

Many users are interested in how to find out the firmware version on an Android device. It's actually very easy to do. To do this, just open the Android settings and go to the “About smartphone” section (or to the “About tablet” section if you have a tablet computer).

The firmware version will be indicated here, as well as other data. These include: build number, kernel version and Android version. It should be noted that the firmware version and the Android version are not the same thing. Android version is the version of the Android operating system that was used to develop the firmware. And there can be many different firmwares with the same version of Android.

Why and how to update the firmware? The firmware is updated for two purposes: to fix bugs in the existing firmware and to add new features to the firmware. The firmware update is installed when the Android device is connected to the computer or using WiFi. For example, Samsung uses the KIES application, which runs on Windows. By connecting an Android device from Samsung to a computer and running the KIES program, the user can update the firmware. If updating via WiFi is possible, the user almost does not need to make any effort. The device will prompt you to reboot the gadget and install new firmware. By agreeing to the reboot and waiting a couple of minutes, the user will receive a firmware update.

What is custom firmware and why are they needed? Custom firmware is not official firmware developed by independent developers. For example, one of the most popular custom firmware is CyanogenMod. Installing custom firmware is already more difficult compared to installing firmware from the manufacturer. But, nevertheless, any user can handle this if desired. After this procedure, the user will receive many new features that were included in the firmware by the developer. It should be borne in mind that installing non-official firmware carries some risks. In particular, as a result of incorrect installation, you can turn your phone into a non-functional brick; in addition, after installing the katom firmware, you will most likely lose the official warranty from the manufacturer.

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The question of how to flash a smartphone on Android can confuse a novice user who does not yet know how to cope with this task. This article is intended to help you so that you can flash the phone’s firmware on your own, and not overpay for the services of technicians in service centers, which charge from 1000 rubles for this work. The main thing is to follow exactly the instructions we have given, because a mistake can lead to very disastrous consequences. The question of how to flash an Android smartphone with a computer often begins to bother users when the system is clogged with files and there are various glitches in it. This will help restore previous performance and generally improve the stability and quality of the system. The first thing you can try is to reset the settings to factory settings, but if this does not help, then the only option is to flash the firmware.

How to prepare for flashing an Android smartphone?

When figuring out how to flash a Chinese smartphone yourself, you need to carefully prepare for this process. The first thing you need to do is make sure that your phone has at least 50% charge, or better yet, charge it completely. This is necessary in order to eliminate the possibility of disconnection. During the procedure, you can connect the device to the charger. If your smartphone turns off during the procedure, you will lose all data and it may turn into a useless brick, so do not neglect this rule;
Find out which version of the operating system is current for your phone and what it is currently installed on. You can find out by going to the settings menu and selecting the “About phone” section there. Look at the Android version, kernel version, and build number.

It's time to figure out how to flash an Android smartphone via a computer. Based on the information you received using the above method, we find the latest firmware created specifically for your device model. It is also better to pre-make the systems so that if something happens, you can restore to the previous firmware version. We have already described how to do this in the article.

Flashing Android using a computer

The first and perhaps the most popular way is to flash a Samsung, ZTE or other manufacturer's smartphone using special software. There are many applications for this, but the best and easiest to use in our opinion is Fastboot. The advantages of the application include safety of use, comfort and reliability. Follow the instructions below to understand how to flash your smartphone yourself using Flashtool.

The firmware program must be selected depending on the manufacturer of your device:

Samsung - Odin;
HTC - Flash Tool;
Xiaomi - Fastboot;
HTC - Fastboot;
Sony - Flashboot;
LG - KDZ Updater.

Download the appropriate application and install it on your computer. It’s better to do this on drive C, so that the path to it turns out like this: C:\Android.

When figuring out how to flash a smartphone with Flashtool, pay attention to the “Tools” folder, which contains all the necessary utilities, and in “Driver” you will find drivers. We connect the phone to the PC, after which drivers should be automatically installed for it. If this does not happen, then go to the manufacturer’s website and download the drivers from there. It is important that the firmware is intended for the version of your phone. As a rule, it is downloaded in a Zip archive, which needs to be moved to the address: C:\Android.

Now we need to unlock the bootloader on our Android smartphone. To do this, open the “Start” menu on your PC and enter the “CMD” command in the search bar and select cmd.exe. Right-click on the icon and select “run as administrator”.

In the command line that appears in front of us, enter C:\Android\Tools. Confirm the command by pressing the Enter key. Next you will be taken to the “Tools” directory.

The next step is to enter the fastboot devices command.

If fastboot correctly recognized your gadget, its code will appear. This means that you can begin the firmware procedure. If the message “waiting for device” appears, then you need to turn off the phone, install the drivers and repeat the above steps.

Enter the command “fastboot update firmware file name.zip”, after which the firmware of the Android smartphone begins. Upon completion of this process, you need to restart the device.

How to reflash an Android smartphone using RECOVERY?

This method involves the use of custom or standard recovery. The first are unofficial firmwares, in which users often add many interesting functions that are not found in the official ones. We find the firmware file, download it and transfer it to the root of the phone’s file system.

When deciding how to flash a smartphone through Recovery, you need to restart it and enter this mode. This can usually be done by pressing the Power key and Volume Down. Recovery mode is controlled using the up and down keys. We need to find the section with the firmware and select the previously downloaded file there. Usually this item is called “apply update from externel storage”, “Install ZIP” or “apply update from sdcard”.

After this, the firmware process begins, upon completion of which you need to restart the device.

Method for flashing phone firmware via ROM MANAGER

The question of how to flash an Android smartphone can be solved in this simple way, although it is not so popular. But there is one significant drawback - ROM Manager will refuse to function if you do not have Root rights. Another requirement is that custom recovery must be used. Formally, the firmware will be installed via recovery, but you will only work with an interface that is easier to learn.

Download the ROM Manager utility and the appropriate firmware for your Android phone. Open the program, and then perform the following manipulations:

Copy the zip archive with the firmware to the memory of your smartphone;
In the ROM Manager menu, select “Install ROM from SD card”;
Select the archive with the firmware and click on it;
Click on “Reboot and Installation”. Check the box next to “Save current ROM” so that if something happens, you can restore to the previous version;
Now we confirm the action by pressing “Ok”, the smartphone goes into Recovery mode, and wait for the firmware process to complete. Upon completion, it is recommended to reset to factory settings.

When nothing works on your Android phone or everything slows down and lags, and the usual tips (clearing the cache or freeing up the phone's memory) do not help - it's time to resort to radical measures, such as flashing Android. Flashing an anodroid phone is not a difficult task; you can flash your phone at home, by yourself, today we will tell you in detail how to do it!

The Android core itself;
Drivers that ensure the coordinated functioning of the components of a specific device model, that is, hardware.

The verb “Flash” the device refers to the platform installation procedure. However, the process of installing an operating system for a computer and for a mobile gadget on the Android platform is significantly different. The reasons for this are the huge variety of implementations of this most common OS in mobile devices. Much software is created individually for certain models of smartphones and tablets. Therefore, installation of new firmware often ends unsuccessfully for inexperienced users due to lack of information and the lack of correct action algorithms before their eyes.

The guide below will help you reflash Android at home, and will also introduce you to the possible risks of the procedure and ways to minimize them.

Why do you need to reflash your Android phone?

People make and program gadgets, so no device is completely immune from errors. If a problem occurs in your Android smartphone (tablet), the drastic way to get rid of the problem is to flash it.

Arguments for reinstalling the OS

Thanks to the openness of this operating system, manufacturers are free to improve and customize it to suit their gadget models. Many of their advanced software have already won the love and trust of users. In this regard, owners of smartphones and tablets often take risks and decide to reflash their electronic friend. This is also facilitated by some developers who eventually stop releasing updates for their gadgets. Users from various sources of information learn about new software modifications that can allow optimal use of the device’s hardware capabilities and, of course, wonder how to reflash Android.

Even very well-known companies that produce smartphones and tablets often sin by installing their own software, which for obvious reasons is not suitable for most users. In addition to the unsuccessful external design of the shell, these proprietary software significantly slow down the functioning of the device. At the same time, pure Android, not stuffed with unnecessary marketing tricks from the developer, often amazes with its high performance and stability. Therefore, the answer to the question posed is to install custom software, which does not contain pre-installed “junk” from the manufacturer.

Arguments against reinstalling the OS

If there is a lack of experience or insufficient care, there is a high risk of receiving a non-working and useless piece of microcircuits and plastic after the procedure, or as specialists used to call this failed device, “Brick”.

If firmware is installed with software taken from unofficial sources, the warranty on the device will be void.

Not all drivers included in the software package from a third-party developer work correctly with the gadget’s components. It happens that after flashing the GPS module refuses to search for satellites, and the camera takes low-quality images. Also, not optimally selected software can cause the battery to drain quickly.

How to flash an Android phone yourself and what do you need for this?

The success of any event depends on how thoroughly the preliminary preparation has been carried out.

Preparatory activities include the following main points:

Be sure to fully charge the device before starting the procedure;
Through the gadget settings menu, find out the name of the device and the modification of the current software (it is recommended to write them down to the last character and sign, otherwise, if you flash the firmware with an inappropriate assembly, you may end up with a “brick”);

Each user must independently decide which version of the software to give preference to:

a) official;
b) third party.

Having completed all three points of preliminary measures and, most importantly, having precisely decided on the software modification, you should proceed directly to the installation procedure.

There are the following ways to do this:

Update (When an updated software version has already been released for a device, a convenient method for all users is “Auto Update”. In order to find out if a new firmware version is available, you need to open the “About Phone” section through the settings and go to the “System Update” subsection).
Manual installation (For models from different manufacturers, different firmware methods are used using different software, which are called “Flashers”. For example, for gadgets from Samsung the Odin program is used, for Nexus, Sony and HTC - “Fastboot”, “Lenovo” - “Flash Tool”, “LG” - “KDZ Updater”, etc.).

List of stages of the flashing procedure using the ROM Manager program:

Get root rights to your Android gadget;
Install the ROM Manager utility;
Create a copy of the current OS;
Find and save suitable firmware;
Install it;
Test the operation of the new software and, if you are dissatisfied with the results, return to the previous version using the created copy in step “3”.

You can find and install the “ROM Manager” utility from the Google Play Market. Then, by opening the main application window and clicking on the top line, you can install “ClockWorkMod” (CWM), and using the second line – “Load Recovery Mode”.

In order to save a copy of the OS, you will need to install “CWM”.

Important aside: During installation of "CWM", the gadget should not be connected to the PC.

By clicking on “Install CWM” you will need to specify the exact name of the gadget and wait for the installation procedure to complete.

Where can I get firmware for Android?

They are available for download on the official resources of the smartphone and tablet developers themselves. If the user has sufficient experience, then by the name of the model he can find many versions of the software on third-party sites, from which the appropriate one is selected and its archive file is saved in the computer memory. Then you can write it to a memory card without unzipping the file.

If you use the “ROM Manager Premium” utility, the user can click the “Download firmware” line. After this, the application will display a list of software suitable for the device. This useful program saves you from wasting time searching for software in online resources of third-party developers, of which there are currently a huge number.

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

Non-official software is developed to ensure faster operation of the device, and some useful functions and good design can be added to it.

Custom firmware sometimes continues to be improved by developers even when an already outdated gadget is discontinued. Therefore, the user receives a device with updated software that optimally meets modern requirements.

For some users, it happens that the decisive criterion for deciding in favor of installing a third-party product is saving battery power and a more attractive interface.

By installing non-official software, you can immediately provide yourself with root rights, which means you can increase your security by installing a powerful firewall. The owner of the gadget, at his own discretion, will be able to install any fonts he likes, as well as increase the speed of the GPS module, etc.

You can get rid of unused system utilities, which not only take up memory space, but also consume mobile traffic; this is especially true if the user does not have access to an unlimited Wi-Fi network.

How to flash an Android phone via a computer at home?

If the owner of the device is interested in the question of how to flash an Android phone via a computer, then the following will be necessary:

Install drivers on the PC to work with the device;
Download the firmware corresponding to the gadget model;
Create a backup copy of the current OS in the device;
Install the firmware application (flasher).

The essence of the actions is the same for different models of devices. Below is an example of working with the Odin flasher from Samsung:

Connect the device to the PC in download mode. To do this, you should turn off the gadget and simultaneously press the keys: “Home”, “On/Off.” and “Increase sound.”
Next, “Odin” will see the device;
Then, in the “AP” column, indicate the location of the downloaded software;
Place marks in columns “F. Reset Time" and "Auto reboot";
Click “Start”;
Wait for the process to complete.

The sequence of actions consists of the following steps:

Launch “ROM Manager” and click “Install ROM from SD card”;
Specify the location of the OS distribution package copied to the card;
In the menu that appears, check the boxes that interest the user and click “Ok”;
Wait for the installation procedure to complete.

How to reflash Android via Recovery yourself?

To install software using Recovery, you must first save the firmware file on the device card. Next you will need to complete the following steps:

Turn off the device;
Simultaneously press the keys: “On/Off.” and “Increase sound level” (on some models the button combination may be different);
In the window that appears, specify “Recovery Mode” (the transition between columns is made by using the buttons to increase and decrease the sound level);
Next, specify “apply update from external storage” and click the “On/Off” button;
Wait until the process completes.

The question of how to flash an Android tablet already has detailed answers in the above paragraphs of this guide. All actions in gadgets on Android will be identical. For example, consider the procedure using a PC in relation to a model from the popular Lenovo company.

The following steps must be followed:

Fully charge the tablet;
Install the “Software Update Tool” application and drivers. Save an archive with a distribution of suitable firmware in memory;
Disable the mobile gadget;
Simultaneously press the keys: “On/Off.” and “Lower volume” (the device should vibrate);
After “Fastboot USB” is displayed on the display, connect the gadget to the computer;
Open the installed application and specify the location of the saved distribution;
Next, in the program menu, specify the type of software;
Click “Erase user data”;
Click “Start” and wait until the process is completed.

Programs for flashing Android

Many applications have already been developed for this purpose. Here are the most successful utilities that have proven their reliability and earned positive user reviews.

This utility is installed directly into the device itself. The firmware is installed from the gadget's CD card.

A universal utility that is suitable for almost all devices on the Android platform. Installation is carried out only through a computer, so you will definitely need a USB cable. An intuitive interface allows even novice users to cope with the difficult task of reinstalling the system

FastBoot

This is one of the most difficult applications for beginners. The actions in it are a little confusing. The installation procedure is carried out through the console of the Windows operating system.

How to flash a phone if it won't turn on?

It will be possible to successfully resolve the issue only if the integrity of the bootloader is not compromised. To find out this, you can hold down the “On/Off” button. When a response appears from the device in the form of a robot or some icon, for example, “!”, we can conclude that the OS has failed. You can also try to connect the device to a PC via a USB cable and press the following keys on the device: “On/Off.” and "Volume". When the PC then finds the gadget, resuscitation will not be difficult and will be successful in 95% of cases. Next, you can use one of the above methods and install new software. It is not uncommon for incorrectly executed firmware to break the recovery partition, after which the gadget can only be restored by installing the correct OS modification.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

Install the firmware utility on the PC;
Download and save the firmware file;
Open the utility;
Connect the device to the computer and press the keys (combinations vary for different models);
Indicate in the utility the location of the distribution kit with the new OS;
Click “Start”;
Ready. You just need to wait for the installation procedure to complete and restart the device.

What to do if the flashing fails?

You can resort to system recovery. To do this, you will need a saved copy of the system.

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Instructions

To search for new or old (for flashing) phone firmware, you need to know exactly its model and version of the currently installed firmware. All this for Nokia phones can be found out by typing the code *#0000# in the subscriber number entry field. In the information that appears, we find the model (usually in the first line, for example, Nokia 7500) and the firmware version (usually it looks like this: v05.20 - firmware version, a line below the firmware release date and its type, for example, RM-249).

If your phone model is one of the latest, the latest software can be found on the official Nokia website - http://www.nokia.com/ru-ru/support/downloads/. Just select your phone. You will see the version of the latest current software (firmware) and instructions on how to install this firmware (link to the program for updating, etc.). If your phone number is not found at the office. website, try looking for it in the archive provided (the “View in archive” button will appear), maybe you’ll be lucky and there will be firmware there, and not just the user manual.

For older models, you will have to look for firmware on unofficial sites. It is not so difficult to find; a corresponding query in any search engine will return many necessary links. The most popular unofficial sites with official firmware for Nokia are http://allnokia.ru/firmware/ and http://soft-nokia.ru/proshivki-dlya-nokia.html. The files on both sites are identical, choose either one.

Firmware on unofficial sites are most often presented simply as lists (as on the above-mentioned ones). Therefore, to find the firmware for the desired device, use . On the page with a list of firmware, press CTRL+F and enter the desired phone model in the field that appears, then press Enter and the required firmware will appear in the center of the screen and will be highlighted. If a model is mentioned multiple times on a site page, click the “Next” button in the search bar until you reach the model in the list itself.