Hardware and software setup

Where can I find the firmware. How to determine the firmware version of android


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 designed to help you so that you can flash your phone on your own, and not overpay for the services of masters in service centers who are asking for this work from 1000 rubles. The main thing is to follow exactly according to the instructions indicated by us, because a mistake made can lead to very dire 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 the former performance, in general, improve the stability and quality of the system. First of all, you can try to reset the settings to the factory settings, but if this does not help, then only a flashing remains.

How to prepare for flashing an Android smartphone?

  • Understanding how to flash yourself chinese smartphone you need to carefully prepare for this process. The first step is to make sure that the phone has at least 50% charge, but it is better to 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 the smartphone is disconnected during the procedure, then you will lose all data and it may turn into a useless brick, so do not neglect this rule;
  • Find out which version operating system relevant for your phone and what is now. 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 through a computer. Based on the information that you received by the above method, we find the latest firmware created specifically for the model of your device. It is also better to pre-make systems so that in which case you can recover to old version firmware. How to do this, we have already described in the article.

We flash Android using a computer

The first and perhaps the most popular way is to flash Samsung smartphone, ZTE or other manufacturer via 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 using Flashtool.

The program for firmware 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 is better to do this on the C drive so that the path to it turns out to be: C:\Android.

Understanding how to flash Smartphone, pay attention to the "Tools" folder, which contains all the necessary utilities, and in the "Driver" you will find the drivers. We connect the phone to the PC, after which the 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 for the version of your phone. As a rule, it is downloaded in a Zip archive, which must 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 the PC and in search line Enter the command "CMD" and select cmd.exe. Click on the icon right click mouse and select "run as administrator".

In the one before us command line enter C:\Android\Tools. Confirm the command by pressing the Enter key. Next, you will find yourself in the “Tools” directory.

The next step is to enter the fastboot devices command.

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

We 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 flash an Android smartphone using RECOVERY?

This method involves the use of custom or standard recovery. The first ones are unofficial firmware, in which users often add a lot interesting features, which are not in the official ones. We find the firmware file, download it and transfer it to the root file system phone.

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 and Volume Down keys. Management in recovery mode is done 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 that, the firmware process begins, after which you need to restart the device.

The way to flash the phone through ROM MANAGER

The question is how to flash android smartphone, can be solved in this simple way, although it is not so popular. But there is one significant drawback here - 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 through 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 Install". We put a checkmark next to the item “Keep current ROM”, so that in which case we can restore to the previous version;
  • Now we confirm the action by pressing “OK”, the smartphone goes into Recovery mode, we wait for the end of the firmware process. Upon completion, it is recommended to reset to factory settings.

Updating or installing firmware can eliminate many problems associated with the operation of an Android device. Long-term operation system memory mobile gadgets are clogged with residual files () (“casts” of previously downloaded programs), malicious code() and other unnecessary data. All this leads to a decrease in the performance and speed of the processor and RAM. As a result, the smartphone (tablet) often freezes and reboots on its own. And if factory reset() didn't result in positive result, the user only needs to update the software himself. Consider how to reflash a phone running on the Android OS.

Types of firmware and how to install them

Android firmware at home is in many ways different from installing the rest of the software. This process is more labor intensive and is associated with many risks. If you choose the wrong version of the software or violate the update process, there is a chance that your phone or tablet will turn into a useless "". However, having learned how much a flashing from professionals costs, many still decide to change the version software on one's own.

For pen android firmware there is no single instruction that would fit all models mobile devices. It all depends on the manufacturer of the device and what software is planned to be installed.

All Android firmware are divided into two types:

  1. Official. They are supplied directly by smartphone manufacturers and are usually only suitable for a certain brand. Such programs are considered the most reliable, so they should be used whenever possible.
  2. Unofficial (custom). Are being developed Android users devices and small firms. They are applied when Android is reinstalled on Chinese devices (for example, Lenovo, Meizu, Xiaomi, etc.).

When using custom software, there is a possibility of installing a low-quality update, as a result of which the gadget will start to slow down even more. So download executable file it is necessary only after a detailed reading of its description and familiarization with user reviews.

There are several ways to change the firmware on Android:

Preparing for self-flashing

Before reinstalling the software on an Android device, a number of preparatory measures must be taken:

  • download a software update program on your PC (Odin, Kies or SP Flash Tool and find a quality usb cable(if the reinstallation will take place using a computer);
  • (if you plan to reinstall Android to an unofficial version);
  • charge the battery of the gadget by 100%;

Functionality established security largely depends on its version and assembly. So that the new firmware does not start to conflict with the hardware after some time, you need to find out serial number mobile device:

We will consider a more detailed procedure for updating Android on a phone using the example of Samsung and Lenovo, although this instruction also suitable for many other brands.

Smartphone firmware from Samsung

Software updates on Samsung devices are performed using the Kies program. This utility allows not only to reflash a tablet or phone, but also to make backup old system, sync personal data with PC and much more.

Before upgrading the firmware to the latest software, you need to properly configure Kies. This is done as follows:

After setting up Kies, create a backup of the software available on your smartphone. This will restore the system to working capacity in the event of unsuccessful firmware. To backup Android via PC, in the initial window of the application, select " Backup”, mark the items you want to save and start the procedure by pressing the corresponding button.

After creating a backup, feel free to reflash your phone or tablet through a computer. To do this, open the "Tools" section in Kies and activate the item marked in the figure, thereby starting the update process.

While the device is being flashed, in no case disconnect it from the PC and do not perform other actions that may lead to a disconnection.

After flashing the Android phone through a computer, check the performance of all its functions. If nothing fails, then the software update was successful.

Replacing the firmware on a Lenovo tablet via a PC

Before flashing a Lenovo tablet, you need to understand that there is no software developed specifically for this brand. Therefore, one has to be content with universal developments. One such application is the SP Flash Tool. Consider how to update the software on Lenovo using this utility:


After you managed to update the firmware, check the performance of all tablet functions.

But first of all, you need to get to know the very concept of firmware. Some users do not know what it is, so they often have problems in order to, for example, update the firmware. That is, they do not even understand what they need to update. However, if you consider yourself knowledgeable in this matter, you can skip this block and proceed to the main steps in the next. Read how to find out the firmware version on Android.

So, for the rest of the readers, we will lift the veil of the unknown. The firmware version is nothing more than the version of the installed . For example, if you have Android 6.0 Marshmallow, then version number 6.0 is installed. See how easy it turned out to be? Some people talk about the OS version, while others mark it as the firmware version. From this, the essence does not change, so we can say that these are synonymous words. Both of them mean the firmware that controls the settings, parameters and common work devices.

It is worth noting that in addition to official firmware, there are custom ones that are created by third-party developers. They differ in settings appearance and design, as well as a set of individual utilities and functions. These versions cannot be updated. in an official way, but you need to wait until its creator releases an update and instructions for it.

How to find out the version of Android?

As noted earlier, there are several ways to find out which . We will consider each of them in detail so that you can choose the most convenient and suitable for you. Go:


How can such information help? Why do people try to find out android version? Let's see when there is a need for this:

  • For example, if you want from the store Google Play Market. On the page of the program or game, it will be separately noted which version of the OS this application can work with. Then you can compare yours and the required one, and then download the product;
  • Users are advised to keep the software version up to date, that is, on the latest released firmware. You can go to the tablet manufacturer's page and check which update is the latest for your device. Compare it with the version installed on your tablet and update the device if necessary;
  • If you gave your device for flashing, and upon receipt received a poorly working device, then you need to see what version it is now. If it is higher than last presented by the manufacturer, then you have installed the wrong software. It is not officially supported by the device, therefore, problems and failures may occur during its operation.

Results

Friends, today we have replenished our knowledge base: now you know how to view and determine the version of Android. For this, we have identified two possible ways, with which you can perform this operation. We also considered recommendations for using the information received. We hope that you managed to determine the relevance of the operating system of your tablet. Tell me in the comments which version

Firmware or Firmware is the software that is installed in your Android device. Firmware can be official - they are developed by the device manufacturer (or Google, if this is a device from the Nexus line), as well as non-official - they are developed by enthusiasts. In general, firmware is a set of basic software that is installed on your device. Without Android firmware, a 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 this. 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. Among which: build number, kernel version and Android version. It should be noted that the firmware version and the Android version are not the same thing. The Android version is the version of the Android operating system that was used to develop the firmware. And there can be many different firmware with the same version of Android.

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

What are custom firmware and why are they needed? Custom ROMs are non-official ROMs 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, if desired, any user can handle this. After such a 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 correct installation you can turn your phone into a non-working brick, besides that, after installing the atomic firmware, you will most likely lose the official warranty from the manufacturer.

Do you want to complete the article? Let me know what you have in the comments.

Instruction

To search for a new or old (for flashing) phone firmware, you need to know exactly its model and version installed in this moment firmware. All this for Nokia phones can be found by typing the code *#0000# in the subscriber number input 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 is the firmware version, the line below is the firmware release date and its type, for example, RM-249).

If your phone model is one of the latest, fresh software can be found on the official Nokia website - http://www.nokia.com/en-us/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 was not found at the office. site, try to search for it in the proposed archive (the "View in the archive" button will appear), suddenly you are lucky and there is a firmware, and not just a user manual.

For older models, you will have to look for firmware on unofficial sites. It is not so difficult to find, the corresponding query in any search engine will return a lot of 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 any.

Firmware on unofficial sites are most often presented simply as lists (as on the above). Therefore, to find the firmware for the desired device, use . Press CTRL + F on the page with the list of firmware and enter the desired phone model in the field that appears, then press Enter and required firmware will be centered on the screen and 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.

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