How to flash a zip archive in recovery. Installing CWM Recovery on Android: ways for every taste

What to do if an Android smartphone suddenly starts to freeze and behave as if it wants to live its own life? How to reflash Android? This question is asked by many users. modern gadgets various brands - from the top Samsung and Sony to the now gaining popularity of the Chinese Xiaomi (more often in colloquial speech - Xiaomi) and Meizu.

Possible ways to solve problems

One of the most simple tips will reset the device to factory settings. Indeed, in this case, no third-party intervention is required - all settings and resets are done at the software level. But such a trick will only work if the malfunctions of the smartphone are caused only by software and clogged memory. After resetting the settings, and in frequent cases, overwriting the content, the device turns on like a new one.

What is "Recovery" and what it is eaten with

Many immediately give up their positions and throw out a white flag, in a hurry to turn to service centers. But any experienced user will tell you that you should not do this. After all, you can save yourself extra nerves and cash, just following simple steps from this manual.

"Recovery" is a smartphone software based on the Android OS, which is something like a "BIOS" on a PC. That is, with the help of "Recovery" you can do full reset smartphone to factory settings, you can also install updates operating system and just flash. When buying in a store, the user most often receives a device with a factory "Recovery" menu, which is slightly limited in functionality and will not allow you to successfully flash the operating system.

If we talk about "custom" (translated from English custom - "made to order") "Recovery", then it will allow you to more fully "communicate" with the phone system, make backup copies of firmware and restore them, as well as make a more complete and deep reset of the device.

How to enter the "Recovery"

To flash the device through "Recovery", you must first get into this very menu. It is as easy as shelling pears to do this, especially since on many devices the input combination is exactly the same. So, if the smartphone has a physical central button or the "Home" button (most often found on older Samsung and LG devices, but it may also appear in more modern devices), you need to hold down the "Home" and "Volume +" buttons on the turned off gadget, and then, without releasing them, press the power button.

The device will turn on desired mode. In the case of a more modern apparatus without physical button"Home" need to repeat the process described above, but using only the "Volume +" button and the power button. If the desired result was not achieved, you should refer to the extended list of ways to enter the "Recovery" menu for different manufacturers.

What else is needed

In order to understand how to reflash Android, you first need to download the firmware for your device. Most often, firmware files are hidden from public view for security purposes and the safety of the manufacturer's data. That is why ordinary users create backup copies of their operating systems and form databases of stock firmware from them, links to which can be found on specialized sites. It is the firmware file itself, which is in the archive with the * .zip extension, that will be needed to understand how to restore Android through Recovery.

There are times when the old stock firmware is tired, and you want something new. That is why there are always craftsmen who create custom firmware, “cutting out” the excess from them or, conversely, adding something new. In such cases, it will not be possible to use the standard "Recovery", and here those same custom ones come to the rescue. CWM Recovery(ClockWorkMod Recovery) or

Installation or TWRP

It is not necessary to install "Recovery" on "Android" through a computer, most often, on the contrary, it is easier to use stock. All you need to do is download the necessary file, again located in the archive with the *.zip extension, and place it on the smartphone's external flash card.

After that, going into the stock "Recovery", you need to select the item "Apply update from external storage" and select the same file with custom "Recovery" in the list that opens. After confirming the selection, the installation process will begin, after which the device will prompt you to reboot. Process completed.

How to flash "Android" through "Recovery"

Turning directly to the process of installing the firmware itself, I would like to say that all unofficial files of the Android operating system created directly by users of certain devices should be installed at your own peril and risk. If, nevertheless, the decision to install a non-native version of the software is made, you should make sure that the firmware is “written” for the phone that you plan to reflash.

If it's about stock firmware, then you should not bother installing CWM Recovery or TWRP. All manipulations that need to be done are limited to downloading the factory firmware file and placing it on external card memory. After that, the process is similar to installing a custom "Recovery". That is, you need to go to the stock "Recovery" menu, select the "Apply update from external storage" item, then specify the firmware file directly and confirm the action. After the process is completed, you need to take one more step that will help you avoid freezes and “glitches” when you turn on and operate the device. Immediately after the end of the firmware, you need to select the menu item "Wipe data / factory reset" and confirm the action. This will clear the information about the previous software and files that were present on the device before the firmware process.

At the end of these steps, select the "Reboot system now" menu item. The device will reboot and the process of setting up the smartphone from scratch will begin. If the power-on process is delayed and the device logo “hangs”, it is worth remembering whether the reset item was completed after flashing.

Custom versions of Android

How to flash "Android" through "Recovery", in principle, is understandable. It remains to figure out what to do with OS versions written directly by device users. The answer is simple: the process must be repeated by performing the same manipulations in the custom "Recovery". The only difference will be that the firmware file itself can now be placed not only on an external memory card, but also on internal memory devices. This adds convenience in the event that a flash card is simply missing. In this case, you will have to select the item "Apply update from internal storage".

It is also worth noting that in CWM Recovery and in TWRP the “Wipe data / factory reset” item has been replaced with two separate items: “Wipe data” and “ Wipe cache". After installing "Android" through "Recovery" (namely, the custom version) it turned out, in the modified ClockWorkMod or TeamWin menu, you need to select the "Wipe Dalvik cache" sub-item, which will significantly increase the chances of successfully turning on the device with the new operating system.

Restoring stock firmware

If you didn’t like it or didn’t take root, there is always the opportunity to return everything to its place. Many people ask themselves: "How to restore Android through Recovery, namely the stock version?" The answer lies in the paragraph above. Roughly speaking, returning everything back to normal happens in the same way as making the original changes.

All you need to do is download the firmware from the manufacturer to a flash card or internal memory, then select the appropriate "Recovery" menu item and do a full reset of the settings / content. In principle, nothing complicated.

It seems that understanding how to flash Android through Recovery is not so difficult. But if some points are not clear, or there is no confidence in your knowledge, it is better not to get involved in such processes. But even if something does not work out, you can always restore the device firmware through the corresponding menu item. The main thing, before flashing "Android" through "Recovery", do backup. To do this, you will need a custom "Recovery" and a little patience, because the firmware backup process takes a lot of time.

In case something went wrong, you can always turn to knowledgeable people. At least an authorized service center will definitely help. The main thing is not to lose heart and confidently move forward. This is the only way to achieve any results. Good luck with the flashing!

A week ago, I bought a simple phone for myself, or rather, a Beeline Smart 2 smartphone, aka ZTE V811. After twisting it in my hands for a couple of days and getting a little acquainted with the new android 4.4.2 KitKat, I realized that this was a rotten thing. The inability to transfer applications to the SD card and the inability of some vital applications without superuser rights immediately pushed me to install ClockworkMod and be sure to get Root!

How to get Root on Beeline Smart 2 (ZTE V811) and install ClockworkMod on it is a separate topic, but today we will talk about something else ...

More to the point:

First, I needed to get Root rights. I uploaded the Zip archive with the update to a USB flash drive, started the phone in Recovery menu and was about to install the update, as ClockworkMod told me that it could not mount an external SD card ( E: Can't mount /external_sd/).

I decided to postpone solving this problem for a while. As a result, I uploaded the archive to the internal memory, and updated the phone from it.

A few days later, when I had already installed all the applications I needed and I needed to backup all the firmware, I returned to our sheep again

Instead of a memory card that I had on 32Gb, I inserted another, on 2Gb. The card was perfectly mounted and a backup was written to it. Both cards are in the FAT32 system, which is necessary for working with ClockworkMod, the difference is only in the size of the cluster.

I thought that 32Gb is too large and therefore Recovery cannot mount it. But as it turned out, the whole snag was in the Windows system and its discrepancies with formatting standards.

Solution:

To properly format the memory card, we need free program SD Formatter or its continuation SD Card Formatter.

This program is different from the standard Windows formatting formats according to SD/SDHC/SDXC flash card specification.

Starting with version 5, SD Formatter is called SD Card Formatter and differs in interface, settings (more simplified) and support for Windows 10.

It doesn't matter if you choose full format or quick format. After processing the SD card with this program, everything works fine. The official website also has a version for Mac OS. Description and system requirements inside the archive.

For each smartphone or tablet, there are both official and custom firmware. They are installed in different ways: OTA updates come over the air, firmware in ZIP archives are installed manually via CWM, TWRP Recovery or the ROM Manager application, using a computer, you can flash Android using the Fastboot and SP utilities Flash Tool.

After flashing Android, all data from the internal memory will be erased, so in order to save contacts, settings and applications, first.

Android firmware through Recovery

Unofficial firmware in ZIP format, such as CyanogenMod, can be installed through custom Recovery: CWM or TWRP, as well as applications using Recovery, such as ROM Manager. Kernels and patches are sewn in the same way. To download the official "Update.zip", the capabilities of the standard recovery mode are enough, more details in the article at the link above.

Install ZIP file in CWM

On all devices out of the box there is a stock Recovery from the manufacturer, instead you need to install CWM by . Then find and download the ZIP archive with the firmware. Please note that firmware of other formats is not installed via CWM.

1. Now go to Recovery. To do this, turn off the device and press a certain combination of buttons. Depending on the manufacturer, the key combination is different, below are all possible options(the new one says how to enter Recovery on specific models):

• Volume up + power button
• Volume down + power button
• Volume up / down + power button + "Home"
• Volume up + volume down + power button

Great, you are in Recovery. The movement is carried out using the volume buttons, and confirmation of the selection with the power button.

2. Before installing the firmware, you must first reset the settings: select "wipe data / factory reset".

4. Great! Return to the main menu and select "install zip".

5. After that "Choose zip from / sdcard".

6. Navigate to the folder where you saved the firmware and select it.

7. You will be prompted to confirm the action. Click "Yes - Install ...".

8. The firmware installation process will go through and at the end, the inscription “Install from sdcard complete” will appear on the screen below.

Great, Android was flashed. We return to the main menu of CWM Recovery and reboot the system. To do this, select "reboot system now".

How to install firmware via TWRP Recovery

If you prefer not CWM, but TWRP Recovery, flash it, guided by. Through it, you can also install firmware from a ZIP archive:

1. Download the firmware and place it in any convenient place in the smartphone's memory.

2. Go to TWRP. This is done in the same way as CWM.

3. Now you need to reset the system. To do this, select "Wipe" from the main menu.

4. To initiate a factory reset, drag the slider to the right.

5. Upon completion of cleaning the smartphone, tablet, press the "Back" button.

6. You will return to the main menu of TWRP Recovery. Now let's go directly to the firmware itself. To do this, select "Install".

7. Navigate to the location in memory where the firmware is stored. Click on it.

8. Drag the slider to the right to begin installing the firmware.

9. The process will start. It usually lasts 2-3 minutes.

10. At the end, a message will appear about the successful completion of the firmware. Click on "Reboot System" to boot Android.

Considered another way how to flash Android using a ZIP update. You can also use special application. More on that below.

Using ROM Manager

The ROM Manager application allows . By the way, I advise you to make a backup of the internal memory before the firmware, in order to restore the data later. Now we will use another function of the program: to flash the phone using the ROM Manager.

For the utility to work, you need root rights- they are obtained using exploits: , or .

A custom Recovery must be installed (in fact, using the ROM Manager, you flash the device through it, but at the same time you work with a simple and clear interface applications, not Recovery). Links to instructions are in the previous paragraphs.

So, install ROM Manager, find and download the right firmware for your device. Open the app and follow the instructions:

1. Place. zip archive firmware in the memory of an Android phone or tablet.

2. In the ROM Manager menu, open the item "Install ROM from SD card".

3. Find the archive and click on it.

4. In the menu that opens, select "Reboot and Install". I advise you to check the box next to "Keep current ROM" in order to be able to restore the system if necessary.

5. In the next window, click "OK", after which the device will boot into Recovery mode and the firmware process will begin.

Also in ROM Manager there is a ROM search function for the device. In the main menu of the program, select "Download Firmware". Some of them are available only in the premium version of the program.

Above, I talked about three ways to install firmware from ZIP archives on the device itself. Next will be information about Android firmware using a PC.

How to flash Android through a computer

Many mobile devices are flashed using special utilities for PC: below are instructions for working with Fastboot and SP Flash Tool. Through the second program, various manipulations are performed with Chinese phones based on Mediatek processors.

Fastboot: phone firmware instructions

Many firmware must be installed from a computer using the Fastboot utility by rebooting the mobile device into the same mode. The program is included in the Android SDK Platform Tools, the installation of which is described in . In addition, you will need drivers (all information is at the link).

Also, on devices from some manufacturers, you first need to unlock the Bootloader:

• How to do on HTC: ,

Next, download the archive with the required firmware and unzip it in the "platform-tools" folder, which contains "ADB" and "fastboot". It should turn out something like this (I have the necessary components in a separate “adb” folder).

Then we connect Android to the computer via USB and transfer the smartphone or tablet to fastboot mode. The easiest way to do this is as follows:

1. Turn on
2. On the computer, go to the command line
3. Enter the commands in sequence and after each press "Enter":

cd path to adb file

For example, it is located in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools". Then the path will look like this:

cd Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools

Then the Android gadget will reboot into fastboot mode.

Before flashing any of the partitions of the system, you must first format it so that there are no problems in operation. To do this, use the commands (after entering each press "Enter"):

fastboot erase boot

fastboot erase userdata

fastboot erase system

fastboot erase recovery

fastboot erase cache

After cleaning the partitions, they can be flashed. Enter commands (their number may be more - it all depends on the presence of certain files in a particular firmware, below is a set of basic ones):

fastboot flash boot imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash userdata imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash system imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash recovery imya-fayla.img

fastboot flash cache imya-fayla.img

"Imya-fayla.img" is the name of the corresponding firmware file. For example, since in my case Recovery is being sewn and its image is called “recovery.img”, I enter:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Usually the firmware can be installed entirely, that is, flash all the files at once. To do this, “flash-all.bat” must be located in the folder with the firmware files. If it is, then just enter this command and the firmware installation process will begin:

As a result, at the end a message will appear about the successful completion of the firmware.

You can boot the system. To do this, you need to exit fastboot mode on the device itself or using a computer. In the second case, you need to enter another command:

Installing ZIP updates in Fastboot

Using Fastboot you can install ZIP firmware. To do this, download and place the firmware in the folder where "ADB" is located. Put your smartphone or tablet in fastboot mode and enter the command:

fastboot flash zip imya-fayla.zip

"Imya-fayla.zip" is the name of your firmware, replace it with your own.

Wait for completion Android installations and reboot your device.

SP Flash Tool: flashing Chinese Android smartphones on MTK

Chinese smart phones, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Meizu, ZTE, Doogee, Bluboo, UMI, Elephone, Oukitel, Blackview and others based on MTK processors are flashed with a special SP Flash Tool utility. She knows how to sew individual partitions, format the system and create backups. Supported models are MT6572, MT6577, MT6580, MT6582, MT6589, MT6592, MT6750, MT6737, Helio P10, Helio P20, Helio X10, Helio X20 and other less popular chips.

The current version of the program is available on the website: http://spflashtool.com/. Before starting the process, install USB drivers under the MTK processor (the link to the FAQ is in the "Fastboot" section of this manual).

1. Unzip the SP Flash Tool folder on the C:\ drive, put the firmware next to it. The path to the files must not contain Cyrillic characters.

2. The folder contains the file "flash_tool". Run it.

3. In the "Download-agent" field, the path to "MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin" will already be indicated. Next, you need to click "Scatter-loading" and select the scatter file in the folder with the firmware.

4. Leave the switch on "Download Only" and mark which partitions you need to flash (by default, all are selected).

5. Click "Download". Then turn off the phone, remove the battery for a few seconds, insert it back and connect the switched off android smartphone to a computer via USB.

6. The red bar "Download DA 100%" will appear first.

7. Then yellow with the firmware process. Percentages show how close the end of the installation is.

Basically, updates and new versions of the Android OS are installed over the air (via Wi-Fi) or through a computer using a proprietary utility. But what to do when you want to install cool firmware, but it is not available on the official website of the developer? In this case, the recovery menu, Recovery, which is in almost every Android mobile gadget, will help. With it, you can carry out many system operations, including installing any custom firmware. Next, consider what recovery mode is and how to flash Android through recovery with a step-by-step algorithm of actions.

Probably every owner of a phone or tablet running Android OS has heard about Recovery mode. This is a special diagnostic menu that is installed separately from the OS and hidden from users by developers. It can be compared to the BIOS for desktop computers or laptops. Since the stock recovery is used to a greater extent to check the performance various modules, functions of the mobile device. It can also be used to perform various system operations, for example, reset to factory settings and format selected memory sections.

View of stock recovery

But in this case, we are interested in installing custom assemblies, which is available only for third-party Recovery. They are created by a huge community of developers of the operating system from Google, and their capabilities are much wider than stock ones. Installing a new recovery is essentially the same as flashing a stock kernel (OS) on a phone. Only in this case, the user switches to TWRP or Clockwork Mod mode. Note that prerequisite to install third-party recovery is to obtain administrator rights (root access).

How to enter recovery mode

To reflash Android, the first step is to enter recovery mode. To do this, you need to turn off the device and then enter the necessary combination of hardware keys. Depending on the manufacturer mobile device, it may vary, but the most common of them are:

• Power / lock buttons + volume down.
• Home key + Power button + Volume up.
• The same as the previous paragraph, but there is no volume button.

More accurate and detailed instructions how to start the recovery menu can be found on the official website of the developer. It is necessary to hold down several keys at once and hold them until the green robot appears on the screen. The whole process is visualized in the video, which you can watch below.

Action algorithm

And so, we proceed to the most interesting. The algorithm for flashing an Android smartphone through the recovery mode is quite simple and looks like this:

• Find and download to the memory card the required firmware version in the form of a zip archive.
• Turn off your mobile phone, enter recovery mode according to the instructions presented in the previous section.
• In the menu that appears, select Wipe / Factory reset to return to factory settings (if necessary). Thus, you can restore the parameters of an incorrectly working OS.
• For installation new firmware select "Install" (located in the upper left corner).
• Specify the path to the directory of the archive with the firmware and start the process.

After that, the process of installing a new firmware on a smartphone or tablet will automatically begin. Upon completion, a corresponding notification will appear on the screen and you can restart your mobile device. To do this, select "Reboot" and then "System".
The entire firmware process is clearly demonstrated in the video below.

Firmware Recovery

As mentioned above, the standard recovery menu is designed to diagnose sensors and functions of a mobile device. It can also be used to install official updates. But to use custom firmware, you will need to reflash the recovery itself in the phone. This will require TWRP or CWM Recovery, which can be installed using special utility Rashr-Flash Tool. Note that before you install it on your phone, you need to get administrator rights.

The program interface looks as simple as possible. The user only needs to follow the installation instructions by clicking on the “next” button. If CWM Recovery is already installed on the mobile phone, the program will prompt you to perform standard features: Firmware or factory reset.

What to do if the smartphone is based on the operating Android systems suddenly began to hang out and behave in such a way as if he lives his own own life? How to flash a device based on the Android operating system?

"Recovery": what it is and what it is eaten with

Many users immediately give up and rush to contact service centers. However, any experienced user knows that this is not necessary. After all, you can save a decent amount of money and nerves by following just some simple steps given in this manual. "Recovery" is a special software that is available in smartphones based on the Android operating system. It is something like the BIOS on a regular personal computer. That is, with the help of "Recovery" you can completely reset the smartphone to factory settings. Here you can also flash the device or install operating system updates. Upon purchase, the user most often receives a device with a factory Recovery menu. It is slightly limited in functionality and does not allow you to successfully flash the operating system. If we talk about the "custom" "Recovery", then it allows you to more fully interact with the phone system. Thus, you can make backup copies of firmware and restore them, as well as carry out a deeper and more complete reset of the device.

"Recovery": how to enter

To flash the device through the "Recovery" menu, you need to get into this very menu. This can be done quite simply, especially considering that many devices use the same login combination. So, in the event that the smartphone has a Home button or a physical central button, then you need to simultaneously press the Volume + and Home buttons on the turned-on gadget. After that, without releasing these buttons, you need to press the power button. The device should turn on in the desired mode. In the event that the user has a more modern device without a physical Home button, it will be necessary to repeat the process that was described above, but only when using the Volume + buttons and the power button. If the desired result is not achieved, it is recommended to refer to the extended list of ways to enter the Recovery menu for devices from various manufacturers.

What else is needed?

To understand how you can reflash an Android device, you must first download the firmware for your device. Firmware files are most often hidden from public view in order to preserve the manufacturer's data and security. It is for this reason that ordinary users create backup copies of their OS and form databases of stock firmware from them, links to which can be found on special sites. It is the firmware file itself, which is in the archive with the * .zip extension, that will be needed in order to learn about restoring "Android" through "Recovery". Sometimes there are times when old firmware bothers users and they want something new. It is for this reason that there are always craftsmen who develop custom firmware, adding something new from them or, on the contrary, “cutting out” the excess. In this case, the standard "Recovery" will not work. This is where custom CWM Recovery or TWRP come to the rescue.

How to install CWM Recovery or TWRP

It is not necessary to install "Recovery" on Android using personal computer. Most often it is easier to use stock. All you need to do for this is to download the necessary file, which is in the *zip archive and move it to the external flash card of the smartphone. After that, you need to go to the stock "Recovery" and select the item "Apply update external storage" there. In the list that opens, you must select the same file with custom "Recovery". When the selection is confirmed, the installation process will begin. The device will then prompt you to reboot. The process will be completed.

How to flash Android through "Recovery"

Let's proceed directly to the process of installing the firmware. I would like to note that all unofficial Android OS files created directly by users are installed only at their own peril and risk. If the decision to install non-native software is nevertheless made, you need to make sure that the firmware was written specifically for the smartphone model that you plan to reflash. If we are talking about stock firmware, then it is better not to bother installing CWM Recovery or TWRP. All manipulations that should be done are limited only to downloading the factory file and moving it to an external memory card. The process after that will be similar to installing a custom "Recovery". You need to go to the stock menu "Recovery" and select the item "Apply update from external storage" in it. Then you need to specify the firmware file and confirm the action. When the process is completed, you will need to perform one more step, which will avoid "glitches" and freezes when you turn on and operate your smartphone. Immediately after the firmware is installed, you must select the menu item "Wipe data / factory reset" and confirm the operation. Thus, you can clear information about the previous software, as well as those files that were on the device before the firmware process. When all these actions are completed, you will need to select the "Reboot system now" menu item. The device will reboot and the smartphone setup process will start from scratch. In the event that the power-on process is delayed and the device logo “freezes”, it will be necessary to remember whether the reset item was completed after flashing.

Custom versions of Android

How to flash Android through "Recovery"? It remains only to figure out what to do with versions of operating systems that were written directly by device users. The answer to this question is quite simple: you need to repeat the whole process, performing the same manipulations in custom Recovery. The only difference is that the firmware file itself can now be placed not only on an external memory card, but also in the internal memory of the gadget. This will add convenience to the user in the event that a flash card is not available. Then you have to select the item "Apply update internal storage". It is also worth noting that in TWRP and CWM Recovery, the “Wipe data / factory reset” item has been replaced with two separate items “Wipe cache” and “Wipe data”. After you manage to install Android through "Recovery", you will need to select the "Wipe Dalvik cache" item in the modified TeamWin or ClockWorkMod menu. This will significantly increase the chances of successfully shutting down the device with the new OS.

How to restore stock firmware?

If the user does not like the new custom firmware, there is always the opportunity to return everything to its place. Many today are interested in the question: how to restore Android through Recovery, namely through the stock version? The answer is hidden in the paragraph above. Returning everything to its place occurs in the same way as the implementation of the initial changes. All you need to do is download the firmware from the manufacturer to the internal memory or flash card, and then select the appropriate item in the "Recovery" menu and perform a full reset. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this.

There is really nothing complicated in the firmware of a smartphone based on the Android operating system. But in the event that you are not confident in your own abilities, then it is better not to get involved with these processes. If, nevertheless, something does not work out, then you can always restore the device firmware using the corresponding menu item. The main thing is to make a backup before flashing Android through Recovery. To do this, you need a custom "Recovery" and a little patience. The process of restoring the firmware takes a lot of time. If something does not work out, you can always turn to specialists for help.