Firmware using sp flashtool. SP Flash Tool: flashing Android devices based on Mediatek processors

If your phone begins to slow down, malfunction, or identify other causes of problems, you need to correct errors in its operation. And installing new phone firmware is a fairly common and effective way to solve performance problems. Very often used on unofficial versions of Android in Chinese phones.

What is phone firmware

Your phone, like any other technical device, has an operating system. Without it, using the device becomes impossible, because the device requires it to receive and process commands from the user. And it is precisely reinstalling or updating the phone’s operating system that is called “firmware”.

You should flash your phone when you either want to access undocumented device capabilities that are not supported by your current firmware, or have problems with the current firmware version and want to update or replace it.

Conventionally, we can divide the firmware into “stock”, that is, official, and “custom”, that is, custom.

Their main difference is that the official firmware is theoretically more reliable, since it is produced by a large company where internal testing is carried out. While custom firmware can harm your device due to developer errors and is considered more unreliable for this reason. Nevertheless, custom firmware is very popular, since you can often choose it “to suit you”, customizing the phone’s capabilities the way you want.

Video: how to choose the right firmware

Mandatory information before flashing

There are a number of points that need to be noted before flashing the phone's firmware:

phone firmware may damage your device. If you are not sure of your actions or some points in this article cause you difficulties, it is better not to take risks and entrust the firmware installation to someone who understands this issue. Of course, in most cases everything will go well, and even if the device breaks down there is a chance to restore it, but nevertheless the user must be aware of the possibility of failure;
Before flashing the firmware, you must fully charge the device;
During flashing, you should never disconnect the phone or turn off the device from which you are flashing the firmware. Any abnormal termination of the firmware before it is completed can break the phone. It’s better not to even pick it up at all;
Before flashing the firmware, you should save all files and contacts from your phone just in case, as there is a chance of losing them;
Make sure that the installed firmware version is reliable. If this is a custom firmware, read the comments for it. Do not install firmware from dubious sources;
The phone's firmware is a reason to deny you warranty service. But if you return the default firmware before contacting the service center, no one will know that you flashed the phone.

Preparing to flash an Android phone or tablet

To carry out the firmware, you will need to install the necessary equipment and find a USB cable.

Cord for connecting the phone to the computer

If you are going to install the firmware from a computer, you will, of course, need to connect your phone to it. The cord used for connection must come with the phone.

Installing the Flash Tool

The Flash Tool is a program that can be used to flash firmware for a phone made in China. It can flash devices of many models based on the MTK (MediaTek) processor.

It is easy to download it from the Internet. You just need to type the name into a search engine, go to the website (it’s best to choose trusted sources), download it as an archive and unpack it to drive C.

Installing drivers

A driver is software that allows Windows to control various devices. It is necessary to install the firmware on the phone.

Each phone uses its own file and you need to find and download the appropriate one or install it along with a driver package. In fact, everything necessary for connection is already available on the computer system, but without the necessary file specifically for your device, it will be of no use.

Creating a backup copy of the current firmware

In case of an error during the firmware, we need to make a copy of the system, to which we can then roll back (return). To do this, we will need the ROM Manager application installed on your phone. Root rights are also required. After installing and launching the program, do the following:

Video: How to Backup and Restore Apps on Android

Installing firmware via Flash Tool

Now that all the necessary actions have been completed and even a backup copy has been created in case of unforeseen situations, you can proceed directly to installing the firmware via the Flash Tool.

Install the Flash Tool program that you previously downloaded and then run it.
Click the Scatter Loading button and specify the path to the file in the folder with the firmware.
Turn off preloading in the program (Preloader).
Before connecting your phone, click on Download.
Just now connect the switched off and fully charged phone to the computer.
The firmware will start automatically. Wait for it to finish and the green circle to appear.
Disconnect your phone from your computer, turn it on and check if it works.

That's all you need to flash your phone. Follow these steps carefully and you will not have any problems.

Video: flashing Android phone firmware via Flash Tool

If the phone does not turn on after flashing the firmware

The first turn on after installing new firmware can take quite a long time. But if your phone does not turn on at all, there may be two main reasons: you interrupted the connection between the phone and the computer during the firmware update, or you downloaded a damaged firmware file.

Since we will need normal, undamaged firmware, it is better to download it from the Internet again, just in case.

Then you need to do the following:

Unpack the newly downloaded firmware to the root of drive C (C:\). Download the new preloader.
Go to the target.bin folder in the firmware folder, now you need to replace the native preloader file in it with the one that was downloaded in step 2.
In the same target.bin folder, delete the checksum.ini file.
Next, run the Flashtool program, in most cases it is packaged in the same archive as the firmware.
Check the box next to DA DL All With Check Sum.
Specify the path to the scatter file (the file used to partition it into sections), and then click the Firmware Upgrade button.
Remove the battery from your phone and connect it to your computer.
Wait for the flashing process to finish.

In this way, you can try to “bring back to life” your phone. If this does not help, only professionals at the service center can help.

How to “merge” your firmware using the Flash Tool

You can make a backup (duplicate) of the firmware using the Flash Tool in order to then install it on another device. This is done through the following manipulations:

Install virtual COM port drivers for the USB cable. In this case, we consider Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (installed on COM5).
Download version FlashTool_v3.908.0 or later. Unpack and run.
Click the Download Agent button and select the file from the program directory MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin.
Go to the Options menu and configure the Baudrate - select 460800 for the USB cable, 115200 for the COM cable.
In the COM Port item, select the com port on which the drivers were installed. You can find out the port number like this: “Computer” - “Properties” (right click) - “Hardware” - “Device Manager”.
In Operation Method, select NFB. Leave the rest of the fields untouched.
Go to the Read back tab, click the Add button.
Double-click on it and in the window that appears, specify the file with the firmware backup and click the “Save” button. A window appears, in the last field of which enter the size of the flash drive 0x04000000 if you want to duplicate 64 MB and 0x08000000 for 128 MB.
Click OK without changing anything else. When duplicating the firmware, you need to select Read Page + Spare. Then from the “merged” (duplicated) firmware, using special programs, it will be possible to automatically make return to previous version for further firmware of the phone if such a need arises. Using this mode will allow programs to detect unreadable disk sectors in the firmware and automatically delete these areas.
If you want to view the “merged” firmware, using the FFME, MTK-RES V1.3 programs you can see and edit pictures, music, and language. To do this, when “merging” the firmware, you need to select the Read Page Only item.
Now turn off your phone and connect the cable to it.
Go to the Action menu and select Read back or the button of the same name in the Read back tab. Now press the power button on your phone and wait until a red bar starts running from below. On some devices you need to hold the button for quite a long time.
A blue stripe appears at the bottom of the window, which means duplication of the firmware has begun. If you hover your cursor at the bottom of the window over the processor model, a window will pop up with detailed information about the flash drive.
When the percentages at the bottom of the window reach 100%, the firmware backup will be performed.

Video: backup firmware via FlashTool program

How else can you flash your phone?

There are different ways to flash your phone's firmware. They can be briefly divided into the following types:

update via Wi-Fi - official updates and firmware are installed without problems over the Internet using a wireless connection;
updating through programs - besides the Flash Tool, there are other programs for installing firmware. These can be either programs designed for specific phone models or for different types of equipment. For example, we can name the programs Odin, KIES Samsung, RockChip Batch Tool;
Firmware update via Recovery - this method of installing firmware is intended for the most experienced users. It does not require you to have a computer, but this method is much more complicated than using firmware programs. You will also need Root rights to your phone.

The easiest way to flash your phone's firmware is using the Flash Tool program. There are also many other methods, with and without root rights. If problems arise and it is not possible to solve them on your own, you need to contact the service center.

The MTK hardware platform as the basis for building modern smartphones, tablet computers and other devices has become very widespread. Along with the variety of devices, the ability to choose variations of the Android OS has come into the lives of users - the number of available official and custom firmware for popular MTK devices can reach several dozen! Mediatek is most often used to manipulate memory sections of devices - a powerful and functional tool.

Despite the wide variety of MTK devices, the process of installing software through the SP FlashTool application is generally the same and is carried out in several steps. Let's look at them in detail.

All actions to flash devices using SP FlashTool, including following the instructions below, are carried out by the user at his own peril and risk! The site administration and the author of the article are not responsible for possible malfunction of the device!

In order for the procedure of writing image files to device memory sections to go smoothly, it is necessary to prepare accordingly by carrying out certain manipulations both with the Android device and with a PC or laptop.

Installing firmware

Using the SP FlashTool application, you can perform almost all possible operations with device memory sections. Installing firmware is the main function and to perform it, the program provides several operating modes.

Method 1: Download Only

Let's take a closer look at the procedure for loading software into an Android device when using one of the most common and frequently used firmware modes via SP FlashTool - "Download Only".

Launch SP FlashTool. The program does not require installation, so to launch it, simply double-click on the file flash_tool.exe, located in the application folder.

When you launch the program for the first time, a window with an error message appears. This point should not worry the user. Once the path to the required files is specified to the program, the error will no longer appear. Press the button "OK".

In the main window of the program after launch, the operating mode is initially selected - "Download Only". It should be noted right away that this solution is used in most situations and is basic for almost all firmware procedures. The differences in operation when using the other two modes will be described below. In general, we leave "Download Only" no changes.

Let's move on to adding image files to the program for further recording in the device's memory sections. For some automation of the process, SP FlashTool uses a special file called Scatter. This file is essentially a list of all partitions of the device’s flash memory, as well as the addresses of the starting and ending memory blocks of the Android device for writing partitions. To add a scatter file to the application, click the button "choose" located to the right of the field.

After clicking on the button for selecting a scatter file, an Explorer window opens in which you need to specify the path to the required data. The scatter file is located in the folder with the unpacked firmware and is named MT xxxx _Android_scatter_ yyyyy.txt, where xxxx– the model number of the device processor for which the data loaded into the device is intended, and – yyyyy, the type of memory used in the device. Select the scatter and press the button "Open".

It is important to note that the SP FlashTool application provides a check of hash sums, designed to protect the Android device from writing incorrect or damaged files. When adding a scatter file to the program, the image files are checked, the list of which is contained in the downloaded scatter. This procedure can be canceled during the verification process or disabled in the settings, but this is strictly not recommended!

After downloading the scatter file, the firmware components were added automatically. This is evidenced by the filled fields "Name", "Begin Address", "End Address", "Location". The lines under the headings contain, respectively, the name of each partition, the starting and ending addresses of the memory blocks for recording data, as well as the path where the image files are located on the PC disk.

To the left of the names of the memory sections there are checkboxes that allow you to exclude or add certain image files that will be written to the device.

In general, it is strongly recommended to uncheck the box next to the section "PRELOADER", this allows you to avoid many problems, especially when using custom firmware or files obtained from dubious resources, as well as the absence of a full system backup created using .

Checking the program settings. Press menu "Options" and in the window that opens, go to the section "Download". Check off the items "USB Checksum" And "Storage Checksum"- this will allow you to check the checksums of files before writing to the device, and therefore avoid flashing corrupted images.

After completing the above steps, we proceed directly to the procedure for writing image files to the appropriate sections of the device’s memory. We check that the device is disconnected from the computer, turn off the Android device completely, remove and reinsert the battery if it is removable. To put SP FlashTool into standby mode for connecting the device for firmware, press the button "Download", indicated by a green arrow pointing down.

While waiting for the device to connect, the program does not allow you to perform any actions. Only button available "Stop", which allows you to interrupt the procedure. We connect the switched off device to the USB port.

After connecting the device to the PC and identifying it in the system, the process of flashing the device will begin, accompanied by the filling of the progress bar located at the bottom of the window.

During the procedure, the indicator changes its color depending on the actions performed by the program. To fully understand the processes occurring during firmware, let’s look at the decoding of the indicator colors:

After the program has completed all the manipulations, a window appears "Download OK", confirming the successful completion of the process. Disconnect the device from the PC and start it by long pressing the key "Nutrition". Usually the first launch of Android after flashing takes quite a long time, you should be patient.

Method 2: Firmware Upgrade

The procedure for working with MTK devices running Android in "Firmware Upgrade" generally similar to the method described above "Download Only" and requires similar actions from the user.

The difference between the modes is the inability to select individual images for recording in the option "Firmware Upgrade". In other words, in this option, the device’s memory will be overwritten in full accordance with the list of partitions contained in the scatter file.

In most cases, this mode is used to update the official firmware of the entire working device if the user requires a new version of the software, and other update methods do not work or are not applicable. It can also be used when restoring devices after a system crash and in some other cases.

Attention! Using the mode "Firmware Upgrade" involves a complete formatting of the device’s memory, therefore, all user data will be destroyed in the process!

Firmware process in mode "Firmware Upgrade" after pressing the button "Download" in SP FlashTool and connecting the device to the PC consists of the following steps:

Creating a backup copy of the NVRAM partition;
Complete formatting of the device memory;
Write device memory partition table (PMT);
Restoring an NVRAM partition from a backup;
Recording all partitions whose image files are contained in the firmware.

User actions to perform firmware in mode "Firmware Upgrade", repeat the previous method, with the exception of certain points.

Method 3: Format All + Download

Mode "Format All+Download" in SP FlashTool is intended for performing firmware when restoring devices, and is also used in situations where the other methods described above are not applicable or do not work.

Situations in which it is used "Format All+Download", diverse. As an example, we can consider a case where modified software was installed in the device and/or the device’s memory was re-partitioned to a solution different from the factory one, and then it was necessary to switch to the original software from the manufacturer. In this case, attempts to write original files will fail and the SP FlashTool program will suggest using emergency mode in the corresponding message window.

There are only three stages of performing firmware in this mode:

Complete formatting of the device memory;
PMT partition table entry;
Record all sections of the device memory.

Attention! When manipulating in mode "Format All+Download" The NVRAM partition is erased, which leads to the deletion of network parameters, in particular, IMEI. This will make it impossible to make calls or connect to Wi-Fi networks after following the instructions below! Restoring an NVRAM partition in the absence of a backup is quite a labor-intensive procedure, although it is possible in most cases!

Steps required to format and record partitions in "Format All+Download" similar to those in the above methods for modes "Download" And "Firmware Upgrade".

Installing custom recovery via SP Flash Tool

Today, so-called custom firmware has become widespread, i.e. solutions created not by the manufacturer of a particular device, but by third-party developers or ordinary users. Without delving into the advantages and disadvantages of this method of changing and expanding the functionality of an Android device, it is worth noting that installing custom ones in most cases requires the presence of a modified recovery environment in the device - either. This system component can be installed in almost all MTK devices using SP FlashTool.

It is worth noting that the considered method of installing recovery via SP FlashTool does not pretend to be an absolutely universal solution. In some cases, when loading a recovery environment image into the device, additional actions may be required, in particular, editing the scatter file and other manipulations.

As you can see, the process of flashing MTK devices on Android using the SP Flash Tool application is not a complicated procedure, but it requires proper preparation and balanced actions. We do everything calmly and think about every step - success is guaranteed!

After we have downloaded everything we need, we can, for example, create an Android folder in the root of some folder and organize the unpacked contents of the archives into folders, i.e. drivers in the Drivers folder, Platform Tools in a separate folder, SP Flash Tool in a separate folder, MTK Droid Tools also in a separate one.

Next, enable Developer Mode on your device and activate USB debugging. Those. First, go to Settings -> About phone (About device) and click several times (5-7) on the “Build number” until a message appears stating that Developer Mode is activated. Next, go to the Settings menu -> For developers and check the box for “USB debugging”:

After that, we connect the device to the PC and install the ADB drivers (that is, either by running AdbDriverInstaller.exe from the archive, or by opening the device manager and manually specifying the path to the drivers in the Android ADB driver x64 folder for an unknown device). The result should look like this (Device Manager):

The Android ADB Interface device in the device manager confirms that we are ready for the next step.

We wait until the device is detected in it and click the “Block Map” button:

Then click the “Create scatter file” button and save the resulting file (for me it was called MT6582_Android_scatter.txt) to disk. At this point, the preparation stage is completed and you can proceed directly to reading the data.

Open the resulting file in Notepad++ or Word (note that regular notepad will not work) and find the line partition_name: CACHE in it:

And remember what is written in the linear_start_addr column, in this case it is 0x3E900000.

We disconnect the phone from the PC and turn it off, i.e. hold the power off button and select “Power off” in the menu, you can also disconnect and insert the battery. Next, launch the SP Flash Tool and go to the Readback tab. Next, click the Add button. As a result, one row will appear in the table:

We click on it, we are asked to select a location to save the ROM_0 file, select the folder in which we want to save it and on the next screen in the Length field we enter the number we remembered earlier (linear_start_addr):

The end result should be something like this:

Then we connect the switched off phone (!) to the PC. At this point, it is advisable to open the device manager. For now, we don’t press any buttons in the SP Flash Tool on this screen!

At the moment of connection, an unknown MT65xx PreLoader device will be detected and the OS will prompt you to install drivers for it. The picture below clearly shows this. It’s better to open the device manager immediately before connecting the phone in order to “catch” the moment the MT65xx PreLoader appears. If the device appears and the OS does not offer to automatically install drivers, then this must be done manually by right-clicking on the MT65xx PreLoader device.

Select “Search for drivers on this computer” and indicate the folder in which the unpacked contents of the mtk_xp_vista_7_8_x32_x64.zip archive are located (i.e. by this point you should unpack the archive somewhere). After the drivers are successfully installed, the picture in the device manager should change to this:

If the drivers are installed, you can proceed to the next step. Please note that when you connect the phone, the Preloader USB VCOM Port may appear for only a few seconds - this is normal, our task at this stage is to install the phone drivers so that it is detected exactly as the Preloader USB VCOM Port, and not the unknown MT65xx PreLoader device. If you suddenly did not have time to install the drivers, and the phone turned on, take out the battery, disconnect the phone, insert the battery, connect the phone and repeat the procedure.

Once we are sure that the drivers are installed, we disconnect the phone from the PC. We turn it off, in the open SP Flash Tool we press the Readback button and connect the turned off phone to the PC. After this, we will go through the process of reading the firmware from the phone:

Many people write about the difficulties that arise precisely at this step. I'll try to explain in a little more detail. After you press the Readback button, SP Flash Tool goes into standby mode for the phone to connect, i.e. It is assumed that before this you managed to catch the moment when your switched off phone is identified as MT65xx PreLoader and install drivers on it so that Preloader USB VCOM Port appears in the COM ports. If suddenly for some reason the SP Flash Tool wrote an error, or the phone did not have time to connect, the following method can help (everything described is only true if you installed the drivers correctly and when you connect the phone, Preloader USB VCOM Port appears): disconnect the phone from the PC, remove the battery, press the Readback button, connect the phone with the battery removed. In the SP Flash Tool there will be a red bar (Download), during this time we quickly insert the battery back, if we have time, then there will be a blue Readback bar with percentages, as in the picture:

We are waiting for the process to complete. Creating a backup can take 10-15 minutes. Just look at the running percentages and don’t touch anything 😉 At the end of the reading procedure, you will see the message Readback Ok:

While we are doing Backup, it’s time to explain what a scatter file is and what the ROM_0 file is, which we will receive as an output. The phone's memory is a regular EMMC Flash, which is divided into specific sections. A Scatter file is a section description file (for example, Scatter has sections PRELOADER, RECOVERY, LOGO, ANDROID, etc.). The purpose of the partitions is different, for example, Recovery contains the recovery image, logo contains the logo used when loading the system, Android contains the system image, etc. The ROM_0 file that we get as an output is essentially a continuous dump of EMMC Flash in one file. But in order to use the resulting firmware backup, for example, to restore another similar device, we will still need to split it into partitions. Here I will describe several ways to do this. The first and most common is through MTK Droid Tools. Let's say we already have a ROM_0 file made using the SP Flash Tool.

We turn on the power of the device (phone) and let it boot, after which we launch MTK Droid Tools again (USB debugging mode on the phone, of course, must be turned on, and the ADB drivers are installed on the PC), go to the root, backup, recovery tab and click the “Create backup from ROM_ flash drive” button:

We select the ROM_0 we obtained in the previous step and in the log window we see something like the following:

— Save folder on the computer: E:\Android\MtkDroidTools\backups\KINGSING_S1_141117_ForFlashtoolFromReadBack_150512-005322\
— scatter is saved in the file:
E:\Work\Megaphone Login Plus\MtkDroidTools\backups\KINGSING_S1_141117_ForFlashtoolFromReadBack_150512-005322\MT6582_Android_scatter.txtcopying completed
- preloader.bin ... copied ... cut OK
- MBR...copied
- EBR1...copied
- pro_info ...copied
- nvram.bin...copied
- protect_f ...copied
— protect_s ...copied
-seccfg...copied
- uboot.bin...copied
- boot.img ... copied
…

Well, etc. Now in the save folder, for me it is E:\Android\MtkDroidTools\backups\ we have a folder with a complete backup of our firmware, divided into sections (i.e., each section in a separate file):

This completes the process of creating Backup firmware. If you just wanted to find out how to make backup firmware using the SP Flash Tool and you succeeded, you don’t have to read any further.

For advanced

What to do if MTK Droid Tools does not “see” the phone? Or is it impossible to create a scatter file or split the resulting ROM_0 file into sections? How to get a partition map and is it possible to “cut” the ROM_0 file manually? There is such a possibility. To get a partition map on MTK 65xx you need to give a command in the ADB console - i.e. run adb shell in the console and type this command there:

If suddenly the phone is not visible through ADB for some reason (in this case, I advise you to read the ADB manual, there may be a problem with the VEN_ID of the device and you just need to register it in %USERPROFILE%\.android\adb_usb.ini, then the same command can be given in the phone itself by installing Terminal Emulator for Android from Google Play:

As you can see, the result is exactly the same and the linear_start_address of the cache section can be taken from here. Yes, by the way, in new devices, for example based on MTK 6752, such as Beeline Pro, ZTE Q Lux, etc. The partition map can be obtained using cat /proc/partinfo. MTK Droid Tools does not work with these devices at all.

We now have a method for obtaining the start address of the cache section, which is needed to obtain ROM_0 using the SP Flash Tool. We also know the addresses (offsets) and sizes of each partition. Those. To “cut” ROM_0 into partitions, we don’t have to use MTK Droid Tools. This can be done manually in any Hex editor that supports the function of selecting and saving a block to a file (I use the console HIEW). Well, as an example, let’s “cut out” the Recovery partition from the resulting ROM_0 file.

We know (from scatter or from dumchar_info) its linear_start_addr: 0x4180000 and partition_size: 0x1000000. Open ROM_0 in HIEW and go to 0x4180000. Those. in the console we make hiew32 ROM_0, then press F5 and enter the address of the beginning of the partition - 4180000:

As you can see from 4180000 we have the ANDROID! signature, which tells us that we are on the right track 😉 The end of the partition address is calculated as linear_start_addr+partition_size-1 = 0x517FFFF in our case. We press in HIEW * (the asterisk on the additional keyboard) to start selecting the block (if we move the arrows up / down / right / left, we see how the block begins to be highlighted in color) and either go down to 0x517FFFF, or do it through F5:

And we finish selecting the block, again using the “gray” * (on the additional keyboard). After that, press F2 - Put block (saving the block to a file):

And we have the recovery section written down. In the same way, you can cut any other partition from ROM_0. As you understand, we don’t need MTK Droid Tool at all.

To simplify the procedure, you can also write a script / program that will do this automatically for all sections, but to be honest, I don’t have enough time for this, and this task does not arise very often, so HIEW is quite enough for these purposes .

p.s. That's all for now... the post turned out to be a “draft version”, because... I wrote it in a hurry, maybe I’ll add to it later if there are any unclear points. And of course, as always, I will respond to your comments and questions...

p.p.s. As they managed to correct me a little, /proc/dumchar_info does not contain linear_start_addr from the scatter, but physical_start_addr. Those. in the example given for the recovery partition we have:

linear_start_addr: 0x4180000
physical_start_addr: 0x2D80000
partition_size: 0x1000000

And in /proc/dumchar_info we see exactly physical_start_addr in the StartAddr column. But if we look at the size of the first partition (preloader), it becomes clear how to translate physical_start_addr into linear_start_addr; if you add 0x1400000 to 0x2D80000 (this is exactly the size of the preloader), then you get 0x4180000.

Smart Phones Flash Tool (SP Flash Tool) is a utility designed for flashing devices built on the MediaTek (MTK) hardware platform and running the Android operating system.

Almost every Android device user is familiar with the word “firmware”. Some heard briefly about this procedure at a service center, others read on the Internet. There are quite a few users who have mastered the art of flashing smartphones and tablets and successfully apply it in practice. It is worth noting that if you have a high-quality and reliable tool - a firmware program - learning to carry out any manipulations with the software of Android devices is not so difficult. One such solution is the SP Flash Tool application.

The hardware-software combination of MediaTek and Android is one of the most common solutions on the market of smartphones, tablet PCs, TV set-top boxes and many other devices, so the SP Flash Tool application is used in most cases when it is necessary to flash MTK devices. In addition, SP Flash Tool is in many situations the only solution when working with MTK devices.

After launching the SP Flash Tool, the application immediately prompts you to proceed to its main function - loading software into the device’s flash memory. This is immediately indicated by the open tab "Download".

The procedure for flashing an Android device using the SP Flash Tool is carried out almost automatically. In general, the user is required to specify the path to the image files that will be written to each section of the device’s memory. The flash memory of an MTK device is divided into many block sections, and in order to avoid having to manually specify which data should be entered into which memory section, each firmware for the SP Flash Tool contains a scatter file - essentially a description of all sections of the device’s memory in in a form understandable for the firmware program. It is enough to download the scatter file (1) from the folder containing the firmware, and the necessary files will be automatically distributed by the program “in their places” (2).

An important component of the main Flashtool window is the large image of the smartphone on the left side. After loading the scatter file, the message is displayed on the “screen” of this smartphone MTXXXX, where XXXX is the digital encoding of the model of the central processor of the device for which the firmware files loaded into the program are intended. In other words, already in the first steps the program gives the user the opportunity to check the applicability of the downloaded firmware for a specific device. In most cases, if the processor model displayed by the program does not match the actual platform used in the device being flashed, it is necessary to abandon the firmware. Most likely, incorrect image files were downloaded, and further manipulations will lead to errors in the program and, possibly, damage to the device.

In addition to selecting image files, the user is given the opportunity to select one of the firmware modes in the drop-down list.

"Download"– this mode assumes the possibility of full or partial flashing of partitions. Used in most cases.
"Firmware Upgrade". The mode only assumes full flashing of the partitions specified in the scatter file.
In mode "Format All + Download" Initially, the flash memory of the device is completely cleared of all data - formatting, and after cleaning - full or partial recording of partitions. This mode is used only in case of serious problems with the device or in case of lack of success when flashing the firmware in other modes.

After determining all the parameters, the program is ready to record device partitions. To put the USB flash drive into standby mode for connecting a device for firmware, use the button "Download".

Backing up flash memory partitions

The device firmware function is the main one in the Flashtool program, but it is far from the only one. Manipulating memory partitions leads to the loss of all information contained in them, so to save important user data, as well as “factory” settings or a complete memory backup, you will need a device backup. In SP Flash Tool, the ability to create a backup becomes available after switching to the tab ReadBack. After entering the necessary data - the storage location of the future backup file and specifying the starting and ending addresses of the memory blocks for backup - the procedure is started with the button "Read Back".

Formatting Flash Memory

Since the SP Flash Tool is intended to be a service utility, the developers could not help but add a flash memory formatting function to their solution. This procedure in some “severe” cases is a necessary step before performing other operations on the device. Formatting options are accessed by clicking on the tab "Format".
After selecting automatic - "Auto Format Flash" or manual - "Manual Format Flash" procedure mode, it starts by pressing the button "Start".

Full memory test

An important step in identifying hardware problems with MTK devices is testing flash memory blocks. The flashtool, as a full-fledged working tool for a service engineer, provides the opportunity to carry out such a procedure. The memory testing function with the selection of blocks required for testing is available on the tab "Memory Test".

Help system

The last section in the program not discussed above, available to the SP Flash Tool user when going to the tab "Welcome" is a kind of help system, where information about the main capabilities and operating modes of the utility is presented very superficially.

All information is presented in English, but even knowing it at the high school level, it is not difficult to understand, and there are also pictures showing actions and their consequences.

Program settings

In conclusion, it is worth noting the SP Flash Tool settings section. The settings window is called up from the menu "Options", containing a single point - "Option...". The list of settings available for change is very scanty and in reality their variations have little effect.

Single window sections "Option", of practical interest are "Connection" And "Download". Using the item "Connection" the hardware interfaces of the computer are configured, through which the device is connected for various operations.

Chapter "Download" allows you to tell the program to check the hash of image files used for transfer to the device in order to check their integrity. This manipulation allows you to avoid some errors during the firmware process.

In general, we can say that the settings section does not provide the opportunity to seriously change the functionality and in most cases, users leave the “default” values of its items.

Advantages

The program is available free of charge to all users (many similar service utilities for other hardware platforms are “closed” to ordinary users by the manufacturer);
Does not require installation;
The interface is not overloaded with unnecessary functions;
Works with a huge range of Android devices;
Built-in protection against gross user errors.

Flaws

Lack of Russian language in the interface;
In the absence of proper preparation of devices for manipulation and incorrect user actions, the utility can damage the software and hardware of the device being flashed, sometimes irreversibly.

SP Flash Tool is a program for flashing Android devices based on Mediatek (MTK) chips. Unfortunately, sometimes the quality of Chinese firmware leaves much to be desired, or even the manufacturer stops updating the phone altogether. Some functions stop working, the smartphone begins to discharge quickly, and you begin to want to buy a new one. Self-flashing using the popular SP Flash Tool program and a computer will help extend its life.

Possibilities

Pay attention! Unforeseen situations may occur during device firmware. The user performs all actions at his own discretion. Loading data using a third-party program may result in errors. You should first study the precautionary rules, detailed instructions on specialized forums and select a working version of the firmware of your smartphone. This is especially true for custom (created by ordinary users based on official) software. The manufacturer will refuse warranty service if “unofficial” interference with the operation of the device is detected.

The SP Flash Tool program has the following capabilities:

firmware/flashing with the original version of Android. Manufacturers often forget about their creations, even those released not so long ago. The Android version with new bells and whistles may not come to your phone. But if its characteristics allow it to be installed, then this can be done using a computer and the Flash Tool. There are also cases: the manufacturer himself adds his own innovations to the regular firmware. You can put a “clean” version if you don’t like them. Moreover, they work faster. Reflashing saves from system brakes by removing excess and accumulated garbage.
firmware with custom (unofficial) software. Special software from third-party developers improves performance, appearance and adds previously unavailable features.
obtaining Root rights (superuser). Opens up opportunities previously inaccessible to the average user. The manufacturer deliberately underestimates the phone's characteristics (for example, so that the volume level falls within the permitted values of special EU commissions) - this can be corrected.
installation of third-party Recovery. Allows you to make a backup copy or restore from it, install custom firmware, OS updates and fixes, format a memory card, etc.

Before flashing the firmware, you need to fully charge the phone, otherwise it will greatly drain the battery. And if it is not enough for the entire process, this will lead to errors or complete breakdown.

Pros and cons

Main advantages:

completely free and available to everyone (many similar programs for other platforms are not available to ordinary users);
works immediately without installation on a PC;
easy to use;
support for a wide range of Android devices;
protection against “serious” user errors.

Main disadvantages:

lack of Russian version;
Lack of preparation and incorrect actions can lead to errors or even complete failure of the device.

Download

SP Flash Tool can be downloaded for free from our website. This program will help “extend” the life of your favorite gadget. In case of the slightest uncertainty, it is better to consult the appropriate forum.