Questions tagged [device-firmware]
For questions concerning the device firmware (as opposed to e.g. the 'radio-firmware'). See the full tag wiki for details, explanations, and hints.
296
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21
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7
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If I buy an Android phone today and want security updates for as long as possible, how should I choose a phone? I'm willing to use custom ROMs.
Background
Quite a few software developers offer special "long-term support" (LTS) or "extended-support release" (ESR) editions of their products. You install the product once and get security ...
14
votes
2
answers
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Will updating to Android 7.0 cause my phone to lose all its application data ? If so, how can I prevent this?
I own a Nexus 5X, and I wish to update the device firmware from Android 6.0.1 to Android 7.0. When I do this, will it wipe all my phone data (i.e. essentially perform a factory reset) ? I know that my ...
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11
votes
8
answers
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Samsung Galaxy S stuck upgrading firmware. Should I unplug my phone? Should I keep on waiting?
I tried to upgrade my firmware on my Samsung Galaxy S using Kies
The Firmware upgrade appears to have gotten stuck.
Kies says
Upgradeing firmware... Do not disconnect a mobile device from the PC ...
- 1,381
10
votes
4
answers
181k
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LG phone seemingly stuck on "Firmware Update"
This may or may not be off-topic; feel free to point me to a better place to ask this.
My father brought home a cell phone he found in the woods, and I thought I'd charge it and turn it on to see if ...
- 201
9
votes
1
answer
5k
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Alarm which could Ring even when Device is Off
Android smartphones are smarter than traditional mobile phones in all aspects, but I am unable to find this smartness in one aspect: In those classic mobile phones, there was an option to ring the ...
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7
votes
2
answers
775
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What determines power management policies in Android?
I am just approaching to the Smart Phone and Android world and have a couple of doubts:
Which modules (and SW or FW?) decide the policies with which power is
given to any component of the Smart ...
- 183
7
votes
3
answers
23k
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If I install a ROM that doesn't exactly match my phone, will it work at all?
As you know, manufacturers of popular mobile phones often times will release a modified " clone " version of their mainstream models. Often these clone models will be re-released models that are ...
- 117
6
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3
answers
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What is yakju, gn, yakjuxw, takju etc?
I'm in the market of buying a Nexus 7, and these are what I understand some kind of firmware/maker identification. Can someone please explain all the different names?
Google sadly wasn't much help ...
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6
votes
1
answer
166k
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Find when device was activated [duplicate]
I am trying to figure out when my devices (tablet, tv dongle, etc) were activated. Is there a place (in google account settings, device files, anywhere) this data can be obtained?
My devices are ...
- 1,133
6
votes
4
answers
80k
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How to restore the IMEI number on the Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505? (IMEI=Unknown, Baseband=Unknown, Sim Card Not Detected)
Information:
Hello, I lost my IMEI number on my Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 today and I would like to restore my original IMEI back to my phone. I still have my original IMEI of my phone written down. ...
- 4,000
5
votes
2
answers
56k
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How to restore the stock firmware to the Asus Zenfone 2?
Asus Zenfone 2 (Z00AD, ZE551ML)
I have downloaded the stock firmware from here. But how to flash it? This guide tells me to put it on an external SD card and boot into "update mode" by pressing Power ...
- 1,211
5
votes
1
answer
13k
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Why are there different versions of each firmware for different country?
For example why is there different version of the same fimware but for different countries? e.g. version 2.1 for Canada, version 2.1 for US, version 2.1 for international/generic. What does ...
- 1,795
5
votes
2
answers
6k
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Galaxy S not responsive after an aborted firmware update
I just bought this Samsung Galaxy S, installed the Kies software, then it automatically downloaded an update for my phone. I plugged in my phone and it began the update.
After a few seconds the ...
5
votes
2
answers
124
views
Is there a way to preserve my configuration between firmware updates?
I had some apps installed on my Galaxy S2 and configured them on screen the way I liked to have them.
Today, the firmware got updated (it looks cool) and all my installed apps are gone from my ...
- 647
5
votes
3
answers
76k
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Why has my Android firmware upgrade been stuck at 0% for an hour? (Samsung Galaxy Ace)
I'm using Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830.
More than an hour ago, Samsung-Kies prompted me to install a firmware update.
It downloaded the required files and then proceeded to the actual upgrade.
Now, ...
user4292
5
votes
2
answers
13k
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What is the baseband and do i need to update mine?
I have a Samsung galaxy note which I've rooted and installed Cyanogenmod. I've always been using Cyanogenmod and always used the inbuilt updater.
My radio has been giving me trouble. For example I ...
4
votes
2
answers
3k
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Samsung S Galaxy II (i9100): possible with stock Google Android OS?
I'm in the market for a new Smartphone. Except for iPhone's, I'm new in the field and probably have some misconceptions.
My first choice was the Google Nexus S, but I was offered a great deal on the ...
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4
votes
1
answer
4k
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Where is the baseband firmware stored and how does Android interact with it?
My searches on the web didn't provide suitable answers to these questions:
1) Where is the baseband firmware stored?
My understanding is that this particular firmware is a RTOS built for the ...
- 345
4
votes
2
answers
949
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Are Android updates signed with Google's private key or other signing techniques?
I noticed that Android pops automatically for new updates and patches.
Are these updates signed so that the device knows it's from the official publisher and not from some server spoofer?
- 165
4
votes
1
answer
5k
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Are Samsung firmware updates regional?
Silly straightforward question: are updates to Samsung devices firmware regional, meaning that US may get an update earlier than South America or EU?
Also: who controls those updates? Do they depend ...
- 246
4
votes
1
answer
4k
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Is a phone's ROM and Firmware the same thing?
I have heard of Custom ROMs and Custom Firmware, are they the same thing? If not, whats the difference?
- 19.3k
4
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1
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5k
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Is it possible to run a Firmware Over The Air update server?
Is it possible to run a Firmware Over The Air update server?
and is it possible to configure stock devices to point at it?
- 141
4
votes
1
answer
27k
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How to update my Vodafone 858 Smart? [duplicate]
I have a Vodafone 858 Smart, a branded Huawei U8160 running Android 2.2 Froyo.
If possible, how can I update its firmware to Android 2.3?
- 41
4
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1
answer
1k
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Signing Firmware
I have successfully created my own custom firmware and loaded it onto a phone. But I was wondering why I didn't need to sign the firmware before loading it, or was it signed with a debug key similar ...
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4
votes
1
answer
17k
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Extracting firmware from a device for reflashing?
OK, so I have a Ubislate 7C+ tablet, and it's screwed up and the Wi-fi is unusable. See Tablet won't connect to any WiFi network anymore, always shows "saved" for details on the problem.
...
- 209
4
votes
1
answer
718
views
how long does an OTA update normally take?
I am using the Oxygen ROM on my LG P500 (Optimus One) and I just did an OTA Update and the ohone restarted and it has been in a flashing mode every since, the bar is at about 15% for the past 30 ...
- 316
4
votes
1
answer
15k
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How do you find out what changes there are in new firmware?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 running ICS 4.0.3. It has desktop software with it called Kies for managing the phone and when I plugged it in today it told me that there was new firmware available:
...
- 142
4
votes
1
answer
35k
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I got some files to flash Samsung stock ROM, how to use them with Odin?
My original problem is at https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/214200/.
You can simply ignore my original problem since it's kinda not related to this question. Just share some backgrounds.
...
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4
votes
1
answer
18k
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Odin error : NAND Write Start!! FAIL! (Auth) can't flash stock rom SM-G530H
Can't complete the Stock ROM flash on my galaxy grand prime SM-G530H. The following error is shown inside the Odin message box.
<ID:0/010> Added!!
<ID:0/010> Odin v.3 engine (ID:10)..
&...
- 11
4
votes
0
answers
40
views
What considerations govern working with the /firmware partition?
In some recovery options (such as ClockworkMod recovery's advanced options on some devices), there is a Format /firmware option. I have searched for descriptions of this partition, but have found ...
- 141
3
votes
1
answer
7k
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How to install a firmware without losing your data and restore the previous one in case it goes wrong?
I have a OnePlus 5T and I can't install OTA updates anymore because my firmware is too old. In addition to that I don't have a full backup of my device because I'm using encryption and TWRP doesn't ...
- 337
3
votes
1
answer
269
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What are important things to look for when choosing firmware?
I just got a Pandigital eReader and I'm browsing the firmware options(official and hacks). What are important things to look for when choosing firmware? Is there anything important to look for?
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3
votes
1
answer
35k
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What happens when I wipe the internal storage of a device using TWRP?
When I wipe the internal storage using TWRP recovery, does this fully wipe the contents of the phone's hard disk, leaving a blank, unformatted space? After doing this, will I be able to restore the ...
- 762
3
votes
2
answers
4k
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Galaxy S2 no USB Conenction after firmware update
I just got an automatic firmware update for my Galaxy S2
Android 2.3.6
I9100GXXKL4
Kernel 2.6.35.7 dpi@DELL164 #2
GINGERBREAD.XXLB1
Now the USB connection does not work anymore and I cannot continue ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
2k
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Odin not allowing firmware to be flashed
I'm following the instructions here to try and upgrade the firmware to I9000XWJS8:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846913
As soon as I hit start it does nothing, as you can see in ...
- 1,103
3
votes
1
answer
214
views
How can I determine the latest released firmware for my Samsung device?
This problem eludes me. I have two Samsung Android devices, a Galaxy Tab 10.1 and a Galaxy S2. I keep'em up-to-date using the update option in the settings panel, however, I think I'm not always ...
- 246
3
votes
1
answer
193
views
What's in an update?
My Samsung Galaxy S2 just updated to version I9100XWKI4. Is there a place where I can see what's in that update? And in the ones before that?
All I could find was a blog post from a site that shows ...
- 369
3
votes
1
answer
469
views
Compile JellyBean's Keyboard for ICS Rom
I tried creating an Image with a JellyBean's LatinIME.apk, replacing ICS's LatinIME.apk, in system apps folder of ICS ROM, but it crashed. But when I put it in preInstalledApk folder, it got compiled ...
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3
votes
1
answer
10k
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Flashed a new firmware, now wifi won't turn on
last night I installed SlimKat on my rooted S3 (SGH-I747M, Canada Bell) and I had no network connection, so I donwloaded the Samsung original firmware from SamMobile.com. I flashed it on and ...
- 37
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votes
1
answer
3k
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update.zip just for fixing file permissions, possible?
I soft bricked my colorfly g808 by following this guide (Japanese)
http://bl.oov.ch/2012/12/android-421-mvno-sim.html
I didnt do it using adb shell but using a terminal emulator in the phone itself, ...
- 131
3
votes
2
answers
9k
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Does the IR Blaster on an Android phone receive as well as send?
Is the IR Blaster communication two-way or only one-way? I have seen many remote control apps for my Android phone but none that learn from an existing remote.
- 208
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votes
1
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10k
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What exactly happens when I use Kies to perform a "Firmware upgrade and initialisation"?
I bought an unlocked Telstra Samsung Galaxy S3 4G, and it's loaded with some Telstra software. I wanted to get rid of those, so I loaded up Kies and it gives me the option to perform a "Firmware ...
- 53
3
votes
2
answers
219
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How to recover glitching Galaxy S9?
The bad
Last week I totaled a Galaxy S9's screen which I owned for over two years. I liked the phone so I headed up on Facebook market to look for another one.
I discovered a phone that I liked and ...
- 129
3
votes
0
answers
48
views
how to get details from a particular Samsung firmware
I need to extract some information from a given Samsung S7 Galaxy firmware such as build number, if it is 64-bit or not, baseband full version of the ROM. I am using Ubuntu with heimdall. Is there ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
577
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Moto E (1st Gen) Bootloader Unlocking
There was some problem with my 1-yr-old Moto E 1st gen. It got dead and after some time the dead android guy appears with some red-blue thing on its chest. It appears for half a second. I pressed ...
- 31
2
votes
4
answers
64k
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Error: Secure Check Fail : aboot, when trying to update firmware on Samsung Galaxy Core Prime using Odin
The things I did to update firmware from Android 4.4.4 to 5.0.2:
Installed latest Samsung usb drivers for mobiles
Installed latest Samsung kies and through that I installed device drivers.
...
- 121
2
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Manually create A/B partitions
I have a Xiaomi Mi 6X which is the Chinese version of A2. There is a way to convert it into A2, but OTA updates won't work because 6X has only A partition. I'm not sure, but I've read, it is possible ...
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2
votes
7
answers
26k
views
Kies dies when trying to update Galaxy Note firmware
I downloaded and installed Kies in my Windows 7 laptop. (Toshiba Satellite.) I plug the phone in the USB, it is recognized and its storage shows in Explorer. Then I run Kies. It says there is a ...
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2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the equivalent of UEFI/BIOS in Android?
I'm having the hardest time finding the name of Android's equivalent of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).
Maybe they are specific to each manufacturer? I am specifically looking for ...
- 247
2
votes
1
answer
859
views
What do the different device/code names mean?
Most devices seem to have multiple "names" depending on the context, e.g. marketing, updates or rooting. For example:
Huawei P8 lite (actually, not specific enough since there are at least two ...
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