Today we are discussing how to unbrick any Android device with MTK (MediaTek) chip set. We are here talking about every Android device, but I will use the word Phone for ease of writing.
What is brick?
Getting Bricked is a state when your phone does not boot up (that means it doesn’t start) and gets stuck in a boot loop due to erroneous, incomplete or corrupted system files. Your smart phone is no more smart and is as useful as a brick.
How can my smartphone get bricked?
Your smart phone can get bricked while Rooting it, or flashing a Custom ROM, or porting a Custom Recovery in it. It is a problem which can be faced by any person by accidental deletion of any important system file.
Or it can also be caused by flashing or porting any damaged file.
How can I unbrick my phone?
Bricked Android
Material Required –
A working PC.
SmartPhone Flash Tools (SP Flash Tools).
SP Flash Tools is created by MediaTek Inc. and is a trusted software.
The following link will download the latest version of SP Flash Tools as on date 21 May 2015. Download it!
Android USB Drivers
These are needed to operate the Android device via your PC.
The following link will help you download the latest version of ADB Drivers as on date 21 May 2015. Download it!
A ROM.
A ROM will be required to flash and bring back to device to life. But remember flashing a Stock ROM (that originally came with the phone) will also help in getting your phone’s guarantee back; whereas flashing a Custom ROM (any other ROM) has a lesser chance of getting your phone unbricked and has nothing to do with its guarantee.
You can find it on your device’s forums.
Steps to unbrick your phone –
SP Tools 1
Charge your smart phone to approximately 50 percent or above battery level.
Switch it off and remove its battery, if possible.
Install SP Flash Tools and Android USB Drivers. Download them from above link given in their description.
Extract the stock ROM/ backup ROM from .zip file. Place the extracted folder to the desktop for ease of access.
Open the Device manager in PC. Go to Start > Run > devmgmt.msc.
Connect your phone to PC through data cable.
In the device manager, a yellow line would have appeared after the phone got connected. MT65xx preloader.
Right click on it and click Update. Browse to Desktop and click Next. A red box will appear, press Continue Installation.
Open SP Flash tool folder and click on Flash_Tool.exe.
Browse to the scatter File MT65xx_Android_scatter_emmc_PMT.txt in the folder of Stock ROM, which was earlier placed on Desktop. SP Tools 2
Make sure all the boxes are checked except USRDATA. Then press the Download button.
Then re – connect your mobile phone. You will notice some progress on the CPU screen in the form of blue and red colour.
After a while, you’ll get a Green circle.
Disconnect your phone. Plug in the battery and switch it on.
Enjoy your New and Alive smart phone.
Important Note, in case of failure –
During this process if you get any error, then try everything again, but this time, instead of using Download button use Firmware Upgrade button. Check all the files including USRDATA. Your Rom will get flashed. For any other errors you can ask us in the comments below.
That’s all folks.
Note – Un-brick your device on your own risk. TechGlobule is by no means encouraging any smart phone user to root, brick or unbrick or any such other activity to his/her phone.
Image source – djawir.com, beetelbite.com, forum.xda-developers.com and needrom.com.
Author – Abdul Rehman
Co – Author – Swapnil and Siddhant.
Today, we gonna discuss how to Hard Reset various devices including both Android and Apple iOS.
A quick summary of Recovery Mode
ClockWorkMod Recovery
Recovery is a limited boot (start-up) mode, independent of your normal Android operating system. In a recovery, you can back up, restore, install packages, wipe data, and do some troubleshooting on your Android device. The set of features available depends on the specific recovery installed. Generally, stock recoveries (which come pre-installed on your device) are the most limited. They typically only allow manufacturer updates to be performed and remain mostly invisible to the end-user. Rooted Android devices can change their Recovery.
Why do I need a Hard Reset?
Hard reset can be very helpful under certain circumstances, like when we forget the password of our smartphones and are unable to open it, or when to want to sell it to someone and don’t want her/him to recover any deleted data. In these or many other circumstances, Hard Reset is the best bet. It is also helpful if you are finding some problem or a nasty bug in your device which was not there earlier.
You may be thinking about what a Soft Reset is? A soft reset is simply a restart of a device by cutting the power supply of the device; it is used in case the device stops responding and is frozen. In some devices, soft reset also deletes the user data. But remember the data deleted through soft reset is recoverable. And someone may be able to recover your files, intruding your privacy.
How to hard reset my Android Device?
I’m writing this post for all the Android devices at once, because even if the method of going to Device recovery is different for every Android device but afterwards every step in all the devices.
Steps to Hard Reset an Android Device –
PhilZ Recovery
Make sure you have made a backup of your important or personal data present in your phone memory and saved it somewhere safe like Micro SD Card or your PC.
Eject your micro SD Card from the phone, if any. In some devices, a hard reset may format the SD Card as well.
First, enter into the recovery using the appropriate method. You may find a lot of options in there.
Using the Volume Down button, scroll down to the option of Wipe Data / Factory Reset and press the Power button. The power button is referred to the Lock / Unlock button.
Select Yes–delete all user data using the Volume Down button. Confirm the option by pressing the Power button.
After all your user data is deleted, select the option Reboot device; by using the Volume and power buttons.
Congratulations, you successfully reset your Android device, as a new device.
How to hard reset Apple iOS Device?
Steps to Hard Reset an iOS Device –
This method will delete all the Settings as well as user data and your device will be as such newly bought.
Open Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Your iDevice will reboot, it may take a longer than usual to reboot.
Congratulations, you successfully reset your iDevice as a new device.
That’s all folks.
Image Source – forum.xda-developers.com (Clock Work Mod Recovery), jdrakeproductions.com (Featured image) and Siddhant’s Micromax Canvas 2 Colors (PhilZ Recovery).
Today, we are going to tell you how to flash a custom recovery (Philz Touch) in any Android device with. Porting a Custom recovery is just a step ahead of this. It helps in getting more control on your Android device.
What is meant by a Recovery? Why should I use it?
Recovery is nothing but a medium or environment to change custom ROMs i.e. it helps the user to interactively change files in the operating system of a mobile device in an easier and convenient way. It can be compared to the BIOS of a Windows PC.
How to flash a recovery?
i) First and foremost, your device should be rooted before doing this. To know if your device is rooted or not, download Root Checker from the Google Play Store. To root your android device, you may prefer the Ways of Rooting post.
ii) Now you need to find your device’s recovery in your device’s forums. Or else you will have to port it yourself.
iii) Download and install the app named Mobile Uncle Tools from Google Play Store.
iv) Place your device’s recovery in root folder of your SD Card. (Just to find it easily while using it).
v) Open Mobile Uncle Tools > Recovery Update > *.img
vi) Tap “Flash Recovery”. After this step ,your device mayn’t respond for a while, it’s normal and nothing to worry.
vii) You will see a message “Recovery flashed. Reboot into recovery mode”. If you see this message, it means that you have successfully flashed the recovery image in your Android device.
viii) Tap “Yes”. You will be rebooted to your selected recovery. If you tap no, you will have to manually reboot into recovery mode.
Video Tutorial
You can also watch this video on our Youtube Channel. You can ask your queries or post any feedback in the comments below.
Today we are gonna discuss about how to change the Device’s ID, Android ID, SIM serial number and subscriber ID of any Android device.
Why should I change? Are there any benefits?
It has many advantages. Foremost benefit you can make your friends jealous by showing Android 5.5 in About Phone settings whereas in reality, it will be a lot lower.
Now practical benefits include, using coupon codes, many a times you can’t use a certain coupon code on your device just because you or someone else used a similar type of coupon code on your phone. This problem is caused because many apps such as PayTM, SnapDeal etc save your device’s ID and don’t let you earn from those hard-earned coupon of yours.
How to do so?
Prerequisites
First of all you will need a Rooted android device. To check if it’s rooted or not, install Root Checker. If it isn’t rooted, check our How to root post. If you have a rooted Android device, you will need the following apps to change your device’s ID and other such things.
All these apps add upto no more than 13.1 MB.
After downloading the above required apps. Follow these steps –
1. Launch the Xposed Framework, go to the “Framework” section and click on “Install/Update” > Reboot.
Install IMEI Changer app and change the IMEI of your device.
Note – But remember your original IMEI number for when any problem occurs.
In Xposed Framework App, go to modules section > enable Donkey Guard App and RootCloak App in it.
If you want a certain app, say Snapdeal to not know your root status. Open RootClock app > click on “Add/Remove Apps” > click on the plus sign on top right (to add any app) > Add Snapdeal from it. Similarly, you can add any app to this list.
After doing the above, open the HideMyRoot App and click on “Hide SU Binaries”.
Final step, now open Donkey Guard App and change “Android ID, Device ID, SIM Serial No. , Subscriber ID” (You can click on the pencil icon to generate new values automatically).
Today we are gonna discuss about a common Benchmarking tool which is widely used to benchmark phones and devices based on the ARM architecture, known as the Antutu Benchmark.
What is Benchmark?
With such rapid development in world of mobile devices, it is getting complicated for users to choose a dream device of theirs. Here comes, a Benchmarking app in vision, it will help a user to benchmark his or her device and get a specific score which one can use to compare his device to a variety of different devices in spite of many differences in both the devices, like different software, hardware, operating device etc.
Why is Antutu Benchmark better?
Antutu 5The benchmark applications Antutu Benchmark gives a device a very precise and accurate score on the basis of its performance in a variety of tests. It gives it score in every test. And adds the sum total of all tests to give the device its final score.
Unlike other benchmarks, it provides the user to choice to customize the number of test to run.
Did we mentioned, it’s free to use…
It tests the device by testing the following –
UX (Multitask, Runtime)
UX means the test of User Experience of the Device.
CPU
CPU means the tests of Central Processing Unit of the device.
GPU
GPU means the test of Graphics Processing Unit of the device. The graphics like screen resolution and gaming graphics (both 2D and 3D Graphics) are tested.
RAM
RAM means the test of Random Access Memory of the device. This memory is allocated to different applications to run in realtime.
IO (Storage I/O, Database I/O)
IO means the tests of Input and Output of the device. This test the storage speeds and database accessing speeds of the device. In simple words, it is the data transfer speeds of the device.
How to get it?
Antutu Benchmark is easily available for a wide range of devices. It can be downloaded for any Android device (Play Store), iOS Device (App Store), as well as Windows Phone (Windows Store). It is free to download on all the listed devices.
How to use?
Antutu Test
You can download for your device from the above download links.
Install Antutu Benchmark on your device.
Launch the app.
It will probably show a Test Button.
And a lot of tests to choose from. You should choose all for a better overall result.
Wait a for a few minutes.
After a process is complete, you will see the final score of your device.
User’s verdict
Over 50 million (that is 50,000,000) downloads of Antutu Benchmark have been done from the Google Play Store only.
Today we are gonna discuss about how to port Custom recoveries in an Android device. So, let’s start.
What is a custom recovery?
A custom recovery is a third-party recovery tool environment. Flashing (aka installing) this recovery environment onto your device replaces the default stock recovery environment. This is a bit like flashing a Custom ROMs like CyanogenMod — but, instead of replacing your device’s Android operating system, it replaces the recovery environment.
Why to install a custom recovery?
A custom recovery environment will do the same things as the stock Android recovery. However, it will also have additional features. Custom recoveries also have the ability to create and restore device backups. Custom recoveries allow you to install Custom ROMs. ClockworkMod even offers a “ROM Manager” app that allows you to access many of these features from a running Android system — this app requires a custom recovery installed to function properly.
How to port custom recovery?
First of all your Android device should be rooted to do this. To know if your device is rooted or not, download Root Checker from the Google Play Store. To root your android device, you may prefer the Ways of Rooting post.
Download TWRP/COT/PhilZ or CWM on your PC from any Mediatek device with same screen resolutions.
Today, we are gonna discuss the second most coined term by Android users that is Cyanogen Mod, which is only less than the term Android itself. We will try to cover every aspect of CynaogenMod in the following article….
What is Cyanogen Mod?
CyanogenMod is an enhanced open source custom ROM for Android devices.
Features supported by CyanogenMod include native theming support, FLAC audio codec support (which means it can play a larger variety of media file formats), a large Access Point Name list (which means better and easily configurable IP Address settings), an OpenVPN client, an enhanced reboot menu, supportfor Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB tethering, CPU over-clocking and other performance enhancements, soft buttons and other “tablet tweaks“, toggles in the notification pull-down (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS), app permissions management, as well as other interface enhancements. In many cases, CyanogenMod may increase performance and reliability compared with official firmware releases.
Difference between Android vs. CyanogenMod?
CyanogenMod 12
Once or twice a year, the Vanilla Android Open Source Project (known as AOSP) is internally developed, then released to the public, by Google. They give the source code to anyone who wants to download it. The CyanogenMod community, consisted mostly of unpaid volunteers and enthusiasts from around the world, downloads this newest Android code and “ports” it to dozens of new or old leagcy devices. At the same time, other CyanogenMod developers start adding features, fixes, and improvements that Google didn’t include to the CyanogenMod code, which benefits all the devices. The CyanogenMod community has a whole infrastructure for people to build and test experimental versions, report bugs, and contribute back to the source code.
Sometimes features that started in CyanogenMod have appeared in newer version of “official” Android update. And every time Android does a new “code dump” of their latest version, CyanogenMod benefits from Google’s changes.
In this way, CyanogenMod is one (but not the only) community distribution of what started as Vanilla AOSP. The Android community is vibrant, with numerous “modders” and “themers” and “performance enhancers” taking the source code and doing incredible things to it. Generally, there is a spirit of sharing knowledge and empowering people to experiment with controlling their devices, often giving old phones new life, and hopefully having fun in the process.
Why should one care?
CM is an open-source alternate OS intended to replace the one pre-installed on your smart phones and tablets.
If you’ve got an older device that isn’t getting updates anymore, or if your device seems unusually slow, or maybe you’re sick of spyware, adware, and other unwanted garbage on your phone that cam pre-installed and you can’t remove…
Maybe your device is missing features or has been otherwise artificially limited in functionality. Perhaps you just could use a boost in performance…
Or maybe you’d like to be more confident that your operating system has included some of the latest bug fixes…
If so, CM might be for you.
Why is it important or better than other alternatives?
The core ideas are the same throughout CM releases:
Secure
Light footprint
Bloat-free
Customizable
Open
This translates into an abundance of features that let you truly own your phone.
Today we are gonna discuss about the Xposed Framework which is often lauded as the Play Store of Rooted Android.
Xposed framework gives a rooted user the possibility to modify his/her Stock ROM (that is pre-installed ROM); without modifying any Application Package file (aka APK file or your Android apps) or installing any custom ROM.
Advantages of Xposed Framework –
No need to change any APK file that are Android apps. This means :
No need to decompile, do coding, compile, etc.
Modules (aka Mods) or tweaks are specific pre-coded changes which overwrite the coding of the existing ROM (aka OS). Your mods are not bound to a specific version of the ROM. Unless there is a major change in the methods called for a certain functionality, your mod will continue to work even when you upgrade your ROM. Many modules work for a lot of ROMs from different vendors.
Multiple mods can be installed at the same time, even if they change the same app or functionality. So you can use these battery icons and those quick toggles. Even hooking the same method twice is possible. Of course, this only works properly if the mods are not trying to do incompatible things.
It does its magic at runtime. That means that developers can add settings and do changes based on them (instead of forcing the mod to behave in a certain behavior).
It can be disabled easily via Settings.
It’s open source and any one can develop free Modules or tweaks etc.
Where to download?
You can download the installer of Xposed Framework from the following link of XDA Developers xposed.info/latest.apk.
How to use?
How to install?
i) After downloading the app, open > settings > security > check unknown sources. Then install the app in your phone.
ii) Open the app, go to the “Framework” section (dismiss the warning) and click on “Install/Update”.
iii) Reboot your device, if it doesn’t reboots automatically after the process.
iv) Done.
v) You can verify this by starting the Xposed Installer again and making sure that the numbers in the “Framework” section are green.
How to install Modules or Tweaks for your device?
Download any *.apk file (e.g. via the built-in repository browser) and install it.
Launch the Xposed Installer and go to the “Modules” section (you will also get there if you click on the notification warning you that the module is not enabled yet)
Enable the module by checking the check box.
Reboot your device.
Done!
{Optional Step} You can also install the framework and enable/disable multiple modules at once and reboot afterwards.
You can ask your queries or give us feedback through the comments.
Screenshots Gallery
That’s all folks.
Image source – rootzwiki.com (Featured image) and Abdul Rehman’s Samsung Note 2 (Screenshots)
Author – Abdul Rehman
Co – Author – Swapnil Jha
In an earlier post, we discussed about different ways of rooting. Today, we are gonna discuss about the method to root with Odin which is used to root devices running with Samsung chipsets. We will discuss every aspect of this exploit in brief. So, let us start.
What is Odin?
Odin After Recovery Odin Start Page
This software was developed by XDA Developers to root devices running with Exynos chipset which are the Samsung devices, using the Odin software’s exploit.
How to get Odin?
To use the Odin software to root your Samsung device, first you need to install Odin on your Windows PC, which is easily available to download via the following link of XDA Developers below the page along the list of compatible phone.
How to use Odin?
Download Mode Recovery Mode
Follow the following steps –
i) First you need to download Odin on your computer from above link.
ii) Then, you will have to download the recovery for your smartphone which can be easily available on XDA.
iii) Next, unzip all the files on your computer.
iv) Install Odin and then launch it.
v) You must turn off your Android device before connecting it to PC.
vi) Then, you must boot your handset into download mode by pressing Power button, Home button & Volume Down button simultaneously, in some phone models it may result it Recovery mode, take out the battery and plug it again. Then try booting in download mode by Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously.
vii) Then you may receive a warning. Press Volume Up button to dismiss it
viii) Odin must notice that you have connected your gadget, so you will see the “added” notification along with the ID:COM section which now would be blue, as in the latest version of Odin.
ix) {Optional step} In case you don’t notice the mentioned aspects, then you will have to start all over meaning that you must disconnect the devices, close Odin, reinstall the software and repeat the update / root process from the beginning.
x) As soon as everything is working as explained, you should open the “PDA” option and select the recovery which you downloaded in step (ii). It may have one of the following extensions *.tar, *.md5, *.smd, *.gz or *.tgz.
xi) In Odin, the re-partition box should stay unchecked (if it is checked, uncheck the same).
xii) Select “start” from Odin and wait while your phone is being rooted.
xiii) Finally, when the installation procedure is over on Odin you will see the “Pass” message displayed on the top.
xiv) Unplug the USB cord.
xv) Reboot and enjoy your rooted phone.
You can use the same method to flash (i.e install) its stock ROM, or any root.zip file. See screenshots for reference.
List of Compatible Phones
Odin v3.xx
Odin Pass Notification
*v3.xx versions should be compatible with all phones that work with v1.85* Download Odin 3.07
Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000
Samsung Epic 4G SPH-D700
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini I8190
Odin v1.85
Download Odin 1.85
Samsung Galaxy S Advance GT-I9070
Samsung Galaxy S 4 I9505 (Snapdragon 600 based version)
Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300
Samsung Galaxy S3 i9305
Samsung Galaxy S II I9100
Samsung Epic 4G SPH-D700
Samsung Galaxy S II I9100G
Samsung Galaxy S II I9100P
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v P7100
Samsung Galaxy Y S5360
Samsung Galaxy Y S5363
Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi P1010
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 P7300
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 P7500
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi P7510
Samsung Galaxy Y Pro B5510
Samsung Galaxy Note N7000
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket SGH-I727
Samsung Galaxy S II LTE SGH-I727R
Samsung Galaxy S II SGH-I777
Samsung DoubleTime SGH-i857
Samsung Captivate Glide SGH-i927
Samsung Galaxy S Glide SGH-i927R
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE SGH-i957
Samsung Infuse 4G SGH-I997
Samsung Dart SGH-T499
Samsung Gravity Smart SGH-T589
Samsung Galaxy Q SGH-T589R
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus SGH-T869
Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate 4G SGH-T959P
Samsung Hercules SGH-T989
Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus GT-S7500
SCH-I500 Mesmerize
SPH-M820 Prevail
SPH-M910 Intercept
SCH-R880 Acclaim
SCH-R910 Indulge
SGH-I897 Captivate
SGH-I997 Infuse
SGH-T589 Gravity
SGH-T839 Sidekick
SGH-T959 Vibrant
SGH-T959v Galaxy S 4G
SPH-D700 Epic 4G
SPH-D720 Nexus S 4G
SPH-M580 Replenish
SPH-M920 Transform
SCH-I400 Contunuum
SCH-I500 Fascinate
SCH-I510 Droid Charge
SGH-I917 Focus
Odin v1.83
Download Odin 1.83
Samsung Galaxy S I9000
Samsung Galaxy S II I9000
Samsung Galaxy SL I9003
Samsung Galaxy Giorgio Armani I9010
Samsung Google Nexus S I9020
Samsung Google Nexus S i9020A
Samsung Google Nexus S i9023
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000
Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi P1010
Samsung Galaxy Note N7000
Odin Multi Downloader v4.44
Samsung Galaxy W i81u50-T679M
Odin Multi Downloader v4.43
Samsung Galaxy S Plus I9001
Samsung Galaxy W I8150
Samsung Exhibit II 4G T679 (T-Mobile)
Samsung Galaxy W T679M (Bell)
Odin Multi Downloader v4.42
Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660
Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570
Samsung Galaxy Fit S5670
Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830
Samsung Galaxy Xcover S5690
Samsung Galaxy Y Pro B5510
Samsung Galaxy Pro B7510
Samsung Galaxy M ProB7800
Odin Multi Downloader v4.34
Samsung i5500 Europa
Samsung I5500 Galaxy Europa
Samsung Galaxy 551 I5510
Samsung I5700 Galaxy Spica
Samsung I5800 Galaxy Apollo
SamsungI7500 Galaxy
Note – Root your device on your own risk. TechGlobule is by no means encouraging any phone user to root his/her phone.
List source – XDA Developers
Image source – Abdul’s HP Laptop and Shubham’s Samsung Note 2.
Author – Siddhant Baranwal
Co – Author – Swapnil Jha and Abdul Rehman
In an earlier post, we discussed about different ways of rooting. Today, we are gonna discuss about the Boromir, Faramir and Barahir Exploits, which are used to root devices running with MTK Chipset. We will discuss every aspect of these exploits in brief. So, let us start.
What are Boromir, Faramir and Barahir exploits?
Framaroot installing notice
An exploit means exploiting of a loop-hole or security hole in an operating system. Framaroot was developed by XDA Developers to root devices running with MTK chipset using the Boromir, Faramir or Barahir exploit.
How to get it?
Installing Framaroot
To use the Boromir, Faramir or Barahir exploit to root your MTK device, first you need to install Framaroot, which is easily available to download via the following link of XDA Developers. Download it in your mobile itself. Here’s the link to the latest version of Framaroot till date (29 March 2015) – http://goo.gl/ty14v0.
How to use it?
Boromir, Faramir, Barahir Exploits
Follow the following steps –
i) After downloading the app, open > settings > security > check unknown sources. Then install the app in your phone.
ii) Open the app.
iii) As you are having the MTK device, the app will possibly show one of these – Boromir, Faramir or Barahir exploit.
iv) Choose anyone available exploit, it will show some instructions.
v) Select to install either SuperSU. You can also install SuperUser instead. They both are almost same in functionality.
vi) Tap on yes on all permissions it will ask for during the rooting process. They are usually harmless permissions which needs the user’s consent.
vii) Then it will ask your permission for reboot. Allow it.
viii) Then, your device will reboot. It will take 2-3 minutes more as compared to normal. As it will install apps like SuperSU.
ix) Then, check your apps, find SuperSU.
x) This app will act as a privacy manager and allow root permissions to only those apps which you will allow it to.
Now you are a Super User and enjoy your rooted phone (Qualcomm device).
List of Compatible Devices
Following is the list of compatible mobile smart phones which can be rooted with the above method.
Note – Root your device on your own risk. TechGlobule is by no means encouraging any phone user to root his/her phone.
Image source – wonganjuk.blogspot.in (Featured image) and Screen Shots provided by Siddhant Baranwal.
List source – XDA Developers
