Having an Android smartphone or tablet is like giving candy to a little baby: you just can’t stop from tweaking, changing, customizing and optimizing the internal system and OS. That’s why I think that all the Android users had performed, at least once, complex operations like
rooting, installing custom ROMs,
replacing the stock recovery, unlocking the bootloader and so on, on their devices and this without knowing that the procedures are unofficial and risky tasks. Therefore, don’t get surprised if after applying one of the mentioned operations, you will notice that there is something wrong with your handset.
Usually and the most common issues that might occur are: your phone / tablet gets stuck in a boot loop, the handset boots only into recovery mode, your smartphone can be entered only in bootloader mode, you can’t properly install a custom ROM and different errors are being displayed while trying to fix the mentioned problems.
Well, during the present step by step guide I will show you how to easily fix the most common issues related to the Android OS and bringing you device back to life. Actually I will explain and detail four methods that can be anytime used by those who had bricked their Android based smartphones / tablets, all being described in an easy to understand way, so everyone can understand what to do and how to apply the guidelines for fixing the problems in the shortest time possible.
So, if you have managed to brick your Android device and looking for a suitable and easy method to fix the problems, then you are in the right place. The methods explained below will resolve the booting loop problems along with other issues so don’t hesitate and use our guidelines. But first do remember that the solutions described during the following lines might, or might not work for your smartphone / tablet; also we shouldn’t be held responsible if you can’t fix your Android handset.
Do take note that operations like
rooting, installing a custom ROM and so on are unofficial ones and by completing the same the warranty of your device gets voided. Therefore, at this point, your phone comes without warranty. That’s why you need to first try to fix your device before heading to your retail.
Your handset is stuck in a boot loop
Well this is the most common issue when talking about Android devices. Also, the problem can be easily fixed as you only have to wipe the system of your device. Usually, the boot loop problem is occurring when flashing custom ROMs; you should know that after updating with the firmware, a wipe is being required. If you somehow skip the wipe, your phone will keep rebooting.
Now, on this method we assumed that you have installed a custom recovery image on your handset: like CWM recovery, AmonRA, TWRP recovery and so on. Well, use the recovery for wiping the system of your handset and for resolving the boot loop issue. Be aware though as each device can be entered in recovery mode differently; usually you need to press a combination of buttons (for example on Samsung you need to press Volume Up and Home buttons) while Powering up your tablet / smartphone. Once the recovery mode entered you need to select:
- Use the Volume keys in order to navigate through the recovery menu.
- Select “advanced” and choose “wipe dalvik cache”.
- Return to main menu.
- Then select “wipe data factory reset”.
- Return and this time choose “wipe cache partition”.
- Return and select “reboot system now”.
- Your handset should start in Android OS now.
So, there you have it; now the boot loop problems should be resolved and you should be able to safely use your custom ROM firmware.
Your handset boots straight to recovery mode
In case after flashing a custom ROM, your handset enters right to recovery mode, then you can try to wipe the system and see the results. But, most likely the wiping solution will not work here. You see, if your device is stock in recovery mode, then it means that you have flashed the ROM inadequate, or there is something wrong with the ROM you choose.
Therefore, you will have to re-install the firmware on your phone, or to choose another software suitable with your smartphone / tablet. Now, during the following list I will show you how to properly update your Android device with a custom ROM firmware.
- First backup the data that is saved on the internal storage memory of your smartphone.
- Enable the USB debugging option on your handset.
- Download the update file on your computer; don’t unzip the file.
- Remember that your device must be rooted and installed with a custom recovery image.
- Place the ROM file from the computer to your phone’s SD card.
- Then turn off your device and reboot it into recovery mode.
- From recovery mode wipe the system as showed during the previous method.
- Then return to the recovery menu and select “install zip from sd card” and “choose zip from sd card”.
- In the end reboot your phone.
- Do note that if your handset gets stuck in a boot loop you will have to reboot into recovery mode once more for wiping the internal system (the cache, the dlavik cache and wipe data factory reset).
So, now you know how to properly install a custom ROM firmware. Remember to check all the details related to the update you are choosing are usually, the unofficial versions of the Android system are coming with bugs and issues and that’s why you might end up in bricking your Android device and as you cans see fixing your handset is taking some time.
Your device is booting straight to bootloader mode
On this case the only way in which you can resolve the problem is the stock Android OS. Yes, unfortunately you will have to flash the official Android firmware on your device. In this way you will be able to restore the stock restrictions and default settings and your smartphone / tablet will be restored to its initial state.
Of course, if your handset is rooted, after flashing the stock ROM, the root access will be revoked and the bootloader relocked. The best though is that you will be able to restore the lost warranty and the default Android system with stock features, apps and capabilities.
Now let’s see how you can update or downgrade different devices to stock / official Android firmware:
For Samsung:
- You need to use a Windows running computer, where you will have to download Odin and the update file.
- Unzip both files and also install and run Odin.
- Furthermore, on the PC the smartphone’s drivers must be installed; you can use Samsung KIES for completing the same.
- Then, reboot your handset in download mode (usually by pressing on Volume Down, Power and Home buttons) and connect your device with the computer.
- From Odin now select “PDA” and pick the update file.
- Press “start” and wait while the software is being applied.
For HTC:
- The HTC stock ROMs are dubbed as RUU and the same can be flashed straight from bootloader mode.
- So, get the RUU specific file for your device and place the same on the SD card.
- Rename the file into something like PG05IMG.zip.
- Then as soon as you reboot your device the firmware should be flashed automatically, from HBOOT, HTC’s bootloader.
For Motorola:
- On your computer you will have to use RSD lite, which is a program similar with Odin, but in this case, it is suitable on with Motorola’s handsets.
- So, download and install RSD Lite.
- Also install the phone’s drivers on your computer.
- Download the update file on your computer.
- Turn off your device and connect it with the computer.
- Reboot your handset into bootloader mode.
- Launch the RSD Lite program.
- Pick the .sbf file from the computer and start the flashing process.
- In the end the device will reboot into Android; don’t unplug the USB cable until you are sure that the Android system is booted; if not re-do the update operation until it works.
If anything isn’t working for you, format your SD card
There might be situations when the up described guidelines won’t fix your bricked Android device. Well, in that case, there might be problems with your handset’s SD card – as you could notice on all the methods from above the SD card was used. You see, after using your SD card for a while, it might get corrupted, meaning that you will stock data on it without obtaining any kind of result.
So, you might resolve your problems by formatting the SD card. Of course, then you will have to return here and resume the tutorial from the beginning for fixing your bricked smartphone / tablet.
Formatting the SD card is easy and can be completed in a minute. All you have to do is to take the SD card, place it on your computer, or on an SD card reader. Wait while your PC is recognizing your SD card and then right click on the drive and select “format”. That’s all.
Well that was how you can easily resolve the most common issues that might occur while trying to tweak your Android powered handset. So, now you know how to fix your bricked smartphones / tablets. Do share your impressions and experience with us and with other users by using the comments area from below and also tell us if you had encountered other problems while using your device. Also, stay close for receiving further Android tips, tricks and step by step guides.
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