How to Flash an Android Tablet

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Install new software on your Android device with this user-friendly guide
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This wikiHow teaches you how to install a custom software version on your Android tablet, which is helpful when restoring a fresh version of the Android operating system or another operating system entirely. In order to do this, your tablet must be rooted, and your tablet will be wiped of all current information during the process.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing to Flash

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  1. Back up your tablet. Before you flash your tablet, you should make sure that all of your vital data is backed up to a secure location. This will make sure that you can recover the data if your tablet crashes or becomes unstable.
  2. Root your tablet if it hasn't yet been rooted. You'll need your tablet to be rooted, which is the Android equivalent of a jailbreak, in order to install custom software.
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  3. This will allow you to download and install programs from websites rather than having to go through the Google Play Store: [1]
    • Open
      Android 7 Settings App
      Settings
    • Tap Security or Lock screen and security
    • Tap the grey "Unknown sources" switch
      Android 7 Switch Off
    • Tap OK if prompted.
  4. Custom recoveries allow you to select a downloaded file from on your Android, thus making the flash possible.
    • Open
      Android 7 Chrome
      Chrome.
    • Enter your Android's model number and custom recovery into Chrome.
    • Find a reputable download site .
    • Find and tap the Download button.
    • Tap the "Download complete" notification.
    • Tap INSTALL
  5. Once you've installed the custom recovery on your tablet, the only thing left to do is download the ROM (Read-Only Memory) file of the software that you want to install. This will depend on your exact tablet model number, so type the model number followed by custom rom into Chrome and search for the software just like you did for the custom recovery.
    • If given a choice, download the ROM in a ZIP folder rather than any other folder format.
    • Don't tap the notification that appears once your ROM finishes downloading.
  6. Once your tablet's charge is at 100 percent (or the tablet is plugged in), you can proceed with actually flashing the tablet.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Flashing Your Tablet

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  1. Press and hold the "Power" button until a menu appears, then tap Power off . On some tablets, you'll have to tap POWER OFF or SHUT DOWN to confirm this decision.
  2. The way to access recovery mode will vary depending on your tablet's manufacturer, but you'll usually press a combination of buttons (e.g., the "Power" button and the "Volume Down" button) at the same time to do so.
    • If you don't know how to place your tablet in recovery mode, check the website from which you downloaded the custom recovery earlier.
  3. Pressing the "Volume Down" button will move the cursor down, while pressing the "Volume Up" button moves the cursor up.
  4. The wording used here may be different depending on your custom recovery.
  5. Doing so will open the wipe data menu.
  6. Select the yes option and press the "Power" button to do so.
    • It may take several minutes for your Android to finish wiping.
  7. If possible in your custom recovery, select the wipe cache partition option and press the "Power" button to select it, then confirm the decision.
    • Failing to wipe the cache partition may result in errors later.
    • If you can't find a cache partition option, your cache partition was most likely wiped during the wipe data process.
  8. It should be near the top of the screen, but your custom recovery's layout will dictate where the option appears.
    • Your custom recovery option might have slightly different wording.
  9. This will select the install option.
  10. Again, you may see a differently titled option here, but the principle is the same across custom recoveries.
  11. This will open the Downloads folder on your SD card, which is where the ROM that you downloaded earlier should be.
    • You may first have to select and open the SD card's main directory, which is usually a folder entitled 0/ at the top of the screen.
  12. Depending on how many items you've downloaded onto your tablet, you may need to scroll down for a while before you find the ROM's name.
  13. Select yes and press the "Power" button to begin flashing your tablet.
    • The flashing process can take several minutes. Do not touch your Android during the flashing.
  14. Once you see the phrase "Install from SD card complete" displayed at the bottom of the screen, return to the main custom recovery window, select the reboot option, and confirm the decision to reboot your Android.
  15. Since your tablet is now essentially factory-new, you'll need to select location information, your preferred language, and other setup options before you can enjoy your newly flashed Android.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How many times can I flash my Android tablet?
    Community Answer
    You can flash your tablet any time you want (if you don't make mistakes like installing an incompatible "ROM").
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 10
  • Question
    How do I connect my phone to my pc?
    Community Answer
    Plug it into the PC with a USB cable, then, depending what you are doing, you can unlock developers options and enable USB debugging to root your phone via KingoRoot, etc.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
  • Question
    My tab was automatically switched off and automatically restarted. What happened?
    Community Answer
    You may have had a "bootloop." If you have a recovery, go to it and wipe cache, but not wipe data (or you will lost ALL personal data like pictures). Next, restart your device.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/android-basics-enable-unknown-sources-sideload-apps-0161947/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Back up your data.
      2. Power down the tablet.
      3. Boot into recovery mode.
      4. Select the wipe data option.
      5. Confirm.
      6. Wipe other partitions if available.
      7. Select Install from ZIP .
      8. Select Choose from SD card .
      9. Select the ZIP file.
      10. Reboot the tablet.

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