How to Flash an Android Tablet

PDF download Download Article
Install new software on your Android device with this user-friendly guide
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will allow you to download and install programs from websites rather than having to go through the Google Play Store: [1]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Custom recoveries allow you to select a downloaded file from on your Android, thus making the flash possible.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once your tablet's charge is at 100 percent (or the tablet is plugged in), you can proceed with actually flashing the tablet.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Flashing Your Tablet

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pressing the "Volume Down" button will move the cursor down, while pressing the "Volume Up" button moves the cursor up.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-10.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The wording used here may be different depending on your custom recovery.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-11.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so will open the wipe data menu.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-12.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Select the yes option and press the "Power" button to do so.
    • It may take several minutes for your Android to finish wiping.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-13.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-14.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-15.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will select the install option.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-16.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Again, you may see a differently titled option here, but the principle is the same across custom recoveries.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-17.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-18.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-19.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-20.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-21.jpg\/aid4439765-v4-728px-Flash-an-Android-Tablet-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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.
    16. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • 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.
    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 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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Widgets on Android
      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      4 Simple Ways to Turn Off Safe Mode on Any Android
      How to
      Find Your Phone Number on Android
      3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
      How to
      Connect Android Phone to Computer
      How to
      Copy an Entire Text Conversation on Android
      How to
      Change Number of Rings on Android
      6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
      The Ultimate Guide to Hiding Caller ID on Android
      A Guide to Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
      2 Ways to See If Someone Read Your Text Messages on Android
      Advertisement

      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.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 357,121 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement