How to restore the Android system on a smartphone: several ways and useful tips

If you use Android improperly, your device may become completely inoperable. This can also happen if the operating system fails. Here, we will explain how you can restore your Android phone using either software or a computer.

Causes of system damage

Android OS provides built-in protection against external interference and ensures a high level of operational reliability. The majority of malfunctions are due to user error:

• The most common cause of failure is incorrect firmware actions. This can range from the simple installation of incompatible software to a power outage during the update process. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution and care when installing modified versions of the OS.
• Virus infection is a relatively uncommon cause of malfunctions. Malware can damage system files, causing Android to cease functioning.
• Performing a Hard Reset on Samsung – After performing a factory reset, access to the encrypted SD card will no longer be possible. Samsung devices running Android 6.0 and newer have this feature to enhance data storage security. The memory card will become unreadable on another device, and the decryption keys will be erased after the Hard Reset.
• Issues with the hardware aspect of the device. Components like RAM and others can malfunction due to overheating, accidental drops, or water damage.

To revive a smartphone after a firmware failure, there are several ways:

1. By flashing the phone using programs provided by manufacturers. This method allows you to reflash the device with the official version of Android, which can be downloaded from a forum or a specialized website.
2. By installing a custom Recovery and performing the firmware with its assistance, you can recover the phone if the built-in Recovery was damaged along with the operating system.
3. By using third-party software for Windows, it is possible to install a custom OS modification and restore the phone to a working state, even if it was previously considered a "brick".

Programs from the manufacturer of the smartphone

If your Android device fails to boot up, you can still connect it to a computer and use special software programs to flash it. Let’s take a look at the process using the official Samsung utility called Kies.

Important: Please refrain from attempting to flash other smartphones using Kies.

1. First, download the Kies program from the official website and install it on your computer. Then, connect your non-functioning smartphone to the PC and enter Recovery mode. On most Samsung devices, you can do this by pressing and holding the Volume Down, Home, and Lock buttons for 5-7 seconds. Once the Android icon appears on the screen, release the volume control button and wait for the device to enter Recovery mode.
2. Next, in Kies, navigate to the "Features" section and select the disaster recovery option. This will open a new window for you to proceed.
3. If there is a problem with the connected device, you can easily identify its model by selecting from the drop-down list. The name of the device will be displayed along with the reason for the failure, such as "Error installing system update".
4. To fix the issue, simply copy the provided Recovery code into the designated field and click on the "Recover" button. Wait patiently until the recovery process is finished.

If the code was not provided by the program, proceed to the next approach.

Using a custom Recovery

In cases of severe failure, the operating system may not be the only thing that goes wrong. The recovery process can also fail, necessitating the installation of the modified software after the operating system is fixed.

1. To fix these issues, start by downloading the SP FlashTool utility onto your computer. Then, connect the malfunctioning device to your PC using a USB cable.
2. Next, visit the CWM Recovery website and locate the correct version of the file for your specific device. Save this file to your computer.
3. In the "Scatter Loading" section of the SP FlashTool utility, provide the full path to the downloaded file. Uncheck all options except for "Recovery" and click "Download".
4. Wait for the CWM installation process to finish.

Once you have finished the installation, you can proceed with the recovery process.

• Save the files to your memory card using the SD card reader slot. Then, insert the memory card into your smartphone and enter Recovery mode.
• Perform a Hard Reset, and then choose "Install ZIP from SD Card".
• Click on "Choose ZIP from SD Card", and confirm the flashing process with the specified archive.
• Wait for the flashing process to complete. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes.

Once the process is finished and your device has rebooted, your Android should be up and running again.

To revive the system, there are universal recovery programs you can utilize. Let us bring the "brick" back to a functional state by utilizing the Odin utility:

• Download and install Odin on your computer. Retrieve the appropriate Android files.
• Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable. Access the Recovery mode.
• In the PDA section, indicate the location of the installation files, then click "Start". Please wait for the process to be completed.

If you don’t have a Samsung device, you can use FlashTool.

• First, you need to install Flash Tool on your computer and then connect your smartphone using a Micro-USB cable.
• Afterward, go to the "Scatter Loading" tab and indicate the path to the downloaded data. Make sure to uncheck the "Preloader" option.
• Next, click on the "Download" button and patiently wait for the procedure to be completed. Please keep in mind that the initial power-on after the firmware update may take up to 10 minutes.

Important! Please note that FlashTool might not be compatible with all device models. It is especially important to exercise caution when using the utility with Chinese gadgets.

Backups and recovery

To avoid any unpleasant situations with the system and prevent data loss in the future, you have the option to utilize specialized applications.

Please note that to fully utilize the programs mentioned below, ROOT access and a SuperSU client (preferably) are required.

• Titanium Backup is one of the original backup applications. It allows you to backup program data, notes, and messages. Additionally, it provides a scheduled backup feature. Furthermore, all the backed-up information can be easily synced with Google Drive, ensuring its safety.
• Easy Backup & Restore is a utility designed to quickly create backups and save them to cloud storage services such as One Drive and Dropbox. The main advantage it has over Titanium Backup is the availability of a Russian language interface.

Note: Certain Sony models, particularly Xperia S and Xperia Z, may not be compatible with backup programs. The manufacturer has inexplicably removed the necessary functionality from their system.

It is highly recommended for all experienced Android users to install backup applications. Creating backups ensures that important information is securely stored and, in the event of a system failure, valuable data will not be lost.

Conclusion

There are various ways in which Android can become disabled, such as due to incompatible firmware, errors during the update process, or as a result of a virus infection. Unfortunately, recovering the system can be a time-consuming process and may not always guarantee a successful outcome. Moreover, in many cases, personal files and data may be lost during the recovery process. To avoid this, it is advisable to use backup utilities to securely store your apps and information in the internal memory.