NOTE: Attempting the tutorial is done so at your own risk. Any time you modify your phone, the results are 100% your own responsibility. I recommend backing up any very important data, such as documents, pictures etc… to your PC or to the cloud prior to continuing. That being said, I’ve done this many times before without issue.
If you’re a veteran, you may only need to see steps 1, 4 and 5 and note you may need to use SP Flash 3.1344. If you’re a novice, you may want to read through all of the notes and steps.
Often it’s the case that a new ROM comes out, but it’s in SP Flash Tool format, or modifications have been made to the phone that make an OTA update not possible.
Usually the user is frustrated by this situation because it means starting over with installing apps, signing back into Gmail and chat accounts etc…
If rooted, it’s possible to backup all apps with their data and then reinstall when the new ROM has been flashed, but this also can be a long, frustrating process prone to failure.
Today I’m going to show you how to flash your MTK MediaTek Flash Tool ROM without losing your data and apps. In most situations it’s surprisingly easy and isn’t much different then how you would normally flash.
Even when switching over to a custom ROM or from a custom ROM, this tutorial is possible.
The first thing we need to do is obtain the scatter for the ROM you’re on now. This usually can be obtained by using MTK Droid Tool and creating a scatter (opens in new tab), or by downloading the ROM you’re currently on and using the scatter from that.
Why are we doing this? We’re trying to eliminate as many possible issues as we can. We don’t want to make this more trouble than it’s worth and indeed in the majority of cases, you can skip the above step and just use the scatter from the new ROM, especially if you’re upgrading from an official ROM to a newer version of the official ROM. However, in the unlikely event the ROM creator has made changes to where Android or different portions of the ROM are flashed, it can cause problems. For the parts of the ROM we’ll be flashing, it’s unlikely, but not out of the question, so it’s best to do as instructed in step one and acquire the scatter for the current ROM you’re on.
The next step is to open SP Flash Tool. You can get the latest version at www.chinaphonearena.com (opens in new tab), however for our purposes, it’s sometimes required to use SP Flash version 3.1344. Why? Because of unfortunate failsafes inherent to the newer versions of Flash Tool, they may not allow the flash to take place.
This is where the magic happens. Deselect the following portions of the ROM:
PRELOADER
MBR
EBR1
EBR2
CACHE
USRDATA
FAT
And leave:
UBOOT
BOOTIMG
RECOVERY
SEC_RO
LOGO
ANDROID
Why are we deselecting some and not others? What we want is the parts which form the Android system flashed, because these are portions of the ROM that may contain updates, but we don’t want to write over our user data or cache, which is the portion of the eMMC which contains our apps, pictures, movies, cache, data etc…
We don’t want to write over our EBR either. This is the portion of a ROM that tells Android how big our partitions are. In many cases, especially with custom ROMs, the partitioning is changed by the ROM creator, in which case we will lose phone storage if internal storage is expanded, and likely lose internal storage and phone storage if shrunk.
If you really wanted to simplify things further, you could deselect everything except for Android (system.img). However, occasionally there are changes made to the other areas in step 5 as well.
Now that you’ve got the various parts of the ROM selected and deselected, remove the battery from your phone for a second, then put it back in.
Click “Download” in SP Flash Tools. Then “Yes” to ignore the flash warning.
Connect your phone via USB to your PC/Notebook.
The preloader should trigger and you should see the ROM begin to download to your phone.
Once it’s finished, disconnect your phone and power up. After a couple of minutes you should get the “Android is upgrading” toast notification as it goes through and optimizes each app. In some rare cases, you may need to clear cache. This can be done from within recovery or with a 3rd party app from Play.
Bam! You’re done. Don’t forget to let us know in the comments how this tutorial worked out for you, and if you have a bit of knowledge (or looking to gain some), come by the forum and share the love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5H6EbaCKrw
NOTE: Attempting the tutorial is done so at your own risk. Any time you modify your phone, the results are 100% your own responsibility. I recommend backing up any very important data, such as documents, pictures etc... to your PC or to the cloud prior to continuing. That being...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5H6EbaCKrw
NOTE: Attempting the tutorial is done so at your own risk. Any time you modify your phone, the results are 100% your own responsibility. I recommend backing up any very important data, such as documents, pictures etc... to your PC or to the cloud prior to continuing. That being said, I've done this many times before without issue.
<strong>If you're a veteran,</strong> you may only need to see steps 1, 4 and 5 and note you may need to use <a href="http://download989.mediafire.com/x6hryz8778bg/8ksckokj1lehrbp/SP_Flash_Tool_v3.1344.0.212.rar">SP Flash 3.1344</a>. If you're a novice, you may want to read through all of the notes and steps.
<span id="more-7260"></span>
Often it's the case that a new ROM comes out, but it's in SP Flash Tool format, or modifications have been made to the phone that make an OTA update not possible.
Usually the user is frustrated by this situation because it means starting over with installing apps, signing back into Gmail and chat accounts etc...
If rooted, it's possible to backup all apps with their data and then reinstall when the new ROM has been flashed, but this also can be a long, frustrating process prone to failure.
Today I'm going to show you how to flash your MTK MediaTek Flash Tool ROM without losing your data and apps. In most situations it's surprisingly easy and isn't much different then how you would normally flash.
Even when switching over to a custom ROM or from a custom ROM, this tutorial is possible.
<ol>
<li>The first thing we need to do is obtain the scatter for the ROM you're on now. This usually can be obtained by <a href="http://www.chinaphonearena.com/forum/Thread-How-To-Make-a-scatter-file-MT6595-MT6582-MT6589-MT6592-MT6577-MT6589T-MT6572" target="_blank">using MTK Droid Tool and creating a scatter</a> (opens in new tab), or by downloading the ROM you're currently on and using the scatter from that.
<ul class="goodandroid">
<li>Why are we doing this? We're trying to eliminate as many possible issues as we can. We don't want to make this more trouble than it's worth and indeed <strong>in the majority of cases, you can skip the above step and just use the scatter from the new ROM</strong>, especially if you're upgrading from an official ROM to a newer version of the official ROM. <strong>However, in the unlikely event the ROM creator has made changes to where Android or different portions of the ROM are flashed, it can cause problems.</strong> For the parts of the ROM we'll be flashing, it's unlikely, but not out of the question, so it's best to do as instructed in step one and acquire the scatter for the current ROM you're on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The next step is to open SP Flash Tool. You can <a href="http://www.chinaphonearena.com/forum/Thread-Tool-MTK-SP-Flash-Tools-v3-1316-0-v3-1324-0-v3-1328-0" target="_blank">get the latest version at www.chinaphonearena.com</a> (opens in new tab), however for our purposes, it's sometimes required to use <a href="http://download989.mediafire.com/x6hryz8778bg/8ksckokj1lehrbp/SP_Flash_Tool_v3.1344.0.212.rar" target="_blank">SP Flash version 3.1344</a>. Why? Because of unfortunate failsafes inherent to the newer versions of Flash Tool, they may not allow the flash to take place.</li>
<li>Load your scatter as you would with a typical ROM flashing. If you're unfamiliar, you may want to <a href="http://www.chinaphonearena.com/forum/Thread-How-To-Flash-ROM-CWM-with-SP-Flash-Tool-On-MTK6595-MTK6592-MTK6589-MTK6582" target="_blank">see this thread for a bit more detailed info on how to flash a ROM</a> (opens in new tab).</li>
<li>This is where the magic happens. Deselect the following portions of the ROM:
<ul class="badandroid">
<li>PRELOADER</li>
<li>MBR</li>
<li>EBR1</li>
<li>EBR2</li>
<li>CACHE</li>
<li>USRDATA</li>
<li>FAT</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>And leave:
<ul class="goodandroid">
<li>UBOOT</li>
<li>BOOTIMG</li>
<li>RECOVERY</li>
<li>SEC_RO</li>
<li>LOGO</li>
<li>ANDROID</li>
</ul>
<ul class="goodandroid">
<li>Why are we deselecting some and not others? What we want is the parts which form the Android system flashed, because these are portions of the ROM that may contain updates, but we don't want to write over our user data or cache, which is the portion of the eMMC which contains our apps, pictures, movies, cache, data etc...</li>
<li>We don't want to write over our EBR either. This is the portion of a ROM that tells Android how big our partitions are. In many cases, especially with custom ROMs, the partitioning is changed by the ROM creator, in which case we will lose phone storage if internal storage is expanded, and likely lose internal storage and phone storage if shrunk.</li>
<li>If you really wanted to simplify things further, you could deselect everything except for Android (system.img). However, occasionally there are changes made to the other areas in step 5 as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Now that you've got the various parts of the ROM selected and deselected, remove the battery from your phone for a second, then put it back in.</li>
<li>Click "Download" in SP Flash Tools. Then "Yes" to ignore the flash warning.</li>
<li>Connect your phone via USB to your PC/Notebook.</li>
<li>The preloader should trigger and you should see the ROM begin to download to your phone.</li>
<li>Once it's finished, disconnect your phone and power up. After a couple of minutes you should get the "Android is upgrading" toast notification as it goes through and optimizes each app. In some rare cases, you may need to clear cache. This can be done from within recovery or with a 3rd party app from Play.<a href="http://www.gizbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/flash-rom-tutorial-Image20.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7273 size-large" src="http://www.gizbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/flash-rom-tutorial-Image20-450x253.jpg" alt="flash-rom-tutorial-Image20" width="450" height="253" /></a></li>
</ol>
Bam! You're done. Don't forget to let us know in the comments how this tutorial worked out for you, and if you have a bit of knowledge (or looking to gain some), come by the forum and share the love.
Damian Parsonshttps://plus.google.com/107879368390224447304admin@gizbeat.comAdministratorHi, I'm Damian Parsons. I've been working with Android phones since the first Droid came out. I'm fascinated by computers and technology. My first BBS were ran on an old Apple IIc and Commodore 64. I work hard to bring the latest updates to you every day - without all the boring fluff. Please subscribe to keep up on the newest China tech.
See our forum -> www.chinaphonearena.comGizBeat
bartolome -November 4th, 2015 at 11:35 pmnone
Comment author #40201 on Flash ROM upgrade firmware without losing user data cache by GizBeat
hi
can i use this steps to fix my phone
my phone is stock on logo
i already have all the tools but i cannot find the right scatter to my lenovo a316i phone
every time a use a downloaded scatter it always show me pmt error
hope you can help or give me advice pls
bartolomePublic CommentUserhi
can i use this steps to fix my phone
my phone is stock on logo
i already have all the tools but i cannot find the right scatter to my lenovo a316i phone
every time a use a downloaded scatter it always show me pmt error
hope you can help or give me advice pls
Damian Parsons -June 15th, 2016 at 12:51 amnone
Comment author #43931 on Flash ROM upgrade firmware without losing user data cache by GizBeat
Hello, try to boot to recovery and do a factory reset. This method is not always going to be 100% effective. Especially if there are big changes to the ROM.
Damian ParsonsMember of GizBeatAdministratorHello, try to boot to recovery and do a factory reset. This method is not always going to be 100% effective. Especially if there are big changes to the ROM.
AlcoK -November 19th, 2016 at 3:40 amnone
Comment author #46475 on Flash ROM upgrade firmware without losing user data cache by GizBeat
I tried many MT Flash Tools versions and…
I don’t have those choice listed to untick:
MBR
FAT
EBR1
EBR2
I don’t have those options to tick :
UBOOT
BOOTIMG
SEC_RO
ANDROID
Why !?
Tested those two versions bellow and much more!
SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1352 (with MOTA SIU Like feature)
SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1640 (current one)
AlcoKPublic CommentUserI tried many MT Flash Tools versions and...
I don't have those choice listed to untick:
MBR
FAT
EBR1
EBR2
I don't have those options to tick :
UBOOT
BOOTIMG
SEC_RO
ANDROID
Why !?
Tested those two versions bellow and much more!
SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1352 (with MOTA SIU Like feature)
SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1640 (current one)
Sid -November 1st, 2017 at 6:11 amnone
Comment author #60030 on Flash ROM upgrade firmware without losing user data cache by GizBeat
Hi Damian –
I have the same issue. My scatter file options are different to your screenshot. Would you be able to help if shared a screenshot of my scatterfile options here with you?My redmi pro is stuck in a bootloop and I am desperate to save photos/videos on it. It was on a Xiaomi eu rom before going into bootloop and I am now trying to move it to official China rom to fix the bootloop issue without losing my data. Many thanks.
Sid
SidPublic CommentUserHi Damian -
I have the same issue. My scatter file options are different to your screenshot. Would you be able to help if shared a screenshot of my scatterfile options here with you?My redmi pro is stuck in a bootloop and I am desperate to save photos/videos on it. It was on a Xiaomi eu rom before going into bootloop and I am now trying to move it to official China rom to fix the bootloop issue without losing my data. Many thanks.
Sid
raj -May 27th, 2017 at 8:40 pmnone
Comment author #53715 on Flash ROM upgrade firmware without losing user data cache by GizBeat
Thanks, it worked. My Mtk6582 chipset phone is stuck at logo screen .All user data is present after flashing by using above procedure.
rajPublic CommentUserThanks, it worked. My Mtk6582 chipset phone is stuck at logo screen .All user data is present after flashing by using above procedure.
hi
can i use this steps to fix my phone
bartolomePublic CommentUserhi can i use this steps to fix my phone my phone is stock on logo i already have all the tools but i cannot find the right scatter to my lenovo a316i phone every time a use a downloaded scatter it always show me pmt error hope you can help or give me advice plsmy phone is stock on logo
i already have all the tools but i cannot find the right scatter to my lenovo a316i phone
every time a use a downloaded scatter it always show me pmt error
hope you can help or give me advice pls
that’s great …….
shaheenPublic CommentUserthat's great .......Does it work for SAMSUNG galaxy phones esp the latest ones like S6, Note4/5. Please reply soon.
Sammy fanPublic CommentUserDoes it work for SAMSUNG galaxy phones esp the latest ones like S6, Note4/5. Please reply soon.my phone got a bootloop
anonymousPublic CommentUsermy phone got a bootloopHello, try to boot to recovery and do a factory reset. This method is not always going to be 100% effective. Especially if there are big changes to the ROM.
Damian ParsonsMember of GizBeatAdministratorHello, try to boot to recovery and do a factory reset. This method is not always going to be 100% effective. Especially if there are big changes to the ROM.Thank You So much!!!… EFFECTIVE! ;)
Juan AntonioPublic CommentUserThank You So much!!!... EFFECTIVE! ;)It WORK in Haier I70
Juan AntonioPublic CommentUserIt WORK in Haier I70I tried many MT Flash Tools versions and…
I don’t have those choice listed to untick:
MBR
FAT
EBR1
EBR2
I don’t have those options to tick :
UBOOT
BOOTIMG
SEC_RO
ANDROID
Why !?
Tested those two versions bellow and much more!
SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1352 (with MOTA SIU Like feature)
AlcoKPublic CommentUserI tried many MT Flash Tools versions and... I don't have those choice listed to untick: MBR FAT EBR1 EBR2 I don't have those options to tick : UBOOT BOOTIMG SEC_RO ANDROID Why !? Tested those two versions bellow and much more! SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1352 (with MOTA SIU Like feature) SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1640 (current one)SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1640 (current one)
Hello, this is to do with the scatter. The scatter doesn’t contain the info for these portions of the ROM.
Damian ParsonsMember of GizBeatAdministratorHello, this is to do with the scatter. The scatter doesn't contain the info for these portions of the ROM.Hi Damian –
I have the same issue. My scatter file options are different to your screenshot. Would you be able to help if shared a screenshot of my scatterfile options here with you?My redmi pro is stuck in a bootloop and I am desperate to save photos/videos on it. It was on a Xiaomi eu rom before going into bootloop and I am now trying to move it to official China rom to fix the bootloop issue without losing my data. Many thanks.
SidPublic CommentUserHi Damian - I have the same issue. My scatter file options are different to your screenshot. Would you be able to help if shared a screenshot of my scatterfile options here with you?My redmi pro is stuck in a bootloop and I am desperate to save photos/videos on it. It was on a Xiaomi eu rom before going into bootloop and I am now trying to move it to official China rom to fix the bootloop issue without losing my data. Many thanks. SidSid
Thanks, it worked. My Mtk6582 chipset phone is stuck at logo screen .All user data is present after flashing by using above procedure.
rajPublic CommentUserThanks, it worked. My Mtk6582 chipset phone is stuck at logo screen .All user data is present after flashing by using above procedure.