SP Flash Tool - Basic User Guide
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SP flash tool is an application that will help you flash firmware, custom recoveries, and also helps fix devices that no longer boot up. This application is for Windows and Linux and will flash MediaTek Android devices. You can find more info about SP Flash Tool here: SP Flash Tool Website This guide will help you install the necessary drivers, and setup SP Flash Tool so you can flash firmware files to your MTK device. This tutorial is made for the GPD XD+ but may be used for most MTK devices.
Reasons to use:
- Flashing to Android stock-ROM (scatter based)
- Flash Custom ROM (scatter based)
- Flash TWRP Custom Recovery
- Make sure you read and agree to the disclaimer before you proceed.
- Have a Micro USB wire. Make sure it is a good wire. Any break in the flash process can brick your device.
- View the attached video at least once before you follow the tutorial.
Install Mediatek Drivers
- Extract the Mediatek_USB_Driver_Auto-Installer zip file.
- Run the installer file that is extracted from zip by right clicking the .exe file and click on "Run as Administrator". ( the exe file that comes out of zip = Mediatek_Driver_Auto-Installer.exe )
- Click on "Install"
- You may be asked to disconnect any usb devices. Click "Yes" to continue.
- Click on "OK" when asked to restart computer.
- Click on "Finish"
- Restart your computer.
Install SP Flash Tool
- Extract the SP Flash Zip.
- Move the SP Flash Tool folder into your C:/ drive. The directory for SP Flash Tool exe should be something like C:\SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1824_Win\flash_tool.exe
Flash Firmware files using SP Flash Tool
This process is used to install firmware( roms ) or to replace certain firmware files. You could switch out your boot.img for a patched one for use with Magisk. This is also how you would install TWRP. You switch out recovery.img with TWRP recovery.
- Make sure your firmware files are unzipped and ready. You will have img files and a txt (scatter) file inside.
- Double click on flash_tool.exe inside of your SP Flash Tool directory. Should be similar to : C:\SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1824_Win\flash_tool.exe
- Next to "Scatter-loading File" is a button. Click on "choose".
- [ Scatter File Selection ] - Load the scatter file included in your firmware package. It will be the txt file included. Some firmware packages may have several scatter files for different configurations for the flash. Make sure to pick the right one according to the package details. (for example CleanROM.txt )
- [ Flash File Selection ] Select the check-boxes for the files that will be flashed. For firmware flashes it will usually include all files. For Custom recovery the "recovery.img" is usually the only checkbox selected.
- [ Flash Method ] - Select the proper method of installation. This should be included in the guide for the installation. If not "Download Only" is usually the default.
- Format All + Download
- Firmware Upgrade
- Download Only
- Click the "Download" green arrow at the top to start the flashing process.
- [ Before you connect the GPD XD+, make sure it is powered all the way down. OFF ]
- Connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.
- If you see a battery charging icon or nothing is starting when you connect, try connecting the GPD XD Plus while holding vol+ button.
- The flashing process will finish once you see a green circle with a white check-mark. You can disconnect your device.
Format Device - Full Wipe using SP Flash
You will not want to use this method as a normal install method. Only use this if you are specifically instructed to.
- Double click on flash_tool.exe inside of your SP Flash Tool directory. Should be similar to : C:\SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1824_Win\flash_tool.exe
- There should 5 tabs at the top. Select "Format". Settings should be:
- Auto Format Flash
- Format whole flash
- Click on "Start" under the blue arrow.
- [ Before you connect the GPD XD+, make sure it is powered all the way down. OFF ]
- Connect the GPD XD Plus ( Do not have the GPD XD Plus connected before this point )
- If you see a battery charging icon or nothing is starting when you connect, try connecting the GPD XD Plus while holding vol+ button.
- The formatting process will finish once you see a green circle with a white check-mark. You can disconnect your device.