How to update Android on Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 (Black)

How to find out the current Android version on Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 (Black)

Before installing updates, it is recommended to check the current firmware version. It is possible that the latest Android is already installed on your phone, and an update is not required.

To view the current version you need:

Open your smartphone settings.
Go to the “About phone” section.
Find the “Android Version” item.

This section will indicate the current firmware version. At the beginning of 2021, the current OS is Android 10, but very soon Google will release the next Android 11 update.

Why update the firmware on your Android smartphone?

The reasons are different for everyone, the main thing is that in new firmware the manufacturer corrects bugs and shortcomings.

The problem is with the quality of the pictures, even if you have a good camera.
Poor display response to touch.
I would like to see the new Android Pie 9.0.
I'm tired of the old version of Android and want new features and capabilities.
The phone doesn't want to turn on.
The phone battery has stopped charging.

Preparatory stage

Despite the fact that each subsequent firmware version brings a lot of new functions, after the update some smartphones are unstable. This happens when the user ignores the preparation step.

Before installing updates on the Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 (Black), you need to meet 2 basic requirements:

charge your smartphone at least 30%;
perform a factory reset.

And if everything is clear with the first point, then the second raises many questions for some people. Resetting to factory settings completely deletes files from the smartphone's memory. This allows you to avoid errors when installing updates.

Of course, no one wants to lose personal data, so before resetting you need to create a backup:

Open settings.
Go to the "Storage and Backups" section.
Click on the Google Drive heading.
Activate the backup.

Performing these steps will result in the backup file being uploaded to cloud storage. After updating Android, it can be restored.

If there is not enough space on Google Drive to save all the data, it is recommended to create a backup copy through the “Backup and Restore” item. The resulting file should be moved to another device (for example, a computer) during the flashing process, and after the process is completed, return it back to the phone’s memory.

If the backup has been successfully created, you can safely proceed to restoring the phone to factory settings:

Launch device settings.
Go to the "Backup and Reset" section.
Select “Reset settings”.
Click the Reset Phone button.
Confirm the operation.

Now you need to reboot your smartphone, and then proceed directly to the process of installing new firmware.

"Filling" the system

The next step is to run the flash_tool.exe program. In the Download Agent window you need to specify MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin from the directory of the flashing application. In the window below you need to select a markup file - the so-called scatter. This is the key point. Anyone who is interested in how to flash Chinese tablets should have at least a general understanding of this. Depending on the processor modification, the mentioned file may have different names. So, for modern mass-produced models it is called MT6582_Android_scatter.txt. You cannot substitute this file from other devices, even with the same processor. With rare exceptions. Otherwise, you will have to learn not only how to flash Chinese tablets, but also how to restore them from a “brick” state.

If everything is done correctly, a list of detected files (Preloader, MBR...) will appear in the main window. Here, a little higher, you can select the flashing mode. This can be Firmware Upgrade, Download Only or Format+. The second one is the least destructive. Most often this is what you need to use. Regardless of the correct preparation, we recommend that you always uncheck the Preloader block.

When all this is done, you need to click the Download button. The program will go into standby mode. You need to connect the tablet to the computer and watch the download process. If everything went well, then you can close the program window, disconnect the tablet from the computer and turn it on. After the software upload operation, the initial download takes a long time, up to several minutes.

Methods to update Android on Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 (Black)

The Android operating system can be updated in different ways. There are both classic and alternative options. It is recommended that you review the update methods in the order in which they are presented in this material.

By air

This is the easiest and most common way to update your phone. The main condition, in addition to completing the preparatory procedures, is the presence of an Internet connection.

To install a new Android, you will need:

Go to device settings.
Go to the “About phone” section.
Select "System Update".
Click the “Update” button.

Next, the phone will automatically search for updates. If they are available for this model, you will be prompted to download the firmware file and click the “Install” button. After this, the device will reboot and will be ready for further use.

Manually through settings

This option is suitable for cases when the smartphone cannot find an update over the air. To install the latest firmware version, you will first need to download the installation file from the developer’s official website. After placing the zip file in the device memory, you need to do the following:

Open phone settings.
Go to the system update section.
Click the button with three dots, and then click on the heading “Select firmware file.”
Specify the folder where the zip file was saved.
Confirm installation of updates.

The further process will not differ from the one presented earlier in the over-the-air updates. That is, the smartphone will reboot, and after installing the firmware it will be ready for use.

Manually via Recovery Mode

This option is similar to the previous method due to the fact that the firmware file must first be downloaded to the phone. But otherwise the process will be very different, since installation will require going to the engineering menu (Recovery Mode).

To go into recovery, you need to turn off the device and hold down the power button and the top volume rocker for a few seconds. If nothing happens, you should change the combination to the power button and the bottom rocker.

Provided that everything is done correctly, the recovery menu will light up on the screen. To navigate it, use the volume buttons, and confirm the action by pressing the power button.

You need to select “Reboot system now” if you want to update over the air. The “Apply update from ADB” parameter is responsible for installing the firmware from the internal storage, and the “Apply update from SD card” parameter is responsible for installing the firmware from the memory card. Having selected the appropriate item, all that remains is to confirm the operation and wait for the process to complete.

Firmware selection

In order to replace control programs, you should carefully read the existing information on the Internet. Typically, owners create multi-page threads of specialized forums for each device, where problems and their solutions are discussed. It is there, in particular, that you can find instructions on how to flash Chinese tablets, as well as the firmware itself. We recommend that you read everything carefully.

Firmware is a set of files that are written to the gadget’s internal storage and form the operating system. Inside it, among other things, there are drivers that control hardware components. In case of an erroneous selection and loading process, the gadget may stop turning on, becoming a so-called “brick”. Firmware for Chinese tablets is selected not only by name, but also by revision. Let's give an example. Let's take the 3450DUO model. There are modifications B and W, which differ in the display driver. By downloading the operating system for W to the 3450DUO/B, the user will receive a dark screen. Next we will consider solutions based on MTK processors.

We revive a famous fake

To work you will need to download the Phoenuxusbpro program. It is available with both Chinese and English interfaces. First, in the application menu you need to select the desired image - firmware and open it with the Open command. The tablet is disconnected from the computer. When you press the Start button, the icon color will turn green. On the tablet, hold down Volume +, connect it to the USB port, and press the Power button. The “filling” process will begin. When a success message appears, you can disconnect the cable. That's all - the tablet can be checked.

Fake

Unfortunately, not all mobile devices with o can boast of high quality and stable operation. Very often, gadget owners ask about how to flash a Chinese n8000 tablet. Well, if someone has this copy of a Samsung model in their hands, then one can only sympathize. Of course, we are not talking about any 64 GB of internal memory and 2 GB of RAM. At best, this fake has a modest 512 MB of cells on board for running programs and 1.5 GB of built-in storage. And, what’s really sad, it often stops working after a few months, even with careful use.

Still, there is a solution! Below we will tell you how to flash a Samsung Galaxy n8000 tablet. The method, of course, is not a panacea, since absolutely any “filling” can be inside the branded case. Therefore, what works in one case turns out to be completely useless in another.

Important points

When learning how to flash a Chinese Samsung tablet or any other, you should remember that:

When downloading a program from a laptop running on battery power, it is possible that the USB ports are turned off due to the battery charge dropping below a critical level.
Sometimes the UBOOT block is not flashed and the tablet does not start. The problem lies in the fact that the scatter file contains the path to uboot.img, and the list contains lk.bin, which is what it is, but renamed.

Some models of tablet computers and smartphones refuse to be flashed due to the peculiarities of connecting to a computer. In this case, immediately after connecting to the USB port, you need to press and hold the Power button along with the volume rocker up.
To avoid failures, it is recommended not to connect the gadget to the ports on the front panel of the personal computer system unit.

Determining the Hardware Configuration

The tablet must be carefully opened. There is always a designation on the motherboard, for example Mapan MX913 DC. It must be discovered and remembered (written down). You should also determine the type of touchscreen controller, sound chip and processor. You need to start looking for firmware for these components. For example, the touchscreen could be GSL3680, the wireless module could be RTL8188ETV from Realtek, and the processor could be the common Allwinner A13.

Note that all of the above will not apply to MTK in this case. Let's figure out how to flash a Chinese Samsung (tablet).