Many owners of budget and old flagship smartphones are faced with a situation where the operating system stops receiving official updates. Version Android 5.0 Lollipop or 5.1 no longer supports many modern applications, requiring a minimum Android 7.0 Nougat. This causes a natural desire of users to “upgrade” their device manually in order to return it to relevance and access to new functions.
The process of changing the operating system version without official support from the manufacturer is called custom firmware. This is a complex technical process that requires care, as it involves interfering with the system memory sections of the device. Unlike a regular update via Wi-Fi, here you will have to search for and install the firmware files yourself.
Before taking action, you need to honestly assess your skills and risks. If you've never worked with the command line or drivers, the process may seem daunting. However, by following clear instructions, you can significantly extend the life of the gadget, receiving not only a new version Android, but also an increase in performance.
Assessing compatibility and searching for firmware
The first and most critical stage is to find the appropriate software specifically for your model. There is no universal firmware that would suit all devices based on processors MediaTek or Qualcomm. You need to find the exact model name, which is often different from the marketing name on the box.
You can use system commands or special utilities to obtain information about the exact model and version of the processor. Go to the phone menu and enter the code ##4636##in the dialing field. In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information”, where the exact device code will be indicated.
⚠️ Attention: Installing firmware designed for a different model or revision of the motherboard is guaranteed to lead to a “brick” - a state where the phone stops responding to any actions. Always check the board revision codes.
Search for files should be done on specialized forums, such as 4PDA or XDA Developers. In the thread of your device, look for topics with the words Custom ROM, LineageOS or Resurrection Remix. It is these projects that most often support older devices, providing current versions of Android where the manufacturer has already given up.
It is important to pay attention to the build status. Stable versions are marked as Stable, while Beta or Nightly may contain errors leading to data loss or unstable operation of the communication module.
Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining SuperUser rights
Standard Android protection prohibits the installation of unverified software. To bypass this limitation, you need to unlock the bootloader (Bootloader). On devices from different manufacturers, this process is different: it requires waiting for 7 days and an official utility, and on many other smartphones you just need to enter the command via Xiaomi requires a wait of 7 days and the official utility, and on many other smartphones it is enough to enter the command via ADB.
To work, you will need a computer with the package installed. Android SDK Platform Tools. Connect your smartphone in USB debugging mode and enter the command adb reboot bootloader. Posle perekhoda v rezhim Fastboot vvedite komandu razblokirovki, kotoraya obychno vyglyadit kak fastboot oem unlock ili fastboot flashing unlock.
- 🔓 Cdelayte polnuyu rezervnuyu kopiyu dannykh, tak kak razblokirovka zagruzchika polnostyu stiraet vnutrennyuyu pamyat ustroystva.
- 🔋 Ubedites, chto zaryad batarei sostavlyaet ne menee 60-70%, chtoby ustroystvo ne vyklyuchilos v kriticheskiy moment.
- 📥 Install all the necessary drivers for your smartphone model on your computer in advance.
After successful unlocking, you need to obtain superuser rights (Root). For older versions of Android (5.0-5.1), a utility is often used KingRoot or flashing a special image via fastboot boot twrp.img. Nalichie root-prav daet polnyy kontrol nad faylovoy sistemoy, chto neobkhodimo dlya zameny sistemnykh razdelov.
Chto takoe Bootloader i pochemu ego blokiruyut?
Zagruzchik (Bootloader) — eto nebolshaya programma, kotoraya zapuskaetsya do vklyucheniya operatsionnoy sistemy. Manufacturers block it to prevent malware from being installed and to protect the warranty. Unlocking removes these restrictions, but formally voids the warranty.
Installing custom recovery (TWRP)
The standard recovery menu (Recovery) only allows you to reset to factory settings. To install the new version of Android 7.0, we will need an extended menu, the de facto standard for which is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). It can mount memory partitions as disks, work with ZIP archives and make full backups.
The TWRP installation process occurs through a computer. Download the image .imgcreated specifically for your model. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and run the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-your-model.imgImmediately after flashing the firmware, do not boot into the system in the usual way, since the custom firmware can overwrite the recovery. Hold down the key combination (usually Volume Down + Power) to enter the recovery menu.
If after installing TWRP the menu does not start, try immediately after entering the fastboot flash recovery command, run the command fastboot boot twrp-your-model.img to boot into it once for the initial settings.
In the TWRP menu, first of all, swipe to allow modifications. Then go to settings (Settings) and disable signature verification (Disable DM-Verity) and bootloader lock (Force Flash), if such options are available. Eto predotvratit tsiklicheskuyu perezagruzku posle ustanovki novoy sistemy.
Podgotovka faylov i ochistka razdelov
Prezhde chem ustanavlivat Android 7, neobkhodimo podgotovit faylovuyu sistemu. The old version 5.1 uses different data structures, and simply overwriting files will cause errors. A complete cleaning of the partitions is required Data, Cache and Dalvik Cache.
Copy the firmware file (usually an archive .zip) and the file GApps (Google services package, since clean firmware does not have them) to a memory card or to the internal memory of the device. Make sure that the files are not damaged during downloading.
☑️ Checklist before installation
In the TWRP menu, go to the section Wipe and select Advanced Wipe. Check boxes Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data and Cache. Do not touch the partition Internal Storage, otherwise you will lose the installation files. Click Swipe to Wipe to start cleaning.
⚠️ Attention: Section
EFSorModemcontains unique identifiers of your device (IMEI, MAC addresses). Ni v koem sluchae ne formatiruyte eti razdely, inache vy poteryaete vozmozhnost podklyucheniya k sotovoy seti i Wi-Fi, i vosstanovit ikh budet krayne slozhno.
Protsess ustanovki Android 7.0 Nougat
Teper perekhodim k neposredstvennoy ustanovke. In the TWRP main menu, select Install. Find the previously copied archive with the firmware and click on it. A confirmation slider will appear on the screen - swipe it.
The process of unpacking and writing files will begin. The operation log will be displayed on the screen. Ne preryvayte protsess i ne otklyuchayte kabel, dazhe esli kazhetsya, chto telefon «zavis». After completing the first archive, do not boot into the system.
Immediately repeat the installation procedure for the second archive - GApps. Select the file that matches the Android 7.0 version and your processor architecture (usually ARM or ARM64). The Google services package is integrated into the system, adding the Play Market and the necessary libraries.
| Component | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| ROM | The operating system itself (LineageOS, AOSP) | Critical |
| GApps | Google Services (Play Market, Maps) | High |
| Su/Add-on | Add-on for preserving root access | Average |
| Firmware | Basic drivers (modem, Bluetooth) | Critical |
If the firmware developer indicated the need to install an additional add-on to maintain root access (for example, Magisk or SuperSU), install it third in line. After this, you can proceed to the final stage.
First launch and initial setup
Return to the main menu and select Reboot → System. The first launch after changing the Android version may take from 5 to 15 minutes. This is normal as the system optimizes applications and creates a cache.
If you see the Android logo and then the desktop, congratulations, the operation was successful. Now you need to configure the device again. Go to the settings and check the Android version in the section About phone —it should say Android 7.0 or higher.
Please Please note that after the update, some applications may become unstable due to changes in the system API. In this case, it is recommended to clear their cache or reinstall them again. It is also worth checking the operation of the communication and GPS modules.
The first launch of a new system always takes longer than usual due to the Dalvik cache optimization process. Be patient and do not try to reboot the device at this moment.
In some cases, the interface may look unusual, since custom firmware often uses a shell different from the stock one. You can install any launcher from the Play Market to return the usual look.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the successful installation, software failures may occur. The most common problem is “bootlap” (cyclic reboot). If the phone keeps rebooting at the logo, you need to go back to TWRP and perform a hard reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset), then repeat the installation.
Another common error is no connection or Wi-Fi. This indicates incompatibility of the radio module (firmware). You need to find and flash a separate archive firmware.zipcorresponding to your basic version before installing the system itself.
- 🔥 If the phone gets very hot, the firmware kernel may not be optimized for your processor.
- 🔋 Rapid battery drain is often treated by installing another kernel or disabling unnecessary ones services.
- 📱 The touchscreen may not work correctly if the drivers in the new firmware differ from the stock ones.
In case of critical errors when TWRP stops starting, the mode EDL (for Qualcomm) or Download Mode (for Samsung/Exynos), which allows you to flash a stock image through special utilities on a PC.
What to do if the IMEI is missing?
If the IMEI disappears after flashing, it means the NVRAM or EFS partition was damaged. You can restore it only from a backup made BEFORE the start of all manipulations, or by flashing the EFS block with the original dump found on the forum for your model.
Is it safe to update Android 5 to 7 manually?
The process carries risks. If you don't make a backup or select the wrong file, your phone may stop working. However, if you strictly follow the instructions for a specific model, the risk is minimal.
Will the warranty be void after flashing?
Yes, in 99% of cases, unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root access will void the manufacturer's official warranty. Software counters (for example, Knox on Samsung) can be permanently blocked.
Is it possible to go back to Android 5?
Yes, to do this you need to find the original Stock ROM for your model and flash it through the computer, having first unlocked the bootloader (if it has not locked itself).
Why do you need the GApps package?
Most custom firmware (AOSP) do not contain Google services due to licensing restrictions. Without installing the GApps package, you will not have Play Market, YouTube and contact synchronization.