How to save firmware from an Android phone: a complete guide for beginners and advanced users

Saving Android firmware is a critical step before any manipulation of the system: from manual updating to unlocking the bootloader. Without a backup, you risk losing not only user data, but also the ability to return the phone to a working state if it fails. This article will help you figure out how to properly create a firmware backup on devices from Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other brands - taking into account the characteristics of each manufacturer.

We will look at both standard methods (via recovery and ADB), and alternative solutions for devices with an unlocked bootloader. We will pay special attention to the nuances: why backup via TWRP does not always save you, how to bypass manufacturer restrictions, and what to do if the phone does not turn on. If you are planning experiments with custom firmware or just want to be on the safe side before visiting a service center, these instructions are for you.

Why you need to save the firmware: 3 scenarios when a backup will save your phone

Many users think about backing up the firmware only after the phone turns into a brick. Meanwhile, there are at least three situations when system backup becomes the only way to avoid expensive repairs:

• 🔄 Failed update. Even official OTA updates sometimes break devices. For example, owners Samsung Galaxy S20 after upgrading to One UI 5.1 faced endless reboots - without a firmware backup, it was possible to restore functionality only through a service center.
• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader. On devices Xiaomi, Huawei i Google Pixel this procedure erases all data, including the partition /system. Without a backup copy, you will even lose the opportunity to roll back to the factory firmware.
• 🛠️ Repair or replacement of components. Service centers do not always use original software. After replacing the display or battery on iPhone (yes, this also applies to Android devices with similar protections), a warning about a “non-original part” may appear - a firmware backup will help return the original state.

It is important to understand the difference between a backup user data (photos, contacts, messages) and backup firmware. The first can be done through Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, and the second requires special tools. The firmware includes:

• 📱 System kernel (boot.img)
• 🗃️ System partitions (/system, /vendor)
• 🔑 Bootloader (recovery, bootloader)
• ⚙️ Modem software (modem, radio)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with a locked bootloader (most smartphones out of the box), creating a full backup of the firmware is impossible without unlocking. Attempt to read system partitions will result in Permission denied errors in ADB or TWRP.

Method 1: Standard recovery (for beginners)

If your phone supports creating backups via standard recovery (stock recovery), this is the simplest method. However, it is not available on all devices. For example, Samsung and Google Pixel do not provide such a function, and on Xiaomi it may be hidden.

To check for the option:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the combination buttons to enter recovery (usually Power + Volume up, but on Sony Xperia it can be Power + Volume down).
3. In the recovery menu, look for the item Backup or Backup & Restore.

If there is an option, follow the instructions on the screen. Usually the process takes 5-15 minutes, and the result is saved to the internal memory or SD card in the folder /TWRP/BACKUPS/ (yes, even in standard recovery).

⚠️ Attention: Backup through standard recovery often creates incomplete copies, excluding critical sections like modem or efs. This method is not suitable for a complete system recovery.

Method 2: TWRP - a universal solution for unlocked devices

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to create full backups of the firmware, including boot partitions. However, to use it you need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (OEM Unlock in the developer settings).
• 📱 TWRP support for your model (check on official website).
• 💻 Computer with installed drivers ADB i Fastboot.

Instructions for installing TWRP and creating a backup:

1. Download the TWRP image for your model (for example, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-redfin.img for Google Pixel 5).
2. Connect the phone to the PC in Fastboot (hold Power + Volume down when turning on).
3. Run the command:

   fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-redfin.img
   fastboot reboot recovery

4. In the TWRP menu select Backup, check all sections (especially Boot, System, Vendor, Modem) and start the process.

The result will be saved in the folder /TWRP/BACKUPS/[serial_number]/. The main advantage of TWRP is the ability to restore the firmware even if the phone does not turn on (provided that the bootloader is not installed). blocked).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Samsung Galaxy S22 s One UI 5.0+) installing TWRP can lead to a trigger KNOX and loss of warranty. In addition, after updating the system via OTA, custom recovery often crashes - you will have to reinstall it.

Method 3: ADB Backup - partial backup without root

If unlocking the bootloader is not possible (for example, on corporate devices), you can try create a backup via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method does not require root access, but has serious limitations:

• ✅ Works on any Android device with USB debugging enabled.
• ❌ Does not copy boot partitions (boot, recovery).
• ❌ Many manufacturers (including Huawei and Xiaomi) block backup of system applications.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

   where:

   • -apk — backup applications,
   • -shared —data on the SD card,
   • -all —all supported data.

The file backup.ab will be created in current folder on the PC. To restore, use:

adb restore backup.ab

Critical nuance: ADB Backup does not save the firmware in the usual sense - only user data and some system settings. This method is not suitable for fully restoring the system after a failure.

Method 4: Fastboot - backup firmware for devices with a locked bootloader

Method Fastboot allows you to create a firmware dump even without unlocking the bootloader, but does not work on all devices. For example, Google Pixel and OnePlus allow reading partitions, but Samsung and Huawei —block.

Instructions:

1. Install Fastboot and drivers for your device.
2. Switch the phone to mode Fastboot (usually Power + Volume Down).
3. Get a list of available partitions:

   fastboot getvar all

4. Create a dump of each partition separately. For example, for boot and system:

   fastboot flash boot boot.img
   fastboot flash system system.img

   However to read, you will need the command:

   fastboot dump boot boot.img
   fastboot dump system system.img

Ready images (.img) can be flashed back later using the same commands. The main disadvantage of the method is manual work with each section. For automation, use scripts like fastboot_enhance (available at GitHub).

Section	Description	Importance for backup
boot	Kernel and ramdisk	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
system	Main Android OS	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
vendor	Drivers and proprietary software	⭐⭐⭐⭐
modem	Modem firmware (communication, GPS)	⭐⭐⭐⭐
efs	IMEI and serial numbers	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Dynamic Partitions (Android 10+) disk layout may vary. For example, Google Pixel 4 instead of system is used super. To work with such partitions, you will need a tool lpunpack.

Method 5: Firmware through official utilities (for Samsung, LG, Sony)

Some manufacturers provide their own tools for backing up and restoring firmware. Their main advantage is compatibility with locked bootloaders, and the disadvantage is that they are tied to a specific model.

Overview of popular utilities:

• 📱 Samsung Odin:
  • Supports firmware in the format .tar.md5.
  • Can create a backup via the option Dump (hidden in some versions).
  • Works only with official firmware from Samsung.
• 🔧 LGUP (for LG):
  • Allows you to save the firmware in the format .kdz.
  • Requires a special cable LG USB Driver.
• 🎮 Sony Emma (for Sony Xperia):
  • Official tool for restoring firmware.
  • Supports backup via Newflasher (unofficial fork).

Example of working with Odin:

1. Download the latest version of Odin (for example, Odin3 v3.14.4).
2. Switch the phone to mode Download Mode (Power + Volume down + Bixby for Samsung).
3. Connect the device to the PC - a message will appear in Odin Added!!.
4. Press Dump and select the folder to save the firmware.

fastboot dump boot boot.img
fastboot dump recovery recovery.img
fastboot dump system system.img

fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0.img

2. Phone in EDL mode (Qualcomm 9008)