Flash guides
Step-by-step instructions for installing official firmware, by method.
- Apple Watch, HomePod and Apple TV updates (OTA files)Apple Watch, HomePod and most Apple TV models update over the air. The OTA files listed here are the official update packages, useful for archiving and repair…
- How to flash a Google Pixel factory imageFactory images restore a Pixel to stock firmware. The easiest way is Google’s Android Flash Tool in Chrome; the manual way uses fastboot. Both need an unlocked…
- How to flash a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO Fastboot ROMFastboot ROMs (.tgz) are complete firmware images flashed from a Windows PC with Xiaomi’s Mi Flash Tool. They can revive a phone that doesn’t boot, but they ne…
- How to flash Motorola firmware (fastboot)Motorola firmware packages (.xml.zip) contain the signed images that Motorola’s Rescue and Smart Assistant installs. The safe way is to let that tool do it; ad…
- How to install a full OTA with ADB sideloadFull OTA images update a Pixel or Nexus phone without unlocking the bootloader and without erasing your data. You install them from the phone’s recovery mode w…
- How to install a Nothing OS update manuallyNothing and CMF phones can install official OTA packages from a hidden local update screen, without a computer and without unlocking. Full packages install on…
- How to install a realme OTA package (.ozip)realme publishes its full OTA packages as .ozip files. You install them from the phone’s file manager or from recovery. Your data stays unless you choose to wi…
- How to install a Xiaomi Recovery ROM (system update package)Recovery ROMs (.zip) are full update packages that install from the phone itself. They don’t need an unlocked bootloader and usually keep your data when you st…
- How to install an OnePlus / OPPO full update (local install)OnePlus (OxygenOS) and OPPO (ColorOS) full packages install from the phone without a computer. Your data stays as long as you install the same or a newer versi…
- How to install Lenovo phone and tablet firmwareLenovo’s official tool for phones and tablets is Rescue and Smart Assistant (RSA). The packages listed here are the same files RSA downloads. Use RSA unless yo…
- How to install vivo firmware (local upgrade)vivo publishes full firmware packages that install from the phone. This doesn’t erase your data, but you can’t go back to an older version on Android 8 and new…
- How to restore a Mac with Apple silicon (IPSW)Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and newer) and Intel Macs with a T2 chip can be restored from an IPSW using a second Mac and Apple Configurator. This reinstalls th…
- How to restore an iPhone, iPad or iPod with an IPSW fileUse Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app / iTunes on Windows to install an IPSW file. Apple only accepts versions it is still signing, so check the “Signed…