Smartphone Flash Tool: What is Runtime Trace Mode and How to Use it for MediaTek Devices
Smartphone Flash Tool (runtime Trace Mode): What is it and how to use it?
If you are an Android user who likes to customize your device with custom ROMs, root access, or other modifications, you might have heard of Smartphone Flash Tool. This is a software application that allows you to flash firmware files on MediaTek devices. But do you know what is runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool and how to use it? In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about this feature and how to use it effectively.
Smartphone Flash Tool (runtime Trace Mode)l
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Why do you need Smartphone Flash Tool?
Smartphone Flash Tool, also known as SP flash tool, is a tool designed for MediaTek devices that are one-stop for all device modifications. You can use this tool to perform various tasks such as:
Update your device firmware to the latest version
Unbrick your device if it is stuck in bootloop or dead
Flash custom ROMs or recovery images on your device
Backup or restore your device data
Test your device memory or bootloader
And much more
Smartphone Flash Tool is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. It supports all MediaTek devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. It is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface.
What are the features of Smartphone Flash Tool?How to download and install Smartphone Flash Tool?
To use Smartphone Flash Tool, you need to download and install it on your computer. Here are the steps to do so:
Go to the official website of Smartphone Flash Tool and download the latest version of the tool. You can also find the download links from other sources, but make sure they are safe and reliable.
Extract the downloaded zip file to a folder on your computer. You will see a folder named SP_Flash_Tool_v5.x.x.xxxx, where x.x.xxxx is the version number of the tool.
Open the folder and double-click on the flash_tool.exe file to run the tool. You may need to run it as administrator if you are using Windows Vista or later.
Accept the terms and conditions and click on OK to launch the tool.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed Smartphone Flash Tool on your computer. Now you are ready to flash firmware files on your MediaTek device.
How to flash a firmware using Smartphone Flash Tool?
Flashing a firmware using Smartphone Flash Tool is a simple process, but you need to be careful and follow the instructions carefully. Here are the steps to flash a firmware using Smartphone Flash Tool:
Step 1: Backup your device
Before you flash any firmware on your device, it is highly recommended that you backup your device data. This will help you restore your data in case something goes wrong during the flashing process. You can use any backup app or tool that you prefer, such as Titanium Backup, Google Drive, etc. You can also use Smartphone Flash Tool to backup your device data by using the Readback option.
Step 2: Install latest driver
To flash firmware using Smartphone Flash Tool, you need to install the latest driver for your device on your computer. This will ensure that your device is recognized by the tool and can communicate with it properly. You can download the latest driver for your device from the official website of your device manufacturer or from other sources. You can also use the Auto Driver Installer option in Smartphone Flash Tool to install the driver automatically.
Step 3: Download firmware file
The next step is to download the firmware file that you want to flash on your device. You can download the firmware file from the official website of your device manufacturer or from other sources, such as XDA Developers, Android File Host, etc. Make sure that the firmware file is compatible with your device model and region. The firmware file should be in zip or rar format and should contain a scatter file inside it. A scatter file is a text file that contains information about the partitions and memory blocks of your device.
Step 4: Run Smartphone Flash Tool
After you have downloaded and extracted the firmware file, you need to run Smartphone Flash Tool on your computer. You can do this by following step 3 in the previous section.
Step 5: Load scatter file
Once you have launched Smartphone Flash Tool, you need to load the scatter file from the firmware file that you downloaded. To do this, click on the Choose button under Scatter-loading File and browse to the folder where you extracted the firmware file. Select the scatter file (usually named MTxxxx_Android_scatter.txt, where xxxx is the chipset number of your device) and click on Open.
Step 6: Choose download option
After you have loaded the scatter file, you need to choose the download option that suits your needs. There are three options available in Smartphone Flash Tool: Download Only, Firmware Upgrade, and Format All + Download.
Download Only: This option will only flash the files that are checked in the list below the scatter file. This option is useful if you want to flash only certain files or partitions on your device, such as boot.img, recovery.img, system.img, etc.
Firmware Upgrade: This option will flash all the files that are checked in the list below the scatter file and also erase all user data on your device. This option is useful if you want to upgrade your device firmware to a newer version or switch to a different ROM.
Format All + Download: This option will format all partitions on your device and then flash all the files that are checked in the list below the scatter file. This option is useful if you want to completely wipe your device and start fresh with a new ROM.
You can choose any option that suits your needs. You can also uncheck or check any file that you want or don't want to flash. For example, if you want to keep your user data, you can uncheck the userdata file. After you have chosen the download option, click on the Download button at the top of the tool.
Step 7: Connect your device
Now you need to connect your device to your computer using a USB cable. Make sure that your device is switched off and has enough battery charge. If your device has a removable battery, you can remove it and then connect it to your computer. If your device has a non-removable battery, you can press and hold the volume up or volume down button while connecting it to your computer. This will put your device in download mode or preloader mode.
Step 8: Start flashing process
Once you have connected your device, Smartphone Flash Tool will detect it and start the flashing process. You will see a red bar at the bottom of the tool indicating the progress of the flashing process. Do not disconnect your device or interrupt the flashing process until it is completed.
Step 9: Wait for completion message
When the flashing process is completed, you will see a green circle with a check mark and a Download OK message on the tool. This means that the flashing process was successful and your device has been flashed with the firmware file. You can now disconnect your device and reboot it. You may need to perform a factory reset or wipe cache partition on your device to avoid any errors or bugs.
How to use runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool?
Runtime trace mode is a feature in Smartphone Flash Tool that allows you to monitor and record the log messages of your device during the flashing process. This feature is useful for debugging purposes and finding out the root cause of any errors or issues that may occur during the flashing process. Here are the steps to use runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool:
What is runtime trace mode and why is it useful?
Runtime trace mode is a mode in Smartphone Flash Tool that enables you to view and save the log messages of your device in real time during the flashing process. The log messages include information such as:
The status and progress of the flashing process
The communication between the tool and the device
The errors or warnings that may occur during the flashing process
The memory address and data of each partition that is flashed
And much more
Runtime trace mode is useful for debugging purposes and finding out the root cause of any errors or issues that may occur during the flashing process. For example, if your device gets stuck in bootloop or dead after flashing, you can use runtime trace mode to check what went wrong during the flashing process and how to fix it.
How to enable runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool?
To enable runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool, you need to follow these steps:
Run Smartphone Flash Tool on your computer and load the scatter file as explained in step 5 of the previous section.
Click on the Options menu at the top of the tool and select Option.
In the Option window, click on Connection tab and check the Enable DRAM Training checkbox.
Click on OK to save the settings and close the window.
Click on Window menu at the top of the tool and select Write Memory.
In the Write Memory window, click on Open Raw Data button and browse to the folder where you extracted the firmware file. Select the preloader file (usually named preloader_xxxx.bin, where xxxx is the device model) and click on Open.
Click on Write Memory button at the bottom of the window to start the runtime trace mode.
Connect your device to your computer as explained in step 7 of the previous section.
Wait for the runtime trace mode to finish and close the Write Memory window.
Congratulations, you have successfully enabled runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool. Now you can view and save the log file in runtime trace mode.
How to view and save log file in runtime trace mode?
To view and save the log file in runtime trace mode, you need to follow these steps:
Click on Window menu at the top of the tool and select Memory Test.
In the Memory Test window, click on Start button at the bottom of the window to start the memory test.
Wait for the memory test to finish and close the Memory Test window.
Click on File menu at the top of the tool and select Open Download Agent File.
Browse to the folder where you installed Smartphone Flash Tool and select MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin file and click on Open.
Click on File menu again and select Open Log File.
Browse to the folder where you installed Smartphone Flash Tool and select BROM_DLL.log file and click on Open.
You will see a new window with the log file of your device in runtime trace mode. You can view the log messages and find out any errors or issues that occurred during the flashing process.
To save the log file, click on File menu and select Save Log File As.
Choose a location and a name for your log file and click on Save.
Congratulations, you have successfully viewed and saved the log file in runtime trace mode. You can use this log file for debugging purposes and finding out the root cause of any errors or issues that occurred during the flashing process.
Tips and tricks for using Smartphone Flash Tool
Smartphone Flash Tool is a powerful tool that can help you customize your MediaTek device with ease. However, there are some tips and tricks that can help you use this tool more effectively and avoid any errors or issues. Here are some of them:
How to fix common errors and issues in Smartphone Flash Tool?
Sometimes, you may encounter some errors or issues while using Smartphone Flash Tool. These errors or issues may be caused by various factors, such as incompatible firmware file, outdated driver, faulty USB cable, low battery charge, etc. Here are some common errors or issues that you may face and how to fix them:
BROM ERROR: S_FT_ENABLE_DRAM_FAIL (4032): This error means that your device is not compatible with the firmware file that you are trying to flash. To fix this error, you need to download and flash the correct firmware file for your device model and region.
BROM ERROR: S_FT_DOWNLOAD_FAIL (4008): This error means that there is a communication problem between your device and your computer. To fix this error, you need to check your USB cable, USB port, driver, and battery charge. You may also need to change the download option from Download Only to Firmware Upgrade or Format All + Download.
BROM ERROR: S_DA_SDMMC_WRITE_FAILED (3149): This error means that there is a problem with your device's internal storage or SD card. To fix this error, you need to format your device's internal storage or SD card using Smartphone Flash Tool or another tool. You may also need to replace your device's internal storage or SD card if it is damaged or corrupted.
BROM ERROR: S_NOT_ENOUGH_STORAGE_SPACE (1011): This error means that there is not enough space on your device's internal storage or SD card to flash the firmware file. To fix this error, you need to delete some files or apps from your device's internal storage or SD card to free up some space. You may also need to use a larger capacity internal storage or SD card if your device supports it.
If you encounter any other errors or issues that are not listed here, you can search for them online or contact the official support team of Smartphone Flash Tool for assistance.
How to update Smartphone Flash Tool to latest version?
To update Smartphone Flash Tool to latest version, you need to follow these steps:
Go to the official website of Smartphone Flash Tool and download the latest version of the tool. You can also find the download links from other sources, but make sure they are safe and reliable.
Extract the downloaded zip file to a folder on your computer. You will see a folder named SP_Flash_Tool_v5.x.x.xxxx, where x.x.xxxx is the version number of the tool.
Open the folder and double-click on the flash_tool.exe file to run the tool. You may need to run it as administrator if you are using Windows Vista or later.
Accept the terms and conditions and click on OK to launch the tool.
Congratulations, you have successfully updated Smartphone Flash Tool to latest version. You can now enjoy the new features and improvements of the tool.
How to flash custom ROMs and recovery images using Smartphone Flash Tool?
If you want to flash custom ROMs and recovery images on your MediaTek device, you can use Smartphone Flash Tool to do so. Custom ROMs and recovery images are modified versions of the original firmware and software that offer more features, customization, and performance. However, flashing custom ROMs and recovery images may void your device warranty and may cause some errors or issues. Therefore, you should only flash custom ROMs and recovery images that are compatible with your device model and region, and follow the instructions carefully. Here are the steps to flash custom ROMs and recovery images using Smartphone Flash Tool:
Download the custom ROM or recovery image that you want to flash on your device from a trusted source, such as XDA Developers, Android File Host, etc. Make sure that the custom ROM or recovery image is compatible with your device model and region. The custom ROM or recovery image should be in zip or img format and should contain a scatter file inside it.
Backup your device data as explained in step 1 of the previous section.
Install latest driver as explained in step 2 of the previous section.
Run Smartphone Flash Tool on your computer and load the scatter file from the custom ROM or recovery image that you downloaded as explained in step 5 of the previous section.
Choose Download Only option as explained in step 6 of the previous section.
Uncheck all files except for boot.img or recovery.img depending on whether you want to flash a custom ROM or a recovery image. You can also check other files if you want to flash them along with the custom ROM or recovery image.
Click on Download button at the top of the tool as explained in step 6 of the previous section.
Connect your device to your computer as explained in step 7 of the previous section.
Start flashing process as explained in step 8 of the previous section.
Wait for completion message as explained in step 9 of the previous section.
Congratulations, you have successfully flashed a custom ROM or a recovery image on your MediaTek device using Smartphone Flash Tool. You can now reboot your device and enjoy the new features and performance of the custom ROM or recovery image.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what is Smartphone Flash Tool and what is runtime trace mode in Smartphone Flash Tool. We have also shown you how to use this tool to flash firmware files, enable runtime trace mode, view and save log file, update to latest version, and flash custom ROMs and recovery images on your MediaTek device. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you.
Smartphone Flash Tool is a powerful tool that can help you customize your MediaTek device with ease. However, you should always be careful and follow the instructions carefully when using this tool. You should also backup your device data before flashing any firmware file or custom ROM or recovery image. You should also check for compatibility and reliability of any firmware file or custom ROM or recovery image that you want to flash on your device. By doing so, you can avoid any errors or issues that may occur during or after the flashing process.
If you have any questions or feedback about this article or Smartphone Flash Tool, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading this article and happy flashing!
FAQs
Q1: Is Smartphone Flash Tool safe to use?
A1: Smartphone Flash Tool is safe to use if you download it from a trusted source and use it properly. However, flashing firmware files or custom ROMs or recovery images may void your device warranty and may cause some errors or issues. Therefore, you should only flash firmware files or custom ROMs or recovery images that are compatible with your device model and region, and follow the instructions carefully.
Q2: What devices are compatible with Smartphone Flash Tool?
A2: Smartphone Flash Tool is compatible with all MediaTek devices, such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. You can check the chipset number of your device by using an app like CPU-Z or by searching online. If your device has a MediaTek chipset, you can use Smartphone Flash Tool to flash firmware files or custom ROMs or recovery images on it.
Q3: What are the advantages of flashing firmware using Smartphone Flash Tool?
A3: Flashing firmware using Smartphone Flash Tool has several advantages, such as:
You can update your device firmware to the latest version and enjoy the new features and improvements.
You can unbrick your device if it is stuck in bootloop or dead due to a faulty firmware update or a corrupted system file.
You can flash custom ROMs or recovery images on your de