Flashing (cell phones)

Articleissues
expert = November 2007
unreferenced = November 2007
disputed = December 2007
cleanup = November 2007

Flashing is the process of re-programming a mobile phones's firmware. Flashing should not be confused with unlocking, which is to remove restrictions put on a phone by that phone's wireless carrier. Flashing is primarily performed by authorized service centers on behalf of the manufacturers. Updating a phone's firmware can also cure programming glitches.

Flashing may be performed on most makes or models of a mobile phone.

Procedure

Flashing is accomplished by connecting a phone to a computer using a data cable and copying new software from the computer onto the phone by using a dedicated flashing program. Such programs are unique to each manufacturer. For example Nokia uses a program called "Phoenix" while Sony Ericsson uses an advanced online program that uses a remote server called "Emma3".

Other manufactures use other programs. Samsung use a program called "Optiflash", ASUS uses a program called "Download tool" and Motorola uses its own program called "Triage".

Recently, some manufacturers, such as Nokia, have taken a different approach when it comes to flashing, with software allowing the end-user to perform a device upgrade, without the hassle of taking the handset to a service center. This service, however, is only available for newer Nokia units.

The flash is comprised usually of several parts. The signaling part of the software, the content part and the Language pack.

The signaling part of the software contains all of the instructions to make the base band part of the phone work. This is all the computer circuitry within the phone akin to a small dedicated computer. The content part contains all of the ring tones and logos particular to a service provider. The language pack will contain all of the menus and words for the country and sometimes surrounding regions for the region in which the handset is sold. Of course by flashing this can all be changed, making it possible for an European variant of a handset to be converted to an Asian one just by flashing the firmware.

A typical flash pack can consist of a file otherwise known as a script from several megabytes up to 100 Megabytes. Symbian-based phones often have a higher size file as compared to handsets based on their own operating system custom made for that handset. For example a Sony Ericsson P910 flash file would be approximately 70 Megabytes and would take about 20 minutes to download into a handset during the flashing procedure.

There are many after market programs that are available freely on the Internet to achieve the same result. However, they are unreliable, may contain viruses and will void any manufacturers warranty as the result of third-party modification.

Most of the official flashing programs use security devices called dongles which prevent the software from working properly unless they are present. Such programs, however, can be cracked to allow the program to work properly without the dongle. An exception to this rule is Sony Ericsson's advanced online flashing program called "Emma3".