An Android phone is an essential gadget that many people can’t live without. It performs several tasks, such as taking photos, browsing the internet, making phone calls, among others. Despite the gadget’s versatility, it’s, unfortunately, prone to issues such as soft bricking. Soft bricking is a situation that occurs when your phone freezes, won’t switch on, or stuck at the logo screen. While the situation might be scary, it’s essential to note that it’s fixable. This article will explore several methods you can use to fix a soft bricked Android phone and get it back to normal.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you begin fixing a soft bricked Android phone, you’ll need a few things. Here is a list of items that you’ll need:
1. A computer with an internet connection.
2. The right USB cable for your device.
3. The Stock firmware: This is the firmware that your phone came with.
4. A data backup tool: This can help you keep a copy of your phone’s data.
5. A downloaded android recovery tool: You can download Recovery Tools from the play store or from the internet.
What Requires Your Focus?
Fixing a soft bricked Android phone can be time-consuming, so you need to stay focused and patient. Additionally, you’ll need to carefully follow the guide correctly to avoid causing further damage to your device. Make sure that you have all the necessary items before commencing the process.
Different Methods to Fix A Soft Bricked Android Phone
Method 1: Fix A Soft Bricked Phone Using Android Recovery Mode
Method 1 is especially helpful for soft brick cases because it can restore your device to the factory settings without deleting your pictures, contacts, and other data.
Pros:
– It’s efficient in restoring your firmware to its previous state
– Your data remains intact
Cons:
– It may sometimes fail to work
– The method may not be efficient for fixing hard brick issues
Here are the steps for fixing a soft bricked Android phone using Android recovery mode:
Step 1: Boot your phone into recovery mode
– Turn off your phone
– Press and hold the Power button and Volume down button at the same time.
– Once the device vibrates, release the Power button.
– Keep holding the Volume down button until your phone boots into Android Recovery mode.
Step 2: Wipe cache and data
– Use your Volume buttons to navigate through the recovery menu.
– Select “Wipe cache partition” using the Power button and confirm.
– Go back to the main menu and select “Wipe data/factory reset” using the power button.
– Confirm and wait for the process to complete.
Step 3: Reboot your device
– Highlight the ‘Reboot System Now’ option
– Confirm this with the power button
– Wait for your phone to restart.
Method 2: Fix A Soft Bricked Android Phone Via Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
Method 2 involves using the ADB tool to fix a soft-bricked Android phone. Using this method, you can access your phone’s system files and recover your device without losing data.
Pros:
– It can fix several problems on your phone.
– It works for both rooted and non-rooted phones.
Cons:
– It can be time-consuming
– The process may not be suitable for all users.
Here are the steps for fixing a soft bricked Android phone via ADB:
Step 1: The first step to use ADB is to download and install the ADB software on your computer. To do this, head over to the official Android developer website download page at “https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools” and download the latest version of ADB on your computer.
Step 2: After successfully setting up the ADB software, connect your Android device to the computer using a USB cable. Ensure that your phone is in USB debugging mode.
Step 3: Once your phone is connected to the computer, open the Command Prompt window on your computer.
Step 4: Type and run this command to see if your device is properly connected with the computer: “adb devices”. The command will list all connected Android devices.
Step 5: If your device is successfully connected, enter: “adb shell” This will give you access to your soft bricked Android phone.
Step 6: Type “reboot recovery” to boot your device into recovery mode
Step 7: Wipe data and cache partition accompanied with the most recent firmware that you’ve downloaded (onto the internal storage of your Android device)
Step 8: Run the command "adb sideload" followed by the firmware file name and hit the enter button.
Your device will start installing the firmware in recovery mode automatically.
Method 3: Use Odin to fix Soft Bricked Android Phone
The Odin method is a powerful software used to fix soft bricked Android phones.
Pros:
– Odin is free to use.
– It can fix various Software related issues on your Android phone.
Cons:
– The method may cause further damage if not appropriately followed.
– It’s advisable for advanced users.
Here are the steps to fix A soft bricked Android phone using Odin:
Step 1: Download the Flashable Stock ROM for your Android phone.
Step 2: Download the Odin software and install it on your computer.
Step 3: Turn off your Android phone and press and hold the “Power + Volume Down + Home” buttons simultaneously till the “Warning” screen appears.
Step 4: Press the “Volume Up” button to enter download mode.
Step 5: Connect your Android phone to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 6: Open Odin on your PC and select the files you need to flash (PDA/AP, Phone, CP/MODEM, and CSC or HOME_CSC file).
Step 7: Ensure that the Auto-Reboot and F. Reset Time options are selected under the “Options” tab.
Step 8: After selecting the files, click on the “Start” button to begin the flashing process, and wait for the process to complete.
Why Can’t I Fix My Soft Bricked Android Phone?
There are several reasons why you might encounter issues when trying to fix your soft bricked Android phone. Some of these reasons include:
Q1: Why isn’t my android connecting to my computer?
A: To connect your phone to the computer, you need to ensure that you have installed the correct drivers. You may need to search and download the drivers on the official website or the driver’s manufacturer website.
Q2: My device won’t enter into recovery mode. What should I do?
A: You may need to try different button combinations if the current one fails. If all else fails, just connect your phone to ADB and boot it that way to ensure compatibility.
Q3: Nothing I do seems to work. What should I do?
A: If all of the above methods failed, you may need to contact the manufacturer, service provider, or go to an authorized repair center.
Implications and Recommendations
Soft bricking on your Android phone may be unavoidable, but it’s essential to know how to fix it. The above-listed methods are the most commonly used to fix a soft bricked Android phone. Before you try any of these methods, ensure that you have all the necessary tools and backups to restore your device to its previous working condition successfully. Additionally, these methods apply to soft bricked Android phones only. For hard bricked Android phones, consulting an authorized repair center is the best option.
Final Words
A soft bricked phone can be a scare scenario. However, with the right tools and methods, fixing it can be an easy and straightforward process. When following the above steps and recommendations, you should be able to get your phone back to normal within a short period.