Arnova 8 G2 custom firmware upgrade to Android 4.0 ICS with Google Play and full root

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The Arnova 8 G2 tablet hasn’t seen a newer system update than Android 2.3 Gingerbread from the manufacturer, there has been some developers efforts such as MorkaMod (thanks Morka!) to improve the device Graphical User Interface but the system was still quite outdated. While we thought the tablet would be forever stuck on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, Arnova has started to sell the Arnova 8 G2I a few months ago, this device is nothing more than an old Arnova 8 G2 with the system updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS).
We have modified the stock Arnova 8 G2I firmware dump to add Google Play Store/Android Market, full root, write access to /system partition and extended 1.5 Gb space for applications (/data partition).

Arnova 8 G2 custom firmware features

  • Clean installation of Google Play Store, no more missing apps (Twitter, Facebook…)
  • Full root support with writable /system partition
  • Root access is controled thru SuperSU.apk v0.96 (free version), a cool upgrade to SuperUser.apk by XDA developer Chainfire
  • Extended space for applications (/data) to 1.5 Gb
  • Updated Rockchip bootloader to latest version 2.28

    • The firmware has been tested and is fully compatible on the older Arnova 8 G2, capacitive model with 8 GB storage, it is not compatible with the resistive Dual Touch (DT) model.

    While we find this Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich usable on the Arnova 8 G2, we feel that the interface can be laggy at times, probably due to the limited memory (512 Mb) on the tablet, it won’t be very good at multitasking. If you want to maintain a decent performance, you will probably have to install a task killer or manually stop the apps that you don’t need.

    Install procedure

    Before starting, please make sure you backup all your existing apps, data and files that are on your tablet as they will be erased during the flash process. Also make sure your device is connected to the power.

    Step 1. Download

    Kasty custom firmware download (version 0.44)

    kasty-ez_arn8g2-40-044-1_5G.zip

    This firmware is specific to the Arnova 8 G2 (capacitive model with 8 Gb storage only) and Arnova 8 G2i and should not be installed on other devices.

    WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR DEVICE.

    THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE IS USED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

    WE RECOMMEND TO FLASH THIS FIRMWARE ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO RESCUE A BRICKED DEVICE USING ROCKCHIP FLASHING TOOLS.

    Download the file above and extract the custom firmware image (update.img) on your computer hard drive.

    Step 2. Install and run Rockchip Flashing tool

    Please follow the Rockchip Flashing tool procedure: that will explain how to download Rockchip flashing tool, unpack the archive, put your device into flashing mode and flash the custom firmware file that you have unpacked in Step 1. We recommend that you use Restore button rather than Upgrade button in Rockchip flasher to make sure your device gets properly erased.

    Step 3. Arnova 8 G2 flashing and restart

    After Rockchip flasher has transferred the custom firmware to the tablet, you will have to restart the tablet to finish installing the firmware. Finally you will be back to Arnova default startup wizard.

    Support the project!
    If our web site and applications helped you, thanks for supporting us by donating using the Paypal form below or visiting our Donations page. Donations will be used to pay the bills for our server hosting costs, tools and purchase new tablets to support.


    The following video demonstrates the 3 easy steps of the installation procedure to get Google Play Store and root to your Arnova 8 G2 in just a few minutes. The video shows the procedure for the Arnova 9 G2, but it’s very similar for the 8 G2.

    Let us know how this firmware works for you in our Arnova 8 G2 forum.

    Stock firmware dump, for the Arnova 8 G2I who would like to restore their original firmware: Arnova8G2I_stock_firmware_dump.zip

    Thanks to exelletor, globula_neagra and darodi79 members of our forum for their help and the Arnova 8 G2i firmware dump.

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    41 COMMENTS

    1. Is it correct that the resistive G2 (“Dual Touch”) is identical to the capacitive one for which this firmware was designed, except for the touchscreen? In that case I could install this firmware to my DT and use a USB mouse to control it?

      (I just tried posting this comment before but it didn’t appear. This is the 2nd attempt.)

    2. I know this is an old topic, but hopefully there’s still someone to answer my question. In many comments here I see owners of a resistive G2 (“Dual Touch”) asking why their touchscreen isn’t working. This indicates to me that they successfully installed the firmware to their DT and the only thing that’s not functioning are the touchscreen drivers. Is that correct? Probably because the resistive and capacitive G2’s are identical except for the screen?

      In that case, I could maybe install Android 4.0 to my G2 DT and control the tablet with a USB mouse?

    8. an aid drivers not recognize the pc and when I put in recovery in tablet screen I get 6 options, reboot system, reset factory confiaguracion, systema recovery and when I choose one of the options does not want to enter tighten all the buttons and nothing helps ….

    11. It did not work on my 8gb arnova 8G2, the screen was left unanswered and nothing the touch was lost, I recommend not to update to android 4.0 …. Segui all these steps and watch my tablet.Ni dejastes warranty covers me this guy just told me good you’ll have to buy a new tablet that’s you lost, fucking liars hope to meet … Now I’m about to buy a tablet Sansung ..

    13. I have the same problem as faqman112… It doesn’t make the calibration… I don’t know if there’s something wrong with my Arnova 8 g2 Dual Touch. Maybe the tablet is not compatible with Android 4.0. Please help us with the firmware for the Dual Touch version. Thanks!

    18. Updated mine – all went smoothly. Reinstalling apps and some dont work ( Angry Birds! ). Did notice the ROM reduces the available RAM by about 70MB, leaving maybe 110MB for apps now where i used to get about 175MB. Maybe this is why some apps are not working. So my request would be for a ICS ROM with lower footprint in RAM.

      But – must say big Thanks to the developers for the effort that went into this.

    20. buenas tardes… mire lo instale el fiwmaware y todo bien solo q cuando comenzo a calibrarse en mi arnova 8g2 acabo dijo pulse ok….lo pulse pero no le coje…osea kiero decir se calibra pero no puedo tocarlo ….lo toco en ok y no pasa nada hasta q se repite el proceso otra vez ayudenme porfavor…gracias..

    23. I updated firmware with no problems – quite impressed with new interface all be it a little laggy. I do have an unrelated question, does anyone know if “words with friends” installs on the arnova g2 8. I have tried multiple firmwares and not one works. The app installs but refuses to display in portrait, therefor I can’t see much of the game or tiles, very irritating ! be grateful for any advice thanks in advance.