Allwinner A31 based tablets (such as the Onda V812 or V972) currently offer great processing power and value for the price. These devices are still young products which receive frequent firmware updates, that are usually delivered thru incremental OTA (Other The Air) packages, downloaded thru WiFI on the “Update” application. Another update path that is specially useful for a Factory reset and full firmware image flash using Allwinner PhoenixSuit custom Windows application. This tutorial will explain the different steps to successfully flash a tablet based on Allwinner A31 processor.

phoenixsuit_ALlwinnerA31_b

Step 1. Download and install PhoenixSuit

PhoenixSuit Windows program is usually included with your tablet’s firmware archive.
For convenience, we are including a copy for download here:

PhoenixSuit download

PhoenixSuitPacket_v1.0.6.zip

Older versions for archive: PhoenixSuitPacket_v1.0.5.zip

Install PhoenixSuit by running the installer program PhoenixSuitPacket_v1.0.5.msi (the file name may vary depending on the program version) on your computer. The installer is in Chinese, but it’s quite straightforward pushing next button (situated on the right side) until the installation completes. Have a look on our video below to see the installation process in details.
PhoenixSuit_install_b

Step 2. Download firmware image for your tablet and load it in PhoenixSuit

You need to download the firmware for your device. Manufacturers usually provide firmwares on their website. We also hold copies to latest firmwares on our forum. See at the end of this article for references.

Once PhoenixSuit is installed, you can load your tablet firmware. Click on the Firmware button then Image button and locate the .img file on your hard drive corresponding to the firmware you wish to flash.
PhoenixSuit_load_firmware

Step 3. Put the tablet in flash mode

This step may appear a bit tricky as it requires playing with the hardware button on the tablet. Allwinner describes the procedure in the screen below:
phoenixsuit_ALlwinnerA31_b

Basically you need to do the following:

  • Disconnect the microUSB cable from your tablet

  • Shutdown the tablet, either from Android shutdown menu, or by pressing the Power button for about 10 seconds. The tablet screen should be black when the tablet is off.

  • Press the Home button on the tablet, plug in the micro USB cable on the tablet, while keeping the home button pressed.

    • Onda_V972_flashing2_b
  • While keeping the Home button pressed, make short presses (about half a second duration each) on the Power button for about 10 times or until you see the dialog below on the Windows machine.

    • Onda_V972_flashing3_b

    Once the tablet has entered in flash mode, you should see the dialog below.
    PhoenixSuit_mandatory_format_b

    Please click Yes button to allow Format mode.

    ONDA V972

    9.7 inches IPS retina like display 2048x1536 pixels, Allwinner A31 quad-core CPU,2 GB RAM, Android 4.1, Dual camera    		Ships out within 3 days$ 220

    Step 4. Flashing the tablet

    PhoenixSuit_format

    PhoenixSuit_updating

    Step 5. Restart the tablet

    Your tablet may start configured in Chinese, please check our video (at position ) on how to set it in English.

    The video below goes thru all the steps of this flashing tutorial.

    Onda V812 stock and root firmware

    Onda V972 stock and root firmware

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    38 COMMENTS

    2. Hey! I really need help! I have a China Tablet, Allwinner A13, I wanted to uploaded to android 4.2 and when it reboot it didn{t work the touch screen, then I wanted to load de recovery mode with de Phoneix Suit and it works but now, I doesn´t load android, just recovery mode. HEEELLPPP
      thanks

      Lu

    10. Hey guys, I have an Onda V972 that I am trying to flash. When I get to the step of putting the tablet in a flsh mode, I hold the home button, plug it, and then start pressing the home button simultaneously, I get a “Windows” dialog box saying that the device was detected and will try to install the software (Windows basic procedure when you plug in a new device). However; PhoenixSuit doesn’t seem to detect the device at all. I’ve tried this step many times, and PhoenixSuit will not detect my tablet.
      Any help please!!?

      • Same here. Any help would be great. I keep the home button pressed, plug in the usb cable and hit power about 10 times. Then I hear a windows sound but and it says found new hardware and wants to install drivers. Phoenixsuit never sees the tablet.

    12. I have just bought the Ainol Novo 9 and am really enjoying it so far. Before I use this guide, I wanted to double check something – do I just go ahead and flash using the custom rooted firmware and this guide, or do I need to backup stock first? (I remember a friend rooting his HTC and needed do save the nand first). Basically, can you return to stock at any point using this guide? Thanks :)

    13. I am total new be here but I really would like to thank you guys for creating this thread.grandpa went to china two weeks ago and bouth this thing there for my 5 years old:) and we were confused with the Chinese apps, not seeing real google store on v973- now everything is ok.
      One thing tough – I gues this does not relate to the firmware – when I try to install the despicable me game it says you need to free 76 more mb- bu th the storage is completely empty :)

    15. I have installed latest (3.2 firm). Now I can’t flash anymore. I try to go to flash mode but computer does’n open the dialog box ans says no device attached. I would like to use rooted firm. Device manager say that device can’t start. Usb charges so it should not be broken.Any ideas, thx?

    16. Thank you so much.
      I watched the video about 30 times before attempting the download, and followed your video step-by-step.
      Worked like a charm, but….. I inadvertently installed the SAME android operating system.
      D’OH!
      Got the CORRRECT file, followed the same process, and now I’m up and running Android 4.2.2, firmware 3.2
      Things booted up fine, but the boot up screen is now some Asian woman! Seriously, Onda?
      Thanks again

    19. Hi All,

      I have V801 Onda tablet. When ever I connect the PhoenixSuit and try update the firmware “V801Core4-V2_v2.0.img”, the suit says ” NO DEVICE TO UPGRADE”.
      My tablet reads – Android 4.1.1 & kernel ver -3.3.0.
      All i need is to reinstall the firmware or upgrade it so that it comes back to normal . Currently its not showing the internal memory.

      Can any one please help.

      Thanks
      -Rane

    20. Hi guys! first of all thank you for the work you do!
      i have an Onda v818 mini (A31S quad core), i’ve tried to flash it and the format dialogue box appeared, i started the format, it was all fine before the usb cable fell out of the port on the tablet and everything shut down. after this i failed to initiate the flsh mode back again, gave it a few attempts but the tablet just stays power off and doesn’t react at all. What can i possibly try to do?
      thanks in advance!

    22. Hello everybody
      i have two firmware for two Chinese tablets they have the same possessor ram all things is same ,just a camera and the screen is not the same …
      the first onda firmware (rom ) is good and much better than the original firmware for my android tablet …. and i try to install it and it s working well .. but i have two problems the camera and touch screen didn’t work ….

      so how can do to fix this problems .. … what i should take from the original ROM to make it on the other ROM ?
      or can you do it for me ?? i can send the two roms…
      please tell me what i should do for any questions i am here to answer thanks ….

      • Please check our forum, there are firmwares for Onda tablets in different hardware versions (V1, V2, V5…)
        Using the wrong firmware may cause the tablet not to work, or just experience partial problems such as the camera/touch screen…
        Please ask directly in our forum if you have further problems.
        Cheers.

    23. hi,
      i need help and I am new in this forum. I am not that echy guy regardign to tablet. hopefully you cna help me with with this. I have a KNC MD1003 tablet and I have an issue with its firmware. I was told that I have to update the firmware but the problem is I do not know how since it is very tricky for me. The device kept on rebooting itself and restarting showing its manufac logo or square logo on its screen. Anyone can help me with the steps by step on reflashing it? Does the steps above is applicable to my brand? All your help is very much appreciated

      Thank you,
      haru

    26. I have my V972 rooted. It still runs 1.20 that was there when I bought it. My problem is that I cannot install 1.21, 1.32 or 1.33 through PhoenixSuit. I run Windows7 and disabled firewall and virusscanner. When I do the acrobatic USB-trick with the two fingers and I click format, the “upgrade” button greys out but nothing happens afterwards. Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks.

    27. Hi guys please help
      I’m new to this forum and I’m trying to update my tablet ONDA V972 firmware
      and it says that I need to download

      step 1 Download and install PhoenixSuit

      step 2 Download firmware image for your tablet and load it in PhoenixSuit

      but I cannot find firmware image for ONDA V972

      please help can you explain to me where can I get this image or can someone provide the link where can I get this

      I watch the videos couple times but I still don’t get it where can I get this image as I said please can anyone explain to me or provide a link

      thank you in advance

    28. good morning
      i haver tablet 9.7 with retina A31 of brand Freelander pd80. My probleme is that i have not physical buttons volume +-, only the power and esc. All rest is tactile amazing, I am on baseband 1.2 and rooted. The lack of buttons volume + – will be a probleme for 1.32 thank you

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