How to Upgrade Firmware in Amlogic S802 Devices

Shenzhen Tomato has finally sent me an updated firmware (password: 17r0) for M8 / TM8 Android TV box powered by Amlogic S802. This firmware is rooted, and adds support for Google Apps (Play Store, Gmail and so on), among others things. So it’s a good time to try out and write about the firmware update instructions which are very similar to AML8726-MX firmware instructions. Bear in mind that firmware is usually specific to a given hardware platform, and if you try it on another non-compatible S802 TV box, you may brick your device.

Standard “OTA” Method

Any Windows, Mac OS, Linux computer or even your own Android device should be able to handle is as you just need to download, extract and copy files to an SD card. I’ve done the procedure from a computer running Ubuntu 13.04:

  1. Download the firmware (e.g. TM8 ap6330_03102014A_0410_ROOT.rar), and extract it
  2. Copy the files (factory_update_param.aml, k200-ota-20140410.zip, and recovery.img) to the root of an SD card formatted with FAT32
  3. Insert the SD card in your S802 device.
  4. Using a sharp non-conductive object to press the recovery button, In M8 (aka TM8), this is located in the AV connector, and I used a toothpick to press the button. Keep pressing, and connect the power, waiting for an animated Android with a progress bar showing firmware upgrade is in progress.
  5. The box will then automatically reboot, and start with the new firmware. You’ll then go through a wizard to select your language (simplified Chinese, English, or traditional Chinese), adjust the screen size, and configure the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

This method might also work with any Amlogic S802 based device. However, even though Tronsmart Vega S89 hardware also features the same type of recovery button via the AV ouput, GeekBuying has provided another, Windows only, method requiring you to use a tool called BootcardMaker that makes the SD card bootable, before you copy the above files + u-boot.bin to the SD card before proceeding to the firmware upgrade, also using the recovery button.

Firmware upgrade with USB Burning Tool

Most firmware distributed online will probably use the method above, but if you’ve been given a single firmware file, often using img extension, you need to use another Windows tool called USB Burning Tool. If for some reasons, your firmware is badly damaged, and can’t access the recovery mode, that may be the only way to unbrick your board.. Here’s how to proceed. (I haven’t tried myself).

  1. Download amlogic_tools.rar
  2. You may also want to install Moborobo to make sure you’ve got the right drivers.
  3. Extract USB_Burning_Tool_v2.0.0.140306_Alpha_x86.rar from amlogic_tools.rar and click on setup_v2.0.0.140306_Alpha_x86.exe to install the tool
  4. Start the USB burning toolS802_USB_Burning_Tool_OrigClick on File->Import image and select your .img firmware.
  5. make sure your S802 device is powered powered off, with the USB OTG port connected to your PC. Use a toothpick to press the recovery button, and power the device. The USB burning tool should automatically detect your device. (If not, install the moborobo tool).
  6. Now click on the Start button button to proceed with the firmware update which should last several minutes.
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80 Comments
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Eric
10 years ago

Please note, the M8 stock firmware is not the same as vega s89, so you can’t flash each other, or you will brick your device, be careful.

Paul
Paul
10 years ago

Where’s the review of the firware you promised

moncsi
moncsi
7 years ago

Hello..I don’t know how to get the original upgrade package for my M8.here is this link, but it’s in Chinese,I am not able to register.sorry for​ my English. I tried to update this box with M8 latest zip, WiFi won’t turn on.ever since I tried many firmwares, they work, but the same issue:no wifi. I am looking for the original firmware I can burn with USB burning tool with image,I have no blue light,so I can’t flash from SD or USB stick.i only need the original fabric installation and that’s just fine!I already bought another box MXQ, cheaper and better… Read more »

zwabbit
zwabbit
10 years ago

Thank-you.

Galll0s
Galll0s
10 years ago

Yeah cant wait for the review here too 🙂

John
John
10 years ago

I’m lost in translation when trying to download the firmware. Can someone help me out or upload the firmware to some other filehost? Mega.co.nz maybe?

Eric
10 years ago

John :
I’m lost in translation when trying to download the firmware. Can someone help me out or upload the firmware to some other filehost? Mega.co.nz maybe?

here it is:
http://goo.gl/LX8ezF

John
John
10 years ago

Thanks Eric! I’ve got it!

Finless Bob
10 years ago

I got the M8 ROM to boot on the Tronsmart S89 including the M8 kernel. BUT DO NOT TRY IT YOURSELF! Ask me how I know. I hard bricked my S89!
I figured out what to change to make the M8 ROM work on the s89. Stay tuned for that. But I also learned how to unbrick. IT IS NOT EASY! I will publish a how to as soon as I nail down how to unbrick 100% as I managed to do it but cant repeat it at this time.
Bob

cz26m
cz26m
10 years ago

@Finless Bob

I have flashed the firmware on my Tronsmart S89. Now works only standby. Can you help me.
Thanks Chris

patience88
patience88
10 years ago

Hi, I’ve just bought me an S802 device.
This one http://www.tinydeal.com/s802-android-44-2g-8g-quad-core-4k-tv-box-92-keys-keyboard-p-127544.html
Can I flash this Rom? And if yes what method I should use? I’ve got an W7 computer.
And where can I find other Rom’s for this device?
Thanx for your help

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

Hi
I’ve just bought M8 device like http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/04/m8-android-tv-box-powered-by-amlogic-s802-unboxing/
1- Could you please give me the latest firmware upgrade for it, the current version is : 20.2013.0913, Base version : 1.0
2- I need to use my phone as a remote how can I do that ?

Thanks for your kindly help

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

Thanks for your kindly reply
This link is Chinese and ask me to insert the verification code which is Chinese also 🙂

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

I downloaded this One : http://pan.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=2312305150&uk=1275463718#dir/path=%2FTM8%2FTM82014.06.16
But I didn’t found “factory_update_param.aml”
Can I use the same file for another version ?
Thanks

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

Could you please send the latest one before that one
Because I am confused, different between the latest date and the version number

Thanks

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

Hi;
I upgraded it to this version : M8_K200A_ap6330_03282014A_0516
And Installed latest XBMC 13.1
But XBMC doesn’t display the movies only sound and black screen
Please advise

Thanks for your kindly help

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

Thank you very much
I know I asked you very mush, I am sorry for that
I upgraded the new version
1- But I can’t access the regular launcher only MediaBox launcher, do you how can I access the regular launcher for android
2- I bought a webcam but it doesn’t work, the system can’t detect it

Thank you for your kindly help 🙂

Anees
Anees
10 years ago

Additional Review 🙂 1- Many times I can’t power off the device (The system makes restart not stand by) 2- No sound if you used Mele Pro remote, The result is that video playback becomes choppy and stutters a bit on your android box.The button to change the audio output setting on the controller doesn’t work with anything, The only way to fix this is to pull out the remote receiver dongle when you start a video 3- Can’t move the Apps to SD card 4- I could not use Miracast at all (No help about it, my be it… Read more »

Jose Mendoza
Jose Mendoza
10 years ago

I bought a M8 Amlogic S802 tv box with OS Android. I prefer Linux. There is some image with Linux for the M8?

abdrazak
abdrazak
10 years ago

@cz26m
Hi….i flash a diff firmware to my android box n now it is not booting up at all..I open up the box n it is using Amlogic s802 chipset.Could anyone help me to revive my box.

altobel45
altobel45
10 years ago

Friends,
I bought an HDMI cable with M8 TV BOX, but did not get the image, what should I do.
Thanks for the answer.

gora71
gora71
10 years ago

I need help.I have MXIII but now he’s dead.I tried to put in a new firmaware but now I can not turn it on.I ask everyone for help.Thanks

Shahin
Shahin
10 years ago

Hello everyone. I have bought a this box: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171401659091?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
and try to upgrade with new firmware and the box is dead pow. just red light. Can anybody please help to tell me how to flash a new software. thanks a lot.

Shahin
Shahin
10 years ago

Hello. The name is : MX80 Android TV Box Amlogic AML S802 Quad Core . regards

Jin
Jin
10 years ago

Hello everyone. Im new in this embedded linux field. Currently, Im studying to create my own customised firmware for m8 Android TV box(s802 squre one). I have downloaded sources from http://openlinux.amlogic.com:8000/download/ARM/filesystem/arm-buildroot-2014-08-26-d954cd3742.tar.gz and compiled with meson8_k200_release_defconfig including xbmc. Now, I have got some files as a result following below, boot.img, meson8_k200a_1G.dtb, rootfs.cpio, rootfs.tar, uImage, u-boot.bin, etc,.. The problem is I dont know how to flash those files to my target board(m8 s802) or create update.zip. Can anybody help me or please let me know where I can get information about that.

CARL BOYD
CARL BOYD
10 years ago

I recently purchased an no matter what ever options I select I can’t seem to get my bluetooth keyboards working. Anyone else had this issue?

Gavin
Gavin
10 years ago

Urgent: Hey guys, I think I bricked my Amlogic Quad Core S802B smart TV.
The PCB has M908A_V1.1_14165 this tag on it.
I was updating the firmware and after reboot the box is stuck on red light, it won’t turn on.

It’s not even being detected by my laptop.
Can someone please help? Let me know how to unbrick it.
Your response is appreciated.

big1rab
big1rab
10 years ago

Thanks Guys

This firmware worked for me from the off set up in 10 minutes
box arrived from ebay booted straight to xbmc no android system , no use to me lol

Thanks again

Saeed
Saeed
9 years ago

I have recently purchased an M8 android box and although most things are working well (XBMC, WiFi etc) I am having problems with Google play store as it says connection error try again. I have tried doing all the force stop and clear data/cache steps but no luck. Is it worth updating the firmware do you think and will that mean i need to set up XBMC and all the addons again. Thank you in advance for your input.

Al
Al
9 years ago

Hi guys..I have a MBox S82, which decided it was going to only load to a phone pad and demo screens after a while, and I couldn’t figure out how to switch out of it..so I tried to flash it with a firmware upgrade from http://blog.w2comp.com/2014/08/20/firmware-upgrade-method-for-mbox-s82-s82b-beelink-m8b-minix-neo-x8-x8-h-probox2-ex/ ….but the USB burning tool gets an error at 3% every time, but I can’t figure out what it is stuck with because it’s in an chinese I believe..even though I have english selected as the language..it only translates some of it. WHen I turn the media box on on it’s own..it comes up… Read more »

Al
Al
9 years ago


hmm..I’m using the version of USB burning tool from here, is there a newer one available? I did a quick search but only came up with a couple of scammy chinese sites that didn’t seem to actually have ‘v2.02’ anywhere downloadable.

Thanks.

Al
Al
9 years ago


OK..so I downloaded the new USB burning tool (thank you)….but when I load the img file, plug my box into my pc through the OTG cable…then hold the reset button down and power it on..it doesn’t seem to recognize it? nothing at all happens with the app, with the older one it would show up in the device list..nothing happens with this one..am I missing a something do you think?

Ichijoe
Ichijoe
9 years ago

Al : @Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) OK..so I downloaded the new USB burning tool (thank you)….but when I load the img file, plug my box into my pc through the OTG cable…then hold the reset button down and power it on..it doesn’t seem to recognize it? nothing at all happens with the app, with the older one it would show up in the device list..nothing happens with this one..am I missing a something do you think? The “Trick” I found with it (on Windows 7 x86-64), was to… a) Make sure at the time you install the AMLogic USB Burning Tool.… Read more »

sean
sean
9 years ago

hi
I am very new to mx boxes, I have mxiii which i give to my friend to update my box when it goes down.
I have downloaded interfacing software to connect it to my computer, but I do not know where do I get update for my box though?

HASSAN
HASSAN
9 years ago

Hi,
Please need help to have a firware for this device
Model D1310
CPU – Rockchip RK3066 Dual-Core A9 CPU 1.6GHz
Memory – 1GB DDR3
Flash Memory – 4GB
OS – Android 4.2.2
Wifi- IEEE 802.11b/g/n

http://www.lelong.com.my/dual-core-cpu-android-1080p-hd-tv-box-1gb-ddr3-screen-mirroring-qineticlife-I1846897-2007-01-Sale-I.htm

thanks

Nikolai
Nikolai
9 years ago

I am trying to flash the Mega-tron ROM and inside of stock recovery I keep getting E: footer is wrong E: signature verification failed. Instead of trying to update a .zip I then tried extracting the .zip and the .zip had two files inside: recovery.img and Factory_update_param.aml. I now have those two files on the SD Card BUT in factory recovery where do I apply the update, especially since it is not an update, now? When I apply update from EXT the files are hidden since it isn’t in .zip format. Is my only option now the Amlogic Recovery Tool?… Read more »

ASDned
ASDned
9 years ago

I like to have new firmware in my Zoomtak T8 s802 box for a better optical audio support but don’t know if I can use the Tonsmart or M8 for this?

Soon there will be Android V5 and this will be a big step forward because of the 24 bit audio support and I love good audio so I have to flash it.

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

Hi, as a few ones above, I used this firmware and same as them, now the device seems dead, it just has the red light, and when I plug it in nothing happens, no blue light. Any ideas how to fix this, it looks like I’m not able to add another firmware … Thanks in advance. I really hope I can have my M8 S802 450 Mali alive again 🙁

JohnboyC
JohnboyC
9 years ago

Hi can Anyone help me please?
I have a M8 K200b Android TV Box Google play Store closes as soon as I open it? And I cannot update or download from Google Play Store Can this be fixed without Flashing New Firmware ? I it can does anyone have the Google Services I will need?
Also I am thinking that Flashing is the only solution How can I be sure I have the right Firmware for my M8 K200b Android TV Box ? Thank you for any help provided

Kevin
Kevin
9 years ago

I require assistance for proper firmware. Here’s the details: Model: MXIII M82 Amlogic S802 Quad-Core Cortex-A9 2.0GHz CPU + ARM Mali-450MP Octa-Core GPU 2GB DDR3 RAM + 8GB Nand flash ROM (max. support 32GB) 802.11 a / b / g / n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity with Android 4.4 OS Not only do I need a firmware upgrade which is at 110k4, I would like to know if I can upgrade the entire operating system to Android 5.x. My MediaBox rapidly running out of storage space, and I would like to move my apps to external USB. I… Read more »

frank
frank
9 years ago

i did a firmware update to megatron firmware using the tooth pick method i must have downloaded the wrong firmware i guess now my t8 k200 has lost the clock and the unit reads nexus 10 em8 i have tried to flash it back to the right model etc. but when i insert the tooth pick and turn the unit on it only gos to the megatron logo and stays there note the unit work like this but i have lost a lot of functions someone please tell me they know how to bring my unit back….i also noticed that… Read more »

Autonomous
Autonomous
9 years ago

Can we revers the process. I want to create an image of an M8 box, then flash it to another M8.

Mohamed
Mohamed
9 years ago

sorry but i have bought a device today (MX III) and it doesn’t start (the red light never changes to blue), any idea how to fix it ? (sorry also if this isn’t the correct section).

magnus
magnus
9 years ago

Hi!
I have the CX-s806 and openelec zip file but it has no SD card reader. Anyone know how to do this?

James
James
9 years ago

On the other method, using the USB OTG port. What does that look like? number 5?

Rahul Ranjan
9 years ago

After mount data partition by update-script, box is giving the network issue, it’s not connectiong with wifi/ethernet.. any solution, how to mount data and delete some file from data partition.??

Anthony
Anthony
9 years ago

Anyone know how to update the rippl tv box? Cheers guys

eweid
eweid
8 years ago

hello

what is the procedere to change from open elect to the original firmware. or to activate enigma2 in vitmod os on sd card.
the box is K1 combo s905
thx

eweid
eweid
8 years ago

@eweid
OK with the corect Firm and the instruction at first of this thread -the original soft ist running on my box

thanks

Chris
Chris
8 years ago

Hello

How can i make a full backup of my actual ROM before flashing with USB Burning Tool ?

I would like to get a .img file for reflashing later with USB Burning Tool…

janpavel
janpavel
8 years ago

Hello

My M8 android tv box is bricked, i will need the aml.upgrade package.img for my M8 that i can flash with usb burning tool.
Can someone provide a link for the .img file

Thank you

Pedurand
Pedurand
8 years ago

Hi ! They are 2 models of M8 S802 ! The M8 or M8N the Firmware works in two box ?

Sallback00
Sallback00
8 years ago


Do you have the link for the M8 s802 firm in .img form?

viju
viju
8 years ago

My box amlogic s805 burning tool displayed ket key failed error please help

Martin
Martin
7 years ago

hi need some help pls fix my mx box jelly bean 4.2.2 i try to updated the other day all it does now the blue light stay on can’t find the rite firmware ne help thank you

AKBAR
AKBAR
7 years ago

hi i have MXIII 4K BOX AND I TRIED TO UPGRADE TO LOLLIPOP BUT I THINK I MADE MISTAKE NOW BOX HAVE RED LIGHT IT IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE CAN U GIVE ME SITE LINK FOR FIRMWARE AND HOW TO USE THAT.THANX.

nsr
nsr
7 years ago

sir please help to find out the official stock firmware of my android mbox s82 tv box

tallpr24
tallpr24
7 years ago

does any one know if this will work on Tronsmart Vega S89-H?
i would like to have android 5, i herd you can use the 102L1_5.1 Beta Firmware for Tronsmart.
any one tried it or know of any working custom firmware running android 5 for the Tronsmart Vega S89-H

Karlos
Karlos
7 years ago

Hi Guys,
Can anyone help…….
I have an MXQ quad core running Amlogic Meson 8B
Processor Arm V7 rev1.

Im looking for the firmware to upgrade to lolipop if i can. Ive tried different tech sites but cant find the right firmware.

Thanks in advance of your answers,
Karlos.

Dark
Dark
7 years ago

Hi guys, i have this Pigflytech MX3 Plus tv box with Andriod Kit Kat. I want to upgrade to latest firmware/stock rom. Can anyone assist me pls.

Dave
Dave
7 years ago

Hi good day , I have an matricom MX2, it’s started to boot with the android “G” logo and its stuck there . It would not boot past that. I tried flashing via SD, however it won’t go into recovery. Any suggestions ?. Thanks

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