Flash an Android Tablet
Android is known for its open source nature and enabling its users to customize every single bit of the device’s software to their liking. For power users, flashing is an invaluable tool, and sometimes the only method of improving their device’s performance with kernels.
You have to be rooted for this to work, as well as having a custom recovery installed on your device. Look these up on the web and perform the necessary installations before proceeding. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll be flashing a kernel.
Steps
Root Your Android
- Back up your device. Make sure you back up anything important before you start. Also make sure that your phone is fully charged.
- Download and install Kingo Android Root on your PC. You can find this application here: http://www.kingoapp.com/
- Enable USB debugging. Find settings - icon that looks like a gear - and tap to launch. Tap About Phone, then tap Developer Options. Locate the USB debugging option and check off the box next to it.
- Launch Android Root. Find it in your applications on your PC and launch. Connect you phone to the PC via a USB cable (which should have been included with the phone). Your PC should show a connection to your device.
- Root your phone. On your Android Root application, click Root. Wait for the rooting to finish (should take a couple minutes).
Flashing Kernel
- Download the appropriate kernel package for your device.
- Do some research about the best custom kernel for your device. Make sure it’s compatible with your device’s model number and version of Android.
- Download the kernel package.
- Place it somewhere easy to remember on either your internal storage or external storage.
- Access custom recovery. For this example, we’ll be using TeamWin Recovery Project (TWRP).
- Power off your device.
- The boot-to-recovery button sequence may vary, but generally you hold the power button and the "Volume Up" button at the same time while the device is off. Alternatively, Download an app called Quick Boot tool to enable an advanced rebooting menu and choose Reboot to recovery.
- Navigate to your kernel package.
- In TWRP, tap "Install."
- Navigate to the directory where your kernel package is situated.
- Tap on it, and swipe the Install button to the right.
- Reboot. Once flashing has finished, clear cache and dalvik, and reboot.
- You’ve successfully changed your device’s kernel.
