ELI5: How do you flash a file?

Ok. This may seem like a long and difficult process, but it's really not. If you have any questions, please ask them before proceeding :)

To begin with you will need to have Android Debug Bridge and the correct drivers for your One installed on your PC. Do not plug your phone in yet!

  • Download ABD here.

  • Extract this zip and place the folder android-sdk-windows somewhere convenient (I would place it at the root of your hard drive: C:\android-sdk-windows).

  • Now open Command Prompt as administrator. On Windows 8 this can be done by right-clicking the bottom left corner of your taskbar and selecting from the drop down menu. Alternatively, press Windows key + R and type "cmd".

  • Type the following commands:

    cd C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools

    adb version

It should display Android Debug Bridge version x.x.xx. If it doesn't, make sure you followed the steps above. Note if you placed the android-sdk-windows somewhere different to your C:\ drive, you'll need to change the first line accordingly.

  • Close command prompt.

  • Download USB drivers here.

  • Install these. Reboot if asked to.

Now is a good time to run through a checklist on your phone.

  • Plug in your phone to the computer.

    • Backup all your important files - we won't be wiping anything from your phone, but just in case something goes wrong, you'll want to move anything you want to keep (photos, files etc.) to your computer. Access your phone from My Computer as normal to copy the files you want.
  • Battery - ensure your phone has above 50% battery. The process won't take long, but the last thing you want is the phone dying unexpectedly in the middle.

Let's make sure we have all the files we need...

  • Download TWRP from here. This is a custom recovery which we're going to sideload (not install) onto your phone.

  • Take the file which was downloaded and place it in C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools (or wherever you extracted the zip to).

  • Download the zip file you want to flash (the one in your post) and place it on your phone.

Ok, now the fun part!

  • Turn off your phone (keep it plugged in).

  • Reboot into fastboot mode (hold POWER + VOLUME UP). A black screen with the fastboot text should appear.

  • Open a new command prompt as administrator.

  • Type the following commands:

    cd C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools

    fastboot devices

  • This command lists connected android devices. A serial number should appear after this command. If it doesn't, there is a problem with your drivers (they may need to be reinstalled).

  • We're now going to sideload the TWRP recovery image we downloaded

    fastboot boot twrp-2.8.6.0-bacon.img

  • Your phone should now reboot (with any luck) into TWRP recovery!

Now we're in the recovery, time to switch to using the phone. DO NOT UNPLUG IT.

  • Using your phone, select *Install" from the menu, you will be presented with a list of folders - this is your phone's internal storage. You should navigate to where you downloaded your bug-fix file (probably at the bottom of the list) and select it.

  • Simply then swipe right to confirm the flash. Your phone will now install the file.

  • When it is done, press reboot.

  • Wait until your phone is booted into your normal system, close the command prompt window and unplug.

/r/oneplus Thread Parent