Flashing smartphones has become a rather northerly affair among Android enthusiasts and developers. Among some of the possibilities offered are building custom ROMs and returning the device to its factory state. OPPO A72, with a fair balance of features and price, has gained immense popularity with the user base, and the flashing procedure will beautify customization and performance enhancements. Flashing, however, is not free from all risks. This highly detailed procedural guide will walk you through the hows, the positives, and the negatives of flashing an OPPO A72 so that you are fully aware before setting out on the operatory endeavor of your choice.
1. Introduction to Flashing
Flashing a smartphone is the act of installing or re-installing the firmware or OS on a device. Some of the reasons that could compel one to flash a device are:
To install a custom ROM: Custom ROMs are modified versions of Android that provide features and enhancements not found on the stock ROM.
To unbrick the device: When your OPPO A72 is stuck in a boot loop or simply not working right, flashing with stock firmware will usually restore its working condition.
Updating or Downgrading: Flashing can be done either to upgrade the device to a more recent version of Android or to downgrade it to an earlier version if the current update is causing problems.
Removing Bloatware: There are those who flash their phones to purge lost clothes and baggage of unwanted preinstalled apps that are loaded with stock ROM.
2. Understanding the Risks of Flashing
Here are some warning while flashing your OPPO A72:
Bricking Your Device: When sorting of bricks unnormal, because of doing fraudulent flashing.
Warranty May Get Voided: Flashing custom ROMs or firmware alterations would void your warranty so that you can’t get any official support or repair.
Data Loss: Flashing commonly removes all data on the device, so it is essential to back it up before proceeding.
Security Risks: Custom ROMs or alternative firmware might not undergo regular security updates, which could render your device open to attacks.
3. Preparations Before Flashing the OPPO A72
Precautions must be taken to ensure smooth flashing. Hence, here goes the checklist:
3.1 Backup Your Data
Flashing will erase all data on your device; hence, backups of crucial files, contacts, messages, and apps should be made. You can:
Google Drive: Sync your contacts, calendar, photos, and app data with Google.
Third-party Apps: You can use apps such as Titanium Backup (root needed) or Helium to back up apps and their data.
Manual Backup: Copy important files, photos, and documents to a PC or external storage device.
3.2 Charge Your Device Enough
Your OPPO A72 should carry a complete charge, or in worst-case scenarios, at least 70-80% charge before embarking on the flashing process. A sudden flash with loss of power may turn the phone into a brick.
3.3 Download Files
Depending on your purpose (being custom ROM installation, restoration of stock firmware, etc.), you will be needing the appropriate files:
Stock Firmware or Custom ROM: Make sure to download the correct version of the custom firmware or ROM for your OPPO A72. Your device’s region and model number must be identical to that of the firmware.
SP Flash Tool or Fastboot/ADB: These are the tools commonly used to flash Android devices.
USB Drivers: On your computer, make sure the required USB Drivers for OPPO A72 have been installed. These USB Drivers make your device communicate with your computer during the flashing process.
3.4 Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging
USB Debugging needs to be enabled to be able to flash the device:
Navigate to Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Options.
Head back and go to Settings > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
4. Flashing the OPPO A72: How to do it
Depending on your objectives, there can be various methods to flash OPPO A72. Let’s discuss two common ones-methods with Indian accent: The SP Flash Tool and Fastboot.
4.1 Flashing OPPO A72 Using SP Flash Tool
The SP Flash Tool is a popular utility mainly used to flash MediaTek-based devices. Since the OPPO A72 operates on a Qualcomm chipset, we will instead look at the counterpart tool for Qualcomm, called QFIL Tool (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader).
4.1.1 Download and Install Required Tools
Download QFIL Tool: Download and install the latest version of QFIL Tool from a trusted source.
Install Qualcomm USB Drivers: In order for the PC to recognize your device during the flashing process, install the Qualcomm USB drivers.
4.1.2 Boot the Device in EDL Mode
EDL (Emergency Download) Mode is needed to flash with the use of QFIL Tools. How to get into EDL mode is:
Turn off your OPPO A72.
Keep it connected to the PC using a USB cable.
EDL Mode Entry:
You may press specific key combinations usually Volume Up + Power button (differs from device to device), or one may need to use the test point method if usual key combinations do not work.
4.1.3 Load Firmware in QFIL Tool
Launch the tool on your PC.
QFIL Configurations:
Select Build Type: Under Select Build Type, “Flat Build” has to be chosen.
Load Programmer: Click on “Browse” next to Programmer Path and set the prog_emmc_firehose_XXXX.mbn from the firmware folder.
Load XML Files: Click “Load XML” to load rawprogram0.xml and patch0.xml from the firmware folder.
Verify Connection: Check if the device is detected by QFIL Tool. It shows the COM port number when connected properly.
4.1.4 Write the Firmware
Initiate flash: Click on the Download button to begin the flashing process. The process will take a few minutes.
Wait for Success: Upon completion, you will see a success message in the QFIL Tool.
4.1.5 Reboot Your Device
Reboot: Disconnect the device from the PC and press on the Power key for reboot.
Initial Setup: The OPPO A72 will boot into the newly installed firmware; now you can proceed with setting up your device as usual.
4.2 Fastboot Flashing of OPPO A72
Fastboot is a protocol used to re-flash the partitions in your phone. This is usually used when you want to flash custom recovery like TWRP or update/downgrade the bootloader.
4.2.1 Install Fastboot Tools and Drivers
Install ADB and Fastboot Tools: Download and install ADB and Fastboot tools on the PC.
Install USB Drivers: Make sure that your PC has the USB drivers installed for the OPPO A72.
4.2.2 Boot into Fastboot Mode
Turn the Device Off: Hold down the power button and select “Power off.”
Boot into Fastboot Mode: Hold the Volume Down button and the Power button together till the Fastboot screen appears.
4.2.3 Flash the Firmware or Recovery via Fastboot
Connect to PC: Use a USB cable to connect OPPO A72 to the PC.
Open Command Prompt/Terminal: Navigate to the folder in which you installed ADB and Fastboot tools.
Check Connection of the Device: Type fastboot devices and hit Enter. It should show a device ID if your device has been properly connected.
Performing Flash Recovery/Firmware:
To flash a custom recovery, just write fastboot flash recovery recovery.img in command prompt, replacing recovery.img with the name of your custom recovery file.
If you want to flash firmware, you may need to flash other partitions using fastboot flash boot boot.img, fastboot flash system system.img, etc.
Reboot: After the whole flashing procedure is complete, type fastboot reboot to reboot the device.
5. Post-Flashing Considerations
After you completed flashing your OPPO A72, there are certain things you need to do to ascertain the proper working and security of your device.
5.1 Validate Firmware Installation
Once the device reboots, perform these steps to validate that the firmware installation was successful.
Check Android Version: Head over to Settings > About Phone and from there confirm the Android version, security patch level, and firmware details.
Test Core Functions: Check whether basic functioning like calling, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the camera is intact.
Check for Updates: If you have stock firmware installed, check for any system and security updates from the Settings > Software Updates.
5.2 Install Applications, Restore Data
If you have backed your data up before flashing, restore it now:
Restore from Google: Sign in with your Google account and restore your apps and data from Google Backup.
**Use Third-Party Backup and Restore Tools: Use the respective backup tool for restoration, e.g., Titanium Backup would restore the apps and data. Remember that some apps may not be compatible once you’ve flashed the custom ROM and may require to be reinstalled from the Google Play Store.
5.3 Reconfigure Settings and Customizations
Depending on your taste, you may want to reconfigure some settings and customizations after flashing:
Enable Developer Options If Needed: If you want to use Developer Options (e.g., USB debugging), then enable Developer Options by tapping the Build Number, which can be found in About Phone.
User Interface Customization: Customization of the home screen layout, themes, and wallpapers to suit your style. Custom ROMs typically allow a deeper level of customization than stock firmware.
Set Up Security Features: Reconfigure your security settings such as fingerprint or face unlock, or simply adjust your PIN/password. It is imperative to secure your device after flashing, mainly if a custom ROM has been installed that might not possess the security features offered by Google by default.
6. A Quick Intro to Custom ROMs and OPPO A72
One prominent reason to flash a device is to install custom ROMs. Custom ROMs make your OPPO A72 tremendoulsy exciting, with extra features, performance enhancements, and user experience. So, let’s dive into some of the acclaimed OPPO A72 custom ROMs and what they have to offer.
6.1 LineageOS
LineageOS is perhaps the most powerful and most famous custom ROM in the world with its stability and near-stock Android experience. Regular updates and improved performance with a cleaner and polished UI compared to OPPO’s ColorOS are at the heart of what it delivers. Some notable features are:
Enhanced Privacy: LineageOS provides better control over app permissions and privacy settings.
Customization: Users can extensively customize the UI, including the status bar, lock screen, and home screen.
Performance Optimization: The ROM is optimized for smooth and flowing performance by reducing bloatware and unnecessary background processes.
6.2 Pixel Experience
Pixel Experience is a ROM that tried to offer similar experience with Google`s Pixel devices. In actuality, it is plain Android with a few additions. Some of the special features include:
Google Integration: Design to deeply integrate all services of Google, the latest Google Assistant, and the apps exclusive to Pixel.
Fluid UI: Transitions and animations; highly fluid with all the new Android features that Google’s design has.
Regular Updates: Pixel Experience ROM keeps up with the latest security patches and Android versions.
6.3 Resurrection Remix
Resurrection Remix is one of the most feature-rich ROMs, merging coding from several ROMs like: LineageOS, OmniROM, and Paranoid Android.
Customization: There is no piece of UI that you cannot customize, from the navigation bar to the lock screen.
Performance Tweaks: Resurrection Remix contains many tweaks to improve performance, perhaps in terms of battery life and speed.
Extra Features: Features such as gesture control, screen-off gestures, and an in-depth power menu included.
7. Troubleshooting Flashing Issues
Despite the most careful preparations, sometimes the flashing procedure may create a problem. Here are some common problems and their solutions for troubleshooting:
7.1 Boot Loop
When the device becomes stuck in the startup and keeps rebooting:
Solution: Boot into Recovery Mode (usually by holding Volume Down + Power) and perform a factory reset. If you’re using a custom recovery like TWRP, you can also try wiping the cache and Dalvik cache.
7.2 USB Driver Issues
Sometimes the PC may not recognize your OPPO A72 and cease the process of flashing:
Solution: If the appropriate USB drivers have not been installed, install them. Alternatively, change the USB cable being used, or try to use another USB port. Also confirm if QFIL or Fastboot modes are correct on your device (EDL for QFIL or Fastboot mode).
7.3 Stuck on Boot Logo
If your device is stuck on the boot logo post-flashing:
Solution: It might happen if your firmware or ROM isn’t suitable for your device. Enter into Recovery Mode and consider flashing a different firmware or restoring a backup.
7.4 Incomplete Flashing
If the flashing process is stopped in the middle or fails to complete:
Solution: Checking the integrity of the file is essential, be it a firmware file or a ROM file. If corrupted, download it again and conduct successful flashing without any interruption (e.g., USB disconnection).
8. Conclusion: Is It Worth Flasing OPPO A72?
Flashing the OPPO A72 will mostly improve the user experience through customization, performance improvements, and giving your device a breath of new life. There are risks involved and you should consider them versus the advantages, such as voiding your warranty or bricking the device.
For those with some technical knowledge or a working familiarity with the Android ecosystem, flashing can be a wonderful experience that offers power over their device. A custom ROM such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience, or Resurrection Remix will have features that are meant to dramatically change the way you interact with your phone.
However, for less-experienced users, the entire process might be quite intimidating. The risks involved, especially if you end up bricking your device, can outweigh its benefits. If you are still unsure, then it is always worth asking yourself if the stock firmware can meet your needs or whether safer options exist, such as rooting only or even third-party launchers for customization.
Ultimately, flashing your OPPO A72 is a decision based on your comfort level with technology, your hands-on need, and your willingness to accept the risks associated. If you decide to do it, make sure you are prepared and follow each step cautiously, with a backup plan at the ready. If done right, the flashing will help tailor the OPPO A72 to suit your own needs and wants perfectly.