Having ordered a Lenovo P780 smartphone from China, I wrote to the seller that I needed Russian and the firmware on lenovo should not be Chinese. I thought that would be enough for him to understand. But the phone that came up upset me a little, since there were Chinese characters everywhere, although the Russian language was in the settings. Looking in Settings -\u003e About phone -\u003e Information about versions, I found out that the firmware on my lenovo is with the build number VIBEROM_V1.0_1347_3_ST_P780, by entering this into Google I found out that my p780 lenovo is installed official chinese firmware... Since this did not suit me, I started looking for information on how to reflash an android on my own on LenovoP780 from the Chinese to the normal, non-Chinese version.
I re-flashed it for the first time, do not throw stones if you did something wrong 🙂 the main thing is that this way I flashed my phone normally. I didn’t know how and what to flash an android from a computer, and so the first thing I did was go to the search engine to look for "Lenovo P780 firmware", "firmware for android from a computer", as well as "firmware for lenovo" and got to the site w3bsit3-dns.com. where I downloaded everything you need to reflash your phone. Having opened the spoiler "Official firmware" I downloaded the archive with the postscript "for updating from a PC" called "Firmware for lenovo P780_ROW_S124_140403 4Gb for updating from a PC". I did not download other archives, but I think the difference in them is only in the presence of the FlashTool program.
After downloading the archive with the firmware, you needed to install the drivers that can be downloaded from the links below:
When all the drivers are installed, go back to the archive with the firmware, unzip your archive with the firmware and in the SP_Flash_Tool folder start the program itself by clicking on Flash_tool.exe. In the archive, if you downloaded the same as me, 4 folders: apdb, modemdb, SP_Flash_Tool_v3.1304.0.119 and target_bin.
After starting the program, in the Scatter-loadingFile field, select the MT6589_Android_scatter_emmc.txt file from the target_bin folder. Your name may not be exactly the same as mine, but I think you yourself will figure it out. Do not forget to tick the DA DL All WIth Check before starting the phone's firmware, otherwise it may install clumsily and may not even start at all, giving an error at the very beginning.
After completing all the previous steps, you can start flashing your phone. To do this, press Firmware-\u003e Update, wait until the progress bars run and stop, and connect the phone to the USB cable. Do not forget to turn off your phone before connecting, as the phone must be turned off when flashing. After connecting the phone, all the drivers that we installed before will be installed.
If everything goes as it should, the installation will begin, as you can see from the filling progress bar. Successful completion will notify you with a green circle.After that, the phone can be disconnected from the computer and turned on. The first launch after the flashing is long, do not worry about this, I did not time it, but it seems that I had one Lenovo splash screen for about 3 minutes. If your installation has not started, then I think you need to look towards the drivers. You can ask questions on this and another occasion on the forums http://lenovo-forums.ru and http://w3bsit3-dns.com
Hello friends! I have in my hands the legendary phone Lenovo P780, I am not afraid of this word - this is really a legendary phone. I wanted such a phone for myself, he has powerful battery 4000 mAh, it has the ability to connect 2 Sim-cards, a fairly good display - a small 5 inches, it is quite convenient to carry it in your pocket. But personally I don't like his camera. The Lenovo P780 has a great 8 Mpx camera, but it's not perfect when viewed from my hobby point of view. The fact is that I am engaged in video blogging and my video camera, which I am currently shooting with, cannot always take with me - it is healthy and heavy. And I wish I had a good camera on hand. Lenovo K900 has a 13 Mpx Sony camera. Those. there are gorgeous pictures. The P780 is also good, but as a video blogger, they don't quite suit me. I kept expecting Lenovo to release an updated version of the P780, something like that, but with a 13 Mpx camera. I would buy it immediately.
I kept waiting, waiting, and I see that Lenovo still produces similar phones, but they are already 6-inch, healthy, the camera is also not very good, well, they look completely different: not as simple and elegant as the Lenovo P780 ... So, most likely I will take the P780 for myself, as I see that Lenovo is not going to release such cool phones any further.
In this form, I will show you how to reflash a Lenovo P780 phone. The fact is that they come with different firmware: this one came to me with the 116th firmware, after it there is still 119th, and the latest official firmware on May 18, 2015 - 228th. There are several ways to flash the phone, I will show you how to do it using the flashtools program. This will require personal Computer and ordinary USB cable... It doesn't matter to us what firmware was on the phone, with the help of a computer and flashtools, we can immediately sew on the latest 228th firmware. You can also flash using firmware files without using a computer. These files weigh much less, files for flashing from a computer weigh 600-700 Mb, and for flashing from a phone about 60-70 Mb, i.e. 10 times less. However, these files only allow flashing the phone to the next version. Those. specifically, my 116th version, I can only flash on the 119th, then I need another such file to flash the 119th version on the 123rd. Moreover, since these files are small, you yourself understand that they do not contain all the firmware, but only the difference between the 116th and 119th. If you fixed something in the firmware or received some additional chips for yourself, then you will not be able to flash for the next version - you will not be allowed to do this. Therefore, I use the firmware from a computer, from the flashtools program, and now I will show you how to do this.
Let's move on to the flashing process itself. Before starting flashing, you should fully charge the phone. The process itself may take a little longer than usual, and if your phone is discharged halfway, you will get a "brick".
I will already start flashing Lenovo P780, but first I want to warn you: it will all work for me, I will show you how I did it. But if you do something wrong, or forget something, or do not understand so well and get a "brick" - then I do not bear any responsibility for this! So I warned you, and then see for yourself.
To reflash, we need to install the driver for the firmware: this is not the driver that is installed when the phone is connected via USB in order to write something to the flash drive. This is a different driver - for accessibility, i.e. just for flashing. We connect our phone via USB. Turn it off. I deliberately removed the back cover because we need a reset button. Then we go to the computer. On my site you can download these two files: directly the firmware itself and the driver. The driver will be on my website, and the firmware will be uploaded to some file hosting service, because it weighs a lot.
We unpack the archive with the driver closer to the root: I immediately throw it on disk D. Now open the device manager. And take a close look: when I press the reset button on the Lenovo P780 phone, I have a new device for 2 seconds.
Need to press quickly right click, select properties and select update driver.
And we search for the driver on this computer, I dropped it on the D drive.
This is our driver. And choose the version: I have Windows 7 32 bit. OK.
Click further. Naturally, the driver does not have digital signature, we still press continue.
Now I am doing it on Windows 7 32 bit., Before that I did it on W7 64 bit. system. Everything worked fine for me. At 32 bit. I am doing this for the first time, but I also think it will work.
And now, when we reconnect our Lenovo P780, since the drivers have been installed, the com port should be determined for 2 seconds.
We have installed the drivers. And that's great. Now the firmware itself.
Unpack the firmware file. Again, drag it to disk D. Do everything closer to the root so that there are no Russian characters on the way - the best option is to drop the folder directly into the root. The folder is named in English letters, so you won't have any problems.
While unpacking, you need to disconnect the phone. Please note, I disconnected the phone. I don't have it connected right now - this is very important.
We open the folder with the firmware, we need the FlashTools program.
Everything started. This is the program with which we will flash the phone.
Now you need to download a file that will store all the settings for the firmware. This is the so-called scatter file
This file is located in the same unpacked folder, in a subfolder.
Open, now blocks will appear in the FlashTools program on which all checkboxes will be set. We check carefully that all the boxes are ticked. Be sure to check the box so that the checksum is checked and click update.
Please note that my cable is not connected right now. Now the cache is the sum of all files.
The check is over and the program is waiting for the phone to connect.
Let's connect. Everything, went through the firmware process. If you didn't go - press the reset button again - it should go.
All Lenovo P780 firmware completed.
This took almost 7 minutes. The phone will be reflashed. With which I congratulate you! We can turn it on. Naturally, the first activation will be very long. I will specially upload the firmware file to the file hosting service, because it weighs almost 1 GB. I downloaded it to the Lenovo forum.
The phone turned on. And let's see the firmware version. And here's the version: 123rd.
That's all. Lenovo P780 phone is flashed, works well. The firmware is official - there shouldn't be any problems, you can turn on Wi-Fi and update. You may need to replace the radio module, there is a network that will be poorly caught. All the best and goodbye. While.
Detailed instructions for flashing your phone Lenovo P780 , with all the necessary files and a bootloader program.
First, let's take a look at the modifications of this phone model, because it is produced for the European and Chinese (Asian) markets, so we must take into account that they have different firmware. The European version of the phone has 8GB. built-in memory and the Chinese (Asian) version has 4GB. built-in memory and a simplified modem part.
If you want to know how to improve network signal reception, you can read about this in the article
Preparing for Lenovo P780 firmware
As usual, before you start flashing Lenovo P780 phone, you need to fully charge it, this will save us from unnecessary risk of getting a “brick”.
Backing up your Lenovo P780 data
Before changing or updating the phone software, the first step is to back up your data (Contacts, Messages, Photos / Videos, Calendar, Music and Applications).
Go to Settings - System - Restore and reset - Data backup - Back up to internal memory
A list will be offered to select the data to copy
We select everything that we need and click on the button 
select the name of the folder with the archive, by default the name looks like this: year-month-day-hh-mm-ss for example 20150703
100608
.
We are waiting until it is completed backup data, save a copy in a safe place and move on to the next step.
Install drivers for Lenovo P780
To do this, turn off the phone completely, be sure to disable the fastboot function if it is activated, for this you need to go to Settings - System - Special features - System - Fast loading.
Or when you turn off the phone, also uncheck the shutdown menu
Install all required driverswhich can be downloaded from the link:
After that, connect the USB cable to the switched off phone and the system will install everything automatically, if not, then the missing driver files can be found in the program folder: SP_Flash_Tool_Lenovo_P780 / SP_Drivers_v1.5
After a successful installation, a new device will appear in the device manager XXX)
All firmware versions Lenovo P780
We download the firmware for our version of the phone, if you are not sure which one you have, then how to do it is written in the article
European version
Chinese (Asian) version
Each firmware archive contains all the necessary files.
Lenovo P780 Firmware Program
Download and unpack the SP_Flash_Tool_Lenovo_P780 firmware anywhere and run the flash_tool.exe program from the folder where we extracted the files.
You can download the SP_Flash_Tool_Lenovo_P780 program here:
The initial window of the program will appear, which we need to prepare for the phone's firmware:
First of all, select a file with markup, for this you need to click on the button 
and specify the file location in the Lenovo P780 firmware folder (it contains the firmware sequence and a list required files) in our case, we will consider the firmware of the European version of Lenovo P780 phone.
After checking the integrity and availability of all the necessary files, the program window will be filled with a table with the names and addresses of all the sections to be flashed, and the model of the device processor will appear on the phone image on the left side of the window.
As the firmware mode, select the item
This completes the preparation of the flash_tool program for the firmware, you can start the process of updating the program on the phone, just click on the button
After the start of the firmware process, the program will go into standby mode for connecting the device (i.e. phone)
After connecting the phone, a red download bar will run on the bottom line
Description:
Russian custom Ultra Lite firmware.
For installation from a PC
full translation into Russian, English, Chinese.
Firmware changes
removed:
AccuWeather
CamCard / CamScanner
Evernote®
Facebook
Kingsoft Office
Cloud storage Lenovo Cloud
Norton Mobile Security Antivirus
Navigation system Route 66 Maps + Navigation
Skype ™
Twitter
Asphalt 7
Block breaker 3
Gameloft Store
Little big city
Instructions for beginners
Books
Chrome
UCBrowser
News and weather
Gmail
Maps
Desktop Pictures
LenovoLog
LenovoOTA
LenovoMagazines
Additional skins
Google+
Street
Talk
Youtube
Added:
Removed 3G, G icons next to antennas
User memory size increased to 0.9GB
Internal SD card size remains the same 1.5GB
Additional item Reboot (Normal or Recovery) in the Power Menu
Additional items in Settings, "Battery", "Startup", "Engineering menu"
Patched Modem.img to solve the problem with 2G mode
ROOT + RootShell + Busybox
init.d optional
All firmware re-signed with AOSP certificates
Recovery TWRP 2.5.0.0
Powerful Root BackUp
Rooted file manager
Something else, I'll remember to add
What does not work:
No not working modules are marked
Firmware discussion topic
22 554 Downloads
OFFICIAL FACTORY
Build number: P780_ROW_S110
Date: 29.06.2013
Creator: Lenovo R&D Group
Ingredients: firmware images
OS: Android 4.2
Changes:
keyboard: multilingual
IdeaFriend release version
Lenovo Compass
Full set of programs for the Russian region
Lenovo Power final version
Topic of discussion
21 106 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from PC!
Build number: P780_ROW_S112
Date: 17.07.2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Size: 675 997 746
Topic of discussion
6 383 times downloaded
Build number: P780_ROW_S115
Date: 07/08/2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Changes: ----
Installation conditions: Installed on ONLY ON OF 112_ROW through standard recovery!
What works: EVERYTHING!
Change log:
Changing the firmware version of the radio module
Link to discussion topic
986 Downloads
Ladies and gentlemen!
I present to your attention ..
MIUI DUAL-SIM MTK version (includes Russian and Ukrainian) for installation over ROW firmware:
Firmware for Lenovo P780 (off.miui.com and lephone.cc)
- all modules work (if you find a new bug - unsubscribe in the topic and wait for fixes from the developers)
- Russification by ~ 95% (English is found here and there)
- Russian dialer with T9
- added a minimum set of Google applications (Market + synchronization)
- MIUI Recovery, RootShell, init.d, and external SD by default. (thanks to Hacker!)
- I won't describe everything - try it ..
Link to discussion topic
1 171 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from BODY!
Build number: P780_ROW_S116_130828
Date: 28.08.2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition: firmware images as part of the OTA update. Contains ONLY modified files.
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Download: from Lenovo-forums / soon /
Size: 68 Mb
Installation conditions:
Installed on ONLY ON 115_ROW OF OFF through regular recovery!
What works: EVERYTHING!
Change log: no
topic of discussion
1,131 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from PC!
Build number: P780_ROW_S116_120828
Date: 28.08.2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Ingredient: Full firmware image
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Download: download
The size:
Installation conditions:
FOR ANY FIRMWARE! For smartphones - purchased in China, GSM module firmware may need to be replaced
What works: EVERYTHING!
Change log:
Updating Lenovo applications
Topic of discussion
7 587 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from PC!
Build number: P780_ROW_S119_300913 8GB
Date: 30 September 2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Ingredient: Full firmware image
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Download: download (coming soon)
Size: 658 927 999 bytes
Topic of discussion
11 255 Downloads
System applications from the official firmware P780_ROW_S110
Description of system lenovo programs P780
Build number: P780_ROW_S116
Date: 29.06.2013
Creator: Lenovo R&D Group
Ingredient: all system applications
OS: Android 4.2
topic of discussion
1 184 times downloaded
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from BODY!
Date: 31 December 2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition: firmware images as part of the OTA update. Contains ONLY modified files.
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Topic of discussion
3 815 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from BODY!
Build number: P780_ROW_S123_131231
Date: 31 December 2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition: firmware images as part of the OTA update. Contains ONLY modified files.
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Topic of discussion
10,235 Downloads
Date: 31 December 2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition: firmware images as part of the OTA update. Contains ONLY modified files.
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
858 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language to update the 8 GB version of the smartphone!
Build number: P780_8Gb_ROW_S123_131231
Date: 31 December 2013
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition: An image for updating from a PC.
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
2 616 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from BODY!
Build number: P780_ROW_S124_140403
Date: 03 April 2014
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition:
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Download:
1- Ota- archive for updates from recovery update.zip 11.28MB 1211 Number of downloads:
2- Full firmware image from PC
Topic of discussion
27 040 Downloads
Firmware with RUSSIAN language for updating from PC!
Build number: P780 S124_8Gb_ROW_140403
Date: 03 April 2014
Creator: Of Lenovo
Composition:
1- firmware images as part of the OTA update. Contains ONLY modified files.
2- Full firmware image from PC
OS: Android 4.2
Description:
languages: Russian, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
keyboard: multilingual
Download:
1- Full firmware image from PC
Volume
So far, the following changes have emerged:
1. Less memory is used when starting the smartphone! (123 was always filled with 50-55% (standard widget), now 40-45%)
2. There was a turn to the horizontal plane when typing SMS (I have been waiting for this for a long time)!
Topic of discussion
13 389 Downloads
Firmware Lenovo P780 KitKat (P780_ROW) 8 GB + 4 GB euro version
I do not know if it is possible to directly sew this version on devices of 2014! Have not checked!
Works on EURO devices 2014!
For Chinese devices manufactured in 2013 - check the built-in modem. If necessary, change. While opinions differ.)
Firmware from the Russian region for updating from PC + OTA!
When installing from a PC - Ability to install on any firmware version!
When installing the OTA archive - ONLY to 124 with an unmodified system!
Build number: S213_140708
Date: 07/14/2014
Creator: Lenovo - QC update for ROW region
Only for countries: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus (former CIS), not intended for Malaysia, Vietnam, Turkey and so on - they have a different firmware and it is not ready yet.
Composition: Firmware for PC + OTA update
OS: Android 4.4.2
Languages: Russian, English, Ukrainian / keyboard: multilingual
Installing an Ota update
Installed ONLY ON OF 124_ROW with standard recovery Installed only on 124_ROW and only through standard (not extended) recovery.
RTH rights will have to be obtained AGAIN
Installation:
0. We are convinced that there is an official firmware S124_ROW, standard (not extended) recovery * and system (GOOGLE) applications ** were not erased / changed. And also, that there is no memory re-layout. If even one point is not fulfilled, the firmware will not get up. nothing terrible will happen, just the update will not be installed and the previous version will remain.
1- Download the googleota_P780_Update_to_KK_ROW.rar archive on your PC
2- Unpack and extract the update.zip archive
IN ANY way, NOT unpacking update.zip, copy this archive either to the root of the memory card or to the root of the built-in memory
3. In any way we reboot into recovery (either from the off state, with buttons, or Quick Boot).
4. The installation starts AUTOMATICALLY.
5. Reboot after installation - starts automatically
6. MAKE WIPE after UPDATING! open the dialer and dial #### 7777 #
Who does not - we will laugh at him and his bugs with the whole team
7- Success!
Topic of discussion
8 641 Downloads
Few models of Android smartphones from the famous manufacturer Lenovo can be characterized by such a level of prevalence and popularity as the IdeaPhone P780. This is indeed a very successful device at the time of its release and, despite the fact that this phone considered morally obsolete, its specifications can satisfy most of the needs of the average user today. Below we will talk about working with the system software of the device in terms of its restoration, replacement and updating, that is, about the firmware of the model.
Lenovo software components can be updated, reinstalled, customized, and, if necessary, restored using tools and methods available to all users. Almost all situations that may arise are described in the instructions below, but before serious intervention in the software part of the device, you should consider:
When performing operations according to the recommendations below, the user is aware of the potential risk of the procedures. All actions are performed by the owner of the device at his own peril and risk, and only he is responsible for their results and consequences!
Before manipulating the software of any Android device, it is necessary to carry out certain preparatory actions with the device and the computer, which will be used as a tool for transferring data to the device. Having carried out the preparation in full, you can avoid many mistakes and very quickly achieve the desired result - a correctly and stably functioning Lenovo P780 smartphone.
Hardware revisions
In total, there are as many as four versions of the Lenovo P780 model, which differ not only in the intended manufacturer's region of use (two options for the Chinese market and two international revisions), the software part (memory markup - for devices for China - CN, international - ROW), year of release (conditionally, devices are divided into those released before 2014 and during it), but also in hardware (different volumes of ROM - 4 GB and (only for "international") 8 GB, different radio modules).
The firmware methods and software tools for different model variants do not differ, but are used different versions packages with system software. This material demonstrates the methods of reinstalling and restoring the OS that are universal for the model, and according to the links proposed in the article, you can find software suitable for "international" smartphones with a memory capacity of 4 and 8 GB.
For the "Chinese" versions, the reader will have to search for archives with system software files on their own. To help with this search, we note that a good selection of official and modified OS for all revisions of the device is collected on the site, but registration is required to download files from the resource.
The instructions below were applied to a device with an 8 GB memory capacity intended for the international market - these are the smartphones that were officially sold in the CIS and are by far the most common. You can distinguish the model from the versions for China by the inscriptions on the battery by removing the back cover.
Information for international versions is marked on english language, for "Chinese" - there are hieroglyphs and there is a blue sticker.
Drivers
The first thing that needs to be done before proceeding to the installation of Android in Lenovo P780 is the installation of specialized drivers.
The methods of connecting inoperable smartphones that are not detected by the computer are described below in the description "Method 3: Spreading"... In this case, the driver package is used, posted on the link above!
Root-rights
Obtaining Superuser privileges on the model in question should be attributed rather to concomitant rather than preparatory procedures before reinstalling the system. At the same time, root rights may be required to create a full backup of the system and other manipulations preceding the intervention in the software part, as well as necessary in its daily work, so knowing how to get them can be useful to many users.
Rooting your phone is done using the Framaroot tool, which is usually straightforward even for beginners. It is enough to download the apk file from the link from the article review of the tool on our website and follow the instructions from the lesson:
Backup
Copying the information usually stored in a smartphone to a safe place is a must before flashing Lenovo P780, because when manipulating the device's memory sections, all information will be destroyed! Model users are highly recommended to back up any affordable way and whenever possible. 
There are quite a lot of methods for preventing data loss, and the most effective of them are described in the article:
In addition to the loss of personal information, users who manipulate the system software of the model in question may encounter another nuisance - the loss of functionality of communication modules, which occurs after mashing "IMEI" and / or is the result of partition damage "NVRAM".
It is highly recommended to create a dump "NVRAM" before any operations with a smartphone not documented by the manufacturer, then restoring this section, if damaged, will not take much time and will not require serious efforts.
It's much easier to create a backup "NVRAM" at the first opportunity, rather than if this memory area is damaged, it takes a long time and persistently to restore it!
One of the most simple methods creating a backup "NVRAM" is to use MTK Droid Tools.
Area restoration "NVRAM" is performed by performing the above steps, only in paragraph 5 the button is selected "Restore".
Android installation, update, recovery
After completing the preparation, you can proceed to direct firmware Lenovo P780, that is, overwriting the system partitions of the smartphone's memory using specialized software tools... Below are the official and more universal ways of working with the device OS in various situations. And also a method for restoring inoperable devices and installation of modified (custom) firmware is presented.
The choice of the method of interaction is determined by the initial state of the smartphone and the desired result, that is, the version of Android under which the phone will function in the future.
Method 1: Official Lenovo software
One of the few manufacturer-documented methods of interacting with the system partitions of the Lenovo P780 is software Lenovo MOTO Smart Assistant... This software allows you to easily and quickly update the official version of the system, that is, get the latest official firmware on your smartphone.
Download the tool for working with Lenovo Android devices from the developer's official website:
- Having received the package from the link above, install Smart Assistant by opening the distribution file and following the instructions of the installer.
- We launch the tool and connect the P780 to the USB port. The smartphone must be activated USB Debugging... To enable debugging, after connecting the phone to the PC, slide the notification curtain down on the screen and check the corresponding checkbox.
- The definition of the model and its characteristics in the program occurs automatically. After displaying information in the window, go to the tab "Flash".
- MOTO Smart Assistant checks for Android updates automatically. If there is an opportunity to update the system software version, a corresponding notification will be issued.
- After all the necessary components are received, the button will become active "Update", clicking on which will start the Android update process.
- The system will remind you to create a backup important information in a special request window. When you are sure that everything you need has been copied to a safe place, press "Proceed".
- The subsequent stages, which involve updating the Lenovo P780 system software, are carried out by the manufacturer's proprietary tool without user intervention. The update will be transferred to the smartphone, the latter will reboot and start from new version OS builds.
Press the button with the downward-facing arrow located next to the version information available in the device and the future OS, and then wait for the update files to be downloaded to the PC disk.
Method 2: SP Flash Tool
The most effective tool that allows you to perform almost all possible actions with the system software of Android devices built on the Mediatek hardware platform is the SP Flash Tool.
To work with the model in question, you need a specific version of the application - v5.1352.01... You can download the archive with the software files at the link:
Before proceeding with the manipulations with the P780 through FlashTool, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the material containing instructions for reinstalling the OS on MTK devices using the tool in the general case:
Installing the latest build of the official system for the "international" version of Lenovo P780 using Flashstool. You can always download software archives for 4 and 8 gigabyte versions of the model at the link below. We select the directory corresponding to the hardware characteristics of the smartphone:
- We unpack the archive with the software and the Flashstool program into separate directories.
- Run the SP Flash Tool and load the file into the program using the button "MT6589_Android_scatter_emmc.txt"located in the folder resulting from unpacking the archive with the software.
- Make sure the mode is selected "Download Only" in the dropdown list of options.
- Push "Download" and connect the previously switched off phone to the USB port of the PC.
- The process of overwriting memory starts automatically and takes quite a long time. You can monitor the progress of the procedure using the filling status bar at the bottom of the window.
- Upon completion of the data transfer to the device, a window will appear confirming the success with a green circle - "Download OK".
- Disconnect the USB cable from the phone and launch it by holding the key for a long time "Turning on".
- After initialization, launch and configuration, we get official android latest versionissued by the manufacturer for the model in question.
Method 3: "Spreading", IMEI repair
The above instructions, suggesting reinstalling Android on Lenovo P780, are available for execution if the device in question is generally operational, loaded into the system, or, in any case, is determined by the computer in the off state. But what to do if the smartphone does not turn on, does not load and is not visible in "Device Manager" even for a short time?
This or a similar condition among the users of Android devices has received a comic, but at the same time, a very accurate name - "brick", and restoration of working capacity in such situations - "splintering". To bring Lenovo P780 out of the "brick" state, you will need the one already used above. SP Flash Tool v5.1352.01, package with the official software version S124as well as additional files for recovery "NVRAM" and "IMEI"if the partition was not dumped earlier.
Application of the method is advisable only if all other options for reinstalling Android have been tried and do not bring results! Before proceeding with the manipulations, you must read the instructions to the end and evaluate your own strengths and capabilities, as well as prepare everything you need for recovery operations!
Let us divide the process of returning the considered device to a fully operational state into three stages: creating a situation in which the “visibility” of the device is provided by the computer; installation of system software with preliminary full formatting of memory; recovery of the software modem, IMEI numbers, which is necessary for the full functioning of the communication modules and will be needed after formatting the smartphone.
Step 1: getting it "Visibility" "Preloader USB VCOM" at "Device Manager".
There are only three methods by which it is possible to access the "dead" P780 from a PC.
- To begin with, we try to press and hold the key before connecting the device to the USB port "Increase the volume".
As soon as the PC responds, the volume button can be released. If in "Dispatcher" still nothing changes, go to the next item.
- We remove the back cover of the device, remove the SIM cards and MicroSD, prepare the cable connected to the USB port of the PC, open "Device Manager".
Push the hardware button "Reset"located slightly below the memory card slot and hold it. Without letting go "Reset", we connect the connector of the micro-USB cable connected to the PC to the phone connector. We wait for about 5 seconds and release "Reset".
If successful, the smartphone will be identified in "Dispatcher" as "Preloader USB VCOM" or as an unknown device on which you need to install the driver as described at the beginning of the article.
The connection is not always successful the first time, if there is no success, we try to repeat the procedure several times!
- When the above does not lead to the visibility of the device in "Dispatcher", the most radical method remains - to attempt to connect the smartphone with the battery disconnected. To do this, do the following:
Step 2: Install Android
If the device was identified among the devices connected to the PC, it was possible to install the driver "Preloader", we can assume that "the patient is more likely alive than dead" and start rewriting the partitions, that is, installing Android.
Step 3: Restoring the communication functionality
The previous step of "sprinkling" allows you to restore performance operating system, but formatting partitions will erase "IMEI" and inoperability of SIM-cards. If there is a pre-made dump "NVRAM", we restore the partition. If backup copy missing, you will have to bring in a powerful software tool to help MauiMeta 3G... You can download the tool of the version suitable for manipulating the Lenovo P780, as well as the files required for recovery, from the link:
- The package obtained from the link above must be unzipped.
Then launch the MauiMeta installer - "Setup.exe" from the program directory.
- Install the application following the instructions of the installer.
- After the installation is complete, run the tool as Administrator.
- Switch the connection mode to "USB COM"by selecting the appropriate item in the drop-down list of the main MauiMeta window.
- Open the menu "Options" and set a check mark next to the option "Connect Smart Phone into META mode".
- Calling the option "Open NVRAM Database"available in the menu "Actions",
and then specify the path to the file "BPLGUInfoCustomAppSrcP_MT6589_S00_P780_V23" from folder "Modemdb" in the catalog with components for recovery, click "Open".
- Click "Reconnect", which will lead to flickering (red-green) of the connection indicator circle of the device.
- Turn off the phone, press and hold on it "Volume-"... Without releasing the key, we connect IdeaPhone to the USB port of the PC.
As a result of pairing, the smartphone will be switched to "META-mode".
As a result of the correct identification of the device by the program, the indicator should change its color to yellow and a window will appear "Get version".
- We make sure that the device and the program are correctly paired by clicking "Get target version" - the hardware characteristics will be displayed in the corresponding fields, after which the window must be closed.
- Select an option from the drop-down list "Update parameter",
and then give the path to the file "P780_row.ini" in the window that opens by clicking the button "Load from file" from the catalog with components for recovery.
- Push Download to Flash and wait until the names of the parameters are repainted from blue to black, after which we close the window "Update parameter".
- Moving on to recovery "IMEI"... Choosing an option "IMEI Download" from the drop-down list of the main Maui META window.
- On tabs "SIM1" and "SIM2" put in the fields "IMEI" the values \u200b\u200bof the parameters of a specific instance of the device (you can look at the box from the phone and its battery) without the last digit.
- Push Download to flash.
Almost instantly at the bottom of the window "IMEI Download" an inscription confirming the success of the operation appears "Download IMEI to Flash Successfully"and then close the window.
- The restoration of the 3G module's functionality can be considered complete. Push "Disconnect" as a result of which the device will exit "Meta-mode" and turns off.
- After downloading to Android, we check IMEI by dialing * # 06 # in the "dialer".
If MauiMeta does not respond to the connection, we check that the drivers are installed correctly in "Device Manager",
and if they are absent, install the components manually from the package available for download at the link at the beginning of this article!
Once the connection is complete, you can update to the latest official version of the system In addition, after connecting the "revived" phone to Wi-Fi, an update "over the air" will "arrive".
Alternatively, you can use the instructions for updating the system above in the article - "Method 1" and "Method 2".
Method 4: Custom firmware
The most interesting systems for Lenovo P780, from the point of view of attempts to "refresh" the software part and bring, frankly, the ability to perform new functions into an outdated morally device, are modified unofficial shells. Due to its popularity, there are quite a lot of options for custom firmware for the model, and among them there are very interesting and fully workable solutions.
When choosing and installing various unofficial systems in the Lenovo P780, you should carefully consider the memory layout that characterizes a specific instance of the device. The following applies exclusively to "International" versions 4 and 8 GB. For other hardware revisions of the smartphone, the same repartitioning methods are used, and then the recovery and OS are installed, but other packages with components are needed than those posted on the links below!
Unofficial firmware VIBE UI 2.0 + memory re-partitioning
The users of the device in question did a serious job of customizing the software part of the device, which also affected the layout of memory, that is, the redistribution of the volumes of its areas. To date, about 8 (!) Different layouts have been created, and all of them are used when porting custom.
The effect of re-layout, as intended by the creators of this idea, should be observed as a result of deleting the internal section "FAT" and transferring the free space to the system for installing applications. This is best implemented in the markup called "ROW +", we will equip the device with it according to the instructions below.
Among other things, we can say that most of the popular custom solutions for the device in question are installed on this markup. And also on "ROW +" you can install modern versions of modified recovery.
There are several methods to convert the partition table, we will consider the simplest one - installing one of the modified OS, from those intended for switching to markup "ROW +"... In addition to the new markup, as a result of performing the steps listed below, we get on the device excellent system with a modern interface from Lenovo and suitable for everyday use!
Installation of the VIBE UI 2.0 shell is carried out using SP FlashTool in the same way as the installation of the official system described in "Method 2" higher in the article, but in the mode Firmware Upgrade.
The VIBE UI 2.0 shell can be used on a permanent basis or be used as a basis for installing other custom markup "ROW +", - almost everything you need is already present in the device.
Step 2: Equipping the device with modified recovery
Since the above-installed firmware contains a custom recovery TWRP version 2.8, namely using this decision common unofficial firmwares are installed, this step of the instruction can be omitted. At the same time, we provide instructions for those users who want to get the functionality of new versions of the recovery environment, as well as for cases when the recovery has stopped working for some reason.
Just in case, we remind you: to enter modified recovery on Lenovo P780, on the off device, hold down all three hardware buttons - both volume keys and a key "Turning on", and then hold them until the main screen of the recovery environment appears. And you can also reboot into recovery from the shutdown menu of VIBE UI 2.0 and other custom.
You can download the TWRP image of the latest version at the time of writing this material from the link:
The following works on most firmwares, but Lenovo P780 memory must be marked up "ROW +" - the above image is intended for this type of markup!
Installing a version of custom recovery, different from the one obtained after installing VIBE UI 2.0, can be carried out using various methods, and all of them are described in the articles on our website! We download the recovery image and place it in the root of the internal storage or on a memory card, and then select a method and follow the appropriate instructions:
Upon completion of the installation of the latest version of TWRP, Lenovo P780 can be considered fully prepared for installing and replacing each other with any custom firmware designed for markup "ROW" and "ROW +"... Let's move on to the next step.
Step 3: Install custom via TWRP
As mentioned above, a huge number of unofficial operating systems have been created for the model under consideration. The choice of this or that solution depends on the user's preferences, and the installation of a specific shell package designed for TWRP is performed according to the same algorithm.
As an example, we will install one of the most popular products available in various variations and for the Lenovo P780 model - MIUI.
A large number of ports are available for this shell, we recommend staying on a solution from one of the well-known romodel commands.