How do I flash back to iode' or Lunar OS?

BraX3 Ubuntu Touch
1

I never had my Sim card in my second BraX3 when it was running iode’. Maybe the Sim card reader is bad-I doubt it since I’m not the only one with a BraX3 who had problems with the Sim card using Ubuntu Touch, but if it works than Android would detect it.

So, how do I flash this phone back to Android?

2

I think my bootloader is unlocked since I never locked it. How would I know?

The iodé recovery is gone now so is this part of a regular iodé OS image or do I need to flash twice?

The needed files are here:

3

When you get a new device you should test every function and especially the modem and the WiFi/BT, for example LineageOS emphasises this in the instructions, you have to be sure that the phone was already in a working condition before deGoogling.

It’s feasible both with fastboot and the SPFlash tool, How to Manually Install or Update the OS on Your Brax Device - Open Source Community Guide

For SPFlash the appropriate file is the *spflash.zip (brax3/iode-7.2-20260131-brax3-spflash.zip · master · ota / release · GitLab), inside that there is an XML file in the download_agent folder that is loaded to the tool describing the partitions. The *spflash.zip contains all the appropriate partitions as .img files, maybe the recovery has to be flashed separately but you will see that in the instructions.

Two topics, iodeOS download , How to Manually Install or Update the OS on Your Brax Device

4

I have SPFlash for Linux extracted at / of Linux Mint. The included script with sudo from terminal starts the GUI. Maybe it has a spot for the iodé recovery file with the iodê SPFlash file?

I wasn’t concerned about that Sim radio not working till now. I’m not a phone person but I’m testing Ubuntu touch for those who are!

5

Well, I got back to iode’ using SPFlash in Linux…but I’m missing something which I noted down. 2 things, I think-both IMEIs are gone as it wanted to flash the firmware. I have the SN Writer but it is for Windows. Is there a Linux version of this?

Also, I didn’t have to flash the recovery file. That is included in the SPFlash iode’ file.

6

I think it’s possible only on Lunar and then you flash iodéOS, How to Change the IMEI Number on Your BraX3 - #82 by angelo70

The IMEIs are on the box. There is no Linux version as far as I know. It could be able to run through WineHQ if the compatibility layer can communicate properly with the USB driver. I can’t know whether trying this could somehow brick the phone.

7

I’ve never been able to do much with WINE. I will flash Lunar OS on it and wait for Linux SN Writer software. How do we call for plamen?

8

I imagine that Lunar has no functional difference from iodé, only the updates are done manually, don’t expect anything soon, it would be already available. Use the @ tag to notify plamen.

9

Ok.

@plamen -any Linux SN Writer software for IMEIs?

10

Brave AI says this:

There are alternative methods to write IMEI on Android devices from Linux:

  • Use adb and fastboot commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
adb devices
adb reboot fastboot
fastboot oem writeimei [IMEI_NUMBER_HERE]
fastboot getvar imei
fastboot reboot

This method works on devices with unlocked bootloaders and supports the oem writeimei command.

Does the BraX3 support the oem writeimei command?

11

We would know it. You can test it but as I can see it also needs a rooted device.

12

That’s what I figured. I’ve found that AI combs old forums and gives outdated advice!

Maybe I should root this!:face_with_raised_eyebrow:

13

This person rooted their BraX3:

14

That rooting method with Magisk doesn’t seem to work anymore.

I am only able to install Android on my BraX3 right now. I tried again 2 more times to put Ubuntu Touch on it and I keep getting boot loops. Maybe UT won’t install when IMEIs are missing?

Right now I have unrooted Lunar OS installed. I have an old laptop with Windows from 10 years ago that might run that SN Writer software. I’m thinking that OS is too old to do much anymore! :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

15
16

That’s what I did but that fastboot command doesn’t work for me. It said something like that is not a fastboot option.

17

We don’t have any Linux compatible tools for flashing IMEI or S/N unfortunately. We’ve been asking for quite some time now, but still didn’t get one from MediaTek.

18

Oh-if I can root my phone, is there anyway to get the IMEI numbers back on it?

19

BTW, i have used the Linux SPFlash tool several times now in Android and Linux and it won’t preserve userdata. That is why my IMEIs are gone!:man_shrugging:

EDIT:

It did preserve userdata coming from UT but going back to iodé is where it gives errors if userdata is not checked.

20

You can’t preserve user data when switching between different OS. That’s only possible if you are updating to a new version of the OS.

I strongly recommend also choosing the firmware update option as well with spflash when switching between different OS. Firmware update doesn’t allow userdata preserving.