How to unbrick your MTK Device

START

Brick MTK Device ?

Install MTK driver &

Correct SP Flash Tool

Do You Have Your Yes

MTK Device
Factory ROM ?
No
Google it

Does Your MTK Yes

Device have
Meta-Mode ?
No
Identify TestPoint

Short TestPoint & Activate Meta-Mode &

Download Factory ROM Download Factory ROM

Your MTK device unbrick !

1
Glossary

What is brick

MTK device brick symptom : Cannot power on, no charging icon when charging, cannot boot to recovery
or bootloader, no PreLoader USB VCOM detection at Device Manager

PreLoader USB VCOM – Without battery then plugin your MTK device USB to the PC will activate it.
Only during these few seconds, Factory ROM/ firmware is permitted to be downloaded.

Factory ROM – Your MTK device firmware. Can be downloaded from your manufacturer web site if you
bought branded devices such as Lenovo, ZTE, Zopo & etc. Can also be backup with MTK Droid Tools. If
you didn't do a backup or you can't find your device manufacturer web site then use google & search for
your MTK device forum, be it in Chinese or Russian, use google translate & ask the users there to backup
the Factory ROM for you to unbrick yours.

MTK Meta-Mode – Combination of hardware key to activate MediaTek USB VCOM for downloading
Factory ROM when PreLoader is missing or not responding to normal download. Typical Meta-Mode
combinations key
1. Without battery, hold Volume-Up, don't let go then plugin USB cable to PC
2. Without battery, hold Volume-Down, don't let go then plugin USB cable to PC
3. Without battery, hold both Volume-Up & Down, don't let go then plugin USB cable to PC

TestPoint

MTK TestPoint – Short TestPoint typical label as KCOL0 at PCB to any metal part which is typically
GND will activate Meta-Mode for downloading Factory ROM/ firmware. Some MTK device has the
Testpoint under the PCB so you will have to dismantle whole PCB to be able to access it. A reference
dismantling video here.

SPFT – MTK Smart Phone Flash Tool for downloading Factory ROM/ firmware. The latest version
doesn't necessary will work so again, google it, some older MTK devices require older version for
successfull downloading for unbricking.

2
Unbricking Tips

Original Russian thread here use google translate & xda unbrick thread here & make sure you read every
page, many good users response & tips. Read it again & again, even i with electronics background don't
learn it in a day or two !

A reference Unbrick video by fellow xda friend rnovino & take note particularly at 10:05 for the USB
Connect sound when the correct TestPoint has been identify as not all is labeled as KCOL0 at the PCB.

As per advice by rua1, it is advisable to use 100 to 1000 ohms resistor as you wouldn't want to short the
USB 5 Volt directly to GND while identifying the TestPoint !

Typical procedure for unbricking as below :

Meta-Mode
Click at SPFT -> Firmware->Upgrade -> Hold Hardware key combination(Meta-Mode), don't let go ->
Plugin your MTK device to the PC

TestPoint
With your MTK device already plugin to the PC without battery, at SPFT -> click at Firmware->Upgrade
then short TestPoint to any metal part on your MTK device.

If your device is boot loop/ half-brick then the procedure is different. Some MTK devices require battery
while some doesn't & if downloading fail then try vice-versa. Typically you only need to download only
the system.img.

With battery
Your MTK device with the battery already plugin to the PC, at SPFT -> click at Download then take out
battery then put it back.

Without battery
Your MTK device without battery & USB not connected to PC, at SPFT -> click at Download -> now only
plugin USB to PC.

If it doesn't work then try other combination but make sure you have already install the MTK driver.