SP Flash Tool (Smart Phone Flash Tool) is a free Windows utility used to flash firmware (scatter files) onto smartphones built on MediaTek (MTK) chipsets. If your MediaTek phone is stuck in a bootloop, soft-bricked after a bad update, infected with malware that survives a reset, or you simply want to install a clean stock ROM, this SP Flash Tool guide walks you through the entire process safely. Unlike OEM-locked flashing tools, SP Flash Tool talks directly to the MediaTek BootROM, which means it can often revive a device that won’t even boot. It is the standard recovery method for thousands of MTK-powered phones from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, Infinix, Tecno, Oppo, and many budget OEMs.
Flashing is powerful but unforgiving. Using the wrong firmware, an incomplete file, or the “Format All” option can permanently damage the IMEI or hard-brick your phone. Read the whole guide before you connect anything.
When you need SP Flash Tool
- The phone is bootlooping, frozen on the logo, or showing a “dead boot” black screen.
- A firmware update failed midway and the device is soft-bricked.
- You want to roll back to, or reinstall, the official stock ROM.
- Recovery and a normal reset no longer fix the problem. If you have not tried the gentler options yet, attempt a hard reset or boot into recovery mode first, since flashing should be a last resort.
Before you start
Preparation is where most failed flashes are decided. Complete every item below.
- Install the MediaTek USB VCOM drivers. Without them, the tool will never detect your phone. Grab the correct package from our Android USB drivers page and install them before plugging the phone in.
- Back up your data. Flashing erases user data and partitions. If the phone still powers on, save your photos, contacts, and files. See our guide to back up and restore Android devices.
- Charge the battery to at least 50%. A shutdown mid-flash can brick the device.
- Download the exact stock firmware for your model. The package must contain a scatter file (for example, MT6765_Android_scatter.txt). Use firmware that matches your phone’s exact model number and region. We do not provide firmware links; the wrong ROM is the number-one cause of bricks.
Step-by-step: flashing with SP Flash Tool
- 1. Extract everything. Unzip both the firmware package and the SP Flash Tool download into separate folders. Avoid paths with spaces or special characters.
- 2. Launch the tool. Right-click flash_tool.exe and choose “Run as administrator.”
- 3. Load the scatter file. On the Download tab, click “Choose” next to Scatter-loading File and select the scatter .txt from your firmware folder. The partition list populates automatically.
- 4. Pick the right mode. Select Download Only for a standard flash that keeps your IMEI and calibration data. Only use Firmware Upgrade if Download Only fails, and never use Format All + Download unless you fully understand the risk.
- 5. Press Download. The green progress bar will not move yet, this is normal.
- 6. Connect the powered-off phone. With the phone switched off, plug it into the PC. On many models you hold Volume Down (or Volume Up) while connecting to enter BootROM mode. The tool detects the device and begins flashing.
- 7. Wait for the green checkmark. A green ring or “Download OK” dialog means success. Do not unplug before it appears. Disconnect and boot the phone; the first boot can take several minutes.
This is the core workflow every SP Flash Tool guide follows, but partition names and the exact key combo vary by chipset, so trust the prompts the tool gives you.
Common problems and fixes
- Phone not detected: Reinstall the VCOM drivers, try a different USB 2.0 port and a quality cable, and make sure the phone is fully powered off before connecting.
- BROM ERROR / S_BROM errors: Often a driver issue or wrong key combo. Reinstall drivers and re-enter BootROM mode.
- Error 4032 / DA mismatch: The Download Agent or scatter file does not match your chipset. Re-download firmware that matches your exact model.
- STATUS_SEC_IMG_TYPE_MISMATCH: Wrong firmware version or region. Use the correct ROM for your build.
- Stuck at 99%: Usually harmless, give it a minute, but if it hangs, your firmware may be incomplete; re-download it.
Important note on FRP and anti-theft lock: Flashing or formatting triggers Android’s Factory Reset Protection (Google FRP). After flashing, the phone may ask for the Google account that was previously synced on it. Make sure you know those credentials, otherwise you can be locked out of your own device.
Frequently asked questions
Does SP Flash Tool work on all Android phones?
No. SP Flash Tool only works with phones built on MediaTek (MTK) chipsets. Devices using Qualcomm Snapdragon, Exynos, or Unisoc processors need a different tool, such as QFIL or Odin. Check your phone’s chipset before downloading.
Will flashing remove the Google FRP lock?
Not on its own. Flashing stock firmware reinstalls the system but Factory Reset Protection is tied to the previously synced Google account and persists after a flash. You will still need to sign in with that account, so flashing is not a way to bypass someone else’s FRP lock.
Can SP Flash Tool brick my phone?
Yes, if you use the wrong firmware, an incomplete download, or the Format All option carelessly. Always use firmware matching your exact model, keep the phone charged, never disconnect mid-flash, and stick to Download Only mode unless you have a specific reason not to.
