Warning: Do not short the wrong pins. Double-check online photos of your specific PCB before attempting.
The S805 is now over a decade old. It supports only H.264 hardware decoding (no H.265/HEVC, no VP9, no AV1). It maxes out at 1080p@60fps. For 4K, you need an S905 or newer.
However, as a retro-gaming console (PS1, N64, MAME) or music streaming endpoint (Volumio), the S805 is still viable. The key is finding lightweight firmware.
Community support has moved to Amlogic S905X and S905W devices, but active threads on FreakTab and 4PDA still provide S805 firmware updates as of late 2024.
The Amlogic S805 is a quad-core Cortex-A5 processor with a Mali-450 GPU. Released around 2014, it was the heart of many popular "Android TV boxes" (like the MXQ series) and development boards. It was one of the first chipsets to make 4K video playback affordable for the masses.
The Limitation: The S805 is a 32-bit chipset. This is the most critical factor when looking for firmware. It cannot run modern 64-bit operating systems, which limits software support. Furthermore, because it lacks 4K encoding support (it only decodes 4K H.264), it struggles with modern high-bitrate 4K HDR streams from services like Netflix or Disney+.
⚠️ Do not interrupt the flash process—this can hard-brick the bootloader.
The Amlogic S805 is aging but far from obsolete—provided you have the right firmware. Always verify your board version, Wi-Fi chip, and source ROMs from reputable communities like FreakTab. For a dedicated media player, flashing LibreELEC can give new life to an old S805 box. For Android, stick with stable 5.1.1 builds and avoid “universal” firmware.
Remember: Backup your original firmware before flashing anything new using USB Burning Tool’s “Export” feature.
Last updated: 2025 – Community-tested methods for MXQ, MK808B Plus, Odroid-C1, and generic S805 boxes.
The Amlogic S805
is a legacy 32-bit quad-core processor (Cortex-A5) that was a staple for budget-friendly 1080p media boxes in the mid-2010s. While its official support has long since ended, a review of its firmware options reveals a surprisingly resilient ecosystem for enthusiasts looking to repurpose old hardware like the or . 🛠️ Firmware Overview: Stock vs. Custom The performance of an
device is heavily dictated by the firmware it runs, as the original software is now critically outdated. Stock Android (4.4 KitKat):
Pros: Native hardware acceleration for the H.265 (HEVC) codec in basic players. amlogic s805 firmware
Cons: Many modern apps (including Netflix and YouTube) no longer support KitKat. Security is nonexistent. Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (Community Port):
Review: A "brilliant" but risky upgrade originally ported from the K1 box.
Performance: Offers a more modern UI but suffers from shutdown issues, limited Wi-Fi drivers, and potential hardware bricking due to board variations. LibreELEC / AlexELEC (Kodi-dedicated): Review: Widely considered the best way to use an today. Performance: By stripping away Android, these OSs allow the
to run Kodi 18 Leia smoothly, which is impossible on stock firmware. 🚀 Performance & Real-World Use Despite its age, the
has specific strengths and glaring weaknesses in modern contexts. Feature Performance Rating Video Playback ⭐⭐⭐ (Good)
Native H.265/HEVC 1080p hardware decoding is a standout for this price tier. Streaming ⭐ (Poor)
Struggles with 4K; many official streaming apps won't work on legacy firmware. Emulation ⭐⭐ (Fair)
Can run most PS1 games at full speed with specific cores like PCSX ReARMed. Multitasking ⭐ (Poor)
Sluggish with more than 4-5 apps open; 1GB RAM is a severe bottleneck. ⚠️ Common Firmware Issues & Fixes
If you are flashing new firmware, be prepared for these common roadblocks:
Hardware Fragmentation: "MXQ" is a generic term. Two identical-looking boxes may have different Wi-Fi chips (e.g., 9083 vs. 8188), meaning a firmware that works for one will break Wi-Fi for another. Flashing Errors:
The Amlogic USB Burning Tool is required for stock recovery, but version 2.2.4 is often needed for compatibility over newer versions.
Boot Loops: Improperly installed TWRP or incompatible DTB (Device Tree Blob) files often cause devices to hang on the splash screen. Installing custom firmware:
Amlogic S805 Overview
The Amlogic S805 is a 4K-capable SoC (System on Chip) designed for Android-based TV boxes, media players, and other devices. It's a popular choice for streaming devices, offering a balance between performance and power efficiency.
Firmware for Amlogic S805
Firmware for the Amlogic S805 typically refers to the software that controls the device's operation, including the operating system, bootloader, and various system components. The firmware is usually based on Android, with customizations and modifications made by device manufacturers.
Key Features of Amlogic S805 Firmware
Some notable features of Amlogic S805 firmware include:
Updating Amlogic S805 Firmware
To update the firmware on an Amlogic S805-based device, you can usually follow these steps:
Popular Firmware Options
Some popular firmware options for Amlogic S805 devices include:
Keep in mind that modifying or updating firmware can potentially brick your device, so proceed with caution and ensure you follow proper instructions.
The Amlogic S805 is a legacy 32-bit quad-core processor commonly found in older Android TV boxes like the MXQ S85 and M201. While official Android updates for these devices typically capped at version 4.4.2, various community-driven firmware projects provide more modern capabilities, such as running the latest Kodi or lightweight Linux distributions. Recommended Custom Firmware Projects
If you are looking for "good" options to repurpose or update an S805 device, these projects are highly regarded in the community: Kernel/driver development:
LibreELEC (Kodi-focused): Best for turning the box into a dedicated media center.
Latest Stable: Legacy v9.2 LTS builds (Kodi 18.9) are actively maintained for S805 devices.
Features: Includes experimental driver support for various Wi-Fi chips (e.g., RTL8723AS) and optimizations for the S805's limited 512MB–1GB RAM.
Resource: Check the LibreELEC S805 Forum for specific images.
Armbian (Linux-focused): Ideal for using the device as a low-power server (e.g., Pi-hole, file server).
Versions: Supports kernels ranging from 3.10 to mainline 5.x.
Caveats: Mainline kernels often lack HDMI support for S805, making them "headless" only. Legacy 3.10 kernels are better for full multimedia support.
Resource: Explore the Armbian S805 Community Thread for the latest community-provided .dtb files.
AlexELEC: A specialized fork designed to breathe life into older boxes by focusing on Kodi 18 performance. Key Technical Considerations
Updating firmware on this aging hardware requires attention to specific hardware variants:
Here’s a structured feature set for an Amlogic S805 firmware (ideal for a custom ROM like LibreELEC, Armbian, or Android TV).
The standard method uses Amlogic’s Windows tool.
If your S805 device shows no signs of life (black screen, no LED):