1. Launch SP Flash Tool
Open the flash_tool.exe application. You will see the main interface.
2. Load the Scatter File
3. Verify Partition Loading Once loaded, you will see a list of partitions populate the tool.
4. Configure Flash Options *
The XML file for SP Flash Tool is a configuration document introduced primarily in SP Flash Tool Version 6 (v6.x) to replace or supplement the traditional text-based scatter files used in earlier versions. It acts as a memory map, instructing the tool on where to write specific firmware components to a MediaTek (MTK) device's internal storage. Key Functions of the XML File
In the modern flashing environment, the XML file serves several critical purposes:
Partition Mapping: Like a scatter file, it defines the start address and size of every partition (e.g., preloader, boot, recovery, system) on the device.
Compatibility with V6 Tools: While older SP Flash Tool versions (v5 and below) rely exclusively on .txt scatter files, Version 6 requires a flash.xml or similar XML file to load the firmware.
Automation: When loaded, it automatically maps the corresponding image files (.bin, .img) located in the same firmware folder to their respective slots in the tool. How to Use an XML File in SP Flash Tool v6
If your stock firmware contains an XML file instead of a .txt scatter file, follow these steps to use it:
Launch the Tool: Open the SP Flash Tool v6 executable as an administrator on your PC.
Select the XML File: Navigate to the "Download" tab. Look for the "Download-XML" field and click the "Choose" button. Browse to your firmware folder and select the flash.xml or device-specific XML file.
Load Authentication (If Required): Many newer MediaTek devices use Secure Boot. You may need to load an Authentication File (.auth) by clicking "Choose" under the Authentication File option.
Set Flash Mode: The safest mode for most users is "Download Only." Avoid "Format All + Download" unless you are repairing a hard-bricked device, as this can erase critical IMEI and NVRAM data.
Begin Flashing: Click the "Download" button. Power off your device completely and connect it to the computer via USB. The tool should detect the device via the MediaTek VCOM drivers and begin the process. xml file for sp flash tool
Memory Mapping: Like the older scatter files, the XML file acts as a "map" that tells the SP Flash Tool exactly where each part of the firmware (like the boot, recovery, or system images) should be written in the device's physical memory.
Configuration & Commands: It contains structured rules for how the tool should handle flashing, including automatic formatting flags and specific partition addresses.
Compatibility: It is designed specifically for MediaTek (MTK) chipset devices. Without this file (or its scatter counterpart), the tool cannot recognize the phone's partition structure and will fail to flash any firmware. Differences: XML vs. Scatter (.txt)
[Revised] How to use SP Flash tool to flash Mediatek firmware
The transition from traditional text-based "scatter files" to XML-based configurations
represents a significant shift in how MediaTek (MTK) devices are managed with SP Flash Tool , particularly starting with v6.x series CHUWI | Official Forum
While there isn't a single "academic paper" in the traditional sense, several technical guides and documentation resources provide deep insights into this structure. 1. The v6 Evolution: Scatter.txt vs. Flash.xml For years, MTK devices used Android_scatter.txt
files to map partition memory. However, newer MediaTek chipsets (typically those released after 2021) and the updated SP Flash Tool v6 have transitioned to a structured XML format. CARE Toolkit Compatibility:
Versions like SP Flash Tool v6.20+ no longer support the standard scatter files. Functionality: In v6, the "Scatter-loading" button often expects a
file, which contains more complex metadata including properties, IDs, and certificate information for modern secure boot protocols. CHUWI | Official Forum 2. Key Technical Resources & Guides MediaTek Scatter File Overview (PDF): While often hosted on platforms like
, these documents outline the configuration for various partitions, specifying file names, start addresses, and sizes. Technical Troubleshooting Guides: Documentation on
provides peer-reviewed community consensus on managing these XML files, including how to handle errors when a tool specifically requests an XML format that is not present in older firmware packages. Automated Tools: Projects like
are frequently used to bridge the gap between raw ROM dumps and generating the necessary scatter/XML files for recovery. CHUWI | Official Forum 3. XML Structures in Flashing Environments
The move toward XML allows for better validation and automated parsing. Similar XML structures are seen in other flashing tools: Modern MediaTek devices (Helio G-series
HiPad Pro stock firmware - mtk /qualcomm - CHUWI | Official Forum
In modern firmware flashing, the (often titled ) has largely replaced the traditional text-based scatter file in newer versions of SP Flash Tool
(v6.x and above) and specific device brands like Xiaomi or newer MediaTek-based tablets. Purpose and Function The XML file serves as a partition map for the device's storage. It tells the SP Flash Tool: What to flash : A list of all partitions (e.g., boot, recovery, system). Where to flash : The exact memory addresses for each partition. Which files to use
: It links the partition names to the physical image files (e.g., ) included in your firmware folder. XML vs. Scatter Files Scatter Files (
: The legacy format used by SP Flash Tool v5.x and older. If your firmware contains a scatter file, you must use v5.x. XML Files (
: Required by SP Flash Tool v6.x. Newer MediaTek (MTK) devices often package their firmware with an XML file instead of a scatter file. Compatibility
: You cannot simply rename a scatter file to XML. The tool version you use must match the file format provided in your firmware package. How to Use an XML File in SP Flash Tool Launch SP Flash Tool v6.x
: Ensure you are using the correct version, as v5.x will only look for scatter files. Load the XML : Go to the tab and click the button next to "Download XML file" Select the File : Navigate to your firmware folder and select the or similar XML file. Verify Partitions
: The tool will automatically populate a list of partitions with checkboxes. : Set the mode to "Download Only" (the safest option) and click before connecting your powered-off device to the PC. Common Issues Missing XML
: If you are using v6.x and cannot find an XML file in your firmware, you likely have an older firmware that requires v5.x and a scatter file instead. Format Errors
: Using "Format All + Download" with an XML file can risk corrupting sensitive partitions like IMEI/NVRAM. Always stick to "Download Only" unless performing a deep recovery. Do you need help finding the correct version of SP Flash Tool for your specific firmware file?
Не могу найти flash.xml для установки прошивки SP ... - 4PDA
Here’s a sample XML configuration file for SP Flash Tool, specifically a scatter file, which is required for flashing firmware on MediaTek (MTK) devices.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!-- SP Flash Tool Scatter File Example --> <MT6735_MOLY.LR9.W1630 MD.DB> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDRESS>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDRESS> <REGION> <NAME>PRELOADER</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x40000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>preloader.bin</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION><REGION> <NAME>PGPT</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x80000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>pgpt.bin</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION> the bootloader will refuse to boot
<REGION> <NAME>PROTECT1</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>false</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0xA00000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>N/A</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>PROTECT2</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>false</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0xA00000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>N/A</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>SECCFG</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x20000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>seccfg.bin</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>UBOOT</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x60000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>lk.bin</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>BOOTIMG</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x1000000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>boot.img</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>RECOVERY</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x1000000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>recovery.img</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>LOGO</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x800000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>logo.bin</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>SYSTEM</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>true</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x80000000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>system.img</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>CACHE</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>false</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x10000000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>N/A</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION>
<REGION> <NAME>USERDATA</NAME> <IS_DOWNLOAD>false</IS_DOWNLOAD> <PARTITION_SIZE>0x200000000</PARTITION_SIZE> <FILE_NAME>N/A</FILE_NAME> <BIN_TYPE>NORMAL</BIN_TYPE> <LINEAR_START_ADDR>0x0</LINEAR_START_ADDR> <PHYSICAL_START_ADDR>0x0</PHYSICAL_START_ADDR> <ATTR>0x1</ATTR> </REGION> </MT6735_MOLY.LR9.W1630 MD.DB>
Modern MediaTek devices (Helio G-series, Dimensity) include Anti-Rollback (ARB) protection. The scatter file contains a _anti_rollback flag in the preloader section. If you flash an older scatter file (lower version), the bootloader will refuse to boot, causing a verified boot loop.
You cannot download a scatter file in isolation from a generic database. It is always bundled with the official firmware package for your exact device model and variant.
To prevent SP Flash Tool from flashing a partition (e.g., nvram), change its <type> from NORMAL to BYPASS:
<partition type="BYPASS" id="nvram" name="nvram">
The tool will ignore it during download.