Flash the ROCKNIX ABL

Overview

The ABL is the part of the bootloader that starts the operating system. The stock one only starts Android, so it is replaced with the ROCKNIX ABL, which starts the unofficial SteamOS ARM Port from the microSD card or internal storage and still starts Android from its menu. The ROCKNIX ABL is made by the ROCKNIX team and is licensed under the GPL-2.0. Every image carries a copy for its chip.

Steps

1. Flash the image to your microSD card, see Flash to a microSD Card.

2. Insert the card, boot into Android, and copy the rocknix_abl folder from the card's BOOT drive to the root of internal storage.

3. Open your device's root script tool in Android settings.

   Note

   The name varies by manufacturer: Run script as Root, Root Script or similar, usually in the device's own settings section.

4. Browse to the subfolder for your chip (rocknix_abl/SM8750, rocknix_abl/SM8650 or rocknix_abl/SM8550) and select flash_abl.sh.

   Warning

   Flashing the wrong chip's ABL can leave the device unable to start. The scripts check the chip and refuse a wrong one, but match it carefully anyway.

5. The script backs up the current ABL as abl_a.img and abl_b.img in the same folder before writing anything, then flashes both slots and checks them. Copy the two backup files to your PC for safekeeping.

6. Restart holding Volume Down to open the ABL menu.

Restoring the Previous ABL

Run restore_abl.sh from the same folder. It writes the backup back to both slots and checks it.