Flashing FuriOS on a Gigaset GX6

flash-furios-gx6.md

Flashing FuriOS on a Gigaset GX6

Flashing FuriOS on a Gigaset GX6 is actually pretty straight-forward, as one might expect since it is the same phone, physically, as the Furilabs FLX1.

This has also been tested on a GX6 Pro and GX6, check the Quirks & Fixes section for known problems.

Join our Matrix room for support and questions, or comment on this gist.

Requirements

Unlock your GX6, enable developer mode and enable OEM unlocking. Reboot to bootloader, and run fastboot flashing unlock.

Obtaining the Firmware

Option 1:

• Download my custom version of the FLX1 firmware here.
  • This is preferred as the camera and audio patches are pre-applied, making everything work out of the box.
  • Flash with MTKClient.

Option 2:

• Download the FLX1 firmware directly from Furilabs here.
• Follow instructions in the Quirks & Fixes section.

Extract the firmware anywhere you'd like.

Backup your partitions

PLEASE DO NOT SKIP, THIS STEP, YOU COULD LOOSE YOUR IMEI OR OTHER IMPORTANT DEVICE SPECIFIC INFORMATION IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AT LEAST A BACKUP OF PROINFO, NVCFG, NVDATA, PERSIST, PROTECT1, PROTECT2, SECCFG, AND NVRAM.

I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE TO YOUR PHONE, TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF DAMAGE, PLEASE MAKE THIS BACKUP!

Don't forget to backup your partitions in case something goes wrong or you want to revert back to Android!

I'd recommend using MTKClient if possible, which can be done by following this guide on XDA.

Short version: Install mtkclient and run

if you want a backup of all of your data (perserve your Android apps and their data (big 128GB backup):

python3 mtk.py rl ~/gx6-fw/

Or to not perserve your Android apps (much smaller file size):

python3 mtk.py rl --skip userdata ~/gx6-fw/

All you should have to do is have mtkclient running with the phone powered off and connected to your computer then attempt to power on the phone.

Store the backup somewhere safe where you won't lose it!

Flashing With SP Flash Tool

Follow the instructions on Furilab's wiki.

Flashing with fastboot

This was tested with a GX6 Pro running on Android 13 firmware. Open a terminal, and change your directory to where you extracted the firmware. Run the following fastboot commands

fastboot flash boot_a boot.img
fastboot flash cam_vpu1_a cam_vpu1.img
fastboot flash cam_vpu2_a cam_vpu2.img
fastboot flash cam_vpu3_a cam_vpu3.img
fastboot flash dpm_a dpm.img
fastboot flash dtbo_a dtbo.img
fastboot flash gz_a gz.img
fastboot flash lk_a lk.img
fastboot flash mcupm_a mcupm.img
fastboot flash md1img_a md1img.img
fastboot flash pi_img_a pi_img.img
fastboot flash preloader_a preloader.img
fastboot flash scp_a scp.img
fastboot flash spmfw_a spmfw.img
fastboot flash sspm_a sspm.img
fastboot flash tee_a tee.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_a vbmeta.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_system_a vbmeta_system.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_vendor_a vbmeta_vendor.img

It's a good idea to flash the B slot too

fastboot flash boot_b boot.img
fastboot flash cam_vpu1_b cam_vpu1.img
fastboot flash cam_vpu2_b cam_vpu2.img
fastboot flash cam_vpu3_b cam_vpu3.img
fastboot flash dpm_b dpm.img
fastboot flash dtbo_b dtbo.img
fastboot flash gz_b gz.img
fastboot flash lk_b lk.img
fastboot flash mcupm_b mcupm.img
fastboot flash md1img_b md1img.img
fastboot flash pi_img_b pi_img.img
fastboot flash preloader_b preloader.img
fastboot flash scp_b scp.img
fastboot flash spmfw_b spmfw.img
fastboot flash sspm_b sspm.img
fastboot flash tee_b tee.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_b vbmeta.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_system_b vbmeta_system.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_vendor_b vbmeta_vendor.img

Then flash super and userdata, along with the furilabs logo (flashing the logo is technically optional)

fastboot flash super super.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash logo logo.bin

Reboot the phone

fastboot reboot

If everything went well, your phone should boot into FuriOS!

Next Steps

Once you've got FuriOS flashed, be sure to do your updates. The version of FuriOS that comes from the factory image is old enough that things like Android apps don't work.

Open a terminal and run

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt dist-upgrade

You should do this a few times, as there's been a few dist-upgrades, so repeat the instructions until there are no more updates to be performed.

Quirks & Fixes

A list of some known problems and fixes.

Enabling dual-boot breaks booting

It seems the lvm volumes are named wrong? This does not happen on my (real) FLX1, but this can be fixed by going to recovery and enabling ssh. On your computer ssh to the phone over USB ssh [email protected] and run the following commands:

lvm
vgscan
lvscan
lvchange -an /dev/furios/furios-persistent
lvchange -an /dev/furios/furios-reserved
lvchange -an /dev/furios/furios-rootfs
vgrename furios droidian
lvrename /dev/droidian/furios-persistent /dev/droidian/droidian-persistent
lvrename /dev/droidian/furios-reserved /dev/droidian/droidian-reserved
lvrename /dev/droidian/furios-rootfs /dev/droidian/droidian-rootfs

Now try rebooting the phone from the phone's display. Booting should now hopefully work.

No Bluetooth

Bluetooth seems unreliable and takes a long time to show. If it's not working, maybe just try rebooting?

No Audio

This seems to happen on later furiOS releases, but going back to an old build works. Version 13.0.5 is known to work, which you can use while waiting for a fix. I have a fix in testing, make the changes for the camera first then follow these instructions.

No Camera

Camera seems to be broken on newer builds of FuriOS. Version 13.0.5 is known to work, which you can use while waiting for a fix. I have a fix in testing, more info here.

Poor GPS

Add a SUPL server in Settings >> GPS, toggle on SUPL Server, then add a SUPL server of your choice. The one that seems to work best for me is Google's at supl.google.com.

Reverting Back to Android

We finally have backups for both the GX6 and GX6 Pro!

GX6: here or here.

GX6 Pro: here.

Then restore with mtkclient!

There will be another package for use with SP Flash tool soon! I'll update when it's avaliable.

Good write up, thanks. Firmware link goes to a 404. But the server itself still has the files. https://germany.bardia.tech/uploads/

Thank you, updated the link!

Hi, Thanks again for preparing this guide.

I have been using my GX6 Pro with FuriOS as a daily driver for several months until a couple of weeks ago when an update left the system without sound (as you mentioned in your last paragraph in the guide). Did you find a way to overcome this issue? It is a pity because it was a really good experience working with this phone.

Thanks a lot in advance for any help you could provide.

I have been using my GX6 Pro with FuriOS as a daily driver for several months until a couple of weeks ago when an update left the system without sound (as you mentioned in your last paragraph in the guide). Did you find a way to overcome this issue? It is a pity

Hey @manu-a-m, I have not yet found a solution, however I suspect it would be a change in the kernel. I plan on starting my own gx6/gx6 pro tweaks furiOS repository that will have a custom kernel if required. I still have not had much time to look into it, but I will spend some time soon!

Wonderful! Let me know if you need any help with testing. I have the GX6 pro model.

Wonderful! Let me know if you need any help with testing. I have the GX6 pro model.

Will do, thank you!!

Wonderful! Let me know if you need any help with testing. I have the GX6 pro model.

Hey, I have something you can test if you'd like! This should fix the camera on the GX6 and GX6 Pro, I'd love to hear if it works for you.

First, I recommend updating to the latest furiOS build by running (on your phone) sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt dist-upgrade. Do this a few times and then reboot. You should end up on 13.1.1 when you do that. You can check in Settings >> System >> About.

At this point, check if the camera is working. If not, proceed, otherwise let me know it's already working for you.

Run this in your terminal (on your desktop) once you are up-to-date:

wget https://techwizz-emu.com/downloads/flx1/13.0.5/super.img.xz
xz -d super.img.xz

Reboot your phone to fastboot, which can be done by powering off then holding volume down + power button, fastboot is the second option in that menu.

Plug your phone into your computer and run (in the same folder as your super.img)

fastboot flash super super.img
fastboot reboot

Once the phone boots back up, check if the camera is working.

I'm still working on the audio problem, but once I have a solution for both, I'll make an easy post-installer on furiOS for the GX6 for people to run.

Thank you!

Hi!

I have tried and, indeed, after the apt update/upgrade the camera didn't work. But following your instructions now it is working. Thanks a lot for that!!

Looking forward to keep testing with these outcomes! :-)

Thanks!

Hi!

I have tried and, indeed, after the apt update/upgrade the camera didn't work. But following your instructions now it is working. Thanks a lot for that!!

Looking forward to keep testing with these outcomes! :-)

Thanks!

Thanks for reporting back that it works for you! I shouldn't be too far away with the audio patch, hope to have something more to test soon!

Hi!

I have tried and, indeed, after the apt update/upgrade the camera didn't work. But following your instructions now it is working. Thanks a lot for that!!

Looking forward to keep testing with these outcomes! :-)

Thanks!

Okay, the audio patch is ready! First, ensure you followed the instructions for the camera first to anyone else wanting to test this. If you have not done that, it will fail to boot, you have been warned.

On the phone, run the following commands:

# DO THE CAMERA PATCH FIRST!!! https://gist.github.com/Techwizz-somboo/fa688ac37b89c9eb27b17ad7a1314069?permalink_comment_id=5782170#gistcomment-5782170
wget https://techwizz-emu.com/downloads/flx1/custom/vendor-custom-1.img.xz
xz -d vendor-custom-1.img.xz
sudo dd if=vendor-custom-1.img of=/dev/mapper/dynpart-vendor_a status=progress
sudo dd if=vendor-custom-1.img of=/dev/mapper/dynpart-vendor_b status=progress

Then reboot the phone when you are ready. Once it comes back up, you should have working audio!

Hey!

This is great! Sound is working back again! I guess that we would need to put on hold any updates on the vendor packages from now on, right?

On the other hand, there is a new issue with the calls. As soon as you start or receive a call, it looks like the modems restarts and the calls are finished. Are you facing a similar issue?

Thanks a lot again for the amazing work!

I am seriously considering getting myself Gigaset GX6 to install FuriOS on it. Is performance / hardware support similar to what I have seen online for the FLX1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_sBjYcmSgc

Does GPS (with instruction above) & NFC work? Those are both critical for me. If they work I will get one and can help with testing, etc.

Hey!

This is great! Sound is working back again! I guess that we would need to put on hold any updates on the vendor packages from now on, right?

On the other hand, there is a new issue with the calls. As soon as you start or receive a call, it looks like the modems restarts and the calls are finished. Are you facing a similar issue?

Thanks a lot again for the amazing work!

Yes, we'll want to stop vendor updates, but I still need to work on finding the best solution. You can put the vendor image package on hold with apt, but I believe that will block future furiOS versions in their entirety, so I'll find something better.

I have not tested with a sim card since these patches yet, so thanks for the report, I'll test that out!

I am seriously considering getting myself Gigaset GX6 to install FuriOS on it. Is performance / hardware support similar to what I have seen online for the FLX1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_sBjYcmSgc

Does GPS (with instruction above) & NFC work? Those are both critical for me. If they work I will get one and can help with testing, etc.

GPS works well as long as you have a sim card and a SUPL server added. I have not tested the NFC but according to logs, it looks to be working. Performance seems to be better on my GX6 Pro than the FLX1, but that's probably because of the 8gb of ram. If you're looking for a phone where things are guaranteed to always work well, you should be looking at the FLX1s, as I'm just doing this for fun and I don't get the same resources as FuriLabs themselves have.

@manu-a-m does the fingerprint reader work for you? Also, I made a Matrix room, join if you want! https://matrix.to/#/%23gx6-furios:matrix.blackfamily.one

Hey! Yes, the fingerprint works fine on my side. At the moment it is just the calls that doesn't work as before.

Hey! Yes, the fingerprint works fine on my side. At the moment it is just the calls that doesn't work as before.

Cool, thanks. Was asking as it's not working for me, but thought it was working before I copied my rootfs from my FLX1 to my GX6 Pro so that way I could try to daily drive it to find problems. But I'm just going to assume that's something goofy with copying my other system. GPS looks to be working great for me, so that is nice. Going to have to try calls.

Maybe i is something related to the permissions when you copied the rootfs?

So i have tried the calls again and now the connection worked...really didn't change or did anything...very weird. But the voice call doesn't work so i cannot hear and they cannot hear me....

Maybe i is something related to the permissions when you copied the rootfs?

Probably not, it's the whole rootfs including all same users and permissions on files. Weird, but not a big deal, if it's working on new images then I am happy with where it's at.

So i have tried the calls again and now the connection worked...really didn't change or did anything...very weird. But the voice call doesn't work so i cannot hear and they cannot hear me....

Interesting, I'll do some call testing tonight and see how it goes for me!

@manu-a-m hmm just tested, calling is working for me. Audio was a little quiet, but that could be for many reasons. It was audible on both sides and I even got ringing when calling out, which I did not think was supported yet on the FLX1! What carrier are you using and what country? I use Mint Mobile, in the US.

So i have been testing a bit more and the audio start working sometimes...i think i am in a situation when it is very random when the audio works... From what i have tried, once every 2/3 times it does work, but it is not most of the time for sure.... I guess that if it would be about the carrier it would systematically fail, but this situation is quite weird because i really cannot trust that the voice call will work... I will keep testing..

So i have been testing a bit more and the audio start working sometimes...i think i am in a situation when it is very random when the audio works... From what i have tried, once every 2/3 times it does work, but it is not most of the time for sure.... I guess that if it would be about the carrier it would systematically fail, but this situation is quite weird because i really cannot trust that the voice call will work... I will keep testing..

Try swapping your APN to another one for your carrier, that can improve reliability. Swapping off the 5G bands can sometimes help too.

Interesting, I have swap off the 5G bands and not it is much more stable with sound and access to the calls consistent. I think i have now reached the status before the last update so i will try to daily drive for the next days and see how that works. Will come back here to let you know how it went. Thanks a lot for all the help!

Interesting, I have swap off the 5G bands and not it is much more stable with sound and access to the calls consistent. I think i have now reached the status before the last update so i will try to daily drive for the next days and see how that works. Will come back here to let you know how it went. Thanks a lot for all the help!

Glad that worked for you, and thanks for testing! The 5G bug is also a FLX1 problem, but I think that is supposed to be more stable next update. I do not know for sure if that would impact the GX6 or not, but I am guessing it will improve it on the GX6 too.

Hi again! i just wanted to share the packages i have put on hold and double check with you whether there is something else to be added or if I could remove anything from that list so i will not get in trouble when doing upgrades. Or just sharing in case could be easier for anybody else.

I'd only hold krypton-vendor-32, there's no reason for any of the other ones, and you probably do want kernel updates. Just holding krypton-vendor-32 will still most likely prevent system upgrades anyway, though, depending on if they mark the update as depending on the new vendor image. I plan to make a fix for that soon.

Hello, I tried flashing my GX6 Pro. Seemed to be easy. Flashing without problems. But I do not get any GSM/LTE/5G-modem and the sensors incl. GPS is not working/ stuck? I tried 'lshw' on console, but not modem is shown. Do You have any remarks how to find/ fix this problem. I have had updated everything, so I have FuriOS trixie 13.1.1 installed.
Phone calls by using cellular connection is important feature I need.

Hello, I tried flashing my GX6 Pro. Seemed to be easy. Flashing without problems. But I do not get any GSM/LTE/5G-modem and the sensors incl. GPS is not working/ stuck? I tried 'lshw' on console, but not modem is shown. Do You have any remarks how to find/ fix this problem. I have had updated everything, so I have FuriOS trixie 13.1.1 installed. Phone calls by using cellular connection is important feature I need.

I'd try reflashing with the FLX1 flash guide, also possible you lost your IMEI number. https://furilabs.com/flash-guide/

Thanks for the link. This is the guide I used for flashing. Please, can You tell me how I can check if the IMEI is lost? How can I recover/ reprogram the IMEI (the two IMEI's are printed on back of phone)?

Thanks for the link. This is the guide I used for flashing. Please, can You tell me how I can check if the IMEI is lost? How can I recover/ reprogram the IMEI (the two IMEI's are printed on back of phone)?

Through the mobile settings it's in Mobile Network >> Modem Details but without a modem detected options may not be showing.

Otherwise, the script /usr/share/ofono/scripts/list-modems should show your IMEI under the key Serial.

I will have to look into fixing it, but if you made a backup of Android, you can revert back and enable engineering mode, which has a spot for you to update it.

Hello, I wanted to buy a phone from Furi, which was then sold out. Here in Germany you can still buy the Gigaset GX6 Pro normally. Of course, I also feel guilty about using something that I didn't pay for. Isn't there a big risk that you could be banned by the operator if they notice that a phone that they didn't sell is being used? A new phone has been announced, but whether it will be released this year is questionable for such small companies.

Hello, I wanted to buy a phone from Furi, which was then sold out. Here in Germany you can still buy the Gigaset GX6 Pro normally. Of course, I also feel guilty about using something that I didn't pay for. Isn't there a big risk that you could be banned by the operator if they notice that a phone that they didn't sell is being used? A new phone has been announced, but whether it will be released this year is questionable for such small companies.

The phone you are using you did buy, and furiOS is FOSS like Droidian, so you can definitely use it on the GX6, and you would not be banned by an operator. Of course, supporting FuriLabs is the better choice if you enjoy the software, but at the same time, I do not see anything wrong with putting furiOS on other phones. If you want the software to survive and continue to be developed, though, supporting FuirLabs is good! The FLX1s is supposed to ship next month!