Mxq S805 Firmware 5.1 ((top)) Download
Reviving Your Old TV Box: A Guide to MXQ S805 Firmware (Android 5.1 Lollipop)
If you have an old MXQ TV box sitting in a drawer because it became sluggish, stuck on the boot logo, or started crashing apps, there is still hope. Many of the earliest MXQ models are powered by the Amlogic S805 chipset, and the most stable operating system for this aging hardware is Android 5.1 (Lollipop) .
This article explains what the "MXQ S805 Firmware 5.1" is, why you might need it, and how to find a safe download—plus the risks involved.
How to Check Your PCB Version:
- Unplug the device.
- Remove the rubber feet on the bottom.
- Unscrew the 4 screws.
- Gently lift the top cover.
Look for a text string printed on the circuit board. Common versions include: mxq s805 firmware 5.1 download
- MXQ V6.01 (Most common)
- MXQ V6.0
- S805_MXQ_V1.2
- MXQ V3.1 (Less common, uses a different Wi-Fi chip)
- S805_MXQ_V1.4
Note: The Wi-Fi chip is the most important component. Common chips are:
RTL8188ETV(Realtek)RTL8189FTVSV6051P(Single-band)AP6212(AmPak)
Match both the board number and the Wi-Fi chip when searching for mxq s805 firmware 5.1 download. Reviving Your Old TV Box: A Guide to
Where Android 5.1 images come from
- Vendor/vendor‑community releases (MXQProject, vendor sites from 2015–2016).
- Community sites and wikis (rigacci.org, forum threads on FreakTab / XDA / EarlyBird / AndroidPCtv).
- Generic Amlogic S805 community projects (LibreELEC images for S805, TWRP builds). Note: Many original vendor pages are offline or removed; mirror archives and community forums are often the only sources.
Troubleshooting Common Flashing Errors
| Error Code | Meaning | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 0x10105004 | Romcode/Switch status/Identify error | You released the reset button too early. Short the NAND pins or re-hold the AV reset. | | 0x10302001 | Romcode/Initialize DDR/Read error | Corrupted image file or incompatible firmware. Download a different board version. | | No Connection | Driver not installed | Reinstall USB Burning Tool. On Windows 10, disable driver signature enforcement. |
Post-Installation Tips
- Disable Automatic Updates: Android 5.1 will try to OTA update. This often breaks MXQ devices. Go to Settings > About > System Update > Turn off.
- Install a Lightweight Launcher: Stock launcher is slow. Install "Leanback Launcher" or "ATV Launcher" from APKMirror.
- Root Access: Most S805 5.1 firmwares come pre-rooted. Install SuperSU from the Play Store to manage permissions.
- Backup Your Current ROM: Before flashing, consider using
ddcommand via ADB to backup your original firmware – though this is advanced.
Why 5.1 and not 4.4 or a "faked" 7.1?
Here’s the secret most sellers won't tell you: The S805’s GPU and bootloader love Lollipop. Android 4.4 KitKat feels like a museum piece, and most “Android 7.1” ROMs for S805 are just themed 5.1 with broken Wi-Fi. True, stable 5.1 gives you: Unplug the device
- Smoother video playback (H.265 hardware decode actually works)
- Proper app compatibility (modern Kodi, Netflix, YouTube via browser)
- No overheating – Lollipop sips power compared to newer OS skins
Tools Required for Flashing Firmware
To flash the mxq s805 firmware 5.1, you need:
- USB Burning Tool v2.0.8 or v2.1.6 (Amlogic's official flashing software for Windows).
- USB A-to-A Cable (Male to Male) – This is critical. A standard printer USB cable works perfectly.
- A small Phillips head screwdriver (to open the box and access the reset button).
- A Windows PC (Windows 7, 8, or 10 – 11 may need driver signature disabled).
- The correct .img firmware file (downloaded from step above).
What “MXQ S805 firmware 5.1” means
- MXQ: a low‑cost Android TV box model family (many clones and hardware variants).
- S805: Amlogic Meson8B (S805) SoC; common in older 1 GB RAM / 8 GB flash set‑top boxes.
- “Firmware 5.1”: typically means an Android Lollipop (Android 5.1) system image compiled for an S805 device. It may be called “stock firmware” (vendor image) or a custom image (community builds, e.g., TWRP, LibreELEC, Armbian builds).
Important: Many MXQ devices originally shipped with Android 4.4.x. Android 5.1 images exist for some S805 hardware variants, but availability depends on the exact hardware revision (board ID / dtb variant, Wi‑Fi chip, NAND vs eMMC layout, bootloader version). Using an image for a different variant can brick the device.
Can I upgrade MXQ S805 to Android 6.0 or 7.0?
No. The S805 chipset does not have official OEM drivers for Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher. Any claiming to be "Android 7.1 for S805" are fake build.prop edits that will crash frequently.