Firmware files are mobile’s operating system (OS) software files (just like Windows for PC) and are essential for all mobile functions. These are pre-installed in phone memory in every mobile however they can also be re-installed afresh if required – a process popularly called as “phone flashing”. Flashing is often required in many scenarios like corruption/accidental deletion of system files (a bricked phone), virus infection or just to refresh/reset a weirdly behaving phone etc. Original firmware files (specific to phone model, product code and some other parameters) are needed to flash the mobile along with the flashing software/hardware. These files are available at official Nokia servers but one must know the exact links to download them. As flashing is a complex, technical process intended to be performed by trained professionals and not by the average mobile user, these sites are not easily accessible to general public. Fortunately independent developers have come up with easy solutions to download Nokia firmwares. In this post I will enlist some of the tools, sites and links to help mobile users easily download any Nokia mobile’s firmware files –
Computer (Windows) Softwares
Navifirm Plus – Navifirm is a free software (for Windows) to help you get original Nokia firmware files directly from official Nokia sites (subject to availability of files at Nokia servers). However Navifirm sometimes gives connection error plus too old mobiles and many local variants do not show up in its phone/Products list. Refer to this post to know how to use Navifirm.
Phoenix Service Software – Phoenix is a popular Nokia-service software used to perform flashing and other mobile repairing tasks. Besides, Phoenix can also download original firmware files according to product codes but it has limited functionality and control over download options. Launch Phoenix and go to “Tools/Data Package Download”. You may refer to this post to know more about flashing using Phoenix and download link.
MobileEx – MobileEx (MXkey) is multipurpose mobile service software. Firmware files can also be downloaded via it. You can download latest version of MobileEx from here
Websites having links to firmware files
BTUsers – A very good site providing regularly updated direct download links to almost all current Nokia mobile’s firmware files
CPKB – Huge collection of download links to almost all Nokia phone’s firmware files
Allnokia.ru – Russian site providing links to almost all Nokia firmwares (mostly Russian language)
Besides these sites you can also search any specific Nokia firmware at torrent search engines or file sharing sites (like 4shared.com).
Mobile phones, Mobilephone tips and tricks