Insert the SD card into the turned-off S805 box. Hold down the hidden recovery button inside the AV jack with a toothpick.
Before choosing firmware, it's important to understand the S805's hardware foundation. Released in 2014, the Amlogic S805 is a 28nm chip designed primarily for entry-level set-top boxes. It served as an upgrade from earlier S802 models, offering improved features, especially in video decoding. Its key specifications include:
: Ideal for using the device as a low-power server (e.g., Pi-hole, file server).
To help narrow down your search for the perfect software build, please let me know: What is the of your TV box?
Connect the box to your TV and power it on. The first boot can take up to 5–10 minutes. Alternative Method: Flashing via SD Card (BootcardMaker) amlogic s805 firmware
: Explore the Armbian S805 Community Thread for the latest community-provided .dtb files.
If you want, I can:
If you do not have a Male-to-Male USB cable, you can flash firmware using an SD card or USB drive. Download on your PC.
Usually relies on slow eMMC flash storage (4GB or 8GB). Insert the SD card into the turned-off S805 box
: The software will beep and display a "Connect Success" message. Release the reset button and click the Start button in the tool.
Removing or disabling pre-installed apps that are not in use can free up system resources.
Custom firmware breathes new life into old hardware, but it comes with important security and safety considerations.
Because Android 4.4 is no longer supported by many modern streaming apps, switching to a Linux-based OS is highly recommended. LibreELEC boots your S805 device directly into Kodi. This bypasses the heavy Android operating system entirely, resulting in smooth 1080p playback and lower operating temperatures. Prerequisites for Flashing Firmware Released in 2014, the Amlogic S805 is a
Download the Amlogic USB Burning Tool (Version 2.0.8 or 2.1.6 is recommended for S805). Install it on your PC; this will also install the necessary Amlogic USB drivers.
| Type | Pros | Cons | |------|------|------| | | Stable; matches your Wi-Fi/remote exactly | Buggy; outdated security; often bloated | | Custom (e.g., Magendanz, daivietpda) | Debloated; performance tweaks; root pre-installed | May have broken features (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) | | LibreELEC / CoreELEC | Turns S805 into a dedicated Kodi media center; very fast | No Android apps; Linux-only | | Armbian | Full Linux desktop/server; modern kernel | Requires SD card; no GPU acceleration for GUI |
Depending on how you plan to use your device, you have three primary firmware paths: 1. Stock Android / Custom Android ROMs
Use this method if you do not have a male-to-male USB cable and your device can still access its recovery menu. : Format a micro SD card to FAT32.
Firmware is board-specific , not SoC-specific. Two devices with an S805 can have different Wi-Fi chips, Ethernet PHYs, and NAND flash, making firmware incompatible.