About
FWUL ... Why this name and its meaning?
Well.. The name of FWUL has a simple reason. I wanted to have something where I were able to point users to when they came with issues on Windows because the most problems around were solvable when using Linux ...
... and so the generic answer I gave those were exactly what FWUL means today. The only issue with Linux (even with Ubuntu, Mint and such) is that they not include what an Android user needs. You still have to issue commands to install and you have to make other adjustments like udev rules etc. Nothing a "normal" Windows user can do without guidelining.
So I started FWUL.. and because I had this above in mind its named like this. That's all.
FWUL is pronounced as in "fuel" /ˈfjuːəl/
For those not familiar with the above: do you have ever thought:
or do you just wanna support someone who is using Windows and having issues?"What the ...? Why?? Windows is not detecting my Android phone?!
adb, fastboot?? what are you talking about?"
- ... of course you have re-installed the drivers of your phone's vendor.
- ... of course you have re-downloaded the newest one from the the vendor's homepage as well
- ... of course you checked other drivers and uninstalled and rebooted hundreds of times
- ... of course it still does not work!
That's completely normal because you're still using that OS named Windows
... an OS which you (should) have paid for.. (Did you know that? --> Linux is free!)
... an OS which is known to spy out his users - by default (Did you know that? --> Linux won't!)
... an OS where updating and upgrading annoying you more and more (Did you know that? --> Linux can be simply upgraded even between major versions!)
(... well that's your choice but maybe now is a good time to think about alternatives...)
On Linux we do not have such phone driver issues (there are others
The main purpose of this ISO is to give you a quick and just working start to use the standard Android tools like adb and fastboot with ease.
- ... No driver hassle
- ... No complicated installation of android tools
- ... Remote support tool (teamviewer) can be installed with a double click
- ... just download, flash and enjoy
FWUL is just the way it should be. As time goes by the features grow so even when FWUL started as just an adb/fastboot ISO it can now provide you more then that. It has been enhanced to include all tools useful when it comes to using Android with your PC, flashing tools like JOdin (Samsung) or LGLAF (LG) are just some examples - check out the feature list!
Project status
Rock stable
well.. and: it could influence you sooner or later and you may never want to go back to your Windows...
Features
Based on the amazing (Manjaro) Arch Linux
Also checkout the detailed main features here: What's inside FWUL (click)?
- Windows 10 Theme for you my Windows lovers
- fast, stable and the most current Android debug experience you will ever get! it just works.
- Multi-Language support (If you miss your language let me know)
- adb and fastboot preinstalled and ready to use (thx for the amazing udev rules)
- simple ADB tool - a GUI for adb/fastboot (thx to the developer!)
- full MTP support
- full PTP support
- persistent mode (since FWUL v2.0)
- Teamviewer (TV) installer! If you need it just install it by simply starting the installer in the Desktop
- KISS + removed all docs + man pages keeping that ISO at small size
- JOdin (Java based version of Odin for Samsung devices) (Develop thread at XDA)
- hexchat to get fast support on IRC
- Advanced LG flashing tool like LGup (but with more features) -> SALT
- heimdall (GUI/CLI tool for Samsung devices)
- Installer for Sony Flashtool
- Installer for spflashtool for MediaTek devices
- If you find something is not working LET US KNOW!
- The amazing tool SALT to get shell access for managing LG phones
- Full Oracle VirtualBox support (since v1-1):
-> 512 MB RAM for the VM is the lowest recommended (you may fail to use any installer though but adb and fastboot will work out of the box and would even work with less)
-> 2+ GB RAM for the VM is recommended
-> you have to download and install the VirtualBox extension pack for full USB support
-> keep in mind: Even running in a VM is supported you will have best performance and best user experience when running from DVD/USB-Stick instead.
To be more clear: It is HIGHLY recommended not doing critical operations from within VirtualBox as this can be a risk (see information here). This is not a FWUL issue but Virtualization related - tmate - easy terminal sharing / remote control
- Recover files from backups, sdcards, image files with the graphical tool Qphotorec
- Extract ROM dat, dat.br and payload.bin with ROME
- MiFlash for Xiaomi devices lets you backup and flash
- Read the FWUL included tools & installers topic in post #3
Installation
- Download
- Either:
... burn it to a DVD (very stable and easy but slowest in boot)
... or flash it to an USB stick (very stable and easy and CAN be the fastest - it depends on your USB stick speed ... if you use a slow USB stick its slow right?!)
... or (while not recommended for critical operations) connect it in your VirtualBox VM (read FAQ #4 for the persistent mode option if you want to use it there as well)
For flashing to an USB stick I recommend ETCHER!
Do not use unetbootin or similar tools which very likely all will fail.
If you want to use another tool then the listed ones ensure you have an option to use a DD (aka RAW copy, aka 1:1 clone) method to flash FWUL.
Otherwise FWUL will not boot. I have tested flashing FWUL with the recommended tool Etcher only.
The following post lists an alternative method (and legacy ones) if etcher does not work for you or if you want to flash to a sdcard etc: CLICK.
Checkout the complete guide for flashing FWUL with etcher including pictures here: CLICK
but in short it is like that:
- Download Etcher
- Select the FWUL image
- Ensure you choose the correct USB drive by clicking on Change below "USB device" :
- Click the Flash button and wait until it has finished:
- By default Etcher will verify the flashed image (you can abort that one but it is highly recommended to let the verification finish):
- Once all has finished reboot, ensure your PC booting from your USB (check your BIOS if not) and enjoy FWUL from your USB stick
For using FWUL in a virtual machine download VirtualBox + the VirtualBox Extension pack
keep in mind: Even running in a VM is supported you will have best performance and best user experience when running from DVD/USB-Stick instead.
To be more clear: It is HIGHLY recommended not doing critical operations from within VirtualBox as this can be a risk (see information here). This is not a FWUL issue but Virtualization related
-> add a new VM in VirtualBox and ensure you choose 64bit
-> select Arch Linux from the list of Operating Systems (or any of the other Linuxes if that one is missing)
-> 512 MB RAM for the VM is the lowest possible (you may fail to use any installer though but adb and fastboot will work out of the box) but it would even work with less. Not that smoothly of course and when you install things you will get out of space easily.. Consider the persistent install or even better the USB stick install if your RAM is low.
-> 2+ GB RAM for the VM is recommended. The more the better but when you have enough free disk space you can use the persistent mode with VirtualBox as well! Check out FAQ #4
-> connect the FWUL ISO or checkout the FAQ how to enable persistent mode for FWUL within VirtualBox - Boot FWUL
- Login with username/password: android / linux
- Open the terminal application (at the bottom the black small window or open the "Windows" menu and choose from there)
- type in:
adb devices
or
fastboot devices
or
open the simple-adb GUI (desktop)
or
....
Download
XDA had problems in the past regarding file upload :crying: ...
so I decided to choose AndroidFileHost as our primary download server from now on.. XDA will always have the latest forgeful ISO at least but for a complete set AFH has them all.
Main Download Server:
- persistent mode ( read FAQ #4 ): Latest version (click) (note: deprecated, latest version is v3.1)
- forgetful mode ( read FAQ #4 ): Latest version (click)
Download Mirror 1 (XDA):
Note: This mirror may not contain all files but it will have the latest stable forgetful ISO at least!
- Go to the Download tab in this post
Note: This mirror is always current & fast (usually) but I share my bandwidth here so whenever possible use the main download server or Mirror 1 above!
- My leech server at: leech.binbash.rocks
Note: These builds happen on a scheduled base and so most likely are completely untested and unsupported but the most current you can get: leech.binbash.rocks
Support / Telegram group
Of course here in this thread but also by my Telegram group: mAid (fka FWUL)
Changelog
See Post #2
Known Issues
- All issues can be found at the github issue tracker
- If you find an issue please open a new issue at the github issue tracker
FAQ
See Post #4
Credits
- The whole Arch Linux community for the best Linux experience ever
- www.androidfilehost.com for mirror our files without any costs
- https://github.com/M0Rf30 for the amazing list of android udev rules
- AdamOutler for creating JOdin
- @mhashem6 for simple ADB!
- @dibbled for creating the FWUL logo
- ... and all the girls & guys mentioned in post #3
XDA:DevDB Information
FWUL - Forget Windows Use Linux - an adb/fastboot ISO, Tool/Utility for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
steadfasterX
Source Code: https://code.binbash.rocks:8443/mAid/build
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: 3.2
Stable Release Date: 2020-09-13
Current Beta Version: 4.0
Created 2016-12-27
Last Updated 2020-09-13
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