WeTek Hub Amlogic S905 TV Box Gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow Firmware

Amlogic S905 TV boxes are currently running Android 5.1, but a few are now getting Android 6.0 support including MXQ Plus, and soon K1 Plus. VideoStrong refused to provide the firmware for MXQ Plus as I did not own the box, but WeTek has already provided their latest beta Android 6.0 firmware to testers and reviewers working on WeTek Hub, which I plan to review next week with Android 5.1 first.

WeTek_Hub_Android_6.0

The main changes with Android 6.0, beside the expected better performance, are support audio HAL 61937 pack allowing HD audio pass-through on all apps, as well as Microsoft PlayReady 3.0 permitting Ultra HD 4K DRM video streaming.

Eventually, Android 6.0 update will be available through OTA, but currently the beta firmware (DB-J9-wetekhub-marshmallow-ota-2016-07-06_12-00-03.zip) needs to be copied to a micro SD card, and update through Recovery after wiping data and media.

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106 Replies to “WeTek Hub Amlogic S905 TV Box Gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow Firmware”

  1. @BCatalin
    The MXQ Pro+ was discontinued by the manufacturer according to all the posts on freaktab.
    So I won’t count on it getting any updates and there are also several clone versions of the MXQ Pro & + versions which will cause further problems.

  2. A thorough review of the WeTek Hub I would think must included its Dual Boot Android, OpenELEC- LibreELEC Kodi capabilities.
    The Kodi reviewer hdmkv, achieved outstanding HD and Multichannel Audio results it seems with a v7.0.2 of LibreELEC recently.
    Seems like a first for PCM Multichannel Audio output using LibreELEC Kodi on any AMLogic platform according to the developer. DolbyVision video decoding as well.
    http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=280406&pid=2366755#pid2366755

  3. BCatalin :
    So its possible to receive an update for MXQ PRO+ ? Will be great if it will come with fixes for all the bugs it currently have.

    Lol I had one of these Junk-Boxes too. Sold it as quickly as I could. I bet it will never get any firmware update or something like that.

  4. @BCatalin
    I’m running the sd-robots firmware and I couldn’t be happier. It took me a while to get it flashed, but now I’m not looking to update this thing anytime soon.

  5. HI
    I WONT DOWNLOAD the new software for ki plus amlogic s905 dvbs2/dvbt2
    android 6.0
    u can gev me link to download it the new software
    thanks

  6. K1 Plus also has Android 6.0, but i cannot find where to download it. On GB see K1 Plus TV Box EU PLUG BLACK 157339703 Android 6.0 Amlogic S905

  7. By georgi kolchev Jun-23/2016 02:06:39

    Question:
    So its android 5.1 or 6.0 , and DC 12 V on pictures ot DC 5 V on discription ????

    Reply::
    Thank you for your inquiry.

    It is android 6.0,DC 12 V .

  8. i’ve emailed VideoStrong and received a link for k1_plus android 6 firmware (KI_PLUS-ota-20160627.165102.V0515). it took several hours, but i was able to upgrade from acemax firmware (KI_PLUS-ota-20160311.094759.V1031P2).

    the issue was that the previous ro.product.device=p20x, and the new firmware has a check in “META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script” (inside the zip) that makes sure ro.product.device == “ki_plus” or else it fails.

    first i modified /system/build.prop using buildprop editor app. side note: i gave up making /system writable with adbLink. the value held after reboot, however at bootloader it was still equal to p20x.
    next i unzipped the firmware; removed the check in updater-script. rezipped; renamed zip to apk. signed apk using “apk-easy-tool-v1-02-windows-gui”; rename apk to zip. this method signed the zip properly including a zip-comment “signed by signApk”.

    if the zip file is just modified without re-signing, the update will fail “E:failed to verify whole-file signature”. i also tried signing with a signApk.jar (https://github.com/appium/sign) and that failed as well “E:footer is wrong” — in that case there was no zip-comment added.

    post-flash notes:
    a) kodi is still 15.2 (same as 20160311 android 5.1.1 release).
    b) have not tried antutu video tester 3 yet.
    c) HDMI CEC option has disappeared but it seems to be enabled by default — i.e. device turns off if TV is turned off. TV turns on when device is turned on.
    d) ro.product.otaupdateurl was set to “http://52.30.154.186/otaupdate/update” in the android 5.1.1 release which is dead. OTA update never worked in 5.1.1. it is now set to “http://update.szbboys.com/otaupdate/update” which seems to work. maybe try that route?
    e) on boot the following message pops up 3 times: “Unfortunately, Phone and Messaging Storage has stopped.”
    f) still sifting the android log (logcat) via adbLink.
    g) google widevine still at L3. no microsoft ready DRM.

  9. performed factory reset.

    RE:
    a) kodi is now 16.1
    b) similar to before: 3 formats partially supported, however score increase from 915 to 935. not smooth: mp4/aac/avc, mp4/aac/mpeg-4, webm/vorbis/vp8
    e) message no longer appears
    h) AirPin is now Pro, instead of Lite.
    i) root checker reports device is rooted but superuser never asks for root confirmation. apps do not seem to receive root privilege.

  10. BAG :

    i) root checker reports device is rooted but superuser never asks for root confirmation. apps do not seem to receive root privilege.

    Marshmallow on Amlogic SDK is advised to be built as userdebug (based on sources I have), which means core su binary is on system. To get real superuser, download SuperSU from playstore, start it and perform normal install (not TWRP/custom recovery).

  11. @Katalin
    The box was already in the way when I saw your comment but it’s here
    It came somehow with a latest firmware:
    build number: p201-userdebug 5.1.1 LMY47V 20160702 test-keys

    The main menu, is the same one on MxPro+ boxes where Iron Man is touching the ground and a girl has headphones.
    It has got to be the same firmware that they are using on the MxPro+ isn’t it? So they should be compatible?

    Kernel is lushen-pc 3.14.29

  12. @BAG
    That’s cool! Can u share your 6.0 build u succeeded to upgrade, please. Many guys and I either ))) have ki plus and want to upgrade. Woohooo!!!)))

  13. Hi Please help I need the software update online Fund to get another update when available thank you ///ki plus t2s2///

  14. two issues so far:
    1) time is intermittently not NTP synced on boot-up. it is not remembered either — it’s dated back to 2014 every boot until time is synced. when this happens any secure connection fails.

    2) kodi crashes at least once per session. not sure if it’s an add-on. i have about a dozen tombstone files in /data/tombstones. also, they may be uploaded to DropBox based on the following message in the log (i do not see the device send a dropbox DNS query however):
    BootReceiver: Copying /data/tombstones/tombstone_06 to DropBox (SYSTEM_TOMBSTONE)

    i’ll ask VS whether i can redistribute the firmware files. in the meantime, try remounting /system as RW; then modify build.prop to edit ro.product.otaupdateurl (d). not sure if it’ll work, but worth a try.

  15. @BAG
    Can’t download it by torrent software
    Is this magnet
    magnet:?xt=urn:btih:461d447f3ff513204094bc01a207882944c33d26

    No real download action start even click on start on this magnet in utorrent
    ( I had also add trackers that you had said them )

  16. @rose
    i’ll look into mega.

    which firmware are you looking for?

    1) KI_PLUS-ota-20160622.190607.V1031P3(android5.1).zip
    >> original VideoStrong android 5.1.1

    2) KI_PLUS-ota-20160627.165102.V0515(android6.0).zip
    >> original VideoStrong android 6.0

    3) KI_PLUS-ota-20160622.190607.V1031P3(android5.1)_nocheck_signed.zip
    >> modified to remove device check (see below); android 5.1.1

    4) KI_PLUS-ota-20160627.165102.V0515(android6.0)_nocheck_signed.zip
    >> modified to remove device check (see below); android 6.0

    if you try the original VS firmware and the update fails with the following message:
    This package is for “ki_plus” devices; this is a “p20x”
    it is because your device is defined as p20x in /system/build.prop:
    ro.product.device=p20x

    then try the modified firmware, which has removed the device check in “META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script” inside the zip.

  17. to clarify.. the firmware i’ve posted is for k1_plus, NOT MXQ.

    be cautious of using the no_check firmware — it does not check for >correct< device before writing firmware. for me this was required because my k1_plus device was reporting itself as p20x.

    i have not figured the difference between p20x and ki_plus. they seem to be interchangeable.

    also, you may want to upgrade to 20160622.190607.V1031P3 (android 5.1.1) first and then upgrade to 20160627.165102.V0515 (android 6.0).

    had i known the torrent would be so slow, i would not have bothered.

    DL the INFO file, read and go from there. it includes the mega link to the folder with all the firmware.
    https://mega.nz/#!5gJAyQRB!Wo_eJnVTTH_RapzztZfpYjjR8ltxs9okR6PPbhU7rMk

  18. @carlo

    Thanks BAG’s files.

    I had unpacked them and checked there is no th_dtv.apk for turner.
    So they are pure K1 Plus FW which can not used on K1 plus with turner hardware box.

  19. @BAG
    Thanks. I flashed it and it works.

    Could someone how still has the 5.1.1 firmware installed do a backup of it and upload it? This would be awesome.

    About root, superSU tells me that there is no binary installed. I will have a look into it.

  20. @rose

    Stane1983 :
    Marshmallow on Amlogic SDK is advised to be built as userdebug (based on sources I have), which means core su binary is on system. To get real superuser, download SuperSU from playstore, start it and perform normal install (not TWRP/custom recovery).

    su binary is small, with owner root:shell. you can run su under adb shell to gain root access, but not in UI. there’s even a superuser.apk installed.
    i did try running SuperSU app with normal install but it fails. it seems to get a bit further if /system is RW, but no go.

    RE:OE firmware
    my box came with KI_PLUS-ota-20160104.145228.V1031P.
    found a reference to it here. i had upgraded to acemax KI_PLUS-ota-20160311.094759.V1031P2. it can be DLed from acemax.

    how stable is kodi for you?

    1. I was even able to get rw on the system but root checker was not able to see root access at all.

      About kodi, I did not try it under 20160627 because there was DTV missing but using it with openelec works great.

      Could you Upload a picture of the schematic of your usb cable? I thought about building one.

  21. @BAG
    I’m now on the firmware from 20160627. I found that I can not boot anymore from the sdcard when pushing the button on the bottom with a toothpick. Did you see the same?

    But I somehow need to boot from the sdcard. How can I revert to a previous firmware?

  22. I managed to go back to the firmware 20160606. Does anyone else have troubles to boot from sdcard after updating to 20160627?

  23. i used USB to upgrade. i have not used SDCard function.

    how about 20160622 firmware?
    since downgrade is possible i think i will try that, if reinstalling kodi doesn’t work.

  24. @BAG
    To downgrade via the recovery one has to remove the check within the “META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script”. There is one checking for the date. Normally you are not allowed to go back to an earlier one.

    The 20160622 does not contain DTV in the name, so I guess there is no DTV app? All other firmwares contain the DTV in the firmware name. For me the box renders useless without dvb.

    By the way, I can’t believe that this is a public firmware. There is no root and also all the preinstalled applications from 5.1.1 are missing. But this is only my opinion. I wrote VS an email but I do not expect to get an answer.

  25. sorry for my english but
    can anybody help me i have K1 PLUS combo with DTV and i can return to 20160606 ?
    the error is E:footer is wrong
    🙁 🙁 🙁

    if you have any firmware ready send it here plz plz plz

  26. @simo
    Check the size after download (or md5 if available), make sure your micro SD or USB drive does not contain other files, and remove all other external device (USB and/or micro SD).

  27. Just remove the first commands within “META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script”.

    You can identify the checks easily. They appear at the beginning of this file and they check for the date, Name, …

    After that you have to save the file and sign it. Just Google how to sign Android zip files. Depending on which archiver Tool you use you can edit the file directly inside the zip file or you have to extract it first.

    If you want to see the checks I removed, compare the file from within my zip file with the original 20160606 firmware.

  28. @simo
    I don’t know how to tell you this , but after all this now i know how to sign and remove all check and the firm work fine, so after i want to make firmware of ferguson avira 4k combo availabe in our k1 plus , and when the upload finish and reboot the picture become black the logo dispear and no recovery is possible; did you have any solution now like jtag , i will never try something in futur like this 🙁

  29. @rose
    I don’t know how to tell you this , but after all this now i know how to sign and remove all check and the firm work fine, so after i want to make firmware of ferguson avira 4k combo availabe in our k1 plus , and when the upload finish and reboot the picture become black the logo dispear and no recovery is possible; did you have any solution now like jtag , i will never try something in futur like this ?

    1. Try to use the USB burning tool with an appropriate USB male to male cable. There is a post how to do on cnx.

  30. @simo
    Where does the USB burning tool fail? How should I help you if I do not know what the error is? Since you want help you should try to make yourself as clear as possible.
    Could you verify the following?

    1. You build/bought an appropriate USB male to male cable.
    2. You did everything exactly as described here http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/16/how-to-firmware-upgrade-amlogic-s802/
    3. You read about shorting nand pins 29 & 30 and you checked if this is the same for the k1 plus. I just know there are some posts about that when people talk about using the usb burning tool.

    If you just tell “it doesn’t work” it reminds me of calling my internet provider telling him my internet does not work and they tell me “please try to reset your router”. Kind of waste of time.

  31. @simo
    what cable did you use?

    @rose
    please define “appropriate USB male to male cable”

    USB type-A doesn’t have an ID pin, so i don’t understand all the OTG references. there’s no way to tell the type-A device to change role from host without the ID pin. am i mistaken?

  32. I am the author of this editor, and can be translated into English version 0.4. It’s fast. There is a need?

  33. @sm0ke
    You can give the link for this plz
    K1_PLUS_EDITOR_0_4_1.exe or K1_PLUS_EDITOR_0_4.exe
    because i can’t download it from 4PDA

  34. @BAG
    No need for any ID pin, OTG can be handled by the box itself. It is a normal A-A USB cable. I never did it so I’m only 99% sure. I read the people build it simply from two old USB cables. Normally those do not have OTG functionality.

  35. Thanks Rose, but I decided to test xtreamer Android version and dislike it. After I flash back the ki plus signed firmware of Bag above (before I could only flash the not signed version). With the signed version ezroot method worked flawlessly. Regards.

  36. @rose
    Friend rose what method should I do to extract the firmware from KI Plus!
    I would like to extract it from the box!
    Need the folder’s dev
    I am using other means more without success!
    I have not tested this method yet, what do you think?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AGLCCLa8sA

    Details of what we need
    If we can help, we’ll be grateful.
    thank you.
    http://forum.xda-developers.com/android-stick–console-computers/amlogic/dev-wetek-play-2-firmware-k1-plus-s2-t3482765/post69494288#post69494288

    1. Personally I would install TWRP as recovery and then create a backup of the box. From that you Can extract anything. There is a a TWRP for the K1 Plus available.

  37. rosa :
    Pessoalmente eu gostaria de instalar TWRP como a recuperação e, em seguida, criar um backup da caixa. Desde que você pode extrair qualquer coisa. Há AA TWRP para o K1 Além disso disponível.

    Good teacher has some practical tutorial
    A detailed path?
    To avoid mistakes?
    Thank you!

  38. @Erbas Andrade

    Erbas Andrade :

    rose :
    Howto install TWRP:
    http://androidpc.es/blog/2015/04/20/twrp-y-metodo-root-para-tv-box-k1-con-dvb-t2-y-s2/

    Good friend I have tried many but without success!
    As well as this one here I do not see the TWRP logo

    I even found one here worked.
    https://prodvb.wordpress.com/2016/11/24/recovery-s905/

    I can not copy some folders
    I always have an error
    This encryption is very strong or TWRP does not work 100%

    If anyone here succeeds please help
    Folder can not extract or copy

  39. @Erbas Andrade
    Can’t you do a TWRP backup and extract the data you want from it.

    Also since you have installed TWRP now, could you try if you still can boot from the SDCARD by hitting the button at the bottom with a toothpick? Wonderding since long if this still works afterwards.

  40. rose :
    @Erbas Andrade
    Can’t you do a TWRP backup and extract the data you want from it.
    Also since you have installed TWRP now, could you try if you still can boot from the SDCARD by hitting the button at the bottom with a toothpick? Wonderding since long if this still works afterwards.

    TWRP backup
    Now how to unpack?
    http://prnt.sc/de7fn4
    Which tool to use
    And find the dev folder?
    I see that there is little left now!
    Which tool to use
    Thanks for your help!
    No words to thank.

  41. Hi there!

    Could anybody tell me if I can update the mxq pro 4k s905 Android 5.1.1 to the firmware of s905x Android 6.0.1 and be sure that it will work? Any advice greatly appreciated.

  42. @cnxsoft what would you recommend for this tv box? I am having freezing issues and at times some applications are terminated as soon as I launch them. I have read so many articles that I am getting overwhelmed with all. At some point, I read that vendors were using the firmware from S905X into S905 devices and that it was going to work.

  43. Here is the narrative I found regarding the S905 getting marshmallow update.
    “Please note that currently most S905 TV boxes run Android 5.1, while Amlogic S905X devices are already running Android 6.0, so the latter may benefit from some small performance boosts due to more recent firmware. But in any case, that represents a side-by-side comparison of what you can expect from devices sold on July/August 2016, although some Amlogic S905 devices are now getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow firmware updates.”

    http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/07/31/amlogic-s905-vs-s905x-benchmarks-comparison/

  44. Here are the info in the About screen for MXQ Pro S905 I owe, which works wonderfully:
    Android Security Patch: August 1, 2016
    Version: 6.0.1
    Build: p212-userdebug 6.0.1 MHC19J 20161101 test-keys

    I bought a second one, which does not reflect the info. above and has issues so I thought vendor used the firmware of a S905X

  45. Miguel :

    Here is the narrative I found regarding the S905 getting marshmallow update.
    “although some Amlogic S905 devices are now getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow firmware updates.”

    Emphasis on “some” devices, as the manufacturer needs to port Android 6.0.1 to their hardware like WeTek did for WeTek Hub.

  46. Hi friends, is there any (custom) firmware of Android 6 for amlogic s905 (like T95N) ?? if so I ask for the link….

  47. Android 6.0 for WeTek Hub has been released. Via email:

    WeTek has released the WeOS 3.0 operating system based on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) for WeTek Hub, along with the re-stock of this highly sought after device.

    With the arrival of this new WeOS iteration users now will be able to experience Netflix in 4K directly from the WeTek Hub after downloading its AndroidTV version from the Aptoide apps marketplace. Other improvements include greater speeds and overall system stability.

    New units of WeTek Hub are now available at WeTek’s webshop. Users can now upgrade their devices to the latest operating system via OTA update directly from the box.

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