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OpenABL is a modified bootloader that replaces the stock Android launcher on Qualcomm-based devices.

It adds a visual boot menu right when you turn on your device.

This allows you to easily choose whether to boot into a standard Linux system or Android.

It is required to install it to boot batocera.linux on some devices.

The installation of OpenABL doesn't remove Android. You can install batocera.linux on a sdcard and keep both, Android and batocera.linux on the device.

Project page : https://github.com/OpenHandheldCollective/OpenABL

Install OpenABL

Devices

The following devices requires you install OpenABL to boot batocera.linux.

  • Mangmi Air Y
  • Mangmi Air Y Pro

Steps

  1. Flash batocera.linux on a sdcard
  2. Start Android
  3. Insert the sdcard
  4. Find the menu to execute the scard backup_and_flash.sh script as root
  5. Reboot the device and go in the OpenABL menu
  6. Configure the device model
  7. Configure to boot on linux
  8. Play batocera.linux

Detailed steps

Flash batocera.linux on a sdcard

This step is the standard way to flash a batocera.linux sdcard, nothing else special to do.

Start Android

Press the power button to start Android.

Insert the sdcard

Insert the batocera.linux sdcard into the device.

Find the menu to execute the scard backup_and_flash.sh script as root

This part is specific to each device.

Device Android menu
Mangmi Air Y Settings → Handheld Settings → Advanced → Run Script as Root
Mangmi Air Y Pro Settings → Handheld Settings → Advanced → Run Script as Root
  1. Go in the Execute script as root menu.
  2. Choose the script backup_and_flash.sh that is on top of the sdcard
  3. Validate the execution

Reboot the device and go in the OpenABL menu

From Android, shutdown the device. Then, keep the volume down button pressed and press power.

Note: on the Mangmi Air Y and Air Y Pro, the volume down button is the button under the volume wheel.

Configure the device model

The following message can appear.

You have to tell to openabl which device you are running. You can use only volume up/down button to navigate and power button to validate.

Go on the line “Device model” and select yours. Mangmi Air Y in the example.

Configure to boot on linux

In the OpenAbl menu, select linux on Boot mode. Then go on start linux.

Play batocera.linux

As usual.

Boot Android

In the OpenAbl menu, select Android on Boot mode. Then go on start Android.

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  • Last modified: 30 hours ago
  • by nadenislamarre