The ZEN Admire Blaze (SC9850) was an affordable 4G smartphone that, according to numerous user reports on technical forums, was crippled by a severe launcher bug following a software update. A widespread complaint was the device suffering from a persistent “Launcher3 has stopped” error loop, where the default home screen would crash immediately after boot or when pressing the home button, rendering navigation impossible. This issue, often accompanied by a failure to connect to Jio’s VoLTE network and a “Flashlight is busy” error, pointed to critical corruption in core system applications and modem configuration. Flashing the official stock firmware, particularly the V8 build, is the definitive solution to replace the corrupted launcher and restore stable network connectivity.
ZEN Admire Blaze Firmware Details
| Device Name | ZEN Admire Blaze |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9850 (4G LTE) |
| Key Feature | 4G VoLTE Support |
| Android Version | 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition) |
| Firmware Version | V6, V8 |
| Build Date | July 2, 2018; October 9, 2018 |
| File Size | ~1 GB each |
| File Type | .pac (for SPD Upgrade Tool) |
| Flashing Tool | SPD Upgrade Tool / ResearchDownload |
Download Official Firmware for ZEN Admire Blaze
Option 1: Firmware V6 (Build 02072018)
Size: 990 MB
Build Date: July 2, 2018
Download Link: MediaFire Direct Link
Option 2: Firmware V8 (Recommended Stable Build)
Size: 1010 MB
Build Date: October 9, 2018
Download Link: MediaFire Direct Link
Why Flash This Specific Firmware?
- Fix “Launcher3 has stopped” Crash Loop: This is the most critical reason for seeking this firmware. If your Admire Blaze’s home screen is crashing repeatedly, flashing the V8 .pac file performs a clean installation of the system partition, including a stable version of the Launcher3 APK, which is the only proven method to resolve this debilitating issue, as confirmed by user success stories on forums.
- Resolve “Mobile Network Not Available” on Jio/VoLTE: Address the specific problem where the device fails to register on Jio’s 4G VoLTE network. The firmware flash reinstalls the complete modem firmware and IMS settings, ensuring proper network detection and registration for reliable calling and data.
- Eliminate “Flashlight is busy” Error: Fix the bug where the flashlight toggle fails with a “busy” error. This process restores the original camera HAL and torch service configuration, clearing the resource lock that prevents the LED from being accessed.
- Recover from a Soft Brick or Bootloop: Unbrick your device if it has become unresponsive or stuck on the boot animation, often a direct result of the launcher process crash preventing the system from fully starting.
Some of the Bug / Firmware Fixes
- Firmware V8 (October 9, 2018): This build included a critical update to the Launcher3 application, directly patching the resource loading bug and null pointer exceptions that caused the persistent crashes in the earlier V6 release.
- Updated the modem configuration to include the correct IMS and VoLTE profiles for Jio’s network, fixing the “Mobile Network Not Available” error that was common on the V6 firmware.
- Patched the camera HAL to properly release the flash resource after the camera app is closed, resolving the “Flashlight is busy” error that occurred when trying to use the torch.
- Improved general system stability and security for the SC9850 platform.
Crucial Prerequisites Before Flashing
- Backup All Data: The flashing process will completely wipe your phone’s internal memory.
- Charge Your Phone: Ensure the battery is charged to at least 60% to avoid shutdowns during the process.
- Install Spreadtrum Drivers: You must install the Spreadtrum SCI USB drivers on your Windows PC.
- Download the Flashing Tool: You will need the SPD Upgrade Tool.
- Use a Quality USB Cable: For a stable and successful flash, use a reliable USB cable.
How to Flash the Firmware
Flashing the `.pac` firmware onto your ZEN Admire Blaze requires the SPD Upgrade Tool. Follow these steps:
- Download and extract your chosen firmware ZIP file on your computer.
- Launch the SPD Upgrade Tool.
- Click the gear icon (“Load Packet”) and select the `.pac` file from the extracted firmware folder.
- After the file loads, click the play icon (“Start Downloading”).
- Power off your ZEN Admire Blaze completely.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button, then connect the phone to your computer via USB while still holding the button.
- The tool will detect the device, and flashing will begin. You can release the volume button now.
- Wait for the process to complete, which will be confirmed with a green “Passed” message.
- Disconnect the phone and power it on. The first boot can take 5 to 10 minutes.
For a complete guide with screenshots and more details, please visit our official tutorial: How to Use the SPD Upgrade Tool.
