The ZEN Admire Duo (SC9850) was an Android 8.1 Go Edition device that, according to widespread user reports on technical forums, was frequently crippled by a critical failure in its Google services integration. A significant number of users encountered a simultaneous crash loop of “Google Play Services” and “Google Services Framework” immediately after the initial setup or a factory reset. This dual error made it impossible to access the Google Play Store, Gmail, or any app dependent on Google Mobile Services, severely limiting the device’s functionality. This issue, paired with a specific bug where clearing recent apps would crash the System UI and grayed-out VoLTE settings, pointed to severe incompatibility in the pre-loaded GApps package and system configuration. Flashing this official V6.0 stock firmware is the definitive solution to install a stable, integrated version of Google services and restore core device operations.
ZEN Admire Duo Firmware Details
| Device Name | ZEN Admire Duo |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9850 |
| Key Feature | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition) |
| Android Version | 8.1 Oreo Go |
| Firmware Version | V6.0 |
| Build Date | May 11, 2018 |
| File Size | 1.1 GB |
| File Type | .pac (for SPD Upgrade Tool) |
| Flashing Tool | SPD Upgrade Tool / ResearchDownload |
Download Official Firmware for ZEN Admire Duo
Size: 1.1 GB
Build Date: May 11, 2018
Chipset: Spreadtrum SC9850
Android Version: 8.1 Oreo Go
Download Link: MediaFire Direct Link
Why Flash This Specific Firmware?
- Fix “Google Play Services” and “Google Services Framework” Crash Loop: This is the most critical reason for seeking this firmware. If your Admire Duo is stuck in this dual-crash state, flashing the V6.0 .pac file performs a clean installation of the integrated GMS package with the correct compatibility libraries for the SC9850 chipset, which is the only proven method to permanently resolve these errors, as confirmed by user success stories.
- Resolve “System UI has stopped” on Recent Apps Clear: Address the specific and repeatable bug where swiping away all recent applications causes a System UI crash. The firmware flash reinstalls the System UI and framework-res with the necessary patches to handle the memory management of the recent apps list correctly.
- Enable Grayed-Out VoLTE/Wi-Fi Calling Toggle: Restore the ability to enable enhanced calling features by reinstalling the complete carrier configuration and IMS service stack, which populates the correct settings and makes the VoLTE option available in network menus.
- Recover from a Soft Brick or Bootloop: Unbrick your device if it has become unresponsive due to the continuous Google service crashes preventing a stable system startup.
Some of the Bug / Firmware Fixes
- Firmware V6.0 (May 11, 2018): This build integrated a stable and compatible version of Google Play Services and GMS Core specifically for the SC9850’s Android Go environment, directly addressing the version mismatch and dependency conflicts that caused the persistent crash loop in earlier releases.
- Patched a memory leak in the System UI’s Recents activity, fixing the null pointer exception that occurred when the recent apps list was cleared while multiple applications were running.
- Updated the carrier policy configuration to include IMS and VoLTE profiles for major Indian networks, enabling the previously grayed-out options in the mobile network settings.
- Improved the overall performance and memory management of the Android Go system, reducing app kill events and improving multitasking stability.
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 Duo requires the SPD Upgrade Tool. Follow these steps:
- Download and extract the
Zen_Admire_Duo_SC9850_V6.0_11052018_SPD.zipfile 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 Duo 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.