The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is an ultra-affordable smartphone designed for essential daily tasks. Featuring a large 6.09-inch display, a dual-camera setup, and an octa-core UNISOC SC9863A chipset, it provides a solid entry-level Android experience. If your device is stuck on the ZTE logo, has software errors, is infected with a virus, or you are locked out due to a forgotten password or Google Account (FRP lock), flashing the official stock ROM is the most effective solution. This guide provides the official firmware (.pac file) and a clear, step-by-step flashing guide using the SPD Upgrade Tool to restore your phone to its factory condition.
Important: This firmware is for the ZTE Blade A5 2020. The flashing process for UNISOC/Spreadtrum devices is very specific and requires the correct tools and drivers. Following these instructions carefully will help you avoid bricking your device.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Release year: 2019
- Chipset: UNISOC SC9863A
- Display: 6.09″ IPS LCD, HD+
- Battery: 3200 mAh
- Original OS: Android 9 (Pie)
Required Downloads
To flash a Spreadtrum/UNISOC device, you will need the specific drivers and flashing tool listed below.
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| SPD Upgrade Tool | Download Latest Version |
| Spreadtrum/UNISOC USB Drivers | Download Drivers |
Stock ROM (Firmware)
| Region | Build | Android | Type | Download | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global / Unspecified | S05_210719 | 9.0 | SPD .pac Firmware | Download | UNISOC/SPD |
How to Flash (SPD Upgrade Tool)
This method is for restoring the official stock firmware and will erase all data on your device.
- Install Drivers: Download and extract the Spreadtrum/UNISOC USB Drivers. Run the installer. You may need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows for the drivers to install correctly.
- Extract Tools & Firmware: Extract the SPD Upgrade Tool and the downloaded firmware .zip file into separate folders on your desktop. Inside the firmware folder, you will find a large .pac file.
- Launch the Tool: Open the SPD Upgrade Tool folder and run UpgradeDownload.exe as an administrator.
- Load Firmware: Click the first Gear icon (Load Packet). Navigate to the extracted firmware folder and select the .pac file. It may take a minute for the file to be loaded and verified by the tool.
- Start Flashing Process: Click the Play icon (Start Downloading). The status will change to “Waiting”.
- Connect Your Phone: Power off your ZTE Blade A5 2020 completely. Now, press and hold the Volume Down button, and while holding it, connect the phone to your PC with a USB cable.
- Begin Flashing: The tool will detect the phone, and the progress bar will start moving. You can release the Volume Down button at this point.
- Finish: The process will take several minutes. Once it’s finished, you will see a green “Passed” message. You can now disconnect your phone and power it on. The first boot may take up to 10-15 minutes.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting for ZTE Blade A5 2020
Flashing UNISOC/Spreadtrum devices can be tricky. Here are the most common solutions:
- Correct Driver Installation is Key: The most common reason for failure is incorrect drivers. You must install the Spreadtrum/UNISOC drivers. On modern Windows, this often requires disabling ‘Driver Signature Enforcement’ first. Your PC should recognize the phone as a ‘SPRD U2S Diag’ port when it’s connected correctly for flashing.
- Using the “Boot Key”: To get the tool to recognize your phone, you must use the boot key. Power the phone off completely. Press and hold the Volume Down button, and while holding it, connect the phone to your PC with the USB cable. Release the button only after the flash process begins.
- Fixing Google FRP Lock: If you are locked out of your phone after a factory reset due to Google’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP), flashing this stock ROM is a common method to remove the lock. The standard flashing process (“Download Only” mode) will completely reset the device and remove the FRP-locked account.
- Tool Fails or Gets Stuck on “Checking Baudrate”: This indicates a communication issue. Use a high-quality USB cable, try a different USB 2.0 port on your computer, and verify that the drivers are installed without any errors in the Windows Device Manager before trying again.
FAQs
Q1. What is a .pac file? A .pac file is a packed firmware file used for Spreadtrum/UNISOC chipsets. It contains all the necessary partitions—system, boot, recovery, modem, etc.—in a single, integrated file for flashing with tools like the SPD Upgrade Tool.
Q2. Can I use other tools like Mi Flash Tool or Odin? No. Those tools are for Qualcomm and Samsung devices, respectively. The ZTE Blade A5 2020 uses a UNISOC/Spreadtrum chipset and requires the specific SPD Upgrade Tool.
Q3. Will this update my Android version? No. This firmware will restore or install the official stock software that came with the device, which is based on Android 9 Pie. It will not upgrade it to a newer Android version.
