If you own an MXQ TV box powered by the Amlogic S805 chipset, chances are you have experienced the frustration of a boot loop, a bricked device, or simply sluggish performance. The most effective solution is often a fresh installation of the operating system. Finding a reliable MXQ Amlogic S805 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop download can be a minefield of broken links, fake files, and confusing instructions.
This article serves as your complete resource. We will explain what this firmware is, why you need it, where to find legitimate downloads, and how to flash it safely using a PC.
Before downloading any files, it is critical to identify your hardware. The brand "MXQ" is generic; hundreds of manufacturers use this casing.
The FreakTab community is the gold standard for TV box firmware.
While it is technically possible to download and flash an Android 5.1.1 Lollipop image for the MXQ Amlogic S805, doing so in 2026 is not recommended for daily use. The firmware is obsolete, insecure, and often unstable. If you must proceed, use the tools and warnings above, and verify your PCB revision and WiFi chip before flashing.
Final advice: Retire the MXQ S805 to retro emulation (Batocera Linux) or recycling. Modern TV sticks like the Fire TV Stick 4K or Chromecast with Google TV are vastly superior in every way.
For the MXQ Amlogic S805, upgrading to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is a significant jump from the stock 4.4 KitKat version, primarily because it allows the device to run newer software like Kodi 17 (Krypton) and modern versions of apps that require a higher API level. Key Features & Benefits
Modern App Compatibility: Android 5.1.1 enables support for Kodi 17, RetroArch, and updated system apps that the original Android 4.4 firmware cannot handle.
Performance Optimization: Showcases the capabilities of the older S805 processor, providing a smoother experience for media playback on legacy hardware.
System Tools: Many custom Lollipop builds (like those by Abdul) include integrated tools for full backup and restore of internal memory partitions (boot, logo, recovery, data, system). Downloading & Installation
The firmware is typically distributed as a Custom ROM rather than an official OTA update. You can find download links and community-verified files on platforms like Google Drive or dedicated forums like 4PDA. Installation Methods:
SD Card Method: Copy the firmware files to the root of a FAT32-formatted SD card and use the "toothpick method" (pressing the reset button inside the AV port while powering on). Mxq Amlogic S805 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Download
TWRP Recovery: Recommended for advanced users to flash ZIP packages and create full NANDroid backups before making changes.
USB Burner Tool: Used for flashing .img files directly from a PC via a USB cable.
Check out these guides for a walkthrough of the installation process and a demo of the firmware in action:
The MXQ Amlogic S805 is a legacy Android TV box that originally launched with Android 4.4 KitKat. While custom Android 5.1.1 Lollipop firmware exists, it is an unofficial community effort—often adapted from hardware like the K1 smartphone—rather than an official manufacturer release. Hardware Overview Processor: Amlogic S805 Quad-Core ARM Cortex A5 (1.5 GHz). GPU: Quad-Core Mali-450. Memory: Typically 1GB DDR3 RAM and 8GB NAND flash storage.
Connectivity: 10/100M Ethernet, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and 4x USB 2.0 ports.
Video: Supports up to 1080p resolution and H.265 hardware decoding. Software & Lollipop Update Performance
Updating this device to Android 5.1.1 is primarily a project for enthusiasts rather than casual users.
Downloading Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for the MXQ Amlogic S805 typically involves using a custom firmware (often ported from the K1 TV box)
because the official manufacturer rarely released an update beyond Android 4.4 KitKat for this specific hardware. Firmware Download & Tools
You can find the necessary files through community-driven projects. The most common source for this specific "Lollipop for S805" update is the MXQ Project or forums like Firmware File: Usually an aml_upgrade_package.img file for recovery. Amlogic USB Burning Tool:
Required if you are flashing via a PC and a male-to-male USB cable. TWRP Recovery: Some versions require booting into TWRP to install the package from an SD card. Installation Steps (SD Card Method) Format SD Card: Ensure your MicroSD card is formatted to Copy Files: If you own an MXQ TV box powered
Place the firmware and recovery files onto the root of the SD card. Toothpick Method: Insert the SD card into the powered-off MXQ box. Use a toothpick or paperclip to press and hold the reset button (usually hidden inside the AV port). Connect the power cable while holding the button.
Release the button when the recovery screen or a green robot appears. Select "install from EXT" or wait for the automatic upgrade to finish. Important Considerations Risk of Bricking:
Because there are many variations of the MXQ board, installing this non-official firmware may break your Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or permanently "brick" the device. Hardware Limits: This firmware is not recommended for boxes with only 512MB of RAM
(like the Blink MXQ versions), as it will likely get stuck on the splash screen. Modern Alternatives:
Since Android 5.1.1 is now obsolete and many apps (like YouTube or Netflix) no longer support it, many users prefer installing to run a newer version of Kodi. run newer apps
Upgrading an MXQ Amlogic S805 TV box to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop typically involves using unofficial custom firmware, as this older hardware often lacks official support for newer Android versions . Firmware Download and Resources Because the
is a legacy device, many users turn to community-driven resources for downloads and support:
Custom ROMs: A popular option is a port originally built for the K1 box
by developers like Abdul, which has been successfully adapted for various
Support Communities: Forums such as the Early Bird Club provide threads on stock Android images and original recovery tools if you need to revert changes .
Video Tutorials: You can find step-by-step visuals in the MXQ S805 Install Guides on YouTube, which cover various firmware upgrades . For the MXQ Amlogic S805 , upgrading to Android 5
General Documentation: Technical details and wiki-style guides are available on rigacci.org . Installation Methods There are two primary ways to flash this firmware: Micro SD Card (Toothpick Method):
Download the firmware files and copy them to the root of a FAT32-formatted SD card .
Insert the card, use a toothpick to press the hidden reset button inside the AV port, and then plug in the power .
USB Burning Tool: Some users prefer using a PC and the Amlogic USB Burning Tool to flash the system image directly to the box . Important Considerations
Hardware Variants: There are many variations of the MXQ board (e.g., all black vs. other clones); firmware for one may not work on another and could potentially brick your device .
Backup: Always perform a full system backup using tools like TWRP recovery before attempting any firmware changes .
App Compatibility: Android 5.1.1 is no longer supported by Google and may not run the latest versions of modern apps like Netflix or YouTube . For a smoother experience, some users recommend using LibreELEC to run Kodi directly instead . Android 5 Lollipop | Specs, reviews and EoL info - InvGate
Before diving into the download, it is crucial to understand your hardware. The "MXQ" refers to a reference design for budget Android TV boxes produced by numerous manufacturers (e.g., Beelink, Vontar, generic Chinese OEMs). The "Amlogic S805" is the system-on-chip (SoC) – a 32-bit, quad-core Cortex-A5 processor with a Mali-450 GPU.
These boxes originally shipped with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, but many received official or custom updates to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. This update brought a modern user interface, better app compatibility, and improved memory management.
This blog maintains one of the best collections of Amlogic firmware.