Amlogic S805 Custom Rom Free (2026)

Warning: Many forums host malicious “ROMs” with pre-installed malware. Stick to these trusted sources:

Never download from random file hosts (DepositFiles, Uploaded.net) without verification. Always check MD5 checksums.

Even with a custom ROM, the S805 is not a speed demon. Apply these tweaks:

The Amlogic S805 custom ROM free ecosystem is alive and surprisingly robust. While you won’t run the latest Android apps, you can transform your dusty old TV box into a dedicated:

Start by identifying your PCB, visit FreakTab or LibreELEC’s forum, and download a verified image. With patience and this guide, you’ll avoid the spam traps and enjoy a faster, more secure device.

Have a success story or a bricked box? Share your PCB number and experience in the comments below – and remember: the best things in tech are still free.

Keywords used naturally throughout: Amlogic S805, custom ROM, free, install, download, LibreELEC, Armbian, firmware, TV box, MXQ S805, Odroid-C1, unbrick, tweak.

The Amlogic S805 is a legacy chipset primarily found in older Android TV boxes like the MXQ. While officially deprecated, it still has a community of free custom ROMs and alternative operating systems designed to keep the hardware functional for media playback. Available Free Custom ROMs & OS Options

LibreELEC (Kodi-focused): This is widely considered the best option for the S805. It replaces Android entirely with a lightweight Linux distribution built solely to run Kodi. As of April 2026, legacy v9.2 LTS builds are still maintained for S805 devices.

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop: While the stock OS is often Android 4.4, custom versions of Android 5.1.1 (developed by community members like Abdul_pt) are available for MXQ devices. amlogic s805 custom rom free

AlexELEC: A specialized fork designed to run Kodi 18.2 on older Amlogic hardware, including the S805 and S812.

Linux Distributions: For advanced users, Armbian (Debian/Ubuntu-based) can be installed on S805 devices, though performance is limited by the aging quad-core hardware.

Lakka: An open-source retrogaming console based on LibreELEC, allowing the S805 to act as a dedicated emulator. Popular Repositories & Resources

To find and download these files for free, users typically refer to the following community hubs: Freaktab: A major forum for Amlogic firmware development.

LibreELEC Forum: The official source for Legacy S805 Builds.

MXQ Project: A dedicated site for MXQ-specific guides and firmware files. Installation Methodology

Installing a custom ROM on S805 hardware generally requires the "Toothpick Method" to enter recovery mode:

Preparation: Download the firmware and copy the files to the root of a FAT32-formatted Micro SD card.

Recovery Access: Insert a toothpick into the AV port to press the hidden reset button while plugging in the power. Prepare image: Obtain the correct image for your

Flashing: Use a custom recovery like TWRP to wipe the existing system and install the new image.

PC Alternative: For "bricked" devices, the Amlogic USB Burning Tool can flash .img files directly from a Windows PC using a USB male-to-male cable. How to install armbian to Amlogic S805 android box

Amlogic S805 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. , once a staple of the MXQ TV box era, often feels outdated by today's standards. However, custom ROMs can give these devices new life by removing bloatware, improving RAM usage, and even updating the underlying software to run newer versions of Kodi. Top Custom ROMs for Amlogic S805 (2026)

The S805 chip is primarily used for media consumption, so most custom projects focus on lightweight operating systems rather than full Android TV versions.

LibreELEC (Kodi-focused OS): This is widely considered the best option for

devices. It is a "Just enough OS" designed to run only Kodi, which makes it significantly faster than the original Android firmware.

Latest Version: Legacy v9.2 (LTS) builds are still the most stable for this hardware. AlexELEC

: A popular fork of LibreELEC that often includes pre-configured settings and support for the latest Kodi 18.x builds on older

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (Custom Port): While old, it is a significant upgrade for boxes that shipped with Android 4.4 KitKat. Developers on platforms like Freaktab have released versions optimized for the First boot: May take several minutes

Armbian (Linux): For those who want to turn their TV box into a mini-server or desktop, Armbian (Debian/Ubuntu-based) has unofficial ports for the

. Note that hardware acceleration for video may be limited in these builds. How to Install a Custom ROM

Installing firmware on Amlogic devices typically uses the "toothpick method" to enter recovery mode.

Android Stock ROM vs Custom ROM: Which Is Best for Flashing?

Custom ROMs often improve performance by: Removing background bloatware. Using lightweight system UI. Optimizing RAM usage. Prizm Institute

The Amlogic S805 custom ROM world is fragmented. Generic boxes (MXQ, M8S, etc.) use different:

Crucial step: Open your device (carefully) and note the PCB number (e.g., MXQ_V01, M201C, S805_V2.0). Then search [your PCB number] + custom rom on FreakTab.

Using a ROM with the wrong Wi-Fi driver will result in no wireless connectivity.

We’ll use LibreELEC as the example, as it’s the easiest and most robust S805 custom ROM free of cost.