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Starting today, Verizon will begin rolling out the Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Droid. Only 10,000 users should receive the OTA update on the first day, but anyone can manually install it in a few simple steps.
Update: This is the official update file that is being sent out over the air. You can wait a week to get it from Verizon or you can download it from Google now and install it today. This update is only intended for the Verizon Motorola Droid.
We already know how to manually flash an update and we are only waiting on the official download link to be discovered. As soon as someone sends me the link, I will verify it works on my Droid and then share it with everyone else.
For complete details and benefits of the Android 2.1 update, see the official Verizon support page.
To manually install Android 2.1 on the Verizon Droid, perform the following steps:
- Download the official Android 2.1 firmware from: Android 2.1 (ESE81)
- Copy the file to your microSD card and name it update.zip (newb warning: not update.zip.zip)
- Power off your phone. Hold down the “X” button on the physical keyboard and power it back on to boot into recovery mode.
- When you see the “/!\” symbol, press volume up and the camera button to display the recovery options.
- Use the d-pad to navigate to “apply sdcard:update.zip” and select it.
- When you see “Install from sdcard complete”, select “reboot system now”.
- …
- Profit?
Having problems? Leave a comment or start a thread in our forums for help.
- Tagged
- #android 2.1
- #bits
- #ese53
- #motorola droid
- #ota
- #popular
- #Verizon
Comment RSS178 Comments
can’t wait!!! drool, is it bad that i dont even own a droid? i can’t wait to get the update to put it on my fiance’s droid so maybe she will stop complaining about it. i really hope this update fixes whatever it is shes complaining about. and she will wanna keep her phone.
Dude! Just let her be unhappy and give her whatever phone you have. You get Droid. PROFIT!
she keeps saying she wants to give me her droid. but when i ask her when.. shes like why you in a hurry… i tell her its cause im still rocking the env2 with no working “ok” button or “0″. shes gonna miss her chance to ditch her droid in about 2 weeks when the incredible or desire hits verizon. cause im up for an upgrade and im certainly not taking the droid after that.
+1 for the underpants gnomes reference
Installing it manually isn’t the same as flashing the rom and instead is just like getting it OTA, just earlier, right? I’m not sure I am adventurous enough to go too far outside of the Verizon-supported process… any long-term risk in doing it manually?
Nope, this is the official way to do the update. The OTA method just downloads the file to the same location, and tells the bootloader to apply it.
There is no long term effects if you follow the directions as they are layed out for you.Droiders,” DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ROOT”,many qualified Devs have compiled the needed steps for you to really enjoy your Droid or just about any Android phone for that matter. It is the same as an OTA period.That is the beauty of open source you really get to use all of your phones capabilities and your only price is following directions.All the hard work has been done for you.That said go Root and Flash your phones there is a Rom for every taste out there be free, be open be Android cause Droid Does R.F.M:)Droooiiid!
Great, thanks!
Doing the update this way will keep all my apps installed, right? I got my droid after 2.0.1 was already pre-installed
Yep, you’ll be fine.
I’ve done a number of upgrades (2.0 to 2.0.1, 2.0.1 to DroidMod, etc) and haven’t lost any apps or data.
Well, 2.0 to 2.0.1 did reset Facebook settings, but that was a bug that was fixed.
Did you do it this way or wait for the ota?
I performed the 2.0.1 update using this method, with absolutely no ill effects.
Its nothing to be scared of, everyone. The software is provided by Google/Motorola/Verizon, and the steps outlined above are not undocumented. They’re just different.
(However, using 3rd party “custom” ROMs like DroidMod, etc will violate your warranty and possibly cause weird issues, but this update isn’t 3rd party… Its the real deal.)
Think of it like upgrading your PC’s OS. You can either wait until the software updates itself, or be proactive and do the update yourself without waiting.
Now, the only catch here is that the vendor(s) are slowly rolling it out, so as to make sure there aren’t any real-world issues with the update – and to be able to correct them without causing hundreds of thousands of Droids to become unstable/unusable. Its savvy of them to do this, in my opinion.
i tried doing the manual update and it keeps saying no such file or directory and i renamed it and did everything step by step it could be where im dragging the file to? any ideas
Will this negate rooting of 2.0.1? Or will root/superuser access remain? I have to be honest, I’m unclear on the specifics of the changes rooting makes. Perhaps it’s just permission changes or adding the default user to sudoers?
Yes it will get rid of root. Wait for a moddified version of this update to hit that doesnt destroy root. But the question is if u have root y r u not using a rom that had 2.1 on it weeks ago
Do I need to be rooted to do this?
no.
No, its probably better to not be rooted.
Did anyone get it? Please share the file!
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/03/18/motorola-droid-update-delayed/
software delayed
Check the date on that article.
{{-_-}}
In case anyone is wondering, the update got delayed, no one gets it today. Check BGR for details.
What?!? Nooooooo!!!!!
BGR is reporting, with picture, the OTA is delayed with no new date. (TBD) Grrrrr!
delayed yet again!!!!!
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/03/18/motorola-droid-update-delayed/
Man, I’m impatient. I keep hitting refresh for that link to appear in the article!
Seriously, though, why doesn’t Verizon provide the link on the upgrade page of their site? Would it not be cheaper for the files to be downloaded from the site, rather than having to push it out to the phones and using mobile data… or is the bandwidth cost essentially the same? If it’s the same, I guess that makes sense. I don’t think Verizon wants customers upgrading manually and screwing it up.
Would this work on the Milestone??
Please say yes
I wouldn’t try it, you could prevent yourself from receiving any future updates your carrier would put out and you would probably void your warranty.
What is the link to the update firmware?
Verizon made an announcement today that the release went out to the test users as planned and the OTA will roll out shortly… No delay in the release but they gotta make sure that the update is functional before sending it out to the masses…
http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=5676
Interesting, androidworld.nl has a link to the official Android 2.1 version for the Milestone from the Motorola site:
https://rsddownload.motorola.com/download/SHOLS_U2_02.31.0_UCASHLSMR2EMEAB1B805C.0R_PDS003_USASHLS00RTEU_P042_A005_HWp2a_1FF.sbf.gz
I installed the official 2.1 Update on a telus Milestone (canada) and now, it’s not detecting my network…
Any way I can revert back?
I thought this was the official update and didn’t bother to backup and all that stuff…
I’m an idiot…with no patience. What are my options?
You could try finding a SHX(Moto repair file) for the Telus Milestone and flash it using RSD Lite(few consider it illegal,but Google it to be safe)
WHERES THE UPDATE?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?
You know some1 on android already got the update.zip heres the link to it: http://androidforums.com/motorola-droid/57942-ota-2-1-has-started-11.html everyone so far says it worked fine for them.
Alldroid has the update. http://alldroid.org/threads/16659-2.1-download-link-credit-to-ugot2go123-on-androidforums
Interesting… Would this work with a european Motorola Milestone?
oops, never mind, already answered…
Is the update at the top of this page still accurate? Has there been another delay? I just want to know if there are known issues before I decide to get the update manually… Thanks
Sorry that was an old message from when the post first went up. This is the final update and it works with no issues. Many people have manually installed it and it works great.
I just followed the directions. I hope this works. So far it is sitting on the red eye forever. Seems to have worked. I have 2.1-update 1 now. Nothing looks different though.
I installed it, everything went fine. I have live wallpapers and the new weather/news widget. My About screen shows Firmware 2.1-update1, build no. ESE81. Everything seems to be running smoothly, but I did NOT get any new home launcher, app drawer or home screens. I got all the other mentioned features of 2.1 but not that. Weird?
The update does not include the 3D launcher as seen on the Nexus One.
Seriously? That sucks.. was looking forward to that.
Any reason why?
I believe the reason is because the Droid homescreen / app drawer will rotate to landscape view if the physical keyboard is extended whereas the Nexus one does not have landscape view on the homescreen or app drawer ever.
Soo… compatibility issues? Too much work/delay for something they deemed non-essential? Who knows.
I don’t know why they didn’t add the extra homescreens though.
Yeah, the lack of additional home screens is a bummer.
I was looking forward to the update, but now Live Wallpapers is pretty much the only new addition that affects me.
it didnt work for me
i keep getting signature fail
That is because you previously rooted your phone. This update is intended for normal users who have not hacked their device.
Mines rooted and my Droid updated just fine.
Just tried to use the link to download and it won’t. says “content is not supported on this phone” tried doing it from my pc to my sd and it won’t let me save it there either. what gives?!
Sucks this doesn’t get nine homescreens like the milestone.
It worked for me, but it feels like it slowed my phone down a bit.. is that normal??
The update worked on my phone.
But it makes me sad that I can’t have more than three screens. 
just download the app helixlauncher it gives you up to seven screens
did you check the what the helix application is asking permsission for. i was going to download it but it request access to ” services that cost you money ” check it out my friend
The update worked perfectly for me — took less than 5 minutes from start to finish!
So I rooted and used Droidmod (awesome by the way) I guess I will unroot tonight to prep fot the ota. anyone unrooted and updated yet? I will reroot when they get it going for the update. Anyone have any issues?
Anyone else experience slight lag?
It’s not really bad, but I’m definitely noticing some since installing..
I wonder if it’d have been better to wait for the update rather than manually installing?
Is there any way to go back to 2.0 and just wait until tomorrow or whenever?
No issues here at all. Actually feels faster to me.
You can always turn off animations for a little extra speed boost.
Settings > Sound & display settings > Animation > No animations
I see no point in returning to 2.0.1 and then coming back to 2.1 as it will be exactly the same.
Ok so I did the manual update but it is stuck on the load screen. Any advice?…
I seem to have the same issue the droid eye and droid start screen just keeps looping for about 5 minutes now. Did this ever stop?
I got this working had to factory reset the phone.
yeah i have the same problem, have you found any solution by any chance?
I keep getting an error when I attempt to download, it says content is not supported by phone. Anyone know how to fix this?
Try downloading from your computer.
No multitouch in Browser!
Pinch zoom is working for me.
I too can confirm no pinch zoom on browser after install..
Reset after clearing cache solved issue.
Still isn’t working for me. I cleared cache then removed battery.
Anyone else suddenly have a dead phone?
As far as I know, I did not yet get the update. I went to bed last night and my phone was fine. I didn’t look at it first thing this morning, but I went to go use it just now to dial into a work call and it’s completely dead. I’ve had it “charging” for about 10 minutes now and I’m still getting nothing. Pressing and/or holding the power button does nothing. Removing and re-inserting the battery does nothing.
I don’t have another phone to even call Verizon on and ask what’s going on, and I can’t just go to the store because I’m working, so I’m stuck until it magically comes back to life.
Sorry if I scared anyone. Apparently it WAS just a dead battery (as I was hoping and praying). The charger I was using wasn’t giving it any juice for some reason.
Phew!
So I did my update my self. Just a couple questions. This is the official one right. It won’t mess with my warrenty or anything right? It. Was simple to install and seems to work great.
Yes, this is the official update. No, it will not void your warranty.
Just tried to use the link to download and it says: “failed to open /sdcard/update.zip” (no such file or directory)
Signature verification failed.
Installation Aborted
Rooted Droid. Any help?
I’m pretty sure the update will not work on a rooted Droid. You need to unroot before installing the update.
Thanks Nick. I unrooted my Droid, and installed the update.
Works like a charm now. Thanks again
I am having the same exact issue. I never rooted my phone before. This is my first time ever trying to manually update this phone.
If you get the error “no such file or directory” it means you do not have the update.zip file in the correct location.
It needs to be in the main directory of your SD card. Make sure it is not in another folder or accidentally named update.zip.zip
I am still having issues. I think it has to do with Astro. Is there a way to get around this so it will update correctly?
Thank you
Make sure the update.zip file is on the main root of the SD card…and not in the downloads folder or any folder for that matter.
Thank you. I think the issue is that it went into my download file. I am using Astro. How do I get it into the appropriate location?
Works, thank you =D
I did the update, now I can’t install anything from the market, I keep getting a message saying the download failed. Anyone have the same problem? Never had thid problem on 2.0.1
Just installed a couple apps from the Market (free and paid) with no issues.
same here. everything i try to install says download was unsuccessful. wtf
Installed it and so far its works well.
The pinch to zoom was a little laggy but it worked (Browser), and I had one moment after loading a Live Wallpaper that it said Force Close.
But other than that, everything seems to be working fine.
The voice-to-text worked fairly good – I’ll be using that while driving.
On top of that:
That does anyone know if I will still receive the OTA Verizon Update Notification still?
Also, for future updates; does this disable any notifications?
Yes, you will still receive future OTA updates. This update is exactly the same that normal users would get. You are just installing it early instead of waiting.
This is just the official update, so future OTA updates will still apply.
Multi-touch isnt working.
Tried clearing cache. No luck.
Works great. Thanks
Make sure your on a web site that will allow zoom you should still see the zoom in and out buttons as before and you can still double tap to zoom.
Also my phone is still rooted and it worked for me although I currently did not have and rom installed at the time, and I dowloaded the file straight to my phone then using a file manager I renamed and moved to the root of my sd card and installed the update by only using my phone no computer needed and everything works fine my phone is actually a little faster. So psyched
Anybody else’s browser not do the pinch and zoom even with the update?
Mine will zoom out. Not in.
Anyone got info on the Eris 2.1 release? I’m wanting this badly. I’m afraid to root and put the leaked 2.1 on as I don’t want to brick the phone and void warranty. Any info appreciated.
I can do that update in Brazilian Milestone?
Any reason it says my gallery is not installed on my phone after I updated? This phones already pissing me off and I’ve only had it 3 days.
Haha nevermind. It magically started working again.
im not going to try this. i can wait
Under firmware version I have 2.1-update 1, does everyone have this?
I just did mine and that is what I am showing also.
I show the same thing.
Pinch-to-zoom seems to only zoom out – not in.
I can’t save zip file advice ?
Just updated a friends Droid. Worked perfect everything running as it should. Thanks! Jealous…mytouch…
If something goes wrong with the update and it begins to not work properly, when I get the ota to my phone can I juss reinstal it again
Ok – I was a big chicken – I will hack my pc’s to death but was scared to mess with my Droid. I bit the bullet and installed the update. Smooth sailing!
OK it says its not supported on my Droid does anyone know why is says that?
Can I delete the update.zip file from the root of the phone once the update is installed?
Will this work on the Droid Eris?
I did the update without any issue – but it loses the charge extremely fast, and it takes forever to charge the phone back.
I’ve killed all unnecessary apps, it won’t break the 80% charge mark, even after a reboot and battery removal. Any ideas?
Hmmmmm…..3 hr of charge and only 90% done..
Can someone please explain where the root of the SD card is? I cannot get it to update it says no file or folder exists?
it means u put it in ur SD CARD. dont put it in any folders or anything. and u have to name it “update.zip” and if its already a “.zip” file then rename the file “update” and then put it in ur sd card
Signature verification failed.
Installation Aborted.
I uninstalled Astro File Manager just in case but this is in the root of sdcard with the name update.zip (and not update.zip.zip).
there was no pint of this UPDATE. i dont see any difference
what is the folders name for the sd card?? i dont see anything labled sd card when connected to my computer.
No matter what I do I keep getting an error and aborted message. I give up. I’ll wait for the OTA
Rob,
Back up your device. Factory reset it. Try the update again. Shouldn’t take longer then a few minutes and you will be up and running 2.1
Good luck~
I have been desperately waiting for the update. So, I used the link above directly from my phone and it wouldn’t work. I then connected my Droid to my laptop and downloaded the update from above but clicked on save and used the location
computer–>Removable Disk F (which is my Droid). After it finished downloading, I followed the rest of the instructions. When I was done, on my phone, I went to settings->about phone->firmware version and VIOLA! It said 2.1 – update 1
YEAH!!! Haven’t gotten around all of it yet, but all my music, pics are still there, I have pinch to zoom, etc. Have to play to see what else is different, but I am psyched!!!
Just realized I don’t have extra screens….Anyone know the deal with that?
Unfortunately, the 2.1 update for the Droid doesn’t come with the additional home screens, or the 3D launcher…. it’s a bummer.
Thanks!
I take it flash did not come with this update.
A little scared as the reboot took unusually long. Gallery app erased, whats up with that?!?
o never mind, it was in the tray just not on the homepage, prob solved! This is off sweet, look at my 3D gallery!!!
How do you create the update.zip file I don’t know how to do it?
everytime i try it it doesnt read it. acting like the file isnt good or something
I just updated to 2.1 Update 1. Live wallpaper, Pinch to zoom is working. I have also called verizon. and they mentioned that, local verizon stores will upgrade phone as well, most likely same method that is described.
Samir
Update successful. No issues. No noticeable lag. Pinch zoom works…in and out.
So, long awaited.. and.. uhm.. live wallpapers?.. and.. new gallery with pinch zoom in photos?… why did any of us even care about this update? The phones great fosho but this update really meant squat when it comes down to it..
Is this rooting your droid? Is this going to Detroy my phone? How do you know this is the official update? Please answer quick!
No this is not “rooting” your phone. It is the real update like a normal user would automatically receive over the air. You can tell it is the official update based on the URL of the file download.
It keeps saying, E:signature verification failed and wont boot up, any ideas?
Just did it, works great.
Live wallpapers FTW! Yeah so far, this update is working perfectly on my droid; I just want to make sure: I can delete the update.zip from my sd card now that I’m done with it, right? I would think that its like how you can delete installers for programs once you’re done installing the program.
I am not noticing the new clock app from the Nexus One. Was that included with the 2.1 update? Also, is there a way to get the Nexus live wallpaper (with the multicolored light on the grey background)? Neural Network is sort of similar (red light with black background) but I kind of like the Nexus background.
DL link for 2.1 is dead?
i keep tryna connect my phone to the computer, but its not letting me move any files over. does anyone know what to do?
I didn’t see that coming and I update the new one and am not happy with that and want go back to 2.0.1 for my communicate. I really want that 2.0.1 back until future improve. Any way to get that back?!
Can you download the file from the phone or does it have to bee from the computer to the phone?
Yes you can you just need a file manager app I recommend oi file manager you can rename and move with this app
TOTAL droid newb here! I followed the instruction to the letter and it worked perfectly! my droid is now full of 2.1 goodness! Simple with a perfect result! Voice recognition is excellent! All apps work just as they had previously. Any ‘must have’ live wallpaper recommendations? (using starfield)
Cool. but is it only for Moto or can be also install on magic?
It works great for me. I love the multi touch!
I just manually updated mine, my wife’s, mom’s, and dad’s Droid this morning…..holy freaking awesome-ness! I did it all from my Droid too. I used OI installer to move the. Zip file to the sd root.
When I hold down the “x” button on the keyboard my Droid does nothing……..any ideas?
With your phone off, slide out your keyboard, and press and hold X. Power up your phone, still holding your X button, until you get a ! On your screen. Once you do, press and hold volume up, and camera button. Voila!
Tried the update, booted into recovery and when i tried to apply the update, it said installation aborted. i get an error E: failed to read footer from /sdcard/update.zip any ideas on why this would happen? never done anything like this before!
Downloaded and installed on mine and my wife’s Droids. Works great! Live wallpapers, pinch to zoom, etc.
Only problem is I missed what happened to the 5 home screens. I still have only the original 3.
Just tried it on a rooted droid, after a factory reset, says E:Error in /sdcard/update.zip
(status 7)
Installation aborted.
any ideas or advice??? thanks
I get a couple of error msgs.
1st is: E:Can’t open /cache/recovery/command
this appears when the phone powers on in recovery mode. I select (apply sd card: update.zip) and it starts but but aborts tells me
2nd :no such file or directory also states
3rd :signature failed to verify.
4th: Installation aborted…
When I look at the file there are other files in the folders so I know the file copied to the sd card…
ADVICE?
Thanks,
John
Got it I feel so stupid… anyway file extensions must be visible so you know if it becomes zip.zip… Thanks for the UPDATE…
Ive been having the same problem as you…..did you get it to work? if so how???
Firmware shows I have 2.1 installed. However no changes took place with the exception of pinch to zoom. Any ideas?
Worked great for me. I was scared to, but I felt confident that nothing would go wrong after reading all the comments. So far it looks like all the features are there. I do have a comment about live wallpapers…..Why isnt the Android Eye a live wallpaper? That would be nice to see as a wallpaper.
DOes this only work on Motorola? I have an eris can I do it no mine?
There is a reported issue with Gallery being forceclosed. Google it and be aware that it may happen to you.
Yo… You all hear about the 2D performance regression/bug in the 2.1 update? I manually updated to 2.1 and I can’t verify the OTA update, but there seems to be a serious regression for 2D performance with 2.1 on the Droid. Personally this brings up a great deal of ire for me due to the failure of the 2.0 Android OS release on the Droid (buggy as all hell).
Here is a post on Phandroid:
http://phandroid.com/2010/04/02/droid-2-1-update-causing-performance-problems/
Here is my independent verification (I noticed this issue immediately after updating and more than 24 hours before the story broke):
http://www.typhon4android.org/androidbugs/droid2dtest-21/
My droid like is taking forever to load the update… is that normal? I’m a little worried :/
Why cant I get this to work?? I tried loading it on to my SD card from my computer and tried downloading the update straight to my SD card on my phone, and each time I click “apply sd card: update.zip it says…..E: failed to open….(no such file or directory)….HELP
Got it! Works good. Kind of a lack luster release if you ask me…
p.s. IF YOU WANT MULTI-TOUCH download the DOLPHIN BROWSER.
Update is killing my battery and has messed up some of my apps, bummer
anyone try this with the Eris? does it work? thanks for the help
Anyone know how to update manual motorola that is not from verizon. Cos mine isnt working! ! ! Please help out
I messed up on step 8 dang it. Help anyone?
hey does anybody know if this will work for the samsung moment?
pls say yes
When I download the file it says it “not supported on this phone.” I have a Motorola Droid, please help.
Could this work on a Moonse E-7001 “iRobot” touch tablet?
when i want to root the ROM, comes the message NO SIGNATURe (264 files) please send me mail on b.haas@avconcept.at
Can anyone tell me how I can update the motorola dext in the UK to 2.1???!
is the upgrade of droid good for the boost mobile I1 phone?