Adaco: Zebra TC51 Mobile Devices, Android OS Version

Overview

Legacy Android mobile Adaco applications are only fully compatible with specific devices and certain versions of the Android operating system (OS). In some cases, if the performance of the handheld device is impaired, the Android version of the device may need to be downgraded.

This article provides instructions for doing this, specifically for the Zebra TC51 device running on an Android OS version greater than 7.12. 

Android OS Support

If you are currently using the Zebra TC51 device (as listed in Fig.1), please contact your IT administration and ask them to check the possibility of downgrading the device’s Android operating system to version 7.1.2 or lower, following the instructions below.

Fig.1 - Impacted Zebra/Symbol devices

 Please note: Fourth cannot guarantee that downgrading to this version will address all issues – this task is performed at the risk of the user. All other mobile devices listed are not in scope and will not be fully compatible with the Adaco mobile application - no further development work is planned to continue support for them or any similar future devices.

Alternatively, we suggest switching to another Fourth mobile application for Counting (Fourth Engage Android or IOS), which allows the use of a smartphone and external Bluetooth barcode scanner. If this is something you would like to explore, please contact your Head Office, who can discuss this directly with their Fourth Customer Success Manager (CSM).

Downgrading Android OS on the Zebra TC51

Google Account

The following process will reset the device like new. Please take note of the Google account it is signed in on. The same credentials will be needed after the installation and reboot. Failure to do so may result in being locked out of the device.

If you are unsure if you have a Google account attached to the device or don't know the credentials, please un-link the account by going to Settings > Backup & Reset > Enterprise Reset. A Google account will still be required to access the device after the downgrade, however.

Process

Please ensure the device has at least 30% battery otherwise the downgrade process will not start

To complete the downgrade process you will need to insert a Micro SD card into the device to download the OS file.

• Remove the power pack off the back of the device and you will see a label that reads ‘Micro SD’. Pull this back and it will lift off revealing a space to insert the SD card
• Use a USB cable to connect the device to the computer where you will download the file. You may need to pull down the top menu on the device, and if you see USB for charging, select it and change to File transfers”
• On the computer, go to https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/software/operating-system/tc51-operating-system-for-gms-devices.html and use the drop-down Operating System For Android Nougat
• Under 'BSP 01.01.49' select Full Image and download the file AT_NG_FPU_GMS_49.00.zip

Fig.2 - File download from the Zebra website

• Follow the zebra instructions to download the file and save it on the SD card of the device

To install the file on the device it needs to be put into recovery mode.

• To do this first turn the device off
• Then hold the power button and the button on the left-hand side (not the bar code scanner button) until the Zebra logo comes up

On the device, there will be a list of options (see Fig.3). 

• Use the volume +/- buttons on the right side of the device to navigate to Apply Downgrade from SD card and press the power button to select it

Fig.3 - TC51 after entering recovery mode

• Use the volume buttons again to highlight the package to be installed - select the downloaded file (as shown in Fig.2) and press the power button to select it

The installation process will now start on the device. This can take some time.

After the installation has been completed, the recovery mode menu will display again.

• Select Reboot System now

After the reboot, the device will start like it is new and go through the initial device setup.

• You will then need to download the Adaco mobile app again to the device. Further guidance on this can be found here - Adaco: Setting up a TC51 Device