How to: Get Symbian Belle on the Nokia N8

Last week, we showcased some of the more vital goodies that Nokia's Symbian Belle update would be bringing to the party. The upcoming Nokia 600, 700, 701 devices are already shipping with the new update, however, existing users will have to wait a little while longer as it's expected to be out some time in the third quarter with no specific date mentioned just yet. The update, just to reiterate, will be made available for Symbian^3 devices like the Nokia N8 , C7 , E7 , C6-01, X7 and E6 . With respect to this, we have some good news and some bad news. Let's start with the good news - we're going to show you how you can get Belle on your smartphone today, the bad news is that this will only work for Nokia N8 users. Other devices will still have to wait till the update gets officially rolled out. So without further ado, let's get to work -

Requirements

• A Nokia N8
• Latest version of the Nokia OVI suite. You can download it from Nokia’s website for free.
• Navifirm+ version 1.3 ( Download )
• Phoenix Service Software version 2011.14.004.45945 or higher ( Download )
• Symbian Belle Firmware files ( Download )

Things to keep in mind
As this is a leaked build of the Belle update, there are likely to be stability issues. Some of the known bugs include Java apps and games not installing, the phone locking up and the dialer vanishing and then showing up on reboot. Follow the guide carefully to avoid any kind of problems. If you find the steps to be confusing and you aren't sure of what you're doing, don't proceed. Any errors and can result in your phone getting bricked.

Step by step guide
Download and uncompress Navifirm+ 1.3. Open the downloaded folder and run Navifirm. Next, select ‘Production External’ ---> Select Nokia N8 (RM-596) ---> Choose v22.014 ---> Select your product code and download all the files to your desktop. Create a new folder called RM-596 and move all the downloaded files to this folder. Windows XP users, move this folder to C:Program filesNokiaPhoenixProducts.

Windows 7 users need to use the paths specified below
x86 - C/Program Files/Nokia/Phoenix/Products/RM-596
x64 - C/Program Files(x86)/Nokia/Phoenix/Products/RM-596

 

Extract the Symbian Belle RAR file using password orvvan + mohamad 79 to your desktop.  

 

Note: Those who already have their device connected to the Nokia Ovi suite mode need not go through the steps given below. Instead, Exit Ovi suite (if it is running in the background of your PC) and directly connect your phone to the PC using the Micro-USB cable.

Install latest version of Nokia OVI suite. If you already have it installed on your PC just make sure it's updated to the latest version. After installing the software,get your N8 and follow the steps mentioned below. Do not connect the device to your PC just yet. Go to ‘Menu’ --->Click on ‘Settings’ icon--->Select ‘Connectivity’ option--->Click on ‘USB’ option---> And finally click on the ‘Nokia Ovi suite’ option.

 

You will see that the Nokia Ovi Suite mode is selected as ‘Default’. Once you are done with the above steps connect your phone to the PC using a micro USB data cable. The N8 USB driver should get installed on your PC automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions and let the procedure finish.Once that's been completed, open the Ovi Suite and let the phone connect. Look out for a message - ‘Nokia N8 Connected’ - at the bottom of the window. Disconnect your phone by removing the cable and exit the Ovi suite even from the background.

Nokia Ovi Suite

 

Before installing Phoenix Service software, turn off any antivirus or security suites you might have installed. The crack bundled is falsely detected as a virus. After installing Phoenix on your PC, connect your phone to the PC again. Now in Phoenix; set connections to No Connection ----> click on Files--->Select Open Product. A new window will appear, select RM-596 and click OK then select flashing from the top bar and click on Firmware Update. A new window will open, click on the box with three little dots and select the product code of your device and click Ok.

Phoenix screen shot showing product code to be selected

 

You will see the fields getting filled up automatically in the previous window. Now, click the checkbox - 'Dead phone USB Flashing' and click on Options appearing at the bottom. A separate window will popup displaying all of the firmware files. Delete the last file in red and also the RM596_APE_ONLY_ENO_11w15_v0.148.fpsx file.

Phoenix screenshot showing the red file to be deleted

 

 

After that you’ll be left with four files i.e. Core, Rofs2, Rofs3 and Uda. Then, replace the core file by selecting the RM-596_022.014_79.92_prd.core.fpsx file ----> click on edit and a new window will show up. Click on the box with three dots and browse to the folder in which you extracted the Belle files and select RM-596_111.010.0606_79u_prd.core.fpsx---> Click Open ----> OK. Follow the same procedure for Rofs2, Rofs3 and Uda files and click on OK.

 

 

Phoenix screen shot showing all files replaced with Belle files

 

 

Now turn off your device with the phone connected to your PC. Do not touch the device untill it starts charging then click on Refurbish and follow the on-screen instructions.

 

 

The window will show you the progress of the flashing process. If everything goes well, you will see a message at the end indicating that the flashing process was successful.

Let your phone boot up and remove the cable once the Nokia startup screen shows up and that's it. Hope you enjoy your phone and do share your experience or any issues you may face.