Since the necessary NaviFirm isn't available for Mac OSX, it has been much easier for Windows users to flash a Nokia N9 device. But with the right tools there's a way to reach the goal without using a PC. An application called WineBottler is needed and a special version of NaviFirm.
IMPORTANT: If the words Flash, Terminal or NaviFirm make you only think of something like lightnings, airports and navigation - it's likely NOT save for your N9 to proceed. DON'T proceed if you don't know what you're about to do, since you can easily HARM your device and loose any warranty.
1. Get WineBottler, NaviFirmEx and MacFlasher
a) WineBottler is a tool to run Windows applications on OSX (at least a few of them). If interested, find out more about it on WineWiki. For now download and install the application:
b) NaviFirm is a firmware-downloader for Nokia devices. We need NaviFirmEx which isn't per se different to NaviFirm. But important for WineBottler is, that this version is written in C++ and doesn't need Microsoft's .Net Framework. This way WineBottler can handle it, unlike the other version.
Download NaviFirmEx
c) Finally, you need the flash tool, in form of MacFlasher. Open the .dmg file and install nokia_flasher.pkg
a) Open NaviFirmEx.exe with Wine (Secondary click -> Open with -> Wine) and choose "Convert to simple OS X Application bundle with WineBottler" or "Run directly in". Afterwards, without modifying anything, click "Install" and choose a destination (like Desktop) to let the process start.
 |
| Don't change anything, just click Install |
Possibly the NaviFirm window pops up, before WineBottler's installation-process is done, but that's no problem. In case the installation process gets stuck, don't worry about that - once you are done with NaviFirm, everything will close properly.
 |
| Cheers! Wine transforms the Windows .exe file to an OSX .app |
b) Now you finally have the familiar NaviFirm window in front of you with all the firmware downloads. Starting with the left column in NaviFirm, choose N9 and the recent firmware version (PR 1.2 has number 30.2012... ).
Now it's important that you select the right firmware. This can be done by simply searching for your N9 product code and choosing the right model (for example N9 black, 16GB). The file you need to download looks something like DFL61_HARMATTAN.30.1212...... .bin
Be sure you download a firmware which won't brick your phone! Click to read more about that
Now it's important that you select the right firmware. This can be done by simply searching for your N9 product code and choosing the right model (for example N9 black, 16GB). The file you need to download looks something like DFL61_HARMATTAN.30.1212...... .bin
Be sure you download a firmware which won't brick your phone! Click to read more about that
c) Before you start downloading the firmware, choose a good and valid destination folder. If you don't change anything, the firmware will be downloaded into the converted NaviFirmEx.app and therefore gets lost in there. The reason is, that WineBottler builds up a Windows folder-structure within the converted application - so make sure that your firmware finds its way into a folder of your OSX system.
 |
| NaviFirmEx on OSX / Choose a valid destination for the firmware download |
3. Flash your device using Terminal
IMPORTANT: Even though user data should be preserved, make sure you have a backup of all your important files (incl. contacts or messages).
a) Open Terminal.app and enter:
Flasher -F Directory with name of firmware.bin -f
Example for directory: /Users/MYUSERNAME/Desktop/FIRMWARE.BIN
If everything went right, Terminal should show something like: "Suitable USB interface not found, waiting..."
b) Now you're ready to flash your Nokia N9. Check if battery is charged at least 20% and turn the phone off. Then connect it to your Mac computer with a USB cable and wait until it turns on automatically and flashing process starts. Eventually you need to turn it on manually and select "Sync and Connect" first.
The flashing procedure should start immediately and you can hope that everything goes without an error.
Once it's done, the phone screen will remain dark. Remove the USB cable and turn the phone back on - this will complete the process and your N9 will be back alive. Don't worry in case your phone feels a bit slow initially, this can be because of running indexing processes.
 |
| Flashing process in Terminal |
Once it's done, the phone screen will remain dark. Remove the USB cable and turn the phone back on - this will complete the process and your N9 will be back alive. Don't worry in case your phone feels a bit slow initially, this can be because of running indexing processes.
Please leave your comment and let us know if you were successful or have any questions.
