Q1. My phone is showing pop-up ads and installing apps by itself. Is it a virus?

Yes, this is a clear sign of a malware infection, which was a known problem for this model. A simple factory reset often fails to remove it. The only way to guarantee the complete removal of such viruses is to perform a clean flash of the official stock firmware.

Q2. I keep getting "insufficient storage" errors even after deleting all my photos and apps. Why?

This happens when hidden system cache and junk files corrupt the storage partition. A clean firmware flash completely erases and reformats the 8GB of storage, freeing up the maximum possible space and resolving these persistent errors.

Q3. The phone constantly freezes and I have to take the battery out to restart it. Will this help?

Absolutely. With only 1GB of RAM, the software on this phone can easily become corrupted and unstable. Flashing the stock ROM reinstalls a clean operating system from scratch, which is the most effective fix for frequent freezes and crashes.

BQ Mobile BQ-5340 Choice Firmware (Stock ROM)

The BQ Mobile BQ-5340 Choice is an entry-level smartphone from 2019 that features an 18:9 aspect ratio display and runs on Android 7.0 Nougat. Designed for basic functionality, this device, due to its minimal hardware, is susceptible to significant software problems. Users have widely reported issues with malware infections that cause pop-up ads, persistent system freezes, and constant “insufficient storage” errors that make the phone unusable. For those experiencing these critical issues, flashing the official stock firmware is the only definitive method to completely clean the device and restore its intended functionality.

ℹ️ Important Note:
This phone is powered by a UNISOC (Spreadtrum) chipset and requires the SPD Upgrade Tool for flashing. This procedure will completely erase all your personal data. Ensure you have backed up any important files before you begin.

⚠️ Prerequisites: Before You Begin

Click Here for the Essential Pre-Flashing Checklist

Backup Your Data: All your contacts, photos, and files on the phone’s internal storage will be permanently wiped.
Charge The Battery: To prevent the phone from shutting down during the update, ensure the battery is charged to at least 50%.
Windows PC & USB Cable: You will need a Windows computer and a standard micro USB cable to perform the flash.

📱 Quick Device Specifications

Device: BQ Mobile BQ-5340 Choice
Chipset: UNISOC SC7731C
Display: 5.34″ TN (960×480)
Operating System: Android 7.0 Nougat
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 8GB
Battery: 2400 mAh (Removable)

🛠 Required Tools & Downloads

File / Tool	Download Link
SPD Upgrade Tool	Download Tool
UNISOC/SPD SCI USB Drivers	Download Drivers

⬇️ BQ Mobile BQ-5340 Choice Stock ROM / Firmware

Android Version	Build Number	Chipset	Download Link
7.0 Nougat	V01_191112	UNISOC SC7731C	Download (Google Drive)

Quick Steps to Flash BQ-5340 Choice Firmware

Download and install the SPD SCI USB Drivers on your Windows PC.
Extract the firmware ZIP file (BQ_Mobile_BQ-5340_Choice_..._7.0_SPD.zip) to get the .pac file inside.
Extract and run the SPD Upgrade Tool (UpgradeDownload.exe).
Click the single gear icon (“Load Packet”) and select the firmware .pac file.
Click the play icon (“Start Downloading”). Power off your phone completely.
Press and hold the Volume Down key, and while holding it, connect the phone to the PC. The tool will detect the phone and start flashing. You can release the key once the progress bar appears.
A green “Passed” message will appear upon completion. Disconnect your phone and power it on.

For a more detailed, step-by-step guide on this process, please refer to our main tutorial:
👉 Full Tutorial: How to Flash Firmware with the SPD Upgrade Tool

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. My phone is showing pop-up ads and installing apps by itself. Is it a virus?: Yes, this is a clear sign of a malware infection, which was a known problem for this model. A simple factory reset often fails to remove it. The only way to guarantee the complete removal of such viruses is to perform a clean flash of the official stock firmware.
Q2. I keep getting “insufficient storage” errors even after deleting all my photos and apps. Why?: This happens when hidden system cache and junk files corrupt the storage partition. A clean firmware flash completely erases and reformats the 8GB of storage, freeing up the maximum possible space and resolving these persistent errors.
Q3. The phone constantly freezes and I have to take the battery out to restart it. Will this help?: Absolutely. With only 1GB of RAM, the software on this phone can easily become corrupted and unstable. Flashing the stock ROM reinstalls a clean operating system from scratch, which is the most effective fix for frequent freezes and crashes.

🔧 Device Troubleshooting

The phone is not detected by the PC (stuck on “Checking BAUD”): This is the most common flashing error. It is a driver problem. Reinstall the SPD SCI drivers and restart your PC. Use a good USB cable and a main USB port on your computer. Make sure the phone is completely off before you press and hold Volume Down while connecting it.
The phone is stuck in a bootloop after a successful flash: This can happen if old data conflicts with the new system. Boot into recovery mode (usually Power + Volume Down), and perform a “Wipe data/factory reset.” This will allow the phone to boot correctly.
The phone won’t turn on after flashing: This model has a removable battery. After the “Passed” message, disconnect the phone, remove the battery for ten seconds, re-insert it, and then try powering it on. If it still doesn’t work, charge it for at least 30 minutes before trying again.