Check MD5 Checksum On Windows/Mac/Linux/Android

MD5 Sum is a kind of digital signature for files and zip packages to check file integrity. it is very easy to check the MD5 sum online. You can also check the MD5 checksum on Windows, MacOS, Linux and Android using the WinMD5Free tool for Windows, HashTab for Mac, terminal commands on Linux, and on Android using an app.

What Is MD5 Sum?

MD5 is a widely known term in the tech world but if you are an enthusiastic Android user, you will have to face terms like “md5sum”, “md5 hash” or “md5 checksum” that pop up quite often. Most of the ROMs, mods, and Recovery ZIPs, are encrypted with a unique code for security reasons. It’s a kind of password used to ensure the integrity of files inside ZIPs or software packages.

MD5 checksum is a mathematical algorithm that usually consists of 32 hexadecimal characters and numbers that are calculated on a file with a tool. These numbers are generated using a special tool that uses a “cryptographic hash function that generates a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value”.

It is used not only to encrypt ZIP archives or EXE installers but also all types of files. You can set the MD5 count even for text files or documents. The perfect match of MD5 checksum value ensures that the digital integrity and security of the file has not been tampered with by others and also to ensure it is an accurate copy of the original file.

As such, there are two main reasons if MD5 hash value of the file you downloaded doesn’t match the original count:

1. Files may be modified by others in an unauthorized way.
2. The file did not download properly and some of its elements might be corrupted.

The checksum or hash value of an MD5 file might look like the following alpha-numeric string:

25912deacc5d55528e223ec7b99705cc

220c41f3b03f42190899db8cb081b5c6

a578d837343fe2542ecf405a630d46a0

8223ec1c2aa71503b431a0daabb23154

Why We Check MD5 Sum?

Installing official firmware, custom ROMs, or even Kernel files with corrupted MD5 values ​​can cause your phone or tablet to crash. Therefore, it is very important that whenever you download such files with the intention of installing them on your device, make sure to compare/match the calculated MD5 checksum with the one provided on the download page to verify its integrity.

I’ve seen cases where people have reported that their device shuts down after installing certain files. In many cases, you may get an installation failed error if the MD5 hash value is incorrect.

It is common practice among Android developers to mention the MD5 number of ROMs, mods, and kernels when they share them. After downloading such a file, you can run the MD5 checker program on your computer to match the MD5 values ​​you get. If the numbers match, you can proceed to install the files. If there is a mismatch between the values, you should avoid installing the file.

To make sure it’s just a corrupted download, try downloading the file again, preferably using it from a different mirror or browser. If it fails again, contact the developer and report it. You can also contact the developer to make sure that the MD5 they provided with a particular file is correct, or ask him to provide you with an alternative link to download the file.

Check MD5 Checksum On Windows

If you are a Windows user. You can find various MD5 checksum programs available on the internet that can be used for this purpose. Personally, I use a very nice and easy to use tool called WinMD5Free. Here’s how to check the MD5 checksum in Windows.

1. Download the latest version of WinMD5Free from the official site. 
2. Extract the downloaded zip and run the WinMD5.exe file.
3. Click the Browse.. button, navigate to the file you want to check and select it.
4. Just as you select a file, the tool will show you its MD5 count.
5. Now copy and paste the original MD5 value provided by the developer or download page in the box below.
6. Then click Verify button.
7. This tool will then give you the result as shown in the image above.

You can also use another nifty tool called HashTab to verify MD5.

Check MD5 Sum On Mac

If you are a Mac user, follow these steps to compare MD5 counts. To be able to compare values, you must have the original checksum.

1. Download HashTab program on your computer.
2. When the download is complete, you will be prompted to install the program. You can now start checking MD5 sum on the computer.
3. Take note of the location of the downloaded file that needs to be checked.
4. Navigate to this file and do a right click. Then left click on Properties.
5. In the Properties window, you will see a new tab named “File Hash”. Left click.
6. Doing this will calculate the hash value of the file.
7. If the values ​​provided by the developer and the values ​​calculated on your computer match, the file is safe to use. If you find discrepancies, the file may be corrupted.

Also read:  How to Install ADB on Windows, Linux, and MacOS

Check MD5 Checksum On Linux

1. Open a terminal.
2. Now type the following command:

   md5sum [type filename with extension here] [file path]

3. You can also drag files into the terminal instead of typing the full path.
4. Then press Enter key.
5. You will see the number of MD5 files. Now match it to the original value.

Check MD5 Signature On Android

If you want to check the MD5 sum on your Android phone or tablet, there are some great apps on the Google Play Store that you can try:

If you have any questions to ask or want to add something to the article to make it more interesting, feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments column below.