[GUIDE]RCA Maven Pro (RCT6213W87DK), Bootloader, Custom Recoveries, Firmware and Root - Android General

SPECIAL KNO'DIS: This Guide has been changed to refelct proper installation for both types of Maven Pro tablets, be Sure to follow the appropriate guide.
For the purpose of this guide, I'll assume you already have working ADB and Fastboot on your PC, if not, you'll need to set that up first. This guide doesn't cover installation of ether of those. If you're looking for the guide to the Viking Pro (RCT6303W87DK), go here.
KNO'DIS: I, OR ANYONE ELSE AT XDA, WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR "BRICKING" YOUR TABLET!! IF YOU MANAGE TO MAKE A BRICK, DUE TO YOUR "FUN-DA-MENTAL" INABILITY TO READ, GO BUILD A BBQ PIT WITH IT!!​ (Or ask for help, there's a lot of friendly people around here)​
So, without further ado, lets get started. First, you'll need to know which version of firmware your device is running, this can be found in 2 different ways. From a running device go to: Settings/About tablet and look at the Build number. Or you can boot into stock recovery and the firmware version will be at the top left of the screen.
You should see something like the following, and note the 2nd number after the 2nd "V":
Code:
RCT6213W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V37-V1.9.30 <-- This is x.9.x version of firmware
or
RCT6213W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V68-V1.12.30-B <-- This is x.12.x version of firmware
Now that you know which firmware you have, follow the approriate guide below. I've broken this post into 2 different sections, as each tablet is just a little bit different.
About the Bootloader​
This applies to both versions of firmware and tablet users. Turns out, the booloader doesn't have to be unlocked in order to install a custom recovery or root the device. So there's really no reason to unlock it, and I have removed that portion of this guide.
Installing MTK Preloader Signed Drivers​
Drivers located Here
x.9.x Versions
Steps (Windows 8/8.1/10): For step 2 you will have less than five seconds. Preloader mode is only active for a few seconds. So read first!
1- Extract the drivers to the Desktop and open the Device Manager ("right click" on the Start button, select "Device Manager")
2- Plug your tablet in as such: turn off the tablet. Plug in the micro USB on the tablet, the other to the USB port on the PC, now very quickly in the device manager locate the new device and right click on it. For me, it showed up under "Other devices" and read MT65XX.
3- Select "update driver software" then select "browse my computer for driver software" (make sure "Include subfolders" is selected.
4- Click "Browse..." and navigate to where you extracted the driver zip. You "should" be at the following path: Desktop/MTK Preloader Signed Drivers
5- Click on "OK" then "Next". The driver should install at this point. Once that is done, unplug the usb cable from the pc (I find it easier to just keep the micro in the tablet).
x.12.x Versions (Requires Full size Male-to-Male USB Cable)
Steps (Windows 8/8.1/10): For step 2 you will have less than five seconds. Preloader mode is only active for a few seconds. So read first!
1- Extract the drivers to the Desktop and open the Device Manager ("right click" on the Start button, select "Device Manager")
2- Plug your tablet in as such: turn off the tablet. Plug in the full size USB cable to both the tablet and the PC.
3- Plug the micro USB into the tablet, the other to another USB port on the PC, now very quickly in the device manager locate the new device and right click on it. For me, it showed up under "Other devices" and read MT65XX.
4- Select "update driver software" then select "browse my computer for driver software" (make sure "Include subfolders" is selected.
5- Click "Browse..." and navigate to where you extracted the driver zip. You "should" be at the following path: Desktop/MTK Preloader Signed Drivers
6- Click on "OK" then "Next". The driver should install at this point. Once that is done, unplug both USB cables from the PC (I find it easier to just keep them in the tablet).
Installing TWRP​
Firmware/TWRP Downloads
Maven x.9.x (Currently Contains: V37-1.9.30 and TWRP)
Maven x.12.x (Currently Contains: V63-V1.12.0-20150802 and V66-1.12.20-B-20150831 Firmware and TWRP)
Special Thanks to: @ShadowCX11 for testing for me.
Be sure you are using the appropriate TWRP for your version of firmware, and do the following:
1- Extract the firmware and the SP Flash Tool to your desktop.
2- Start the SP Flash Tool, and where it says "scatter file loading" click and navigate to the folder where you have the firmware and load the scatter file (depending on device, it could be in the "Images" folder).
3- Once that is done, uncheck everything, and select "recovery" only, from the list, navigate to the TWRP image file and click "Open", then click on the download button.
4- Plug the USB cable(s)* back into your PC. At this point the flash tool will load the recovery to the tablet. DO NOT UNPLUG ANYTHING UNTIL THE FLASH TOOL SHOWS YOU A GREEN CHECK MARK TO INDICATE THAT IT IS DONE, OR YOUR TABLET COULD BE HARD BRICKED AND IRREPARABLE.
5- After you get your check mark, unplug and boot into recovery, hold the Volume + and Power button. When splash screen comes up (the 2 dogs) release the power button.
6- Welcome to TWRP
*Remember, x.12.x requires 2 USB cables to work
ROOT​
You can get root by flashing the latest SuperSu zip file located here, be sure to download the flashable zip.
Otherwise, for root, you can use the KingRoot app located here, (get the apk, or "Download for Android") and if you don't want a Chinesse Super User app, you can replace it with the ChainFire SuperSu by going here.
NOTE: This method of replacing KingRoot with SuperSu no longer works properly, and results in a bricked device.
Device Tree
GitHub
CREDITS
@vampirefo (for the CWM Recovery and teaching me about TWRP, there would be no recoveries if it wasn't for him!)
@Bogram (for the lk.bin patch trick)
@smartmanvartan (for the flashing guide)

Reserved

Reserved #2

Hello! I've had my Maven Pro for a couple months now and I still haven't rooted it like I have with the rest of my devices. I'd love to do it too, but reviewing your instructions, I found that my version number is way different. V66-V1.12.20-B. will that version patch tool still work for it? is there an update that it's refusing to download? Thanks!
Edit: on top of this, i can't get it to even connect (step 2) with any of my microUSB cables. (they work with my other devices)

equinox13 said:
Hello! I've had my Maven Pro for a couple months now and I still haven't rooted it like I have with the rest of my devices. I'd love to do it too, but reviewing your instructions, I found that my version number is way different. V66-V1.12.20-B. will that version patch tool still work for it? is there an update that it's refusing to download? Thanks!
Edit: on top of this, i can't get it to even connect (step 2) with any of my microUSB cables. (they work with my other devices)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooh, a v12, sorry friend, lol. Make sure the tablet is off, and be ready with "Device Manager" open, the preloader only shows up for a bit, then it disappears. The patch tool should still work for you, but the TWRP recovery may not. If it doesn't, the CWM recovery will after I modify it, because it's non-touch.
If neither recovery works for you, you can give me a copy of your "boot.img" file, and I can convert TWRP or CWM to work on your tablet. Also, I've changed the guide up top to include other root methods.
If you have any trouble, by all mean, post, and I'll try to help you through it
Regards,
Nepo
EDIT:
A friend found some V12 firmware, and I'll be uploading it soon. I can get a boot.img file from it to make a recovery.

My maven pro is stuck in a bootloop after I rooted now I don't know what to do. I can't even shut it down

GartimusPrime said:
My maven pro is stuck in a bootloop after I rooted now I don't know what to do. I can't even shut it down
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can reflash firmware while it is in a bootloop, I've done this many times. If you have everything set up, drivers, SP Flash Tool, firmware, etc..
Do the following:
1) Startup the Flash Tool and Load your firmware, as described in the OP (be sure to "uncheck" the Preloader)
2) Plug in your micro USB cable to both the PC and the tablet
3) Press and hold the "Reset" button located on the back
4) Click the Download button, then let go of the reset button, it should start flashing the firmware.
If it doesn't the first time, retry steps 3 and 4. I've had it fail the first time before, but work on the second.
Good Luck and let me know how it goes. Also, if the battery is completely drained by the time you read this, just flash firmware normally (again, uncheck the preloader). The tablet has to be powered off to flash it anyway.
Regards
Nepo

So after reflashing my tablet (a Canadian V12 that had V68, and flashed to V66 trying to unlock the boot loader and install CWM), USB doesn't work. The port doesn't output any voltage, and neither does the keyboard connector. The tablet acts like nothing is there, as does the PS3 controller I tried. Also, before, Firmware Update would say there's no updated firmware. Now, it doesn't seem to do anything. I flashed every partition except preloader, MBR and ebr, and the sec partitions. Do I have to reflash again, or is there something else I can do?
On a completely different note, I tried flashing a patched lk.bin, and it failed with an error I don't remember (I had temporary access to a PC).
One more thing that was quite interesting to me. It seems if you reboot into recovery or bootloader from Android (APM+ or root), you're then able to access the recovery with Power + Vol. Up. Is this known, or was it a fluke?

ShadowCX11 said:
So after reflashing my tablet (a Canadian V12 that had V68, and flashed to V66 trying to unlock the boot loader and install CWM), USB doesn't work. The port doesn't output any voltage, and neither does the keyboard connector. The tablet acts like nothing is there, as does the PS3 controller I tried. Also, before, Firmware Update would say there's no updated firmware. Now, it doesn't seem to do anything. I flashed every partition except preloader, MBR and ebr, and the sec partitions. Do I have to reflash again, or is there something else I can do?
On a completely different note, I tried flashing a patched lk.bin, and it failed with an error I don't remember (I had temporary access to a PC).
One more thing that was quite interesting to me. It seems if you reboot into recovery or bootloader from Android (APM+ or root), you're then able to access the recovery with Power + Vol. Up. Is this known, or was it a fluke?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No USB is a new one on me, I wish I had a x.12 version of this tablet to test on (mine's x.9) I'd try a re-flash, this time, do everything but the preloader, the reason for not flashing a preloader is because it sometimes semi-bricks one of these tablets.
Interesting note, there was a guy on the Viking thread (RCT6303W87DK) that flashed CWM without unlocking his bootloader, and everything is working fine for him...
Regards,
Nepo
PS, Power + Vol Up is the standard way to enter recovery on this device (I have the Xposed APM+ apk installed too)

NepoRood said:
No USB is a new one on me, I wish I had a x.12 version of this tablet to test on (mine's x.9) I'd try a re-flash, this time, do everything but the preloader, the reason for not flashing a preloader is because it sometimes semi-bricks one of these tablets.
Interesting note, there was a guy on the Viking thread (RCT6303W87DK) that flashed CWM without unlocking his bootloader, and everything is working fine for him...
Regards,
Nepo
PS, Power + Vol Up is the standard way to enter recovery on this device (I have the Xposed APM+ apk installed too)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just a quick question: Is the device /dev/recovery for sure recovery? I want to see if I can just use dd to flash recovery.

ShadowCX11 said:
So just a quick question: Is the device /dev/recovery for sure recovery? I want to see if I can just use dd to flash recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, to pull a copy from a running tablet you use dd, and the path is: /dev/recovery
So, I'd do it this way, using adb:
Code:
adb push NAME_OF_RECOVERY.img /data/local/tmp
# Wait for it, then type:
adb shell
#Followed by:
dd if=/data/local/tmp/NAME_OF_RECOVERY.img of=/dev/recovery
#After it finishes:
reboot recovery

Okay, I got CWM installed! Now to see if I can find a way to build TWRP...

ShadowCX11 said:
Okay, I got CWM installed! Now to see if I can find a way to build TWRP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Is the CWM in portrait or landscape? You can always try to port the one I built for the x.9's, just unpack stock recovery, unpack TWRP, swap out the prebuilt kernel and repack.

NepoRood said:
Great! Is the CWM in portrait or landscape? You can always try to port the one I built for the x.9's, just unpack stock recovery, unpack TWRP, swap out the prebuilt kernel and repack.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in landscape, and works quite well! I just like the touch interface a bit more. I'll try the kernel replacement.

ShadowCX11 said:
It's in landscape, and works quite well! I just like the touch interface a bit more. I'll try the kernel replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer TWRP as well, that's why I built it
The only reason I don't have one posted for x.12 users is I can't test it. If you get it to work properly, let me know and I'll add it to the OP so others can benefit. :good:
If not, I can do some builds for you to test, if you don't mind. I have the x.12 kernel in my repo

NepoRood said:
I prefer TWRP as well, that's why I built it
The only reason I don't have one posted for x.12 users is I can't test it. If you get it to work properly, let me know and I'll add it to the OP so others can benefit. :good:
If not, I can do some builds for you to test, if you don't mind. I have the x.12 kernel in my repo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I can't figure out how to extract the kernel, because I don't usually have access to a PC. However, I'll take some testing builds if you can make them.
Also, back to the USB issue, a reflash of everything except preloader didn't fix it. However, checking the firmware update now tells me that this is the latest version (which is definitely wrong, since I had v68). It must be an incompatibility between the USA and Canadian variants. If you find a Canadian firm dump, can you send me a link?
---
Hmm, okay.
So I just took a look at the model number on my box, and it's RCT5213W87DKF. That extra letter is what changes this a bit. I'll try seeing what I can dig up in terms of OTA updates, and I'll keep posting about what I find.
---
Okay, so after a few packet captures, I found the tablet makes a GET request to http://tablet12.gyrodock.com:2300/OtaUpdater/android?device=RCT6213W87DK with the User-Agent rk29sdk/4.0, but the server returns a 404 page. When I do this in the browser, however, I get something quite peculiar happen, which interests me. Most of the other places on the site return a Tomcat 404 that has the path in the parenthesis. However, for the OTA URL, it just has empty parenthesis. POST requests to that URL return a 200 OK with no return data, which is also interesting. I'll keep hunting around.

Some people might not have a PC to run flash_tool on, so here's how you can flash recovery/uboot/mbr/ebr2/logo/sec_ro from within Android
I'll use recovery as an example. I'm using a V12 tablet, so steps might be different if you have a V9. I tried to make this guide as revision-agnostic as possible, so correct me if I mess something up.
Root your device. The method I use is KingRoot, because it doesn't require any weird things. You can uninstall KingRoot and flash SuperSU later.
Download a recovery image. Make sure if you have a V12 tablet, you download a recovery image for V12, and a V9 recovery for a V9 tablet, or you'll brick your recovery. I personally prefer TWRP, because it has more features and a nicer UI, but CWM works too.
Get shell access. You can use a terminal emulator.
Type in su, and give the terminal superuser access on your device.
Type in dd if=/sdcard/Download/mavenVY_XXX.img of=/dev/recovery, where Y is 9 or 12, and XXX is CWM or twrp3.0.2. This will flash the recovery image.
Finally, type in reboot recovery. This should reboot into your custom recovery! It might also enable Power + Vol Up access to recovery, however, this hasn't been confirmed.
All the other partitions are similar, just replace the references to recovery images with the respective file names for the raw partition, and /dev/recovery with /dev/[PARTITION]. You can NOT flash the android or usrdata partition while in Android or you'll most likely soft-brick your tablet, however, you can boot into TWRP and go to the terminal and do the flash. You must copy your disk images to /tmp when doing so however, or you'll probably lose the disk image during the flash, effectively causing a brick.
Hope this helps people out!

ShadowCX11 said:
I've found out that it seems the v12 tablets strictly enforce the checksums of partition images, so flashing a custom recovery or uboot does not work with flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice addition, but all you have to do is disable it in the Checksum.ini file (change the 1 to 0):
Code:
[IsEnableChecksum]
CHECKSUM_SWITCH=0
I did that for the v9 versions, but only uploaded the v12 firmware...

NepoRood said:
Nice addition, but all you have to do is disable it in the Checksum.ini file (change the 1 to 0):
Code:
[IsEnableChecksum]
CHECKSUM_SWITCH=0
I did that for the v9 versions, but only uploaded the v12 firmware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh... makes sense...

ShadowCX11 said:
Oh... makes sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you posted that info, it'll be super handy for folks that may not have access to a PC, or would rather use their device instead of a PC :good:

Related

[GUIDE] Proscan PLT9650G (RockChip RK3126) Tablet, Root, TWRP, etc

*** Use at your own risk these instructions worked for me on MY tablets that is no guarantee they will work for you ***
This is for the ProScan PLT9650G(K-1G-8G) tablet. It has the RockChip RK3126 chipset. The one I am working with was purchased in Canada at the Atlantic Superstore. I will just briefly outline what I needed and had to do to root and install a TWRP recovery on the tablet. See the attachment for the recovery image. I will explain how to get the programs and general steps to make a full backup of the tablet before ever rooting the device. It is a little difficult, and not necessary, but like any backup can be helpful to have around.
Specifications:
The ProScan tablet has:
- Android Lollipop 5.1.1;
- Quad-core Processor, 1.2Mhz;
- 1 GB of DDR3 Memory;
- 8GB Flash Storage;
- 800x480 Screen Resolution.
Backup Overview:
1) Install USB drivers;
2) Put tablet in bootloader mode;
3) Read the different partitions.
Tools Needed:
1) Rockchip Driver Assistant v4.3;
2) Android Tool v2.3.
Detailed Instructions:
This tablet is a newer version and requires at least version 4.3 of the Rockchip Driver Assistant. The older versions (4.1) won't recognize the USB product id (310D) in bootloader mode.
Download the drivers unrar and run DriverInstall.exe. Select uninstall to clean any old drivers and then select install to install the newer ones. I've done this under Windows 7/8.1/10. Since I've done it so often and so many times with different driver version, I can't remember if the bootloader drivers require you install them with the driver signing turned off or not. The problem becomes that the bootloader drivers (under Windows 8+) will fail the driver signing authentication and won't install. The ADB and MTP drivers are signed and will install correctly, but when you boot the tablet in bootloader mode the device will be unrecognized by Windows. If you end up with this problem follow these instructions and then install the drivers.
After testing on a new machine under Windows 10 the drivers install fine. There is no need to boot with driver signing verification turned off.
To put the tablet in bootloader mode follow thes instructions:
1) Unplug tablet (both power and usb);
2) Turnoff tablet;
3) Press and hold the esc and power buttons at the same time;
4) Hold until the stock recovery menu comes up;
5) Press the esc button to go down to the menu item saying bootloader;
6) Press the power button to execute that menu item.
The screen will go blank. Plug the tablet into the computer and it will be recognized as a device type "Class for rockusb devices" in the Windows Device Manager.
Download the Android Tool from the link provided. The link gives a detailed description of how to backup all the partitions. I have included my parameters.txt file that I created. From the standpoint of undoing the root operation described below I believe only the recovery and system partition needs to be saved. But saving all the partitions never hurts. After you have followed the information in the link and saved the partitions you can move on to rooting the device.
One serious warning I have NOT been able to write anything to the device using the Android Tool. It always give me an error and won't even try. The backups we create can be used from within the tablet to restore it later if needed.
Custom Recovery Overview:
1) Root device;
2) Download the image file on the tablet;
3) Flash the recovery partition with the image file.
Tools Needed:
1) KingRoot;
2) Terminal Application;
Root Device:
The device rooted using KingRoot. Startup the tablet and go through the setup process. Download the apk from the link provided. The version used in testing was 4.6.2. You will need to allow "Unknown sources". The app will eventually give a button just try to root. This will eventually work and the tablet will be rooted.
Extract the img file from within the zip file below onto the internal drive. Make sure you put it in the Download directory. If you are doing this from the tablet it should go there if you move it over using the computer make sure you put it in that directory or change the command below to the proper directory.
Install a terminal emulator. Anyone will do, the one I chose is linked above. Open the emulator and type:
Code:
su
at the prompt. KingRoot should prompt you asking if you want to grant root privilege to the command prompt. Then type the command:
Code:
dd if=/sdcard/Download/TWRP_800x480_Unified.img of=/dev/block/rknand_recovery bs=4096
. That's it if you type:
Code:
reboot recovery
the tablet will reboot and TWRP should start up.
Notes:
If you saved the original system partition you can install it using TWRP and effectively unroot the device but keep the TWRP recovery. With the recovery image you can install it over the TWRP and return the tablet to its stock state. I'm giving these tablets to my kids and I wanted a way to return them to the state I bought them plus after I've personalized them for each of my kids I can make a backup in case they do something that messes them up.
This will also work for the PLT1065G but you need to use different recovery/parameters. The kernel is different (looks like a different touchscreen).
Thanks for this. Got one for $50 at Loblaws today. Will attempt rooting.
Got it for my 6 yr old
Edit: Fixed boot issue
protectivedad said:
*** Use at your own risk these instructions worked for me on MY tablets that is no guarantee they will work for you ***
This is for the ProScan PLT9650G(K-1G-8G) tablet. It has the RockChip RK3126 chipset. The one I am working with was purchased in Canada at the Atlantic Superstore. I will just briefly outline what I needed and had to do to root and install a TWRP recovery on the tablet. See the attachment for the recovery image. I will explain how to get the programs and general steps to make a full backup of the tablet before ever rooting the device. It is a little difficult, and not necessary, but like any backup can be helpful to have around.
Specifications:
The ProScan tablet has:
- Android Lollipop 5.1.1;
- Quad-core Processor, 1.2Mhz;
- 1 GB of DDR3 Memory;
- 8GB Flash Storage;
- 800x480 Screen Resolution.
Backup Overview:
1) Install USB drivers;
2) Put tablet in bootloader mode;
3) Read the different partitions.
Tools Needed:
1) Rockchip Driver Assistant v4.3;
2) Android Tool v2.3.
Detailed Instructions:
This tablet is a newer version and requires at least version 4.3 of the Rockchip Driver Assistant. The older versions (4.1) won't recognize the USB product id (310D) in bootloader mode.
Download the drivers unrar and run DriverInstall.exe. Select uninstall to clean any old drivers and then select install to install the newer ones. I've done this under Windows 7/8.1/10. Since I've done it so often and so many times with different driver version, I can't remember if the bootloader drivers require you install them with the driver signing turned off or not. The problem becomes that the bootloader drivers (under Windows 8+) will fail the driver signing authentication and won't install. The ADB and MTP drivers are signed and will install correctly, but when you boot the tablet in bootloader mode the device will be unrecognized by Windows. If you end up with this problem follow these instructions and then install the drivers.
After testing on a new machine under Windows 10 the drivers install fine. There is no need to boot with driver signing verification turned off.
To put the tablet in bootloader mode follow thes instructions:
1) Unplug tablet (both power and usb);
2) Turnoff tablet;
3) Press and hold the esc and power buttons at the same time;
4) Hold until the stock recovery menu comes up;
5) Press the esc button to go down to the menu item saying bootloader;
6) Press the power button to execute that menu item.
The screen will go blank. Plug the tablet into the computer and it will be recognized as a device type "Class for rockusb devices" in the Windows Device Manager.
Download the Android Tool from the link provided. The link gives a detailed description of how to backup all the partitions. I have included my parameters.txt file that I created. From the standpoint of undoing the root operation described below I believe only the recovery and system partition needs to be saved. But saving all the partitions never hurts. After you have followed the information in the link and saved the partitions you can move on to rooting the device.
One serious warning I have NOT been able to write anything to the device using the Android Tool. It always give me an error and won't even try. The backups we create can be used from within the tablet to restore it later if needed.
Custom Recovery Overview:
1) Root device;
2) Download the image file on the tablet;
3) Flash the recovery partition with the image file.
Tools Needed:
1) KingRoot;
2) Terminal Application;
Root Device:
The device rooted using KingRoot. Startup the tablet and go through the setup process. Download the apk from the link provided. The version used in testing was 4.6.2. You will need to allow "Unknown sources". The app will eventually give a button just try to root. This will eventually work and the tablet will be rooted.
Extract the img file from within the zip file below onto the internal drive. Make sure you put it in the Download directory. If you are doing this from the tablet it should go there if you move it over using the computer make sure you put it in that directory or change the command below to the proper directory.
Install a terminal emulator. Anyone will do, the one I chose is linked above. Open the emulator and type:
Code:
su
at the prompt. KingRoot should prompt you asking if you want to grant root privilege to the command prompt. Then type the command:
Code:
dd if=/sdcard/Download/TWRP_800x480_Unified.img of=/dev/block/rknand_recovery bs=4096
. That's it if you type:
Code:
reboot recovery
the tablet will reboot and TWRP should start up.
Notes:
If you saved the original system partition you can install it using TWRP and effectively unroot the device but keep the TWRP recovery. With the recovery image you can install it over the TWRP and return the tablet to its stock state. I'm giving these tablets to my kids and I wanted a way to return them to the state I bought them plus after I've personalized them for each of my kids I can make a backup in case they do something that messes them up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems the boot issue is still there. Do you ever get this? It will get stuck at the PROSCAN logo display.
Friko said:
It seems the boot issue is still there. Do you ever get this? It will get stuck at the PROSCAN logo display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had it stuck. It was when I was testing things. I can't remember what I did. I do know one time I left it for a day and I noticed the ProScan logo had a flashing cursor in it.
protectivedad said:
I have had it stuck. It was when I was testing things. I can't remember what I did. I do know one time I left it for a day and I noticed the ProScan logo had a flashing cursor in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been fiddling with it and it seems to be completely random. So I guess it's something we'll have to live with.
I bought it for my 6 year old who's dying to play Pokemon Go. The app runs okay on it. It's just the 'GPS' (or lack of a proper GPS chip) that's a bit slow/inaccurate
Hello I to bought this tablet in Canada I successfully rooted it but is there a reason why no other cameras can be downloaded or Music players or Instagram.
Is thee any chance to unbrick this tablet?
I have one stuck in the boot logo, hard reset wont solve, is there any flash file?
Hellooooo !!
anybody here ?
---------- Post added at 12:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ----------
ANYONE TEIED THIS FIRMWARE?
https://mega.nz/#!TVFX0CiZ!6CaGOSGZM47PQAd9KZDuKcPJaXsCL3n3JJQBtXPRHJo
is there any tool capable of flashing this tablet?
I have tried all known by me and all report a sudden error as sson as you try to write anything.
like OP said.
I have one stuck at boot logo, I have 2 firmwares ready to flash.
yurais said:
is there any tool capable of flashing this tablet?
I have tried all known by me and all report a sudden error as sson as you try to write anything.
like OP said.
I have one stuck at boot logo, I have 2 firmwares ready to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a way to create an SDCARD and it will run from the SDCARD. I've forgotten how . I'm looking at one of my kids cracked ones right now. The touchscreen is cracked so I'm looking at build Ubuntu for it. I'll post when I figure out the SDCARD again.
Reset tablet to factory
I was able to use the factory irmware to reset the tablet from a computer. It will over write any custom recovery, etc. I have been unable to recreate a custom image any changes make the image fail. I found the software I used to create a bootable SDCARD but I can't get it to work keeps failing on creating the MBR. The software was the Rockchip SD Firmware Tool and there is an option to create SD Boot. So far I can only find v1.43 anyone have v1.45?
Let me know here as soon as you just remember anything related to this.
I got another tab like this, screen cracked and I could read off its firmware, so I now have a working firmware waiting to be written...
Enviado desde mi SM-N920T mediante Tapatalk
Thanks so much for this guide. I picked one of these up for $6 when HHGREGG was closing.
Proscan PLT7650G
Good day is there a guide and firmware for a Proscan PLT7650G
Technician
protectivedad said:
I was able to use the factory irmware[/URL] to reset the tablet from a computer. It will over write any custom recovery, etc. I have been unable to recreate a custom image any changes make the image fail. I found the software I used to create a bootable SDCARD but I can't get it to work keeps failing on creating the MBR. The software was the Rockchip SD Firmware Tool and there is an option to create SD Boot. So far I can only find v1.43 anyone have v1.45?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you flash the image? what software did you use,
Thanks.
it's not possible to change the rom or custom image of the tablet to another operating system like ubuntu or linux. It has allow OEM bootloader unlocked in the settings in developer section greyed out and it doesn't allow oem bootloader unlocking 'enabled'. You cannot enable it.
What you are doing is just resetting the factory image. or rom. you can just push the reset button with pin after charging the tablet for 3 hours.
These tablets are not 'cheap' to make and google, cell phone companies subsidize these 'cheap' tablets. so you have to use and pay them when you subscribe to their cell phone 'service' or google advertisements when you use their 'service'.
Lots of vaporware being pushed saying they can unlock something for $40 or downloading tools etc. wasted of time as it's impossible to unlock oem BOOTLOADER if the manufacture has locked it, you cannot install another operating system in the tablet, or smart phone. so don't waste your time.
Only some phones allow oem unlocking bootloader and those are the higher end phones costing $400-$600 for a tablet that are not 'subsidized' by google or you cell phone company as with 'cheap' phone or tablet.
the firmware is not available for download at the manufacture website that should raise alarms about the firmware. I've factory reset the device and now it's having reboot issues, either the firmware is defective or corrupt bootloader etc. The manufacture proscan seems to be selling the devices yet no technical support or even a direct download from the manufacture, downloading firmware from thirdparty servers is security risk. it seems like today lots bogus websites and no technical support from manufacturers in tech devices they sell. and people have to sites like XDA for 'free' technical support. Even Microsoft which makes billions in profits fail to provide proper technical support for some reason. and have to rely on 'free' technical support for bugs and issues with their software and hardware and lots vaporware apps etc.. bogus apps. that don't work.
Rooting gives the user the ability to install and change OEM software. from what i gather so don't waste your time, to root a device, allows the user to delete operating system files. if the manufacture doesn't allow changing the oem software there is nothing you can do. about so don't waste time trying root it or try to install ubuntu or linux on the tablet or smartphone if it's oem LOCKED. bootloader. you cannot unlock it. it's much harder to unlock oem software.
the method to 'restore' factory image or known as 'flashing the rom'
there is no reason to flash the rom etc.
1. just hold the power button and esc button at the same time
2. release the power button wait 2 seconds
and then release the esc button
you should now be in boot up mode.
this unit doesn't allow you to be in bootloader mode. so you CANNOT install another firmware or install linux etc. other than the proscan firmware.
3. press esc to select restore the factory settings
4. press the power button to select
this the easiest way to restore stuck in browser or need to flash the rom
again if the rom is 'corrupt' which is not likely
if that is the case
the option to "apply update from external storage" doesn't seem to work as you cannot mount to flash the rom and reinstall the .img file from the .zip file
"apply update from external storage"
where you saved your .zip doesn't work
the apply updated from ADB works you need a usb computer hooked up to you computer and terminal command to ADB to your table to rinstall the .imge file
update ,this no longer seems to work in installing the .zip file method to install the firmware.
lot of software and hardware that have no technical support or documentation and the stuff just doesn't seem to work and high security risk with no updates from manufacture as it cost them money to resolve issues. selling disposable technology tablets. that is not meant to last. basically toys. for kids.

[ROOT][FIRMWARE][BOOTLOADER][RECOVERY] RCA Viking Pro (RCT6303W87DK) One Stop Shop!

I am not responsible for anything that happens in your life. Including what happens as result of following steps in this thread.
Hello all. After a long journey here, we figured a new thread would be in order for new comers not to have to read through fifty pages of information. Here you will find firmware to fix or update your Viking Pro. You will also find root methods, bootloader unlock and custom recoveries for this tablet. Lets start with ROOT...
Method 1: Kingroot. Kingroot works on this device. you can find it here. It's pretty straight forward, just download and install the apk and root.
Method 1.5: SuperSu. Kingroot works but it's not the best root out there. once you have root, follow the instructions here and Kingroot will be replaced with SuperSu.
Method 2: Su flash-able ZIP. This method requires you to follow steps in posts No. 3 and 4. Once you have custom recovery installed, You can flash This.
This method is a bit redundant. However, it does allow you to make a completely stock unooted backup of your rom before making any changes.
Check out posts 2, 3, 4 & 5 for the good stuff.
I'm gonna go ahead and thank everyone responsible and If I forgot to mention you, please don't hesitate to tell me and I will correct the situation:
@Bogram (Edited the bootloader so it could be unlocked on x.12.x versions)
@Jacube22 (Duplicated the method from Bogram to make the bootloader on x.9.x versions unlockable)
@vampirefo (Compiled a compatible CWM recovery for us)
@ewilley2008 (Found most of the firmware)
@mayzemay (Initial root thread)
@NepoRood
@jerryvail35
@Sir Jaxxy
@Snigglez
@Spartan Legionnaire
@bobl61
@csla
@Chainfire (For root)
FIRMWARE
There are two main branches of development for this tablet. It is very important to know which one you have because they are incompatible with each other. I personally bricked my first one with firmware from a x.9.x while mine is x.12.x. How do you check? Simple. In your build number, you can find it in "About tablet" in Settings or in the text at the top of the recovery screen. It's at the end of the number and it will look like 1.12.30, 10.12.20, 2.12.20, 1.9.1, 1.9.5, 10.9.1...etc The number in the middle is the important one.
Steps(Windows): For step 2 you will have five seconds. Preloader mode is only active for five seconds. So read first!
1- Extract the drivers to the destktop and open the device manager.
2- Plug your tablet in as such: turn off the tablet. Plug a male to male USB wire from the computer to the USB port on the tablet. now plug the power wire into the tablet. now very quickly in the device manager locate the new device and right click on it. select "update driver software" then select "browse my computer for driver software" and "browse". Now navigate to the driver folder, select the "CDC" folder and click on "OK" the "Next". The driver should install at this point. Once that is done, unplug the power cable from the tablet.
3- Extract the firmware and the sp flash tools to your desktop.
4- Start the sp flash tools and where it says scatter file loading click and navigate to the folder where you have the firmware and load the scatter file. You will see the firmware get loaded and a checksum check.
5- Once that is done, uncheck the preloader from the list and click on the download button.
6- Plug the power cable into your tablet. At this point the sp flash tool will load the firmware into the tablet. DO NOT UNPLUG ANYTHING UNTIL THE SP FLASH TOOLS SHOWS YOU A GREEN CHECK MARK TO INDICATE THAT IT IS DONE OR YOUR TABLET COULD BE HARD BRICKED AND UNREPAIRABLE.
7- Press the reset button and turn it on. Done!
Drivers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz4bOoJ_E5XzRWJCbGFINndmVmc/view?usp=sharing
SP Flash tools: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz4bOoJ_E5Xzb0g3ZnlEcHE0bEE/view?usp=sharing
Firmware x.9.x:
RCT6303W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V37-V10.9.21-NFC-V2.3LA-20150820
RCT6303W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V32-1.9.1-20150409
Do not flash the preloader for the Surf1001 versions!!
Firrmware x.12.x:
RCT6303W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V77-V1.12.50-EMMC-user-Kingston-V6.1_20160316
RCT6303W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V70-V1.12.30-B-EMMC-user-Kingston-V6.1_20160121
SURF1001-ANDROID5.0-V11-V7.15.0_T8515B_V6.3_SAMSUNG2G_20151116 (Use method No.2 for root)
RCT6303W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V63-V10.12.0_T8515B_V6.3_PCDDR31G_20151106
SURF1001-ANDROID5.0-V07-V7.15.0_T8515B_V6.3_SAMSUNG2G_20151016
RCT6503W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V66-V20.12.20-B-Camera-2M_PCDDR_V6.3-20150928
RCT6303W87DK-ANDROID5.0-V63-V2.12.20-B-EMMC-user-Kingston-V6.1_20150811
Sources:
http://laurentiumihet.ro/technology/...test-versions/
http://www.needrom.com/download/mtk-...er-v5-1453-03/
http://pan.baidu.com/share/home?uk=2...ategory/type=0
http://baiduyun.57fx.cn/so-result.ht...7DK&type=share
And Google of course...
Bootloader
So the bootloader on this tablet is locked. To unlock the bootloader, in a perfect world, you would usually boot the tablet in fastboot and type the command "fastboot oem unlock" and then follow the instructions on the screen. However RCA did not code in the volume keys in fastboot mode so it was impossible to unlock the bootloader that way. So our friend Bogram edited the bootloader and now the volume keys are not needed. What swell guy eh?
Unlocking your phone’s bootloader completely wipes (formats) your Android phone’s internal memory including applications, contacts, SMS and MMS messages etc.
So what you need is a scatter file like this one and a patched bootloader like these: x.12.x or x.9.x .
You will also need ADB & Fastboot and the drivers.
1- Just like in the FIRMWARE section, install drivers and SP Flash Tools.
2- Open SP Flash Tools and load the scatter file and in the line where you see "uboot" on the right click in the blank field and a window will pop up. select the patched bootloader. Make sure it checked and click on the "Download" button.
3- Now plug the male to male USB cable and then plug in the power. SP flash tool will flash the bootloader and then show you a nice little green check mark.
4- At this point you need to unpack the adb folder from the RAR file and place it in the root of you hard drive(C: ) then open a command prompt and nvigate to you adb folder (cd c:\adb) and leave it there for just a second.
5- On your tablet unplug the power wire, hit the reset button in the back and boot it into recovery mode by pressing and holding the volume up and power buttons together until the RCA splash screen comes up then release them.
6- In recovery, use the volume keys to navigate to "reboot to bootloader" and use the power button to select.
7- At this point your tablet will be in fastboot and your computer should detect it and install the driver. If not, the driver is in the "Android" folder in the driver files you extracted.
8- In your command prompt you left opened earlier, type "fastboot oem unlock".
9-Your tablet will do some magic, summon a demon, banish it to the depths of hell, reboot a couple of times and then it will have a unlocked bootloader.
10- Done. now you ca move on the next post and flash recovery.
Bogram also created a tool that patches the bootloader automatically should you have a different version we don't know about or what not...
Code:
RCA LittleKernel Unlock Patcher
By Bogram (http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=7182821)
Tested models:
RCA Viking Pro (RCT6303W87DK), RCA Maven Pro (RCT6213W87DK)
USE THIS TOOL AT YOUR OWN RISK, NO WARRANTY IS PROVIDED.
License: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html
Input file:
W:/HaxeToolkit/projects/patcher/lk.bin
Wrote to:
W:/HaxeToolkit/projects/patcher/lk_patched.bin
Press any key to exit.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz4bOoJ_E5XzSnJ2R3d2NkxlU0k/view?usp=sharing
RECOVERY
This section depends on a unlocked bootloader. If you did not unlock your bootloader in the previous post, do so before continuing to this one.
So what you need is a scatter file like this one and a recovery.
CWM + Carliv compiled by vampirefo: (x.9.x)Clockworkmod recovery (x.12.x)Clockworkmod recovery
TWRP V3.00 compiled by Neporood: (x.9.x)TWRP V3.00 recovery (x.12.x)TWRP V3.00 recovery(Coming soon)
- Open SP Flash tool and select the scatter file.
- in the recovery line, on the right side in the blank field, click and select your downloaded recovery.
- Click on the download button.
- Make sure your tablet is off, plug the USB cable first and then the power cable.
- SP Flash tool will flash the recovery and show you a lovely green check mark.
- Once that is done your recovery will be flashed.
** The stock system has a file in the system folder called "recovery-from-boot.p". this file flashes stock recovery randomly at boot so with a rooted system, navigate to the folder with a root capable explorer and delete the file so that your new recovery stays there.
** When rebooting from recovery, cwm will tell you to fix root. Don't. Select no every time.
For thos of you who want a file explorer in recovery, You can download this Aroma installer flashable
It's a nice tool to have...
Aroma comes from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646108
ROMS
Not yet but soon.....
I'd swear I've seen all this somewhere before... lol
Good job, brother!
Now , let the roms...begin.....
woot ... just in time as I brought my Viking Pro home from Wallyworld Saturday night.
Any thoughts on ADB? I couldn't make it all the way through the other thread and eventually just gave up.... ended up figuring out Kingroot on my own and then just enabled ADB over wifi. Would much rather have a wired ADB solution as moving an APK (I'm a developer, duh) over wifi can be somewhat s-l-o-w.
Any plans to make a thread like this for the RCA Maven Pro (RCT6213W87DK)? It'd be really swell.
EDIT: Actually, with those sources you posted, I actually might be able to do this on my own.
thevypr said:
Any plans to make a thread like this for the RCA Maven Pro (RCT6213W87DK)? It'd be really swell.
EDIT: Actually, with those sources you posted, I actually might be able to do this on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got a Maven, and I've already done the porting. I'll be posting a guide tomorrow morning sometime. For now, I've sent you a PM with links to the firmware. Check your firmware version, mine is V36-1.9.21 (as long as you have the "9", you should be ok) The zip file has everything in it, preloader, scatter, custom recovery, etc...
Maven Guide is up, find it here
Synman said:
woot ... just in time as I brought my Viking Pro home from Wallyworld Saturday night.
Any thoughts on ADB? I couldn't make it all the way through the other thread and eventually just gave up.... ended up figuring out Kingroot on my own and then just enabled ADB over wifi. Would much rather have a wired ADB solution as moving an APK (I'm a developer, duh) over wifi can be somewhat s-l-o-w.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still working on adb... Trying to make a flashable ROM with the fixes... No timeframe tho..
smartmanvartan said:
Still working on adb... Trying to make a flashable ROM with the fixes... No timeframe tho..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get the port(s) to light up under OSX. I've tried a couple build.prop changes, plugging in micro usb, usb type a, power connector, and various combinations but none of them appear to trigger registration of a usb device of any kind on the host machine.
I can't even get simple stuff like MTP to work.
Synman said:
I can't get the port(s) to light up under OSX. I've tried a couple build.prop changes, plugging in micro usb, usb type a, power connector, and various combinations but none of them appear to trigger registration of a usb device of any kind on the host machine.
I can't even get simple stuff like MTP to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Time is my issue but I'm looking at two things. there is a firmware package i found on the Chinese server for a tablet with the model number rct6603w47dk with the same board as the viking pro but with a 8163 instead of the 8127. i think its doable to port over to our tablet. it is android 6. also the maven pro(rct6213w87dk) which is really close to our tablet with the same board but a larger screen, has adb working on it...
You should be getting a reaction through the micro usb port... on windows it shows up as a malfunctioning device.
i get nothing when sniffing the USB bus on my MBP.
Synman said:
i get nothing when sniffing the USB bus on my MBP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I does the same thing on Ubuntu 14.04, absolutely nothing shows with "lsusb" in the terminal, unless it's in fastboot mode. You can use fastboot to flash the device, if you don't have access to a Windows machine...
I tested the new 1.9.3 firmware on my tablet... and it just shows a black screen.
DO NOT FLASH IT. it didn't work
Jacube22 said:
I tested the new 1.9.3 firmware on my tablet... and it just shows a black screen.
DO NOT FLASH IT. it didn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill find you guys some newer software that boots...
What's the difference between sp_drive_v2.0_finally & mtk_sp_drivers_v2.0
Because I got the sp_drive install but having a problem with the mtk_sp , it keep popping up as incompatible software.... I'm stuck on the boot loader section
e923 said:
What's the difference between sp_drive_v2.0_finally & mtk_sp_drivers_v2.0
Because I got the sp_drive install but having a problem with the mtk_sp , it keep popping up as incompatible software.... I'm stuck on the boot loader section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of Windows are you running..the difference is the drivers are signed or unsigned.. This matters more on newer versions of Windows.

[Guide] Install Custom Recovery for Blu Advance 5.0 D030UX

Before we start this post, I just wanted to say that I am new here (like today new) and XDA does not have this device listed in their website at all so I did not know where else to post this rather than the General Discussion, I do apologize for this annoyance and please forgive me. One last thing, I am not the developer of this, I am only the poster person........guy...... ;-; ....... the person who developed this custom recovery is @lopestom!! Please give him the credit he derserves, not me!! With this being said, let us move onto the post now!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE NOR IS THE DEVELOPER FOR ANY DAMAGE YOU CAUSE TO YOUR DEVICE!!*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings XDA Community and Blu Users!
Today I am Sharing this Custom Recovery that was made by @lopestom for the Blu Advance 5.0
Now before we get into this you will need to do the following first for the recovery to install.
You will need to install the MTK VCOM Drivers and the SP Flash Tool.
-How to install MTK VCOM Drivers for Windows 8: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2693906
-How to install MTK VCOM Drivers for Windows 10 64-bit/32-bit: https://forum.xda-developers.com/elephone-m2/help/windows-10-mtk-vcom-usb-drivers-32-64-t3267033
-Installation for SP Flash Tool: https://androidmtk.com/smart-phone-flash-tool
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now once you get this done, you will want to install the custom recovery files for which I am providing to you Blu Advance 5.0 Users from [B @lopestom[/B]. (download link at the very bottom)
Once you install the zip, follow these simple steps and you will have the recovery installed in no time!
1. Download zip file and then unzip to then where you will see two files: *recovery img and scatter file*
2. Open SPFT, and load the scatter file from that folder unzipped
3. Click the Download Tab, and edit the settings as follows:
A. Make sure 'Download Only' is selected
B. Only Recovery Partition box is checked
C. Make sure correct scatter is loaded
4. Double click in 'Location' field next to recovery partition and select recovery.img
5. Click "Download" Button
6. Power off phone
7. With "Download" button clicked in SPFT, connect phone to USB without powering on (VCOM DRIVERS MUST BE INSTALLED FOR THIS TO WORK)
8. Wait for SPFT to flash, popup with green check-mark will display when complete
9. Disconnect phone from USB, hold power + volume-up keys until boot into TWRP Recovery
10. Done!
11. You have successfully installed this custom recovery for your Blu Advance 5.0!!
As a perk, you can now root your device if you have not already with Super Su: https://download.chainfire.eu/964/SuperSU/BETA-SuperSU-v2.74-2-20160519174328.zip?retrieve_file=1
Downloads:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=745425885120706965
*ALL CREDIT GOES TO @lopestom*
When is TWRP installed?
Sorry, as a noob, I have no idea at what point TWRP needs to be installed, if at all. Andvance 5.0 isn't on the list in the official TWRP app, so installling that from Google Play Store doesn't help. Do I get blutwrp.img -and how do I install it? Do I flash twrp, too, or install it another way ? Should twrp come up automatically here? I'm totally confused with this guide.
thaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks
Androidfilehost link is out of mirrors
cuvtixo said:
Sorry, as a noob, I have no idea at what point TWRP needs to be installed, if at all. Andvance 5.0 isn't on the list in the official TWRP app, so installling that from Google Play Store doesn't help. Do I get blutwrp.img -and how do I install it? Do I flash twrp, too, or install it another way ? Should twrp come up automatically here? I'm totally confused with this guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This post looks pretty new. So I thought I'd drop by just in case you never figured out how to install TWRP. At the bottom of the guide there is this:
RonneyDude said:
Downloads:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=745425885120706965
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That download URL is TWRP. If I were to guess, the download is an unofficial port of TWRP. Since TWRP doesn't have an official build for BLU Advance 5.0, you have to use the file provided by OP (I am not aware of any other unofficial ports of TWRP specifically for BLU Advance 5.0).
It has been a while since I rooted the BLU Advance 5.0 for my friend, but I believe it is not possible to directly flash a custom recovery onto the device. That's why you need to install SPFT which was also generously provided by OP:
RonneyDude said:
-Installation for SP Flash Tool: https://androidmtk.com/smart-phone-flash-tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However, in order to use that tool, you must make sure you have the right drivers so your phone and computer can communicate:
RonneyDude said:
-How to install MTK VCOM Drivers for Windows 8: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2693906
-How to install MTK VCOM Drivers for Windows 10 64-bit/32-bit: https://forum.xda-developers.com/elephone-m2/help/windows-10-mtk-vcom-usb-drivers-32-64-t3267033
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you have installed the proper drivers for your computer and SPFT, you are all set to follow the steps OP provided. Any instance where it says "zip file" he is referring to the zip file you should have downloaded from androidfilehost.com (first link I quoted from OP).
As long as you know that, here are the steps 1 - 11 you should follow:
RonneyDude said:
1. Download zip file and then unzip to then where you will see two files: *recovery img and scatter file*
2. Open SPFT, and load the scatter file from that folder unzipped
3. Click the Download Tab, and edit the settings as follows:
A. Make sure 'Download Only' is selected
B. Only Recovery Partition box is checked
C. Make sure correct scatter is loaded
4. Double click in 'Location' field next to recovery partition and select recovery.img
5. Click "Download" Button
6. Power off phone
7. With "Download" button clicked in SPFT, connect phone to USB without powering on (VCOM DRIVERS MUST BE INSTALLED FOR THIS TO WORK)
8. Wait for SPFT to flash, popup with green check-mark will display when complete
9. Disconnect phone from USB, hold power + volume-up keys until boot into TWRP Recovery
10. Done!
11. You have successfully installed this custom recovery for your Blu Advance 5.0!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cuvtixo said:
... I have no idea at what point TWRP needs to be installed, if at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may be misreading this sentence, but incase I am not, I'll explain. The primary reason people install a custom recovery is so they can root their phones. In the case of BLU Advance 5.0, that phone only has an internal storage of 4GB, which I have recently learned is apparently taken up entirely by Messenger itself (if you download Facebook Messenger). What's the point of having a smartphone if you can't install apps on it? There is an app called Link2SD which can trick the phone into believing the external SD card space is internal (more or less). Link2SD needs root though.
After installing TWRP, now is when you can flash things the way I imagine you're moderately familiar with from your comment. The only thing you should need to flash via this method should be SuperSU, to give you the root privilege necessary for Link2SD. OP has also provided this:
RonneyDude said:
As a perk, you can now root your device if you have not already with Super Su: https://download.chainfire.eu/964/SuperSU/BETA-SuperSU-v2.74-2-20160519174328.zip?retrieve_file=1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you followed all the steps properly, you should be able to power down your device, and boot into TWRP by holding the Power and Volume Up buttons until you see the white BLU boot screen. From there, you can flash SuperSU.
Hope this helped clear some things up for you!
weilunt0219 said:
This post looks pretty new. So I thought I'd drop by just in case you never figured out how to install TWRP. At the bottom of the guide there is this:
That download URL is TWRP. If I were to guess, the download is an unofficial port of TWRP. Since TWRP doesn't have an official build for BLU Advance 5.0, you have to use the file provided by OP (I am not aware of any other unofficial ports of TWRP specifically for BLU Advance 5.0).
It has been a while since I rooted the BLU Advance 5.0 for my friend, but I believe it is not possible to directly flash a custom recovery onto the device. That's why you need to install SPFT which was also generously provided by OP:
However, in order to use that tool, you must make sure you have the right drivers so your phone and computer can communicate:
After you have installed the proper drivers for your computer and SPFT, you are all set to follow the steps OP provided. Any instance where it says "zip file" he is referring to the zip file you should have downloaded from androidfilehost.com (first link I quoted from OP).
As long as you know that, here are the steps 1 - 11 you should follow:
I may be misreading this sentence, but incase I am not, I'll explain. The primary reason people install a custom recovery is so they can root their phones. In the case of BLU Advance 5.0, that phone only has an internal storage of 4GB, which I have recently learned is apparently taken up entirely by Messenger itself (if you download Facebook Messenger). What's the point of having a smartphone if you can't install apps on it? There is an app called Link2SD which can trick the phone into believing the external SD card space is internal (more or less). Link2SD needs root though.
After installing TWRP, now is when you can flash things the way I imagine you're moderately familiar with from your comment. The only thing you should need to flash via this method should be SuperSU, to give you the root privilege necessary for Link2SD. OP has also provided this:
If you followed all the steps properly, you should be able to power down your device, and boot into TWRP by holding the Power and Volume Up buttons until you see the white BLU boot screen. From there, you can flash SuperSU.
Hope this helped clear some things up for you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While this helps, I've been doing this for months now... And now I am faced with the problem of the new OTA they just gave me, which blocks any and all root access that I had before. Now my problem is figuring out if I need to re-flash the previous version to my firmware or unlock the bootloader and just install a custom ROM, given that a universal ROM is compatible.
A way to unbrick?
So, I have one and bricked it when flashing a recovery I found when I searched blue advance 5.0 custom recovery on google
when I searched, I used the one I found at the blueroms dot info site
it is now in a boot loop, and I can't access anything except the menu between booting factory mode and recovery
is there a way I can fix it, and flash this?
Thanks!
Thanks for not only the instructions, but for accepting the possibility that I may have figured it out myself.
As a regular linux user, I'm not sure why the xda comunity depends on: SP Flash Tool, MTK VCOM Drivers for Windows and MTK VCOM Drivers for Windows 10 64-bit/32-bit. Especially at this point shouldn't there be some tools from Chrome OS? if not Linux itself? Sorry that's kind of off point, but your help is indeed appreciated.
Trying to Root
Hello everyone, I have been desperately trying to root a Blu Advance 5.0 HD that i just got. It runs Android Version 6.0 Kernal 3.18.19 Custom build BLU_A050U_V04_GENERIC 19-09-2016\
So The farthest i got was clicking download and plugging in the phone. It gives me an error and suggests i Format+download. Doing that semi bricks my phone and i have to flash a oem firmware. I even tried using the oem files and just replacing the recovery which did the trick in making it run, but did not install twrp. What am i doing wrong, Id rather not return the phone but i may if i cannot root it.
Thanks anyone who can assist me!
Nothing happened
Greetings,
I was able to install drivers on the PC and flash the recovery through SPFT and directly from fastboot but it didn't work. Although both methods gave me OK, when I boot into recovery I still get the stock recovery 3e version of the BLU. So, is there something that I'm missing?

Step by step guide for lg v20 h918 unlocking, downgrading, rooting and twrp

STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR LG V20 H918 UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER, DOWNGRADING, ROOTING AND INSTALLING CUSTOM ROMS (NOOB FRIENDLY)
DISCLAIMER: I'M NOT THE DEVELOPER OF ANY OF THE BELOW SOFTWARE'S AND YOU PROCEED WITH YOUR OWN RISK AS THIS INVOLVES BRICKING OR DAMAGING YOUR MOBILE IF THE PROCEDURE IS NOT FOLLOWED CORRECTLY. I'M JUST SHARING THE WHOLE PROCESS WHICH I HAVE FOLLOWED TO ROOT AND INSTALL TWRP IN MY LGV20 H918 UNLOCKED T MOBILE.
AND I HAVE TESTED THIS IN MY OWN DEVICE AND WAS ABLE TO ROOT AND ACHIEVE TWRP.
THIS IS ONLY FOR LGV20 H918 VERSION
ENSURE INTERNET IS UP AND RUNNING IN YOUR PC
EDIT: THE WHOLE PROCESS HAS NOW BEEN AUTOMATED IN TWO SIMPLE STEPS TO PREVENT ANY POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO YOUR DEVICE. THANKS TO THE LAFSPLOIT CREATOR BRIAN @runningnak3d.
JUST FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE BELOW AND YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR DEVICE ROOTED IN NO TIME
1. BACKUP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA BEFORE PROCEEDING.
2.MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CHARGED YOUR PHONE TO AT LEAST 90 PERCENT
CHECK YOUR PHONE SOFTWARE VERSION IN SETTINGS---ABOUT PHONE----SOFTWARE INFO
IF IT IS ANYTHING BETWEEN H91810P TO H91810U MEANS IT IS ARB1 (ANTI ROLL BACK 1) AND YOU NEED TO USE LAFSPLOIT METHOD TO ROOT AND INSTALL TWRP,
IF YOUR VERSION IS H91810O OR BELOW (ARB0), YOU CAN EITHER USE DIRTYCOW OR LAFSPLOIT METHOD FOR THE SAME.
IF YOU ARE ON ARB1, PLEASE FOLLOW THE METHOD BELOW,
PART 1: DOWNGRADING
IF YOUR VERSION IS H91810 (Q, R, S, T, U) YOU NEED TO DOWNGRADE TO A LOWER VERSION ( H91810P) TO EXECUTE LAFSPLOIT.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY ON H91810P, YOU STILL NEED TO RE FLASH THE H91810P KDZ AGAIN FOR THE LAFSPLOIT SCRIPT TO WORK CORRECTLY.
DOWNLOAD H91810P KDZ FILE FROM BELOW
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=282709
DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL ALL THE FILES BELOW IN YOUR PC
UPPERCUT AND LGUP----
http://downloads.codefi.re/autoprime/LG/Flash_Tools/LGUP/
LG DRIVERS---
http://tool.cdn.gdms.lge.com/dn/downloader.dev?fileKey=UW00120120425
CONNECT YOUR MOBILE TO YOUR PC IN DOWNLOAD MODE (SWITCH OFF YOUR MOBILE AND CONNECT THE USB FROM PC WHILE HOLDING THE VOLUME UP BUTTON SIMULTANEOUSLY)
RUN UPPERCUT.EXE WHICH WOULD OPEN LG'S UPDATER TOOL AUTOMATICALLY.
INSIDE THE LG UPDATER TOOL, CLICK ON BIN AND SELECT THE H91810P KDZ FILE DOWNLOADED EARLIER.
NOW SELECT UPGRADE AND FLASH
ENSURE THE USB CABLE IS CONNECTED THROUGH THE FLASHING PROCESS AND WAIT FOR YOUR PHONE TO REBOOT AND THEN REMOVE THE USB CABLE.
CHECK THE SOFTWARE VERSION AND ENSURE IT IS H91810P
PART 2: UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER
HEAD TO SETTINGS---ABOUT PHONE----SOFTWARE INFO (ENSURE IT IS H91810P)
ENABLE DEVELOPER OPTION IN YOUR PHONE BY CLICKING ON THE BUILD NUMBER MULTIPLE TIMES
NOW HEAD TO SETTINGS---DEVELOPER OPTIONS
TURN ON OEM UNLOCKING, ENABLE USB DEBUGGING AND DISABLE 'VERIFY APPS OVER USB'
NOW CONNECT YOUR PHONE TO PC AND OPEN ADB COMMAND CENTER PROMPT IN YOUR PC
adb devices---->CHECK IF YOUR MOBILE IS CORRECTLY RECOGNIZED IN ADB
adb reboot bootloader--->THIS REBOOTS YOUR DEVICE IN FASTBOOT MODE
fastboot devices---->CHECK IF YOUR MOBILE IS CORRECTLY RECOGNIZED IN FASTBOOT
fastboot oem unlock---->THIS COMMAND WOULD UNLOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER AND RESET's YOUR DEVICE.
fastboot oem device-info OR fastboot getvar unlocked ----->THIS WOULD CONFIRM IF YOUR BOOTLOADER HAS BEEN UNLOCKED OR NOT.
fastboot reboot-----> THIS WOULD REBOOT YOUR DEVICE
IF THE BOOTLOADER HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCKED, THE DEVICE WILL SHOW AN UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER WARNING MESSAGE WHILE BOOTING (THIS CAN BE IGNORED OF COURSE)
PART 3: CREATING A BOOTABLE LINUX USB USING FWUL
DOWNLOAD FWUL_v2.7_x86_64_15GB.zip FROM THE LINK BELOW AND EXTRACT THE IMAGE FILE SOMEWHERE IN YOUR PC.
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=214529
DOWNLOAD RUFUS FROM BELOW AND INSTALL
https://rufus.akeo.ie/
INSERT A PEN DRIVE IN YOUR PC AND RUN RUFUS.
INSIDE RUFUS SELECT THE IMAGE FILE AND SELECT START (AFTER SELECTING START SELECT DD MODE IN THE DIALOGUE BOX) TO CREATE A BOOTABLE PEN DRIVE (WARNING: THIS WOULD FORMAT YOUR PEN DRIVE)
NOW YOU SHOULD BOOT YOUR PC FROM THE BOOTABLE USB STICK WHICH YOU HAVE JUST CREATED
THIS WOULD MAKE YOUR PC RUN LINUX OS
TYPE PASSWORD AS linux AND ENTER
PART 4: INSTALLING TWRP AND ROOTING USING LAFSPLOIT
BEFORE PROCEEDING ENSURE YOU BOOT YOUR PHONE AND DONE ALL THE BASIC SETTINGS
NOW HEAD TO THE DEVELOPER OPTIONS IN YOUR DEVICE AND ENSURE OEM UNLOCKING AND USB DEBUGGING ARE SWITCHED ON.
NOW CONNECT YOUR DEVICE TO THE PC (RUNNING LINUX OS FROM PENDRIVE) IN DOWNLOAD MODE (SWITCH OFF YOUR MOBILE AND CONNECT THE USB FROM PC WHILE HOLDING THE VOLUME UP BUTTON SIMULTANEOUSLY)
DOUBLE CLICK ON THE LG FOLDER INSIDE FWUL DESKTOP
INSIDE THAT, DOUBLE CLICK ON LGLAF(RUNNINGNAK3D) ICON WHICH WILL OPEN A TERMINAL
ENTER THE BELOW COMMANDS
git pull
git checkout h918-miscwrte
./step1.sh
THE ABOVE COMMAND FLASHES TWRP RECOVERY ONTO YOUR DEVICE.
WAIT AND PULL OUT YOUR DEVICE WHEN IT ASKS TO.
RECOMMENDED: NOW THAT TWRP HAS SUCCESSFULLY INSTALLED, YOU CAN MANUALLY FORMAT,FLASH LATEST TWRP RECOVERY AND USE ANY METHOD LIKE MAGISK OR SU FOR ROOTING.
INSIDE TWRP RECOVERY. FIRST FORMAT USING WIPE--ADVANCED FORMAT--TYPE yes AND FULL DO A FULL FORMAT, THEN FLASH MAGISK AND THE LATEST TWRP RECOVERY BELOW.
MAGISK ZIP DOWNLOAD:
https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases/download/v16.0/Magisk-v16.0.zip
LATEST TWRP BY PHOENIX(H918):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/recovery-twrp-3-2-1-0-t3720239
OR
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT FORMATTING AND FLASHING, JUST USE THE BELOW COMMAND TO DO ALL THE WORK AUTOMATICALLY
CONNECT YOUR DEVICE AGAIN IN DOWNLOAD MODE AND ENTER THE FOLLOWING COMMAND
./step2.sh
THE ABOVE COMMAND FORMATS YOUR DEVICE AND FLASHES MAGISK TO ACQUIRE ROOT.
TIP : IF YOU FACE ANY ENCRYPTION ERROR AFTER USING STEP2. SH, DO A ADVANCED FORMAT WITHIN TWRP AND FLASH MAGISK AND LATEST TWRP BY PHOENIX MANUALLY.
YOU ARE NOW ROOTED WITH TWRP RECOVERY INSTALLED.
REMEMBER TO BACK UP THE CURRENT ROM BEFORE FLASHING ANYTHING..... DO CHECK POST #2 FOR OTHER TWEAKS
IF YOU WISH TO UPDATE TO LATEST STOCK (10U) AND KEEP ROOT AND TWRP, JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK AND DO REMEMBER TO ROOT USING MAGISK AFTER FLASHING THE ROM BEFORE YOU BOOT.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/rom-h91810q-stock-rom-twrp-flashable-zip-t3681312
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE DEVOLEPERS WHO HAVE CREATED THE ABOVE SOFTWARES WITHOUT WHICH THIS ISNT POSSIBLE.
CREDITS:
@autoprime FOR HIS UPPERCUT TOOL
@steadfasterX FOR HIS FWUL TOOL
@Phoenix591 FOR HIS WORKS ON TWRP RECOVERY
AND FINALLY, @runningnak3d FOR HIS EXCELLENT WORK IN ROOTING OUR DEVICE :good:
WHAT NEXT?
NOW THAT YOU HAVE ROOTED YOUR MOBILE, I WOULD RECOMMEND DOING THE BELOW TWEAKS FOR FURTHER ENHANCED EXPERIENCE....
1.THERMAL THROTTLING
IF YOUR ARE STILL ON A STOCK BASED ROM , I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO RECONFIGURE YOUR THERMAL FILE TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE LAG WHEN USING EXTENSIVELY...
FIRST DOWNLOAD THE FILE BELOW:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0W3xXHgfOxvLUpKNWhrWDE0TDg/view
USE A ROOT EXPLORER (PREFERABLY ES EXPLORER) AND GO TO ROOT/SYSTEM/ETC.
YOU SHOULD HAVE A FILE NAMED thermal-engine-8996.conf
RENAME IT TO thermal-engine-8996.conf.bak (JUST FOR A BACKUP IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG)
ENSURE THE ABOVE DOWNLOADED FILE IS IN .conf FORMAT
IF IT ISN'T , RENAME TO thermal-engine-8996.conf
NOW SAVE THE FILE TO THE SAME DIRECTORY VIZ ROOT/SYSTEM/ETC
GIVE PERMISSION TO THIS FILE TO rw-r--r-- USING THE ROOT EXPLORER ( SELECT FILE--->PERMISSION--->READ WRITE, READ, READ)
FINALLY SAVE AND REBOOT.
THIS WOULD OVERWRITE THE THERMAL LINKED PERFORMANCE OF THE CPU TO AVOID ANY LAG WHEN USING EXTENSIVELY.
2. RCTD REMOVER
ALSO I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO REMOVE THE LG'S RCTD CCMD AND TRITON MONITORS AS THESE WOULD RUN CONTINUOUSLY IN A ROOTED LG PHONE AND CONSUME LOT OF RESOURCES...
JUST INSTALL THE RCTD REMOVER APP FROM BELOW LINK:
https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/com.zacharee1.rctdremoverforlg
GRANT SU PERMISSION AND CHECK THE DESIRED FILES (I CHOSE ALL THREE FILES) AND CLICK ON PATCH, FLASH IMAGE AND REBOOT (THIS WOULD PATCH THE BOOT FILE, SO AGAIN IT IS ADVISABLE TO CREATE A BACKUP OF THE CURRENT BOOT IMAGE USING TWRP OR WITHIN THIS APP ITSELF)
3. SCREEN CALIBRATION:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grarak.kerneladiutor
INSTALL KERNAL AUDITOR APP FROM PLAY STORE AND GRANT SU ACCESS
CHANGE THE BELOW VALUES WITHIN THIS APP (SCREEN SETTINGS)
Minimum RGB value = 35
Saturation Intensity = 27
Screen Hue = 1520
Screen Value = 112
Screen Contrast = 132
THIS WOULD SOMEWHAT REDUCE THE BLUE TINGE AND GHOST APPEARANCES OF THE SCREEN
CREDITS: @Holyman007 for his thermal tweak @Zacharee1 for his rctd remover app
I was just about to create a post asking for a step by step for dummies so thank you very much for this! Going to do this sometime tomorrow or Tuesday and will update if I succeed or not. :good:
Got a question. Does this method stop the second screen from working?
turdbait said:
I was just about to create a post asking for a step by step for dummies so thank you very much for this! Going to do this sometime tomorrow or Tuesday and will update if I succeed or not. :good:
Got a question. Does this method stop the second screen from working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this would end up with a stock rooted phone with twrp recovery if all the methods are correctly followed..
......final result would be.... you would end up with a rooted stock rom with a twrp recovery....
your second screen will work perfectly.....
please let me know if you need a different thread for installing custom rom, and to reduce the lag., install sound mod to get maximum sound output and customize second screen... i will create a noob friendly thread for these as well......
Also check the original lafsploit thread @
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/how-to/root-lafsploit-h918-version-t3773443
kish9046 said:
Also check the original lafsploit thread @
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/how-to/root-lafsploit-h918-version-t3773443
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I've been reading up on the main lafsploit thread for awhile but I was still not sure about the whole flashing KDZ file and stuff so when you posted this thread it was a motivator to try it out. Got a day off from work tomorrow so gonna try it then so I don't got to worry about the time.
I'm interested in the max sound output and second screen customization if you got the time and its not to much to ask. If you want to wait till either someone else comes along thats interested or till I root just so you don't waste your time I shall update hopefully sometime tomorrow. Thanks again.
kish9046 said:
sha256sum h918-twrp.img ----> THIS WOULD AGAIN THROW A HASH, CHECK IF BOTH THE HASHES ARE ABSOLUTELY SIMILAR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent. Just a friendly suggestion, however. I would change the instruction above to use the word EXACT instead of SIMILAR, otherwise people may continue erroneously. The hash numbers must be exact.
onlineaces said:
Excellent. Just a friendly suggestion, however. I would change the instruction above to use the word EXACT instead of SIMILAR, otherwise people may continue erroneously. The hash numbers must be exact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up.... Changed to EXACT...
I successfully have root now, thank you! If you're still interested in doing a guide on how to do the second screen customization I'd be grateful.
turdbait said:
I successfully have root now, thank you! If you're still interested in doing a guide on how to do the second screen customization I'd be grateful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great to hear that u have root now.... will post soon on other mods including a step-by-step process on removing rct soon....
All this stuff can be found already in the forums so you posting guides is redundant js
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
cnjax said:
All this stuff can be found already in the forums so you posting guides is redundant js
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion... but i thought this would help noobs like me to explore more about our device without doing any harm to it.....
Glad someone actually laid it out step by step.
kish9046 said:
Thanks for the suggestion... but i thought this would help noobs like me to explore more about our device without doing any harm to it.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i just wanted to say thank for for the very noobie step by step guide. im soooo use to odion and adb flash commands.
just 1 thing i had trouble with was trying to push magisk and twrp over. I rooted by pushing magisk over with otg but no twrp on recovery. then i saw it said it was on download mode. from dl mode i just flashed twrp to recovery.
BROKEN1981 said:
so i just wanted to say thank for for the very noobie step by step guide. im soooo use to odion and adb flash commands.
just 1 thing i had trouble with was trying to push magisk and twrp over. I rooted by pushing magisk over with otg but no twrp on recovery. then i saw it said it was on download mode. from dl mode i just flashed twrp to recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i assume you have both TWRP and root now?..... And can i ask which version r u in now....ARB0 or 1
kish9046 said:
So i assume you have both TWRP and root now?..... And can i ask which version r u in now....ARB0 or 1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Abr1 yes I am rooted with twrp.
As I said, the commands to push magisk and twrp to sd did not work. I used usb otg in twrp to push magisk, but forgot to put twrp to flash as well.
I forgot that twrp had replaced download mode, so I was going a bit nuts trying to figure out how to get twrp to recovery. Lolol
Now I'm on latest update with rtcd removed thanks to the op who hosted it on xda as a flashable zip.
Hi guys, sadly I'm at the last step and got stuck.
I did everything, and managed to get to the part where you WIPE de data using TWRP, Mount, but when I go and type
adb push Magisk...
adb push h18...
I get an error saying that Cannot stat : No such file or directory
I'm unable to figure out what I'm doing wrong
Any idea?
tenkensword said:
Hi guys, sadly I'm at the last step and got stuck.
I did everything, and managed to get to the part where you WIPE de data using TWRP, Mount, but when I go and type
adb push Magisk...
adb push h18...
I get an error saying that Cannot stat : No such file or directory
I'm unable to figure out what I'm doing wrong
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you are in twrp, you can manually flash magisk zip and twrp recovery.....
tenkensword said:
Hi guys, sadly I'm at the last step and got stuck.
I did everything, and managed to get to the part where you WIPE de data using TWRP, Mount, but when I go and type
adb push Magisk...
adb push h18...
I get an error saying that Cannot stat : No such file or directory
I'm unable to figure out what I'm doing wrong
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download magisk and twrp here https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=746010030569963731
While you are in the last step, in mount, select otg USB. You can push it to SD card and manual flash.
If you booted to system without magisk and flashing twrp, power off the phone, hold volume up, put in the USB, connect to PC. This will put you in twrp since download mode is replaced by twrp.
Now you can flash both files.
tenkensword said:
Hi guys, sadly I'm at the last step and got stuck.
I did everything, and managed to get to the part where you WIPE de data using TWRP, Mount, but when I go and type
adb push Magisk...
adb push h18...
I get an error saying that Cannot stat : No such file or directory
I'm unable to figure out what I'm doing wrong
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download magisk and twrp here https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=746010030569963731
While you are in the last step, in mount, select otg USB. You can push it to SD card and manual flash.
If you booted to system without magisk and flashing twrp, power off the phone, hold volume up, put in the USB, connect to PC. This will put you in twrp since download mode is replaced by twrp.
Now you can flash both files.

TWRP modded to work now with Unihertz Atom

Below you will find a download for my modification of a ported Team Hovatek TWRP file as their TWRP did not support OTG. Thanks to Team Hovatek for making a nice porting tool. Unfortunately it took some days and late nights of work to get the ported TWRP to actually be useful as this phone needs OTG support to use TWRP.
When I recently got the Unihertz Atom I didn't realize that it had no micro SD card slot for an external SD card like the Unihertz Jelly Pro had. However it does have OTG support unlike the Jelly Pro but I could not find any TWRP versions for the Atom. So I found a TWRP porting tool from Hovatek and I was able to create a TWRP version but USELESS unfortunately as that version of TWRP did not have OTG support for the Atom.
To make matters worse that TWRP can't deal with the encrypted internal storage of the Atom so there was no way to do a backup of your system. It was possible to format data in TWRP and do a backup to it but upon reboot all that data was gone and reset by the Atom as an essentially new phone being setup for the first time.
I needed a way to modify the ported TWRP so it would recognize an OTG flash drive or USB flash with an OTG cable. I used Image Kitchen to disassemble the original Atom Recovery image and also the modded TWRP recovery image so I could find what was missing from TWRP that was there in the original setup. After a whole lot of reassembling and reflashing various attempts to fix the OTG problem I finally got it. Had to add different lines of code to 3 different files within the unpacked TWRP recovery for it to finally recognize an OTG attached flash drive.
A couple notes on using your external flash drive with TWRP. First you want to insert the flash drive with an appropriate USB type C OTG adapter or cable. Or I see Sandisk (and possibly other brands) are now making a flash drive with USB and Type C dual setup for OTG use.
Bootup your regular phones Android system and look in the pull down notifications - it will ask if you want to use the flash drive as storage. Answer yes and it will then Format it to FAT32 0x0C type which is different than what it was fresh out of the package as most will be FAT32 0x0B type. Once formatted the way the Atom wants it you can use it. However if you put the drive back in your Windows computer it may not see the drive at all. The solution is to open Windows Disk Management and Assign it a drive letter. Once that is done you can read and write to it from both Android and Windows or Linux.
Once that is done you can turn off your phone (IMPORTANT). Do not use any apps that reboot into recovery after installing this TWRP or you will likely just get a black screen and it won't boot up until you reflash the preloader, boot and recovery.
To get into recovery hold down the Volume UP button and the Power button at the same time until you see Unihertz then release both. This is of course after you have flashed TWRP. More on that below. Once your are in TWRP you may have to remove your Flash drive if you had it plugged in during recovery boot up - then reinsert it for TWRP to see it. You can then see it when you mount storage or select storage and it should show the size of your flash drive.
You can then backup your Boot, Recovery, EMMC, System and cache. However the data on the Atom seems to be encrypted in a way that this TWRP does not see it so it will be best to use something like Titanium backup for your Apps and their data. The TWRP though will ensure a complete backup of your system and it's settings as well as the other items mentioned above. I am still looking into why it can't see the encrypted data part of the phone but for now it's nice to have an image of all the rest of the phone. If anyone can help with that I would appreciate it. So far I've tried several 'no encrypt scripts' and ones to turn off DM verity I found on XDA but none of them worked on this phone.
Here is the download of my modded TWRP and also a link for the SHA-256 of it:
TWRP mod: TWRP mod by droidzer1
SHA-256 for file above: SHA-256 for TWRP mod Love the Atom - fast Octacore 4GB Ram - 64GB Internal storage, rugged and tiny as an underfed mouse. :silly: Enjoy !
Notes on Installing this TWRP on your Atom
There are two ways I have used to install this TWRP onto the Atom. One way (and the best way IMO) is to use the SP Flash tool version 5.1828. The other is to use Fastboot. I believe for both methods you need to enable developer options on your phone and turn on OEM unlocking. But if you use Fastboot you also have run the line: "fastboot oem unlock" to install TWRP and that will wipe your phone to a new reset condition plus you will see the 5 second "Orange State" pause screen every time you turn on the phone. To eliminate the "Orange State you can run : "fastboot oem lock" but that will once again totally reset your phone wiping everything including apps and settings. So I prefer using SP Flash tool to avoid all that.
When installing with SP Flash tool I always flash the preloader, boot and recovery (the TWRP modded one) and of course the scatter file. It seems if you don't flash all of those it sometimes doesn't want to boot up.
Also this mod is for the official Unihertz 11-30-2018 ROM version which is the latest update I've seen as of a week ago. I don't know if it will work for other versions. You will want to download that ROM to get the scatter file that is needed by SP Flash tool and it's always good to have an original ROM just in case. Link for the new 11-30-2018 Atom ROM here: 11-30-2018 Atom ROM If you are not on that version you could backup your apps and data with Titanium backup and then install the new ROM while flashing my modded TWRP all at the same time. Just make sure the TWRP you download is named "recovery-verified.img" when you replace the stock one in the SP Flash tool list on the Download page. Also make sure on the tools 'Connections' setting that you check 'Battery installed'.
IMPORTANT!!! - Every version of SP Flash tool I've used shows up as having a virus or trojan and although it may probably be a False positive to be safe I always run Shadow Defender before starting the SP Flash tool. There may be other similar programs but I found this to be one of the best as it totally freezes your computer and hard drive(s) so nothing can be changed or written permanently to them while in Shadow mode. Once you reboot everything is back to a normal state and any changes that may have been made are gone. SP Flash tool available here: SP Flash tool v5.1828 I strongly suggest you use this latest version as previous ones had some issues in completing this project.
A couple quick notes on using the SP Flash tool: It is best to start the tool, have all your items in the check boxes loaded (select scatter file location first) check and locate preloader, boot and recovery - the preloader and boot are from the original ROM you downloaded from the above link. Unzip it and you'll see the needed files inside along with the scatter file.
Once that is ready turn OFF your phone and hook it up with the original USB-C cable to your computer. Wait for it to show the battery charging screen and wait till all that disappears and you have nothing but the black screen. (Or per user SepticFuddy you can hold the Volume Up key while inserting the USB cable and it will connect quickly - I have not tested it this way). Then click on the Flash tool download button. After that you need to push the Atom Power button once briefly - not long enough to turn it on - just a brief click. After that you should see the Flash process going on - it only takes a few seconds to load the preloader, boot and recovery and then you will see a "done" with a big check mark. Remove your phone then and boot into your regular Android OS or use Volume Up and the Power key to boot into your TWRP. :highfive:
Why TWRP doesn't work with Encryption - from TeamWin
I guess this may explain why it is unlikely to get TWRP to work with the encrypted data partition - straight from Teamwin's TWRP website:
"Why doesn't TWRP support encryption on my device?
TWRP encryption is supported in 2 phases. The first item is keeping up with the newest support from AOSP, which can require lot of changes and integration with the new AOSP release. This can take time especially if we have to wait for reference devices to test with. The second item is custom blob support and integration with device OEM firmware.
Even if your device supports AOSP encryption and decryption, it usually requires custom blob support. The process of figuring this out may take time and may never be done. Some vendors such as Samsung use their own encryption techniques. Without heavy deconstruction/decompiling of custom library blobs, and successful ports by an active maintainer, this may never be done. Encryption support is a nice thing to have in TWRP, and not a must have support option. We feel that the ability to backup system and install custom firmware can outweigh having no TWRP support at all."
From: TWRP Website FAQ on Encryption
How I fixed TWRP
For anyone who wants to try the mods their self if you don't trust using the recovery I uploaded I believe these are the changes I made to the ported TWRP. You need of course the porting tool from Hovatek and after you have ported your original recovery you will want to use Image Kitchen to make these mods to the ported image:
Use Image Kitchen to unpack the ported TWRP recovery. In the Ramdisk folder this line "ro.agui.otg_usbdisk=yes" orginally found in the prop.default of the original recovery needs to be put into the file "default.prop" which is a different file name than the original but I am sure is the same purpose and was referenced in the original by a small file with that name.
Then this line "/dev/mt_otg_test(/.*)? ubject_r:mt_otg_test_device0" from the original recovery image in the file "nonplat_file_contexts" I believe I copied into the file "file_contexts" in the TWRP image in the Ramdisk folder.
Note - the above code line that has a smiley in it is because there is the letter "o" followed by a colon. Replace the smiley with "o" and : no spaces between it and the letter 'u' before it or between 'o' and :
I think the third file I modified was found in the unpacked folder /ramdisk/etc in the file 'recovery.fstab' and I took this line "/devices/platform/mt_usb* auto vfat defaults voldmanaged=usbotg:auto " from it to add to the same file in the ported TWRP. Then just repack everything in Image Kitchen and you should have a TWRP recovery that works with OTG.
If you aren't familiar with how to use Image Kitchen it would be best to google how to use it. I have left out some of the basics such as needing to Copy the “recovery.img-kernel” and “recovery.img-kernel_offset” from the unpacked stock recovery and overwrite those two files in ported TWRP folder. Best to look for an instruction article on techora.net about porting TWRP on mediatek devices.
Thank you, it's awesome! But how did you manage to flash Magisk? I can't flash it as /data and /storage can't be mounted.
You should be able to flash it with Fastboot by using command:
fastboot flash boot /path/to/patched_boot.img OR simply put it in the fastboot folder and type:
fastboot flash boot boot.img (the patched boot image)
You may want to review info on the Magisk thread here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
This method of course is done with you computer and USB cable attached to the Atom. Make sure you have correct drivers for it to fully recognize your phone.
A bit more info from topjohnwu's Magisk thread mentioned above:
Via Magisk Manager:
This method does not need root, and also does not require a custom recovery.
However, you MUST have a stock boot image dump beforehand, and you also have to be able to flash the patched boot image, either through fastboot/download mode or ODIN
Install the latest Magisk Manager
If you're planning to flash the patched boot image through ODIN, go to Settings > Update Settings > Patched Boot Output Format, and select .img.tar. For normal users leave it as the default .img
Press Install > Install > Patch Boot Image File, and select your stock boot image file
Magisk Manager will now patch your boot image, and store it in [Internal Storage]/Download/patched_boot.img[.tar]
Copy the patched boot image to your PC. If you can't find it via MTP, you can pull the file with ADB:
adb pull /sdcard/Download/patched_boot.img[.tar]
Flash the patched boot image to your device and reboot. Here is the command if using fastboot:
fastboot flash boot /path/to/patched_boot.img
If the above method fails for some reason you should also be able to flash to patched boot image with SP flash tools as long as you have the scatter file for the ROM you have installed on your phone. As I mentioned if you flash the patched boot image that way I found it best to also flash the preloader and recovery at the same time.
Cannot mount /data
What you did here was remarkable. I love the Atom so I never tried to tinker with recovery since I might end up with a bootloop. I hope we find a solution soon on how to mount /data.
post-root network failure
First off thank you for doing the research and posting in the thread to help us root this awesome little device.
I followed your steps to the "T" and I was able to successfully patch magisk and re-download it back onto my atom and it was rooted BUT, there seems to be some sort of network issue that I'm stuck on, I'm unable to turn on the wi-fi and bluetooth and every few seconds I keep getting an error message that says "bluetooth keeps stopping" consistently whenever I have the phone on.
I was wondering If you had any idea on what might be causing this, or if you had this problem.
thank you, and I look forward to hearing back from you
droidzer1, Finally got to post now and wanted to thank you for your work on the Atom. I got it rooted and got TWRP working too with only some frustrations because I got in a hurry and missed a detail the first try. I haven't found any problems and have had it running about 2 weeks now with root and TWRP. Nice to have root and of course great to be able to do a whole system backup now!
---------- Post added at 03:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:02 AM ----------
hayestak said:
First off thank you for doing the research and posting in the thread to help us root this awesome little device.
I followed your steps to the "T" and I was able to successfully patch magisk and re-download it back onto my atom and it was rooted BUT, there seems to be some sort of network issue that I'm stuck on, I'm unable to turn on the wi-fi and bluetooth and every few seconds I keep getting an error message that says "bluetooth keeps stopping" consistently whenever I have the phone on.
I was wondering If you had any idea on what might be causing this, or if you had this problem.
thank you, and I look forward to hearing back from you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to get this fixed? Doesn't look like droizer1 has been on here recently. Mine didn't have either of those issues. Have you tried doing a factory reset and doing the whole process over? I think sometimes just a computer PC might glitch something on your phone so doing it over might skip the hiccup.
---------- Post added at 03:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:08 AM ----------
Since droidzer1 first posted this in early January you might try using the version of Magisk that was available at that time as I think by later March when you posted there was a newer version out and I've found some versions of Magisk to not work a hundred percent and had to use an older version on some phones.
The latest Magisk (19100) + Xposed (v90 beta 3) work fine for me using the TWRP posted above, in case people were wondering about it.
R
Lost in reboot ...
Hi
I urgently need some help. I seem to be lost...
I have successfully installed TWRP on my Unihertz atom. And I can manage to go into either TWRP mode or into fastboot mode.
I can also successfully unlock the Unihertz atom with:
fastboot oem unlock-go
But what is next?
If I reboot, my phone constantly reboots. It cycles into reboot without Android coming up.
(perhaps I made something wrong).
What I actually want is: The phone should boot including Magisk.
Can anyone please help me what commands I have to issue (with the phone connected to my linux computer via USB) in order
to recover to a normal reboot? Which image-file should I use (please provide URL)?
Can anyone please help me what commands I have to issue to flash Magisk?
Which image-files I should use (please provide URL)?
If somebody has a custom rom or lineageOS rom I would be even happier ...
Thanks a lot.
Thank you
Confirmed working with the Android 9 Pie 2019082617 ROM, latest Magisk 19.3 (19300), latest Riru core v19.5, latest Riru- EdXposed v0.4.5.1b (4463) (SandHook). EdXposed seems hit or miss after a reboot though, getting it to stick may take a few installations.
To get SP Flashtool to work, I had to hold the Volume Up key while inserting the USB cable and it would instantly connect, rather than following the OP's instructions of just inserting the cable and waiting for a black screen.
I'd love to see a custom ROM like LineageOS or something, but this is will have to do for now.
SepticFuddy said:
Confirmed working with the Android 9 Pie 2019082617 ROM, latest Magisk 19.3 (19300), latest Riru core v19.5, latest Riru- EdXposed v0.4.5.1b (4463) (SandHook). EdXposed seems hit or miss after a reboot though, getting it to stick may take a few installations.
To get SP Flashtool to work, I had to hold the Volume Up key while inserting the USB cable and it would instantly connect, rather than following the OP's instructions of just inserting the cable and waiting for a black screen.
I'd love to see a custom ROM like LineageOS or something, but this is will have to do for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the mention of a quicker method. I've updated my post to include your info.
LineageOS for Uniherz Atom?
SepticFuddy said:
I'd love to see a custom ROM like LineageOS or something, but this is will have to do for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too!! LineageOS for the Unihertz Atom would be great!
The hadrware of the Uniherz Atom is just great, is is small and it is dual-sim. This is unique in the market.
I would be even willing to contribute with 100,- EUR if somebody delivers a working LineageOS ROM.
Any body interested? :highfive:
SepticFuddy said:
I'd love to see a custom ROM like LineageOS or something, but this is will have to do for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main problem is that unihertz never released their source code (despite being obliged to do so according to the android licensing contract).
There are some bits in the official mediatek kernel source tree (https://android.googlesource.com/kernel/mediatek/) but I doubt that this would be enough to build something stable out of it.
@droidzer1 Hey there, what is the difference between your modded TWRP and this test release by the TWRP Builder Project asside from the TWRP version?
J-Kos said:
@droidzer1 Hey there, what is the difference between your modded TWRP and this test release by the TWRP Builder Project asside from the TWRP version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what the difference is except I came out with mine in January and theirs came out in March. Theirs is about 4 Megabytes bigger - maybe a newer version (mine is 3.2.1-0). I contacted 'bigbiff' at TWRP about mine when I had it working but they were not interested unless I had a device tree which I didn't so they didn't want to post it on their site.
Great, thanks for your reply. I am satisfied with you version, so I will just keep using it.

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