yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jazzespresso:
Lenovo TAB S8-50 - Stock Firmware ROM/Root/emp CWM Session, and Support

Hi All,

I have hard time to figure out since there's no dedicated thread for this tablet. I know you can find couple of posts related to this tablet here in XDA, but again I like all the info for this tablet in one page :D

My idea here is put all together here in XDA forum, can't promise you that this will be ultimate guide for this tablet, but at least this may help you get started.

By the way; there are 3 models of the TAB S8-50:

Lenovo Official Stock Firmwares

Root Methods

Installing Temp CWM Session

How to flash stock firmware

Additional Info

P.s:

The last firmware upgrade (build 141203) that Lenovo pushed changes tablet's default DPI 240 to 320. If you happened to get upgrade before root, re-root it and then modify build.prop's to ro.sf.lcd_density=240. The 240 is tablet native default DPI. There's no word when Lenovo officially fix this, see official lenovo user forum below:

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Other-Android-based-Tablets/Re-Tab-s8-50-Latest-update-changes-resolution/td-p/1825209

Update: ‎01-28-2015 11:06 AM

Here's one of the stupidest respond from Lenovo Tech Support about their screwed up DPI - this simply tells you that they will keep 320 DPI for any new upcoming updates. Now, why they do this!?, we don't know nor they are giving any technical explanation, but we all know that original native DPI of this tablet is 240.

Increasing Headset Volume

Additional Lenovo Apps

Using Xposed Framework

Help/Support/Troubleshoot

If you find this thread helpful, please click THANKS button:p

.

.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Hash.H:
Amazing Post

Thanks for this post.... its all everyone could ask for.

Happy new year.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tigr72:
Thank.

Here are - Lenovo Offical Stock ROM (TABS8-50LC_141010)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jazzespresso:
thank you! you are great...:good:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mikib1:
CWM does not working, I did reflash few times and do not help for it.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tigr72:
This Recovery does not flash, but only runs from PC...
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jazzespresso:
I just added detail instruction...see OP post..
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mikib1:
Sorry I don't understand... what is "...OP post..." my English isn't so good...

As I understand from post of tigr72, this recovery runs ONLY from PC and each time i need to use it i have run it from PC...?

I am not a programer, but this is not my first android device (daily I'm using Motorola Atrix 4G, rooted and with Cyanogenmod 7), so I was confused when i saw information that CWM have to run each time from PC... I was thinking that i do not understand correct what tigr 72 mean.

Or I am wrong now.... and jazzespresso explained how to flash once and correct but I am doing something wrong...

PS. Of course I read the instructions of jazzespresso

Generally thank you for All of your help and work in the forum...
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tigr72:
That's right.

Just bootloader locked, and not allows to change recovery...
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mikib1:
Thank you, I was not sure, but suspected it... no one writing about unlock bootloader.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jazzespresso:
yeah..that's the only thing with this one....of course, I would love to have stock recovery to replaced with this one, so that i don't need to use PC each time when I need to do full-nandroid backup...but hey this is still great progress...i should keep on eye on Xakep at Lenovo-forums, if someone can make it, he is the only one get this :) we should convice him to participate in this forum :p
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dwcasey:
thank you!

Thanks for this thread!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tigr72:
Не имеет смысла. По двум причинам.

1. Если даже я найду решение проблемы, то это будет гарантировано только для S8-50LC.

2. Любую поддержку я оказываю только на lenovo-forums.

ps На lenovo-forums мой ник Xakep ... :)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jazzespresso:
I should have guessed you are Xakep;) indeed :cyclops:

это нормально, но не оставляет нам совершенно беспомощным здесь, любую помощь, вы дадите нам здесь или показать нам любой трюк или взломать, то мы примем его:)

Интересно, если вы можете многооконный порта його планшета:))))

got to love Google translate :D
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tigr72:
No.

Taste it here it is
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mikib1:
I suspected this, because of avatar... nice to see you here...
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gallasm:
Just checking in to say thanks for making this thread. As an avid Android tweaker, I was a little hesitant to pick up this tablet because the display at the store said it was a "Best Buy Exclusive" which likely meant little to no developer support but I couldn't pass up the specs for the price. Anyway, I was thrilled to see there was a root method. A little bummed about not having custom recovery or ROMs but with Xposed Framework and Titanium Backup I'm a relatively happy camper. Really pleased with the tablet hardware too.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jazzespresso:
I was in the same boat like you, was hesitant to buy it, but price $149 (plus had $10 bestbuy gift card), and specs of tablet I could not pass it. Ignore what the store says, it is NOT bestbuy exclusive, what they meant they are the only one sells it...As you already know, this is not wildly pupular device like Samsung, so there's virtually no developer support nor custom ROMs, but still you can root it easily and get your root apps working perfectly fine. I would be a bit careful when using Xposed apps, some will cause some issues, but many of xposed apps I tested works just fine.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] aganandroid:
Any hint on how to remap some keys in the USB keyboard case I bought for this tablet? The f1-12 keys can be remapped for android functions..
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lilhaiti:
Thanks for the root method!!! I bought the tab for the spec and price and wasn't gonna worry about not being able to mod it. BUT....I found this thread and immediately rooted and went to town on it (somewhat). I am just glad I could root it and change a few thing and get rid of bloat.

Just a tip, xposed and GravityBox work great!!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] highHopes:
Hey everyone,

here is the latest 5.0.1 Android version for S8. I will delete it after couple of days.

http://1drv.ms/1O7kBIX
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] icanttinkofaname:
Thanks for this, is it rootable? Does the current root method still work? Are there any bugs etc?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KainXSS:
about to try it:) once I backup my current rom and reset my partitions back to default
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Hash.H:
Help !

Does the lollipop ROM work on the Lenovo Tab S8-50F model , the one with the WiFi only ? I tried flashing it with Intel Phone Flash tool, which I normally use (it works), it said the XML file is missing. What should I do ? How do I Flash the update ?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Mikhei777:
It need previous update, i think. Didn't install on latest S8-50F january build using recovery. Do you have previous "official" update.zip?

"Error in /tmp/sideload/package.zip" hmm... zip is not corrupted.. tested it with winzip... Should we use CWM to flash it? I tried in official recovery.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kandalph:
Wanted!! Stock firmware S8-50 L

Hey,

I am looking for the stock firmware of the S8-50 L

THX
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Sam00r:
Tried to install this update via recovery and the updater app. Same issue as above. I've had a look through the zip and it seems legit.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KainXSS:
finally had time to fully backup and try and did not flash like everyone else and then extracted the zip and system.new.dat and its definitely genuine. got it to boot though by remaking a cwm zip and flashing only the system and boot.img and our temp cwm is old and cannot flash lollipop roms correctly so alot of the stuff is broken because of that and since the previous update is missing it seems but it definitely works. I think the previous update updated the IFWI(cwm can't do this) so I reverted back to kitkat since running mismatched IFWI is not good.

one thing to note though is the density is 320 and everything looks enormous but it did seem to run faster than kitkat + they removed their launcher in favor of lollipops stock launcher and like the lollipop notifications.

so I'm really hoping they release the lollipop update officially so we can get the entire rom, come on lenovo do-it:eek:.

edit: forgot to add the screenshots
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] icanttinkofaname:
I'm currently running on update 141203. I heard updating to 150121 will cause me to loose root and the current root method doesn't work. Has there been progress on this? Can I update to 150121 and regain root?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Sam00r:
I'm on the latest firmware other than the lollipop build and root is working fine. I used the method from this thread.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] REAL_BALIKA011:
I get an error when I try to flash BIOS (capsule.bin).

Do you have one form S000333? (2015. 03. 27)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] skills10:
hi is this an english update or foreign only?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] icanttinkofaname:
Updated and re-rooted. All fine again.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jipeng:
can you please tell us, from which version did you installed the rom,, with which software you installed the rom, and if every thing after install the new rom is okI(Bluetooth, wifi, batterie time...:confused:

we are very graceful of that.:good:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kandalph:
Battery problem?

Hello,

how about the experience with the S8-50 battery?

I did realize that it shows fully loaded on lockscreen, but when I shut the tablet down, the battery icon still is not full. It will continue to charge for another 10-15 min until the battery icon is filled.

Another strange thing: (not only)CPU-z shows the battery as 3-4mV in Voltage and 5700mAh in capacity?

Is there a problem with it?

I will post a foto as well.

PS: I am still looking for the S8-50L firmware. Please leave a reply. Thank you.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Mikhei777:
Colud you please explain how did you flash this update.zip?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Sam00r:
I think you may have misread my post, Im not using the lollipop build as we can't flash it without (probably) upgrading recovery.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] REAL_BALIKA011:
I think we can. :cool:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Sam00r:
Awesome. How did you get it updated?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] REAL_BALIKA011:
You can export the raw system form the system* files, then you can use kk droidboot rootadb expoit to flash whit dd the raw system.

Then you have to flash the boot.img.

Now you have to remove auto recovery flash form the rom, because the recovery in this rom is broken.

Now you need to format data.

Done, Win!

:angel:

BTW. Your BIOS will be not updated, so the battery driver will be broken. -> Battery allways shows 0%, but it works, and you can charge it too.

I tried to update BIOS in a lot of ways, i allways failed. :(

We need the BIOS update (capsule.bin) form S000333.

Does anyone have it?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RTouris:
FWIW using last week's update has mostly resolved my WiFi issues (S8-50F), but on the flipside I think I'm getting a bit more lag when multitasking through apps....not withstanding the Dobly issues I'd say it's an improvement
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cristi.badoi:
Hello,

does anyone have a backup of the build.prop file for S8-50L(fw S000456_151016_ROW)?

I can't update my fw. It says something about the file being altered.

Thank you!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fat-lobyte:
Hey [MENTION=4821597]social-design-concepts[/MENTION] , any news on the source-code for your LP build? I'm kinda curious to poke around, maybe set up a build environment.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] social-design-concepts:
I'm working on getting it back together unfortunately last weekend when trying to bring up cm-13.0 I was having problems syncing and stupid me wasn't paying attention and when I went to delete the problem repo I accidentally :

rm -rf /media/android_dev/cyanogenmod/

instead of :

rm -rf /media/android_dev/cyanogenmod/cm-13.x

lucky for me I had my build fixes for libva, libmix, and omx in my aosp base but I lost my device trees and other projects so this week has been on reworking again.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fat-lobyte:
:crying::crying::crying:

Have you tried this? http://extundelete.sourceforge.net/

Just a suggestion: maybe put everything on github and synchronize regularly. That way, your work is safe.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
Oh my ;( This is a bad thing for the TS850 community :(

Could there be any possibly way to help you get back on track?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
Cannot flash stock firmware..... Can anyone help me out here? I want to start from scratch...absolutely stock

link to what I see in Download Mode

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-jah6E5BRrPu7ohJGxSLZZF9TCGrskCBwg/view?usp=sharing
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] social-design-concepts:
lol, I was waiting for some one to point out that's what github is for lol.

I was trying to clean it up before pushing to git, I work from 3 different machines that all had different git user.names 2 of the machines because of work I can't push commits under the configured name. So I was using the cm-13 bring up to recommit everything under my personal git name.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
Flashing keeps failing......The scenario is; I was rooted running lollipop, the recent ota update failed....I used superuser to remove root, and tried again and it failed, so I factory reset the device...still, ota update fails......now all I want to do is downgrade back to kitkat by flashing the stock firmware, why is it such a pain in the ass?

below are links to pics of what the flashtool looks like while running

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u3QjJkm1WVP7ErS18IJW9NIZSNeVrBtYYQ/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Df8MfgEVsk32dpPS7UZG8lfMvQ6-gvHaA/view?usp=sharing Stays stuck at 23% then devices just reboots

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rPtYE85vstGHqoQ-mSxKb7yAbNMW0SiUBg/view?usp=sharing once it reboots, gets up to 28% but fails

Please help
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dzidexx:
[MENTION=4431373]maverickmarc[/MENTION]

Why didn't you restore twrp backup in temp twrp? All versions lolipop (F,L,LC) are here.

Posts #1952, and #1904. Simple and fast method.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
I haven't tinkered with my devices in a while, lost my touch I guess lol....I check out those posts, thanks

---------- Post added at 03:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

To get back to Kit Kat? By using flashtool not possible or?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dzidexx:
Backups are lolipop only.

Downgrade? Sorry, I don't know what for. I didn't try. [MENTION=4431373]maverickmarc[/MENTION]
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minto107:
It's probably because it's fix for lollipop ;)

Wysłane z mojego Lenovo TAB S8-50LC przy użyciu Tapatalka
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
HELP

BRICKED???? I thought the flash tool worked until I ended up with this......https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h5Ka9ElVl-dnBTnWWpp3FHP6D_Ifszn7oA/view?usp=sharing

Now the only option I have is entering fastboot....please someone help me with this
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minto107:
You did this wrong. I can bet my new LG G4 that you haven't used back to KitKat fix. Now you will need efi fix to get it working again. Right now you can't do that because lenovo-forums.ru is down and probably no-one has access to their files.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
So there is hope? I shouldn't throw it out the window? I have a G4 aswell lol, not going to mess with that though lol
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minto107:
So far I haven't flashed lollipop I was always reflashing KitKat because it's known and 100% working and then update to lollipop if I want to. Fix is the same for both kitkat and lollipop but I strongly recommend flashing KitKat first then update via over the air updates. It always works correctly. I assume you wanted to flash new update right?

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9305 przy użyciu Tapatalka
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
How will it be possible to fix this without download mode? I have no recovery anymore either, only fastboot.....I wanted to go back stock and run the updates, but nothing was working, so I tried flashing lollipop, now I have a brick
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minto107:
It's fastboot flash as I remember. I'm not sure because I've never done that before as I have never bricked my S8 so far ;)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
My warranty is up in 9 days, should I take the chance and hope they fix it?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minto107:
Someone has tried that but I don't know if he succeed or not. It's always a risk but in your case it's just 9 days so even if they will cancel your warranty it'll be useless in next 9 days. But it's pretty easy fix to do. Just following instructions. Probably nothing hard ;) just wait for Lenovo-forums.ru to start working again ;)

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9305 przy użyciu Tapatalka
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dzidexx:
[MENTION=4431373]maverickmarc[/MENTION]

Your warranty ends in 9 days? Send if the tablet does not start normally.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mrhamed:
I have TWRP (temp session) backup, I restored all partitions today but it does not boot and stuck on Lenovo logo :( So I did factory reset via TWRP (temp session) it mean wipe dalvik cache, cache and data partitions then booted and shown a white thin progress bar with long time to pass and after that the device boot as factory defaults :(

So I lost my data (app and games) but by my experience the TWRP could work, right? but why does not work for me ?!! can you help me please?!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dzidexx:
[MENTION=5827138]mrhamed[/MENTION]

Your backup is Kitkat? Lolipop?

You current system is KK? LP? You have to choose the same options in launcher.bat.

You can try to use:

Nandroid manager (google play) to extract some files.

Titanium backup to extract/restore some apks (special backup/restore - extract from nandroid backup).
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mrhamed:
[MENTION=7065205]dzidexx[/MENTION]

-Lolipop S000456_151016 5.0.1

-Current system LP S000456_151016 5.0.1 and Yes same option T4

I know the TB method, but it's not good and easy :(
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dzidexx:
The same version backup and current system - twrp restore should work. I have no other ideas.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jamses:
Hi,

I was on KK and I tried using the s8unlocker tool (in order to get a permanent TWRP). My tablet flashed everything and after a reset by the tool itself i got the attached photo on the screen. What now ? How do I unbrick my device ? Tried going into bootloader - not working...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
S8 unlocker is for lollipop builds only :(
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 3faneh92:
Hi

I have Lenovo tab s8-50 LC Lollipop.

3 days ago my lenovo sent me a notification that i have an update and it was about 34 MB, and when it finished download it restarted to apply the update but my lenovo got stuck on the logo for 2 hours and nothing happened, so i entered the recovery mode and wiped factory and cache and rebooted the device and it's the same, stuck on the lenovo logo, and i made before the update a TWRP backup so i tried to flash the backup with TWRP and it gives me a failed message, and i tried to flash through the Intel Flash Tool Lite and always says "Efilinux Error ...... No valid target found Fallback to MOS" on my device

and on the Flash tool "03/13/16 14:08:23.564 WARNING: [Port 1/3] Command `C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Platform Flash Tool Lite\fastboot.exe "-s" "Baytrail90A1945F" "oem" "start_partitioning"` timed out (60 s)"

and then "Flash failed (fastboot)"

Plz help me i use this tablet for everything.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jamses:
Ok, so what can I do now to fix it?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
Can you get into fastboot flash?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jamses:
I can get into fastboot by pressing both volume keys, shows "fastboot starting..."

Now what ? flash KK from the top (official full stock ROM and then OTAs) ?

Thanks again
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
Yup just flash via Intel flash tool and your tablet should be back to normal (I haven't done a flash to KK so I'm not sure if that way works)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jamses:
OK, Thanks a lot brother.

I will try to flash KK again & update later.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
Good luck ❤
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Settler11:
Would it be possible to to flash lollipop back to KK? (Phone flash tool fails at 28%, someone else posted that before) Fastboot gives an error actually. Also tried with the latest 5.4.2 but nope.

Or would it be possible to root LL?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
Rooting Lollipop is really easy due to S8Unlocker and permanent twrp[emoji14]
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jamses:
Just wanted to say thanks.

I reflashed the the original KK firmware and everything was OK.

Have a great day
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
This site ever going to go back up? Time is running out lol
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Minto107:
To be honest I don't know lol. It should be up since some days but for some reason it isn't... It will but when I cant tell, no-one knows that but when it'll finally be up I'll do a copy of every useful software they store on their server and I'll host them on my own one to make it available for everyone even if lenovo-forums.ru will be down again

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9305 przy użyciu Tapatalka
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] social-design-concepts:
a lot of lenovo stuff seems to be getting pulled, the main contributors to the yoga devices requested all their threads closed, all their downloads, content and posted scrubbed from several forums here on xda and else where across the web.

They have even gone to the existent of having the post and uploads that other users have tried to restore for the community pulled and I have seen a few users now have their accounts banned because they repost the content.

I don't check that lenovo forum any more they had nothing I didn't already have and they refused to pull / edit the post of the user that stole my temp recovery and posted as their own.

Though I can't count the number of people that have posted my Intel root as their own. The only time it actually bothered me was when it was used in the zenfone 2 onclick root and it wasn't disclosed that it was based of my exploit.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] JustPlayingHard:
That is just plain horrible for stealing your found exploit.....

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

No problem :)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] maverickmarc:
Can you help me with my problem? when I boot it fails, says" Boot Failed...EFI Hard Drive."....I have no access to recovery or download mode anymore, only fastboot.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] social-design-concepts:
black screen fastboot starting? kk or l before it happened?