yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jcs2380:
Does anybody know if a system update will remove root? My phone just downloaded a system update and I don't know if I should install it. It says z820 enhancement. Does anybody know what this update does and if it's worth installing?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] e30eternal:
Need backup to get back up from a brickup hiccup.

Can anyone out there please make & upload/send a backup of this ******** Absurdian??

Desperate for a fix of any kind.

No phone for 3 days. Out of Ideas.

Basically struggling financially (Obviously... Im trying to save this phone.)

Local Metro "doesnt have access" whatever that means. They wont help me.

Someone please let me get a backup or scatterfile or some kind of solution before im forced to go back to train robbin.

Thanks Yous.

If it might help someone, all my activity that i assume could have potentially contributed to or caused my problem:

1. Rooted with KINGROOT.

2. VERIFIED root, uninstalled KINGROOT just to be sure it would unroot, rebooted then rooted with KINGROOT again.

3. Used an app that replaced KINGUSER with SUPERSU (dont remember where i got it) called SUPERSU-ME

4. (8 or so hours later) Everything working fine.. Used SUPERSU to deny root access to "com.tmobile.pr.adapt" because 4000 times a minute was seeming ridiculous.

5. Everything still appeared to be working fine after 12 or so hours, up until phone dies, apparently. Put on charger in the morning, power on, brick city. Stuck at Metro screen.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] e30eternal:
Somebody help me

still without phone.

I dont know what good it could do if any but just thought this info might help someone.

If I press vol- & power together, immediately after entering "backup user data" option from recovery screen, a system update screen comes up but only very briefly, for me.

Attached pic is not my phone but exact same screen.

Also, when doing this in "restore user data" option, I breifly get the same screen but stating "erasing" instead of "installing system update"
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] e30eternal:
No one?

I give up.

Lesson: The real price of obscure cheap phones comes in the form of nonexistent Dev support.

That said, gonna go cop a $20 Family Mobile Coolpad and hope it works with my sim.

LOL.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] imakul8:
Sorry bro. Can't wait to upgrade this phone myself.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dirtkart36:
Most likely you will have to find someone with a PC download a copy of oem software and Odin 3.0 and flash the files to your phone that's the only fix I can think of at the time don't know why you uninstalled Kingrootthere was no need for that and you didn't need to install another super user program because Kingroot has King user
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] DBugg:
hmm so no busybox.. is there something i can try?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jvannoy12:
Need an Update for my ZTE Obsidian T-Mobile

if u is rooted and u got the update or installed the update on ur zte obsidian, can u try to look in /cache folder and see if u got "update.zip" file, if u do upload it and send me the link.

Thank You

NOTE: Not Metro PCS ZTE Obsidian, im talking about T-Mobile ZTE Obsidian!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jvannoy12:
Can you send me the update? look in /cache folder and look for "update.zip" if u see it can u upload it and send me the link

ill update my zte and see if i still have root
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dirtkart36:
I don't know what the problem with busy box is you install it once and never really have to look at it again you can try everything I did in my instructions without busy box and see if it works like I said this is the only way I was able to get the Obsidian to root I tried every single rooting app out there ,Kingroot work for me, by enabling developer options turning on OEM unlocking enabling USB debugging and checking the box for allowing third party apps to install you might get it to root ,like I said it took me 30 to 40 times before I got it to work and I was running kingoroot simultaneously
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jvannoy12:
ZTE Obsidian T-Mobile Update

Hello? is anyone going to upload the update.zip? :/
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kobebryant:
Hi guys. Anyone can tell me where i can download firmware for this phone?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
My phone says "System update downloaded". The next line says "Z820 Software Enhancement". Tapping on it shows it is 139 MB in size. I checked the /cache. There are no files.

With ES File Explorer I searched the phone completely for update.zip. There is no such file. But there are several files and folder which are created in todays date 21-Mar-2016. They are :

Folder : /sys/module/rcupdate/parameters

File : rcu_cp_stall_suppress

File : rcu_cp_stall_timeout

Under storage/sdcard1/app-update

File : com.dianxinos.optimizer.channel-update_1457785078914.apk dated 13-Mar-2016

My phone is rooted and I also want to know whether the root will remain after the update or not.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plectr:
Stock ROM needed

Where can I find stock ROM for ZTE Obsidian? Can anyone please help?

I tried to install the update, and my phone is not turning on after the restart (I was rooted). I can reach the recovery mode, I did a backup, tried hard reset, cleared partition, but still can't turn the phone on. I think I can flash the original ROM if I find it somewhere.

Do not install the update if you have root, it may result in a brick.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Thanks for the information. I think I saw the stock ROM somewhere. Need to check it on internet. I will give you the link if I am able to find it again.

I think if there is a way to unroot then we can apply the update. And then we should root again.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] imakul8:
Deleted. Was some BS after further inspection.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Is there anyone who has applied the update ?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plectr:
I did, I rooted my phone with Kingroot, then installed the update. It gave an error, and after restart the phone is not turning on. I can reach the recovery menu, but not more.

If anyone could help me find any ROM that works on ZTE Obsidian, I would appreciate that.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Here is a ROM. Dont know if it is authentic or not.

http://www.how-to-flash.bid/2016/02/zte-obsidian-7481.html
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] imakul8:
Same one I uploaded and deleted. Bad links and endless surveys.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Is there anyway to take the backup of the stock ROM ? If it is, I will do it and upload.

I am rooted. I installed CWM. It asks me to install CWM Recovery. I have not done it so far but If I do then it will allow me to backup the stock ROM. Applying this method I will get the stock rom but the stock recovery will be lost. I am not sure if it is a good idea.

Any suggestions ?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
I uninstalled root from the KingRoot itself. Then applied system update. It started the update and after a few seconds said "Error". It rebooted normally after that. The message of "systerm update available" is now gone. So the risk of bricking the phone when Root was installed is no more. The Build number is still "Z820V1.0.0B18" instead of "Z820V1.0.0B28".

Rooted again with KingRoot. Everything back to normal.

About phone shows "Your system is up to date" !
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plectr:
Yes, I also couldn't get the file from the link
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Omotep:
Solutions

I've bricked 2 of these phones so far and have come up with what seems to be the best possible solutions for SDcard, moving/linking apps to the SDcard as well as rooting this phone....

Starting with the root issue, the ONLY fix I have found is "KingRoot". It may or may not work at first but, keep trying and it always succeeds.

For the SDcard and link/move issue...

I found " app2sd all-in-one" is the only tool I could get to work.

You need to use the built-in Partition Tool and divide your SDcard into 2 or more partitions. For the first I used Fat32 and the second ext2. The partition sizes shouldn't matter much but the second partition is where you will link/move your aps. You will want to use ext2, ext3, etc as some APS will refuse to take certain things to the SDcard(security blah blah with FAT32).

I'll try to include a screenshot.

[IMG="partition tool screenshot"]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByFJjvYbW1SvS2FraFcwa2RSSTA/view?usp=docslist_apisimple

Just copy/paste link in your address bar.

Once all of this is done it should now be as simple as using the built-in tool in apps2sd called "link apps to SD card" and follow the simple instructions.

If I missed anything, feel free to let me know. I am more than happy to help.

By the by.... There is no custom recovery, such as clockworkmod, for this phone... Yet.

To get to the completely useless built-in recovery follow these steps...

Turn off phone.

Hold power button then press and hold volume up.

Wait for prompt and chose recovery.

The dead droid will appear with the "!" over it.

Do the pressing of the power button and volume up and quickly release both at the EXACT same time(it is super picky about the timing).

There you go! Your useless recovery.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Now in boot loop.

I started getting "Unfortunately the Process.com.android.phone Has Stopped" error. I searched on internet and the last remedy was to do a factory reset. I did. So I thought to apply the update before rooting the phone. While applying the update it went into an error. And now it is not booting at all. First it shows ZTE Obsedian animation and the T Mobile animation and then phone restarts. This loop in continuing.

Is there anyway to come out of this loop ?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kotetsukun:
Got the same thing. He's dead. A waste of $40. RIP.:crying:

This is my 4th device that got bootlooped. And I don't want to risk it by breaking it some more. That's it! Rooting this is a bad idea.

The Kingroot method works, then all of a sudden I did an update. I was stupid. I was like Nooooooo! Don't do it! I feel like i'm in Mission Impossible. Now my phone is ****ed. Goodbye. In the graveyard, you stupid phone.

---------- Post added at 01:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:36 PM ----------

Same Thing Here...

---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 PM ----------

THANK YOU, [MENTION=7372537]Omotep[/MENTION], it is useless!! Thanks for your anger and frustration that is your bootlooped phone.

RIP Obsidian 2016-2016
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Omotep:
The bootloop

I've read a lot about people being able to run the update as long as you unroot your phone when using KingRoot.

As to say... Using KingRoot, root your ZTE Obsidian; when or if you want to apply the useless update, open KingRoot and remove the rooting, reboot then apply the update.

Is any of this confirmed?

Also, if you want to be like me and avoid the update, both by disabling the annoying notification and NOT applying the update: bring down the notification, press and hold the "later" button, after this click on the exclamation "!" this will bring up an options screen where you can disable the update notifier.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kotetsukun:
I saw a miracle. I saw the Android is upgrading screen... Does that mean that someone did fix it or its still looping? That someone said that he or she can't tell me... Maybe its the anti brick fairy lol...

---------- Post added at 12:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 AM ----------

Anyways I bet the fairy fixed it. (It was my friend lol)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Omotep:
What exactly happened? Is it working? What did you do different?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kotetsukun:
Well my friend tried to reset it and that happened. Anyway, I got to look into more detail, it froze at Starting App 25 of 145 but I didn't discover more further. I guess I am stuck with this old Z667T for now.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Omotep:
All I can think is to remove the battery. I almost bricked my phone last night, again, just from changing my bootanimation and I managed to fix it by removing my battery then doing a simple restart.

So, I noticed an issue on one of my previous ZTE Obsidian bricked phones....

My issue had been this: I downloaded, through a site, the "full" version of apps2sd. When I used this version instead of the unpaid for and up-to-date from the PlayStore version, it seems to have done something on it's initialization that caused the com.phone.android(?) wouldn't stop buzzing around and my phone was useless so, I rebooted and... BRICK.

I'm now on my 4th ZTE Obsidian phone. I just keep taking them back to Walmart when I brick them.

Thanks to apps2sd, all of my stuff is backed up on my SDCard so, I'm going to brick these phones until I figure out how to root, move/link to SD, custom recovery and custom ROM these things.

I think the first step is finding a ZTE that is similar and has a custom ROM and recovery and try those on this PoS.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] HacksWorthIT:
FINALLY ROOTED! HAVE update.zip!

In a nutshell, finally rooted with Kingroot (downloaded the offline APK) (First time using the 3/23/16 release, newer one works too as of 3-31-16) (developer mode on with OEM unlock and allow unsigned app installs). No PC needed = )

I have tried installing the Febuary OTA update with AND without root. DO NOT INSTALL UNLESS YOUR PHONE IS INSURED!!

It was also a pain to even get the update (I'm guessing is also the firmware, based on size, and since it wont make it past bootloader, even with factory reset/restore). I'm on phone #4 now. I tried root explore,

"adb pull ......."

, and finally retried it under the cache directory. Only root explorer would see it, and once I copied to the phone internal storage (wouldn't even copy to SD!), I had to rename the file to an extension other that ".zip", for it to show up on my PC, or unrooted Androids. It would not let me change the permissions when named "update.zip"

SO: CAN SOMEONE WHO IS A BETTER PROGRAMMER THAN ME PLAY WITH THIS UPDATE.ZIP FILE AND GET IT SO WE CAN INSTALL IN STOCK RECOVERY? OR USE IT TO UPDATE?

I would try it, but I am tired of going back to Walmart and having to re-setup all those damn apps and passwords. It would be nice to see what's in the update, have a firmware file to fall back on during bootloops/bricks, and something for R&D. The file might/probrably lost it's digital signature when the file name and permissions were changed. NOTHING ELSE WAS DONE, IT'S "AS-IS" from OTA.

Thanks

EDIT: B4 I post file publicly, is it against rules or copyright, etc? Will it likely contain personally identifiable information?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Omotep:
Send the file to me, if you would. I'll be more than happy to rip it apart.

Tripphead@gmail.com or jon.pate@hotmail.com
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Omotep:
Read through my previous post on this thread. I have a backup of all my apps on my sdcard and I am also on my 4th ZTE Obsidian. I also take advantage of google. I don,t swear by it but it saves my info, free storage, media sharing.... Can't beat it for the price(free).

Anyhow, if you managed to root then install apps2sd and do some backups/move/links to an sdcard.

You can also use the phones PoS recovery tool to backup user information. What information it does a backup of, I have no idea.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kotetsukun:
I am only on the 3rd Obsidian and all of them are bricked! The first one was xposed (because youtube ads), i don 't know if it worked. The 2nd was the cause of a update, the 3rd one? I returned it. Sadly, I'm not into this device no more, I am looking forward to a phone that is unable to root!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plectr:
Good news - the source code for ZTE Obsidian is online at http://opensource.ztedevice.com/ (look for Z820)

However, it's in .tar.gz format, and the recovery mode can see only .zip files. Any idea how to change the format?

The .tar.gz file (which itself is an archive) has duplicates of some files, as for example /net/netfilter/xt_HL.c and /net/netfilter/xt_hl.c so I can't extract the archive in Windows without renaming some files. The online tool https://cloudconvert.com/gz-to-zip manages to change the archive from .gz to .zip keeping the duplicates as in original archive, but when I try to install it from sdcard in recovery menu, it is rejected by the phone.

Edit: So do I get it right that we can't flash the ROM with Android system recovery 3e, we need CWM recovery installed? And there is no CWM recovery for ZTE Obsidian? So there is no way to flash the ROM to the phone?

Edit: I get it now, it's not a ROM, it's just a source code. It should "somehow" be compiled to a ROM. Oh god...
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kotetsukun:
Let us know if it became a ROM, which can be turned into a signed zip file for system recovery 3e.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Countless times I tried removing battery and restart. It is not moving past "T mobile 4G LTE" animation and comes back to "ZTE Obsidian".

I applied the update only after unrooting the phone but still stuck into bootloop.

Only some ROM can salvage the phone now. Maybe the stock ROM. But even stock ROM is not available.

Edit : Is it possible to place the update.zip and install it using the recovery ? I am still able to boot in recovery.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plectr:
Maybe, didn't try that cause I don't have the update.zip file. Can anyone upload it?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Kotetsukun:
Here's why I returned after the 3rd time I bought the obsidian

1. The WiFi keeps going on and off time to time

2. Every reboot "Android is upgrading" happened and it took 1 hour (had to think about deodexing but nah, too risky/...)

3. Apps were in huge size, which took 3x long to download from Play Store.

4. I don't like the device's stock Sound Enhancement. It sounds weird at Volume 3-4.

5. Not much speed, because MTK instead of QSD

6. IMO, Lollipop sux.

Now I know.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] edwinmmxv:
Same here, bootloop lol. Stupid phone
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] davidrkingii:
OTA Updates For Lollipop will ALWAYS FAIL IF ROOTED Phone be damned, BTW this is by design of Google Lollipop OS.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Micromax Q411 is having the same chipset as in ZTE Obsidian. I downloaded its stock ROM. Wanted to flash it on ZTE.

But the S P Flash Tool is not able to connect to the phone at all :(

Any help ?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Lenovo A2010 is also the same chipset.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rampage357:
You can move ur apps to SD with out root
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kobebryant:
any solutiont bricked device :)?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lmpl6:
ZTE Z820 metro pcs official update bricked

ZTE Z820 official update bricked me :( , please someone with the same mobile send a backup, I would appreciate
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImBridge:
Nobody is able to find anything. I cant even return the phone. I am now in India. Lost $20
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plttwht:
Metropcs Zte Obsidian Stock Rom @ mega.nz/#!NZRC2QYa

---------- Post added at 07:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:46 PM ----------

In my previous post, I posted a link where you can download the ZTE Obsidian Stock ROM for Metropcs users only. Just unzip this file and try using the latest version of SP Flashtools to flash the scatterfile located within the zip file. Hope this helps.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] pep129:
[MENTION=7461836]plttwht[/MENTION] Thanks for the link, I have the ZTE obsidian but your link it's encrypted. It is asking me for the decryption key, can you share the key? You can safe a life, please
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plttwht:
You can download the file directly from a computer or you can download the zipfile using the Mega app from google play store. If you still are having problems downloading the zipfile, I will gladly send the link via email.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] pep129:
Thanks for your answer, but I still having a problem, when I try to download the ROM, it says " Enter decryption key

To access this folder/file, you will need its Decryption key.

If you do not have the key, contact the creator of the link." And I'm asking you for the Decryption key, can you please share it with us? Without it, I can't download the file, please Or maybe if you share the complete link, it'll be OK
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plttwht:
Here is the decryption key below: _pKKjJka9HUBpTMJDiJJDJ8CmWbdoSwSrHa_lJf0h1U.

---------- Post added at 12:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------

Here is the entire link with the decryption key. This download is only for ZTE Obsidian Metropcs users. Hopefully I can hear some good news that someone has recovered their phone. mega.nz/#!NZRC2QYa!_pKKjJka9HUBpTMJDiJJDJ8CmWbdoSwSrHa_lJf0h1U
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] eznuke:
Well my metro PCS Z820 just bricked after I got a notification to update my phone. Half way through update, it crashed and now my phone is useless, I tried countless methods, nothing has worked. I never even tried to root it or anything. At this point I'm willing to try anything, nothing else has worked so I don't mind installing any rom on it (if even possible). Pittwht, I'll try what you posted and come back with the result.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plttwht:
Eznuke try flashing the below updat.zip in stock recovery and let me know what happens. This update is only for Metropcs users who have not rooted their ZTE Obdidian device. http://sendanywhe.re/6XJCEMPD
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] John Lucas:
Skimming through the thread here and if this method is already posted here I will delete this post and its method instructions. If you install Kingo NOT Kingroot but (Kingo)User off Play store. Then click root with (Kingo) root tool apk you will gain root. At least on Un-updated firmware v5.1.1 LP. Now after root success which may take more then one try (MAYBE) took me a second try because (I forgot Kingouser really needs to be installed) You don't need to open the apk yet or anything just make sure its installed. After you succeed in rooting using Kingo root tool, install SuperSU off Playsrore, install that apk over Kingo (Which latest v does include its "own brand of su" if you will included in its latest update etc.) and you're now rooted with SuperSU. Use you're fav filemanager and make sure to uninstall any Kingoroot and Kingouser content and enjoy root with SuperSU be carefully what you do from that point. My question is is there recovery for this device yet and/or any stock deodexed and/or custom ROMs ???

DU ROM & OC'Kernel Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 03:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 AM ----------

I can get us the stock rom.... but were going to need a recovery.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] joshworx:
WAIT. This is a backup file. Has anyone yet tried pushing this to their z820 and restoring from it? :good:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] plttwht:
I guess no one has had any luck so far with the zte obsidian Stockrom and ota update I uploaded a couple of weeks ago. I guess the problem is (1) spflash tool doesn't seem to work because the bootloader is locked on this particular phone and (2) the ota update.zip file will not work if your phone is already rooted. If someone know a way to unlock the bootloader on this phone I have manually created a custom recovery for this phone but now just trying to figure out how to flash it. To date I have not had any success but still working on it. If someone come up with a way to unlock the bootloader for this phone your post will be greatly appreciated. Until then I will try figuring this thing out.