yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] sany:
I came till this step:

- Reboot device in Fastboot Mode (Bootloader mode), either with "adb reboot bootloader" or with VolDown+Power, to enter Recovery mode and then select "Reboot into bootloader"

The moment I select reboot into bootloader mode> I get a black screen and at the bottom I see 'fastboot more.....'

I dont see the below options to select either - and also the next step .....

- Once unlocked, you can use "fastboot boot TWRP_3.0.2_Lenovo_TB3-730X_Android-6.0_recovery.img" to start TWRP.

......I have copied the recover image file in the root folder too....but not sure how to go about doing 'you can use "fastboot TWRP XXXX' as mentioned above.

Someone please help - I am going mad with this stupid Lenovo tab, struggling with this and problem in everything and no rescue from any workarounds...
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] vntungdjnh:
Hi....

cmd thông báo [[19. Omnit original "unlock" command and continue with "fastboot boot TWRP_3.0.2_Lenovo_TB3-730X_Android-6.0_recovery.img"]] thư mục trống không .

tôi phải làm sao ...

ai giúp tôi ?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] unions8:
Hi! Please. Is it necessary to flash the firmware via SP flashTool? Isn't there a solution to flash it simply with TWRP? Thanx.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] vntungdjnh:
Tôi

Very thankx. Nhưng hiện tại nó không thể truy cập "flash file zip " trong trình điều khiển. Tôi không thể sử dụng recovery để thao tác.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Benik3:
Does anyone still have the tb3-730x_s038_170627_row stock ROM? The link to cloud.mail.ru is dead :(

Thanks!
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Yoid:
Try this

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5uAj_TDQqoHbXZ5YVFsT19hOWs/view

From tread kaskus
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] A.a.a1:
Hello

Can someone help me

l have flashing the twrp is work fine

In start but after Restart the tab is stuck in lenovo logo and back to stock recovery

And need flash official rom to work again

How l can fix this problem ??
[MENTION=940906]0xAF[/MENTION]
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] sany:
Hello Friend [MENTION=5847495]A.a.a1[/MENTION] - I would suggest you to dump this tablet which will save you time, effort and peace of mind. I was so fed up with this. Never again will buy a lenovo product. There is also not much support with the XDA for this. Very difficult to find a ROM that works. By seeing laptops from lenovo like Yoga and the likes, I was sold off for their tablet but now I see they are totally useless with software. They don't even send an update to fix any issue. Never even think of getting their tab. Sorry to sound negative.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Looking at the folder with all my files for this lenovo, it seems I've flashed this one: SuperSU-v2.78-201609011115.zip

And it works.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Erna1:
Have it tried, does not work.

Here are my steps:

1. adb reboot bootloader

2. fastboot oem unlock

3. fastboot boot TWRP ***.img

TWRP starts

When TWRP ask to modify system partition, answer "NO".

Read only.

SuperSU-v2.78-201609011115.zip is on SD card

In the TWRP Install SD card select SuperSU-v2.78-201609011115.zip and start.

Done!

Start anew.

Check "root" with "root checker".

No root.

who can help
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Hm, this procedure worked for me.

Do you have SuperSU app installed? If not, go to Play Store and install it. See what the app says.

I don't know the root checker app, but you are probably rooted and the root checker does not see this.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Erna1:
Hello 0xAF,

Have no root.

Property but the Lenovo TB3-730M not "X".

Maybe there is a difference?

Can you possibly send me your firmware / ROM?

I would send you my email.

Or do you have a source where I can download the ROM?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
I don't know German languages, but it seems TWRP is not working for you.

I do not have the ROM for your device. If you find the original ROM or original recovery image, I can prepare a TWRP for you.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Erna1:
It has now worked.

I had to omit the "fastboot oem unlock".
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
The oem unlock needs to be done only the first time.

Once the bootloader is unlocked, there is no need to try to unlock it again.

I doubt that your problem was related to the 'fastboot oem unlock' command.

But anyway, I'm glad it worked for you.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] lostmysandal:
I am sorry if this a little bit out of topic since I can't find any other general thread discussing this tablet.

Guys do you have any performance problem with this device? My device feels sluggish when typing, it frequently skip letters and Youtube is also running on lower framerate.

Do any of you experience this or is it just me?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
My tablet is lagged too, but not that much.

There is just 1GB ram and Lenovo user zram feature to compress the ram. This uses more CPU of course. So, yeah the tablet is lagged.

I'm using "hackers keyboard" and it never skipped a letter. Youtube is playing well too.

But after I've rooted my tabled, I've removed a lot of Lenovo scrap.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] lostmysandal:
Eh my device has 2GB of RAM but lower 1.0 GHz CPU clock.

My situation the keyboard is skipping letter mainly when I need to tap the same letter twice. Not sure because the device is slow or because the touchscreen is just bad.

And I definitely notice that Youtube at 720p is not playing at full 24 fps. If by rooting I can tweak some settings then maybe I will.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
What is your model exactly?

Mine is TAB3-730X

http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_tab3_7-7951.php
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] lostmysandal:
Wow that's weird, I thought all 730X model has 2GB of RAM. Here is the About tablet of my device.

http://i**imgur**com/nvzPVkH**png

Sorry can't post link yet. Where's the attach file button anyway?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Interesting, It seems I have some stripped version of the device.

My RAM is 1GB

The CPU is "4 Core 1.0Ghz"

Storage is 8GB.

The device is given for free from a local Mobile Operator here in Bulgaria (when you sign 2 year contract of course).

It seems the operator had some stripped version to give for free...
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] lostmysandal:
That is definitely stripped. Storage is 16GB here. But now I kinda wish I bought the essentials one, at least the cpu is a little bit faster. I don't actually do a lot multi tasking anyway.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] rosztrade:
I have the same device from a Bulgarian telecom. Will used it in my car for navigation and Bluetooth audio streaming. Updated it to the latest OTA update. I am still wondering if your procedure will be workable with the latest OTA Rom. But root neede to make the multi-app screen function available.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
I cannot test with the latest OTA, because my boot and system partitions are modified (because of the rooting). The OTA is not working for me.

Anyway, the recovery should work on the latest OTA. At least you should be able to boot the recovery with the 'fastboot' command.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] rosztrade:
Its very strange that your OTA is not working. I was told by the Telecom guys that the tablet do not have OTA updates. But we know that they are not really aware what they talk about. So I tried and I did about 4-5 OTA updates and finally ended up with the latest for this device. Does this means that If I put TWRP I will be not able to get any OTA updates in the future ?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
My OTA is not working, because the OTA update checks are failing. The OTA update wants to confirm that my system partition and boot partition are not modified.

If yo flash the recovery, most OTA updates will not work probably, because the checks for the recovery partition will fail.

If you want OTA update, do not flash anything and do not root your device.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] rosztrade:
I found the official OTA updates:

I have the latest one.

http://www.lenovo-file.com/index.php?dir=/T_Series/TB3-730X
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Thanks, but this site looks fake. It wants subscription and looks totally fake.

It says "Lenovo official download center", but it's not official.

So far I had not found official lenovo download for the full OTA rom.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] rosztrade:
Frankly I dont know , I didn't test it. Hopefully Lenovo will release some official source.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Ahmad Mukhtar:
i'm confused now !

I have lenovo tab3 730x but it's mt 8735p written on the box not 6735p !! now what ? :confused: :eek:
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
The both SoC (SystemOnChip) are the same in the CPU part as it seems.

The hardware reports MT8735, but the Lenovo Firmware is configured as MT6735.

I cannot change the thread name for prevent further confusion...

MT8735P: http://www.mediatek.com/products/tablets/mt8735p

MT6735: http://www.mediatek.com/products/smartphones/mt6735
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Ahmad Mukhtar:
Great!

Great. now how we can take benefit from rooting to increase performance to this laggy tab ?

I heard about making class 10 sd card as ram. what do you think ?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.swapit.expander.de&hl=en :cowboy:
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
It will make a swap file (or partition) on the SD card.

IMO it will be even slower, but if you give it a try, please report how it works.

What I did with mine is to remove some stupid apps from lenovo, which were resident in RAM.

The device is a bit better, but still lagged...
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Ahmad Mukhtar:
I 'll try it now. but the link for the stock firmware above is dead now can you re upload it ?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
I will upload it to somewhere in moments.

As for the app, don't rush it. I will try to create a swap file with commands and if it works I will post the commands, so you can have it without paying for the app.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Ahmad Mukhtar:
Thanks!

Thanks alot. I 'll buy a new class 10 evo samsung sd card for better result.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Here is the firmware I have downloaded earlier from the Russian forum: https://goo.gl/q1O7h3

(Note: I haven't tried to flash it. I just used it to extract the recovery which I modified to TWRP.)
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Ahmad Mukhtar:
so this is not safe ? I need it in case things goes wrong.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
IMO, it should be safe. If I'm in need, I will use it.

So far there is no other source of the firmware.

Unless someone get a dump from a new device.

(I have dumps from my device, but it's already modified.)

So it is probably best to get dumps from your device.

After you start TWRP with "fastboot boot" command, and before you flashed it, you can make backups of all partitions.

I've used USB (OTG) flash drive to get the backups there.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
As for the swap file on the SD card.

I've made few tries, but with no success.

'swapon' gives me 'swapon: swapfile has holes' and I cannot use the file as a swap space.

I guess this is because I've mounted my SD card as internal, to extend my internal storage.

I've used the card for few months now and I guess, I cannot create a file without a holes on it.

When the sd card is used as internal storage, Android formats the card with ext4 file system.

As far as I know, there should be no fragmentation problems with ext4, but who knows... I could be wrong.

If you are using your SD card as 'portable' (as it's by default), you can try to find some howtos and see if it works.

hint1: google for "android swap file", and don't look for apps, look for commands like "dd", "mkswap" and "swapon"

hint2: use busybox for these commands (like "busybox dd", "busybox mkswap", "busybox swapon", i.e. prepend the command with "busybox)

hint3: add "conv=notrunc" parameter to the "dd" command, it could be useful, to try not to leave holes in file (I'm unsure of this, but it cannot hurt anyway)
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Ahmad Mukhtar:
There are a lot of free apps that make the job but it's only work with modified kernel.

the problem is that if we are lucky enough to get it work at max result the sd card will corrupt every 2 weeks !!

at this point I think its dead end for now and i 'll try something else. :cowboy:
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] mrtvn:
Unbrick my lenovo tab 3 730x

I need stock rom of tab 3 730X, please help me!
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Please read previous posts (#49). This is all we have for now.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Nextuz:
Hi, i´m Mats from Sweden.

I want to root my tb3-730x

I see there is a TWRP for 730X_S033_160707_ROW.

Can i use that one for the 730X_S036_161031_ROW?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Yes, there should be no problems.

You can boot the recovery without flashing it. This way you can try the recovery without risking.

BTW, while you are in TWRP and before flashing anything to your device, if you can, please do nandroid (twrp) backups of boot, recovery and system partitions. We will much appreciate these backups.

(Note: these partitions have no user data in them, so there is nothing sensible in these backups.)

Since I've flashed my TWRP recovery and modified the system partition (rooted the device and removed some bloat apps), I cannot upgrade my device to latest version. If you could provide these backups it will be great.

Thanks in advance.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] DarkWolf:
the firmware links seems expired,can you provide working one please!
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
There is link somewhere in the replies, but I've updated the OP to include my link.

Check it out.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Hi Guyzer,

The flashing seems to be ok, but I dont know why it hangs there.

For me it was working.

As for the other problem, I've never tried to change the bootloader params, but fast googling shows two commands, which are the same I guess:

fastboot oem-off-mode charge 0

and

fastboot oem off-mode charge 0

Note the first command has dash (-) between "oem" and "off" words.

Have you tried that?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Tzul:
Are you sure the tablet hangs? Looks like a normal log message. No error shown after "fastboot flash recovery".

You should be aware that Android has a mechanism to restore the stock recovery on boot. So, if you flash TWRP, you need to boot it before you start Android again. If you allow system partition modification, then TWRP will disable the stock recovery restore mechanism. But due to dm-verity in Android 6, a modified system won't boot. If you install the latest SuperSU zip with TWRP, then SuperSU will disable dm-verity, and maybe also the stock recovery restore mechanism (at least it did so in the past, not sure about now).

As mentioned on the previous pages, this tablet has secure boot, and unfortunately refuses to communicate with the SP Flash Tool (that's what the "S_BROM_DOWNLOAD_DA_FAIL (0x7D4)" error is about).

I've looked at the source code of the bootloader and seen that only fastboot commands with a certain security flag are allowed to be executed, even after unlocking the bootloader. The "oem off-mode-charge" does unfortunately not have the required flag. Even "oem reboot-recovery" is forbidden, as is "reboot" and "continue". Ridiculous. I think this is a bug, but I doubt we'll see an update that fixes it.

Anyway, thanks to TWRP, there's a way to disable off-mode-charge regardless. I don't know how [MENTION=940906]0xAF[/MENTION] has configured TWRP, but there should be an option to make a backup of the "para" / "misc" partition. If you make one and upload it, I can modify it for you.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Very helpful answer. Thanks.

I'm experienced Linux user and developer, but so far, this is my first close touch to android internals.

The TWRP was ported from another android device. I've changed the fstab and few more files.

The recovery, it should be able to do backup of all partitions, at least I've done backups on all partitions.

If you have some pointers, I'm interested in learning more about "para" and "misc" partitions and their contents.

(and perhaps the other partitions too)

Thanks again.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] honzazkrumlova:
Hi,

I have brand new Tab3 7 (TB3 730X, firmware 33), right now wondering how to root it.

'm IT, but without advanced skills of rooting (my previous phones was simple case with just-APK-to-root), so have no idea about what is it "custom recovery". As usually, I can learn it, just read and test enough, but if you can help me little bit with this, I can make these backups for you - firmware 35 (currently present in tablet) and newer as well (upgrades are notifing) before rooting it.

Let me know.

Honza
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Hi.

It is very hard for me to tell you in few words what is recovery and what is the rooting.

If you know what is dual booting (i.e. have a windows and linux on your PC and choose what to boot). The recovery is similar. The phone/tablet boots the normal android by default, but with a special key combination (or some other means) the phone will boot into recovery. Think of the recovery as a very small linux/android with just few tools inside. These tools are there, so you can manipulate the partitions and the Android OS. So from the recovery you can re-flash your android os (called ROM for short), or make backups and restores, or just flash some new software into the ROM (like it was installed from your vendor, and not from the app store)

The rooting process is made from the recovery nowdays. It's as simple as flashing a SuperSU package from the recovery mode of your phone.

There are a lot of guides and information in XDA. Have a look around.

Please first upgrade your device to latest FW. Then read the first post to learn how to boot a recovery image, without flashing it. Then you can make backups (on external SD card) of all partitions. We would be grateful if you can send us the "system", "boot" and "recovery" partitions. There is no personal data in them.

Good luck.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] honzazkrumlova:
Hi,

I am not that kind of novice, I have some idea whats this story is about.

But practice is missing and any script has the common warnings / do not touch, if you dont know exactly. (I know, what is root, why I need it, have some linux servers for my job)

Well, recovery is, alternative bootable distro inside phone possibly at first/separate partition (more like grub, not like kernel, I wasnt sure), and TWRP is alternative bootable option for this, its like booting from liveCD to access Win partition without working Win.

Then, "ROM" is like in PC/notebook - recovery data in separate partition, right?

but, those silly details, that are invisible for you, XDA people.......

I can press some buttons to run into fastboot, but in this point:

>>> Unlock the bootloader with "fastboot flashing unlock" or "fastboot oem unlock"

.... this sounds to me like there is some shell/prompt where I can submit these commands OR (I guess) I need some software for this (USB debugging required so.... something like Odin ??? Should I install some USB drivers, I guess)

And second one

>>> Flash SuperSU if you want root

... well, I know, what is supersu, but no clue what this ("flash") mean. Run some APK? Run some script?

I know what you point for, I can search on google, this forum, read, study, read, study, etc, etc.... but these warnings about "Only if you exactly know....." are there for good reason and .... even I am IT pro, advanced Android user and have some linux skills, this is quite a big for "first-timer"...

So, understand you dont waste time for BFUs without knowing what even root is, but give me some info (those 2 questions), otherwise your #1 in this topic, is usefull only for those, rooting their 10th phone. Additionally, about that backup - any special tool for this, or this will be self/explaining, after I boot in TWRP?

Thanks!

Honza
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
Yeah, recovery is sort of alternative bootable distro inside your phone. In our tablets we can boot recovery image (the so called distro) from it's recovery partition inside the tablet (with key combination), or from "fastboot" mode (with commands, read below). The "fastboot mode" will upload the recovery image into the phone RAM (memory), not ROM (internal storage) and boot it from there. Hence it's safer way to start the recovery without flashing it into the phone's internal storage. It's one-time operation and after the reboot there will be no trace from the booted recovery. The tablet will be in it's original/vendor state.

With a key combination you can force the tablet to boot either in "fastboot/bootloader mode", or "recovery mode". There are different key combinations for that, or there is a menu which allows you to select which mode you want.

The "fastboot" is a special mode of the bootloader, which will allow you to connect from the PC and do some stuff in "fastboot mode". For this, you will need to install the usb drivers and the fastboot/adb tools in your windows.

Once the tablet is in "fastboot mode" you will be able to use the "fastboot command" from the PC.

It is similar to the ODIN mode, you've mentioned, but ODIN is only for Samsung devices.

In this mode, you need to unlock the bootloader (with the commands), so the bootloader will allow you to boot(temporarily) or flash(permanent) external recovery image.

Flashing the supersu or whatever software you want to flash, means that you boot your tablet in recovery mode. Then you will see menus which will allow you to flash some software (the recovery flashable software comes in .zip format, not .apk).

To be able to flash non-vendor .zip files, you need a custom recovery image, because the original (vendor) one, will not allow you to flash images/software that are not signed by the vendor. Here comes the TWRP recovery. This is a custom recovery, which have more tools and extras than the original/vendor recovery image. So if you want to flash anything on your tablet, you need a custom recovery, which will allow you to do so.

Yeah, that's the idea. You need to know these things, that I've explained here and perhaps some more things, like how to recover/restore/unbrick your device if something goes wrong, before doing some possibly dangerous.

In almost all cases there is a way to restore/unbrick your device, but you will need to read/learn more information to do so.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
I guess the problems with the factory reset/wiping after the bootloader unlocking are obvious, but you're right, about the unprepared users.

I will put a link to your comment in the first post. Thanks.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] nthuan22:
Hey, I know how to flash it.

Just Choose DA_SWSEC_CRYPTO20.bin

and choose Firmware Upgrade.

It should Work.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
What are you talking about?

What are you trying to flash?
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] nthuan22:
I answered to the people who had tried to flash with sp flash but it got error 0x7D4.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] Tzul:
You might find this interesting then.

Furthermore, I've made a little zip file for TWRP's install feature which toggles the "off-mode-charge" bootloader variable. [MENTION=6574660]Guyzer73[/MENTION], this should help, if you still need it.

I doubt that, because "Firmware Upgrade" requires all partitions to be flashed. You can't use it to only install TWRP to the recovery partition, for example. Also, devices with security normally refuse data from the SP Flash Tool unless you have an authentication file or the data is in a special signed format.
[Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking] 0xAF:
[MENTION=5919159]Tzul[/MENTION], Thank you.

Helpful information.

Much appreciated.