yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
You may need to change the drivers that Windows is using for ADB for the Axon 7. In Device Manager, do something like:

right-click > update drivers > browse > let me pick > choose an older version

I think there's an updated one from August 2016 that causes problems on some folks' computers. If you use an older one, it should give you access (you may need to kill the ADB server and look for devices again after rolling back).
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
Now I flashed the stock image and boot img for b29 to get my Wi-Fi back from here. http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/development/rom-guide-updates-to-stock-files-via-t3469484/page18.Do I need to start from scratch again? Or what step can I go to now that I have twrp installed.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] baconboy:
Sorry, I'm still confused:

If I follow your guide and root/unlock bootloader, where is the latest MM stock rom to download? Or is the B29 that's out now that I'll have on my phone (it's coming today)?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] silverxbv2:
B29 is the latest
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] baconboy:
Right, cool. So I'll follow the guide here which works for B29, then wait and hope to God that I'll be able to update some day
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
ok i went through the entire process and now I am rooted and recovery installed. Do I have to download adb for the unlocking of bootloader?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
Why wouldn't you be able to update some day?

5th step in the OP: http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-bootloader-stay-t3461165
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
This is what I get when trying to backup in adb.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
I don't know if this is normal or not. I don't get any Wi-Fi since flashing recovery and bootloader using the b27 file in the root and recovery thread. Prior to doing this I was on stock b29.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] mistamikel:
Hey just a quick ?

I think I did everything correctly, but is there supposed to be a warning screen when the bootloadrer is unlocked ? This happens at every boot.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
I am so close yet so far. I have root and twrp but haven't figured out why I can't OEM unlock.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] silverxbv2:
Make sure you check enable OEM unlock in settings/developer options.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] baconboy:
Because you can't update OTA, and ZTE don't provide stock ROMs to download, right?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] xtermmin:
Yes. This is normal. If you press one of the volume buttons, it'll give you the option to boot to the OS, recovery, fastboot. If you don't press anything, it'll boot to the OS.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
You did what I suggested and used older ADB drivers? And you enabled OEM unlock prior to doing all of this?

I mean, sure, one day the XDA community will stop supporting the Axon 7, but that will be long after ZTE does. You'll be able to update your phone past B29. And ZTE will likely provide a stock Nougat ROM.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
I installed drivers provided in another thread. Then went into fastboot. When in fastboot I also added device in device manager as ADB device. Then I was able to unlock phone. Running custom ROM as we speak.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] yonoshiro:
Thank you very much [MENTION=6699128]rczrider[/MENTION]! I was having an issue with sporadic lag/ jitter/ frame drops on my stock A7 for a while. However, having followed your intuitive and detailed guide, I have sucessfully unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone. As of this morning, I have completely uninstalled mifavor, stock android, my voice, touchpal and other such (in my opinion) bloatware and now my phone is consistently smooth and snappy. You have my deepest gratitude for your generosity and dedication.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
And how did you get your wifi back?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] -Duir-:
As this is a newbie guide, I'll be the newbie and ask why is it necessary in step 6 to download and flash the stock system and boot to root the device? If the phone is already stock (which it should be being unrooted) wouldn't you already have those?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
I got wifi back when I flashed these two files.

http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/development/rom-guide-updates-to-stock-files-via-t3469484/page18
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] Nielsvdb:
Does this guide work for A2017G, the european version?

I've read a lot of bricked G devices... and don't want to brick mine too. Most of the threads here are about the US version and as there is no EU community, XDA is the only place we can find some answers.

I am not new to rooting android phones but this phone is f....ing weird!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
I don't understand your question. You're not flashing the stock system or stock boot if you're trying to root your device; you're downloading a modified boot and modified system.

The guide for the G version should be similar, but I don't have one to test, nor have I spent much time reading up on the process. This thread is simply a step-by-step reference of other threads where the exact process has been outlined. I believe most of them include instructions and files for the G version, as well.

If someone can review the steps in the OP and make any corrections or additions regarding the G variant, I would be happy to update the post to reflect those.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] masong397:
Thank you so much for this guide! Obviously others made the forums on how to get twrp and unlocked bootloader but you made it very easy for me to break into my phone. I just wanted to say thank you. I'm sure many others feel the same way
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
Happy to help :)

As you say, the true thanks goes to the devs who made it possible. It was inevitable that the forum would get a little cluttered as threads are made we progressed in what we could do; I just wanted to make it easier to navigate.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] morabu:
i am stuck at step 5. Specifically fastboot backup (step 6) of step 5.

i can see my phone in ADB and in fastboot. when i run the commands it will either say no such file exists, or it will bring up a command list.

it is not making me backup files. can someone help?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
Yes I want to thank the OP for all his help. I am fully unlocked and rooted. I think we need take a note that when unlocking phone we need to have debug mode selected along with OEM lock when in fastboot.

---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 PM ----------

Make sure you have debug mode selected in developer options.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] morabu:
yes, i have usb debugging enabled
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
Also when in fastboot your device should show up in device manager as ADB device.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
Stuck at Step 3 (Backup).

Was the "Sorry, this application cannot run in a Virtual Machine" issue ever resolved? Opening Command Window as an Administrator and disabling Windows Defender does not change result. I am not running VM at all. Windows 10, 64 Bit. Thanks

Edit #1: so I switched to a Windows 7 machine and turned off the "signed driver" requirement, but now the Qualcomm 9008 driver install fails. Grrrrrrr

Edit #2: Command line method doesn't work in W7, but finally found "disable signature reqmt" in F8 boot options, so I am on my way. Still would like to know about the "Virtual Machine" issue in Windows 10 Command Window!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] -Duir-:
The thread you link to in step 6 for unlocking is labeled "Full Updates / Back to Stock Files via TWRP" so how are the files modified? Furthermore, it's the same thread you link to in step 2 of going back to stock.

So, my question was what's the point of flashing the stock files during the unlock process? If those are modified files as you say, then alternately, why are they posted as stock and used in the instructions to return to stock? That's where I'm confused. Either they're stock and shouldn't be needed for rooting because we should already be stock, or they're modified and then aren't actually returning us to stock then.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] totalFX:
My android keeps asking for password.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] polar2792:
Where can I find the fastboot mentioned?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] xtermmin:
Read the guide in the OP. It's step 5.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
Fully Unlocked & Rooted! Thanks to all. W7 proved.much friendlier than W10 in Command Screen (still haven't figured that out, but all OK with ADB & MTP.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] jawz101:
I've got my bootloader unlocked, TWRP, and phh Superuser all working fine but I'm unable to mount system read/write.

I've tried the reboot disemmcwp in both TWRP terminal and via a Terminal Emulator app from the Playstore and neither worked. Any idears?

The only thing I can think of is the OEM unlocking in developer options is still set to on. Does that need to be off at this point?

.. Tried adb from computer as well

update- reran through the whole process once more and still no r/w

update2 - looks like phh SuperUser doesn't give you r/w. Once I installed SuperSu 2.65 I got read/write. It even uninstalled phh while it was at it.

I'll stick with this for a while until CM looks a little more stable or Nougat comes out ... whichever wins first :)
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] morabu:
figured it was something on my end.

i was trying to use my devices unique i.d. in place of the /by-name/ area. it has been sorted.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
My suggestion is that you ask in that particular thread, as is advised in the OP. This thread is mainly for a clarification of the steps needed for unlocking, rooting, and restoring to stock...not an in-depth discussion of what each step does or why it's necessary. Also, as noted in the OP, I'm not the developer of these tools, nor did I develop the processes.

If you think a step is unnecessary, by all means, do it without that step and report back! If it turns out there's a mistake (missing or unnecessary steps), I'll be happy to update the OP. My goal is to simplify the list of steps :)

Sounds like you never wiped data.

Here you go: https://mega.nz/#F!3N0S1BjB!rawhtHXXBbW4aYpXF9u5aw
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] jawz101:
If you copied and pasted draken's command from the post there was an extra space on the 2nd if= I believe. I had to delete that space for it to run
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] majekti:
Thank you
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] Androidluv:
How did you do that?

I've tried everything to root, and have simply not been able to. I as well have an A2017U,

and, unfortunately, I upgraded to B29 as well. :eek:
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] Androidluv:
What are the ADB commands for installing twrp.img? :rolleyes:
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] razorsbk:
Downgrade to B20. Put the update.zip file in your phone and choose to 'update'.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
You don't use ADB. Step 3/4 in the OP: http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/development/wip-axon-7-root-bootloader-unlokced-t3441204
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] DrakenFX:
Thanks for find this and is fix , there was indeed extra space.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] jabeth407:
Tenfar's axon7root.exe was automatically eliminated by Kaspersky as a virus was in it. I suppose I could expose my system if Tenfar tells me his program is good to go... I posted to him for that. I'm on the U.S.A. inc.'s land using a Vaio + Windows 8.1 pro. I have yet to get the phone (A2017U; w/ build B29) to even show up on the computer. Wasting time reading and trying to download programs from insidious sites attempted to stick your system with all kinds of crap, and to top it all off the very program I'm to use contains a virus by Kaspersky's standards. Not getting anywhere.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] deseandr:
successfully rooted and unlocked bl on a2017g b05. original post - http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=778560&view=findpost&p=55193494 . Translation to english - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1421198214846418/permalink/1423120704654169/
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
Well, it does contain a "virus" in that it actually makes use of an exploit to modify your phone. It's up to you whether you choose to trust that its actions are limited to your phone and that the changes it makes are limited to what the dev says it does.

I'm not the dev, nor do I have the technical expertise to examine his app and guarantee that it's "safe". That said, there's very little reason to doubt a proven senior member of XDA and many of us have already used the tool successfully. [MENTION=540283]tenfar[/MENTION] is not going to respond to your question, so if you need them to assure you, you might as well give up now. And what would you expect them to say? They'd tell you the same thing whether it were malicious or safe.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] jabeth407:
Oh why didn't you say so...

I thought tenfar would tell people that, if he knew. I appreciate you telling me about it, I can look at it real quick before I run it, no problem there. I was referring to the website used to transfer files, in its insidious way it offers downloads. Why would I assume the developer is a virus maker? That's seems like a stupid assumption. The website used to transfer files though, that is questionable given the insidious way it is set up and it isn't the dev's own domain. Anyway thanks for your prompt and very informative response, I'll get to working on it now.

The phone I have, I just got two weeks ago and it has never managed files (doesn't copy or move); the gallery doesn't stay under zoomed conditions when you let your fingers off the screen; the fingerprinter doesn't accept fingerprints, it has locked itself out. Initially I got one in before it locked out, but after unsetting then resetting the security, it deleted the one print and locked out all 5; and the compass hasn't calibrated in those two weeks, I've spun figure-eights until I'm dizzy, no luck. I talked to ZTE and they've asked me for the same information three times over those two weeks. I think they're a little overwhelmed by the public's response to their AWESOME phone!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
Ah, yes, the host the dev uses for their files is indeed awful. You have to disable your ad-blocker because, well, it's full of ads. I'd re-host their files, but that's generally considered rude on XDA (without permission, anyway).
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] -Duir-:
A little off-topic fun fact: If you're on your computer you can use the browser add-on NoScript and not allow scripts from Dev-Host and it can't block you for using an ad-blocker.

Also, just over a year ago XDA posted this article [XDA No Longer Recommends Dev-Host]. Not sure if/when that stance changed though.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] SEALBoy:
Ok, I started with a B29 device and managed to get root working. In my experience, Step 3 (the one with axon7root.exe) will NOT give your device root, it will only install TWRP.

What you want to do is flash SuperSU after you flash the stock bootstack and ROM (Step 6). You can find it in the same post that Step 6 links to: http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/development/rom-guide-updates-to-stock-files-via-t3469484. Make sure you click Show Content so you can see the link to SuperSU.

That should give you root, at least it did for me.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] deseandr:
Cancel button was your solution... -_-
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] Iancort:
Yeah i did that and it said "wrong password"

---------- Post added at 09:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------

actually.....it didn't have an option to cancel
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] ElAguila:
With the long weekend I am getting ready to unlock and root my Axon 7. I just wanted to confirm before I start that the guide does work if you are on B29, right?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
Worked great for me! Good luck.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] SEALBoy:
Worked for me starting with a B29 phone. Just make sure you flash SuperSU after Step 6 in the guide, otherwise you won't have root.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] J-Pod:
I'm on B29 A2017U. When I boot into the bootloader menu, my phone is no longer seen by ADB. When I boot into the stock recovery ADB doesn't see my phone. Only when I am fully booted up will ADB see and work with my phone. I only have a Windows 10 PC. I am not sure how to proceed since ADB doesn't see my phone in the bootloader, so when I try to use the axon7backup.exe all Windows gives me are "Sorry this application cannot run under a virtual machine". But I am not running a virtual machine. Any Advice? Thanks!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] borijess:
Make sure you have the google drivers installed. I had a similar issue where in bootloader mode phone was not seen but in recovery it was. I installed drivers and set in device manager to see phone as ADB device.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] J-Pod:
I've tried the qualcomm drivers on tenfar's page, the intel adb drivers, and tried installing the google sdk adb. When I try to reboot into EDL mode via adb, the phone screen is just black and adb doesn't see it. When I boot into the bootloader it is the same.

Is there some way of uninstalling or reinstalling drivers that I may be screwing up? My phone never shows up as an Android device either, it looks like the attached.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
Your screen will be black in EDL mode. There will be a brief red flash of the notification light & that is it. Use Tenfar's tool from a Windows Command prompt to determine the A7's Comm Port. You need to install the Qualcom Drivers for the phone to be recognized in EDL mode. If ADB really doesn't put the phone into EDL (I think it does, you just didn't know it) then use the volume + power buttons to get there. Goodluck
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] J-Pod:
delete
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] ronj1986:
Glad it worked out for you J-Pod. I got my butt kicked for 3.5 hours unlocking the bootloader and rooting.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] RUNNERX:
Rczrider you the man! Thank you so much for the concise guide.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] mumboender:
Nice guide....I was unlocked within an hour of delivery of the phone and setting up xposed shortly after. Thank you for consolidating all this...
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
I'm returning my Axon 7 due to a lens issue (one corner is always blurry), so I went ahead and did the re-locking procedure. It was almost correct and I assume anyone who had tried it managed just fine, but I updated the OP to reflect the exact steps I did now that I've verified I'm back to B29 stock with a locked bootloader. I do not know if I can take an OTA, though, since there's no way to test it.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] alansupra94:
My question is what would I need to run custom roms?

I went through all the steps besides 6,7,8. At this point, what bootstack would I use with say cyanogenmod?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] rczrider:
You should only need to do two things to run CM: unlock your bootloader and install TWRP.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] alansupra94:
Ah okay that makes sense. I just wanted to be sure. I did a full TWRP back up just incase. I am running cyanogenmod right now and will decide after a day or 2 if they is for me.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] lafester:
getting device is in a wrong state when trying to flash twrp...

dump went fine and still seeing device in device manager on the correct com port.

- worked after reboot
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] story:
great write up, but can the title include bootloader in it or is it too long?

I thought it was sim unlocking when first scan the title.

This is for noobs after all.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] lafester:
Pretty sure the device is sim unlocked already?

Nice guide. Tenfar's method of flashing twrp was a bit confusing for such a simple thing.

Thanks!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] Abstract3000:
could you please update the guide so it does not include the need of this thread -> http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/development/wip-axon-7-root-bootloader-unlokced-t3441204

That thread is garbage, all links are fake with nothing more than aggressive malware attempts.

Thanks
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] lafester:
That thread is what makes everything possible.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
Those are not "aggressive malware attempts", but targeted exploits into the phone to allow the desired results. Your AV software is reporting false positives simply because it recognizes the tool types used.
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] hjjiang:
Used the axon7backup.exe successfully, had to temp disable AV though
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] Abstract3000:
Oh really huh? "but targeted exploits" disguised as a webpage that locks your browser and forces you to download .exe files claiming to be adobe or java updates depending on which order you click the big blue download button.... yeah I'll let you go ahead and install those exe files, Let me know how it goes!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] amphi66:
Well, I did unlock & root and all went well. Now running a debloated, custom ROM, modified even further. Your reply reads as if you are having deeper computer problems than this perceived A7 issue. Good luck getting it all straightened out!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] gpz1100:
How else you going to [unofficially] unlock the bootloader without the exploit in that thread?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] xtermmin:
If you have the US model, you can:

Whatever version you're on -> B20 (flash ZTE's image via stock recovery) -> B20_Boot (flash ZTE's bootloader unlock version via stock recovery) -> fastboot oem unlock -> B20 again -> B27 OTA -> B29 OTA, and from here you can flash TWRP, root, custom ROMs, etc.

(Alternatively: ... -> fastboot oem unlock -> flash TWRP -> flash DrakenFX's B29 Superstack and Stocksystem, then you can root/ROM)
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] gpz1100:
^^Thanks. I came into the scene after b20_boot. Mine came with b27 out of the box. I did revert back to b20 for testing purposes. Doing an ota update it pulled b27, not b20_boot. In fact, I tried searching around for an archive of b20_boot but could not find it. Got a link for it?
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] nuserame:
Sounds great, links please!
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] xtermmin:
It's a few topics down in this forum :P

http://xdaforums.com/axon-7/how-to/bootloader-unlock-t3437778
[ZTE Axon 7 Guides, News, & Discussion] gpz1100:
Ahh!! I have that file (P996A01B20Fastboot_ssl.zip) already. Didn't realize that was the update to b20_boot version as it's not part of the filename. That explain where the infamous fastboot.img came from.

I don't know which is more convoluted, this phone or unlocking the bootloaders on motorolas. The latter as you probably know requires pulling a hash from the phone and providing it to the manufacturer to receive an unlock key. I suppose this way since nothing is ever exchanged/logged (assuming no fuses are blown), the manufacturer has a harder time proving it's been modded and denying warranty claims.

With respect to flashing back to b20, only concern there is downgrading a number of key low level partitions. With samsung and motorola, this usually causes issues and is to be avoided. That doesn't seem to be the case here.