[TouchPad Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] RolandDeschain79:
How to install Android 9.x/8.1.x/7.1.x/4.4.4 Video:

Timecode:

Step1 @ 0:20 Step2 @ 1:00 Step3 @ 1:23 Step4 @ 1:46

Step5 @3:00 Step6 @ 3:33 Step7 @ 5:30 Step8 @ 7:03

Step9 @ 9:05 Step10 @ 9:41

Battery drain and performance update @ 11:24

Video: Android 9.0 Pie on the HP TouchPad(Newest video)

1)Getting started, Requirements and Preparation:

A)You must have Java and the novacom software installed on your PC before running Jcsullins Touchpad Toolbox.

Click here to Download Java

Download the Novacom files and manually install the driver for your OS here or here

OR

Click here to Download the Universal Novacom Installer 1.4.1

Note: The universal installer isn't working anymore manually install the driver.

B)Backup, Backup, Backup, Using the "Complete Data Reset" feature of the TPtoolbox or the "Erase USB drive" from WebOS, will delete absolutely everything on your HP TouchPad!

2)(Optional)Time to Choose the Fate of WebOS:

Note: If you wish to remove WebOS or have already removed it just skip to step # 3

If you wish to keep WebOS then do the following steps:

Uninstall Android and Clean up your SDcard:

A]Uninstall Android completely by using the ACMEUinstaller2, watch the instructional video below. After uninstalling Android you will automatically reboot to WebOS.

How to use the ACMEUninstaller2 (Short Version)

1)Install the Novacom software(You installed this in step 1)

2)Next place this ACMEUninstaller2

here file into the Novacom folder.

-By default this folder will be located on your PC @ C:/Program Files/ Palm, Inc. Mac OS X users will find this folder @ /opt/nova/bin.

-Download the ACMEUninstaller2 here file and copy and paste it right into either of those directories.

3)Boot the tablet into WebOS recovery mode and attach it with the USB cable to your PC.

Download and extract these ACME5 batch files here and run the "removecm2.bat" file to uninstall Android.

Or

Open a command prompt and type the following:

On Your PC

cd c:\Program Files\Palm, Inc (enter)

novacom.exe boot mem:// < ACMEUninstaller2 (enter)

On your Mac

cd /opt/nova/bin (enter)

./novacom boot mem:// < ACMEUninstaller2 (enter)

How to enter WebOS recovery mode from Android:

-If you currently have Android installed you can hold down the power button choose reboot and select "webOS recovery mode" from the moboot menu.

Connect the HP Touchpad to your PC via the USB cable.

Or

How to enter WebOS recovery mode from WebOS:

-Reboot the HP Touchpad via WebOS rest options menu located @ launcher/settings/device info/reset options/restart.

-Hold down the volume up button while the Touchpad reboots. Once you see the large USB symbol on the screen release the volume button.

Connect the HP Touchpad to your PC via the USB cable.

B]Now from WebOS we will wipe our SDcard before the TPtoolbox can setup our partition/volumes. Completely wipe your SDcard by booting into WebOS and going to, launcher/settings/device info/reset options/erase USB drive. The Touchpad will then reboot itself and the data will be completely erased. Note: This will not affect your WebOS setup, apps or Preware. Now continue in this guide but skip step 5)Complete Data Reset.

View attachment 3957218

-If you previously removed WebOS but want to add it back use Jcsullins instructions click here:

-If you need to bypass the WebOS activation get the tool and instructions click here:

3)Enter webOS recovery mode and connect the Touchpad to your PC with the USB cable:

Hold down the power button to Shutdown/power off the tablet. Once off press and hold down the volume up button and then press the power button. When you see the USB symbol on the screen attach your tablet to your PC via the USB cable.

or

From Android hold down the power button choose reboot, use the volume button and home button to select "webOS recovery mode" from the moboot menu.

Connect the HP Touchpad to your PC via the USB cable.

or

From WebOS reboot from the rest options menu located @ launcher/settings/device info/reset options/restart.

Hold down the volume up button while the Touchpad reboots. Once you see the large USB symbol on the screen release the volume button.

Connect the HP Touchpad to your PC via the USB cable.

4)Download, extract and run Jcsullins Touchpad Toolbox

Download TPtoolbox v42 mirror here

Download TPtoolbox v42 mirror here

-Extract the TPToolbox v42 zip file and open the folder.

On Windows, run the batch file named tptb_v42_win.bat

On Linux, run the script named tptb_v42_nix.sh

On Mac, run the script named tptb_v42_mac.command

-Lines of script will scroll across the HP Touchpad screen until you see the TPtoolbox main menu.

-The TPToolbox consists of 3 different panels, 1 menu, 2 help, and 3 output, see picture.

-Swipe the screen with your finger or use the volume button to navigate the menu and the home button to make selections.

View attachment 3957198

5)Complete Data Reset(Removes all Data, WebOS, and Android)

-Scroll down to Complete Data Reset and select it with the home button and choose yes three times to begin the process.

-If you previously did step number 3 and want to keep WebOS then skip this step and proceed to step 6 installing android.

View attachment 3957215

6)Installing Android on the HP TouchPad

-scroll down to Install Android from the menu and select it with the home button.

-The TPtoolbox will mount the media partition/volume to your PC. Open the Touchpads Media partition/volume on your PC and look for the ttinstall folder. Place the below Rom, Recovery and Gapps zips into the ttinstall folder.

View attachment 5291363

Download Android 4.4.4 Kitkat install files(Recovery, Rom, Gapps):

Recovery: Download TWRP-jcs-dm-tenderloin-20140612b.zip here

Rom: Download Jcsullins Snapshot CM11 build here

Gapps: Download Base Gapps 4.4.4 here

-Once the files are finished transferring to the HP TP select Unmount Media Volume from the TPtoolbox menu.

-The TPtoolbox will now check the files for compatibility then begin to set your partitions/volumes.

-If the TPtoolbox fails to run it will display which file is incompatible, start the install again and replace the offending file(s).

Note: Flintmans newest TWRP builds cannot be installed with the TPtoolbox and must be flashed from an older legacy recovery.

7)How to change the Partition/Volume sizes(Required for Android 9.x/8.1.x/.7.1.2)

-Before confirming the OS installation scroll down and choose Adjust Volume Sizes from the TPtoolbox menu

-Scroll down to the cm-data volume and select it, then scroll down to -1024 and select that

-Scroll up and go back a page in the menu, next highlight cm_system from the menu and select it

-Scroll down to +1024 and select that

-Scroll up and go back a page in the menu, select APPLY Changes and confirm the partition layout

-Now confirm the OS installation by selecting Yes and pressing the home button. Your Recovery Rom and Gapps will be flashed automatically.

Note: I recommended setting the cm-data volume to 2048mb+. Optionally you can increase the cm-cache to 400mb+, users say it could improve performance with Oreo.

View attachment 5291339

TPToolbox Auto Installs your Rom, Gapps and Recovery(Please stand by..)

-The details of partition/volume resizing will scroll across the TPtoolboxes bottom output window and the device will auto reboot into recovery. The Rom and Gapps package will now be installed automatically, this may take a few minutes, Please stand by..... Once complete the Touchpad will restart and boot into Android.

Note:You now have the most stable mature Rom installed on your HP Touchpad(Milaq's Lineage 11 Android 4.4.4). You may wish to stay here or come back to this setup if you have issues with newer 9.x or 8.1.x or 7.1.2 builds.

-I recommend making a nandroid backup at this point to easily return to this version of Android.

8)Download and Transfer Android 9.x/8.1.x/7.1.2 install files to the HP TouchPad

-Once the tablet boots to Android KitKat, connect the USB cable to the tablet and your PC.

Note: You can also transfer files directly from TWRP by plugging in the USB cable to the PC

-Transfer over the 3 android 9.x or 8.1.x or 7.1.2 zip files below, Recovery, Rom, and Gapps, to the HP Touchpad. I put the files into my downloads folder.

Download Android 9.x or 8.1.x or 7.1.2 install files(Recovery, Rom, Gapps):

Recovery: Download FLINTMAN-TWRP-3.2.1-0-03-15-2018 here

Rom: Download the Final Dirty Unicorns 9.x build here

Gapps: Download Open Gapps 9.x Pico here

Optional Roms:

-Replace the above rom and gapps with one of these other choices.

-Use the same recovery FLINTMAN-TWRP-3.2.1-0-03-15-2018 for all 9.x/8.1/7.1 builds

Rom: Download the Evervolv 9.0 final build here

Gapps: Download Open gapps 9.x Pico here

Note: If the AOSP Keyboard crashes at start install the Google keyboard apk here

or

Rom: Download the Dirty Unicorns 8.1.2 final build here

Gapps: Download Dirty Unicorns gapps 8.1 nano here

or

Rom: Download the LineageOS 14.1 Unofficial Final build here

Gapps: Download Open gapps 7.1 Pico here

or

Rom: Download the Evervolv 7.1.2 Nightly WiFi Final build here

Gapps: Download Open gapps 7.1 Pico here

or

Rom: Download the Jcsullins CM12.1 final build here

Gapps: Download OpenGaps5.1 pico here

or

Rom: Download the Lineage11 final build here

Gapps: Download BaseGapps 4.4Pico here

or

Rom: Download the Kitkat PAC-man Gaming Rom final build here

Gapps: Download BaseGapps 4.4 here

9)Reboot into legacy TWRP recovery, flash the new TWRP 3.2.1.0

Hold down the power button reboot the tablet select TWRP Recovery from moboot.

-From TWRP Select Install then look for the download folder containing your 3 android install files on the left side menu.

-Select and flash the file, FLINTMAN-TWRP-3.2.1-0-03-15-2018, then go back, reboot and again select TWRP from the menu.

Note: Flintmans newest TWRP builds cannot be installed with the TPtoolbox and must be flashed from an older legacy recovery.

10)Reboot into TWRP recovery 3.2.1.0, Flash the Android 9.x/8.1.x/7.1.2 Rom and Gapps

-Once in the new TWRP 3.2.1 go to the Wipe menu and select Advanced Wipe.

-Select the System partition and swipe to wipe.

-Click on the TWRP home button(bottom middle) to return to the main menu.

-Select Install, locate the download folder on the left menu.

-Select and install the 9.x/8.1.2/7.1.2 Rom and the Gapps package then reboot.

-After choosing to install the rom click the button to add additional zips, add the gapps package and put a check beside reboot when complete.

Note: The first boot to android 9.0/8.1.2/7.1.2 can take some time, Wait for it...

Follow up Q & A:

How do I update my rom to a newer version?

-To update your rom you need to do what is called a dirty flash.

-Download the latest version of the installed rom onto the device.

-Reboot into TWRP recovery and flash the rom, just like you did in step 10 but without the gapps package.

How do I change my rom, do I have to start from the beginning?

-To quickly change to a different rom download the rom and gapps to the device and reboot into TWRP recovery.

-From TWRP select the "Wipe" menu then swipe to factory reset (warning this wipes your data).

-Go back to the main menu and install the desired rom and gapps then reboot.

-Be warned switching to various versions of Android like this could cause a boot loop, if you get stuck just start over with the TPtoolbox

What Roms do I recommend?

The biggest complaints about using the HP Touchpad in 2021 are app compatibility and YouTube crashing or having distorted playback. Jcsullins CM11 Snapshot has good YouTube playback and great all around perfromace.

However older roms might not have compatibility with newer apps but newer roms aren't as mature and reliable. This causes users to try different builds in search of what works best for their specific needs and tastes. Many issues have simple solutions, have a look at the troubleshooting section in post 3 for more assistance here. The HP TouchPad has had an incredible level of community support and aged gracefully but has reached its end of life.

#1 Android Kitkat 4.4.4, I highly recommend these builds for people who want the most stable reliable rom. This is your set it and forget it daily driver. From the golden age of HP Touchpad development, these roms have the least amount of issues and saw the longest period of development. Jcsullins CM11 Snapshot doesn't have issues with YouTube playback like Lineage 11 and is an excellent choice.

#2 Android 5.1 CM12.1 Snapshot by Jcsullins. Another fully functional rom by the Touchpad talented one. Much like CM11 this rom has aged well. The user interface is more modern than CM11 but performance is little slower.

#3 Android 7.1.2 roms are fully functional and have good app compatibility. YouTube works well plus streaming fixes were added to the roms. I'd recommend checking out CM14.1 and Evervolv 7.1.2.

#4 Android 9.0 Pie has similar functionality to Oreo but the camera and Bluetooth don't work. The rom is usable but incomplete. If you don't ever use the camera and Bluetooth you probably won't miss them. Make a backup of your current rom before installing and touring this final HP TouchPad triumph.

What Apps do I recommend?

Ad-Away, XDA thread here, Github here

Note: use build 4.3.6 here with Android versions 4.4.4-7.1.2

Blocks adds through host file blacklist. Great app been using it for many years, silly video here

Advanced Task Manager here

Note: From the 3 dots menu/settings/ select, Screen off kill, Regular kill, stat up kill and then disable auto kill notice. You can whitelist apps you don't want killed by unchecking them in the menu.

System app remover (root needed) here

Note: Use a task manager app to identify unwanted system apps popping up in memory and remove them. Frees ram and space, gets rid of unwanted Google apps. Always make a backup before removing system apps.

PassMark Performance Test here

Note: Useful benchmarking tool to compare and contrast rom performance.

Quick System Info Pro here

Note: Great app for quick info on the TouchPads specifications, frequency's and volumes.

3C-Battery Manager here

Note: Great app for testing battery drain and health

3C-CPU Manger(ROOT) here

WiFi File Transfer here

File Manager here

Cx-File Explorer here

X-plore File Manager here

AIMP Music player here

VLC for Android here

Malwarebytes here

Additional resources:

Touchpad Toolbox Main Thread By Jcsullins

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