[Zuk Z1 General] SarthakSL:
Hi XDA,

After spending too much time trying to comprehend translated pages of ZUK Z1 guides I thought to create a complete guide to install ZUI 2.3.0.45, set English language, remove bloatware and root it.

There are separate guides for each and every part, I just thought it would be easier to compile them at one place. This guide is to convert to official ZUI those who are afraid to screw up their warranty.

WARNING: Developers or people who want to just try ZUI please flash TWRP flashable ROM file available at http://zukfans.eu/community/threads/twrp-z1-zui-2-3-045-st.1439/ . Unlocking ZUI bootloader is a huge pain. So do not convert to official ZUI unless you really want it. I felt that I wanted the official ROM so I know the procedure.

To install ZUI, you need to understand that the latest update is a OTA update. So first, you cannot flash it directly coming from COS 12.1/CM/AOSP. You need to flash a QPST file throught QFIL. First we will install ZUI 0.9.084 then update to ZUI 2.3.0.45.

WARNING: This will wipe everything from your device. Everything.

1. First download the QPST ROM for ZUI version 0.9.084 from : http://pan.baidu.com/s/1pKMCxJ1

2. Then follow these instructions to flash this QPST from the excellent guide present at : https://xdaforums.com/zuk-z1/development/how-to-flash-zuk-z1-zui-version-t3265741 After the device boots, directly power off.

3. Then from the above thread, download the ZUI 2.3.0.45 ROM. Link :

https://mega.nz/#!7RZHEC6B!tgvdDhEN7Qv8NWMB86IKOPOz4s9-0-ZCgxd-vrPUiTg

Unzip using 7zip. Connect ZUK Z1 to PC and in the root folder of your internal memory (outermost folder where you can see other folders like Android, DCIM, Camera, etc.) create a folder called 'sdfuse' (All lower case characters or ALL UPPERCASE CHARACTERS). Copy the .qsb file that you unzipped just now to this folder.

4. Now, hold Vol - (minus) and Power button at the same time from the power off state to enter ZUI recovery. Use volume buttons to scroll through options and select SD UPDATE option. It will show the file that you had copied. Select to start update. Once install completed, touch bottom left to 'Reboot'.

5. Done. Enjoy Official ZUI 2.3.0.45. Setup your device if you haven't already done.

Steps to change language to English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxeWL-UMWck

Enable Hardware Keys and Notification Light on ZUI

1. Go to Settings>Notifications & Statusbar>Notification light. Enable both lights.

2. Go to Settings>About. Tap continuously on ZUI Version until it shows you are a Developer.

3. Go to Settings>Advanced Settings>Developer Options. Enable 'Menu & Back' option.

U-Touch Best Settings

1. Go to Settings>U-Touch>Home Button Customization

2. Set Long Touch Home as Apps History and everything else as none.

This will result in left capacitive key functioning as MENU (useless). Pressing HOME resulting in home and long touching HOME resulting in Recent Apps. And the right capacitive key and short touching HOME both resulting in BACK keys.

If anybody has better recommendations or ways to disable short press HOME as back please suggest.

Steps to Install Google Apps:

Flashing benzo gapps or opengapps caused a problem with the latest ZUI. Google Play Services is already installed in the ROM. And all you need is to download Google Play.

1. Go to App Center on the ZUI home.

2. Search for 'Google'. Second result would be Google Play. Click on Install for Google Play.

3. Open Google Play, signin. Start downloading your fav apps from Google Play.

Remove Bloatware

It is very easy. These apps are not system protected.

1. Go to Settings>Advanced Settings>Applications

2. Click on Baidu, then choose Uninstall.

3. Repeat for QQ, QQ Music, WeChat, Calculator, Calendar, Sogou IME Keyboard. Basically uninstall every chinese app which allows you to except Google Play :silly:

Unlock ZUI Bootloader

WARNING: This will wipe internal storage.

1. Register for ZUK Developer Account here: Developer Sign Up

2. Select 'Register by email' and complete the formalities. After this step, Google Chrome Desktop Browser was giving me some headaches due to translate settings. I would suggest to follow the following steps in browser like 'Microsoft Edge'. Not trolling you, really.

3. Go to, http://developer.zuk.com/bootloader and request for recovery file to unlock bootloader. Sign in using created id.

Refer to a similar guide here at ZukFans

Only put the entire Serial Number for Z1, no need to append zeroes.

4. Check email after about a minute or two for unlock_bootloader.img file. Download the img file.

5. Power off device. Hold both Vol+ and Vol- button while connecting USB cable to enter fastboot mode.

6. In CMD, fastboot -i 0x2b4c oem unlock-go (if doesnt work, try, fastboot -i 0x2b4c oem unlock)

7. And then, fastboot -i 0x2b4c reboot

Root ZUI 2.3.0.45

1. After the bootloader is unlocked. Download TWRP recovery from : https://dl.twrp.me/Z1

2. Power off device. Hold both Vol+ and Vol- button while connecting USB cable to enter fastboot mode.

3. In CMD, fastboot -i 0x2b4c flash recovery twrp-3.0.2-0-Z1.img

4. And then, fastboot -i 0x2b4c reboot

Give ZUI sometime to grow up on you. I initially hated ZUI and used to always come back to Nuclea or CM. But the call quality and reception for me is significantly better on ZUI than COS 12.1 and maybe even CM.

Credits:

[MENTION=5609888]Ramshu97[/MENTION]

v1nc

The Prince

ZukFans.eu

Xda forums

Zuk Chinese Forums

If I forgot to give credits to anyone, please PM me to add. Enjoy flashing.