[Lenovo Yoga Book Guides, News, & Discussion] nan0s7:
Hello, everyone!

If you aren't an expert - that's okay. Everyone is welcome and you're free to ask questions.

Make sure to check the date this post was updated (I may forget to update the date in the title) which is located at the bottom of this post. If this post hasn't been updated in more than a month, contact me and I'll refresh everything.
​

Quick Introduction:

I'm new to the Yoga Book squad, and I've noticed one major downside.... the forums are a total mess. So what I'm hoping to do, is to keep this thread as up-to-date as possible, with links to guides, development progress and anything else.

I figure to make this more... tidy, I will enforce a colour-coding system for each sub-thread-guide-thingy, so you can instantly tell whether a guide or method to do something to your Yoga Book is risky, and most likely experimental, or is well tested. These will probably be done via experiments on my own Book (the wifi-only version), but of course I will hope via this community thread I will be able to provide more detailed statistics and such as everyone does their own thing to their device.

If you have anything to add to this thread, or would like to help out with anything; please feel free to contact me or just tell me what you're thinking - I'll do my best to read everyone's replies.

General Yoga Book Information

To my knowledge, there are two versions of the Yoga Book, each with two sub-versions for the OS:

1.) YB1-X9aF - this is the Wi-Fi version

2.) YB1-X9aL - this is the LTE/4G version

Where the "a" between the 9 and the F/L is either a zero or a one, depending on the installed OS (Android: 0, Windows 10: 1)

The SIM card is a Nano-SIM with 3G capability.

Other than that, all Yoga Book devices share the following specifications:

- 10.1 inch IPS display, of resolution 1920x1200

- Intel Atom x5-Z8550 processor, which:

----+ Has an architecture of x86_64

----+ Core base clock of 1.44 gigahertz

----+ Core boost clock of 2.4 gigahertz

----+ 4 cores and 4 threads

- Battery capacity of 8500 milliampere hours

- On-board storage of 64 gigabytes of solid-state storage (SSD)

- 4 gigabytes of random-access memory (RAM)

- A microSD card slot capable of up to 128 gigabytes of storage

- Two camera's, one above the display and one on the keyboard

- Wi-Fi (802.11 ac) and Bluetooth (v4)

- 3.5 millimetre headphone jack

- Micro-USB 2.0 OTG port

- Micro-HDMI port

Colour (or color) Codes and Tags:

For those who like using grey-scale display filters or whom are colour blind, I've added a "level" to each of them, where level 3 is like... crazy meltdown experimentation mode, and 1 is stable-ish (probably as stable as it'll get unless a REAL developer takes on the challenge).

[X] - Means that you will have to delete some or all of your data for it to work

[R] - Means that it requires a Rooted device

[Level 3] VERY EXPERIMENTAL - Use with caution, and with the knowledge that you may boot-loop, brick your device or lose your data!!! OR ALL OF THOSE THINGS!! Make sure to backup everything you hold dear, and just for good measure you'll have something to fallback on.

[Level 2] NOT WELL-TESTED - This will probably work for most people, but things may be unstable at the best of times. Again, make sure you have a backup before trying level 2 items.

[Level 1] 99% FINE - If there's an issue, it's probably your own fault... but again, I can't guarantee that everything I or anyone else does is perfect and will work for everyone! You should probably still have a backup, but if you're lazy like myself it's okay, I forgive you.

Android M/6.0

Rooting, backups, and more!​

[1][X] Unlocking the Bootloader

earthCallingAngela wrote a really nice guide for unlocking the bootloader. The original thread is here, but for those who are too lazy to open the link in a new tab I've quoted the information.

IF YOU APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS GO AND THANK THEIR ORIGINAL POST!!!

Remember, unlocking your devices bootloader will format your storage (meaning you'll lose all of your data), so backup anything important before proceeding.

earthCallingAngela's OP: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/how-to/how-to-unlock-bootloader-t3502216

[3] TWRP Custom Recovery

danjac has written a post about his attempt at getting a modified version of TWRP running on his Yoga Book. From what I can tell it was a success, besides a few bugs (which are avoidable... I think).

WARNING! MAKE SURE YOU READ THESE!!

Before you go ahead and just flash his version, make sure you know the consequences that could arise if something goes wrong. If the recovery of your device screws up, you don't really have much to bring it back to life with. Even though there shouldn't be many things to worry about, it's still very risky.

In fact, it is recommended you ONLY temporarily boot into TWRP, instead of just flashing it like you would on another device. danjac's OP gives more information for you to use.

If you think you are willing to take the risk and know what you're doing, I highly suggest you make a complete backup of your device if possible. So far there isn't really a way to get your stock recovery back (since we don't have a custom ROM or a way to download Lenovo's modified version online).

danjac's OP: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/development/recovery-twrp-t3533980

[2] Rooting (via Magisk)

danjac wrote the first guide to rooting the Yoga Book, and you should, again, go and thank his original post. However, his OP is now a bit outdated, Magisk (currently v12.0) now includes a root module (MagiskSU) based on phh's SuperUser.

Please note: If you are already rooted via a different method (and maybe you want to change because it didn't work... or something like that) you have to go into your super-user manager and uninstall it. If you have a previous version of Magisk installed, there is an uninstall ZIP that you can flash, which will remove any Magisk version, including MagiskSU. Again, more details on the main Magisk thread.

Do I NEED to unlock my bootloader to Root my device?

The short answer is yes, and the long answer is sort-of. You only need to unlock your bootloader if your ROM doesn't support Rooting out-of-the-box (which in Lenovo's case, it isn't supported). However, you can lock your bootloader afterwards if it's such a concern to you. Yeah, you probably will stop receiving over-the-air updates from Lenovo, but they're probably not going to push out another update for a long while, so in my opinion it's nothing to worry about.

Follow the instructions on the main Magisk page to install it if you're new to Magisk, but if you know a thing or two then I'll paraphrase:

- Flash the latest Magisk ZIP file via the TWRP Recovery (if you have it) or just flash it over ADB

- You should also download the Magisk Manager from the Play Store to make sure you're always up-to-date

danjac's OT: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/how-to/root-yb1-x90l-how-to-t3534268

Magisk's main thread: https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445

[2] Dual-booting Android and Windows 10

Since there isn't a place to get the Android side of things, I won't put too much info here.

Although if you're already running the Android version and want to know how to put Windows 10 on your device too, look at this thread.

Dual-booting OT: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/help/android-to-windows-hack-dual-boot-option-t3475733

[3][X] Custom ROM

Currently there is no custom ROM which supports the Yoga Book, mainly for the simple fact not many people own the device. However, if we make enough noise in the community I'm sure someone will crack under the pressure ;P

Although, I'm doing my best efforts to merge the device drivers and such into the Android Source code, but you shouldn't get your hopes up. If I ever get it working, it will probably be unstable and not that great (I don't have much experience with the details of the Android OS), I'm running off my knowledge of the Linux OS.

If you're using the Windows 10 version of the Yoga Book (I'm sorry you paid the extra $50!!), hopefully Lenovo will at least release a version of their own ROM soon (or put it back from what I've heard). I've also heard that they're upgrading to Nougat in October (of 2017)... so we've got plenty of time to find another solution to our sorrows.

Information for Developers:

Someone has also posted a backup of their working Lenovo-customised Android OS, but I won't post a link here because:

- It's only a backup

- May draw un-wanted attention to the link

But if you're a developer and you think that will help you, you can easily find it somewhere in these forums.

EDIT: The link has now been removed (I can't find it)

If you're trying to

repo sync

the AOSP and you're getting stuck syncing the work tree, try doing this (from the folder you're trying to sync to):

rm -rf frameworks/compile/slang/
mkdir /home/<user>/slang_helper
sudo ln -s /home/<user>/slang_helper frameworks/compile/slang

Please be careful when typing commands into your terminal, especially from the internet, and especially when you don't understand what the commands are doing.

Lenovo's source code download: http://pcsupport.lenovo.com/au/en/products/tablets/yoga-series/yoga-book/za0v/downloads

[2] Linux without removing Android

Thanks to @Tiggi2017 for making the first guide. His OT here is a good one to read through if you're interested in this.

Via a few apps and some commands, you're able to have a "Linux" OS running on your Android device with the Halo Keyboard and such still working perfectly.

His original method doesn't need Root access apparently. However, there are other methods that may be easier for some people if they have a Rooted device. Look through the comments in that thread for more information.

OT: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/how-to/yoga-book-gnuroot-debian-t3580358

Apps, tips and tricks!​

[1] Apps That Support Multi-Window

Thanks to sashlon1138 for doing most of the hard work by putting this list together (may not be complete, if you know of more apps that work let me know so I can add them!).

Thanks to uuang for getting the ball rolling.

Thanks to Csilla4 for finding the first calculator app that works.

Thanks to docoli for also finding a huge list of compatible apps.

Csilla4:

- iDo Calculator

uuang:

- RAR

- Google Photos

sashlon1138:

- Chrome (but not beta)

- Facebook

- Messenger (Facebook)

- Gmail

- Outlook

- Youtube

- VLC

- Google Search

- Home

- Instagram

- Pinterest

- Dolphin Browser

- Ebay

- Paypal

- Flow Free

- Google Maps

- Google Earth

- OneNote

- Wikipedia

- ES File Manager

- Twitter

- Evernote

- Reddit

- Skype

- Candy Crush Saga

- Candy Crush Soda

- Candy Crush Jelly

- Spotify

- Soundcloud

- Opera

- Opera Mini

- Yahoo Mail

- Viber Messenger

- MX Player

- Google Translate

- Shazam

- AliExpress

- Tumblr

- Twitch

- Mega

docoli:

- Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

- Softmaker Textmaker HD, Planmaker HD and Presentations HD

- RealCalc

- Adobe Acrobat

- CamScanner

- MindjetMaps

- LinkedIn

- ezPDF Reader

- Detexify

- HERE WeGo

- Google Street View

- Öffi (German Public Transportation Schedule app)

- DB Navigator (German Railroad Schedule app)

- Kindle

- Amazon Prime Video

- Maxdome

- Barnes & Noble Nook

- Audible

- TuneIn Radio

- TED

- Babbel

- dict.cc. plus

- Amazon

- Nine (you can even have any number of items in parallel on the screen, e.g., inbox, calender, contacts, notes)

- OneDrive

Link to OT: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/help/multi-window-apps-t3565253/post71494066#post71494066

[2] Changing the DPI

WARNING! Do not change your DPI to extreme values! You may render your device useless (unless you already have set up ADB and know how to revert the changes)!

Thanks to melando for bringing up the actual default DPI values.

Just so you are aware, if you're running Android 7 (Nougat) or later, you can adjust the "DPI" to some preset values from the settings app.

Using this site, I calculated that the Yoga Book has a technical DPI of 224 pixels per inch, with a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels, over a 10.1" screen (diagonal). However, the default Lenovo has set it to may be actually 280. They suggest that you may find it better if the DPI is set to 240.

This is a trivial modification if your device is Rooted. All you have to do is open the Play Store, and search for something along the lines of "DPI changer", and find an app that has good reviews.

An example app would be "Easy DPI Changer [Root]"

If your device does not have Root, then you will have to have a computer with ADB installed.

To install ADB, do a quick Google. There's bound to be a guide there somewhere (I'll put one here soon).

Once you have ADB installed, you can follow this easy guide to change your DPI to whatever you like.

DPI Calculator: http://dpi.lv/

Non-Root Method: http://www.androidbeat.com/2015/07/how-to-change-dpi-of-android-device-without-root/

[1] Recommended Apps...?

There isn't anything here as of yet, because I haven't gotten far enough to look for any good apps that work well with the Yoga Book. So right now I'm going to rely on everyone else for that. I'll get there eventually.

However, you should at least download Magisk Manager from the Play Store, to manage your Root and other neato Magisk features.

If you're a developer, and need guinea pigs to test your stuff on, I am happy to help anyway I can (and I'm sure much of the community is too).

If anyone needs help, I'll do my best to assist, but if it's anything too tedious (such as teaching you how TWRP works or something along those lines), you should probably have a look on the internet for tutorials and guides for that stuff. There are plenty of people out there who can explain concepts better than myself.

Windows 10

Simple customisations!​

[1] Touch-pad Customiser

This program was first put into the spotlight by dinosauria123, so go to their original post and thank them for finding this.

This small program lets you modify some simple variables associated with your touch pad, only requiring a reboot after you change something.

Features:

OT: https://xdaforums.com/yoga-book/themes/yoga-book-touch-pad-setting-application-t3569836

[1] Minor Halo KB Customisations

If you were wondering if there was a simple and easy way to lower the brightness of the Halo Keyboard, or just get rid of those pesky battery-draining touch vibrations for every key press, there is a way!!

Best of all, you don't have to download it! It's already installed!!

To find this not-so-well-hidden app, you have to either go to your Program Files, or open the good-old Control Panel (thanks to urayandro for pointing out that it's in the Control Panel!).

Control Panel method: Once you're in the Control Panel, just click on "Appearance and Personalisation", and you will find the "Halo Keyboard" program right at the bottom.

Program Files method: For 99.9% of people this is on your Local Drive (C: ). It may be located in your normal Program Files or it may be in your x86 Program Files, I'm assuming it depends on whether you're using the Windows 10 your device originally came with, or you have re-installed it (thanks to sawyerbenjamin for informing me that for them, it was in the normal Program Files folder). Assuming it's in your normal program files; go to Program Files/Lenovo/ and there it is. The application name is "ControlApp.exe". You can also make a shortcut to this application - I put a shortcut on my Desktop.

It allows you to:

- Toggle the touch tone/sound

- Toggle the vibration on keypress

- Adjust the time it takes for the keyboard lights to turn off

- Adjust the backlight (or whatever that is called) brightness for the whole keyboard

Risky or experimental customisations!​

[2] Using AMIDuOS (Android Emu)

Update: I've spent a bit of time trying to use this, and in my opinion it's not worth the time. But if you need a development environment for something, it's pretty good at that. :/

In my attempt at replacing my Windows 10 installation with any version of Android I could find, I ran across this program called AMIDuOS. It's similar to emulating an Android system while you're in Windows, but instead of running it in a virtual environment, it runs directly on your x86 hardware (which is what the Yoga Book uses).

If you're cool with having a Windows 10 version of the Yoga Book, but still want to use some Android applications (possibly for drawing, or maybe just because the Android ecosystem is miles better compared to the Windows one) this may be a good solution for you.

Currently, they support Lollipop and Jellybean (not Marshmallow). However, this program is not free. You can trial it for free though. I'm fairly certain the full price is $10 USD.

It's not a difficult thing to set up (apparently), so if you wanna try something out and know how to deal with possible emulation problems (although unlikely) it may be worth it.

AMIDuOS Website: http://www.amiduos.com/

[2] Process Lasso

Huh? Process what-now? Yep, Process Lasso is a very complex program filled to the brim with algorithms tailored mainly towards getting the best performance and responsiveness, and to control those pesky rogue background processes that slow down your device when you don't need them to.

This program is completely free (but it does have a Pro version if you want a few extra customisation's and want to support the developers) and I've found it works pretty well, especially with a low-power device like the Yoga Book.

Since the Yoga Book is meant to be a very portable device, I'm not using Process Lasso to get maximum performance (as that would obviously drain the battery life quickly), I'm using it to make sure that if there's a program that needs to use power and deplete my battery life, then it's something I want - not some dodgy Windows background processes or other stuff like that.

It's pretty easy to set up. I've got a few of the main features enabled, and I recommend that you use similar settings.

I've enabled:

- ProBalance; this will keep the background processes in check, and allow the foreground processes to take the reigns of your CPU, insuring you experience minimal stutters.

- SmartTrim; this is an optional one, since I'm constantly micro-managing the applications I've got installed on my 64GB internal drive, this should help to prolong the performance of my drive, making sure it's well pruned (that's a pretty good analogy actually)

I've turned off the tray-icon showing me the CPU utilisation, so that doesn't need to waste any of my precious battery life (I'm usually a battery-life extremest), but you don't need to do that.

So if you're experiencing major delays when just doing simple things like moving around the Windows 10 user interface due to rogue background processes, I highly recommend you give this program a try.

Also, if you're a pro-ish-user like myself, feel free to dive deeper into the program. It's filled with toggles and adjustable's for you to play with and tailor the program to your needs, and almost everything you can change is accompanied with a tool-tip explaining what it does. Enjoy! But of course, as always, be careful of what you change - there are some things that could make your system really slow and or unstable.

P.S. The Yoga Book uses the 64-bit system, so choose that version of the program.

Website: https://bitsum.com/