[ZTE Axon 7 ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Other Deve] EBeatFLA:
Not sure why this was asked in reply to my response about Recents. I'll do my best, if anyone wants to correct me, feel free.

Download the following and save to External MicroSD:

B12 Bootstack and AEX 5.6

TWRP 3.2.1.8

TWRP 3.2.1.7

Opengapps

Be sure to choose Arm64 and 8.1 options

(I prefer mini variant)

Magisk 16.0 or Magisk 16.4 Beta

I prefer 16.0

WARNING:

If coming from a ROM using the B32 or B32+B10 Bootstack, please carefully read the instructions before following them. If not followed properly you will lose TWRP and be forced to recover using the EDL Tool to flash TWRP 3.2.1-7 and start over. This is due to TWRP 3.2.1-8 not being compatible with the old B32 and B32+B10 bootstacks. So the phone must not be rebooted until the B12 Bootstack and AEX 5.6 are installed.

BACKUP YOUR STUFF

If you don't currently have TWRP, then use the EDL Sticky to get to B19 Nougat with TWRP and then come back here. (The linked EDL method does not work on the G model)

If you currently have TWRP, then boot into recovery to get to it.

If you already have TWRP 3.2.1.7, disregard the following step:

Using TWRP, flash TWRP 3.2.1.7 'image' to the recovery partition from your external SD. Reboot into recovery.

Everyone should now be in TWRP 3.2.1.7.

Wipe Cache, System, Dalvik, Data, and Internal. Yes, Internal, hope you backed up your stuff. (If you know you are coming from a ROM where wiping Internal is not necessary, then don't, it is not mandatory. If you don't know, don't ask the thread, just wipe it.)

The next steps need to be performed without rebooting until completed, I will tell you when to reboot.

Flash B12 Bootstack from your external SD, select your appropriate model and at the end select the button on the right so that you do not reboot.

Flash AEX, (if wanting Schwifty, CAD or HellsGate-X kernel, flash it next), then flash Gapps, then flash Magisk.

The bootstack should already include TWRP 3.2.1.8, so this next step is optional. But for the sake of a one size fits all guide, flash the 3.2.1.8 image to your recovery partition here.

Wipe Cache and Dalvik if you wish, then reboot. (Please be aware that the new bootloader warning screen has larger text than we are used to seeing, this is normal, no need to report it to the thread.)

You can now party with the rest of us on TWRP 3.2.1.8 and the latest AEX 5.6.

Known Issues:

Recents GUI choppy >>> Fix by navigating to Recents in Extensions and turning off "Recents background tint"

When plugging in charger while phone is off the phone will boot up. Making the phone unable to be charged while off. This only affects A2017 and A2017G variants >>> Workaround is to charge phone while in TWRP

Want More?

GCam with HDR+ (Flash timing is no good):

https://github.com/AospExtended/platform_vendor_aosp/raw/8.1.x/prebuilt/common/apk/Gcam.apk

If you need to use flash, the built-in AEX camera or Open Camera are your best options.

Dolby Atmos:

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=5862345805528039633

Viper 4 Android:

As of now V4A may require trial and testing of a few different V4A installs before finding one that works for your device. Reported issues are too random to find a one-size fits all solution. So, YMMV.

Also, Dolby Atmos should be removed before installing V4A.

These instructions are for installing both

Ainur Sauron and V4A. If wanting only V4A, then only install V4A, do not install AS or AML:

Using Magisk go to Downloads

Install Ainur Sauron (reboot)

Install V4A by Shady Squirrel (it says Magisk v15 but works with v16) (reboot)

Install Audio Modification Library (reboot) (Please note, any time you update AS or V4A, you will need to reinstall AML.)

Testing (after applying settings and turning on):

Look to see if V4A shows the driver is processing while you are playing music.

If it's not, use Magisk to uninstall the ShadySquirrel version and then install the V4A module by Viper520. This module has several options when installing. Choose the newest version and test both Material and Original styles, then test the next oldest version, etc, etc. Until you find one that works for you.

Poweramp users: If Poweramp keeps causing V4A to stop working, make sure you update to the latest beta release. If still not working, try turning off DVC in Poweramp.

Ideal V4A settings are different for different people between different listening devices. No guide is going to give you magic settings. But, hopefully the following will assist in a decent starting point for you.

Go to V4A settings and change Lock Effect Mode to Headset. This allows you to use more V4A effects for the Axon7 speakers

V4A settings I am using are based off of settings previously posted by [MENTION=3320340]Krystalmyth[/MENTION]:

For Axon7 Speakers -

Viper DDC = Audio Technica ATH-CM7

Viper Clarity = Natural 3.5

Dynamic System = Monster 25%-35% (adds low-end to speakers, but muffles if too high)

For Headphones -

Viper DDC = Audio Technica ATH-CM7

Viper Clarity = Natural 3.5

Headphone Surround = Level 2 (Optional)

Spectrum Extension = Start at 0.3 and if the T and S sounds are too hissy, then lower it or turn it off. I am currently at 0.1 with my headphones.

(The bass on my headphones is already great with these settings, but if you need more bass, experiment with Dynamic System or Viper Bass.)

F2FS:

If wanting to migrate to f2fs, which I recommend, please follow Oki's F2FS Migration Guide, Thanks [MENTION=319057]Oki[/MENTION].

If you are having any issues while on f2fs, you may need to format cache to ext4.

If you have formatted cache to ext4 and continue to have issues with Magisk.

Download the latest zip from the OP on this thread: https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/guide-magisk-official-version-including-t3577875

Use TWRP to format cache to ext4, then flash the zip. This should place Magisk on the ext4 cache so that it will work.

This method has received mixed feedback so it may or may not work.

Thanks [MENTION=5492451]NFound[/MENTION] for adding this to the OP and for your continued development for our device.