yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] numbazZ:
it is showing you 404 because you need to be registered there to download

Link for Lenovo USB driver https://www.dropbox.com/s/c5d9ap2mzwsguz8/LenovoUsbDriver_v1.1.34.rar?dl=0

Link for SP Flash Tool https://www.dropbox.com/s/gwfib5ca4majbt8/SP_Flash_Tool_exe_Windows_v5.2044.00.000.zip?dl=0
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GBAFan:
You are awesome, I'll get to trying this out ASAP! Thanks so much!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] retro5:
That looks like a good rom. You might want to double check the folder name of the unzipped rom in C:\ProgramData\LMSA\Download\RomFiles. Also compare the files in your folder to the renamed one. No matter how many updates the app downloads, it will only use the last one. One way to check is to look at the download page in the app.

If I rename one of the folders, it will show 0GB so if your folder is showing 0GB, it could be the name doesn't match. It will only use the one with the 'go to rescue' button.

This method does work, a guy over on the Lenovo forum just did his M10 with it and I've done it 3 times. Much easier too.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GBAFan:
It worked great! Admittedly I flashed the Android 10 firmware first by accident, but once I figured that out I switched to the correct firmware and now it's running beautifully. Thanks so much everyone, this has been a huge help.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BurgerBob:
Hi there, i read you were successfull in flashing back to Android 9 on a M8 FHD 8705F. I tried the way described earlier with unzipping in the folder and had the Problem that it went from 40 to 100% without any changes.

Please can you give me a hint, which Firmware file / method you used to go from 10 to 9?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] retro5:
Awesome! It's quick and easy too, isn't it.

I've struggled with doing it the adb way many times and there are so many steps, it can be complicated. When I only do stuff like this once every 2 years or so, I have to relearn it. Some smart coder should re-engineer the app so it will flash whatever it's told to.

Congrats on being on P!! Don't forget to turn off auto-update!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GBAFan:
I used the TB-8705F_S100099_200706_BMP firmware from this site https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/lenovo/Tab_M8_FHD/TB-8705F/ . Hopefully it's fine to link here. Malwarebytes did not pick up anything in the zipped or unzipped files, so I feel relatively secure in the safety of the files themselve, although I have yet to check the flashed device for anything malicious that might be lurking on it. Good luck!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BurgerBob:
So you used the SP Flash tool as described on the russian website? (i had no success with using the LMSA and renaming so far (jumps from 40 to 100%).
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GBAFan:
Yeah. LMSA only seemed to be able to flash the officially downloaded Android 10, so I figured I might as well take the risk and try the Russian website tools. It was far easier than trying to trick LMSA into installing the old firmware as I have been trying to do for days now.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] numbazZ:
Well, now I have tried to downgrade to 9 myself and turns out it is beautiful, works like a completely different device, very satisfied with it. The only thing that when you change the theme to dark, nothing happens, interface is still white even after a reboot
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BurgerBob:
Just a short feedback.. today i found some time and downgraded my 8705F to Android 9, worked like a charm with the "russian method".. thanks for your infos and help :-)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] numbazZ:
I reworked the firmware for 8505F of the last 9 android update TB-8505F_S100145_200901_BMP, removed unnecessary software (Lenovo Tips, Kids Mode, Duo, Google Videos, YouTube and YTmusic (as many users install Vanced app) and many applications for the Chinese and Japanese markets), removed Lenovo OTA Update to prevent download and install the android 10 update, added a player, gallery application and a file manager, sounds from Pixel, the firmware was pre-rooted and Magisk installed. You can see everything on the screenshot.

Install with the SP Flash Tool as described here, just use this firmware instead https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=985366&st=400#entry102463006, use Google Translate

Here are some links from there, if you see 404 error https://xdaforums.com/t/lenovo-tab-m8.4049539/post-84224783

You can use this firmware also to rollback from android 10

1.21 GB file on MEGA

mega.nz
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audeo:
Is this the version with Google Assistant built-in?

How well does Ambient mode work in this version?

It would be nice if getting rid of the bloat makes Ambient mode work better.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] F3N!X:
I've tried to make my 8705f tablet recognized by adb/fasboot in a Windows 8 VM because I've needed Windows to download the firmware through the Lenovo software. And I didn't succeed at it too. Until I realized that it was connecting and detected instantly since my first try from my main system (Ubuntu Linux) xD. And with your help I've followed your tutorial and it worked perfect. Root confimed. Thank you so much @drumst1x and @Isrgish !

Only downside the day after is that Magisk received an update. And when I try to install it directly from the Magisk interface, it fails with a message telling me that the installation target /dev/block/mmcblk0p28 is read only. Without TWRP I'm not sure if I'm forced to patch the boot.img manually then to install the patched version through fastboot EACH TIME a new Magisk version is available. Perhaps.

'mount' and '/proc/mounts' don't show any '/dev/block/mmcblk0p*' so it's not mounted and the permissions on mmcblk0p28 itself are 600 so it should be writable by the Magisk update process. I've even made it 666 temporarily to be sure it's writable but the Magisk update failed again and I've finally restored the default permissions.

Would anyone know how to update Magisk without being forced to patch boot.img and flash it from fastboot?

If the tablet was for myself it wouldn't be such an issue. But I'm preparing this device for a newbie user and while I could explain her how to do it because it's easy, I'm not sure that she'll be pleased by having to do this manipulations regularly. I try to make everything easy to her so I'll do my best to get TWRP, this way I could show her how to flash the new Magisk versions easily. I hope it's possible. But it seems there are interesting informations about TWRP on M8 FHD here, I still have to read them all before trying anything ;)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] F3N!X:
Hi. I did it successfully with @Isrgish unofficial TWRP port for 8705f the same way I've flashed the patched boot.img while rooting the device. It means that it works with the unmodified vbmeta.img already extracted from the "TB_8705F_S300022_201015_BMP_SVC" Rom files:

1. flash the TWRP port to recovery fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.4.0-mod-isrgish_tab-m8-fhd-8705f.img

2. flash vbmeta.img fastboot --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

3. flash the TWRP port to recovery again

4. reboot with fastboot reboot command

Then power off the tablet and start it again in recovery mode (Volume Up + Power). Well done!

I've also installed "Power App | Simple Power Menu [Root only]" from F-Droid so I'm able to reboot to recovery directly from Android.

- I've faced a first screen titled "Mount - Decrypt Data" with a blank password field. But the encryption is Lenovo-made and I have no idea of any kind of password. So I hit Cancel. And I swipe right to allow modifications to system partition.

So come the well-known TWRP interface with big square buttons.

- I've tried to wipe the Dalvik / ART Cache and it shown errors like :

"Failed to decrypt data. Unable to decrypt data with default password. You may need to perform a Format Data."

"Unable to mount storage"

"Full SELinux support is present" (my fault, didn't yet switch it to permissive mode)

So system backups are impossible too because partitions can't be mounted. As long as there's no XDA forum for this model with AOSP or Lineage custom Roms, I don't want to modify things too deeply just to get access to encrypted partitions. Not sure but disabling encryption looks impossible to me without formatting. And a Lenovo firmware update would surely encrypt it again or do fancy things after reboot even if "switching" encryption off would be possible. What do you all think about it?

Anyway, in spite of the error messages, flashing the latest Magisk update worked fine. I just had to put the ZIP file in a directory that is accessible from TWRP (ie. /cache).

Thanks again @Isrgish for sharing your work!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] AndyYan:
Just a heads-up - I've booted both LOS 17 (Android 10) and 18 (Android 11) GSIs on my M8 FHD. It's just a matter of flashing vbmeta to disable verity/verification, then flashing system in fastboot - rather easy and painless. While GSIs aren't device-specific ROMs, for niche devices like ours it's the next best thing - though it won't run smooth due to our low-end SoC. Feel free to try out other GSIs as well.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dcatoffm:
Question.. how does the hardware perfs (in particular WiFi, Bluetooth, and camera) work?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] AndyYan:
WiFi/cam fine, BT haven't checked, but typically it'll be slightly problematic on GSIs, e.g. connecting to certain devices.

I've sold my device (yes, just a week after getting it) so I can't further check.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dcatoffm:
Okay, that's a good start I guess. Thank you.

I'm just asking because I want to run this as a low-end Linux tab/desktop but I'm getting real sick real fast of the modern Android security limitations (in particular inability to access the virtual SD common storage and no read access to /dev rendering gvfs functions inoperable, like WTAF Google).

My problem is I don't have a real desktop or laptop anymore, so anything I do for rooting is going to be ADB OTG from a phone. If I'm flashing images anyway, a Lineage s build would be ideal (PostmarketOS would be better but again, no "real" computer to build it with) but considering the brick potential and unverified Bluetooth (I really need a keyboard for my intended use) plus the inability to use a windows magic recovery method if it all goes kerflunk, I think I'm going to stick to the Magisk method, and probably do the TWRP recovery as well just because it's super useful and the thing is going to reformat when I unlock the bootloader anyway so I don't think I'll be losing sleep over an extra format to clear encryption. I've been spending the past week collecting images and notes, so hopefully I can be good to go when I get my hands on an OTG. Unfortunately this project is not exactly a priority in life so it happens whenever it happens.

Anyway, thank you again for your input and reply. (..and sorry getting long winded.)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jeno1957:
I am looking at TB-8505F firmware files at site: https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/lenovo/Tab_8/TB-8505F/

This is the latest Android OS 9 file:

TB-8505F_S100145_200901_BMP.zip 2020-09-28 13:02 1735407 KB

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next two files are the newer Android OS 10 files:

TB-8505F_S300014_201015_BMP.zip 2020-11-09 15:32 1889558 KB

TB-8505F_S300034_201220_BMP.zip 2021-01-01 14:15 1841936 KB

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a very recent file there, just few days old,

is this Android OS 11 ?

TB-8505F_S320006_210111_BMP.zip 2021-02-05 17:02 1841947 KB

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are two more additional files, PM_US and ROW,

what are those ?

TB-8505F_USR_S100077_2002170005_V5.140_BMP_PM_US.zip 2020-03-11 16:01 1583554 KB

TB-8505F_USR_S100102_2001061912_V5.140_BMP_ROW.zip

2020-01-22 18:32 1705086 KB

Thank You !
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] danielmm1997:
Is there any LinageOS Rom out for the M8?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audeo:
All the S1000 files are 9 and S3000 are 10. I don't think 11 has been released for this model. That S320006 is really oddly numbered, no clue to what it is.

My M8, a US version, came with S100102 and got 3 updates, S100133, S100139 and S100145. Then it got S300014 which is when I flashed back to 9. Even now on S1000145 it wants to download S300014.

The rom I used came from here. SP_Flash_Tool works really well.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jeno1957:
Thanks for your reply !

According to "https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=985366&st=520" page, Post #531, there is a new TB-8505F file there, few days old, S300 means Android 10, right ?

Lenovo TAB M8 TB-8505F_USR_S300034_2012201236_V9.56_BMP_ROW [ androidhost.ru ].zip

https://androidhost.ru/1O8r

I have already downloaded it, extracted, loads ok into SP_Flash_Tool.

Some files has a date 2019-05-26, Image folder has files with 2020-12-20 dates.

Maybe it is rhe same as in my tablet......S300034_201220.

I need to spend some time with SP_Flash_Tool to learn what it does and how to use it.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jeno1957:
My 8505F tablet is still has updated and untoched Android 10 system.

Before I attempt to do any major modification, I would like to know a few things:

1) Bootloader Unlock

After bootloader is unlocked, when tablet starts, does it shows any warning message ?, different screen ?, click something to continue ?, delay ?

2) It seems that there is a TWRP recovery available from this forum's thread

can it be used to flash Lenovo's factory files or need a file specially made for TWRP?

3)Read some russian forum posts about Android 9 worked better than updated Android 10 due to different memory allocation process

specific case: Jet Audio playing music with bluetooth and using Yandex/Chrome browser at the same time.....bad quality sound+apps stops and exits......any similar experience ?

Thanks!
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audeo:
S300034 is the next update after s300014. On the Lenovo forums, there have been reports of that update but it did nothing to fix alot of the problems in the 10 rom. And there are plenty of complaints about the 10 upgrade which is why so many here have reverted to 9. I am quite happy with 9, it is stable and works well. Let everyone else be the beta testers, I'm sticking with 9 until I see reports that 10 is fixed. SP_Flash_Tool is really easy to use, just follow the directions on the russian website.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audeo:
Yes, you will get a message on the boot screen that the bootloader is unlocked, but it will still boot.

WIth SP_Flash_Tool or even the TOOL ALL IN ONE available on this site you really don't need TWRP and there is no official version.

Android 9 is far superior to 10 on this tablet right now.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] egavka:
I have a TB-8705X model with 4g LTE. Tell me if I can install TWRP using files for model F
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jeno1957:
I managed to get my TB-8505 tablet into a "red state" bootloop.

Still able to go with Volume Down+Power into fastboot mode, and after installing VCOM driver to PC, I have "fastboot devices" working ....it show model #, and accepting commands like "fastboot reboot", but not "fastboot recovery".....not found !

Installed SP Flash Tool v5.1824, using unzipped TB-8505F_100145_200901_BMP, added scatter-file and got all images loaded.

After installing Media Tek driver, Windows Device Manager shows Port-Mediatek USB Com13...looks OK !

The phone display in Sp_Flash Tools shows MT6761 ....that is what TB-8505F has !

However, I am having trouble to start the actual "Download " process in SP _Flash_Tool, tried many possible combinations , but none of the worked.

What are the exact steps to connect phone and get download process started ?

Thank You !
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] audeo:
This worked for me from the Russian forum.

-----The firmware mode must be set to "Download Only", all firmware files must be checked some instructions recommend unchecking "preloader", but in this case it is needed).

Press the "Download" button (with a green down arrow :)).

On the TURNED OFF tablet, hold down the volume down button (without the power button, as written in many instructions) and, while holding it, connect the tablet to the computer via the same USB connector as in preparation.

After the process of downloading the files has begun, you can release the volume button and wait until a window with a green checkmark appears, notifying of the successful completion of the firmware.-----

Another alternative is to download the Lenove Rescue and Smart Assistant app. It will rescue a turned off tablet and reinstall the latest rom.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jeno1957:
I successfully revived tablet using LMSA (Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant).

Previously when tried, I discovered that it does not support Fastboot Mode for the 8505F device and I could not get into Power Off mode because I missed to select Hardware Code (61) and Rescue Now button did not become available !

Loaded the latest Oreo 10 version,and than just disabled few not needed apps (Duo, Digital Wellness, Kids Mode, Tips, etc...) and changed to a different launcher.

So far , did not noticed any issues, works nicely !

For now, I will stay with untouched Oreo updates, (not rooted/locked bootloader )......until any custom ROM becomes available ( maybe never ?)
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] user93512:
Hello,

I have a brand new Lenovo TB-9505X tablet. I was trying to unlock and install root (magisk) and a custom recovery (twrp).

I actually did it but, after restart, the RF was messed up (no bluetooth hardware recognition).

I tried to reinstall the stock ROM using SP flash tool but then I ran a complete format (by mistake) hence the device went bricked.

It won't power on or go into recovery/fastboot anymore. It is still detected as a serial (com) device but when I try to install anything using the SP flash tool, I get this error: "STATUS_BROM_CMD_SEND_DA_FAIL 0xC0060003".

Any help, please?
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] retro5:
Download the Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant app. If the app doesn't recognize the tab then choose the model information for a rescue and it will download the latest rom and install it. Just follow the directions about holding down the vol button with the tab turned off. It will rescue a bricked device.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] user93512:
Solved it (wrong cable).
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] linuxraptor:
I also have a 8505F device/Hardware code 61; and I am also unable to get a working root on it.

1. I've made patched boot images from every Magisk channel (stable, beta, canary)

2. I've patched in stock and empty vbmeta images with --disable-verification

3. I've tried every order of flashing vbmeta and boot images

4. I've even re-flashed the entire Lenovo ROM and tried it all over again

...but I think the current state of patched boot images just doesn't work for our devices. After tons of struggle, a single fastboot command to re-flash the factory boot.img erases all the bootloop problems I have and brings up the stock OS without any issues. I guess we'll have to keep waiting for a rooted bootloader that works. :-/
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Tiggam:
I have the 8505FS as was able to update to Android 10, install the twrp listed above for the 8505F. Then I installed magisk via twrp and the vp meta zip listed above. The device is now rooted, and I used the magisk debloat script to remove unwanted apps. No issues thus far.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] harvey186:
I can't find the TWRP and VBMETA images ? Do you can point me tothe link ?THX
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dcatoffm:
@harvey186

See post #63 for a TWRP image.

I'm not sure what method you're using, but you can go to the Lolinet mirror link for full images (just match your tablet model, go to the parent directory if you have an 87xx model, find the right one).
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lichan:
I have a Lenovo Smart Tab M8 (TB-8505FS) and haven't been able to get it recognized by fastboot. I'vr installed the Lenovo Rescue ang Smart Assistant Tool, the usb driver listed earlier and a usb driver specifically for this tab I found via Google but it is still not recognized by fastboot. Adb commands work but I need to unlock the bootloader. The All In One Tool from XDA gives the same fastboot error. My adb and fastboot are pretty recent but I will see if there's a newer version. Any ideas on getting it recognized. I'll try different usb cables ,too.

Update: Fixed. For anyone else having problems with the ADB driver. I deleted the device in Device Manager and after rebooting and having the hardware installed again, went to "Settings" then "Update & Security" then "Windows Update" then "View optional updates" then "Driver updates". There were several applicable drivers including Mediatek and LeMobile (USB, ADB, bootloader or fastboot). I installed them all. It is now listed as a Mediatek device but the tablet is recognized by fastboot. I'll unlock the bootloader, install TWRP and root with Magisk next, I may wait until the next Android 10 update but I haven't experienced any of the problems with it that others have.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Zero_Shadow:
For the 8705-F Stock there seems to be a new Android 10 update. Hopefully fix some of the bugs we have with this image. It's labeled TB-8705F_USR_S30043_2101271807_V9.56_BMP_ROW.

My device is rooted using the method listed here and using Magisk. To take this update do I simply need to restore the Boot.img in Magisk or something more since we replaced the vbmeta?

Since I havent got any replies I'll journal what I have done to see if I can get this to work.

4/13 - I tried to uninstall Magisk and take the update it said it was missing the stock boot.img so I decided to wipe the device (nothing was on it anyway).

After wiping the device still not able to update to the ota. Tried to relock the bootloader but it wont let me so. Maybe I can restore the orginal vbmeta and maybe that will fix it. Will try and update when I return.

Had to end up using the SP Flash Tool to make it work.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] harvey186:
Hi, nice, just flashed my LeOS-R (A11) on that device. Worst very smooth. Thx for the TWRP clone. The only issue was, that TWRP doesn't recognize the externalSD. So it was difficult flashing the disbale-force-encryption.zip.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mamba76:
Any custom ROMs for this device??
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lichan:
See this entry https://xdaforums.com/t/lenovo-tab-m8.4049539/post-84253323 for the nearest so far. It is the Lenovo Android 9 ROM with things removed and other things added as detailed in the text. So, in essence, it is a custom ROM.
[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lichan:
See also entry 82 https://xdaforums.com/t/lenovo-tab-m8.4049539/post-84320503 for installing GSI's (generic system image).