yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] defylogic:
Excellent advice! But from where can the original firmware be downloaded from?

We know by now the URL is "fans.hisense.com/thread-171079-1-1.html" but this requires registration for actual access of the download. Looks like a a mainland chinese phone number is required to register, so no luck with this.

Would someone who was able to download this firmware make it available for the western public, e.g., at needrom.com or some other easily accessible channel?
[Android General] noigmn:
Great to know we can disable some preinstalled Hisense apps. What did you disable them through and what could be disabled safely?

By the way, does the TF card install give a clean install where I wipe everything? I've had an issue with mine for ages where the e-ink randomly locks up for 10-20 seconds. Everything else keeps functioning (audio, touch, etc.), just the e-ink stalls and stops functioning.

I did a factory reset in an earlier version and it didn't help, but was wondering if something got corrupted that survives a factory reset. Else it's an issue in the hardware...
[Android General] Smaxsom:
I found a link from [MENTION=7032794]joygram[/MENTION] on his blog to download the Hisense A5 firmware from Baidu Pan. I was able to set up a Baidu account with an overseas phone number by going through this portal. Baidu Pan requires you to install a downloader utility, which is a spyware concern, but I had an old PC I installed it on to perform the download.

With that said, I am paranoid about sharing files from behind China's firewall to the public, but I am glad to send the file to you individually. I will send you a message.

After following joygram's steps, I was able to unbrick my phone painlessly. So I will try to install Google Apps again.

Most the built-in apps can be disabled. When I bricked my phone, I was uninstalling the Hisense App Store. Previously, it was possible to disable the App Store on the phone, but something changed so that the Disable button is grayed out.

Joygram mentioned this utility for potentially helping to remove system apps which I might give a try. https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/module-terminal-debloater-debloat-t3584163/amp/
[Android General] Smaxsom:
Similar to [MENTION=2507450]giuseppemag[/MENTION], after bricking a couple of times, it seems like less headaches to disable system apps rather than uninstalling. I found that after I reflashed firmware L1657.6.08.06.00, it was possible to disable the Hisense Play Store, Browser, and some other built-in applications. So I took the following steps:

1) reflashing firmware L1657.6.08.06.00 that I downloading per my previous post

2) disabling and/or unstalling the Hisense applications where possible

3) upgrading the firmware through Settings

4) running back through [MENTION=7032794]joygram[/MENTION]'s instructions in the OP

When disabling before step #3 above, it stayed disabled after the upgrade, even for the Hisense Play Store.
[Android General] giuseppemag:
In case anyone needs it, I put at drive.google.com/open?id=1JBzsFrtGtIXLYTPTMA2cc9spp_dxF_WX the firmware I used to unbrick the phone.

Sorry for the badly formatted link, but I am a new user and as such cannot post links yet.

---------- Post added at 07:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 AM ----------

Does anyone know how I could fix the permissions problem for GSF though? I would really like to get Android Auto to work...
[Android General] zizicici:
This bloatware uninstaller needs to be installed from recovery.

Is it possible to have a recovery installed in A5 without unlocking bootloader (I'm a noob)?
[Android General] JLowe:
nope, so far as I know. Install Magisk an the Terminal Debloater as a module, see here

https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/module-terminal-debloater-debloat-t3584163

Be careful not to brick the device with Updating Magisk.

A saver way is debloating by freezing Apps with Titanium Backup. Another option is by Adb connection from Pc and using a script and debloat your apps. i.e.

https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xz2/development/oreo-debloat-script-v1-0-t3798979

As a noob I would reccomend by starting with freezing.
[Android General] JLowe:
I am using an older international Rom International Rom L1657 6.03.02.00 / Kernel 4.9.112 / Security-Updates 2019/09 (incl. Gapps by Default) which is quite near to stock and lean compared to the Chinese Rom.

Maybe this is useful for others:

The attached apps I could freeze in Titanium Backup without any issues.

With Net Monitor you can check the outgoing traffic and block IPs with the attached AfWall script.

You can check the domains ie with www.whoisip.org/ip-locator (Peking, Akamai Tech, China Telecom, Google)

P.S.: Remove ".txt" from block_hisense.sh.txt
[Android General] zizicici:
Thanks!

I did bricked my phone by uninstalling some apps before. But now I have use it heavily and have many stuff on it so I will be very careful.

That's why I would like to have a recovery and I can backup the entire phone and try dangerous operations :D

Titanium Backup freeze feature is a premium feature. I would explore other options first.

Thanks again for the helps:)
[Android General] 1000101B2B:
I got Sahara Server Fail when flashing root kit. Anybody know the solution for this?
[Android General] Smaxsom:
[MENTION=2507450]giuseppemag[/MENTION] I was able to update permissions and get Android Auto to work by downloading the Permissions Ruler (Donate) app, enabling the setting for Manage System Apps, and the updating permissions on Google Play Services.

---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:16 PM ----------

Does anyone know how to get sms push notifications to work in other apps besides the Hisense app? When I try to set other apps as the default for sms, the push notifications do not appear unless the app is running, and in fact never show up. I was anticipating Google Play Services would fix this, but still happening.
[Android General] giuseppemag:
I can confirm this works. I wasted a solid ten minutes of my life to a non-data USB cable before celebrating my success with this operation, but ultimately I managed :)
[Android General] Maximinus:
Do you know if the international ROM is available somewhere, and if so, whether it can be installed safely on an A5 that's currently running the Chinese ROM? If your A5 came with the international ROM installed when you bought it, do you mind sharing where you bought it from?
[Android General] JLowe:
You can buy the A5 including International Rom & Gapps here

https://www.cect-shop.com/de/hisense-a5.html

I asked the shop already, there's no International Rom for download available :(

---------- Post added at 15:12 ---------- Previous post was at 15:10 ----------

We can port TWRP to the Hisense device. Then you can do backups & restores very easy and have much more control.

I am trying this for the international Rom version.

If you joygram or someone else can do this for the actual Chinese Rom that would be very helpful!

See here

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82589473&postcount=75
[Android General] lichobg:
Hi,

i need L1657.6.08.06.00 TF File

Someone?
[Android General] Smaxsom:
Cool. Glad you got it working in the end.

As a side note to everyone, I recommend to check out the App Systemizer module for Magisk. It can be used to convert user apps to system apps which can fix issues in some cases. I did this for a lot of my apps, and found some benefits. Notifications were happening more reliably. Google Assistant was able to be set as the default assistant app.

Here is the link to details about App Systemizer, which you install from within Magisk:

https://magisk.downoad/app-systemizer/

You can run command through Termux:

https://termux.com/

To do this:

Open the termux app

Type "su"

Type "systemize"

Type "1" for an app list

Enter the app you'd like to convert

Reboot

The one thing I still haven't figured out though is whether it is possible to use a different SMS app and receive push notifications even when the app isn't running. Please let me know if anyone comes across an answer for this.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Did the root right. Flashed Gapps. Play store worked just fine. After couple of hours while opening play store it started to show "Error while retrieving information from server, DF-DFERH-01. Tried to fix the issue by rebooting the phone. But phone won't start. Bootloop. Looks phone is bricked. Plz help.
[Android General] JLowe:
Bad Luck! :( Can happen

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82592101&postcount=2
[Android General] JLowe:
I have an international Firmware and copied the latest chinese Firmware 6.09. to the microSD, but I am not able to enter the TF-Mode, tried it many times with the guide here.

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82575517&postcount=21

Ther's just the Hisense Logo and "powered by Android". Anybody an idea what I can try to force the flashing?
[Android General] lichobg:
After Switch on wait 10 sec an then Push and hold + and -
[Android General] JLowe:
Thank you! I tried everything. The Devices enters then "Safe Mode".

I defreezed apps but that didn't help either. Then I deleted cache and Dalvik in Titanium Backup for all apps and entered Developer Options and disabled Gpu rendering mode. Then I selected Simaulate color space and the device freezed, with the result that I can't boot the device, bricked. I have adb commands but can't do anything because of the locked bootloader. I can't see anyway to do a hardware reset because of limited privileges.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Can't enter TF card mode. How does TF card mode look like? Any special logo appears? Mine shows only hisense logo or hisense logo with powered by android logo. What is the possible cause of failure to enter TF card mode?

My phone is bricked. Finding no way to fix it.
[Android General] JLowe:
The same as me :)

What Firmware you are using? China 6.09 or something similar or just like me an international Firmware?

Did you succeed to enter the TF Mode before?

If you have the China Firmware and already unlocked the bootloader, then you simply flash in fastboot the patched boot.img and recovery.img

If you have a locked bootloader and adb is still available, then I would wait for a solution.

The important thing is to stay cool, nothing to worry about because everything can be fixed! ;)
[Android General] lichobg:
I also tried 10 times or more. Is important that after switch on you wait 10 sec and Preis and hold + and -. After that appears Vision Logo and TF Mode. Try again.

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 AM ----------

+ and - AFTER Switch on. Couse If Preis and hold Power and +- ist reboot or Switch Off. By Switch Off shows Hisense only. By boot or reboot Shows Hisense and Android.

TF Mode shows Vision Logo.
[Android General] zizicici:
The correct way to enter TF mode is:

1. Power off the phone.

2. Hold + and - button first.

3. Don't release + and -, press power button and hold. You are holding 3 buttons now.

4. Release all buttons after a couple of seconds after the phone is on.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Not working. Vision logo is recovery mode or TF mode? Can't find the device on adb command from PC. I have only TF version of latest firmware. Will anyone provide the original firmware link?
[Android General] lichobg:
So will not work. With press and hold Power phone boot again and again or switch off. So switch on and after couple secs press and hold +-.

---------- Post added at 03:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:54 PM ----------

Vision logo is TF mode

---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:55 PM ----------

My phone was bricked too. Shows Fastboot only. I formated 8gb Card with fat32 with Windows 10. Then unzip TF package and placed resulting folder TF_ in root of card. Tried and tried again with press and hold power and +_ but phone boot and boot again or switch off. So i have found in chinese or korean forum method with power on, wait and then press and hold +-. And tried 2 times only and then phone shows Vision logo and instaling please wait. IT shows progress bar and after 5 min. booted normal. Fresh and new.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Still no luck. How long did you wait to press +- button & what was the duration of pressing +- button?
[Android General] lichobg:
Feel like 3 to 10 sec after switch on. And i hold +- until Vision logo was seen.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Unlucky. Doesn't work. I used a 32 GB micro sd card formatted as FAT32. Does this(screenshot) TF folder contains right files to be flashed? I downloaded the zip file from Google drive provided in this thread.
[Android General] lichobg:
So i tried again. It shows Hisense powered by Android and then only Hisense and booted to Launcher.

I went to press -+ Button 3 secs after phone was on. After 10 secs it shows

Error failed to parse bin and freest.

I think couse i dont have TF folder in my card now. After Long press power 20 sec reboot and startet ok.

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

Yep folder and files ok.

You can try to start with press power and +_ and after Power on dont hold Power but +- only. That work too.
[Android General] JLowe:
I uploaded a Twrp Test Build, I can't test it and don't know if it's working, flash it on your own responsibility.

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82584781&postcount=92

You can get support here

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82589473

If someone can upload the recovery.img from the actual Firmware I can try to build a Twrp too and maybe it's working. Here's also a guide how to backup the recovery.

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82584781&postcount=92
[Android General] lichobg:
Another way to enter TF mode .

Power Off. Press and hold down power -+. After switch on release Power but hold -+. Hisense powered by Android will be schown. Wait 10 sec and release -+. Hisense powered by Android will be shown and phone freez. Wait 10 sec and press and hold

short power only . Screen flashed. Release power. Phone enters TF Mode. This way worked every single time i was tried.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
What do you mean by "short power"?
[Android General] lichobg:
I mean after phone freezes in "Hisense powered by Android" release Volume up and Down. Wait 10 sec. If phone stay in "Hisense powered by Android" and dont go to " Hisense" screen than press and hold power until screen flashes. Than release power. Phone boot to Tf mod.
[Android General] Anghirrim:
Aren't we supposed to get specific device sources to build TWRP!?

Get ready to flash the stock recovery.img under edl mode to unbrick in case of TF mode uses the stock recovery to flash the TF card image.
[Android General] JLowe:
I don't know, but I think Hisense never released any source code.

This thread is worth to try building TWRP without source.

Nothing to lose ;)

https://xdaforums.com/android/general/guide-porting-twrp-source-t3843473

https://xdaforums.com/android/general/unofficial-twrps-devices-source-code-t3833338
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Tried to fix my bricked phone using TF mode at least 100 times. Failed. Has there any other way to fix it or any hope in future? So basically my phone is dead only using 4 months!

Is Vision is the TF mode? I can bring Vision logo but it's animated circle goes on and on. Nothing happens. I kept my phone in this state for 1.5 hours yesterday. But didn't happen anything.

Anyone there kind enough to share the stock firmware?
[Android General] lichobg:
Try with a small card? i have success with 8 GB. Never tried with 32gb.

---------- Post added at 11:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:01 AM ----------

And you must copy folder with files inside and not only files. Vision logo is TF stage. Probably phone dont find

files or card.
[Android General] zizicici:
This is the download link to the stock firmware, it's the same with the one you have:

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82583733&postcount=28
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Have tried with 32 GB card making a partion of 8 GB(PC shows as 8 GB card). Still not working. Do you think i need an actual 8 GB card?
[Android General] lichobg:
I have flashed with 8gb card. I don't know.
[Android General] zizicici:
I have flashed multiple times with a 256GB card.
[Android General] Smaxsom:
Readability for Dark Mode Apps

I found a way to make dark mode apps like Titanium Backup a little more readible, and figured I would share.

Here is a Tasker profile you can use to automatically toggle High Contrast Text off when launching Titanium Backup or another app:

https://taskernet.com/shares/?user=...U=&id=Profile:Toggle+High+Contrast-Hisense+A5

By disabling High Contrast Text, dark text becomes more visible. Although not perfect, it becomes functional. I set the eink button to allow me to refresh the screen as I scroll. I have also tried with Spotify and it is an improvement.

You might also turn off root access toast notifications in Magisk to avoid seeing the annoying popup (although only if you don't set it to auto accept root requests).

Note I suggest to also turn on Clear Mode for Titanium Backup alongside this Tasker profile.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Plz anyone make a flashing video of (bircked) hisense a5 & share the link. Have fixed many bricked devices so far with the help of xda. But this hisense is giving me serious headache. So simple steps but looks like unattainable for some mysterious reason.
[Android General] Anghirrim:
Yep, was just surprised to see potential TWRP. ;)

I'll check those threads in deeper detail.
[Android General] CrotteDeChien:
What did you name the directory containing the image files on your sdcard ?

In order for the flash process to work you need to have the directory HLTE202N_TF in the root directory of the sdcard, as well as the HLT2202N.bin and the HLTE202N_1.bin files in the HLTE202N_TF directory.

The flash process worked for me.

I set up the sdcard as I said, and pressed the power button as well as the Vol-Up and Vol-Down keys ..... all three keys ... at the same time.

It worked for me.

You obviously got ahold of the file LA592C(HLTE202N)_L1657.6.09.06.00_TFDownload_202004090105_user.zip ??

Then you unzip that into the root directory of the sdcard.
[Android General] JLowe:
Thanks, for the advices!

Maybe it's the matter of the sdcard and files, I'll redownload it.

What kind of microSD you are using? 8GB / 16GB / 32GB?

You formatted it in Windows? FAT32? 4KB / 8KB / 16KB?

The other option is that we can flash in edl mode. Would be nice if someone can share these Qfil Firmware files.

---------- Post added at 12:53 ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 ----------

The problem is the locked bootloader. You can't flash it in fastboot mode.

But it should be possible to restore the recovery with dd in a adb shell.

But always do backups first and be prepared that it might not work, also because it belongs to a different Firmware version

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82584781&postcount=92

Anybody knows if you can access the external microSD formatted with ext4?

Then you can do a complete backup including userdata.

If somethings goes wrong you enter adb shell and restore your complete system. Worth to try if this works.

---------- Post added at 13:28 ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 ----------

concerning bricking and restoring some short informations

Bricked, but you have an unlocked Boolader

just flash Image in fastboot or if available in twrp

*** All bootloaders of Hisense devices are locked and there's no way to unlock !!! ***

Bricked & you haven't got an unlocked Boolader

TF-Mode (microSD)

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82575517&postcount=21

download latest TF-Firmware i.e.

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82583733&postcount=28

how to enter TF Mode?

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82650955&postcount=72

alternative1

shutdown device

holding volume +- and power buttons together

alternative2

shutdown while holding volume +-

press+- buttons and then power button

release power button but holding +-

wait 10sec

release +- buttons

Hisense powered by Android

wait 10sec

press power button just short

EDL Mode (You need to get a Qfil-Firmaware-Image)

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82654769&postcount=79

Thanks to Anghirrim!!!

https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-21791.html

a)

Soft edl mode per adb

adb reboot edl

flush image with QFIL

b) )

Soft edl mode per fastboot

fastboot oem edl

fastboot reboot-edl

fastboot reboot edl

(may not work for Hisense)

c)

hard edl mode

https://www.oxygen-forensic.com/upl...s_based_on_Qualcomm_chipsets_via_EDL_mode.pdf

using a hardware cable (working 100% - preferred method!!!)

https://www.magnetforensics.com/blog/qualcomm-phone-edl-mode/

(working with Hisense A5)

by shortening the pins

[not recommended!!!! Don't do this!!!!]

*** you need to open the device ***

https://xdaforums.com/android/general/hisense-a5-how-to-enter-hardware-edl-t4103929

Thanks to joygram!!!
[Android General] Mehedi34:
I used 32GB, 56GB and partitioned 8GB sd card(couldn't mange a 8GB card). Formatted using windows 7 & sometimes with android(using AParted app). None of the above mentioned key combinations bring Vision logo. I used a random button press and after a couple of times doing trial and error Vison logo appears and it continues for indefinite times. I am not sure whether this Vision logo after pressing random button is a TF mode too or i should use windows 10 to format the SD card.

I used the TF files provided in this forum, downloaded from google drive(the one you mentioned, 6.09....).

I just unzipped the file & copied to the SD card, did nothing else.

Here is some screenshot.
[Android General] Mehedi34:
Only way to bring edl mode is tearingdown the phone? Joygram posted a new thread about teardown. But i think we(the newbie like me) need more details, more precisely if possible a video demonstration. Without more details hasn't there a chance to hardbrick the phone? Never did any teardown before.

On adb command PC doesn't recognize my phone. Only makes a usb connection sound. What is the solution? Will teardown make it recognizeable?
[Android General] JLowe:
Exactly, we need more details to open the device without damaging,.... I sent joygram a pm already and we need to wait.

If the hard edl works then we need also the edl Firmware.

Maybe someone who speaks chinese can organize the Firmware from a chinese forum maybe from here https://www.yunyaokz.com/

That's the alternatives I know

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=82651097&postcount=73

fastboot oem edl doesn't work for me. Also trying fatboot boot boot.img didn't wor because of the locked bootloader. The Edl cable didn't work for me either.

And: Maybe someone find a solution with the TF-Mode ;)

Dear Mehedi34, some questions:

Can you shutdown the device?

Can you charge the device?

Can you enter fastboot with connecting to PC while booting the device and pressing volume up?

Then try

fastboot oem edl

what happened with

fastboot reboot recovery

nothing or a menu?

if there's the menu with hard reset it's worth trying to do this, butyou need to decide if it can get even worth

Good luck!