[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
View attachment 5908219​

Lenovo Tab3 8 Tablet

Models: TB3-850F/M

TWRP 3.6.0_9-0
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OVERVIEW

The TWRP ports currently available for the Lenovo Tab3 8 are outdated by a number of years and are lacking in official support for more recent Android release versions. TWRP 3.6.0_9-0 was originally compiled using the Android 9 tree, and therefore supports all Android versions up to, and including, Android 9 Pie. This custom recovery build also includes improved manageability of Android supported filesystem standards, better protection against data loss and corruption, added functions, and improved theming support. Likewise, I've made several bug fixes and cleaned up the codebase. To read a more in-depth list on the changeling of TWRP 3.6.0, visit this link the official TeamWin site here: TWRP 3.6.0 Release Notes

REQUIREMENTS

First and foremost, you need an unlocked bootloader. There are a plethora of guides hosted here on XDA that provide detailed instructions for standard bootloader unlocking. If your tablet is not yet unlocked, go ahead and complete that task and return here once finished. Secondly, you will need a Windows PC or laptop with the SDK platform tools installed or, alternatively, the Minimal ADB & Fastboot tools (link provided below). Note that a Linux or Mac machine may also be used; for purposes of this guide, however, I will be focusing solely on a Windows setup. Next, you will need an internet connection to download the files provided in the links below. Lastly, you will need the factory supplied or a quality equivalent USB-A to micro USB data syncing/charging cable.

COMPATIBILITY

This TWRP custom recovery is compatible with both hardware variants (80 & 81) of the TB3-850F model, as well as the TB3-850M 4G-LTE supported model.

DISCLAIMER

Installing a custom recovery on an Android mobile device is an invasive procedure in terms of the modifications made to the stock partition index. Flashing the partitions of your device is a task that encompasses the inherent risk of bricking or otherwise rendering your device inoperable. By proceeding further, you are assuming sole responsibility for the integrity and operability of your tablet. Follow the instructions carefully, employ some patience, and things should go smoothly. I would encourage inexperienced members to read this guide in full prior to starting the instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS:​

Download the Minimal ADB & Fastboot tools from the below link and install the program on your Windows PC & laptop. Next, open your Windows File Explorer, open your C: drive, then open Program Files x86. Copy the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder and paste it to your desktop. (Copying the directory to the desktop isn't required, but does configure the ADB & Fastboot path to a more convenient directory from which to work);​

Download TWRP 3.6.0_9-0 from the below link and save the image file in your ADB & Fastboot folder on your computer;​

Boot your tablet into fastboot mode as follows: with your tablet booted into the Android OS, ensure ADB Debugging is enabled in the Developer Options menu. Connect the tablet to your PC using a sufficient USB-A to micro USB syncing/charging cable;​

Open the ADB & Fastboot folder on your computer. Double click cmd-here.exe to open a command window, and execute the following command:

adb reboot bootloader

Your tablet may prompt you to authorize the ADB connection;​

If properly connected your Tab3 8 will boot into fastboot mode, which will be indicated by the status displayed on the tablet. To verify proper fastboot communication between your computer and tablet, execute this command:

fastboot devices

If everything is set up properly, the command window will return an alphanumeric string consistent with your tablet S/N;​

If your S/N isn't displayed, or if your are given a WAITING... notification, your tablet is not being recognized correctly. Change USB ports, try a different data syncing cable, and/or update your fastboot drivers;​

Once a solid connection has been verified, execute the following command to flash TWRP to your tablet:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

(The TWRP file you downloaded below is named twrp.img. The above flashing command assumes that you have left the filename unchanged.);​

You may now boot your tablet into TWRP recovery mode by executing:

fastboot boot twrp.img

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Task complete. You should now running TWRP 3.6.0_9-0 on your Lenovo Tab3 8 device. ​

DOWNLOADS:

• TWRP 3.6.9_9-0 Lenovo Tab3 8

• Minimal ADB & Fastboot Tools v1.4.3

THANKS & MENTIONS:

First and foremost, thanks to TeamWin Recovery Project for providing the base build, and for their many years of hard work and contributions to the custom Android community. Thanks to the XDA members who remain dedicated to the Lenovo Tab3 8 and its continuing development projects. Although I'm slow, I have two more projects in the works for our beloved tablets. Thank you for your patience my friends.​

BUGS:​

Please leave a comment detailing any bugs or instabilities you may encounter. I will diligently try to patch and fix any reported bugs.​