yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] ben00:
I would like to follow that guide to install the US Bands. In order to install just TWRP do I need to follow all steps in this guide, if I do not want to re flash the firmware?

Currently on Build 1.1.5 with Play Store installed
[General Topics] ben00:
Any Luck? Same problem.
[General Topics] Edho1001:
Hi,

How did you get LTE band 20 enabled?

Was it enabled by default?

Can it be enabled using the engineer mode of the menu?
[General Topics] flixi67:
hey,

i had the phone rooted using exactly this description.

unfortunately, i updated just the magisk app to V.26.1 (from 26.0)

Nothing really changed, other than some libraries (that were disabled anyways) missing.

I can still install anything from the PlayStore, except Whatsapp. Im confused, any help?

Neither APK directly or from Play Store work..

Original reason was that Whatsapp didnt recognize my Google Drive backup of messages, so I tried to go for a quick reinstall :rolleyes::rolleyes:

EDIT: started working again after 24h for no apparent reason. Still having trouble loading the mesage beacup tho, any experiences?
[General Topics] Shimmy28:
hi i followed all steps till number 9 and i got stuck with an error

and now the device does not turn on or off the display is gone and i dont know how to proceed any help please
[General Topics] ChananyaMinster:
HELP!!! I flashed my phone, and now I CAN'T enter TWRP. I tried the correct button combinations, and then the screen says "No command." I have NO clue what to do next.

EDIT: I used flashboot to go to the recovery, and it sent me to the "no command" thing, which makes me believe I do not have TWRP somehow.
[General Topics] ChananyaMinster:
What does that mean? how do you manually do that?
[General Topics] ChananyaMinster:
what tool?
[General Topics] motty12:
cant re

cant remember. somewhere on mitmachim
[General Topics] wolfkorn:
How do I do a full dump backup before unlocking and flashing? Do I use sp flash readback?
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Does it boots to android system? If it does, turn on usb debugging in developers options and try "adb reboot recovery" make sure drivers are installed.

If not booting then It appears like your phone's partition (emmc addresses) is configured differently from in this tutorial. Mine uses slot_a. Ive read some batches uses slot_b by default. Does your phone came in a blue box? Mine comes with white. Many having problems not making this work is maybe a different batches configured differently.

I suggest flash a complete firmware dump backup that will make your device boot using flashtool and proceed to customizing it manually.

1. unlock the bootloader

2. Flash TWRP recovery

3. use fastboot command to check what slot partition (a or b) the system uses as default

3. adb pull your boot from default slot (a or b)

4. patch that boot using magisk app and use TWRP to flash the patched boot in your boot partition for root

Then share what you did so others can use it as a reference
[General Topics] Tine17:
Hi, I am planning to buy Qin F21 PRO from AliExpress soon, and I am planning to get 3/32 GB version since I need this phone for basic stuff. I would like to know if this tutorial actually also works for 3/32 GB version and the only difference is that I have to flash different boot.img (boot (1)twrp mitmachim.img instead of boot_2.img)?

Also on the first page of this threat user jason24589 wrote: "If you have a 32GB model, when using Flash Tool, uncheck the tickbox saying "userdata" as leaving this on will completely brick your device." Is this statement true, because on second page user Sense_101 regarding this issue wrote: "no, just flash the whole thing. Why would you not flash the userdata as well?" This makes me confused which way is the correct one?

Thanks for your replies and help on this topic.
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
This tutorial works on the variants 3/32 and 4/64 with WHITE BOX (1st production batches?). others came with BLUE BOX that im suspecting configured differently thats why many having issues with following the instructions.

Yes you need to use 3/32 boot. Or try to format data/factory reset in TWRP after flashing the firmware
[General Topics] Tine17:
Thanks for a reply. So is there any alternative method to root and get google play services if I get device in BLUE box or am I simply out of luck in that case?
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Yes. Scroll up and check what i suggest. You just need to de-bloat the firmware manually
[General Topics] Tine17:
And where can I get just the TWRP recovery for F21 pro, because if I understand this tutorial correctly TWRP recovery is flashed together with this custom firmware which only works on older batches of F21 that came with white box.
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Recovery and system is a different partition. It can be flashed separate.
[General Topics] samtee237:
Can you write up the proper steps to flash and root the f21 32 version from the blue box supposedly
[General Topics] Imi01:
Could I get from this device only recovery.img? Or sources for this TWRP? I'm trying to port TWRP for CAT S22 Flip, which has the same resolution as this device.
[General Topics] samtee237:
Try flashing just the boot image to your device
[General Topics] YSBF718:
Anybody knows something about the 32 GB f21 please let me know as soon as possible
[General Topics] samtee237:
What do you want to know
[General Topics] bycolxxiv:
Hey,

I'm currently waiting for my F21 Pro 4/64Gb to be delivered. I'll be unlocking the bootloader and rooting the device following the instructions you gave (thanks a lot btw!).

As this is my first time flashing firmware (except for an easy calyx installation on my pixel 4a), I've got some questions...

I am planning to re-lock the bootloader after rooting and flashing the device. However I've read this might be bricking the device |:

I thought I might try to root, then uninstall the bloat/potential spyware install microG services and then afterwards unroot the device to prevent bricking. Finally re-locking the bootloader as I do no longer need the root access.

Does this make any sense or might potentially even work as imagined?

And another question, is the image you provided for flashing a clean android installation? Or the same firmware that Win/Xiaomi ships their F21 Pro with (whatever that's called, non-vanilla android I guess)?

Thanks a lot for your help, I'm so excited to be finally customizing my (not so dumb) phone :)

Cheers!
[General Topics] bycolxxiv:
Anyone, please?

I've also read unrooting is most often not possible without flashing the rom again. Is this the case with my plan? Probably all changes I am planning on, would then be reverted when unbooting, correct?
[General Topics] ckexpress:
Hi Jbazt_katuforzs, hi guys,

I own a 4/64gb f21 pro. Unfortunately I managed to brick my phone, I believe it happened when I tried to flash boot_2.img_patch from TWRP. Now there's no more OS on the phone, according to TWRP. When I try to boot, the screen shows "=> FASTBOOT mode" and nothing happens. I can still access TWRP, but I don't know what to do there. Unfortunately the phone no longer recognizes USB drives, so I can't flash any image from there. I tried starting the process from the beginning, but the flashtool wont flash it anymore, although it recognises the device.

Do you have any idea what I can do reinstall android and start over?

EDIT: OK, I managed to unbrick the phone. I just tried the flashtool again and for some reason it worked now. So I'll try the whole process again, wish me luck. :-D

Btw. thank you for your work!
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Maybe you changed the current slot. Make sure you flash it on your current slot and boot on current slot where the firmware at. its usually A. the other slot (B) is for seamless updates partition if i understand it correct. GOOD LUCK
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
maybe youre still in stocked firmware with apk installation restrictions?
[General Topics] Tyhbsd:
Hi there, thanks alot for all your work... Where do I transfer Boot_2 to? I think the boot file is corrupt?!
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
To your device then flash the IMAGE via TWRP in BOOT PARTITION.

Its just a fix to TWRP so it can locate device storage path to /sdcard
[General Topics] ckexpress:
At step type "su" enter (grant permission) Magisk is opened. Going back to the terminal and entering the other commands has no effect. Any idea what I did wrong?

Thank you. :-)
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
You did not successfully root the phone. Go back to installing magisk. Maybe you just installed the magisk app.
[General Topics] pmko1917:
hi is there a way do make this work on a 3/32gb device?
[General Topics] Sense_101:
what makes you think it doesn't?

I've got it working fine on numerous 32gb devices. The software is the same
[General Topics] pmko1917:
what would we the process? only unclicking USERDATA?
[General Topics] Sense_101:
no, just flash the whole thing. Why would you not flash the userdata as well?
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
additional infos:

Phone's Engineering Mode

*#*#3646633#*#*

Explore and Enjoy!
[General Topics] Sense_101:
I have a 4/64 phone which I bought which only sends messages correctly once, before failing to send anymore, until the cache of the messaging app is cleared. Then the same thing happens again. Is there anything in the engineering settings that can help with that? or any way to fix it? flashing a new ROM doesn't help!

Thank you in advance
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
In message settings, put your carrier SMS CENTRE NUMBER. Maybe its empty
[General Topics] Sense_101:
thanks for such a fast reply, already done, and it's already correct. still doesn't fix the issue
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
You need to put it in a country code format (eg. +63)
[General Topics] Sense_101:
also already done, I live in uk and it's +44. the issue seems ot be something intrinsically wrong with the phone as flash a new rom doesn't fix it, and using another sim card also doesn't.
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
You can try to play with engineering mode BAND MODE SETTINGS. try to locked it on what GSM frequency your carrier uses.
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Or you could also try this....

1. Install from play store

HTTP Injector (SSH/UDP/DNS)VPN - Apps on Google Play

VPN app to browse the internet privately & securely with multiples tunnel tech

play.google.com

2. Open app > Radio Network > Select Radio Band > Choose your region.
[General Topics] Sense_101:
Thanks I will try that. Is there a way to enable usb debugging from the engineering options?
[General Topics] YSBF718:
When I'm trying to flash a 32 gigabyte F21 this error showing up what can I do to fix it?
[General Topics] YSBF718:
btw somebody know how to fix this?
[General Topics] bbb034:
Did you get a solution to this?
[General Topics] YSBF718:
You probably have to speak with you service carrier
[General Topics] ff44x:
Sup nerds I think I have the answer to all my bluebox boys who've been having trouble.

I followed all the guides however when I went to install gapps well it broke wouldn't boot to anything but recovery so in my angry I wanted to find a way to fix it.

I got my device today in a blue box as well it's the 64gb version but this should work with the 32gb one as well.

So you're gonna follow the guide here to the letter once you patch your boot file via magisk you're gonna copy that file to your computer.

Also do not use the included gapps go to the actual website for open gapps and download the latest arm64 android 11 pico package.

Then instead of going to recovery you're gonna boot to the bootloader.

Now this might just be my computer but my computer stopped seeing the device even after using the drivers in fastboot I have to manually assign the driver to the device via device manager.

Now you're gonna take your adb folder your patched boot.img file throw them in the same folder and flash BOTH boot slots.

fastboot flash boot_a boot.img
fastboot flash boot_b boot.img

Now you can boot into recovery and flash your gapps and it should work.

NOTE

Just to be safe if the above does not work please reflash both your boot slots via ADB not TWRP it will fail. After the gapps install.

I made an account here just to post this cause I was very annoyed that the configuration on this bluebox is different.
[General Topics] LepeltjeLepeltje:
Hello, thank to OP for making this guide. Allas I'm stuck anyway. I got the same error as YSBF718.

I "fixed" this error with the SP tool by flashing everything but the bootloader. But then I got the error that verified boot is enabled. So trying to disable that I followed this tutorial MlgmXyysd's Qin F21 Pro Unlock Tool.

After succesfully running the tool I still got the error

Now I can't do anything with my phone and don't know what to do now. If someone could help me out it would be much appreciated.

I also have the 3/32GB model if that is relevant.
[General Topics] hanalog:
Hi,

It's take 8 hours to flash whole 32gb emmc via mtktool
[General Topics] LepeltjeLepeltje:
Hey, thanks for replying. Could you elaborate on what you mean? What do I need to flash and how do I do that?
[General Topics] bycolxxiv:
Hey! How exactly did you unlock your bootloader?

For me unlocking in recovery mode via "fastboot flashing unlock" results in the following error message:

FAILED (remote: 'Unrecognized command flashing unlock')

When I try the same in bootloader mode it works, but I have to confirm using volume keys, which the F21 Pro obviously doesn't have. So I'm left with no other option but holding the power button for 10 seconds.

Has someone (maybe @Jbazt_katuforzs ) got an idea how I'm supposed to unlock the bootloader on this device?

Cheers and thanks in advance!
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Bcoz your boot loader is still locked? or the scatter file firmware youre trying to flash is not for your device
[General Topics] hanalog:
you can mess me on telegram and whatsapp: (+84)903408066
[General Topics] Blorrsson:
Hey! I will start by saying i am a total noob at this. But i still want a f21 pro with play store and function pretty much as an ordinary android phone.

I've managed to boot in to twrp and so on but im stuck at step 12. When i open the phone in windows i only see the folders called android, download etc. When i open the file manager to in twrp there is no such thing and a completely different file structure.

Where am i supposed to put the boot.img to then launch it in twrp?
[General Topics] cseal89:
Hi,

thanks for this amazing tutorial. I got stuck at step 12 of the root install. when i open magisk app i cant see any options to hide or add any modules. Feeling frustrated. Lol.
[General Topics] cseal89:
Did you figure this out? I think i can help.
[General Topics] Blorrsson:
I actually went with another guide, ripping my hair, googling like a madman and eventually succeeded :P
[General Topics] cseal89:
Care to share which other guide?
[General Topics] freedom_sparrow:
Is there an option to perform the same process using a mac?
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
The flash tool works for windows
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Your image shows you haven't patch the boot yet and flash it to boot partition using twrp recovery. Youve only installed the magisk app and upgraded it up to version 26.4 which the instructions clearly says upgrade to version 22.1 only.
[General Topics] baboonheart:
Has anyone recently had issues with the blue box phones? I am getting ready to do this process, but wanted to avoid any unnecessary issues if possible. I have a phone that came in a blue box.
[General Topics] lrguetta:
I couldn't find the appropriate forum for this: can someone help with opening the bootloader and root privileges and changing the ROM on the QIN F21S device

It's not F21 Pro.
[General Topics] rickgram:
Went through this and the tutorial to get US bands working. I did not go through the process to gain root access as I figured I wouldn't need it for anything. That said everything is up and running, seems to work pretty well on Mint Mobile. Seem to have similar service to my iPhone, at least at home. Will be traveling with both over the next week with the Mint Mobile trial.

That said there are a couple of things I'm looking to fix/tweak. I have the System Update notification, obviously I'm not updating it and breaking everything; but I would like to get rid of it. The option to turn off notifications on the "System Update" app are greyed out.

I don't seem to have an option to sync contacts from any of my accounts. When I click on an account the only items to sync listed are "Calendar", "Google Calendar", and "Tasks in Calendar", but no Contacts. Anyone have an idea on this?

Also, is there a way to change the date format on the lock screen from YYYY-MM-DD Day to something like Day MM-DD-YYYY?

I think that and not being able to download the Parkmobile app are the only things I'm looking to fix right now.

Thanks for putting this tutorial together OP!
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
For some strange reasons google has started to block most spoofed fingerprints to certify a device.

The fixed should be running the "props" in any terminal emulator app, try to pick an OEM/Brand, and choose a model with Android 11

Im now running the latest magisk with zygisk and its more stable and safetynet passes as well.

I can also confirm that once you've successfully added the playstore and made it certified using spoofed fingerprints via root, you can fully unroot the device just by uninstalling the magisk app and reflashing the "boot_2.img" (unpatched boot i provided in the zip file). The playstore will remain to work and it'll be fully unroot able to use sensitive apps that checks for root.
[General Topics] kebabby:
I used MTKClient to unlock my bootloader. There's an option in the GUI but I connected my phone as per the instructions on the GitHub page by running this command through the Python cli version of the software: 'mtk da seccfg unlock'.

The last few days it took me some trial and error until I got to the result I wanted so feel free to ask anything else
[General Topics] baboonheart:
In the beginning of the tutorial, there is a link to the F21 Pro unlock tool, specifically for this device. This is super easy to use. https://xdaforums.com/t/tools-mod-scripts-mlgmxyysds-qin-f21-pro-unlock-tool.4368277

If you have issues doing it this way, just let me know as I have done quite a few devices with this tool....
[General Topics] kebabby:
That is a fair point. Although, that script simply automates the existing functions from MTK Kit software. So you're more or less achieving the same results by the same means
[General Topics] huda206:
My phone is stuck in fastboot mode (says on a black screen the words fastboot mode, it wont go past there). I think i by mistake deleted the whole android operateing system on my qin f21 pro. I can get in to the TWRP menu. Anyone know how to go about this?

If I reinstall the ROM will that be ok? If yes can someone please post the stock ROM?
[General Topics] baozedong:
Hey, how did you end up getting into TWRP? I followed the steps and the flash tool says that flash was successful, but I'm not able to boot into TWRP at all. Seems like it goes into OEM reboot menu, either that or stuck in fastboot menu. My phone is the 3/32gb blue box version, if that matters at all.
[General Topics] ONugroho:
I have problem with wifi tethering, wifi is showing but can't connect, is any solution to fix the problem?
[General Topics] D-Simon89:
Hello everyone,

Is it possible to make recovery image before starting doing any thing?
[General Topics] slarvergbg:
I just bought a qin F21 Pro (3/32GB, Android 11, Build number 2.0.0) on AliExpress, thought i bought the google play version but now it looks that i did´nt.

I have try to use this excellent guide to install a custom firmware but without any sucess and now wondering if somone here can support me.

I have manage to use mlgmxyysd program to unlock the boot loader, it was quite hard and i have to unplug and replug the usb cable several times and this by also pressing the top left and top right buttom at least as many times and after a while the program finaly told me that the boot loader was unlocked succesfully.

Now I have stucked on step no.9 when using SP Flash Tool v5, nothing seems to happend, the status bar in the bottom just flash red and then a error message occour.

What i have understand the status bar should be yellow when download and installing TWRP?

The guide says that by pressing and hold the back buttom when connect the usb cable but when i do this my phone boots up and start, anybody knows why?

I have also tried to press and hold down the top left and top right buttom when using SP Flash tools v5 but when

i´m doing this nothing happend.

I have activated the developer settings on the phone and active and activated "oem unlocking"

So now starting to run out of ideas and wondering if there is anyone who can help me. Is it even worth trying anymore, it might not even be possible to install a custom firmware on my device.
[General Topics] mendy1826:
i keep on getting this message
[General Topics] mendy1826:
my phone doesn't turn on any more it looks like it lost its boot is there anything that I can do
[General Topics] tlxxxsracer:
Just received mine and it's running 1.1.5 with play store already on it. Will I be able to upgrade or would I be stuck on 1.1.1? I'd like to unlock the US bands though.

Edit: Can I not just flash boot.img to that partition without having to revert back to 1.1.1? What would I be missing going from 1.1.5 to 1.1.1?
[General Topics] Sad-Pain-2749:
What did you end up doing here?
[General Topics] m0yses:
I followed all the guide and install the custom firmware! But now my f21 pro doesn't have any sound at all, not receiving calls, listen to audios or anything like that. What can I do to fix it?

Thanks for the guide and the rom.
[General Topics] m0yses:
I was having the same problem. I used a tool called "Mediatek Universal Tools" that was able to unlock the verified boot and them I flash the rom again.
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
for those units that came with the blue/green box, that got bricked using this tutorial, send me a dm. imma guide you personally so i can also see whats the problem. hopefully we can restore it back
[General Topics] tlxxxsracer:
So I'm running into the issue your post is set out to solve. But when I went to flash the patched boot.img I get " FAILED (File is too large to download)"
[General Topics] ff44x:
Bad cable or usb port try a different cable try a different port hell a different computer. Just make sure to reread all the steps.
[General Topics] tlxxxsracer:
Fixed the issue. I flashed magisk.apk (changing extension to .zip and flashed in TWRP. Worked fine.

Now I'm trying to figure out whether to update magisk to the latest or not
[General Topics] ff44x:
I have not tried I know it’s fine without but if you’re okay restarting if needed try it.
[General Topics] Jbazt_katuforzs:
Once you set it up and installed the magisk modules, its ok to update. The modules repo will be gone if you update. If root sensitive apps doesn't work, you can always downgrade magisk by...

1. Uninstall magisk app

2. Flash the stocked "boot_2" (not patched) in TWRP

3. Redo the root using magisk in download