[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
QLink Scepter 8 Tablet​

By Hot Pepper Mobile

View attachment 5550933

Bootloader Unlocking

& Rooting Guide

For Gen 1 & Gen 2 Models
​

TABLET MODELS & VARIANTS:

For those members familiar with the firmware restoration thread, there are a total of four model variants of the QLink Scepter 8 tablet: two variants of the Gen 1 model, and two variants of the latest Gen 2 model. Determining which Scepter 8 you have is a very simple two-part check. First, if you don't already know your Android OS version, go to device Settings> About tablet, and locate your Android version. If you are running Android 11 (Go Edition), you have the original Gen 1 model. If you are running Android 12 (Go Edition), your tablet is the latest Gen 2 model. Secondly, you will need to locate the device S/N in order to determine your tablet variant. Your S/N is printed on the manufacturer's label affixed to the exterior of the tablet's rear housing. From the Android OS, you can also locate your S/N by opening device Settings>About tablet>Model. Regardless of whether you have the Gen 1 or the Gen 2, the first two letters of your S/N will be either CF or MD. This is the codification of your tablet variant. To alleviate some of the legwork of rooting, and to keep this thread simple to follow, I have provided boot images pre-patched for Magisk v25.2 systemless root support. I have categorized the download links for each of the boot images in accordance with the respective model and S/N variant. To avoid potential bugs, instabilities, boot loops and the like, it is crucial that you download the boot image that corresponds with your model & variant. ​

​

OVERVIEW:

This guide outlines step-by-step instructions for unlocking the bootloader and rooting all variants of the Gen 1 & Gen 2 QLink Scepter 8 tablet. This guide also includes a detailed section on properly installing the ADB, fastboot, & USB device drivers on your Windows PC or laptop, as well as steps to troubleshoot & manually update these drivers in the event the tablet is not being recognized while in fastboot mode.

DISCLAIMER:

Unlocking your bootloader and rooting your device are both procedures that carry inherent risks. Because these procedures involve modifying the device from it's stock factory configuration, it is possible to corrupt, damage, or even render your tablet completely inoperable. By proceeding further, you are assuming sole responsibility for the integrity and operability of your device, therefore absolving me of any liability in the event something goes south. I have, however, tested these guides and feel confident that things will go smoothly as long as you follow the instructions carefully. Moreover, I encourage all members to read the instructions fully before starting the steps, in order to first gain a fundamental understanding of the concepts and methods involved.

PLEASE PLAY NICE & FOLLOW XDA RULES:

This thread was created with the intent of being a noob-friendly forum. This simply means that new and inexperienced members are fully welcome here, and will be provided with extra guidance and assistance if needed. Please keep in mind that XDA is a global community of developers, enthusiasts and device users. As such, and although English is the only permitted language in the forums & threads, not all members speak English as their first language, and often rely on text translation tools when asking questions & posting. Accordingly, it is very common for words to be misconstrued, meanings to be misinterpreted, and the context as a whole lost in translation. I ask members to be patient, compassionate and respectful to others on this thread. Those members with the knowledge to do so are urged and asked to help newer members, and recall back when you were new here and others helped you.

Please help me with keeping this thread on point by ensuring that all subject matter herein be kept relevant to the topics of rooting and OEM unlocking the QLink Scepter 8. Any posts about other devices or subject matter run afoul of XDA rules and are subject to removal by moderators -- and potential sanctions imposed upon the offending member. Moreover, an on-topic thread keeps things organized and easier to follow. Thank you for your consideration.

PREREQUISITES:

To unlock the bootloader and root the QLink Scepter 8 tablet, you will need a laptop or PC running on Windows 7/8.1/10/11. (A Mac or Linux machine can also be used. For purposes of this guide, however, I am focusing on a Windows setup.) You will also need the OEM-supplied or a quality equivalent micro USB to USB-A data sync cable. Last but not least, you will need to install compatible USB device drivers for ADB & Fastboot on your PC/laptop. I have included the 15-Second ADB Driver Installer below, under the DOWNLOADS section. This Installer will configure ADB & Fastboot system-wide, and installs the universal Google USB device drivers. I would encourage members to first read the instructions in their entirety prior to actually starting the guide.

•INSTALLING USB DEVICE DRIVERS•

This section is included to install and configure ADB, Fastboot and the proper USB device drivers on your Windows computer. This section can also be used to troubleshoot and fix issues involving your tablet not being recognized by Windows while connected in fastboot mode. If you have already installed the ADB & Fastboot tools (& the proper USB device drivers), and you are not experiencing fastboot recognition issues, you may skip this section and proceed to the bootloader unlocking section.

Many members have reported issues with device recognition while in fastboot mode. I have also noticed a persistence problem with Windows drivers on this tablet. I can manually update the driver using Windows Device Manager, enabling fastboot recognition; yet, once the tablet is disconnected from my PC the updated driver does not always persist, requiring a manual driver update each time fastboot mode is needed. Follow these steps to enable fastboot recognition of your device.

• 1. If you have not yet done so, install the 15-Second ADB Installer from the link below on your Windows PC or laptop. Open the utility and follow the prompts to install the ADB & Fastboot drivers. Next, opt to install ADB system-wide. Lastly, you will be prompted to install the Google USB device drivers. Select Y and install them. You should see an interface informing you that the drivers were successfully installed. NOTE: If you get a warning notification that the drivers are unsigned, select the option to install anyway;

• 2. With your tablet powered off, hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the QLink logo appears, at which time you release the Power button but continue holding Volume Down. When a green Android graphic appears on your display, you are in fastboot mode;

• 3. Connect your tablet to your Windows machine using the OEM-supplied or a quality equivalent micro USB to USB-A data sync cable;

• 4. Open a command window in the path of your ADB/Fastboot directory. Execute this command:

fastboot devices

If properly connected, the command window will return an alphanumeric string which is synonymous with your tablet serial number. If this occurs, you are finished with this section and may proceed to the instructions for unlocking the bootloader/rooting. If the command window displays Waiting on Any Device, or if your serial number is not displayed, continue with the following steps;

• 5. Keeping your device connected to your Windows PC/laptop, right click your Windows Start icon and select Device Manager. Locate your tablet in the menu. It will likely be located under either the Portable Devices or Android Device heading;

• 6. Right click your device and select Update Driver. Next, select Browse My Computer for Drivers. On the next screen choose the option for Let Me Pick From a List... Now you will see a list of drivers to select from. Depending on the manner in which Windows recognized your tablet in the Device Manager menu, the driver selection menu can vary. If you see an option for Android Device, select that option and then select Android Composite ADB Interface. Or, you may be directly presented with options for Android Bootloader Interface, Android ADB Interface and Android Composite ADB Interface. In any event, choose Android Composite ADB Interface and then click Next. Click Yes in the Update Driver Warning dialogue screen, at which time the drivers will be installed.

• 7. Return to your command window and again execute the fastboot devices command. If your serial number is displayed, your drivers are now properly installed. If you are still experiencing fastboot recognition issues, try using another data sync cable, change USB ports on your computer, and/or reinstall the drivers using the 15-Second ADB Installer.

I. UNLOCKING THE BOOTLOADER:

If you plan on rooting your tablet, this step is mandatory. If your bootloader is already unlocked and you only wish to root your device, skip down to the rooting instructions in the next section below.

WARNING: Unlocking your bootloader forces the device into a factory data reset, which will effectively wipe all saved user data from the device. Make a backup at this point if there are files and media on your tablet that you wish to keep.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Enable Developer Options on your tablet by going to device Settings>About tablet and tap Build number approximately seven times. Android will notify you that Developer Options are enabled; this menu will appear under device Settings>System>Advanced.

2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in the Developer Options menu. NOTE: Users have reported the OEM Unlocking option being greyed-out unless you are signed in to your Google account.

3. Now to boot into fastboot mode, and this particular step is extremely important. Android 10 introduced a new fastboot mode for dynamic partitions, known as FASTBOOTD, which is relocated from the bootloader to userspace. This particular fastboot mode supports resizeable partitions within the dynamic scheme, and enables the user to create, resize and delete various logical partitions. However, FASTBOOTD mode cannot be utilized to unlock the bootloader, and will not recognize the unlock command. As such, the user must rely upon legacy fastboot mode in order to unlock the bootloader. From stock recovery mode, you may simply choose the option to reboot to bootloader. DO NOT CHOOSE THE OPTION TO ENTER FASTBOOT, as this option will boot to FASTBOOTD. From the Android OS, you can boot into legacy fastboot mode by executing:

adb reboot bootloader

Once you see a green Android graphic appear in the center of your display, you are in the correct fastboot mode.

4. Connect your tablet to your PC/laptop using the OEM-supplied or a quality equivalent micro USB to USB-A data sync cable. Next, open a command window in the path of your ADB/Fastboot directory. Check your connection by executing this command:

fastboot devices

If you are properly connected, the command window will return an alphanumeric string synonymous with your device's serial number. If you do not see this, there is a problem with communications between your tablet and PC/laptop. To troubleshoot the issue, switch to another USB port, try another data sync cable, and/or reinstall the ADB/Fastboot drivers on your PC or laptop. Also, see my instructions above on installing USB device drivers on your Windows computer;

5. Once a proper connection has been verified, execute this command:

fastboot oem unlock

Once you see the Okay notification in the command window, your bootloader is now unlocked. Execute this command:

fastboot reboot

Your tablet will now initiate a factory data reset and then reboot into the initial setup for the Android OS.

II. ROOTING THE QLINK SCEPTER 8

Now that the bootloader has been unlocked, rooting this tablet is very straightforward. Again, I have provided pre-rooted boot image files in the DOWNLOADS section for all four models & variants.

INSTRUCTIONS:

A. Gen 1 QLink Scepter 8​

Android 11 (Go Edition)​

NOTE: If your tablet is running Android 12 Go Edition, you're in the wrong place. Skip down to the next section.

1. Download the Gen 1 patched boot image that matches your S/N variant using the links below, and save the file on your PC/laptop in the ADB/Fastboot directory. Note that the file is named patched_boot.img. The flashing command below assumes that you leave this file name unchanged;

2. Go to device Settings>About tablet and tap Build number 7 times or until Developer Options are enabled. (This step is necessary if you unlocked your bootloader using the previous section, due to the factory data reset.) Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Options menu;

3. Power your tablet off. Hold the Power and Volume Down keys simultaneously until the QLink logo appears, at which time you release Power but continue holding Volume Down. The green Android will appear on the display to indicate fastboot mode;

4. Connect your tablet to your PC or laptop using a quality data sync cable. Verify your connection using the instructions in Step 4 of the bootloader unlocking section above;;

5. Once a solid connection is verified, execute these commands:​

fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
fastboot reboot

NOTE: Your active boot slot should be boot_a. Regardless, the above command flashes your active slot by default, without having to specify slot _a or _b.

Upon reboot, your tablet will be rooted with the latest Magisk systemless root strategy. If you do not see the Magisk app or the placeholder stub in your app drawer, go ahead and download the latest version from the link below and install the APK on your tablet. Open the Magisk app, grant the prompted permissions, and follow any prompts to complete setting up the root environment.

B. Gen 2 QLink Scepter 8​

Android 12 (Go Edition)​

NOTE: If your tablet is running Android 11 Go Edition, you're in the wrong place. Go back to the previous section. .

1.Download the Gen 2 patched boot image that matches your S/N variant and the empty vbmeta.img using the links below, and save the files on your PC/laptop in the ADB/Fastboot directory. Note that the boot image file is named patched_boot.img, and the vbmeta image is named vbmeta.img. The flashing commands below assume that you leave these file names unchanged;

2. Go to device Settings>About tablet and tap Build number 7 times or until Developer Options are enabled. (This step is necessary if you unlocked your bootloader using the previous section, due to the factory data reset.) Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Options menu;

3. Power your tablet off. Hold the Power and Volume Down keys simultaneously until the QLink logo appears, at which time you release Power but continue holding Volume Down. The green Android will appear on the display to indicate fastboot mode;

4. Connect your tablet to your PC or laptop using a quality data sync cable. Verify your connection using the instructions in Step 4 of the bootloader unlocking section above;;

5. Once a solid connection is verified, execute this command:

fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img

Now, continuing in fastboot mode, you will need to disable dm-verity/Android Verified Boot (AVB) by flashing an empty vbmeta.img via executing the following command:​

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

Next, execute this command to reboot your device:

fastboot reboot

Upon reboot, your tablet should now be rooted with the Magisk systemless root strategy. If you do not see the Magisk app or the stub placeholder in your app drawer, go ahead and download the latest version from the link below and install it on your tablet. Open the Magisk app, grant the prompted permissions, and follow any prompts to update Magisk and/or complete setting up the root environment.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

In the unfortunate event you have a mishap with rooting your tablet and get stuck in a boot loop, or if your tablet will not otherwise boot into the Android OS, have no worries. My tutorial on firmware restoration for the QLink Scepter 8 will revert your device back to its original stock factory state. You can then return here and give it another try.

QLink Scepter 8 Firmware Restoration Guide

DOWNLOADS:

• 15-Second ADB Installer

• Gen 1 (CF) Patched Boot Image

• Gen 1 (MD) Patched Boot Image

• Gen 2 (CF) Patched Boot Image

• Gen 2 (MD) Patched Boot Image

• Empty vbmeta.img

• Official Magisk Releases / GitHub Repo

THANKS & MENTIONS:

Thanks goes out to Hot Pepper Mobile CEO Shawn Sun and Support Specialist Joshua G for providing stock firmware images for this device.

Also, I wish to recognize and thank @13lack13ox for being a huge help to thread members at times when I was not able.

​