[General Topics] amt000:
There is a lot of scattered info out there so I decided to write this comprehensive guide after successfully rooting this phone.

Step 1 - Enable Developper tools and Unlock the Bootloader

1. Tap “Settings” Menu, then you have to tap “Tecno Spark 20" next to "My Phone"

2. Then swipe down to find "Build number"

3. Tap “Build number” option several times until you see “You are now a developer” on Tecno Spark 20.

4. Tap “Settings” Menu again.

5. Tap “Developer options”, then activate “USB debugging” and “OEM unlocking” option.

P.S. Due to some restictions from Tecno you have to create a "Tecno ID" and wait for 2 weeks before being able to enable the "Oem Unlocking" option

6. Download USB driver and install it on PC.

7. Connect Tecno Spark 20 with PC via USB cable. Tap “ALLOW” option on your phone to allow USB debugging.

8. Download SDK Platform tools Zip File.

9. Open platform-tools folder within the Android SDK folder on your PC after extracting the ZIP file.

10. Inside the platform-tools folder, you have to type “cmd” in the address bar and press “enter” button to open the Command Window.

11. Enter the following command to check the connected device:

12. If your device is successfully connected with PC, then you will be able to see a serial number.

13. Enter the following command to put Tecno Spark 20 into Fastboot mode:

14. Enter the following command to check Fastboot mode:

15. If your device is successfully entered into Fastboot mode, then you have to enter the following command:

16. Choose “Yes” option using Tecno Spark 20 volume up button.

P.S. Pressing the volume up button WILL erase your data so make sure you backup everything needed before committing to this step. In my case I used a microSD to store all my files and photos (including screenshots of my apps and settings ...)

17. Enter the following command after the bootloader unlock process is completed:

You have successfully unlocked bootloader in Tecno Spark 20 (KJ5, KJ5n) and you can now proceed to rooting the phone and installing the TWRP custom recovery.

P.S. once the bootloader is unlocked the device will boot in "Orange State" where you have to wait a few seconds for the system to boot. Some users report being stuck in this state and some report successful boot after fast power and volume button press. I didn't face any issues here except for the mild delay in boot.

Step 2 - Root + Custom Recovery

Once your bootloader is unlocked the Oem Unlocking option will become enabled and grayed out so you can now proceed to rooting the device. Also make sure the "USB Debugging" option is enabled.

Method 1. Root without installing custom recovery

1. You will need to install Magisk Manager (from Google Play) and download the ofiicial stock firmware file of your device

P.S. It is wise to update your system before rooting or disable the System updates altogether from the Developer options to avoid bricks later in case a new update is available.

Also make sure to download the same ROM as your "Build number" found in the "About Phone" menu.

2. Once you have downloaded the stock ROM zip file extract "vbmeta.img" and "boot.img" and copy the "boot.img" file to your phone's Internal storage

P.S. There are 3 vbmeta.img files inside the zip file but you only need this exact one. In case you fail to find the same build number of your stock rom the "boot.img" might be different and you can get some problems later like non working Camera or Camera Autofocus errors so make sure you get the exact file needed for this task.

3. Open Magisk Manager on you phone and select the "patch file" option then select your "boot.img" file you copied earlier on your internal storage and proceed with the patch.

You will get a "patched" boot.img file in the same location of the original boot.img file so copy this new "magisk patched boot.img file" to your PC or Laptop and place it in the same folder of the platform tools (ADB.exe and Fastboot.exe)

4. Open platform tools folder on your PC.

5. Make sure the magisk_patched img file is on your PC same folder as the adb and fastboot files. You can rename it to magiskboot.img file or use any name you like

6. Connect your phone with PC via USB cable.

7. Inside the platform-tools folder, you have to type “cmd” in the address bar and press “enter” button to open the Command Window.

8. Enter the following command to check the connected device:

9. If your device is successfully connected with PC, then you will be able to see a serial number.

10. Enter the following command to put Tecno Spark 20 into Fastboot mode:

11. Enter the following command to check Fastboot mode:

12. If your phone is successfully entered into Fastboot mode, then you will be able to see a serial number (or not)

13. Enter the following command to install “vbmeta.img” file in your Tecno Spark 20:

14. then enter the following command to install “magiskboot.img” file in your Tecno Spark 20:

15. Enter the following command after the installation process is completed:

Congrats your phone is rooted and hopefully everything is working fine.

Method 2. Root while installing TWRP custom recovery

1. If you wish to get custom recovery you have to download the "unofficial" TWRP image from here:

Releases · SKOCHE/twrp_TECNO-Spark_20

Contribute to SKOCHE/twrp_TECNO-Spark_20 development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

2. the file should be 32MB in size the same as the original boot.img file there are many files so get the latest one and

rename it to twrp.img and copy it to your phone's internal storage

3. Open Magisk Manager on you phone and select the "patch file" option then select your "twrp.img" file you copied earlier on your internal storage and proceed with the patch.

You will get a "patched" twrp.img file in the same location of the original boot.img file so copy this new "magisk patched file" to your PC or Laptop and place it in the same folder of the platform tools (ADB.exe and Fastboot.exe)

4. Open platform tools folder on your PC.

5. Make sure the magisk_patched img file is on your PC same folder as the adb and fastboot files. You can rename it to magisktwrp.img file or use any name you like

6. Connect your phone with PC via USB cable.

7. Inside the platform-tools folder, you have to type “cmd” in the address bar and press “enter” button to open the Command Window.

8. Enter the following command to check the connected device:

9. If your device is successfully connected with PC, then you will be able to see a serial number.

10. Enter the following command to put Tecno Spark 20 into Fastboot mode:

11. Enter the following command to check Fastboot mode:

12. If your phone is successfully entered into Fastboot mode, then you will be able to see a serial number (or not)

13. Enter the following command to install “vbmeta.img” file in your Tecno Spark 20:

14. then enter the following command to install “magisktwrp.img” file in your Tecno Spark 20:

15. Enter the following command after the installation process is completed:

Congrats your phone is rooted, twrp is installed as custom recovery and hopefully everything is working fine.

P.S. using this method to install magisk and gain root saves your data since if you opt to install magisk again from TWRP menu you have to wipe your data first.

Have a nice day :)

Abz