ZTE Nubia Z7 Mini - Root, Recovery and Google App.

ZTE Nubia Z7 Mini

Build: NX507J_CNCommon_V1.20
Hardware: NX507JMB_B)

I'm one of foreigners who buy this phone from Hong Kong reseller and want to use Google App.

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-=How to Root, Recovery and Google App. (At your own risk!)=-
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1. Preparation
- Download and extract "Nubia Z7 Mini Root+Recovery.rar" and download "gapps-kk-20140105-signed.zip".
- Copy "TowelRoot v3.apk", "SuperSU Pro v2.0.0.apk" and "gapps-kk-20140105-signed.zip" to the root directory of SD card and insert it to the Phone.

2. Root
Install and run "TowelRoot v3.apk" from SD card and click "make it rain". If it's success, phone will not restart.

3. Super User
Install and run "SuperSU Pro v2.0.0.apk" (Normal Install) from SD card.

4. ZTE Driver and Debugging Mode
- Run "ZTE_Handset_USB_Driver.exe" in computer then connect phone to computer with USB data cable.
- Run "Autorun.exe" when connect the phone to PC for more driver install.
- Go to Settings->About phone and tab at "Build number" many times till "You are now a developer" appear.
- Go to Settings->More(at the end of menu list)->Developer options and enable "USB debugging"
- It will show "USB debugging connected" in Notification Bar

5. Rayglobe Mini TWRP Recovery
Run "run_permanente.bat" from extracted "Nubia+_mini_twrp_ver_2.rar"


6. Google App.
Boot to Rayglobe Mini TWRP Recovery (by "Shutdown" and press "Volume Up" and "Power" button) and "INSTALL" "gapps-kk-20140105-signed.zip" from External SD, "WIPE CACHE/DALVIK" then "REBOOT SYSTEM"

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Files need :-

*** Nubia Z7 Mini Root+Recovery.rar
http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/23454042/file.html

*** gapps-kk-20140105-signed.zip
http://devfil.es/7m2VdVjQ

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Some fix :-

*** SMS notification problems. (Posted by Matta_Z)
- Have you turned following options in settings of Messaging app: 1. "Light up screen" ; 2. "Display message notifications in status bar"; 3. "Receive Push Message" ?

*** YouTube issue (Posted by Leo_83)
- uninstalled/reinstalled and then cleared cache for YouTube app

*** Keyboard issue (if any)
Install 3rd party keyboard from Google Play by "Voice"

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Misc :-

*** ROM Collection
http://www.nubia.cn/service.php?sid=5
http://www.muzisoft.com/brand/718m1017/

*** Tab at "nubia UI" and "Build number"

*** Video tutorial how to flash from buncit8 (Many thanks for sharing)
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC--lFpDfRCMx426dxNSI9SQ

*** Video tutorial how to Upgrade ROM from buncit8 (Many thanks for sharing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCPY2IeufYI

*** Short Review of ZTE Nubia Z7 mini (in comment area)
http://www.gizchina.com/2014/09/15/5-reasons-cant-wait-review-nubia-z7-mini/

Hello everyone

you can find my firmware here:

http://www.androidiani.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6048635

is based on the last version 1.60 and it's multilingual ? supported languages are Italian and German.

I just uploaded three other custom ROMS from ydss on Mega for you guys. It's one MIUI, one CM ROM, a LeWa-ROM (haven't heard of them yet, seems to be a chinese company producing custom roms for low-price smartphones) and the official 1.62 - didn't test them myself so it's your turn.
Extracted all my links and infos on ROMs to this thread.

Cheers,
Seyron

Changing the MAC Address

tr99 said:

I don't know why, but there are some users in this post with same MAC. I tried flashing 1.60 stock rom, mokee rom and cuoco 92 rom, wiping every time with cmw recovery and twrp recovery and there is no resoult. the fuc**ng MAc is still there.
I'm quite desperated, I don't know what else can I do.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I always wanted to change the Mac address, but finally I found how to change it, and this is very simple !
Step 1: Download ES File Explorer, obtain root privileges.
After entering ES File Explorer, go to /Device/System and go to Options, switch ON the setting for Root Explorer for read-write mode.
Step 2: Close WIFI
Step 3: Go to / system / etc / firmware / wlan / prima /.
There will be three files, find "WCNCC_qcom_cfg.ini"
Open the file with ES Note Editor,
Inside the file check for these 3 lines:
Intf0MacAddress = 986CF563ECDB
Intf1MacAddress = 986CF563ECDB
Intf2MacAddress = 986CF563ECDB
This is the Mac address, each person should be different,
Change into anything, but remember, three Mac address should be changed to the same
Intf0MacAddress = 001122334455
Intf1MacAddress = 001122334455
Intf2MacAddress = 001122334455
Step 4: After changing the MAC, remember to save.
After the save, without rebooting, you can switch ON WIFI.

Translation from italian forum

First of all compliments to ZTE that had released 1.20/1.28/1.42. In shame of who said that will not give us support.
This is a native english/chinese rom so it is given unrooted and without google apps. These apps would be added by yourself with the right gapps package for kitkat.
In the case you need root access, you can rely on the good Towelroot.
Tranlslation of the rom in italian (or any other language you need) can be done installing Morelocale2.
I've tryed to install the rom with CWM /TWRP but in any case the procedure does not work (someone with TRWP tell me that worked).
Whereas with Nubia stock recovery works everything. In my case I've flashed the update with this recovery and then I flashed gapps with custom recovery (after having restored it).
Truly for who has 1.20 or 1.28 the update is notified by searching for it in menu "system update" but it is very slow to download and in most cases it does not work.
FIRST OF ALL I SUGGEST to wipe cache/data/dalvik BEFORE flashing the rom, then install gapps using CWM.

This is the procedure:

1) Install ZTE drivers and be sure that the phone is detected in all cases (activate USB Debugging in developer mode options)
2) Copy all files in /Phone storage (Update.zip, towelroot, supersu, gapps and all extras that you find after in the description
3) Optional, do a backup of the phone. (If the device is new is not necessary)
4) Install update.zip from nubia stock recovery (you have to power on the phone by pressing power+vol_up) after wiping data/cache/dalvik.
If you don't do it could appear some errors caused by gapps package previously installed
5) By rebooting your phone we could find that it is a stock nubia with only english and chinese, without gapps, root and supersu. If you need root
use towelroot and then install supersu. Install any other software that you need.
6) Install gapps package that you prefer (I suggest MICRO) in the way you like best: either with CWM (stock rom gets some error installing gapps)
or by using the guide in the bottom of the page AFTER having rooted the device
7) Install MoreLocale2 from playstore to translate the interface in your language (you need root)
8) OPTIONAL: Do a nandroid backup with CWM (with custom recovery TWRP actually does not work)
9) In case you have some problems:
go to apple website

Z7 mini version 1.42
Published: 2014-8-22

Description: MD5: 5C68ABE5B05DBC07FEAFDB717B492C42 Password: 1b7d

Changelog:

1. increased tone display function, you can set the natural color, cool colors, users can set their own preferences
2. resolve modem crashes, wifi crash, enhance machine stability
3. optimized dual card SMS, MMS, contacts features
4. optimized dual-card signal
5. optimization TD headset voice sound
6. optimized camera to take pictures blurred pictures yellowish
7. optimized camera experience
8. optimized video player
9. optimization gallery, picture editing functions
10. WIFI function optimization
11. optimization Niu Dun
12. UI optimized visual effects
13. optimized theme, alarm clock function
14. optimized touch not working to reduce the probability of such issues will be missing when the letter quickly enter
15. optimization higher memory footprint, increase available memory on
the button at the bottom of the layout
16. repair when only two long press the return key into question the freedom Screenshot
17. repair clock widget time does not move the problem
18. repair tips can not access the mobile network when dial telephone
19. repair developer mode lower edge of the screen failure
20. deleted after repair online themes, the problem can not be updated question
21. repair auto mode when the AF switch to the front, the problem can not be photographed
22. update QQ and other third-party software
to optimize overall power consumption
23. firmware optimization content includes but is not limited to the above listed items

Download links:

-Factory Rom 1.42-


Mirror Mediafire(rename file in update.zip):



-cwm recovery-



-Stock recovery-


-Towelroot-


-SuperSU-


-gapps-
It exists many versions of gapps package.
If you want a google experience like interface you can download fist package, the less of google apps you download the device results
more like nubia interface experience.
From now the gapps more upgraded are from PA guys and I submit the links from theirs packages.
In the order we have the most larger to the leghter and there is the description of what they change/install

1. GOOGLE STOCK PACKAGE

This package is recommended for most users of current generation devices (legacy device owners may want to use Mini or Micro Modular GAPPs due to the size of this package). It includes all the Google Apps that come standard on Nexus devices.
In this package you will find the Core Base, Google Gallery, Sun Beam Live Wallpaper, and the following Play Store applications:

"Chrome Browser (replaces stock/AOSP Browser), Cloud Print, Gmail, Google+, Google Calendar (replaces stock/AOSP Calendar), Google Camera (replaces stock/AOSP Camera), Google Drive, Google Earth, Google Keep, Google Now Launcher (replaces stock/AOSP Launcher ), Google Text-to-Speech (replaces stock/AOSP Pico TTS), Google Keyboard (replaces stock/AOSP Keyboard), Google Play Books, Google Play Games, Google Play Newsstand, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Play services, Google Search, Google Wallet, Hangouts (replaces stock/AOSP SMS App), Maps, Quickoffice, Sound Search for Google Play, Street View on Google Maps, TalkBack and YouTube."


2. FULL MODULAR PACKAGE

This package is similar to the Google Stock Package above except that it does NOT include Google Camera, Google Keyboard, Google Gallery, and will NOT remove your stock/AOSP Launcher, Keyboard, Browser, SMS App, or Pico TTS. In addition, it also includes Google Bookmarks Sync. If you don’t have a Nexus device and/or prefer to use the stock/AOSP apps, this package would be perfect for you.


3. MINI MODULAR PACKAGE

This package is designed for those who use limited Google apps or prefer to install apps on their own.


4. MICRO MODULAR PACKAGE

This package is designed for users of legacy devices with small system partitions or those who prefer a minimalistic approach.


I have installed MICRO package and then I have added the rest of application from playstore.
If you want you can use the other package but I DID NOT TEST IT.

-Flash Player-

If you want you can install it and then you can activate it in a browser that supports it like Dolphin

-Xperia Album Gallery-

Gallery Xperia, is better than the nubia.


-ES File Explorer-

If you can't find rootexplorer required for manual pushing of gapps
If you want to modify permissions in spite to copy files in system dir you have to root the device and then, in the options of ESFE activate "Root Explorer" from TOOLS menu


This is the mini-tutorial from Neumann66 for push gapps manually without change recovery and use its extra functionality:

NB: It seems that with this procedure it does not work synchronization of google contacts. We are working to patch the problem

1. After install of new stock ROM (the one in chinese/english) download and install either towelroot and supersu

2. Install rootmanager (you find apk in web)

3. Extract the apk files from gapps package you have already downloaded and copy the apk to the root directory of the device:

-PrebuiltGmsCore.apk
-Phonesky.apk
-GoogleServicesFramework.apk
-GoogleLoginService.apk

4. Open rootmanager(or es file explorer), copy apk files extracted in directory: / system / priv-app

6. For each of these files you must give all permissions (set flags in all fields)(Check permissions with es file explorer).

7. Reboot

The end?

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I beg your perdon if my english is not perfect... If you have some problems you can try to do the question to me.
I've installed successfully the gapps using CWM, so I don't know how to do the manual installation.

I cannot post the links because i'm a new user (I've never write here, but I've read a lot)

If someone wants to correct my bad english and insert links, I will be pleased.

The translation is not litteral in every point.