Updating UK version of ZTE Axon 7 mini to Android Nougat 7.1.1

[saymonek]

I have ZTE axon 7 mini from UK Carphone Warehouse distribution. It is single sim + micro SD variant (P852A11_UK). It comes with Android 6.0.1 (zte.20161125.112507) out of the box with no update yet. Screenshot of RECOVERY to compare (see attachment).

I read that there is a way to update this phone to Android 7.1 using the specific update files, but my phone could not detect that files. I have tried many of different firmwares with no success.

Finally, I managed to update my phone, and here is how:

0. BACKUP YOUR DATA just in case. Fully charge your phone. I am not responsible of any damage or warranty void if something went wrong. Use at your own risk.

1. Download Android 6.0.1 Spanish firmware ZTE B2017G V1.0.0B09, so '_UK' will be gone afther update.
Download link:
http://download.ztedevice.com/support/product/570/201612221103982/sd/20161222111119358.zip
Mirror (thanks @NewbieGamingYT):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hYFuTYBHB5SnDeE2KCOHQf_62xr7EqOL

2. Unzip 20161222111119358.zip and find 'update.zip' file, than copy it to root directory of >internal storage< of your phone. I know some instructions says to copy it on SD card - in my case phone can't find it in 'updates' system menu, and it doesn't work in recovery 'update from SD' as well - phone just restarts after 2 seconds.
You can try to use your SD card firstly, but when it fails, just use internal storage.

3. Shut down your phone.

4. Go to RECOVERY - press and hold VOLUME UP button, then press POWER ON. Wait till RECOVERY shows up.

5. Find "Apply update from inner card" - you can navigate using VOL +/- find 'update.zip' and accept using POWER single press.

6. Wait till its updated. Few minutes in my case.

7. Choose "Reboot system now" in RECOVERY.

8. Go to 'Update' menu and check for updates. In current version, it should be B2017G V1.0.0B09 without _UK.

9. Update to V1.0.0B12 via OTA ('update' function in settings) - it should be available - about 450 MB.
9.1 If it's not available, you can download it manually, and place 'update.zip' in root folder of your SD card or INTERNAL storage:
http://disk.myzte.ru/SW/Axon7mini_B12(SD card software).zip
Mirror (thanks @NewbieGamingYT):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hYFuTYBHB5SnDeE2KCOHQf_62xr7EqOL

10. After updating to V1.0.0B12 (still Android 6.0.1), you can update to Android 7.1.1 easly (ZTE B2017GV2.0.0B09). Download update (link below) and repeat step 9.1.
http://disk.myzte.ru/SW/Axon7mini_Android7(SD card software).zip
Mirror (thanks @NewbieGamingYT):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hYFuTYBHB5SnDeE2KCOHQf_62xr7EqOL

That's all! Be patient, first boot after (every) update could take even 10-15 minutes. After all you can check again 'update' in settings, you should be able to make OTA update to ZTE B2017GV2.1.0B12 (security patch 01.september.2017).

 

[stevegtrlmk]

Much appreciated that's great thanks very much :good:

 

[k500zm]

Nice guide - there apparently is a last step and that is to do a factory reset after updating I have seen other users say all features are properly available after this

I still await my Global version from gearbest with that £90 offer !

 

[dyabzhee]

"That's all! Be patient, first boot after (every) update could take even 10-15 minutes. After all you can check again 'update' in settings, you should be able to make OTA update to ZTE B2017GV2.0.0B12 (security patch 01.september.2017). "

Isn't it ZTE B2017GV1.2.0B12 instead ZTE B2017GV2.0.0B12 ? DId you misswrite it or am I missing something since I am on 7.1.1 september 2017 but ZTE B2017GV1.2.0B12.

 

[saymonek]

"That's all! Be patient, first boot after (every) update could take even 10-15 minutes. After all you can check again 'update' in settings, you should be able to make OTA update to ZTE B2017GV2.0.0B12 (security patch 01.september.2017). "

Isn't it ZTE B2017GV1.2.0B12 instead ZTE B2017GV2.0.0B12 ? DId you misswrite it or am I missing something since I am on 7.1.1 september 2017 but ZTE B2017GV1.2.0B12.

Yes, of course, I made a mistake! Thank you for letting me know and I'm sorry for confusion !

 

[simebru63]

Cheers, thanks very much, just what i was looking for. Worked out perfect.:good::good:

 

[stevegtrlmk]

That great on nougat now :good:

 

[fy0u1]

Nice! Will this work for other countries with the "carrier" variant of this phone? Or maybe people can figure that out thanks to OP. Considering picking this phone up at PC Mobile in Canada. Cheers.

 

[Diomorgan]

does it works with dual sim version too?

 

[ajb_uk]

I had some issues at step #2 - the update.zip was being rejected with "E: footer is wrong". It turns out that the first 2 times I downloaded B09 Spanish firmware it was slightly corrupted (but not enough to prevent extraction).

Third download of the file gave a different checksum and worked for me. MD5 sum of working file is:

20161222111119358.zip: 1FE524FC244D41DBF39A933A8FB9D00F.

Also, the MD5s for steps 9.1 and 10 (these worked first time for me, but took 3 hours):

Axon7mini_B12(SD card software).zip: 3B5737EAA4527490BA351D2C9693EC00
Axon7mini_Android7(SD card software).zip: EEFD9487846778290A850A868630480D

 

[Geld801]

Tried this on a Canadian PC Mobile model to test it . After the first update it bricked.

 

[fy0u1]

Tried this on a Canadian PC Mobile model to test it . After the first update it bricked.

Damn. Thank you for trying!

 

[tdm123]

if i do this, can i unlock my phones bootloader and load a rom from usa?

 

[RFrancis]

does this work on the gearbest version?

 

[zigonneux]

Tried this on a Canadian PC Mobile model to test it . After the first update it bricked.

It look like the Canadians will be stuck with MM on the AXON. I use it for music and on WIFI so, it's working well anyway for what I do. I use it as a wifi phone sometimes because the voice is clearer than my VOIP setup.

 

[nxsnxs]

Hi

I followed your instructions and managed to update to 7.1.1. but m on B09 not B12. Does not offer me any OTA updates. Security patches are from June 17. Any idea how i can update to B12??

Thanks

 

[shub]

i just got my axon 7 mini from gearbest and I'm struggling to update to 7.1.1

i have downloaded the update zip from .es .de and eu but when i transfer over to sd card and run the update scan, it doesn't show up

i renamed the zip file to update.zip

pls help

 

[saymonek]

i just got my axon 7 mini from gearbest and I'm struggling to update to 7.1.1

i have downloaded the update zip from .es .de and eu but when i transfer over to sd card and run the update scan, it doesn't show up

i renamed the zip file to update.zip

pls help

You have to unzip file that you have downloaded and there will be proper zip (update.zip) inside.

 

[shub]

You have to unzip file that you have downloaded and there will be proper zip (update.zip) inside.

OMG Holly FUK!!

thank you!

 

[stevegtrlmk]

What did I miss I on the June security patch