Hi all,
Recently got myself a Ulefone Armor 2. The device is not too bad so far. I switched to it after cracking my Power2's screen multiple times. It comes with a stupidly basic Android 7. So I just wanted to start a thread to see if anyone's got their hands on it and started hacking around. See the bookmarks below for all things customisation.
I've edited this first post multiple times to reflect the recent developments. Some people got root & Magisk working see links after my first remarks:
About the latest Software Update (aka 20180224_s21v57c2k_gq_fp or S21 GQ3037LF2 Ulefone V12 20171009-Update 20180224):
[/U]https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74294320&postcount=31
First remarks:
-Some people and I are having problems with USB-C headphone adapter (https://xdaforums.com/android/help/ulefone-armor-2-t3684566/post74367962#post74367962)
-Device bluetooth volume level is separate from the headset's volume. (EDIT: fixed with recent ROM update)
-Adaptive brightness might be a tad bit aggressive in my opinion so I switched it off. (EDIT: less aggressive with recent ROM update)
-Android Pay does NOT work. It says device is not verified (which is sad, I really wanted this to work). (EDIT: works now with also recent ROM update).
-Camera button launches a camera app if you press for 5 seconds only. Useful to trigger underwater.
-SOS button needs 5 seconds push to start calling emergency contacts, but even then it causes a lot of pocket dialling.
-PTT button only works inside the Zello app. Kinda wish these buttons could be reassigned for other things (EDIT: see this reply https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74451451&postcount=78).
-Generally buttons are easy to push, i change the volume every time I put the phone in my pocket, then again i might just need to get used to having a brick with 4g.
-Speakers are not great, but it's indeed waterproof. Took it into shower and gave it a good abuse.
-Fingerprint sensor is a bit annoying at times but I believe this might be because I was sent a phone with improperly attached screen protector. (EDIT: it was the badly aligned screen protector)
-Power menu doesn't have the shortcut to the power saving mode that I like so much
-Be gentle with your USB-C cap, mine broke. It's still waterproof, but now it's pretty easy to lose the cap.
-If you wanna save some serious battery, disable Google App data backup (App backup&restore).
-Sports mode in battery settings will make the phone "snappier" probably at the expense of battery life.
BOOKMARKS:
ROM Stuff (some need TWRP)
See this reply for instructions to update to recent ROM:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74294320&postcount=31
TWRP Flashable Stock ROM with Magisk Root (Android Pay working, Buttons disabled, needs opengapps)
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74749806&postcount=174
Restore or write IMEI numbers:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74450547&postcount=76
TWRP
See these replies for root and TWRP (v1, legacy):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74399450&postcount=60
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74429860&postcount=68
See these replies for TWRP without OTG and root (v2, now also legacy):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74488885&postcount=96
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74490010&postcount=97
English TWRP in zip and img formats, also something about Forced Encryption (v3, but also follow instructions from v2)
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75544568&postcount=281
Magisk and Root
Summary of SuperSU, Magisk, Xposed and Android Pay compatibilities:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74580626&postcount=135
Magisk Installation (legacy, but use it for instructions):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74472235&postcount=89
Latest Magisk (permissive, hidelist persists, allowing module installation, yay!):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75803660&postcount=299
Re-flashing STOCK ROM and/or updating Magisk while keeping data (requires TWRP)
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75064226&postcount=223
Audio Issues
Fix for Armor 2 Bluetooth Disconnect Issue
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75461843&postcount=279
Audio not routing through or unstable USB-C headphone jack?
https://xdaforums.com/android/help/ulefone-armor-2-t3684566/post74621805#post74621805
Tweaks (Buttons, Persistent Notifications)
How to disable default PTT & SOS functions and replace functionalities (requires ROOT):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74445439&postcount=72
How to get rid of Persistent NFC notification
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75049379&postcount=216
Fingerprint scanner is NOT SECURE
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75796254&postcount=297
Credits: @sumec100 @djvinniev77 @enzovic @Sebastl @jemmini (? from 4pda.ru) @TuksOID @sargon__
Recently got myself a Ulefone Armor 2. The device is not too bad so far. I switched to it after cracking my Power2's screen multiple times. It comes with a stupidly basic Android 7. So I just wanted to start a thread to see if anyone's got their hands on it and started hacking around. See the bookmarks below for all things customisation.
I've edited this first post multiple times to reflect the recent developments. Some people got root & Magisk working see links after my first remarks:
About the latest Software Update (aka 20180224_s21v57c2k_gq_fp or S21 GQ3037LF2 Ulefone V12 20171009-Update 20180224):
If you've updated your phone to latest ROM use the below instructions to revert back but use https://www.needrom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/S21_GQ3037LF2_Ulefone_V12_20171009.zip instead of the latest one:Nope, it's not the same. Something is fundamentally off with this ROM. Accessibility services get turned off automatically every time screen goes off. Half the background apps are killed every time screen stays off for a minute too. I've already reverted back to what I had before. I suggest stay away from this build.
[/U]https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74294320&postcount=31
First remarks:
-Some people and I are having problems with USB-C headphone adapter (https://xdaforums.com/android/help/ulefone-armor-2-t3684566/post74367962#post74367962)
-Device bluetooth volume level is separate from the headset's volume. (EDIT: fixed with recent ROM update)
-Adaptive brightness might be a tad bit aggressive in my opinion so I switched it off. (EDIT: less aggressive with recent ROM update)
-Android Pay does NOT work. It says device is not verified (which is sad, I really wanted this to work). (EDIT: works now with also recent ROM update).
-Camera button launches a camera app if you press for 5 seconds only. Useful to trigger underwater.
-SOS button needs 5 seconds push to start calling emergency contacts, but even then it causes a lot of pocket dialling.
-PTT button only works inside the Zello app. Kinda wish these buttons could be reassigned for other things (EDIT: see this reply https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74451451&postcount=78).
-Generally buttons are easy to push, i change the volume every time I put the phone in my pocket, then again i might just need to get used to having a brick with 4g.
-Speakers are not great, but it's indeed waterproof. Took it into shower and gave it a good abuse.
-Fingerprint sensor is a bit annoying at times but I believe this might be because I was sent a phone with improperly attached screen protector. (EDIT: it was the badly aligned screen protector)
-Power menu doesn't have the shortcut to the power saving mode that I like so much
-Be gentle with your USB-C cap, mine broke. It's still waterproof, but now it's pretty easy to lose the cap.
-If you wanna save some serious battery, disable Google App data backup (App backup&restore).
-Sports mode in battery settings will make the phone "snappier" probably at the expense of battery life.
BOOKMARKS:
ROM Stuff (some need TWRP)
See this reply for instructions to update to recent ROM:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74294320&postcount=31
TWRP Flashable Stock ROM with Magisk Root (Android Pay working, Buttons disabled, needs opengapps)
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74749806&postcount=174
Restore or write IMEI numbers:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74450547&postcount=76
TWRP
See these replies for root and TWRP (v1, legacy):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74399450&postcount=60
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74429860&postcount=68
See these replies for TWRP without OTG and root (v2, now also legacy):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74488885&postcount=96
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74490010&postcount=97
English TWRP in zip and img formats, also something about Forced Encryption (v3, but also follow instructions from v2)
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75544568&postcount=281
Magisk and Root
Summary of SuperSU, Magisk, Xposed and Android Pay compatibilities:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74580626&postcount=135
Magisk Installation (legacy, but use it for instructions):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74472235&postcount=89
Latest Magisk (permissive, hidelist persists, allowing module installation, yay!):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75803660&postcount=299
Re-flashing STOCK ROM and/or updating Magisk while keeping data (requires TWRP)
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75064226&postcount=223
Audio Issues
Fix for Armor 2 Bluetooth Disconnect Issue
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75461843&postcount=279
Audio not routing through or unstable USB-C headphone jack?
https://xdaforums.com/android/help/ulefone-armor-2-t3684566/post74621805#post74621805
Tweaks (Buttons, Persistent Notifications)
How to disable default PTT & SOS functions and replace functionalities (requires ROOT):
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74445439&postcount=72
How to get rid of Persistent NFC notification
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75049379&postcount=216
Fingerprint scanner is NOT SECURE
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75796254&postcount=297
Credits: @sumec100 @djvinniev77 @enzovic @Sebastl @jemmini (? from 4pda.ru) @TuksOID @sargon__
Last edited: