Alldocube iPlay 40 review: an all-around tablet with some minor compromises

[silviu.butnariu]

@AllexBast or anyone else running gsi, maybe I'm blind in the settings, but for love of god someone tell me how to remove this ugly task bar, quick icons bar thing. Permanently frozen I mean, not minimised. I know how to freeze it, just don't know what it's called... Cheers indeed and sorry if this pic comes out massive on my phone... As you can see from my other icons, I like things plain and simple!!

EDIT: ok so it's part of CherishLauncher... But I can only make the icons tiny and to match my other icons...

ANY way to disable it, will disabling Cherish Launcher cause issues with Nova?

EDIT 2: for anyone else bothered by it, disabling CherishLauncher completely kills the home (swipe up gesture), as a work around i'm using fluidnavigation from playstore. all good now and i can sleep easy lol... and if you do disable it, be sure to set alternative launcher first as default, dunno what'll happen if you're launcherless!!
View attachment 5802909

did you install custom rom on iplay40s or h? I have iplay40h and I don't know how to install custom rom, can you help me please?
Thank you!

 

[reg66]

did you install custom rom on iplay40s or h? I have iplay40h and I don't know how to install custom rom, can you help me please?
Thank you!

'S', sorry bud... not sure about your H

 

[Danacy]

Hi bud. Haven't really used the tablet much since flashing gsi. Can't really say how it is or what's working etc.

As far as I am aware, gsi will always need to be updated manually as it's not service specific

OK, thank you for your reply. I am struggeling in the procedure, can I ask you how you did it? I really want to give it a try

 

[reg66]

OK, thank you for your reply. I am struggeling in the procedure, can I ask you how you did it? I really want to give it a try

Sorry bud, your H version may have different hardware and therefore the proceedure may be different. I wouldn't want to give you bad advice and brick your device, but I'll have a quick google for you...

EDIT: thought you were the guy with the above H version... TBH I did a lot of tinkering with the tablet that night of flashing GSI. I'll have a think and if I can recall I'll write a post soon (sorry, bit busy just now...). Just to confirm though, you have the S version, right?

 

[Danacy]

Sorry bud, your H version may have different hardware and therefore the proceedure may be different. I wouldn't want to give you bad advice and brick your device, but I'll have a quick google for you...

EDIT: thought you were the guy with the above H version... TBH I did a lot of tinkering with the tablet that night of flashing GSI. I'll have a think and if I can recall I'll write a post soon (sorry, bit busy just now...). Just to confirm though, you have the S version, right?

I have the first one, iPlay 40. Still, procedure should mostly be the same. Just different firmware etc. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[reg66]

I have the first one, iPlay 40. Still, procedure should mostly be the same. Just different firmware etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Ok pal. Will see what I can do. There's two versions of the same iplay 40, the (T1020)S and H versions. Mine is the earlier model (S), so yours should be too... you can check by installing device info HW and under 'system' it should say under 'fingerprint' whether yours is S or H

Have you unlocked your bootloader already?

Also, before flashing any rom i'd recommend downloading the orignal rom/firmware from here. Have that on standby in case you need to start from scratch. You'll need to extract the .rar file (did this a long time ago so not sure if you need to extract more than once) until you have a .pac file. Last rom update was/is from 26/05/21.

Will try and report back tomorrow

 

[Danacy]

Ok pal. Will see what I can do. There's two versions of the same iplay 40, the (T1020)S and H versions. Mine is the earlier model (S), so yours should be too... you can check by installing device info HW and under 'system' it should say under 'fingerprint' whether yours is S or H

Have you unlocked your bootloader already?

Also, before flashing any rom i'd recommend downloading the orignal rom/firmware from here. Have that on standby in case you need to start from scratch. You'll need to extract the .rar file (did this a long time ago so not sure if you need to extract more than once) until you have a .pac file. Last rom update was/is from 26/05/21.

Will try and report back tomorrow

I installed the app and can confirm I have the T1020S. Bootloader not unlocked yet because I was too uncertain if have the procedure correct.

 

[reg66]

I installed the app and can confirm I have the T1020S. Bootloader not unlocked yet because I was too uncertain if have the procedure correct.

Ahh, bootloader i'll have to have another read up on, it was ages ago i did mine. Hopefully the process should jog my memory, don't think there was any issue though, pretty straight forward

 

[reg66]

I installed the app and can confirm I have the T1020S. Bootloader not unlocked yet because I was too uncertain if have the procedure correct.

Cool. Just going through the install process again etc etc and writing you up a guide. May head to bed soon (3am here!) but will post bootloader instructions soon to keep you going!

BTW, Having gone over the tablet again, that app I mentioned wasn't necessary. The device model/variant can be found under settings/about phone/build number!!

 

[reg66]

Ok bud, bad news is I can’t recall the exact procedure, good news is I’m gonna do everything from scratch. Will go through the steps for unlocking bootloader but obviously I’m unlocked already so can’t say for sure whether my instructions will work…



Pre-requisites;

Download and extract all folders etc from this link, it includes drivers, unlock bootloader folder =[adb fastboot folder (copy to root of C drive ideally)] plus [spreadTrumTools apk for unlocking bootloader], SPD factory tool for flashing, TWRP files, latest factory firmware etc etc…

1. Install USB drivers from downloaded and unzipped folder from Mega by right clicking DPInst.exe and choosing 'run as administartor'
2. Plug device into PC via cable in USB 2.0 port. Enable developer options, go to settings/about phone and at the bottom tap on build number 7 times. Go to developer options under settings/system/advanced and BOTH ‘enable OEM unlocking’ and enable ‘USB debugging’ – click allow on device screen when prompted to allow USB debug connection
3. From the unlock folder (after unzipping it) that you downloaded from Mega, copy the SpreadTrumTools.apk to your device and install it.
4. On your PC, copy the unzipped adb fastboot folder to root of C drive (ideally). Open it and double click on cmd-here.exe which will automatically open your cmd to opened folder.
5. Type (or copy and paste) the cmd ‘adb shell getprop ro.serialno’ without the ‘s and hit enter. Note the serial number for your device.
6. Open the SpreadTrumTools app on device and allow permissions. Where it says ‘unknown’ delete and input the serial number you got before. Click ‘generate’.
7. Open file explorer app again and navigate to root of main internal storage. There’s your signature.bin file for unlocking your device.
8. Copy signature.bin file to adb fasboot folder.
9. Go back to your cmd window and type ‘adb reboot bootloader’. Hit enter to run cmd.
10. Wait for the tablet to boot into fastboot, if for any reason boots into fastbootd, navigate to reboot to fastboot. (‘fastboot’ will be displayed in small font in top left of screen).
11. In cmd window run the cmd ‘ fastboot oem get_identifier_token’ followed by ‘ fastboot flashing unlock_bootloader signature.bin’
12. Once those cmd’s have been run you should see the same as image (copied from @ar_aja)
13. See image for final instructions

Thanks mainly to @ar_aja and @AllexBast without those guys none of this would be possible without a lot more legwork, if at all. Thanks to anyone else for any other info I have used, sorry if I forgot to mention you…​

Reg​

 

[Danacy]

Ok bud, bad news is I can’t recall the exact procedure, good news is I’m gonna do everything from scratch. Will go through the steps for unlocking bootloader but obviously I’m unlocked already so can’t say for sure whether my instructions will work…



Pre-requisites;

Download and extract all folders etc from this link, it includes drivers, unlock bootloader folder =[adb fastboot folder (copy to root of C drive ideally)] plus [spreadTrumTools apk for unlocking bootloader], SPD factory tool for flashing, TWRP files, latest factory firmware etc etc…

1. Install USB drivers from downloaded and unzipped folder from Mega by right clicking DPInst.exe and choosing 'run as administartor'
2. Plug device into PC via cable in USB 2.0 port. Enable developer options, go to settings/about phone and at the bottom tap on build number 7 times. Go to developer options under settings/system/advanced and BOTH ‘enable OEM unlocking’ and enable ‘USB debugging’ – click allow on device screen when prompted to allow USB debug connection
3. From the unlock folder (after unzipping it) that you downloaded from Mega, copy the SpreadTrumTools.apk to your device and install it.
4. On your PC, copy the unzipped adb fastboot folder to root of C drive (ideally). Open it and double click on cmd-here.exe which will automatically open your cmd to opened folder.
5. Type (or copy and paste) the cmd ‘adb shell getprop ro.serialno’ without the ‘s and hit enter. Note the serial number for your device.
6. Open the SpreadTrumTools app on device and allow permissions. Where it says ‘unknown’ delete and input the serial number you got before. Click ‘generate’.
7. Open file explorer app again and navigate to root of main internal storage. There’s your signature.bin file for unlocking your device.
8. Copy signature.bin file to adb fasboot folder.
9. Go back to your cmd window and type ‘adb reboot bootloader’. Hit enter to run cmd.
10. Wait for the tablet to boot into fastboot, if for any reason boots into fastbootd, navigate to reboot to fastboot. (‘fastboot’ will be displayed in small font in top left of screen).
11. In cmd window run the cmd ‘ fastboot oem get_identifier_token’ followed by ‘ fastboot flashing unlock_bootloader signature.bin’
12. Once those cmd’s have been run you should see the same as image (copied from @ar_aja)
13. See image for final instructions

View attachment 5816613

Thanks mainly to @ar_aja and @AllexBast without those guys none of this would be possible without a lot more legwork, if at all. Thanks to anyone else for any other info I have used, sorry if I forgot to mention you…​

Reg​

Awesome! Thank you so much. I will clear out my evening and go for it I will let you know how it goes of course

 

[Danacy]

Ok bud, bad news is I can’t recall the exact procedure, good news is I’m gonna do everything from scratch. Will go through the steps for unlocking bootloader but obviously I’m unlocked already so can’t say for sure whether my instructions will work…



Pre-requisites;

Download and extract all folders etc from this link, it includes drivers, unlock bootloader folder =[adb fastboot folder (copy to root of C drive ideally)] plus [spreadTrumTools apk for unlocking bootloader], SPD factory tool for flashing, TWRP files, latest factory firmware etc etc…

1. Install USB drivers from downloaded and unzipped folder from Mega by right clicking DPInst.exe and choosing 'run as administartor'
2. Plug device into PC via cable in USB 2.0 port. Enable developer options, go to settings/about phone and at the bottom tap on build number 7 times. Go to developer options under settings/system/advanced and BOTH ‘enable OEM unlocking’ and enable ‘USB debugging’ – click allow on device screen when prompted to allow USB debug connection
3. From the unlock folder (after unzipping it) that you downloaded from Mega, copy the SpreadTrumTools.apk to your device and install it.
4. On your PC, copy the unzipped adb fastboot folder to root of C drive (ideally). Open it and double click on cmd-here.exe which will automatically open your cmd to opened folder.
5. Type (or copy and paste) the cmd ‘adb shell getprop ro.serialno’ without the ‘s and hit enter. Note the serial number for your device.
6. Open the SpreadTrumTools app on device and allow permissions. Where it says ‘unknown’ delete and input the serial number you got before. Click ‘generate’.
7. Open file explorer app again and navigate to root of main internal storage. There’s your signature.bin file for unlocking your device.
8. Copy signature.bin file to adb fasboot folder.
9. Go back to your cmd window and type ‘adb reboot bootloader’. Hit enter to run cmd.
10. Wait for the tablet to boot into fastboot, if for any reason boots into fastbootd, navigate to reboot to fastboot. (‘fastboot’ will be displayed in small font in top left of screen).
11. In cmd window run the cmd ‘ fastboot oem get_identifier_token’ followed by ‘ fastboot flashing unlock_bootloader signature.bin’
12. Once those cmd’s have been run you should see the same as image (copied from @ar_aja)
13. See image for final instructions

View attachment 5816613

Thanks mainly to @ar_aja and @AllexBast without those guys none of this would be possible without a lot more legwork, if at all. Thanks to anyone else for any other info I have used, sorry if I forgot to mention you…​

Reg​

OK, all done! Bootloader is unlocked. Now I need recovery TWRP, would you be able to assist me with the next steps as well? I can't follow these steps:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...inor-compromises.4212541/page-4#post-85615675

I do not see if the steps in that post are up-to-date and complete. I also see something about utility v2 tool etc

 

[reg66]

OK, all done! Bootloader is unlocked. Now I need recovery TWRP, would you be able to assist me with the next steps as well? I can't follow these steps:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...inor-compromises.4212541/page-4#post-85615675

I do not see if the steps in that post are up-to-date and complete. I also see something about utility v2 tool etc

Hey bud. Will try and do a write up in a bit ...

 

[reg66]

Sorry for the delay bud, not finished yet and have things to do tonight... Will post soon tho

 

[reg66]

@AllexBast can you kindly share your latest TWRP etc (boot, recovery and vbmeta img's). I've tried all that i have and none will boot properly... Cheers very muchly

EDIT: i've tried the img's contained in your toolV2 vendor folder too, but TWRP still won't boot. I can get old TWRP_10 to boot but not _11 and with A13 TWRP_10 just loops. Need a working 11 TWRP if poss

EDIT 2: Nevermind, all good now! Cheers

 

[reg66]

OK, all done! Bootloader is unlocked. Now I need recovery TWRP, would you be able to assist me with the next steps as well? I can't follow these steps:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...inor-compromises.4212541/page-4#post-85615675

I do not see if the steps in that post are up-to-date and complete. I also see something about utility v2 tool etc

Perquisite: Copy CherishOS img (MINIMAL GAPPS ARE included in this build) and mod.super.gsi….V2.img to microSD card and insert it

Also, be sure that you are wiped and running latest ROM version (see last steps for ntoes on how to flash if you aren’t already on latest)and check that your device is recognised in fastbootd using correct drivers. There's some supplied in mega link, but i can't recall which ones worked for me!

1. [On PC/laptop] Download (recently added) Utility-T1020S_v02.rar, CherishOS img and mod.super.gsi….V2.img from the mega linked before (this link)
2. [PC/laptop] Unzip (using 7zip etc) any rar/zip files.
3. [Device] Assuming (can’t recall, but it’s most likely) device got wiped during BL unlock, skip any setup options. ALSO ASSUMING you are on the LATEST STOCK ROM. Connect device to PC/laptop. (See 'NOTE' at the end of this post for flashing stock rom).
4. [device] Enable dev options on device (settings/about device/build number, tap 7 times. Settings system/advanced/dev options and enable USB debugging again. Click to allow USB debug connection when prompted on device screen.
5. [PC] GO to the extracted Utility-T1020S_v02 folder and double click run.bat file.
6. [PC] Once loaded Utility-T1020S_v02 SHOULD show your device serial under ‘list of devices attached’
7. Select option 1 and hit enter, then option 0 for fastbootd and enter. Device should now reboot to fastbootd. Hit enter again to return to main menu. Select option 3 and enter. Should get flashing messages in Utility-T1020S_v02 window. Keep window open for later…
8. [Device] Use vol buttons to navigate, power to select. Scroll to reboot to recovery, hit power button.
9. [Device] In recovery wipe data/factory reset.
10. [Device] Wait a few mins for reset to happen (should get a message of Data wipe complete (probably with errors listed too, no worries)
11. [Device] Reboot to system. (NOTE, I haven't had much luck in booting to recovery/TWRP directly from buttons combo’s so… step 12)
12. [Device] Once booted. Skip setup, go to settings and re-enable dev options, then USB debugging, allowing USB debug connection option on device.
13. [PC] Return to main menu in Utility V2 window (press enter to return to main menu and check your device serial is still showing) and choose option 3 to reboot to recovery - TWRP will boot.
14. [Device] In TWRP, click ‘install’, go up a level and scroll to ‘external sd folder’, click ‘install image’, navigate and choose mod.super.gsi img and flash to Super partition.
15. [Device] Back button to homescreen of TWRP. Wipe option wipe/format, typing ‘yes’ and wait a while (can take a fair while to wipe)
16. [Device] Back to homescreen, reboot to recovery.
17. [Device] Once rebooted, select install, select install img, navigate external SD and CherishOS.img and flash to System partition.

Done. Reboot to system. It reports NO OS (operating system) installed, ignore that and swipe to boot anyway.

Device will hang on ALLDOCUBE splash screen for maybe 1-3minutes before you see the CherishOS screen. Finished… Good luck.

NOTE: To return to stock (iPlay40(T1020S)-EN-20210526 stock rom is included in above mega download folder) use ReseachDownload folder from mega link along with Research Download Tool Guide.doc.

Any problems just reply and I'll try and help, although I will be listing my tablet on eBay this weekend!! I'll try and help if I can though...

 

[Danacy]

Perquisite: Copy CherishOS img and mod.super.gsi….V2.img to microSD card and insert it

Also, be sure that you are wiped and running latest ROM version (see last steps for ntoes on how to flash if you aren’t already on latest)

1. [On PC/laptop] Download (recently added) Utility-T1020S_v02.rar, CherishOS img and mod.super.gsi….V2.img from the mega linked before (this link)
2. [PC/laptop] Unzip (using 7zip etc) any rar files.
3. [Device] Assuming (can’t recall, but it’s most likely) device got wiped during BL unlock, skip any setup options. ALSO ASSUMING you are on the LATEST STOCK ROM. Connect device to PC/laptop.
4. [device] Enable dev options on device (settings/about device/build number, tap 7 times. Settings system/advanced/dev options and enable USB debugging again. Click to allow USB debug connection when prompted on device screen.
5. [PC] GO to the extracted Utility-T1020S_v02 folder and double click run.bat file.
6. [PC] Once loaded Utility-T1020S_v02 SHOULD show your device serial under ‘list of devices attached’
7. Select option 1 and hit enter, then 0 for fastbootd and enter. Device should now reboot to fastbootd. Hit enter again to return to main menu. Select option 3 and enter. Should get flashing messages in Utility-T1020S_v02 window. Keep window open for later…
8. [Device] Use vol buttons to navigate, power to select. Scroll to reboot to recovery, hit power button.
9. [Device] In recovery wipe data/factory reset.
10. [Device] Wait a few mins for reset to happen (should get a message of Data wipe complete (probably with errors listed too, no worries)
11. [Device] Reboot to system. (NOTE, I have had much luck in booting to recovery/TWRP directly from buttons combo’s so… step 12)
12. [Device] Skip setup, go to settings and re-enable dev options, then USB debugging, allowing connection option on device.
13. [PC] Return to main menu in Utility V2 window (enter) and choose option 3 to reboot to recovery - TWRP will boot.
14. [Device] In TWRP, click ‘install’, go up a level and scroll to ‘external sd folder’, click ‘install image’, navigate and choose mod.super.gsi img and flash to Super partition.
15. [Device] Back button to homescreen of TWRP. Wipe/format, typing ‘yes’ and wait a while (can take a fair while to wipe)
16. [Device] Back to homescreen, reboot to recovery.
17. [Device] Once rebooted, select install, select install img, navigate external SD and CherishOS.img and flash to System partition.

Done. Reboot to system. It reports NO OS (operating system) installed, ignore that and boot anyway.

Device will hang on ALLDOCUBE splash screen for maybe 1-3minutes before you see the CherishOS screen. Finished… Good luck.

To return to stock (iPlay40(T1020S)-EN-20210526 is included in above download folder) use ReseachDownload folder from mega link along with Research Download Tool Guide.doc.

Any problems just reply and I'll try and help, although I will be listing my tablet on eBay this weekend!! I'll try and help if I can though...

Going to try it asap, thank you so much again! Could not have figured it out myself on a level I would be certain enough. Also, for other people in the future this is great. I'll report back with the results!

 

[reg66]

Going to try it asap, thank you so much again! Could not have figured it out myself on a level I would be certain enough. Also, for other people in the future this is great. I'll report back with the results!

Also note, I tried to install magisk 25.2 delta and magisk 23.0 the usual way but got boot loop. Will report back with instructions for root, if needed?

Also, if at any stage of anything you get bootloop, don't panic and report back... nearly everytime you'll be able to just flash parts boot etc img's or failing that the complete stock rom using ResearchDownload and instructions provided in mega link

 

[Danacy]

@AllexBast can you kindly share your latest TWRP etc (boot, recovery and vbmeta img's). I've tried all that i have and none will boot properly... Cheers very muchly

EDIT: i've tried the img's contained in your toolV2 vendor folder too, but TWRP still won't boot. I can get old TWRP_10 to boot but not _11 and with A13 TWRP_10 just loops. Need a working 11 TWRP if poss

EDIT 2: Nevermind, all good now! Cheers

How did you manage to get TWRP to work actually? In step 13 it will not go to TWRP automatically

 

[reg66]

How did you manage to get TWRP to work actually? In step 13 it will not go to TWRP automatically

What exactly is it doing? Is the utility V2 software not recognising the device anymore and so the device just doesn't respond?

Did you click 'allow usb debug...' connection after enabling USB debugging in dev options?