Complete Guide to Unlocking, Installing TWRP, and LineageOS w/ Root on A2017U

D

[email protected]

Member
Nov 13, 2014
7
7
0
Feb 22, 2017 at 7:08 AM
Quick notes:
ALL files/software needed are linked below
Process only confirmed working for this model, A2017U
Desktop PC used is on Windows 10 x64, no 3rd Party Antivirus
I assume you have ADB installed on your computer, but if not here is an easy guide:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48915118#post48915118
Also assumed you have the Axon7 connected to PC via USB cable

Here's the steps I took, with info compiled and reorganized from the two guides linked at bottom of post:


1. The downgrade from B15 Nougat to B29 Marshmallow
(skip to step 2 if you are already on B29)​

A- Download the full B29 software package, provided by ZTE on their website. Select the support tab halfway down the page, then select the software updates to download the .ZIP (mirror provided at bottom in case ZTE changes things)

B- Download it, unzip it once, then put the update.zip file on your SD card.
C- Turn on OEM unlocking in the Axon Settings Menu (it is needed to flash from sd card)
You can do this by navigating to Settings -> About phone -> Tap "Build number" 7 times.
Now navigate to Settings -> Advanced settings -> Developer options -> Enable "OEM unlocking".
D- Boot phone to recovery - [Power] + [Volume Up] key combo - Release the keys when you see the ZTE logo.
E- Choose update from sd card, then pick the update.zip from the sdcard
F- The phone will flash the B29 software. It is a bit slow, have patience and let it do what it needs to do.

2. Unlocking Bootloader and installing TWRP​

A- Install the Qualcomm QUSB_BULK drivers. You should be able to simply extract them, then right click qcser.inf and press Install.
B- Boot the Axon7 into EDL mode. [Power] + [Volume Up] + [Volume Down]
C- Your device should be recognized in Windows’ Device Manager as a COM port called "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008".
D- Download and Unzip the FASTBOOT_UNLOCK EDL file.
E- Install MiFlash on your computer. Open the program.
F- In MiFlash, Select the folder "A2017U_FASTBOOT_UNLOCK_EDL". Use the child folder inside containing fastboot.img and other files. Do not use the parent folder containing the META-INF folder, it caused flashing to fail for me.
G- Now just hit [flash] - watch the progress bars move and wait for the device row to turn green with flash complete!
H- Use [Power] + [Volume Up] key combo to exit EDL mode and enter recovery
I- Open CMD window as admin, and use "fastboot oem unlock" command to unlock (and wipe) your device. When prompted on Axon7, select Yes to unlock bootloader
J- Reboot phone into EDL mode
K- Return to MiFlash, Select the folder "A2017U_B29_TWRP_EDL". Click [refresh] if device row shows anything under status.
L- Now just hit [flash] like before - watch the progress bars move and wait for the device row to turn green with flash complete!
M-Reboot phone to TWRP

If the flash fails or is unable to communicate with the device, use the [Power] + [Volume Up] + [Volume Down] key combo to restart EDL mode.
Release the keys after 5 seconds then wait another 5 seconds before using the [refresh] or [flash] buttons on MiFlash.

3. Installing Lineage OS With Root​

A- Using TWRP, Wipe the device (data/cache/dalvik, all that stuff)
B- Install the Universal Bootloader (A2017X_B15_Universal_Bootloader.zip), and modem (A2017U_N_Modem.zip)
C- Install Lineage OS ROM .zip, with root addon (addonsu-arm64-signed.zip)
D- Install Gapps
E- Restart Axon7, enjoy!

Thanks to the reply made by u/tabletalker7 on my last thread, I now have an unlocked bootloader, TWRP, and LineageOS with root. 10/10 !


DOWNLOADS:​

Official ZTE B29 Marshmallow Software Package:
ZTE Website
Gdrive Mirror

Qualcomm QUSB_BULK Drivers: (WHQL certified)
Click here to download

FASTBOOT_UNLOCK EDL Package:
Click here to download

TWRP for A2017U EDL Package:
Click here to download

Universal Bootloader and Modem packages for A2017U:
Click here to download

Lineage Official Builds:
Click here to download

Lineage OS root addon:
Click here to download

Open GApps: (arm64) (use 7.1 if using Lineage 14.1)
Click here to download


CREDITS:​

[OFFICIAL] LineageOS 14.1 for ZTE Axon 7 by Unjustified Dev:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/unofficial-lineageos-14-1-zte-axon-7-t3545679

[EDL][A2017/A2017U] Emergency DL Mode TWRP + Unlock + Upgrade By jcadduono:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/edl-emergency-dl-mode-twrp-unlock-t3553514
 
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Reactions: m9799, Nekketsu, huntnyc and 3 others
J

jwilensky

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2010
108
21
0
Feb 22, 2017 at 10:55 PM
I am getting an error when I try to flash FASTBOOT_UNLOCK EDL with MiFlash. Error is "can not found file flash_all_except_storage.bat". Anyone else seeing this?
 
E

emepher

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2010
100
36
0
Feb 23, 2017 at 3:58 AM
lafester said:
Downgrading is not necessary.
Click to expand...
The fewer steps the better, of course.
So if we are on B15, we can just skip section 1 of the guide, and the rest of the steps will work without the downgrade to B29?

Excited to try this, since I've used CM ever since it was the cat's pajamas on the HTC G1/Dream but haven't even rooted the Axon 7 yet.
 
M

mortkarg5

Member
Nov 14, 2013
11
0
0
Mashhad
Feb 24, 2017 at 7:15 PM
Unlocking problem

Hi guys
i flashed the "A2017U_FASTBOOT_UNLOCK_EDL" successfully but i could't run the "fastboot oem unlock" in cmd ...Then i flashed the "A2017U_B29_TWRP_EDL"
and now i can't enter to recovey ( neither stock nor twrp)
is there anyone can help me...:(:crying:
 
Last edited:
Y

yohobojo

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2010
97
7
0
Kennesaw
Feb 25, 2017 at 1:49 AM
I can flash the fastbook unlock in MiFlash, but I get stuck trying to actually unlock the bootloader afterwards. ADB recognizes the device when it's turned on, but when it's in recovery, it doesn't recognize it at all. So I am lost as to what to do.

Edit: Alright, I got it to work. I just went into bootloader and unlocked instead of recovery. Maybe I misread the instructions but all of your other instructions were spot on! Thanks
 
Last edited:
F

fapl0rdd

New member
Feb 25, 2017
1
0
0
Feb 25, 2017 at 6:10 PM
I don't know how to delete my comments, but yohobojo helped me figure out my problems. Just chose reboot into bootloader in recovery screen.
 
Last edited:
W

williamthardy

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2012
56
21
0
Feb 26, 2017 at 1:56 AM
mortkarg5 said:
I saw it before...
My problem began when i forget to install ADB drivers and flashed twrp before unlock bootloader by cmd
I can not boot into recovery
Neither android stock recovery nor twrp
Is there any way to flash the stock recovery in EDL mode?
Click to expand...
Yes, there is a one flash installation fix. Installed B15-NEW_FULL (Nougat) twice to recover from failed LOS installs.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/edl-emergency-dl-mode-twrp-unlock-t3553514
 
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