[GUIDE] Changing p2c72 to p2a42 and flashing custom ROMs

[Lodd]

There are currently 2 variants of the Lenovo P2, p2a42 (32GB, global version) and p2c72 (64GB, china version).
The p2c72 is slightly different, enough to cause confusion among people who have just bought it.
There are a few scattered threads asking about the p2c72. This thread aims to bring together all that info.
It will also list down which ROMs are safe to flash for the p2c72 without bootloop.

Changing p2c72 to the p2a42 (english) ROM.

Yes, this is possible and easily done. Bootloader unlock is not needed.
a) If you're lucky, the seller will have changed the ROM for you to p2a42. (Confirmed to be true with all Gearbest and Banggood purchases. I recommend you just purchase from here. Don't forget to use vouchers.)
b) If the phone you get still has the p2c72 ROM, try placing a non-china sim and rebooting. It will ask you to update and then reboot. You should now have the p2a42 ROM.
c) If (b) doesn't work, you will have to flash the p2a42 ROM through lenovo stock recovery: (this is based on the experience of lmcdermo)

1) Download the nougat TWRP file from http://www.stechguide.com/install-android-7-0-nougat-firmware-on-lenovo-p2/
2) Save it on your phone (internal sd card) as update.zip
3) Power off your phone. Boot into recovery by holding down "Volume Up + Power Button". The moment it boots, keep holding "Volume Up" but release "Power Button".
4) It should now boot to lenovo stock recovery
5) Click "Install Update Package" and select "update.zip"
6) Wait a few minutes for it to finish installing. When done, reboot.
7) If there are any issues, go back to recovery and wipe cache.
​

d) If (c) still doesn't work, you will have to flash the p2a42 ROM through fastboot. Be advised that numerous users without bootloader unlock have mentioned that this method gives bootloops. However, it should work fine for those with bootloader unlock to unbrick their phones.

1) Download the stock ROM file http://www.mediafire.com/file/mm9b6hlwbaxpdnj/P2a42_S048_161111_ROW_fastboot_Lodd.7z and extract it. It includes minimal adb and drivers.
2) Install minimal ADB and fastboot.
3) Install all 3 drivers (outside of the SW folder).
4) Then move all the files in folder SW to the minimal adb folder. It should be at 'C:\Program Files (X86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot'.
5) Power off your phone. Boot into fastboot by holding down "Volume Down + Power Button". Connect phone to computer.
6) Run minimal adb and type 'fastboot devices' to confirm it's connected.
7) Then type 'flashall'. This will run the included flashall.bat file (which you copied over from the SW folder)
8) Wait a few minutes for it to finish flashing. When done, type 'fastboot reboot'
​

Unlocking Bootloader & Installing TWRP

You can install TWRP the same way as you would for a p2a42 phone.

Team Win Recovery Project 3.1.1-1


[*]Extract/ install adb & fastboot to your computer.

[*]Download TWRP for Lenovo P2 (P2a42).

[*]In your ROM, go to Settings -> About device. Tap 8 times on Build number to enable Developer options.

[*]Now go to Settings -> Developer options. (above About device)
You need to enable OEM unlock, otherwise you might end up with boot problems or be unable to flash later on.
Once you tap the unlock the bootloader it will ask you to formally submit the request, when you accepted the void warranty thing you will have to wait 14 days.

[*] After 14 days . Reboot your device into fastboot mode. To do this, select reboot from the power menu and hold the [Volume Down] + [Power] buttons while your device reboots or boots from power off.

[*]Once you're in fastboot mode, you need to unlock your bootloader. To do this, run this command:
fastboot oem unlock
WARNING: Unlocking your bootloader will erase all userdata on the device! Your device will be completely reset to factory defaults!

[*]Once your bootloader is unlocked, you're ready to flash TWRP. To do this, run these commands in order:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot boot twrp.img

[*]At this point, you will reach the screen asking you if you want to allow system modifications.
By swiping right, you will trigger system modifications for TWRP and TWRP will be installed permanently!
If you are going to root your device and follow the rest of these steps, then it is safe to swipe right and enable modifications.

[*]If your device asks for a password to mount internal storage, and your password doesn't work or you haven't set one, see below under known issues for a fix!

Getting Root
(to be expanded..)
You can obtain root the same way as you would for a p2a42 phone.
1) From TWRP change File System of the "data" partition to EXT4 format
2) Download either supersu or magisk. Install.
3) Boot your ROM and install SuperSU or Magisk Manager (respectively)


Safe ROMs to flash
1. TWRP v3.1.1-0 (not a ROM, but important to have)
2. Lineage OS 14.1
3. Resurrection Remix v5.8.3

ROMs above verified by me. Wmateria and Billytromp have also gotten TWRP and custom ROMs to work on p2c72.

This will be updated as we go.
Edit: Added method to flash p2a42 from stock recovery. Fastboot method has been reported to cause bootloops when bootloader is locked.

 

[realista87]

i will test it when i will receive my P2c72 phone from banggood.
gearbest is selling a p2a42 version with 64gb and without band 20. SO I SUPPOSE they are declaring a FALSE information, writing p2a42 because i 've never seen a p2a42 with 64gb !!!

the most important thing to me is to flash resurrection rom.. i love it and i NEED IT

 

[Cjt1984]

Banggood are doing an offer on p2, 172.28 with code lenovop2, in case anybody is interested.

 

[Generic123.]

Does the global version have any extra bands or something? I'm asking because I live in the US, and I'm going to buy one the the china models.

 

[Lodd]

Banggood are doing an offer on p2, 172.28 with code lenovop2, in case anybody is interested.

Damn, that's really nice. Just tested it out at checkout and can confirm the code still works. I paid 270 for mine, so this is 30% cheaper.
Edit: Just found out that Gearbest is also doing a flash sale. £177, 5 pounds higher, but they have stock and will ship immediately. Banggood is on preorder. If anyone is interested.

Does the global version have any extra bands or something? I'm asking because I live in the US, and I'm going to buy one the the china models.

As far as I know the main difference is that global has band 20 for 4G. I don't know if your network provider uses that for 4G, you'll have to check. For myself, it doesn't make a difference as I always turn off 4G and use 3G anyway. The other difference is that the global version only has a max 32GB of storage (unless you add an external sd card). Those are the only differences I'm aware of. In my opinion it's worth buying the china version for the extra internal storage.

 

[Dirty Deeds]

What a great source of useful information here, thanks.
I am looking at buying the P2 64GB C72 Version, I am attracted by the higher memory and much lower price.
I would like to modify to get Band 28 for 700Mhz, one of our 4G bands in Oz.
Can you just confirm, again......, 'once more for the dummies', that access to the extra global bands is the only difference.
And, also that a person with good comprehension and logic skills would be able to perform the modification that you have created.

 

[sam00561]

i will test it when i will receive my P2c72 phone from banggood.
gearbest is selling a p2a42 version with 64gb and without band 20. SO I SUPPOSE they are declaring a FALSE information, writing p2a42 because i 've never seen a p2a42 with 64gb !!!

the most important thing to me is to flash resurrection rom.. i love it and i NEED IT

Hi just some info for you i am also quite a fan of the RR rom i have used it on other phones but on the p2 their are a few things that might make you not like it. 1 the earpiece vol is quite low compared to stock rom and becomes annoying after a while. 2 Although fingerprint unlock works fine the fingerprint gestures will not work for going back etc.. and 3 Volte iff you require that does not work either. All of the above bugs are present in all the custom roms available to date for the P2 because i have tried them all and decided to go back to stock deodexed rom on which everything works. Hopefully i will save you some time. As far as the phone goes it is an excellent phone in every aspect.

 

[[email protected]]

P2C72 Bootloader unlock user ，failed can not start the card white screen

 

[realista87]

i received my p2c72 from banggood but the software shows p2a42...... i think they flashed it manually.
But the strange thing is that it's on MM an does not find any OTA.......

 

[celula1928]

I'm waiting for another P2 from Banggood.

If you investigate how to upgrade to version 7.0, please write it.

Maybe they have not flashed the original ROM ROW and what they have done is manipulate the chinese ROM.

 

[medwatt]

i received my p2c72 from banggood but the software shows p2a42...... i think they flashed it manually.
But the strange thing is that it's on MM an does not find any OTA.......

You can either continue trying to get the OTA update or you can download the Nougat ROM and flash the system, boot, recovery images using fastboot.

Try playing a couple of videos from you local storage and from youtube and see if the audio and video are not in sync. If audio/video are in sync, I don't see what you need to bother to get Nougat. Nougat and MM are almost identical from a user's perspective.

 

[realista87]

Hi just some info for you i am also quite a fan of the RR rom i have used it on other phones but on the p2 their are a few things that might make you not like it. 1 the earpiece vol is quite low compared to stock rom and becomes annoying after a while. 2 Although fingerprint unlock works fine the fingerprint gestures will not work for going back etc.. and 3 Volte iff you require that does not work either. All of the above bugs are present in all the custom roms available to date for the P2 because i have tried them all and decided to go back to stock deodexed rom on which everything works. Hopefully i will save you some time. As far as the phone goes it is an excellent phone in every aspect.

do u also have a c72 hardware arrived flashed with a42 software?
i don't know hot to start modding this phone... should i use this twrp ? https://forum.xda-developers.com/le...covery-unofficial-twrp-lenovo-p2-3-0-t3533659
i've read that this recovery is JUST FOR A42 phone..... is it true? i only need to flash a twrp then i am able to choose a custom rom and flash it, it is easy.

 

[sam00561]

My phone was bought in the Uk at 3 shop with p2a42 international software it is the 32gb variant. I believe you need to first convert the rom to the p2a42 variant their are guides on this forum on how to do that and then u can flash a recovery and root etc.

 

[medwatt]

do u also have a c72 hardware arrived flashed with a42 software?
i don't know hot to start modding this phone... should i use this twrp ? https://forum.xda-developers.com/le...covery-unofficial-twrp-lenovo-p2-3-0-t3533659
i've read that this recovery is JUST FOR A42 phone..... is it true? i only need to flash a twrp then i am able to choose a custom rom and flash it, it is easy.

Do you want to update to official Nougat or do you want to install custom ROMS ?

1. If you want to install official Nougat, follow this.

2. If you want to run custom ROMs, you need to unlock your bootloader first. This process takes 14 days.

 

[realista87]

i want a custom rom, ok i will wait 14 days i see the countdown on my phone... but the more risky part is to flash THE RIGHT TWRP for my c72 hardware ( but with a42 software inside). i've read that the twrp here on xda is ONLY for a42...... so what should c72 users flash?

 

[Ludespeed]

Banggood are doing an offer on p2, 172.28 with code lenovop2, in case anybody is interested.

Can anyone else confirm the price has been this low?

 

[medwatt]

i want a custom rom, ok i will wait 14 days i see the countdown on my phone... but the more risky part is to flash THE RIGHT TWRP for my c72 hardware ( but with a42 software inside). i've read that the twrp here on xda is ONLY for a42...... so what should c72 users flash?

Man, why don't you read before posting ? You don't even need to go anywhere to get the answer you're seeking. It's right on the first post of this thread.

Safe ROMs to flash
1. TWRP v3.1.1-0 (not a ROM, but important to have)
2. Lineage OS 14.1
3. Resurrection Remix v5.8.3
ROMs above verified by me. Wmateria and Billytromp have also gotten TWRP and custom ROMs to work on p2c72.

 

[sam00561]

That's why I stopped responding to him.

 

[AstonDB]

I've ordered my P2 from Gearbest (for 185€) and today upon receiving the unit I got a nice surprise.

As we all know (and is stated on the product page) they are selling the p2c72 with the p2a42 software. They say that it cannot be updated to nougat but that is incorrect.

As soon as the first boot it prompts a OTA upgrade within Marshmallow (S048 to S062) and after rebooting it shows the OTA upgrade to Nougat (S233) and after a quite fast upgrade (90 seconds?) it shows another OTA (this time to s244).

I thought I had to manually do the upgrade https://forum.xda-developers.com/lenovo-p2/how-to/guide-upgrade-p2c72-a42-to-nougat-ver-t3653596 before receiving the phone.

This is without a doubt a p2c72 (stated on the back sticker and the front sticker has plenty of Chinese ). Has anyone had this luck before?

 

[medwatt]

I've ordered my P2 from Gearbest (for 185€) and today upon receiving the unit I got a nice surprise.

As we all know (and is stated on the product page) they are selling the p2c72 with the p2a42 software. They say that it cannot be updated to nougat but that is incorrect.

As soon as the first boot it prompts a OTA upgrade within Marshmallow (S048 to S062) and after rebooting it shows the OTA upgrade to Nougat (S233) and after a quite fast upgrade (90 seconds?) it shows another OTA (this time to s244).

I thought I had to manually do the upgrade https://forum.xda-developers.com/lenovo-p2/how-to/guide-upgrade-p2c72-a42-to-nougat-ver-t3653596 before receiving the phone.

This is without a doubt a p2c72 (stated on the back sticker and the front sticker has plenty of Chinese ). Has anyone had this luck before?

Almost everyone that buys a c72 comes with a a42 firmware when they buy from Banggood, GearBest, and alibaba.

When did you buy it because I don't see the price at 185€ today?