[GUIDE][HUAWEI TAG-Lxx] P8 lite smart/GR3/Enjoy 5S Modding (unlock, root ecc...)

[mac12m99]

INFO
This device have different names in different countried (TAG-L01/L03/L13/L21/L22/L23 ecc..), but they are the same, everything writed in this post work on every TAG-Lxx device.

DISCLAIMER FOR ANDROID 6.0
A lot of people asked me to port android 6 or 7, so i answer once and for all:
I have alredy tryed but kernel needs some changes, the problem is that kernel source code they provided is simply incomplete! Compiled kernel without any mods don't boot at all
I've checked and i found that the first problem that cause this is missing/wrong lcd driver(this is the first but i think there are a lot of other driver missing)
So this are the options:
-fix it myself and add drivers from other device(already tried, risked to damage my device, i won't do anymore)
-ask huawei for correct source(i will try)
-find a way to bypass this changing android source(if kernel is not compatible by android, i can make android compatible with kernel), but its not easy

STOCK ROM
Single sim version(system dump of TAG-L01)
I can't find it on internet, so i have created a flashable zip that contains system and boot dumped from my device(using TAG-L22 offical one, because this is the only firmware i have found)
update.zip
if something goes wrong place it into your sdcard, reboot into recovery and flash it, your device is now fully working
-build: TAG-L01C212B123
-brand:TIM
-rooted:yes

this is my dump:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24591000424961455
This zip contains boot recovery and system image of my device.

Dual sim version(offical TAG-L22, work on every dual sim variant)
official download link


UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER
Unlock bootloader is the same for all huawei devices:
-enable developer options(7 tap on build number)
-enable "oem unlock"
-go into http://emui.huawei.com/en/plugin.php?id=hwdownload and register an account
-select chinese language (is important, otherwise you can't access bootloader unlock page)
-click on the green lock and select first choice
-accept
-you are now into bootloader unlock page

-serial number can be found in settings/about phone/state
-IMEI have to be in the phone box
-product id can be found writing *#*#1357946#*#* in phone dialer

-solve captcha and click on the blue button
-you have bootloader unlock code
-MAKE A BACKUP, BECAUSE WHEN YOU UNLOCK YOUR DEVICE WILL BE FACTORY RESET
-put your indevice in bootloader mode(by using "adb reboot bootloader" or by volume up+power and selecting fastboot mode)
-type "fastboot oem unlock yourcode" (i suggest to write code letter by letter, copy-paste has not worker for me)
-type "fastboot oem get-bootinfo" and you have to see unlocked:yes
-type "fastboot reboot" to reboot into android

ROOT
recommender method(need an unlocked bootloader):
-Install twrp(look under for the link)
-download supersu
-reboot into recovery and flash it

phone can be rooted also without unlocking bootloader, but if something goes wrong to fix you need an unlocked bootloader, and i'm receveing a lot of report of people who have bricked, so i won't show how to do it anymore.

Restore huawei bootlogo(for branded devices)
Thanks a lot @ervius !
download
simply run logo_huawei.bat (or, if you are on linux read that and run all commands inside)

If SIM card is not recognised:
Sometimes, if you wipe data or change rom you will face this problem, fix is easy(but need root):
-go into / and delete nvdata folder(you will see a "read-only filesystem" message, ignore it)
-reboot(not soft reboot, normal reboot)

CUSTOM RECOVERY
TWRP 3.0.2-0

CUSTOM ROMS
Cyanogenmod 12.1

XPOSED
Official thread
-download Xposed for EMUI 3.1 Android 5.1.1 arm64 version
-flash it using twrp
-download and install this apk

NOTE:some module won't work because this device have emui

 

[felzam]

Thanks, I've been waiting weeks for this!

Can confirm TWRP works on my GR3 (TAG-L13) and was able to SuperSU from there.

 

[mac12m99]

Thanks, I've been waiting weeks for this!

Can confirm TWRP works on my GR3 (TAG-L13) and was able to SuperSU from there.

Good
Now you can also install xposed and other mods, i'm uploading a zip that fully re-stock this device, so if something goes wrong you can easily restore (some kind of "official firmware" but based on my dump, because official does not exist)
edit: ah ok, you have a TAG-L13, so probably with this firmware your sim wont work

 

[MedNour]

what about tag l21

 

[mac12m99]

what about tag l21

This guide will work and TWRP also, TAG-L01 and TAG-L21 are identical, the only problem is dual sim(so if i will succed compiling cyanogenmod, you probably can't use your sim)

 

[MedNour]

This guide will work and TWRP also, TAG-L01 and TAG-L21 are identical, the only problem is dual sim(so if i will succed compiling cyanogenmod, you probably can't use your sim)

good news then but i will be able to use 1 sim and micro sd ????

 

[felzam]

This guide will work and TWRP also, TAG-L01 and TAG-L21 are identical, the only problem is dual sim(so if i will succed compiling cyanogenmod, you probably can't use your sim)

Cyanogenmod would be wonderful! I have major push notification problems while on WiFi and would love to move away from EMUI. Would it work on different versions though (on any TAG-LXX)?

 

[mac12m99]

good news then but i will be able to use 1 sim and micro sd ????

Micro sd not, but probably all sims will not work

Cyanogenmod would be wonderful!

Yes
I have compiled succesiful, but don't boot, i need more time...

I have major push notification problems while on WiFi and would love to move away from EMUI.

Settings, protected apps, allow all apps that you want notification

Would it work on different versions though (on any TAG-LXX)?

Yes, but in dual sim devices proably sim will not work

 

[TheEversor]

Just wanted to say i'm also looking forward to see if an update to Android 6 is possible.

 

[mac12m99]

Just wanted to say i'm also looking forward to see if an update to Android 6 is possible.

There is only a stock rom on internet and is android 5.0(for TAG-L22), so for now no 6.0

My goal is compiling cyanogenmod 13(whitch is based on android 6), but it will take a lot of time.

 

[TheEversor]

There is only a stock rom on internet and is android 5.0(for TAG-L22), so for now no 6.0

My goal is compiling cyanogenmod 13(whitch is based on android 6), but it will take a lot of time.

I'm absolutely new to this kind of things, but would it be theoretically possible to cook the huawei rom for the Honor 5X (also known as GR5) that is Android 6, adding the drivers of the official Android 5 huawei rom of the GR3 or TAG-L01 ?

 

[mac12m99]

I'm absolutely new to this kind of things, but would it be theoretically possible to cook the huawei rom for the Honor 5X (also known as GR5) that is Android 6, adding the drivers of the official Android 5 huawei rom of the GR3 or TAG-L01 ?

No, because has different hardware, i have to found a device that have the same processor whitch have android 6.0, but i will do late, first i have to build cm12.1(based on the same android version that have this device)

 

[Triglia]

Hang on boot and adb driver problem

Dear friends, I made a little mess and I need your help.
I followed the guide by mac12m99, but I did some mistakes. A little recap:

1) I became developer (7 taps on build) -> OK
2) I enabled ADB debug, OEM unlock -> OK
3) Connected the phone while OS was running and did "adb reboot bootloader" -> OK

the phone booted in "fastboot mode". Now I had a problem: I cannot connect the phone anymore: if I tried "adb devices" no device was found. I think this is a driver related problem (I use Win 7 64bit). I googled a lot, but I wasn't able to find a working driver to solve this issue.

And now I made my BIG mistake! Since I couldn't connect the phone correctly to unlock the bootloader, I tried Kingroot -> success. But I don't like Kingroot much, due to many permissions requested. So I switched Kingroot with superSU using a guide from another forum (sorry I cannot post links).
During the process superSU asked for upgrading and I did -> success, but... after reboot the phone hung on boot.

Panic! tried to factory reset it, but after boot still hung.
Now I don't know how to proceed.
So I need your help:
1) Where can I find the correct driver to connect Win7 64 bit to the phone in fastboot mode ?
2) How could I revive the phone ? I thought if I successfully connect the phone in fastboot mode, maybe I could unlock the bootloader and see if the boot proceeds.

Thank you for your help, and sorry form my English and my ignorance.

 

[Triglia]

INFO
...
I can't find it on internet, so i have created a flashable zip that contains system and boot dumped from my device(using TAG-L22 offical one, because this is the only firmware i have found)
[ mediafire URL ]
if something goes wrong place it into your sdcard, reboot into recovery and flash it, your device is now fully working
-build: TAG-L01C212B123
-brand:TIM
-rooted:yes

Sorry but this content has been removed from Mediafire. Could you upload it again? Thankyou

 

[Triglia]

Hang on boot and adb driver problem - update

OK I solved the first problem: it was a driver related problem as suspected. I succeeded to flash recovery and from there superSU, but after reboot still hang. So I need the stock image to revert the situation. I didn't understand well which image I should use: the first one from Mediafire (not available) or the second one: dumped from your device ? If I should use the second one: what is the procedure? Thank you

 

[mac12m99]

OK I solved the first problem: it was a driver related problem as suspected. I succeeded to flash recovery and from there superSU, but after reboot still hang.

Did you unlocked the bootloader?(i guess yes, because twrp booted)
If yes, you have done a factory reset, so it needs 3-4 minutes to re-create cache and then will be working

So I need the stock image to revert the situation. I didn't understand well which image I should use: the first one from Mediafire (not available) or the second one: dumped from your device ? If I should use the second one: what is the procedure? Thank you

They have blocked it
If waiting don't work, for now do this:
-go here
-search for gr3
-download firmware
-flash it using twrp
If you have a TAG-L01 SIM will not work, but device is usable.

If you use the second one you can only flash stock recovery, because system partition is refused by bootloader , but i think you can flash it using adb and twrp(an advanced method, i you want i can explain )

 

[Triglia]

Did you unlocked the bootloader?(i guess yes, because twrp booted)
If yes, you have done a factory reset, so it needs 3-4 minutes to re-create cache and then will be working

They have blocked it
If waiting don't work, for now do this:
-go here
-search for gr3
-download firmware
-flash it using twrp
If you have a TAG-L01 SIM will not work, but device is usable.

If you use the second one you can only flash stock recovery, because system partition is refused by bootloader , but i think you can flash it using adb and twrp(an advanced method, i you want i can explain )

Since I'm using TAG-L01 TIM branded, I think I should use your dump. Please explain me how to do. Meanwhile I'm downloading your image.
What do you mean that the SIM won't work? I cannot use it as a telephone anymore???!!!

Thank you.

 

[mac12m99]

Since I'm using TAG-L01 TIM branded, I think I should use your dump.

So waiting have not worked?

Please explain me how to do. Meanwhile I'm downloading your image.

-boot into twrp
-place system.img in internal sdcard
-type this:

adb shell
dd of=/sdcard/system.img if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p22

-flash boot.img using the recovery method(install-install image ecc..)
-reboot and wait 3-4 minutes

But if my firmware wasn't deleted, you can restore by easily flash the zip

What do you mean that the SIM won't work? I cannot use it as a telephone anymore???!!!

Because my firmware was deleted, i've linked to you the only "official firmware", that is for the TAG-L22, i've tested it on TAG-L01 and everything work but SIM not(this firmware is not branded), it means that using this will not work, but if you install another that work, SIM will work

Thank you.

Welcome

 

[Triglia]

So waiting have not worked?

-boot into twrp
-place system.img in internal sdcard
-type this:

adb shell
dd of=/sdcard/system.img if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p22

-flash boot.img using the recovery method(install-install image ecc..)
-reboot and wait 3-4 minutes

But if my firmware wasn't deleted, you can restore by easily flash the zip

Because my firmware was deleted, i've linked to you the only "official firmware", that is for the TAG-L22, i've tested it on TAG-L01 and everything work but SIM not(this firmware is not branded), it means that using this will not work, but if you install another that work, SIM will work

Welcome

Waited for about 15 min. but still hang.
In the file image "zt...G-L01_stock.gz", there is only 1 file "HUAWEI TAG-L01 stock" about 3.8Gb uncompressed. There is no "system.img " file.
I cannot restore a different ROM, I need to use the phone. Please could you send me the correct file? I sent you a private message with my direct contacts.

 

[Triglia]

[SOLVED] hang at boot after Kingroot to superSU switch

After 2 days of test, and with the essential help of mac12m99 :highfive:,
I succeeded to revive my phone. It was necessary to flash the "update.zip" from the first post (but unavailable in the last days) and my phone was back, then I started again from scratch.

A suggestion: DO NOT try to switch from Kingroot to superSU using "superSUME", because you'll end in soft brick as I did.
If you gained root access through Kingroot and you want to switch to superSU, you should do the following:
1) Be sure that Kingroot is installed and working
2) Disable root from Kingroot itself, and uninstall Kingroot (you can do everything within Kingroot's options)
3) reboot in recovery (TWRP)
4) install superSU from TWRP
5) reboot: you are rooted again but with superSU and the phone is still working :good:

So, a big THANK YOU to mac12m99, for his precious help and patience and happy modding to everyone.