Question Lenovo Legion Y70 custom roms tested and working GSIs

[roasm]

I am at the point of official 772

Hi jimbi, how did you got the oficial 772 version? Via OTA or do you have a download link for it?

Myself I had a Lenovo phone for the last 4 years, with original ZUI rom, but heavily debloated by me so I did know what packages are not essential in Legion Y70.

I got root via Magisk
I got a RW system partition via LeBigMac programs
I heavily debloated the system partiton (464 apk and libraries deleted)
I replaced keyboard app, Phone app, SMS app, Launcher app, CALC app, Calendar app, Contacts app with apps from an old Lineage version and after that I installed AFWall firewall.

The phone just flies! And the battery runtime is extremly long.

I plan to not use the fast charger to extend the battery life.

 

[jimbi87]

Hi jimbi, how did you got the oficial 772 version? Via OTA or do you have a download link for it?

Myself I had a Lenovo phone for the last 4 years, with original ZUI rom, but heavily debloated by me so I did know what packages are not essential in Legion Y70.

I got root via Magisk
I got a RW system partition via LeBigMac programs
I heavily debloated the system partiton (464 apk and libraries deleted)
I replaced keyboard app, Phone app, SMS app, Launcher app, CALC app, Calendar app, Contacts app with apps from an old Lineage version and after that I installed AFWall firewall.

The phone just flies! And the battery runtime is extremly long.

I plan to not use the fast charger to extend the battery life.

The update was OTA starting from 14.0.555.

I had a old zuk z2 too, but in that case (near 6 years ago) I simply installed the full rom and that was all.
I don't know how to do all the things you are commenting here...

 

[roasm]

I don't know how to do all the things you are commenting here...

1) You know how to full flash the phone. That is very important because when you delete system app's you can cause a bootloop if you delete/disable the wrong ones, so it is important to know how to bring the phone back.

2) You need an unlocked bootloader. The chinese who selled you the phone did that to install their ROM, so they did this step for you.

3) The third very important thing is to do a backup of the data partition containing the IMEI information because some times when you flash back the phone this data can be lost if you wrongfully select "erase all" or "clear all" (I do not remember exactly the term) in the QPST/QFIL program before flashing.

To do the debloat the way I do (useful for any ROM you install on the phone) you have to get read/write access to the /system partition.

On Android version 12 it is more complicated to get read/write acces to /system because now this partition uses the EROFS (Enhanced Read-Only File System) so the steps to do it are:

1) Install MiXplorer file manager from XDA
2) Install Magisk and patch the "boot.img" taken from your original chinese rom. To patch it you need to copy it somwhere on the phone.
3) Flash the Magisk processed "boot.img" back to the phone using fastboot. Now you have becomed ROOT.
4) Verify that you are ROOT using MiXplorer file manager and trying to acess "Root /" from its menu. Magisk will prompt you to grant root acess to MiXplorer, give it "Forever".
5) Search on the internet for "LeBigMac" new website and download the "makerw_1.0.zip"
6) Using the directions from readme.txt found inside "makerw_1.0.zip" you will create the following files on the phone:
odm_a.img
product_a.img
system_a.img
vendor_a.img

The above files together are the "/system" partition and now are read/write.
7) Copy the above files to the PC and using the following fastboot comands write them to the phone:
fastboot flash odm_a odm_a.img
fastboot flash product_a product_a.img
fastboot flash system_a system_a.img
fastboot flash vendor_a vendor_a.img

8) Reboot and you now are root and you also can delete any apk or you can edit any system file.

I debloated the phone after the above steps and I installed a huge 15MB hosts file in /system/etc to block internet ads, so it is well worth the hassle.

If you want to do it, I will put here the list of what apk's I removed from /system

 

[jimbi87]

[...]

Thanks for all this useful info.

But I don't know if it is more convenient for me do that in zui or simply install a GSI rom, fix the sms issue and use the phone.

Could I a full backup system if I do the debloated part?
For install via twrp or somehow?

I am really rusty in this field, although yes, I guess be capable to follow these steps.

 

[roasm]

TWRP is not really working in these new phones, that is what I understood from reading the forums in the last days.

I do not do games on the phone so I can tighten up everything to the max.

For example yesterday I did a 4 hour road trip using this phone and a Cop Radar alerting app running with GPS and data active all the time but with the screen off almost the entire trip. In the last part of one hour I used Waze for guidance also with the screen off most of the time. Phone was not connected to a car charger.
At night, in the morning and today I also used the phone (Legion Y70) and right now I have 63% battery remaining. I did not recharge the phone yet since I left my home.

So, the original Lenovo ZUI chinese rom has top battery life, but as I said, I removed many factories apk's (1.60 GB worth of programs) from the /system partition. I copied them to the regular user space and if something is not working in the next weeks I can put some of them back. But so far I am really pleased with everything I did

 

[Pocket Dust]

Do any ROMs have Bypass Charging?
This is the only feature holding me back from installing custom ROMs, otherwise I'd use a different one without the Chinese spyware.

 

[G14R]

Hello

After installing a GSI ROM and not getting the SMS message received to work, I decided to go back to the original firmware, however now it does not allow me to download netflix and the other streaming platforms do not play any video. Does anyone know why it can happen?

 

[lemon07r]

Since we don't have our own section in XDA, I've made a discord server for Y70 owners. Check it out here, and feel free to share with others: https://discord.gg/r5VMszTGVr
There is a #roms-and-gsi-chat channel too, for discussion of this sort. Hopefully we can build up a community where we can easily find and share resources, or help each other out.

 

[rolouria]

Since the Lenovo Legion Y70 doesn't have it's own section, I'm posting this here.

The Legion Y70 unfortunately doesn't have a global rom, only CN. Luckily, it ships with the bootloader unlockable straight out of the box. I've tested several GSIs listed here, and they all work! This phone is great value considering the high end specs, so it's great to know we can install customs roms on it.

No hardware issues aside from adaptive brightness; doesn't work because the GSIs are missing the device overlay.

vndklite images do not boot! Just the ARM64-ab images boot (non-vndklite).

I've tested the following GSIs:
Lineage 20 (Andy Yan)
PHHusson Android 12.1
TrebleDroid 13
Pixel Experience

All working great!

Spoiler

AYUDA POR FAVOR. ME LLEGO MI LENOVO LEGION Y70 y solo lo inicié y puse mi cuenta de Gmail.
le transferi mis cosas de mi antiguo movil y de repente comenzo a reiniciarse todo el tiempo.
Por lo que sé, tiene global rom. y tengo que cambiarle la rom. PERO, reiniciandose todo el tiempo no me deja hacer nada. entonces la idea seria hacerlo en modo fastboot. pero no se como hacerlo. mando fotos y video.
que alguien me ayude por favor. necesito el movil para mi hermanito menor. Gracias de antemano

Mod. Translation:
PLEASE HELP. I ARRIVED MY LENOVO LEGION Y70 and I just started it and put my Gmail account.

I transferred my stuff from my old phone to it and all of a sudden it started rebooting all the time.

As far as I know it has global rom. and I have to change the rom. BUT, rebooting all the time won't let me do anything. So the idea would be to do it in fastboot mode. But I do not know how to do it. I send photos and video.

someone help me please. I need the mobile for my little brother. Thanks in advance

 

[project_2501]

Myself I had a Lenovo phone for the last 4 years, with original ZUI rom, but heavily debloated by me so I did know what packages are not essential in Legion Y70.

So, the original Lenovo ZUI chinese rom has top battery life, but as I said, I removed many factories apk's (1.60 GB worth of programs) from the /system partition. I copied them to the regular user space and if something is not working in the next weeks I can put some of them back. But so far I am really pleased with everything I did

I debloated the phone after the above steps and I installed a huge 15MB hosts file in /system/etc to block internet ads, so it is well worth the hassle.

If you want to do it, I will put here the list of what apk's I removed from /system

@roasm , please post a guide of what apps you can remove from the ZUI build without sacrificing stability, after reading this I believe we should all have some concern as to what is actually being pulled from our devices without consent (and forced consent).

 

[roasm]

After my debloat the following apps work super ok:
AFWall, Google Maps, Waze, fingerprint, bluetooth, etc.

Google Earth can be used (I do) but it cannot get GPS location (because I removed Google Location Services). So, I search for a city location and use it like that.

Everything below I copied from system partition to the regular data storage (in case I need some of them back) and then I deleted them and reboot the phone. No bootloop occured.

Battery after 2 days of light phone use: 54%, 2 days remaining.


Lenovo Legion Y70 Debloating List (about 2GB of bloat removed from the system partition):

/system/app/
CameraExtensionsProxy
CarrierDefaultApp
CompanionDeviceManager
DolbyVisionService
GooglePrintRecommendationService
IfaaService
KeyChain
LiveWallpapersPicker
main_lenovo
PlatformCaptivePortalLogin
PrintSpooler
SimAppDialog
SoterService
Stk
TAssistent
WallpaperBackup
WapiCertManage
ZService
ZuiAlarm
ZuiFileManager !atention! Install MiXplorer first from XDA!
ZuiNetworkAclr
ZuiThirdPartySdk

/data/Applib2/
FanDeng
HyperEngine
KuwoPlayer
LeVoiceAccessbility
LegionZone
NewsArticle
UCbrowser
Weibo
XuiNotes
YouKu_phone
ZuiUHealth
amap
iBiliPlayer
iFlyIME
iReaderFree
kwai_phone
lenovoapp
ximalayaFM


/system/priv-app/
BaiduNetworkLocation
BlockedNumberProvider
BuiltInPrintService
CQATest
CallLogBackup
DataMonitor
DeviceidService
LSF-Device-Phone
LSF-User-Phone
LeVoiceAgent
LeVoiceCaptionApp
LeVoiceNotes
LeVoiceSTApp
LenovoStore
ManagedProvisioning
ONS
TdxIdentifyUnknownNumbers
ThemesProvider
Traceur
UFaceService
UserDictionaryProvider
WeatherCenter
ZuiA2WIME
ZuiAvatar
ZuiBrowser !atention! Install another Browser first!
ZuiBug2Go
ZuiCallSettings
ZuiCameraAssistant
ZuiClone
ZuiContacts !atention! Install another Contacts app from LineageOS for example
ZuiContinuity
ZuiDialer !atention! Install another Dialer app from LineageOS for example
ZuiFileTransfer
ZuiFindMyPhone
ZuiFreeformBar
ZuiGalleryWallpaperCropper
ZuiGameHelper
ZuiHomeSettings
ZuiLauncherSDK
ZuiMessage !atention! Install another SMS app from LineageOS for example
ZuiResolver
ZuiSdac
ZuiServiceEngine
ZuiSystemUpgrade
ZuiThemeSettings
ZuiUDevice
ZuiUserExperience
ZuiWallet
ZuiWallpaperSetting
ZuiXlog
devicemanagement_lenovo

!Attention! ZuiLauncher can be eliminated if you install another launcher first! If you delete ZuiLauncher you will not have the "Recent" app to switch between apps. I keeped it because of this.


/product/Priv-app/
GmsCore
GooglePartnerSetup
GooglePlayServicesUpdater
RideModeAudio
SettingsIntelligence
remoteSimLockAuthentication
remotesimlockservice


/system_ext/App/
QCC
WAPPushManager
embms


/system_ext/Priv-app/
CellBroadcastAppPlatform
EmergencyInfo
daxService



What you will remove more?

 

[project_2501]

@sso003 ,

When you received your AliExpress Y70 was the bootloader already unlocked with a prompt on boot or did you unlock it yourself through fastboot? The reason I ask is I have plans to purchase a Y70, but I would like to make sure the loader doesn't need an sn.img to unlock it like the previous generation of Lenovo devices require. Has anyone had issues unlocking a Y70?

 

[roasm]

I buyed it from AliExpress Tentrust Store and it came to RO in 6-7 days from France with the GLS courier fast shipping.

The bootloader was unlocked and it had a non original rom on it.

I flashed a original Chinese Lenovo ROM, the bootloader remained unlocked, and then I rooted and debloated as written above.

Be careful when you flash something, backup IMEI partition first.

 

[lemon07r]

After my debloat the following apps work super ok:
AFWall, Google Maps, Waze, fingerprint, bluetooth, etc.

Google Earth can be used (I do) but it cannot get GPS location (because I removed Google Location Services). So, I search for a city location and use it like that.

Everything below I copied from system partition to the regular data storage (in case I need some of them back) and then I deleted them and reboot the phone. No bootloop occured.

Battery after 2 days of light phone use: 54%, 2 days remaining.


Lenovo Legion Y70 Debloating List (about 2GB of bloat removed from the system partition):

/system/app/
CameraExtensionsProxy
CarrierDefaultApp
CompanionDeviceManager
DolbyVisionService
GooglePrintRecommendationService
IfaaService
KeyChain
LiveWallpapersPicker
main_lenovo
PlatformCaptivePortalLogin
PrintSpooler
SimAppDialog
SoterService
Stk
TAssistent
WallpaperBackup
WapiCertManage
ZService
ZuiAlarm
ZuiFileManager !atention! Install MiXplorer first from XDA!
ZuiNetworkAclr
ZuiThirdPartySdk

/data/Applib2/
FanDeng
HyperEngine
KuwoPlayer
LeVoiceAccessbility
LegionZone
NewsArticle
UCbrowser
Weibo
XuiNotes
YouKu_phone
ZuiUHealth
amap
iBiliPlayer
iFlyIME
iReaderFree
kwai_phone
lenovoapp
ximalayaFM


/system/priv-app/
BaiduNetworkLocation
BlockedNumberProvider
BuiltInPrintService
CQATest
CallLogBackup
DataMonitor
DeviceidService
LSF-Device-Phone
LSF-User-Phone
LeVoiceAgent
LeVoiceCaptionApp
LeVoiceNotes
LeVoiceSTApp
LenovoStore
ManagedProvisioning
ONS
TdxIdentifyUnknownNumbers
ThemesProvider
Traceur
UFaceService
UserDictionaryProvider
WeatherCenter
ZuiA2WIME
ZuiAvatar
ZuiBrowser !atention! Install another Browser first!
ZuiBug2Go
ZuiCallSettings
ZuiCameraAssistant
ZuiClone
ZuiContacts !atention! Install another Contacts app from LineageOS for example
ZuiContinuity
ZuiDialer !atention! Install another Dialer app from LineageOS for example
ZuiFileTransfer
ZuiFindMyPhone
ZuiFreeformBar
ZuiGalleryWallpaperCropper
ZuiGameHelper
ZuiHomeSettings
ZuiLauncherSDK
ZuiMessage !atention! Install another SMS app from LineageOS for example
ZuiResolver
ZuiSdac
ZuiServiceEngine
ZuiSystemUpgrade
ZuiThemeSettings
ZuiUDevice
ZuiUserExperience
ZuiWallet
ZuiWallpaperSetting
ZuiXlog
devicemanagement_lenovo

!Attention! ZuiLauncher can be eliminated if you install another launcher first! If you delete ZuiLauncher you will not have the "Recent" app to switch between apps. I keeped it because of this.


/product/Priv-app/
GmsCore
GooglePartnerSetup
GooglePlayServicesUpdater
RideModeAudio
SettingsIntelligence
remoteSimLockAuthentication
remotesimlockservice


/system_ext/App/
QCC
WAPPushManager
embms


/system_ext/Priv-app/
CellBroadcastAppPlatform
EmergencyInfo
daxService



What you will remove more?

your list is a little confusing since these arent the package names, and make them a little hard to find. I was still able to find around 80% of them. Here's the list if anyone wants to use universal android debloater.

Releases · 0x192/universal-android-debloater

Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device. - 0x192/universal-android-debloater

github.com

EDIT: one of these breaks the swipe up gesture to return to home. not sure which one

EDIT2: it was zui launcher. i removed it from the list

 

[roasm]

Yes, my list has the files because I made the /System partition R/W after root and I was able to delete them directly.

 

[lemon07r]

well, I think I found the best solution for myself. Survive after several reboots, now I can use LTE with both SMS in/out, Call in/out except that only receive SMS for 2nd sim tray. Here are my notes:

Fix the Not receiving SMS error: (Can only fix the 2nd sim tray)

• Put preferred sim to 2nd tray
• Uninstall PHH IMS pak (if installed previously) by going into file manager app -> app -> uninstall aurora.ims
• Deselect all options in PHH IMS section (if selected previously)
• Reset APN (if create PHH APN previously)
• Dial to Engineering mode (*#*#4636#*#*)-> Phone information ->
  • Phone 1 (Sim 2): set prefered network type to: NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA -> Wait 5 seconds -> Refresh SMSC -> Update SMSC
  • Phone 0 (Sim 1): set prefered network type to GSM/WCDM or NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA -> Wait 5 seconds -> Refresh SMSC -> Update SMSC
• Reboot

Hope it helps

this worked for me, the other instructions from the person before this one didnt work. I think setting the preferred network type is the big thing here

 

[rin8x]

I want to flash gsi rom, but I don't know how, can anyone do a detailed tutorial?

 

[urbanman2004]

Is there not a dedicated forum for the Lenovo Legion Y70? I'm very interested in upgrading to this phone due to its price-to-performance value proposition since its high specs are w/in reach for the average consumer to afford.

 

[rin8x]

is there any full camera version for gsi rom?

 

[project_2501]

@sso003 ,

When you received your AliExpress Y70 was the bootloader already unlocked with a prompt on boot or did you unlock it yourself through fastboot? The reason I ask is I have plans to purchase a Y70, but I would like to make sure the loader doesn't need an sn.img to unlock it like the previous generation of Lenovo devices require. Has anyone had issues unlocking a Y70?

For those wondering - and to answer my own question: you may or may not need an sn.img for this device depending on if the device has been altered/modified by the seller. Running oem unlock-go straight out of the box will unlock the loader if your device already has the sn.img flashed to it (which apparently some do). If not, you will have to fill out the request on m.zui.com/iunlock and use an email account that is not google related. I received my sn.img after 3 days after the request. Complications may arise when flashing your device clean to a previous build (your serial number of the device can/will completely change from 10 characters to 8 characters and you may lose your IMEI #'s without a proper QCN backup).