Lenovo TAB S8-50 - Stock Firmware ROM/Root and Support

[jazzespresso]

Lenovo TAB S8-50 - Stock Firmware ROM/Root/emp CWM Session, and Support

Hi All,
I have hard time to figure out since there's no dedicated thread for this tablet. I know you can find couple of posts related to this tablet here in XDA, but again I like all the info for this tablet in one page
My idea here is put all together here in XDA forum, can't promise you that this will be ultimate guide for this tablet, but at least this may help you get started.

By the way; there are 3 models of the TAB S8-50:

• Lenovo TAB S8-50F (WiFi)
• Lenovo TAB S8-50L (WiFi+ Data)
• Lenovo TAB S8-50LC (WiFi+LTE (Voice)

Lenovo Official Stock Firmwares

Lenovo Official Stock Full ROM (TABS8-50F_140929)

KitKat (Official or Users provided Firmwares)

TABS8-50F_USER_S000143_1409291652_WW14_BMAIN_ROW_US
This is official full stock ROM that comes with device when you first open it (then gets several update patches after that).
Download it and unzip it, you should see doc "how_to_download.docx", follow the instruction to flash firmware above. There's also Lenovo_TAB_S850_V1.0.1.msi for Windows drivers in case you needed.

Update (official patch): Lenovo Official Stock ROM (S000143_140929_ROW_TO_SS000200_150121_ROW) - a big thanks to @KainXSS for getting this for us!
Important: this is update zip that Lenovo pushed the device, it is NOT full ROM. It will most likely break the root, so use the root method here again to re-root once you got updated.
S8-50F_S000143_140929_ROW_TO_S8-50F_S000200_150121_ROW

Update (offical patch): Lenovo Official Stock ROM (S000164_141103_ROW_TO_S000185_141203_ROW)
Important: this is update zip that Lenovo pushed the device, it is NOT full ROM. It will most likely break the root, so use the root method here again to re-root once you got updated.
S8-50F_S000164_141103_ROW_TO_S8-50F_S000185_141203_ROW_WC5F.zip

Lenovo Offical Stock ROM ( TABS8-50LC_141010) - a big thank to @tigr72 for providing this firmware
tabs8-50lc_s139_141010_ww14_bmain_row_us.rar

Lollipop (Official or Users provided Firmwares) - Update 11/23/2015

A big thank to both; @mac231us and @Shump for providing following information below -
If you have questions, you may ask @mac231us, @Shump, @balika011, and @Minto107, I am sure they will be happy to help you out whenever they can, but be nice to them!

Lollipop TWRP backup S8-50F_S000456_151016_ROW
S8-50F http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63598258&postcount=947

@bailka011 Unlock Tool
https://balika011.me/dl/S8unlocker.zip
@Shump 's excellent explanation of how balika011 unlock tool works: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63716397&postcount=1085

Updated flash tool;
https://01.org/android-ia/downloads/intel-phone-flash-tool-lite


S8-50LC firmware version 151016 S000456 - thanks to @Minto107 for providing download link. If download link does not works, please ping @Minto107
http://tab-dl.ota.lenovomm.com/dls/v6/S8-50LC_S000456_151016_ROW_WCC5.zip

Root Methods

Root (method 1): - - a big thank (спасибо) to Xakep @tigr72 at Lenovo-forums.ru
Root_S8-50LC_tab
This is for S8-50LC, but it works for S8-50F too. Download it your PC (windows only) and hook up your tablet to your PC, and double click on Root_S8-50LC_tab.exe, it should flash SuperSu and root your device.
it is important that your device can be recognized by ADB command in order to root tool work (test your adb connection: adb devices, make sure it connects to your device)
Check @Hash.H's post here for detail instruction; Official "How To" root Lenovo Tab S8-50

Root (method 2):
Check @bogdann8's post here - this method may come handy if you get new firmware upgrade and above method no longer works, then this may be another way to root;
Lenovo S850 (ROW) Rooting (manual process)

Installing Temp CWM Session

Custom Recovery installing Temp CWM Session (method 1): --> don't use this, use method 2 CWM below
Based on this Russian forum, this works for all variant of Lenovo S8-50L, S8-50F, etc. In fact, I tested and yes it does work.
CWM Recovery for Lenovo S8-50F

Instruction to install CWM:

• Make sure that your computer is not connected to other Android phones
• Make sure that you have installed the ADB driver for S8-50 tablet
• Make sure that the tablet is turned on USB debugging
• Connect the device to your computer via USB
• Download IntelAndroid-FBRL_LF_Edition.7z file, unzip it on your PC's desktop, and run the program called launcher.bat
• If all the conditions and requirements are met, once finalized, the program automatically closes, the tablet will automatically restart and boot into CWM Recovery, from there you can perform full-nandroid backup or any other stuff.
• p.s: you need to repeat above steps each time you want to use CWM

Custom Recovery installing Temp CWM Session (method 2):--> Use this CWM from @social-design-concepts
If method 1 does not works for you, try @social-design-concepts Temp CWM session. See his thread for more info and instruction. I have tested this, it works. It seems like you can also restore your CWM nandroid backup with this, see @Lander00 post.
Temp CWM Session by @social-design-concepts

For Linux stuff - Tethered CWM and Phone Flash Tool:
Please @Maheshwara 's post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=60559734&postcount=273
I also like to thank both @kandalph and @Maheshwara, sharing their finding and helping this community.

How to flash stock firmware

How to flash stock firmware using How to flash stock firmware tool:
Follow this instruction if you like to flash full stock firmware to your device, please also http://lenovo-forums.ru for some additional info if you like.
See post #90

Additional Info

Additional Info:
Lenovo S8-50 tablet (Russian user forum)
Use Google translate to translate - to download stuff from this forum, you need to register the forum.

[Q] Lenovo S8 (S8-50) Tablet - Possible Support?
Some useful discussing thread, go review it, there's some additional info there as well.

P.s: The last firmware upgrade (build 141203) that Lenovo pushed changes tablet's default DPI 240 to 320. If you happened to get upgrade before root, re-root it and then modify build.prop's to ro.sf.lcd_density=240. The 240 is tablet native default DPI. There's no word when Lenovo officially fix this, see official lenovo user forum below:

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Other-Android-based-Tablets/Re-Tab-s8-50-Latest-update-changes-resolution/td-p/1825209

Update: ‎01-28-2015 11:06 AM
Here's one of the stupidest respond from Lenovo Tech Support about their screwed up DPI - this simply tells you that they will keep 320 DPI for any new upcoming updates. Now, why they do this!?, we don't know nor they are giving any technical explanation, but we all know that original native DPI of this tablet is 240.

Solution! Re: Tab s8-50 - Latest update changes resolution?
Options
‎01-28-2015 11:06 AM

At this time, the design for the S8-50 tablet image will be maintained at a DPI of 320.

As noted in this discussion, there are several work-arounds available for customers who prefer a lower setting.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to identifying the issue and the work-arounds.
Amy Tupper
Technical Resolution Lead, Pervasive Issues
Lenovo US

Increasing Headset Volume

Increasing Headset Volume
A few of you complain about how low the headset volume, to increase it a bit, see the instruction here in this post;
Increasing Headset Volume Mode by me

Additional Lenovo Apps

Additional Lenovo Apps
Here's some newest Lenovo apps (beta) that is not included in official firmwares. Some apps are updated, most likely included as final version upcoming firmware (depends on which region you are on).
you already may have these apps, before installing, make sure you take a backup so that you can revert it back to original.
Lenovo_Apps_Beta.zip

More updated apps will be posted here...

Using Xposed Framework

XPOSED:
Warning!!:
Please note official @rovo89 's Xposed should support Intel x86 devices now. You may use that. Below is just some workaround from Asus thread x86 in case orginal Xposed thought some may find it useful.
Do not try this if you don't know what you are doing or if you don't have full nandroid backup. This is related to Xposed apps for some x86 devices that causes soft-reboot and
following is a work-around solution from ASUS thread (since it has x86 intel CPU). As I am not heavily using xposed apps, I have not tried this method.

*** Install Xposed: Root is a MUST. USB debug turned on. Windows only and Driver for Intel and ASUS must be ready on PC.

Step1: download xposed apk and install the apk. DO NOT RUN APP AND DO NOT INSTALL FRAMEWORK.
Step2: Run command promt (Run / cmd). assume adb folder is on C:\ drive and you are now in C:\ADB
Step3: Type following (or copy and paste)

adb devices (make sure your phone show!)
adb shell (hit Enter)
su (hit Enter, then look on your phone and touch OK)
echo 148 > /data/data/de.robv.android.xposed.installer/conf/jit_reset_offset (hit Enter)
chmod 664 /data/data/de.robv.android.xposed.installer/conf/jit_reset_offset (hit Enter)

Step4: Now go to app drawer and run Xposed which you installed earlier. Touch "Framework" and touch "Install/Update"
DONE. Now install addons.​

http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/asus-zenfone-5-zenfone-6-to-t2839984

Help/Support/Troubleshoot

Help/Support/Troubleshoot:
Remember and always keep in mind; just because I posted this thread out here does NOT mean I am your tech-support. This post provided as it is information only.
However, you can still post your questions/issues here, and maybe I can or someone else can help you out, this is user driven community, so it is all about sharing and passing the knowledge to each others.
If find some additional info, tricks, full official firmwares that's not posted here, lenovo apps, etc., please do let me know so I can post them here, so others can benefit as well.

If you find this thread helpful, please click THANKS button
.
.

 

[Hash.H]

Amazing Post

Thanks for this post.... its all everyone could ask for.
Happy new year.

 

[tigr72]

Thank.
Here are - Lenovo Offical Stock ROM (TABS8-50LC_141010)

 

[jazzespresso]

Thank.
Here are - Lenovo Offical Stock ROM (TABS8-50LC_141010)

thank you! you are great...:good:

 

[mikib1]

Hi All,

Custom Recovery:
Based on this Russian forum, this works for all variant of Lenovo S8-50L, S8-50F, etc. In fact, I tested and yes it does work.

:good:

CWM does not working, I did reflash few times and do not help for it.

 

[tigr72]

I did reflash few times and do not help for it.

This Recovery does not flash, but only runs from PC...

 

[jazzespresso]

CWM does not working, I did reflash few times and do not help for it.

I just added detail instruction...see OP post..

 

[mikib1]

I just added detail instruction...see OP post..

Sorry I don't understand... what is "...OP post..." my English isn't so good...
As I understand from post of tigr72, this recovery runs ONLY from PC and each time i need to use it i have run it from PC...?
I am not a programer, but this is not my first android device (daily I'm using Motorola Atrix 4G, rooted and with Cyanogenmod 7), so I was confused when i saw information that CWM have to run each time from PC... I was thinking that i do not understand correct what tigr 72 mean.

Or I am wrong now.... and jazzespresso explained how to flash once and correct but I am doing something wrong...
PS. Of course I read the instructions of jazzespresso

Generally thank you for All of your help and work in the forum...

 

[tigr72]

As I understand from post of tigr72, this recovery runs ONLY from PC and each time i need to use it i have run it from PC...?

That's right.
Just bootloader locked, and not allows to change recovery...

 

[mikib1]

That's right.
Just bootloader locked, and not allows to change recovery...

Thank you, I was not sure, but suspected it... no one writing about unlock bootloader.

 

[jazzespresso]

Thank you, I was not sure, but suspected it... no one writing about unlock bootloader.

yeah..that's the only thing with this one....of course, I would love to have stock recovery to replaced with this one, so that i don't need to use PC each time when I need to do full-nandroid backup...but hey this is still great progress...i should keep on eye on Xakep at Lenovo-forums, if someone can make it, he is the only one get this we should convice him to participate in this forum

 

[dwcasey]

thank you!

Thanks for this thread!

 

[tigr72]

we should convice him to participate in this forum

Не имеет смысла. По двум причинам.
1. Если даже я найду решение проблемы, то это будет гарантировано только для S8-50LC.
2. Любую поддержку я оказываю только на lenovo-forums.

ps На lenovo-forums мой ник Xakep ...

 

[jazzespresso]

Не имеет смысла. По двум причинам.
1. Если даже я найду решение проблемы, то это будет гарантировано только для S8-50LC.
2. Любую поддержку я оказываю только на lenovo-forums.

ps На lenovo-forums мой ник Xakep ...

I should have guessed you are Xakep indeed :cyclops:

это нормально, но не оставляет нам совершенно беспомощным здесь, любую помощь, вы дадите нам здесь или показать нам любой трюк или взломать, то мы примем его
Интересно, если вы можете многооконный порта його планшета)))

got to love Google translate

 

[tigr72]

Интересно, если вы можете многооконный порта його планшета

No.
Taste it here it is

 

[mikib1]

Не имеет смысла. По двум причинам.
1. Если даже я найду решение проблемы, то это будет гарантировано только для S8-50LC.
2. Любую поддержку я оказываю только на lenovo-forums.

ps На lenovo-forums мой ник Xakep ...

I suspected this, because of avatar... nice to see you here...

 

[gallasm]

Just checking in to say thanks for making this thread. As an avid Android tweaker, I was a little hesitant to pick up this tablet because the display at the store said it was a "Best Buy Exclusive" which likely meant little to no developer support but I couldn't pass up the specs for the price. Anyway, I was thrilled to see there was a root method. A little bummed about not having custom recovery or ROMs but with Xposed Framework and Titanium Backup I'm a relatively happy camper. Really pleased with the tablet hardware too.

 

[jazzespresso]

Just checking in to say thanks for making this thread. As an avid Android tweaker, I was a little hesitant to pick up this tablet because the display at the store said it was a "Best Buy Exclusive" which likely meant little to no developer support but I couldn't pass up the specs for the price. Anyway, I was thrilled to see there was a root method. A little bummed about not having custom recovery or ROMs but with Xposed Framework and Titanium Backup I'm a relatively happy camper. Really pleased with the tablet hardware too.

I was in the same boat like you, was hesitant to buy it, but price $149 (plus had $10 bestbuy gift card), and specs of tablet I could not pass it. Ignore what the store says, it is NOT bestbuy exclusive, what they meant they are the only one sells it...As you already know, this is not wildly pupular device like Samsung, so there's virtually no developer support nor custom ROMs, but still you can root it easily and get your root apps working perfectly fine. I would be a bit careful when using Xposed apps, some will cause some issues, but many of xposed apps I tested works just fine.

 

[aganandroid]

Any hint on how to remap some keys in the USB keyboard case I bought for this tablet? The f1-12 keys can be remapped for android functions..

 

[lilhaiti]

Thanks for the root method!!! I bought the tab for the spec and price and wasn't gonna worry about not being able to mod it. BUT....I found this thread and immediately rooted and went to town on it (somewhat). I am just glad I could root it and change a few thing and get rid of bloat.

Just a tip, xposed and GravityBox work great!!