First, thanks
@vampirefo for making Android 7.1 possible on the BLU Life Max! Although, I really do like my fingerprint scanner, I'm hopeful that can be made active again in future. Second, I can't find any reliable information regarding how to unlock the bootloader. From what I have read, it seems the bootloader has to be unlocked before you can root. And, root is necessary before you can flash the new ROM. The tutorial in this thread seems to start after the bootloader is unlocked, or at least after TWRP is installed. I can't figure out how to get TWRP installed?? So, would you be able to list all the steps for a newbie like me from start to finish? I would be very grateful. Also, I tried Kingroot and Kingo Root prior to finding this thread, neither of which worked on the BLU Life Max, and left me with malware on my PC....
This phone , unlocking bootloader is just done the "official" way. No hack or trickery needs to be done.
1. become developer on device and enable developer options.(open settings, scroll down to about phone, tap build number 7-9 times, go back one menu, now above "about device" there is developr options)
2> enable adb
3. enable oem unlocking
4. open cmd or terminal and type "adb reboot bootloader" (assumeing you have adb and fastboot setup on pc)
5, phone should have rebooted, now verify connection by typing "fastboot devices" (should get response on terminal with fastboot and the device serial number)
6. type "fastboot oem unlock" (this will factory reset device and wipe the date partition)
6a. you will need to interact with device and push volume up to confirm the unlock
6b. when this completes, type "fastboot reboot"
7. just skip through setup device with setup wizzard
8. become developer again and enable usb debuging again
9. adb reboot bootloader
10. fastboot boot (enter the location of your downloaded recovery img)(you can drag the file from explorer to the terminal window and the path will be filled in)
11. twpr recovery should have booted
12. DO NOT modify system at this point!!!!!
13. make FULL backup of all partitions(optional - by preference)
14. now you have a functioning recovery and have not changed phone at all
15. next after verifying recovery boots and works on your phone. will flash the recovery
16. adb reboot bootloader
17. fastboot flash recovery (enter the location of your downloaded recovery img)(you can drag the file from explorer to the terminal window and the path will be filled in)
18. this step is to try and make sure the stock recovery does not overwrite the new twrp
18a. fastboot boot (enter the location of your downloaded recovery img)(you can drag the file from explorer to the terminal window and the path will be filled in)
18b. when recovery boots fully "adb reboot recovery"
19. now when twrp boots it should have screen asking if you want to allow system modification. swipe to yes.(each time you format userdata. or do factory reset will have this screen again)
No need to install supersu to root prior to flashing new rom because root is done on the /system partition or /boot and both get replaced when installing rom.
from here down the directions on the OP and the needrom site with the rom file take over.
