[ROM][UNOFFICIAL][9.0] PixelExperience 9.0 for Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus (TB8704F/X/N)

[ChasTech]

Pixel Experience for Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus (TB8704F/X/N)​

What is this?​

Pixel Experience is an AOSP/CAF based ROM, with Google apps included and all Pixel goodies (launcher, wallpapers, icons, fonts, bootanimation)

Our mission is to offer the maximum possible stability and security, along with essential features for the proper functioning of the device

Based on Android 9.0​

What's working?​

Wifi
Mobile data
GPS
Camera (both photo, video, and also flashlight working)
Bluetooth
FMRadio
Sound / vibration
Facelock

Known issues
Fingerprint scanner not detected; no option to set up in Settings

November 2019 security patch
Android 9.0 Pie​

ROM download​

Don't flash GAPPS, they are already included​

Download latest build here​

XDA:DevDB Information
PixelExperience, ROM for the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet

Contributors
ChasTech
Source Code: https://github.com/PixelExperience

ROM OS Version: 9.x Pie
ROM Kernel: Linux 3.10.x
Based On: AOSP

Version Information
Status: Stable

Created 2019-11-21
Last Updated 2019-11-22

 

[ChasTech]

Installation:

Make sure you are running stock Lenovo firmware and not another custom ROM like LineageOS. If you aren't running stock Lenovo firmware, restore to it using Lenovo Moto Smart Assistant and allow for the first boot to complete. If you are already running it, factory reset it then allow for the 'first boot' to complete.

Boot TWRP into RAM through the following command:

fastboot boot twrpfilename.img

and backup recovery image to USB OTG or microSD card. Then flash the TWRP image to recovery using TWRP (ADB push it to internal storage them use install image to flash it).

Install ROM from external storage or ADB sideload then boot into system.

Quickly set it up, then reboot into TWRP, restore recovery backup from external storage, then reboot into system.

Factory reset in System Settings. After this you may flash TWRP back again.

Pixel Experience should now be installed and stable on your device. Enjoy!

 

[ChasTech]

Building from source

Create working directory, initialise Pixel Experience repo and download sources:

mkdir WORKING_DIRECTORY
cd WORKING_DIRECTORY
repo init -u https://github.com/PixelExperience/manifest -b pie
repo sync

Go out and have lunch somewhere or go on a big shopping trip whilst waiting for the sources to download. This will take some time.

Once they've finished downloading, you cannot just lunch and build as the Tab4 8 Plus is not officially supported with Pixel Experience. You must download the device tree, kernel, and vendor files first. Do so with the following commands:

git clone https://github.com/ChasTechProjects/android_device_lenovo_TB8704 -b aosp-9.0 device/lenovo/TB8704
git clone https://github.com/ChasTechProjects/android_device_lenovo_tb-common -b aosp-9.0 device/lenovo/tb-common
git clone https://github.com/lenovo-devs/android_kernel_lenovo_msm8953 -b lineage-16.0 kernel/lenovo/msm8953
git clone https://github.com/lenovo-devs/proprietary_vendor_lenovo -b lineage-16.0 vendor/lenovo

For Pixel Experience, you must add the following line to device/Lenovo/TB8704/aosp_TB8704.mk, or else it will not lunch successfully:

TARGET_GAPPS_ARCH=arm64

Now, time to build!

source build/envsetup.sh
lunch aosp_TB8704-userdebug
brunch aosp_TB8704-userdebug

The ROM installation zip should be in the folder out/target/product/TB8704. Install it by following the instructions in the above reply. Please note that if you already have Pixel Experience installed on your device all you have to do is flash your build on top of the existing build and it should work.

 

[andyskelly]

Hi can you explain how you boot twrp into ram. Sorry I'm a bit of a noob. Would like to try the rom

 

[ChasTech]

Hi can you explain how you boot twrp into ram. Sorry I'm a bit of a noob. Would like to try the rom

fastboot boot twrpfilename.img

Replace twrpfilename.img with the TWRP image file name.

You'll need fastboot installed on your PC and your device booted into the bootloader for this.

 

[andyskelly]

Hi. Installed the ROM as your instructions. Seems to work really well. Thanks for your work.
Well worth installing.

 

[mujju85]

Hi. Installed the ROM as your instructions. Seems to work really well. Thanks for your work.
Well worth installing.

Fingerprint is working?

 

[ChasTech]

Fingerprint is working?

No, I'm not sure why because it works on LineageOS 16 which has the same device tree, kernel, and proprietary vendor files as Pixel Experience.

 

[andyskelly]

The fingerprint scanner is the only thing that doesn't work.

 

[mac231us]

Hi. Installed the ROM as your instructions. Seems to work really well. Thanks for your work.
Well worth installing.

I do not own this device (yet) and am still waiting for the 8704x to arrive. I will try this once I have the device-in the meantime can anyone comment on whether this ROM or the lineage 16 have any echo effect for the receiver/person at the other end hearing their own voice for a phone call made through/with this device? This has been an issue on Samsung tablet phone devices (something to do with mic feedback/gains as tablets maybe have a different arrangement of speaker and mic) (somehow stock on Samsung tabs never had the issue but all aosp/lineage ROMs had this issue-have no experience with non-Samsung android tabs that have calling capability and with lineage/aosp/cm)

thanks..anyone

 

[oobatz]

Nice work, just setting up and installing apps.

One thing though and I'm not sure it's related to the rom or not - but trying to download netflix - it's says this tablet not supported?
I had this issue when also installing stock rom 8.1 - lenovo were next to useless with their support!

So anyone got a workaround?

 

[scott.e]

The tb8704v version of Lenovo 8 4 plus is not mentioned. Does this ROM work for "V"?

 

[ChasTech]

Nice work, just setting up and installing apps.

One thing though and I'm not sure it's related to the rom or not - but trying to download netflix - it's says this tablet not supported?
I had this issue when also installing stock rom 8.1 - lenovo were next to useless with their support!

So anyone got a workaround?

Sideload the APK?

 

[ChasTech]

The tb8704v version of Lenovo 8 4 plus is not mentioned. Does this ROM work for "V"?

Not sure, worth a shot though.

 

[scott.e]

I have the tb8704v rooted and TWRP 3.3.1-0 installed on my tb8704v, I can do a factory reset from TWRP. This shortens the procedure you outlined and does not require a PC. Or should I go through the recommended procedure using the Lenovo app on my PC? Also, does Magisk need to be installed to run Netflix and other programs that will not work with a rooted device?

 

[ChasTech]

I have the tb8704v rooted and TWRP 3.3.1-0 installed on my tb8704v, I can do a factory reset from TWRP. This shortens the procedure you outlined and does not require a PC. Or should I go through the recommended procedure using the Lenovo app on my PC? Also, does Magisk need to be installed to run Netflix and other programs that will not work with a rooted device?

Follow my procedure, not sure if TWRP works.

Magisk Hide is required for apps with root detection even if not using root as long as the bootloader is unlocked.

 

[Hemphiz]

Does USB OTG work with this rom?

 

[gzdc]

I' ve never managed to flash lineage rom, i was always stuck on boot logo. I' m on twrp 3.2.3 and i don't have stock to flash first. Do i have any chances with your rom?

 

[ChasTech]

I' ve never managed to flash lineage rom, i was always stuck on boot logo. I' m on twrp 3.2.3 and i don't have stock to flash first. Do i have any chances with your rom?

You need to follow the install instructions on the first page of the Pixel Experience ROM thread. These instructions also work for LineageOS 16.0, just use the lineage zip instead. You don't need to have a TWRP backup of the stock ROM, you just need access to a Windows PC with Lenovo Moto Smart Assistant installed.

Doing a clean flash of either ROM without stock 7.1/8.1 installed first will result in being stuck on the Lineage logo.

 

[gzdc]

You need to follow the install instructions on the first page of the Pixel Experience ROM thread. These instructions also work for LineageOS 16.0, just use the lineage zip instead. You don't need to have a TWRP backup of the stock ROM, you just need access to a Windows PC with Lenovo Moto Smart Assistant installed.

Doing a clean flash of either ROM without stock 7.1/8.1 installed first will result in being stuck on the Lineage logo.

no need for lineage rom this rom is awesome, thanks again DEV