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How to install a custom recovery image and root access on MediaTek based UMI(DIGI) smartphones without loosing your data
This is a general solution for all MTK UMI(DIGI) phones, so you won't find all needed resources (ROM packages) here
Update 26 March, 2020 This thread will not receive further updates; new models, tools etc. will not be added anymore; some or all of the provided links may not work anymore. This thread is CLOSED. In order to get root access on newer UMIDIGI phone models, you can use other threads available in the Utility section.
This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing a custom recovery image on your MediaTek based UMI smartphone and then get root access (if needed) with the assistance of the custom recovery.
Some possible issues that might need your attention: - Custom recovery images of different Android versions are not always interchangeable. For example, you can't install an Android 5.0 recovery on a 4.4 system and so on. Any exceptions are mentioned in the list of recovery images.
- At most of the devices, after flashing the TWRP image, first you have to boot into recovery (TWRP) or the stock recovery will be restored.
- At some devices, after flashing TWRP, first you have to root your phone (install SuperSU or Magisk) or it won't be able to boot into the system.
- Once you've rooted your device, you won't be able to install OTA updates anymore but the only way to update your phone is flashing with SP Flash Tool. Flashing a stock ROM (with the stock recovery) will make you able to install OTA updates again.
- At some devices (or specific ROM versions), when powering on your phone to boot into TWRP (power + vol-up), after about 3 seconds, you have to release the power button (even if your screen is still black) and keep only the vol-up button pressed until the TWRP welcome screen pops up or the recovery will be skipped and your phone will boot into the system.
What you need:
Driver for Preloader USB VCOM mode: Windows 10 can automatically install it. Please make sure that your Windows is logged in with administrator rights and your computer has a working internet connection when first time connecting your phone.
SP Flash Tool application: SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1936.rar
An SPFT ROM package for your specific device, that you can download in the ROM section.
A custom recovery image that fits your phone
Please note, the SuperSU development has been suspended, Android 8.0 and newer systems are not supported. If your phone runs an Android 8.0 or newer system, please first root your phone with Magisk Manager (create and flash a patched boot.img) before flashing TWRP.
Now I'm going to guide you through the whole process, using a UMI Touch and TWRP recovery. You can use the same method on other models but the UI and some features of the CWM recovery are different.
Charge the battery of your phone to at least 50% and turn it off before starting this process.
1. Install the MTK_Driver_Auto_Installer_SP_Drivers_20160804.exe driver (if your system cannot download and install the drivers automatically).
2. Extract the SP_Flash_Tool_v5.1936.rar file and run flash_tool.exe.
3. Extract the content of the ROM archive, that you downloaded for your specific phone in the ROM section.*
*Beside the recovery image file, just only a compatible scatter file is mostly enough for this process but not always without editing it. So please strictly follow the instructions below and use a full ROM package together with the scatter file inside its folder. Don't use a such setup where not all partitions are loaded.
4. Open the scatter file, that you can find in the ROM folder.
5. Leave only the recovery line checked, then double click on its Location field and brows for your device specific custom recovery image file, that you can find in the list above.
6. Click on the Download button and connect your phone to a USB port of your computer. The flashing process will start automatically and it needs just a few seconds.*
*At some models you have to press one of the volume buttons while connecting to USB but most of them don't need it and you mustn't press any of the buttons.
7. Now the custom recovery has been flashed. You may remove the USB cable. You can boot your phone into recovery by powering it on while pressing the volume up button. After your phone is powered on, release the power key but still keep the vol-up button pressed until the TWRP boot screen pops up.
*At some models this action starts the bootloader mode and you can boot into recovery from its menu. In such menus you can navigate with the vol-up button and select an item with the vol-down button.
*At some models you HAVE TO boot your phone into recovery at the first power on that follows the TWRP flashing or the original stock recovery will be restored by the system. So that's always better to start with booting into recovery after the flashing process finished.
. . . Root your phone by SuperSU with TWRP
Step 1. Boot your phone into recovery and connect it to a USB port of that computer, where you store the downloaded SuperSU installation zip file. Copy that file to the Internal storage of your phone. After finished, you may remove the USB cable.
Step 2. Select Install - Before you process the further steps, I suggest you to make a backup of your Data and Nvram partition or the whole system.
Step 3. Select the Internal Storage, then brows for the SuperSU .zip file.
Step 4. - On the next screen don't check any of the options, just swipe right the bottom slider to start the installation process.
- Wait until the installation finishes. It needs just a few seconds, not a long time.
Step 5. Tap (click) on Wipe cache/dalvik (swipe right), then Reboot System. Warning! Don't wipe the cache if you use a not fully compatible TWRP image (such ported ones without touch screen support and with other bugs), just select Reboot System or your action may drive to a boot loop.
Step 6. Wait until your system boots up. Now your phone has root access. You can check your status with Root Checker.
All the screenshots are captured and the guide is written by me for UMI users. Unauthorized copy of this content is prohibited.
Please let me know if you find errors or missing info.
Thank you for your attention, bencebacsi
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On XDA-Developers are many posts about compiling your own TWRP - also there's a dedicated Linux-Version
