If you own the ZTE Axon 7 Mini and can’t wait for an official bootloader unlock method, then XDA Senior Member tdm has a tool just for...
If you own the ZTE Axon 7 Mini and can’t wait for an official bootloader unlock method, then XDA Senior Member tdm has a tool just for you. It’s called Tuliptool and it’s made to help you unlock the bootloader and flash a custom recovery like TWRP. With unofficial tools like this, users should always be aware that there’s a chance something could go wrong and, if so, you aren’t likely to receive official support from ZTE.
If you are able to follow the instructions and get it working on your PC, the tool offers the following features:
- Check status of your boot loader
- Unlock your boot loader
- Lock your boot loader
- Install a custom recovery
- Install a custom boot image
- This is a dangerous tool. It can render your device permanently unusable.
If you use it, your warranty will likely be void.
You accept all responsibility for the consequences.
This is not an official ZTE unlock tool. ZTE will likely be providing an official boot loader unlock in the coming few days. You should wait for that if you have any reservations about modifying your device.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to @rombdeta for providing the OEM programmer binary. This would not be possible without his help.
What is tuliptool?
This tool allows you to:- Check status of your boot loader
- Unlock your boot loader
- Lock your boot loader
- Install a custom recovery
- Install a custom boot image
NOTE WELL
The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts.- Always backup your partitions before writing new contents, so that you can get back to where you started.
- Never write both boot and recovery in one session. Always make sure that you can boot into the other partition in case something fails.
- Locking and unlocking will erase all user data. Make sure you backup first!
The zip includes:- tuliptool for Linux
- tuliptool for Win64
- TWRP recovery (alpha, based on 7.1.1 b12)
- Custom boot image with verity removed (7.1.1 b12 ONLY)
Preparation
1. Extract the package to create the tuliptool directory. You will find a Linux binary (tuliptool-linux) and a Win64 binary (tuliptool-win64.exe). Note: This is a command line utility, so you must open a command prompt to run it.
2a. Setup for Linux
Create a file named /etc/udev/rules.d/99-qcom.rules with this content exactly as shown:
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="05c6", GROUP="plugdev"
Ensure your login user is in the plugdev group.
2b. Setup for Win64
1. Download zadig.
2. Connect your device in EDL mode (see below).
3. Windows will want to install the Qualcomm USB driver. We won't be using it so you can cancel if you wish, but it won't hurt anything.
4. Run zadig. Find device 05c6:9008 and install the WinUSB driver for it.
5. Disconnect the device.
Connecting in EDL mode
1. Power off and unplug the device.
2. Hold both volume buttons.
3. Plug device into your PC.
4. Wait about 3 seconds and release the buttons.
Note: There will be no feedback on the device -- no lights, no vibration, nothing. The only way to verify that the device is in EDL mode is that device 05c6:9008 is visible on the PC.
Usage: (un)locking
tuliptool lock status
tuliptool lock unlock
tuliptool lock lock
Usage: reading boot/recovery
This will read the selected partition to name-backup.bin
tuliptool read boot
tuliptool read recovery
Usage: writing boot/recovery
This will write name.bin to the selected partition
tuliptool write boot
tuliptool write recovery
So, for example, to write the included TWRP image, first copy tulip-twrp-7.1.1.img to recovery.bin and then run tuliptool write recovery.
Multiple operations
This is a "one shot" tool. After performing an operation, it will reset the device with a 5 second countdown. If you wish do perform multiple operations (eg. backup, unlock, flash), simply hold down the volume buttons while the device resets and it should go back to EDL mode.
Common problems
Device not found: first enter EDL mode, then run the tool.
Device is visible in device manager or lspci but cannot be found by the tool: connect directly to the PC, not through a hub.
Windows says bad file descriptor: the WinUSB driver is not installed.
Linux says permission denied: your login user is not in the plugdev group.
Why call it tuliptool?
Tulip is the device "code name" for the Axon 7 Mini.
Download: tuliptool.zip
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