Root ZTE ZMAX Pro (Z981) "off topic" root discussion

[cyanidekid]

Shit I just cracked my glass does anyone know a repair thread?

Replacing glass yourself is a pain. Many places repair screen glass for 30-50 bucks

 

[enesha]

That's why these companies say root or mods will void warranty. That should be enough. IMO it should be optional. The warranty void warning is there. Wanna brick your phone by chance? That's on you......idk

Yeah there is that. But it comes down to proof. I mean you've never flubbed a root or flash or whatever and did your best to convince the company it just bricked itself? Hell, I know I have lol. I mean how would you stop it? Call the customer a bold faced liar? Your basic retail clerk isn't going to be a master hacker and scour the phone before just replacing it. They'll see it's within the 30 days or whatever and just swap it out, returning the Brick to zte for credit.

I void warranties all the time, and there is definitely the few times I made it the companies problem. Hell, I've exchanged items at stores with their tamper stickers broken (think flashing xbox 360) Dick move for sure, but I'll admit to it. I can be persuasive in the store when I need to be

 

[enesha]

That's why those apps like Android pay stop working when rooted (and possibly with an unlocked bootloader) by using the safetynet api. And people who root their phones almost always know the risk of modifying the system software

If you can bypass anything else you can bypass the safety net. I mean I know it's not complicated to hide it from Verizon. Cloaking root definitely can bypass some checks, depending on your method.

I disagree about people all knowing the risks, I think that's a little head in the sand. Do you really think that the thousands (10's? 100's?) who use, say, king root as an example (not to pick on them there are others) understand the security implications of root? I'd say you might have been correct when rooting was more of a power user move, but it's very simple (on some other devices) and isn't really a gatekeeper any more. To paraphrase something I heard once (and not directed at anyone on here or anyone specific,) but "Never underestimate the stupidity of the common man"
I still want unlocked boot loader, useful fastboot and root, but I counsel patience now, we're going up the list at king root, or if you absolutely need root and roms now, move to another device. It doesn't seem like those things will be happening in the very near term for this phone.

 

[DMedina559]

So ZTE just sent me another email after my last one I sent to them saying:
"Dear valued ZTE customer

Thank you for the prompt reply,

We apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

To deal with your issue and forward your issue to concerned department,

It would be beneficial if some details are available:

* your first and last name.

* your device IMEI/ESN/MSN number.

* the place where you bought this device (country/city) & the purchase date;

* your service provider ( network operator);

* your best call back number to reach you.

To ensure proper handling, please continue to use the current subject line & reply with previous emails.

Should there be any further assistance required, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards"

I don't know why they need all this info for a bootloader unlock. Should I give them the info or?..

 

[bcrichster]

So ZTE just sent me another email after my last one I sent to them saying:
"Dear valued ZTE customer

Thank you for the prompt reply,

We apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

To deal with your issue and forward your issue to concerned department,

It would be beneficial if some details are available:

* your first and last name.

* your device IMEI/ESN/MSN number.

* the place where you bought this device (country/city) & the purchase date;

* your service provider ( network operator);

* your best call back number to reach you.

To ensure proper handling, please continue to use the current subject line & reply with previous emails.

Should there be any further assistance required, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards"

I don't know why they need all this info for a bootloader unlock. Should I give them the info or?..

They don't. In fact, if you give them the requested information then they will just use that information against you after telling they can't help. I was there with that last yr

 

[cyanidekid]

lawsuit?

 

[bcrichster]

lawsuit?

No.. A lot other things I can't prove. But the devices are also way more locked down now than before and that was already bad enough.

 

[E s a d]

Hey guys. First off, I'd like to say thanks for all of the effort in getting this thing rooted. I take it from skimming the first and last page that it still isn't done though.... bummer... Posting to follow because I'd love root access on mine. Cheers!

 

[cbc0201]

Just my two cents, but we have been complaining to the wrong company! Yes, it's ZTEUSA policy and theirs alone for disabling the boot-loader, not allowing an unlock and to remove fast-boot! They're is no other manufacturers at T-Mobile / MetroPCS that does anything like this to their boot-loader, but we don't have enough PRO owners to even get a response from ZTEUSA.

T-Mobile has in the past forced a manufacturer to allow boot-loader unlock. T-Mobile makes the purchasing decisions for MetroPCS devices and they own that relationship. If anyone can force ZTEUSA it's T-Mobile and only T-Mobile. Complaining through MetroPCS might work , but only if they have a central vehicle for all of us to logged our complaints which I am unaware of. Perhaps their call-center, but last I checked was talking someone in India. If we can find the right vehicle to centralize our complaints T-Mobile will listen. We may be too small of a community with our ZMAX pros, but ZTEUSA should not care if we are willing to forgo our warranties in exchange for boot-loader access. Actually, it's more profitable for ZTE.

Just my opinion, but we are complaining to the wrong company.

 

[mhrf90]

Do these last two pages mean unless ZTE plays ball we're never seeing root?

 

[cyanidekid]

Just my two cents, but we have been complaining to the wrong company! Yes, it's ZTEUSA policy and theirs alone for disabling the boot-loader, not allowing an unlock and to remove fast-boot! They're is no other manufacturers at T-Mobile / MetroPCS that does anything like this to their boot-loader, but we don't have enough PRO owners to even get a response from ZTEUSA.

T-Mobile has in the past forced a manufacturer to allow boot-loader unlock. T-Mobile makes the purchasing decisions for MetroPCS devices and they own that relationship. If anyone can force ZTEUSA it's T-Mobile and only T-Mobile. Complaining through MetroPCS might work , but only if they have a central vehicle for all of us to logged our complaints which I am unaware of. Perhaps their call-center, but last I checked was talking someone in India. If we can find the right vehicle to centralize our complaints T-Mobile will listen. We may be too small of a community with our ZMAX pros, but ZTEUSA should not care if we are willing to forgo our warranties in exchange for boot-loader access. Actually, it's more profitable for ZTE.

Just my opinion, but we are complaining to the wrong company.

Let's blow both companies up with emails, requests, etc

 

[cyanidekid]

No big surprise there. That's the official line from most people (maybe they changed HTC but the customer base between zte and htc have a vast chasm between them). I imagine it's a fine line to walk with the company. I mean there are angry customers who want to root, but then there are many devices that will undoubtedly be bricked the second a method is available. We may be relatively intelligent on here, but once a method becomes available, then the results show up in google, there will me many, inexperienced people trying to modify. Not just ZTE but every manufacturer. In their minds, it's just safer to have no root than pay to fix devices. They also have requirements thrust on them for security so things like android pay stay secure. if you're rooted, and a bad actor had access, they could man in the middle android pay or almost anything else. Even Verizon checks for root before allowing you to watch drm content.

Obviously it's not a huge problem now but if everyone was rooted it could be. I want root, just being devils advocate

Gotta learn somehow. Warranty void is there. I bricked a few phones in the beginning lol. The original zmax took awhile to get root. Is anyone in touch with @jcase from XDA?

 

[Spec2nirvash]

Gotta learn somehow. Warranty void is there. I bricked a few phones in the beginning lol. The original zmax took awhile to get root. Is anyone in touch with @jcase from XDA?

Aww shit Marcellus you called the wolf? Lmao good luck getting jcase's attention. I'd start with a really good bounty

I'll even pitch in for his help.

Sorry not trying to be insulting by any means but uh, mention of that J word usually means somebody's stuck lol...

 

[cyanidekid]

Aww shit Marcellus you called the wolf? Lmao good luck getting jcase's attention. I'd start with a really good bounty

I'll even pitch in for his help.

Sorry not trying to be insulting by any means but uh, mention of that J word usually means somebody's stuck lol...

Lol no worries. Yup Stuck like Chuck. I had to mention one of the Big Guns. No doubt @jcase could point us in the right direction. He helped out with original zmax. I'll send bounty money also. Hmm. What you guys think? @messi2050 No offense to you at all. Hell you might figure it out still. Impatience is nawing at me lol. Thank you to everyone. Let's do the damn thing!

 

[mkhtfld76]

All this talk of heros and legends...still no root.

 

[cyanidekid]

All this talk of heros and legends...still no root.

Some of the Heroes and Legends probably haven't been asked yet. Also like previously mentioned a bounty would prob get attention. IMO

 

[mkhtfld76]

I agree...

 

[cyanidekid]

I even posted in a Intermediate Hacking community on Google Plus. Please everyone keep thinking. Vigilance will give us root!

 

[lambo352]

I even posted in a Intermediate Hacking community on Google Plus. Please everyone keep thinking. Vigilance will give us root!

I have the CEO of tmo on my Twitter.. don't know nothing bout Twitting.. but someone who know how to use Twitter can give it a shot and try to get his attention. He must have his hands full but the goal of his page is to get feedback from consumers bout devices, experience and how to make his company better. Check out John Legere (@JohnLegere): https://twitter.com/JohnLegere?s=09

 

[RAIDER W]

Do these last two pages mean unless ZTE plays ball we're never seeing root?

90.. I'll Answer That Question For You...

90% Probability.... NO

10% Probability.... YES

Every effort to gain ANY ground has been met with ultimate failure.
No "Reconized Elite Developer" has anything to do with this device..
And even if they did.. there still would be no guarantees.
ZTE monitors this website and of course their own.. they know there are a hundred or so of us that want root.
ZTE has no plans to allow that to happen.. That's what the Axon 7 is for.. they'll even HELP you root that one.
If you need root to be satisfied with the device you use as your daily driver:
SELL your Zmax Pro.. there are those that could care less about root that would love to give you $75 for it.
The Moto G sells for $200 16gb / $230 32gb... excellent phone.. plenty of ROM's
The OnePlus 3T for $440 64gb / $490 128gb... fastest phone out of the box money can buy (my choice) and again plenty of ROM support.

Both have community support on XDA and are Bootloader Unlock Friendly.
Either of these devices are EXCELLENT choices to stop the "I Hope We Get It"....
You'll be Rooted and installing ROM's within 30 minutes of opening your shinny new toy.
Done.
Hopes this helps you or anyone else.

 

[mkhtfld76]

90.. I'll Answer That Question For You...

90% Probability.... NO

10% Probability.... YES

Every effort to gain ANY ground has been met with ultimate failure.
No "Reconized Elite Developer" has anything to do with this device..
And even if they did.. there still would be no guarantees.
ZTE monitors this website and of course their own.. they know there are a hundred or so of us that want root.
ZTE has no plans to allow that to happen.. That's what the Axon 7 is for.. they'll even HELP you root that one.
If you need root to be satisfied with the device you use as your daily driver:
SELL your Zmax Pro.. there are those that could care less about root that would love to give you $75 for it.
The Moto G sells for $200 16gb / $230 32gb... excellent phone.. plenty of ROM's
The OnePlus 3T for $440 64gb / $490 128gb... fastest phone out of the box money can buy (my choice) and again plenty of ROM support.

Both have community support on XDA and are Bootloader Unlock Friendly.
Either of these devices are EXCELLENT choices to stop the "I Hope We Get It"....
You'll be Rooted and installing ROM's within 30 minutes of opening your shinny new toy.
Done.
Hopes this helps you or anyone else.

So,why are you here? Do you sell these other phones? Just curious. This thread is for trying to get root on the ZMAX Pro. Posting "you'll never get root,you should buy a different phone" isnt helping at all...food for thought...

 

[cyanidekid]

Aww shit Marcellus you called the wolf? Lmao good luck getting jcase's attention. I'd start with a really good bounty

I'll even pitch in for his help.

Sorry not trying to be insulting by any means but uh, mention of that J word usually means somebody's stuck lol...

I just sent pm to jcase here on Android Forums. I'll try XDA if I don't hear anything. I'm a member there also. Please anyone who knows him on a better level please do intervene.

 

[lambo352]

chubbzlou01@gmail.com is well known on XDA also and retired dev & consult other developers. He might help if anyone has trouble modding files.. if he still has development knowledge. Sorry lu if you read this. It's been awhile..

 

[RAIDER W]

So,why are you here? Do you sell these other phones? Just curious. This thread is for trying to get root on the ZMAX Pro. Posting "you'll never get root,you should buy a different phone" isnt helping at all...food for thought...

Oh.. I Still Own The Zmax Pro..
GREAT little $39.99 <-- (Number Port) phone for me..

Does hearing The Truth hurt you in some way ???

Not discussing the issue is not going to make it go away.

I stated FACTS.... You.. are hoping for Fiction..
I would love Nothing Better than to be proven 100% WRONG.. and have ZTE "see the light" and allow bootloader access.. But They Are Not.

Sorry if the TRUTH hurts... My words don't carry ANY WEIGHT around here.. 90 asked a question and I HONESTLY answered it.. Not even Messi can crack the code... so, the only recourse is for *ZTE TO ALLOW IT*
If you don't like the answer that's not my issue..
But everything I stated is the truth.

 

[mkhtfld76]

Oh.. I Still Own The Zmax Pro..
GREAT little $39.99 <-- (Number Port) phone for me..

Does hearing The Truth hurt you in some way ???

Not discussing the issue is not going to make it go away.

I stated FACTS.... You.. are hoping for Fiction..
I would love Nothing Better than to be proven 100% WRONG.. and have ZTE "see the light" and allow bootloader access.. But They Are Not.

Sorry if the TRUTH hurts... My words don't carry ANY WEIGHT around here.. 90 asked a question and I HONESTLY answered it.. Not even Messi can crack the code... so, the only recourse is for *ZTE TO ALLOW IT*
If you don't like the answer that's not my issue..
But everything I stated is the truth.

I've been doing this as long as android os has been around. I'm well aware (maybe more than most) what problems we face with this device. Zte write protection is no small nut to crack. That being said,if youre not here to contribute then observe. No phone is root proof. No os is un-crackable. If we were willing to spend 3-5x the money on another device we probably wouldnt have this one. $100 is my limit on phones. Android os itself is changing. Most feel that adoptable storage and the ability to set permissions should keep the rooters satisfied,or at least shut us up. This device is pretty good,but i would love custom kernels and some exposed modules. Not looking to argue,looking to help in any way. Peace. (Raider Nation 4 Life)