Root ZTE ZMAX Pro (Z981) root discussion

[Ahmer Hussain]

Yeah it seems they might be starting to pay some attention to the zmax pro. When I first got the phone kingroot would attempt to root. Then after a few days it stopped working altogether and there was just a request research button. Now after 4 or 5 hundred requests it is trying again. Even if it still doesn't get all the way to 100% it is a step in the right direction.

By the way there are like 11,700 requests now....

 

[jcrt2000]

Theres a way to unlock bootloader, if you enable developers options its in there.

Once again that has nothing to do with actually unlocking the bootloader if it isn't already

 

[AndroidCowboy513]

Quick question.. Could I use the flashify method to flash the TWRP Messi? If so, I'll make a nandroid backup and flash away to see if the TWRP zip is a success.

 

[lambo352]

Quick question.. Could I use the flashify method to flash the TWRP Messi? If so, I'll make a nandroid backup and flash away to see if the TWRP zip is a success.

No.. it's in the play store and says root required. Unless a new root apk surface, it would have to require a computer. Keep up the research.. Im in the hospital now doing mine.

 

[AndroidCowboy513]

I found this last night

 

[lambo352]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/general/row-hammer-root-method-t3486539
I did some reading on this XDA link. It initially was written for row hammer root which looks to be the original dirty cow. I might be wrong but there is a link for a test apk to see if a device is compatible to hammer exploit and I couldn't understand the results it gave me cause it's in a language only a dev can understand. I then jumped to the last page and thought I read the apk can be modded.. can someone take a look? It universal so it can be tested on multiple devices. If this came up earlier I apologize..

 

[asianrocker]

Maybe Messi should not bother with rooting this phone. In the end it doesn't really need root. Is it worth the headaches?
Also charging for root is just going to piss some people off and you will get somebody who will "warez" it

Totally agree. New android phones with tight lock security nowadays is really not worth the headache for me anymore, that google verify and FRP lock traumatize me for life in rooting any phone OR even factory reset it for goodness sake's for serious.

I am also opposed to paying to root my phone, I mean my philosophy in life is:

The best things in life are FREE.

 

[bcrichster]

Totally agree. New android phones with tight lock security nowadays is really not worth the headache for me anymore, that google verify and FRP lock traumatize me for life in rooting any phone OR even factory reset it for goodness sake's for serious.

I am also opposed to paying to root my phone, I mean my philosophy in life is:

The best things in life are FREE.

Well, Your "Free" is due to someone else's work & dedication. Think about that.. [emoji41]
"No Guts = No Glory!"

 

[The_Sultan]

Christ alive, I debated whether or not to do this, because I really didn't want to do what I'm about to accuse others of doing and fan the flames, but I just had to make an account and comment regarding the state of this thread:

Why is it that almost EVERY time the thread starts to show some semblance of moving back towards the main topic, somebody just HAS to start bringing up money/donations again? Or worse yet, trying to convince Messi to quit? Honestly, what are you even trying to accomplish here? I can totally understand that many of you are frustrated over the fact that you feel like people aren't contributing their fair share, but have you ever considered that maybe you're part of the problem?

I can only speak for myself (and I'm not denying that there are plenty of people that are simply just moochers, but that just is what it is, frankly), but I've held off on donating for a while now, because almost every day I come on, you've got 2-3 people that are saying "Just quit! Walk away! Why bother!" or "We don't want root anyway!". Do you think people want to donate to a cause they think will go up in flames the next day?

I finally relented and chipped in 10 bucks because I would really really love to see root for this awesome phone, and I'm WHOLLY confident that Messi can do it, but still, you guys really need to lay off all the negativity and off-topic discussion and promote a more positive atmosphere. Shaming people and trying to sabotage everything isn't the way to get people on board. Messi is starting to consider quitting himself, and do you wanna know why? Doesn't even seem like it's so much about the lack of donations, but in the words of the man himself, "in order to stop all this shit talking about money.."

So, please, stop derailing the thread and focus on the main point. I completely understand why many of you are upset regarding donations and false promises, I really do, but please, try to keep that to a minimum, because all you might be doing is scaring away people that would otherwise donate to the cause. Furthermore, if you don't care about this phone being rooted anyway...then frankly, why are you even in this thread? Just go and enjoy your phone, and let us keep working towards it. I know we'll all certainly enjoy it when we get root!

 

[Greysworld007]

LOL. Speaking from experience, they are root 'addicts'. Or just starting on rooting or just desperate really to try anything on their phone. Those brave souls, good luck to them. Although, their phones are most likely brick by now if they even attempt to do anything with it.

I remember when I get addicted to this unlocking forums I just download anything I see. Then don't really do anything with it. Back then, security is not as tight as now on android phones. And that's why I am not rooting anymore.

I am here coz it entertains me. Is that a crime? I also learn something reading from these forums. For sure. Even if I am not trying anything on my phone anymore. It is always good to know something new and these android forums are the best to read and learn from.

Lol I used to do that I'm definitely gonna wait this time for the root method to be fully flushed out before I attempt to install. I remember
when I had the zte grandmax+ @Masterchief87 already had the full root guide and update zip ready to go but if you go back and look at that thread a lot of people took some big lumps jumping the gun. Some even lost root forever.

 

[tim1107]

I'm starting this thread so that we can possibly work together to try to find a way to get root on this phone and compare notes on what we have tried. To be honest, I doubt that we are going to get root without a custom recovery and a way to flash it. I think that the key is either ftm mode which is accessed by holding power and volume up, or by holding power volume up and volume down which boots the phone into a mode where only the home key lights up. I believe that this is download mode and might possibly give us access to the bootloader. The big question is what program/drivers we are going to need on the PC end. All ideas are welcome here. If you think you might be able to help don't hesitate.

i have the ZTE Z981 and i just got into bootloader

 

[tim1107]

I'm starting this thread so that we can possibly work together to try to find a way to get root on this phone and compare notes on what we have tried. To be honest, I doubt that we are going to get root without a custom recovery and a way to flash it. I think that the key is either ftm mode which is accessed by holding power and volume up, or by holding power volume up and volume down which boots the phone into a mode where only the home key lights up. I believe that this is download mode and might possibly give us access to the bootloader. The big question is what program/drivers we are going to need on the PC end. All ideas are welcome here. If you think you might be able to help don't hesitate.

**mod removed email address for security purposes** email me and ill send directions if this is the phone your talking about....ZTE Z981

 

[Deleted User]

I Found The GitHub to the proof of concept dirty cow script, just compile using the makefile included https://github.com/timwr/CVE-2016-5195

 

[nino44]

234 models

 

[AndroidCowboy513]

i have the ZTE Z981 and i just got into bootloader

Is the bootloader unlocked??

 

[asianrocker]

Is the bootloader unlocked??

Tim is obviously new at rooting. He just went into developer options and thought he did something amazing. He made another thread about it and post a screenshot. He actually needs to fix his crack screen more than anything.

 

[Nthall]

I managed to get the exploit on github to run. I'm fairly sure it pushed super su, but I couldn't replace the file I corrupted since I didn't have a copy of the original. It's totally unstable now. I don't really have any way to know if it worked or not.

From reading the white papers on quadrooter, setting SELinux to permissive should be possible on these phones. Google didn't patch for any of the exploits until the July security patch, which we don't have.

Proof of concept code is available. I haven't had time to create an apk, and try it.

 

[biledigger]

i have the ZTE Z981 and i just got into bootloader

That is a com 3 diagnostic port. Usually used for qpst on cdma devices. I made a new thread on this a couple of days ago. See if you can access anything other than the qcom nv info.

I believe that we can edit more stuff using this app inside this direcory while booted up into that mode as well.

 

[nino44]

The ZMAX PRO has a faster prossesor and better graphic display and is cheaper($100/$129). Where only wins the Stylo 2 is in the front camara 8MP vs 5MP. And also can be rooted.
http://m.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8096&idPhone2=7926

 

[Drizzy15]

Not to interrupt y'all lil off topic discussion. But has anyone tried the dirty cow root procedure? I'm new here and I also would like to see this device rooted but it seems to me that the arguing and bickering has stopped everybody from really doing what the thread is about. So I just wanted to say thanks Messi for trying and if I come across anything I will let u know. Thanks for ur help..

 

[Nthall]

I did and killed a phone. I think the people who are having success with it are using rooted phones with backups. I wasn't able to replace the file I corrupted when I ran the exploit.

 

[nino44]

I understand that part. But have u tried it out on this particular device?

Yes, I think he did.

 

[Drizzy15]

Yes, I think he did.

I haven't seen any posting? How would u know?

 

[nino44]

Here

 

[Nthall]

Yeah. I did do it on the Z981. I'm pretty sure it pushed SuperSu. It wasn't stable enough to even get another shell afterwards. I'm not positive it worked.

It definitely killed the phone. Metro gave me a new one anyway.