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

Spec2nirvash · Jan 3, 2017

viperdink said:
Bs/ unless it cost them more money due to a program error in man hours or resources they're sellin phones which is their bussiness.

They'll figure it out eventually...

I'm willing to bet ZTE has a special cue card for MetroPCS customers

messi2050 · Jan 3, 2017

I just contacted them too , i think that we need more to contact them so they give priority to our request.
[Status: Connected

James M. (Listening)

James M.: “Thank you for contacting ZTE’s Chat customer service, we appreciate your business and value our relationship. At the end of this session you will receive a brief three question satisfaction survey on the support you received. Please take the time to provide your feedback on your experience today. Thank you.”

James M.: Good afternoon Le! My name is James.

Le Mess: Good afternoon james

James M.: I can completely understand wanting to have the Bootloader unlocked on a device.

James M.: At this time we are waiting for our R&D and Modification teams to provide us with an update that can allow the bootloader to be unlocked.

Le Mess: Is there an estimated time for this update ?

James M.: If you would like to make a post for some information from them directly, feel free to make one in our Z Community Forum:
https://community.zteusa.com/

James M.: We have not been given one.

Le Mess: Ok thanks for this informtion
]

Jon Greenwood · Jan 3, 2017

I have an idea, let me keep pressing Metro Devs to get the signing keys for in-store purposes. We have an option to put our own .apks in the setup script to make the branding store specific. I wonder if those keys are the same as the master signing keys? Any idea Messi? I have access to those.

GrifterGrifts · Jan 3, 2017

My live chat

RAIDER W · Jan 3, 2017

messi2050 said:
I tried almost everything and every workaround (according to my knowledge ) with no luck.. , I'm facing a similar situation on the lg stylo 2 where lg has removed fastboot after some new ota updates on this device also those who still on old builds (who still have access to fastboot) and already flashed twrp cannot make any modification coz of the locked bootloader so a bootloader unlock will be a must to make modification or just wait for the king root team to crack it up & then i will try to make it permanent root...

Messi...
On Behalf Of Everyone Here..... THANK YOU!!! for giving it your best shot.. :cool:

Mr Greenwood.. the ball bounces to your court now..(

)
Anything you can provide for the community of course is Much Appreciated...

But.. it looks like ( for those that are sticking with the ZMP ) you are at the mercy of ZTE's discretion as it pertains to a Bootloader Unlock script..

It's still a killer phone for less than $100.00.
I'm know I'm going to continue to use it until I can swing the OnePlus 3T.. root or no root.

enesha · Jan 3, 2017

Jon Greenwood said:
This is what I got so far, and yes I am a Metro owner as well as the owner of CPR Cell Phone Repair -
Jon Greenwood: No thank you miss.

It's good that we're engaging with the company, I'm sure, but I doubt it helps to be hyperbolic and over state things. Stating we have no adb access (you should know we do as a dealer, it's fastboot and unlocked boot loader) and that somehow not being able to root or flash (which I desperately want to do) is somehow bricking otherwise fine machines is just puffing. In my experience when people start with that, they end up being ignored. Calling them dictator type and sky falling w/o bootloader unlock just shuts down the conversation. Besides she is just customer support, and probably does not have any access to anything, doubt even cust requests through that channel really go anywhere. I've worked CS for isp's and satellite tv and other places. They answer questions but have no control over anything. I'd be more interested in the conversation you were going to have with your distributor contact. Now that channel might get some attention from the company.... Although with the line in several posts here that they removed the bootloader unlock from the Axion line for some reason, perhaps they have no intent on help.

Pity too, I bought the Pro (knowing there was no root yet) because I loved the original zmax and I seem to recall they were more helpful then. Ah well. Always check the root status online before you purchase

enesha · Jan 3, 2017

messi2050 said:
I just contacted them too , i think that we need more to contact them so they give priority to our request.
[Status: Connected

James M. (Listening)

James M.: “Thank you for contacting ZTE’s Chat customer service, we appreciate your business and value our relationship. At the end of this session you will receive a brief three question satisfaction survey on the support you received. Please take the time to provide your feedback on your experience today. Thank you.”

James M.: Good afternoon Le! My name is James.

Le Mess: Good afternoon james

James M.: I can completely understand wanting to have the Bootloader unlocked on a device.

James M.: At this time we are waiting for our R&D and Modification teams to provide us with an update that can allow the bootloader to be unlocked.

Le Mess: Is there an estimated time for this update ?

James M.: If you would like to make a post for some information from them directly, feel free to make one in our Z Community Forum:
https://community.zteusa.com/

James M.: We have not been given one.

Le Mess: Ok thanks for this informtion
]

We have to be careful about getting our hopes up too high. Again these are just low level CS people. Things like "Waiting for our R&D" are just lines. They really know nothing in the grand scheme of things. Higher ups keep you in the dark until really the last second. I've been told to give out party line before saying something may or may not happen, then the next day get an update from above telling me they are now doing or offering whatever we were told yesterday didn't exist.

Maybe they will see chat volume, but I wouldn't put too much stock into parsing what the agent says.

DMedina559 · Jan 3, 2017

Here's another conversation I had with their email support this time

Me: Hello, I have a ZTE ZMAX pro along with many others, and would like to request a method to unlock the devices bootloader. By law we own these devices and deserve to unlock them upon request. I and many others would appreciate if you (ZTE USA) consider releasing an update or tool to unlock the device's bootloader like what has been done with the Axon 7. Many are upset over the dession of locking us out of our own devices, myself included. I, along with many others, have vowed to not buy another ZTE device because of this decision. So please take this into consideration.
https://community.zteusa.com/thread/14118
http://androidforums.com/index.php?threads/1055354/
these links is of a lot of upset customers requesting that ZTE realeses a method to unlock the device's bootloader.
Thank you for your time.

ZTE: Dear valued ZTE Customer
Thank you for contacting ZTE.
We really apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.
We are really sorry to inform you that rooting the device will void the manufacturer's warranty on the device.
Being the manufacturer's we do not support rooting.
Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Best Regards!

Me: Yes I am aware of the risk of rooting androids. But please do not lie to me, that is unethical and proves you don't care much for your customers. ZTE has supported unlocking bootloaders by releasing a way to unlock the Axon 7's bootloader, and there are many customers that have the ZMax pro that wish for the same thing for the ZMax Pro. All we're asking is to provide a way to unlock the bootloader or a way to access fastboot mode. There was a update file for the Axon 7 that allowed fastboot access so we know that ZTE is fully capable of allowing us to access and unlock the device bootloader. By denying us access to fastboot mode ZTE is hurting their sales and upsetting a lot of their customers. And even making them decide to not choose another ZTE device for their next phone. So please take this into consideration.

I wonder, can we can just delete the extra files in that zip for the Axon 7 and just flash it like that

cyanidekid · Jan 3, 2017

Charles367 said:
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 · Jan 3, 2017

cyanidekid said:
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 · Jan 3, 2017

DMedina559 said:
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 · Jan 3, 2017

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 · Jan 4, 2017

DMedina559 said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

lawsuit?

bcrichster · Jan 4, 2017

cyanidekid said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

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 · Jan 4, 2017

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 · Jan 4, 2017

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

cyanidekid · Jan 4, 2017

cbc0201 said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

enesha said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

cyanidekid said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

Spec2nirvash said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

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

cyanidekid · Jan 4, 2017

mkhtfld76 said:
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 · Jan 4, 2017

I agree...

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

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