Looking for testers: port for Lenovo Tab M8 HD (TB-8505F)

k.nacke

Hi,

I am working on a port for the Lenovo Tab M8 HD, and I would like to get some feed back.

Working: Wifi, GPS, sensors, back light, display rotation, ADB, ssh

More testing needed: Bluetooth (can connect to devices), audio (YouTube videos play fine), camera (can take photos with both cameras)

Not tested yet: waydroid, libertine, vpn

Not working: tap to wake

The port is for the TB-8505F model only. Before installing make sure that you can reinstall Android in case something goes wrong. The easiest way is to use the Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant, however that tool is only available on Windows.

To install:

Download latest artifacts.zip from https://gitlab.com/redstar-team/ubports/lenovo-tab-m8/lenovo-tab-m8/-/artifacts, and unpack it
Unlock bootloader, and enter fastboot mode
Flash the downloaded files:

fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system ubuntu.img
fastboot -w

Restart into Ubuntu Touch

fastboot reboot

There is no recovery image yet, same with the dtbo image. Detailed install instructions are on my TODO list.

Have fun!
Kai

k.nacke

I made some progress with the port:

waydroid is working now
enabled all kernel configurations for the android container
disabled rescue mode
MTP is working
dtbo.img is now generated

However, I still see some permission issues which needs fixing.

Have fun,
Kai

MrT10001

@k.nacke I have tried with the latest Artifacts. I had to use an earlier version of platform tools (Windows 11) and all seems to go through. However the tablet goes into a bootloop each time.

MrT10001

I have the 2Gb/16Gb version which most likely explains the bootlooping. Oh well, got it in a job lot and was worth trying! I have recovered it to Android, so no loss. I have been informed there is a 3Gb/32Gb version, but I only see 2G/16Gb or 2Gb/32Gb...

k.nacke

@MrT10001 Thanks for trying. I also have the 2GB/16GB model, so that should be fine. I think the 3GB/32GB is the model with lte.
One question for me is which display does your model have? E.g. what does

adb shell cat /sys/bootinfo/hardware_info | grep LCD

show? (That should work under Android, too.) I would like to make sure that it finds the display.

Kai

MrT10001

@k.nacke said in Looking for testers: port for Lenovo Tab M8 HD (TB-8505F):

cat /sys/bootinfo/hardware_info | grep LCD

cat /sys/bootinfo/hardware_info | grep LCD
LCD : ft8201_wxga_vdo_incell_inx

This do?

k.nacke

@MrT10001 Thanks. That was just a shot in the dark, but it's the same display as mine. Need to think what is causing your bootloop.

Btw, the 3Gb/32Gb model is the Tab M8 FHD. I have that tablet, too, but did not yet work on a UT port for it.

Kai

MrT10001

@k.nacke Using Windows 11 and latest version of platform tools. This chucked out an error with fastboot -w. Tried platform tools version r29.0.05 and everything went through fine, but still bootlooped.

k.nacke

@MrT10001 Any chance you could boot into recovery and see if there is a kernel crash message in /proc/last_kmsg or in /sys/fs/pstore?

I also see the fastboot -w message. I am not sure if the message has functional implications. But using an older fastboot version seems not possible, I get an error when I try to flash a partition with older ones.

I discovered the following work around: You download the firmware with the Lenovo RSA tool. When you run fastboot -w in the directory where the files are stored, then the message goes away. I think the command tries to read the image for the userdata partition.

Kai

MrT10001

@k.nacke Logs are empty.

MrT10001

Still no joy, tried it through Linux (Ubuntu 24.04) and still went into a bootloop - as a warning, the bootloop took quite a bit to get out off using the Lenovo Software fix tool. It will do it, but requires patience and timing.

k.nacke

@MrT10001 Thanks for looking at this. What you are seeing reminds me of my journey getting the kernel boot on my device.
I have a pristine M8 HD and M8 FHD, I will try to install the images there and try to find out what is missing/changed on my development device.

Lesharoturbo

I just installed this on my tab and it worked 100% ok. Booted just fine. I have the 2/16GB version and used the latest zip.

I flashed all 3 files including the device tree image (dtbo.img). Maybe that will help those who get boot loops?

Thanks for working on this, now to testing!

LT.

MrT10001

@Lesharoturbo At which point did you flash the dtbo.img?

Lesharoturbo

@MrT10001 after the ubuntu.img. I tried it after the boot.img, but I got an error, but realized afterwards that I mistyped it. So I did it after the ubuntu.img

MrT10001

No, still goes into a bootloop. Everything goes through correctly, no errors. Then bootloops.

Lesharoturbo

@MrT10001 Hmmm, I am not sure. This is the first install of U Touch for me.

I am not home right now, but I will be tomorrow. I will try to gather more info then.

Lesharoturbo

@k.nacke A question that I am sure the answer is 'NO".

Does this port offer OTA? I would think not, but thought I would ask.

MrT10001

Is there a step missing with disabling verity and flashing a vbmeta.img?

Lesharoturbo

@MrT10001 that is possible. I started from a GSI rom, not the stock rom. So i had replaced those already. I forgot until I read this!