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

k.nacke

Updates since my last post:

I disabled more useless kernel features
I had to add some code to keep the pstore feature working
The WLAN and the Bluetooth driver are now compiled into the kernel
The artifacts.zip now contains a vbmeta.img file to simplify the installation

The repo now includes a script to disable the ugly "Orange State" warning. customizelk.py patches the lk.img from the stock ROM to just return from the function which displays the message. This also avoids the additional 5sec wait time. Please note that this is purely cosmetic.

Have fun,
Kai

k.nacke

Latest build fixes the vertical black lines which can be seen sometimes.

tigerfoot

@k.nacke Just to present myself, new owner of a branch new (never started) M8 TB-8505X 2G/32G -CH

Receive the "beast" this afternoon, and now charging (build in 2022, and never started since)

I'm still crawling the different information, especially the first steps. Doing OSS support for leaving, I'm not afraid to help, and should be also able to provide some merge request in gitlab (doc, test whaever I can)

My question for the moment is more like any newcomer:
Ok I got the device, what is the next step ?

Shall I spend a few time to grab the lenovo support assistant and stock image
Shall I do a backup of the existing rom ? but how to do that

btw I'm using openSUSE Tumbleweed as daily and don't have any windows (except on VM),

My main objective with this tablet, will be transfer from my action cam sd card to a luks external nvme ssd all the nice road I'm riding with my bike.

If I can browse internet a bit with, that would be a plus, if I can connect remotely my main computer with ssh and terminal great ...

Hope to get in touch (no joke here ...)

k.nacke

@tigerfoot The TB-8505X has the 4G interface, which is missing in the current kernel. Other than that it should work fine. Not sure if this fits your use case...
I can provide a boot image with a kernel having the additional driver compiled in, but mot likely would need your help with debugging the ofono configuration (in case you are interested in helping to get 4G working).

sd cards works, surfing via wifi works too. IMHO it feels faster than Android, but do not expect wonders.

tigerfoot

@k.nacke Thanks for the proposal, I will first start to install (which will be the challenge like any first time

For the 4G I will normally used my phone shared connection (bluetooth or wifi).
But why not helping once my yearly trip will end.

Shall I first start to initialize the tablet with its android, or can I start directly to flash and boot Linux ?

harmhero

I have a M8 FHD, not sure if it's the same. Would love to try this out. Sorry, bit of a Linux noob here, but would it mean I could run Steam on my tablet?

Moem

@harmhero said:

I have a M8 FHD, not sure if it's the same.

Usually: no, it has to be exactly the same device.

k.nacke

@harmhero No, the M8 FHD is a different device. It has a different CPU, a different LCD, and more RAM. I actually own a M8 FHD device, and I like to support that device, too. However, I am currently busy with writing another book, so most likely this will not happen before late summer.

Kai

itsjusthim

@k.nacke im finally back with the tablet, can you teach me how to port a device

0nobody0

@k.nacke thanks for all your work on this. any updates on the missing character issue?

i just installed using the latest devel-flashable-large artifacts from Friday, January 30, 2026 - https://gitlab.com/redstar-team/ubports/lenovo-tab-m8/lenovo-tab-m8/-/jobs/12937600982/artifacts/browse and ran into the following issues:

i initially chose English (UK) in setup per CaptainTalonAlt's post quoted below, but was unable to enter the wi-fi password due to j and 9 registering as spaces in the password prompt.

@CaptainTalonAlt said:

The keyboard characters seems to fix for English (UK), it’s the US keyboard that seems the problem.

after skipping wi-fi setup and testing the English (UK) keyboard in the notes application:

f shows on the keyboard but enters as a space. all other letters and numbers work.
entering j does work in notes but still does not work on the wi-fi password prompt in settings.
a number of the symbols on the 2nd page of symbols are blank but all input in notes when pressed.

i switched language to english (us) and rebooted:

j and 9 now work when entering wi-fi password at the prompt
q, y, f, g, h, k and ? are blank on the keyboard but input in notes. all upper case letters show on the keyboard correctly and all symbols on the 2nd page as well.
The language listed in grey over the space bar shows En lish

thanks again