Lenovo TAB 2 A8-50F (lenovo-a8-50f)
| This device runs a Downstream kernel. Some UIs will not work, and most features (3D acceleration, audio, etc.) may be broken. |
|
Lenovo TAB 2 A8-50F on the Xfce4 desktop, showing the About window | |
| Manufacturer | Lenovo |
|---|---|
| Name | TAB 2 A8-50F |
| Codename | lenovo-a8-50f |
| Model | CHANGE_ME |
| Released | 2015 |
| Type | tablet |
| Hardware | |
| Chipset | MediaTek MT6735 |
| CPU | CHANGE_ME |
| GPU | CHANGE_ME |
| Display | CHANGE_ME |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Memory | 1 GB |
| Architecture | aarch64 |
| Software | |
Original software The software and version the device was shipped with. |
Android 5.0 |
Extended version The most recent supported version from the manufacturer. |
Android 5.1 |
| postmarketOS | |
| Category | downstream |
Pre-built images Whether pre-built images are available from the postmarketOS Installation page. |
no |
Mainline Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline. |
no |
pmOS kernel The kernel version that runs on the device's port. |
3.10.61 |
Unixbench score Unixbench Whetstone/Dhrystone score. See Unixbench. |
0.0 |
| Device package |
|
| Kernel package |
|
| Firmware package |
|
Initial MR Initial merge request. |
pmaports!7215 |
Flashing Whether it is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher. |
Partial
|
|---|---|
USB Networking After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system). |
Works
|
Internal storage eMMC, SD cards, UFS... |
Untested
|
SD card Also includes other external storage cards. |
Broken
|
Battery Whether charging and battery level reporting work. |
Partial
|
Screen Whether the display works; ideally with sleep mode and brightness control. |
Partial
|
Touchscreen |
Works
|
| Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Broken
|
Audio Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons. |
Partial
|
Camera |
Broken
|
Camera Flash |
Broken
|
| Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Broken
|
Bluetooth |
Broken
|
GPS |
Untested
|
| Miscellaneous | |
FDE Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr. |
Untested
|
USB OTG USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching. |
Works
|
| Sensors | |
Accelerometer Handles automatic screen rotation in many interfaces. |
Untested
|
Magnetometer Sensor to measure the Earth's magnetism |
Untested
|
Ambient Light Measures the light level; used for automatic screen dimming in many interfaces. |
Untested
|
Proximity |
Untested
|
Haptics |
Untested
|
Barometer Sensor to measure air pressure |
Untested
|
Power Sensor Sensor to monitor current, voltage and power. Not fuel gauge! |
Untested
|
Contributors
Users owning this device
- Oreeeee (Notes: Damaged backlight in the corner)
Installation
- Use generic fastboot unlock procedure with the `fastboot oem unlock` command to unlock the bootloader. Use adb to reboot to bootloader. You might need to confirm the unlock by using the Vol Up button.
- Power off the device, unplug from PC.
- Follow the standard postmarketOS installation procedure up until flashing step.
- To flash, type in `pmbootstrap flasher flash_kernel && pmbootstrap flasher flash_rootfs`. The device must be powered off and unplugged while typing this.
- Once you get prompted to connect the device to the computer while it's off.
- When flashing finishes, unplug the tablet and reboot it by holding the power button.
Notes
Stock ROM will overwrite TWRP if it's flashed. In that case, an error message will appear and recovery will go back to stock. The cause is unknown, but it's either a signature check (/etc/recovery.sig in /system), or a CRC/filecount check (/data/recovery_rootcheck in /system). It does not happen when postmarketOS is flashed, and TWRP is loadable if you avoid loading the stock kernel, so it's likely something in the stock initramfs.
Graphics only work through framebuffer device. LightDM requires additional configuration. LightDM will not start if boot splash is enabled.
Audio is not functional due to missing memfd_create (introduced in Linux 3.17).
A8-50F is the WiFi only model. There were also 2 similar models with 4G - A8-50L and A8-50LC. A8-50L had hardware support for 4G, but it was disabled at software level. A8-50LC only released in selected regions. It was possible to flash A8-50LC firmware onto A8-50L to bypass the artificial 4G block. A8-50L and A8-50LC were mostly compatible with eachother, A8-50F is distinct but to my knowledge, close enough together, so if A8-50F starts working, a port to A8-50L/LC could be viable.
See also
- pmaports!7215 Initial merge request
- Archive of TWRP + some custom ROM
- Compatible SP Flash Tool for Windows
- Compatible SP Flash Tool for Linux
- Official download for kernel sources
- GitHub mirror of the kernel sources archive
- 4PDA page on the A8-50 device family (Russian)
- TWRP, rooting, custom ROM tutorial (Polish)