Rooting your ZTE Blade 20 can unlock the full potential of your device, giving you more control over its features and allowing you to customize your Android experience. Whether you want to remove bloatware, install custom ROMs, or optimize performance, rooting can open up a world of possibilities. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of rooting your ZTE Blade 20, step by step. But before we dive into the details, let’s understand what rooting is and why you might consider it.
Contents
What is Rooting?
Rooting is the process of gaining privileged control or “root access” over the Android operating system. By default, manufacturers impose certain restrictions on the device to protect it from potential misuse. However, rooting allows you to overcome these restrictions, giving you administrative access to the system files and settings.
With root access, you can modify or delete system files, install custom firmware, and use apps that require elevated permissions. This level of control can enhance your device’s performance, extend its battery life, and enable you to personalize your device to suit your preferences.
Why Root ZTE Blade 20?
The ZTE Blade 20 is a feature-packed smartphone with impressive specifications and a user-friendly interface. However, rooting your ZTE Blade 20 can unlock additional benefits and features:
- Customization: Rooting allows you to install custom ROMs, giving you access to a wide range of unique themes, customization options, and features not available on the stock firmware.
- Performance Optimization: Rooting enables you to remove bloatware and unwanted system apps, freeing up valuable storage space and improving overall performance.
- Backups and Restores: With root access, you can use advanced backup tools to safeguard your device’s data, settings, and apps. This allows you to easily restore your device in case of any issues or when switching to a new ROM.
- Ad-Blocking: Rooting allows you to install ad-blocking apps that can eliminate intrusive ads in apps and browsers, providing a smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
Before You Begin: Important Considerations
Before rooting your ZTE Blade 20, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Rooting your device typically voids the manufacturer’s warranty. This means that if anything goes wrong during or after the rooting process, you may not be able to claim warranty support.
- Risk of Bricking: While the rooting process is generally safe, there is always a small risk of bricking your device if something goes wrong. It’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and proceed at your own risk.
- Data Loss: Rooting may require unlocking the bootloader, which can erase all data on your device. Therefore, it is crucial to backup all your important data before proceeding.
- Security Risks: Rooting can make your device more vulnerable to security threats if you install untrusted apps or modify system files without caution. It’s important to exercise caution and only install apps from trusted sources.
Step-by-Step Guide to Root ZTE Blade 20
Now that you understand the basics and have considered the important factors, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to root your ZTE Blade 20:
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Before proceeding with the rooting process, it’s important to backup all your important data, including contacts, photos, videos, and documents. This ensures that you can restore your device to its previous state if anything goes wrong or if you decide to unroot in the future.
There are several ways to backup your data:
- Use the built-in backup feature on your ZTE Blade 20 to create a backup of your apps, settings, and data.
- Manually transfer your files to a computer or an external storage device.
- Utilize cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox to backup your files online.
Step 2: Enable USB Debugging
In order to connect your ZTE Blade 20 to your computer and execute commands during the rooting process, you need to enable USB debugging. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the “Settings” menu on your ZTE Blade 20.
- Scroll down and tap on “About phone”.
- Find the “Build number” and tap on it seven times to enable Developer options. You will see a message saying “You are now a developer!”
- Go back to the main “Settings” menu and scroll down to find “Developer options”.
- Tap on “Developer options” and toggle on the “USB debugging” option.
Step 3: Unlock the Bootloader
Unlocking the bootloader is an essential step before rooting your ZTE Blade 20. However, it’s important to note that this process may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific device model. Here’s a general guide on how to unlock the bootloader:
- Visit the official website of ZTE and navigate to the “Support” or “Downloads” section.
- Search for your specific device model and download the necessary tools or drivers required for unlocking the bootloader.
- Enable Developer options and USB debugging on your ZTE Blade 20 (as explained in Step 2).
- Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open the command prompt or terminal on your computer and enter the following command:
adb devices - If your device is recognized, enter the command:
adb reboot bootloader - Your device will now enter the bootloader mode. Use the volume keys to navigate and the power button to select.
- In the bootloader mode, enter the command:
fastboot devices - If your device is recognized, enter the command:
fastboot oem unlock - Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the bootloader unlocking process. Note that this will erase all data on your device.
- Once the process is complete, reboot your device.
Step 4: Download and Install Custom Recovery
After unlocking the bootloader, the next step is to install a custom recovery on your ZTE Blade 20. The most popular custom recovery for Android devices is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). Here’s how you can install TWRP on your device:
- Visit the official TWRP website (https://twrp.me) and search for your specific device model.
- Download the TWRP image file (.img) for your device.
- Connect your ZTE Blade 20 to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open the command prompt or terminal on your computer and enter the following command:
adb devices - If your device is recognized, enter the command:
adb reboot bootloader - Your device will now enter the bootloader mode.
- Copy the downloaded TWRP image file to the folder where ADB and Fastboot are installed on your computer.
- In the command prompt or terminal, enter the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img(Replace “twrp.img” with the actual filename of the TWRP image file you downloaded.) - Once the flashing process is complete, enter the command:
fastboot reboot
Step 5: Root ZTE Blade 20 with Magisk
Now that you have installed TWRP recovery on your device, you can proceed to root your ZTE Blade 20 using Magisk, a popular rooting tool for Android devices. Here’s how:
- Download the latest version of Magisk Manager APK from the official Magisk GitHub repository (https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases).
- Transfer the downloaded APK file to your ZTE Blade 20.
- Disconnect your device from the computer and go to the “Files” or “Downloads” app on your device.
- Tap on the Magisk Manager APK file to install it.
- Once the installation is complete, open the Magisk Manager app.
- Tap on the “Install” button and choose the “Install” option in the popup.
- In the next screen, choose the “Select and Patch a File” option.
- Navigate to the folder where the stock firmware (ROM) for your ZTE Blade 20 is located.
- Select the stock firmware file (.zip) and wait for Magisk Manager to patch the file.
- Once the patching process is complete, Magisk Manager will generate a patched firmware file.
- Copy the patched firmware file to your computer.
- Connect your ZTE Blade 20 to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open the command prompt or terminal on your computer and enter the following command:
adb devices - If your device is recognized, enter the command:
adb reboot recovery - Your device will now enter TWRP recovery mode.
- In TWRP recovery, tap on the “Install” button and navigate to the folder where the patched firmware file is located on your computer.
- Select the patched firmware file and swipe the “Swipe to Confirm Flash” button to root your device.
- Once the flashing process is complete, tap on the “Reboot System” button.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Will rooting my ZTE Blade 20 void the warranty?
Yes, rooting your ZTE Blade 20 typically voids the manufacturer’s warranty. However, some manufacturers may offer official ways to unlock the bootloader and root their devices without voiding the warranty. It’s essential to check the warranty terms and conditions before proceeding with rooting.
2. Can I unroot my ZTE Blade 20 after rooting?
Yes, you can unroot your ZTE Blade 20 after rooting by using the “Uninstall” option in the Magisk Manager app. This will restore the device to its original state, allowing you to reclaim the warranty (if applicable). However, keep in mind that unrooting does not guarantee complete removal of all modifications made during the rooting process.
3. Is rooting safe for my ZTE Blade 20?
Rooting itself is not inherently unsafe, but it does come with certain risks. If done incorrectly, rooting can potentially brick your device or expose it to security vulnerabilities. It’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully, use trusted sources for rooting tools, and exercise caution when modifying system files.
4. Will rooting improve the performance of my ZTE Blade 20?
Rooting can potentially improve the performance of your ZTE Blade 20 by allowing you to remove bloatware, optimize system settings, and install custom ROMs optimized for performance. However, the actual impact on performance may vary depending on the specific modifications you make and the customizations you choose.
5. Can I still receive Over-The-Air (OTA) updates after rooting?
Rooting your ZTE Blade 20 may prevent you from receiving official Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. Since rooting involves modifying system files, these modifications may be detected by the OTA update mechanism, leading to installation failures or potential issues. However, you can still manually install updates by flashing the official firmware using custom recovery.
Conclusion
Rooting your ZTE Blade 20 can unlock a world of possibilities, allowing you to customize your device, optimize performance, and access advanced features. However, it’s important to consider the risks and potential drawbacks before proceeding. Follow the step-by-step guide provided in this article to safely root your ZTE Blade 20 and enjoy the benefits of full administrative control over your device.
Remember to backup your data, enable USB debugging, unlock the bootloader, install custom recovery (TWRP), and root your device using Magisk. With root access, you can customize your ZTE Blade 20 to suit your preferences, enhance its performance, and explore a wide range of third-party apps and custom ROMs.
Rooting is a powerful tool, but it comes with responsibility. Be cautious when installing apps or modifying system files, and always use trusted sources. With proper care and attention, rooting can transform your ZTE Blade 20 into a personalized powerhouse.