ZTE Zmax [Z970] - Guide, FAQ & Discussion - ZTE ZMAX Guides, News, & Discussion

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★ Official Guide, FAQ & Discussion for the ZTE Zmax from METROPCS and TMOBILE ★
Previous thread can be found here​
CASES
Eagle Cell
E-Time
EBAY 1
EBAY 2
SCREEN PROTECTORS
EZGaurdz
XTreme Guard
REVIEWS
CNET
Phonearena
GSM Arena
AndroidAuthority
BENCHMARKS
AnTuTu V5.1:
Please read everything, carefully, before posting a question.
FAQ
(Other common questions/answers may be added to this list by posting them in the thread.)
Can I root this phone? / Is there a root for this phone?
NO. Not one of the multitude of root options currently work for this phone. We have exhausted every single option. None exists. The very best minds on XDA worked on it but were unable to make the root stick. (It is a read/write issue) There are no plans to continue development of root by existing XDA devs. At this time, No **ACTUAL** dev is working on this phone. Only novices and those new to root are working on it.
Can I post a link to a root for another phone I found?
NO. It's likely one of the many found below. (see: Untrustworthy sites/links)
Has anyone tried [INSERT THING HERE], yet?
YES. We have been at this for months. We know all the methods, already, and have exhausted them. Anything more would require a brand new method no one has tried or posted about, yet. You can share something that has not been offered before in the old thread or is not one of the Untrustworthy sites listed in the bottom of this post.
Is there a custom ROM/TWRP/ETC?
NO. Until root is achieved, this is an impossibility. If you want the Lollipop feel, why not try Nova Launcher. It has material design built in!
unlocking is the same as rooting, right?
NO. Unlocking is for network access (like using Verizon on a TMOBILE phone). It in no way means you have root.
Is it true TMO/METRO/ZTE is releasing root for this device?
NO. There is zero confirmation of this even being a remote possibility. Only speculation after a single email from an unknown sales rep. Please do not keep this rumor alive. It is the #1 reason the devs stopped working on this phone. #2 was negative attitudes/disrespect.
I just installed/used a file browser and I can get into /system. Is this important?
:
NO. That doesn't help root or show that you have root. Think of it like this: You can use Windows Explorer to view your System32 folder, but you can not manually alter its contents. Being able to see something doesn't mean it is editable/writeable.
How do I turn off connection/touch/etc vibration?
Go to settings> sound> alerts and notifications (Toward the bottom) Uncheck the box associated with the item you want to disable.
Can I...? should I...? Do I...? Is this...? Will you...?
99.9% of your questions have existed and been answered in these amazing forums for YEARS. Please use the search feature built into XDA to find the answer to your common questions.
WILL THIS ROOT WORK?
(If it is in this list, it has been tried multiple times with the same result: FAILURE)
framaroot: NO
TowelRoot: NO
Kingo: NO
shuame / Root Genius: NO
Baidu: NO
Root Ninja: NO
shuaji.360: NO
Tacoroot: NO
Nachoroot: NO
burritos: NO *ONLY FOR KINDLE FIRE
Pie: NO
stump: NO
chainfire: NO
Qualcomm exploit: NO
purpledrake: NO
Iroot/vroot: NO
Srsroot: NO
DC-Unlocker: NO Huawai devices only
zergRush: NO
RootMaster: NO
g2root: NO
zdsrooter: NO
cydia impactor: NO
sunshine: NO
Methods for other phones: NO *Never do this. You can brick your phone. Also, the architecture is almost always going to be different.
Untrustworthy sites/links
(Do not, under any circumstances, post any sites that relate to or contain the following words. They are fake, scams or clickbait. They may even contain viruses. BEWARE.)
upgrade-lollipop
unlockr
how-to-root
downloadsafe
root-android
unlock-bootloader

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** reserved **

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ATTRIBUTIONS
Material Design Icons used in this thread:
dribbble
iconshock
USEFUL LINKS
Original thread started by @Planterz
ZTE Zmax on Reddit
...

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IMPORTANT
Please make sure all posts are on-topic, respectful, succinct, educated, researched, reviewed and have correct (or at least adequate) spelling and punctuation. Thank you!
Also, PLEASE RESPECT ALL DEVS AND THEIR HARD WORK. This is not the place to beg, brag or post messages like "Boy, I'd really like to have root". We all want root, but hounding the devs to do it is not a good motivator. Patience & respect are.

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The original discussion thread was closed at my (the OP) request, since I do not own the device, nor do I have any interest in maintaining a database of FAQs or guides or accessories. Thus, a new thread was created by someone who willing and able to keep any and all pertinent information on the first page of discussion, rather than scattered and buried amongst dozens of pages and a couple thousand posts.
@therealduckie It's all yours now.:good:

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Add purpledrake to the WILL NOT ROOT zmax list before it's asked.

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A fresh start! A great idea @therealduckie and @Planterz :good:
If you need anything, I'm an "@Darth" away!

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Lightfeather said:
How on earth can a thread reach the epic proportions of this one, yet the ZTE zmax hasn't been offered its own forum?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because nothing has been achieved yet deserving of its own forum. Forums are granted to devices when there is so much going on with them that there's too many individual threads scattered about the place that it behooves the people that organize XDA to contain them all in one place.
For example, one of my phones, the Samsung Galaxy Light. This phone has a "how do I root" thread, a discussion/development thread (with accompanying Q&A Bot thread), a couple different modified stock ROM threads, a TWRP development thread, and a CyangemMod porting thread (and accompanying Q&A thread). That's like 9 different threads, give or take, plus several more asking specific questions. All scattered throughout the place, but it apparently it's not enough yet to warrant its own subforum. There are many other devices in the same boat.
At this point, all the ZMAX has is discussion. No root, no recovery, no ROMs. Everything there is to talk about with this device is easily contained within a single thread. Turning OP control over to someone willing to maintain it is something I should have thought up a while ago.
Realize also that new forums need moderators to monitor and micromanage them. So if you ask "well, why not just make a new forum?", that's a big reason why not. The forum software can handle it. It'd reduce confusion and clutter. But someone has to herd the cats.

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Iroot/vroot no go.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

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Srsroot/kingroot no go.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

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Nachoroot... No go

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I think this is somewhat on topic (if not please delete) but I was just able to pair my dualshock 4 controller with the ZMAX. I played a little GTA 3 but with considerable lag. I'm trying different ideas for how to be able to map the buttons so getting in a car isn't L1..anyway, this was amazing to me because I thought you had to root the phone for the DS4 to work. If it's ok I'll post more when I have something else to say on this.
Thanks!
Sent from my Z970 using XDA Free mobile app

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Everyone including @Darth there is literally no development at all happening here so what is all the STAY ON TOPIC talk about? I don't understand it. Really I could see if someone was actually doing anything toward achieving root then, ya know, we need to stay on topic. But this is a GENERAL THREAD so what , if any, is the topic. This is, at best, a thread that a few people are trying every one click root in the world.
I'm sorry if I'm hurting anyone's pride or sense of accomplishment or always being negative, but honestly there is no topic here. It's about the Zmax and 99% of the people here have no idea what root truly is or how it even works, let alone have a chance in achieving it themselves for this device. Myself included! I'm just against getting my hopes up or anyone else's for something that is nowhere close to being completed, or started, for that matter! I mean isn't it better to be realistic or is everyone here really that optimistic. I'm all for getting root but we need knowledge to achieve this and without ZTE or a mobile securities expert, cough cough @jcase, then we are just passing the time here, surrounded by friends, at best!
So, in saying all of this, I ask all the people that say, "Stay on topic!" Why can't this thread, be a hangout/ fun/ noob friendly/ awesome freaking place to come and talk to friends and people, that have the same phone, interests, and love for Android.
Also, I ask you,(the OP, @Darth, and etc.) in the kindest, awesomest, only way I know how, to not turn this place into an, "It's in the OP!"/ impatient/ rude response giving everytime/ awkward/ no sense of humor having/ no fun having/ dull/ dead/ boring/ thread!? Because to me that's the vibe I'm getting from this place already! But maybe it's just me, I just don't get why everyone is so uptight and mad about nothing! If development does occur ask people to sit back and watch and listen. But just because you make a thread OP organized with a FAQ table and a few rude sentences doesn't turn this into a Development thread with actual progress. I want my ZMAX rooted as much as the next man really I do we just need more than us to do it. We need to find another DEV like jcase that's willing to help! Even if for a fee AND WE actually treat him or her like a dignified human BEING THIS TIME. I truly believe that is our only hope!
I've been around XDA-Developers for 5+ yrs, yet only been a member a few and I've seen my fair share of awesome threads and I think this could be one!
Live Long and Prosper! \\//

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It doesnt take an "expert" (i hate ppl calling me that), it just takes someone dedicated. I have no education in computer science, well i didnt when i started.
johnb380 said:
Everyone including @Darth there is literally no development at all happening here so what is all the STAY ON TOPIC talk about? I don't understand it. Really I could see if someone was actually doing anything toward achieving root then, ya know, we need to stay on topic. But this is a GENERAL THREAD so what , if any, is the topic. This is, at best, a thread that a few people are trying every one click root in the world.
I'm sorry if I'm hurting anyone's pride or sense of accomplishment or always being negative, but honestly there is no topic here. It's about the Zmax and 99% of the people here have no idea what root truly is or how it even works, let alone have a chance in achieving it themselves for this device. Myself included! I'm just against getting my hopes up or anyone else's for something that is nowhere close to being completed, or started, for that matter! I mean isn't it better to be realistic or is everyone here really that optimistic. I'm all for getting root but we need knowledge to achieve this and without ZTE or a mobile securities expert, cough cough @jcase, then we are just passing the time here, surrounded by friends, at best!
So, in saying all of this, I ask all the people that say, "Stay on topic!" Why can't this thread, be a hangout/ fun/ noob friendly/ awesome freaking place to come and talk to friends and people, that have the same phone, interests, and love for Android.
Also, I ask you,(the OP, @Darth, and etc.) in the kindest, awesomest, only way I know how, to not turn this place into an, "It's in the OP!"/ impatient/ rude response giving everytime/ awkward/ no sense of humor having/ no fun having/ dull/ dead/ boring/ thread!? Because to me that's the vibe I'm getting from this place already! But maybe it's just me, I just don't get why everyone is so uptight and mad about nothing! If development does occur ask people to sit back and watch and listen. But just because you make a thread OP organized with a FAQ table and a few rude sentences doesn't turn this into a Development thread with actual progress. I want my ZMAX rooted as much as the next man really I do we just need more than us to do it. We need to find another DEV like jcase that's willing to help! Even if for a fee AND WE actually treat him or her like a dignified human BEING THIS TIME. I truly believe that is our only hope!
I've been around XDA-Developers for 5+ yrs, yet only been a member a few and I've seen my fair share of awesome threads and I think this could be one!
Live Long and Prosper! \\//
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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@jcase I don't suppose you could point me in the right direction when it comes to starting android development? I've got a rudimentary knowledge of Linux, Java, and C but I really don't know where to start learning when it comes to android development. I'm willing to be dedicated, I'm just not sure where to start.

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jcase said:
It doesnt take an "expert" (i hate ppl calling me that), it just takes someone dedicated. I have no education in computer science, well i didnt when i started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry friend but can WE as in this thread and community start over with you! Can we be friend again. Don't forsake us for a few bad apples @jcase ! As you have seen and can tell we don't know what we are doing here honestly. Is there anyway you could point us in the right direction. Or maybe get us started somehow. I or maybe We don't want spoonfed or maybe we need spoonfed even if we don't want to say it. But anyways if we don't know where to start how can we finish is all I'm saying!
We need your help and I'm willing to do whatever to help in the endeavour! We do have quite a bounty amount built up $400+ pledged. I don't know if that's enough for you to be interested but I know money would help anyone!
So what I'm asking is for any help friend!

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Hope your health is improving. Your life is more important then this phone. So when you're well and rested and ready we are all here waiting with baited breath.
See ya when you are up to it.
jcase said:
It doesnt take an "expert" (i hate ppl calling me that), it just takes someone dedicated. I have no education in computer science, well i didnt when i started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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Clayjn said:
Hope your health is improving. Your life is more important then this phone. So when you're well and rested and ready we are all here waiting with baited breath.
See ya when you are up to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto!

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Clayjn said:
Hope your health is improving. Your life is more important then this phone. So when you're well and rested and ready we are all here waiting with baited breath.
See ya when you are up to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, my wife just lost her former roommate yesterday to lung infections as well, same first name as me, really freaky.

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jcase said:
Thanks, my wife just lost her former roommate yesterday to lung infections as well, same first name as me, really freaky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Our condolences go out to you and your wife. I think I can speak for a lot of the people here when I say that your health and well-being are more important than what this thread is trying to accomplish.
Glad you're getting better!