Do you have Lenovo Z2 Plus phone and you want to unlock your bootloader to install custom ROM? In 2026 you cannot unlock the bootloader because Lenovo does not provide unlocked bootloader anymore.
Here is the step-by-step guide to unlocking the bootloader using this method.
How the EDL Exploit Works for Z2 Plus
Normally, fastboot oem unlock requires a token generated by the manufacturer's website. However, by forcing the phone into Emergency Download (EDL) mode, we can use an open-source tool to temporarily patch the bootloader (aboot) and unlock it, bypassing the need for Lenovo's website entirely.
Step 1: Prerequisites
1. Windows PC Required: You need a Windows PC (the exploit tools and drivers are Windows-only).
2. Install Drivers:
* Install the Lenovo USB drivers (or generic Qualcomm USB drivers).
* Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers.
3. Enable OEM Unlocking:
* Go to Settings > About phone > Tap ZUI version 7 times to enable Developer Options.
* Go to Developer Options and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking (or "Allow OEM Unlocking").
4. Backup Data: This process will wipe your device completely. Ensure everything is backed up.
Step 2: Download the Unlock Tool
You will need a specific community tool that exploits the Z2 Plus's EDL mode.
1. Search the XDA Developers forums for "Lenovo Z2 Plus Z2P Unlock Tool" or "Z2 Plus Dirty Cow / EDL Unlock".
2. Download the ZIP file and extract it to a folder on your C:\ drive (e.g., C:\Z2P_Unlock).
Step 3: Boot into EDL Mode
1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open a command prompt on your PC (type cmd in the Windows search bar) and enter the bootloader mode:
bash
│ adb reboot bootloader
*(If your phone prompts for USB debugging access on the screen, allow it).*
3. Once the phone is in fastboot mode, you need to force it into EDL mode. You can do this by holding Volume Up + Volume Down + Power until the screen goes black.
4. Open Device Manager on your PC. Under "Ports (COM & LPT)" or "USB Controllers", you should see a new device appear called "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008". If it has a yellow exclamation mark, you need to manually point the driver to the .inf file included in your downloaded tool folder.
Step 4: Patch and Unlock
1. Inside the folder you downloaded, there will be a batch file (usually named unlock.bat, Z2P_Unlock.bat, or start.bat).
2. Right-click the batch file and select Run as administrator.
3. A command prompt window will open. The tool will detect your phone in EDL mode.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. The tool will temporarily back up your aboot and pbl partitions, and then exploit the bootloader to set the unlock flag to true.
5. The tool will automatically issue the unlock command and wipe your device.
Step 5: Reboot and Verify
1. Once the tool finishes, it will prompt you to reboot.
2. Use the volume keys on your phone to select Reboot to Bootloader or Recovery.
3. As the phone reboots, check the top-left corner of the screen. It should now say "BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED" or "DEVICE UNLOCKED" in small text.
4. Your phone will factory reset itself and boot into Android.
Important Notes:
• Do not unplug the cable: While the tool is running, do not touch the phone or unplug the cable. Interrupting a write to the aboot partition can hard-brick the device.
• Custom Recovery: Once unlocked, you can now flash a custom recovery like TWRP using fastboot flash recovery twrp.img and then flash a custom ROM like LineageOS to give your Z2 Plus a new life.
*Disclaimer: Modifying your device's bootloader carries Proceed with caution, as you are solely responsible for any damage that may occur to your device.*
