[ROM][29-11-2013] ZTE V970 / V970M (MT6577) custom ROMs (ICS / JB)

[ROM][29-11-2013] ZTE V970 / V970M (MT6577) custom ROMs (ICS / JB)

Hello everyone!

In this post you'll find all custom ROMs for ZTE V970 (MT6577) smartphone. It also works on the international models: ZTE V970M (also MT6577 based).
Version history (including download links):
Android 4.0 (ICS) based custom ROMs:
 
V1.0MOD (27-08-2012):

  • Based on official Android 4.0.4 ROM (ZTE China release: CU-CN-QB18D-P175A20V1.0.0 / Custom build: B03 ; Stock kernel 3.0.13)
  • Custom changes:
    • Replaced China Unicom boot logo image with MediaTek logo
    • Removed China Unicom boot animation including sound
    • Removed all Chinese applications (Chinese IME, ZTE app store, etc)
    • Added reboot and reboot to recovery options to power menu
    • Integrated the latest version of Google apps
    • Added ES File Explorer (v1.6.1.8) and ES Task Manager (v1.3.1)
    • Rooted (no need to root phone with third party applications) with SuperUser application (v3.1.3) and su binary (v3.1.1)
    • Busybox (v1.20.2) installed
    • Added battery percentage (in steps of 1%) display
    • Disabled aee debugger daemon
    • Updated APN list (apns-conf.xml)
    • Added AdFree hosts to system hosts file (blocks ads in several applications or games, for example Angry Birds)

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 6d3acd55a2b5322c5a8be6577c6c0409
V1.1MOD (04-09-2012):

  • Custom changes:
    • Fixed SystemUI crash if a default wallpaper was not set on the first boot
    • Added support for the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, German, Spanish, Farsi, French, Hindu, Indonesian, Italian, Malaysian, Dutch, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Russian, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese and Chinese (traditional and simplified)

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 9e87c955b41c380dbb02a97f52e3ae81
V2.0MOD (22-09-2012):

  • Based on official Android 4.0.4 ROM (ZTE China release: CU-CN-QB18D-P175A20V1.0.0 / Custom build: B05 ; Stock kernel 3.0.13)
  • Custom changes:
    • Fixed E-mail app crash
    • Enabled CRT-effect animation when screen goes off
    • Updated Google Maps (v6.12.0) and added Street View on Google Maps (v1.8.1)
    • Fully odexed system apps

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: dd2dda6c6a8ac0ccbc9efbd31a2447ae
V2.1MOD (23-09-2012):

  • Custom changes:
    • Fully deodexed system apps due to unexpected user issues
    • Fixed problem with auto-brightness feature (CRT-effect animation was breaking this functionality)
    • Added stock ICS LatinIME and dictionary pack

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 9096027058c8a8fd40a37be6b5b2800a
V2.2MOD (30-09-2012):

  • Custom changes:
    • Fixed GPS-related app crashes
    • Fixed the bug related to the association of caller identification (CID) with contacts, due to country code prefixes
    • Updated YouTube (v4.1.23)
    • Updated ES File Explorer (v1.6.2.1)

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: d1ee52831df00ca2b8e69773341e5c0e
V2.3MOD (21-10-2012):

  • Custom changes:
    • Added some build.prop tweaks to improve pictures and video quality, increase touch responsiveness and improve battery life
    • Updated ICS LatinIME and dictionary pack
    • Added Chrome for Android (v18.0.1025308)
    • Updated Google Play Store (v3.9.16)
    • Updated Street View on Google Maps (v1.8.1.2)
    • Added support for the following languages: Czech, Hungarian and Polish

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 75f9f6ae8ada506b7f13974c069c86b1
V3.0MOD (09-12-2012):

  • Based on official Android 4.0.4 ROM (ZTE Venezuela release: RET-VE-QB128D-P175A20V1.0.0 / Custom build: B03 ; Stock kernel 3.0.13)
  • Custom changes:
    • Added international ZTE splash logo and boot animation
    • User customize-able installation based on AROMA installer
    • Included script to automatically disable internal sdcard if extended userdata partition is detected
    • Included JB LatinIME (with predictive swipe) and dictionary pack
    • Updated Google Play Store (v3.10.9)
    • Updated Gmail (v4.2.1)
    • Added support for the following language: Greek
    • Fixed broken strings for the following languages: Czech, Hungarian and Polish
    • Fixed bootloop when factory reset was done under Android system

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 186e6a1b3b7b1e5713c97ac001931a41
V3.1MOD (27-12-2012):

  • Custom changes:
    • Replaced "Press to unlock" by "Slide to unlock" lockscreen
    • Corrected date format entries for Czech and Greek languages
    • Fixed incorrect CPU throttling
    • Disabled built-in virtual disk drive
    • Updated APN list (apns-conf.xml)
    • Updated TZ data (timezone data)
    • Updated Google Maps (v6.14.2)
    • Updated Google Play Store (v3.10.10)
    • Updated Google Play Services (v2.0.12)
    • Updated YouTube (v4.2.16)

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 2589b663f87610ab52cc395e5ba8f383
Android 4.1 (JB) based custom ROMs:
 
V1.0MOD (16-02-2013):

  • Based on official Android 4.1.1 ROM (ZTE Indonesia release: SMI-ID-QB18D-P175A20V1.0.0 / Custom build: B04 ; Stock kernel)
  • Custom changes:
    • User customize-able installation based on AROMA installer
    • Included script to automatically disable internal sdcard if extended userdata partition is detected
    • Integrated the latest version of Google apps
    • Rooted (no need to root phone with third party applications) with SuperUser application (v3.1.3) and su binary (v3.1.1)
    • Busybox (v1.20.2) installed
    • Added some build.prop tweaks to improve pictures and video quality, increase touch responsiveness and improve battery life
    • Disabled aee debugger daemon
    • Updated APN list (apns-conf.xml)
    • Updated TZ data (timezone data)
    • Added AdFree hosts to system hosts file (blocks ads in several applications or games, for example Angry Birds)

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: d97e35f08893fb4b4cf139cf546aa014
V1.1R2MOD (02-03-2013):

  • Custom changes:
    • Added reboot and reboot to recovery options to power menu
    • Added battery percentage (in steps of 1%) display
    • Replaced "Press to unlock" by "Slide to unlock" lockscreen
    • Complete stock Android 4.1 look in terms of app icons and wallpapers
    • Included Android 4.2 Google Clock and Camera/Gallery apps
    • Added support for the following languages: Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, Spanish, Farsi, Finish, French, Hindi, Croatian, Hungarian, Italian, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Serbian, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian and Urdu

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: dbc52de2668472cdd18e800c3f19325c
V1.2MOD (22-07-2013):

  • Custom changes:
    • Fixed Email and Exchange apps problem
    • Rooted (no need to root phone with third party applications) with SuperSU application (v1.41)
    • Busybox (v1.20.2) installed with init.d support
    • Updated all Google apps to the latest version

=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: 9bc1a4b72b98c2c4f55bc1676c0aeb07
V1.3MOD (29-11-2013):
  • Custom changes:
    • Integrated the latest version of Google apps
    • Updated SuperSU application (v1.80)
    • Integrated GravityBox (v2.76)
      • Patches Android's master key (bugs 8219321, 9695860 and 9950697) vulnerabilities
      • Includes lots of system tweaks and fixes
    • Included DualSIM Ringer (allows to set ringtone and notification sounds separately for each SIM)
    • Included baseband modem from Android 4.0 (optional for users who need it to have 3G working)
    • Fixed graphical slowness issue
    • Updated APN list (apns-conf.xml)
    • Updated TZ data (timezone data)
=> Download link
=> MD5 sum: f78c6c30199bac529cb269afde7841f4

=> Add-on update: Most recent version of GravityBox


Tutorials
How to enter into recovery mode:
With ZTE V970 completely turned off, press and hold VOL. UP key and turn on the phone. After the splash logo appears, all keys should be released.
Navigation under recovery mode:
Stock recovery mode: As soon as the splash logo disappears, an image with a triangle and an Android will appear and BACK key must be pressed in order to access menu options. Navigation is made using VOLUME keys (navigate up with VOL. UP and navigate down with VOL. DOWN) and MENU key to apply the action.

Custom recovery mode: As soon as the splash logo disappears, ClockworkMod Recovery menu will appear. Navigation is made using VOLUME keys (navigate up with VOL. UP and navigate down with VOL. DOWN) and POWER key to apply the action.
How to flash custom recovery:
Download ZTE V970 custom recovery and follow this MT657x flashing tutorial.

Warning: the package includes preloader, but there's no need to flash it. Make sure that you select only recovery to be flashed.
Flashing a new custom ROM via the SD card method (update.zip):
Read this guide to know more about ClockworkMod Recovery and how to flash a custom ROM.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Question: I can't install your custom ROMs. Why? What am I doing wrong?
Answer: First of all you have to flash a custom recovery into your phone and then you are able to install my custom ROMs.
Question: I wanted to try one of your custom ROMs. Will I loose all my data after installing it?
Answer: Yes, you will loose all your data... unless you create a backup to restore after installing the ROM. There are two recommended ways to create backups of your userdata:
  • Doing the backup under custom recovery mode: navigate to backup and restore menu.
  • Using Titanium Backup to create a backup of your favourite applications.
Question: Can I fully revert to factory settings?
Answer: Sure, just download the full stock ROM and use SP Flash Tool to reflash the whole NAND.

Warning: the files are for V970, so if you are flashing a V970M make sure that you deselect preloader or else you'll get a brick.
Question: In phone specifications it's stated that it has 4 GB of eMMC, but only approximately 500 MB are available for internal storage... Can you explain me the reason for that?
Answer: The phone has indeed 4 GB of eMMC. Part of it is used by system and cache partitions, while the rest of the size is divided into internal storage (approximately 500 MB) and an internal sdcard partition (approximately 2 GB). If you find that an internal sdcard partition is useless (and have a big external sdcard), you can extend userdata partition (internal sdcard partition completely disabled).
Question: Does my phone really have two IMEI numbers?
Answer: Every dual SIM smartphone based on MT65xx SoC has two IMEI numbers. Some just don't display both numbers on dialler when you type code *#06#, but if you go into Settings / About phone / Status / IMEI information you'll see the IMEI set for both slots.
Question: How can I access hidden MediaTek engineering mode?
Answer: From phone's dialler type code *#*#3646633#*#*.
Question: I don't have this phone, but mine is also based on the same MT6577 SoC. Can I still flash your recovery and install your custom ROMs?
Answer: Even though your phone is based on the same SoC, there may be differences in other hardware components. It is not likely that recovery and ROMs will work on your phone so you may risk to brick it.
 ZTE V970 internal memory re-partition
Initial notes:
  1. Make sure that you have a full nandroid backup of your current ROM. If not, boot into recovery mode and make one. This is very important if you want to restore userdata after internal memory is re-partitioned.
  2. Also make sure that you have a backup of your internal sdcard because it will be fully erased and disabled.

    Warning: the package includes preloader, but there's no need to flash it. Make sure that your selection is according to the screenshot bellow.
Instructions:
  1. Shutdown the phone
  2. Open SP Flash Tool v3.1222.00 (or higher) and load the scatter file
  3. Flash MBR, EBR1 and RECOVERY as shown on the next image (read flashing tutorial first):

  4. After flashing is complete, boot into recovery mode and format /data
  5. Optionally, if you want to restore previously saved userdata, go to nandroid backup / restore and restore data (advanced restore feature)
  6. Reboot your phone and enjoy your extended userdata partition

    Important update: All the new ROM updates which include AROMA installer also include a script to automatically disable internal sdcard if extended userdata partition is detected. Dismiss the part of the instructions that refers to the installation of disable_internal_sdcard.zip file (a must if you have installed a JB based ROM). All the rest of the procedure is still valid and must be done before installing the ROM. That said, if you are going to apply this modification, you must re-install the ROM.
V970 extended userdata mod.zip
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