How to install TWRP custom recovery on Android One

Here’s a comprehensive guide to install latest TWRP custom recovery on your 1st gen, 2nd gen and 3rd gen Android One phone. Apart from the TWRP, you will also learn how to root your Android One handset.

This recovery is compatible with first generation Android One phones only. Here’s a list of all 1st gen phones.

• Karbon Sparkle V
• Micromax Canvas A1
• Spice Dream UNO
• Symphony Roar A50
• Mito Impact
• Evercoss One X
• Nexian Journey One
• Cherry Mobile 1
• Q Mobile A1
• MyPhone UNO

2nd gen Android One Phones

• Qualcomm Snapdragon
  • General Mobile 5 Plus
  • General Mobile 4G
  • i-Mobile IQ II
  • Cherry Mobile One G1
• MTK Chipset
  • Bq Aquarius A4.5
  • Infinix Hot 2 X510
  • Lava Pixel V1

3rd gen Android One Phones

Disclaimer: Flashing TWRP requires unlocking bootloader and unlocking bootloader voids the warranty of your Android phone. In case of a mishap, Techbeasts or the device manufacturer may not be held responsible.

Unlock the bootloader of your Android One handset

1. Download and install Minimal ADB and Fastboot drivers.
2. Enable USB debugging mode on your Android One phone. To do so, go to settings > about device > tap the build number for 7 times. It will activate developer options in your phone’s settings. Now go to settings > developer options > Enable USB debugging.
3. Once done, open the Minimal ADB and Fastboot.exe from your computer’s desktop. If you do not have this shortcut on the desktop then go to your Windows installation drive which should be Drive C. Now go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot > Press and hold the shift key and right-click on an empty area within this folder > Open command window here.
4. Now connect your phone to your computer now using its original data cable.
5. I the command window, enter the following commands one by one.

   • adb reboot bootloader

   • Wait for the device to boot into bootloader/fastboot mode.
6. Now enter these commands and hit enter to complete the unlock procedure.

   • fastboot oem unlock

     1. This will unlock the bootloader.

   • fastboot format userdata

     1. This will format the device.

   • fastboot reboot

     1. This will reboot the device.
7. That’s all. Your Android One’s bootloader is now unlocked.

How to install TWRP custom recovery on Android One

1. Make sure that you have unlocked the bootloader and the ADB and Fastboot drivers are still installed on your PC.
2. Now download the latest TWRP Recovery
   • twrp-3.0.2.2-sprout.img (1st generation Sprout)
   • twrp-3.0.2.1-seed.img (2nd gen Snapdragon)
   • Download twrp-3.0.2-1-seedmtk.img (2nd gen MTK)
   • twrp-3.0.2.0-shamrock (3rd gen)
3. Rename the downloaded recovery file to twrp.img only.
4. Now copy this file to Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder in C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot.
5. Open the Minimal ADB and Fastboot.exe now or simply launch the command window using the step 3 in the bootloader unlock method above.
6. Having USB debugging enabled on your Android One phone, connect it to your PC.
7. Now enter the following commands one by one.

   • adb reboot bootloader

     • Wait for device to boot into bootloader mode.

   • fastboot erase recovery

     • This will erase the previous recovery.

   • fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

     • This will flash the new recovery.

   • fastboot reboot

8. Once done, reboot your device into recovery mode by entering the following command in command window.
   • adb reboot recovery

How to root Android One with SuperSU

1. Download SuperSU.zip file.
2. Copy the downloaded file to your phone’s internal or external storage.
3. Boot your Android One phone into TWRP recovery. To do so, turn off your phone. Now turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Power Key.
4. Once it boots into TWRP, tap Install > Locate the SuperSU.zip file from where you placed > Select file > Flash > Swipe to confirm.
5. Once SuperSU.zip has been flashed, reboot your phone.
6. Install Root Checker from the Play Store to verify root now. That’s it.

That’s all. Facing any issues? Reach us out through the comment box below.