In this guide, you will learn how to install TWRP Recovery and LineageOS 20 on the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703. The process includes installing Qualcomm USB drivers, setting up QPST/QFIL, booting the tablet into Qualcomm EDL mode, installing TWRP, creating a vendor partition, and installing the required Android ROM and Google Apps packages.
Device Information
| Device | Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus |
|---|---|
| Model | TB-8703 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm |
| Custom Recovery | TWRP |
| Custom ROM | LineageOS 20 |
| Google Apps | MindTheGapps 13.0.0 ARM64 |
Required Files and Tools for Lenovo TB-8703
Before starting the installation, download and prepare all the required drivers, tools, recovery files, ROM, Google Apps package, and boot image for the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703. Use the files listed below and make sure you select the correct file before flashing.
| File / Tool | Purpose | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Qualcomm USB Host Drivers | Required for Windows to properly detect the Lenovo tablet in Qualcomm/EDL mode. | Download Drivers |
| QPST 2.7 / QFIL | Qualcomm flashing software used to communicate with the tablet and flash the required files. | Download QPST 2.7 |
| TWRP Recovery Files | Recovery files required for installing TWRP on the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus. | Download TWRP Files |
| CREATE_1G_Vendor.zip | Package used to create the required 1 GB vendor partition for the Treble-based installation. | Download Vendor ZIP |
| twrp-8703-treble.img | Treble-compatible TWRP recovery image for the Lenovo TB-8703. | Download TWRP Image |
| LineageOS 20.0 | Custom Android ROM package for the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703. | Download LineageOS 20 |
| MindTheGapps 13.0.0 ARM64 | Google Apps package designed for Android 13-based ROM installations. | Download MindTheGapps |
| boot-signed.img | Boot image that may be required for certain locked-bootloader configurations. | Download Boot Image |
Important: Always verify the file name and device model before flashing. These files are intended for the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703. Do not flash files from another Lenovo model or an unrelated firmware package.
Backup recommendation: Create a complete backup of your important personal data before beginning the installation. Partition and ROM operations can erase user data.
Step 1: Install Lenovo and Qualcomm USB Drivers
Open the Drivers folder on your computer and install the following driver packages one by one:
- Lenovo USB Drivers 1.1.41 Setup.exe
- Qualcomm USB Host Drivers Setup
Follow the installation wizard and complete the driver installation. Restarting Windows after installing the drivers is recommended.
Step 2: Install QPST
Open the Tools folder and run the QPST 2.7 setup file. Complete the installation using the default installation options unless you have a specific reason to change them.
Step 3: Open QFIL
After installing QPST, open the Windows Start Menu and launch QFIL.
Inside QFIL:
- Select Flat Build.
- Click the Browse button.
- Open the TWRP Recovery folder.
- Select prog_emmc_firehose_8953_ddr.mbn.
Step 4: Load XML Files in QFIL
Click the Load XML button in QFIL and select the required XML files from your firmware/recovery package.
- Select rawprogram0.xml.
- Then select patch0.xml.
Make sure the programmer file and XML files belong to the Lenovo TB-8703 package you are using.
Step 5: Enable OEM Unlocking
If the tablet is currently bootable, open Android Settings and go to the device information section. Tap the Build Number several times until Developer Options are enabled.
Open Developer Options and enable OEM Unlock, if the option is available on your device.
Step 6: Enter Qualcomm EDL Mode
- Completely power off the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703.
- Press and hold both volume buttons at the same time.
- While holding both volume buttons, connect the tablet to the computer using a USB cable.
- Open Windows Device Manager.
- Check whether the tablet appears as a Qualcomm device.
The exact name shown in Device Manager can vary depending on the installed Qualcomm driver.
Step 7: Flash the Recovery Files Using QFIL
Return to QFIL and verify that the Qualcomm device is detected correctly. The programmer and XML files should already be loaded.
Click the Download button to begin the flashing process.
Wait for the process to finish. After a successful operation, QFIL should display a completion message such as Download Succeed or Finished Download.
Do not disconnect the tablet while QFIL is actively writing files.
Step 8: Boot the Tablet Into TWRP Recovery
- Disconnect the tablet from the computer after the QFIL process has completed.
- Press and hold the Volume Up + Power buttons.
- Continue holding the buttons until the tablet starts.
- Release the Power button when appropriate, but continue holding Volume Up.
- Keep holding Volume Up until the tablet boots into TWRP Recovery.
Step 9: Backup the Persist Partition
Before making further changes, the first recommended step inside TWRP is to create a backup of the Persist partition.
Keep this backup in a safe location. It may be useful for restoring device-specific data if something goes wrong during the modification process.
Step 10: Create the Vendor Partition
From TWRP, flash the following package:
CREATE_1G_Vendor.zip
This package is used to create the required vendor partition layout for the Treble-based installation.
Step 11: Wipe Data
Use the appropriate TWRP wipe options to wipe the required user data. Remember that wiping Data can remove installed applications and personal files.
Step 12: Flash TWRP Treble Recovery
Flash the following image to the recovery partition:
twrp-8703-treble.img
After flashing the image, reboot the tablet into the newly installed Treble Recovery.
Step 13: Wipe Required Partitions
From Treble Recovery, wipe the required partitions before installing LineageOS.
The installation procedure requires wiping:
- System
- Userdata
- Cache
- Other required partitions according to the recovery/package instructions
Make sure you have copied all required ZIP files to the tablet or an accessible USB/OTG storage before wiping internal storage.
Step 14: Install LineageOS 20
Copy the LineageOS 20 ZIP file to the tablet. Open the Install option in TWRP and select the LineageOS package.
Swipe to confirm the installation and wait until the ROM installation is completed.
Step 15: Install MindTheGapps
After LineageOS has been installed, install the Google Apps package:
mindthegapps-13.0.0-arm64.zip
Install the package from TWRP without booting into Android between the ROM and GApps installations.
Step 16: Locked Bootloader Users
If your Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus has a locked bootloader and your particular installation package requires it, flash the supplied:
boot-signed.img
Use only the boot-signed image intended for the exact TB-8703 software package. Do not flash an image from another model or an unrelated firmware version.
Step 17: Reboot the Tablet
After all required files have been installed, reboot the tablet into the system.
The first boot after installing a new ROM can take longer than a normal boot. Do not immediately interrupt the process if the Lenovo logo remains on the screen for several minutes.
Common Problems and Solutions
QFIL Does Not Detect the Tablet
Check the Qualcomm USB driver installation, USB cable, USB port, and Device Manager. Reinstalling the Qualcomm driver and trying another USB port can also help.
QFIL Flashing Fails
Verify that the programmer file, XML files, and recovery package are intended for the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703. A mismatched programmer or XML configuration can cause flashing errors.
Tablet Does Not Boot After ROM Installation
Recheck that the correct LineageOS build, GApps package, vendor configuration, recovery image, and boot image were used. If the device enters recovery, review the installation steps rather than repeatedly flashing unrelated files.
Tablet Returns to Recovery
Verify that the System and Userdata partitions were prepared correctly and that the ROM installation completed successfully. Also verify whether your particular bootloader configuration requires the supplied boot-signed.img.
Final Notes
Installing a custom recovery and custom ROM can provide additional features and extend the useful life of an older tablet. However, the procedure modifies important software and partitions, so it should be performed carefully.
Always use files specifically prepared for the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703. Keep a backup of important partitions, especially the Persist partition, before making major changes.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you can prepare the Lenovo Tab 3 8 Plus TB-8703 with Qualcomm drivers and QFIL, install TWRP/Treble Recovery, create the required vendor partition, and install LineageOS 20 together with MindTheGapps 13.0.0 ARM64.
If you are performing this procedure for the first time, carefully check every file name and partition before flashing. Using the wrong image or partition file can cause boot problems or other software issues.