Flashing a Chinese version of the Onyx BOOX Tab X C to Western version

Tom Swift · 01-16-2026, 01:58 AM

I live in Shanghai, and all that is available here is the domestic version (T13C) instead of the western version (TabXC). Asking different people, unlike Apple products, the hardware is the exact same; it is just the firmware that is different. If I purchased one in China, I would like to wipe it completely and have it with western firmware only. Is this possible? There is no Google Play on the Chinese domestic version and it will contact the domestic Chinese servers instead of western ones. I use VPNs continuously over here so having it 100% western would not be a problem.

Renate · 01-16-2026, 03:41 AM

Yes, it should be possible to "update" it with the "wrong" version in recovery using "adb sideload" of the decrypted update.zip
If not, then a custom recovery can do it.

Tom Swift · 01-19-2026, 12:38 AM

Thanks for the information. Don't know what any of that means but at least I know it is possible.

Probably just makes more sense for me to get one in Canada when I move back.

Renate · 01-19-2026, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Swift

Probably just makes more sense for me to get one in Canada when I move back.

Depends. Do you want it now? How much cheaper is it? How long until Canada?

Yalums · 01-19-2026, 02:50 AM

You need to obtain the `vbmeta` and `vbmeta_system` images for the corresponding model (from the Chinese firmware). Disable AVB verification on them using an appropriate method, then flash them in EDL mode. Next, you will need older versions of the `recovery` and `abl` partition images (dating before version 3.5.2) so that you can flash the `system`, `system_ext`, and `vendor` partitions in Fastboot mode. Alternatively, if you cannot obtain older `abl` or `recovery` images, your only option is to flash the entire Global `super` image via EDL mode.

You must manually edit the partition image information; using the --disable-verity --disable-verification flags in Fastboot mode is ineffective. Furthermore, if you cannot truly disable the AVB verification for the vbmeta and vbmeta_system partitions, flashing any unofficial vendor image will result in a boot failure.

Actually, the method above is unnecessary. Here is what you really need to do:

1. Disable AVB verification on the `vbmeta` and `vbmeta_system` partitions.
2. Extract the current version of the `super` partition in EDL mode and locate `vendor_a.img` (or `vendor_b.img`) within it.
3. Find a tool capable of editing partition images, such as TIKhttps://github.com/ColdWindScholar/TIK.
4. Modify `/odm/etc/build.prop` inside the vendor image: change the value of `ro.product.odm.model` to the corresponding Global/International model identifier.
5. Use the partition editing tool to repack the modified vendor image and the remaining parts into a new `super.img`, then flash it in EDL mode.

Renate · 01-19-2026, 03:10 AM

I wouldn't do all that.

01-16-2026, 01:58 AM	#1
Tom Swift Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 1232346 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Macau Device: Kindle Oasis (plus lots of older devices)	Flashing a Chinese version of the Onyx BOOX Tab X C to Western version I live in Shanghai, and all that is available here is the domestic version (T13C) instead of the western version (TabXC). Asking different people, unlike Apple products, the hardware is the exact same; it is just the firmware that is different. If I purchased one in China, I would like to wipe it completely and have it with western firmware only. Is this possible? There is no Google Play on the Chinese domestic version and it will contact the domestic Chinese servers instead of western ones. I use VPNs continuously over here so having it 100% western would not be a problem.

01-19-2026, 02:50 AM	#5
Yalums Member Posts: 13 Karma: 22 Join Date: Feb 2024 Device: Boox Note X2, Kobo Forma, Supernote A6 X, Kobo Clara HD	You need to obtain the `vbmeta` and `vbmeta_system` images for the corresponding model (from the Chinese firmware). Disable AVB verification on them using an appropriate method, then flash them in EDL mode. Next, you will need older versions of the `recovery` and `abl` partition images (dating before version 3.5.2) so that you can flash the `system`, `system_ext`, and `vendor` partitions in Fastboot mode. Alternatively, if you cannot obtain older `abl` or `recovery` images, your only option is to flash the entire Global `super` image via EDL mode. You must manually edit the partition image information; using the --disable-verity --disable-verification flags in Fastboot mode is ineffective. Furthermore, if you cannot truly disable the AVB verification for the vbmeta and vbmeta_system partitions, flashing any unofficial vendor image will result in a boot failure. Actually, the method above is unnecessary. Here is what you really need to do: 1. Disable AVB verification on the `vbmeta` and `vbmeta_system` partitions. 2. Extract the current version of the `super` partition in EDL mode and locate `vendor_a.img` (or `vendor_b.img`) within it. 3. Find a tool capable of editing partition images, such as TIKhttps://github.com/ColdWindScholar/TIK. 4. Modify `/odm/etc/build.prop` inside the vendor image: change the value of `ro.product.odm.model` to the corresponding Global/International model identifier. 5. Use the partition editing tool to repack the modified vendor image and the remaining parts into a new `super.img`, then flash it in EDL mode. Last edited by Yalums; 01-19-2026 at 02:55 AM.

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01-16-2026, 03:41 AM	#2
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 4,280 Karma: 20532355 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Germany Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	Yes, it should be possible to "update" it with the "wrong" version in recovery using "adb sideload" of the decrypted update.zip If not, then a custom recovery can do it.

01-19-2026, 12:38 AM	#3
Tom Swift Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 1232346 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Macau Device: Kindle Oasis (plus lots of older devices)	Thanks for the information. Don't know what any of that means but at least I know it is possible. Probably just makes more sense for me to get one in Canada when I move back.

01-19-2026, 03:10 AM	#6
Renate Onyx-maniac Posts: 4,280 Karma: 20532355 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Germany Device: Nook NST, Glow2, 3, 4, '21, Kobo Aura2, Poke3, Poke5, Go6	I wouldn't do all that.