Huawei Mate 10; Install TWRP, Run Firmware Update, Root With Magisk

Run Firmware Update using this method here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-9/development/tool-flash-official-firmware-recovery-t3769279

Root with Magisk using this method here (2nd part):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-10/how-to/root-huawei-mate-10-pro-magisk-twrp-t3753956

15-Second ADB Installer
https://freeandroidroot.com/download-15-seconds-adb-installer/

TWRP and guide is from here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-10/development/huawei-mate-10-pro-twrp-3-2-1-0-t3769904

Similar guide is also here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-10/how-to/root-huawei-mate-10-pro-magisk-twrp-t3753956

Steps (read through at least 1 time to know and be prepared):

Installing TWRP
1. adb reboot bootloader
2. fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk [ Filepath\TWRP.img ].
>  I put the TWRP .img file in C:\adb folder, so I simply type
>  fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk TWRP.img (for my case, that is twrp_bla_alp_0.7.img)
3. fastboot reboot (to restart phone)

N.B. As soon as you execute the restart command, UNPLUG the USB cable and keep pressing Volume UP, so the device will boot to TWRP. This is to avoid the device booting to OS, overwriting TWRP recovery.

Installing Magisk (using adb)
If you did not issue 'fastboot reboot' command in step 3 above, you do this
1. adb reboot recovery
2. adb sideload [ Filepath\Magisk.zip ]
>  for me, that will be 'adb sideload Magisk-v16.0.zip'

But I usually do 'Installing TWRP' procedure up to reboot, and do my Magisk flashing using phone menu, not adb method. You are free to try and choose your own way, too.

When you are done, welcome to a rooted and working Huawei Mate 10 phone!

Thank you and till then!


Drafted on 20-Jun-2018

How to Download Autodesk Revit 2016 or Other Previous Versions

How to Download Autodesk Revit 2016? Other Previous Versions? I was trying to search the web on how to do just this thing, but all I found are either Help Content, or anything but not the installer. And if I ever did, I am always directed to Autodesk Revit 2019, the latest version.

Not what I wanted.

Many days I tried, and then one day, I simply managed to do it: download Autodesk Revit 2016. Previous version, that is! And in my joy I proceeded to do the installation right away. Oh boy, I did not take note of how I did it. Bummer!

So when the Designer guy was having some problem with one of the tasks he is testing, being advised that Autodesk Revit 2019 does not currently have the feature, with Autodesk Revit 2016 suggested as having the working function of linking to a database, export and import data, the hunt for Autodesk Revit 2016 began. And even when that earlier version was already installed, and he resumed his tests, some other problems came up.

After checking with the local distributors, we were advised that SQL Server 2014 isn’t supported yet. And no, we have ruled out Access database. It does not fit the current infrastructure that we deploy to clients, besides Access is not scalable.

Okay, so we were told that the supported version for making Revit dB link function is SQL Server 2005, 2008 and 2012. And 2008 and 2012 gave the same dB link error as SQL Server 2014. Not supported, eh? Beats me.

So now what I needed to do is check on the dB link issues on my own. So began the dilemma of the second phase of how to download Autodesk Revit 2016 (previous version).

I did the usual search, and it is really frustrating. I even found solutions and resolutions when encountering error during Revit installation, specifically on 2016 version, but all of these are not what I want. I want the installer!

The keyword ‘Autodesk Revit 2016 installer’, or web install variant, or the likes, always lead to the same search results – but then again, not the installer itself. Then someway, somehow, it dawned on me, why not try ‘Autodesk previous version’? And I did just that.

Eventually I was directed to AVA, Autodesk Virtual Agent, where some account sign up was required, and I went through the very simple question and answer step, and I was given the link to the installer quickly. You will be given [Download Now] or [Browser Download]. The former uses Autodesk’s Download Manager, and the latter, well, your browser (Part 1 and Part 2 links).

So there you have it. And in my curiosity, I tried directly going to Autodesk Virtual Agent using another PC, and I was not required to log in. That means without an account. I just typed in my queries and replies, and the exact same results I got: the links to the installer.

Now you know. How to download Autodesk Revit 2016, or any other previous versions.

Try it!


(Drafted on 02-August-2018)

How to Change Font in Android Phone (Huawei Mate 10, Samsung)

20-July-2018

After my Samsung Note 3 phone, I got a Huawei Mate 10 smartphone as my new daily driver. And it was a total change for me after using Samsung phones so long. (3310, xxx, xxx, Note 2, Note 3). And while custom ROMs is easily available for the Samsung brand, it is not the same case for Huawei Phones.

What's more, Samsung phones are sturdy and incredibly adamant and can take a lot of beating. They can be revived even after an apparent bricking. Not so with Huawei Phones. At this stage, they are still finicky and sensitive, that the slightest mistake or incompatibility will brick a Huawei phone, and render it useless.

Well, I got my Huawei Mate 10 phone at $0 cost, as I renewed my plan, and it so happened that it was on a Good Friday, I was just browsing on what's a possible replacement for my Note 3 phone, and there it was, presenting itself so clearly: a Huawei Mate 10 phone at $0 cost.

I grabbed it, and after 7 days of hesitation and restraint, I proceeded to root it. For the whole week, though, I was searching, browsing, and reading articles and forums, so I have had some good and bad points. But you know it. Being so acclimated to a rooted phone, owning a trendy and high-tech unit is pointless -- if it is not rooted! At least that is the case for me.

So I went on to root my Huawei Mate 10 phone, carefully, using ADB method, and I succeeded. Once TWRP is flashed and applied, the rest are just normal and stable flashing (Magisk, and Full OTA updates).

Then there was my passion for fonts that took hold of my attention and didn't let go, didn't let up until my eyes said 'enough'!

And no, it isn't that easy. You see, all that I ever have done is root the phone and ROM is still stock. So many of the apps still won't run as they would on Samsung phones.

Below is how I changed the fonts on my Huawei phone.

1. Use Launcher. I use GO Launcher Ex, and this to some degree gave some desirable font change effects.

2. Use Apps, like iFont, MWFonts, FontFix, TypeFace, Fontster. I use iFont primarily in my Samsung rooted phones, and they never failed to just use the selected font, standard or customized. I did use occasionally the other apps, but my de facto app is iFont.

3. Use ADB Method. This is opening up adb in PC, connect to your phone with elevated access, go to /System/Fonts, then change Roboto-Regular.ttf with the phone that you want. That means the current Roboto-Regular.ttf you rename first or back up, then the new phone that you want to flash, you rename into Roboto-Regular.ttf, then you flash it (copy into the /System/Fonts folder).

4. Use ES File Explorer
This is basically the same as method #3, but more manual. You copy the custom font to /System/Fonts folder. Then you rename existing Roboto-Regular.ttf. Then you rename custom font to Roboto-Regular.ttf. In this method, however, you have a chance to preview the new Roboto-Regular.ttf file. What's the importance of this? If you can preview the new Roboto-Regular.ttf file, you are sure that your phone will be okay. Otherwise, your phone will go into what is called soft brick. Don't risk it!

5. Use iFont
Specifically for Huawei Mate 10, which is running a stock ROM, just rooted, applying a new font results into a new theme, then you apply that theme. In my experience, this isn't working 100%. Sometimes it does, but most of the time, it doesn't. Because you apply the theme, then you reboot. it is just disappointing not to see the new font once the phone is booted up. So I stopped using this method.

6. MWFonts, Fontster, TypeFace, FontFix
For these apps, in Samsung or Huawei phones, Applying a new font works 100%, however, the selection is limited to their own font sets, no custom fonts. Only iFonts have that custom fonts feature. Or maybe for paid versions. I use mostly free versions.

What works for me:
I apply new fonts 2 times:
1. Use MWFonts, Fontster, TypeFace, FontFix - this goes to headers and titles.
2. Use ES File Explorer manual method. This goes into the text body.

By the way, when customizing fonts, which is just making them thinner, or fatter, or taller, or narrower, or shorter, I use High-Logic's FontCreator software on my desktop PC, then copy the modified .ttf file to my phone. That way I can do a font preview on my desktop and make comparisons. But the real test is when the new font is applied to my Huawei Mate 10 smartphone.

Hope you learned something new today.

Till then!


[Drafted on 01-Jun-2018]