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Install Custom ROMs, backup and manage your UMi Zero easily with RootJoy! Here’s how

Ying HuaMarch 20, 2015

UMi have released an exciting new tool that allows you to easily update and install custom Android ROM’s on your UMi Zero. Here’s how to make the most of your UMi Zero with the new Rootjoy UMi Tool.

When UMi released the UMi Zero they turned over a new leaf. The UMi Zero showed us all that UMi were back and able to make high-quality Android smartphones capable of taking on some of the finest on the market.

The Zero grabbed a lot of attention for it’s alloy body, glass panels front and rear, 5-inch FHD Super AMOLED display and 13 mega-pixel F1.8 Sony main camera. Since the launch of the phone UMi have been releasing Android updates for their flagship, but soon realised a neater and easier method of ROM installation was needed, and so the RootJoy Umi Tool was born.

What is RootJoy?

Simply put, RootJoy is a PC based software that is designed to allow you to easily update your UMi Zero (and future UMi phones?) to the latest stable ROM version, but UMi have also added a few more features.

As well as simply updating your UMi Zero, RootJoy also allows you to easily install custom ROMs on your phone with a one click installation process. This is great news for anyone wanting to install MIUI, VIBE UI, EMUI, LEWA or YunOS on their Zero, even if you don’t have any previous Android ROM experience.

The tool also allows you to backup your phone data too so you can simply restore your device should anything go wrong, uninstall applications, manage your video’s or photos and even your contacts.

Installing Rootjoy UMi Tool on your PC

To get Rootjoy on your PC you will need to head over to the UMidigi website to the Rootjoy page and download the .exe file. Once downloaded simply double-click, hit install and then ‘Run Rootjoy’. At the time of writing this tool is only available for Windows users.

Download RootJoy UMi Tool here.

The first screen you will be presented with is a picture of a UMi Zero with simple dialogues to either connect your device or download a ROM. At the moment MIUI, LEWA, VIBE and EMUI are available through the tool, other ROM’s can be downloaded separately and chosen through the Rootjoy interface for simple installation.

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When you first connect your UMi Zero to the tool you will find that RootJoy will automatically detect your phone and install the drivers that are needed for the system to run, this may take some time so sit back and have a cup of tea (or a beer).

Once the drivers are installed Rootjoy will automatically try to connect to your UMi Zero again, but before you continue you must allow USB debugging. Authorise on your phone first then on your PC. Also allow Super User when prompted too.

Using RootJoy UMi Tool

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Now that Rootjoy is installed on your PC and your UMi Zero is connected you will have a screen that gives you some stats for your device.

The left side of the screen shows a preview of what your UMi is showing. This is not a live preview so when you switch screens you will need to hit refresh to see the new screen. On the right we can see how many applications are in your phone, go in to the settings, see the photos, contacts and generally manage all of your UMi Zero data and content.

The buttons at the bottom of the screen let you flash your phone to a new ROM or update, and backup your phone.

If you hit Flash at this point you will get a message stating that there is no ROM found along with a helpful ‘Download’ button. If you have already downloaded a ROM or update separately you can use the “Choose the ROM file on your computer” option at the bottom.

Downloads will take a while and will be set aside in your “Download Manager” tab at the bottom right of the UMi Tool. The ‘More ROM’ button is where you will find alternate ROM’s to try.

Once you have a ROM to install you will first be prompted to back up you phone, you can also choose to skip this part. Then RootJoy will Download a recovery, Check the ROM, and finally push the ROM to your UMi Zero.

For my first test I decided to go for a simple update to the latest version of the UMi ROM which is currently 3.09. The process of pushing the update to my phone took around 5 minutes not including the time to download the ROM from within the tool.

RootJoy UMi Tools impressions

For UMi to have invested the time, effort and money in to making such a tool shows great commitment to the end-user. The tool itself is extremely simple to use with easy to understand onscreen prompts meaning you can get a new ROM on your Zero without any hassle or prior tech knowledge.

For anyone wanting to test the Rootjoy UMi Tool for their UMi Zero then please keep in mind that this is a first release and UMi have stated their might be a few bugs still present. If you do come across a problem, error, or you have a suggestion on how to improve or add features, UMi ask you to take part in the RootJoy forum.

[ UMi Digi , UMi Facebook ]

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author
Ying Hua
I'm an avid gamer and a bit of a Ninja when it comes to gadgets and technology. When I'm not busy with the latest Android and iOS games and I can be found writing at Gizchina.com.

March 20, 2015
This is an Amazing tool. Really, best of its kind I’ve used. Does what you actually want. Not huge, works. ))
That said, I can only find the official ROM. Guess I download somehow..
Just need Lolipop now. Come on MTK.
Adam Irvine
March 20, 2015
Very good, fair play to Umi, to come out with a well build 6592T phone and not a 64-Bit model like EVERYONE is doing at the moment and actually support it is very impressive! How many other companies would have just forgotten the 32-bit stuff and moved support onto new phones..?
- balcobomber25
  March 20, 2015
  There’s two big problems I have with the new “has to be 64 bit” trend today. 1. Some of those phones aren’t shipping with Android 5.0, without 5.0 “64 bit” is nothing more than sticker on the spec sheet. 2. 64 bit is still very young in the Android ecosystem, it will be at least 1-2 years before it is fully optimized and by that time many will have a new phone.
  - Lazar Prodanovic
    March 21, 2015
    Actually you don’t really want Loli until bugs are resolved & current 5.1 actually still have some serious bugs, besides app support is still tied for most popular and you can kiss goodbye with most of games (permanently with older ones). Their is lot more ironing to take place before you can have really good (enough) Loli experience. Hardware is not a problem.
    - balcobomber25
      March 21, 2015
      Exactly. I have always preferred a stable version of the old version of Android than a having the newest one, that is full of bugs.
algara
March 20, 2015
Could not all brands follow UMI’s steps and make it easier for everyone to flash ROMs as simply as this?

Peter Pain
March 20, 2015
This is an Amazing tool. Really, best of its kind I’ve used. Does what you actually want. Not huge, works. ))
That said, I can only find the official ROM. Guess I download somehow..
Just need Lolipop now. Come on MTK.
Adam Irvine
March 20, 2015
Very good, fair play to Umi, to come out with a well build 6592T phone and not a 64-Bit model like EVERYONE is doing at the moment and actually support it is very impressive! How many other companies would have just forgotten the 32-bit stuff and moved support onto new phones..?
- balcobomber25
  March 20, 2015
  There’s two big problems I have with the new “has to be 64 bit” trend today. 1. Some of those phones aren’t shipping with Android 5.0, without 5.0 “64 bit” is nothing more than sticker on the spec sheet. 2. 64 bit is still very young in the Android ecosystem, it will be at least 1-2 years before it is fully optimized and by that time many will have a new phone.
- Lazar Prodanovic
  March 21, 2015
  Actually you don’t really want Loli until bugs are resolved & current 5.1 actually still have some serious bugs, besides app support is still tied for most popular and you can kiss goodbye with most of games (permanently with older ones). Their is lot more ironing to take place before you can have really good (enough) Loli experience. Hardware is not a problem.
- balcobomber25
  March 21, 2015
  Exactly. I have always preferred a stable version of the old version of Android than a having the newest one, that is full of bugs.

algara
March 20, 2015
Could not all brands follow UMI’s steps and make it easier for everyone to flash ROMs as simply as this?
balcobomber25
March 20, 2015
It’s very good to see manufacturers realizing that many people want more options when buying their phones. As much as I don’t like them this is all thanks to One Plus, they didn;t start the trend of offering more than on UI but they made it popular.

balcobomber25
March 20, 2015
It’s very good to see manufacturers realizing that many people want more options when buying their phones. As much as I don’t like them this is all thanks to One Plus, they didn;t start the trend of offering more than on UI but they made it popular.
Lazar Prodanovic
March 21, 2015
This is good but still stupid. Developing proprietary windows software instead of supporting & integrating open source TWRP recovery as default. Not only it would cost them less but also users would be much more happy with TWRP. I really don’t understand Chinese when it comes to open source & community support.

TG
March 21, 2015
I tried to install the official rom update V3.09 from UMI with ROOTJOY, but somehow the installation failed. An error appeared on my computerscreen and now I can’t do anything with my phone anymore. The boot icon (Zero) has been going on for over 12 hours now and I am unable to reconnect to my computer. Can someone please help me fix my phone?
- Lazar Prodanovic
  March 21, 2015
  No not really. You got a boot loop. Can you get in recovery? If you can try to download firmware, place it to “Dload” folder on SD card (you create folder) & flash it from recovery. This is usual method when all the rest don’t work with firmware updates. I hope it will help you!
  - TG
    March 23, 2015
    Eventually found a way to reconnect the device to the computer and flashed the previous OTA-update. Phone works great again ! Thanks for your help
    - Paul Sumner
      May 25, 2015
      Please can you tell me how you did this. I am experiencing the same problem. thanks.
Lazar Prodanovic
March 21, 2015
This is good but still stupid. Developing proprietary windows software instead of supporting & integrating open source TWRP recovery as default. Not only it would cost them less but also users would be much more happy with TWRP. I really don’t understand Chinese when it comes to open source & community support.

TG
March 21, 2015
I tried to install the official rom update V3.09 from UMI with ROOTJOY, but somehow the installation failed. An error appeared on my computerscreen and now I can’t do anything with my phone anymore. The boot icon (Zero) has been going on for over 12 hours now and I am unable to reconnect to my computer. Can someone please help me fix my phone?
- Lazar Prodanovic
  March 21, 2015
  No not really. You got a boot loop. Can you get in recovery? If you can try to download firmware, place it to “Dload” folder on SD card (you create folder) & flash it from recovery. This is usual method when all the rest don’t work with firmware updates. I hope it will help you!
- TG
  March 23, 2015
  Eventually found a way to reconnect the device to the computer and flashed the previous OTA-update. Phone works great again ! Thanks for your help
- Paul Sumner
  May 25, 2015
  Please can you tell me how you did this. I am experiencing the same problem. thanks.

Plus1876
March 21, 2015
Wish thl would do the same(my favorite Chinese phone brand). Still rocking W200(dropped it at least 3 times, no crack or scrapes, very good lamination process though not gorilla glass). Kodus to UMI
+1876™ plus1876.net
March 21, 2015
Wish thl would do the same(my favorite Chinese phone brand). Still rocking W200(dropped it at least 3 times, no crack or scrapes, very good lamination process though not gorilla glass). Kodus to UMI

3_nity
March 22, 2015
Whatever great software or beautiful ROM you use, if your phone is crap, then still your experiences is crap.
3_nity
March 22, 2015
Whatever great software or beautiful ROM you use, if your phone is crap, then still your experiences is crap.
Dean Evan
March 23, 2015
Finally, so tired of the complex ROM flashing procedures. I heard Elephone is working on update tool as well. They released so many ROMs recently, such a tool would be lovely.

Dean Evan
March 23, 2015
Finally, so tired of the complex ROM flashing procedures. I heard Elephone is working on update tool as well. They released so many ROMs recently, such a tool would be lovely.
Mohd Shafaq Rafi
March 31, 2015
The file rootjoy gets downloaded but does not gets extracted
Mohd Shafaq Rafi
March 31, 2015
The file rootjoy gets downloaded but does not gets extracted

Gd Guillaume
May 16, 2015
I have use rootjoy and install miui but now i have invalid imei. I cant use my phone … can someone help me ?
Gd Guillaume
May 16, 2015
I have use rootjoy and install miui but now i have invalid imei. I cant use my phone … can someone help me ?
Paul Sumner
May 25, 2015
TG, please can you tell me how you got your phone working again. I have the same zero logo bootloop after flashing an updated rom.

bip
August 14, 2015
can i use it for lenovo k3
bip
August 15, 2015
can i use it for lenovo k3

Krusty_the_Clown
August 22, 2015
Hi all, it is really of no use to have rootjoy for there is almost not one working rom to find. Remember how they praised the support for UMI Zero. But who is astonished about that after they f….. up the whole start of the phone, by not getting finished in time and delivering the first phones with 50% failiure quote. I cant understand why gizchina hypes umi and never speaks about all the trouble f.ex. I had..
Regards
Guest
August 22, 2015
Hi all, it is really of no use to have rootjoy for there is almost not one working rom to find. Remember how they praised the support for UMI Zero. But who is astonished about that after they f….. up the whole start of the phone, by not getting finished in time and delivering the first phones with 50% failiure quote. I cant understand why gizchina hypes umi and never speaks about all the trouble f.ex. I had..
Regards