Flashing Stock ROMs to Lenovo Legion Y700 2023 Android Tablet

I just got my hands on the Lenovo Legion Y700 2023 Android tablet. I ordered the Chinese model with the original Chinese CN ROM because I wanted the higher specs than the newer global model is being released with. While the original Chinese ROM works, it has its quirks where there’s still some Chinese throughout the ROM even though you’ve set your language to English. You currently have 3 options of stock ROMs to choose from: 1) Original Chinese CN, 2) Japanese NEC, or 3) Global ROM. Which one you choose might depend on the current ROM version you’re on. Since this is always changing, I’ll do my best to keep this article updated with the latest information and post a changelog near the top. XDAforums has a forum dedicated to the Lenovo Legion Y700, but be careful because its a mixture of information from the older 2022 model and the newer 2023 model.

Proceed with caution, we’re not responsible if anything happens to your device!

Current ROMs – 05/02/2024

• CN774 – Most recent Chinese ROM
• CN737 – Older Chinese ROM
• NEC022 – Most recent NEC ROM
• 240 – Most recent Global ROM

If you’re on CN774 or CN761, you can only stay on the CN ROMs or you can go to the NEC022 ROM as of this article. If you try to go to the Global ROM, you’ll get an error message that your hardware isn’t compatible and get stuck in a boot loop until you flash another ROM. If you’re on an older CN ROM, you should be able to flash to the Global ROM. Downgrading from CN774 to an earlier ROM also won’t allow you to flash to the Global ROM. Also, going from CN774 to NEC022 to 240 won’t work. Hopefully someone will find a solution, but until then, the NEC ROM should work better than the CN ROM.

Flashing ROM Requirements

You’ll need some software to get started. Download and install each of these:

• Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant (RSA) – Download Link from Lenovo
• Android SDK Platform Tools ZIP for Windows – Download Link from Google
• Motorola Driver for Fastboot Mode Recognition – Download link from Motorola

Tablet Preparations

You’ll have to go through the setup process on your tablet to be able to flash other ROMs using the Fastboot method we’re using here. Once you’re to your home screen, you’ll need to:

• Go to Settings > About > Tap the Software Version 7 times to unlock Developer Mode (you’ll see a countdown once you start tapping)
• Go to Settings > General Settings > Developer Options >
  Search for USB Debugging and enable it
  Search for OEM Unlocking and enable it
• Power off the tablet

Unlocking the Bootloader

With your device already powered off, you’ll need to boot into Fastboot mode by press and hold the VOL+ button, then press and hold the Power button. The tablet will vibrate once, continue holding both buttons for 1 second, then release both and you should boot into Fastboot mode. This can take some timing practice.

Connect your tablet to your PC using the USB-C port on the long side.

Open a Command Prompt and navigate to the directory where the Android SDK platform-tools are. Then type fastboot devices and your device should be listed.

Type fastboot flashing unlock, then your device will reset and reboot. Boot back into Fastboot mode following the instructions above.

Once back in Fastboot mode, type fastboot flashing unlock_critical and your device will reset and reboot again.

You can boot back into Fastboot mode again to confirm the unlock status by typing fastboot oem device-info.

Now your device has an unlocked Bootloader. You’ll see a message on the screen every time you reboot your device until you’re able to lock the Bootloader again.

The two options below should download and flash the latest version of ROM available for the device you select, either the Lavie Tab 9QHD1 for the NEC Japanese version, or the Lenovo Legion Y700 TB320FC for the Global ROM.

Flashing to NEC022

• Disconnect your device from your PC
• Open the Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant (RSA) app
• Click the Rescue tab, then Tablets
• For the Serial Number, type A1111111 and click the magnifying glass
• Click Select Your Model From a List
• Type Lavie Tab 9QHD1 since that’s the model NEC released for Japan
• You’ll be prompted to download the ROM, then once finished, you’ll select Rescue and go through the flashing process and follow the steps
• Once completed, you should be on the NEC022 ROM and you’ll have an NEC boot animation
• It is recommended that you do NOT lock the bootloader until after the first OTA update gets pushed to your device

Flashing to the Global ROM

• Disconnect your device from your PC
• Open the Lenovo Rescue and Smart Assistant (RSA) app
• Click the Rescue tab, then Tablets
• For the Serial Number, type A1111111 and click the magnifying glass
• Click Select Your Model From a List
• Type Lenovo Legion Tab then select TB320FC as the model
• You’ll be prompted to download the ROM which should start with “TB320FC_ROW_OPEN”, then once finished, you’ll select Rescue and go through the flashing process and follow the steps
• Once completed, you should be on the Global ROM
• It is recommended that you do NOT lock the bootloader until after the first OTA update gets pushed to your device