I bought the Xiaoxin Pad 2022 in July 2023 for 130,000 won(=about $ 94).
It came with a Chinese ROM, which I partially translated to Korean.
After it automatically updated to ZUI 15, the Netflix playback information was downgraded to L3, forcing me to endure poor picture quality.
Since it had been over a year since I bought it, I considered selling it on the used market for about 80,000 won, which is the current market price.
But I was too lazy, so I decided to take a risk and install a Japanese ROM on my Xiaoxin Pad 2022, even though I knew it could brick my device.
I was aware that a Japanese ROM was available since the Xiaoxin Pad 2022 was officially released in Japan, but I hadn’t tried it due to laziness. Finally, I decided to give it a go.
I searched online for instructions on how to install the Japanese ROM on the Xiaoxin Pad 2022.
I followed the instructions, but… it failed.
Fortunately, it wasn’t completely bricked, but the OS was gone.
I could see this screen, but after that, I could only access the factory reset and recovery mode, the usual screens you see when unlocking a device.
It seemed like the Japanese ROM was installed, but something wasn’t right.
At least it seemed like an NEC ROM was installed, so I had a glimmer of hope.
So I downloaded the latest software from Lenovo (Software Fix – rescue and smart assistant) and decided to try again.
I thought it might not work if I used the automatic search, so I manually entered the serial number and proceeded.
I waited for the latest ROM to download, and after it finished, I extracted the file and connected the tablet to my PC as instructed. Then, it started to install automatically.
The buttons and other things worked the same way as before.
After a short wait, it said it was complete, and I heard the disconnect sound effect from my PC.
The Xiaoxin Pad 2022 rebooted on its own, and then…
I was greeted by this very welcome screen.
The Japanese ROM was successfully installed.
After Xiaoxin Pad 2022 Applying Japanese ROM
I was so happy to see Japanese…
With anticipation, I set the language to Korean and continued with the basic setup.
Netflix Widevine L1 Restored
After quickly finishing the basic setup, I looked for the Netflix app, and it was already installed by default.
I checked the playback specifications of the Netflix app, and it was restored to Widevine L1!
Now I can enjoy Netflix in clear quality again.
5G Wi-Fi Not Working
My 5G Wi-Fi network, which I set up on my home router, is not detected.
I searched around and found out that this is because the 5G channels in Japan are different.
I’m just using 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for now.
This was the perfect opportunity to switch to the Redmi Pad SE 8.7, an 8.7-inch tablet… but it looks like I’ll have to keep using the Xiaoxin Pad P12.
Disney Plus, Tving, Coupang Play, etc… OTT Working Normally
I read that Disney Plus doesn’t work after installing the Japanese ROM, but it works fine for me.
Other OTT services I use personally, such as Tving and Coupang Play, also work without any problems.
Of course, there’s no degradation in picture quality.
Unfamiliar Heavy UI and Sluggishness
I guess ZUI was light.
The response speed has become quite slow.
It became much faster after updating to ZUI 15, but now it feels even slower than ZUI 14.
Also, the UI is completely different, so it feels like I bought a new tablet.
It’s interesting how such a different UI can be installed on the same tablet.
It will take some time to get used to this UI.
I heard that removing some options in the developer options can improve the sluggishness.
Software Update Support
While researching how to install the Japanese ROM, I found that updates seem to be released quarterly.
I have installed the latest version (July 2024).
The security update is also from July 2024. Since it was released later than the Chinese ROM, I hope it will be supported with updates for a little longer.
And the best thing is that I don’t have to worry about things getting blocked with future updates, like with the Chinese ROM.
Xiaoxin Pad 2022 Revived with Japanese ROM
While trying to install the Japanese ROM, I found that the methods currently posted on blogs and communities no longer work.
I followed those methods and got stuck in the middle, so I ended up using Lenovo’s Software Fix program. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be done with the Software Fix program from the start, or if it’s only necessary after getting stuck, so it’s hard to say for sure.
Also, there are various claims like “it doesn’t work with the 6GB model,” “it doesn’t work with models released after August,” “there’s no sound after applying the Japanese ROM,” and so on.
I don’t have multiple Xiaoxin Pad 2022s, so I can’t verify which claims are true, making it difficult to recommend installing the Japanese ROM.
I was going to buy the smaller Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE 8.7 if this one got bricked, but it looks like I’ll have to wait a bit longer to use an 8-inch tablet.
The completely different UI after applying the Japanese ROM makes it feel like I have a new tablet.
I see a few apps in Japanese, so I’ll have to explore and delete them while getting used to the UI.
It also feels a bit more secure…
Anyway, I’m really glad I installed the Japanese ROM.
Seeing the new UI makes me wish I had 4GB of RAM. ^^