Root Lenovo Vibe X3 (ROW/X3A40) & Install TWRP

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through unlocking the bootloader, flashing TWRP recovery, and gaining root access on the Lenovo Vibe X3 (ROW/X3A40) using a Windows PC. You’ll end up with a custom recovery and SuperSU installed, giving you full system control. Before starting, back up all personal data, as unlocking the bootloader wipes the device.

What You’ll Need

Lenovo Vibe X3 (model X3A40, ROW firmware) with at least 70% battery
Windows PC (7/8/10/11) with working USB port
Original USB cable (or a quality data cable)
ADB and Fastboot tools installed on PC (Platform Tools)
Lenovo USB drivers installed on PC
TWRP image file for X3A40 (twrp-3.x.x-x_x3a40.img)
SuperSU ZIP (e.g., BETA-SuperSU-v2.82-201705271743.zip)
Unlocked bootloader (required before flashing TWRP)

Step-by-Step

Enable Developer Options: On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number 7 times. You’ll see a toast confirming Developer Mode.
Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging: Go to Settings > Developer Options, toggle on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging. If OEM Unlocking is grayed out, you may need to insert a SIM card and sign into Google once.
Set Up ADB on PC: Extract the Platform Tools ZIP to a folder (e.g., C:\adb). Open a Command Prompt window in that folder (Shift+Right-Click > Open command window here).
Test ADB Connection: Connect your phone to PC via USB. In the Command Prompt, type adb devices. On your phone, accept the RSA fingerprint prompt. You should see your device listed as “device”. If not, reinstall drivers.
Reboot to Bootloader: Type adb reboot bootloader. Your phone will reboot into fastboot mode (black screen with Android logo).
Unlock the Bootloader: Type fastboot oem unlock. A confirmation screen appears on the phone. Use volume keys to select Unlock and press power to confirm. This wipes all data. The phone will reboot automatically. Re-enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking again (they reset after unlock).
Reboot to Bootloader Again: After re-enabling, type adb reboot bootloader again.
Flash TWRP Recovery: In fastboot mode, type fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x_x3a40.img. Wait for “OKAY” message.
Boot into TWRP: Disconnect the USB cable. Use volume keys to highlight Recovery Mode and press power. TWRP should load. If it boots to stock recovery, repeat step 8 and then immediately select Reboot > Recovery from the bootloader menu (some devices overwrite recovery on first boot).
Disable Stock Recovery Overwrite (Optional but Recommended): In TWRP, go to Advanced > Terminal and type echo "--no-wipe" > /cache/recovery/command or simply proceed to flash SuperSU immediately, as root will prevent overwrite.
Copy SuperSU ZIP to Phone: While in TWRP, connect USB. In TWRP, select Mount and ensure Data is checked. On PC, copy the SuperSU ZIP to the phone’s internal storage. Unmount when done.
Install SuperSU: In TWRP, tap Install, navigate to the SuperSU ZIP, select it, and swipe to confirm flash. Wait for completion.
Wipe Cache/Dalvik: After flashing, tap Wipe > Advanced, check Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache, then swipe to wipe.
Reboot System: Tap Reboot > System. The first boot may take several minutes. Once booted, install the SuperSU app from Play Store (if not auto-installed) and update the binary if prompted.
Verify Root: Install a root checker app from Play Store and run it. You should see a Superuser granted prompt.

Common Mistakes

Skipping OEM Unlock: Without this, fastboot commands will fail with “FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)”. Always enable it first.
Using wrong TWRP image: The X3A40 is the ROW (Rest of World) variant. Using a Chinese X3c50 or other variant image will cause bootloops. Verify the filename.
Not re-enabling USB debugging after unlock: The bootloader unlock wipes the phone, resetting Developer Options. You must re-enable it before proceeding.
Flashing SuperSU before TWRP is permanent: If you reboot to stock recovery first, it may overwrite TWRP. Always flash SuperSU in the same session as TWRP.
USB cable issues: A charge-only cable will cause ADB to not detect the device. Use the original cable or a known data cable.

Tips

Keep a backup of your stock recovery image (fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img) in case you need to return to stock.
Use a dedicated folder for all files (ADB, TWRP, SuperSU) to avoid path errors.
If you plan to use Magisk instead of SuperSU, download the Magisk ZIP and flash it in TWRP instead. The steps are identical.
After rooting, avoid systemless modifications that could trigger safety net issues if you use banking apps.
Always check the XDA thread for your exact model for the latest TWRP build and any known bugs.

Troubleshooting

ADB not recognizing device: Install the latest Lenovo USB drivers, try a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0), and ensure you’ve accepted the RSA prompt on the phone.
Fastboot command fails with “cannot load image”: Ensure the TWRP image is in the same folder as fastboot.exe and the filename is spelled exactly (case-sensitive).
Phone boots to stock recovery instead of TWRP: This is common. Reflash TWRP and immediately boot into recovery from the bootloader menu without letting the system boot.
Bootloop after flashing SuperSU: This usually means you flashed the wrong SuperSU version or the bootloader is still locked. Boot back into TWRP (press Volume Down + Power), wipe cache, and reflash the correct SuperSU. If still bootlooping, restore your backup or flash stock firmware.
Root not working after reboot: Some apps need the SuperSU binary updated. Open SuperSU, tap “Continue” when prompted to update the binary, and choose “Normal” installation.
Battery drains fast after rooting: This is often due to a misbehaving root app. Check the SuperSU logs to see which apps are requesting root and revoke permissions from suspicious ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rooting void my warranty?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader and rooting will void your warranty. You can restore the phone to stock by flashing the original firmware, but the bootloader unlock flag may remain.

Can I take OTA updates after rooting?

No, OTA updates will fail because the system partition is modified. You’ll need to unroot and restore stock recovery to receive updates.

Is it safe to root my Lenovo Vibe X3?

Rooting itself is safe if you follow the steps correctly. The risk is in flashing wrong files or missing steps, which can cause bootloops. Always backup your data.

What is the difference between TWRP and stock recovery?

Stock recovery only installs official updates. TWRP is a custom recovery that allows flashing third-party ZIPs, creating backups, and wiping partitions.

Can I use Magisk instead of SuperSU?

Yes, Magisk is a popular alternative that offers systemless root, which can hide root from some apps. Download the Magisk ZIP and flash it in TWRP instead of SuperSU.

My phone is stuck on the boot logo after flashing TWRP, what should I do?

This usually happens if you flashed the wrong TWRP or didn’t wipe cache. Boot into TWRP (Volume Down + Power), wipe cache and dalvik, then reboot. If it persists, flash the stock firmware to restore.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.