Hey folks,

I created a mirror of most of the ROMs from aospextended.com, just in case they were taken down some day: Find my collection of ROMs and some other stuff for z2_row at mega.nz:

Radio:
Z2Pro_Radio_Modem_4.0.247_ST_Full.zip
md5: 1295e6aa18c83db7199c5eff0e35d4d1

TWRP:
twrp-3.6.2_9-0-z2_row.img
md5: a63b8d3cc58fa31f7dcbe2ba0a1e464e

ROM:
AospExtended-v9.0-z2_row-OFFICIAL-20220217-2122.zip
md5: cf1e8a5da7681b03f72fbfaeee21be99

AospExtended-v9.1-z2_row-OFFICIAL-20220510-2026.zip
md5: 8adeb5b551d2ec6493595a984b54aa96


Download @mega.nz:
https://mega.nz/folder/kuQHnCQZ#P45mHHhmR8aJi2GGq3gwtQ

To Borg666 and of course anyone interested.

I remember not being able to switch any Bluetooth options in the first version of AEX 9.x, and there were other errors or mishaps.
¿Gestures? Don't make me laugh. I NEVER use screen gestures. My device navigation exclusively relies on the Zuk Z2 Pro hardware button, with carefully assigned taps, slides and button presses in Extensions -> System -> Buttons. I am a power user, and the way I use my device is radically different from most people. Whatever is pesky, annoying or limiting like the low battery warning or the dumbass high volume limit with periodic warning is blocked, disabled or removed from my system, without any qualms and including system apps if needed. For example the pesky and annoying Play Store remains slept in my system, and I only awake it strictly when required.
I love and use AEX v5.7 because of things like the grid view task switcher (aka “recents”), which is simply the way all Android task switchers should be, but unfortunately the stock task switcher or recents has been the absolutely retarded and useless gigantic card view since Lollipop (KitKat's one was great), as far as I know. And sorry, but they can stick such task switcher where the sun doesn't shines. Period.

I have extremely long experience buying all sorts of batteries in AliExpress, and there is a lot of bullshit so beware. Concerning batteries for the Zuk Z2 Pro or any smartphone, as a rule I stick with Nohon branded units (great quality, but overall more expensive) or original ones, which can be found for affordable money taking a good look. There are also a few other good quality and affordable battery brands, though.
To buy a battery, for a good and quick find knowing the battery code helps a lot. BL263 is the battery code for the Zuk Z2 Pro or Z2121.
I bought my Z2 Pro second hand by the end of April 2018. It came in pristine condition, albeit its original user gave its battery very poor care. I guess he kept the smartphone fully charged pretty often, which is a complete mistake. Keeping li-ion batteries at high or full states of charge (elevated voltages) quickly reduces their lifespan.
This is a great article about li-ion batteries: BU-808: How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries @ Battery University. A little caveat, though. It is said that high depth of discharge negatively affects the lifespan of batteries, but at least with modern quality li-ion batteries I cannot agree. The article is rather old, bear in mind, battery technology has improved. However, “Table 4: Discharge cycles and capacity as a function of charge voltage limit” is very important, and in the paragraph just above it is said “In terms of longevity, the optimal charge voltage is 3.92V/cell”. Remember that this is for the usual 4.2V li-ion batteries, so 3.92V / 4.2V = 0.93̅ or 93.3̅% of maximum charge voltage. Nowaday's smartphone batteries are all high voltage types, and so you need to adjust the optimal charge voltage limit accordingly. The Zuk Z2 Pro's BL263 is a 4.4V battery; for this reason I charge up to 4107mV (93.3̅% of 4.4V) using Advanced Charging Controller (ACCA).
By the end of April 2019, a year later after I got my Z2 Pro, I bought a Nohon BL263 replacement battery and installed it. I charge it up to 65% (now with 4107mV absolute maximum voltage and reduced maximum current thanks to ACCA; I used Battery Charge Limit at first), discharge it to as low as needed, and my battery still has good health, although I will likely soon buy a new one. Just not now because I have many pending tasks…
But since you asked for a battery replacement how-to and such, first I will say that a battery replacement for the Z2 Pro is not exactly the easiest. Don't be scared, though, it can be done. Just be careful and patient, careful, and patient… repeat as needed. Smartphones have delicate parts, and you don't want to ruin a part. If you do, you may have to wait some days or a few weeks for any damaged replacement parts, depending on where you buy them and shipping times.
I have the following value/price BL263 battery sales in my wishlist:
Just choose the cheapest one to where you live. In my case it is the first one, and both are free shipping to where I live but I don't know if and how the shipping costs vary to where you are.
The tools in the kits are very basic, and the provided screwdrivers, although useable, usually suck so you will have to be careful, or buy something better.
YouTube is of help for battery replacement videos, although the Z2 Pro has always been scarce in this respect:

1. Video is in spanish, but well done. Its duration is incorrectly reported (actual duration 16:21), seems like the uploader had some sort of problem. The use of a hairdrier is not strictly necessary if you go slow and with care. The first challenge is to stick the pick under the back cover, and the usual stock picks are not very sharp (more on this below).
2. Another video.
3. This is the only related video I found available back in 2019 when I replaced my battery. Low quality and in chinese, but I made my battery replacement with it.

You may want to get the following additional parts:

1. 21 in 1 Mobile Phone Repair Tools Kit Spudger Pry Opening Tool Screwdriver Set for iPhone X 8 7 6S 6 Plus 11 Pro XS Hand Tools Affordable basic tool set with quality parts.
2. 30Pcs Ultra Thin Slim Plastic Guitar Picks for iPhone Pry Opening Tool Mobile Phone Laptop Repair Hand Tools Kit RXJB Standard guitar picks are thick and will give you a hard time tucking them in below the back cover; these are much better.
3. 10pcs/Lot Black Plastic Spudger Opener Opening Repair Tools Anti-Skid Pry Nylon Hand Tool Kit for Mobile Phone/Tablet PC Repair Spudgers are very handy and useful, because their flat screwdriver end is very sharp and they can also be used to tuck in below covers and open all sorts of soft material case devices without damaging them. I have a bunch of 'em.
4. 2mm 3M Double Sided Adhesive Sticker Tape for iPhone / Samsung / HTC Mobile Phone Touch Panel Repair, Length: 50m You will need this thin double sided adhesive to re-glue the back cover after removal, as the stock adhesive will of course @#$%.

This should get you well covered. However, just in case I made a search for the back cover (I also may order one), and only found white ones (the color I don't really care, but looks like there are less replacement parts for sale at this point). Here is a best price link: For Lenovo ZUK Z2 Pro Back Battery Cover Rear Door Housing Case For5.0" Lenovo ZUK Z2 PRO Battery Cover Replacement Parts New back covers should come with pre-glued adhesive, but can't really say. Ask the seller.

I ended up writing a tutorial LoL!
This information may serve for a dedicated thread. I'll see.

Cheers!

HikL said:

Nice to see a separate thread!
I'm wondering, are any of you using encryption? Or just unencrypted partitions? Which recovery do you use? I'm still struggling with boot loops as soon as encryption comes into play.

To answer my own question for future reference: Encryption does not work since our device doesn't support file based encryption. Only full disk encryption is supported but Android dropped support on that. Therefore the needed password screen at startup does not appear. More info at https://source.android.com/security/encryption

Btw, did anyone noticed this nice side effect, as our Z2 now is recognized as Google Pixel Phone?
Google Photos just informed me, that I have unlimited upload quota, as I'm using one of their Pixels.

"Unlimited photos and videos can be backed up on this pixel for free (original quality)".

It works to backup all my GoPro 4k@60fps footage using my Z2, without touching any of the Google quota, great!

Well, not sure if anyone else had already tried it.
But I just rooted my phone and magisk is now up and running