Key2 LineageOS stuff

Requirements

NOTE: The tutorial is meant for the blackberry key2(le) but will work for other android devices.

You have ADB and fastboot installed

Your device is running LineageOS, if it's not see the article below

The APatch app is installed from either github or F-Droid.

Patching boot.img

Get the boot.img from the rom you currently have installed and copy it to your devices's internal storage

Open the APatch app and select the left most icon in the top bar

Press 'Select a boot image to patch' and point it to your boot.img file

Enter a password into the SuperKey box

NOTE: Make sure to write it down somewhere as you will need it later

Move the .img file it output to you computer.

Flashing APatch

Power off your phone.

Once you phone is fully powered off hold the power and volume down buttons until the bootloader is shown.

Connect your phone to your computer

Run the following commands:

fastboot flash boot /path/to/apatch_patched_{random_text}.img
fastboot reboot

Once the device finishes booting open the APatch app

Enter your SuperKey you set earlier into the superkey box then select 'Install Android Patch'

Flashing Modules

Download Integrity-Box from here, you need '{version}-Integrity-Box-{DD}-{MM}-{YYYY}.zip'.

Download NeoZygisk from here, you need 'NeoZygisk-{version}-release.zip'.

Download TEESimulator from here, you need 'TEESimulator-{version}-Release.zip'.

Download Zygisk-Assistant from here, you need 'Zygisk-Assistant-{version}-{commitID}-release.zip'.

Open APatch and enter the APModule tab. (second from the right)

Press the floating button, it will open a file browser, open one of the downloaded zip files.

Once the restart button appears press the back key. DO NOT PRESS RESTART.

If you get a /data/adb/apd: inaccessible or not found error reboot you phone then try again

Repeat the previous to instructions until you have installed all 4 downloaded zip files.

Reboot device and once it finishes open the APModule tab again

On the card for .Integrity Box tap the 'Action' button

(Optional): Configure Integrity Box, you can open it's configuration utility by pressing the 'Open' button on it's card in APModule

If you need to hide all system modifications from an app go into APatch's superuser(center) tab and tap on the app's name then enable the 'Exclude modifications' toggle.

You may need to disable the Zygisk Assistant module for google wallet tap to pay to work properly.

What is the difference between the rom variants?

Android 15 + Kernel 4.4 is the most stable version, and is almost at parody with stock in terms of features, but the worst performance.

Android 16 + Kernel 4.19 has the latest android version and slightly better performance but is much more buggy and is missing features, GPU performance and battery can be much worse because of how much heavier android 16 is.

Android 15 + Kernel 4.19 has the newer kernel from android 16 meaning you get the significant performance and battery improvements from it's kernel without the heavier android version, it will replace standard android 15 at some point.

The Key2LE's android 15 port is based on the Key2's android 15 + kernel 4.4 variant, but it will move to android 15 + kernel 4.19

Is performance better than android 8.1?

Yes! The combination of optimizations from newer android and lighter weight rom makes it noticeably faster, even on android 15 with kernel 4.4

How long does the install take?

Around 20min to an hour, if you don't have an issues.

Will this keep any of my data from the stock rom?

No.

Will this LineageOS port ever be made official?

It's not currently a goal, but it could happen!

This port currently uses framework patching to fix certain things, which is not allowed in official ports,

it also has some code and implementation cleanup that may need to be need to be done because of AI use.

Do keyboard touch gestures still work on the Key2?

Yes! Scrolling is still a little weird in some apps but you can disable it with a Quick Settings button.

Gestures when editing text work exactly the same as on android 8.1 if you use Krab-Ubica's version of BlackBerry keyboard.

Do banking apps or google wallet work?

It depends on the banking app, some banking apps will work and some will need play integrity spoofing to work,

google wallet needs play integrity spoofing to work at all.

NOTE: Setting up play integrity spoofing may not fix your banking app,

the modules set linked here is not perfect and you may need different ones for your app to work

What is the difference between the ROMs here and on CrackBerry?

The ROMs linked here are the builds put out by the rom developers, the one on CrackBerry is the Key2's android 16 rom with a newer android security patch.

Will versions of android older than 15 ever be ported?

No. But if you want to try the source code is available.

Who are the rom developers?

krab-ubica makes the Key2 roms

zzach makes the Key2LE roms

Who runs this website, is it official?

This website is run completely by Luna-Terra.

It's not technically official, but it's endorced by both current rom developers and the previous rom developer BotchedRPR.

I want to contribute, where is the source code?

Key2: https://github.com/tim-ecoder/lineageos_blackberry_athena

Key2LE: https://github.com/Lineage-BBKey2LE

Where can I contact the rom developers, the website writer, or report bugs?

On the BlackBerry Android hideout discord server! https://discord.gg/BuJURQD6Qb

Requirements

NOTE: If you have any questions or issues ask in the BlackBerry Android hideout discord server, the invite is https://discord.gg/BuJURQD6Qb

A Windows or linux computer

You have the android platform tools installed, if you don't you can get them for windows here and on linux it's packaged as android-tools on most distros and as android-sdk-platform-tools on debian linux and it derivatives.

(Windows): You have the BlackBerry USB drivers installed

NOTE: If you don't know the path of a file you can drag it from your filemanager into a terminal window

If your bootloader is already unlocked skip to the flashing lineageos section

Stock Firmware Preparation

Remove your lockscreen password and google account from your device

If the option to remove you passcode or google account is grayed out factory reset from settings

If you do not remember your password follow theses instructions from the device setup.

For the Key2 (Athena) download the ACQ160 Autoloader.

For the Key2LE (Luna) download the ACT575 Autoloader.

Power off your device then boot into the bootloader, you do so by holding volume down and the power button until this green menu appears.

You now need to flash the autoloader, to do so extract the downloaded 7z file and run the included 'flashall.bat' file

NOTE: A linux version of the flashall.bat script is available here.

If you get any error: cannot load messages you can ignore them.

The phone will now reboot to either the android 8.1 setup, an 'Error!' screen or the bootloader. It does not matter which.

Reboot to the bootloader then run flashall.bat again

Power off your device then boot into the bootloader.

Unlocking the bootloader (Windows)

Download the windows unlock tool from here and extract the zip file, if you don't already have it installed you may need to install the microslop VC++ redists.

Open the unlock tool.

Press the scan in the upper right corner, once your devices is found press the 'Unlock BootLoader' button

NOTE: The progress bar will stay at 75% even once the bootloader unlock finishes

If the unlock was successful, on the phone MODE: will change from PRODUCT to FACTORY

Power off you device

Unlocking the bootloader (Linux)

Download kibo from Bochenek's github page and extract the zip file you downloaded.

Mark the kibo binary included with the zip file as executable.

Open a terminal where kibo is located and run ./kibo unlock

If the unlock was successful, on the phone MODE: will change from PRODUCT to FACTORY

Power off you device

Flashing LineageOS

Alpha and beta builds are *NOT* ready for daily use and are for TESTING PURPOSES ONLY.

If you have a Key2 (Athena) download the latest build of your preferred rom variant

NOTE: If you intend to use as your main phone or are not sure which you variant want, use standard android 15

For android 15 + kernel 4.4 that's 1.8A
For android 15 + kernel 4.19 that's 1.20E beta
For android 16 + kernel 4.19 that's 2.0G alpha

If you have a Key2LE (Luna) download android 15 build ZKrab-v1.23.

The package for gapps(Google Services) is not included with the rom download, if you want them you will need to download it seperately.

The recommended gapps package for android 15 is MindTheGapps 15, and MindTheGapps 16 for android 16.

Once your rom download finishes extract it's .zip file, and enter the directory it extracted to.

Boot into the bootloader by holding volume down and the power button.

Run the following commands:

fastboot -w
fastboot flash recovery /path/to/recovery.img
fastboot flash boot /path/to/recovery.img
fastboot reboot

NOTE: You navigate the recovery by using the volume keys to move the cursor and the power button the select.

Once the recovery menu appears select Advanced -> Enable ADB

From a computer run adb shell wipe-frp

Then select 'Apply update' -> 'Apply update from adb'

NOTE: If your flashing android 16 you need to cancel out of the apply update menu then go back in for it to work

If you have a Key2 run adb sideload /path/to/lineage-{lineageVersion}-{date}-UNOFFICIAL-krab-{version}-athena.zip

If you have a Key2LE run adb sideload /path/to/lineage-22.2-{date}-UNOFFICIAL-{build}-luna.zip

If you have any additional zips to flash(ie: gapps, magisk) go into 'Apply update' -> 'Apply update from adb' and run adb sideload /path/to/package.zip, once the signature verification failed messages appears select yes.

If you get a not enough space on system partion error when flashing gapps go into 'Factory reset/Format data' and format the system partition, then re-sideload lineageOS and gapps.

Select the 'Reboot system'

If you get set back to recovery and sideloading the rom again does not fix it you may have a 'bcb recovery' unit, to get around that boot into the bootloader and run fastboot flash recovery boot.img

NOTE: The first boot can take up to 10-15 minutes

(Optional) Download a keyboard app that supports the physical keyboard from the Apps & Tweaks article

(Optional, Key2) Once you have finished the setup set the IME switcher shortcut to Alt + Enter in Settings -> System -> BlackBerry keyboard,

doing this makes the SYM key work properly instead of opening the keyboard switcher.

Requirements

You have ADB and fastboot installed

NOTE: If you need to downgrade you can do so with the recovery update method.

NOTE: The Key2LE rom has full OTA updates, you can update just like you would on any other android phone!

Updating without a computer (recommended)

NOTE: Updating this way does not keep root, you must use the recovery update method if your going to change variant

If you have a Key2 download the latest build for your rom version

For android 15 + kernel 4.4 that's 1.8A
For android 15 + kernel 4.19 that's 1.20E beta
For android 16 + kernel 4.19 that's 2.0G alpha

If you have a Key2LE download build ZKrab-v1.3a (ZIP only)

NOTE: You can get around the file too large popup by enabling the show desktop site option in your browser's settings

If you have a Key2 extract the zip file you downloaded, you don't need too on a Key2LE

Go to Settings -> System -> System Update.

Tap the 3 dots in the top corner and select Local update.

If you have a Key2 select the zip file following lineage-{lineageVersion}-{date}-UNOFFICIAL-krab-{version}-athena.zip naming format.

If you have a Key2LE select the zip file following lineage-22.2-{date}-UNOFFICIAL-{build}-luna.zip naming format.

Updating via recovery

NOTE: Alpha and beta builds are *NOT* ready for daily usage, do not update to one unless you really want to test it.

If you have a Key2 download the latest build for your rom variant

For standard android 15 that's 1.8A
For android 15 with kernel 4.19 that's 1.20E beta
For android 16 that's 2.0G alpha

If you have a Key2LE (Luna) download android 15 build ZKrab-v1.23.

NOTE: If you are switching to a different rom variant you must wipe your data.

Once your rom download finishes extract it's .zip file, and enter the directory it extracted to.

NOTE: If your updating to android 16 and want google services you need to use MindTheGapps 16.

If your phone is rooted patch the boot.img file included with the new build.

Power off you device then hold volume down and power until the bootloader menu is shown

Run the following commands:

fastboot flash recovery /path/to/recovery.img
fastboot flash boot /path/to/recovery.img
fastboot reboot

If your switching to a different version select 'Factory Reset' -> 'Format data / factory reset'

Select 'Apply update' -> 'Apply update from adb'

NOTE: If your flashing android 16 you need to cancel out of the apply update menu then go back in for it to work

If you have a Key2 run adb sideload /path/to/lineage-{lineageVersion}-{date}-UNOFFICIAL-krab-{version}-athena.zip

If you have a Key2LE run adb sideload /path/to//path/to/lineage-22.2-{date}-UNOFFICIAL-{build}-luna.zip

If you have google services installed go into 'Apply update' -> 'Apply update from adb' and run adb sideload /path/to/gapps.zip once the signature verification failed messages appears select yes.

If it's not rooted select 'Reboot system'

If your rooted select 'Advanced' then 'Reboot to bootloader', once the bootloader appears flash your modified boot.img file and boot up the system.

Fixing app installs failing or being unable to set a passcode

Boot into recovery

NOTE: The easiest way to get into recovery is by using the adb reboot recovery command

Once the recovery menu appears select Advanced -> Enable ADB

From a computer run adb shell wipe-frp

Power off your device or reboot it using the options in the recovery menu

Key2: Android 16 + Kernel 4.19

Tested:

Boots to OS: OK
Screen+touch: OK
USB + adb: OK
Wi-Fi: OK
Sound: OK
Bluetooth: OK
Encryption: OK
Keyboard: OK
Voice calls: OK
Camera: OK
Keyboard-backlight: OK
Keyboard-touch: OK
Mobile-hotspot: OK
Notificaiton led: OK
Fingerprint: OK
LTE: OK
NFC: OK
VOIP: OK
HDR+ OR GCAM88: OK
WIRED HEADSET: TESTING
Haptics/Vibro: TESTING

Recheck:

First shot FP/USB ignored at deep-sleep;
Slow wake-up after deep-sleep;

Known bugs:

(minor) Yellow flashlight-torch
(minor) Haptic/vibro is not accurate on volume and brightness change
(medium) Haptic/vibro is less powerfull;

Todo:

Good solution for Synaptics LCD colors/saturation
NFC driver/hal upgrade
Haptic driver to led upgrade

Investigation:

USB-C storage device not detected during Lineage setup/Seedvault restore (was detected on LOS 22.2)
Slight UI app-transition freezez;
BT/VOIP after voip-call music volume lowers;

2.0G May 21 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

FIXED: BT-sound lags upon device unlock (every time after going into deep-sleep for the first time);

FIXED: Nav-buttons backlight turn-off on good-light conditions;

2.0F May 19 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

Fixed: Convenience key;

Fixed: Wi-Fi disabled upon device sleep;

Fixed: Low-latency pin entering on unlocking;

Fixed: Slow LCD enabling after sleep;

2.0E May 04 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

Fixed: Device hang on blackberry screen upon reboot (sometimes);

Low performance and lags after wake from sleep;

TRY-FIX: Gcam88 camera hangs-up device under load;

TRY-FIX: BT-sound lags under cpu pressure;

Haptics/Vibro more precise (but not as accurate as needed);

Performance and memory tunings;

2.0D Apr 30 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

Fixed. K12KB: Back-button not work in text inputs;

Voip better;

ired head-set sound fixed;

Fixed: Virtual nav-buttons settings toggle;

TRY-FIX: Gcam88 preview freeze on some boots;

Fixed: Keyboard-press was waking device;

Led breathing and setting fixed;

Keyboard backlight timeouts controlled both with nav-btns;

Swappiness 60->100 (better swap->zram usage);

Low-light adaptive brightness flickering fixed;

NFC better;

2.0C Apr 25 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

USB-OTG and MMC-flashes, including exFAT, NTFS;

Recovery activated restore "choose from disk";

USB mode changes via preferences unlocked;

Camera fixed (was broken by selinux);

Fingerprint better;

GPS better;

Darkening GUI-colors on Synaptics LCD temporary hacky fix;

VOIP better;

Laggy wakeups/Deep sleep better;

Shed/CPU freq scaling better tnx @Wumbomumbo;

Keyboard-backlight from LOS22-krab-v1.8 tnx @Sadako

2.0B Apr 17 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

recovery adb sideload fixed;

Unlocking performance issue fixed;

Selinux: enforced

2.0A Apr 16 2026 PUBLIC ALPHA

Android 16 and kernel 4.19

Key2: Android 15 + Kernel 4.19

1.20E Jun 06 2026 PUBLIC BETA

Fixed: Shed/powerhint spamming in logcat;

Fixed: Aperture camera crash on taking shot;

Better: Shutter 1080p60

Fixed: qwertz/qzerty

Swappiness 100