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Alexander Martinz edited this page Sep 15, 2022 · 2 revisions

Work in Progress!

Requirements

  • SHIFT6mq
  • Screwdriver that came with your SHIFT6mq
    • Alternatively any T4 Torx screwdriver should be suitable
  • Wires to connect test points
  • UART-TTL USB Adapter (I have used this one)

Optionally

Depending on whether you want to permanently have wires attached to your 6mq (which makes it less suitable as an actually usable phone) or just a temporary connection, you need:

  • Soldering iron
    • And a steady hand!
  • Something to temporary hold the wires in place during your UART usage
    • Sorry, i can not really give a lot of guidance here :(

Removing the case

First of all, properly shutdown your 6mq in case it is powered on!
Next remove the backcover, remove the battery and unscrew all 14 screws securing the housing of the 6mq.

Gently insert your fingernail (or any tool for this purpose) between display and the device frame to loosen their connection and remove the display.

You can also follow this iFixit guide until Step 5.

You should end up with the top PCB exposed.

remove_top_pcb

Removing the top PCB

Remove the connector (responsible for the POWER and VOLUME buttons) on the right side at the top PCB to expose another screw.
Then remove all 3 screws as shown in the picture.

Click to show picture with marked screw points.

remove_top_pcb_screws

Afterwards gently remove the top PCB.

top_pcb_removed

After you have removed the top PCB, the test points we need are still covered by the SIM card tray.

Remove SIM card tray from top PCB

TODO: upload video of Micha removing it

Explanation of test points

After removing the SIM card tray, the test points we need for UART are exposed.

top_pcb_testpoints_uncovered

  • TH - Thermal test point
  • 1.8 (Left and right) - You can connect these two points while booting up to force boot into EDL mode
    • Especially useful if you ever brick the bootloader, as it allows you to unbrick your device using QFIL
  • T - Transmit
  • R - Receive
  • G - Ground
I have soldered the wires and color coded them.
  • TH -> blue
  • 1.8 (left) -> green
  • 1.8 (right) -> yellow
  • T -> orange
  • R -> red
  • G -> brown

top_pcb_color_coded top_pcb_color_coded_alternative

T, R and G are required for UART.

So far i have only used UART for reading logs, therefore i have connected:

  • T (orange) of the PCB to RXD of the USB adapter card
  • G (brown) of the PCB to GND of the USB adapter card

Extras for permanent connections

As it was annoying for me to have the device open, i have soldered a whole into the device housing to allow the wires coming through the space for the sim trays.

It looks ugly but it works

07_more_room_for_the_sim_tray

When putting the device together again, be sure to carefully connect the fingerprint reader connector again, as this is a bit tricky to connect with all the extra wires connected.

Fingerprint reader connector

08_top_pcb_fingerprint_reader

Usage of UART

Afterwards just use it :P

For example:

sudo minicom -D /dev/ttyUSB0