The ZTE Axon Max (model C2016) was a premium phablet from 2015 that focused on a large-screen media experience and high-end materials. It featured a vibrant 6.0-inch Super AMOLED display, a large 4140 mAh battery, and a body crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, it was also a biometrics powerhouse for its time, featuring fingerprint, voice, and eye scanners. This guide provides the official China Mobile stock ROM, a low-level QFIL / EDL package, designed to unbrick a hard-bricked phone or perform a complete factory restore.
Important: This is an advanced unbricking procedure. This firmware is specifically for the ZTE Axon Max (C2016) China Mobile variant and does not contain Google Play Services. The process will erase all data and requires your phone to be in EDL Mode (9008).
Quick Device Specs
- Device: ZTE Axon Max (C2016)
- Release year: 2015
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 617
- Display: 6.0″ Super AMOLED, Full HD
- Battery: 4140 mAh, Quick Charge 2.0
- Original OS: Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
- Key Features: Multiple Biometrics (Fingerprint, Voice, Eye scan), Premium Metal Body
Required Downloads
To flash a Qualcomm device in EDL mode, you will need the specific QPST suite and drivers. You can find the downloads for these in our main guide linked below.
- QPST & QFIL Flash Tool
- Qualcomm QDLoader USB Drivers
Unbrick Firmware (QFIL)
| Region / Carrier | Build | Android | Type | Download | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China (China Mobile) | V1.0.0B12 | 5.1.1 | QFIL EDL Unbrick ROM | Download | Qualcomm |
How to Flash the Stock Firmware
Restoring a bricked ZTE Axon Max requires a Windows PC and the QFIL tool. The process involves installing the correct Qualcomm drivers, forcing your phone into EDL Mode by holding Volume Up + Down and connecting the USB cable, loading the firehose programmer and XML files from the firmware, and then starting the download.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide with screenshots and tool download links, please follow our comprehensive pillar guide: How to Use QFIL to Flash Qualcomm Devices.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting for ZTE Axon Max (C2016)
- CRITICAL – China ROM / No Google Services: This is an official ROM for the China Mobile carrier. It does not include Google Play Services or the Google Play Store and is pre-loaded with Chinese carrier applications. This ROM is best suited for restoring a Chinese-variant device to its original state.
- “No Port Available” / Driver Issues: If QFIL doesn’t see the “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008” port, your drivers are not installed correctly. You must disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows before running the driver installer. Reboot your PC after installation and try again.
- Entering EDL Mode: Ensure the phone is completely powered off. Press and hold both Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. While holding them, plug the USB cable into the phone. The screen will stay black, but your PC should make a sound, and the port will appear in QFIL.
- Biometric Sensor Issues: The Axon Max has multiple biometric sensors. If you have flashed other software and find they don’t work, returning to this official stock ROM is the best way to restore the correct drivers and ensure the fingerprint, voice, and eye scanners function as intended.
FAQs
Q1. What is a QFIL / EDL firmware?
QFIL (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader) is a tool used to flash firmware in EDL (Emergency Download) mode. This is a very low-level mode, a step below fastboot, designed to recover Qualcomm devices from a “hard brick” state where they are otherwise unresponsive.
Q2. What were the eye and voice scanners?
They were early forms of biometric security. The eye scanner (Sky Eye) read the unique vein patterns in the white part of the user’s eye (the sclera) to unlock the phone, while the voice scanner used your voiceprint as a password.
Q3. Will this ROM install Google Play Store on my phone?
No. This is an official China ROM and does not contain any Google apps or services. They would need to be installed manually after flashing, which can be a complex process on this version of Android.
Q4. Can I use this on a non-China Mobile version of the Axon Max?
It is not recommended. While it might flash, this ROM is specifically for the China Mobile carrier and will install their branding and apps. It may also have different modem files that could cause network issues on a global variant.
