Hisense A5 root, debloat & unbrick

Unbrick or Factory rest back to firmware 6.09.06

I personally prefer older/cleaner/lighter firmware so I won’t demonstrate with the newer version of ROM.

Unbrick

Download stock 6.09.06.00 boot, recovery, and vbmeta partition image.

Entering EDL-Mode https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-how-to-enter-hardware-edl-mode.4103929/. (Optional: purchase EDL cable. search keyword 9008 cable, qualcomm cable, xiaomi 9008, mi 9008 on aliexpress or taobao)

flash boot, recovery, and vbmeta partitions. following guide ([Tutorial] How to use QFIL to flash to a single partition on Qualcomm) https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-31476.html

Restore to factory settings

6.09.06.00 rom download https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JBzsFrtGtIXLYTPTMA2cc9spp_dxF_WX

Flash above rom in TF-mode https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-root-gapps-customizer-r05-06-10-04-00.4097951/post-82575517

Root & Magisk

Follow instruction https://www.chinahandys.net/hisense-a5-playstore-guide-english/ but do not install Google suite/playstore for better privacy and less memory usage. Install apkpure and f-droid instead of google family spyware.

Download Magisk v23.0 install apk from the official release page https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases and install it. Don’t install version higher than v23. Launch it and confirm the “Requires Additional Setup” box with “Ok”. DO NOT upgrade Magisk further otherwise can potentially brick the phone. DO NOT update Magisk within Magisk, otherwise can destroy the boot partition.

Debloat & Cleanup

Install De-bloater in Magisk or Total Commander with root permision. Follow JLowe’s instruction https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-info-thread.4101945/post-82795057

in system/app are only:
/system/app/CertInstaller         don't remove
/system/app/CtRoamingSettings        don't remove / freeze & use only if roaming
/system/app/Eink_Settings        don't remove / Settings Clearview per App!!!
/system/app/ExtShared            don't remove
/system/app/HardwareDetection        don't remove
/system/app/NetworkSelect        don't remove 
/system/app/QtiTelephonyService      don't remove
/system/app/SimSettings          don't remove
/system/app/Vision_AutoRunManager    don't remove    
/system/app/Vision_Bluetooth        don't remove
/system/app/Vision_CalendarProvider    don't remove
/system/app/Vision_WifiDetector        don't remove
/system/app/WeatherWidget         don't remove / just freeze / navigation bar flickering! com.hmct.clock.systemwidget
/system/app/WebViewGoogle         don't remove

in system/priv-app are only:
BlockedNumberProvider
CallEnhancement
CalllogBackup
/system/priv-app/CarrierConfig                 don't remove
/system/priv-app/com.qualcomm.location            don't remove   / GPS
/system/priv-app/DefaultContainerService        don't remove
EinkLauncher
/system/priv-app/ExtServices                   don't remove
/system/priv-app/ExternalStorageProvider        don't remove
/system/priv-app/FusedLocation                 don't remove /GPS
/system/priv-app/InputDevices                  don't remove
/system/priv-app/MmsService                    don't remove
/system/priv-app/MtpDocumentsProvider            don't remove  / MTP
/system/priv-app/ProxyHandler                  don't remove
/system/priv-app/QcomMediaProvider            don't remove 
/system/priv-app/SettingsIntelligence            don't remove / settings needed
/system/priv-app/SettingsProvider            don't remove
/system/priv-app/Shell                         don't remove
/system/priv-app/StatementService            don't remove
/system/priv-app/StorageManager             don't remove
/system/priv-app/TelephonyProvider            don't remove
/system/priv-app/TeleService                   don't remove
Calendar
/system/priv-app/Vision_CallSettings            don't remove
Camera
Common
Contacts
/system/priv-app/Vision_ContactsProvider        don't remove
Dailer
/system/priv-app/Vision_DocumentsUI            don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_DownloadProvider        don't remove just freeze
/system/priv-app/Vision_DownloadProviderUi        don't remove
Firewall
Launcher
Mms
/system/priv-app/Vision_MmsProvider            don't remove
MusicPlayer
/system/priv-app/Vision_NetworkSetting            don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_PackageInstaller        don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_PermissionManager        don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_RecentsService            don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_ScreenOffGesture        don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_Settings            don't remove
Sos
/system/priv-app/Vision_SystemUI            don't remove
/system/priv-app/Vision_Telecom             don't remove
ToolsForSystemUI
touchPalContacts
VpnDialogs

Apps installed:

Duckduckgo, FeedMe, Conversations, Magisk, Termux, Ice Box, F-Droid, Solid Explorer AdAway, De-Bloater, AFWall+, bunch of SimpleMobileTools apps

Reference:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-info-thread.4101945/