Lenovo Tab Plus (TB351FU): Difference between revisions

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Notice: This article should probably get merged to Lenovo Android ~~tablets in general~~ once such ~~an article~~ exists.{{InfoboxProductLine

==''Notice: This device appears to be a '''scapegoat''' for a broader issue with Lenovo tablets in general. Upon verification, the article should probably get merged into [[Lenovo tablets (Android)]] once such a page exists.''==

{{InfoboxProductLine

| Title = {{PAGENAME}}

| Release Year =2024

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| Official Website =https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-tab-plus/len103l0024

| Logo =Lenovo.png

}}'''Lenovo Tab Plus (TB351FU)''' is an [[Android]] tablet made by [[Lenovo]] (which also acquired [[Motorola]] in 2014). it's a device tailored towards multimedia consumption and stands out from other tablets by featuring an integrated kick-stand, powerful and high-quality built-in audio and the ability to itself act as a Bluetooth speaker.

The device offers an attractive feature set, years of promised software updates and an attractive price (around €280 at launch in June 2024, currently €200 as of July 2025, [https://geizhals.eu/?phist=3215275&age=9999 see price history in EU]), however the company's anti-consumer practices such as [[EULA rooftile]], preinstalled and partially non-removable [[bloatware]] and "software recommendations" (including recommendations of malware) make this otherwise great device significantly harder to recommend, especially if it is intended to be used by less tech-savvy users.

==Consumer impact summary==

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The device does not feature an unlocked bootloader, which would enable using the device without Lenovo software.

A procedure to unlock the bootloader exists, but only becomes possible once the user obtains access to "OEM unlocking" under developer options in Android settings and additionally requires the user to create a Lenovo account, register the product's serial number and use the Lenovo account credentials to log in to zui.com/unlock in order to obtain a required signed file (further note: one account can unlock only 3 devices per year).

A procedure to unlock the bootloader [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Unlocking_Bootloaders/Lenovo_ZUI exists], but only becomes possible once the user obtains access to "OEM unlocking" under developer options in Android settings and additionally requires the user to create a Lenovo account, register the product's serial number and use the Lenovo account credentials to log in to zui.com/unlock in order to obtain a required signed file (further note: one account can unlock only 3 devices per year).

===Bloatware, bloat tax and possibly tricking users into installing malware===

Quote from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V4xoL96HKU&t=501s a review by LinusTechTips]:<blockquote>My biggest issue though is not the processor. It's the bloatware.

Quote from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V4xoL96HKU&t=501s a video review by LinusTechTips]:<blockquote>My biggest issue though is not the processor. It's the bloatware.

Lenovo aggressively tries to trick you into installing unneeded games and apps while you're setting up the device and even IF you cleverly navigate their dark pattern obstacle course, you will STILL find that the device has automatically dumped a bunch of garbage on your home screen.

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#WPS Office

=====Two-tap-install apps that must be installed to remove icon from home screen/uninstall:=====

=====Two-tap-install apps that must be installed <sup>[don't , there's a better way!]</sup> to remove icon from home screen/uninstall:=====

#MyScript Calculator 2

#Nebo

#Spotify

#[[Spotify]]

#Kraken - Buy [~~funny money I can't mention here~~]

#Kraken - Buy crypto and [Buttcoin]

#TikTok

#Rec Room - Play With Friends

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There are several reports of allegedly either the [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j62ou2/legion_tablet_apps_for_you_folder_and_appnext/ "Apps for you"] feature or [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j3kf03/what_is_this_app_can_i_uninstall/ OTA system updates] later installing additional bloatware and even known malware/spyware on Lenovo Tablets.

There are several reports of allegedly either the [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j62ou2/legion_tablet_apps_for_you_folder_and_appnext/ "Apps for you"] feature or [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j3kf03/what_is_this_app_can_i_uninstall/ OTA system updates] later installing additional bloatware and even known [[malware]]/[[spyware]] on Lenovo Tablets.

According to the [https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/privacy/ Lenovo Privacy Statement]:<blockquote>Cloud Folder (i.e. “Apps for You”) is a custom-made feature of launcher that recommends apps. These recommendations display only application icons, which are not stored or downloaded, and may be updated anytime. Cloud Folder collects Google Advertising ID (GID), impression and click of icons, and non-personal data such as the software version. You can turn off recommendations in Settings.</blockquote>In light of the above statement and the wording in LTT's review, it appears that it might be a common practice for Lenovo Android tablet users to actually install malicious apps from the "Apps for You" folder, solely to be able to remove their icons from their home screen. It seems that some of the "recommended" [and (just?) appearing as if they were installed] apps contain malware.

This is an extreme example of [[bloat tax]].

=====Tips (not a full guide) for avoiding bloatware and malware recommendations:=====

#Perform initial setup offline (no Internet connectivity).

#Read before clicking. Avoid/skip adding any accounts (including Google account!) and opt-out from data mining stuff.

#Once you can access the launcher, long press on an empty space and open "Home settings" then disable "Show recommended apps above all apps". This should disable the "apps for you" folder, possibly even before it gets created. While we're at it, you can also disable the annoying "Swipe to access Entertainment Space".

#Uninstall and/or disable any bloatware you can find. The list of apps varies.

#Connect to the Internet and install system updates (might need to repeat installing new updates and restarting the device 5 or more times).

#Uninstall or disable any new bloatware you can find in the Apps drawer (this might later need ).

#If you get a notification like "Finish setting up your tablet" (the one that's animated and particularly distracting), long-press on it to expand options, press the cog icon to go to app settings and disable the app that's causing it.

#Go to Seettings>Apps>All apps and disable "Lenovo PAI" (Play Auto-Install) as well as any other bloatware that you can recognize that didn't appear in the app drawer.

#Stay weary of anything that tries to get you to click on something or accept an EULA. Long-press on a notification and click the cog icon to see where dubious notifications are coming from.

==See also==

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Lenovo Android ZUI bootloader unlocking [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Unlocking_Bootloaders/Lenovo_ZUI (PostmarketOS Wiki)].

[[Bloat tax]]

==References==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Notice: This article should probably get merged to Lenovo Android tablets in general once such an article exists.{{InfoboxProductLine
+==''Notice: This device appears to be a '''scapegoat''' for a broader issue with Lenovo tablets in general. Upon verification, the article should probably get merged into [[Lenovo tablets (Android)]] once such a page exists.''==
+{{InfoboxProductLine
 | Title = {{PAGENAME}}
 | Release Year =2024
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 | Official Website =https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-tab-plus/len103l0024
 | Logo =Lenovo.png
 }}'''Lenovo Tab Plus (TB351FU)''' is an [[Android]] tablet made by [[Lenovo]] (which also acquired [[Motorola]] in 2014). it's a device tailored towards multimedia consumption and stands out from other tablets by featuring an integrated kick-stand, powerful and high-quality built-in audio and the ability to itself act as a Bluetooth speaker.
+The device offers an attractive feature set, years of promised software updates and an attractive price (around €280 at launch in June 2024, currently €200 as of July 2025, [https://geizhals.eu/?phist=3215275&age=9999 see price history in EU]), however the company's anti-consumer practices such as [[EULA rooftile]], preinstalled and partially non-removable [[bloatware]] and "software recommendations" (including recommendations of malware) make this otherwise great device significantly harder to recommend, especially if it is intended to be used by less tech-savvy users.
 ==Consumer impact summary==
@@ Line 27: / Line 30: @@
 The device does not feature an unlocked bootloader, which would enable using the device without Lenovo software.
-A procedure to unlock the bootloader exists, but only becomes possible once the user obtains access to "OEM unlocking" under developer options in Android settings and additionally requires the user to create a Lenovo account, register the product's serial number and use the Lenovo account credentials to log in to zui.com/unlock in order to obtain a required signed file (further note: one account can unlock only 3 devices per year).
+A procedure to unlock the bootloader [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Unlocking_Bootloaders/Lenovo_ZUI exists], but only becomes possible once the user obtains access to "OEM unlocking" under developer options in Android settings and additionally requires the user to create a Lenovo account, register the product's serial number and use the Lenovo account credentials to log in to zui.com/unlock in order to obtain a required signed file (further note: one account can unlock only 3 devices per year).
 ===Bloatware, bloat tax and possibly tricking users into installing malware===
-Quote from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V4xoL96HKU&t=501s a review by LinusTechTips]:<blockquote>My biggest issue though is not the processor. It's the bloatware.
+Quote from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V4xoL96HKU&t=501s a video review by LinusTechTips]:<blockquote>My biggest issue though is not the processor. It's the bloatware.
 Lenovo aggressively tries to trick you into installing unneeded games and apps while you're setting up the device and even IF you cleverly navigate their dark pattern obstacle course, you will STILL find that the device has automatically dumped a bunch of garbage on your home screen.
@@ Line 51: / Line 54: @@
 #WPS Office
-=====Two-tap-install apps that must be installed to remove icon from home screen/uninstall:=====
+=====Two-tap-install apps that must be installed <sup>[don't , there's a better way!]</sup> to remove icon from home screen/uninstall:=====
 #MyScript Calculator 2
 #Nebo
-#Spotify
+#[[Spotify]]
-#Kraken - Buy [funny money I can't mention here]
+#Kraken - Buy crypto and [Buttcoin]
 #TikTok
 #Rec Room - Play With Friends
@@ Line 66: / Line 69: @@
-There are several reports of allegedly either the [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j62ou2/legion_tablet_apps_for_you_folder_and_appnext/ "Apps for you"] feature or [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j3kf03/what_is_this_app_can_i_uninstall/ OTA system updates] later installing additional bloatware and even known malware/spyware on Lenovo Tablets.
+There are several reports of allegedly either the [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j62ou2/legion_tablet_apps_for_you_folder_and_appnext/ "Apps for you"] feature or [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/1j3kf03/what_is_this_app_can_i_uninstall/ OTA system updates] later installing additional bloatware and even known [[malware]]/[[spyware]] on Lenovo Tablets.
 According to the [https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/privacy/ Lenovo Privacy Statement]:<blockquote>Cloud Folder (i.e. “Apps for You”) is a custom-made feature of launcher that recommends apps. These recommendations display only application icons, which are not stored or downloaded, and may be updated anytime. Cloud Folder collects Google Advertising ID (GID), impression and click of icons, and non-personal data such as the software version. You can turn off recommendations in Settings.</blockquote>In light of the above statement and the wording in LTT's review, it appears that it might be a common practice for Lenovo Android tablet users to actually install malicious apps from the "Apps for You" folder, solely to be able to remove their icons from their home screen. It seems that some of the "recommended" [and (just?) appearing as if they were installed] apps contain malware.
 This is an extreme example of [[bloat tax]].
+=====Tips (not a full guide) for avoiding bloatware and malware recommendations:=====
+#Perform initial setup offline (no Internet connectivity).
+#Read before clicking. Avoid/skip adding any accounts (including Google account!) and opt-out from data mining stuff.
+#Once you can access the launcher, long press on an empty space and open "Home settings" then disable "Show recommended apps above all apps". This should disable the "apps for you" folder, possibly even before it gets created. While we're at it, you can also disable the annoying "Swipe to access Entertainment Space".
+#Uninstall and/or disable any bloatware you can find. The list of apps varies.
+#Connect to the Internet and install system updates (might need to repeat installing new updates and restarting the device 5 or more times).
+#Uninstall or disable any new bloatware you can find in the Apps drawer (this might later need ).
+#If you get a notification like "Finish setting up your tablet" (the one that's animated and particularly distracting), long-press on it to expand options, press the cog icon to go to app settings and disable the app that's causing it.
+#Go to Seettings>Apps>All apps and disable "Lenovo PAI" (Play Auto-Install) as well as any other bloatware that you can recognize that didn't appear in the app drawer.
+#Stay weary of anything that tries to get you to click on something or accept an EULA. Long-press on a notification and click the cog icon to see where dubious notifications are coming from.
 ==See also==
@@ Line 77: / Line 92: @@
 Lenovo Android ZUI bootloader unlocking [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Unlocking_Bootloaders/Lenovo_ZUI (PostmarketOS Wiki)].
+[[Bloat tax]]
 ==References==