META stands for Mobile Engineering Test Assistance. It is MediaTek's engineering shell that runs on top of the Preloader — the layer flashing tools use to read properties, write IMEI, and (on Infinix/Tecno) patch LK for bootloader unlock.

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Where META fits in the boot chain

  1. BROM — mask ROM in silicon
  2. Preloader — first flashable code
  3. LK (Little Kernel) — bootloader
  4. Android — the OS

META is a mode of the Preloader. Instead of continuing to load LK, Preloader switches to shell mode when the SLA handshake arrives from the PC.

What META can do

  • FT_FILE_OPERATION — read or write any file, bypassing shell permissions
  • FT_GETPROP — read system properties
  • FT_REBOOT — graceful reboot into chosen mode
  • FT_TRANSSION_CMD_SHELL — Infinix/Tecno vendor shell
  • IMEI write to NVRAM
  • Battery info, RF calibration

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