After following a detailed guide on the XDA Developers forum, Alex successfully unlocked the bootloader. The next step was to install TWRP, which would serve as the gateway to flashing custom ROMs.

The journey had been rewarding, and Alex had gained a new appreciation for the world of custom ROMs and Android development. The MatePad 10.4 had been given a second chance, and Alex was eager to see what the future held for this revitalized device.

The installation process was smooth, with TWRP guiding Alex through the process of flashing the ROM and OpenGApps. Finally, the tablet rebooted, and Alex was greeted by the familiar sight of the LineageOS launcher.