[Asus Transformer TF700] berndblb:
Last edit: Jan 2, 2018

The information here can be found in many places on the web and several forums. But when I started flashing custom ROMs about two years ago, I got frustrated many times because I found that information to be scattered, fragmented and in many cases outdated.

I hope this guide will make it a little easier for those users who wish to unleash the potential of this tablet but have no idea where to start. This is meant to be for inexperienced users who may be flashing for the first time.

If you find information I provide here to be incorrect or outdated, please do chime in!

And the standard disclaimer: I am not responsible if you misunderstand instructions I give here, if my instructions are wrong, if you forget to charge the battery and the tablet dies halfway through a flash or if your house goes up in flames.

YOU DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK

First things first:

Backup everything on your tablet you care about to an external microSD or your PC. Don't worry about your apps. You can always install them from the Play Store.

This is just common sense. It is not inherently risky to flash custom ROMs. But something can wrong at any time and you have to be careful. If you are, this is a safe procedure.

Basically the process of flashing a custom ROM on the TF700 involves three steps:

1) Unlock the bootloader using Asus' Unlock tool

2) Install a custom recovery on the tablet

3) Flash a custom ROM of your choice using said custom recovery​

Rooting is optional

To install a custom ROM it is not necessary to root the tablet. You do have to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery no matter what, but in my opinion rooting is an unnecessary step since any custom ROM you flash will be rooted anyway.

But if you want to root the TF700 on stock firmware there are three ways to go about it:

Up to firmware version 10.6.1.14.8 you could use a tool called Motochopper to root the TF700. Asus plugged the hole Motochopper exploited in the last firmware update.

For firmware version 10.6.1.14.10 there is Kingo Android Root (only works on Windows AFAIK).

And then there is Towelroot, a one-click-root exploit. It's an apk, so no PC necessary. Only Towelroot v1 works for the TF700 and it's hard to find. My dog ate the copy I had.. :(

Unlocking the bootloader

Your tablet should be fully charged at this point!

Make sure "USB debugging" is checked in Settings > Developer Options (if you don't see it, go to About Tablet and tap 7 times on Build Number)

Download the Asus Unlock Tool v7 from here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=817550096634776735

On your tablet, in Settings > Security check "Unknown Sources"

Copy the .apk to your tablet.

Find the apk in your tablet's file browser, tap it and let it install

Open the app and follow the instructions. You will loose your warranty as soon as you click "I agree".

If you get an unspecified "network error" you could be in for some major headaches. Many tablet's serial number and/or the mac address of the mainboard seem to be registered incorrectly in Asus database. This problem is widely discussed on several forums, just google: "cannot unlock TF700" or similar and read the threads. Too many variables to discuss this here...

To check if you are unlocked, boot the tablet and read the tiny script. It should say:

The device is unlocked.

Installing a custom recovery on your tablet

To determine if you need to update your bootloader read post #3

I highly recommend you choose TWRP as your custom recovery. If you want CWM, you are on your own.

To push TWRP to your tablet you need to set up "Fastboot" between your tablet and your PC. Fastboot is a protocol that enables you low level access to your tablet.

Practice/Background

Power down your tablet and disconnect it from the dock

Push and hold the Volume Down key (left side of the rocker) and the Power key until you feel the tablet vibrate twice. Let go when you see the tiny script. Read it and it tells you that your tablet is now in fastboot mode and you will see three icons (I assume again you are on a JB 4.2 bootloader. In older bootloaders you had 4 icons and had to select the USB icon to get into fastboot mode):

RCK - (which should be flashing) is your recovery (the stock recovery at this point, but once TWRP is installed this is one way to get into it)

Android - is your system, selecting it boots you back to into your ROM.

Wipe Data - stay away! Especially with custom software installed never, ever use this option!

To toggle between the three icons use Volume Down, to select one use Volume Up. Try it but do not push Volume Up when the 'Wipe data' icon is flashing!​

Installing ADB and fastboot plus the necessary drivers

For a working ADB/fastboot connection from PC to tablet you need:

a) Asus device drivers – if you connect the tablet to your PC and it's recognized as a portable device you should be ok. If not, download the Asus Sync Utility from their support/downloads site and install it to get the drivers, then uninstall the program from your PC if you don't want it. The drivers will stay.

b) Fastboot and ADB drivers which will be installed if you run the tool below.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10:

Download and run this cool little tool [TOOL] [WINDOWS] ADB, Fastboot and Drivers - 15 seconds ADB Installer v1.1 - xda-developers (don't forget to hit the Thanks button)

The tool installs the adb and fastboot.exe to a folder on your C:\ drive (look for adb) and the corresponding drivers. Takes about 15 seconds.

On Windows 8.+ you need to turn off the driver verification feature. Here's a great video on how to do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afrvSGiMAtk

Win XP (and all other Win versions if the above does not work for some reason)

I recommend the "ADB Install Tool" mentioned above or the 'Minimal ADB Fastboot Tool': [TOOL]Minimal ADB and Fastboot [7-18-13] - xda-developers

Either works fine.

If you need the drivers, get them here and install manually in Device Manager:[ADB/FB/APX Driver] Universal Naked Driver 0.72 (We dont need no stinking HTC Sync) - xda-developers

Win7 and Win8 users seem to have the best luck wth the drivers sbdags provided here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2646279

It's fine if you want to use his Recovery Install Tool from that thread. But I highly recommend you familiarize yourself with basic fastboot commands! There are lots of tuturials all over the web.

Linux:Check out this site https://code.google.com/p/adb-fastboot-install/

iOS:[GUIDE] Set up ADB and Fastboot on a Mac easily (With Screenshots!) - xda-developers or:

http://htc-one.wonderhowto.com/how-...-mac-os-x-send-commands-your-htc-one-0151178/

TROUBLE WITH ADB FASTBOOT DRIVERS? SALVATION IS NEAR!! (May 2017 edit)

And it is called FWUL (F-orget(?) Windows Use Linux) a great Arch Linux distro that you can boot off a USB stick or CD with simple adb fastboot all setup for you. Follow the instructions, set your boot sequence to boot from USB or SD drive first and disable Secure Boot in your BIOS Security settings. I have fought with Windows driver problems as long as I have been using Android devices and some stuff I never got to work. With this baby I was able to connect to 4 different Android devices with no problems at all. A beauty! https://xdaforums.com/android/software-hacking/live-iso-adb-fastboot-driver-issues-t3526755

The fun begins

Fastboot does not play well with USB 3.0, so use a USB 2.0 port for this. And no hubs and such....

Boot the tablet into fastboot mode and connect it to your computer via the original USB cable

In Windows Explorer navigate to the folder that contains your adb.exe and fastboot.exe

Win 7/8/10: Inside that folder Shift + right click and select "Open command window here".

For Win XP click here

select 'Run' from the Start menu, type

cmd

and hit Enter. In the resulting command prompt type

cd C:\adb\ [I](or whatever the path to your fastboot folder is..)[/I]

If all of the above fails follow these instructions: https://www.michaelcrump.net/power-tip-for-windows-users-open-command-prompt-here/

In the command window on your PC type:

fastboot devices

If that command returns a string of numbers and letters, you are good as gold.

View attachment 3070087

If it returns: "No devices found", fastboot is not working - yet - and you have to troubleshoot.

Getting the correct drivers working can be the hardest part of this exercise. If your computer does not "see" the tablet in fastboot, try to uninstall the existing driver (if any) in Device Manager and manually install the Google Universal Naked Drivers. And if Windows does not cooperate at all, PM me and I can hook you up with a Puppy Linux live CD with fastboot/adb set up already. ;)

Let's assume everything is good:

On your computer go here: https://twrp.me/devices/asustransformerinfinityTF700T.html

Download the latest version of TWRP. Version 2.8.0 or later is ready for KitKat and Lollipop custom roms as well as backward compatible with JB ROMs.

FYI ONLY: If you for whatever reason want to format your data partition:

Formatting /data starting with TWRP 2.7.x and later takes a lot longer than in previous versions (up to 90 minutes). LET IT FINISH. DO NOT INTERRUPT THE FORMATTING.

Formatting data is only necessary in cases of data corruption.

Place the TWRP file into the same directory as your fastboot.exe.

Again check the connection with

fastboot devices

If you get the connection, in the command window type:

fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash recovery <name-of-file>

This will flash the recovery to the recovery partition

Example:

If the file is named TWRP_2.8.6.2_TF700_recovery.img, the fastboot command is:

fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash recovery TWRP_2.8.6.2_TF700_recovery.img

You can rename the file to something easier to type, but file name and fastboot command have to match.

So if you renamed the file to twrp.img:

fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash recovery twrp.img

If your recovery comes as a blob:

fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash recovery twrp.blob

If it is successful type:

fastboot reboot

and let the tablet boot up normally.

Booting back into the (not rooted) stock rom you may get a dialog from TWRP asking you if you want to root.

You can accept or cancel it - doesn't matter. I assume you are going to install a custom rom and they are rooted anyway.

Create a nandroid

Your almost there! You are now on the stock ROM with a custom recovery installed.

Power the tablet down and boot into the bootloader menu with Volume Down and Power buttons.

With RCK flashing, push Volume Up and you should boot into TWRP. Familiarize yourself with the many options of the touch based interface without executing anything yet. TWRP is very user friendly. You basically cannot do anything of consequence "by accident", so don't be shy.

Touch "Backup", leave the default selection as they are and swipe the button to create a nandroid (a backup) of your current system.

This is a very healthy habit to develop: You always want to have a nandroid of your last working system squared away so that you can do a simple restore if you flash something that does not work, or something goes wrong during a flash. With a working recovery and a good nandroid you are minutes away from a working system if you soft brick your tablet.

Hint:

It's a good idea to have at least one good nandroid on external media. Sooner or later you will format your data partition and if you're like me, you may forget to backup your nandroids in the heat of the moment.. ;)

Installing a custom ROM

From here on out it's as easy as downloading the installation file of your custom ROM, booting into TWRP, choosing "Install" and navigating to the zip of the ROM you want to flash.

If you see a "signed" in the zip file name (best_rom_ever_signed.zip), make sure you check "verify zip signature" under the "Install" menu. Some devs sign their ROM zips - a better way to ensure file integrity than md5 sum.

Whatever you decide to flash: READ THE OP of the corresponding thread and make sure you have the correct bootloader and the required recovery installed! I can't stress this enough! If you are not sure, DO NOT FLASH!

Look for the ROMs in the Development section of the XDA forum for this tablet: Transformer TF700 Android Development - xda-developers or check out post #2. There's a description of the most popular roms for this tablet.

It is mandatory to do a Factory Wipe in TWRP before installing a custom ROM or going from one ROM base to another (a so called clean install).

If you choose 'Wipe' in TWRP, all you have to do is swipe the button - 'Factory Wipe' is the default selection under the 'Wipe' menu. You will loose your apps, but it will not wipe your /data/media/ folder where your files, pictures, etc live.

If you do this right before flashing the custom ROM, make sure you have the zip file of your custom ROM on your microSD - not on your internal SD where it may get wiped....

Once you installed a custom recovery NEVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES - AND I REPEAT: NEVER! - use the 'Wipe Data' option from the bootloader menu or the "Factory Reset" option in Settings > Backup&Restore.

In your custom recovery you have the option to wipe, backup and restore every partition on your tablet selectively or collectively. Any wiping, any backup and any restore of the system, data, recovery or boot partitions MUST be done in your recovery (or in fastboot)!

You can safely use Titanium Backup or Asus Backup for apps and settings, but that's it. For everything else use your recovery.

Hit the 'Thanks' button and rate the thread 5 stars if this helped you ;)