yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[ZenFone 2 General] DJR96:
Yes, if you really mess things up you can download the stock ROM directly from ASUS here:-

http://www.asus.com/Phones/ZenFone_2_ZE551ML/HelpDesk_Download/

http://www.asus.com/Phones/ZenFone_2_ZE550ML/HelpDesk_Download/

It's under "Drivers & Tools". Expand "Firmware" and choose the correct file. It's a large .zip file.

Once you've downloaded it, copy it to the root of a micro SDcard and rename it to "MOFD_SDUPDATE.zip"

Insert your SDcard.

Get your phone into fastboot mode, hold volume + while pressing the power button until it does it's double vibrate, continue holding the volume + until you see the android robot.

Now get it into recovery mode by pressing the volume down button until you see "recovery mode" in red at the top of screen. (Don't panic, the screen goes blank momentarily with each press as it cycles between- normal boot, power off, recovery mode, and restart bootloader.)

Press the power button to accept that option and it should automatically do it's thing finding the ROM on the SDcard. Be patient it takes a while. (Also, the progress bar may not get past about 1/4 of the way, don't worry, it's still working and will simply boot up normally when it's done.)

Note there is no need for any tools, drivers, cables etc. Providing you can read/write to the SDcard independently.

---------- Post added at 08:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 AM ----------

OK, so I had to do the above to get myself out of a pickle. I had tried to load the pre-rooted images. However, I had already done the OTA update to ver. 2.15.40.13 - the latest stock ROM. It seemed to throw an error when ifwi version numbers of the system.img file didn't match up. So now I'm back to a stock unrooted ROM.

Also, can anyone confirm my belief that the phone is installing the region of ROM according to what ever you have set your phone to? eg. I bought mine from a TW reseller. Upon first run and setup I chose English(Australia), language, input methods etc. As soon as this is done it showed a WW region in the Software Version. And has done with each update. I think it puts the WW version on if it doesn't find your phone setup for one of the pre-determined regions (CN, JP, TW, US).
[ZenFone 2 General] dineshdotcom2000:
Which version should i download for India. There versions for download

Version JP_2.15.40.13

Version WW_2.15.40.13
[ZenFone 2 General] ycavan:
Has anyone rooted the US version yet? Mine should arrive in a couple of days and would like to know which image to download CN or WW?
[ZenFone 2 General] Ace42:
The US variant is using WW.

"I'd Totally Hug You, If That Was Something I Did"
[ZenFone 2 General] netsee:
thanks works great. the hard part was to get the adb driver install for windows 8.1. need to reboot to accept install of unsigned driver
[ZenFone 2 General] cangcan:
hi.. i successfully installed the pre-rooted img and got my zf2 rooted..but now it stucks in bootloop after i tried to install and play with xposed framework without success..

For this steps:

To install Xposed Framework on Zenfone 2 follow these steps:

Download Xposed Installer from https://mega.co.nz/#!dsUgzZTb!oYF9Xw...q4aeSFaW_CNJH8

Connect your zenfone 2 with USB (USB debugging enabled)

Extract the downloaded folder and launch InstallXposedFramework.bat (phone will reboot)

Now launch InstallXposedInstaller.bat to install Xposed apk on your phone. Enjoy Xposed on your zenfone 2

I already reflash pre-rooted img and my zf2 boot up again. but now im stuck with unable to install xposed framework with success.. anyone can teach me other way to install xposed without adb? it seems that the script inside xposedforzenfonelollipop just push the files to some system folder and change the permission of the file..
[ZenFone 2 General] thedisturbedone:
This method worked for me. Although you might have to keep your phone unlocked to grant permission for ADB. Did you do that?
[ZenFone 2 General] vivek680:
It workedt :D Thanks
[ZenFone 2 General] cangcan:
I already managed to installed xposed framework successfully.. I dont know how I did it, but when I got into bootloop I reflash the pre-root img via adb..the phone booted up and I installed busybox from playstore..Installed xposedframework using the steps in the guide and walaaa its working! thank you anyway!
[ZenFone 2 General] rony1234:
Recovery.img ?

Hi folks, is the recovery.img that's available for download the original asus recovery image file ? Or is it a modified recovery ? Thanks in advance.
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
What version do you have?? WW is for worldwide and JP is for Japan.... Please before flashing any firmware check ur phone version and report back i will give you the correct link for the firmware...To check your phone version just go to settings>about>Software information....Please write your build number....
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
No, it is the official recovery... So far no modified recovery is available as we have a locked bootloader...We can only flash the modified recovery once Asus or some developer releases a tool to unlock our bootloader... Till that time we just have to stick to the official recovery
[ZenFone 2 General] dineshdotcom2000:
My Build in number is: LRX21V.WW.ASUS_Z00A-2.15.40.13_20150506_3876_USER044030427_201501060109

PLEASE UPDATE
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Ok so you have WW (WorldWide version) and the latest version is Z00A_WW_2.17.40.12

So here are the links:

For PRE-ROOTED firmwares : https://mega.co.nz/#F!k4MHiAgL!dVuOKeH3eokcwPSNI79ffw Download Z00A_WW_2.17.40.12 as this is the latest firmware and is pre-rooted

For STOCK ROM: http://fota.asus.com/delta_package/phone/WW_Z00A/formal/WW_2.15.40.13_20150506_3876_user_rel-user-WW_Z00A-WW_2.17.40.12_20150515_6168_user_rel-user-WW_Z00A-20150518/WW_551_0506_0515_20150518.zip

For flashing and rooting device please see my guide :) Happy flashing ;)
[ZenFone 2 General] gabronzio:
Hi, i rooted My ze551ml with method 1. Now i see a update.. What i have to do? The same method with the updated files?

P.s. If i want change the root, From the method 1 to the method 3 what have to do?

Thanks and sorry for My bad English.
[ZenFone 2 General] Xiger:
You had a bootloop because you modified /system/.
[ZenFone 2 General] nineinchsnails:
Thank you!

Awesome work [MENTION=5650813]mhp1995[/MENTION] thank you! :D
[ZenFone 2 General] g220_clay02:
thanks

Thanks for answering, i guess you're right. I already fixed it. I just flashed the newest firmware and i did not lost any data except for my root.
[ZenFone 2 General] Thiago Fialho:
How you flashed new firmware to fix bricked ZenFone?
[ZenFone 2 General] tokecin:
With root method 3, you do not unroot your phone. Just you need remove Xposed, uninstall Busybox and unfreeze apps (if you freeze them previously).

If you manage it in such steps, it should be totally smooth ( I am doing it for each update)
[ZenFone 2 General] thezibrail:
can i apply the root via method 3 and apply OTA afterwards without any problem? Or do I need to unroot first before applying OTA

Can someone please confirm that. (everything is stock in my fone)

Thanks in advance......
[ZenFone 2 General] rendar123:
i already updated my zf2 OTA twice and encountered no problems at all. rooted my phone using method 3.
[ZenFone 2 General] jroca:
Hello, you did the ota from stock rom or custom?
[ZenFone 2 General] thezibrail:
Thanks a lot
[ZenFone 2 General] rendar123:
from a newly bought zenfone 2, after unboxing i rooted it using method 3 here. then OTA update. didn't encountered any problem at all.
[ZenFone 2 General] ione2380:
twrp link is dead.
[ZenFone 2 General] sci05:
Just wondering why would anyone choose to root with any other method than method 3?
[ZenFone 2 General] rendar123:
maybe method 3 was not yet discovered when method 1 and 2 became available :D so no sense of rooting again especially if you already have installed many apps, etc. on your phone and do it all over again right?
[ZenFone 2 General] anoth3r:
xposed issue

Hello all. I have a problem and I need your help.

I installed Xposed framework from the first page tutorial after rooting, but after entering the installer the following issue apears:

"The latest version of Xposed is currently not active. Did you install the framework and reboot?"

Can somebody please help?

Thanks in advance.

Issue solved. I didnt installed busybox before xposed.

Removed xposed with RemoveXposedFramework.bat and installed again.
[ZenFone 2 General] toomax:
Xposed v73 x86 - Does it work on Zenfone 2?

Hi guys,

anybody here have already tried the new Xposed version v73 for x86 on the Zenfone2?

Does it work?

Thanks,

toomax
[ZenFone 2 General] sci05:
Is method 3 root different than this http://xdaforums.com/zenfone2/general/root-newbie-root-instructions-zenfone-2-t3114063 The two zip files contain different files. Just wondering which one is better or if one is a mod of the other.
[ZenFone 2 General] lucifero13:
Is method 2 (must unroot before OTA updating) and method 3 (OTA updating without unrooting) in rooting section still viable and updated? Thanks
[ZenFone 2 General] :
thank a lot that really helpfull
[ZenFone 2 General] Siddk007:
please upload stock recovery.img of Z008 for v2.20.40.43
[ZenFone 2 General] fuzzybuffalo:
https://mega.nz/#F!k4MHiAgL!dVuOKeH3eokcwPSNI79ffw
[ZenFone 2 General] Siddk007:
thanks a lot
[ZenFone 2 General] bg0510:
Hello.

How can I remove TWRP, unroot my 551ml and come back to Stock ROM?

I'm currently using a Custom ROM. Installed it using TWRP.

PLEASE HELP...
[ZenFone 2 General] jemdell03:
Im a newbie can you elaborate the steps on installing viper4android , i cant understand please help

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 PM ----------

This error bothers me everytime i play nba2k14 my phone is zenfone 2 ze551ml 2gb ram varient and 16 gb internal memory, is it no capable of running this game since it is lollipop?

Please help im a beginner
[ZenFone 2 General] BladeoftheImmortal:
I'd like to unroot, but going into supersu and clicking full unroot doesn't work, it just gets stuck at the uninstall screen. can someone help me, please.

I'm using method 2 of rooting and wanted to do the OTA updates.
[ZenFone 2 General] BladeoftheImmortal:
I'm now stuck in a bootloop. Any help?
[ZenFone 2 General] nkoul:
Viper4Android

Hello, I've tried to install Viper4Android and once I tap on the application to open it, it opens and then crashes, I have tried to set Selinux to permissive-same thing, It crashes, I have tried to flash a zip variant of Viper4android using temporary CWM - I get an error - Status 255 installation aborted. I have disabled the stock audio wizard as well. My ZF2 is rooted, running Lollipop 5.0 stock(from asus) and I do not have a custom recovery installed, nor do I wish to install a custom recovery.

I have tried everything I can think of.

Any ideas as to why this is happening?

:confused:

thanks in advance
[ZenFone 2 General] fred_gaou:
Hi,

Thanks for the thread. I only rooted my Zenfone 2 ZE551ML (Z00AD) with the one click solution (method 3). Everything went great.

By the way, further details:

I've read some warnings about not UN-installing bloatware it your want to apply future OTA. I apply my OTA using the official manual method provided by Asus: just copy the last firmware to internal storage and let the phone automatically handle the update. I directly jumped from v2.13.40.13 to v2.20.40.63 thanks to this method with no harm & risks. Then, I wiped cache and data, then root my new updated phone :good:

Question

: I inadvertently uninstall a bloatware app named Bbbler Actors. Did you ever succeed an OTA using the manual official method provided by ASUS after having uninstalled some bloatware such as Bbbler Actors, Zinio, Clean Master, etc.?

If I install Bbbler Actors by the playstore to fix my error, will it be OK to apply future OTA?

Please share you hint and your feedback about this specific question?

regards

PS: sorry I can't provide links to my posts so far, I didn't reach the posts quota.
[ZenFone 2 General] fred_gaou:
new OTA is out

Hi again,

Today I've been notified of a new OTA, v2.20.40.90, 73.4MB.

For those who applied the one click root (method 3):

Did someone accept update and apply it successfully without previously unrooted (that is to say having kept the root intact)?

If yes, did you unroot with the UnRoot.bat or with SuperSU?

Did you wipe cache after?

Any other feedback?
[ZenFone 2 General] fuzzybuffalo:
1. Yes

2. I did not unroot

3. The update wipes cache

I used method 3 to root and have applied the last 3 or 4 OTA's without unrooting.

I don't us Titanium Backup to freeze apps, I don't have Xposed installed and I have not modified any system files.

I do have an unlocked bootloader and TWRP installed.

I copied the OTA to the root dir of my external SD / MicroSd and renamed it MOFD_SDUPDATE.zip, watch the capital letters.

I rebooted to fastboot mode and fastboot flashed back to stock 2.20.40.63 recovery, rebooted to recovery and it applied the OTA automatically.

After applying the OTA it rebooted by itself and updated apps, meaning it wiped cache while applying the OTA.

I then went into my file explorer and renamed /system/build.prop, meaning I still had root.

I then fastboot flashed back to TWRP and made a backup of 2.20.40.90. :good:
[ZenFone 2 General] fbarga:
Dead Android with ERROR and ADB does not find zenfone 2

Hello, just run a system update by asus and zenfone 2 got stuck on asus logo.. I followed the instruction to clear the cash, but now the phone gets the dead android symbol with ERROR. I connected it to PC but ADB does not find the device. ( updated the usb drivers on pc in device manager and I see the ASUS Android Device and below ASUS Android Bootloader Interface.. but still ADB will not find it... HELP anyone ?? Thanks... Fabio ( Vienna Austria):crying:

I have been trying to read on forums, etc.. but I see that people with similar issue get answers like.. connect phone, download so and so on phone, set phone for usb debugging, etc,,. BUT the phone is not seen when connected to a PC..

how to proceed from here ? What is ASUS doing on this ? I try to find ASUS service in Austria but cant find it.

Thanks
[ZenFone 2 General] sci05:
On the screen with the error just press power and up briefly and the recovery menu should show up. Then you can clear cache
[ZenFone 2 General] demonntl:
if you delete asus app with root, you cannot use OTA. Go back to stock is the only way. Trying to apply the OTA can cause boot loop.
[ZenFone 2 General] Nono-Skorium:
Information needed for update after root

Hi all :)

I followed the Method 3 to root my ZenFone 2 Z00AD. That works perfectly well and I got my Root Access and install my favorite Ads remover app and remove few Asus Apps that are useless for me. That is great now I have a perfect Asus ZF2 :)

Today, I received a notification to update my smartphone I believe this is OTA update (not sure about that correct me below if it's not OTA, it's still a bit blurry for me).

The current build version installed on the phone is 2.20.40.59 and the phone is asking to install the version 2.20.40.63

Following previous messages from other ZenFone 2 users it looks like the phone get stock if I apply OTA update with missing Asus applications. Can I reinstall them via Play Store from "My Apps" list ? Or do I need to make a Factory Reset of the phone before applying the OTA update? Did someone try any of the above? Can I root again the phone after the latest OTA update or they locked the breach used for the root with latest update? My goal is to keep my phone rooted first, and if possible keep the possibility to update the phone via OTA (easiest way for me to keep the system up to date. Removing useless (for my use at least) Asus Apps come in last. If I need to keep them to be able to apply OTA doesn't matter I will just disable them between each OTA update I will receive.

Cheers,
[ZenFone 2 General] filipe_m:
I root my Zenfone with Method 3,

Made 2 OTA updates without problem. Today i tried made the last OTA update and i get a error message (then the Zenfone restarted and continued to work normally)

I have not uninstall any Asus app...

Should i unroot my Zenfone to be able to do OTA updates? Using the unroot.sh or SuperSu option (i read that this method was not working)?

Thanks!!
[ZenFone 2 General] Suryanuj:
Please give a procedure to flash a stock recovery.
[ZenFone 2 General] filipe_m:
I solved the problem installing the OTA manually ...

But the fone is unroot after the upgrade (had used the method 3).

Can I repeat this method? It's safe?

Thanks!!
[ZenFone 2 General] fred_gaou:
Which manual method did you use to apply OTA? The official asus one or another?
[ZenFone 2 General] filipe_m:
Asus...

Download from Asus website, put in Sdcard and install after upgrade notification
[ZenFone 2 General] fred_gaou:
So you didn't unroot the phone yourself before update?

If the update erased the root, did the procedure erase anything else?
[ZenFone 2 General] filipe_m:
I didn´t unroot the phone before update...

I do not think that erase something else...
[ZenFone 2 General] filipe_m:
I reinstall Su and get a binary problem (says he does not have them and can not install)...

Is the solutions repeat the root with method 3?
[ZenFone 2 General] fred_gaou:
Yes, it should work and not being harmful. But uninstall SU app before. The one click root will install one.
[ZenFone 2 General] filipe_m:
Thanks,

Problem solved!!
[ZenFone 2 General] emson17:
someone please help!

I can't update my phone to the latest firmware Version WW_2.20.40.90.

I've rooted my phone using method 3 when the firmware was still at Version WW_2.20.40.59. I've also installed Xposed Framework and Viper4Android.

With rooted phone using method 3, I've updated the firmware to Version WW_2.20.40.63 without any error.

But when I tried to update to Version WW_2.20.40.90 thru FOTA, I've encountered an error. which I supposed its a bootloop. I just restarted the phone and it restored to previous firmware which is Version WW_2.20.40.59.

I've unrooted the phone, uninstalled Xposed Framework and Viper4Android and tried to update it thru FOTA but it cannot find any new update on its firmware. I've tried to update it manually but still no good. I'm always stuck at error droid.

Should I download the whole firmware on asus website?
[ZenFone 2 General] fred_gaou:
to WW_2.20.40.90 (method 3)

@emson17

If your phone is still working, apply or check the next steps, one by one:

Be sure it is properly unrootet. If not, use CheckBeforeAction.bat then the unroot.bat when notified. And I would uninstall Xposed too (by the way I didn't know one could install it without being previously rooted). Make sure the bootloader is original (it is if you didn't change it by some procedure or installed another one on purpose).

Make a backup of your data and/or apps with the built-in ASUS app.

Make sure your accounts (google and other) have been synchronized recently (settings/accounts). If not: if needed put WIFI on, for each account menu, tap on "sync now".

Make a copy of the backup folder to a safe place (SD card, PC via USB). If needed, if you have put some stuff of yours on your phone, make a copy of other data folder (pictures, movies, ringtones, notifications, DCIM/camera, etc).

Download the full Firmware UL-Z00A-WW-2.20.40.90-user.zip from ASUS (bookmark this site for future) on your PC.

Donwload and read the official update procedure from ASUS.

Be sure your battery is almost full (or >50% at least) right now and you will plug your phone on power just before you accept to apply procedure update.

Apply update procedure and be patient while the phone is updating, have a coffee.

After the phone has rebooted to home, check firmware version and if your personal settings and data (apps/documents) have been affected by the procedure, restore them.

If needed, root your phone.

Report your results here (update process ok? settings kept intact or not?)
[ZenFone 2 General] JustADreamer:
Thanks ! Good guide !
[ZenFone 2 General] rfka:
Link2sd is wonderful but asus firmwares are not working well with him and bootloopings are happening with serious corruption.
[ZenFone 2 General] fengshaun:
trying to root

I'm trying to root my zenfone (551 2GB), but I get the following output with lots of "permission denied" errors even though I can use `su` in shell (connectbot) and gain root privileges. How do I fix this? What am I doing wrong? I have been following the first post instructions with all the drivers+adb installed.

Connect your device with your computer and prepare to ROOT

!!! DO NOT DISCONNECT USB CABLE WHILE ROOTING !!!

Press any key to continue . . .

Rooting, please be patient ..

target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending '/system/bin/resize2fs' (6 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.234s]
writing '/system/bin/resize2fs'...
FAILED (remote: Permission denied
)
finished. total time: 0.406s
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending '/system/bin/tune2fs' (1386 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.281s]
writing '/system/bin/tune2fs'...
FAILED (remote: Permission denied
)
finished. total time: 0.453s
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending '/system/bin/partlink' (2941 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.297s]
writing '/system/bin/partlink'...
FAILED (remote: Permission denied
)
finished. total time: 0.469s
...
(bootloader) Start partitioning

OKAY [ 0.349s]
finished. total time: 0.349s
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending '/system/bin/logcat' (4 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.219s]
writing '/system/bin/logcat'...
FAILED (remote: Permission denied
)
finished. total time: 0.391s
...
(bootloader) Stop partitioning

OKAY [ 0.344s]
finished. total time: 0.344s

All done, enjoy your ROOTED device :)
by shakalaca

rebooting...

finished. total time: 0.104s
Press any key to continue . . .
[ZenFone 2 General] Nyks45:
Thanks bro this thread makes everthing more easy
[ZenFone 2 General] Blubber120:
Hello,

something went wrong here and I tried to go back to the Prerooted FW .9, but got stuck at the ASUS bootlogo. So I tried to Flash the stock Rom via adb, but unfortunately I got the twrp custom recovery flashed. The link on the first side to stock recovery doesn´t work, could somebody reup it pls?

Thx in advance

Edit:

Whoever it was, thank you, hope it´ll work now
[ZenFone 2 General] Blubber120:
Sry for double posting but that´s too important for me,

I flashed the 2.20.40.90 stock recovery, but still can´t Flash the stock Firmware. The error is "footer is wrong"

In my opinion, it doesn´t install the recovery quite right, the error occurs, bevor finishing to install it.

Could somebody pls help me?
[ZenFone 2 General] fundoosite:
will method 3 of rooting work on the latest firmware of Asus Zenfone 2 551 India with 4 GB RAM 32 GB
[ZenFone 2 General] Suryanuj:
yes it works!!! i have done it with latest firmware version 2.20.40.90.
[ZenFone 2 General] wifestealer:
Help

hello, I'm on stock rom and everything. So, I want to root my phone and put twrp after unlocking bootloader. Which method is safe and good ? Although, I'd like to unroot in future. Please help me.

Model is 51Ml 2 Gb variant
[ZenFone 2 General] JustADreamer:
I used this for root (method 1) .

I used this for unlock bootlader.

There is no problemfor me.
[ZenFone 2 General] wifestealer:
thanks both are done.
[ZenFone 2 General] JustADreamer:
you 're welcome .

and u know if you want to apply OTA , you mustnt delete or change any system app(asus aps or etc.)

if you delete this apps you cant apply OTAs.

My suggestion if you want to apply ota, first unroot then apply ota , root again.
[ZenFone 2 General] wifestealer:
I can restore them again so here's thing, I restore those apps, unroot my phone and apply ota and then root again right ? But bootloader is unlocked so it has no problem with bootloader either locked or unlocked
[ZenFone 2 General] vipercoyote:
[MENTION=5650813]mhp1995[/MENTION] it should be noted in the 1st post regarding changing the audio config file that the person should secure the permissions back to ( rw-r-r ) or else the phone and sound will fail. it will also lag very bad