yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[ZenFone 2 General] alboz83:
Hi,

i'm thinking to root my ZE551ML but i'm a little confused. I would like to use a Method 3, so can you confirm that i can update OTA without unroot? And if i freeze some apps, I have to unfreeze them or it's not necessary? Thanks !!
[ZenFone 2 General] fuzzybuffalo:
Yes, I have updated twice now via OTA without unrooting, using Method 3.

I use the Asus Auto-start Manager to stop apps from starting when booting. I don't have to remove them from that app.

I don't use Titanium Backup, but I have read you have to unfreeze your apps before updating.
[ZenFone 2 General] alboz83:
Great, thank you very much ;)
[ZenFone 2 General] vincexda:
I'm wondering the same, though placing the firmware zip in the root of internal storage and restarting my phone did install it, so that's a good enough workaround for me...as long as Asus keep posting the new firmwares!
[ZenFone 2 General] kanagawaben:
Can any one tell me what to do with the bunch of zip file components that the pre-rooted system image file downloads as from mega? Trying to open the first file with 7zip usually works to combine them, but not in this case.
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
No it wont open with 7zip...Download WinRar and then select the zip file..It will start combing the zip files and you will get a system.img file...Btw u reminded me, i have to write a tutorial on this :D
[ZenFone 2 General] kanagawaben:
Thanks, sorted. Now properly rooted on the latest firmware and about to go through the debloating process for the umpteenth time.

If another update comes through, the guide says to flash it via adb. That means DL the firmware zip from Asus, right? What is the command to flash it from fastboot?
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Yeah you can download it from Offical Asus site but you wont have root...Otherwise you can download the firmware from Official Asus site and flash it via adb or via recovery...Flash it from any method but dont apply OTA :) For flashing the rom please see the Flashing Zenfone 2 part (#4)
[ZenFone 2 General] thedisturbedone:
Love this guide! Many thanks!
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
I found an entry in default.prop

ro.sf.lcd_density=480
[ZenFone 2 General] tasar:
Ok, i tested it now and works fine. The good: You can see the result on the fly, no reboot necessary. But 250 is to small for me or iam to old for that :)
[ZenFone 2 General] NoviceXDAer:
If I do this, can I update SuperSU and also, will I lose all my data each time I install an update?
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Do what?? If you flash the pre-rooted system.img you can update SuperSu and its binary but you should not apply OTA as the phone will get stuck in a bootloop...After flashing the firmware if you want to upgrade to a newer firmware you can flash it via adb but NO OTA should be applied...

No you will not lose any of your data if you flash the firmware.. Please refer my guide for flashing the firmware etc... If you still find any difficulty please ask, i will be glad if i can help u in any way :)
[ZenFone 2 General] NoviceXDAer:
What will I do if I get in a bootloop? also, in the readme file of the rom, its written not to update supersu from play store!

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:58 PM ----------

also, can you post other download link except mega? i can't download from mega
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
If you apply OTA you will get bootloop and then you have to unbrick your device...As you seem to be noob in these things i advise you NOT to apply any OTA... You will mess up your device.... You can update SuperSu and is binaries...No harm in that.. I myself have updated SuperSu app as well as its binaries... If you want the latest firmware after updating SuperSu app you can flash it via adb...Only thing you have to take care after updating SuperSu is you dont have to apply any OTA.. .
[ZenFone 2 General] NoviceXDAer:
also, can you post other download link except mega? i can't download from mega
[ZenFone 2 General] Shafwan7:
successfully root my Zenfone2 550ML and installed Xposed from this tutorial!

great tutorial and easy steps.
[ZenFone 2 General] DJR96:
Oh dear! I seem to be having problems rooting (the phone that is).

All was going well, sent the first three .img files, but got error sending system.img

"FAILED (command write failed (unknown error))"

Got out and managed to wipe the cache, retry and got same result.

Open to suggestions on what to try next. Please.

edit: Ended up putting original firmware on SDcard. Now up to date but not rooted yet.
[ZenFone 2 General] dineshdotcom2000:
I have rooted my phone successfully but how to install PHILIPZ Recovery like we have in Samsung Devices. Please help.
[ZenFone 2 General] tasar:
When iam right, we need open bootloader to flash Custom recovery like PhilipZ or CWM. And at the moment, no one can open the bootloader.
[ZenFone 2 General] vivek680:
Not able to open recovery mode

I have the 2gb model of ze551ml. I power off the phone, hold power button and volume up. When phone vibrates, I leave them. but the phone starts up normally. If I try keeping the buttons held, the phone switches off
[ZenFone 2 General] yurgade:
can anyone help making a guide for this? seems easier for us lazy people

http://www.phonearena.com/news/King...ted-in-English-and-ready-to-serve-you_id69433

seems pretty simple hopes it works for the zf2
[ZenFone 2 General] dineshdotcom2000:
Can you give me the link of STOCK ROM and guide how to flash it
[ZenFone 2 General] Doadi:
I root with method 3 too, and confirm to you, its all working fine, OTA received and updated, don need unfreeze or unroot. :thumbup::)
[ZenFone 2 General] jasonquejr:
twrp.img = This download file is not currently available (it was deleted or disabled).

Can someone check this? Thanks a bunch!
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
thank you for this :good: updated the link... file was deleted by the dev...Google Drive link added :)
[ZenFone 2 General] tokecin:
Can you confirm you doing OTA without unfreezing apps which are already freeze?. For me also method 3 is ok for OTA but always unfreeze apps using Titanium Backup.

Thanks!!
[ZenFone 2 General] moore.bryan:
Apparently, you also need to uninstall Xposed, if installed.
[ZenFone 2 General] Doadi:
I rooted meth. 3, and freezed apps i don use( i not unistall asus apps) and received last OTA update

2.19.40.22 normally. :)

(Zenfone2 ze551ml rooted)
[ZenFone 2 General] Abhishek1108:
Help guyz pls

I wanted to backup my stock recovery for future otas so I for the moment didn't install twrp. But I needed xposed for greenify. So I idiot flashed xposed framework through zitflasher. But after reboot most files and folders in/sd card were missing. Extsdcard was fine. Most apps are working fine but some that have obbs and instant messaging like whatsapp is giving problems. Like I have to download one again and whatsapp all pics and videos gone,etc. Pls help.
[ZenFone 2 General] gladiatorz:
I have ota for the previous version.

Can i use that via fastboot to go back to that version,coz newer one is just killing battery and lagging a lit.
[ZenFone 2 General] alboz83:
Hi guys, I rooted my ZE551ML with Method 3, so i can update OTA without unroot and unfreeze, i think. But if I put some apps in system, or if I change some files inside system (how hosts because i use adaway), will OTA update works?
[ZenFone 2 General] markwebb:
Probably not. With the exception of root method 3, changes to system will block. You can always try it to verify!

---------- Post added at 09:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 AM ----------
[ZenFone 2 General] Peacekeeper888:
Adb sideload FAQs

My apology first for these stupid questions but I do hope this will serve as FAQ to fellow newbies. They are mostly yes no question after all. I'm totally new when it comes to adb sideload, so I really rely on you guys to answer the following :

1. Do I need to unroot prior to flashing the firmware zip file?

2. From earlier post and reply adb sideload won't wipe user data and apps, am I right?

3. Do I have to unroot before adb sideload the zip firmware?

4. Regarding update zip file after flashing stock ROM, should I adb sideload it or simply flash it from recovery?

5. Should I unroot prior to applying #4?

6. Do I need to update binaries?

7. Do I need to update SuperSU?

8. If I remove bloatware (rooted), is it harmful to adb sideload the zip firmware or applying update (should I unroot first?)

9. How do I return to stock recovery from CWM/TWRP? (do I need recovery.img?)

Thanks a bunch in advance.
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Yes, you can revert back to a previous fw but u need a full rom files to flash all the partitions from scratch i.e recovery.img, fastboot, system.img... IF U DONT HAVE A FULL ROM FILE and just ota (zip file) u need to flash the recovery.img of previous version first (http://www.mediafire.com/folder/setyy42t2cymy#dy87k1a0f8m81) and then u need can sideload the previous ota zip file...
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Its ok to ask questions :) don't worry XDA members will guide in every step :good:

1) Depends on which method u used for rooting...If u used 3rd method (i.e 1 click root tool) then u don't need to un-root ur device even if u apply an OTA/sideload a firmware

2) Yes, side-loading an OTA won't remove ur data but if u flash the full rom i.e system.img then your data/apps/preferences will be lost as flashing a system.img will first erase the previous system.img from the phone and will then flash the new system.img

3) Again it all depends on how u have rooted ur phone...Like i said if u have rooted via method 3 then you don't have to worry about un-rooting ur device for sideloading or updating via OTA...

4) It all depends on u...If u are comfortable with adb and its commands then u can sideload the zip file via adb...But right now as u are a novice and don't have enough knowledge about adb sideloading/commands i would recommend you to apply update via recovery as it is easy... For updating via recovery see this threads "Apply OTA manually" (http://xdaforums.com/zenfone2/general/guide-to-apply-ota-bootloop-rooted-zf2-t3127835)

5) Again it will depend on how u root ur device...same thing 3rd method no need to worry about rooting but if u root ur device via diff method then u need to un-root..

6) Yes u can and should update binaries..No binaries No root...Don't worry there will be no bootloop just install via normal dont select TWRP method unless u have a custom recovery...

7) By update SuperSu u mean from playstore? Updating SuperSu binaries or updating SuperSU app from Playstore will not harm ur device...Its recommended to update binaries/app... If u dont update binaries u wont have root..

8) Yes it is harmful if u delete the bloatware/or any system file/app... Your device will get into a bootloop...If u dont want those bloatware just freeze them and they wont trouble u again...But u need to un-freeze those apps when u want flash /update ur phone... So, NO DELETING OF BLOATWARE JUST FREEZING THEM AND UN-FREEZING THEM AGAIN WHILE UPDATING...

9) Yes u will need a stock recovery.img...They are easily available here so don't worry... You just have to flash the stock recovery.img and u will be on stock recovery again... Has a procedure..didn't mention it as it will get complicated..If u want to know how to do it will post that also but until that time this much knowledge is ok :good:

hope i cleared all ur doubts :cool:
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Why did u have to install xposed via zitflasher... its used to flash .img,zip files and tar files... Xposed needs some files to be pushed into system first and then installing the Xposed app... Installing method for Xposed is clearly mentioned in this thread as well as on other thread which is dedicated to Xposed only...Try to recovery the files via recovery softwares and then erase the entire system and flash the rom from scratch and this time dont use zitflasher or any other flasher available just use this guide...
[ZenFone 2 General] gdfajkldfkwfj:
Today I did an OTA without unrooting from one click root and my device ended up in bootloop, had to fastboot all 4 images (pre-rooted) to unbrick the device
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
U must have removed some bloatware or modified system files... Did u un-install Xposed Framework and busybox before updating... And by un-installing Xposed framework i mean by removing Xposed framework using the .bat file included in the xposed framework zip file not just by removing the Xposed app from ur system...
[ZenFone 2 General] gdfajkldfkwfj:
All I can recall is that I installed app ops, can that be the cause?
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
maybe u have denied the permission of some essential apps or bloatware...It can be the reason... i am not sure...some developer may know better and answer this.... but i think it is because of this only...Granting/denying permission to an app is considered as modifying the system..Maybe u have denied some permissions to bloatware and it changed the system so bootloop occurred..
[ZenFone 2 General] SparklyVagina:
srry noob question but am i required to unlock my bootloader before using the 1 click root tool?
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Nope u dont need an unlocked bootloader for 1 click root tool or for any of the other root methods :)
[ZenFone 2 General] thunderc8:
I want to return to CN firmware after installing three WW but I'm missing the recovery.img to return to CN stock I have already extracted boot.img and bootdroid.img from the CN zip but there is no recovery.img, can you please give me a link to CN recovery because I think this the reason I get error all the time.

Or it could be that I have the latest WW .22 and the Chinese firmware is the .20, I have tried full wipe and case ,I tied with adb and also the WW το CN procedure backwards but I always fail. All I managed to do is fail and have double APS and I had to restore again.
[ZenFone 2 General] Abhishek1108:
How can I recover which software to use??

Pls guide me.
[ZenFone 2 General] Cmjr24:
Need help pls

My Zenfone 2 ze551ml 32 gb 4gb RAM is now stocked with dead blinking android with triangle after wiping cache partition. And now i cant event go to recovery mode. Then i installed adb and the intel driver posted in your tutorial on how to go fast boot and execute the fastboot erase cache. But The problem is that the adb interface is not working, it will just close right after i open it even though i followed the instruction on how to install 15sec ADB. Did i missed something? Pls help coz i cant use my zenfone2 now. Thanks in advanNce
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
See you won't get the full data back by those softwares... You can recover images/songs/vids and some other files by those softwares but mostly not all type of files are recovered and if somehow the file is recovered it can be corrupt so you need to check that urself... for e.g for whatsapp you need database files for chats and all i am not sure that will be recovered or not but you will get some photos/vids back not chats...

For recovering via PC: google file/data recovery softwares for windows and select some nice promising software e.g recuva, pandora recovery, mini tool power data recovery...

For recovering files on phone only (NO PC needed) see these: http://xdaforums.com/android/apps-games/app-undeleter-t2849045 or

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.defianttech.diskdigger&hl=en

And 1 question... How does Xposed help to backup recovery?? Xposed is not used for backing up any files or anything...It is a tweaking app/framework... For backing up any file/recovery etc there are other methods... And please after you recover your files please flash the entire rom from scratch as you have really messed up with the system files and it can cause problems in future
[ZenFone 2 General] Abhishek1108:
Thnx for the reply but I don't care abt the internal data as all my personal pics, videos and songs are in memory card. All I care is for apps which I have backed up using titanium and contacts, sms which also I have backed up. I will just wait for a custom rom and directly install it.. But thnx for the help. I wanted to install xposed to install green icy not for backing up recovery.. For backing up recovery I used dd command in terminal emulator.. And after installing custom rom do I also need to flash boot recovery and fast boot again???

---------- Post added at 04:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:49 PM ----------

U don't have to open the file named adb. U have to open a command prompt in the folder by shift+right clicking and selecting open command window here. Then type adb devices to check whether ur device is detected.. If yes type adb reboot bootloader.. Now ur in fastboot.. Now type fastboot erase cache to wipe cache partition.

Hope it helps..
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
EDIT:::: answer was provided by [MENTION=5632644]Abhishek1108[/MENTION] in the previous post......

MODS: if possible delete this post of mine (Not thread....Just this post :P last time thread got closed :D )
[ZenFone 2 General] Cmjr24:
after doing that will it go back to normal? because the thing is i don't inted to root my fone yet, i just wanted to wipe my cache partition but suddenly this thing happened due to my lack of knowledge. thanks bro
[ZenFone 2 General] Abhishek1108:
what happened exactly?? pls elaborate that how ur phone got to the current situation (dead robot). But if u think that wiping cache might fix the problem, then the above steps which i elaborated are the ones.

Other than that i require to know how u got in the current situation for any further help

Hope it helps you...

If i help u to get out of ur situation, Kindly give me a thanks. It will keep my spirits high to help you and others in similar situation.
[ZenFone 2 General] JuStAdsor:
Wait. You don't have to lose your data. The solution is simple. It happened to me also few days ago.

Reboot phone to bootloader.

Connect phone to pc.

Go to device manager and look for the phone. The device will appear with ! Sign.

Right click and manualy install Asus adb drivers - bootloader. Manualy select them.

Execute fastboot erase cache

Reboot to recovery

Format cache from recovery.

Leave it. It will take wute some time to format it. Even if it will appear stuck, leave it until completes.

Reboot normally. It will work for sure.
[ZenFone 2 General] charles.jr24:
Thanks guys. Its ok now, i repeated the instructions about executing fastboot erase cache using adb and then wipe data cache in recovery mode and it works like a charm withouy suffering from losing mya data. Big thanks everyone!
[ZenFone 2 General] jasonquejr:
I have nothing to ask.

I just thought that these guys who kept on helping us with our devices deserves tons of credits and appreciation. I may not give you a beer but I would like to thank you all! *Salute
[ZenFone 2 General] charles.jr24:
I agree, they deserve it all.

---------- Post added 9th July 2015 at 12:20 AM ---------- Previous post was 8th July 2015 at 11:33 PM ----------

Is there anyone here using ze551ml experience the double tap in zenmotion to wake up the screen doesn't work sometime? Or I maybe I should say most of the times. Which I have to push the power button to wake up the screen? Can somebody enlighten me about this issue how to fix it? Thanks in advance.
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Nope...it works for me just fine... I also use Nova launcher prime and it works with it too...Don't have this problem...Maybe its your screenguard or sumthin because of which you have to tap the screen harder...
[ZenFone 2 General] charles.jr24:
I dont think it's because of the screenguard. I was thinking that may be the asus launcher is the problem though i haven't tried any 3rd party launcher. Even the zengestures is not working once the double tap to wakeup the screen didn't work thats why i have to press the power button everytime just to make it work. I think i saw another thread regarding this in other forum site, i just can't remember the name of it. So that means i am not the only one who's having this experience. Hope that there's a way to fix it. Thanks everyone and have a good day ahead.
[ZenFone 2 General] Doadi:
I have this issue too using Nova Launcher. Duble tap to screen of not working, so, i install an app to screen off when double tap using gestures assinaled in Nova config :)

(Zenfone2 ze551ml rooted)
[ZenFone 2 General] GeneralPag:
It doesnt work with nova launcher because its asus launcher feature.
[ZenFone 2 General] chubby65:
I use Nova launcher and double tap to sleep does work

Double tap just under Asus branding it'll work
[ZenFone 2 General] ImjuzCY:
Basically the whole statusbar
[ZenFone 2 General] dkimmortal:
It happens to my phone like 5% of the time, very infrequent when the double tap to wake doesn't work...maybe the phone was too much in deep sleep? though i wish it worked 99% of the time
[ZenFone 2 General] OfficerJimLahey:
Same here, probably 5% of the time, if not less now (because I realized if I tap too fast, the double-tap does not register - there has to be a short pause - almost a sarcastic pause ;) - between the taps).
[ZenFone 2 General] smaurice2001:
Tanks all my answer in one spot

Its bin a week that I am looking to find a root tutorial for Linux user! Find it in your post, tanks you are a lifesaver.:good:
[ZenFone 2 General] GeneralPag:
Now we can download TWRP from the official page. https://twrp.me/devices/asuszenfone2.html
[ZenFone 2 General] charles.jr24:
Yes i noticed that as well. that there are times you need to pause so that the double tap will work, but most of the time, i have to keep on tapping the screen like for 1 minute and then the screen will wakeup again, the weird thing is that, even the gestures is not working once the double tap didn't work. I was thingking if this is some kind of asus launcher bug or is it just in deep sleep mode? I Hope that this is not a hardware issue of the zenfone 2 touch screen.
[ZenFone 2 General] umo4u:
thanks a lot and a noob question ?

hi.thanks a lot really a lot :highfive: i did root by method 3 and i succeeded.now i have a noob question which is if i install xposed by your said guide will i still be able to download and install ota ?
[ZenFone 2 General] onesky:
same here
[ZenFone 2 General] mhp1995:
Yes u will be able to apply ota but before applying ota u have to delete xposed framework and the xposed app...un-installer is given in the zip file....
[ZenFone 2 General] Bhuri25:
Everything except the google account and play store was working perfectly fine .....even the wifi was working fine because i was able to chat on whatsapp and download songs using asus native browser.

Earlier i got an error message stating that couldnot signin the google account .......couldnot establish a reliable connection to the google servers. after few more attempts to login i got a error message that your device may not be provisioned for data services....if this continues than contact the customer care.

I even did the clearing of cache (wipe cache) than twice i performed hard reset still the problem persists .......plzz help

i am attaching the photo of the description of the problem (it is not the original photo but the problem is same) i have downloaded this photo from google surely its not of asus but believe me i am facing the same issue
[ZenFone 2 General] umo4u:
for viper4android

set the SE-Linux to permissive on your phone http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2524485 :cowboy: thanks to [MENTION=4467676]MrBIMC[/MENTION]

---------- Post added at 10:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 PM ----------

i did everthing right but at last messed up my sound while i was trying viper4android.please help me to get my sound back :crying: