[Asus ZenFone 3 Questions & Answers] SnakeByte:
How to install unofficial TWRP and root your Zenfone 3 Laser (ZC551KL / Z01BDC)

OK, Here we go; You downloaded bootloader unlock tool from Asus and want to root: https://www.asus.com/us/Phone/ZenFone-3-Laser-ZC551KL/HelpDesk_Download/

FILES TO DOWNLOAD:

-First you need to download the unofficial TWRP that works for this phone (twrp-3.1.1-unofficial): https://depositfiles.com/files/ux8w5thp6

-Second, you need superSU file (Many thanks and credits to [MENTION=3563392]mauam[/MENTION] for the links): https://xdaforums.com/apps/supersu/v2-64-2-66-supersu-mode-t3286120

-Third, if supersu doesn't work, you need Magisk v.15.3 (Lots of thanks and credits to [MENTION=4470081]topjohnwu[/MENTION] for providing us with these tools): https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445

-Fourth, download ADB drivers and install them in your PC: https://gsmusbdriver.com/asus-zenfone-3-laser-zc551kl

-Again many thanks and credits to [MENTION=8415230]Gt5228[/MENTION] for the original helpful "Idiots Guide" of how to root ZC551KL. If you have issues, follow this thread for info, links and solutions: https://xdaforums.com/zenfone-3/help/how-to-root-zenfone-3-laser-zc551kl-t3502606/page5

NOTE: For some phones, superSU doesn't work. I run Android Nougat 7.1.1 stock on ZC551KL, and using superSU soft bricked my phone. I had to flash the stock again and try Magisk instead supersu, which worked. Others used successfully another version of SU, so please read the original thread before you start if you still have questions. I am not responsible for bricking your phone or any other issue you may encounter. Just to be safe, make sure you backed up your device, and have access to the original firmware file just in case you need to flash it again.

HOW TO:

-Install adb drivers;

-Enable debugging on your phone;

-Copy "twrp-3.1.1.unofficial.img" on your installed ADB folder (PC);

-Copy "Magisk-v15.3" or "superSU" on your phone's SD Card;

-Go in adb folder where your files are and pressing and holding "Shift" right click on nothing inside your folder and choose "Open command prompt here"

-With your phone still on and connected to PC, type "adb devices" You should see a serial number, that means your phone is connected via adb and you are good to go;

-Next, type "adb reboot bootloader"

-Once in bootloader type: "fastboot flash recovery <file name>.img (fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1.unofficial.img);

-After Flashing, DO NOT REBOOT YOUR PHONE INTO SYSTEM!!! Reboot into Recovery!

-Using vol up/down choose Recovery and wait to reboot on TWRP. You'll be asked for your pin if you have one;

-In TWRP (Recovery) press "INSTALL" from main menu and navigate to your saved file on SD Card (superSU or Magisk) and select it;

-After the installation, clean cache and restart. Now your phone has TWRP recovery and is rooted. Enjoy.

This is not entirely my work, all i did was just collecting information and links from web and put them here together.

P.S. I used Windows 7 Ultimate 64bits, USB 2.0 port.

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------

About custom roms, at this time there's absolutely none ported for ZenFone 3 Laser. I've been looking for weeks now, here on xda and everywhere else and found none to 0... No CM, no AOSP, no Lineage, no Viper OS, no nothing... disappointing, as there's lots of ZC551KL users waiting. As posted here, twrp, bootloader unlocking and rooting is possible, but beside the privacy apps we can install over root, we still have to live with all this blootware on Asus Zenfones. We'll get the Oreo update in August though, if that makes you feel better... ;)