[Asus ZenFone 3 Guides, News, & Discussion] PedroArmindo:
Hello guys. I'm from Brazil and I did not see anything about root here, just a post and very difficult for beginner users. I have done a complete tutorial in PT BR and resolve to translate here for you. Sorry for the mistakes in English, I used Google Translate. I also did a video explaining, you can understand very well, the process is simple, but I have detailed everything.

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSFXR0Bm0tA[/YOUTUBE]

The ROOT process is extremely delicate and in some cases can damage the device, fortunately most of the time everything is reversible, but you must be very careful at each step of this guide. It is worth remembering that all the risk is on your account and I have tested all the procedures.

There is a method of doing ROOT on Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL where SP Flash Tools software is used to install Custom Recovery and then install SuperSu for ROOT access. The problem with this method is that it did not work for me, and I received several types of errors between them.

ERROR: S_BROM_DOWNLOAD_DA_FAIL (0x7D4)

ERROR: S_DL_GET_DRAM_SETTING_FAIL (0x13BE)

Both with no apparent solution, could be anything from drivers to the version of Android I'm using. As I understand it, SP Flash Tools only works with Android 6.0, and I'm in version 7.0.

Without further explanation, let's go to what matters in this tutorial:

How to make ROOT on Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL

Reminding me that I am in ROM 7.0 version WW-14.12.1707.48. This tutorial is a bit different from what you're used to, and I need to explain why.

Unlock Bootloader for Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL

Asus provides an APK on its website to unlock the Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL bootloader, the problem is that this APK does not do much, for some reason it does not work fully.

But it can release some feature that allows the installation of a custom boot, which is what we will do in this tutorial.

Download the Asus APK UnlockTool: https://www.asus.com/us/Phone/ZenFone-3-Max-ZC520TL/HelpDesk_Download/

The APK does not fully unlock the bootloader, but it does release some important things. Install and authorize the APK to release Bootloader.

Install the APK;

Accept the terms;

Accept the unlocking of the Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL Bootloader;

If you do not perform this procedure, you may have the error "FAILED (remote: not allowed in locked state)" error - Thanks to User lukesouzaOFC DMC for warning.

As the bootloader is not unlocked 100%, it is impossible to pass a Custom Recovery and install SuperSu or Magisk and thus have ROOT access.

So the XDA user dr_awesome867 created a ROOT method on Zenfone 3 MAX using Magisk , the whole process is simple, but I'll detail step-by-step here so you do not have any questions or problems.

Basically what we will do is modify the boot of the original ROM of Zenfone 3 MAX through the Magisk and then install this boot by ADB.

ROOT on Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL with Magisk

Download the ROM you are using, you can download the ROM from the Asus website, the server is very fast and the ROM is downloaded as well. To find out which ROM you should download, on your Zenfone 3 MAX, go to Settings> About> Software Information . I have ROM TW_14.12.1707.48_20170725;

ROM: https://www.asus.com/us/Phone/ZenFone-3-Max-ZC520TL/HelpDesk_Download/

Download ADB Shell, this package is the basics to be able to do the installation;

Download ADB Shell / Torrent 27Mb

Download Magisk Manager, and install it on your Zenfone 3 MAX;

Download Magisk Manager

In this part of the tutorial, the download of the ROM you downloaded should be over. Go to where you saved the ROM files and extract them. After extracting the files, you will see the file "boot.img", copy it to your mobile;

In Zenfone 3 MAX, open Magisk and select Install

In the next menu, Install again;

In this menu, select Patch Boot Image File;

Navigate and select the ROM boot you've placed on your phone;

Wait for the process to finish;

Magisk has created a file called "patch_boot.img" and it is located inside the Magisk folder in the root of your device. Take this file and put it in the folder of the Root Kit Zenfone 3 that you downloaded up there in step 3 (ADB Shell) - We will use this file and install it by ADB Shell, releasing ROOT in the device;

Still in Zenfone 3, turn on USB debugging to do so enable developer mode.

Go to Settings> About> and click Version Number several times;

Will enable developer mode, go back to Settings and go to Developer Options;

Go to Superuser Access and select Applications and ADB;

Go to the computer, in the folder you extracted the Root Kit (ADB Shell) and hold Shift and right-click anywhere on the screen and select Open Command Window here;

This command will make the Zenfone 3 MAX restart in FastBoot mode. If it gives a necessary authorization notice, go to Zenfone 3 MAX and give the debug permission;

Now, enter the command:

adb reboot-bootloader

Now this:

fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img

This command will install the boot customized by Magisk

The process is very fast, finished, type the command

fastboot reboot

To restart the Zenfone 3 MAX;

Open the Magisk and see the magic happening! You have ROOT on Zenfone 3 MAX ZC520TL with Android 7.0.

With Magisk installed, you have numerous advantages that SuperSu can not offer, such as being able to install Modules. Check out our article with The Top 10 Modules for Magisk .

Did it work out for you? Do you have any tips or questions? Leave it in the comments.

Original article and images in https://eusouandroid.co/como-fazer-root-no-zenfone-3-max-zc520tl-sem-usar-sp-flash-tools/