How to root Zenfone 2 in 2 ways and Install Custom Recovery (CWM)

How to root Zenfone 2 in 2 ways and Install Custom Recovery (CWM)

Requirements:

1. Download Pre-rooted image from here. Check the model number of your Asus Zenfone 2 and download the pre-rooted image for your model number. To check model number go to Settings > About Phone > Model name. 
2.  DRIVER
3. Minimal ADB and Fastboot Tools

How to install Minimal ADB and Fastboot tools

1. From the downloaded folder open 2_setup.exe and start the installation process by following on-screen instructions.
2. Once you have installed it go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot (for 64 bit systems) or C:\Program Files\Minimal ADB and Fastboot (for 32 bit systems) and open py_cmd.exe by right clicking on it and selecting Run as Administrator.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions and Minimal ADB and Fastboot tools will be installed on your system.

How to root Asus Zenfone 2

Method 1.

You are now ready to root Asus Zenfone 2. Simply follow the step by step guide shared below to root Asus Zenfone 2.

1. Extract the downloaded pre-rooted image for your Asus Zenfone 2 and place it on your desktop.
2. Connect your Asus Zenfone 2 with your computer using a USB cable.
3. Now open command window on your PC. To open command window press Shift Key + Right mouse click and select open command window here This will open command window on your computer.
4. Once command window is opened enter the command shared below which will put your device in bootloader mode.

adb reboot bootloader

5. Rename the image which you extracted before in Step 1 to img
6. Now you have to flash the image on your Asus Zenfone 2. To do this you have to enter the command shared below in the command window.

fastboot flash system system.img

7. It will take a couple of minutes to flash the image. Once it is flashed enter the command shared below which will reboot your device.

fastboot reboot

Your Asus Zenfone 2 smartphone will reboot. Enjoy!

How Install Custom Recovery (CWM) temporarily

Method 2.

Requirements:

SuperSu246.zip

Fastboot.rar

1. Download all the files containing temporary CWM package and extract the fastboot.rar to desktop.
2. Turn on USB Debugging and then connect your phone to the PC.
   USB Debugging can be accessed by going to Settings> About> Software Information> Tap Build number 7 times. Then go 2 steps back and choose Developer options> USB Debugging.
3. Copy SuperSU246.zip  to the  SD card.
4. Run cai_dat_CWM.bat. In the command window, type ACCEPT (in capitals) and hit Enter.
5. Type T4 and hit enter again. Your phone should restart infastboot mode, take the commands and then load the temporary CWM. It will take about a minute for this to complete.
6. When the phone boots CWM Recovery, you can disconnect the device from the PC. Then select Install Zip by using Volume Keys to highlight and Power Key to select.
7. Select choose zip from external sdcard and then select the SuperSU246.zip  file copied to the SD card in step 4. Select Yes – Install SuperSuxxx.zip to start flashing.
8. When done, reboot your phone and that’s it. 
9. Verify the root by installing any root checker app from the Play Store.

Note: This work tested in Zenfone 2 with version ZE550ML & ZE551ML

[ROM] CyanogenMod CM 12.1 For ASUS Zenfone 2

Original Post XDA
Credit to : crpalmer

Your warranty is now void.
We are not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards, do some research if you have any concerns about features included in this ROM before flashing it! 

The entire process should work like a charm for you if you follow the procedure correctly. But DWYOR (Do it with your own Risk) I'm not responsible if you damaged your phone :) But don't worry i've tested this before. Backup your data before perform this tutorial.

Instructions

• First time flashing CyanogenMod 12.1 on your device, or coming from another ROM?
• Download the zip(s).
• Install a compatible Recovery
• Perform a NANDroid backup of your current ROM (Optional)
• Wipe data & cache partitions of your device (required when coming from stock!).
• Flash CyanogenMod.
• Optional: Install the Google Apps addon package.

ROM Download Links

CyanogenMod CM 12.1 For ASUS Zenfone 2 ZE551ML (Z00A)

Download Recovery 

CM Recovery

Google Apps Add On

Download Link

Broken Features / Known Issues

    Auto-brightness sometimes goes completely black
    Boot hangs sometimes (mediaserver seems to go crazy)
    Button backlight should be removed
        camera is mostly working except:
        crashes when switching between cameras
        video camera hangs during first boot (?)
        video recording audio volume is too low
    chrome (beta onlty?) rotating the display to landscape shows a blank screen
    gapps crashes on first boot (clean install)
    Hardware-backed keystore
    offmode charging (USB Charge Only Mode): Can’t get out of it
    selinux enforcing mode
    sim card not detected on first boot (clean install)
    USB UMS (Mass Storage)
    VP8 codec


Working Features

    adb
    android Wear
    audio
    AudioFX
    bluetooth
    brightness
    camera (partially, see the broken section)
    device Encryption
    drm / widevine (partially, main app works but some issues remain)
    dt2wake
    flashlight / torch
    gps
    microphone
    microphone mute for voice call
    netflix
    NFC
    NFC account setup during OOBE
    power profile information (battery usage information)
    radio (lte default, sms, voice calls)
    rotator
    sdcard
    sensors
    SIP calling (tried built-in mic/speaker, headset, speakerphone)
    usb-otg
    USB MTP
    USB PTP
    vibrator
    video playback, including youtube
    voice recognition
    VPN
    wifi
    WiFi tethering

Screenshots

 

ASUS Zenfone 2 Running Windows 7

Windows 7 Installation Achieved on Asus Zenfone 2

Android as a platform has always been about its open source nature and the freedom it provides to the end user. From simple modifications like icon packs to more extreme ones like the MultiROM project, each passing day sees the community produce something new, something wonderful that further enforces the platform’s openness.

In what can only be deemed a project deep into the extreme end of the modding spectrum, XDA Senior Member ycavan took to the forums earlier today to show off a full-blown Windows 7 installation running on his Intel-powered Zenfone 2. The nature of the Intel Atom’s architecture ensures that the OS runs at near native speeds, and despite the installation
procedure being relatively complex, the end almost justifies the means for enthusiasts longing for a desktop OS on a handheld device. In his post, ycavan outlines every step required for the installation, the gist of which is that interested Zenfone 2 users must unlock their bootloader, flash a specific kernel, partition their SD card and run a host of terminal commands, upon completion of which, the Windows installation will begin in a virtual machine.

Via XDA-developers | Thread and Tutorial

[Recovery] TWRP for ASUS Zenfone 2

TWRP-TeamWin Recovery for ASUS Zenfone 2
Credit and Thanks to TheSSJ  from XDA-developer
Original Post Here 

Features:

- Compiled with CM12 sources
- Optimized for x86 (smooth UI now)
- internal and external storages are mounted correctly
- Backup of boot, system, cache and data possible
- Full Crypto and SELINUX support
- kernel compiled dynamically (thanks to @crpalmer and @jrior001 and all involved for their fantastic work) with permissive Selinux
- Splashscreen can be backed up (to fiddle around and create your own)

Bugs:

- ADB works only with system mounted (no root at the moment). As soon as /sbin folder is writeable I will re-patch adbd binary
- /sbin is not accessible (maybe just some wrong Selinux context, culprit can't be the kernel anymore :P )
- MTP doesn't work

Download: 

Download TWRP.zip (xda)

Download TWRP.zip - Mirror Link (asuswebstorage)

How to Use:

1. Download TWRP.zip for Zenfone 2 above
2. Place it to ADB Folder (Download Here if you don't have it)
3. Unlock Zenfone 2 Bootloader (Tutorial here)
4. Turn off Zenfone 2 
5. Boot into Bootloader (by pressing Power button + Volume up)
6. When you see fastboot GUI, connect Zenfone 2 to PC/laptop
7. at ADB+TWRP folder open CMD (Hold Shift+RightClick > Open command Here)
8. At Command Promt Type:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
9. Then press vol down 2 times until "Reboot recovery" shows up and press power 1 time to boot into recovery

[Full Firmware] Zenfone 2 ZE550ML WW V2.19.40.12

 

How to OTA update ? (Go to settings>About>System Update>Check for Update)
How to update Manual ? Place to Internal Storage>Restart>Click Update
How to update via ADB sideload ? Here 

Download only FOTA Files Here
 

ZENFONE 2 ZE550ML Z008 firmware: 
WW VERSION
Version WW-2.19.40.12 (WW) 
 

Description

Release Note 1        Update phone APN version to 105. 2        Update Houdini 5.0.2 3        Fixed camera can not open sometimes when using zenflash 4        Improve volume of recording video will increase and decrease alternately. 5        Do not config Routing.Configure.HWCodec.Playback.Mixers.Headset when using FM. 6         Fixed some BLE device can not auto reconnect 7        Improve service stability 8        Improve modem stability from crash 9        Improve call stability 10        Improve signal bar stability for sim 2 11        Quick Settings: Change "Reading Mode" button as "Bluelight filter" 12        Improve SysteM UI stability and modify Japanese strings 13        Improve lockscreen UI and stability 14        Fix Homescreen Wallpaper randomly lost previous settings and half black screen issue 15        Snap View-add reset Snap View password function 16        Fix Contacts search failure issue when default language was set as HK Chinese 17        Improve Auto start manager stability and fix FB broadcast issue 18        Improve Task Manager UI and rotation stability 19        Fix calculator stability issue and UI bug under Quick Memo App 20        Improve Launcher and Multi user stability from System and framework 21        Fix Google Voice incoming call source issue and the failure to change to Google Voice number 22        Fix the issue that miss call counts failed to disappear on home when Multi user 23        Improve File Manager stability 24        Add ASUS ZenUI PC Suite 25        Fix all touch gestures to be enabled when change back to owner mode 26        Fix ASUS Browser issue 27        Fix the issue that Audio Wizard cannot  be launched when turn off BT 28        3rd party app update 29        Update touch FW 30        Update JP IME ATOK to v 1.0.1 31        Modify Japanese strings in Power Saver App 32        Fixed turn on the camera must unlock by using zenmotion issue 33        Fixed an error message shows up after removing privacy mode and adding new user immediately issue. 34        Fixed wallpaper needs to have second clicks for reaction issue. 35        Fixed built-in browser features a new incognito window has no effect issue. 36        Fixed close contacts shows other programs issue. 37        Fixed built-in calendar Click settings will flash issue. 38        Fixed ringtones into vibrate mode when the camera is off camera sounds issue. 39        Fixed volume keys to adjust the ring abnormaliy issue. 40        Fixed wallpaper Figure has been broken issue. 41        Fixed after the system optimization, message management have stopped running issue. 42        Add Battery charging ready reminder feature. 43        Enable FM Radio for Turkey For more information please refer to: WW：http://www.asus.com/zentalk/ReleaseNotes Steps of Update: 1. Check software version of your device** 2. Download device software and Update SOP (From “Manual” Item) 3. Only apply to same SKU update, Example: WW->WW, CN->CN, TW->TW. 4. Software update cannot transfer the software SKU and downgrade the software version. 5. Wrong SKU may cause update failure, please update the same SKU version only. *How to know the device model? Path: Settings->About-> Model number Example: ASUS_T00I **How to know the device software version? Path: Settings->About-> software information->Build number ***System upgrade may cause part of data missing, please buckup your important data before system upgrading.

File Size	1090 (MBytes) 2015.06.18  update
Download from	Global

[Full Firmware] Zenfone 2 ZE551ML WW V2.19.40.18

 

How to OTA update ? (Go to settings>About>System Update>Check for Update)
How to update Manual ? Place to Internal Storage>Restart>Click Update
How to update via ADB sideload ? Here 

Download only FOTA Files Here
 

ZENFONE 2 ZE551ML Z00A firmware: 
WW VERSION
Version V2.19.40.18_20150612 (WW) 
 

Description

Release Note 1        Update phone APN version to 105. 2        Update Houdini 5.0.2 3        Fixed camera can not open sometimes when using zenflash 4        Improve volume of recording video will increase and decrease alternately. 5        Do not config Routing.Configure.HWCodec.Playback.Mixers.Headset when using FM. 6         Fixed some BLE device can not auto reconnect 7        Improve service stability 8        Improve modem stability from crash 9        Improve call stability 10        Improve signal bar stability for sim 2 11        Quick Settings: Change "Reading Mode" button as "Bluelight filter" 12        Improve SysteM UI stability and modify Japanese strings 13        Improve lockscreen UI and stability 14        Fix Homescreen Wallpaper randomly lost previous settings and half black screen issue 15        Snap View-add reset Snap View password function 16        Fix Contacts search failure issue when default language was set as HK Chinese 17        Improve Auto start manager stability and fix FB broadcast issue 18        Improve Task Manager UI and rotation stability 19        Fix calculator stability issue and UI bug under Quick Memo App 20        Improve Launcher and Multi user stability from System and framework 21        Fix Google Voice incoming call source issue and the failure to change to Google Voice number 22        Fix the issue that miss call counts failed to disappear on home when Multi user 23        Improve File Manager stability 24        Add ASUS ZenUI PC Suite 25        Fix all touch gestures to be enabled when change back to owner mode 26        Fix ASUS Browser issue 27        Fix the issue that Audio Wizard cannot  be launched when turn off BT 28        3rd party app update 29        Update touch FW 30        Update JP IME ATOK to v 1.0.1 31        Modify Japanese strings in Power Saver App 32        Fixed turn on the camera must unlock by using zenmotion issue 33        Fixed an error message shows up after removing privacy mode and adding new user immediately issue. 34        Fixed wallpaper needs to have second clicks for reaction issue. 35        Fixed built-in browser features a new incognito window has no effect issue. 36        Fixed close contacts shows other programs issue. 37        Fixed built-in calendar Click settings will flash issue. 38        Fixed ringtones into vibrate mode when the camera is off camera sounds issue. 39        Fixed volume keys to adjust the ring abnormaliy issue. 40        Fixed wallpaper Figure has been broken issue. 41        Fixed after the system optimization, message management have stopped running issue. 42        Add Battery charging ready reminder feature. 43        Enable FM Radio for Turkey For more information please refer to: WW：http://www.asus.com/zentalk/ReleaseNotes Steps of Update: 1. Check software version of your device** 2. Download device software and Update SOP (From “Manual” Item) 3. Only apply to same SKU update, Example: WW->WW, CN->CN, TW->TW. 4. Software update cannot transfer the software SKU and downgrade the software version. 5. Wrong SKU may cause update failure, please update the same SKU version only. *How to know the device model? Path: Settings->About-> Model number Example: ASUS_T00I **How to know the device software version? Path: Settings->About-> software information->Build number ***System upgrade may cause part of data missing, please buckup your important data before system upgrading.

File Size	1090 (MBytes) 2015.06.18  update
Download from	Global

ASUS Zenfone 2 Unlock Bootloader

Unofficial Step to Unlock Zenfone 2 Bootloader.

All Credit to Shakalaca, original post XDA

What is a bootloader? At its most basic level, your Android smartphone is like a hard drive, made of up several partitions. One of those partitions holds the Android system files, another holds all the app data you accumulate (which is how you're usually able to update without losing all your stuff), and others to do more behind-the scenes stuff.

Think of the bootloader as a security checkpoint for all those partitions. Because if you're able to swap out what's on those partitions, you're able to break things if you don't know what you're doing. Or, with a little hackery, you're able to run custom ROMs.

Notes:

1. Work for ZE551ML (Z00A) and ZE550ML (Z008)
2. Update firmware first to 2.19.40.12(ZE550ML) and 2.19.40.18 (ZE551ML)
3. Make sure ADB Working properly

How to Unlock Zenfone 2 Bootloader: 

1. Root your Zenfone 2 (Root) 
2. Make sure ADB is Working (Download Here if you don't have it)
3. Connect Zenfone 2 to PC and open cmd at ADB path
4. at Command Prompt Type (press enter after type each line):
adb shell
su
getprop ro.isn > /factory/asuskey
reboot bootloader
5. Phone will restart in recovery, after updating itself phone will restart and ASUS splash screen will be white.
6. Download Black Splash screen (Download)
7. navigate to adb folder opened cmd and type the following command:

adb reboot bootloader (pressed enter)
fastboot devices (pressed enter)
see if device is listed, write following

fastboot flash splashscreen splashscreen.img (pressed enter)
restart your phone and Now black splash screen is back. Congrats your bootloader is now unlocked
8. Done

PS:  you can not re-lock your bootloader again for now

Thanks again to Shakalaca

How to Create your Own Theme for ASUS Zenfone 2

Today Asus Zenfone Blog will Create my Own Theme for ASUS Zenfone 2. It's easy to create your own theme, you can do it by yourself. I hope this tutorial will gain more  theme customization for ASUS Zenfone 2. 

Today ASUS Zenfone Blog will create ASUS ROG Zenfone 2 Theme.

Files to Download:

1. JAVA SE (Choose your OS and Download x64 or x86) -> Download
2. apktool, SignApk, XnConvert ->Download 
3. Zenfone APK Themes (For modification) -> Download

 

Steps:

1. Install JAVA
2. Extract apktool, apksign and XnConvert RAR
3. Install XnConvert
4. Extract SignAPK to a new folder
5. Copy zenfone theme apk example to apktool folder
   
6. On apktool folder press Shift+Right Click > Open Command Here
7. At CMD Command type: apktool d zenROG.apk
   
8.  Wait until complete, and there will be zenROG folder
   
9. Then you can Replace icon, quick setting icon dll at res folder
   
10. drawable-nodpi = Desktop and lock screen (.webp format, convert with xnConvert)
    drawable-sw360dp-xxhdpi = quick settings interface and function keys
    drawable-sw800dp-mdpi = Lock screen function keys
    drawable-xxxhdpi = application icon (icon)
11. Modify Manifest.xml with your own theme configuration
    
12. If you finished modified it. Packing apk, go to apktool folder, press SHIFT+Right Click > Open Command Here. at cmd type: apktool b zenROG
    
13.  Then there will be ZenROG.apk at zenROF/dist folder
    
14. Now Sign the apk using SignApk, copy zenROG.apk to SignApk folder
15. Open CMD and type: java -jar signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8 zenROG.apk zenROG_signed.apk wait until finish then will be new zenROG_signed.apk
16. Done, Install it to your Zenfone 2
    

How To update OTA without bootloop on Rooted Zenfone 2

First things first: (get this straight, don't download the wrong firmware and flash the wrong thing)
ZE550ML = Z008
ZE551ML[2gb,4gb ram] = Z00A

Files Needed:

1. Drivers for Asus Zenfone 2 installed on PC
2. ADB installed on your PC (Download)
3. Flash Tools (Download)
4. Pre-rooted system.img and recovery (Download) (Download the correct firmware which is present in your phone)

Steps:

1. Download the pre-rooted system.img folder (Download the correct firmware according to your phone ZE550ML = Z008 , ZE551ML = Z00A )
2. Download and run WinRAR . Click on the '.zip' part of the system.img file. You will see that WinRAR puts all the parts together and offers you an option to extract the one big system.img. Go ahead and extract it to the folder the other parts of the ROM are in.
3. Unzip the FlashTools.zip and copy the following 4 downloaded files and paste it into extracted flashtools folder:
   boot.img (~ 11MB)
   droidboot.img (~ 13MB)
   recovery.img (~ 11MB)
   system.img (~ 2GB)
4. Disconnect your phone from PC/Laptop.. Power it off. Once it is off, hold down the volume up button and hold on to the power button until the phone vibrates. After the vibration stops, release the power button and continue pressing the volume up button until the green Android robot appears. You should see a blue line below saying "Waiting Fastboot command"
5. Now connect your phone via USB to your computer.
6. At the flashtools folder press Shift + Right Click.. Then select "Open command here"... 
7. Copy and paste the following commands in the command prompt window (line by line) and press enter after each line. WAIT for the process to complete before copying and pasting the next line:
   fastboot flash fastboot droidboot.img
   fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
   fastboot flash boot boot.img
   fastboot flash system system.img
8. The flashing of system.img will take huge time to show any text after max size info,after some more time it will show finished ,then you can plug out the USB and press the power button, reboot your phone and when it starts up, your phone is ROOTED.
9. Now open Supersu[it will ask for su binary update,click NO],and click unroot from options of supersu,reboot once
   now download the OTA file from here [get the latest one ,check the version number]
10. rename the OTA zip which you download to "MOFD_SDUPDATE.zip", paste the renamed zip in internal memory and external memory[yes paste in both place,i tried to place in internal didnt work ,so try in both]
11. now power off, Once it is off, hold down the volume up button and hold on to the power button until the phone vibrates. After the vibration stops, release the power button and continue pressing the volume up button until the green Android robot appears. You should see a blue line below saying "Waiting Fastboot command" ,Now here click vol down till you see Recovery mode in top big rectangle box,now click power button,and thats all it will update your phone..

WARNING and Note: dont remove bloatwares or system apps if u wish for easy OTA update[use cwm,twrp for easy rooting]

Asus Launches ZenFone 2 Variants with Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor

Asus at Computex 2015 has unveiled Zenfone 2 5", 5.5" and 6" display with Qualcomm's processor. Unfortunately, Asus for now has not provided pricing or availability about the new tablets. The company at the event also launched the ZenFone Selfie and the ZenWatch 2.

Processor Specifications, starting from 5-inch to 6-inch version, namely Snapdragon 410,610,615. As for the small window, in fact, the new version of Qualcomm's has "laser-focus capability," the main camera pixels are 13MP.

In addition to 3.5mm (5 inches) and the thickness of the thinnest 3.9mm, the six-inch versions as well as the standard 64-bit processor specifications, even the screen resolution of the rest has not been determined figure, the details may have to wait until the official press release follow-up to detailed information

Images(source: Chinese Engadget)

Left: Zenfone 2 5.5" Right: Zenfone 2 6"

Zenfone 2 5.5" Qualcomm Series

Zenfone 2 5.5" Qualcomm Series

Zenfone 2 6" Qualcomm Series

Zenfone 2 6" Qualcomm Series

ASUS Zenfone 2 Fast Charging Indicators

ZenFone 2 built-in 3000mAh capacity battery, if with fast charge charger, charge 39 minutes up to 60% of capacity. what are the indicators of fast charging? ASUS Zenfone Blog will show you the indicators.

1. Fast Charging Adaptor output is 2A

   

   Top: Zenfone 2 Fast Charging, Bottom: Asus Zenfone 5 Adaptor

2.  Lightning + logo at Status bar

   

   Normal Charging

   
   

   

   Fast Charging Boostmaster

3.  Lockscreen Information

   

   Normal Charging

   
   

   

   BoostMaster Fast Charging