Question How to flash Android 12 onto Asus Zenfone 8 and relock bootloader.

[TferThomas]

I'd appreciate it someone could provide instructions for a numpty, in a manner that the numpty (myself) can understand.

I unlocked the Bootloader on my Asus Zenfone 8 with a view to flash the stable version of Android 12.

My mistake was not having enough skill to 1. Flash Android 12 and 2 relock the Bootloader. I unlocked the Bootloader by using the official method from the Asus site.

Oh yes, I also retrospectively realised that I lost the ability to use Google Pay and Netflix. Oh, and I may not gain any OTA updates as well.

I've read and re-read countless articles and tried to follow many "how to's" but not being successful ... to me, it seems I'm missing a common sense step that everyone knows so well, that they feel doesn't need to be included in the how to's.

So I'm seeking a fool proof step by step guide for numpties (me) or someone who could step me through it
via DM.

I'm pretty much at the point to pay someone to assist me and sort out my Zenfone with Android 12 and a relocked bootloader.

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Thomas

 

[Adaoh]

Follow the steps to revert back to Android 11 at the bottom of the page. This does not require an open bootloader https://www.asus.com/Content/Android-12-Beta/
You will then be able to place the latest update firmware on the phone with a computer. From that it will detect the update files and start the procedure.

 

[TferThomas]

Follow the steps to revert back to Android 11 at the bottom of the page. This does not require an open bootloader https://www.asus.com/Content/Android-12-Beta/
You will then be able to place the latest update firmware on the phone with a computer. From that it will detect the update files and start the procedure.

Hi Adaoh,

Thank you for the suggestion, but I have another query, before I proceed.

The link provided refers to the Android 11 version WW-30.11.51.115 but the stable version Android 12 version WW-31.1004.0404.81 states on the Asus website that it will only update to this version from Android 11 version WW-30.12.112.72

The Android 12 version referred to in the link provided is WW-31.0803.0403.54 a beta version which is older than the stable Android 12 mentioned above.

Are you aware of a Android 11 version WW-30.12.112.72 image file that can be utilised? I've not found one.

And my bootloader is already unlocked (referring to your comment that this does not require an open bootloader) so I would be seeking step by step instructions how to relock.

I'm keen to update to the Stable Android 12 version as I've read I may not receive any OTA updates, and so in my mind, a stable newer version of Android 12 is superior to an older beta version of Android 12.

Thoughts please?

Thanks for your input.

Thomas

 

[Adaoh]

Hi Adaoh,

Thank you for the suggestion, but I have another query, before I proceed.

The link provided refers to the Android 11 version WW-30.11.51.115 but the stable version Android 12 version WW-31.1004.0404.81 states on the Asus website that it will only update to this version from Android 11 version WW-30.12.112.72

The Android 12 version referred to in the link provided is WW-31.0803.0403.54 a beta version which is older than the stable Android 12 mentioned above.

Are you aware of a Android 11 version WW-30.12.112.72 image file that can be utilised? I've not found one.

And my bootloader is already unlocked (referring to your comment that this does not require an open bootloader) so I would be seeking step by step instructions how to relock.

I'm keen to update to the Stable Android 12 version as I've read I may not receive any OTA updates, and so in my mind, a stable newer version of Android 12 is superior to an older beta version of Android 12.

Thoughts please?

Thanks for your input.

Thomas

Hi, I do not think that there is a script provided like in the Back to Android11 link I gave you. I have used this method to recover my phone from a boot loop, so I think that the OS version does not matter but I am not sure, it is not impossible that it would brick the phone...

if you are still on A11, I did this script when I was on the latest Android 11 build and it reverted me to the old one in the script. So in my opinion it will be fine for whatever the condition of your phone are.

After this script, since you will not have OTA updates because your phone is blacklisted from Asus' servers, you will need to flash the last Android11 (from my understanding) and then once that's done flash a12.

Flashing updates is very simple, just do the last steps I gave in the original post

 

[$cronos_]

I'd appreciate it someone could provide instructions for a numpty, in a manner that the numpty (myself) can understand.

I unlocked the Bootloader on my Asus Zenfone 8 with a view to flash the stable version of Android 12.

My mistake was not having enough skill to 1. Flash Android 12 and 2 relock the Bootloader. I unlocked the Bootloader by using the official method from the Asus site.

Oh yes, I also retrospectively realised that I lost the ability to use Google Pay and Netflix. Oh, and I may not gain any OTA updates as well.

I've read and re-read countless articles and tried to follow many "how to's" but not being successful ... to me, it seems I'm missing a common sense step that everyone knows so well, that they feel doesn't need to be included in the how to's.

So I'm seeking a fool proof step by step guide for numpties (me) or someone who could step me through it
via DM.

I'm pretty much at the point to pay someone to assist me and sort out my Zenfone with Android 12 and a relocked bootloader.

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Thomas

Try flashing a GSI using Android Flash Tool. Then use adb to reboot it into fastboot mode. Then just do

fastboot flashing lock

 

[TferThomas]

Try flashing a GSI using Android Flash Tool. Then just use adb to reboot it into fastboot mode. Then just do

fastboot flashing lock

Hi $cronos_,

What is a GSI please? As mentioned at the start of my post, the simpler and more detailed the reply the better as I'm the numpty and happy to admit to that.

Thank you

Thomas

 

[TferThomas]

Hi, I do not think that there is a script provided like in the Back to Android11 link I gave you. I have used this method to recover my phone from a boot loop, so I think that the OS version does not matter but I am not sure, it is not impossible that it would brick the phone...

if you are still on A11, I did this script when I was on the latest Android 11 build and it reverted me to the old one in the script. So in my opinion it will be fine for whatever the condition of your phone are.

After this script, since you will not have OTA updates because your phone is blacklisted from Asus' servers, you will need to flash the last Android11 (from my understanding) and then once that's done flash a12.

Flashing updates is very simple, just do the last steps I gave in the original post

Hi Adaoh,

So what you're saying is to follow this link and take me to an older Android 11 version but then flash the most recent Android 11 version, then flash Android 12?

Question for you that has stumped me .... most people on forums and websites quickly gloss over flashing of an Operating System but don't actually go through the exact every step .... are you able to assist here please?

Again, as per the start of my post, I'm the numpty and happy to admit that, but do need to know comprehensively each and every step.

Thank you in advance,

Thomas

 

[$cronos_]

Hi $cronos_,

What is a GSI please? As mentioned at the start of my post, the simpler and more detailed the reply the better as I'm the numpty and happy to admit to that.

Thank you

Thomas

generic system image

 

[Adaoh]

Hi Adaoh,

So what you're saying is to follow this link and take me to an older Android 11 version but then flash the most recent Android 11 version, then flash Android 12?

Question for you that has stumped me .... most people on forums and websites quickly gloss over flashing of an Operating System but don't actually go through the exact every step .... are you able to assist here please?

Again, as per the start of my post, I'm the numpty and happy to admit that, but do need to know comprehensively each and every step.

Thank you in advance,

Thomas

Updating from an update file​

Ok, so to update your phone when you can't receive OTAs:

1. Download the version that you need from the Asus Zenfone 8 Support page
2. Plug in your phone to your computer, make sure the computer is trusted and that you can transfer files from the PC to the phone.
3. Move the zip file of the update in the base directory of the phone (The same directory as Alarms, Downloads, etc).
4. Wait for the transfer to finish, then you can unplug your phone if you want.
5. Reboot the phone
6. After the reboot, the phone will take a few seconds/minutes and will notify you that an update file was found, select the option to update the phone
7. It will then extract the update and install it all by itself, the normal update procedure starts from there

Flashing the Stock ROM (Android 11)​

Note: doing this will remove any data on your phone, back it up if it is important to you​

This also works if your phone is stuck in a bootloop or other problems of the sort
​

If your question was about the flashing of Android 11 from the Android12 page with the older version, the instructions on the page at the bottom should be enough, but I can try to make them clearer.

1. Turn off the phone
2. When the phone is off, press and hold the Volume Up key and the Power button until a screen pops up.
   • If the phone boots to Android, shut it back off, but this time try lifting the Power button before the Volume Up key, because the power button is like an Enter key, it will take it as if you clicked "yes, continue to android".
3. Plug the phone in your computer
4. Decompress the zip file on your computer
5. Execute the script file that is made for your computer
   • Windows: update_image.bat
   • Ubuntu: update_image.sh
   • MacOS: update_image_for_mac.sh
6. Wait for the process to finish, it'll take a while. You'll know it is done when the window that openned when you executed one of the script files says something along the lines of "Flashing done, press Enter to reboot"

I hope this helps!

 

[TferThomas]

generic system image

Thank you!

Thomas

 

[TferThomas]

Updating from an update file​

Ok, so to update your phone when you can't receive OTAs:

1. Download the version that you need from the Asus Zenfone 8 Support page
2. Plug in your phone to your computer, make sure the computer is trusted and that you can transfer files from the PC to the phone.
3. Move the zip file of the update in the base directory of the phone (The same directory as Alarms, Downloads, etc).
4. Wait for the transfer to finish, then you can unplug your phone if you want.
5. Reboot the phone
6. After the reboot, the phone will take a few seconds/minutes and will notify you that an update file was found, select the option to update the phone
7. It will then extract the update and install it all by itself, the normal update procedure starts from there

Flashing the Stock ROM (Android 11)​

Note: doing this will remove any data on your phone, back it up if it is important to you​

This also works if your phone is stuck in a bootloop or other problems of the sort
​

If your question was about the flashing of Android 11 from the Android12 page with the older version, the instructions on the page at the bottom should be enough, but I can try to make them clearer.

1. Turn off the phone
2. When the phone is off, press and hold the Volume Up key and the Power button until a screen pops up.
   • If the phone boots to Android, shut it back off, but this time try lifting the Power button before the Volume Up key, because the power button is like an Enter key, it will take it as if you clicked "yes, continue to android".
3. Plug the phone in your computer
4. Decompress the zip file on your computer
5. Execute the file that is made for your computer
   • Windows: update_image.bat
   • Ubuntu: update_image.sh
   • MacOS: update_image_for_mac.sh
6. Wait for the process to finish, you'll know it is done when the window that openned when you executed one of the scripts says something along the lines of "Flashing done, press Enter to reboot"

I hope this helps!

Hi Adaoh,

I am really glad you have taken my request as seriously as this and I thank you for the very specific detailed reply.

I'm going to try this over the next couple of days (I hope) and report back, but really do appreciate this!

Thomas

 

[TferThomas]

Updating from an update file​

Ok, so to update your phone when you can't receive OTAs:

1. Download the version that you need from the Asus Zenfone 8 Support page
2. Plug in your phone to your computer, make sure the computer is trusted and that you can transfer files from the PC to the phone.
3. Move the zip file of the update in the base directory of the phone (The same directory as Alarms, Downloads, etc).
4. Wait for the transfer to finish, then you can unplug your phone if you want.
5. Reboot the phone
6. After the reboot, the phone will take a few seconds/minutes and will notify you that an update file was found, select the option to update the phone
7. It will then extract the update and install it all by itself, the normal update procedure starts from there

Flashing the Stock ROM (Android 11)​

Note: doing this will remove any data on your phone, back it up if it is important to you​

This also works if your phone is stuck in a bootloop or other problems of the sort
​

If your question was about the flashing of Android 11 from the Android12 page with the older version, the instructions on the page at the bottom should be enough, but I can try to make them clearer.

1. Turn off the phone
2. When the phone is off, press and hold the Volume Up key and the Power button until a screen pops up.
   • If the phone boots to Android, shut it back off, but this time try lifting the Power button before the Volume Up key, because the power button is like an Enter key, it will take it as if you clicked "yes, continue to android".
3. Plug the phone in your computer
4. Decompress the zip file on your computer
5. Execute the script file that is made for your computer
   • Windows: update_image.bat
   • Ubuntu: update_image.sh
   • MacOS: update_image_for_mac.sh
6. Wait for the process to finish, it'll take a while. You'll know it is done when the window that openned when you executed one of the script files says something along the lines of "Flashing done, press Enter to reboot"

I hope this helps!

Hi Adaoh,

This worked on the second attempt! ..... now the Zenfone 8 is updated to the stable Android 12 OS.

Thank you and made clear runnings for this numpty!

Thomas

 

[TferThomas]

Try flashing a GSI using Android Flash Tool. Then just use adb to reboot it into fastboot mode. Then just do

fastboot flashing lock

Hi $cronos_,

I got the Zenfone 8 into recovery mode and connected to the PC and initiated a Windows Powershell and typed the following to confirm the PC could find the Zenfone 8.


PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\platform-tools> fastboot devices
M4AIB7626606MH7 fastboot

So it found the Zenfone 8


When I tried to Lock the Bootloader I got the following:


PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\platform-tools> fastboot oem lock
...
FAILED (remote: Command not supported in default implementation)
finished. total time: 0.005s


And tried your suggested command:


PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\platform-tools> fastboot flashing lock
...
FAILED (remote: Unrecognized command flashing lock)
finished. total time: 0.005s


Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong please?

Thank you in advance.

Thomas

 

[mef206]

Hi,

I had the same problem as you, couldn't use Google pay.

All I did was open powershell and use the following command.

fastboot oem asus-csc_lk

Now it's relocked and works as before.

Hope this helps you.

Craig

 

[TferThomas]

Hi,

I had the same problem as you, couldn't use Google pay.

All I did was open powershell and use the following command.

fastboot oem asus-csc_lk

Now it's relocked and works as before.

Hope this helps you.

Craig

Hi Craig,

I haven't seen this one before, so will definitely give it a go.

Thank you!

Thomas

 

[TferThomas]

Hi,

I had the same problem as you, couldn't use Google pay.

All I did was open powershell and use the following command.

fastboot oem asus-csc_lk

Now it's relocked and works as before.

Hope this helps you.

Craig

Hi Craig,

This sounds really promising so had a go, but was not successful.

PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\platform-tools> fastboot devices
M4AIB7626606MH7 fastboot
PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\platform-tools> fastboot oem asus-csc_lk
...
FAILED (remote: Command not supported in default implementation)
finished. total time: 0.005s

Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Thomas

 

[mef206]

Hi,
Sorry I forgot to mention that I had followed the steps on the official Asus website to revert back to android 11 before I had run the command, as I wanted Google pay back.

fastboot oem asus-csc_lk

I hadn't tried to relock bootloader with Android 12 installed.

I did see in somewhere on line that the device requires factory reset after command is used. Also you could try some of these codes from following link.

hope you get it sorted.

craig

Relock the Bootloader?

I know asking this question at a very early point would be very foolish, I tried searching various places for the answer but didn't, can anyone from previous experience or with answer tell me how can the Bootloader be locked again? Thanks in...

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[TferThomas]

Hi,
Sorry I forgot to mention that I had followed the steps on the official Asus website to revert back to android 11 before I had run the command, as I wanted Google pay back.

fastboot oem asus-csc_lk

I hadn't tried to relock bootloader with Android 12 installed.

I did see in somewhere on line that the device requires factory reset after command is used. Also you could try some of these codes from following link.

hope you get it sorted.

craig

Relock the Bootloader?

I know asking this question at a very early point would be very foolish, I tried searching various places for the answer but didn't, can anyone from previous experience or with answer tell me how can the Bootloader be locked again? Thanks in...

forum.xda-developers.com

Hi Craig

That is a good point you raise ..... and believe where I may have stuffed up was not flashing the device back down to Android 11 (currently it has the Stable Android 12). I am presuming this step would wipe the Official Asus Unlock Device App which was downloaded originally, which of course unlocked the bootloader?

Steps taken today:
1. Downloaded the Zipped Android 11 Image and unzipped on the PC.c
2. Put the Zenfone 8 into Fastboot Mode and opened up CMD powershell to confirm it was in Fastboot mode

PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\WW-ZS590KS-30.11.51.115-MR0-user_20210826-release\WW-ZS590KS-30.11.51.115-MR0-user_20210826-release_for_google> fastboot devices
M4AIB7626606MH7 fastboot
PS C:\Users\roma_\OneDrive\Desktop\WW-ZS590KS-30.11.51.115-MR0-user_20210826-release\WW-ZS590KS-30.11.51.115-MR0-user_20210826-release_for_google>

3. In the Unzipped Android 11 image found the windows update_image (I checked properties to confirm this was the Windows Batch File (.bat)
4. Right clicked, Run as Administrator.
5. I got this ....

fastboot cmd : fastboot
The script can't be used in this devices,hwid=,project=project FAILED (remote
Press any key to continue . . .

I am so missing something here, no doubt something really simple, but something really frustrating lol.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Thomas

 

[mef206]

Hi,

I had done exactly as you have described.

Downloaded zip android 11

Unzipped and just double clicked on bat file whilst phone in fastboot.

Afterwards ran that command after rebooting phone back into fastboot.

Im sorry I can't be of anymore help I can't see why yours is not working the same.

Craig

 

[TferThomas]

Hi,

I had done exactly as you have described.

Downloaded zip android 11

Unzipped and just double clicked on bat file whilst phone in fastboot.

Afterwards ran that command after rebooting phone back into fastboot.

Im sorry I can't be of anymore help I can't see why yours is not working the same.

Craig

Hi Craig,

Thank you and good to know I was following the directions.

Got me stumped, but I'll keep at it.

The only thing I am curious about is the unzipped file is in the desktop of my laptop (easy to find) but the desktop is set to back up to OneDrive .....I wondered if that could cause a problem (outside the limits of my ability)?

Thanks again for your input.

Thomas