How To Guide Repair ROG Phone 5S through edl firmware, no need to unlock Bootloader to modify COUNTRY CN to WW

[SirFreshSpawn]

These materials can only be used for ROG Phone 5S_ZS676KS, and ROG Phone 5_ZS673KS cannot be used. I will release the materials for ROG 5 separately.

ROG Phone 5 ZS673KS Please see here:https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...ootloader-to-modify-country-cn-to-ww.4353865/

If your ROG Phone 5S ZS676KS only has edl mode (port 9008), then this tool can help you repair your phone through edl mode.

Or if you want to modify COUNTRY, flash the firmware of WW, you don't need to apply to unlock the Bootloader,

you don't need ROOT, just follow me.

1.Connect the phone to the computer through the USB port on the left, enter the fastboot mode,

and then open "Reboot-to-edl.bat" to enter the edl mode. Or enter fastboot oem enter-dload in cmd.


2.You must flash in the ENG firmware that I modified. If you find the firmware online,

you may lose your fingerprint and IMEI after flashing.

Method 1: The phone enters edl mode, and when you see port 9008 in the device manager,

open the ENG folder--open "0-update_image_EDL.bat"

Method 2: The phone enters edl mode, and after you see port 9008 in the device manager, use the XiaoMiFlash tool to flash in.

Method 3: The phone enters edl mode, and after you see port 9008 in the device manager,flash in through the QPST tool.


3.After flashing in the firmware and successfully booting up, be sure to back up your phone partition files. If your phone's fingerprint is lost or IMEI is lost,

it can be restored to normal. If you don't have a backup, it will be very troublesome.

Double-click to open "Backup.bat", it will automatically back up your phone partition files, you need to save these files, follow-up will definitely help you.

Include these 10 files：“persist.img factory.img modemst1 modemst2 asuskey4 fsg fsgCA fsc fsgCA2 fsgCA3”

Normally, you don’t need to restore these files. If your fingerprint or imei is lost and you need to restore these files to your phone,

please flash the ENG firmware, then put these 10 files into the ROG 5S folder, and double-click to open " Restore.bat" can be restored to your phone.

4.If your machine is an global version, after backing up and saving 10 files, directly enter the fastboot mode, open the WW folder-open "flash_raw_and_wipe_data.cmd" to flash the WW firmware, and successfully repair your ROG 5S.

If you cannot flash the firmware in fastboot mode, the prompt: fastboot error CID () Mapping wrong Xrom!

You can Double click to open"Open-Cmd.bat",Then enter the commands, enter fastboot -v flash all xx.raw

xx.raw is the firmware on your computer, for example: fastboot -v flash all C:\Users\johnny\Desktop\ROG5\WW\WW_ZS673KS_18.0810.2101.95_M2.13.24.9-ASUS_1.1.46_Phone-user.raw

ASUS:
version display asus fastboot version and list support project.
-v flash all : disable asus raw id checking.
-g flash all : disable repartition.
-C flash all : disable CRC_<partition>.

If your machine is the CN version, and you want to flash into the WW Firmware, but don’t want to unlock the BootLoader, you can use WinHex to open the persist.img you just backed up,

find COUNTRY, change CN to WW and save it, and you can directly restore it to your phone through the dd command Inside, there is no need to unlock or install magisk.

Double click to open"Open-Cmd.bat",Then enter the commands one by one

adb push persist.img /sdcard/

adb shell

su

dd if=/sdcard/persist.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/persist

Then enter the fastboot mode, open the WW folder-open "flash_raw_and_wipe_data.cmd" to flash the WW firmware.

File Downlaod Link：https://drive.google.com/file/d/10kp_87NukXt1XnTJ819I3Y0lH7vIB5T2/view?usp=sharing
YouTube:

I have also studied Hardwaresub Services for a long time, ROG1/ROG2/ROG3 only need to modify COUNTRY, CN to WW, and then flash into the global version,

there will be no such prompt. In addition to modifying COUNTRY, ROG 5 also needs to modify asuskey4.

In this partition, clear the imei, then there is no prompt. But I can’t do anything with ROG 5S.

This machine verifies modemst1 and modemst2. I tried it for a long time, but I couldn’t get rid of the prompt except for the whitelist.

If your ROG3/ROG5/ROG5S is the CN version, but you have flashed the WW firmware, you cannot unlock the Bootloader, or you are prompted to unlock successfully, but the Bootloader is still not unlocked after restarting, you can write the correct SSN and ISN of the phone Go to asuskey4, then restore to the phone partition, and then use the official unlocking tool to unlock it.

Also when you said the "Hardwaresub Services" will pop up on the ROG 5S, does it popup on the screen while you're doing stuff or does it popup once and leaves you alone until you close the notification

 

[Trash.umu]

If i do this am i able to update my firmware from Asus or am i stuck with the modified one?

You can still do firmware updates with the fix I was referring to. I actually had to disable my firmware updates from asus manually.
I disabled my firmware updates because of the bloatware asus likes adding during firmware updates.

 

[Trash.umu]

Also when you said the "Hardwaresub Services" will pop up on the ROG 5S, does it popup on the screen while you're doing stuff or does it popup once and leaves you alone until you close the notification

I think this is just the original writer just saying more stuff than necessary. He just ends up saying you will not see any hardwaresub services notifications when using his fix. In my opinion, he could have omitted this statement to minimize confusion.

I honestly should make a post or thread to better explain johnny886 thread and omit unnecessary statements like the "Hardwaresub Services" statement he posted.

You will need to have a general idea of what is important to you and what portions of his guide you should just ignore.

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

You can still do firmware updates with the fix I was referring to. I actually had to disable my firmware updates from asus manually.
I disabled my firmware updates because of the bloatware asus likes adding during firmware updates.

Do you know how to get rid of bloatware or is it just going through the apps and uninstalling the bad ones

 

[Trash.umu]

Do you know how to get rid of bloatware or is it just going through the apps and uninstalling the bad ones

The bloatware reinstalls itself everytime you get a firmware update. The bloatware is tied in with the firmware update.

You can delete bloatware using root, magisk and a few modules. Doing this might cause some issues such as causing your play store to consider your phone uncertified, which affects google pay and bank apps. The uncertified issue could be fixed using magisk and a few modules and apks.

If you need help with this, create a new thread and call it something like "how to remove bloatware on my ROG 5s phone without de certifying my phone." and I will try to reveal what to do in a step by step process.

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

I think this is just the original writer just saying more stuff than necessary. He just ends up saying you will not see any hardwaresub services notifications when using his fix. In my opinion, he could have omitted this statement to minimize confusion.

I honestly should make a post or thread to better explain johnny886 thread and omit unnecessary statements like the "Hardwaresub Services" statement he posted.

You will need to have a general idea of what is important to you and what portions of his guide you should just ignore.

I read it as you wont see it pop up unless you have a ROG 5S which is what i have lol

 

[Trash.umu]

I read it as you wont see it pop up unless you have a ROG 5S which is what i have lol

I have the rog 5s and I didn't see anything pop up, but I also have the WW hardware. Also, are you going from CN to WW firmware or staying CN firmware?

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

I have the rog 5s and I didn't see anything pop up, but I also have the WW hardware. Also, are you going from CN to WW firmware or staying CN firmware?

Well thats why i kinda wanted to know if i can update after converting also will i lose the ability to use fingerprint and how bad is the popup for having wrong hardware, like i dont care if it just sits in my notifications but if its a box on the screen that keeps popping up every 5 mins i wouldnt want too

 

[Trash.umu]

Well thats why i kinda wanted to know if i can update after converting also will i lose the ability to use fingerprint and how bad is the popup for having wrong hardware, like i dont care if it just sits in my notifications but if its a box on the screen that keeps popping up every 5 mins i wouldnt want too.

If you look minute 6:00 in the video, it shows him changing the country from CN to WW. If you do that properly, then you will not get the wrong firmware notification, since it will believe you are using the right firmware and believe the phone is a ww version. If you do not change it, from CN to WW, then you will get the wrong firmware notification.

Also, if you do go with this plan. I highly, highly recommend you do not ever relock your bootloader. You can only unlock your bootloader once with a CN version, so just get use to the notification on your phone every time you turn on your phone that the bootloader is unlocked. Then again, if you ever change firmware to something that isn't the norm, you should never lock the bootloader anyway. This notification only appears on the phone for like 5 seconds, and only when you turn on and off the phone, not during normal phone operation.

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

If you look minute 6:00 in the video, it shows him changing the country from CN to WW. If you do that properly, then you will not get the wrong firmware notification, since it will believe you are using the right firmware and believe the phone is a ww version. If you do not change it, from CN to WW, then you will get the wrong firmware notification.

He also said you have to use his modified ENG firmware, if i use it and once its all installed could i go to the Asus page and download the latest WW firmware without issues or am i stuck using his modified one?

 

[Trash.umu]

He also said you have to use his modified ENG firmware, if i use it and once its all installed could i go to the Asus page and download the latest WW firmware without issues or am i stuck using his modified one?

You don't need to go to the asus page to update the latest firmware. You just go to your phones system update and press "check update" to update to the latest WW firmware.

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

You don't need to go to the asus page to update the latest firmware. You just go to your phones system update and press "check update" to update to the latest WW firmware.

I heard once you convert from CN to WW you no longer have the ability for auto updates you will have to update manually

 

[Trash.umu]

I heard once you convert from CN to WW you no longer have the ability for auto updates you will have to update manually

I couldn't tell you since people use different ways to change the firmware. When they said they could no longer do auto updates, did they also have the notification that said they had the wrong firmware?

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

I couldn't tell you since people use different ways to change the firmware. When they said they could no longer do auto updates, did they also have the notification that said they had the wrong firmware?

they said it comes up with "Hardware stub Notification" and they couldnt auto update, only manually update

 

[Trash.umu]

they said it comes up with "Hardware stub Notification" and they couldnt auto update, only manually update

That meant that they didn't change the phone system setting from CN to WW. They installed the WW firmware when the phone files says it is a CN phone and that caused their issues. You change that using the CN system file by following the portion shown on minute 6:00.

You will need to have the winhex software to do so. Once it is changed from CN to WW, you should not see the issue. If you are too hesitant still, then I recommend you just buy a WW phone, or just accept the fact you have bought a CN phone.

Changing firmware isn't for the overly cautious. You may get yourself in a rut and you may have to get yourself out sometimes. You can also play it safe, but whatever you do, it is your choice to go that route.

I actually messed up and bricked my phone pretty badly and no one was there to help me fix it, so I learned how to get myself out of the mess I put myself in. I have a lot of my ROG 5s issues and fixes posted on these forums and a lot of the time, the info other people posted did not help me.

I hope this helps you decide which route you want to take. The safe route or the bold route.

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

That meant that they didn't change the phone system setting from CN to WW. They installed the WW firmware when the phone files says it is a CN phone and that caused their issues. You change that using the CN system file by following the portion shown on minute 6:00.

You will need to have the winhex software to do so. Once it is changed from CN to WW, you should not see the issue. If you are too hesitant still, then I recommend you just buy a WW phone, or just accept the fact you have bought a CN phone.

Changing firmware isn't for the overly cautious. You may get yourself in a rut and you may have to get yourself out sometimes. You can also play it safe, but whatever you do, it is your choice to go that route.

I actually messed up and bricked my phone pretty badly and no one was there to help me fix it, so I learned how to get myself out of the mess I put myself in. I have a lot of my ROG 5s issues and fixes posted on these forums.

To be honest i probably will convert to WW because of all the chinese crap on it plus it not being 100% english, i just wanted to know what im getting myself into, i dont mind if that notification shows up on my phone as long as it doesnt pop up when playing games and such every 5 mins. Hell even if i lose the ability to use fingerprint i dont really care ill just use a passcode doesnt bother me lol. But seeming all this crap is sorted would you be able to help remove the bloatware on my other post for WW firmware

 

[Trash.umu]

To be honest i probably will convert to WW because of all the chinese crap on it plus it not being 100% english, i just wanted to know what im getting myself into, i dont mind if that notification shows up on my phone as long as it doesnt pop up when playing games and such every 5 mins. Hell even if i lose the ability to use fingerprint i dont really care ill just use a passcode doesnt bother me lol. But seeming all this crap is sorted would you be able to help remove the bloatware on my other post for WW firmware

I can help you once you complete the CN to WW firmware change.
You will need to install magisk using twrp and be connected to your computer while using the firmware you intend to use, which in your case is the WW firmware. It may take me a day or two to complete the full guide, along with the links and what not.

If you have anything saved on your phone that you want or need, you should save it. If you do not save it, then it will be lost during the firmware change.

 

[SirFreshSpawn]

I can help you once you complete the CN to WW firmware change.
You will need to install magisk using twrp and be connected to your computer while using the firmware you intend to use, which in your case is the WW firmware. It may take me a day or two to complete the full guide, along with the links and what not.

If you have anything saved on your phone that you want or need, you should save it. If you do not save it, then it will be lost during the firmware change.

My phone is coming in the mail in like a day or two so its brand spanking new, no need to save anything im just prepping lol

 

[twistedumbrella]

I think this is just the original writer just saying more stuff than necessary. He just ends up saying you will not see any hardwaresub services notifications when using his fix. In my opinion, he could have omitted this statement to minimize confusion.

I honestly should make a post or thread to better explain johnny886 thread and omit unnecessary statements like the "Hardwaresub Services" statement he posted.

You will need to have a general idea of what is important to you and what portions of his guide you should just ignore.

You'd have to make a post, since a duplicate thread would be against the rules.

Having not been here for when the thread was posted or having to come up with it, it is understandable that you would have no idea of the reason for seemingly "unnecessary" details.

The hardware stub notice shows up if you stop before editing the country. Until this thread, that is where pretty much everyone ended up. By including that information, you know when you have missed that step or where to pick up if that's where you were.

At the time this was posted, one user was berating half the community because nobody was willing to brick their phone to fix his. Ironically, he was a professional technician and more than qualified to write the guide himself. Rather than doing so, he returned after solving the problem and paraded around the forum bashing anyone and everyone that had even attempted to gather info. This guide was the end result of everyone else trying to recreate his process from half-assed comments.

 

[PleaseNoticeMeSempai]

I'm getting this error when I try to backup the petition. Any idea?..