[UPDATED][GUIDE] UNLOCK/RELOCK BOOTLOADER UNOFFICIALLY FOR ZenFone 3

[Saktis_STi]

Make sure you’ve backed up all of your IMPORTANT DATA before unlocking/relocking bootloader because this process WILL DELETE ALL OF YOUR IMPORTANT DATA !

I am not responsible for bricked devices and dead SD cards. YOU are choosing to make these modifications, and if you point the finger at me for messing up your device, I will laugh at you.

This process will not void the device warranty & you will get OTAs

First and foremost, please install ZenFone 3 Drivers via Device Manager (Download drivers on ASUS Support Website)

1) Download the Factory RAW ROM here:

ZE520KL:


ZE552KL:


2) Download ASUS Flash Tool here:


3) Flash the firmware via ASUS Flash Tool by entering FASTBOOT MODE (Power Button + Volume Up) & DO NOT WIPE DATA!

Note: This firmware can only boot into FASTBOOT Mode. So, don’t panic

Note: If you flash RAW firmware via ASUS Flash Tool and received an error (FRP request error), just IGNORE the error.

4) Download Bootloader Kit for ZenFone 3 here:


5) Enter FASTBOOT mode (Power Off + Volume Up)

UNLOCKING​

6) Unzip the files and click on Install adb-setup-1.4.3.exe (You can find this in Bootloader Kit)

• Hold Shift and Right Click on any area in the folder (click on ”Open Powershell window/Open Command Window)
  
• Now copy and paste this: fastboot devices
  
• If it shows serial number of your ZenFone 3, you are good to go
  
• Now copy and paste this: fastboot oem unlock
  
• After that, copy and paste this: fastboot reboot bootloader

Congratulations, your device has been unlocked unofficially. (You can see the "Device State" on FASTBOOT splash screen)

RELOCKING​

6) Unzip the files and click on Install adb-setup-1.4.3.exe (You can find this in Bootloader Toolkit)

• Hold Shift and Right Click on any area in the folder (click on ”Open Powershell window/Open Command Window)
  
• Now copy and paste this: fastboot devices
  
• If it shows serial number of your ZenFone 3, you are good to go
  
• Now copy and paste this: fastboot oem lock
  
• After that, copy and paste this: fastboot reboot bootloader

Congratulations, your device has been locked (You can see the "Device State" on FASTBOOT splash screen)

P.S: If you unlocked officially and you want to relock your bootloader, OTA does not work because your Serial Number has been recorded by ASUS.

7) After that, download the stock Oreo RAW ROM here and flash it via ASUS Flash Tool (FASTBOOT Mode) (DO NOT WIPE DATA):

ZE520KL:


ZE552KL:


If anything, contact me via Telegram
MOD EDIT: LINK REMOVED
The distribution of social media links is no longer allowed on XDA. Please refer to the thread linked below:
Telegram and Whatsapp Channels - Going Forward

Note: If you flash RAW firmware via ASUS Flash Tool and received an error (FRP request error), just IGNORE the error.

Note: If it asks for PIN after booting up, just wipe data & cache via Recovery Mode (Power Button + Volume Down).

 

[AnAn.]

How to delete the start message in Zenfone 3 ZE552KL after officially unlocking Bootloader?

 

[zulfikarbugis]

How to delete the start message in Zenfone 3 ZE552KL after officially unlocking Bootloader?

I think it's impossible

 

[Saktis_STi]

How to delete the start message in Zenfone 3 ZE552KL after officially unlocking Bootloader?

To remove it, simply relock the bootloader.

 

[bibihub]

Ok so this time it worked ! Thanks @ZenFone_3
Now I'm on the latest oreo update (1801) with bootloader unlocked.
But no twrp yet. For some reason the flashing process of the twrp img finishes, but it is still the stock recovery that boots. I tried multiple times and downloaded the twrp img again but no luck. I'll try to figure that out.

 

[ehbm]

If I do this unlocking method I'm gona keep my warranty if I have any issue and need to relock to send to the Asus? Or It can be detected?

 

[Saktis_STi]

If I do this unlocking method I'm gona keep my warranty if I have any issue and need to relock to send to the Asus? Or It can be detected?

Just relock and send it to service centre. ASUS won't know

 

[ehbm]

Just relock and send it to service centre. ASUS won't know

Thanks

 

[gio14]

hi i get this error

can open file gzya etc. and wont continue to flash

 

[Saktis_STi]

can open file gzya etc. and wont continue to flash

Just ignore the error.

 

[kuranzi]

do i need to reflash the firmware after relocking bootloader ? now im on oreo and using stock recovery

 

[Saktis_STi]

do i need to reflash the firmware after relocking bootloader ? now im on oreo and using stock recovery

Read my main post properly. Yes, you need to flash Factory RAW to relock bootloader. After relocking, flash Oreo RAW to return back to stock ROM.

 

[kuranzi]

Read my main post properly. Yes, you need to flash Factory RAW to relock bootloader. After relocking, flash Oreo RAW to return back to stock ROM.

Just little confused here, do i need start from step 1 or i just skip to step 6 ? Cause i only need relocking...

 

[Saktis_STi]

Just little confused here, do i need start from step 1 or i just skip to step 6 ? Cause i only need relocking...

Whole Steps ( Skip the unlocking part)

 

[kuranzi]

i have doing untill step 3. now im going to step 6 for locking bootloader, but adb didnt find my devices, what should i do ?

 

[Saktis_STi]

i have doing untill step 3. now im going to step 6 for locking bootloader, but adc didnt find my devices, what should i do ?

Install drivers via Device Manager (Drivers are in the Bootloader Kit Folder)

 

[Saktis_STi]

Contact me via Telegram.

MOD EDIT: LINK REMOVED
The distribution of social media links is no longer allowed on XDA. Please refer to the thread linked below:
Telegram and Whatsapp Channels - Going Forward

 

[kuranzi]

Contact me via Telegram.

MOD EDIT: LINK REMOVED
The distribution of social media links is no longer allowed on XDA. Please refer to the thread linked below:
Telegram and Whatsapp Channels - Going Forward

icant use telgram it need verification sent to my phone, i just have 1 phone.... what should i do now ? i try adb on recovery and it detect my phone, but in fastboot it not detect anymore

 

[Saktis_STi]

icant use telgram it need verification sent to my phone, i just have 1 phone.... what should i do now ? i try adb on recovery and it detect my phone, but in fastboot it not detect anymore

Do you have TeamViewer? If not, install it and PM me

 

[Coldify]

With this method the Warranty is not void?