[TOOL] One-Click bootloader unlock (no root required)

[sorg]

I've made simplier way to unlock the bootloader of ZE551ML/ZE550ML.

Update! Version 2.
Now it's not required to flash/downgrade droidboot.img. But you still need to flash one of compatible ROM.
Currently compatible versions are:
For ZE551ML: v2.19.40.18, v2.19.40.20, v2.19.40.22 and future newer versions unless opposite mentioned.
For ZE550ML: v2.19.40.12, v2.19.40.13, v2.19.40.23 and future newer versions unless opposite mentioned.

For example, you can flash full ROM v2.19.40.22 and then use unlocker v2.

Just unzip everything from attached archive and then start unlock_one_click_v2.bat
If you've enable USB debugging then phone will automatically reboot to bootloader and will unlock the bootloader. If you didn't enable USB debugging, then you need to reboot to bootloader manually (Turn the phone off and disconnect USB, then press Power+VolumeUp keys at the same time and keep it pressed till you see ASUS logo, then you may connect USB cable).
Either way, unlock_one_click_v2.bat will proceed to unlock in fully automated way.
If initial boot splash screen become inverted, then bootloader has been unlocked!

If you don't like white boot screen, then you can flash original black one:
http://xdaforums.com/zenfone2/themes-apps/551-black-white-splashscreen-twrp-flash-t3141945

Originally, it's developed for WW firmware but should work on any region.
Works on CN firmware. Confirmed by @corrsea


Based on unlock method discovered by @shakalaca
Based on fastboot hack by @social-design-concepts

 

[sorg]

Version 1 (old)

To use this version, you need to flash ROM not older than v2.19.40.18 for ZE551ML, and v2.19.40.12 for ZE550ML. And then downgrade (if required) droidboot to compatible droidboot.img

fastboot flash fastboot droidboot.img

For ZE551ML, known compatible droidboot.img versions are 2.19.40.18, 2.19.40.20.
For ZE550ML, known compatible droidboot.img versions are 2.19.40.12.

 

[sorg]

Important note for Stock ROM lovers:
Although, unlocker v2 works with v2.19.40.22, there is no warranty, it will continue to work on future versions. It is up to ASUS decision. Unlocking process still requires several files from /system partition including special version of if.bin (/system/etc/firmware/if.bin). These files are still supplied with v2.19.40.22, but in the future they can be removed by ASUS together with disable of downgrade ability for if.bin.
So, if you will flash future stock ROM through official update procedure (which includes bootloader update - from ifwi.zip) then you may loose unlocked bootloader! And of course, ASUS may completely block unlocking procedure (at least unofficial way).
So, if unlocked bootloader is important for you, then
1) unlock it ASAP while current firmware allows.
2) don't use official updates. You need to remove all lines from update script containing ifwi.zip references and then flash through TWRP (you need to remove lines checking recovery version as well).

 

[IW4N93]

thank you very much for making this way easier, hope it will help many people, good job bro

 

[itskapil]

@sorg, thanks for the tool. One ques. Will it wipe off the data? And does it keeps OTA taking ability or will it break off? If it breaks, what can be done to get it back?

 

[viit_saha]

@sorg, thanks for the tool. One ques. Will it wipe off the data? And does it keeps OTA taking ability or will it break off? If it breaks, what can be done to get it back?

you will continue receiving OTA update.

---------- Post added at 05:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 AM ----------

Important note for Stock ROM lovers:
Although, unlocker v2 works with v2.19.40.22, there is no warranty, it will continue to work on future versions. It is up to ASUS decision. Unlocking process still requires several files from /system partition including special version of if.bin (/system/etc/firmware/if.bin). These files are still supplied with v2.19.40.22, but in the future they can be removed by ASUS together with disable of downgrade ability for if.bin.
So, if you will flash future stock ROM through official update procedure (which includes bootloader update - from ifwi.zip) then you may loose unlocked bootloader! And of course, ASUS may completely block unlocking procedure (at least unofficial way).
So, if unlocked bootloader is important for you, then
1) unlock it ASAP while current firmware allows.
2) don't use official updates. You need to remove all lines from update script containing ifwi.zip references and then flash through TWRP (you need to remove lines checking recovery version as well).

Hi
Is there anyway other than installing a third-party recovery to verify if the boot-loader is unlocked or locked ?

will it void warranty of the phone.

 

[azthemansays]

If you unlock the bootloader it will void the warranty, as there's no way currently to lock the bootloader again.

Hi
Is there anyway other than installing a third-party recovery to verify if the boot-loader is unlocked or locked ?

will it void warranty of the phone.

 

[giuliog.96]

Are there news for the ZE500CL version?

 

[jarjarbingie]

I currently have .22 via OTA, so I can just proceed with unlocking the bootloader without any issues? because in the other thread, they are still saying there is no way to unlock bootloader without downgrading to .20 or .18.. TIA!

 

[sorg]

I currently have .22 via OTA, so I can just proceed with unlocking the bootloader without any issues? because in the other thread, they are still saying there is no way to unlock bootloader without downgrading to .20 or .18.. TIA!

can you read what i've wrote in first post?

For example, you can flash full ROM v2.19.40.22 and then use unlocker v2.

 

[jarjarbingie]

man, a simple "yes" would have been easier to type and more polite.. of course, I've read it, same with all the threads here.. that's why I've seen a conflicting statement in the bootloader thread, hence the attempt to "clarify".. not everyone here is as good as you are.. thanks anyway..

 

[CenereZar]

great tool ! thanks

 

[Majorcrafter]

So im on v2.19.40.22 and ran Version 2
Phone rebooted went into stock recovery but it did nothing on there. The prompt on the PC said it was unlocked.
I manually rebooted my phone and the splashed looked the same.
Did i do something wrong?
Am i unlocked?
Can i verify if it's unlocked?

Thank You for you help.

Major

 

[jeanne8fr]

Now it's not required to flash/downgrade droidboot.img. But you still need to flash ROM not older than v2.19.40.18 for ZE551ML, and v2.19.40.12 for ZE550ML.

For example, you can flash full ROM v2.19.40.22 and then use unlocker v2.

Hello,
I am a little confused by these 2 lines.
The first line says:
But you still need to flash ROM not older than v2.19.40.18 for ZE551ML, and v2.19.40.12 for ZE550ML.
The second line says:
For example, you can flash full ROM v2.19.40.22 and then use unlocker v2.

So do I need a ROM no older than 2.19.40.18 or does 2.19.40.22 works fine?. As far as I know. 2.19.40.22 is older than 2.19.40.18.

Please clarify for me.

Thanks
Jeannette

 

[jason4962]

V1 for anything under x.20
V2 for x.22

I think this is what it means but i may be wrong. Flash at your own risks

Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using XDA Free mobile app

 

[jarjarbingie]

.18 is older than .22 I believe..

Hello,
I am a little confused by these 2 lines.
The first line says:
But you still need to flash ROM not older than v2.19.40.18 for ZE551ML, and v2.19.40.12 for ZE550ML.
The second line says:
For example, you can flash full ROM v2.19.40.22 and then use unlocker v2.

So do I need a ROM no older than 2.19.40.18 or does 2.19.40.22 works fine?. As far as I know. 2.19.40.22 is older than 2.19.40.18.

Please clarify for me.

Thanks
Jeannette

 

[jeanne8fr]

.18 is older than .22 I believe..

Which makes it even more confusing.
Why don't you say which rom we can use instead of which we cannot.

 

[sorg]

Which makes it even more confusing.
Why don't you say which rom we can use instead of which we cannot.

Because I've made unlocker not for one specific ROM version, but for any existing starting from .18 and newer.

.18 is older than .22, where is confusing?
I understand, that we live in time of smart phones and stupid people, but try to be on par with your phone at least. I've tried my best to explain in the OP what ROM versions you can use. I've made some bold text, some red text to take some attention. I've wrote example especially for .22 version! If it doesn't help, then i don't know what else can i do. How .18 cannot be obviously older than .22?

 

[sorg]

I've updated the OP, wrote compatible (as of today) versions. If even this is not clear enough, then i give up.

 

[Cyborg.Gangster]

Awesome Work Mate. U ROCK!!!