This article contains complete steps necessary to gain root access on Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 device. This includes the steps for unlocking the bootloader, flashing TWRP custom recovery, and flashing Magisk root package. Because the nature of this tutorial is a little bit lengthy, so please bear with us and read the whole article thoroughly.
As for your information, rooting an Android device may break the warranty comes with your phone. Therefore, please proceed only with this understanding in mind. The device itself is really stellar. It comes with awesome hardware specification at a very budget-friendly price point.
Words of caution!
This method requires you to wipe data. Therefore, you have to create a full backup of any important data including Contacts, Messages, Photos, Videos, Apps, Music, and so on. Despite this workaround has been proven to succeed in rooting the device, we have to emphasize that neither we nor any developers created the tools, tweaks, and mods used in this tutorial are responsible for any damage on your phone. Please proceed responsibly.
Additionally, please read the whole steps thoroughly before actually implementing them. Make sure you have fully understood and have got the big picture of how steps are done.
Requirements
- A Zenfone Max Pro M1 (codename ZB601KL, ZB602KL).
- A Windows-based computer either PC or laptop.
- A USB data cable. Make sure it is a data cable and not a charging-only cable.
- Download this Max Pro bootloader unlocker app.
- Download this Max Pro bootloader unlock tool.
- Download Asus Android USB Driver here.
- Download either TWRP here or RWRP here.
- Download Asus Forced Encryption Disabler mod.
- Download Magisk Systemless Root.
- About a cup of coffee or tea.
What are in this tutorial?
Stage #1 – Unlocking Zenfone Max Pro Bootloader.
Stage #2 – Flashing TWRP or RWRP.
Stage #3 – Flashing Magisk and root.
1. Unlocking Bootloader
The first and the easiest method. Transfer the “UnlockTool_9.1.0.1_180130_fulldpi_signed.apk” file or download it directly on your phone. Next, install the .apk file. You can do that from File Manager or tapping on the file name directly in the browser download manager.
Once installed, launch the app and follow the on-screen instruction. That’s it. Your phone bootloader is now unlocked successfully.
Alternative method:
In case if the above method did not work as expected, use the following method below.
Step 1 – Install the downloaded USB Driver on your computer.
Step 2 – Extract the Zenfone-Max-Pro-M1-Tools.zip file. You will then get 2 folders: the “Unlock” folder and the “ASUS_Android_USB_drivers_for_Windows” folder.
Step 3 – Now grab your phone and its USB cable. Turn off your phone completely.
Step 4 – Once it is off, press and hold the Volume Up (+) button and the Power button simultaneously. This will reboot your phone into bootloader mode.
Step 5 – Now connect the phone to your computer using its USB cable you have prepared.
Step 6 – In your computer, open up Windows Explorer and go to the “Unlock” folder. Find the “unlock.bat” file. Right-click on it and cchoose “Run as administrator”.
Step 7 – That’s it. Your phone bootloader should have now been unlocked.
2. Installing TWRP Custom Recovery
At this stage you will flash a custom recovery either TWRP or Red Wolf.
Step 0 – Transfer the “decrypt.zip” and “Magisk-v16.4 .zip” files to your phone internal storage or its SD Card. It is easier to download the file directly to your phone.
Step 1 – Reboot your phone into bootloader mode (if you have not done so yet) — see step 3 and step 4 above.
Step 2 – Connect the phone to your computer.
Step 3 – Launch Windows Explorer and copy either TWRP / RWRP .img file to the “unlock” folder.
Step 4 – Rename the file to recovery.img. Frequently, you dont need to add the .img part, simply “recovery” if the setting on your Windows hides file extension.
Step 5 – Now hold down the “Shift” key on your keyboard and right-click on any empty area in that folder. Choose “Run command promt window from here” or “Open PowerShell window here”.
Step 6 – Next, issue the following command (type it on command prompt window and hit Enter):
fastboot devices
This command ask your computer to establish ADB connection with your device and ask your computer to recognize it.
Step 7 – The command above should return with a list of attached device(s). Now issue this command as well:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
This one ask your computer to flash recovery.img file.
Step 8 – The task should finish only in few seconds. Now reboot into recovery by issuing this command:
adb reboot recovery
Your device should now reboot into recovery mode which is now replaced with TWRP or RWRP.
Alternative command if that does not work:
fastboot boot recovery.img
Step 9 – Your phone will then reboot into TWRP. Tick the “Never show this screen during boot again” and then “Swipe to allow system modification“.
3- Rooting The Device
Step 10 – You will get into TWRP main menu. Tap the “Install” button.
Step 11 – Now locate the Magisk .zip file you have copied earlier. Tap on the file to select it.
Step 12 – Finally, do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action.
Step 13 – TWRP will begin flashing Magisk.
Use the latest version of Magisk (v16.3 or newer) since it already has Magisk Manager app included.
Step 14 – Once done, tap the “Reboot System” button.
Congratulation!! At this point your phone has been rooted. You should now find a new app has been installed called Magisk Manager. You can open it up and modify its settings. You can also hide your rooted status from certain apps through the Magisk Manager app.
Optional Steps
There is a chance that your phone cannot boot normally into system but it keeps looping on boot logo (bootloop). If this happen, turn off your phone completely and then boot into bootloader mode again by pressing Volume Up+ Power buttons.
Step 1 – Now connect your phone to computer and reboot into recovery again.
fastboot boot recovery.img
Step 2 – Tap on “Install”.
Step 3 – Locate the “decrypt.zip” file you have copied earlier.
Step 4 – Again, do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action.
Step 5 – Wait till TWRP finished its task. Once done, go back to main menu.
Step 6 – Choose “Wipe” menu.
Step 7 -Tap the “Format Data” button
Step 8 – Type “yes” and confirm format action.
Step 9 – Now reboot into system.
That’s it. That should fix the bootloop error in Zenfone Max Pro M1 device after flashing TWRP and rooting. Enjoy your newly rooted device.
Credits: Sudeep.
Hi, what if i cannot reboot into twrp? cant find any answer to this, even on xda.