Hi,
I have a UK Nabi2 which I used Nabilab2 to install TWRP+root+google apps a while back. I needed to do the new two part OTA update, for warranty reasons, so went to install my original backup, but could not find it. I used Nabilab2full and did the stock install, which removed root and returned the device back to stock. (This also changed my nabi to a US version with no serial, FW 2.1.29. which I later found out). & at that point I still had TWRP.
I did the first two of three OTA updates (which worked), the third update crashed during install. I retried the OTA twice more but each time it crashed. The device lost TWRP after this.
Upon entering recovery with ON/Vol+ I now get <3e> recovery. Running the root.zip file from sd card fails (I assume as I am not in the correct mode or have a bad file?). The OTA updates I grabbed from the nabi wiki page (and the thread, see below) also fail.
My device does not show in fastboot. Adb sees it but when using the command, C:\adb reboot recovery, the Nabi reboots and goes to the dead android (pushing -/+ to get into) <3e> recovery, and adb at that point no longer sees the device. The nabi also disconnects once adb shell is executed. I can intsall .apk files via adb command but I still need root access to run TWRP backup manager. I can run the root.zip file via an apk installer, but when running SU it gives a message 'There is no superuser binary installed, and superSU cannot install it. This is a problem!' ...Is there another way can I install root and/or the recovery.img to the Nabi2?
(I have been following the thread here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2041224&page=10, as well as several hours worth of reading various adb, <3e> recovery, lost root etc q&a's in other places but cannot find an answer, or it's assumed that the adb reboot recovery command is working, which mine appears not to be).
Any help or pointers in the right direction would be very appreciated.
Regards,
Smirnofred
Hi,
I have quite a similar issue with this. I flashed custom recovery and forced gapps, but now cannot flash original recovery to perform OTA update. Cannot boot into custom recovery at all.
Done a system restore so now i have lost the gapps that were pushed and cant get into recovery to flash them again :crying:
Thank you for the reply mate, sorry to hear you are in the same situation more or less.
Further reading over at Stack overflow help forums seems to lead me to believe the tablet is bricked. Loss of su/root privileges means no r/w access via adb to put the required files where they need to be, or install or TRWP.
I'm not giving up on this... well not yet. I have a ton of other work related things going on right now that I need to clear down so I can look into this a bit more seriously. I'm away till the 17th April but will check in here when I can. And, if I find a solution I will post it here.
smirnofred ;0)
smirnofred said:
Hi,
I have a UK Nabi2 which I used Nabilab2 to install TWRP+root+google apps a while back. I needed to do the new two part OTA update, for warranty reasons, so went to install my original backup, but could not find it. I used Nabilab2full and did the stock install, which removed root and returned the device back to stock. (This also changed my nabi to a US version with no serial, FW 2.1.29. which I later found out). & at that point I still had TWRP.
I did the first two of three OTA updates (which worked), the third update crashed during install. I retried the OTA twice more but each time it crashed. The device lost TWRP after this.
Upon entering recovery with ON/Vol+ I now get <3e> recovery. Running the root.zip file from sd card fails (I assume as I am not in the correct mode or have a bad file?). The OTA updates I grabbed from the nabi wiki page (and the thread, see below) also fail.
My device does not show in fastboot. Adb sees it but when using the command, C:\adb reboot recovery, the Nabi reboots and goes to the dead android (pushing -/+ to get into) <3e> recovery, and adb at that point no longer sees the device. The nabi also disconnects once adb shell is executed. I can intsall .apk files via adb command but I still need root access to run TWRP backup manager. I can run the root.zip file via an apk installer, but when running SU it gives a message 'There is no superuser binary installed, and superSU cannot install it. This is a problem!' ...Is there another way can I install root and/or the recovery.img to the Nabi2?
(I have been following the thread here, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2041224&page=10, as well as several hours worth of reading various adb, <3e> recovery, lost root etc q&a's in other places but cannot find an answer, or it's assumed that the adb reboot recovery command is working, which mine appears not to be).
Any help or pointers in the right direction would be very appreciated.
Regards,
Smirnofred
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to select fastboot protocol in the menu after booting with pwr/vol buttons. Then install fastboot driver, then install TWRP. From that point the thread you linked will work.
scotia_rfc said:
Hi,
I have quite a similar issue with this. I flashed custom recovery and forced gapps, but now cannot flash original recovery to perform OTA update. Cannot boot into custom recovery at all.
Done a system restore so now i have lost the gapps that were pushed and cant get into recovery to flash them again :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't matter if you flash the original recovery, you need to flash the original system. TWRP can do the OTA but it will fail because there are a couple of system files that were changed that fail SHA-1 checks. Don't know what version you are on or if it's a UK or US or Disney/Nick version.
aicjofs,
Thanks for the pointers! ...its most appreciated.
After checking, I do see the nabi in device manager when its in fastboot mode, but its not installed properly (it says 'Android device' but has a 'fastboot' icon with an exclamation mark under it) which would be the root of my issue I would have thought. I was certain the fastboot drivers were installed too, obviously I was wrong.
*EDIT*
Success!
I had java disabled. I also had issues with device manager switching from 'Android device' to 'Unknown device' intermittently.
I started fresh by uninstalling everything nabi/sdk/adb related. Re-installed java, sdk and adb drivers, in that order, which resulted in no conflicts or driver issues! Then when I put the nabi into 'fastboot protocol' the second menu then appeared (which it was not doing previously). I flashed the 2.3.3.0 TWRP recovery image.
Now I have some more reading to do about what image I need to put back onto the nabi.
Thank you.
*EDIT*
Thanks again.
Smirnofed.
smirnofred said:
aicjofs,
Thanks for the pointers! ...its most appreciated.
After checking, I do see the nabi in device manager when its in fastboot mode, but its not installed properly (it says 'Android device' but has a 'fastboot' icon with an exclamation mark under it) which would be the root of my issue I would have thought. I was certain the fastboot drivers were installed too, obviously I was wrong.
*EDIT*
Success!
I had java disabled. I also had issues with device manager switching from 'Android device' to 'Unknown device' intermittently.
I started fresh by uninstalling everything nabi/sdk/adb related. Re-installed java, sdk and adb drivers, in that order, which resulted in no conflicts or driver issues! Then when I put the nabi into 'fastboot protocol' the second menu then appeared (which it was not doing previously). I flashed the 2.3.3.0 TWRP recovery image.
Now I have some more reading to do about what image I need to put back onto the nabi.
Thank you.
*EDIT*
Thanks again.
Smirnofed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somewhere in that post you linked I put a pretty good procedure for getting a UK Nabi to the latest OS, hopefully you will be up and running in no time.
I'm there, finally. Using the link to the three part install you posted. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2041224&page=10 post #98
I'm now @ 2.2.2 (I think), 4.1jb, with 2.6.3.0 twrp recovery. First thing I did was make a full backup (once it was all working 100%).
I had a minor issue with SU trying to install repeatedly once I put the 2.2+ stock image (+modded ota), which sent the nabi back to <3e> recovery. But I just flashed it back to 2.6.3.0 with fastboot.
Many thanks ;0)
smirnofred said:
I'm there, finally. Using the link to the three part install you posted. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2041224&page=10 post #98
I'm now @ 2.2.2 (I think), 4.1jb, with 2.6.3.0 twrp recovery. First thing I did was make a full backup (once it was all working 100%).
I had a minor issue with SU trying to install repeatedly once I put the 2.2+ stock image (+modded ota), which sent the nabi back to <3e> recovery. But I just flashed it back to 2.6.3.0 with fastboot.
Many thanks ;0)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Smirnofred, I have similiar issues to you, and i'm wondering of you can help. The 2.2 file from dropbox is no longer available, have you still got it? and would you kindly upload it somewhere for me if you have time. It would be much appreciated. :good:
James
I never post for help, but I am at my wits end.
I have a Vodafone tablet that's running 6.0 marshmallow that refuses to root. I did find a TWRP recovery compiled for the device, which I installed using SP Flash Tool.
TWRP seems to work as expected. I can make and restore backups, format partitions, mount system, delete files with the file manager and so on.
TWRP is also kept on every reboot. It never replaced by the stock recovery.
However, when I try and install the SuperSU zip 2.82 to root the device, it seems to be successful. However, when I boot into Android and open the SuperSU app, it says,"SU binary occupied" and closes.
That error is displayed when installing 2.82. When installing versions like 2.79, it shows the option to install the SU binary, again like normal, but it always fails to install the binary.
Using a root checker app from FDroid tells me the same thing, that root isn't avaliable. TWRP flashing should be working though, since I can flash busybox and it is detected correctly by the same root checker app.
Other root apps refuse to work.
Whilst in TWRP, I am able to browse the file system and the su file is located in system/xbin, again like it should be. Numerous other files from busybox are also located there, further signalling a successful flash. I can chmod 755 the su file without issue, but it doesn't fix anything.
The bootloader of the tablet is unknown to me. I can't boot into fastboot or bootloader mode. Trying to do so just reboots the tablet. Nothing is shown on the screen either, and it boots to Android again. I did enable ,"OEM Unlocking" in developer options.
Any ideas what I can do? I really want to give this device a thorough chance, since it is a surprisingly enjoyable device to use, and for the price I paid it's almost a total no-brainer.
I just want root so it can become a total no-brainer to own.
Thank you for your time.
I figured it out.
I tried installing Magisk by patching the boot.img within the app and flashing it via SP Flash Tool, and it worked perfectly.
I never thought of using that, but I am glad that I did.
So, yeah. Use Magisk.
Hi everyone
I have been trying to root my cubot rainbow with no success, I have trier every way possible on which I will list.
King root - apk and PC version
Kingo root - apk and PC version
Iroot - apk and PC version
Towel root - didn't Evan let me open this app
Root genius - apk and PC version
Then I tried custom recovery, I got the tools of needrom and I got to it I did everything right I -
Unlocked my boot loader (I think) as once I accepted to unlock it there was no way to check if it actually was unlocked because everytime I did "fastboot OEM device-info" it returned something like "Failed(no controller)" < something like this anyway so with me not really knowing if IRA unlocked or not I went onto the next step.
With the scatter file and recovery.IMG to hand I opened up sp flash tools and then tried to flash the recovery. It then told me everything went okay and it was done. But when I boot to recovery it's still at stock.
I then tryed flashing with fastboot and same thing happens it tells me its all okay but its actually still stock
This leads to is my bootloader acc unlocked then? (I did try multiple times and uninstalled and reinstalled drivers)
So anyway is there any way to root my phone?
Instruction here http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=741031&st=1000#entry54800941
but on russian
Thank you for your reply I have had a look and from what I can understand it looks positive, but.... I can't find the instructions or translate them properly for the actually rooting
Here google translate of first post, bold below it is what you need:
1. Fully comply with the instructions for the firmware of custom recovery
2. Download and put in the root of the SD card archive SuperSU
3. Turn off the smartphone, hold down the + volume and power buttons simultaneously, select "Recovery Mode"
4. Select "Installation" and select the previously downloaded archive.
5. Reboot the phone.
After enabling, Root-rights and SuperSU will appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is basically a copy of my Z380M TWRP thread adopted for the ZenPad 10. I decided to start a new one since the OP of justshaun's original recovery/rooting thread has gone stale, even as I had posted several new releases of TWRP over the months. Its instructions are also a little outdated. I've also compiled a version for the new Z301M(F) models and needed a place to post it. This is where I will be posting TWRP updates from now on.
In addition to this thread, referring to the Z380M TWRP thread and the original Z300M thread (links above) may be helpful. These models share the same hardware and software base, so most things that apply to one tablet also apply to the others.
DISCLAIMER
As usual, you do anything described in this post at your own risk. No one but you is responsible for any data loss, bricking or damage of your device.
REQUIREMENTS
Windows or Linux PC
SP Flash Tool version 5.1532 (only this version will bypass security checks)
MediaTek VCOM drivers (available through Windows Update)
ZenPad 10 scatter file for SPFT, attached (choose the one for your tablet)
Recovery image, attached (choose the one for your tablet)
ZenPad Z300M, Z301M or Z301MF tablet upgraded to Android N
This won't be a guide on how to use SP Flash Tool. There are plenty of good guides out there like this one on how to set up drivers, load scatter files, flash and make backups with SP Flash Tool. If you're not familiar with this software or how to flash MediaTek devices in general, please do your research before attempting this. I will just get straight to the specifics about the ZenPad 10.
FIRST TIME INSTALLATION
For a locked bootloader:
At this point you should have your tablet powered off, the drivers installed, all of your data backed up, and SP Flash Tool v5.1532's Download tab open and loaded with the tablet's scatter file. Open the download agent file DA_PL.bin, replacing the default MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin. (You can use the AllInOne DA if you want, but the procedure involves extra steps as described below.) Load the extracted TWRP recovery image for your device (twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img) under the recovery partition line in the partition table. Click the Download button inside SPFT. Now just connect the USB cable to your tablet and your computer's USB port. It should start the download process automatically and disconnect when finished.
Alternative Method:
If you're using MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin, you have to hold the Volume Up key as you insert the cable, which puts the device into an emergency download mode. In addition, you will need to have the stock preloader*.bin file loaded inside SPFT for it to be able to communicate with your tablet. The preloader is available inside the official zip file download. Do not flash the preloader (untick the box) or any partitions other than recovery. You just need to have a valid bin file selected under the Preloader line.
For an unlocked bootloader:
If you have used the Asus unlock tool to unlock your device, you will still not be able to use fastboot flash to install a custom recovery. However, you can do a "hot boot" or a tethered boot of TWRP. This method doesn't require SP Flash Tool. Download the TWRP image, put your tablet in fastboot mode and connect to PC. Then run this command to boot TWRP dynamically:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img
Once inside TWRP, flash twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img to Recovery using Install -> Install Image. Then reboot to recovery. You may be able to use TWRP in the tethered boot mode, but that could result in glitches due to different parameters passed by the bootloader to the kernel. That's why flashing is recommended.
To update from your installed TWRP version to a new one, just transfer the image to your tablet, then boot to TWRP and install it by going to Install -> Install Image and flashing to Recovery.
START RECOVERY
With the tablet powered off, hold the Volume Up and Power keys together until you get to a menu where you can select "recovery". On the Z301M/Z301MF, that option is labeled Factory Reset. Use Vol. Up to scroll and Vol. Dn to select. If you have a locked bootloader, it will show a Yellow State message because the recovery is not signed by the OEM. Just press volume up to boot it. On the welcome screen of TWRP it will ask you about modifying the system partition, I suggest you go with Keep System Read-only. Doing otherwise will complicate your OTA updates.
WARNING: Never start the stock recovery from the bootloader menu on this device. It is programmed by the bootloader to instantly wipe your data without any warning. Also, be aware that Android installs the stock recovery at every normal boot cycle. So you either have to flash the TWRP every time you want to run it, or disable the automatic recovery installation in the stock firmware. Any kind of mod to the boot image will prevent the automatic recovery installation. If you're not sure which recovery you have installed, you can always do a 'adb reboot recovery' from Android without risk of data loss.
WARNING 2: Make sure you use the correct scatter file for your device (i.e. don't mix up the Z300 and Z301 files). For the initial flash, there is no check for scatter file correctness. If you use the wrong one, SP Flash Tool will alter and lock your GPT to that scatter file layout, possibly bricking your device. It will not be easy to restore it. Flashing with the correct scatter file later on will not work because Flash Tool will not allow you to use a different file than the one you used initially.
What works: Basically everything... access to major partitions, decrypted userdata partition, decrypted adoptable storage, external SD card, ADB, USB-OTG, touch interface, splash screen, installing stock Asus OTA/web FW updates
What doesn't work: (no known problems yet, but please report any)
Not guaranteed to work: factory reset
DOWNLOAD
SP Flash Tool v5.1532
Z300M Scatter file for all storage sizes (right click, Save link as...) -- do not use for other models
Z300M TWRP 3.2.1-0 image -- updated March 15, 2018
Z301M(F) series Scatter file for all storage sizes (right click, Save link as...) -- do not use for Z300M or other devices
Z301M TWRP 3.2.1-0 image -- updated March 13, 2018
Z301MF TWRP 3.2.3-0 image -- updated August 29, 2018
Development and experimental files
Source code
P.S. The thanks button doesn't bite.
Heya, thanks for the new thread..
Stupid question(coming from Samsung flashing)
Ive got Zenpad S3 10 P027, is this TRWP not ideal for this?
Currently, have some su (root) issues. Recovery shows Android icon chest with ! and says "No Command"
When running su in Terminal ADB via PC, says command not recognized.
Looks like I need to reflash recovery. When in TRWP (launched via fastboot boot twrp on PC) I flashed stock recovery but had system mounted read only. Could that be the problem?
Bro, I think you need to do some more homework on root, su, dm-verity, mods, etc. and read the instructions more carefully before applying these hacks. You are making a lot of simple mistakes and ending up shooting yourself in the foot for it. I don't think there's anything wrong with the Z500 TWRP. It can handle installing the stock firmware just fine. The problem is elsewhere. The unlock tool also works fine in TWRP as well in my testing.
The No Command screen is normal. That's been answered many times... you need to hold power+vol. up (or down) to get to the menu. There is no way the stock recovery image can be broken and still boot up.
The su thing, IDK what the problem is, but I'm sure if you install Magisk Manager and make your own patched image from your currently installed firmware, and fastboot-boot with it, you will have su functionality. Just like what it says in the unlock tool instructions.
Lastly and most important, never mount system in read-write mode, as I've repeated several times and exactly as it says in the directions:
7. At the TWRP welcome screen, do not select to modify the system partition and touch Keep System Read-only instead. Doing otherwise will render your tablet unbootable.
8. Mount system in TWRP (in read-only mode)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only time you can mount it in read-write mode is when you are absolutely sure you have disabled dm-verity in your boot image.
I've successfully installed TWRP on Z301M using the instructions from the first post, but then I somehow managed to lose the system. Yes, I should have backed up like the OP suggests.
I thought I should be able to reinstall the original firmware downloaded from Asus (e.g. UL-ASUS_P028_1-WW-3.3.12.0-user.zip) but both the 'adb sideload' method and the TWRP failed to install that firmware zip. My device looks bricked. The only thing I can do is to boot into TWRP (I actually need to select Factory Reset on the bootloader screen to get into TWRP). The folder 'system' is empty.
Can anyone suggest what I am doing wrong when trying to restore the Asus firmware?
When I try to sideload the zip, setting TWRP in the sideload mode, the computer begins uploading but after a few seconds gives the message "Total xfer: 0.01x" and stops, while Android errors with "set boot part fail. can not open misc-sd".
When I install the firmware zip from TWRP it also starts installing fine but shortly gives the same error "set boot part fail. can not open misc-sd".
Thanks
@ahacker, first of all, thank you for the feedback on the Z301M platform. You are literally the first person to have said anything about that version of TWRP.
To see the files on system, you first have to mount the system partition. Did you do that? If not, I suggest mounting it read-only. If there was any corruption on it, then reinstalling the firmware should have fixed it. The "misc-sd" errors are normal. Pretty sure they happen on stock recovery too. The stock firmware does not have dm-verity enabled, so letting TWRP modify system to prevent overwriting recovery should not have caused any problems.
At which point did it stop booting? Also, did you use the scatter file from first post? And can you tell me if the touch screen works fine in TWRP on your tablet?
I'm not sure what the deal is with adb sideload. I don't think I've ever actually tried it....
diplomatic, thanks for replying!
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
To see the files on system, you first have to mount the system partition. Did you do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do mount the system partition. It appears empty. When I reboot into system TWRP says that the OS is not installed.
I don't remember the details of how I lost the system partition. First time I entered into TWRP it asked for a password, probably to mount some partition. I pressed cancel or something. Then I might have cleaned the caches. But I am sure I haven't wiped system. I might have pressed Factory Reset somewhere, because I don't have any data yet on the new tablet.
I would indeed try to mount the system read only. This is not the first Android system I rooted (maybe fifth), and I was always able to restore the system either from sideload or recovery. But here it seems Asus is making us jump extra hoops to do that.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
Reinstalling the firmware should have fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to be my main problem now. I cannot reinstall the Asus firmware. It may look like I might be installing a wrong version, but I am positive that I have Z301M tablet. This is what I bought and what the boot-loader says. I download Z301M firmware from the Asus website (e.g.). So it must be a correct firmware.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
The "misc-sd" errors are normal. Pretty sure they happen on stock recovery too. The stock firmware does not have dm-verity enabled, so letting TWRP modify system to prevent overwriting recovery should not have caused any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
Also, did you use the scatter file from first post? Does the touch screen work fine in TWRP on that tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I found that to be the only scatter file that worked. I tried scatter.txt from the firmware zip, but the Flash Tool refuses tio pick it up. TWRP seems to be working fine with touches working as expected.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
I'm not sure what the deal is with adb sideload. I don't think I've ever actually tried it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the unbricking method described here. It probably does the same thing as the "Install Zip" from recovery, because the errors that both methods give are the same.
---------- Post added at 01:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 AM ----------
Now system refuses to mount
ahacker said:
I don't remember the details of how I lost the system partition. First time I entered into TWRP it asked for a password, probably to mount some partition. I pressed cancel or something. Then I might have cleaned the caches. But I am sure I haven't wiped system. I might have pressed Factory Reset somewhere, because I don't have any data yet on the new tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er, the password should have been for decrypting your userdata. If you didn't have one set up, there might be something wrong there.... Or possibly just unformatted.
ahacker said:
That seems to be my main problem now. I cannot reinstall the Asus firmware. It may look like I might be installing a wrong version, but I am positive that I have Z301M tablet. This is what I bought and what the boot-loader says. I download Z301M firmware from the Asus website (e.g.). So it must be a correct firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that has to be the right one. The installation script has to match the model name reported by the recovery. Otherwise it would simply abort.
ahacker said:
Yes. I found that to be the only scatter file that worked. I tried scatter.txt from the firmware zip, but the Flash Tool refuses tio pick it up. TWRP seems to be working fine with touches working as expected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Guess my kernel patch was on the dot and the partition layout has not changed from the Z300.
ahacker said:
This is the unbricking method described here. It probably does the same thing as the "Install Zip" from recovery, because the errors that both methods give are the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you installed the zip, did you unmount system completely? BTW, when you mentioned the errors, the installation does keep going for like 5 to 10 minutes afterwards, right?
If you still can't resurrect it, please post or send me the recovery & kernel log that has your installation attempt.
diplomatic said:
When you installed the zip, did you unmount system completely? BTW, when you mentioned the errors, the installation does keep going for like 5 to 10 minutes afterwards, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried both ways, with and without system mounted, a few times. The installation would fail after something like 5 seconds.
diplomatic said:
If you still can't resurrect it, please post or send me the recovery & kernel log that has your installation attempt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I am giving up on this cheap tablet. I cannot even format it in the Flash Tool: it says "To format code area is forbidden on this phone". Asus is forbidding too much for me to ever buy it again. Attached the logs.
Thanks, diplomatic
OK, found the problem. Check your PMs, ahacker.
diplomatic said:
OK, found the problem. Check your PMs, ahacker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have replied (twice), but the reply does not appear in my Sent Items. I hope it has reached you. If not, I'll paste the reply here, if you don't mind.
i not understand... i have Asus ZenPad 10 LTE Z301MFL.. a root method has been released ???
@diplomatic
Would this be compatible with Z0310M ? can't find anything for this damn model...
Hi, NeBouse,
Are you sure you have the correct information? It looks like just a misspelling of Z301M, aka P028....
I have z301m.
One thing that was a surprise for me is that the TWRP recovery flashed with the method described in the original post does not stick. You have to flash it each time you use it. If you are like me this information is important, because the original recovery plainly wipes your data without asking or warning.
After you have flashed TWRP on the device, to go to the recovery mode you have to chose "Factory Reset" in the bootloader. Then it will complain about wrong OS, which is the sign that flashing TWRP worked; choose 'yes'. The first thing you should do in TWRP is a ful nandroid backup. (Not listening the OP's advice about backing up when Installing TWRP with a wrong scatter file almost cost me the device. Thankfully diplomatic managed to remotely fix my problem, probably spending a lot of his personal time. The scatter file in the original post is a correct one now.)
Creating a nandroid backup in TWRP takes unusually long time, I even once decided that it hanged. Taking long time, like 10-30 minutes, for a full backup is normal.
Asus Z300M , Magisk 16.3 (beta) and FW 5.3.19 WW now works!
z301m, WW-3.3.12.0 firmware
For rooting I've installed in TWRP Magisk v15.3 (diplomatic warned against 16.x, someone else against 15.4) - link.
Installed in TWRP xPosed framework 88.2 - link, and xPosed Installer apk from within Android - link.
So far, so good.
What I've found is that TWRP seems to have problems with external sd cards (lots of fs corruption). I found it safer to unmount by hand by unticking the sd card checkbox in "Mount". Not very conclusive about this though.
Thanks, ahacker. Good feedback. Although to be fair, I didn't say to avoid Magisk 16.x. I said 16.0. I'm pretty sure whatever bug it had is already fixed in the latest version.
Now that you've installed root, TWRP will stick around on the emmc. The stock recovery only gets installed if you have the original unpatched boot image on it. I mean, this is not unique to these devices. That's been standard Android functionality since some 4.x or 5.x version. And this is essentially what's in the warning on the OP.
The backup I'm talking about in the installation method is done with the SP Flash Tool readback function. That will pull the partition tables and your device's "metadata" that's unique to your unit. I don't think nandroid covers that...
Oh, and what is this SD corruption you're talking about? What file system is it formatted in? Have you checked your card for errors in Windows?
Asus releases so many difference Z301M model, so I am curious if this also works on Z301MF model?
Notice Z300MF has the MTK8163BA (or MTK8163A?) CPU model while Z301M uses : 8163B
Anyone tested that already? Thanks.
my zenpad 10 has frp lock. it this a solution to remove the frp lock?
Pls help how i flash original software via fastboot ?????