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Hello!
I bought a new Zenfone 2 (1.8 GHz and 4GB ram) from china
( a company called Topmall China) after a few weeks i decided to see if there was any android update to the phone. I found many updates but neither one that was automatically detected by my phone. So I decided to contact the Asus support here in Sweden (the mobile have not been released here so :/) so from the Asus support I understood that there are many different ROM for the phone and could not be sure that I could change the ROM to the EU version because of the EU ROM image. The support also provided me with the EU image.
I personally think that it will work but I don't know exactly how to do and I want different opinions from other people that are better with android.
Thanks in advance
//Martin Lindelöw
This should help.
Hi all,
I recently received a second hand Z00AD (2GB / 32GB, 1.83Ghz) which I believe was purchased from China (it has a Chinese manual & charger). It was running a WW firmware when I first received it, which OTAed up to 2.20.40.97 (WW) when I got it out of the box.
I wasn't too surprised that the phone came with a lot of Chinese apps built into the firmware - e.g. a Chinese game store, lots of links to Yahoo China & a couple of other Chinese apps - and also defaulted to the Chinese language on a factory reset (but could be changed to English easily enough).
I figured that if I downloaded the latest full version of WW_2.20.40.97 from Asus' website, adb sideloaded it & did a factory reset in Recovery that I would lose all the Chinese apps & perhaps default to English. To my surprise, however, all the Chinese apps remained!
I downloaded the firmware from here:
https://www.asus.com/Phone/ZenFone_2_ZE551ML/HelpDesk_Download/
My questions are:
1. Does flashing WW_2.20.40.97 default to the Chinese language & come preloaded with Chinese apps on all devices?
2. If it does, are there official firmwares that do not come with Chinese apps?
3. If it doesn't then why is this happening on my phone & is there a way to modify my device to behave like a worldwide phone without Chinese apps?
4. Is it possible to default the language to English after a factory reset?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Mike
Try to reflash, maybe fix this time.
mwarner said:
Hi all,
My questions are:
1. Does flashing WW_2.20.40.97 default to the Chinese language & come preloaded with Chinese apps on all devices?
2. If it does, are there official firmwares that do not come with Chinese apps?
3. If it doesn't then why is this happening on my phone & is there a way to modify my device to behave like a worldwide phone without Chinese apps?
4. Is it possible to default the language to English after a factory reset?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On a US model, flashing the WW firmware defaults to English and does not have any Chinese apps visible/installed.
You mentioned Z00AD, my US model uses Z00A firmware. Maybe you need to use Z00A instead of Z00AD?
chp said:
On a US model, flashing the WW firmware defaults to English and does not have any Chinese apps visible/installed.
You mentioned Z00AD, my US model uses Z00A firmware. Maybe you need to use Z00A instead of Z00AD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The firmware I pointed to in the post is suited to these phones:
ASUS ZenFone 2=ZE551ML(Z00AD/Z00ADA/Z00ADB/Z00ADC) software Image: V2.20.40.97 for WW SKU only*
I don't think there are other firmwares for the Zenfone 2 on Asus' website? Is your product code also ZE551ML?
Mike
Yes, I have the US release of the ZE551ML (4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, 2.3 GHz)
After looking a bit more closely, it looks like it is actually the Z00AD, not the Z00A. Sorry about that. There must be somewhere else in the phone that identifies itself as a CN model vs WW, I'm guessing.
You should have done factory reset after flashing WW firmware or at least wiped cache and data. If you insist you don't need to wipe you might check if those apps are uninstallable. They could have updated via PlayStore so the system keeps newer downloaded versions as user installed apks.
Hi
I just bought a ZenFone2 yesterday. It's a China/India variant
Code:
[B][U]551ML Z00_ADB[/U][/B]
- (4GB RAM + 16 GB Internal + 1.8Ghz CPU).
Because it's a "grey import" there's no manufacturor's warranty with it (unless I fly to China) - so I'm gonna get to modding this. Now I've been doing it for years with my previous HTC One and Galaxy S3..
However, this Asus Zen seems to be "too commonly named"... the variants, the different versions.. many of them ZE551ML - yet specs different. In fact it took me 5 minutes just to find this one I bought on any website at all (cuz usually the 1.8Ghz version is supposed to carry 2GB RAM)..
Anyway- sorry to drift off topic - I need a quick/easy link to the right files to turn this into a WW version with all 4G channels open hopefully.
It's currently on Android 5.0 and baseband 2.something...
I don't really want to experiment too much because it's my first upgrade in 4 yrs...
So ideally - I'd be asking anyone familiar with this specific variant to point me in the right direction..
Bootloader/Root
FW Upgrade
WWE Variant
Kernel
MM/Noug (I'd go with AICP but ZenUI does offer some cool stuff)
Very familiar with adb commands and stuff - I've been modding apps and kernels for a long time. *Not*Coder* though.
TIA
#
ryankabir said:
Hi
I just bought a ZenFone2 yesterday. It's a China/India variant
Code:
[B][U]551ML Z00_ADB[/U][/B]
- (4GB RAM + 16 GB Internal + 1.8Ghz CPU).
Because it's a "grey import" there's no manufacturor's warranty with it (unless I fly to China) - so I'm gonna get to modding this. Now I've been doing it for years with my previous HTC One and Galaxy S3..
However, this Asus Zen seems to be "too commonly named"... the variants, the different versions.. many of them ZE551ML - yet specs different. In fact it took me 5 minutes just to find this one I bought on any website at all (cuz usually the 1.8Ghz version is supposed to carry 2GB RAM)..
Anyway- sorry to drift off topic - I need a quick/easy link to the right files to turn this into a WW version with all 4G channels open hopefully.
It's currently on Android 5.0 and baseband 2.something...
I don't really want to experiment too much because it's my first upgrade in 4 yrs...
So ideally - I'd be asking anyone familiar with this specific variant to point me in the right direction..
Bootloader/Root
FW Upgrade
WWE Variant
Kernel
MM/Noug (I'd go with AICP but ZenUI does offer some cool stuff)
Very familiar with adb commands and stuff - I've been modding apps and kernels for a long time. *Not*Coder* though.
TIA
#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WW version do not opens all Bands of 4G. tell me which particular band you want to use or u need?
sukhwant717 said:
WW version do not opens all Bands of 4G. tell me which particular band you want to use or u need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay - But this variant has only one Chinese band. I travel a lot (and live in UK) so I'd need EU + North America + India/Bangladesh -
-- Would be able to answer the rest of my question please? -- (the official asus site has only Lollipop in CN variant SKU, WW has Android M but Japan variant is even newer (Dec 2016) - Shall I grab those or....? I need to fully unlock/crack this open as I will be modding into Nougat soon from Cyano/AiCP
ryankabir said:
Okay - But this variant has only one Chinese band. I travel a lot (and live in UK) so I'd need EU + North America + India/Bangladesh -
-- Would be able to answer the rest of my question please? -- (the official asus site has only Lollipop in CN variant SKU, WW has Android M but Japan variant is even newer (Dec 2016) - Shall I grab those or....? I need to fully unlock/crack this open as I will be modding into Nougat soon from Cyano/AiCP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as i mentioned earlier none of the firmware will open all the frequencies.
TW version will open band 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,18,19,28
WW version will use 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,20
US version 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,17,20
CN version 1,20 on FDD and 38,39,40,41 on TDD
and you can choose any of above version of firmware. to change the firmware you must get RAW firmware of your desired version and flash it via Fastboot commands. there are other ways to do so like flashing ifwi and boot files then updating via zip.. but raw is the most safe method. as there are lot of chances you may brick your device..
sukhwant717 said:
as i mentioned earlier none of the firmware will open all the frequencies.
TW version will open band 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,18,19,28
WW version will use 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,20
US version 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,17,20
CN version 1,20 on FDD and 38,39,40,41 on TDD
and you can choose any of above version of firmware. to change the firmware you must get RAW firmware of your desired version and flash it via Fastboot commands. there are other ways to do so like flashing ifwi and boot files then updating via zip.. but raw is the most safe method. as there are lot of chances you may brick your device..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - No info about Europe/EMEA then... What bout Japan? - They have the latest (Dec 2016) FW
ryankabir said:
Thanks - No info about Europe/EMEA then... What bout Japan? - They have the latest (Dec 2016) FW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
buddy either you are unable to understand or i am not getting it.... being on latest firmware will not change anything in Band configuration. whatever firmware you are on. either it is very first release or the latest one band configuration will be the same. you have choose firmware according to your required Band Config. don't look at latest release. look at your requirement..
sukhwant717 said:
buddy either you are unable to understand or i am not getting it.... being on latest firmware will not change anything in Band configuration. whatever firmware you are on. either it is very first release or the latest one band configuration will be the same. you have choose firmware according to your required Band Config. don't look at latest release. look at your requirement..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Then you did not understand. Please let me repeat it again.
Your msg quote " choose firmware according to your required Band Config. don't look at latest release. look at your requirement. "
My question in my reply " What bout Japan? - They have the latest (Dec 2016) FW "
=
There was no information about the JP SKU FW
- so if I do not know what bands are availabe in THAT FW, then how will I know if it matches requirement?
Choose FW based on Requirement
Don't look at Release FW, look at your requirement. - That's a paradox BUDDY.
Someone has to look at the Released FW (bands + other features) AND then check if it matches their requirement. YES?
Also (separate question)
isn't it possible to merge the various radio_xx.img from different FWs into one CFW so all are open? I've done it previously for HTC One long time ago. I'm wondering if it is different for this device or OS.
ryankabir said:
-Then you did not understand. Please let me repeat it again.
Your msg quote " choose firmware according to your required Band Config. don't look at latest release. look at your requirement. "
My question in my reply " What bout Japan? - They have the latest (Dec 2016) FW "
=
There was no information about the JP SKU FW
- so if I do not know what bands are availabe in THAT FW, then how will I know if it matches requirement?
Choose FW based on Requirement
Don't look at Release FW, look at your requirement. - That's a paradox BUDDY.
Someone has to look at the Released FW (bands + other features) AND then check if it matches their requirement. YES?
Also (separate question)
isn't it possible to merge the various radio_xx.img from different FWs into one CFW so all are open? I've done it previously for HTC One long time ago. I'm wondering if it is different for this device or OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately i tried to activate different bands but no success till now.. as per concern with JP firmware.. download it and look for active 4G bands in tlv file..... i don't have JP firmware on my PC. and not willing to download too. data is too costly Buddy. so check it yourself
Solved it, it was easier than other phones actually sys/intel has the right files that need merging from different variants.
ryankabir said:
Solved it, it was easier than other phones actually sys/intel has the right files that need merging from different variants.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you elaborate which additional band you opened on which firmware?
Is the 6GB 128GB version exclusive to China?
All the Xiaomi websites that started revealing the Mi MAX 3 on their front page (which should be the international version) list the phone's spec with 4GB 64GB only.
If it's China exclusive will we be able to install the Global ROM when officially released on it as it will be specific to the 4GB 64GB version?
Thanks in advance.
samkatta said:
Is the 6GB 128GB version exclusive to China?
All the Xiaomi websites that started revealing the Mi MAX 3 on their front page (which should be the international version) list the phone's spec with 4GB 64GB only.
If it's China exclusive will we be able to install the Global ROM when officially released on it as it will be specific to the 4GB 64GB version?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a 6/128gb model here in the U.S. - the hardware should actually be identical aside from storage sizes, and I've had no trouble flashing anything. I can't imagine there would be any reason you couldn't flash to your firmware of choice as long as your bootloader is unlocked.
Thank you very much for your reply.
However, that is the case now as there is no Global Firmware officially available, but how if when this Global Firmware was released and intended only for the 4GB 64GB it might cause problems if it was installed on the 6GB 128GB if it was going to address the phone's memory sectors differently than the 4GB 64GB memory sectors.
The main question here is: are there two different firmwares for both versions or it's only one universal firmware that is used for both versions with different memory capacity?
Same SoC, same code name, RAM and storage size doesn't mather so same firmware/rom for both...
Have you seen different roms listed for both versions anywhere?
We can actually take this a step further. Since the redmi note 5/pro has basically the same internals as the mi max 3(less USB type c, larger screen), how hard is it to modify the Note 5 pros global stable rom to accommodate the mi max 3? The only reason for not going this route is to go directly to Android 9(Pie) development. My two cents.
samkatta said:
Thank you very much for your reply.
However, that is the case now as there is no Global Firmware officially available, but how if when this Global Firmware was released and intended only for the 4GB 64GB it might cause problems if it was installed on the 6GB 128GB if it was going to address the phone's memory sectors differently than the 4GB 64GB memory sectors.
The main question here is: are there two different firmwares for both versions or it's only one universal firmware that is used for both versions with different memory capacity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the two versions of the phone were different enough to require different firmwares, then they would have different code names - signifying what firmware to use for a device is one of the functions of a code name. Since they are both simply "nitrogen," this means they should take identical firmware. I've had a lot of phones and modded them all, and spend quite a bit of time reading forums for devices I don't own but am interested in, and if the two versions take different firmwares despite having the same code name then this will be the very first time I've heard of it happening. I am 99.9% sure that both phones will take the same firmware.
Yes, 6gb/128gb is a China exclusive and won't be released globally. same goes for blue variant. Any 6/128 "global" edition is likely to be a fake rom with forced unlocked bootloader. So u guys should beware.
rathian said:
Yes, 6gb/128gb is a China exclusive and won't be released globally. same goes for blue variant. Any 6/128 "global" edition is likely to be a fake rom with forced unlocked bootloader. So u guys should beware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, the important question now, can we re-lock the bootloader on the 6GB/128GB China version after installing the official global firmware on it? because some have mentioned that the phone returns itself to unlocked state again after doing this.
rathian said:
Yes, 6gb/128gb is a China exclusive and won't be released globally. same goes for blue variant. Any 6/128 "global" edition is likely to be a fake rom with forced unlocked bootloader. So u guys should beware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell us where we can find official source or confirmation for this claim?
Thank you.
I have waited so long for the 128GB Global Version and am starting to warder if it will truly come.
Please would you advise me to buy the Global ROM or still wait for the Global version as am not sure it will Come?
Coming from a 6gb/128gb owner: just buy the damn thing if you want it.
I personally don't regret it, saved myself the wait for the bootloader unlock, and would have installed Xiaomi.eu anyway, even if I had went for the "global" version.
Last but not least: there are no modem differences between the global and chinese model, so why wait if you end up getting the same band support anyway?
MrColdbird said:
Coming from a 6gb/128gb owner: just buy the damn thing if you want it.
I personally don't regret it, saved myself the wait for the bootloader unlock, and would have installed Xiaomi.eu anyway, even if I had went for the "global" version.
Last but not least: there are no modem differences between the global and chinese model, so why wait if you end up getting the same band support anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed 100 % from a 6gb/128gb owner on 8.8.9 xiaomi.eu.
6/128 Gb Gold version here as well, on the so called unofficial unlocked 9.6.4.0 dodgy global rom. Been using it , giving it a hammering over the last couple of weeks.Fast and stable...no bugs to report.Not bothered in trying to update it.Everything seems to be doing what i want of it.
There will not be a Global Version of the 6GB/128GB variant as the phone is already available on the Xiaomi Global website and on the spec only listed is the 4GB/64GB variant.
It's all up to you to decide on which version you want, keeping in mind a couple of things:
First, no need to wait for a Global Version of the 6GB/128GB variant as it's not coming ever.
Second, there is no difference between both variants except for the memory difference (obviously) and how would you like your bootloader be locked or unlocked (with the Chinese version to stay on locked bootloader you'll have to remain on the Chinese Firmware pathway but if you want to go the EUMIUI or IMUI Global you have to unlock the bootloader, however, with the Global Version you can have the bootloader locked while you are on the official Global ROM with OTA updates working normally)
samkatta said:
There will not be a Global Version of the 6GB/128GB variant as the phone is already available on the Xiaomi Global website and on the spec only listed is the 4GB/64GB variant.
It's all up to you to decide on which version you want, keeping in mind a couple of things:
First, no need to wait for a Global Version of the 6GB/128GB variant as it's not coming ever.
Second, there is no difference between both variants except for the memory difference (obviously) and how would you like your bootloader be locked or unlocked (with the Chinese version to stay on locked bootloader you'll have to remain on the Chinese Firmware pathway but if you want to go the EUMIUI or IMUI Global you have to unlock the bootloader, however, with the Global Version you can have the bootloader locked while you are on the official Global ROM with OTA updates working normally)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Good day sir
Please I need to understand you properly on this, am a novice here and am sorry for the way I will put my questions as below.
If I buy the Chinese version from aliexpress 6gb/128gb,would I get regular MIUI update from xiaomi and also newer android update without any tweak on the ROM?
The thing there is am not familiar with locked and unlocked bootloader as am scared of bricking the device at any attempt.
I just want to buy and enjoy my device without any tweak on rom
Also, I do read that the Chinese version, has mix up of language when tunned to English (has English and Chinese writing). How true is it?
Please I need answers before I make an order.
Thanks
uche715 said:
Hi
Good day sir
Please I need to understand you properly on this, am a novice here and am sorry for the way I will put my questions as below.
If I buy the Chinese version from aliexpress 6gb/128gb,would I get regular MIUI update from xiaomi and also newer android update without any tweak on the ROM?
The thing there is am not familiar with locked and unlocked bootloader as am scared of bricking the device at any attempt.
I just want to buy and enjoy my device without any tweak on rom
Also, I do read that the Chinese version, has mix up of language when tunned to English (has English and Chinese writing). How true is it?
Please I need answers before I make an order.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are not going to modify your phones' firmware and stay on the original firmware then you'll be good to go and you will get regular OTA updates from the official Xiaomi servers but keep in mind that this would be the Chinese firmware pathway all the time for you.
The Chinese firmware has English language but as you said there are some here and there mix up but it will not interfere with your daily use of the device but it's there (you'll find some naming in the menu in Chinese)
The other thing, is that the Chinese version doesn't have Google Play or any other Google services but you can install these easily from an app that is available on a Chinese app store pre-installed on the Chinese version.
So, if you are ok with all of the above you can get the 6GB/128GB version but if you are not feeling much comfortable of Chinese lettering here and there and some Chinese apps on your device then go with the 4GB/64GB version.
By the way, there will not be much difference of performance between the 2 devices (if any at all) if you are wondering about that and for the storage the device has a Micro SD slot and you can have all the storage that you want with that.
Hi,
I will try to make things more clear : ....
I have ordered and received from a known Chinese internet site
(not my first order with them)
"[Official Global ROM]Xiaomi Mi Max 3 6.9 Inch 4G LTE Smartphone Snapdragon 636 6GB 128GB 12.0MP+5.0MP Dual Rear Cameras Android 8.1 5500mAh Type-C OTG Touch ID - Black:"
Before shipping i have inquired :
" Is the "official Global Rom" genuine by Xiaomi or flashed by ********* ??? is the box original sealed or open ???"
The answer was :
"Dear friend,
Thanks for your inquiry
Sorry for the late reply
this item is Official Global ROM by xiaomi
it is packed by original sealed box
please do not worry
Hope you enjoy your shipping!
Best regards
The Phone was received relatively fast @ 9th. October very nice Mi Max 3 very responsive with "MIUI Global 9.x.x.x....."
Few days later got an OTA "UPDATE Alert" to MIUI Global 10.0.1.0 Stable (OEDMIFH)
The update performed in few minutes all looks good up to i found on the XDA site
The link to "Mi Product Authentication" :
https://www.mi.com/en/verify/#/en/tab/imei
I have clicked the IMEI and found this :
小米Max3 全网通版 6GB内存 黑色 128GB
Thank you for choosing Xiaomi!
However, the device you purchased is not an official global version and user experience may be affected. Next time, please purchase the official global version of the device through officially authorized channels.
(could not upload a pic.)
Started searching 6/128 Global found out there no such version on the market ....
Opened a dispute on Pay Pal
Waiting for Answers ......
You should never listen to a vendor regarding this information without thorough research. That's why Xiaomi implemented the new 720 hour official bootloader unlock.
mmarcus10 said:
Hi,
I will try to make things more clear : ....
I have ordered and received from a known Chinese internet site
(not my first order with them)
"[Official Global ROM]Xiaomi Mi Max 3 6.9 Inch 4G LTE Smartphone Snapdragon 636 6GB 128GB 12.0MP+5.0MP Dual Rear Cameras Android 8.1 5500mAh Type-C OTG Touch ID - Black:"
Before shipping i have inquired :
" Is the "official Global Rom" genuine by Xiaomi or flashed by ********* ??? is the box original sealed or open ???"
The answer was :
"Dear friend,
Thanks for your inquiry
Sorry for the late reply
this item is Official Global ROM by xiaomi
it is packed by original sealed box
please do not worry
Hope you enjoy your shipping!
Best regards
The Phone was received relatively fast @ 9th. October very nice Mi Max 3 very responsive with "MIUI Global 9.x.x.x....."
Few days later got an OTA "UPDATE Alert" to MIUI Global 10.0.1.0 Stable (OEDMIFH)
The update performed in few minutes all looks good up to i found on the XDA site
The link to "Mi Product Authentication" :
https://www.mi.com/en/verify/#/en/tab/imei
I have clicked the IMEI and found this :
小米Max3 全网通版 6GB内存 黑色 128GB
Thank you for choosing Xiaomi!
However, the device you purchased is not an official global version and user experience may be affected. Next time, please purchase the official global version of the device through officially authorized channels.
(could not upload a pic.)
Started searching 6/128 Global found out there no such version on the market ....
Opened a dispute on Pay Pal
Waiting for Answers ......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Rom , like mine is official.The method they used was unofficial.As there is no 128gb International version phone in existence. You will always get a Chinese version 128gb phone, as seen when you check the IMEI software link. With the "Official rom" loaded by the person you purchased it from.
To do that, they had to unwrap the Chinese version phone, Install the "Official rom" and then send it to you.What they did wrong was state to you that the phone was in a sealed box.If you are concerned with having a Chinese version of the phone, i would suggest you try to return it and downgrade to the Official 64gb International version phone in a sealed box with the same software on board.
I Personally more than happy with my 128GB Chinese phone with the International Rom loaded.
I wouldn't have opened that dispute TBH.
The Chinese 6gb / 128gb model is still the best one on the market, and let's face it: you would have installed the Xiaomi.eu ROM on the "official" global version anyway, just to get theme support and rid of the ads.
Sorry if i ask a stupid question,
but when searching for it i found contradicting answers.
Also i somehow can not post in the general questions forum so feel free to move this thread over there.
I do own a S9 G960F which i have bought in Germany. But according to the official Samsung support it was produced for the Japan market/ is a Japan version.
The problem i am facing now is that the Japan version apparently does not get One UI 2.5 on Android 10 and instead is stuck on One UI 2.1.
Unfortunatley i do need One UI 2.5 to run a certain app and i am looking for a way to get that to work.
The general idea would be to flash the newest official german firmware for the S9.
According to Wikipedia the japan verson has a Snapdragon processor. So the question i am wondering about is if i can just flash the newest german firmwre using Odin or if that wont work since german phones usually come with the Exynos processor? Do i even have to care about the processor at all when flashing official Samsung firmware?
(Note that OEM unlock is enabled in the developer options. So a locked bootloader will not be an issue)
Thank you in advance for helping a clueless newbie like me.