A recent report from Android Authority initially suggested that ASUS had removed the option to unlock bootloaders on its Zenfone devices.
This conclusion was drawn from a customer query response by the company’s support staff regarding the Zenfone 10’s bootloader. The change in policy seemed to also apply to the Zenfone 9 from the previous year.
Clarification on ASUS Bootloader Unlock Policy
However, it has come to light that this information is not entirely accurate. ASUS has intentions to provide its bootloader unlock tool for the Zenfone 10, although it is currently not accessible.
In a statement to Mishaal Rahman, the Taiwanese manufacturer clarified the situation, attributing the misunderstanding to their support staff’s interpretation of the original inquiry.
While this clarification is positive, the company’s response lacks comprehensive detail. No explanation has been given regarding the disappearance of the unlock tool, which remains unavailable.
Curiously, there has been no public address on this matter, with Rahman being the sole recipient of communication from a PR representative.
Uncertainty about ASUS Bootloader Tool Availability
ASUS had previously announced plans to update the unlock tool to support the Zenfone 10, aiming for reintroduction sometime in the third quarter of this year. However, an email from ASUS support contradicts this assertion, raising questions about the tool’s future availability.
The report also references a Reddit user’s claim that the company’s developer liaison on its Telegram channel is unaware of any such developments. The user alleges that the unlock tool server is under maintenance and is expected to resume in Q3.
However, disparities in ASUS messaging to Zenfone users across different platforms have surfaced, suggesting inconsistencies among various support teams. The accuracy of the information provided remains to be confirmed.
In a statement to Mishaal Rahman, ASUS mentioned that:
The service team’s reply misunderstood the situation. The unlock tool is unavailable at the moment, but we are considering the possibility of allowing unlocking. Please stay tuned.