Asus Zenfone 9 and 10 bootloader unlock tool access revoked, perhaps permanently

Android offers customization options that are advanced compared to those of a certain rival OS for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the ability to unlock a given device's bootloader in order to install a greater range of third-party themes, tools and whole ROMs in many cases.

Then again, this ability, also often termed gaining root or root access, is often still in the gift of individual OEMs - although exceptions such as Asus remain. It has historically supplied its own Unlock App for this purpose for use on its flagship Zenfone line.

However, according to a growing number of users on Reddit or the XDA forums, Asus has been 'doing an Apple' as of late in revoking access to this app. Some device owners claim to have been informed by official OEM representatives that it will no longer be available on the Zenfone 10, not to mention the 9 from 2022, in the future.

Others, however, purport to have heard that the Asus Unlock App is down simply because its servers need  maintenance until the third quarter of 2023 (3Q2023), at which point the tool will be reinstated. Those reports might be backed up by a quote reportedly sent to Android Authority contributor Mishaal Rahman via an official Asus spokesperson which reads, "Unlock tool is unavailable at this moment but we are allowing the possibility to unlock, please stay tuned", in an (albeit partially) reassuring manner.

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