Sometimes a new update introduces bugs or removes features. OTA updates often do not allow you to downgrade (go back to an older Android version). Raw firmware allows you to wipe the current OS and flash an older, stable version (e.g., going from Android 10 back to Android 9).

In the context of ASUS devices, "Raw Firmware" (often found with the .raw file extension or referred to in flashing tools) is essentially the factory system image. Unlike a standard OTA (Over-The-Air) update zip file, which only contains the changes needed to update the phone, a raw firmware contains a complete snapshot of the entire operating system partition.

It is closest to what manufacturers use to flash the OS onto brand-new devices at the factory.

  • Open ASUS Flash Tool → Load rawprogram0.xml.
  • Click “Start” → wait for “Flash completed”.

    • If you installed a malicious APK that wrote to the system partition, or if you manually deleted /system/app files without proper knowledge, a factory reset won’t help. Raw firmware rewrites the entire system partition, erasing all modifications.