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Hi everyone, sorry if this is the wrong spot to ask.
I have pre ordered a Z2 and since I am new to android and have always been an avid jailbreaker, would like to root my Z2 and eventually play around with custom ROMS.
DooMLoRD announced today that Touch Recovery is working on the Z2 so it can now be unlocked and rooted. I have a few Q's specific to this process.
1. Correct me if I'm wrong but at the moment there is no way to root the Z2 WITHOUT first unlocking it?
2. You need root to do a TA backup, so the current process of unlocking then rooting will result in lost DRM keys?
3. I read that unlocking wipes all data. Does that mean that the Z2 is then unbootable until you have flashed a ROM. Or is the stock ROM still actually in place and bootable, just without any user data?
4. What specific features are lost when you don't have DRM keys? I read something about losing functionality in the photo album and walkman apps, and bravia engine (but that may have related to unlocking the Z!).
1. You are correct.
2. Correct again.
3. The stock ROM will be in place and the phone will be usable, but all user data will be wiped.
4. I have the same question for the Z2. I haven't seen the answer anywhere, but I think @DooMLoRD and @yeeson should know...
Unlock will be lost TA！
yeeson said:
Unlock will be lost TA！
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what features you lose when you lose TA with the Z2?
JMonkeYJ said:
Do you know what features you lose when you lose TA with the Z2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the normal functions
yeeson said:
All the normal functions
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Click to collapse
When you say this, what exactly do you mean? Since a phone has a lot of functions. Calls still work I presume, as well as wifi and mobile data. Camera, audio, play store and google apps etc...?
I thought it was just a few Sony specific functions that stop working, like Sony's OTA updates.
It seems blog sites all over the net are reporting this method of rooting as an easy user-ready option. In their rush to get hits, they are completely neglecting to mention the fact that at the moment this is a one-way process, and that there are some very specific downsides to rushing into rooting the Z2 at the moment.
I hope people are doing their reading first
cronugs said:
When you say this, what exactly do you mean? Since a phone has a lot of functions. Calls still work I presume, as well as wifi and mobile data. Camera, audio, play store and google apps etc...?
I thought it was just a few Sony specific functions that stop working, like Sony's OTA updates.
It seems blog sites all over the net are reporting this method of rooting as an easy user-ready option. In their rush to get hits, they are completely neglecting to mention the fact that at the moment this is a one-way process, and that there are some very specific downsides to rushing into rooting the Z2 at the moment.
I hope people are doing their reading first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock all normal ！
There is no bug！
Can back to lock, and then to OTA！
yeeson said:
Unlock all normal ！
There is no bug！
Can back to lock, and then to OTA！
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you only can relock the bootloader only if the Z2 gets a proper root with locked bootloader in order to perform a backup of the TA partition. Once you unlocked it without backup, DRM keys will be lost forever and you'll lose your warranty and you won't ever be able to relock it again. No you can't use the TA backup from another phone. It would hard-brick your phone. I hope that helps!
Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk
jjpro45 said:
But you only can relock the bootloader only if the Z2 gets a proper root with locked bootloader in order to perform a backup of the TA partition. Once you unlocked it without backup, DRM keys will be lost forever and you'll lose your warranty and you won't ever be able to relock it again. No you can't use the TA backup from another phone. It would hard-brick your phone. I hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I thought. Is a proper root for the Z2 likely?
cronugs said:
When you say this, what exactly do you mean? Since a phone has a lot of functions. Calls still work I presume, as well as wifi and mobile data. Camera, audio, play store and google apps etc...?
I thought it was just a few Sony specific functions that stop working, like Sony's OTA updates.
It seems blog sites all over the net are reporting this method of rooting as an easy user-ready option. In their rush to get hits, they are completely neglecting to mention the fact that at the moment this is a one-way process, and that there are some very specific downsides to rushing into rooting the Z2 at the moment.
I hope people are doing their reading first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You MIGHT lose X Reality. DooMLoRD has tweeted a few days ago that all devices with 4.4 that unlock their bootloader will not lose it anymore, but, not that I don't believe him, but I will only be 100 about that seeing many confirmations.
Also, I think you might lose the possibility to use Music and Video Unlimited. Haven't heard anything about PS Mobile, but I think it is included. Can't remember anything else...
Hello, just got my Z4 after my old Z just got in the hand of my 2-year old son
I had rooted and installed a custom rom on that one (CM 12), but I never bothered with Sony own "things" such as the Bravia engine and all.
Now, given that there are not yet any interesting roms for the Z4 and that the developers' scene has never been so active for Sony's products (hence we won't probably see anything interesting for a while, in terms of rom), what are the true disadvantages of JUST rooting the device to install stuff like adaway, titanium backup and the rest of the goodies that rooting allows? Will I lose OTAs by simply unlocking the bootloader and rooting? Since the TA partition will be gone forever, what else are the side-effects of the rooting procedure?
Thanks for any help to a semi-noob.
Luca
astrovale said:
Hello, just got my Z4 after my old Z just got in the hand of my 2-year old son
I had rooted and installed a custom rom on that one (CM 12), but I never bothered with Sony own "things" such as the Bravia engine and all.
Now, given that there are not yet any interesting roms for the Z4 and that the developers' scene has never been so active for Sony's products (hence we won't probably see anything interesting for a while, in terms of rom), what are the true disadvantages of JUST rooting the device to install stuff like adaway, titanium backup and the rest of the goodies that rooting allows? Will I lose OTAs by simply unlocking the bootloader and rooting? Since the TA partition will be gone forever, what else are the side-effects of the rooting procedure?
Thanks for any help to a semi-noob.
Luca
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apart from the minor Sony stuff that gets lost with the TA partition, I think I read you'll indeed lose the OTA updates abd the only way to upgrade your ROM is with Flashtool (from flashtool.net). Which is also no big deal, really. Just inconvenient, especially on Windows 8+, which you'll have to boot into a mode in which it accepts installation unsigned drivers needed for the tool.
Another potentially big disadvantage is warranty-related, of the bootloader unlocking. Depends on country and vendor.
Thanks a lot for your help Jelbo. Don't worry too much about using flashtool (done already). I remember though that there used to be a tool to backup TA partition. I'll look into it, but I guess that, if it's not here....
Never worried about warranty as well. I just hope I'll be lucky, I guess!
jelbo said:
Apart from the minor Sony stuff that gets lost with the TA partition, I think I read you'll indeed lose the OTA updates abd the only way to upgrade your ROM is with Flashtool (from flashtool.net). Which is also no big deal, really. Just inconvenient, especially on Windows 8+, which you'll have to boot into a mode in which it accepts installation unsigned drivers needed for the tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:crying::crying::crying: Another drawback which I haven't known. Meybe it's more comfortable to use virtual machine with flashtool.
astrovale said:
Thanks a lot for your help Jelbo. Don't worry too much about using flashtool (done already). I remember though that there used to be a tool to backup TA partition. I'll look into it, but I guess that, if it's not here....
Never worried about warranty as well. I just hope I'll be lucky, I guess!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backing up your TA is only possible when you have acquired root on your device without unlocking the bootloader. This is impossible as of now on the Z4 Tablet. Well, technically it might be possible, but no one has found an exploit yet. Maybe one will be found someday, but I wouldn't wait on it.
alex009988 said:
:crying::crying::crying: Another drawback which I haven't known. Meybe it's more comfortable to use virtual machine with flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, don't see things so badly. There's lots to enjoy on the Z4T right now.
Running Flashtool with the flashmode driver in a VM is impossible I think. The driver thing on Windows 8+ is really easy tough.
Thanks Jelbo. I went and researched the subject and the first I read was that you need to be rooted to backup your TA partition (indeed I used for my Z the doomlord tool). Well, I guess I'll wait as much as I can, but I really miss adaway most: I hate those ads everywhere cluttering my apps!
Eventually, I'm afraid I'll root and forget about it! I was just wondering also what is the meaning of loosing the bravia engine, but I'll research that too and see. All I know is that I guess I lost it on my Z...but never missed it anyway, so I guess it isnt' that fundamental to enjoy a good tablet like the sony Z4!
Bye
Luca
astrovale said:
Thanks Jelbo. I went and researched the subject and the first I read was that you need to be rooted to backup your TA partition (indeed I used for my Z the doomlord tool). Well, I guess I'll wait as much as I can, but I really miss adaway most: I hate those ads everywhere cluttering my apps!
Eventually, I'm afraid I'll root and forget about it! I was just wondering also what is the meaning of loosing the bravia engine, but I'll research that too and see. All I know is that I guess I lost it on my Z...but never missed it anyway, so I guess it isnt' that fundamental to enjoy a good tablet like the sony Z4!
Bye
Luca
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't miss the image 'enhancements' that are lost, especially when you care for color accuracy.
A cool thing I found out is that the Z4T supports 'KCAL', which enables you to tweak all kinds of image parameters using a tool like Kernel Adiutor.
Apart from killing ads, the thing I'm second most happy about with being rooted is the ability to permanently hide the soft keys using a build.prop edit, while keeping the ability to type anywhere. I mapped the back and home controls to sliding gestures from the left and right screen edges using a GMD app.
Dear community,
I've recently got a Z5 compact (updated it to MM already) and after reading around here and around the Z5 forums I came to a cruel conclusion (didn't do my homework before getting the phone, but that's my problem):
You cannot root without unlocking the bootloader and you cannot backup the DRM keys without having root access.
Is this correct? If so, how did people writing the tutorials about DRM keys backup achieve root access in the first place?
I'm a little bit confused here...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
daniel_loft said:
Dear community,
I've recently got a Z5 compact (updated it to MM already) and after reading around here and around the Z5 forums I came to a cruel conclusion (didn't do my homework before getting the phone, but that's my problem):
You cannot root without unlocking the bootloader and you cannot backup the DRM keys without having root access.
Is this correct? If so, how did people writing the tutorials about DRM keys backup achieve root access in the first place?
I'm a little bit confused here...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
currently,for the z5 family,there is no way to root without unlocking bootloader.Period.
the tutorials you see on the z5 pages are ways to restore sony credentials after unlocking bootloader but does not restore TA partition (where the DRM keys are) which is lost once you unlock bootloader. i.e you trick the phone into believing the bootloader is unlocked and can still enjoy the sony goodies with the patch (very simplified explanation here).
older models are able to achieve root (like the Z3+) only recently due to exploit found on MM and also using older firmwares.
you might want to hold back on unlocking bootloader for now.the z5 has impressive hardware rivaling samdung.the sad part is backing up TA partition while bootloader is locked,which has not been found.
that or you can hold out till the new nexus arrives.
Frostmore is correct in that you cannot backup DRM currently. But I disagree that you should hold off on doing so, the z5c lacks in most all places and root helps fix some stuff.
Does the loss of DRM keys affect camera performance?
DrYnternet said:
Does the loss of DRM keys affect camera performance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does, Mobile Bravia Engine is gone, Track ID in music player is gone and camera performance is also gone.
but now you can backup and restore your own TA if you have not unlocked bootloader yet
I thought that It is possible to backup TA partition with iovyroot here. It is working on Lollipop. So if you upgraded to Mashmallow, you need to downgrade with flashtool here which does not unlock the bootloader. After downgrade It is possible to backup DRM keys I think isn't it?
Yes downgrade then unlock boot loader then root then relock with DRM keys.
Sent from my E6633 using XDA-Developers mobile app
---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 PM ----------
It will say boot loader status relocked in service menu
Sent from my E6633 using XDA-Developers mobile app
I am completely baffled. I managed to restore ALL my original DRM keys!
I lost them while unlocking the bootloader, and then rooted my device. I also didnt do my homework and didn't realise I would lose all the DRM keys. When I factory resetted my device, using companion, I got my phone working on android 7.0 again, but ofcourse the drm keys were gone. Filming was almost impossible and fingerprint was not working etc.
And for whatever reason, guess I was bored, I unlocked the bootloader again, since it wouldn't matter anyway. So I unlocked the bootloader with oem unlock and the sony developer site, and then the device started rebooting. It looked like a bootloop, it took about 5 minutes, everything on my phone was gone (damnit). But when I tried fingerpringt, camera, everything worked like before! I have no idea how this happened but maybe this'll work for anyone here. aswell! From now on I'm not gonna touch ANYTHING anymore, since I just don't have enough developer knowledge.
btw: I made an account on this site especially to share this information with you :highfive:
Weslietje said:
I am completely baffled. I managed to restore ALL my original DRM keys!
I lost them while unlocking the bootloader, and then rooted my device. I also didnt do my homework and didn't realise I would lose all the DRM keys. When I factory resetted my device, using companion, I got my phone working on android 7.0 again, but ofcourse the drm keys were gone. Filming was almost impossible and fingerprint was not working etc.
And for whatever reason, guess I was bored, I unlocked the bootloader again, since it wouldn't matter anyway. So I unlocked the bootloader with oem unlock and the sony developer site, and then the device started rebooting. It looked like a bootloop, it took about 5 minutes, everything on my phone was gone (damnit). But when I tried fingerpringt, camera, everything worked like before! I have no idea how this happened but maybe this'll work for anyone here. aswell! From now on I'm not gonna touch ANYTHING anymore, since I just don't have enough developer knowledge.
btw: I made an account on this site especially to share this information with you :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA, and thanks for going through the trouble of creating an account to share information.
However, some of the information you shared is either wrong or misinformed.
Also, this thread is quite old, digging up old threads is generally frowned upon.
First of all, if you never made a backup of your DRM keys before unlocking your bootloader, then those keys are gone. Forever. There's absolutely no possible way of restoring them.
Second, missing DRM keys do not cause the camera or fingerprint scanner to stop working. Only certain "enhancement features" are disabled, such as X-Reality that makes images appear sharper and more vivid when viewing photos/videos, or advanced low light noise reduction when taking pictures.
Many of those DRM-reliant features can be re-enabled by applying a DRM fix patch that can be found on the XDA forums.
The fingerprint scanner is disabled for certain region's firmware by Sony via software means, but it is not dependent on DRM.
You probably messed up somewhere flashing or rooting your firmware, causing functions like the camera and fingerprint scanner to not work. Do a factory reset or clean flash in case this happens.
And finally, it is clearly worded on the web page where you go to unlock the bootloader that your phone will automatically perform a factory reset upon unlocking the bootloader, so you shouldn't be surprised that all your data was erased. It's expected behavior.
You should always backup your data before fiddling with your phone, it's good practice and common sense.
So in conclusion, no, there's no way of restoring the DRM keys without a prior backup. You didn't manage to restore it.
Here's how to verify if your DRM keys are present:
In the dialer, input *#*#7378423#*#* to enter the service menu
Service tests > Security
If your keys are intact, the first three lines should all say [Key OK][Active], and at the bottom FIDO_KEYS : Provisioned
You probably fixed your camera and fingerprint issues by performing a factory reset unknowingly, which is done automatically when you unlock the bootloader as mentioned.
mhaha said:
***
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I guess I'll just stick to reading this forum and finding solutions for my problems instead of trying to give advice. That'll look like a homeless guy, giving financial advise. Thanks for the large explanation anyway!:good:
Hello,
I have been reading the XDA forums for a while now, but it is until now that I have a question that I can't find an answer to.
I want to backup my TA, however I see that in order to do that I need to root.
I found that in order to root I need to unlock the BL, thus losing the DRM keys which is the reason why I want to back up.
What do you recommend? I don't want to lose my data on the phone, is there any way to downgrade to a firmware that can be rooted without unlocking BL without losing my data?
Or, is there a way to backup TA without rooting?
Thanks for your help!
m180up said:
Hello,
I have been reading the XDA forums for a while now, but it is until now that I have a question that I can't find an answer to.
I want to backup my TA, however I see that in order to do that I need to root.
I found that in order to root I need to unlock the BL, thus losing the DRM keys which is the reason why I want to back up.
What do you recommend? I don't want to lose my data on the phone, is there any way to downgrade to a firmware that can be rooted without unlocking BL without losing my data?
Or, is there a way to backup TA without rooting?
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way now to downgrade to Lollipop is by flashing firmware through Flashtool. And yes you will lose your data. But you can make a backup or not? Flash the Lolipop firmware. Root your device and backup your TA partition. After you can unlock the bootloader. And unlocking the BL will wipe your data.
ekin_strops said:
The only way now to downgrade to Lollipop is by flashing firmware through Flashtool. And yes you will lose your data. But you can make a backup or not? Flash the Lolipop firmware. Root your device and backup your TA partition. After you can unlock the bootloader. And unlocking the BL will wipe your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And can I restore DRM key (TA partition) from Lolipop backup to MM ?
harisdelic said:
And can I restore DRM key (TA partition) from Lolipop backup to MM ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't try yet, but why not. You just need to be rooted. If you try, write us a feedback, so we will now, is it posibble or not.
I thing that if you restore TA partition, this will relock your bootloader. Note. If you restore backup TA, you need to be on stock firmware and kernel before that.
Monipeev said:
I thing that if you restore TA partition, this will relock your bootloader. Note. If you restore backup TA, you need to be on stock firmware and kernel before that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And do you know what I will lose on my phone if I unlock bootloader?
harisdelic said:
And do you know what I will lose on my phone if I unlock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This please, I haven't done all the process because I read so many conflicting ideas of what will happen:
Warranty Voided - This one I mind, but is not a deal breaker
Camera will not longer work - I love the Sony camera functions, such as AR fun, Motionshot, etc and I wouldn't want to lose them if I have to use another Camera app.
Camera quality will be very poor but I can still use Sony camera functions
Camera quality will be very poor and I won't be able to use Sony camera functions
I won't be able to use any Sony software such as Music, Video, Album, Sony Xperia Care, etc
Are they true or not? I have tried to find the answers myself, but the more I look the more confusing it gets
m180up said:
This please, I haven't done all the process because I read so many conflicting ideas of what will happen:
Warranty Voided - This one I mind, but is not a deal breaker
Camera will not longer work - I love the Sony camera functions, such as AR fun, Motionshot, etc and I wouldn't want to lose them if I have to use another Camera app.
Camera quality will be very poor but I can still use Sony camera functions
Camera quality will be very poor and I won't be able to use Sony camera functions
I won't be able to use any Sony software such as Music, Video, Album, Sony Xperia Care, etc
Are they true or not? I have tried to find the answers myself, but the more I look the more confusing it gets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restoring the TA partition DOES relock bootloader.
DarkerJava said:
Restoring the TA partition does NOT relic bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? See the picture below, it's from this post by
@zxz0O0
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50176658&postcount=1
DarkerJava said:
Restoring the TA partition does NOT relic bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restoring the TA Partition will relock the bootloader!!!
---------- Post added at 18:22 ---------- Previous post was at 18:08 ----------
m180up said:
This please, I haven't done all the process because I read so many conflicting ideas of what will happen:
Warranty Voided - This one I mind, but is not a deal breaker
Camera will not longer work - I love the Sony camera functions, such as AR fun, Motionshot, etc and I wouldn't want to lose them if I have to use another Camera app.
Camera quality will be very poor but I can still use Sony camera functions
Camera quality will be very poor and I won't be able to use Sony camera functions
I won't be able to use any Sony software such as Music, Video, Album, Sony Xperia Care, etc
Are they true or not? I have tried to find the answers myself, but the more I look the more confusing it gets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Warranty Voided - Depends on where you live. In some country's, it does not affect the warranty. But if you backup the TA partition, you can always restore it, and relock the bootloader, so the warranty stays.
Camera will not longer work - Stock camera is working without any problems, and you can use all the apps, such as AR Fun, Motionshot, etc.
Camera Quality will be very poor but I can still use Sony camera functions - To be honest, on Lollipop, i saw the difference on camera photos, when it was unlocked or when it was locked. It only affects the low light photos, more digital noise. In daylight, the photos were the same. But the difference in low light photos was very small. On Marshmallow, i tried the same. Compared the photos on unlocked and on locked BL., i couldn't notice any difference. In low light also, photos were the same, the same amount of digital noise. When i will have more time, i will post the photos, compared, so everybody can see.
Camera quality will be very poor and I won't be able to use Sony camera functions- As i said before, you can use the stock camera and all the apps in it.
Won't be able to use any Sony software such as Music, Video, Album, Sony Xperia Care, etc - You can use all those apps, only you will not be able to use- The Lounge, TrackID, and i don't know what else, i didn't test everything. Those apps you mentioned will work without any problem. You will only Not get the software updates in the Settings.
ekin_strops said:
Restoring the TA Partition will relock the bootloader!!!
---------- Post added at 18:22 ---------- Previous post was at 18:08 ----------
Warranty Voided - Depends on where you live. In some country's, it does not affect the warranty. But if you backup the TA partition, you can always restore it, and relock the bootloader, so the warranty stays.
Camera will not longer work - Stock camera is working without any problems, and you can use all the apps, such as AR Fun, Motionshot, etc.
Camera Quality will be very poor but I can still use Sony camera functions - To be honest, on Lollipop, i saw the difference on camera photos, when it was unlocked or when it was locked. It only affects the low light photos, more digital noise. In daylight, the photos were the same. But the difference in low light photos was very small. On Marshmallow, i tried the same. Compared the photos on unlocked and on locked BL., i couldn't notice any difference. In low light also, photos were the same, the same amount of digital noise. When i will have more time, i will post the photos, compared, so everybody can see.
Camera quality will be very poor and I won't be able to use Sony camera functions- As i said before, you can use the stock camera and all the apps in it.
Won't be able to use any Sony software such as Music, Video, Album, Sony Xperia Care, etc - You can use all those apps, only you will not be able to use- The Lounge, TrackID, and i don't know what else, i didn't test everything. Those apps you mentioned will work without any problem. You will only Not get the software updates in the Settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot! That clears most of my questions. If I understood correctly then if I'm in Marshmallow and want to backup the DRM keys I should downgrade to Lollipop, root the phone without unlocking the bootloader there, then backup the DRM keys by doing a backup of the TA partition.
Then I can unlock the bootloader, flash a pretooted Marshmallow, right?
m180up said:
Thanks a lot! That clears most of my questions. If I understood correctly then if I'm in Marshmallow and want to backup the DRM keys I should downgrade to Lollipop, root the phone without unlocking the bootloader there, then backup the DRM keys by doing a backup of the TA partition.
Then I can unlock the bootloader, flash a pretooted Marshmallow, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right. Or you can wait until somebody finds a way to root (Marshmallow) on locked bootloader. But, if you have time and patience, than downgrade to lollipop and do it now.
Hello there, I'm very new to Sony phones, and with so, I wanted to unlock the bootloader on MM, because I wanted to install a WiFi fix (Internet develops terribly on MM) that needs a custom recovery.
I searched multiple guides on how to unlock it and backup the DRM keys to not lose any functionality, but, I did not find one specialized on the Z2, so I wondered how it could be done and install that fix.
Thanks a lot, best regards.
i have the problem too
CGR911 said:
Hello there, I'm very new to Sony phones, and with so, I wanted to unlock the bootloader on MM, because I wanted to install a WiFi fix (Internet develops terribly on MM) that needs a custom recovery.
I searched multiple guides on how to unlock it and backup the DRM keys to not lose any functionality, but, I did not find one specialized on the Z2, so I wondered how it could be done and install that fix.
Thanks a lot, best regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be happy to help, what you need is root with a locked bootloader, Follow this " https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/help/guide-idiots-guide-to-root-twrp-t3534647 " when you get root, let me know I will tell you how to backup the DRM keys then