[Q] TA Partition and root - Xperia Z2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

hi folks
i am expecting to get a z2 and i have few questions.
from what i ve understoud, if you want to root it, you need to unlock the bootloader, and if you want to unlock the bootloader, you need to backup TA partition first, but for perform this backup YOU NEED TO BE ROOT , and i have to admit that i am somehow lost :/
Any help around for solve my headache?
best regards

No headache, at the current time there's no root workaround. It's a catch 22 scenario you can't do 1 step without screwing up the next 1.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Hi @SwiftSmoke so it means you can t root z1 or z2?
Envoyé de mon GT-I9300 en utilisant Tapatalk

nocomp said:
Hi @SwiftSmoke so it means you can t root z1 or z2?
Envoyé de mon GT-I9300 en utilisant Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole deal is a bit confusing, yes
The so called TA partition holds your DRM keys which give you access to DRM content. These are unique for each phone and a restore of the TA partition from a different phone would permanently brick your phone. If you restore your own TA partition however, the phone is locked again and your completely back to stock again, Sony won't be able to see that you've rooted it.
Now, in order to backup the TA partition, you need to have root access. In the past this was accomplished by an exploit, which gave you root access without wiping the TA partition. Therefore you could get root access, backup TA, flash a custom recovery, flash a custom ROM and if need be, flash your phone back to stock completely.
Hope that made things a bit clearer.

I just need to have root in the safest way once i have my z2, is the exploit still up?
Envoyé de mon GT-I9300 en utilisant Tapatalk

nocomp said:
I just need to have root in the safest way once i have my z2, is the exploit still up?
Envoyé de mon GT-I9300 en utilisant Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no exploit for the Z2 (yet) and no guarantee that there ever will be one. Right now, your only choice is to use this recovery which will wipe your TA partition permanently.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2702001

hillbicks said:
There is no exploit for the Z2 (yet) and no guarantee that there ever will be one. Right now, your only choice is to use this recovery which will wipe your TA partition permanently.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2702001
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
damm, why all phones are not so easy to root as htc.....
what are fundamental changes in your daily use once you lost your drm ?
thxx for your time

Is it possible to downgrade the android OS to 4.2 or 4.3, root it and get back to the latest version?

There may or may not be an exploit but if there is, according to what i know is that still your bootloader status should be either unloocked or unlockable. If the status is unlockable or unlock allowed no then there is nothing you can do.... Is this correct?
For instance if my bootloader is locked cuz most carrier locked phones on contracts come with a locked bootloader, if i get my phone unlocked will my bootloader status change? If not is there a way to boot such a phone.
I have a few questions on this
1. Is there a way to know if ure buying a phone with unlocked or locked bootloader ( obviously i cant open all boxes and check one by one by the command) ?
2. If the carrier locked phone have locked bootloaders and vice versa what if we unlock a carrier locked phone will the status change then?
3. Have anyone using previous xperia models with a locked bootloader been able to root so far?
Havent got one yet but as much as I am looking forward to get one these are all ofsetters.

Sathron said:
Is it possible to downgrade the android OS to 4.2 or 4.3, root it and get back to the latest version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no Andoid 4.2 or 4.3 to downgrade to.
The Z2 begins with 4.4 so there is no older version...

RRSoftware said:
There is no Andoid 4.2 or 4.3 to downgrade to.
The Z2 begins with 4.4 so there is no older version...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see... Sorry for the obvious question, didn't know that's how it works ;_;

Related

sgp321 .253 root by dowgrade help

Could someone point me onto a guide to root my sgp321. 253 via downgrade i havent found any for the tablet. Most guides are for the z phone. Thanks
nielo360 said:
Could someone point me onto a guide to root my sgp321. 253 via downgrade i havent found any for the tablet. Most guides are for the z phone. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont think there is any sgp321 fw earlier than 253....
So there would be no way to root this model then i guess
nielo360 said:
So there would be no way to root this model then i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can root the tablet if you unlock the bootloader. If you want root currently on the 253 version, you can unlock the bootloader and install cwm recovery. I have not done so, maybe someone else can confirm.
Sent from my SGP321 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
isimobile said:
I think you can root the tablet if you unlock the bootloader. If you want root currently on the 253 version, you can unlock the bootloader and install cwm recovery. I have not done so, maybe someone else can confirm.
Sent from my SGP321 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Confirmed.
Unlock bootloader.
Flash DooMLoRDs CWM Recovery and boot into recovery an you'll get root as a side effect. Make sure you flash a Superuser zip....
I just read abut it this morning and am contemplating unlocking, the only thing stopping me is the loss of bravia engine after unlocking with no way to get it back. Im not bothered about the warranty.
nielo360 said:
I just read abut it this morning and am contemplating unlocking, the only thing stopping me is the loss of bravia engine after unlocking with no way to get it back. Im not bothered about the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you and many others (me for example.) seems like many of devs havent got sgp321 in hand so they're more focused in sgp311 and312. I've mentioned before there is paradox for sgp321.
# You can backup Ta partition for bravia engine 2 and drm keys.
# But you cant do that without root.
# You cant Root (yet) without unlocking bootloader.
# With bootloader unlocked you'll lost DRM key and BA2 forever. (you cant flash others TA partition you'll hard brick the device).
I've asked a question in QA if the mods can make three subforums for SGP 321,311 and 312 so that people wont flash wrong tft or try flashing wrong firmware in wrong device as every Model is reffered to Xperia Z ( I almost flashed xperia Z phone's firmware to SGP 321) its just disaster waiting to happen.
The naming convention used by sony itself is a bit strange when i try to google xperia tablet z related stuff i get xperia z stuff same with youtube. its tough finding guides. In terms of marketing it seems like an odd choice too. Xperia z and xperia tablet z can be confusing for daily consumers despite one being a phone and another a tab
isimobile said:
I think you can root the tablet if you unlock the bootloader. If you want root currently on the 253 version, you can unlock the bootloader and install cwm recovery. I have not done so, maybe someone else can confirm.
Sent from my SGP321 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I confirms the. Got ROOT this method.
tehSmoogs said:
Dont think there is any sgp321 fw earlier than 253....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well actually there is but from xperia z smartphone (it was 10.1.A.1.434 before came update to 10.1.1.A.1.253 ). Furthermore smartphone has the same hardware as tablet (Wifi+LTE), the difference seems to be only in screen size, and camera. So if you take the risk you can downgrade to .434, get root and the update to .253.

I'm surprised

I'm surprised this device attracts so few developers. Most devices have several custom roms and kernels to choose between.
I love the device. I had some tough weeks to get use to the size but now I can't imagine having another phone.
It's perfect. I can play with it for hours.
I will send it to some of the core devs in my team when I'm done with it so we'll get official SlimRoms on it.
Can u root KitKat? I am on 4.3 and waiting for someone root 4.4. And I love this phone, too.
quachhanthanh said:
Can u root KitKat? I am on 4.3 and waiting for someone root 4.4. And I love this phone, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd thread choice for this post.
The answer is to read, read some more, then think about what questions you still have and search for them and read those results.
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Carbon is all u need lol
sent from xperia z ultra
After owning this phone for almost a month as my daily driver, I can see why this phone might not be so popular.
Sony does not seem to do as much advertising as Samsung (at least that I can see), and for quite a while this phone was just too expensive. Add to that the fact that this phone for most people is just north of being too big (I came to it after owning the Galaxy note so I am ok with the size), and if you own one of these, you want to use it a lot and even with the stamina mode turned on battery life can be a little short if you turn it on to play with it every 5 min or so.... lol.
On the other hand my S4 build quality feels worse and worse after owning this beautiful thing.
One final thing I can think of is that the stock ROM (at lease 4.3 which I am still using) is not very bloated and really quite nice. I don't feel the need to try to load a AOSP rom as much. Every time I pick-up a touchwiz device I just want to throw up a little.
quachhanthanh said:
Can u root KitKat? I am on 4.3 and waiting for someone root 4.4. And I love this phone, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KitKat has already been rooted for quite some time! I am using 4.4.2 KitKat and am rooted.
Refer to Jackie's root guide. You will have to download the 4.4.2 FTF rom as well as Jackie's custom kernal in order to root.
Have you unlocked your Xperia Z Ultra bootloader? In order to root you must have your bootloader unlocked. It is very quick and easy to unlock.
Here is the link with instructions on how to root KitKat.
Special thanks goes to Jackie for making this possible so fast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFSeSe8gQOY
kanej2006 said:
KitKat has already been rooted for quite some time! I am using 4.4.2 KitKat and am rooted.
Refer to Jackie's root guide. You will have to download the 4.4.2 FTF rom as well as Jackie's custom kernal in order to root.
Have you unlocked your Xperia Z Ultra bootloader? In order to root you must have your bootloader unlocked. It is very quick and easy to unlock.
Here is the link with instructions on how to root KitKat.
Special thanks goes to Jackie for making this possible so fast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFSeSe8gQOY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before telling some one to unlock their bootloader to gain root PLEASE explain to then the consequences of that action:
If you unlock the bootloader before backinf up the TA partition you will lose your DRM keys and warranty. You will also lose the ablity to use some apps that rely on those DRK keys.
If you want to keep these (or have the ability to restore them) you have to downgrade to 4.2 (build ending with .532) and use an exploit to gain root
blueether said:
Before telling some one to unlock their bootloader to gain root PLEASE explain to then the consequences of that action:
If you unlock the bootloader before backinf up the TA partition you will lose your DRM keys and warranty. You will also lose the ablity to use some apps that rely on those DRK keys.
If you want to keep these (or have the ability to restore them) you have to downgrade to 4.2 (build ending with .532) and use an exploit to gain root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't unlocked bootloader my ZU yet. And I have backup my TA already. But I dont want to UB my ZU because I want to use my TrackID app. So maybe i should wait until someone can root ZU with non-UB one.
Anyway, thanks two of u.
blueether said:
Before telling some one to unlock their bootloader to gain root PLEASE explain to then the consequences of that action:
If you unlock the bootloader before backinf up the TA partition you will lose your DRM keys and warranty. You will also lose the ablity to use some apps that rely on those DRK keys.
If you want to keep these (or have the ability to restore them) you have to downgrade to 4.2 (build ending with .532) and use an exploit to gain root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right. I forgot to mention that unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty. Good thing you mentioned it.
quachhanthanh said:
I haven't unlocked bootloader my ZU yet. And I have backup my TA already. But I dont want to UB my ZU because I want to use my TrackID app. So maybe i should wait until someone can root ZU with non-UB one.
Anyway, thanks two of u.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still get root with a locked bootloader, just read some... hint look for threads by [nut], monx and otheres
blueether said:
You can still get root with a locked bootloader, just read some... hint look for threads by [nut], monx and otheres
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for ur hint, man. After read some thread, I think I can use this way to root my ZU with KitKat: I am on. 136 rooted and LB, I will download KitKat zip of fnf and install it through dual recovery of [nut]. Am I right? Looking forward to your reply.
Sent from my C6802 using Tapatalk
quachhanthanh said:
Thanks for ur hint, man. After read some thread, I think I can use this way to root my ZU with KitKat: I am on. 136 rooted and LB, I will download KitKat zip of fnf and install it through dual recovery of [nut]. Am I right? Looking forward to your reply.
Sent from my C6802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for [NUT]'s 290 thread, it has detailed instructions I think, you will still have to downgrade to .532 to gain root first.

Root my Z Ultra GPe

I have a Z Ultra GPe running 4.4.4 stock everything never wanted to root until the latest 4.4.4 OTA due to the low speaker volume, I can barely hear the phone ring anymore, I see there is a volume fix but that requires root and that's what I want to do; root.
As far as I understand and please correct me if I'm wrong, there are two ways to root :
1. Unlock bootloader, install dual recovery, change kernel, root.
2. Use towelroot apk to root the phone without modifying bootloader, recovery or kernel
I have seen that many people are facing camera problems when using method 1 due to unlocking the bootloader in addition to not receiving OTA updates after using method 1 (can't wait for Android L OTA)
If I root using method 2 will I avoid facing any camera problems and still receive OTA updates?
If there is another method I don't know about to fix the low volume issue or root my GPe please let me know, most important thing is that my camera is not affected and I continue to receive OTA updates.
Sent from my C6806_GPe using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Method 2 is the best way now that we have a root exploit. It wont modify the kernel/boot loader etc so should allow OTAs. As this is not unlocking the BL it shouldn't effect the camera (it is only 4.4.4 that this happened on), and you can back up the TA if you do ever want to unlock the BL. I would do a backup of the TA anyway as it will give you an easy root method should there not be one available on 5.0
in short: should work
Can you please elaborate, I don't know what TA is and why or how to back it up?!
Sent from my C6806_GPe using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
vivalamoza said:
Can you please elaborate, I don't know what TA is and why or how to back it up?!
Sent from my C6806_GPe using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TA - Trim Area, It is where the DRM keys and other things are kept. It looks like this is what is breaking the camera in 4.4.4 with an unlocked BL. If you back up the TA you can restore it and thus relock the bootloader. There is a tool called TA backup linked in one of the stickies in the general section.
If in the future you cant get root to do a TA backup it would be handy to already have one. Then you can unlock the BL, flash supersu, restore TA and have a rooted phone with locked BL (and intact DRM keys)
Thanks, will back up TA and root using towelroot
Sent from my C6806_GPe using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
blueether said:
TA - Trim Area, It is where the DRM keys and other things are kept. It looks like this is what is breaking the camera in 4.4.4 with an unlocked BL. If you back up the TA you can restore it and thus relock the bootloader. There is a tool called TA backup linked in one of the stickies in the general section.
If in the future you cant get root to do a TA backup it would be handy to already have one. Then you can unlock the BL, flash supersu, restore TA and have a rooted phone with locked BL (and intact DRM keys)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry this may seem like a stupid question but I want to understand how this works;
If I root my device using the Towelroot exploit and my bootloader is locked and recovery and kernel are stock, will my TA or DRM keys be affected!?
I surely will backup my TA like you advised but I just wanna make sure I understand how it works as I am coming from a Samsung and HTC background so this is all new to me.
and one last question please (sorry for asking so many questions)
Do I root first then backup, or do I backup then root?
vivalamoza said:
Sorry this may seem like a stupid question but I want to understand how this works;
If I root my device using the Towelroot exploit and my bootloader is locked and recovery and kernel are stock, will my TA or DRM keys be affected!?
I surely will backup my TA like you advised but I just wanna make sure I understand how it works as I am coming from a Samsung and HTC background so this is all new to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vivalamoza said:
and one last question please (sorry for asking so many questions)
Do I root first then backup, or do I backup then root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have it right, your TA (hence DRM keys) won't be affected by the root process.
Root then back up the TA partition. You need root to pull the disk image off the phone, that's why GPe users that unlocked/rooted before towelroot are in the position with a buggered camera that seems to be looking for DRM keys.
Thnx again!
This is a bit off topic but will we get an android L update at all now that the z ultra gpe has been pulled from the play store
People are saying that it has reached End of Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pallavgarg10 said:
This is a bit off topic but will we get an android L update at all now that the z ultra gpe has been pulled from the play store
People are saying that it has reached End of Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We do not have many fortune tellers here. We should get it, but nothing is sure.
Pallavgarg10 said:
This is a bit off topic but will we get an android L update at all now that the z ultra gpe has been pulled from the play store
People are saying that it has reached End of Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Z Ultra Gpe released on Dec 13 2013. According to Google Gpe devices "traditionally" are updated for "about" 18 months. There is speculation that Gpe program may be winding down in favor of the "Silver" program. I would expect to see it updated to L but there are no guarantees.
google would be hurting their brand if they pulled updates after only 8 months. Would you buy another google branded phone if they did that, be it GPe or Silver? This is why I cant see them not supporting well in to L
Agree with blueether, Google will probably update the ZU GPE to Android L, but that may be the end of the updates we get
Sent from my C6806_GPe using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

HELP - First time to root my Z2

Hey Guys,
So I just bought a Z2 with Android 4.4.4, and after a lot of reading I understood that there is no "one click" rooting option for it and that I have to downgrade first and then flash a rooted ROM.
The thing is I checked all the the current threads and they are somewhat very hard to follow through and a little bit made to advanced users
Topics like: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/general/4-4-4-creating-rooted-update-package-t2933155
So sometimes midway they skip a step or dont explain how did they reach there (specially after step 9 in the above tutorial)
I know I am asking too much, but will someone walk me through how to root my locked boot loader phone ?
FW: 23.0.1.a0.167
Thank you very much
There are 2 ways to root
Safe way which is this way which includes downgrading and having to reset your device twice
Or the easy way which is unlocking your bootloader (losing your TA and DRM Dependant features) flashing a custom kernel + recovery
You cant root at all without losing data
Hi mate
I suggest you to try this method first
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/giefroot-rooting-tool-cve-2014-4322-t3011598
It doesn't work for me and if it doesn't work for you too we can talk to the author to support our devices
with my best regards
a.hamameh
Hey Mate , Thank you for your reply
I have tried it but it didnt work, it says my "phone isnt vunerable", I have sent to author waiting his reply.
If you have any other pointers for me that would be great !
a.hamameh96 said:
Hi mate
I suggest you to try this method first
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/giefroot-rooting-tool-cve-2014-4322-t3011598
It doesn't work for me and if it doesn't work for you too we can talk to the author to support our devices
with my best regards
a.hamameh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have also the same error now we are sure that our devices are not supported yet I think he needs some informations about the kernel.
I sent him message and I got a reply but he thought that I have 4.4.2.
He told me that he is busy.
I sent another message and I'm waiting his reply.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Then How to do it even with losing data, but not losing the original FTF ?
Again sorry for being a noob
Envious_Data said:
There are 2 ways to root
Safe way which is this way which includes downgrading and having to reset your device twice
Or the easy way which is unlocking your bootloader (losing your TA and DRM Dependant features) flashing a custom kernel + recovery
You cant root at all without losing data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hoooka said:
Hey Guys,
So I just bought a Z2 with Android 4.4.4, and after a lot of reading I understood that there is no "one click" rooting option for it and that I have to downgrade first and then flash a rooted ROM.
The thing is I checked all the the current threads and they are somewhat very hard to follow through and a little bit made to advanced users
Topics like: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/general/4-4-4-creating-rooted-update-package-t2933155
So sometimes midway they skip a step or dont explain how did they reach there (specially after step 9 in the above tutorial)
I know I am asking too much, but will someone walk me through how to root my locked boot loader phone ?
FW: 23.0.1.a0.167
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not too complicated, but im sure its 100% safe. The step only required downgrade and then install the pre-rooted rom. If you know how to flash with flashtool, then this is not a big problem. Before you begin, please make sure you understand each step that you gonna do. This is how actually i do.
1. Download all files required(ftf, rooting tools, prf creator, recovery, etc)
2. Make the pre-rooted rom first.(i just skip that step 11)
3. Flash the stock .314
4. Root & recovery it.
5. Insert that pre-rooted ftf that i made early, in my case i also use a stock rom .167
6. Reboot and finish.
I've rooted Xperia Z before and I'm sure it was much easier. I'd like to root my Z2 but it's much more complicated. I mean I know how to use flash tools, but I'm a bit lost when it comes to drm keys. Is it possible to root and unroot if needed so Sony won't know if anything goes wrong ? Does your method involve drm backup?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
ka1eid said:
I've rooted Xperia Z before and I'm sure it was much easier. I'd like to root my Z2 but it's much more complicated. I mean I know how to use flash tools, but I'm a bit lost when it comes to drm keys. Is it possible to root and unroot if needed so Sony won't know if anything goes wrong ? Does your method involve drm backup?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method doesnt require to unlock bootloader, its safe. Backup drm key can only be done after u root your device.
Sent from my D6503
yuskhayru said:
This method doesnt require to unlock bootloader, its safe. Backup drm key can only be done after u root your device.
Sent from my D6503
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I can root without losing drm? Just making sure.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
ka1eid said:
So I can root without losing drm? Just making sure.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure.
Sent from my D6503
ka1eid said:
So I can root without losing drm? Just making sure.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes root doesn't harm your DRM keys only unlocking the bootloader will do that and here are so manybthreads howto get root on locked bootloader, just search before posting and read the rules !!
Sent From Somewhere On Earth With My Z2 ^^
ka1eid said:
So I can root without losing drm? Just making sure.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes rooting doesn't Unlock your bootloader so no loss of DRM keys. Its theoretically impossible to hard brick a locked boot loader Z2.

How to make a backup TA without root ?

Hello. My question is how to make a backup TA without root Because I want to unlock the bootloader and wants to make a backup of the keys DRM
Sry for my bad english
I know one way, its wait for pre rooted firmware . I mean you flash it as normal firmware, but it will rooted and you do backup.
Sent from my E2303 using XDA Free mobile app
Ok thanks
marek789 said:
Hello. My question is how to make a backup TA without root Because I want to unlock the bootloader and wants to make a backup of the keys DRM
Sry for my bad english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FirstMn said:
I know one way, its wait for pre rooted firmware . I mean you flash it as normal firmware, but it will rooted and you do backup.
Sent from my E2303 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I'm aware, the only way as of current to root the M4 Aqua is through unlocking the bootloader. Thus losing the DRM keys (even if a pre-rooted firmware is flashed).
You would have to wait for a root method to become available for locked bootloader, to be able to back up DRM keys and flash a pre-rooted firmware through recovery (unless Sony has bundled in a working recovery now, which I don't think they have).
Try this to root your phone with Locked BL.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/root-how-to-root-5-0-lollipop-t3212108
I have a E2363, i flashed 26.1.B.1.85 firmware and was able to root and take a back up of the TA partition.

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