I’m going to root my Prime but not unlock, based on what I’ve read throughout these forums. I have a C4 serial that works well overall but with a crappy laggy browser experience (intend trying try browser2ram). I’ve read answers to most of my questions but I’m not 100% clear on:
1. After I root with Sparky’s tool, I will likely (or definitely) lose recovery? If so then best I flash CWM… though my rooted Nexus S needed an unlocked bootloader for CWM
2. Once rooted I will not get any more OTAs? (thinking of Gary’s mention of 28.5) If answer is no, then I can flash zipped update (available from Asus direct?)
Those who offer their knowledge and time to people here are, well, awesome. I’ve lurked for months re the Prime and Nexus S – no other site is comparable for straight up information.
Cheers.
1. I didn't lose recovery when rooting. I believe you have to be unlocked to flash CWM.
2. You will still get OTA's.m Just make sure you reverse any changes to the like of build.prop before you attempt to install the OTA, otherwise it will fail and you may then not be able to receive further OTA's.
thanks
ok thanks mate, wasn't sure about the recovery
Cannot seem to find the answer for this specific device. Will have the ATT USA version of the HOX+ and want to know:
What is the Best Back Up App to get before rooting or anything like that, something that can be found in the Play store? Obviously would want it to backup the basics like calender, contacts, email accounts, etc. Also though, need a backup app that will backup installed App Data like say my game progress for Dead Trigger. I'm reading that once you root your device all App Data is erased to scratch, would hate to invest hours into an app only to have to start all over once Rooted when it does become available for ATT USA version.
Then once i am Rooted, what is the best Rooted Backup App to install that will backup everything above and anything else i would need before unlocking Bootloader and flashing roms?
Seems there's unroot backups and rooted backups but hundreds on the Play store and hate to find out the hard way which ones actually work and do what i need and which ones don't.
Appreciate any help on this and hope soon there will be stickies in this thread explaining such things to Androids Newbs like me so once this device is released tomorrow you guys don't get countless threads started like mine. Thank you
Is this right?
Upon doing more research online please correct me if i'm wrong here. From my understanding this is the process needed to flash a custom rom:
1. Root your device. Rooting actually does not delete any data or files but virtually "unlocks" (almost like jailbreaking Ios) your device for further access/tweaking abilities.
2. Now that i am rooted i can install titanium backup (is this the best rooted backup, see it mentioned by you guys a lot here) and this rooted backup app will backup virtually everything on my device including app data.
3. Once rooted, i can now install custom recovery (what exactly is this and what does it do?). I'm guessing custom recovery is needed for unlocking the bootloader incase there is a problem custom recovery will recover your device (hints the name custom recovery)?
4. Now i have my device rooted, everything including app data backed up with titanium backup, custom recovery installed, now i can unlock bootloader. Once i unlock bootloader i will then need to restore my device with titanium backup. Now my phone is basically fully unlocked (fully jailbroken) and can now flash any custom rom available for my specific device (ATT HOX+ USA model)?
I see something mentioned about ADB but do not understand what this does or is used for? It seems it is another way of backing up the phone but if so, where is the backup file saved and used for exactly?
Just trying to figure this all out guys, please be easy on me. Trust me i've been researching and just trying to put all the pieces to this android puzzle together here, newb to android and first android device (very excited and just want to do it all right and not have issues of course).
If i'm missing any steps or have them out of order please let me know. I understand there is no root yet for this specific device but just saying if everything was available the steps i laid out is what i would do?
Thank you in advance for your patience and help, greatly appreciate the community here and all you guys do for us.
Sorry one more thing. Once i am rooted, unlocked bootloader, flashing custom roms having a great time. What exactly do the warranty people look for if i need to send my device in for replacement under warranty?
Do they void it if my device is rooted, or unlocked bootloader, or both?
If so, is root and or bootloader unlock reversible if i needed to return my device under warranty for say a hardware issue?
I'm sure i can flash the stock rom back so the warranty people won't see a custom one on the device but do they look for Root or Bootloader?
Just trying to cover all my bases here, thank you.
Hello Fellows!
So after having my Xperia for 1 year I got kinda bored of it's design and wanted to flash and customize it.
I like customizing a lot and I never had problems ever since I flashed my first PlayStation Device.
But now I am hardly irritated about my smartphone. There is a great tutorial here, which would be amazingly helpful to me, if I knew more about the recent Android versions and the customization tool I want to use (since that's all I really want).
To state my problems accurately, I was looking for complete customization of the Android UI and came across here. Now, an app called Themer has been recommended for such a thing, but it requires flashing my phone in a way.
The first thing that irritated me, is the fact it's engine is taken from T-Mobile software (My Xperia is one, at least google states it downloading something from the Play Store Website ("Telekom Sony D6503"). I don't know if there is a connection, but my main problem is the flashing now. Recently the Lollipop Update came out, but I updated my phone just 2 days ago getting the 4.4.4 rev. (23.0.1.A.0.167). Also I don't really understand the CM10/11 thing or which I should apply in order to not mess up my phone. EDIT: Just reminded myself of the "Bootloader", I need to figure out if it's locked or unlocked...
Specifically I want to apply this theme:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2631573
Don't judge it please, I kinda like the minimalistic style.
What can I do to apply this theme correctly and which ROM would be useful?
Can I apply this theme whatsoever?
Thank you for your answers!
EDIT: I've been trying to ROOT my phone with phone with the instructions. I tried to to do it without unlocking the bootloader (since this is a valid option) and something happened, but at the same time didn't.
I tried to install the recovery and root it to gain superuser, but it didn't really work out, except my phone having a new Bootscreen ("powered by Android" after the Sony Xperia start up).
Where did I go wrong? My PC loads drivers for S1 /SOMC Flash when starting up my phone with VOL-/PowerButton, but I can't get into the phone's recovery mode... (I think it was TWRP)
I just don't understand the world anymore .__.
OK, hi m8, Xperias with Locked Bootloader (LB) don't use Theme Chooser. You can get it in Cyanogen Mod (CM) and for CM you need to unlock your Bootloader. As for rooting 4.4.4, you need to read this. Basically, you need to downgrade, root then flash a pre- rooted zip. Hope this helps m8. Good luck :good:
I just bought a Z3CT(SGP612) and am a bit confused.
The first big question is about DRM key thing. Why do I care about them if I don't have any other Sony devices (Playstation etc.) and probably won't ever. I read in one thread that these keys may be non-recoverable, but in another thread it was said they could be saved and restored. What are the best practices for doing this?
Second, and I'm stuck here until this thread works, or further research surfaces the answer. I just bought this unit, it's brand new out of box. I'm probably the last man on earth to buy one, but....The device is nagging me to update, but I think that may end in tears. I'm afraid Sony official updates may render the device unrootable, or permanently lock the bootloader forcing me to beg Sony to do whatever I want to my own device. I think on 4.4.4 there is a way to unlock the bootloader without begging Sony to do it. The device is presently 4.4.4, build 23.0.1.A.0.167. The nagging update will take me to 23.0.1.A.3.12. I'm assuming there may be further updates beyond that to get to 23.4.xxxx. Should I accept this, and do any other updates, or proceed directly to one of the pre-rooted stock ftf files (sorry, what is ftf and acronym for?). I'd like to get to the latest 5.11 and have the ability to run adaway, make backups, have proper working SD card and USB OTG, and maybe run a few Xposed apps all of which mean I need root. As it's a virgin device I don't care about if I have to wipe the device in the process.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/noob-guide-to-sony-ericsson-xperia-t3209012
http://xperiafirmware.com/8-firmware/77-sony-xperia-z3-tablet-compact
as i´m in the same situation as you i will share my experience / research so far:
1. Rooting works on different firmware with different methods, kingroot being one rather easy but with the drawback of sending personal phone data to uncertain chinese servers. Rooting 4.4 seems easier than 5.x.
2. Research showed that the DRM keys / TA partition is something to be backed up, just in case. But for backing up you need root but no unlocked bootloader (unlocking erases the keys).
3. Recoveries can be installed without unlocking the bootloader but need root(?).
This is where im right now with my progress - rooted, TA/DRM keys backed up and on a custom recovery but bootloader still locked and TA intact .. getting root demanded some patience and several tries though.
4. next step will be installing a prerooted 5.1 firmware i guess and everything has to be running fine
ok so please be gentle here, coming back here after 7 years, from old Windows Mobile days!
I am a newbie to Android and want to root my Z5 compact. The only reason I want to root it is to enable some apps like Greenify and GSam battery monitor to work with all their features enabled. I do not want to flash a new ROM. I am happy with Sony's stock ROM.
Is it possible to get root access without installing / flashing a new ROM?
I have searched the internet but people talk about flashing every time I read about rooting. Then I also saw this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Lots of geeky stuff there which is fine, but again, it seems to talk about flashing the ROM, which I really do not want to do or do not see the need (yet).
Unlock boot loader:
I see that Sony lets me unlock the boot loader from their dev site. I am willing to unlock the boot loader. (Not sure if I want to do that first. Maybe unlocking BL is all I need?)
rajdude said:
ok so please be gentle here, coming back here after 7 years, from old Windows Mobile days!
I am a newbie to Android and want to root my Z5 compact. The only reason I want to root it is to enable some apps like Greenify and GSam battery monitor to work with all their features enabled. I do not want to flash a new ROM. I am happy with Sony's stock ROM.
Is it possible to get root access without installing / flashing a new ROM?
I have searched the internet but people talk about flashing every time I read about rooting. Then I also saw this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Lots of geeky stuff there which is fine, but again, it seems to talk about flashing the ROM, which I really do not want to do or do not see the need (yet).
Unlock boot loader:
I see that Sony lets me unlock the boot loader from their dev site. I am willing to unlock the boot loader. (Not sure if I want to do that first. Maybe unlocking BL is all I need?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason to use that guide is to backup ta keys for whatever reason you'd want to do that.
If you're after root on stock ROM the single easiest way is to unlock bootloader, flash twrp 3.0.2, flash xpower 3.0, and that's it. Solid marshmallow with root goodies. Xpower has everything and is deodexed and ready for xposed framework.
just a little more clarification please?
civicsr2cool said:
.....easiest way is to unlock bootloader, flash twrp 3.0.2, flash xpower 3.0, and that's it. ......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks.....that sounds straight forward.....but isn't TWRP a ROM? (sorry, the moment I hear flashing...I think ROM)
And I am looking up xpower...not sure what that is (yet) and why do I need it
I do want xposed framework though.
I wish there was a simple straightforward answer
rajdude said:
Ok thanks.....that sounds straight forward.....but isn't TWRP a ROM? (sorry, the moment I hear flashing...I think ROM)
And I am looking up xpower...not sure what that is (yet) and why do I need it
I do want xposed framework though.
I wish there was a simple straightforward answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp is your recovery,you flash through fastboot, xpower 3.0 is the ROM, just a pre-modded stock ROM with options of xperia x addons. Use lite and stock kernel for xpower and you'll be set.
still a little confused
civicsr2cool said:
Twrp is your recovery,you flash through fastboot, xpower 3.0 is the ROM, just a pre-modded stock ROM with options of xperia x addons. Use lite and stock kernel for xpower and you'll be set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks! So my understanding (so far) is :
We "must" flash a ROM in order to root a phone. Did I get that correct?
Since I said I like the stock Sony ROM, you recommended the xpower 3.0 ROM.........but the point is.....I still have to flash ROM.
A little confused here...
I am a systems engineer (my day job). In Linux or Windows OS, if we want root access (to run some software or a low level command, like partitioning a disk etc), we either run SU command and put root's password OR right click and run as administrator......
We never have to install a brand new Operating System to get root access.
Just a total newbie question.....Why do we have do install a whole new OS (flash new ROM) on our Android phones to get root access?
rajdude said:
Ok thanks! So my understanding (so far) is :
We "must" flash a ROM in order to root a phone. Did I get that correct?
Since I said I like the stock Sony ROM, you recommended the xpower 3.0 ROM.........but the point is.....I still have to flash ROM.
A little confused here...
I am a systems engineer (my d Linux or Windows OS, if we want root access (to run some software or a low level command, like partitioning a disk etc), we either run SU command and put root's password OR right click and run as administrator......
We never have to install a brand new Operating System to get root access.
Just a total newbie question.....Why do we have do install a whole new OS (flash new ROM) on our Android phones to get root access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is Linux, to gain root in the ROM you have on your phone currently all you need is an unlocked bootloader to run SU, but then you'll be left with a phone that still needs a customized kernel to keep root and a DRM fix for the camera. Xpower 3.0 is that package.
You could really benefit from reading more. Google up on dm-verity and Sony Ric, and fastboot/adb for a little better understanding of what you're getting into without a pre compiled ROM. Messing around with any Android you'll have the majority of the same steps, unlock bootloader with fastboot, flash Supersu, customized kernel.. Etc
Why use a stable compiled ROM?
Let me list down and explain to you why it's best to use a stable compiled ROM. But first you need to understand these few things before you decide to unlock your bootloader and root.
Before Sony Z models kicked in, every rooted Sony device are still able to retain all the features that came together with the phone before it was rooted. When Sony introduce the first Z model, they start to create these things called DRM keys. DRM keys are unique algorithm (i guess i should put it that way) which is attached to every phone the same way an IMEI number is attached to every phone. In short, my DRM keys cannot be used on your phone and vice versa.
DRM key: It's a unique algorithm that holds all the unique features that an unrooted Sony phone boast such as camera quality, X-reality, High Res Audio etc etc.
The moment you unlock your bootloader, that's the moment your DRM keys will be lost. But don't panic, the wonderful devs on XDA have prepared a tool to backup your TA partition (a partition that contains your DRM key) for your own convenience if you want to relock your bootloader.
Then recently Sony/Android come up with new features called Sony RIC and dm-verity. (You may Google what these are all about but to my understanding it is placing limitations to people who root their phones to meddle around with the system settings of thier phone)
With all these "hurdles", it have taken some time for devs here to find a work around and like every fairytale ending, they manage to find a way.
Now you're wondering if you can actually root without flashing another rom. Good news for you: you can! There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting.
.. But ask yourself what's the point of going through the hassle of rooting and your phone is not tweaked for performance or for theming purposes?
That's when people flash roms and in Z5 compact's case, XPower is the best rom there is. It gives you all the performance tweak you need to make your phone lag free, it has a lite version that removes all the unnecessary system apps you can't delete without root, it gives you an option to add themes and framework from Xperia X with all those work around in place.
For your second question: why is there a need to install TWRP?
TWRP is a recovery tool which is a need for all rooted phone. It's also a tool for you to backup and restore your current rom so that you can rollback to the last working configuration if your phone went into a bootloop etc. Plus i believe all these guides require you to actually use TWRP to flash the SuperSU to successfully root your phone.
I hope this explains your doubts.
Thanks a lot but...
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
By unlocking bootloader, you lose DRM keys. There is a way to backup DRM keys which are in the TA partition, but this is to be done BEFORE you unlock bootloader. Good that I have not done anything to my X5c yet.
The next steps for me would be to look into XPower 3 ROM…which I did and here is what I found out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/development/rom-xpower-v1-0-aroma-debloat-custom-t3371100
First, what's up with the scary looking warning in RED right at the top of the first thread. I did read the OP and the second post, I did not see anything in there which IF I missed will cause my phone to explode! That is probably posted to make noobs read all instructions, right?
Second, I do not see any step in there to backup the DRM / TA partition. I guess the dev is assuming the phone already has lost the DRM, right? So I gotta find instructions on how to backup DRM / TA
Then I searched for problems in this ROM and seems to me that the fingerprint sensor is reported by many to be not working and/or buggy. I rely on the fingerprint sensor day and night. I have many apps which rely on that, like lastpass. That would be a major deal breaker for me.
So going back to stock ROM option…I remember you said "There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting."
Could you please post a link to that?
Thanks again!
I think this is a pretty great thread rajdude. It's getting people to spell out a lot of information to noobs like us that it seems most posters have taken for granted over time.
I'm a complete novice at all of this. Sort of gleaning information as I go along, but I used this guide: http://twigstechtips.blogspot.hk/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=0
Along with this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/general/guide-rooting-unlocking-bootloader-t3354307
The first guide is pretty basic step-by-step instructions. It unfortunately occasionally kind of skips over a couple very small things (that will be clear as you go along), or occasionally words things in such a way that might not be completely intuitive, but maybe that's cause I need things explained to me like I'm five sometimes. Any time I might have had a question about something in the the first guide, I went to the other and found the answer. It didn't take me long to get the gist of the whole thing though, and overall, it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. It'd be fantastic if someone created a video walkthrough, but so far as I know, no one has done that yet.
The guide will help you back up your TA Partition where your DRM keys are stored, unlock your bootloader, root your device, and then restore your DRM keys. In order to do this you need to downgrade to Lollipop (if you're not already on it), and then upgrade back up to Marshmallow. It will also install TWRP (which I had no clue was installed until I went into "recovery mode" by pressing UP when I saw the LED flash yellow during boot). There may be an easier way to go about this whole process, but this is the process I used.
Before jumping into anything, I'd hold off until you heard more from firdyRAY or someone more experienced. They may look at the guide I linked and be horrified.
And yeah, I haven't installed xpower yet for the same reasons you haven't. Sounds like there's even an xpower 4.0 that was released recently, but still seems kinda buggy. Being rooted with stock I've been able to give Greenify access to root. Install Adaway (which was worth getting root to begin with). Install sound/music mods like DiVA-X, Viper4Android and Dolby Atmos. Install Titanium Backup. And make a few other minor tweaks (that I've since reversed). I still don't know much about custom ROMs and all that jazz, so I'm holding off until I get more understanding. I'd love to install the xpower ROM (when the bugs are worked out), and maybe some sort of sound ROM. I also need to get more understanding on some of the other vernacular like what exactly a "dirty flash" is.
rajdude said:
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
By unlocking bootloader, you lose DRM keys. There is a way to backup DRM keys which are in the TA partition, but this is to be done BEFORE you unlock bootloader. Good that I have not done anything to my X5c yet.
The next steps for me would be to look into XPower 3 ROM…which I did and here is what I found out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/development/rom-xpower-v1-0-aroma-debloat-custom-t3371100
First, what's up with the scary looking warning in RED right at the top of the first thread. I did read the OP and the second post, I did not see anything in there which IF I missed will cause my phone to explode! That is probably posted to make noobs read all instructions, right?
Second, I do not see any step in there to backup the DRM / TA partition. I guess the dev is assuming the phone already has lost the DRM, right? So I gotta find instructions on how to backup DRM / TA
Then I searched for problems in this ROM and seems to me that the fingerprint sensor is reported by many to be not working and/or buggy. I rely on the fingerprint sensor day and night. I have many apps which rely on that, like lastpass. That would be a major deal breaker for me.
So going back to stock ROM option…I remember you said "There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting."
Could you please post a link to that?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sony ric is a layer of security for sony roms so that they can protect nfc and fingerprint stuff. samsung and htc have there own variants as well.
yes lol the big red lettering is there to make you read, although hes not far off on the melting your phone part, the s810 is ridiculously hot.
the xpower thread doesnt not include the drm backup instructions because: 1) you need bootloader unlocked to flash it. and 2) because it includes the drm fix in it so you dont have to backup your ta keys.
the fingerprint sensor bug is on any bootloader unlocked phone, the hardware fails after x amount of hours and requires a reboot to work again. xpower is a stock rom, the only thing different is its pre-rooted, de-bloated, and deodexed for xposed to work. we have a separate thread for the fingerprint sensor bug and its been solved.
rajdude said:
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony RIC main function is to disable /system write even you got root permission(you still able to do /system write but after a reboot will restore to original). There is a workaround but very trouble, TWRP recovery file manager can bypass Sony RIC(it works in the old day for me, not sure about now). BTW, all 3rd kernel should be disabled RIC nowadays. For any regular computer, there is no hardware or software lock to prevent you gain root access in linux but there are many such trouble stuffs in the android world... lol
I'm running XPower 3.0 Full as a daily driver since June and been very happy. Battery life, stability and speed is good.
Please note, that you MAY lose your warranty when you lose your DRM keys. That's why I didn't unlocked my phone before there was a way to backup TA partition. Now I'm after warranty repair, and before it I was able to fully restore stock ROM with DRM and all features fully functional. In my country, there is only one Sony approved repair center and they check DRM keys before repairing anything - even if it's mechanical fault.
When I had Z1c in KitKat days, it didn't had dm-verity and Sony RIC. It was possible to gain permanent root with bootloader locked, so I was happily using stock ROM and kernel. In Z5c case, first thing I tried was to do the same and it was possible (just backup TA, unlock bootloader, and flash TWRP with patched kernel (dm-verity and Sony RIC disabled) to begin with), but going XPower way was much more confident - I didn't had to think about removing every bloat app. I just flashed lite version in June and I'm using it till this day without any problems at all
Another thing is that you lose OTA (Over-The-Air Update) functionality when you unlock bootloader and disable Sony RIC and dm-verity. Updating to newer versions of firmware, even on stock ROM is problematic when you modify it.
michuroztocz said:
Another thing is that you lose OTA (Over-The-Air Update) functionality when you unlock bootloader and disable Sony RIC and dm-verity. Updating to newer versions of firmware, even on stock ROM is problematic when you modify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simply not possible. If you are rooted you can't apply OTA updates and neither should you.
flopower1996 said:
It's simply not possible. If you are rooted you can't apply OTA updates and neither should you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just what I wrote - just put it in another words