[Q] Noob needing help rooting. Overwhelmed - Xperia Z2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
I'm new to the android scene, and have basically no knowledge to speak of when it comes to going beyond the locked factory FW. It seems like there's so much more to this scene than iPhone jailbreaking (I had 3 iPhones before deciding I wanted to switch back to android)
I want to try a new FW, and try out apps only available for rooted devices. However, I cannot risk losing my warranty. What can/should I do to experience more with my Z2?

There are a number of easy one-click root tools that work on the Z2. I recommend this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559009
And don't worry about warranty. Root doesn't void warranty. Only unlocking bootloader does.
Once you are rooted, do check out Xposed. Once you have installed the framework, there are tons of Xposed modules that can help you to tweak the phone.
When you say you want to try a new FW, I assume that you want to try out a custom ROM. Do note that you need to install a custom recovery before you can install certain custom ROMs. I recommend [NUT]'s dual recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785598
And do note that not all custom ROMs work on locked bootloaders. Some require unlocked bootloaders.

Done and done. Rooted and downloaded a ton of mods. Woo!
Thank you!
Woah! I didn't know you could use custom ROMs without unlocking your bootloader....
So theoretically I can run different ROMs without killing my warranty... Hmm...

That's the beauty of Android.

hush66 said:
That's the beauty of Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I have a ton of research to do. Lol
I just spent an hour modding a boot animation for 1080p, it's nice to have a hobby again. Haha

Related

[Q] General stuff about xperia rooting etc

Hello, I have just preordered my Xperia active from a local salesperson, but from what i see in the development threads, its nothing like HTC phones when it comes to rooting.
In HTC phones all you had to do is, unlock the bootloader with an update.zip file, root it, and then you're free to do whatever you wanna do from CWM.
I really havent understood how the procedure goes in Xperia phones, nor is there a comprehensive guide towards rooting the phone.
So could someone explain in simple steps what i need to do to root the phone? Or even is it worth rooting it since its so new and the development is more or less... inexistant? The only real custom rom I see so far for the mini mini pro and active is the FXP one which is in beta stages AFAIK.
Also about unlocking the bootloader. Losing DRM and TrackID is what makes them know that you have unlocked it therefore you lose your warranty?
Please enlighten me
Comprehensive Xperia Rooting Guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034087
For the active... there doesn't appear to be much, but if you have 'OCD' like me and like the absolute control... it's worth it. But to each his/her own preferences
Once you unlock, DRM is permanently gone, no more TrackID.
I'm not sure about warranty regulations but there is a way to re-lock the boot loader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1134335
Hope this helps.
EDIT There's also a way to unlock the bootloader and not lose DRM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285
But there's no current way to relock it if you use that route.
Thanks a lot for your detailed reply.
Although i still got questions regarding custom ROM's. I saw someone mentioning a insecure kernel, and using it before flashing a new ROM. Kernels in HTC devices are simply there for you to find out which one is best for your country and ROM. Is it the other way around here?
Yes i do want the best out of my device, but voiding warranty for something that isnt yet "ready".... It kinda puts me off.
hi dumraden,
The days with simply zip unlocking are gone either on HTC. The HTC Desire S of a friend of mine was locked. They call it S: on ..unlocked was S: off
I could not keep joking about who was so silly to convert his Desire S back to a Desire.. sorry for that
The step with the insecure kernel is to flash a stock rom where we know a method to use an exploit on it. Sony prevents unsigned firmware from beeing flashed to their devices (compare ps3 or PSP). Thus we need to make use of an exploit to get access to the device to make rooting possible. As root we are the master of desaster and can do what ever we want.
Warranty? Okay, there is a possibility to relock the bootloader in case you'll run in the case of needing warranty. Otherwise there are ways to make it that unsuable that even the support cannot wake it up thus find no real reason for the error.
This is not an FXP ROM, it is cyanogenmod ported by Team freeXperia and mainly released by FXP. It is almost ready. The smartkeyboard and camera did not work on my selfcompiled one on friday. FXP claimed camera would work. Could be my fault.. who cares. They'll get it fixed.. I think soon.
Yea i am a prior HTC user, have my Desire Z getting fixed as we talk ( i hope so at least ).
So basically the insecure kernel works as an exploit for us to install custom roms on the phones. Cool thanks for the heads up.
Wasnt FXP working with cyanogen to build a kernel from scratch in order for us not to have to go through the hassle of using a modded stock kernel for the Custom ROM's? As far as i can tell this is a breakthrough for Xperia phones since we will be able to have an AOSP base in order to build from there up. Right?
I have the same rooting problem. I use superOnClick and gingerbreak but didn't work.
I'm new to android so that keep searching and reading xda..
Then I start using android sdk & fastboot and adb mode said in one of the topics, but fastboot didn't work even though bootloader is unlocked.
I'm confused, waiting for help
Sent from my ST15i using XDA App
Its all here. Read some posts

[Q] Noob question: install custom rom / revert to stock

Hi all,
I'm quite new to the sony and android scene. My iphone 3GS broke down a while ago (actually I dropped it ) and I had it replaced by a Mini Pro.
I'm on the stock 2.3.4 rom and would like to test the miui version on this forum.
So, my question is simple: I need to unlock the bootloader to install a custom rom.
Can I revert to a stock rom (or upgrade to the new upcoming ics stock version) without loosing DRM etc?
And what's the procedure to do so?
you will have to follow this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285 that is the only way to unlock it without losing drm and the ability to officially update.
Looks quite scary stuff to me. Coming from a jailbroken iphone, it looks like this is a bit trickier. Thank you for the reply though
Another small question then: can I still upgrade to a stock rom version if I have unlocked the bootloader? (via an unofficial way that is)
yes you can, but if you unlock your bootloader the official way you are not going to be able to update using sony software.
and yeah it looks scary but it is easier than it looks.
Great, thanks for the info. I'll search around the forum for the unofficial unlock mechanisms and will have a try with them!
jvdv360 said:
Great, thanks for the info. I'll search around the forum for the unofficial unlock mechanisms and will have a try with them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the only unofficial way is by test point (the link i posted before) but it's good to hear you want to search anything else let me know!

[Q] HTC Noob asking about different options

Hi everyone,
I've rooted and installed custom ROMs and kernels on Samsung phones and variety of Android tablets. This is my first HTC device so I'm a little unsure of my options. I've spent the past week going through many threads using the search but I'm somewhat lost. Can you describe each term and its benefits with one or two lines?
Unlock/lock bootloader? Is this equivalent to installing CWM?
Hboot?
S-on/off?
SuperCID?
fastboot?
And finally, what is 'root' in the context of everything above?
Sorry about the confusion. I've never run into these things while messing around with Samsung phones. ANY help is appreciated. Thanks.
tintn00 said:
Hi everyone,
I've rooted and installed custom ROMs and kernels on Samsung phones and variety of Android tablets. This is my first HTC device so I'm a little unsure of my options. I've spent the past week going through many threads using the search but I'm somewhat lost. Can you describe each term and its benefits with one or two lines?
Unlock/lock bootloader? Is this equivalent to installing CWM?
Hboot?
S-on/off?
SuperCID?
fastboot?
And finally, what is 'root' in the context of everything above?
Sorry about the confusion. I've never run into these things while messing around with Samsung phones. ANY help is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's ok, I was in your shoes a few months back. Here's an explanation of everything to the best of my understanding.
Bootloader - I would say this is kinda like the equivalent of a BIOS on a computer. You can access the bootloader by holding Volume Down + Power when your phone is off. With a locked bootloader, you can't really do much to your phone except for flashing stock rom images. You'll need an unlocked bootloader to root/flash roms. No, this is not the same thing as CWM recovery.
Hboot - The version and type of your bootloader. For example, there's ENG, SHIP, and JuopunutBear. Latest version is JBear's 1.93.2222 (I think).
S-on/off - This property is associated with your bootloader. Most phones come with s-on to "protect" end-users from messing up their phones. With s-off, you get much more freedom to customize your phone however you like, such as flashing your own splash screen, radio, etc.
SuperCID - after obtaining s-off, you can SuperCID your device to flash any carrier's rom you like. For example, an Amaze on the Telus/Wind network can take advantage of TMobile's ICS leak.
Fastboot - I don't have the best understanding of what this is yet, but it is an option in the bootloader, and there are adb commands that use fastboot. I think it gives you the ability to turn off and on your phone quickly? Someone can correct me on this if I'm wrong.
Root - gives you root access/permissions. For example, you'll need to root your phone if you want to use some apps that requires root (4ext, lucky patcher, root explorer)
@XDA Amaze community - If I'm wrong on anything, please correct me. Also, please add anything that I might have missed.
Thanks for your help!
I have one more question. I am currently on CWM, Android Revolution (latest with ICS leak), and S-on. If I want to undervolt or overclock my CPU, will I need a custom kernel, S-off, or what?
On other phones, I'd just need a custom kernal and rom that support overclock. I'm not sure how HTC phones work regarding this.
tintn00 said:
Thanks for your help!
I have one more question. I am currently on CWM, Android Revolution (latest with ICS leak), and S-on. If I want to undervolt or overclock my CPU, will I need a custom kernel, S-off, or what?
On other phones, I'd just need a custom kernal and rom that support overclock. I'm not sure how HTC phones work regarding this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same, we need a custom kernal for O/C and U/C to work right

[Q] i'm despaired

Unhappy [Q] please i despaired
Hi all reading this post
I have an acer liquid s2 with android 4.2.2 stock, rooting this device is very easy but but i've found nothing about a custom rom or aosp rom like Cyanogenmod (my dream).
it's a very good phablet but i don't like the stock rom, i prefer my galaxy s4 mini with cm11.
Is there any way to have an alternate rom ?
Please ohhhh please.
Thanx.
Sorry for my english i 'm french
Doesn't look like there is any development for it at all beyond unlocking the bootloader, root, and CWM recovery. I learned my lesson about buying devices that developers aren't interested in awhile ago... Just one of those things, unfortunately. I suggest using a different launcher and the Xposed Framework for the best way to mod without needing a custom rom.
es0tericcha0s said:
Doesn't look like there is any development for it at all beyond unlocking the bootloader, root, and CWM recovery. I learned my lesson about buying devices that developers aren't interested in awhile ago... Just one of those things, unfortunately. I suggest using a different launcher and the Xposed Framework for the best way to mod without needing a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx for your reply, i ve never tried xposed framework, i m going to download it.

Unlockable bootloader + Custom ROM question

Hey all, first of all I'm not new to the Android world. I've had many phones, and all if them modified heavily. I do not consider myself a Dev (I've made some basic scripts that's about all) but definitely a power user.
Anyway, I'm a little lost on this z2 as far as modding it goes. My bootloader is NOT unlockable according to the phone stats, however I have seen a few root methods for 5.1.1 and locked bootloaders (I'm build a.1.232). Now many of these rooting methods ask for you to downgrade to a rootable version, root it, then reflash a prerooted 5.xx ROM. Easy, However with my unlockable bootloader how will I flash anything other than a stock Sony ROM without bricking it?
Essentially what I'm after is how far can I go with a locked bootloader, and if there is s surefire way to root 5.1.1 without downgrading since I can't flash back up. Also am I good to flash a custom recovery? Or is that offlimits as well being locked. I'm a little lost due to lots of mods here apparently working with locked bootloaders, and on my HTC one that just didn't fly.. Lol.
Thank
AlwaysDroid said:
However with my unlockable bootloader how will I flash anything other than a stock Sony ROM without bricking it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You meant locked bootloader right?
You won't be able to flash any custom ROMs without unlocking your bootloader.
The only custom ROM that works for locked bootloader is MIUI (which uses the stock Sony kernel)and the phone needs to be downgraded to 4.4.4 and there are some custom ROMs out there which may work on locked bootloaders.
Yes,you will be able to flash custom recovery and use mods that are available on XDA and also xposed works fine on LB
You won't be able to flash custom kernel or custom ROM for LB
Yes downgrade is possible

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