[Q] - Xperia Z2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi!
I've been an android user for a year now (and never looked back!). I've been playing with the idea of root, but never got around before. I used to have a Nexus 5, but now a Z2.
I've unlocked my bootloader, but then it's all a bit confusing to me. I've been reading for hours in here, but it seems to make me more confused I keep finding new threads linking to another new thread, and they all seem to introduce new words and phrases I'm not quite familiar with
I want my phone to be rooted (because of the opportunities), and I would love to have my Z2 closest possible to my Nexus5 on the software side.
1 - If I understand correctly, what I need is a ROM close to the AOSP software(?) If so, can you point me in the right direction?
2 - I've installed the Sony Mobile Flasher, and downloaded an FTF file from this thread Is the FTF my backup to revert to if I for some reason need to go back to stock? If so, will everything work like before?
3 - I also read about something called recovery? What is this in relation to all this?
I would really appreciate if someone could point me in some sort of direction, before I get more lost in here I need to get started somewhere, to get a better understanding of these terms and processes! Thanks for any help!

saabeirik said:
Hi!
I've been an android user for a year now (and never looked back!). I've been playing with the idea of root, but never got around before. I used to have a Nexus 5, but now a Z2.
I've unlocked my bootloader, but then it's all a bit confusing to me. I've been reading for hours in here, but it seems to make me more confused I keep finding new threads linking to another new thread, and they all seem to introduce new words and phrases I'm not quite familiar with
I want my phone to be rooted (because of the opportunities), and I would love to have my Z2 closest possible to my Nexus5 on the software side.
1 - If I understand correctly, what I need is a ROM close to the AOSP software(?) If so, can you point me in the right direction?
2 - I've installed the Sony Mobile Flasher, and downloaded an FTF file from this thread Is the FTF my backup to revert to if I for some reason need to go back to stock? If so, will everything work like before?
3 - I also read about something called recovery? What is this in relation to all this?
I would really appreciate if someone could point me in some sort of direction, before I get more lost in here I need to get started somewhere, to get a better understanding of these terms and processes! Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. AOSP roms are base android which nexus runs google android which is literely aosp with google apps so yes aosp roms are what your looking for
with aosp roms you will need to flash a gapps package to have things such as playstore, and such
- you do need a unlocked bootloader
2.you can use flashtool from flashtool.net to flash FTFs incase you need to do a total reset
3. recovery menu is what you use to flash your rom or backup or other things
any questions.. just ask

Related

[Q] Ordered Eris..couple Q's

Hey guys, so I just ordered an Eris which I intend to use on MetroPCS.
I just want to make sure that I'm doing all this in the correct order..
So, fist thing is that I need to make sure that the phone has 2.1 on it in order to use the 1 click root solution(love )
-Though if my phone isn't 2.1..how do I upgrade without rooting so that I can root?
Next, I need to choose a rom to use. I found the read first sticky listing all the most current roms and radios and other info on how to actually install them.
-Though, since the thread is closed are they really all the latest?
Lastly, I need to Flash (not sure if that is actually the correct terminology) the phone's settings over to Metro using the file found here.
I think that's the basic direction that I need to take. Please let me know if I'm missing anything.
I am in the dark about a couple things, though I'm not sure I need to understand them.
I know the kernel is a central part of the OS, but doesn't it come with the rom you choose? Why would you need to flash the Kernel, is it just to update your rom without actually changing your rom?
Also, what's with recovery images and what's an RUU?
Finally, how do I pick a rom that's right for me!? There seem to be so many and I'm not sure which are the most recent/functional/fast..
Anyway, you guys are awesome for all you do and I hope that this thread can be useful to someone besides just me.
Thanks again!!
conradcliff said:
Hey guys, so I just ordered an Eris which I intend to use on MetroPCS.
I just want to make sure that I'm doing all this in the correct order..
So, fist thing is that I need to make sure that the phone has 2.1 on it in order to use the 1 click root solution(love )
-Though if my phone isn't 2.1..how do I upgrade without rooting so that I can root?
Next, I need to choose a rom to use. I found the read first sticky listing all the most current roms and radios and other info on how to actually install them.
-Though, since the thread is closed are they really all the latest?
Lastly, I need to Flash (not sure if that is actually the correct terminology) the phone's settings over to Metro using the file found here.
I think that's the basic direction that I need to take. Please let me know if I'm missing anything.
I am in the dark about a couple things, though I'm not sure I need to understand them.
I know the kernel is a central part of the OS, but doesn't it come with the rom you choose? Why would you need to flash the Kernel, is it just to update your rom without actually changing your rom?
Also, what's with recovery images and what's an RUU?
Finally, how do I pick a rom that's right for me!? There seem to be so many and I'm not sure which are the most recent/functional/fast..
Anyway, you guys are awesome for all you do and I hope that this thread can be useful to someone besides just me.
Thanks again!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably once you get the phone it will already have the 2.1 official OS or you can update it through the Settings and have it check for updates. I would suggest that you try xtrSense. I have no clue on the Metro settings though but I would imagine once you get a good ROM flashed that all you have to do is to just install the settings.
Thanks, yeah..I think that link that I posted takes care of the metro settings..at least it says it does.
I didn't think I would be able to do an over the air update because I was assuming that it was DL'd from a verizon server. Does the update to 2.1 come from a typical internet source that can be accessed from any network?

[Q] Rooting, Flashing, Custom ROM questions from a noob!

Hi everyone,
I am new to the android world having just bought a galaxy s2, so please be gentle. I'm a previous iphone owner and always hated the restrictions apple put on their phones and dictated the way I could use my handset! I've since moved over to android and my first impressions are OMFG, how confusing is all of this!! I'm not techphobic by any means but I am struggling to piece together how the world of android works and I have spent a lot of time reading various things about ROMs, rooting, flashing, kernels etc... but I am getting more and more confused!
I recently bought a Galaxy S2 which is running a custom ICS ROM on it (resurrection remix 1.0) and also has CWM on it. Having looked at the forums i can see that another version in out (1.3 i believe) but i'm very hesitant to try a flash as i dont want to screw my phone.
The way I see it i've got two choices, either try and reset the phone to stock so that warranty etc... remains uneffected and then update to ics through kies when its available or try and install a later version of one the ics ROM's that are availabe. I was wondering to that end if you lovely people coudl give me some guidance.
If I were to reset my phone to stock how do i do this bearing in mind i am confused about
a) what kernels are in the first place and
b) which one i woudl need for my phone and will I need a usb jig for this?
c) -i need to unroot my phone to return it to stock and if so how do i do this
also:
-what is the difference between an insecure and secure kernal
-if i flash my phone to a newer version of ics can i revert back to 1.0 as at the mo apart from the odd app crashing here and there I'm not having any probs with it.
I'm reading about GAPPS and APKs and dont know what the hell these are either but they keep popping up every so often.....basically i'm confused and on the verge of a breakdown!!
Please could somebody help mw with this and massive apologies if i've posted where i shoudnt have.
Thanks in advance
Saf
If you had taken the same time took for typing here to search and read you would have learnt almost everything...
go through these stiky threads
also see my links in singnature.......read as much as possible....no other substitute for reading and learning, nobody will answer you in essays like you typed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544657
Appreciate what you're saying mate and thank you for taking the time to reply. I have been reading various threads over the last day or so but the problem is when something like this which is quite techinical is completely new territory you dont know where to start. Google throws up page after page of stuff that doesnt make much sense and i've searched on the forums here and read up on quite a bit but again am not sure if i've grasped it.
problem is I didnt install the custom ROM on the phone, i bought it like this and to do anything further with it i dont know if i need to go back to the original owner with more questions or can i just go ahead and start tinkering with it without knowing what software was originally on the phone? (bearing in mind that various posts state that you need certain software which is as close to the original one as possible)
Thanks anyway
Saf
this is the stage which passed by all the noobs including me, dont worry
Your strating treble will only be over when you start flashing a ROM,
cool.
ima go ahead and try and install version 1.3 of resurrestion remix! Wish me luck hehe!!
Good luck,
dont forget to follow the steps mentioned the ROM thread atleast...

[Q] Is there an absolute beginner's guide to installing CM11 for i9100g?

I've been trying to wrap my head around rooting and/or installing CM11 on my SGS2 i9100g for a couple of days. The main problem is that whatever is out there (and in these threads) are confusing for someone just starting.
For example, "First time installing CyanogenMod 11 to your Galaxy SII G" (which means probably this is someone like me, still running stock unrooted, and possibly doesn't have a clue)
- Make sure you're running a proper working ClockworkMod-Recovery (not asking to use the kernel, but flash it and use the CWM in it to flash CM)
- Boot into Recovery
- Flash CM11.0 zip from internal SDCard
- Flash GApps zip from internal SDCard
- DO A DATA WIPE / FACTORY RESET (otherwise your device will be stuck at boot)
- Reboot
- Don't restore system data using Titanium Backup!
- Restoring Apps + Data might cause problems and is not recommended, avoid it if possible!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have close to no idea what this all means. I've tried the CM Installer - not available for i9100g. I tried looking up how to backup my nandroid, just in case: CWR and TWRP - but neither have recoveries for i9100g. I've been trying to maybe even be risky and just install CM11, but I'm even having trouble with that. I've tried looking up stuff on Google, only to learn that i9100g is totally different than i9100.
Can someone point me in the right direction, please?
Tried the official guide yet?
oroboros74 said:
I've been trying to wrap my head around rooting and/or installing CM11 on my SGS2 i9100g for a couple of days. The main problem is that whatever is out there (and in these threads) are confusing for someone just starting.
For example, "First time installing CyanogenMod 11 to your Galaxy SII G" (which means probably this is someone like me, still running stock unrooted, and possibly doesn't have a clue)
I have close to no idea what this all means. I've tried the CM Installer - not available for i9100g. I tried looking up how to backup my nandroid, just in case: CWR and TWRP - but neither have recoveries for i9100g. I've been trying to maybe even be risky and just install CM11, but I'm even having trouble with that. I've tried looking up stuff on Google, only to learn that i9100g is totally different than i9100.
Can someone point me in the right direction, please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried following the official guide from the cyanogenmod team How to install CyanogenMod on the I9100g?? I was a first time newbie like you when i installed 10.1.3 on my S2, but after some trying i got it to work with this guide. The guide is specially made for newbies so every step is explained and if you don't understand something google usually has the answer. If you still need help just say so and I'll do my best to help
Yeah, actually I have. Got stuck with Heimdall Suite, and just now trying to get ClockworkMod Recovery running.
CWM for i9100g
SgtDubKing said:
If you still need help just say so and I'll do my best to help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM doesn't have a version for the i9100g, so I'm not sure what I need to do there. If you have any suggestions that would be great.
oroboros74 said:
CWM doesn't have a version for the i9100g, so I'm not sure what I need to do there. If you have any suggestions that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said just follow the guide from the CM team, everything is there! Since I'm new on here I suddenly can't post outside links but just look at the tutorial I posted before and then look at th 2. point. Afterwards just follow the official CM tutorial step by step and nothing can go wrong!
Thanks for this. Actually I'm still having problems, specifically getting a status error 7 described here (but please reply here if you have any insights).
This is getting to be a commonly asked question these days... and tbh a little reading/searching WOULD have answered it for you....
The version of CWM you are trying to flash CM11 with is wrong......
KitKat based roms need CWM 6.0.4.5 or newer......
The CWM I used to flash to KK was 6.0.4.7 and was linked to in the thread where I got the ROM......
So as I said, a little reading would have answered this for you.....
My wife says I'm a phone geek....She's probably right
keithross39 said:
This is getting to be a commonly asked question these days... and tbh a little reading/searching WOULD have answered it for you....
The version of CWM you are trying to flash CM11 with is wrong......
KitKat based roms need CWM 6.0.4.5 or newer......
The CWM I used to flash to KK was 6.0.4.7 and was linked to in the thread where I got the ROM......
So as I said, a little reading would have answered this for you.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're absolutely right about reading, but the problem is the information is never all in one place!
That is why I wanted to create a thread like this on: where an absolute beginner might find all the relevant and up to date information in one place rather than having to weed through pages of threads, downloading wrong CWM versions or whatever just to find out it's the wrong version.
In my case, first I learned that I even needed CWM. Ok, (and not to mention figuring out what it is). Then I try to find the version I find compatible with my device. Ok. Then I read somewhere to use Odin to flash it. Done. Then somewhere I else I read not to use Odin, and to flash it via recovery. So I have to figure out how to do that next. Only after some 5-6 more steps do I learn from someone like yourself that the version I'm trying to use is wrong. All the relevant information is so fragmented online, hence the necessity to make things easier for absolute beginners (which would also avoid questions and answers like the ones in this thread).
I don't think the problem for a lot of beginners is not reading, but not knowing where to find what they're supposed to read. I hope you see my point...
oroboros74 said:
I don't think the problem for a lot of beginners is not reading, but not knowing where to find what they're supposed to read
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but you're wrong. That is absolutely the problem for 99% of people who come here. They can't be bothered searching/reading & learning 'under their own steam' (so they understand things in their own way, rather than be fed a bunch of steps by someone else they don't understand). People seem to have this attitude that modding your phone without learning first is easy & risk free. It isn't. I've seen thousands of people on here like this end up with busted (permanently/requiring a lot of money to fix in many cases) phones over the past 2.5 yrs. And these people then cry they don't have a working phone. And it's almost always their own fault.
We already have countless guides/stickies/etc on here made by people with the idea that others will refer to these rather than post the same questions over & over & over. These are easily found with a minimum of effort. Just as the answers to random questions not necessarily covered in detail in these threads are easily found with a minimum of effort. Unique questions stopped being asked here a few months after this phone was released, every question that gets asked here has already been asked & answered many many times.
And guess what ?
People still post the same questions over & over & over. Why ? Because they're either lazy & 'want it now' (as opposed to taking the time to learn for themselves) or because they're unable to do something as basic as an effective internet search.
BTW, I'm not necessarily saying you're one of these people, I'm just telling you how things are around here based on my experiences, and I'd be very surprised if anyone who has been here for any reasonable amount of time offers an opposing view with regard to this.
So...By all means, create your 'thread like this one: where an absolute beginner might find all the relevant and up to date information in one place', but understand we already have dozens and dozens of these, and yours will end up like the rest; ignored by 99% of people who come here.
MistahBungle said:
So...By all means, create your 'thread like this one: where an absolute beginner might find all the relevant and up to date information in one place', but understand we already have dozens and dozens of these, and yours will end up like the rest; ignored by 99% of people who come here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, for the most part I started off with not even a clear idea of what the difference between rooting and flashing a ROM was, and I was able to finally install CM11 - but it took me days with dozens of various errors and such. But I did it.
I'm a firm believer of documenting for myself and if useful also for others, so I have written a small beginner's guide... written by a successful (?) beginner.
The only problem is I'd love for someone who's not a beginner to look it over to make sure it is in fact 100% correct before I post it - If there are errors, I don't want others to rely on that information. If I post it here, would you think you'd be able to give your input?
Of course Put it up.

Can You Install Cyanogen Mod 12.1 without root?

Topic says it all, if so can someone send me a tutorial. Also I have the VS985 and i'm on 5.1.1
ronald12378 said:
Topic says it all, if so can someone send me a tutorial. Also I have the VS985 and i'm on 5.1.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to install any custom roms (CM12.1 included), you not only must have root, but you'll also need an unlocked bootloader (or a solution such as bump for the G3 to even allow the custom rom to boot), and a custom recovery as well. I don't want to be rude, but I've seen a lot of people screw up devices by trying to do far more than they understand - which based on you asking this question you're pretty clearly in that group. So, if you're wanting to install CM12.1 you can easily do so, but you need to do some reading in the general, android development, and original android development sections on the subjects of rooting, unlocking, installing TWRP (or another custom recovery if you prefer), etc. Make sure you also understand what build you're on (10B, 11C, 12B, etc. etc. etc.) and how that affects things (some methods work on some builds but not on others - for example if you're already on 5.1.1 you've unfortunately upgraded to the point where Verizon largely blocked downgrading. There has been one confirmed working method utilizing a .tot file and a specific .dll file that still works, however. You'll find that all by reading around in the various sections previously mentioned).
Then once you're done reading, read it all again....and then again after that Some solid time spent reading to make sure you understand everything will prevent you from turning you nice phone into an expensive paper weight and is more than worth it if you really want to get into the world of custom rom'ing. It's a lot of fun, but you need to understand what you're doing - at least at a high level. Once again, I'm not wanting to be rude, I just don't want to see you put yourself into a situation that far too many people before you have done

KIW-L21: How to revert back to stock ROM?

Hey guys. I am aware of search function and I am aware there are few threads that provide links to various stock rom packages and recoveries. I will be honest, I am actually a noob trying to go back to stock ROM. I have been using custom ROMS since months. I am not really impressed by ROMs performance after a while and thought of going back to stock(at least it has a better camera app). I have went through those threads but I could not understand or they could not provide the info I was looking for. There are different KIWL21 models, one is for UK and the other one is for Middle east. How am I supposed to know which one is right for my phone?
My goal is to: Revert back to Stock ROM, EMUI 4 with MM update keeping TWRP(if possible).
Therefore, I am opening this thread to ask for a very straightforward guidance. I am sorry to bother you guys again with this kind of thread. Personally speaking, I am going to miss these custom ROMs, their clean looks. I was never a fan of EMUI. All I am doing it is because of a camera because lately I have been using camera alot.
Didnt you save a backup before you flashed ? Use the search function next time I am not going to spoon feed you https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-5x/how-to/discussion-rollback-package-various-t3675038
swukjay said:
Didnt you save a backup before you flashed ? Use the search function next time I am not going to spoon feed you https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-5x/how-to/discussion-rollback-package-various-t3675038
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a backup but it got deleted accidentally. I downloaded B140 debloated update from gopi. I am not sure if its the right version
It shouldn't make any difference as longs as its l21, country information is usually stored in cust

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