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I'll try and keep this short and to the point.
Currently running stock .290 firmware and wanting to root it, preferably without flashing a pre-rooted firmware, and without losing DRM keys.
Now if i want to root it according to this thread, i will need to unlock the Bootloader first:
"You'll have to unlock the bootloader if you want to root the .290 firmware (Android 4.3)."
and then root it via this, before i can run TA Backup to backup my DRM keys
What I'm confused about though, is that once the Bootloader is unlocked I lose my DRM Keys (as per this thread, and many other comments)
"The TA partition contains all your DRM keys for the Bravia/X-Reality Engine.
The first time you mess with your phone by unlocking the bootloader, these DRM keys will be deleted!"
The general consensus with regards to the proper order is:
1. Root
2. TA backup
3. Unlock bootloader
However for .290 it seems to be:
1. Unlock bootloader
2. Root
3. TA backup (if there is even anything left to backup?)
I guess what I'm wondering is if there is anyway to root .290 directly without first unlocking the Bootloader (and thus losing my DRM Keys), and without flashing pre-rooted firmware?
Or do i have this completely wrong, and by unlocking my Bootloader first, I won't lose my DRM Keys (contrary to what the linked thread above says)?
Thanks!
djyoshii said:
I'll try and keep this short and to the point.
Currently running stock .290 firmware and wanting to root it, preferably without flashing a pre-rooted firmware, and without losing DRM keys.
Now if i want to root it according to this thread, i will need to unlock the Bootloader first:
"You'll have to unlock the bootloader if you want to root the .290 firmware (Android 4.3)."
and then root it via this, before i can run TA Backup to backup my DRM keys
What I'm confused about though, is that once the Bootloader is unlocked I lose my DRM Keys (as per this thread, and many other comments)
"The TA partition contains all your DRM keys for the Bravia/X-Reality Engine.
The first time you mess with your phone by unlocking the bootloader, these DRM keys will be deleted!"
The general consensus with regards to the proper order is:
1. Root
2. TA backup
3. Unlock bootloader
However for .290 it seems to be:
1. Unlock bootloader
2. Root
3. TA backup (if there is even anything left to backup?)
I guess what I'm wondering is if there is anyway to root .290 directly without first unlocking the Bootloader (and thus losing my DRM Keys), and without flashing pre-rooted firmware?
Or do i have this completely wrong, and by unlocking my Bootloader first, I won't lose my DRM Keys (contrary to what the linked thread above says)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
You need to downgrade to 532 root, backup ta, unlock bootloader then update.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
SpyderTracks said:
No.
You need to downgrade to 532 root, backup ta, unlock bootloader then update.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems I'm really left with no option then.
In that case, are DRM keys linked to the hardware or firmware? In other words, by flashing the pre-rooted firmware will i still keep my original DRM keys? Or will I have new DRM keys, belonging/linked to said pre-rooted firmware?
djyoshii said:
Seems I'm really left with no option then.
In that case, are DRM keys linked to the hardware or firmware? In other words, by flashing the pre-rooted firmware will i still keep my original DRM keys? Or will I have new DRM keys, belonging/linked to said pre-rooted firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, it's only connected to xreality and a couple of other bits. More importantly it does have an effect on some streaming apps like netflix which will only work with drm. Think there may be a workaround for that on xda somewhere.
Also, if you lose drm and cannot restore the ta partition in event of breakage, then warranty is void.
Worth backing up I'd say if only for warranty purposes.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Like Spyder says, downgrade to 532 with Flashtool (no root or anything is needed), root it (it's very simple), backup TA (even simpler), unlock your bootloader, update to 290 again and root it (it's pretty simple with an unlocked bootloader).
If you regret it all and you want to re-lock the bootloader, be sure to be on a stock ROM with stock kernel and restore TA with the same tool you used to back it up with. This will also re-lock the bootloader. If you re-lock it on a custom kernel, your Ultra will not function. It will not reboot, and all you'll be left with is a blinking red LED over the screen. IF this happens, be sure to unlock the bootloader again, and it'll boot normally again.
You only have to backup the TA partition once, so if you choose to restore it and you want to unlock the bootloader yet again down the road, then just unlock it. You have the DRM keys, so you're safe. Be sure to back them up in the cloud too (Drive, Dropbox etc.) in case your computer crashes or you simply forget the DRM keys are there.
I wrote a guide on all this stuff, so take a look at it here.
You'll need to follow:
- Downgrading
- Rooting
- Backup TA Partition
- Unlocking the bootloader
After that, just download a 290 FTF and repeat step one (downgrading, but only with 290). Then when you're on 290, follow the guide you've already found. You can also flash Recovery/TWRP by following the short "Recovery and TWRP" section.
Good luck!
Hello dear XDA Community,
- Xperia Z Ultra
- 4.4.2
- 14.3.A.0.681
- C6833
I have a big problem with understanding all of this tutorials. I read everything about rooting and unlocking the Bootloader.
I understood that I need to backup my TA Partition for Unlocking my Bootloader so I can continue to use Sony technology.
Requirements ? Root. Okay that was my first problem. So i looked up how to root my phone and what do i need ? A phone with a unlocked bootloader. great! Sure you can say "look at this topic and carefully read" but I really did that and I am really helpless. Thanks for any help!
What did I read ?
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598&nocache=1 (requires root)
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569904 (requires unlocked bootloader)
- watched severel youtube videos and encountered the same problem
Greets
tr0teK
When your bootloader is unlocked, you can never use X-Reality and any other item which requires the DRM in the Trim Area partition,
Restoring the TA partition without relocking the bootloader will not result in the return of X-Reality and such even if you are using a Sony ROM. This situation appears to have changed since the release of 4.4.
Backing up the TA partition is only good for relocking the bootloader on a Stock ROM (any custom AOSP, CM, AOSPA etc will fail to boot on a locked bootloader), for personal choice or returning the phone under warranty.
You can unlock the bootloader when not rooted, in fact you don't do it with the phone running normally anyway so root or not rooted, it does not matter in that sense.
You don't need to unlock the bootloader to root, if you are willing to re-set up your phone again. What you need to do is downgrade to 4.2, which is rootable, root, install recovery and flash the 681 pre-rooted zip, and use flashtool to flash the associated ftf file to get rooted on 681.
Follow the instructions in Lord Manhattan's thread that you linked to,in order to downgrade and install a recovery, then visit the following link to get the zip & ftf to re-up to 4.4 (681). You most likely will lose cellular connectivity whilst you are downgraded (there is a way around this, but as you are only going down to 4.2 to get a recovery, maintaining your IMEI for that short period of time is just a waste of effort), but it will return when you are back on 681 (4.4).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2687848
- Downgrade to 532
- Root it using Bin4ry's tool
- Backup the TA partition
- Unlock bootloader
- Either update to 681 again and take it from there or flash a kernel with recovery/TWRP and flash a pre-rooted 681. It's easy to root 681, so whatever floats your boat.
Don't mean to hijack this topic but I don't want to open another thread,
if I back up the TA partition, unlock bootloader, root the phone, then relock bootloader, then restore TA partition to bring back the xreality,
I am not going to install custom recovery and Roms.
Thanks for the Informations. I will give it a try the next days and report you if it worked.
coolmingli said:
Don't mean to hijack this topic but I don't want to open another thread,
if I back up the TA partition, unlock bootloader, root the phone, then relock bootloader, then restore TA partition to bring back the xreality,
I am not going to install custom recovery and Roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically it'll work, but i have never done it before. Everything should go smoothly until you're going to re-lock the bootloader. You can't re-lock it on a custom kernel, and you'll be on a custom kernel once you flash Jackie's kernel with recovery, so you'll have to flash a complete stock kernel, then restore the TA partition with the TA Backup Tool, which will also automatically re-lock the bootloader. You should in theory end up with a complete stock ROM with root. That's on paper.
Worst case scenario? If you re-lock the bootloader while you're on a custom kernel, it'll explode it won't power on at all, and all you'll get is a blinking red LED and death. To fix this, just unlock the bootloader in Flashtool again and you're back to start again. It's not dangerous, but it's nerve wrecking to see it there, just blinking without any sign of life. I almost crapped my pants the first time i experienced it, and had no clue what was happening or what to do.
LordManhattan said:
Technically it'll work, but i have never done it before. Everything should go smoothly until you're going to re-lock the bootloader. You can't re-lock it on a custom kernel, and you'll be on a custom kernel once you flash Jackie's kernel with recovery, so you'll have to flash a complete stock kernel, then restore the TA partition with the TA Backup Tool, which will also automatically re-lock the bootloader. You should in theory end up with a complete stock ROM with root. That's on paper.
Worst case scenario? If you re-lock the bootloader while you're on a custom kernel, it'll explode it won't power on at all, and all you'll get is a blinking red LED and death. To fix this, just unlock the bootloader in Flashtool again and you're back to start again. It's not dangerous, but it's nerve wrecking to see it there, just blinking without any sign of life. I almost crapped my pants the first time i experienced it, and had no clue what was happening or what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, I think I will ditch rooting from this phone, too much troubles, I don't understand why Sony put the DRM key in a trim partition, perhaps they don't want us to root the phone after all.
I did it guys. It worked!
My steps:
- Downgraded to 4.2.2 with Flashtool (.532)
- Rooted with Bin4ry's tool
- Installed CWM and TWRP Dual Recovery for Xperia Z locked Bootloader by krabappe12548
- Flashed to 4.4.2[rooted] (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2687848)
Now I have the newest version with Root Access. Everything works great
Greets
tr0teK
tr0teK said:
I did it guys. It worked!
My steps:
- Downgraded to 4.2.2 with Flashtool (.532)
- Rooted with Bin4ry's tool
- Installed CWM and TWRP Dual Recovery for Xperia Z locked Bootloader by krabappe12548
- Flashed to 4.4.2[rooted] (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2687848)
Now I have the newest version with Root Access. Everything works great
Greets
tr0teK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this witout unlock the bootloader?
MjsNL said:
is this witout unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, that will work well on a locked BL
If you are only downgrading to flash the current rooted firmware, you don't even need to root 532, as [nut]'s dual recovery can be installed by the same method that bin4ry's root is delivered, just install the recovery, flash the zip, flash the ftf and away you go
In xperia z2, is any security system against root like the knoxx of samsung? Which has a counter and void the warranty?
If not, the root void the warranty?
And the last question. There is already the root for version 4.4 with unlocked bootloader?
blackimera said:
In xperia z2, is any security system against root like the knoxx of samsung? Which has a counter and void the warranty?
If not, the root void the warranty?
And the last question. There is already the root for version 4.4 with unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need, xperia security is among the hardest to crack, not happened at all since 2011 and only 1 person ever did in 2011
It can be rooted eaisly but as said security isnt a problem with root or modding or bootloader unlock.
Root and bootloader unlock voids warrenty but you can reinstate your warrenty by backing up your TA before unlocking bootloader
You can unroot and restore your TA later
Xperias can be restored to a 100% factory state, there are no flash counters or anything of that sorts
Any questions... Just ask
Envious_Data said:
No need, xperia security is among the hardest to crack, not happened at all since 2011 and only 1 person ever did in 2011
It can be rooted eaisly but as said security isnt a problem with root or modding or bootloader unlock.
Root and bootloader unlock voids warrenty but you can reinstate your warrenty by backing up your TA before unlocking bootloader
You can unroot and restore your TA later
Xperias can be restored to a 100% factory state, there are no flash counters or anything of that sorts
Any questions... Just ask
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is TA? And how i can backup it?
Sorry, I'm a newbie in this area ...
I searched for index topics, but i don't found ... There is here a simple tutorial on how to root the z2? And installing TWRP mode or clockwork (I think that's how you write it).
blackimera said:
What is TA? And how i can backup it?
Sorry, I'm a newbie in this area ...
I searched for index topics, but i don't found ... There is here a simple tutorial on how to root the z2? And installing TWRP mode or clockwork (I think that's how you write it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. TA partition contains drm keys and other unique numbers to your device (these existing upholds your warrenty and upholds some xperia features such as X-Reality and PS4 remote play)
This link you can use this tool to backup TA but you need to root first
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
2. Root via root tools (general section or development sections) (this depends on firmware version blah.bla.314 firmware or before is rootable with locked bootloader
3. Cwm or twrp requires a unlocked bootloader however if you have root you can install [NUT]'s dual recovery
I've had my z2 for two days now and previously flashed my HTC one XL so I'm not super new but still pretty green with it all. Will it matter being an Australian phone for the root etc? I don't plan on flashing a rom at the moment I'm pretty happy with the stock firmware
Cheers
I am trying to restore my drm keys that i backed up, and im not sure how to go about it. I have a few questions about this for anyone who has restored their drm keys. Do i have to be on an official stock sony rom? Or can i use a modified sony rom? And is the benifits of having the features that needed drm worth the effort of having the bootloader locked again? Thanks.
1. Use the same tool you used to backup the keys. I believe it's in the Cross-dev section here (don't remember its name).
2. Yeah, you have to be on a stock kernel, so just re-flash a stock Sony ROM. Keep in mind that you have to have root to backup and restore the DRM keys.
3. You used to lose the X-Reality engine and some other minor things upon unlocking the bootloader, but Sony changed that in KitKat, I believe, and these things are still functioning (X-Reality at least) after unlocking the bootloader. You won't be able to flash kernels and flash custom ROMs (AOSP etc.) on a locked bootloader, so it's up to you to figure out if you want that or not.
Download kitkat ftf from xperifirm and flash using flashtool, root it and then Restore DRM keys. You will get xreality engine.
sjesudasan said:
Download kitkat ftf from xperifirm and flash using flashtool, root it and then Restore DRM keys. You will get xreality engine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
X-Reality already works on unlocked bootloaders past KitKat (4.4.4 I believe). An unlocked bootloader broke some things especially on Jelly Bean. No reasons to lock it again unless you plan to send it in for repairs or sell it.
I was on scrubbers 5.0 port and xreality wasn't working with unlocked bootloader. The main reason I reverted back to stock. So do you mean to say that if we're on stock ROM even with unlocked bootloader, we will have x-reality working?
Hey guys,
I own a stock Xperia Z3 Tablet LET (SGP621) and I have never upgraded it, still running stock 4.4.4.
I want to root it and only root (to Lolipop). I have read topics but there are so many and written in strange language for me I have no idea where to start.
I read I could just flash prerooted ROM without even touching my drm keys, right? But then I was not sure how could I do it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
There is no method to root the tablet without unlocking the bootloader. The root exploit which most of the guys mentioning in these strangely written topics (giefroot, easy root tool, geohot, blablabla...) is useless now since Sony surely patched it. So to root, you have to unlock the bootloader. But wait, you would loose the DRM keys.
So, it means that you need to make a backup.
But, without root you can't backup.
But, how should you root if you don't have an unlocked bootloader??? And it goes on and on and on and on....
The "trick" is to flash a firmware from another device (not z3 tablet compact) that can be rooted via the exploit. But nobody wanta to use the "other" firmware to gain root. This "other" firmware is only used to gain root temporary so you can backup the drm keys.
Then you likely have to flash back the stock firmware (and root will be lost again).
Now that you backed up the drm keys, you are ready to unlock the bootloader and let the drm keys disappear for a while.
And then you still have to do some complex steps to achieve root on your stock firmware, then restore drm keys (bootloader locks up itself again...), blablabla
TL;DR forget rooting this device unless you are ready to do all these above steps. If you don't understand the steps and are new to rooting sony devices, I recommend you not to root and enjoy the stock firmware. Next thing is that lollipop will come and you could easily update without problems (via OTA). Until then, wait for some magicians/hackers/crackers find a new exploit which can root 2015 sony devices without unlocking the bootloader.
If you want to know if your device (firmware) can be rooted via exploit, try xdualrecovery. It contains the exploit root method. But if you are unsuccessful flashing xdualrecovery, that is because the exploit doesn't work and your firmware is patched.
Sadly, sony devices are nothing like nexus. And including this "afraid of loosing the drm keys", simply unlocking the bootloader might not be a pleasing thing to do.
just to add maybe we don't need to unlock bootloader to root our tablet
we temporarely flash z3 kitkat system to get a rootable core and we flash again z3 tablet compact system before reboot
or so I understood
ChiDi9901 said:
There is no method to root the tablet without unlocking the bootloader (false, there is a method detailed in this thread). The root exploit which most of the guys mentioning in these strangely written topics (giefroot, easy root tool, geohot, blablabla...) is useless now since Sony surely patched it. So to root, you have to unlock the bootloader. But wait, you would loose the DRM keys.
So, it means that you need to make a backup.
But, without root you can't backup.
But, how should you root if you don't have an unlocked bootloader??? And it goes on and on and on and on....
The "trick" is to flash a firmware from another device (not z3 tablet compact) that can be rooted via the exploit. But nobody wanta to use the "other" firmware to gain root. This "other" firmware is only used to gain root temporary so you can backup the drm keys (false, the other firmware is used to gain root and then install a custom recovery, so you can flash a prerooted and updated lollipop firmware based on official Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact firmware).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would advise not to answer questions about root without understanding the process and/or misguiding people asking for help.
The information you give above is wrong. You don't need to unlock your bootloader provided you downgrade to an explotable firmware.
The thread that details how to root your Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-...to-rooted-lollipop-locked-bootloader-t3083980
1. Obtain root by first flashing SGP621_23.0.1.A.0.167_CE.ftf and the system partition of D6603_23.0.A.2.93_Generic_20GLOBAL.ftf. Then use giefroot to root.
2. Prepare prerooted flashable zip of 23.1.A.0.690 NOBA on your internal storage or external SD.
3. Install XZDualRecovery and now you will have TWRP to install 23.1.A.0.690 NOBA on your SD card.
You may ask any doubts in that thread.
BarajaVLC said:
I would advise not to answer questions about root without understanding the process and/or misguiding people asking for help.
The information you give above is wrong. You don't need to unlock your bootloader provided you downgrade to an explotable firmware.
The thread that details how to root your Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-...to-rooted-lollipop-locked-bootloader-t3083980
1. Obtain root by first flashing SGP621_23.0.1.A.0.167_CE.ftf and the system partition of D6603_23.0.A.2.93_Generic_20GLOBAL.ftf. Then use giefroot to root.
2. Prepare prerooted flashable zip of 23.1.A.0.690 NOBA on your internal storage or external SD.
3. Install XZDualRecovery and now you will have TWRP to install 23.1.A.0.690 NOBA on your SD card.
You may ask any doubts in that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the OP (junior member) mentioned "strange languages". So he/she might not understand all this complex steps. That's why I "let it be" to keep the things easy. If he/she understands these steps then it's good for him/she. But you're right, I lied. And thanks for the clarification and pointing out my wrong information.
Personally, I had every Xperia unlocked without backing up the DRM keys. I never had any disadvantage. I was, however, a little reluctant with the XT3C. That's because I use it as both my phone and tablet.
Still, did it now. No adverse effects. Root is SO much more important than the Bravia engine or whatever. And the camera isn't very good anyway so I don't miss the 'better' quality. It's bad either way