Hi all,
I'm a bit of a n00b at this, so please forgive me.
I started with Android 4.1.2, Kernel 3.4.0-g298631f-02047-gec59411, build 10.1.C.0.370.
I rooted it using Doomlord's easy-root and then when attempting to flash custom recovery, I accidentally flashed some other .img and the tablet wouldn't even turn on. I cried. Like, a few good tears.
Went online, found out I wasn't screwed, and figured out how to flash SGP312_10.4.B.0.577_VMo DE_1273-3719_WIFI312G.
But, as I said, I lost root, and am confused about how to downgrade back to 4.1.2 properly without bricking.
Here is my current info:
Version 4.3, Kernel 3.4.0-g1b44cd5, build 10.4.b.0.577
In this thread, under "Downgrade your rom" and "back to 4.1.2 and rooting" it says "if you're in 4.3, Flash this SGP 351 4.1.2 FTF using Flash Tool and it will be booted in 4.1.2. if you have different Variant downgrade to your Variant FTF file"
What is a variant FTF file? Can I just use any SGP 312 4.1.2 FTF? Does anyone know a safe one to use?
Thanks!
Just wipe EVERYTHING on flashtools. Make sure that you have al wipe checked, and press start flashing.
But be careful, sometimes, bootloader is messed up with updates, not sure if it is your case because i don't have a SGP312. Instead i have the LTE variant, wich turned itself into an stubborn piece of technology LOL
Sent from my little big badass boy!
worf_1977 said:
Just wipe EVERYTHING on flashtools. Make sure that you have al wipe checked, and press start flashing.
But be careful, sometimes, bootloader is messed up with updates, not sure if it is your case because i don't have a SGP312. Instead i have the LTE variant, wich turned itself into an stubborn piece of technology LOL
Sent from my little big badass boy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response!
Just not sure what you mean by "wipe everything". What am I flashing it with? Which firmware? And what's "al wipe"?
I tried posting a screenshot of the flash tools but as a new user I can't do it. Sorry for being a n00b.
UberBaumer said:
Thanks for the response!
Just not sure what you mean by "wipe everything". What am I flashing it with? Which firmware? And what's "al wipe"?
I tried posting a screenshot of the flash tools but as a new user I can't do it. Sorry for being a n00b.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe by "wipe everything" and "al wipe", they mean select to wipe APPSLOG, CACHE, and DATA during the flashing process. The flash tool you need can be downloaded from HERE. You can download a US version of the firmware from my post HERE.
Cat McGowan said:
I believe by "wipe everything" and "al wipe", they mean select to wipe APPSLOG, CACHE, and DATA during the flashing process. The flash tool you need can be downloaded from HERE. You can download a US version of the firmware from my post HERE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU, SIR.
I really appreciate it!
Back onto 4.1 and just rooted again. Now I just need to manage not screwing up installing CWM like I did last time!
Grrr...so I'm having trouble again.
When I try flashing CWM it keeps soft-bricking or whatever my tablet. It won't boot and I need to put it into fastboot mode and reflash the firmware.
I'm using the command fastboot flash boot TabZ_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-253-v01.img
Is there a better or another way to get CWM installed?
UberBaumer said:
Grrr...so I'm having trouble again.
When I try flashing CWM it keeps soft-bricking or whatever my tablet. It won't boot and I need to put it into fastboot mode and reflash the firmware.
I'm using the command fastboot flash boot TabZ_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-253-v01.img
Is there a better or another way to get CWM installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TabZ_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-253-v01.img is for the SGP321 running firmware 10.1.1.A.1.253.
You have a SGP312.
TabZ_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-344-v01.img is for the SGP312 running firmware 10.1.C.0.344.
You are running firmware 10.1.C.0.370.
You would probably have better luck trying to install Nut's XZDualRecovery.
Cat McGowan said:
TabZ_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-253-v01.img is for the SGP321 running firmware 10.1.1.A.1.253.
You have a SGP312.
TabZ_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-344-v01.img is for the SGP312 running firmware 10.1.C.0.344.
You are running firmware 10.1.C.0.370.
You would probably have better luck trying to install Nut's XZDualRecovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jeez, dude, you're totally rocking my world. Thanks a ton for all your help.
I've successfully installed the XZ DualRecovery.
But now something weird is happening: when I try installing various roms (cm-10.2.0-pollux_windy or cm-11-20140418-nightly-pollux_windy) I get the error that it's for the wrong device. It tells me that I have a Pollux, but according to google, Pollux is the LTE version - I most definitely have the SG312 32GB WiFi version).
Did I go wrong somewhere here?
UberBaumer said:
Jeez, dude, you're totally rocking my world. Thanks a ton for all your help.
I've successfully installed the XZ DualRecovery.
But now something weird is happening: when I try installing various roms (cm-10.2.0-pollux_windy or cm-11-20140418-nightly-pollux_windy) I get the error that it's for the wrong device. It tells me that I have a Pollux, but according to google, Pollux is the LTE version - I most definitely have the SG312 32GB WiFi version).
Did I go wrong somewhere here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not install custom ROMs. No ROM has ever impressed me enough to cause me to want to install it. However, I have read posts regarding your problem in the Xperia Tablet Z Original Android Development forum. Look there and perhaps you will find the answer you need.
Cat McGowan said:
I do not install custom ROMs. No ROM has ever impressed me enough to cause me to want to install it. However, I have read posts regarding your problem in the Xperia Tablet Z Original Android Development forum. Look there and perhaps you will find the answer you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I see. I was excited to install Cyanogenmod because I have it on my Samsung Galaxy S3 and enjoy the customization and ability to remove all the bloatware.
According to your signature, I see that you're on 4.2... A few questions:
Did you do this through an official update?
Can I somehow flash 4.2 through recovery mode (so if I decide I don't like it, I can just load a system backup and go back to 4.1.2)?
If I were to update through the automatic system update, I'm assuming I'll lose my root access and won't be able to get back into recovery mode (in case I figure out a way to install a custom rom in the future)?
Is there a way to remove all the sony bloatware without root access (if I were to install an official system update)?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying to get this all figured out before I start downloading all my apps and getting comfortable with the interface.
Thanks again so very much.
UberBaumer said:
Hmm, I see. I was excited to install Cyanogenmod because I have it on my Samsung Galaxy S3 and enjoy the customization and ability to remove all the bloatware.
According to your signature, I see that you're on 4.2... A few questions:
Did you do this through an official update?
Can I somehow flash 4.2 through recovery mode (so if I decide I don't like it, I can just load a system backup and go back to 4.1.2)?
If I were to update through the automatic system update, I'm assuming I'll lose my root access and won't be able to get back into recovery mode (in case I figure out a way to install a custom rom in the future)?
Is there a way to remove all the sony bloatware without root access (if I were to install an official system update)?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying to get this all figured out before I start downloading all my apps and getting comfortable with the interface.
Thanks again so very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I first received my XTZ, it was running 4.1.2. I gained root access using DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit. I also installed SuperSU Pro and enabled its Survival mode and Install SuperSU into /system settings. Doing that allowed me to update firmware builds via OTA twice without losing root access. I have chosen not to update to 4.3 for various reasons; however, I did attempt updating to 4.3 via OTA like I have in the past, but the update failed to install. And from what I have seen of 4.4.2 on my son's Nexus 7, I may chose not to update to 4.4.2 also. My 4.2.2 install is working flawlessly and my XTZ does everything I need it to do, so I see no reason for updating yet. I live by the aphorism "If it's not broken, don't fix it."
If you install 4.2.2 (via flashing, you can no longer do it via OTA), you can use Vroot - English version to gain root access. Be aware that in the past, Vroot had a bad reputation regarding its loading unwanted apps during the root process, but I believe xda-developers and Mgyun-team (Vroot developers) had a talk and Mgyun-team has since changed their ways. In my opinion, Vroot is now safe to use. Many people have posted saying they have used it and have not experienced any problems.
I do not know of any way to remove bloatware without having root access.
Cat McGowan said:
When I first received my XTZ, it was running 4.1.2. I gained root access using DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit. I also installed SuperSU Pro and enabled its Survival mode and Install SuperSU into /system settings. Doing that allowed me to update firmware builds via OTA twice without losing root access. I have chosen not to update to 4.3 for various reasons; however, I did attempt updating to 4.3 via OTA like I have in the past, but the update failed to install. And from what I have seen of 4.4.2 on my son's Nexus 7, I may chose not to update to 4.4.2 also. My 4.2.2 install is working flawlessly and my XTZ does everything I need it to do, so I see no reason for updating yet. I live by the aphorism "If it's not broken, don't fix it."
If you install 4.2.2 (via flashing, you can no longer do it via OTA), you can use Vroot - English version to gain root access. Be aware that in the past, Vroot had a bad reputation regarding its loading unwanted apps during the root process, but I believe xda-developers and Mgyun-team (Vroot developers) had a talk and Mgyun-team has since changed their ways. In my opinion, Vroot is now safe to use. Many people have posted saying they have used it and have not experienced any problems.
I do not know of any way to remove bloatware without having root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, maybe I was a bit too hasty in rooting my tablet; why is it that I can no longer to OTA updates? If I were to buy SuperSU PRO (for survival mode) is there any benefit to me? I see that it allows for OTA updates.
I am currently rooted via Superuser (by clockworkmod).
When you say I'll need to install 4.2.2 by flashing, you mean through Flashtool, right? Which build should I get (and where, one of the development forums)?
Is the reason why one is advised to install custom roms via recovery mode in order to maintain root access (which I'm assuming doesn't happen if you flash through Flashtool)?
Something I forgot to mention earlier is that I did unlock the bootloader. I'm not sure if that helps or hinders me at this point.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer all my questions. I really love this new toy, and I'm so terrified of bricking it.
Cat McGowan said:
If you install 4.2.2 (via flashing, you can no longer do it via OTA), you can use Vroot - English version to gain root access.
I do not know of any way to remove bloatware without having root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were to say flash this version: http://android.sc/official-android-4-2-2-on-xperia-tablet-z/ I should still be able to install Vroot, right?
Also, do you just manually remove the bloatware yourself, or is there a particular script/app that goes in and cleans up all the unnecessary stuff?
UberBaumer said:
If I were to say flash this version: http://android.sc/official-android-4-2-2-on-xperia-tablet-z/ I should still be able to install Vroot, right?
Also, do you just manually remove the bloatware yourself, or is there a particular script/app that goes in and cleans up all the unnecessary stuff?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean 10.3.1.A.0.244 is for the SGP321. You have a SGP312, so you need firmware 10.3.1.C.0.136 (same as mine), which you should be able to download from HERE (upload credit goes to user named spectre51). Flash it then gain root access using Vroot.
Regarding SuperSU Pro versus Superuser, I use Chainfire's SuperSU Pro because it has superior functionality and more options compared to ChainsDD's Superuser. And I use SuperSU Pro because it is more likely to retain root access rights after an OTA update than the free version of SuperSU; e.g., SuperSU Pro provides OTA survival mode, the free version does not.
Regarding uninstalling bloatware, that is something you need to be careful with. Some apps you want to keep have dependencies on apps you consider bloatware and want to uninstall, especially when it concerns system apps. So, investigate the app before you uninstall it. Most times, I use Titanium Backup Pro or ROM Toolbox Pro to uninstall apps that cannot be uninstalled via the Apps list found in the tablet's Settings. At other times, I have had to use a file explorer and text editor to uninstall an app.
Cat McGowan said:
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean 10.3.1.A.0.244 is for the SGP321. You have a SGP312, so you need firmware 10.3.1.C.0.136 (same as mine), which you should be able to download from HERE (upload credit goes to user named spectre51). Flash it then gain root access using Vroot.
Regarding SuperSU Pro versus Superuser, I use Chainfire's SuperSU Pro because it has superior functionality and more options compared to ChainsDD's Superuser. And I use SuperSU Pro because it is more likely to retain root access rights after an OTA update than the free version of SuperSU; e.g., SuperSU Pro provides OTA survival mode, the free version does not.
Regarding uninstalling bloatware, that is something you need to be careful with. Some apps you want to keep have dependencies on apps you consider bloatware and want to uninstall, especially when it concerns system apps. So, investigate the app before you uninstall it. Most times, I use Titanium Backup Pro or ROM Toolbox Pro to uninstall apps that cannot be uninstalled via the Apps list found in the tablet's Settings. At other times, I have had to use a file explorer and text editor to uninstall an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again my friend.
Is there a list of apps that are safe to uninstall, or, rather, a list of apps that I shouldn't tinker with (for fear of uninstalling an app that has a dependency on something critical)?
Also, I'm on the Google Play store and I see both Titanium Backup Pro and Rom Toolbox Pro. Should I buy both? If you had to buy just one, which would it be?
My main goal is to just make the smoothest experience possible. I want to take maximum advantage of the hardware in the tablet and have as few unnecessary programs running as possible.
I have an LG G3 32gb D85521A but I can't root it with the 5.0 firmware it came with. I need to downgrade to KitKat in order to root it, but I don't know which KDZ to use.
Which one is for the 32Gb version and what happens if I use the wrong one?
At this moment I have
Europe D85530B_00_1217.kdz
Greece D85510L_00.kdz
Spain D85521A_00.kdz
The way I see it, the Spanish seems to be the one I need (D85521A matches my model), but what happens after I root the phone and need to upgrade back to 5.0? Will LG Suite install its Spanish counterpart of 5.0?
GOOD NEWS!!!
I've managed to root my LG G3 without the need to downgrade to KitKat. PurpleDrake's method helped me do that and Root Check confirmed it, but:
1) I've followed PurpleDrake's instruction and went online to install SuperSU and it said something about a binary update, that there is another root in the system that prevents SuperSU from updating and that I should uninstall it in order to proceed.
2) In one of my attempts to root my phone I've installed Kingroot but it failed to root it. (there were some ads and when I scrolled down there was something about a memory boost and a button TRY IT. It required internet connection so I gave up. The root didn't work so I've uninstalled the app, or so I thought.
After PurpleDrake's root I've performed a factory reset to see if SuperSU stays in place, but instead of that I saw Kingroot stuck in my system.
Is there a way to totally get rid of Kingroot and keep SuperSU even after a factory reset?
Is Kingroot the program that prevents SuperSU from updating, or PurpleDrake conflict with it?
My Thor device is on 4.5.5.3. My goal is to root, and I don't plan to install custom roms.
After researching the forum, here comes a few questions I have:
Kingroot should work (with retries) ?
I don't need to unlock bootloader or install twrp if I'm cautious with SuperSU grants. If I always know what I'm doing with root, risk should be minimal?
Can system update (say future 4.5.5.4) brick the device if all I did is root? Should i block the update?
Thanks in advance!
ssaaxx said:
My Thor device is on 4.5.5.3. My goal is to root, and I don't plan to install custom roms.
After researching the forum, here comes a few questions I have:
Kingroot should work (with retries) ?
Can system update (say future 4.5.5.4) brick the device if all I did is root? Should i block the update?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While past OTA updates have simply removed root that may not hold true with future updates. Recommend blocking.
Kingroot for me only took 2 tries ( withlastest version) , you can check the root with ES File, if you can activate root explorer, its done.
I dont think this device get more updates at this point.
Hi guys, my questions would refer to root privileges with regard to OTA software update...
But firstly...
Do you think that KingoRoot apk constitutes a reliable root service? Do you think one can root his/her device just by installing the app via browser in the phone and launching the root process?
And now the initial question:
Do you think that OTA software update can remove root from the device? Or, does the fact that one can perform OTA software update indicate that there is acutally no root on the phone?
(Device: Samsung Galaxy J5 2016)
Thanks!
Yannikk said:
Hi guys, my questions would refer to root privileges with regard to OTA software update...
But firstly...
Do you think that KingoRoot apk constitutes a reliable root service? Do you think one can root his/her device just by installing the app via browser in the phone and launching the root process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally no - Android functions such as Verified Boot and dm-verity are supposed to prevent persistent rootkits, unless the bootloader is unlocked. Yes, there are some exploits, but usually these only provide temporary root.
As a general rule I advise against using closed source software, simply because you don't know if there's anything malicious going on under the hood. A safe alternative is Magisk, although this does not utilize any exploits, so you would have to unlock your bootloader and root the "right" way.
Yannikk said:
And now the initial question:
Do you think that OTA software update can remove root from the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - in most cases, a OTA update overwrites several partitions on the device, including /boot and /system. This means that after rebooting from an OTA update, root would no longer be available. The workaround for this is the "Patch to inactive slot" function in Magisk on A/B devices - once the update is complete and the device is ready for a reboot, Magisk uses root privileges to patch the new boot image, so that root persists after reboot.
For A only devices such as Samsung, it's a bit more tricky...you'd need to flash a custom recovery after the update and flash Magisk from there.
Yannikk said:
Or, does the fact that one can perform OTA software update indicate that there is acutally no root on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always. In most cases, update_engine conducts various checks to determine whether critical partitons such as /system and /boot are intact and untampered; if they are, the update will fail. This is why Magisk has the "Restore images" function for systemless root - Magisk restores the unpatched boot image written to flash, so that the device may pass these checks. It doesn't always work, and on the opposite end of things, there are some devices that will happily install an OTA update even with modified binaries present on the device.
Thanks for you answer, V0latyle.
Now, I would present a broader picture of an issue that gains my attention...
It happend some time ago, on an older device (Galaxy J5 2016, as mentioned)...
I installed KingoRoot apk (directly via browser in the phone) and launched rooting process... The app signalized that the rooting process has been successful... I did not install any custom ROMs or apps... The phone functioned pretty normally then... However, after few months, out of the blue, my device started behaving strangely... Videos on YT took a great amount of time to load or they lagged after some time... Newsfeed on IG did not work, nor instastories... Browsers were also considerably slower... Approx. 2 months later, when Nougat 7.1.1 came out and after I downloaded this software update (OTA), the phone got somehow faster - YT videos loaded faster or did not lag, IG newsfeed got updated regularly, browsers were not so slow either... On the other hand, yes, some apps still behaved in an unusual way...
Do you have any idea what might have happened in this case?
Thank you very much for any suggestions!