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Hello, i'm completely new to android and my very first android device will be a lovely xperia arc (I will have it in my hands till the end of the week), and these 2 terms confuse me.
1) What will i get if i unlock the bootloader?
2) What will the root do? Why everybody were looking into root their device?
Looking forward for positive comments that light me up, i'll check em tomorrow cuz its 3:30 here. :x
Bump, none can provide me infos? :/
The answers are with Google.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android_OS)
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...-bootloader-on-android-phones-complete-guide/
simply,
Bootloader is a piece of software that loads operating system (OS) in this case Android...
so if bootloader is locked, it will only boot what it's been "told" to boot
e.g if you are using windows, you will notice that your computer always boot windows but if you use different bootloader once your computer starts, it will give you an option of what operating system you want to use
so having bootloader unlocked, you can put different ROMs, e.g UK, General, Hong Kong (<--- stock ROMS) or customised ROM. if you have say UK arc and bootloader is locked you cant put Hong Kong ROM
when you have your phone running, to make sure you are not going to mess up the system file or delete them, android uses permissions. so you can delete apps that you downloaded but you can not delete system files.
in a nutshell there are two(?) users 1. is you and another one who is called "root" aka Super User (su)
therefore to gain full access to your phone and do what you wanna do (even deleting system files, *please dont do this lol*) you need your phone to be rooted.
sorry for my english, it isnt my 1st language
NiMH_999 said:
simply,
Bootloader is a piece of software that loads operating system (OS) in this case Android...
so if bootloader is locked, it will only boot what it's been "told" to boot
e.g if you are using windows, you will notice that your computer always boot windows but if you use different bootloader once your computer starts, it will give you an option of what operating system you want to use
so having bootloader unlocked, you can put different ROMs, e.g UK, General, Hong Kong (<--- stock ROMS) or customised ROM. if you have say UK arc and bootloader is locked you cant put Hong Kong ROM
when you have your phone running, to make sure you are not going to mess up the system file or delete them, android uses permissions. so you can delete apps that you downloaded but you can not delete system files.
in a nutshell there are two(?) users 1. is you and another one who is called "root" aka Super User (su)
therefore to gain full access to your phone and do what you wanna do (even deleting system files, *please dont do this lol*) you need your phone to be rooted.
sorry for my english, it isnt my 1st language
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, the bad part is that if i unlock my device i will lose my warranty, so before trying that out i think i can wait few months so i can enjoy my arc :]
can i buy a arc with bootloader unlocked already ?
omaritta said:
can i buy a arc with bootloader unlocked already ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not from a sealed box.
But you can purchase it from someone else who did that already.
Sure would be nice to root it without needing the bootloader unlocked via SE. That way it doesn't wipe everything and also they don't have anything to use against you later
EDIT: Nevermind... we have root without needing to unlock it
Potential first time Nexus user coming over from Desire Z.
I intend to transfer my old data from my DZ to the nexus4 when I get it via Titanium Backup. My DZ is rooted with S-off, so it's all good.
I've stumbled over instructions on how to unlock the nexus4 via ABD, but if I'm not wrong, that's only to allow flashing of custom bootloaders and ROMs, right?
Which is to say, unlocking != rooting, and in order for Titanium Backup to work properly, the n4 will have to be rooted as well as SU, busybox etc installed.
Am I on the right track?
Cheers.
nexus come unlock.
unlock = to be use with any carrier
rooting = giving beyond standard permissions such as changing how android does things. EG overclocking, changing your sound "quailty" etc and you said. TB (titanium backup)
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Unlawful said:
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Unlawful said:
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
endlesstrail said:
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it. Be cool if it did
Once you have it unlocked you enter the recovery mode and root it there. I'm probably guessing shortly after its release someone is going to make a program so it does it in few steps.
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
endlesstrail said:
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 4 does not come rooted. You have to root it.
NeverAlwaysEver said:
Nexus 4 does not come rooted. You have to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I guessed as much.
Yeah, I'll probably have to do without the backup of my apps for a few days until some kind soul manages to root it and posts instructions. Maybe it'll just be a day or a few hours even! :fingers-crossed:
You will be able to unlock the bootloader right away.
Root maybe not. In order to root it you will need either need a custom recovery for the device or a software exploit.
It won't take long but a custom recovery needs to be built and tested first.
It's easy to root a nexus
First you unlock the bootloader=fastboot oem unlock.
Then you use fastboot to flash a recovery. Once recovery is flashed you have to use adb to make it stick(delete the script that overwrite custom recovery with stock) then you flash su. Zip in recovery. Very simple to do
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Unlawful said:
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to clarify, I have not had a nexus device before, but my understanding is that, even on a Nexus, without unlocking the bootloader, one would still need to exploit and mount system as RW first to install SU.
USSENTERNCC1701E said:
Just want to clarify, I have not had a nexus device before, but my understanding is that, even on a Nexus, without unlocking the bootloader, one would still need to exploit and mount system as RW first to install SU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without unlocking the bootloader, it's much more difficult to root and as you said, one would need to use an exploit and then do as you have said. However, Nexus devices do come with the luxury of unlockable bootloaders for a multitude of reasons .
endlesstrail said:
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Chainfire meant that in case you wanted to switch from Superuser to SuperSU or if you're just installing the APK (the application). If you do want to root, you should just flash the zip file found here in a custom recovery which does everything for you.
Unlawful said:
Without unlocking the bootloader, it's much more difficult to root and as you said, one would need to use an exploit and then do as you have said. However, Nexus devices do come with the luxury of unlockable bootloaders for a multitude of reasons .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Bytheby, my only experience in the past with non-hack bootloader unlocking is with HTCunlock. Have past nexus devices had a permanent watermark even after relocking? I'm hoping that's not the case, cause extensive googling does not have anyone explicitly saying one way or the other, so maybe only HTC is that jacked.
I just want to clear up some terminology to stop people getting confused...
Bootloader a.k.a HBoot - This is the piece of software that runs before anything else on the phone. It basically packages it all up, tells what to run in what order e.t.c Every computer device has a bootloader in some form or another, be it an Android Phone, iPhone, Windows PC, iMac e.t.c. The HBoot is accessible by switching your phone off, then holding down volume down as you turn it back on. The first line of the HBoot will tell you if you are S-OFF or S-ON.
Recovery - The recovery is the piece of software that allows us to write files to partitions while they aren't being used. It is the portal to allow us to flash custom ROM's and kernels. There are custom recoveries with more options than the stock such as ClockworkMod.
Superuser a.k.a su or Root - This is a user that is present on all linux distros that allows higher permissions than standard users have access to. Certain apps need superuser permissions to function, such as Titanium Backup.
A bootloader is traditionally locked. This means it stops you from writing to any partition on the device other than data. What is always true of Nexus devices, and now true of most consumer devices, there is an offical method for unlocking the bootloader. With HTC, you have to download some software, with Nexus devices, it is as simple as booting into fastboot mode, and typing the command "fastboot oem unlock" (assuming you have fastboot installed on your connected PC / mac).
Although this unlocks the bootloader (which by the way resets your device to factory settings), you still aren't rooted. You now have the ability to flash images to the previously locked partitions. Once you have access to write to partitions, the easiest method of rooting is installing a custom recovery (fastboot flash recovery recovery.img, and then using that to flash a superuser zip.
There are exploits for rooting, which either eman the recovery partition gets written to without the bootloader unlocking OR the su files get pushed to the system partition while the bootloader is locked. These exploits are more tricky and are getting harder to find, but allow you to gain root access without voiding your warranty.
To answer someone else's question, when you unlocked the bootloader on the Nexus One you got a watermark on the bootsplash, I don't know about any Nexus after that.
EDIT - Unlocked Phone: To throw some further clarification, when people talk about "unlocked phones" what they actually means is carrier. This term pre-dates smartphones, and a locked phone just meant that if you bought your phone through a carrier, you could only use it on their network, so no other SIM would work unless you bought a code off them to unlock it. This only applied to GSM phones (not CDMA) and s still practised today. The Nexus 4 will not be carrier locked wherever you buy it.
l0st.prophet said:
I just want to clear up some terminology to stop people getting confused...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the excellent clarification. It's much clearer now.
USSENTERNCC1701E said:
Thanks. Bytheby, my only experience in the past with non-hack bootloader unlocking is with HTCunlock. Have past nexus devices had a permanent watermark even after relocking? I'm hoping that's not the case, cause extensive googling does not have anyone explicitly saying one way or the other, so maybe only HTC is that jacked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7 don't have anything changed when you unlock the bootloader (apart from an unlocked lock image on the boot screen beneath the Google logo and then it disappears after going to the boot animation). I would assume this was the same with the Nexus S . Also another good thing about Nexus devices is that you can relock the bootloader after unlocking it and it will be back to a stock configuration (assuming you're on the Google-built ROM).
PlanBSTi said:
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ; DroidWall is the one utility I refuse to live without, and that requires root.
Other than that and TitaniumBackup though, you're quite right; the new stock features of JellyBean mean I likely won't even bother with any major third-party modifications. Indeed, I'm thinking this'll be the first 'phone in many a year which I won't be installing a custom ROM on for at least the first six months of use.
PlanBSTi said:
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, the irony is I really only use TB because I'm switching ROMs. I disagree though, I really like the extra customization that comes with a lot of custom ROM's. But I've run phones for a few months with OEM skins, while waiting on an exploit. I agree there won't be a pressing need for root.
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
albundy2010 said:
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't find many apps to have very intrusive ads at all. I also feel better knowing I'm not ripping off the devs
albundy2010 said:
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never actually ended up with an air push app, and the rest of the ads really don't bother me, sometimes I'll go on a clicking spree to support devs. If it really bothers me I buy the full version or uninstall it.
Ultra Noob here
So I had my first android-TF700 for about 10 days. Played around with it, read around this site and realized it was a tablet for someone with experience.
So I now have an N10. Charged, not even turned on yet. What should be my next steps? I see a couple toolkits,an auto root, and ASOP-
What would you suggest a noob start with?
I know, I know, turn it on
Thanks!
Depends on what you want to accomplish with the device. If you want to try or at least gain some understanding as to the different features you might be interested in, read the first post of the different ROMs available and see if anything sounds enticing.
I personally use me for taking media with me on the go, be it news or videos, so I don't have to carry a laptop around. I'm on CM10.1 right now but cycle through every rom to see how everything works. Good luck!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
First step is unlocking the bootloader and installing root and a custom recovery. Even if you don't need it at the moment there will come the time you want to try it. When you unlock the bootloader you will lose all your data so it's the best if you do it at first when you get your tablet.
rauschkugl said:
First step is unlocking the bootloader and installing root and a custom recovery. Even if you don't need it at the moment there will come the time you want to try it. When you unlock the bootloader you will lose all your data so it's the best if you do it at first when you get your tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how do you unlock the bootloader and install root?
What do you mean a custom recovery?
Are there other ways to root the device with out wiping it? Seems like most android smartphone you can load up an exe or something to shift the su app around or something.
Thanks.. (still waiting for my N10 to arrive.. meanwhile.. still playing with my ICS Bionic)
There are tons of threads here about unlocking the bootloader, rooting and installing a recovery like teamwin or clockworkmod.
rauschkugl said:
There are tons of threads here about unlocking the bootloader, rooting and installing a recovery like teamwin or clockworkmod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found the threads. Look easy enough to follow. Something I'm not understanding . What does it mean to install a recovery? whats the purpose of that. I've search and (at least not yet) found a good description of what/why that it. I'm sensing that devices are different (duh!) and I didnt need to install a "recovery" on my Droid Bionic when I rooted it, but this N10 must be different.
With the custom recovery you're able to install zip files, make a backup of your Rom,... You can't do that with the recovery that comes with the nexus 10.
Recovery is like a separate system that you can boot to, if you want to mess with the main Android OS. Like rauschkugl said, you can boot to a custom recovery to flash different ROMs that are distributed in flashable ZIP files. You can also make (or if anything goes wrong, revert to) a complete backup of the device's internal memory.
Ok I am rooted and unlocked with mskip's awesome toolkit and DroidModderX video which really helped.
I picked all in one click option and choose TWRP. I fell asleep when I got to TWRP, so I guess I will have to reboot to the recovery page to pull it up.
After that I have no idea what to do I really haven't played with the N10 much. I was planning to leave it stock for awhile (as suggested by rauschkugl).
Do I need to do any backup or anything with TWRP if it's a new tablet? if so what and how ? Please point me to a tutorial for noob types.
Other question is I have a system update and 6 new updates waiting for me to install, can I go ahead and do that rooted and unlocked with stock ROM and no TWRP backup yet?
Thanks!
EraVulgaris said:
Ok I am rooted and unlocked with mskip's awesome toolkit and DroidModderX video which really helped.
I picked all in one click option and choose TWRP. I fell asleep when I got to TWRP, so I guess I will have to reboot to the recovery page to pull it up.
After that I have no idea what to do I really haven't played with the N10 much. I was planning to leave it stock for awhile (as suggested by rauschkugl).
Do I need to do any backup or anything with TWRP if it's a new tablet? if so what and how ? Please point me to a tutorial for noob types.
Other question is I have a system update and 6 new updates waiting for me to install, can I go ahead and do that rooted and unlocked with stock ROM and no TWRP backup yet?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great questions. You are one step ahead of me on my new N10. I've not turned it on yet, really wanting to, but I dont want to do much to it, until after I unlock/root/ and learn how to make backups. Though since i've got a TBpro license, I'll probably use that. I dont want to tweak the OS. so I think I need root just to be able to run TBpro. I just want to be sure I'll still get OFA updates, and I want to learn more about if and how backup work for a multi-user N10.
EraVulgaris said:
Ok I am rooted and unlocked with mskip's awesome toolkit and DroidModderX video which really helped.
I picked all in one click option and choose TWRP. I fell asleep when I got to TWRP, so I guess I will have to reboot to the recovery page to pull it up.
After that I have no idea what to do I really haven't played with the N10 much. I was planning to leave it stock for awhile (as suggested by rauschkugl).
Do I need to do any backup or anything with TWRP if it's a new tablet? if so what and how ? Please point me to a tutorial for noob types.
Other question is I have a system update and 6 new updates waiting for me to install, can I go ahead and do that rooted and unlocked with stock ROM and no TWRP backup yet?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest straight away that you perform a backup with TWRP, so that if you decide to delve deeper into ROMs and playing with your system files, you'll have a completely stock backup to rely on. Simply boot into recovery and select 'Backup', then you can rename the backup file if you want, then swipe the slider across and wait, then you're done!
When it comes to system updates, you'll most likely have to use your root toolkit to unroot the device, else the update will fail. You can however continue to update all your apps as you normally would. Hope this helped
OK
So I kinda started from the beginning of Droid ModderX's video, picked yes to update the toolkit i had donated- (got an update) accessed TWRP (pain to get to- could I download goomanager now after I have TWRP?) and backed up my stock set up just as you said Huggogguh :good:.
Then I went ahead and touched "install system update" that was hanging around in the upper left corner of my tablet (I'm being really specific for other noobs) and it updated my system to 4.2.1 and my apps. Build number changed to JOP4OD
Looked at root checker app. I am now not rooted, so I will go back through toolkit and choose 4 once I am in fastboot mode to reroot I hope:fingers-crossed:.
Thanks!
EraVulgaris said:
OK
So I kinda started from the beginning of Droid ModderX's video, picked yes to update the toolkit i had donated- (got an update) accessed TWRP (pain to get to- could I download goomanager now after I have TWRP?) and backed up my stock set up just as you said Huggogguh :good:.
Then I went ahead and touched "install system update" that was hanging around in the upper left corner of my tablet (I'm being really specific for other noobs) and it updated my system to 4.2.1 and my apps. Build number changed to JOP4OD
Looked at root checker app. I am now not rooted, so I will go back through toolkit and choose 4 once I am in fastboot mode to reroot I hope:fingers-crossed:.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a great success then so are you saying that you performed the system update while you were rooted and you retained the root access?
Nope. Got the OTA system update and it knocked me off root. But I got it back easily with the toolkit.
Hi all,
I am kinda new here and would like to put a question, hoping it's not a repetition (I have been browsing though this forum thoroughly, but apparently couldn't find a proper answer). This is the situation:
- bought a used Z2
- Z2 was from UK O2 operator and it had operator lock and unlockable bootloader
- network operator lock has been cleared with unlock code
- O2 customized firmware has been wiped away by flashing a recent 5.0.2 stock lollipop
- unlockable bootloader still exists so cannot upload any customized/rooted .zip system
Clearly, the only thing I can do to modify this phone is to upload .FTF firmares to it, due to unlockable bootloader. Right now, I see available online only unmodified stock .FTF firmwares.
THE QUESTION: is there ANY way to create a pre-rooted .FTF file (modding not strictly necessay but rooting essential) so that I can upload it to the phone?
Thanks for all your precious advice!!!
You can't modify .ftf files as they are signed by sony. easiest solution is to root your phone with kingroot , install nut's dual recovery and then flash any stock prerooted zip (or a custom rom if you want) you can find on this forum. kingroot will be gone when you finish the .zip install too
ptmaniac said:
You can't modify .ftf files as they are signed by sony. easiest solution is to root your phone with kingroot , install nut's dual recovery and then flash any stock prerooted zip (or a custom rom if you want) you can find on this forum. kingroot will be gone when you finish the .zip install too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answering!
Wouldn't just installing kingroot be enough for a simple rooting of the stock fw?
All I need is the ability to run some apps which need root (e.g. ad-away, set dns, etc.) and nothing more. Is the latest version tested on Z2 running 5.0.2?
Thanks again!
derjaeger said:
Thanks for answering!
Wouldn't just installing kingroot be enough for a simple rooting of the stock fw?
All I need is the ability to run some apps which need root (e.g. ad-away, set dns, etc.) and nothing more. Is the latest version tested on Z2 running 5.0.2?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kingroot works fine on 5.0.2 but by itself will not disable sony RIC and you won't get a writable system. Nut's dual recovery will disable RIC on boot, just install it after rooting and you should be good to go.
I suggested flashing a preroot zip just because i don't like kingroot app to manage root permissions and it's hard to replace it with supersu. flash a preroot zip and you'll end with a clean stock rom+supersu+nut's dual recovery and fully writable system
Thanks a lot buddy!
I will try kingroot+nut recovery and see how I find myself.
I will always be one step away from uploading a custom .zip in case I need supersu.
You really made my day!!! )))
Drop bk to kitkat, root and recovery no problem using practically any tool, I used Z2 dual recover installer, once it reboots to recovery you flash su update from chainfire, rooted and recovery done.
Then just use prf creater to make an ftf into a flashable rooted room, yes you can add root and recovery to that too, flash that from recovery, job done.
You can use lollipop ftf to do that if you wish.
gazza35 said:
Drop bk to kitkat, root and recovery no problem using practically any tool, I used Z2 dual recover installer, once it reboots to recovery you flash su update from chainfire, rooted and recovery done.
Then just use prf creater to make an ftf into a flashable rooted room, yes you can add root and recovery to that too, flash that from recovery, job done.
You can use lollipop ftf to do that if you wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer!
But isn't this procedure including downgrade somewhat longer than the previous suggested one?
gazza35 said:
Drop bk to kitkat, root and recovery no problem using practically any tool, I used Z2 dual recover installer, once it reboots to recovery you flash su update from chainfire, rooted and recovery done.
Then just use prf creater to make an ftf into a flashable rooted room, yes you can add root and recovery to that too, flash that from recovery, job done.
You can use lollipop ftf to do that if you wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go back to kk? why? it's a waste of time nowadays... the solution i mentioned won't even need to touch flashtool it's easier and quicker...
Just one last question: reading thrads about 5.1.1 it looks that it's due in a few days.
Would it be better to root now (as kingroot is still untested on 5.1.1 ) and then flash 5.1.1.ftf or just wait for it and then root?
Thanks
ptmaniac said:
Go back to kk? why? it's a waste of time nowadays... the solution i mentioned won't even need to touch flashtool it's easier and quicker...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true and if all are happy then it's all good, just don't forget to check ya phone afterwards for all the intrusive crap that kingroot throws on ya phone, tried it and it definitely didn't root my Z2 or a load of others.
derjaeger said:
Just one last question: reading thrads about 5.1.1 it looks that it's due in a few days.
Would it be better to root now (as kingroot is still untested on 5.1.1 ) and then flash 5.1.1.ftf or just wait for it and then root?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IF you root now and install nut's dual recovery, you'll just need to flash a preroot 5.1.1 zip when it's released.
gazza35 said:
Very true and if all are happy then it's all good, just don't forget to check ya phone afterwards for all the intrusive crap that kingroot throws on ya phone, tried it and it definitely didn't root my Z2 or a load of others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, i also don't like kingroot. Like i said before it does root fine but doesn't disable ric, flashing nut's recovery after solves this.
And if you flash a preroot zip after there will be no traces of kingroot on the phone. Downgrade to kk and flashtool is still not necessary...
ptmaniac said:
IF you root now and install nut's dual recovery, you'll just need to flash a preroot 5.1.1 zip when it's released.
Good afternoon!
I have been though your procedure and, I must say, kingroot and nut's recovery installed well. Now the phone is rooted. Also added Purify app. There is just one problem left.
At the moment I have a stock 23.1.A.1.28 FW installed, just wanted to make a try with a 23.2.A.1.62 to see how the whole process goes. Instead of preparing the full .zip file, I already had a ready one, so I uploaded it into the phone, plus another .zip for gapps. Then, trying to start recovery, the phone does not enter recovery, but boots normally.
I know that nut's recovery is installed well, as, after installation process, it showed up a recovery (philz's?) with grey keys, and I also went though its menus to check it up. Right now these are the ways I tried, failing, to start recovery:
- immediately after switching on the phone (after vibration), pressing volume up
- immediately after switching on the phone (after vibration), pressing volume down
- starting manually (any of the 3 proposed recoveries) from NDR UTILS app
- starting manually from XZRecovery app
None of these methods work, the phone sometimes makes a double reboot (i.e. stays at "sony" first screen goes black and then goes back to sony screen again) but always ends up with loading android system. Is this maybe due to my locked bootloader? In this case would the only option be every time doing FTF upgrade+kingroot+nut's? Or is there some sure method to boot the recovery and install whatever I want?
After all, if it started once, I believe it can start again....
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
derjaeger said:
ptmaniac said:
IF you root now and install nut's dual recovery, you'll just need to flash a preroot 5.1.1 zip when it's released.
Good afternoon!
I have been though your procedure and, I must say, kingroot and nut's recovery installed well. Now the phone is rooted. Also added Purify app. There is just one problem left.
At the moment I have a stock 23.1.A.1.28 FW installed, just wanted to make a try with a 23.2.A.1.62 to see how the whole process goes. Instead of preparing the full .zip file, I already had a ready one, so I uploaded it into the phone, plus another .zip for gapps. Then, trying to start recovery, the phone does not enter recovery, but boots normally.
I know that nut's recovery is installed well, as, after installation process, it showed up a recovery (philz's?) with grey keys, and I also went though its menus to check it up. Right now these are the ways I tried, failing, to start recovery:
- immediately after switching on the phone (after vibration), pressing volume up
- immediately after switching on the phone (after vibration), pressing volume down
- starting manually (any of the 3 proposed recoveries) from NDR UTILS app
- starting manually from XZRecovery app
None of these methods work, the phone sometimes makes a double reboot (i.e. stays at "sony" first screen goes black and then goes back to sony screen again) but always ends up with loading android system. Is this maybe due to my locked bootloader? In this case would the only option be every time doing FTF upgrade+kingroot+nut's? Or is there some sure method to boot the recovery and install whatever I want?
After all, if it started once, I believe it can start again....
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nut's dual recovery works fine on LB (i have unlockable bootloader too) probably something you installed messed up the recoveries, did you install/update busybox from the play store? Nut's dual recovery includes it's own busybox which can't be replaced / updated.
Reinstalling the recoveries with the installer on your pc should fix the problem and make them work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ptmaniac said:
derjaeger said:
Nut's dual recovery works fine on LB (i have unlockable bootloader too) probably something you installed messed up the recoveries, did you install/update busybox from the play store? Nut's dual recovery includes it's own busybox which can't be replaced / updated.
Reinstalling the recoveries with the installer on your pc should fix the problem and make them work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
it looks like the device was somewhat messed up. U were right that i had installed another busybox from gplay, nevertheless uninstalling it did not sort out any effect. Also nut's reinstall failed. Maybe there was some chaos still inside due to experiments done before using kingroot, like, for instance, trying towelroot.
This is how I acted to solve the issue:
- downloaded most recent fw with xperifirm (Telekom.de one, full of useless apps)
- completely flashed phone with .ftf
- reinstalled kingroot
- reinstalled nut's recovery
Now the phone is back again rooted and I deleted some stupid apps with root app delete.
I am now eagerly waiting for 5.1.1 release, hope there will be a vanilla firmware somewhere this week ))
Best would be to already download a patched .zip image.
Right now thanks for the ideas!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
derjaeger said:
ptmaniac said:
Hi,
it looks like the device was somewhat messed up. U were right that i had installed another busybox from gplay, nevertheless uninstalling it did not sort out any effect. Also nut's reinstall failed. Maybe there was some chaos still inside due to experiments done before using kingroot, like, for instance, trying towelroot.
This is how I acted to solve the issue:
- downloaded most recent fw with xperifirm (Telekom.de one, full of useless apps)
- completely flashed phone with .ftf
- reinstalled kingroot
- reinstalled nut's recovery
Now the phone is back again rooted and I deleted some stupid apps with root app delete.
I am now eagerly waiting for 5.1.1 release, hope there will be a vanilla firmware somewhere this week ))
Best would be to already download a patched .zip image.
Right now thanks for the ideas!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all part of the experience of learning what's best, I always only use dual recovery because windows can install it directly and root at same time, there used to be plenty of rooting apps like kingroot but you don't see so many anymore, but I'm glad you're sorted, when ya get 5.1.1 just use prfcreater to make it into flashable zip then you don't lose root and have to go through the process all over again.
All the best
---------- Post added at 01:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/tool-prfcreator-easily-create-pre-t2859904
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot!
Yes, it really goes this way, now waiting for an unbranded fw, as this night the first branded ones have started to roll out...
I am really happy: for a couple of months I thought I was buried behind that nasty unlockable bootloader, and now i discovered it's even better, as rooting it without touching bootloader allows the software to work at 100% of it specs
Coming from Samsung to Sony is kinda rough at first for nibbling but when the right instruments are present and clear it's worth dealing with superior hardware.
Also, must say that Sony is lately improving its behaviour, after so many years of mafia attitudes towards buyers
Inviato dal mio X500U utilizzando Tapatalk
I've had Samsung, HTC, Apple, blackberry and finally stuck with Sony, I guess they all have pros and cons, Samsung phones are the easiest to mod and flash, Sony is quite daunting for newcomers very much like HTC. Can be tricky to learn.
Horses for courses and all that, I much prefer a rooted phone with locked boot, no particular reason except the drm keys etc, I do think camera is better on lb, than the quality on ul, although there is a drm restore mod on cross Dev, for ul, it does make xreality work, but it doesn't remove the missing key error in security tests.
I read on a page that once drm keys are gone, Sony won't honour the warranty, very much like Samsung and the knox counter, I'm not sure tho, but I do know I'll always remain Lb and stock based rom.
Only problem I have is getting wifi tethering working properly, it's doing my head in, 4 weeks of decompiling and editing and still can't get my phone to broadcast on any other channel except 1.
GGGRRRRRR @ SONY.
#whattheheckhaveyoudonesony
All so true!
Btw1, when I reflashed last evening the phone was also complaining when I went to hotspot section in order to configure it.... I think they messed up something, but maybe 5.1.1 will have fix so let's see...
I have a couple of Mediacom X500U, which I discovered, besides being fairly nice phones after more than a year of use, that are basically rebranded HTC phones (this comes out of their factory hex code detected by Linux). Do you think they could be modded like for generic HTC or never heard about them?
derjaeger said:
All so true!
Btw1, when I reflashed last evening the phone was also complaining when I went to hotspot section in order to configure it.... I think they messed up something, but maybe 5.1.1 will have fix so let's see...
I have a couple of Mediacom X500U, which I discovered, besides being fairly nice phones after more than a year of use, that are basically rebranded HTC phones (this comes out of their factory hex code detected by Linux). Do you think they could be modded like for generic HTC or never heard about them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like a cheap option of unb
randed HTC, but no, I don't think a HTC section would help.
I think it's an Italian release, dual simply phone, simply Google pointed to an Italian forum androidiani androidiani, run the link through a webpage translator and you may be in luck for root and rom, I think towelroot may root it.
Actually framaroot already offered rooting at the price of a horrible hack (3-4 reboots before device is ready when turning on or rebooting, plus device instability on heavy loads), never tried towelroot on it.
But problem is not about rooting rather than getting rid of horrible stock firmware. The latest fw edition by Mediacom was a total disaster (forums cry loud) and I thought it would be great to try to put some mod on the phones: this is why I had in mind to ask you if there is a general toolkit for HTC phones (like flashtool for Sony) which I could use to try to take care of it and experiment....
Inviato dal mio X500U utilizzando Tapatalk
I wanted to share two things with you guys here in Tablet z forum:
1- First of all, @zxz0O0 has developed a code based on the CVE-2015-1805 vulnerability that gives temporary root access to a select range of devices (including Tablet Z4). Let me try to explain in my words what that means. A full blown root gives permanent read/write access to /system and /data partitions. On an unrooted Tablet Z4 you only have read access to /system and no access to /data. With this root, you will be able to have a temporary terminal or adb session that gives you read access to /system and read/write access to /data. Why not write access to /system? Because Sony runs a service called RIC on Xperia devices that makes it impossible to mount /system as writable. In the past this would be patched by modifying the system partition. But in the recent Kernels sony has implemented a mechanism (dm-verity) which checks /system and if it is modified the device does not boot. So even if this (or any other) root method gave you the ability to write in /system you could not use it because your device would not restart the next time you turn it off. The solution would be to patch the kernel which requires an unlocked bootloader. IF you unlock your bootloader you lose your TA partition permanently which includes some of the Xperia features and licenses that have to do with image processing and some DRM. So a lot of us do not want to unlock the bootloader.
Then what good is this new root method? Since it gives you read access to the system partitions you can use this method to back up your TA partition. The idea is that if you ever unlock your bootloader you may be able to use this TA back up to return the system to its original state if you ever decide to relock it. Another benefit is that tools like Titanium back up which require access to the /data partition can now function (in a limited sense) although someone has to work out the details of that.
To download the pack that allows backup and restore of the TA partition go to http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/iovyroot-temp-root-tool-t3349597
After you create the backup, you can unlock the bootloader, and use your TA backup and the procedure outlined here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605 to create a csutom kernel that uses all the good stuff in the TA backup and emulates an environment where your tablet behaves like one with an unlocked bootloader. The camera denoising algorithm and all other Sony proprietary software which would be disabled after unlocking the bootloader should work.
If you want to return the tablet to its unlocked condition you will need this TA backup. Some explanation about retrieving the TA partition from this backup, if you unlock the bootloader and decide to relock it, is given here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=66142823&postcount=16 and methods to do so are outlined at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=66158970&postcount=68
Note that to use this root you need to downgrade to lollipop (preferably version 28.0.A.8.260)
I have explained procedures to use the above tools here http://forum.xda-developers.com/z4-tablet/general/guide-safe-bootloader-unlock-restore-t3362391 at length.
2- Now, here is the use I have found for this temporary root: I was always bothered by the fact that not only I could not (easily) get the 17 hour advertised on-screen use out of my tablet, the standby power consumption was always too much. Whereas I could optimize my other (rooted) devices to only drain 1-2% a day in standby, tablet Z4 seems to settle for nothing less that 5-10% a day in standby. This is what you can do to get excellent standby power from your tablet:
A) Say goodbye to your google apps (with the exception of Chrome and Maps) and other marginally advantageous apps. They wake your device up all the time when it is supposed be sleeping and endlessly chat with google servers even if you turn all the communications off in the google settings. So disable all of the apps listed in the attached pictures , plus lifelog,via settings. Don't complain about not being able to use the gmail or youtube apps. Other great replacements exist. Leave "Google App" active if you use the voice search or voice typing feature. Also uninstall the pre-loaded apps that you aren't using like facebook (which is cancer for any phone), Lifelog, Privilege, spotify, etc.
B) In settings under wifi open the advance menu turn off both "network notification" and "scanning always available", and change "keep wifi on" to "only when plugged in"
C) Under "power management" in settings, activate stamina mode and extended standby (no need to activate extended usage).
D) Finally (and here is where the temp root becomes useful) extract the file "iovyroot" from the file in the above link and put it in your adb directory. Open a command terminal and type:
Code:
adb push root\iovyroot /data/local/tmp/iovyroot
adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/iovyroot
adb shell
This gives you an android terminal shell. Continue with the following:
Code:
/data/local/tmp/iovyroot
pm disable com.sonyericsson.idd.agent
pm disable com.sonymobile.entrance
pm disable com.sonyericsson.updatecenter
pm disable com.sonymobile.anondata
pm disable com.dsi.ant.server
pm disable com.sonymobile.gmailreaderservice
pm disable com.sonymobile.googleanalyticsproxy
pm disable com.sonymobile.mx.android
pm disable com.sonymobile.enterprise.service
pm disable com.sonymobile.synchub
pm disable com.sonymobile.phoneusage
That is it. You just disabled the update service and a bunch of other things and extended your standby battery life. These settings will survive a reboot.
Let me know how it works out for you. If you find other creative uses for this temp root share here.
This is the BEST and probably the most right to the real point post ive ever readed in this particular forum since I joined....
Forgive me if I say I have had lost the faith on sony's z4t development here... It's a real pleasure to know there's still ppl working on what I think should be the right development direction on gettin' control of our loved devices, instead of breaking them and throw a lot of expensive features to the flush.
Thanks again mate to share it.
Interesting, if I downgrade do I also lose my Marshmallow data and settings (i.e. is it the same as factory reset?)
BTW Finally this tablet becomes viable, almost a year after its release...
Stevethegreat said:
Interesting, if I downgrade do I also lose my Marshmallow data and settings (i.e. is it the same as factory reset?)
BTW Finally this tablet becomes viable, almost a year after its release...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to have a stable system you will need to overwrite the user data which means you will lose your apps and settings and possibly (depending on how you flash) your internal storage so make a back up.
In general application data of Android firmware are not downward compatible with older versions.
Hmm, but if you can also temp root then you can backup everything using TitaniumBackup anyway before unlocking.
So if I understand this right, if you can back up TA we can infact unlock the bootloader now with no loss of DRM ?
So can now actually get full root based on that ?
najoor said:
If you want to have a stable system you will need to overwrite the user data which means you will lose your apps and settings and possibly (depending on how you flash) your internal storage so make a back up.
In general application data of Android firmware are not downward compatible with older versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will only downgrade to get a TA Backup, so stability is not an issue to me (after the TA Backup, I'll go back to MM and probably unlock it).
My only issue would be if downgrading would actually harm my data and/or my capacity to get the TA backup properly (if I'm not wipe first I mean).
Stevethegreat said:
I will only downgrade to get a TA Backup, so stability is not an issue to me (after the TA Backup, I'll go back to MM and probably unlock it).
My only issue would be if downgrading would actually harm my data and/or my capacity to get the TA backup properly (if I'm not wipe first I mean).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it will affect the TA back up process by it may harm you application data (not your sdcard data). The reason is that on every reboot android cleans up the) /data partition as much as it can (for example if it sees that an app has been uninstall but it has left some data behind). I'm doing so lollipop may corrupt some of your marshmallow data,
Why don't you take a backup of your data before a downgrade and the restore them later? The tablet itself has a utility to do it and I hear Helium is a tool that backs up your app data without the need for root.
najoor said:
I don't think it will affect the TA back up process by it may harm you application data (not your sdcard data). The reason is that on every reboot android cleans up the) /data partition as much as it can (for example if it sees that an app has been uninstall but it has left some data behind). I'm doing so lollipop may corrupt some of your marshmallow data,
Why don't you take a backup of your data before a downgrade and the restore them later? The tablet itself has a utility to do it and I hear Helium is a tool that backs up your app data without the need for root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly to save time as I have too much data. I though to do it like this
Downgrade to Lollipop -> Use the Exploit -> TA Backup -> Upgrade back to Marshmallow.
In principle everything should have had worked as by the end of it I would be back to Marshmallow (I would not linger into Lollipop). But now that you're telling me that lollipop may corrupt my data permanently I have second thoughts.
I thought, that my data would not work well on Lollipop, but that wouldn't matter to me; but now you're telling me that they won't work when I'll back in Marshmallow too, which is a totally different beast. Am I understanding you correctly?
Does everyone need to downgrade tho?
Once we have the TA partition available to restore, once its made available online surely everyone else can just restore the same one?
Or is the key unique?
Kinda assuming here that all the stuff that needs the TA partition will work with an unlocked bootloader, or does it have to be locked to be usable again?
Edit: Can we restore TA partition after unlocking bootloader?
Yes but this will also relock the bootloader.
Bugger
Ultimately never rooted my device for fear of losing something (that I will never use anyway!)
DRM Keys are unique, in fact that's the whole point of TA backups.
Also there's a talk (on the other thread) of a tool that would merge your particular keys with a particular custom kernel.
That way you'd keep all Sony Exclusive features, but also be able to make use of root apps. It would be great if such a tool becomes usable with AndroPlus Kernel...
Nice, had all but given up hope of being able to unlock my Z4 so that sounds promising!
I am looking for a high-end tablet and it seemed the Z4 Tablet was the best one for me over the Pixel C and even the iPad Air 2..though I did consider the budget Nvidia Shield K1 also.
The next thing I did was see if the bootloader could be unlocked and custom ROMs installed as I really hate the Sony UI that I have experienced with my sisters M2, and I never stick to the stock ROM in any of my phones. I just love knowing and doing customising!!
..Unfortunately, it seems like I will be stuck with it so I may have to look for another brand now
D0MINO said:
I am looking for a high-end tablet and it seemed the Z4 Tablet was the best one for me over the Pixel C and even the iPad Air 2..though I did consider the budget Nvidia Shield K1 also.
The next thing I did was see if the bootloader could be unlocked and custom ROMs installed as I really hate the Sony UI that I have experienced with my sisters M2, and I never stick to the stock ROM in any of my phones. I just love knowing and doing customising!!
..Unfortunately, it seems like I will be stuck with it so I may have to look for another brand now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how you got that impression, since the whole point of the OP and the links I posted with it is that you will not be stuck with the stock firmware.
So to summarize the points mentioned in the OP:
As of today, the following is possible with a tablet Z4:
1- The TA partition can be backed up.
2- The booloader can be unlocked.
3- The unlocking is reversible with the help of the backed up TA pertition
4- When the bootloader is unlocked a custom kernel can be flashed (currently one is posted in the Z4 forum courtesy of @AndroPlus).
5- When the bootloader is unlocked the stick Kernel can be patched to retrieve the Xperia proprietary facilities that are lost to the unlocking process (courtesy of @tobias.waldvogel).
6- When the bootloader is unlocked /system can be fully modified. That means flashing completely custom ROMs.
So you can either make your own modification to the system, or wait for someone to make a ROM. In light of the above possibilities it is only a matter of time before customs ROMs start to pop up.
By the way, to the extent that the stock firmware is customizable without unlocking the bootloader, it is actually a good ROM and you can change a lot of things from the general appearance to the default launcher.
PS: Tablet Z4 is my second Sony tablet and the third Sony mobile device and I have about 10 of this kind of devices at any given time. The other android devices are miles behind in terms of elegance and manufacturing quality. There is just something about a Sony device that is unique and unmatched.
Can anyone confirm how to re-lock the bootloader once unlocked?
I would say:
1. Flash a stock firmware (the lollipop version that you used to backup the TA partition).
2. Use the iovyroot temp root batch tarestore to restore your TA partition.
3. Reboot and that's it: you are back to unlocked bootloader unrooted original drm included stock firmware.
Anyone already tried?
Thank you.
I unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device SGP771.
Bevor that, i backed up the TA.
Then i flashed the androplus kernel.
Everything works great.
But you cannot modify androplus kernel with that tool. That means DRM restore is only possible on stock rom.
When you restore TA to stock rom, your bootloader will be in a lockes status again and there is no more root. Too bad
odicamillo said:
Can anyone confirm how to re-lock the bootloader once unlocked?
I would say:
1. Flash a stock firmware (the lollipop version that you used to backup the TA partition).
2. Use the iovyroot temp root batch tarestore to restore your TA partition.
3. Reboot and that's it: you are back to unlocked bootloader unrooted original drm included stock firmware.
Anyone already tried?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can ta be restored on any fw like marshmallow or can it only be restored on the fw that you backed it up from?
This looks very promising, thanks OP.
Has anyone else managed to get it to work as described?
Thanks in advance
najoor said:
I don't know how you got that impression, since the whole point of the OP and the links I posted with it is that you will not be stuck with the stock firmware.
So to summarize the points mentioned in the OP:
As of today, the following is possible with a tablet Z4:
1- The TA partition can be backed up.
2- The booloader can be unlocked.
3- The unlocking is reversible with the help of the backed up TA pertition
4- When the bootloader is unlocked a custom kernel can be flashed (currently one is posted in the Z4 forum courtesy of @AndroPlus).
5- When the bootloader is unlocked the stick Kernel can be patched to retrieve the Xperia proprietary facilities that are lost to the unlocking process (courtesy of @tobias.waldvogel).
6- When the bootloader is unlocked /system can be fully modified. That means flashing completely custom ROMs.
So you can either make your own modification to the system, or wait for someone to make a ROM. In light of the above possibilities it is only a matter of time before customs ROMs start to pop up.
By the way, to the extent that the stock firmware is customizable without unlocking the bootloader, it is actually a good ROM and you can change a lot of things from the general appearance to the default launcher.
PS: Tablet Z4 is my second Sony tablet and the third Sony mobile device and I have about 10 of this kind of devices at any given time. The other android devices are miles behind in terms of elegance and manufacturing quality. There is just something about a Sony device that is unique and unmatched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear najoor,
are you telling us that, now, we can unlock a z4 tablet which has the "rooting status: Bootloader unlock allowed: NO" , in the service info/configuration area ?!?
if it is the case, i would be delighted to know how to proceed step by step, as i would love to install a lineage rooted custom rom on it (it is the SGP771 one,with phone capability)!!!
thank you
kind regards from France
retikulatus said:
Dear najoor,
are you telling us that, now, we can unlock a z4 tablet which has the "rooting status: Bootloader unlock allowed: NO" , in the service info/configuration area ?!?
if it is the case, i would be delighted to know how to proceed step by step, as i would love to install a lineage rooted custom rom on it (it is the SGP771 one,with phone capability)!!!
thank you
kind regards from France
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately if that is the case you cannot unlock the bootloader.
I am just curious, why does yours look like that? Do you have myXperia or some other find-my-phone service activated on your phone?
najoor said:
Unfortunately if that is the case you cannot unlock the bootloader.
I am just curious, why does yours look like that? Do you have myXperia or some other find-my-phone service activated on your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the fast reply even if you ruined my hopes
no, i don't think i have myXperia , i checked on my apps and find nothing.
Since i had display issues with my tab s (sm-t800), i tried the z4 tablet for its LCD screen instead of the super amoled of samsung...
My bootloader was already locked when i purchased it, i updated it thinking it will change that but unfortunatly that did nothing.
It wasn't a new one though, perhaps the previews owner messed up with it and got its bootloader locked :/
Because it is some kind of lotery to have a bootloader unlockable with sony, i will wait patiently until samsumg release its 16:9/10 tab s4: imho, the tab s3 actual 4:3 format is a nonsense....
Thank you again
Kind regards from France