Database Users

[Discuss] Will OTA's brick a rooted Play?

I notice a guy with a rooted Play now has a brick after running an OTA.
There was an OTA available, which I did, before I rooted.
If I had rooted 1st, then initialized the OTA, would this have bricked my device?
Is this something that we should be aware of and should we be disabling auto search for OTA's as a precaution?

Mine bricked before i rooted. but after i unlocked the bootloader.

Offtopic: I think the term brick gets thrown around too much, it's still possible to recover from these kinds of errors, the phone still attempts to boot and you can get to the recovery or bootloader, so "semi-brick" might be more appropriate.
I've had actual "bricks" in the past, like no power, no led, no charge, no way to recover unless you jtag/serial connection the phone... those aren't fun expecially when you know it's you are the one that did it
don't mean to derail thread...

If gingerbreak was used couldn't one just unroot, then update and root again afterwards?
Would this be a safe way to go around it, if OTA 'semi-bricks' a rooted play?
Regards Dousan...

It's very hard to _really_ brick an xperia device
Unlocking, rooting, flashing custom firmware.. none of these messes with your bootloader.
Rule of thumb: If you get the USB flash device on your computer when connecting a USB cable to the device and holding the back key you can ALWAYS recover it. Your best bet would be using Flashtool by Bin4ry and finding a suitable ftf-file for your phone.

hi
my phone are bricked an detected with my pc in semc flash with green led but i flash it with flashtool flashing ok but no boot i test with 3 differents .tft but same problem flash ok no boot
just green led and quick vibrate
thank you

Id like to root my phone but with so many updates possible atm, im holding off... ive seen that post about some guy with the brick/semi brick phone from an ota update and i can do without that hassle.. my phones fast enough and has enough space for now but i will mod it when theres good reason too... if i was u i would turn off auto update just incase and check the forums for others advice when needed.

Updated to 2.3.3- Help me Root

Just updated last night to 2.3.3. I tried the GingerBreak tool but it doesn't work. I only really want to root it to increase the memory card speed. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Not possible "the easy way".
You need to unlock the bootloader, and use fastboot to flash kanzones rooted system image.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098736

I wish i could but my play won't go into fastboot mode.

NielDK said:
Not possible "the easy way".
You need to unlock the bootloader, and use fastboot to flash kanzones rooted system image.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098736
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i think i can only hope for "the easy way" to update...
reading through the step scare me away..

don't mind doing it the hard way but it won't go in fastboot mode.

mikesoftwiz said:
don't mind doing it the hard way but it won't go in fastboot mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you following these steps?
1. Turn your phone off and disconnect the USB cable
2. Hold down the search button
3. Plug in your USB cable
4. The notification light should turn blue.
You're in fastboot mode!

i know the procedure, but it doesn't go. it just turns on. The only thing that works is back button with green light.

Is it sim locked to a network? If so then ya you probably never will get into fastboot
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

was locked but I got the unlocking code from the network provider....

Well that's great, but what you should do is flash the UK generic fw(found around here) then install gingerbreak and root, then after that run the ota update and it'll do its thing when its done you should be left with 2.3.3 rooted. Unless your bootloader is unlocked then you can just fastboot the rooted img. Hope this helps you man!
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

Do u think Gingerbreak will be updated to accommodate 2.3.3... do we have any news on this?

crimsonnight said:
Do u think Gingerbreak will be updated to accommodate 2.3.3... do we have any news on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hardly think so, exploit was fixed, and the developers of the exploit made it like a proof of concept, already stated no further development will be done. Note that chainfire was not the one making the exploit, he made the apk utilizing the exploit.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

[Q] Help with Rooting my Play

I need some quick advice regarding rooting my Play, I have a UK Xperia Play I updated it to Android 2.3.3 using the PC software. From what I have read its possible to root the device by unlocking the bootloader and flashing the Rooted ROM in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098736.
Now what I am unsure of is that in that thread it reccomends flashing the Unrooted ROM first. But have I effectively already done this by updating?
My baseband is 7X30A-AAABQMZAM-1290_21-22 and I am on build number 3.0.1.A.0.145 My build number matches that in the aforementioned post so I think it will work.
I just wanted some clarification before I jump in

If you unlock your bootloader you will not get updates from SE anymore neither through SEUS or OTA (voids warranty too). If you try to update after unlocking your boot you will brick your device.
It should work if you just flash the rooted rom and if it doesn't no problem all you have to do is flash the unrooted rom as mentioned then the rooted on top. Flashing fw using flashtools is basically the same as using SEUS to update/repair. So as long as you DO NOT use SEUS or ota to ever update your phone again after unlocking your bootloader you will be ok.

TehH4rRy said:
I need some quick advice regarding rooting my Play, I have a UK Xperia Play I updated it to Android 2.3.3 using the PC software. From what I have read its possible to root the device by unlocking the bootloader and flashing the Rooted ROM in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098736.
Now what I am unsure of is that in that thread it reccomends flashing the Unrooted ROM first. But have I effectively already done this by updating?
My baseband is 7X30A-AAABQMZAM-1290_21-22 and I am on build number 3.0.1.A.0.145 My build number matches that in the aforementioned post so I think it will work.
I just wanted some clarification before I jump in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first off all, you need to check wether your device will connect in fastboot mode, (Turn power off, hold the search key and connect usb) as some branded or sim locked devices have had this blocked, you wont need to flash the .tft because you will have the new baseband already, aslong as you can unlock your bootloader, your free just to flash the rooted .img, as the above poster has mentioned though, if you unlock your bootloader, you will invalidate your warrenty, and forfit any official support from sony and seus

Thanks for that guys, Yeah I know all the stuff about unlocking bootloaders and the details. My phone isn't SIM locked I got it SIMfree off of Amazon. I got it into fastboot mode earlier just to see if fastboot recognised it.
I shall be rooting it in the near future.

Rooting Xperia PlayOrange locked

I've been trying to root my Xperia Play, however, as most of you are aware, SOME Xperia Plays cannot be unlocked due to no fastboot enabled on some models (namely network branded ones) my question is, can anyone help me root? I've tried unlocking the bootloader with no luck, I've also tried GingerBreak 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 and there's just been no luck, on Gingerbreak the screen just sits on rooting... running exploits... or something of the sort
any help anyone?

i'm going to assume you are on 2.3.3 or later, so my recommendation to you would be to downgrade to 2.3.2, root with gingerbreak, then OTA back to the latest OTA will take you too. i too, have (though it is now unlocked now) an orange device, and before i got fastboot enabled, this was the method i used.
even though bootloader is locked, you CAN still flash ftf files via flashtool. i'll grab the link to the 2.3.2 firmware in a sec, and i do recommend this method if you want root
Edit:
here is the post with 2.3.2
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14547231&postcount=1
literally just flash it with flashtool (you know how to use it?), and gingerbreak it right after initial setup. connect to wifi (please tell me you have it?!) and upgrade via OTA. and BAM!!! rooted 2.3.3

in the process of downloading flashtool and the generic play rom, I take it adb is required too correct? and would rooting not kill the OTA updates? at least that's what I've read anyway.
thanks for the help, I've been trying to root for about 2 weeks now and orange just won't let it happen.

OTA updates are killed if you delete any SYSTEM BLOATWARE apps WITH ROOTed Apps!!

You can almost see flashtool as an unofficial barebones version of the Sony Ericsson update. Flashtool just allows you to downgrade as well as upgrade. Provided you have the required package.
You don't need to download anything else as everything you need is included. Just double click the flashtool.exe (I think it's an exe, says summat about java *shrugs*).
Ota is only broken with removed bloatware (which is why you remove bloat after upgrading after rooting), or if bootloader is unlocked.
So,
Extract flashtool
Copy ftf into firmware folder
Install ggdrivers if necessary
Turn phone off
Open flashtool
Click flash
Select the ftf and tick wipe data
Confirm
And when prompted, hold the back button and insert USB and wait
Simple. Then root and ota obviously. If you need any more guidance. I finish work in an hour
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

well, successfully rooted my Play, thanks for the help! shame it's gonna cost me to get the sim lock off and be able to access recovery mode, ah well, I still have my root apps back, is there a topic here that advertises the precedure for rooting branded phones? if not, there should be, while I was looking around (I personally didn't see anything that stuck out) there seemed to be alot of people struggling with rooting locked bootloaders. just a thought! thanks again guys

if you mean sim Unlock,you should ask alejandroiss-whatever his name is

Will this method work with the r800x
Edit: meant the gingerbreak with 2.3.2
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

odst0016 said:
Will this method work with the r800x
Edit: meant the gingerbreak with 2.3.2
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wont be able to use the ftf file included in this method, unfortunately, as it is for a different radio system (and therefore, uses different drivers) to the r800i. i'm pretty sure that in the dev thread, there are some threads dedicated to rooting the r800x in various ways, but as i'm not a developer or an owner of the x variant, i cant say i know what the methods involve etc. sorry. so i reccommend that you pop over to the dev thread, and have a look. it can be a hard place to find what you need, at times, but it is such a rich library of info, it's definately worth going to.
---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 PM ----------
Cat_On_Droid said:
if you mean sim Unlock,you should ask alejandroiss-whatever his name is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1254416
this guy is awesome!! not only does the process remove sim lock, it also activates fastboot mode on carrier branded phones (shivers with joy), AND!!!! unlocks the bootloader ALL IN ONE!!! alejandrissimo charges a fee for this (as it does cost money to run the process, sadly), but for just under £20 and getting what it gives you, the value added to the phone is just great!!
if anyone is serious about unlocking the potential of their phone, i couldnt recommend alejandrissimo more!!

VZW Software Update inside

Here is the Droid Razr HD software update. I have not tested it as I use CM 10.1 and have no interest in going back to stock. I found it on www.droidrzr.com in a forum post then shared it on my dropbox account.
I posted it on my Dropbox account so not sure how long it will last until the link is gone:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d2x9vutel4vnqmm/Blur_Version.9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US.zip
It does "fix" the bootloader unlock exploit though
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/1...the-kernel-exploit-for-unlocking-bootloaders/

scoobaspeaz said:
Here is the Droid Razr HD software update. I have not tested it as I use CM 10.1 and have no interest in going back to stock. I found it on www.droidrzr.com in a forum post then shared it on my dropbox account.
I posted it on my Dropbox account so not sure how long it will last until the link is gone:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d2x9vutel4vnqmm/Blur_Version.9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, stock recovery to install this?

I would assume you would need to be 100% stock, including the recovery, to install this.

scoobaspeaz said:
I would assume you would need to be 100% stock, including the recovery, to install this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm put it on my internal storage and its not found, I think stock recovery wants to see it on a sdcard.

If your boot loader is unlocked before the update, it should stay unlocked. You just will not be able to unlock with methods out there now.
Sent from my Razr HD using xda app-developers app

I received the OTA today on my Max HD. It was build 9.18.79.
Sent using xda premium

A few questions I haven't been able to find answers to (many threads have been started on this new update topic and I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet):
1) I've heard that there are two versions of this update, 9.20.xx and 9.18.xx... Anyone know the differences yet? Is one version for phones that have been unlocked and the other for phones that are still locked? Is one version for XT925 and the other for XT926? I received the 9.18 version, I am rooted, unlocked, and have a XT926 phone.
2) Anyone with an already unlocked bootloader try and take the update? Do you remember which version of the update you took? Did it install correctly? Are you still unlocked?
3) Anyone that is rooted and unlocked try to take the update? Did it install correctly? Are you still rooted and unlocked after the update? Did you have to protect the root with either SuperSU or Voodoo OTA Root Keeper? If so, do you mind posting step-by-step instructions for protecting the root so the phone is still rooted after the update?
Thanks to all who can shed light on these questions!

LifeAsADroid said:
A few questions I haven't been able to find answers to (many threads have been started on this new update topic and I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet):
1) I've heard that there are two versions of this update, 9.20.xx and 9.18.xx... Anyone know the differences yet? Is one version for phones that have been unlocked and the other for phones that are still locked? Is one version for XT925 and the other for XT926? I received the 9.18 version, I am rooted, unlocked, and have a XT926 phone.
2) Anyone with an already unlocked bootloader try and take the update? Do you remember which version of the update you took? Did it install correctly? Are you still unlocked?
3) Anyone that is rooted and unlocked try to take the update? Did it install correctly? Are you still rooted and unlocked after the update? Did you have to protect the root with either SuperSU or Voodoo OTA Root Keeper? If so, do you mind posting step-by-step instructions for protecting the root so the phone is still rooted after the update?
Thanks to all who can shed light on these questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 2 different versions, depends on what System version you have of 4.1.2 on the XT926 only. The 9.18.79 version would indicate that your Systems version is 9.16.6 if this is not correct DO NOT FLASH. I am Rooted/Unlocked, if you take the plunge you must OTA Rootkeeper/SuperSU backup SU, as the update breaks Root> IF there is no backup of SU with the latest binaries. If you lose Root, there are a couple of ways to Downgrade. A common problem for those of us Root/Unlocked the Update FAILs at the end. Most of the Update goes through, however the new Radio does not go through, as of right now if you Update and your Baseband is VANQUISH_BP_100730.081.64.09P then you have the OLD radio, the new Radio is VANQUISH_BP_100730.160.64.15P.
Between the 2 OTA's these should match-up as either 9.16.6 = 9.18.79 or 9.16.9 = 9.20.1

Thanks for the reply! A few more questions if you don't mind (would hate to do something wrong... like I did last time... luckily I was able to revert back to an original version and fix the install... sigh...):
4) With protecting root, I need the SuperSU Pro version, yes? To be able to use the survival mode, yes? Will Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper do the same thing? Is it possible to use both "to be sure"?
5) I have everything backed up with Titanium Backup. Should I bother getting the pro version and backing everything up using the cloud backup and hypershell? Or won't this matter since if root doesn't keep I won't be able to use Titanium Backup?
6) I also have performed the VZW Wireless Hotspot hack using SQLite. Am I going to have to undo the hack in order for the OTA update to work?
Thanks again for all your help!

Update - I decided to attempt the update and hope for the best. System update 9.18.79.xx updating from 9.16.6.xx.
I purchased the SuperSU Pro from the Play Store, and used the survival mode in SuperSU. I also used the Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper and protected root. I figured if one didn't work the other might... Voodoo worked to protect and re-install root access (not sure about SuperSU as I tried Voodoo first to restore root after the install).
I am unsure if the bootloader is still unlocked, but from what people have said there doesn't seem to be a reason to believe it is re-locked. I haven't tested it out to know for sure though.
It appears that the entire update installed correctly. No errors, and the baseband version was updated to the new radio (xxx.15P).
I did not undo the VZW Wireless Hotspot hack prior to installing the update.
Hopefully this post helps others out there.
My final question... what does updating the radio/baseband do exactly?

i need help! i tried installing the update but i forgot i had TWRP.. so the update did not got installed, i rebooted the phone, but the OS tried to install the update again and inmediatly reboot the phone in recovery again .. then from recovery i flashed liquid smooth rom but i got stuck in the boot animation... my big issue is that my power button is broken! now i cant reset the phone to enter in fastboot mode.. i cant do anything... now my battery is totally drained and i cant turn on the phone (my power button does not work).. i can plug the usb cable and the led turns green. but i dont see any more options

rodmc123 said:
i need help! i tried installing the update but i forgot i had TWRP.. so the update did not got installed, i rebooted the phone, but the OS tried to install the update again and inmediatly reboot the phone in recovery again .. then from recovery i flashed liquid smooth rom but i got stuck in the boot animation... my big issue is that my power button is broken! now i cant reset the phone to enter in fastboot mode.. i cant do anything... now my battery is totally drained and i cant turn on the phone (my power button does not work).. i can plug the usb cable and the led turns green. but i dont see any more options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion, let your phone charge a bit.
Once charged up, turn it on and get it into Fastboot. From there you can use the DROID RAZR HD UTILITY 1.21 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439). In that utility option 1 will bring you back to complete stock ROM, option 2 will bring you back to a stock recovery. This will completely erase your phone.
This should at least give you a fresh functioning phone. If you want to try to keep your data or personal files, I'm not sure what you could load via fastboot to get yourself a functioning phone again (maybe just a kernel?).
As a side note, I used TWRP to load the update and my phone updated except the radios it seems. It sounds like the same thing happens with the stock recovery.
Lenny

KachowPow said:
There are 2 different versions, depends on what System version you have of 4.1.2 on the XT926 only. The 9.18.79 version would indicate that your Systems version is 9.16.6 if this is not correct DO NOT FLASH. I am Rooted/Unlocked, if you take the plunge you must OTA Rootkeeper/SuperSU backup SU, as the update breaks Root> IF there is no backup of SU with the latest binaries. If you lose Root, there are a couple of ways to Downgrade. A common problem for those of us Root/Unlocked the Update FAILs at the end. Most of the Update goes through, however the new Radio does not go through, as of right now if you Update and your Baseband is VANQUISH_BP_100730.081.64.09P then you have the OLD radio, the new Radio is VANQUISH_BP_100730.160.64.15P.
Between the 2 OTA's these should match-up as either 9.16.6 = 9.18.79 or 9.16.9 = 9.20.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So any idea how one might fix this?

LifeAsADroid said:
A few questions I haven't been able to find answers to (many threads have been started on this new update topic and I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet):
1) I've heard that there are two versions of this update, 9.20.xx and 9.18.xx... Anyone know the differences yet? Is one version for phones that have been unlocked and the other for phones that are still locked? Is one version for XT925 and the other for XT926? I received the 9.18 version, I am rooted, unlocked, and have a XT926 phone.
2) Anyone with an already unlocked bootloader try and take the update? Do you remember which version of the update you took? Did it install correctly? Are you still unlocked?
3) Anyone that is rooted and unlocked try to take the update? Did it install correctly? Are you still rooted and unlocked after the update? Did you have to protect the root with either SuperSU or Voodoo OTA Root Keeper? If so, do you mind posting step-by-step instructions for protecting the root so the phone is still rooted after the update?
Thanks to all who can shed light on these questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to take the 9.18.79 update I protected the root (I'm not unlocked) before I did so I also temporarily un-rooted (I've always been told to do this before and update) Now I an no longer rooted and it can't find any SU binary codes. Gonna have to flash back to 9.6.16 and try it again I guess or stay on 9.6.16 in order to maintain root for now. If you find a solution please share.

IDroidThere4Iam said:
My suggestion, let your phone charge a bit.
Once charged up, turn it on and get it into Fastboot. From there you can use the DROID RAZR HD UTILITY 1.21 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439). In that utility option 1 will bring you back to complete stock ROM, option 2 will bring you back to a stock recovery. This will completely erase your phone.
This should at least give you a fresh functioning phone. If you want to try to keep your data or personal files, I'm not sure what you could load via fastboot to get yourself a functioning phone again (maybe just a kernel?).
As a side note, I used TWRP to load the update and my phone updated except the radios it seems. It sounds like the same thing happens with the stock recovery.
Lenny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with Lenny. This same thing happened to me when I tried to take the liquid smooth ROM. Follow his instructions above. You'll lose all your pics, vids, files, etc. But at least you'll have a working phone again.

Went smoothly here
All my devices except this one are rooted and some are rom'd. I thought long and hard about whether to void this warranty but decided one day it would be out of updates from VZW and I would want to flash something. I have been denying the OTA for the last day so I figured now or never.
Here are the simple steps:
Download and install Moto device manager (for the USB drivers) here
Enable USB debugging in developer options on the phone
run motochopper here
run motoapocolypse here
install voodooOTA root keeper from Play and backup root
apply OTA
It went error free. The phone has the 15P radio update, unlocked BL and root.

larsdennert said:
It went error free. The phone has the 15P radio update, unlocked BL and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to confirm something, you unlocked the bootloader and then took the OTA and the bootloader remain unlocked (and stayed rooted due to root keeper)?
So the benefit to all this would be to get the new radio update?

bananapeapod said:
I want to confirm something, you unlocked the bootloader and then took the OTA and the bootloader remain unlocked (and stayed rooted due to root keeper)?
So the benefit to all this would be to get the new radio update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the bootloader won't get locked again after it is unlocked. Moto would be shooting themselves having to reinstate warranties if they did that. Yes I wanted the option of flashing later becuase the ota will install sooner or later. I also want to stay on the upgrade path for now to have current radios.
I still have an Eris lying around that is long out of support but i have gb on it.

IDroidThere4Iam said:
My suggestion, let your phone charge a bit.
Once charged up, turn it on and get it into Fastboot. From there you can use the DROID RAZR HD UTILITY 1.21 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439). In that utility option 1 will bring you back to complete stock ROM, option 2 will bring you back to a stock recovery. This will completely erase your phone.
This should at least give you a fresh functioning phone. If you want to try to keep your data or personal files, I'm not sure what you could load via fastboot to get yourself a functioning phone again (maybe just a kernel?).
As a side note, I used TWRP to load the update and my phone updated except the radios it seems. It sounds like the same thing happens with the stock recovery.
Lenny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what i want to do, but i cant because my power button is broken! so i cant enter to fastboot mode without the power button.. i will have to open my phone and try to fix the power button myself.

Just to make a point and to clear up any confusion, this Update will not lock the Bootloader. If you have an Unlocked Bootloader then you will have an Unlocked Bootloader after the update, regardless if it fully works or not, and even if you lose Root, the Bootloader will still be Unlocked. If Root is lost with an Unlocked Bootloader, I suggest downgrading through an FXZ of either 9.16.6 or 9.16.9 and restore Root.