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So since as if we have already been abandoned by the Gingerbreak Project, what can you guys recommend to root my R800i without removing the ability to update the phone to higher Android in the coming months?
So you see I am really new to Android and I have little knowledge on unlocking bootloaders and the like that's why I stuck to Gingerbreak last month. Now that I have updated to 2.3.3, yeah everybody knows Gingerbreak no longer works.
I cannot consider reverting back to 2.3.2 since the 2.3.3 update really improved the battery performance and I'd still choose that over the ability to root on the 2.3.2. But then, bottom line is we really love our phones rooted.
So to cut the crap, anyone please recommend the best method to root the R800i (I would be open for tutorials) whilst preserving our ability to update to better versions in the future?
Ive not rooted or unlocked the boot loader yet myself as this is my first android device im taking it slowly but according to threads in the development section you can root and upgrade as long as you do nothing to the device before upgrading, root the phone then upgrade to 2.3.3
This means flashing backwards first obviously.
As far as upgrading in the future you will be better off flashing a custom rom if development goes well. Custom roms will take this device further than official updates will.
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
narflynn619 said:
So since as if we have already been abandoned by the Gingerbreak Project, what can you guys recommend to root my R800i without removing the ability to update the phone to higher Android in the coming months?
So you see I am really new to Android and I have little knowledge on unlocking bootloaders and the like that's why I stuck to Gingerbreak last month. Now that I have updated to 2.3.3, yeah everybody knows Gingerbreak no longer works.
I cannot consider reverting back to 2.3.2 since the 2.3.3 update really improved the battery performance and I'd still choose that over the ability to root on the 2.3.2. But then, bottom line is we really love our phones rooted.
So to cut the crap, anyone please recommend the best method to root the R800i (I would be open for tutorials) whilst preserving our ability to update to better versions in the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116090. Follow the steps and you shall have root on 2.3.3 . I have also opted to "freeze" the bloat this time instead of just uninstalling it, in hopes that when 2.3.4 arrives i can do the ota update again and still keep root.
Also @ -josh- rooting will not damage your phone so its safe to root. I am also a first time android user myself but following the steps in the thread above worked fine no problems. And even if it didnt you can use SEUS to fix a phone with a locked bootloader
I rooted my phone when i was using 2.3.2 and found a good improvement.
Then i updated to an unrooted 2.3.3.
Ive left it unrooted for now. 2.3.3 performance is better than a rooted 2.3.2 i find.
It would be nice to root and remove the bloatwarw and overclock to 1.5 ghz, which can now be done. But for now i am happy.
Aside from a few Gameloft games not working, 2.3.3 is outstanding.
Not going to root until something major happens. Only reason i can see to root is to clock to 1.5 ghz to get n64oid working better.
Other than that, no point imo.
i have already tried the 2.3.2 root then flash to 2.3.3 method to no avail.. i don't know what im doing wrong but i think it's because my handset's a HK one, had it bought by someone in HK then i am using it here in the philippines. i'm not considering flashing custom roms either since i can't trust others' hands playing around roms, hehehe.. sigh!
You can are not supposed to flash to 2.3.3.. You are supposed to flash your phone to 2.3.2 uk generic version. After root your phone and through your phone you go to settings /about/update software and upgrade it there without hooking it to the computer. Make sure that your bootloader is LOCKED, otherwise you brick your phone.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
All gameloft games work with 2.3.3. Delete all the data files in game/gameloft and redownload all the games. It will work
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
yah yah yah yah i did all that before and still nothing..
Deoxlar said:
All gameloft games work with 2.3.3. Delete all the data files in game/gameloft and redownload all the games. It will work
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I uninstalled all my non-working gameloft games.
Anyway i can get them back without purchasing them again?
narflynn619 said:
i have already tried the 2.3.2 root then flash to 2.3.3 method to no avail.. i don't know what im doing wrong but i think it's because my handset's a HK one, had it bought by someone in HK then i am using it here in the philippines. i'm not considering flashing custom roms either since i can't trust others' hands playing around roms, hehehe.. sigh!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use this to get to 2.3.3 unrooted. Everything will be put back to stock.
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/sup...ds/subject/updateservice/1.915711?cc=gb&lc=en
Yes go to the website on the stock android browser, enter your phone number. All games purchased for your business device will be there for one year.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
narflynn619 said:
yah yah yah yah i did all that before and still nothing..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are clearly doing something wrong, the only phone that can't be rooted is the version version of the play.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Deoxlar said:
Yes go to the website on the stock android browser, enter your phone number. All games purchased for your business device will be there for one year.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this info.
Unfortunately it didnt work for me. I only have one game in the list which was Asphalt 6.
Ive bought about half of them so there should be plenty more in the list but they are not there.
Ive emailed customer service. Not really that bothered if i get them back or not but i wanted to play Sacred Odessy again. It stopped working when i updated to 2.3.3.
Nevermind.
Don't email them. Call them. Email takes more then a week for each reply. Calling us 10 minutes wait
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
sheise. i've been on 2.3.3 unrooted for weeks now and i'm sick of the bloatware... flashing a 2.3.2 UK generic ROM via FlashTool gives back an error that's why i stuck to 2.3.3 unrooted..
EDIT:
oh well, the root-the-2.3.2-then-update-to-2.3.3-via-OTA method suddenly worked today.. sheise!
Does flashing the phone complete erase everything?
crimsonnight said:
Does flashing the phone complete erase everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's better if you choose to erase personal files.. It's an option that you check off before flash. That being said, nothing on your sd card gets touched.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
so everyone still uses FlashTool? it gives me back an error so i used WotanClient. Worked like a charm! I'm now on 2.3.3 UK Generic ROOTED! and works like anything else here in the philippines!
Deoxlar said:
It's better if you choose to erase personal files.. It's an option that you check off before flash. That being said, nothing on your sd card gets touched.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, so if I want there's an option to keep all my data/settings? Basically I could flash a rooted version of 2.3.3 onto my xperia play running 2.3.3? Cheers
Hi, I've been looking around several threads but it was hard to find an answer.
My new Xperia Play phone should be arriving any day now, so I'm just getting everything ready tutorial-wise for rooting my phone. However I'm unclear on a few things!
Firstly, once I have unlocked the bootloader, a certain tutorial tells me to use 'play_modded.img' as the necessary root package to root my phone. Are there different root packages for the Xperia Play or just one?
Second, once I have rooted my phone, should I update to 2.3.3 firmware? Should I update to 2.3.3 before I begin rooting? Or is it not possible to root the 2.3.3 software at the moment and so just stay with 2.3.2?
What are the differences with the firmware updates and are they necessary?
Thirdly, being from the UK I am pretty sure that my phone is R800i, is there anything I need to take into consideration when rooting for having an Xperia from a specific region?
I hope you guys can help and sorry for the noobish questions, this is my first smartphone (and a good choice, I hope!).
Don't update if you unlocked your bootloader.... Your play will probably come as 2.3.3 already. So you need to flash it to 2.3.2 uk generic WITHOUT unlocking the bootloader. Root the 2.3.2 and then update to 2.3.3 through phone (ota, without hooking it up to computer at all)
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Never do any ota updates through phone if you decided to unlock the bootloader. As of now there is no reason to unlock bootloader because cm7 is not ready yet.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
What is 'Ota'? I'm more confused now!
Also, what is 'cm7'?
Why are you saying there is no reason to unlock the bootloader, is this not the first step in order to root your phone?
If you only want root, then no. You need to root with gingerbreak, but it will only work with 2.3.2
Maybe it would be best if you checked in again when you receive your play then it will be easier to guide you?
If the play is on 2.3.2 it will be very easy and if it's on 2.3.3 it will take some more work.
OTA is over the air, it just means that you can update over 3g or on wifi, no need of a cmputer
As i see it you'll get the best out of just rooting for now and through that get some knowledge and learn a bit of basics with android modding
Regards Dousan...
Thanks Dousan, it's making a lot more sense now!
I heard that 2.3.3 fixes quite a lot of bugs, so will rooting on 2.3.2 and remaining on a rooted 2.3.2 not be a disadvantage?
I checked out what CM7 project was all about, a custom rom? It sounds really good, I'm genuinely excited about all the added features!
Could someone please link me to a good tutorial on how to use Gingerbreak with the Xperia Play?
Are there any disadvantages of rooting the Xperia Play at the minute (other than the chance of a brick)?
Once rooted, does the custom .img flashed to the phone contain any bloatware? Is there a guide on how to remove the bloatware and other tricks to speed up the phone, customizing it to make it better?
I presume that flashing the new .img to the phone will cause the pre-installed free games such as Crash Bandicoot to be erased, is there any way to keep them?
First see here. <-- is a guide to root the xplay with a locked bootloader and still be able to update to 2.3.3.
You do not have to stay on 2.3.2 once you have rooted. But rooting will only work on 2.3.2 since in 2.3.3 the exploit gingerbreak uses was patched. But if you follow the guide in the link above. You can use gingerbreak on 2.3.2 then use OTA (not seus or pc companion) to update and it will keep your root access and upgrade you to 2.3.3.
To install CM7 you will need an unlocked bootloader. I plan to install it when a stable version is released. My bootloader is still locked atm. So its a case of just unlocking the bootloader when CM7 is stable and installing it. I would keep your bootloader locked untill you have a bit more experience (since you could brick your phone if you use SEUS or OTA or PC Comapnion to update once the bootloader is unlocked)
No need for a tutorial for gingerbreak. Simply put the Gingerbreak.apk on your sd card then use a file manager such as astro to navigate to it. Open it and just click the root button (for some people it took 20+ mins, in my case was like 1 minute).
No real disadvantages to rooting. Rooting will not damage your phone at all. Since all you are doing is gaining admin rights, it what you do after root that could semi-brick it. As long as your bootloader is locked you can use SEUS to fully repair the phone from brick anyways (which is highly unlikely to happen) Just see here for stuff that is safe to remove after root and you will be ok.
You are not flashing the .img since thats for people with an unlocked bootloader. Just follow the guide at the top of my post and all will be good. If you remove/freeze the bloat your phone will run better anyways. Since rooting and freezing bloat anything i have thrown at my phone has caused it no problems apart from some games on FPSE.
i used the above guide and im now on rooted 2.3.3
and yea i stupidy semi-bricked mine i forgot to put usb debugging on before flashing ha but yea seus update sorted that out
flashed again, rooted, then OTA update
I manually flashed my X10i using this method...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=920746
but soon I realized it's not rooted after flashing and it's too late to install xrecovery or something like that. Something worse is, there's NO working rooting method for official 2.3.3 ROM this time.
We need some developers to make rooted 2.3.3 (in both stock and customized) ROM for flashtool so we can flash rooted ROM using flashtool without xrecovery.
Rooted ROM / Tools
I'm sure the devs will have something soon, if they have a pre-rooted install, it should not be too long before an exploit is found that allows the APK based tools to work.
I have not done much checking, are you sure the current tools (one click, z4root etc) dont work with the stock GB rom?
You could always downgrade using flashtool / adb shell and then re-install the 2.1 firmware, root, then install recovery / 2.3 pre-rooted....
Sucks, but it would be worth it in my opinion to have the freedom.
Otherwise, just wait, it should not be long!
rollback
This guy did the same thing, he has a link in his post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1195218
EDIT: Sorry should have edited my first - My bad
abeeson said:
I'm sure the devs will have something soon, if they have a pre-rooted install, it should not be too long before an exploit is found that allows the APK based tools to work.
I have not done much checking, are you sure the current tools (one click, z4root etc) dont work with the stock GB rom?
You could always downgrade using flashtool / adb shell and then re-install the 2.1 firmware, root, then install recovery / 2.3 pre-rooted....
Sucks, but it would be worth it in my opinion to have the freedom.
Otherwise, just wait, it should not be long!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried few methods:
visionary+: not supported
superoneclick: doesn't work
gingerbreak: doesn't work
SE 2.3.3 is too "perfect" for rooting.
dang.
mingkee said:
I tried few methods:
visionary+: not supported
superoneclick: doesn't work
gingerbreak: doesn't work
SE 2.3.3 is too "perfect" for rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang, that sucks.
Ah well, two options, wait for a tool to get updated, or roll back.
I would personally not bother, the only thing i "really" needed root for was barnacle, and wifi tethering is native now. With that said, you may have a use that im not listing (Titanium backup maybe for data), the choice is yours, its a pain to do, but doesnt take too long time wise.
Write back if you need a hand, im glad to help / point you to the correct spot!
Use flashtool and flash a 2.1 Rom. Root install xrec.
Then follow any of the mod/roms in development installation instructions.
I did the same thing and had to do it.
Sent from my X10i using XDA Premium App
Check out ddoomlord prerooted. 2.3
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Finally I took a plunge to "downgrade" to 2.1 and use flashtool again to root, then installed xrecovery from there, and after the phone off, I followed the method:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192152
After the first session done with xrecovery, I pulled out the battery and run second session to flash kernel with flashtool.
Now it has rooted 2.3.3.
i have an r800i that i have sucessfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader but in doing so i have downgraded my firmware to 2.3.2 from 2.3.3 when i connect my phone to the computer my pc companion automatically picks up a software update . if i update my phone to 2.3.4 via pc coompanion will this affect my root at all and can it potentially brick my phone please help
There is a chance (a pretty big one) that it will brick your phone, but could be recovered.
To get to the new update, search Firmware 4.0.A world etc and download Flash tool 2.9.1. Look around in XDA development for play section
Drag the firmware (4. 0). To firmware folder in the flashtool. Go to drivers and install ggaetup22. Click ok (files from google drivers required, you should've kept the files you had from unlocking bootloader.
OK once that's done click on X10 flashtool, click flash, highlight all . sins from the firmware, then do what the flashtool says.
You will not lose your root.
my from my Xperia PLAY R800i using XDA App
thanks for the help my man glad somebody could be a help also do you know of any tested and working kernels and cooked roms that can be installed on the phone without losing any of the functionalitys
If you successfully unlocked your bootloader then it is a better to just flash the newest modded rom with root included already. Do Not update when your bootloader is unlocked...
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
thanks ive found a new rom and kernel for my phone today and im in the stages ov installing it to the phone so i will let you know how i get on
hi
is there any way to root xperia plat 2.3.3 A.....386 without unlocking boot loader
or , i have to unlock it , cause gigngerbreak 1.2 is not working on xperia play.
or can i unlock ==> root ==> relock and , have lock and rooted xperia play ?if i do that , maybe hurt the bootloader ? (( damaged bootloader )) ?
i think that is global question and appreciated for anyone that answer it
if you dont want to unlock the bootloader, you will have to downgrade to 3....145 (i think it ends in 145) and straight after first boot, before doing anything else, run gingerbreak, and then you can upgrade via OTA. if .368 is available for ota, that is. personally, i'd unlock bootloader and either install doomlords kernel or run the fastboot CWR module. main difference being (just an assumption), if you just run the cwr method, you can then relock the bootloader after updating
here's the fastboot recovery. if you use it, please remember that you must NOT flash this one. it is purely a run once method. and you can then keep the stock kernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130639
solitarymonkey said:
if you dont want to unlock the bootloader, you will have to downgrade to 3....145 (i think it ends in 145) and straight after first boot, before doing anything else, run gingerbreak, and then you can upgrade via OTA. if .368 is available for ota, that is. personally, i'd unlock bootloader and either install doomlords kernel or run the fastboot CWR module. main difference being (just an assumption), if you just run the cwr method, you can then relock the bootloader after updating
here's the fastboot recovery. if you use it, please remember that you must NOT flash this one. it is purely a run once method. and you can then keep the stock kernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130639
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you so much for your help .
i've did this : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098131 before and worked prefect , but i hear that SE want to deploy a new update , i flashed and relocked my phone again tu access SEUS.
but my question is , if i unlock and root my phone , then relock it via fast boot , after relocking root will remove/disapear or still working ??
if still working , so that is best way to have root xperia play and use sontericsson update service.
i apppreciated again if somebody update me on this case .
thanks
i believe you will still have root access after re-locking the bootloader. but whether you will still have root after updating via seus, i honestly dont know. but to be fair, the speed the guys on this forum work at, you will probably have access to a flashtool compatible update before you know it's even out
hang on, you got an R800x?
The only way to preserve root when updating is OTA.
Regards Dousan...
solitarymonkey said:
if you dont want to unlock the bootloader, you will have to downgrade to 3....145 (i think it ends in 145) and straight after first boot, before doing anything else, run gingerbreak, and then you can upgrade via OTA. if .368 is available for ota, that is. personally, i'd unlock bootloader and either install doomlords kernel or run the fastboot CWR module. main difference being (just an assumption), if you just run the cwr method, you can then relock the bootloader after updating
here's the fastboot recovery. if you use it, please remember that you must NOT flash this one. it is purely a run once method. and you can then keep the stock kernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130639
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
solitarymonkey said:
hang on, you got an R800x?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have R800X = xperia play , 2.3.3 , 4.0.... 386
what do you mean ?
Dousan said:
The only way to preserve root when updating is OTA.
Regards Dousan...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
greetings
yes , that is OTA ,
but after relock can i keep the root option ? and update via SEUS ?
open it : http://www.xperiablog.net/
fantastic man
the r800x is a tad different in methods, and i'll be a little more cautious on my advice for you. but i can confirm that root remains after OTA update, as i had to use this method a few weeks ago, before i had my fastboot activated. but remember, bootloader must be re-locked before any official update methods (sorry if i keep repeating this, i just get paranoid in a protective way)
and regarding the blog you linked. they said last year that the x10 will not be officially updated above 2.1. a few months later, after the play, arc and neo came out, they changed their mind. twice. not only did they say that they were gonna give us (i was a x10 owner up until last month) gingerbread with just stock android apps, they then ended up releasing 2.3 with optimised sony ericsson versions of some apps, like the camera so dont believe things too early
Dousan said:
The only way to preserve root when updating is OTA.
Regards Dousan...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
solitarymonkey said:
the r800x is a tad different in methods, and i'll be a little more cautious on my advice for you. but i can confirm that root remains after OTA update, as i had to use this method a few weeks ago, before i had my fastboot activated. but remember, bootloader must be re-locked before any official update methods (sorry if i keep repeating this, i just get paranoid in a protective way)
and regarding the blog you linked. they said last year that the x10 will not be officially updated above 2.1. a few months later, after the play, arc and neo came out, they changed their mind. twice. not only did they say that they were gonna give us (i was a x10 owner up until last month) gingerbread with just stock android apps, they then ended up releasing 2.3 with optimised sony ericsson versions of some apps, like the camera so dont believe things too early
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you right .
and i had xperia mini 2 month ago , i can remember what SE have done with us on that . just 2.1 ...
ok , i'll root my phone again , relock it and check via SEUS if that working or not , i hope that it work
--------------------------------------------------------------------
oh god , please help me don't brick my beauty xperia play
mehdi.moha said:
greetings
yes , that is OTA ,
but after relock can i keep the root option ? and update via SEUS ?
open it : http://www.xperiablog.net/
fantastic man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should ask these questions in the r800x dev thread as there would be a bigger chance for some clear yes or no answers. I haven't read that thread and as @solitarymonkey says the r800x rooting and unlocking is a tad different to the r800i, so can't really advice in that direction on wether you'll stay rooted and if you can just relock and update through SEUS as on the r800i. Just take a look in the dev section and you'll find the thread about r800x
Regards Dousan...
just be careful with your root if you use seus. if you can do ota, please do so, as root retention is tried and tested (on the r800i, and i'm guessing the r800a, too)
ok , thanks my friends
my phone is R800 i , i've rooted that 2 weeks ago and turnd it back to SE stock just for next update .
thank you again
Is it possible to use GingerBreak on the 3.0 ROM, then use SE PC Companion to update to the 4.0 ROM and keep root? My carrier doesn't do OTA updates so I can't use it.
I've heard that it breaks root when done over seus. But I haven't tried it out myself to verify. The worst you can do is try, lose root, and reflash the previous fw with flashtool and get root back.
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Is it possible to backup my own "old" firmware?
If you mean the whole system image. You will need the bootloader unlocked and use the clockwork recovery fastboot tool to create a nand backup. Or you can download one of many back up apps from the market that can create back ups of your apps and data.
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Kaikz said:
Is it possible to use GingerBreak on the 3.0 ROM, then use SE PC Companion to update to the 4.0 ROM and keep root? My carrier doesn't do OTA updates so I can't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dousan said:
The only way to preserve root when updating is OTA.
Regards Dousan...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using SEUS or PC Companion is the same as flashing with flashtool. You'll get a fresh and clean install of the firmware and everything get's eraesed in that process (nothing get's touched on the sdcard)
Regards Dousan...
Kaikz said:
Is it possible to use GingerBreak on the 3.0 ROM, then use SE PC Companion to update to the 4.0 ROM and keep root? My carrier doesn't do OTA updates so I can't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gingerbreak is not working on 2.3.3 ,
we should unlock the bootloader , ther root it , thern relock it and wait for new update via OTA/ pc companion / SE update service .
there is another way , i've read this post : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116090&page=3
but i think it's better to DON't downgrade the x-play , cause most of people on that post had problem .
i want to start new way : unlock== > root ==> relock (( i hope after relock my root remain ))
All your looking for is root?
Sent from my R800a using XDA App