Database Users

[Q] As you know there's no ICS for Xperia Play so

Is there any ICS un official software that's stable and has most the features like camera, calling, texting, 2G/3G, wifi, bluetooth and if possible the new face unlock?
I have rooted my Xperia play and now want to install custom software since sony has now ditched the Play sadly it could do with a few PS games or should i just sell this phone and get a new one with ICS?

There are lots of roms: CM9, AOKPlay, PlayOSP. I wouldn't buy another phone, because of all the ICS-based roms, but if you have enough money, it's up to you.

Honestly
I have yet to use an ICS based custom rom that doesn't decrease performance.
Your best bet is to use one of the many Xperia S builds as they offer the best speed and most of the features you would ever want anyways.

cheers for your posts guys. can you cross phone software like xperia S on xperia play? ill check out the roms you mentioned and install one. do you guys know if that face unlock feature works in them? i dont really want to buy a new phone i just bought the xperia play lol

Anton_1991 said:
cheers for your posts guys. can you cross phone software like xperia S on xperia play? ill check out the roms you mentioned and install one. do you guys know if that face unlock feature works in them? i dont really want to buy a new phone i just bought the xperia play lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For ICS I'd wait until the dust settles.
Given the flack Sony are taking on their social networking sites I wouldn't be surprised to see a turn around.
At any case, once the other 2011 Xperia lines are updated to ICS and there's stable running custom ROM's etc, you'll likely see some that are ported for the Play.

Petition Sony for a Stock-Android/Google Play Edition like ROM

Hi everyone,
This is almost certainly a waste of time and effort, but I started a Petition at Change.org with the aim of getting Sony to offer an "alternative" ROM for their Z lineup.
This is the link:
https://www.change.org/p/sony-mobil...ence-and-fast-updates-for-the-xperia-z-lineup
What this is about? I really like the hardware on the new Sony devices, but I'm spoiled by my Nexus/Google Play Edition devices when it comes to Software and Update policies. Since the Nexus 6 is out of the question and there are currently no interesting GPE devices on the market, I thought this is better than not trying at all.
Basically, my idea is, that Sony could offer their users a choice: Go with the regular, Skinned ROM and be happy with it, or download the "alternative" factory images, that convert the device into a Nexus-Like Stock-Android device. That way, there is no need to market and sell two different versions of a device, and users can choose what they prefer. This would also be a "benchmark" for Sony, to see how many people are actually interested in Stock-Android-ROMs.
HTC does this, albeit unofficially, by offering GPE versions of their flagship devices that are exactly identical in hardware. It is possible to simply flash a Sense-Laden m7 or m8 and convert it into a fully working and compatible GPE version. Samsung makes it a bit more difficult by messing around with the GPE hardware in some way that makes a custom Kernel neccessary and prevents a full conversion. It took the devs quite some effort to fix the resulting Random Reboots on the S4...
So, if you like the idea, and want to attempt to generate some attention, I'd be grateful if you'd sign the petition and invite your friends to do the same. If not, then thanks for reading this and have a nice afterlife...

Love your enthusiasm but... No manufacturer offers alternative roms to flash - GPe is only ever an alternative device ~ and I presume you have never "converted" an M8 over to GPe (not for feint of heart, partition changes required prior to flashing any zip, much the same as Xperia Z Ultra GPe).
I think you'll find we are already spoilt more by Sony than any other manufacturer when it comes to offering AOSP and the various git offerings made available to us..
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Hi there,
I am aware that nobody does this yet... But maybe it is an idea for the future. About the HTC GPE... You are right, but I'm currently using a "coverted" Galaxy S4, which is also not trivial, but entirely manageable... I'm already wondering what new quirks Samsung will invent to make flashing GPE Lollipop harder on the TW Galaxy S4 i9505... ?

Isn't CM working with Sony Devices or something ?
However, i think it's fine the way it is The Rom currently is appealing to the eye and pacey

I think we should first focus on trying to get root on lb and go from there.
Sent from my Xperia Z3

russell664 said:
I think we should first focus on trying to get root on lb and go from there.
Sent from my Xperia Z3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed

Hussain_Salam said:
Isn't CM working with Sony Devices or something ?
However, i think it's fine the way it is The Rom currently is appealing to the eye and pacey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no CM isnt working with them..Sony hired a maintainer/coder that was part of CM for Sony devices. he worked on other projects as well. Thank Jerplea. he is the community member that Sony hired nd he is helping offer source to help build aosp for Sony devices. Sony does a good job offering help to the dev community by giving tips,guides and source on ther developer website
Sent from my Xperia Tablet Z Wi-Fi using XDA Free mobile app

Returned my Z3 today, waiting for the nexus 6

The Z3 was an excellent phone was incredible battery life but keeping this short and sweet I returned the device due to the lack of root support. I will be patiently waiting for the Nexus 6 and using my Galaxy S3 in the mean time.
Like I said, excellent phone but heavily let down by no root support.

You could've waited bro.
Anyways, you going for Nexus. Have fun

this is a topic for the nexus forums...
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

iBuzman said:
this is a topic for the nexus forums...
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I just wanted to tell people who are browsing the Z3 threads a reason why someone like myself has returned the Z3, I thought maybe people who are undecided on there device might like to know that I have returned mine with reason!

^^ fair enough.. but if we are trying to be informative: there is root if you unlock bootloader, and sony do empower you to unlock bootloader; you have returned due to not being willing to lose functionality by losing drm keys if you unlock, not because of lack of root.
and I'm pretty sure nexus exactly the same eg only root through insecure kernel flash after bootloader unlock lol (not really arguing with you, just reserve the right to troll somebody who has jumped ship [emoji12])
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

iBuzman said:
^^ fair enough.. but if we are trying to be informative: there is root if you unlock bootloader, and sony do empower you to unlock bootloader; you have returned due to not being willing to lose functionality by losing drm keys if you unlock, not because of lack of root.
and I'm pretty sure nexus exactly the same eg only root through insecure kernel flash after bootloader unlock lol (not really arguing with you, just reserve the right to troll somebody who has jumped ship [emoji12])
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the thing is I bought the Z3 intending to get a vanilla version of Android flashed on to it just because I thought the device looks stunning.
I'm not being funny but I really cant see this ever happening for this device.

yeah it will, sony open source their stuff.. I think it will come down to unlock bootloader or not (especially on lollipop)
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

I'm sure they will manage to unlock it, may not be easy obviously.
Getting S-Off on HTC Butterfly was a chore but it was eventually done.

FudgyBadger said:
The Z3 was an excellent phone was incredible battery life but keeping this short and sweet I returned the device due to the lack of root support. I will be patiently waiting for the Nexus 6 and using my Galaxy S3 in the mean time.
Like I said, excellent phone but heavily let down by no root support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You make me curious, is all Google phone (nexus series) easy to root/develop ?
Nexus 6 size (bigger than note 4) kinda a deal breaker for me.

Yes, Nexus phones are easy to root and develop for. Kind of the purpose for them, stock android and easy to develop for.
I am still considering the N6. I have the Z3 and I like it, just want root. Being on T-mobile means it won't be easy, and will become even more difficult once lollipop comes out. If the N6 was a 5.5" device or lower, my mind would be made up already.

1. Why not buy a D6603 which can be rooted?
2. What's the difference between the stock ROM + a AOSP based launcher like Nova or Apex or even the Google Now launcher and vanilla Android?
At the end of the day, what device you choose to buy is completely up to you, but I get the feeling a lot of people harp on "vanilla android" just for the sake of it.

se1000 said:
1. Why not buy a D6603 which can be rooted?
2. What's the difference between the stock ROM + a AOSP based launcher like Nova or Apex or even the Google Now launcher and vanilla Android?
At the end of the day, what device you choose to buy is completely up to you, but I get the feeling a lot of people harp on "vanilla android" just for the sake of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because we wanted wi-fi calling and band 12. 32gb internal was a nice bonus too. I don't care as much about vanilla as I do root. However I haven't tried other launchers outside google now, but it lags too much. I'm overall fine with sonys stock rom. I just like using xposed and the Z3 needs the sound mod imo, which needs root. Its the Z3 on tmo or N6 for me, as I want band 12 and wi-fi calling more than I want root.

If you stuck around, the problem would have been solved. Exactly the same issue plagued the Z1 with its launch, but Sony sorted it within a month or two.
Have a look at this page:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
Sony actively supports your ability to flash custom ROMs and so the problem with the camera would be solved with an update.
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app

Johann_London said:
If you stuck around, the problem would have been solved. Exactly the same issue plagued the Z1 with its launch, but Sony sorted it within a month or two.
Have a look at this page:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
Sony actively supports your ability to flash custom ROMs and so the problem with the camera would be solved with an update.
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure Sony does, but that doesn't mean tmo does. Sony won't fix the ringtone/notification issue....they never did on the Z2, we all used the sound mod. I'll likely stick with the Z3 though and hope for some luck with root on LB into 5.0.

I like this phone so much and it's killing me to use it without root + recovery.
I really do hope to see the root without unlocking bootloader so soon, If you are working on doing this or you know someone please make sure that we do want to see that coming ASAP!. Unlocking it is like a serious risk to me.
Any phone without root will suck so bad.

Root is an addition to any phone, but to say that it would suck without it is utter nonsense... Sony's sw is pretty light, they keep things pretty basic. Of course there are mods and being able to remove certain apps (and change the dpi) would be great, but even without it the z3 is one hell of a phone.
You buy a phone in it's current state, sure you can hope for things, but buying the Z3 in it's early stages you know there will be issues (such as no root in the beginning with a LB, and who knows if ever). The Nexus 6 is another type of device for me, more in the ranges of the Note and for me simply way to big.

dagrim1 said:
Root is an addition to any phone, but to say that it would suck without it is utter nonsense... Sony's sw is pretty light, they keep things pretty basic. Of course there are mods and being able to remove certain apps (and change the dpi) would be great, but even without it the z3 is one hell of a phone.
You buy a phone in it's current state, sure you can hope for things, but buying the Z3 in it's early stages you know there will be issues (such as no root in the beginning with a LB, and who knows if ever). The Nexus 6 is another type of device for me, more in the ranges of the Note and for me simply way to big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant by any phone will suck because that u almost can't remove ads from apps or put some files in the sd card and edit them.
the Z3 is a good phone and will be perfect when you have root without losing DRM keys. I'll wait for our hero to make that happen!

Sony are awful for custom ROM's and Root etc. Too many features lost due to unlocking bootloader, and there will never be enough or decent enough ROMS to bother.
That said, the phone is perfectly useable without having to root.
---------- Post added at 01:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------
theikhaled said:
I meant by any phone will suck because that u almost can't remove ads from apps or put some files in the sd card and edit them.
the Z3 is a good phone and will be perfect when you have root without losing DRM keys. I'll wait for our hero to make that happen!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
File commander will copy files to SD card allowing you to alter them.

Jonathan-H said:
Sony are awful for custom ROM's and Root etc. Too many features lost due to unlocking bootloader, and there will never be enough or decent enough ROMS to bother.
That said, the phone is perfectly useable without having to root.
---------- Post added at 01:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------
File commander will copy files to SD card allowing you to alter them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also any app can save to their Android/data folder on the SDCard. I like FX file explorer so I just keep my files there. But if I need to edit something, I can move it with File Commander ICE.

se1000 said:
1. Why not buy a D6603 which can be rooted?
2. What's the difference between the stock ROM + a AOSP based launcher like Nova or Apex or even the Google Now launcher and vanilla Android?
At the end of the day, what device you choose to buy is completely up to you, but I get the feeling a lot of people harp on "vanilla android" just for the sake of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a D6603 with LB can i root it already? please tell me how. or did you mean that you can root it with an UB?

Getting Z2 soon, but really afraid from SONY updates ..

Hey guys
I am going to change my phone and i was going to get XPERIA Z3 but i realized that there is no major difference between Z2 and Z3 that worth the 300$ difference
this phone will be my first phone from sony and the first android phone after 2 iOS years
I was really convinced untill i checked the sony update history .. the phone is at 4.4.4 until now and some people told me it will get the Android L after 1 month and it will not have any major difference .. they told me that sony is the worse company in sending updates to their devices
HTC one m8, motorolla x,g and even the samsung S5 got android L and still no idea about sony
what do you think? i am really worried

First off - the Z2 is a great phone. Its much nicer than the S5 and even the M8 imo.
The Moto G/X got their updates to Lollipop fast because they use a practically Stock version of android, and even then, they (are/were) owned by Google - so naturally they'd get swift updates.
Sony's 5.0.x build is due soon enough, and the Z2/Z3 will be the first to get it from what I've read recently.

If L is your biggest concern for a phone, don't buy it until it's been released for said phone. Then you have nothing to worry about.

geegs8 said:
If L is your biggest concern for a phone, don't buy it until it's been released for said phone. Then you have nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually it is not my biggest concern i am more worried about other problems like self cracking - heat but i depend on luck when getting the phone
btw i am not worry about L .. my worry is the updates after L and sony support for the phone .. i don't like using a powerful outdated phone .. hope you got what i mean .. i told my self I can use CM but even CM hasn't released there CM12 to z2 yet hehe

Bn Waheed said:
. i don't like using a powerful outdated phone .. hope you got what i mean ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand, but updates are something not really in our control. Sony is definitely not the worst company with updates. It's a great phone, I have no regrets randomly buying it as my first android without knowing too much about androids at all. Pretty proud of my choice, actually The dev community here is great so I wouldn't worry about it. I've had no issues with my phone at all. Don't be worried, be excited

Bn Waheed said:
actually it is not my biggest concern i am more worried about other problems like self cracking - heat but i depend on luck when getting the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to rely on luck, a tiny minority of devices have any issues.
Bn Waheed said:
btw i am not worry about L .. my worry is the updates after L and sony support for the phone .. i don't like using a powerful outdated phone .. hope you got what i mean .. i told my self I can use CM but even CM hasn't released there CM12 to z2 yet hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most devices haven't seen L yet, and you won't be seeing an official CM12 until after that as they need drivers to be available for camera etc before committing to a stable release, Sony have committed to releasing L for all the Z devices back to original two year old Z phone that's more than most manufacturers have.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app

geegs8 said:
I understand, but updates are something not really in our control. Sony is definitely not the worst company with updates. It's a great phone, I have no regrets randomly buying it as my first android without knowing too much about androids at all. Pretty proud of my choice, actually The dev community here is great so I wouldn't worry about it. I've had no issues with my phone at all. Don't be worried, be excited
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
concerning about dev community i saw some good roms and i heard that i can't root 4.4.4 without unlocking bootloader .. what are the Disadvantages result from unlocking bootloader? i made a search on google but didn't find the answer
thank you man
ghostofcain said:
You don't need to rely on luck, a tiny minority of devices have any issues.
Most devices haven't seen L yet, and you won't be seeing an official CM12 until after that as they need drivers to be available for camera etc before committing to a stable release, Sony have committed to releasing L for all the Z devices back to original two year old Z phone that's more than most manufacturers have.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand now .. and knowing that the original Z will be updated made me optimistic .. but what do you thing about that article ? i know there were similar news a year ago .. but if it's true will that affect their support for the phone?

Bn Waheed said:
Hey guys
I am going to change my phone and i was going to get XPERIA Z3 but i realized that there is no major difference between Z2 and Z3 that worth the 300$ difference
this phone will be my first phone from sony and the first android phone after 2 iOS years
I was really convinced untill i checked the sony update history .. the phone is at 4.4.4 until now and some people told me it will get the Android L after 1 month and it will not have any major difference .. they told me that sony is the worse company in sending updates to their devices
HTC one m8, motorolla x,g and even the samsung S5 got android L and still no idea about sony
what do you think? i am really worried
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My brother have S5 and some friends have Note 3 and S4 also, i am only one who updated their devices when new update released.
what i have experience from last 18 months is, Samsung give the update for his devices before one month then sony but their software's have many lags. Sony give update one month late but that software is good for daily use.
When kitkat update released in 2014, i update note 3 to them and users start complaining about the software lags.
same in S4 also.
Now its upto you, that you want a software from samsung before one month then sony with lags, or one month late but good from sony
one thing more sony always change his UI and they look great, while samsung have always same UI which looks not premium.

Sony will get the updates eventually but the said phones will never get 20.7MP camera, clearaudio+, unique design....
Ps: about the software future update concernes; Sony may be late for some updates in their history but the fact that they are the only company who share AOSP code and update their kernels alongside the Nexus devices makes them one of their kind in the Android world. No other company updates kernels, just tune the new software for the old kernel. Considering this, once the phone cut off from the company's update list and ROMs like CM come as the only option for being up-to-date, Sony will shine again with their AOSP sharings and fully open source code (I can understand that they don't wanna share their camera code as they have got many of their softwares stolen in the past). Because the rival phones like HTC One M8, Galaxy S5 and LG G3 comes with many limitations and lack of sources for developers (and even some developer-blocking-software let alone limitations)
Sent from Xperia Z2

Bn Waheed said:
actually it is not my biggest concern i am more worried about other problems like self cracking - heat but i depend on luck when getting the phone
btw i am not worry about L .. my worry is the updates after L and sony support for the phone .. i don't like using a powerful outdated phone .. hope you got what i mean .. i told my self I can use CM but even CM hasn't released there CM12 to z2 yet hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I don't think that the self cracking is a widespread problem and that it only affects certain users in certain weather conditions and/or how they look after the phone (care or not, dropping constantly or not etc). I personally haven't experienced the overheating problem (which is said to happen in 4K recording mode (I did 15 mins of recording and when I exited recording the temp was on 60C if I remember correctly)). The only problem I have got with the phone is the off centred back camera (it is about 1-2mm to the top right) but it doesn't affect performance in any way.
Bn Waheed said:
concerning about dev community i saw some good roms and i heard that i can't root 4.4.4 without unlocking bootloader .. what are the Disadvantages result from unlocking bootloader? i made a search on google but didn't find the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 4.4.4 there is no one click root solution, however it can be rooted while remaining on a locked bootloader. You have to flash the 4.4.2 firmware (this is called downgrading if you didn't already know ) with a program called flashtool. Then you have to root the 4.4.2 firmware and the install [NUT]'s dual recovery. Once you have rooted 4.4.2 and installed the recovery you have to flash a pre-rooted ROM (Niaboc79 has a pure stock pre-rooted ROM and also eXistenZ ROM (the latter is stock based and pre-rooted too)).
Disadvantages:
X-Reality/Super Vivid break
Noise Cancelling headphone algorithm breaks
Some camera algorithms break
Lost warranty
Lost DRM keys (unless the TA backup is made)
Advantages:
Install non-stock based ROM's like AOSP, MC, PacROM, etc.
Install custom kernels
I'm sure there is more advantages and disadvantages. @Envious_Data is a good person to ask about this, have I missed anything?

Correct @gamer649
Advantages and disadvantages of UB
Advantages:
Freedom
Easier to root
Custom kernels
Custom roms (not stock based)
Harder to Brick
Easier to install recovery
Epic mods like Multi-Rom
Disadvantages:
X-Reality Breaks
Lost Warrenty
Lost DRM Keys
Camera Quality (hit and miss, still same for me but worse for a freind)
Evidently less freedom
Noise Canceling works on UB for me but im on a stock firmware (flashed from FTF)
As we know we need to use flashtool to downgrade then we can root and use root to upgrade and keep root

Envious_Data said:
Noise Canceling works on UB for me but im on a stock firmware (flashed from FTF)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I unlocked my bootloader NC broke for me (I walk the same path to work each time I go) and I could hear the cars passing me whereas I couldn't before I unlocked it. However, I didn't reflash the stock ROM so that may have been a potential fix.
I'm still to unlock my bootloader again (because we now have the epic multiROM) cause I don't wanna lose my eXistenZ setup I'll probably cave in soon though.
Also, thanks for confirming what I said.

@Envious_Data So if i unblocked my BL and lost these features and then re blocked it .. will these features work again?
and according to @gamer649 the first thing i need to do when i put my hands on the phone is a TA backup?
Lost DRM keys (unless the TA backup is made)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there any thread has some explanations for these sony stuff? i remember when i had note 2 it was just one click root on any FW

Yeah. There you go
REMEMBER TO UPLOAD BACKUP ON GOOGLE DRIVE, MAIL OR WHAT EVER, WHERE IT CAN BE KEPT SAFE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598

gamer649 said:
When I unlocked my bootloader NC broke for me (I walk the same path to work each time I go) and I could hear the cars passing me whereas I couldn't before I unlocked it. However, I didn't reflash the stock ROM so that may have been a potential fix.
I'm still to unlock my bootloader again (because we now have the epic multiROM) cause I don't wanna lose my eXistenZ setup I'll probably cave in soon though.
Also, thanks for confirming what I said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well it doesnt work for me unless i flash certain FTFs
So the tiwanese 167 FTF had working Noise Canceling but no other one had
Bn Waheed said:
@Envious_Data So if i unblocked my BL and lost these features and then re blocked it .. will these features work again?
and according to @gamer649 the first thing i need to do when i put my hands on the phone is a TA backup?
is there any thread has some explanations for these sony stuff? i remember when i had note 2 it was just one click root on any FW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, certain apps and services are drm dependant
Unlocking your bootloader wipes your TA where your DRM keys are kept
X-Reality/super vivid and some Xperia Apps such as playstation
Downgrade>root>backup TA> enjoy
Optional > upgrade, unlock bootloader, flash recovery

lgv2800 said:
Yeah. There you go
REMEMBER TO UPLOAD BACKUP ON GOOGLE DRIVE, MAIL OR WHAT EVER, WHERE IT CAN BE KEPT SAFE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that reminded me with the SHSH stuff for iphone 4 thank you man

Bn Waheed said:
@Envious_Data So if i unblocked my BL and lost these features and then re blocked it .. will these features work again?
and according to @gamer649 the first thing i need to do when i put my hands on the phone is a TA backup?
is there any thread has some explanations for these sony stuff? i remember when i had note 2 it was just one click root on any FW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The simplest way to get the features back is to restore the TA partition (which is the partition what houses all the algorithms to these features and the TA partition gets wiped upon a bootloader unlock and so does the internal storage). Restoring also relocks the bootloader at the same time so make sure you are on fully stock firmware and kernel before restoring the TA partition.
To take a TA partition backup you have to have rooted your phone first so it is worth downgrading. Also, you CANNOT use anybody else's TA backup on your phone as you WILL hard brick it. I'm not sure about any thread what explains this Sony jargon.

Envious_Data said:
Yes, certain apps and services are drm dependant
Unlocking your bootloader wipes your TA where your DRM keys are kept
X-Reality/super vivid and some Xperia Apps such as playstation
Downgrade>root>backup TA> enjoy
Optional > upgrade, unlock bootloader, flash recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great i can understand it now, many thanks
gamer649 said:
The simplest way to get the features back is to restore the TA partition (which is the partition what houses all the algorithms to these features and the TA partition gets wiped upon a bootloader unlock and so does the internal storage). Restoring also relocks the bootloader at the same time so make sure you are on fully stock firmware and kernel before restoring the TA partition.
To take a TA partition backup you have to have rooted your phone first so it is worth downgrading. Also, you CANNOT use anybody else's TA backup on your phone as you WILL hard brick it. I'm not sure about any thread what explains this Sony jargon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you i got the idea now .. so if TA partitions is safe, i am safe
i will back it up as soon as i get the phone

Bn Waheed said:
that reminded me with the SHSH stuff for iphone 4 thank you man
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Like downgrading the iPhone 4 with patched IPSW because the iboot exploit
Bn Waheed said:
great i can understand it now, many thanks
thank you i got the idea now .. so if TA partitions is safe, i am safe
i will back it up as soon as i get the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks @gamer649 for explaining it quiet nicely

if you unlock your Bootloader your TA partition is permanently wiped
it will NOT come back if you relock it

i really thought that Sony was a developer friendly OEM

As title says.
i left my old Samsung S3 for a Sony Z3 mainly for the "promise" of more AOSP-like roms, because Sony thinks is "developer / community friendly".
Though my Z3 is rock stable with the latest official software, i find the lack of AOSP-CM love very disturbing: i really thought that "developer friendly" equals "more and better AOSP-CM for all".
that's not true.
Maybe because there are no people working on that device? (i konw that's close to a hobby, the whole AOSP-CM thing)
Maybe sony simply has better stock software (thus, no needs of further development)?
The only AOSP roms available at the moment are very buggy and looks like not actively developed; nonetheless that rom's thread is almost dead, with no evidence of active development.
The need of unlock the bootloader (and losing DRM, i have a backup), waste at least 45-60 minutes to setup a non-sony, bug filled rom is a nonsense.
I tried CyanogenMod (both standard and sabermod) and i only got to rollback to stock software, because of various and very annoying bugs (eg, auto-brightness, camera..).
the very last attempt ended with a screen damage (overheat) that forced me to a warranty-RMAconclusion (at least for me):
too complex and time-wasting to obtain root
lack of both quality/quantity of CM/AOSP roms (despite sony is "developer friendly")
lack of interest on this (Z3 D6603) device?
i'm not a developer... so i only speak for the (final) user side.
please tell me if i'm wrong.

Dont believe always all promises and its also the lag of people to have patients, far to find by some.

Agreed
I believe that they will be friendly after you unlock your phone's bootloader and void the precious warranty along with some of proprietary functions. It's like you have to sell your soul and a kidney to have that extra power (but you can get it back if you backed up your DRM keys thingy)
I am also understand that they have to protect their stuffs but let you have access to root and fastboot at the same time.
When I first unlocked the BL. The thing I missed a little bit is Bionz thingy but then I just gave up and bought a their mirrorless camera. Problem fixed but costs 4x price but enjoy manual mode and (most likely) actual G lenses!
smala said:
[*]lack of interest on this (Z3 D6603) device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's rare to see a Sony's ads in my country like 3% compared to 70% of Samsung's. Some of my friends looked at my phone and they have no idea that Sony phones existed. I'm like OMG guys...
The phone is good. I have a black one. 3GB of RAM, insane battery life, 8MP 21MP camera with their (so called) G Lens, super stylish Omni-Balance design and frontal dual speakers.
I'm actually really love this phone.
Oh and I would like to see when the single SIM models shares the same rom with dual SIM models. I first bought a really good dual SIM model without a clue and then instantly traded with single SIM one because that time I really want to try Existenz ROM (no cellular function). LOL at myself.
Ps. I also have that goddamn slightly yellow-ish stuff on my navbar (so I can't use tinted navbar because it was the most annoying thing ever.) with two brighter-than-the-rest (idk if that is called bright pixel or what) area. Not a big deal though.
Ps.2 This thing is like a toaster when flashing-backing up-restoring in recovery.
Sorry for a long reply. This is just my thought without being sarcastic except the first line. X D

I guess most of what the OP said was kind of true. However as I moved from my pretty heavily modified Nexus 5 to the Z3, I've seen no interest in rooting the device or adding functionality because the Z3 is good enough IMO. The screen is just how I want it, unlike my N5's extremely warm/orange display and the battery is amazing compared to the N5. For me the work to get root isn't worth it anymore (plus I need mobile banking) ?
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

There are a good 6 or 7 great roms for Xperia z3 without unlocking your bootloader. Like Pandemics, Wolfbreaks, niaboc79. Take a look at the threads. I'm stuck with a z3 where I cant unlock bootloader, which pisses me off, so I'm grateful to these devs that produce such great roms for our z3. These devs are also on the ball. They respond to your stupid questions and politely help you.
I do wish that all sony phones were bootloader unlockable, but I guess the carrier plays some part too.

And then there is their concept MM combined with DRM restore, root, xposed and Gravitybox

And now that a root has been found for mm, both Ub and lb, there will be lots more development for the Z3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3337357

smala said:
As title says.
i left my old Samsung S3 for a Sony Z3 mainly for the "promise" of more AOSP-like roms, because Sony thinks is "developer / community friendly".
Though my Z3 is rock stable with the latest official software, i find the lack of AOSP-CM love very disturbing: i really thought that "developer friendly" equals "more and better AOSP-CM for all".
that's not true.
Maybe because there are no people working on that device? (i konw that's close to a hobby, the whole AOSP-CM thing)
Maybe sony simply has better stock software (thus, no needs of further development)?
The only AOSP roms available at the moment are very buggy and looks like not actively developed; nonetheless that rom's thread is almost dead, with no evidence of active development.
The need of unlock the bootloader (and losing DRM, i have a backup), waste at least 45-60 minutes to setup a non-sony, bug filled rom is a nonsense.
I tried CyanogenMod (both standard and sabermod) and i only got to rollback to stock software, because of various and very annoying bugs (eg, auto-brightness, camera..).
the very last attempt ended with a screen damage (overheat) that forced me to a warranty-RMAconclusion (at least for me):
too complex and time-wasting to obtain root
lack of both quality/quantity of CM/AOSP roms (despite sony is "developer friendly")
lack of interest on this (Z3 D6603) device?
i'm not a developer... so i only speak for the (final) user side.
please tell me if i'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go check out the other sections they suck the Sony forum is one of the best for sure.

smala said:
As title says.
i left my old Samsung S3 for a Sony Z3 mainly for the "promise" of more AOSP-like roms, because Sony thinks is "developer / community friendly".
Though my Z3 is rock stable with the latest official software, i find the lack of AOSP-CM love very disturbing: i really thought that "developer friendly" equals "more and better AOSP-CM for all".
that's not true.
Maybe because there are no people working on that device? (i konw that's close to a hobby, the whole AOSP-CM thing)
Maybe sony simply has better stock software (thus, no needs of further development)?
The only AOSP roms available at the moment are very buggy and looks like not actively developed; nonetheless that rom's thread is almost dead, with no evidence of active development.
The need of unlock the bootloader (and losing DRM, i have a backup), waste at least 45-60 minutes to setup a non-sony, bug filled rom is a nonsense.
I tried CyanogenMod (both standard and sabermod) and i only got to rollback to stock software, because of various and very annoying bugs (eg, auto-brightness, camera..).
the very last attempt ended with a screen damage (overheat) that forced me to a warranty-RMAconclusion (at least for me):
too complex and time-wasting to obtain root
lack of both quality/quantity of CM/AOSP roms (despite sony is "developer friendly")
lack of interest on this (Z3 D6603) device?
i'm not a developer... so i only speak for the (final) user side.
please tell me if i'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There simply aren't alot of developers left developing on the z3. It is an aging device and most dev's move onto newer phones rather quickly. There are lots of good rom options for the z3 to keep you occupied. But if you were looking for more active development, I think you should have bought a z5 or held out for a zx.
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

I came across several Devices like Samsung S2/3/4/5, Note 2/3/4, Sony Xperia S/Z/1/2/3, LG G2/4x, Nexus 4/7 and some more I think but the variety of Development is really one of the smallest here in Z3.
Actually I'm stuck at the Z3(no money) and got used to it but, except the Battery, it isn't that Killer I expected from it.
Well no, I don't need a Tissue
Downloaded the Slim Stock Sony from here, actually it is Version 5 with some really nice new Features (Launcher/Icons..) + Xposed + Gravity Box and I am happy.
Back in the the Samsung S2 days, many people were complaining about Samsungs politic about their Exynos Chips and Developers had hard times with it but now, just have a look at S3/S3 LTE Forums, always up-to-date.
I don't understand why there is no official Cyanogenmod 13 for the Z3, even the CM 12.1 is just nightly but unfortunately I lost touch to all this back in the S4 Active days so I have to wait for what will come.
On the other side, the Z3 is a stabile daily Device with no bigger Problems so it could be worse. And Android 6 is coming, sooner or later
BTW, my wife's Z5 (Telekom Germany) didn't get MM, yet.
Greetings,
Thomas

ohwarumbloss said:
I came across several Devices like Samsung S2/3/4/5, Note 2/3/4, Sony Xperia S/Z/1/2/3, LG G2/4x, Nexus 4/7 and some more I think but the variety of Development is really one of the smallest here in Z3.
Actually I'm stuck at the Z3(no money) and got used to it but, except the Battery, it isn't that Killer I expected from it.
Well no, I don't need a Tissue
Downloaded the Slim Stock Sony from here, actually it is Version 5 with some really nice new Features (Launcher/Icons..) + Xposed + Gravity Box and I am happy.
Back in the the Samsung S2 days, many people were complaining about Samsungs politic about their Exynos Chips and Developers had hard times with it but now, just have a look at S3/S3 LTE Forums, always up-to-date.
I don't understand why there is no official Cyanogenmod 13 for the Z3, even the CM 12.1 is just nightly but unfortunately I lost touch to all this back in the S4 Active days so I have to wait for what will come.
On the other side, the Z3 is a stabile daily Device with no bigger Problems so it could be worse. And Android 6 is coming, sooner or later
BTW, my wife's Z5 (Telekom Germany) didn't get MM, yet.
Greetings,
Thomas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No official CM due to, mainly, the camera bug.
They can't release a snapshot version with such a big issue.
Sent from my D6603 using XDA-Developers mobile app

I agree. This is why I personally will try out Samsung. Specifically the Galaxy S7 Edge. I always see Samsung devices getting a lot of attention from 3rd party developers. They always get fully working custom roms and such. I've been stuck to Sony for a really long time (ever since the Xperia X10 Mini Pro) and I'm tired to see all the devices I use to be quickly abandoned. The lack of development is seriously pissing me off (I'm not blaming anyone).

LeParkour012 said:
I agree. This is why I personally will try out Samsung. Specifically the Galaxy S7 Edge. I always see Samsung devices getting a lot of attention from 3rd party developers. They always get fully working custom roms and such. I've been stuck to Sony for a really long time (ever since the Xperia X10 Mini Pro) and I'm tired to see all the devices I use to be quickly abandoned. The lack of development is seriously pissing me off (I'm not blaming anyone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing why I really HATE Sony is that Bootloader Unlocking thing. I've got a Nexus 4 - unlocking the BL was super-easy and I'm using a custom rom till now.
Next phone was a Moto G - there was a bug which prevented me from unlocking (and rooting) it. But I posted on Motorola's forums and somebody from them helped me and gave me a testing bootloader - also unlocked and custom ROM till now.
But on Z3 I risk loosing DRM keys, good camera, video recording (!?) and YouTube playback - a REAL dealbreaker!
The "missing" development is not such a big thing for me, as the stock ROM is a really good base to work with - so far, I didn't miss that part at all.
But what I miss because of the locked bootloader is to have a recovery in recovery partition which is (more or less) guaranteed to work even when phone is totally messed up. Without unlocking, just to restore a twrp backup, I need to flash stock, root it, install XZDR and restore it - which takes at least 30minutes.
But for daily use, also with root, I'm satisfied with my Z3 with Stock + XZDR + SoundMod + Xposed.