Database Users

Sony Releases Recovery for Z1 Compact and other Sony dDvices

http://developer.sonymobile.com/201...for-a-range-of-unlocked-xperia-devices-video/
They also added support for Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia T3, Xperia M2, and Xperia E3
Sony is rocking it!

Does anyone know of any custom recoveries that take advantage of this?

And what about drm keys for Sony functions, are they lost after unlocking? If it's official, the ta partition remains the same?
tapatalked

geesoos said:
And what about drm keys for Sony functions, are they lost after unlocking? If it's official, the ta partition remains the same?
tapatalked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must have a unlocked device already, before flashing this open recovery bootloader. So yes, I guess TA will be wiped

hm...
a bit disappointed, obviously is a great opening by sony that declares, clearly, love for our developers, but i would have preferred some kind of OTA with a simply boot.img update that will not unlock my device, leaving intact DRM and TA keys, or a simply official kind of auto restoration returing on official o.s.

You dont need DRM Keys for stuff like camera bionz and xreality, if thats what you are afraid to loose, i have unlocked bootloader and thanks to a good chinese team here, i am using lollipop unlocked bootloader, rooted, dual recovery AND bionz/xreality working properly.
But i am still dissapointed with Sony and their DRM/Anti Piracy crap, they loose costumers like that, they can piss users off really easy with that kind of attitude, and they dont just do it in smarthphones, they do it in consoles, CD players, DVD Players and what not... I really like Sony but frankly im starting to get bored of their stance and probably will move back to Samsung smarthphones. At least i can control iso settings in third party application. And yes bionz post processing is good but imo samsung does a way better job at that department and you dont see them nerfing peoples phones for trying to root or install a custom firmware.

TheWarKeeper said:
You dont need DRM Keys for stuff like camera bionz and xreality, if thats what you are afraid to loose, i have unlocked bootloader and thanks to a good chinese team here, i am using lollipop unlocked bootloader, rooted, dual recovery AND bionz/xreality working properly.
But i am still dissapointed with Sony and their DRM/Anti Piracy crap, they loose costumers like that, they can piss users off really easy with that kind of attitude, and they dont just do it in smarthphones, they do it in consoles, CD players, DVD Players and what not... I really like Sony but frankly im starting to get bored of their stance and probably will move back to Samsung smarthphones. At least i can control iso settings in third party application. And yes bionz post processing is good but imo samsung does a way better job at that department and you dont see them nerfing peoples phones for trying to root or install a custom firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a bit skeptical about it, I am aware that has been made some portings of the sony bravia engine even for "not sony" devices, but since I was an HTC Sensation XE owner i was never satisfied of this portings or strange integrations of stock capabilities, because when i went to CM roms i have always flashed a mod that that will restore the Beats Audio goodies but it did not give me absolutely the same audio performances of the original ROM with Beats Audio, so I'm afraid that they are only some tweaks that resemble the original work, but they aren't close the original screen/camera quality that original software with drm keys can do ...
in particular to the quality of the camera, that i know drastically decline after losing drm keys and flashing a custom rom...
I know that TA partition and DRM keys nowadays can be backed up and restored, but I just wished that with this new sony's move everything will just start to be much simpler for flashaolic guys like us, but i was wrong, nothing different from what we can do nowadays unlocking the bootloader and flashing a new kernel or boot image.
Despite this i'll keep to be a sony's user, their terminals are really perfect fitting for my wilings, when I will start to be not satisfied with the performance of my z1c (and possibly when warranty declines) i'll start to roll up my sleeves.

dottnick said:
I'm a bit skeptical about it, I am aware that has been made some portings of the sony bravia engine even for "not sony" devices, but since I was an HTC Sensation XE owner i was never satisfied of this portings or strange integrations of stock capabilities, because when i went to CM roms i have always flashed a mod that that will restore the Beats Audio goodies but it did not give me absolutely the same audio performances of the original ROM with Beats Audio, so I'm afraid that they are only some tweaks that resemble the original work, but they aren't close the original screen/camera quality that original software with drm keys can do ...
in particular to the quality of the camera, that i know drastically decline after losing drm keys and flashing a custom rom...
I know that TA partition and DRM keys nowadays can be backed up and restored, but I just wished that with this new sony's move everything will just start to be much simpler for flashaolic guys like us, but i was wrong, nothing different from what we can do nowadays unlocking the bootloader and flashing a new kernel or boot image.
Despite this i'll keep to be a sony's user, their terminals are really perfect fitting for my wilings, when I will start to be not satisfied with the performance of my z1c (and possibly when warranty declines) i'll start to roll up my sleeves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont see any advantage into lying Sony users and they can indeed restore bionz and xreality even without DRM keys by following the officiall DRM Restore patch thread, which doesnt actually restores the DRM keys, it just cheats the phone into thinking that the keys are still there and executes the software normally, mind you it works for Bionz and XReality, ive readed older posts saying that it didnt use to work with official sony playstation apps, whatever those are, i didnt even bother checking them as i dont use them.
So yeah, you can actually bypass Sony Nuisance thanks to that great team who bothered to not leave us with a disgusting camera without post processing and a pale boring screen.
EDIT: And it has nothing to do with porting other camera apps from z2 to the xperia z1c such as 4k recording, thats a completely different thing, that patch is not a port its just a bypass tool. Even though im happy my phone is working properly again, i strongly believe it shouldnt be the effort of other development teams to fix sony mistakes, Sony should just drop their anti piracy and Digital Rights attitude as it does nothing else but to screw up its costumers which eventually will get tired and move on to other companies that respects costumers that paid a high end price for a high end device. Frankly i was thinking maybe one day ill buy Z4 or whatever comes next if my phone gets to be obsolete meanwhile, but since i know that their attitude will be the same and my freedom to use my phone is pretty much the same freedom you have to use an iphone i will almost surelly go back for Samsung Galaxy S devices, i could do tons with my old galaxy s2 without worring that the company would screw up my phone on purpose.

I also would like to know if there is some recovery that takes advantage of this new bootloader.
Also, how can I find out if the bootloader is the special or the normal one?

Regarding the backing up and restoring of the TA partition. Do we know if it's even safe to flash a TA backup from before upgrading the bootloader?

Xeon3D said:
I also would like to know if there is some recovery that takes advantage of this new bootloader.
Also, how can I find out if the bootloader is the special or the normal one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it still needs some time because the bootloader is made for sony's 3.10 kernel. Most custom roms still use 3.4, because camera isn't working yet with 3.10. This old kernel may not work with the new bootloader so it's still useless for most roms.
Also recoveries should be updated to include the 3.10 kernel.

Rekoil said:
Regarding the backing up and restoring of the TA partition. Do we know if it's even safe to flash a TA backup from before upgrading the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done it three times now, phone was working but I´m not sure that TA restoration was complete
CoolDevelopment said:
I think it still needs some time because the bootloader is made for sony's 3.10 kernel. Most custom roms still use 3.4, because camera isn't working yet with 3.10. This old kernel may not work with the new bootloader so it's still useless for most roms.
Also recoveries should be updated to include the 3.10 kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest AOSP for amami has an own recovery.img, but this build bootloops and the recovery is not possible to reach by any method known by me

funiewski said:
I have done it three times now, phone was working but I´m not sure that TA restoration was complete
Latest AOSP for amami has an own recovery.img, but this build bootloops and the recovery is not possible to reach by any method known by me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The procedure described here doesn't work?
Power off.
Press Power and Vol Down simultaneously until device vibrates.
Release Power, keep holding Vol Down.

Rekoil said:
The procedure described here doesn't work?
Power off.
Press Power and Vol Down simultaneously until device vibrates.
Release Power, keep holding Vol Down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope not with the recovery inside aosp build 150518

One of us have to learn how to compile twrp based on Sony mosh kernel (or similar) i guess?

I opened My Z1 this way for recoverys and of course unlocked My bootloader but, just like others I can't access recovery with power and volume down. And even worse, I now can't update to. 270 neither with pc companion nor with flash tool.
Any idea?

ASLANOO said:
I opened My Z1 this way for recoverys and of course unlocked My bootloader but, just like others I can't access recovery with power and volume down. And even worse, I now can't update to. 270 neither with pc companion nor with flash tool.
Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have made backup of your ta, relock your bootloader after that you can use pc companion

funiewski said:
If you have made backup of your ta, relock your bootloader after that you can use pc companion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't backup my ta I wasn't actually caring much about drm keys anyway but now this
Should I flash a ftf anyway over it without excluding ta partition or should I exclude it.

funiewski said:
If you have made backup of your ta, relock your bootloader after that you can use pc companion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem solved. If there is someone facing the same problem -> relock bootloader using BLU on flashtool -> update via pc companion -> unlock bootloader using BLU on flashtool again. Done

i would ask again, did anybody know a working recovery for the sony TA method?
Also if yes, pls let me know how to install it.
actually i installed the TA like sony said, but couldn't find a recovery.
thx

Will I lose something if I unlock bootloader?

Hi everybody, I'm coming from Sony device,
Unlocking bootloader in Sony device will wipe TA Partition, so we will miss some features on Sony devices after unlocking bootloader.
1. DRM Keys will be deleted forever, so No X-Reality or Super-Vivid
2. Camera quality will decrease
3. Some other software like Overheat Control may not work properly, so sometimes phone gets god damn burning hot!
4. No OTA Update.
So what about Nexus devices? Will I miss something after unlocking bootloader?
I'll unlock bootloader, disable encryption (when workarounds appear here on XDA ), flash custom kernel and root, and flash Xposed Framework when it becomes available for Marshmallow, but I'll stick with stock rom for now.
Reviews say that device is "crazy fast". So I don't wanna end with messed up laggy overheating device with some malfunctioned features just one hour after getting my device. ( I have a habit of unlocking bootloader just after some minutes of getting the device )
Thanks for the answer :fingers-crossed:

Aria.A97 said:
Hi everybody, I'm coming from Sony device,
Unlocking bootloader in Sony device will wipe TA Partition, so we will miss some features on Sony devices after unlocking bootloader.
1. DRM Keys will be deleted forever, so No X-Reality or Super-Vivid
2. Camera quality will decrease
3. Some other software like Overheat Control may not work properly, so sometimes phone gets god damn burning hot!
4. No OTA Update.
So what about Nexus devices? Will I miss something after unlocking bootloader?
I'll unlock bootloader, disable encryption (when workarounds appear here on XDA ), flash custom kernel and root, and flash Xposed Framework when it becomes available for Marshmallow, but I'll stick with stock rom for now.
Reviews say that device is "crazy fast". So I don't wanna end with messed up laggy overheating device with some malfunctioned features just one hour after getting my device. ( I have a habit of unlocking bootloader just after some minutes of getting the device )
Thanks for the answer :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The great thing about Nexus devices is that you don't " lose" anything by unlocking the boot loader. It will wipe the phone, so any pictures, music, etc will be gone. Now I'm not sure if Android pay will work if you root it. But it should still work if you unlocked the boot loader. You can always relock the boot loader if necessary and re locking will not wipe anything. If you do need to unlock again however, it will wipe the device.

kingmikel said:
The great thing about Nexus devices is that you don't " lose" anything by unlocking the boot loader. It will wipe the phone, so any pictures, music, etc will be gone. Now I'm not sure if Android pay will work if you root it. But it should still work if you unlocked the boot loader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah because of that wipe I unlock bootloader just when I get my hands on my devices.
I don't care much about Android Pay Honestly, I don't care at all

Unlock the bootloader and you have only your shackles to lose.

Aria.A97 said:
Yeah because of that wipe I unlock bootloader just when I get my hands on my devices.
I don't care much about Android Pay Honestly, I don't care at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, I don't bother setting anything up because it gets wiped anyways. Ah how can you say that?! I loved Google Wallet and I want to use Android Pay. It's a tough choice lol

Unlocking is Always the 1st thing I do to a Nexus... Then let the flashing begin

Aria.A97 said:
Hi everybody, I'm coming from Sony device,
Unlocking bootloader in Sony device will wipe TA Partition, so we will miss some features on Sony devices after unlocking bootloader.
1. DRM Keys will be deleted forever, so No X-Reality or Super-Vivid
2. Camera quality will decrease
3. Some other software like Overheat Control may not work properly, so sometimes phone gets god damn burning hot!
4. No OTA Update.
So what about Nexus devices? Will I miss something after unlocking bootloader?
I'll unlock bootloader, disable encryption (when workarounds appear here on XDA ), flash custom kernel and root, and flash Xposed Framework when it becomes available for Marshmallow, but I'll stick with stock rom for now.
Reviews say that device is "crazy fast". So I don't wanna end with messed up laggy overheating device with some malfunctioned features just one hour after getting my device. ( I have a habit of unlocking bootloader just after some minutes of getting the device )
Thanks for the answer :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking will delete all user data. User apps, pictures, basically everything but the os.
It's a security feature built. That's why most do it when they first get the device, before they get a ton of stuff on it.

CrashTestDroid said:
Unlock the bootloader and you have only your shackles to lose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And possibly your data if you don't remote wipe it fast enough and lose your phone or it's stolen.

OK guys thank you all so I'll unlock my phone as soon as I get my hands on it That does no harm for a Nexus
kingmikel said:
Ah how can you say that?! I loved Google Wallet and I want to use Android Pay. It's a tough choice lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is Android Pay is not available in my country :laugh:

can i just say, holy crap WTF Sony??? are all the things you posted true?
the DRM content, i get. great. boo hoo. find another way to get that stuff. but thermal management, adjustments to camera operations and the ability to receive updates/patching? they really want to punish you.

640k said:
can i just say, holy crap WTF Sony??? are all the things you posted true?
the DRM content, i get. great. boo hoo. find another way to get that stuff. but thermal management, adjustments to camera operations and the ability to receive updates/patching? they really want to punish you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'm not joking.
From Sony's Official unlock bootloader website
Risks:
1.In worst case, unlocking the boot loader will cause physical injuries or material damage, for example, due to the device overheating. (It will malfunction overheat control sometimes on stock roms too)
2.Certain pre-loaded content on your device may also be inaccessible due to the removal of DRM security keys.
For high-end devices running recent software versions, the removal of DRM security keys may affect advanced camera functionality.
For example, noise reduction algorithms might be removed, and performance when taking photos in low-light conditions might be affected.
The secure user data partition may also become inaccessible
3.and you will not be able to get any more official software upgrades if you unlock the boot loader
4.After unlocking your device, you should not enable My Xperia (found in the settings menu under security on some devices running Android 5.0) as this might cause the device to malfunction.

OMG Apple... I mean Sony!

Overdose1986 said:
OMG Apple... I mean Sony!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung is worse.
You even try to unlock the bootloader or root a new S6 and you could brick your device.
I have refused to buy any new Samsung device but my daughter wanted an S6.

This is one of the reasons I am returning my Z5 Compact. Firstly, I haven't been all that impressed with the camera even without unlocking the bootloader. But I also wanted to root (love getting rid of those ads), but hearing that it would make the camera even worse was insane.
I'm so excited to get the 6P, hopefully within the week.

CrashTestDroid said:
Unlock the bootloader and you have only your shackles to lose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS!

If you unlock your bootloader, like folks said it will wipe your stuff, but it's a 1x deal. Just unlocking your bootloader will not screwup Pay, or anything else for that matter. If you make any modifications at all to the /system partition that may/will mess up Pay. You can also flash a custom recovery and do a systemless root and you will still have Pay. There are some particulars depending on the SU version us use to root; you may have to delete a certain folder with some versions, ect. but again no big deal. Rom's are a bigger deal, some break Pay, some don't.

zxz0O0's temporay root for locked bootloader and (somehow) debloating

I wanted to share two things with you guys here in Tablet z forum:
1- First of all, @zxz0O0 has developed a code based on the CVE-2015-1805 vulnerability that gives temporary root access to a select range of devices (including Tablet Z4). Let me try to explain in my words what that means. A full blown root gives permanent read/write access to /system and /data partitions. On an unrooted Tablet Z4 you only have read access to /system and no access to /data. With this root, you will be able to have a temporary terminal or adb session that gives you read access to /system and read/write access to /data. Why not write access to /system? Because Sony runs a service called RIC on Xperia devices that makes it impossible to mount /system as writable. In the past this would be patched by modifying the system partition. But in the recent Kernels sony has implemented a mechanism (dm-verity) which checks /system and if it is modified the device does not boot. So even if this (or any other) root method gave you the ability to write in /system you could not use it because your device would not restart the next time you turn it off. The solution would be to patch the kernel which requires an unlocked bootloader. IF you unlock your bootloader you lose your TA partition permanently which includes some of the Xperia features and licenses that have to do with image processing and some DRM. So a lot of us do not want to unlock the bootloader.
Then what good is this new root method? Since it gives you read access to the system partitions you can use this method to back up your TA partition. The idea is that if you ever unlock your bootloader you may be able to use this TA back up to return the system to its original state if you ever decide to relock it. Another benefit is that tools like Titanium back up which require access to the /data partition can now function (in a limited sense) although someone has to work out the details of that.
To download the pack that allows backup and restore of the TA partition go to http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/iovyroot-temp-root-tool-t3349597
After you create the backup, you can unlock the bootloader, and use your TA backup and the procedure outlined here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605 to create a csutom kernel that uses all the good stuff in the TA backup and emulates an environment where your tablet behaves like one with an unlocked bootloader. The camera denoising algorithm and all other Sony proprietary software which would be disabled after unlocking the bootloader should work.
If you want to return the tablet to its unlocked condition you will need this TA backup. Some explanation about retrieving the TA partition from this backup, if you unlock the bootloader and decide to relock it, is given here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=66142823&postcount=16 and methods to do so are outlined at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=66158970&postcount=68
Note that to use this root you need to downgrade to lollipop (preferably version 28.0.A.8.260)
I have explained procedures to use the above tools here http://forum.xda-developers.com/z4-tablet/general/guide-safe-bootloader-unlock-restore-t3362391 at length.
2- Now, here is the use I have found for this temporary root: I was always bothered by the fact that not only I could not (easily) get the 17 hour advertised on-screen use out of my tablet, the standby power consumption was always too much. Whereas I could optimize my other (rooted) devices to only drain 1-2% a day in standby, tablet Z4 seems to settle for nothing less that 5-10% a day in standby. This is what you can do to get excellent standby power from your tablet:
A) Say goodbye to your google apps (with the exception of Chrome and Maps) and other marginally advantageous apps. They wake your device up all the time when it is supposed be sleeping and endlessly chat with google servers even if you turn all the communications off in the google settings. So disable all of the apps listed in the attached pictures , plus lifelog,via settings. Don't complain about not being able to use the gmail or youtube apps. Other great replacements exist. Leave "Google App" active if you use the voice search or voice typing feature. Also uninstall the pre-loaded apps that you aren't using like facebook (which is cancer for any phone), Lifelog, Privilege, spotify, etc.
B) In settings under wifi open the advance menu turn off both "network notification" and "scanning always available", and change "keep wifi on" to "only when plugged in"
C) Under "power management" in settings, activate stamina mode and extended standby (no need to activate extended usage).
D) Finally (and here is where the temp root becomes useful) extract the file "iovyroot" from the file in the above link and put it in your adb directory. Open a command terminal and type:
Code:
adb push root\iovyroot /data/local/tmp/iovyroot
adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/iovyroot
adb shell
This gives you an android terminal shell. Continue with the following:
Code:
/data/local/tmp/iovyroot
pm disable com.sonyericsson.idd.agent
pm disable com.sonymobile.entrance
pm disable com.sonyericsson.updatecenter
pm disable com.sonymobile.anondata
pm disable com.dsi.ant.server
pm disable com.sonymobile.gmailreaderservice
pm disable com.sonymobile.googleanalyticsproxy
pm disable com.sonymobile.mx.android
pm disable com.sonymobile.enterprise.service
pm disable com.sonymobile.synchub
pm disable com.sonymobile.phoneusage
That is it. You just disabled the update service and a bunch of other things and extended your standby battery life. These settings will survive a reboot.
Let me know how it works out for you. If you find other creative uses for this temp root share here.

This is the BEST and probably the most right to the real point post ive ever readed in this particular forum since I joined....
Forgive me if I say I have had lost the faith on sony's z4t development here... It's a real pleasure to know there's still ppl working on what I think should be the right development direction on gettin' control of our loved devices, instead of breaking them and throw a lot of expensive features to the flush.
Thanks again mate to share it.

Interesting, if I downgrade do I also lose my Marshmallow data and settings (i.e. is it the same as factory reset?)
BTW Finally this tablet becomes viable, almost a year after its release...

Stevethegreat said:
Interesting, if I downgrade do I also lose my Marshmallow data and settings (i.e. is it the same as factory reset?)
BTW Finally this tablet becomes viable, almost a year after its release...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to have a stable system you will need to overwrite the user data which means you will lose your apps and settings and possibly (depending on how you flash) your internal storage so make a back up.
In general application data of Android firmware are not downward compatible with older versions.

Hmm, but if you can also temp root then you can backup everything using TitaniumBackup anyway before unlocking.
So if I understand this right, if you can back up TA we can infact unlock the bootloader now with no loss of DRM ?
So can now actually get full root based on that ?

najoor said:
If you want to have a stable system you will need to overwrite the user data which means you will lose your apps and settings and possibly (depending on how you flash) your internal storage so make a back up.
In general application data of Android firmware are not downward compatible with older versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will only downgrade to get a TA Backup, so stability is not an issue to me (after the TA Backup, I'll go back to MM and probably unlock it).
My only issue would be if downgrading would actually harm my data and/or my capacity to get the TA backup properly (if I'm not wipe first I mean).

Stevethegreat said:
I will only downgrade to get a TA Backup, so stability is not an issue to me (after the TA Backup, I'll go back to MM and probably unlock it).
My only issue would be if downgrading would actually harm my data and/or my capacity to get the TA backup properly (if I'm not wipe first I mean).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it will affect the TA back up process by it may harm you application data (not your sdcard data). The reason is that on every reboot android cleans up the) /data partition as much as it can (for example if it sees that an app has been uninstall but it has left some data behind). I'm doing so lollipop may corrupt some of your marshmallow data,
Why don't you take a backup of your data before a downgrade and the restore them later? The tablet itself has a utility to do it and I hear Helium is a tool that backs up your app data without the need for root.

najoor said:
I don't think it will affect the TA back up process by it may harm you application data (not your sdcard data). The reason is that on every reboot android cleans up the) /data partition as much as it can (for example if it sees that an app has been uninstall but it has left some data behind). I'm doing so lollipop may corrupt some of your marshmallow data,
Why don't you take a backup of your data before a downgrade and the restore them later? The tablet itself has a utility to do it and I hear Helium is a tool that backs up your app data without the need for root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly to save time as I have too much data. I though to do it like this
Downgrade to Lollipop -> Use the Exploit -> TA Backup -> Upgrade back to Marshmallow.
In principle everything should have had worked as by the end of it I would be back to Marshmallow (I would not linger into Lollipop). But now that you're telling me that lollipop may corrupt my data permanently I have second thoughts.
I thought, that my data would not work well on Lollipop, but that wouldn't matter to me; but now you're telling me that they won't work when I'll back in Marshmallow too, which is a totally different beast. Am I understanding you correctly?

Does everyone need to downgrade tho?
Once we have the TA partition available to restore, once its made available online surely everyone else can just restore the same one?
Or is the key unique?
Kinda assuming here that all the stuff that needs the TA partition will work with an unlocked bootloader, or does it have to be locked to be usable again?
Edit: Can we restore TA partition after unlocking bootloader?
Yes but this will also relock the bootloader.
Bugger
Ultimately never rooted my device for fear of losing something (that I will never use anyway!)

DRM Keys are unique, in fact that's the whole point of TA backups.
Also there's a talk (on the other thread) of a tool that would merge your particular keys with a particular custom kernel.
That way you'd keep all Sony Exclusive features, but also be able to make use of root apps. It would be great if such a tool becomes usable with AndroPlus Kernel...

Nice, had all but given up hope of being able to unlock my Z4 so that sounds promising!

I am looking for a high-end tablet and it seemed the Z4 Tablet was the best one for me over the Pixel C and even the iPad Air 2..though I did consider the budget Nvidia Shield K1 also.
The next thing I did was see if the bootloader could be unlocked and custom ROMs installed as I really hate the Sony UI that I have experienced with my sisters M2, and I never stick to the stock ROM in any of my phones. I just love knowing and doing customising!!
..Unfortunately, it seems like I will be stuck with it so I may have to look for another brand now

D0MINO said:
I am looking for a high-end tablet and it seemed the Z4 Tablet was the best one for me over the Pixel C and even the iPad Air 2..though I did consider the budget Nvidia Shield K1 also.
The next thing I did was see if the bootloader could be unlocked and custom ROMs installed as I really hate the Sony UI that I have experienced with my sisters M2, and I never stick to the stock ROM in any of my phones. I just love knowing and doing customising!!
..Unfortunately, it seems like I will be stuck with it so I may have to look for another brand now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how you got that impression, since the whole point of the OP and the links I posted with it is that you will not be stuck with the stock firmware.
So to summarize the points mentioned in the OP:
As of today, the following is possible with a tablet Z4:
1- The TA partition can be backed up.
2- The booloader can be unlocked.
3- The unlocking is reversible with the help of the backed up TA pertition
4- When the bootloader is unlocked a custom kernel can be flashed (currently one is posted in the Z4 forum courtesy of @AndroPlus).
5- When the bootloader is unlocked the stick Kernel can be patched to retrieve the Xperia proprietary facilities that are lost to the unlocking process (courtesy of @tobias.waldvogel).
6- When the bootloader is unlocked /system can be fully modified. That means flashing completely custom ROMs.
So you can either make your own modification to the system, or wait for someone to make a ROM. In light of the above possibilities it is only a matter of time before customs ROMs start to pop up.
By the way, to the extent that the stock firmware is customizable without unlocking the bootloader, it is actually a good ROM and you can change a lot of things from the general appearance to the default launcher.
PS: Tablet Z4 is my second Sony tablet and the third Sony mobile device and I have about 10 of this kind of devices at any given time. The other android devices are miles behind in terms of elegance and manufacturing quality. There is just something about a Sony device that is unique and unmatched.

Can anyone confirm how to re-lock the bootloader once unlocked?
I would say:
1. Flash a stock firmware (the lollipop version that you used to backup the TA partition).
2. Use the iovyroot temp root batch tarestore to restore your TA partition.
3. Reboot and that's it: you are back to unlocked bootloader unrooted original drm included stock firmware.
Anyone already tried?
Thank you.

I unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device SGP771.
Bevor that, i backed up the TA.
Then i flashed the androplus kernel.
Everything works great.
But you cannot modify androplus kernel with that tool. That means DRM restore is only possible on stock rom.
When you restore TA to stock rom, your bootloader will be in a lockes status again and there is no more root. Too bad

odicamillo said:
Can anyone confirm how to re-lock the bootloader once unlocked?
I would say:
1. Flash a stock firmware (the lollipop version that you used to backup the TA partition).
2. Use the iovyroot temp root batch tarestore to restore your TA partition.
3. Reboot and that's it: you are back to unlocked bootloader unrooted original drm included stock firmware.
Anyone already tried?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can ta be restored on any fw like marshmallow or can it only be restored on the fw that you backed it up from?

This looks very promising, thanks OP.
Has anyone else managed to get it to work as described?
Thanks in advance

najoor said:
I don't know how you got that impression, since the whole point of the OP and the links I posted with it is that you will not be stuck with the stock firmware.
So to summarize the points mentioned in the OP:
As of today, the following is possible with a tablet Z4:
1- The TA partition can be backed up.
2- The booloader can be unlocked.
3- The unlocking is reversible with the help of the backed up TA pertition
4- When the bootloader is unlocked a custom kernel can be flashed (currently one is posted in the Z4 forum courtesy of @AndroPlus).
5- When the bootloader is unlocked the stick Kernel can be patched to retrieve the Xperia proprietary facilities that are lost to the unlocking process (courtesy of @tobias.waldvogel).
6- When the bootloader is unlocked /system can be fully modified. That means flashing completely custom ROMs.
So you can either make your own modification to the system, or wait for someone to make a ROM. In light of the above possibilities it is only a matter of time before customs ROMs start to pop up.
By the way, to the extent that the stock firmware is customizable without unlocking the bootloader, it is actually a good ROM and you can change a lot of things from the general appearance to the default launcher.
PS: Tablet Z4 is my second Sony tablet and the third Sony mobile device and I have about 10 of this kind of devices at any given time. The other android devices are miles behind in terms of elegance and manufacturing quality. There is just something about a Sony device that is unique and unmatched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear najoor,
are you telling us that, now, we can unlock a z4 tablet which has the "rooting status: Bootloader unlock allowed: NO" , in the service info/configuration area ?!?
if it is the case, i would be delighted to know how to proceed step by step, as i would love to install a lineage rooted custom rom on it (it is the SGP771 one,with phone capability)!!!
thank you
kind regards from France

retikulatus said:
Dear najoor,
are you telling us that, now, we can unlock a z4 tablet which has the "rooting status: Bootloader unlock allowed: NO" , in the service info/configuration area ?!?
if it is the case, i would be delighted to know how to proceed step by step, as i would love to install a lineage rooted custom rom on it (it is the SGP771 one,with phone capability)!!!
thank you
kind regards from France
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately if that is the case you cannot unlock the bootloader.
I am just curious, why does yours look like that? Do you have myXperia or some other find-my-phone service activated on your phone?

najoor said:
Unfortunately if that is the case you cannot unlock the bootloader.
I am just curious, why does yours look like that? Do you have myXperia or some other find-my-phone service activated on your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the fast reply even if you ruined my hopes
no, i don't think i have myXperia , i checked on my apps and find nothing.
Since i had display issues with my tab s (sm-t800), i tried the z4 tablet for its LCD screen instead of the super amoled of samsung...
My bootloader was already locked when i purchased it, i updated it thinking it will change that but unfortunatly that did nothing.
It wasn't a new one though, perhaps the previews owner messed up with it and got its bootloader locked :/
Because it is some kind of lotery to have a bootloader unlockable with sony, i will wait patiently until samsumg release its 16:9/10 tab s4: imho, the tab s3 actual 4:3 format is a nonsense....
Thank you again
Kind regards from France

Unlocked bootloader confirmation? What do you guys think?

Sounds like they're saying yes without actually saying it to me. What are your thoughts on it? https://community.zteusa.com/thread/11205

It sounds like "we are still considering it, tend to make it unlock but still not yet 100% unsure, if we want to do it. You will hear our decision very soon" to me

It is looking to me like the risk I took pre-ordering this phone may pay off

To me, it means we'll get a way to unlock the bootloader officially (no doubt anymore) but they're not allowed to announce it yet.

"...I've been dreaming of [unlocking the bootloader] lately. But to be certain, I'm not just dreaming about it, and neither should you. Get it? Got it? Good!"
I think this line says it all. I can't wait, hopefully it doesn't take too long.

Here's a thread removed by the mods but cached by a redditor: https://archive.is/MAyqa
EDIT: They unblocked it: https://community.zteusa.com/thread/11200

At least is it rootable?
With Xperias for example you can root the device without the need for unlocking bootloader
I can't live without root for very important apps like Titanium Backup, Auto hide soft keys, adblockers, read/write system files etc..

xdvisitor said:
At least is it rootable?
With Xperias for example you can root the device without the need for unlocking bootloader
I can't live without root for very important apps like Titanium Backup, Auto hide soft keys, adblockers, read/write system files etc..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice!!!
I have the chinese version and the phone is great but I want greenify and some other must have root apps! Looking forward!

What do I lose if I don't back up the TA and lose the DRM Keys?

I was thinking of skipping the firmware downgrade, TA backup, and firmware re-upgrade steps of flashing a ROM (or possibly compiling the AOSP source code as described on the Sony website), and just skipping straight to bootloader unlock. I understand this will wipe the DRM keys from my device; what do I lose access to when I lose those keys? Will it mean I can't use Gapps and other common apps, or is it just certain Sony-branded features?

yanom said:
I was thinking of skipping the firmware downgrade, TA backup, and firmware re-upgrade steps of flashing a ROM (or possibly compiling the AOSP source code as described on the Sony website), and just skipping straight to bootloader unlock. I understand this will wipe the DRM keys from my device; what do I lose access to when I lose those keys? Will it mean I can't use Gapps and other common apps, or is it just certain Sony-branded features?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm relatively new to this phone, but on my previous Xperias, (Z1c and Z3c), it meant only that there was a subtle decrease in photo quality, (some Sony camera feature is tied up in ta). It only affected stock fw, so didn't make a difference on anything CM / AOSP base. I'm not sure if it's different with X phones. I had an XA for a few months, and didn't bother to back up ta, and I didn't notice any difference. I think it's more of a thing for people who are serious about photos.
However, I will say that I did back up ta on this phone, just because I wasn't sure of the effect it would have, and it's pretty simple to do. Yes, it's a little annoying to wait for ftf download, and wait for Flashtool, but it's not such a big deal...