Related
So I followed the steps very carefully how to install Free Xperia on my Z1. When I booted up my phone in fastboot mode, LED turned blue and I got a new device on my computer under the name "Sony Fastboot Interface" (I believe I got it from Flashtool). I couldn't see my phone in "adb devices", the list was empty. However, I could still do a "fastboot flash boot.img" using the Free Xperia's boot.img. I rebooted using "fastboot reboot" and I was suddenly stuck in an endless loop of the "Free Xperia" boot screen.
So I tried adding another boot.img (Doomlord's "Advanced Stock Kernel with CWM Recovery.zip"). At least I got back the SONY boot screen, but I am still stuck in a loop. I went to the CWM Recovery menu and tried to mount the sdcard to my computer but with no success. I looked under Device Manager on my computer to check if the phone was detected, and frankly it is. However, it shows "Xperia Z1" with a yellow triangle stating "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)". No matter if I try to uninstall/update drivers or download the official Xperia Z1 drivers and point it to that, I get the message "Windows could not find driver software for your device." So I cannot connect my phone storage to my computer, can't access the phone via ADB, nor can I use fastboot boot a working boot.img.
I searched around on Google and found a solution using EMMA (Sony's own Flash Tool for Xperia devices). But I needed to register an account, and after doing so I never get a confirmation email to activate my account. So I'm stuck where I am. What to do now?
I'm not even sure if my phone is unlocked yet or not. I did the "fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY" (with my own key I got in the mail from Sony's generator) and it said "OKAY [ 21.790s]" etc. I presumed that it got unlocked by then. Right?
Thanks in advance!
Well, if you followed all the steps on the sony site to get unlock bootloader then it should be unlocked. Cm roms don't work with stock kernels so flashing the advanced stock kernel will not help anything. When you're connected in fastboot mode, you use "fastboot devices" to see the list of device not "adb devices". Since you can get into fastboot mode then get into flash mode and flash a stock ftf with flashtool. Before doing that, try flashing pimped kernel and see if that works
What version of fxp did you flash btw?
Ahki767 said:
Well, if you followed all the steps on the sony site to get unlock bootloader then it should be unlocked. Cm roms don't work with stock kernels so flashing the advanced stock kernel will not help anything. When you're connected in fastboot mode, you use "fastboot devices" to see the list of device not "adb devices". Since you can get into fastboot mode then get into flash mode and flash a stock ftf with flashtool. Before doing that, try flashing pimped kernel and see if that works
What version of fxp did you flash btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer. I was able to revert to stock FTF by following your advice.
I used the fxp honami. Latest CM11 (FXP320-cm-11-20140518-UNOFFICIAL-honami.zip). This was correct right? My phone is a C6903.
I don't understand how to proceed now though. You said I should try flashing a pimped kernel. I looked around and I'm so confused by how many pimped kernels there are, and I'm not exactly sure what a pimped kernel actually is. I need to find the right one specific to my firmware version? It's 14.3.A.0.757 for your info.
Thanks for your help!
bladefinor said:
Thanks for the answer. I was able to revert to stock FTF by following your advice.
I used the fxp honami. Latest CM11 (FXP320-cm-11-20140518-UNOFFICIAL-honami.zip). This was correct right? My phone is a C6903.
I don't understand how to proceed now though. You said I should try flashing a pimped kernel. I looked around and I'm so confused by how many pimped kernels there are, and I'm not exactly sure what a pimped kernel actually is. I need to find the right one specific to my firmware version? It's 14.3.A.0.757 for your info.
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like the latest one so that should be right.
Okay do you have root on .757?? If not, flash doomkernel or the advanced stock kernel to get working root and recovery on stock. And since you weren't sure if your bootloader is unlocked, make sure you double check on that before attempting to reflash fxp cm. I'm sure you know the steps to flash but I'll write it down anyways. Put the rom.zip onto your sdcard, get into your choice of recovery, wipe data factory reset, format /system, flash zip from sdcard. If it still doesn't work for you, try official cm builds instead
There's only one pimped kernel. It's a cm based kernel so don't run it on stock roms or you'll end up in bootloops again
Ahki767 said:
Sounds like the latest one so that should be right.
Okay do you have root on .757?? If not, flash doomkernel or the advanced stock kernel to get working root and recovery on stock. And since you weren't sure if your bootloader is unlocked, make sure you double check on that before attempting to reflash fxp cm. I'm sure you know the steps to flash but I'll write it down anyways. Put the rom.zip onto your sdcard, get into your choice of recovery, wipe data factory reset, format /system, flash zip from sdcard. If it still doesn't work for you, try official cm builds instead
There's only one pimped kernel. It's a cm based kernel so don't run it on stock roms or you'll end up in bootloops again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not have root on my .757. It's completely "stock" so to speak, besides the unlocked bootloader (if it is unlocked, I'm not quite sure). How do I check to see if it's unlocked or not? How exactly do you root? I thought I had found a "ROM" of choice (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2711982). But then I saw the prerequisites, that it already needed to be rooted to proceed. I've been looking for straight forward guides, but they all just complicate things with alternatives ways etc.
Which ROM would you recommend?
EDIT: I was able to check the phone's bootloader mode via Sony Mobile Flasher. It's unlocked. However, now I'm trying to enter Recover mode again but now since the phone boots correctly again, I never get any pink LED light or anything. No light, it just boots with the Sony/Xperia splash screen logos.
If you do not know if its unlocked then it is not unlocked.
Flash a stock FTF and spend a week or so reading up
You are lucky you have not bricked your phone...just flashing stuff with no idea what you are doing...
gregbradley said:
If you do not know if its unlocked then it is not unlocked.
Flash a stock FTF and spend a week or so reading up
You are lucky you have not bricked your phone...just flashing stuff with no idea what you are doing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's alright. I had it checked and it was unlocked. I just got the phone rooted now. It was fairly easy now when I had proper instructions...
Thanks for the help Ahki767!!
I still have one question remaining though... I cannot get Recovery mode to mount storage. Windows recognizes the device, but shows a yellow triangle:
i.imgur.com/so2idLB.jpg (apparently I cannot send links as a new member)
I tried selecting the official Xperia Z1 drivers downloaded from Sony's website. Got the message: "Windows could not find driver software for your device...". I also get the same message when searching the Internet. This prevents me from accessing the sdcard via Recovery mode.
Plus, I tried going into ADB sideload, and when doing the command: "adb devices", I get an empty list of devices. It doesn't say anything about not finding any devices, it's just empty underneath "List of devices attached".
Q&A for [Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking/Relocking
Some developers prefer that questions remain separate from their main development thread to help keep things organized. Placing your question within this thread will increase its chances of being answered by a member of the community or by the developer. Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy! :smile:
4.4.4 Bootloader Unlock?
I have an Xperia Z C6616 (10.5.1.A.0.283) that I rooted using easy root via flashtool. However, in the service menu, it says I am unable to unlock the bootloader. Is this true? Will I be forced to flash back to 4.3 to unlock it?
japansam23 said:
I have an Xperia Z C6616 (10.5.1.A.0.283) that I rooted using easy root via flashtool. However, in the service menu, it says I am unable to unlock the bootloader. Is this true? Will I be forced to flash back to 4.3 to unlock it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it says you cannot unlock your bootloader, then you cannot unlock it at all, regardless of which firmware version is installed.
The C6616 bootloader is permanently locked because Bell requested it be that way and there's no way (either officially or unofficially) around it, unfortunately.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
If it says you cannot unlock your bootloader, then you cannot unlock it at all, regardless of which firmware version is installed.
The C6616 bootloader is permanently locked and there's no way (either officially or unofficially) around it, unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thats incredibly frustrating. Is there any way then to flash new roms or install a recovery? Also, it might not matter, but before I updated to 4.4, it listed my model number as C6606.
Bootloader Issue
Hey guys, ran into a little issue. I flashed my phone with a stock ROM, C6603_10.3.A.0.423_Generic ES.ftf.
Figuring It'd be fine, I then proceeded to attempt to unlock my bootloader. However, this time after flashing this stock ROM, unlocking the bootloader would cause my phone to crash, resulting in having to reflash the stock rom again.
Any ideas?
Cheers.
Please help!
Hello, I need help with unlocking the bootloader for my Sony Xperia Z please. This is the first time I am doing this, so I am a extremely novice on these things. All I want is to flash the sony rom and install android 5 lollipop on my Xperia Z
I have done all the steps mentioned above but when I type the command fastboot.exe -I 0x0fce getvar version it just says waiting for device.
I don't know if my phone is even in fastboot mode. I have turned the developer mode on phone setting with USB debugging set to ON. When I connect my phone to the computer I press power and volume up for around 10 second before plugging in the USB. The phone vibrates 3 times and there is a sound in computer but nothing else happens. When I type the command adb devices, it shows no device attached.
I don't know if this is due to me not installing the drivers but I was tried to install Flashtool-drivers-1.5-20140318.exe file, the installation failed. So I went to advance startup setting and disable driver signing. It then installed. I also downloaded the fastboot package and clicked all the exe files. And my phone has its rooting status: Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes
Please help!
Kathmandu13 said:
I don't know if my phone is even in fastboot mode. I have turned the developer mode on phone setting with USB debugging set to ON. When I connect my phone to the computer I press power and volume up for around 10 second before plugging in the USB. The phone vibrates 3 times and there is a sound in computer but nothing else happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're holding the wrong key combination.
Power your phone OFF first.
When the phone is off, hold volume UP only while connecting your device to your PC. Do not press the power button. The LED should light up blue when done correctly. You can then stop pressing the volume key.
Sent from my C6603
kingvortex said:
You're holding the wrong key combination.
Power your phone OFF first.
When the phone is off, hold volume UP only while connecting your device to your PC. Do not press the power button. The LED should light up blue when done correctly. You can then stop pressing the volume key.
Sent from my C6603
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Thank you so much! I think I unlocked the bootloader now
So what do I need to do now to install custom ROM?
If I understood correctly, I need to flash the current Sony ROM and install different one? Then again what is root? Is unlocking bootloader rooting? Also is the information on the forum up to date? because according to it the newest firmware is 10.3.1.A.0.244/10.3.1.A.2.67. But my firmware is 10.5.1.A.0.292. Please help, I tried finding these information but can't find them.
Kathmandu13 said:
Oh Thank you so much! I think I unlocked the bootloader now
So what do I need to do now to install custom ROM?
If I understood correctly, I need to flash the current Sony ROM and install different one? Then again what is root? Is unlocking bootloader rooting? Also is the information on the forum up to date? because according to it the newest firmware is 10.3.1.A.0.244/10.3.1.A.2.67. But my firmware is 10.5.1.A.0.292. Please help, I tried finding these information but can't find them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my own opinion, you shouldn't even unlock your bootloader without getting better known to the entire device and its ROMS/Kernels and etc.,
Anyway, I tink that you haven't made TA pratition backup even, and if I'm right, then you've erased your DRM keys forever without a way getting them back.
But if you have made TA partition backup, then we can proceed to explain next thing.
To flash a custom ROM, you don't have to flash newer nor older software version.
All you have to do is go to your favourite ROM thread and read the instructions very carefully, otherwise you're risking to brick/soft-brick your device.
But on different ROMs can be different flashing guides, for example, we can take "Validus" ROM:
VALIDUS
Flashing instructions are : (I'm going to quote them)
1. Make sure you have CWM installed and a working nandroid backup
2. Download the ROM.
3. Place the ROM on your SD-Card.
4.Extract boot.img included in zip and fastboot flash it via Flashtool or CMD
5. Reboot to recovery.
6. Wipe data-factory reset/cache partition/dalvik cache
7. Flash the ROM.
Optional- Flash GApps.
8. Reboot and Enjoy Validus!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in overall, that mean at first you've to have CWM (ClockWorkMod Recovery) (but I think that it's not necessary if you would flash boot.img with it either way)
Secondly, you've to put the entire ROM in your SD Card (not in phone memory), you can include gapps as well,
Third, you need to extract the file named "boot.img" from the ROM which you've downloaded (Now i'm talking about VALIDUS and ONLY IF YOU'RE GOING TO INSTALL THIS ROM EXACTLY), but don't remove it from .rar/.zip.
After you've done everything what is written above, you can flash boot.img using the command prompt and fastboot file, which you were using to unlock your bootloader.
The command is this : fastboot flash boot boot.img
Then, write fastboot reboot and as soon as your LED will change color, push the volume up rocker and then you will be in recovery. After that, go to "Apply Update" --> "Choose from files" or sth (don't remember now), --> "Validus.zip/.rar". and optional you can flash gapps either.
And then pus the button to "Reboot now".
That's all - you've newest Validus build.
But the main point is that for example you would take Pabx rom, you'll have to do everything using CMD (fastboot)
PABX's ROM YUGA L
Look at yourself and compare everything.
Validus ROM is customized than Pabx ROM. It has more customatizations either : APPS, Control, Mods, Gesture and etc., and Pabx ROM is pure-stock L (I think).
I hope I anwered to all ur questions, if not - quote me
Thanks!
LaurynasVP said:
In my own opinion, you shouldn't even unlock your bootloader without getting better known to the entire device and its ROMS/Kernels and etc.,
Anyway, I tink that you haven't made TA pratition backup even, and if I'm right, then you've erased your DRM keys forever without a way getting them back.
But if you have made TA partition backup, then we can proceed to explain next thing.
To flash a custom ROM, you don't have to flash newer nor older software version.
All you have to do is go to your favourite ROM thread and read the instructions very carefully, otherwise you're risking to brick/soft-brick your device.
But on different ROMs can be different flashing guides, for example, we can take "Validus" ROM:
VALIDUS
Flashing instructions are : (I'm going to quote them)
So in overall, that mean at first you've to have CWM (ClockWorkMod Recovery) (but I think that it's not necessary if you would flash boot.img with it either way)
Secondly, you've to put the entire ROM in your SD Card (not in phone memory), you can include gapps as well,
Third, you need to extract the file named "boot.img" from the ROM which you've downloaded (Now i'm talking about VALIDUS and ONLY IF YOU'RE GOING TO INSTALL THIS ROM EXACTLY), but don't remove it from .rar/.zip.
After you've done everything what is written above, you can flash boot.img using the command prompt and fastboot file, which you were using to unlock your bootloader.
The command is this : fastboot flash boot boot.img
Then, write fastboot reboot and as soon as your LED will change color, push the volume up rocker and then you will be in recovery. After that, go to "Apply Update" --> "Choose from files" or sth (don't remember now), --> "Validus.zip/.rar". and optional you can flash gapps either.
And then pus the button to "Reboot now".
That's all - you've newest Validus build.
But the main point is that for example you would take Pabx rom, you'll have to do everything using CMD (fastboot)
PABX's ROM YUGA L
Look at yourself and compare everything.
Validus ROM is customized than Pabx ROM. It has more customatizations either : APPS, Control, Mods, Gesture and etc., and Pabx ROM is pure-stock L (I think).
I hope I anwered to all ur questions, if not - quote me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your reply and yes perhaps you are right. I should not mess with my phone's software. My skill and knowledge on this is extremely limited. I think I did unlock my bootloader but I will leave it on that. My phone still runs fine for now. Unless I find some tutorial videos which I can understand, I will stay away from flashing my phone
Thanks again for help.
Kathmandu13 said:
Thank you very much for your reply and yes perhaps you are right. I should not mess with my phone's software. My skill and knowledge on this is extremely limited. I think I did unlock my bootloader but I will leave it on that. My phone still runs fine for now. Unless I find some tutorial videos which I can understand, I will stay away from flashing my phone
Thanks again for help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you shouldn't be afraid of flashing stock 5.0.x, as you're not flashing custom kernels. To flash pabx's rom, you just need to connect your phone via USB to PC, whilst holding Volum +. (Phone need to be turn on). Then blue led will show up and you're ready to write commands via CMD prompt, wich you can open in sdk/platform-tools/ (or simply download ADB and fastboot drivers).
To open them, just with holding RMB click on "open command prompt here", then write this command:
fastboot devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And if it will show you like CXXXXXX (or something like that, if not even first letter is C, it's alright), you're ready to go.
Then download all files needed from Pabx site (ROM and gapps). Extract both in ADB-Fastboot driver's folder (in which are fastboot.exe, adb.exe). It should be these files: userdata.img, system.img, boot.img.
And then you just simple need to flash these IMGs:
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And then just type
fastboot reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
Your phone will reboot and will load ~ 1-3 minutes.
Well, personally I don't encourge you to do that, I'm just suggesting. It's your choice to do that or not. I just have given you all the instructions.
Hope I helped you
Hi,
I have problem unlocking bootloader on my C6603. I successfully rooted it with easyroot, made TA backup, my phone says that unlocking bootloader is allowed but whenever i tried to do this it either fails or goes to bootloop. I was investigating a bit more and found some information saying that phone has to be simlock free with some certificates(???) and s1tool gives me answer that my simlock unlock is tampered. Is it the reason why i can't unlock bootloader? If so, is there any way to unlock it anyway?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Free mobile app
Unlocking Xperia Z bootloader
Hi guys
I 've got a trouble, i tried to unlock bootloader by flashtool and "classic" method. I've done it step by step like in video tutorial but finally cmd shows me that command.
I've checked it on other computer but it also failed.Installed all components + pc com.
Greetings.
Please someone tell me where is this goddamned "fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar" to download? It's almost four hours im searching everywhere to find it,but i can't.
Xperia Z2 stuck! help!!!
Hi guys, yesterday i tried to relock th bootloader of my xperia z2, and it was really easy, but now it doesn´t turn on, it´s stuck in flash mode, does anyone know what can i do to fix this? thanks a lot!
nikin101 said:
Hi guys, yesterday i tried to relock th bootloader of my xperia z2, and it was really easy, but now it doesn´t turn on, it´s stuck in flash mode, does anyone know what can i do to fix this? thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you relock while on a custom rom or kernel? Try flashing a stock FTF.
Sent from my C6603
kingvortex said:
Did you relock while on a custom rom or kernel? Try flashing a stock FTF.
Sent from my C6603
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i think i did that. And how do i do that? And where can i download the stock FTF? Thanks, i'm new in this
nikin101 said:
Yes, i think i did that. And how do i do that? And where can i download the stock FTF? Thanks, i'm new in this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to package and flash stock roms in FTF format
I wrote that guide for the Xperia Z, but the method is identical for the Z2. You will probably have to wipe data if you're coming from a custom rom.
Sent from my C6603
kingvortex said:
How to package and flash stock roms in FTF format
I wrote that guide for the Xperia Z, but the method is identical for the Z2. You will probably have to wipe data if you're coming from a custom rom.
Sent from my C6603
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find the words to thank you! I will try that today. Thanks a lot.
nikin101 said:
I can't find the words to thank you! I will try that today. Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome.
Sent from my C6603
So I feel like I am really screwed on this.... attempted flashing stock via RSDLite. It began flashing fine until about halfway through the system.img ...all of a sudden it loses fastboot and my computer freaks out saying that an unkown standard usb device is attached. I figured that I would just flash a batch through recovery, but now there is not recovery image either.
So... I have no fastboot mode and no recovery mode and an unrecognizable usb device. Please help me
Edit: I have a feeling its due to a driver issue... during the downgrade the required driver probably changed... and thus disconnected in the middle of flash. If this is the case, then I feel like an idiot
diabl0w said:
So I feel like I am really screwed on this.... attempted flashing stock via RSDLite. It began flashing fine until about halfway through the system.img ...all of a sudden it loses fastboot and my computer freaks out saying that an unkown standard usb device is attached. I figured that I would just flash a batch through recovery, but now there is not recovery image either.
So... I have no fastboot mode and no recovery mode and an unrecognizable usb device. Please help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try setting up another computer. You should be able to go into bootlader mode by pressing power and volume down buttons at the same time. Hopefully you have enought battery. If that doesnt work someone should be able to help you out.
Downgrading the bootloader on Motorola devices (Nexus 6 included) results in a permanent (well, unless you can upgrade the bootloader to what it was originally) brick.
r3pwn said:
Downgrading the bootloader on Motorola devices (Nexus 6 included) results in a permanent (well, unless you can upgrade the bootloader to what it was originally) brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I hope that my edit was right instead... I know for a fact that it failed during the system image portion of the flash. all I did was follow the instructions posted somewhere on this forum which basically just said... download 21.12 firmware, go to fastboot, flash with rsdlite. Guess the fact that they left out remove bootloader image is no big deal.. NOT
diabl0w said:
Wow I hope that my edit was right instead... I know for a fact that it failed during the system image portion of the flash. all I did was follow the instructions posted somewhere on this forum which basically just said... download 21.12 firmware, go to fastboot, flash with rsdlite. Guess the fact that they left out remove bootloader image is no big deal.. NOT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's nothing they did wrong. At the time of writing it, that was probably the latest version. Can you still flash things via rsdlite? If so, take a look at this copy of the latest update.
r3pwn said:
It's nothing they did wrong. At the time of writing it, that was probably the latest version. Can you still flash things via rsdlite? If so, take a look at this copy of the latest update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay so good news... I installed the older sdk drivers and my phone will now connect to fastboot mode again. wooo!!! Now, to make sure I do this right, @r3pwn , the link you just sent me was a superuser image, right? Background story as to why I am doing this, I have root and I ended up breaking google play services pretty bad and reinstalling would not fix the problem and neither would cache clear or system.img flash. So I was just gonna try to start fresh. So, I attempted to flash 21.12 firmware and thats how I ended up here. What should I do next? Flash that SU firmware or flash the 21.12 firmware? Should I remove the bootloader and boot images from those .xml files? Thanks for your time, I should be good after that information
diabl0w said:
Okay so good news... I installed the older sdk drivers and my phone will now connect to fastboot mode again. wooo!!! Now, to make sure I do this right, @r3pwn , the link you just sent me was a superuser image, right? Background story as to why I am doing this, I have root and I ended up breaking google play services pretty bad and reinstalling would not fix the problem and neither would cache clear or system.img flash. So I was just gonna try to start fresh. So, I attempted to flash 21.12 firmware and thats how I ended up here. What should I do next? Flash that SU firmware or flash the 21.12 firmware? Should I remove the bootloader and boot images from those .xml files? Thanks for your time, I should be good after that information
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the root firmware, that's just plain stock. I would recommend you flash that image (the one I linked) then re-root.
r3pwn said:
That's not the root firmware, that's just plain stock. I would recommend you flash that image (the one I linked) then re-root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realized that after I downloaded the file and took a look at it further... thanks for your help and for bearing with me. It worked!
Hey guys
So I just bought a new Z3C and I'm planning on rooting it and installing CM12.1 on it. But before that I wanna make sure I perfectly understood the entire process. So if anyone could help by answering/confirming some of the things below, I would really appreciate that.
First, Sony devices don't come with a default recovery? Did I get that part right? That's why I need to flash a custom one, right? I suppose this is also the reason why I need a custom recovery in order to flash CM12.1 on my phone. Since I don't know if CM can run without one.
Second of all, kingroot. Ok, so this is an app for PC or phone that will root your phone in one click. Still without needing to unlock the bootloader (thus compromising that TA partition), right? It's in Chinese but I guess I don't need to know Chinese to click the only button on the screen. ) So that won't be a problem.
Third, I need root access for the backup part, right? So after running kingroot, I need to make a backup of my DRM stuff, right? It won't be of any use in CM, I suppose. So I just keep it somewhere safe.
Another thing, since I don't already have a custom recovery, I need the "installer" version of that xzdrecovery recovery, right? Cause there is also a flashable zip version of it, and I was wondering how the hell do I install that with no default recovery.
Can CM12 run on a locked bootloader? Probably stupid question. But this forum seems to pack some really interesting tricks I never thought were possible. So...I'm asking.
One thing I didn't quite understand: why do I need to flash part of CM12.1 to have a working recovery? Is the recovery not usable after installing it? Does it need a "simulated" ROM in order to be accessible/visible? I mean, on my SGS4, I just had to have a custom recovery (in my case it was CWM, but I'm not sure there is such a thing for the Z3C) and then just boot into it and flash CyanogenMod ROM or any other custom ROM for that matter. I didn't have to "split" the installation. First the boot.img, and then the rest (which will basically rewrite the boot.img anyway). So this part is still a bit confusing to me. Can anyone explain?
Thank you very much.
arsradu said:
First, Sony devices don't come with a default recovery? Did I get that part right? That's why I need to flash a custom one, right? I suppose this is also the reason why I need a custom recovery in order to flash CM12.1 on my phone. Since I don't know if CM can run without one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know there really isn't a default recovery for Sony devices so to install CM you will need a recovery.
arsradu said:
Second of all, kingroot. Ok, so this is an app for PC or phone that will root your phone in one click. Still without needing to unlock the bootloader (thus compromising that TA partition), right? It's in Chinese but I guess I don't need to know Chinese to click the only button on the screen. ) So that won't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not recommend kingroot but you can try it if you trust it. I used the xda guide on doing it and it worked fine for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343 (takes some time but its worth it if you ever want to go back to factory). As long as the bootloader stays locked the TA partition wont be touched thats right but once you unlock it you will lose all DRM keys and they wont restore if you flash a factory frimware again.
arsradu said:
Third, I need root access for the backup part, right? So after running kingroot, I need to make a backup of my DRM stuff, right? It won't be of any use in CM, I suppose. So I just keep it somewhere safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you need root to backup the TA parition and yes only Sony roms use the DRM keys, CM doesn't touch them.
arsradu said:
Another thing, since I don't already have a custom recovery, I need the "installer" version of that xzdrecovery recovery, right? Cause there is also a flashable zip version of it, and I was wondering how the hell do I install that with no default recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You install it over fastboot pretty much or with locked bootloader you use the Sony flash tool. More here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343
Also keep in mind that custom Kernels like "M5 Kernel" come with a pre-installed recovery.
arsradu said:
Can CM12 run on a locked bootloader? Probably stupid question. But this forum seems to pack some really interesting tricks I never thought were possible. So...I'm asking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im pretty sure its not possible. For not sony kernels you need a unlocked bootloader, otherwise it wont even boot up.
arsradu said:
One thing I didn't quite understand: why do I need to flash part of CM12.1 to have a working recovery? Is the recovery not usable after installing it? Does it need a "simulated" ROM in order to be accessible/visible? I mean, on my SGS4, I just had to have a custom recovery (in my case it was CWM, but I'm not sure there is such a thing for the Z3C) and then just boot into it and flash CyanogenMod ROM or any other custom ROM for that matter. I didn't have to "split" the installation. First the boot.img, and then the rest (which will basically rewrite the boot.img anyway). So this part is still a bit confusing to me. Can anyone explain?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlike Samsung... Sony devices have no recovery (maybe at a later time?) so you cant just replace the stock recovery with a custom one. You have to take out boot.img because fastboot cant flash entire zips like a recovery, so you flash the boot.img over fastboot which installs the recovery for you.
After that you execute "fastboot reboot" and spam your volume up key till you enter the recovery and from there you can install cyanogenmod and other.
MyPictures said:
As far as I know there really isn't a default recovery for Sony devices so to install CM you will need a recovery.
I do not recommend kingroot but you can try it if you trust it. I used the xda guide on doing it and it worked fine for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343 (takes some time but its worth it if you ever want to go back to factory). As long as the bootloader stays locked the TA partition wont be touched thats right but once you unlock it you will lose all DRM keys and they wont restore if you flash a factory frimware again.
Yes you need root to backup the TA parition and yes only Sony roms use the DRM keys, CM doesn't touch them.
You install it over fastboot pretty much or with locked bootloader you use the Sony flash tool. More here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343
Also keep in mind that custom Kernels like "M5 Kernel" come with a pre-installed recovery.
Im pretty sure its not possible. For not sony kernels you need a unlocked bootloader, otherwise it wont even boot up.
Unlike Samsung... Sony devices have no recovery (maybe at a later time?) so you cant just replace the stock recovery with a custom one. You have to take out boot.img because fastboot cant flash entire zips like a recovery, so you flash the boot.img over fastboot which installs the recovery for you.
After that you execute "fastboot reboot" and spam your volume up key till you enter the recovery and from there you can install cyanogenmod and other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright. Thank you a lot for your answers.
So, to sum up:
First, I need to root my device. You said you would not recommend Kingroot. Ok. But I'm on stock Lollipop right now. And for as far as I understood, in order to get root on it without using Kingroot method, I need to downgrade to KitKat using FlashTool. Did I get it right?
Second, I need to backup my TA partition stuff.
Third, I need to flash the boot.img from CM12.1 flashable zip and then the recovery (flashable zip version of it, right?). In this order. Am I right?
And for the recovery part, I think I'm gonna go with that FlashTool (since I already got it for downgrading to KitKat) or via fastboot (command line), for which I need the Android SDK installed, I suppose?
Forth, unlock the bootloader. I guess I'm gonna have to Google that part. I saw some videos explaining how to do that, so I guess I'm gonna be ok.
Fifth, boot into recovery and flash CM12.1 (finally).
Please, let me know if I got the flow right or if you would make any suggestions/adjustments/corrections to it.
Also, one other thing, I heard people not being able to flash back stock and booting with it, after having a custom ROM installed, even after re-adding the content of the TA partition back and re-locking the bootloader. Any idea how to get this right from the first time, in case I need to revert to stock?
Again, big thank you for your help.
arsradu said:
Alright. Thank you a lot for your answers.
So, to sum up:
First, I need to root my device. You said you would not recommend Kingroot. Ok. But I'm on stock Lollipop right now. And for as far as I understood, in order to get root on it without using Kingroot method, I need to downgrade to KitKat using FlashTool. Did I get it right?
Second, I need to backup my TA partition stuff.
Third, I need to flash the boot.img from CM12.1 flashable zip and then the recovery (flashable zip version of it, right?). In this order. Am I right?
And for the recovery part, I think I'm gonna go with that FlashTool (since I already got it for downgrading to KitKat) or via fastboot (command line), for which I need the Android SDK installed, I suppose?
Forth, unlock the bootloader. I guess I'm gonna have to Google that part. I saw some videos explaining how to do that, so I guess I'm gonna be ok.
Fifth, boot into recovery and flash CM12.1 (finally).
Please, let me know if I got the flow right or if you would make any suggestions/adjustments/corrections to it.
Also, one other thing, I heard people not being able to flash back stock and booting with it, after having a custom ROM installed, even after re-adding the content of the TA partition back and re-locking the bootloader. Any idea how to get this right from the first time, in case I need to revert to stock?
Again, big thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Yes you need to downgrade to a version where that root exploit isn't patched and root that way
- Yea then when you got root and all, you use that tool to backup your TA partition
- Yea after that you unlock your bootloader: http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/ and then you flash boot.img from CM (or a custom Kernel that implements a recovery). After flashing the boot.img you reboot into your recovery and flash the whole Cyanogenmod.zip there (Apply update). I just installed my recovery over fastboot, never actually tried the FashTool way. fastboot.exe is in the Android SDK yeah but you can also just get the small ADB installer which has it too: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979 (For Linux you need to install it over your package manager I think).
- No. You need to unlock the bootloader before, otherwhise it wont allow you to flash a custom boot.img
Not sure about the restoring process, I kinda don't think that I will move back from CM anyways.
However if I would go back then I would try this:
- Relock bootloader
- Factory reset
- Flash back old sony rom with root exploit over flashtool
- Gain root over that exploit and use the TA Backup tool to restore TA partition
- Install latest Sony ROM and that should work? (Not sure)
Can you post one of those theards where they get issues with restoring? How do they do it?
MyPictures said:
- Yes you need to downgrade to a version where that root exploit isn't patched and root that way
- Yea then when you got root and all, you use that tool to backup your TA partition
- Yea after that you unlock your bootloader: http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/ and then you flash boot.img from CM (or a custom Kernel that implements a recovery). After flashing the boot.img you reboot into your recovery and flash the whole Cyanogenmod.zip there (Apply update). I just installed my recovery over fastboot, never actually tried the FashTool way. fastboot.exe is in the Android SDK yeah but you can also just get the small ADB installer which has it too: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979 (For Linux you need to install it over your package manager I think).
- No. You need to unlock the bootloader before, otherwhise it wont allow you to flash a custom boot.img
Not sure about the restoring process, I kinda don't think that I will move back from CM anyways.
However if I would go back then I would try this:
- Relock bootloader
- Factory reset
- Flash back old sony rom with root exploit over flashtool
- Gain root over that exploit and use the TA Backup tool to restore TA partition
- Install latest Sony ROM and that should work? (Not sure)
Can you post one of those theards where they get issues with restoring? How do they do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a post in a long thread. I'm not sure I can find it right now.
Anyway, I got stuck at flashing back KitKat. FlashTool says "waiting for flashmode", whike asking me to disconnect my phone, press the back button (I got it that this is for older phones that do have a physical button), and plugging back. Which I did. The result being a very nice animation for charging. The USB debugging is ON. What am I missing here?
Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
arsradu said:
It was a post in a long thread. I'm not sure I can find it right now.
Anyway, I got stuck at flashing back KitKat. FlashTool says "waiting for flashmode", whike asking me to disconnect my phone, press the back button (I got it that this is for older phones that do have a physical button), and plugging back. Which I did. The result being a very nice animation for charging. The USB debugging is ON. What am I missing here?
Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install the drivers properly and on which Operating system are you flashing it?
MyPictures said:
Did you install the drivers properly and on which Operating system are you flashing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say yes. I mean...after googling a bit, I saw that I actually don't need to just "ignore" that message asking to press the Back button, but to actually press Volume Down instead. Which I did. And I was able to go into Flash Mode. (Flash Tool says "device connected in Flash Mode"). The device was properly recognized in MTP mode. Still, I had to manually install the Flash-tool drivers to get it recognized in flash mode, as well. Not sure why...
I mean, if the phone was properly recognized without manually installing anything (Windows downloaded and installed its own drivers), why the hell do I need to install custom drivers to get it recognized in flash mode? By the way, this "flash mode" is similar to Samsung's "Download Mode", for as far as I could see. And, just like on Samsung's devices, the access is made by pressing the Volume Down upon booting up.
Anyway, even though the device is now recognized in flash mode, I still get an error trying to flash stock 4.4.4.
I get this:
Code:
14/014/2015 21:14:34 - INFO - Please connect your device into flashmode.
14/016/2015 21:16:28 - INFO - Device disconnected
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Device connected in flash mode
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Opening device for R/W
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Reading device information
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Unable to read from phone after having opened it.
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - trying to continue anyway
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Start Flashing
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Processing loader.sin
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Checking header
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - ERROR - Processing of loader.sin finished with errors.
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Ending flash session
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - ERROR - Error in processHeader : 1 : Incorrect function.
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - ERROR - Error flashing. Aborted
14/017/2015 21:17:03 - INFO - Device connected in flash mode
And after a while, it automatically reboots in normal mode.
Windows version is Windows 10. But I'm not sure that's the problem here since, as I said, the device does get recognized both in MTP and flash modes. Also, for as far as I could see, other people are having the same issues on other versions of Windows.
Hmm not exactly sure but for Windows 8 and 8.1 (also Vista 64 bit and 7 64 Bit) You sometimes need to disable enforced driver signature.
Are you running the correct executable for your OS?:
FlashTool64.exe for 64 Bit OS and
FlashTool.exe for 32 Bit OS.
Is the device properly recognized in your device manager. Maybe re-downloading the frimware might help.
MyPictures said:
Hmm not exactly sure but for Windows 8 and 8.1 (also Vista 64 bit and 7 64 Bit) You sometimes need to disable enforced driver signature.
Are you running the correct executable for your OS?:
FlashTool64.exe for 64 Bit OS and
FlashTool.exe for 32 Bit OS.
Is the device properly recognized in your device manager. Maybe re-downloading the frimware might help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm running FlashTool64.exe since I'm running a 64-bit version of Windows.
The device is correctly recognized in flash mode (after manually selecting the driver installed with flash-tool). See the attached image for more info.
But indeed maybe I got the wrong firmware. Problem is that I'm not really sure which one should I choose.
I got one called D5803_23.0.1.A.5.77_Customized_FR.ftf. I don't mind it that it's in French. All of them have English anyway.
Also, I saw one for UK here called D5803_23.0.A.2.105_UK.ftf. Seems to be different.... I will try with that as well.
Update: same error with that UK firmware, as well.
Update2: Well I'm half way there. Got 4.4.4 installed and got it rooted. YAY. Still trying to figure out why adb is not correctly running when trying to backup TA.
Update3: ok, backup done too!
Update4: the boot.img that comes with CM12.1 doesn't seem to have a recovery.... Or if it does, I couldn't boot in it so I can flash CM12.1.
I tried the one from Doomlord (Z3c_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_v01_FW-105.img) and that seems to be based on CWM v6.0.4.7.
Problem with that is that, even though I can boot into recovery, I can't flash CM12.1. It says error status 7. Any idea why or how to fix this?
I belive error 7 indicates a outdated recovery (CM 12.1 needs a up to date one).
MyPictures said:
I belive error 7 indicates a outdated recovery (CM 12.1 needs a up to date one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be. The problem is the device is not correctly recognized upon flashing (it says the device is "Aries" but the ROM is for D5803, D5833, z3c LOL), due to the check made within the updater-script (first line). For as far as I could see, this is a known issue... Not sure why it hasn't been fixed by now.
Anyway, removing that line will get the ROM installed successfully (at least with THAT recovery).
So I'm on CM12.1 , been for a few days now (thank you for your help), and I was wondering if there are any "permanent" recoveries (compatible with CM12.1, of course) that I can flash, something that can give me the ability to boot into recovery (and not Cyanogen Recovery, since that one sucks) and do things like nandroid backup (I know TWRP and CWM can do that, but I couldn't find any permanent version of those (or maybe I just didn't dig deep enough), and I'm not sure they are compatible with CM12.1) and formatting /system. The last one is really important for a clean installation of the ROM, especially since it doesn't look like it's done by the ROM itself.
I rooted my phone 2 weeks ago. While backing up and restoring Dem keys, I broke something I don't kno. Now every custom rom I install boots and gets stuck at Phone is starting and then reboots. Tried LOS 16, 17.1 and Pixel experience rom. But result is the same. Sony firmware boots perfectly, Twrp works, but custom roms don't.
Is it possible to wipe everything , all partitions and repair them using TWRP? I kno that option exists in Twrp and I have drm keys backed up. But woud that solve the problem I face with custom roms?
GOrMHATRe said:
But result is the same. Sony firmware boots perfectly, Twrp works, but custom roms don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you missing a step in the instructions, like flashing the boot.img for the roms you're trying to install?
GOrMHATRe said:
Is it possible to wipe everything , all partitions and repair them using TWRP? I kno that option exists in Twrp and I have drm keys backed up. But woud that solve the problem I face with custom roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To start over use the Flashtool, Newflasher, or even PC Companion. There is even Sony EMMA when something really messes up.
SXUsr said:
Are you missing a step in the instructions, like flashing the boot.img for the roms you're trying to install?
To start over use the Flashtool, Newflasher, or even PC Companion. There is even Sony EMMA when something really messes up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot.img is part of rom zip file. With all 3 roms I tried, there was no instruction to flash boot separately. It's always flash recovery and then flash rom using recovery.
I have already use flashtool and newflasher. That's how I rooted my phone. Both of them are successful in flashing stock sony firmware. But the custom roms are in zip file. Don't kno of its possible to flash those using flashtool.
GOrMHATRe said:
Boot.img is part of rom zip file. With all 3 roms I tried, there was no instruction to flash boot separately. It's always flash recovery and then flash rom using recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Steps :
Remove your screen lock (set it to swipe up or none) and remove all your fingerprints registered.
Download the zip above and extract the boot, system and vendor images
Make sure you have Android 10 TWRP as mentioned above with link
Go to recovery > wipe and wipe system, cache and data nothing else.
Then go to install and flash boot.img as boot image, system.img as system image and vendor.img as vendor image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [ROM] Pixel Experience 10.0 Plus
Always extract the boot.img and flash it with fastboot. If there is no instructions then still do it.
SXUsr said:
- [ROM] Pixel Experience 10.0 Plus
Always extract the boot.img and flash it with fastboot. If there is no instructions then still do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest file of PE rom is in zip format. Boot.img is in zip . But vendor and system are not img files.
GOrMHATRe said:
Latest file of PE rom is in zip format. Boot.img is in zip . But vendor and system are not img files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then extract the boot.img and flash it using fastboot, along with TWRP, then flash the rom. That should work flashing any custom rom.
SXUsr said:
Then extract the boot.img and flash it using fastboot, along with TWRP, then flash the rom. That should work flashing any custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this but the result was same. Rom boots upto the lock screen. Then when I swipe it shows: phone is starting and goes into bootloop. I even tried an older version of PE Rom whic contain s only img files but again same result.
You kno initially, after I unlocked the bootloader I just installed stock rom and installed LOS on top of it as per guide. It worked well. I coud go into menu and see apps.
But I panicked that I had forgotten to restore drm keys. Instead of first checking camera, I went back and restored the Ta partition and repeated the steps after it upto installation of rom and since then I have faced problems . Restoring ta partition and flashing stock rom after it is where I have made a mistake and broken something. Can this be fixed with twrp. I kno there are options in twrp to format & repair partitions. Coud that help to repair what ever that was broken?
GOrMHATRe said:
Coud that help to repair what ever that was broken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No more than the Flashtool, Newflasher or PC Companion, so I wouldn't even consider using TWRP. Check your service menu for the status of your DRM keys, flashing them is a one time process so if they have been successfully restored there is no need to flash them again.
Use Sonys Flashtool to repair, and start over. If you're still having issues, then user error is at play here. What command in fastboot did you use to flash the kernel?
SXUsr said:
No more than the Flashtool, Newflasher or PC Companion, so I wouldn't even consider using TWRP. Check your service menu for the status of your DRM keys, flashing them is a one time process so if they have been successfully restored there is no need to flash them again.
Use Sonys Flashtool to repair, and start over. If you're still having issues, then user error is at play here. What command in fastboot did you use to flash the kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which kernel are you speaking about? I had backed up Ta image using renoroot exploit and restored it using:
adb pull /data/local//tmp/TA-unlocked.img
adb push TA-locked.img /data/local/tmp
Then in window with temp root prompt:
cd /data/local/tmp
de if=TA-locked.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/TA
sync
sync
Reboot phone
But actually, when I checked my phone just now and that tmp directory seems empty. So, does that mean TA didn't get restored properly? Is that why I am facing problems? Stock roms seem to be working fine.
As for sony's own flashtool, I have it installed. But thought it doesn't offer any different functionality than newflasher or old flashtool? Woud sony flashtool help me go back to square 1 and make my phone as it was before rooting so that I can do everything again properly?
GOrMHATRe said:
Which kernel are you speaking about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The kernel of the rom. Check your service menu for drm status.
SXUsr said:
The kernel of the rom. Check your service menu for drm status.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The keys are there. The rooting status is shown not done because I have used that hide root unlock patch after going back to stock rom.
GOrMHATRe said:
The keys are there. The rooting status is shown not done because I have used that hide root unlock patch after going back to stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, now forget your drm keys for a minute, and do the following.
1. Use Sonys flashtool to reset your phone. Make sure you've backed up what you need to.
2. Using fastboot, flash both the kernel of whatever rom you wish to use, and TWRP.
3. Following the instructions of the rom you want to flash, install the rom using twrp. You may want to read them first to ensure you're using the required stock firmware that you will be flashing over.
Have you tried NOT restoring TA partition? It isn't needed with custom ROMs (as far as I know).
SXUsr said:
So, now forget your drm keys for a minute, and do the following.
1. Use Sonys flashtool to reset your phone. Make sure you've backed up what you need to.
2. Using fastboot, flash both the kernel of whatever rom you wish to use, and TWRP.
3. Following the instructions of the rom you want to flash, install the rom using twrp. You may want to read them first to ensure you're using the required stock firmware that you will be flashing over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try this but after some time. I have experimented on my phone a lot in recently. Need it to be stable for work for some time now. My secondary phone is not setup to work with gmail etc. Thanks for all the advice you have provided though.
On another note, now that Android 11 is out, do you think we will get a rom based on it for Xz1 compact? I even had a thought of skipping 10 and going for 11 based rom.
thefelineofaveb said:
Have you tried NOT restoring TA partition? It isn't needed with custom ROMs (as far as I know).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not touched drm keys after I backed up and restored them for the 1st time.