[Rogers]Rooted 2.3.3 via Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK - Xperia Play Android Development

Hey, I'm on rogers in Canada and was having a hell of a time getting rooted 2.3.3 on my phone without unlocking the bootloader(no point in unlocking the BL for just root .... especially w/the warranty problems). I figured I'd give Working Root on 2.3.3 ! a try but had trouble finding the right firmware to downgrade to and when I tried to update OTA it kept failing after downloading and trying to install it (looked like it went all the way through the process but the phone would reboot and say "update failed").
1./ Did a clean install of the Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK.ftf (it's .184) with flashtool and then re-setup my apns to get 3g etc working. I downloaded the generic ftf off a thread on these forums but couldn't remember exactly which thread so I recompressed it and uploaded it to multiupload to make it a little easier to get all the needed files
2./ Rooted with Chainfire's Gingerbreak apk
3./ OTA update and it worked (before I did a clean install I was having the ota update fail, probably because I had removed a few system apps via root uninstall, I just made sure that all I did this time after the fresh install was root and then update)
Note on Gingerbreak: I've seen this exploit take 5 minutes or a few hours to grant root on devices. Be patient, if it's still hasn't worked try re-seating or swapping your memory card for a different one and try again. Also be sure you're on 2.3.2, SE patched gingerbreak in their release of 2.3.3.
[FAQ]
1./ I don't have ota updates available in my country, will this still work for me?
Answer: Yes, this installs the global firmware to your phone, after that your phone will look for global updates rather than carrier specific updates.
2./
nelly_boy said:
I used the above processes to get back to 2.3.2. All good but data dont appear to be working. Phone calls everything else is fine. Data is enabled but I never get G H or E in the status bar.
Any ideas? Do I neeed to get onto wifi to download carrier settings?!?!
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Answer
step 1./ google your carriers apn settings
step 2./ enter them in settings/wireless & networks/mobile network settings/Access Point Names (make sure you set up your mms apn if you want working mms as well, info for your carrier is available on google, that's where I found mine.)
step 3./ Profit
ncaissie said:
Yes you can use wi-fi. and Like I said OTA is safe it is the PC update that bricks.
Just follow those steps. It's easier than I expected.
Edit:
The things not mentioned in the OP is that you need to download a file manager to install the Gingerbreak. And you need to enable the “Unknown Sources” in the apps settings to install Gingerbreak.
After it roots it will reboot and you should see a new app called Superuser in your app list.
Then get Titanium Backup to uninstall thing you don’t want or move apps fully to the SD card. If you are not in the UK the BBC player is no good to you. I think there is a thread with a list of apps you can safely remove
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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thanks just to clarify.
We can use a rogers branded xperia play and flash the uk firmware? will it not mess up anything?

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RacecarBMW said:
thanks just to clarify.
We can use a rogers branded xperia play and flash the uk firmware? will it not mess up anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all. You just have to re-setup your apn settings.
I'm using a Rogers Play on the UK firmware on a Bell sim card

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Thanks for that man I'm gonna give it a go right now
update: hells yea boy! it worked! it worked! rooted 2.3.3!!!!!!!
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

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Willis111 said:
Hey, I'm on rogers in Canada and was having a hell of a time getting rooted 2.3.3 on my phone without unlocking the bootloader. I figured I'd give Working Root on 2.3.3 ! a try but had trouble finding the right firmware to downgrade to and when I tried to update OTA it kept failing after downloading and trying to install it (looked like it went all the way through the process but the phone would reboot and say "update failed").
1./ Did a clean install of the Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK.ftf with flashtool and then re-setup my apns to get 3g etc working. I downloaded the generic ftf off a thread on these forums but couldn't remember exactly which thread so I recompressed it and uploaded it to multiupload to make it a little easier to get all the needed files
2./ Rooted with Chainfire's Gingerbreak apk
3./ OTA update and it worked (before I did a clean install I was having the ota update fail, probably because I had removed a few system apps via root uninstall, I just made sure that all I did this time after the fresh install was root and then update)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You beat me to the punch , I was gonna try that last night but was having connect to network problems.

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@Emann56 - Was still your idea, just figured I'd try it with a fresh install of a different firmware and post my epic results. All thanks goes to you and whoever helped with your thread ofc and especially Chainfire!
thatsupnow said:
Thanks for that man I'm gonna give it a go right now
update: hells yea boy! it worked! it worked! rooted 2.3.3!!!!!!!
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my reaction too Still can't wait for CM7 on this puppy though tbh.

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Will this work in the Netherlands or will there be no OTA update available?

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Willis111 said:
@Emann56 - Was still your idea, just figured I'd try it with a fresh install of a different firmware and post my epic results. All thanks goes to you and whoever helped with your thread ofc and especially Chainfire!
That was my reaction too Still can't wait for CM7 on this puppy though tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea man I had cm 6.1.3 on my x10 and I loved it! Already loving the rooted 2.3.3!
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

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awoken said:
Will this work in the Netherlands or will there be no OTA update available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to find that out for yourself, it's in settings/about phone/Software Update/Update Now. If this says no updates available then I guess OTA updates aren't available in that region at the moment.

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Willis111 said:
That was my reaction too Still can't wait for CM7 on this puppy though tbh.
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Oh god yes please. I miss my power control in notification and the screen on/off animations

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thanks ma man worked like a champ.

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awoken said:
Will this work in the Netherlands or will there be no OTA update available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14690329&postcount=29
that's what I think, basically your phone will stop asking for Netherlands ota updates and search the net for UK updates.

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Willis111 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14690329&postcount=29
that's what I think, basically your phone will stop asking for Netherlands ota updates and search the net for UK updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Willis111 is right, I performed the process here in the US today and no troubles finding the OTA update, despite the message there was no OTA before I flashed to .184 UK generic. Should work for you as well.

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axiomjunglist said:
Willis111 is right, I performed the process here in the US today and no troubles finding the OTA update, despite the message there was no OTA before I flashed to .184 UK generic. Should work for you as well.
Click to expand...
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Thanks for confirming

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Thanks for the thread. Just one question. I'm on 2.3.3 (no root) and dont want to wait longer for a working 2.3.3 GingerBreak. But i want to keep all my apps/settings. Can i downgrade to .184 UK generic without losing all my data?
Edit:
Another question:
1./ Did a clean install of the Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK.ftf with flashtool and then re-setup my apns to get 3g etc working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If i dont do a clean install...what about the apns? Will they stay too? In my own thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14705145&postcount=4
FrAsErTaG said that i can choose to not flash the userdata. I already found the option within the Flashtool. Are my apns a part of the userdata or will they get overwritten/deleted anyway?
Edit: Forget everything. It worked
I didnt wipe anything or "clean" my system. I just did the downgrade. After that, i got 1 issue. I always got this message: "android.process.acore has stopped". Google said that this is an issue with synchronize the contacts, etc. But i didnt freak out I just installed GingerBreak, did the root, then the OTA, and after OTA everything was fine again. Now i have full rooted 2.3.3

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Willis111 said:
Thanks for confirming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy it works!

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Thanks for the info, I can confirm that this procedure worked for me as well. I'm now running v2.3.3 Rooted with a locked bootloader on my originally locked R800a from Rogers!

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How do you do an OTA update on Rogers if it is not here yet?

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ncaissie said:
How do you do an OTA update on Rogers if it is not here yet?
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My XPlay was originally purchased from Rogers. But since I've had it, I unlocked its network, flashed it with the Generic UK .184 firmware and Rooted it with GingerBreak v1.20. When I checked under "Settings\About phone\Software update\" and manually searched for an update, it was able to find it, download it and install it.

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Sweet, Thanks