Hello, I have just preordered my Xperia active from a local salesperson, but from what i see in the development threads, its nothing like HTC phones when it comes to rooting.
In HTC phones all you had to do is, unlock the bootloader with an update.zip file, root it, and then you're free to do whatever you wanna do from CWM.
I really havent understood how the procedure goes in Xperia phones, nor is there a comprehensive guide towards rooting the phone.
So could someone explain in simple steps what i need to do to root the phone? Or even is it worth rooting it since its so new and the development is more or less... inexistant? The only real custom rom I see so far for the mini mini pro and active is the FXP one which is in beta stages AFAIK.
Also about unlocking the bootloader. Losing DRM and TrackID is what makes them know that you have unlocked it therefore you lose your warranty?
Please enlighten me
Comprehensive Xperia Rooting Guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034087
For the active... there doesn't appear to be much, but if you have 'OCD' like me and like the absolute control... it's worth it. But to each his/her own preferences
Once you unlock, DRM is permanently gone, no more TrackID.
I'm not sure about warranty regulations but there is a way to re-lock the boot loader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1134335
Hope this helps.
EDIT There's also a way to unlock the bootloader and not lose DRM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285
But there's no current way to relock it if you use that route.
Thanks a lot for your detailed reply.
Although i still got questions regarding custom ROM's. I saw someone mentioning a insecure kernel, and using it before flashing a new ROM. Kernels in HTC devices are simply there for you to find out which one is best for your country and ROM. Is it the other way around here?
Yes i do want the best out of my device, but voiding warranty for something that isnt yet "ready".... It kinda puts me off.
hi dumraden,
The days with simply zip unlocking are gone either on HTC. The HTC Desire S of a friend of mine was locked. They call it S: on ..unlocked was S: off
I could not keep joking about who was so silly to convert his Desire S back to a Desire.. sorry for that
The step with the insecure kernel is to flash a stock rom where we know a method to use an exploit on it. Sony prevents unsigned firmware from beeing flashed to their devices (compare ps3 or PSP). Thus we need to make use of an exploit to get access to the device to make rooting possible. As root we are the master of desaster and can do what ever we want.
Warranty? Okay, there is a possibility to relock the bootloader in case you'll run in the case of needing warranty. Otherwise there are ways to make it that unsuable that even the support cannot wake it up thus find no real reason for the error.
This is not an FXP ROM, it is cyanogenmod ported by Team freeXperia and mainly released by FXP. It is almost ready. The smartkeyboard and camera did not work on my selfcompiled one on friday. FXP claimed camera would work. Could be my fault.. who cares. They'll get it fixed.. I think soon.
Yea i am a prior HTC user, have my Desire Z getting fixed as we talk ( i hope so at least ).
So basically the insecure kernel works as an exploit for us to install custom roms on the phones. Cool thanks for the heads up.
Wasnt FXP working with cyanogen to build a kernel from scratch in order for us not to have to go through the hassle of using a modded stock kernel for the Custom ROM's? As far as i can tell this is a breakthrough for Xperia phones since we will be able to have an AOSP base in order to build from there up. Right?
I have the same rooting problem. I use superOnClick and gingerbreak but didn't work.
I'm new to android so that keep searching and reading xda..
Then I start using android sdk & fastboot and adb mode said in one of the topics, but fastboot didn't work even though bootloader is unlocked.
I'm confused, waiting for help
Sent from my ST15i using XDA App
Its all here. Read some posts
Related
Can anyone tells me about the advantages and disadvantages of unlocking bootloader? because i saw some people said that they regret unlocking it. So whats the point of unlocking it? thanks for anyone who willing to explain.
I'm just an user but from what information i got so far (pardon me if anything is innacurate):
Unlocking the bootloader may open up a series of improvements that were not possible before without workarounds, like having a proper custom kernel, a proper Cyanogenmod version etc. Maybe even real multitouch or 16 million colors are possible, but this is a bit harder since someone will need to write new drivers, and it's highly unlikely this will happen but... who knows?
But to take advantage of unlocked bootloader you need to DEVELOP for it first, for now it's like having root enabled without any root app available for it. Also, bricking the x10 was impossible, you could always go to flashtools and reflash your firmware and fix it if you screw up, but with unlocked bootloader there's a chance of actually brick it for real, so you must be extra careful.
Some people are so eager to have the latest novelty that they'll do it first and think about it later. But it's a positive advancement for sure, i'll be lurking the dev threads to keep up with the news.
Hello,
I am pretty much new to Android. Bought my phone a few months ago. Rooted it but haven't unlocked the bootloader yet. ICS seems to have fulfilled most of the shortcomings with the Android OS. And I am willing to install it to my phone. But I am very confused as to which ROM should I choose. ASOP or the FreeXperia FP110 ROM. Which one of them is more stable?
Also I would be very thankful if some one gave me the links guides explaining how to unlock the bootloader and install a custom ROM and also backup everything before installing it.
(since I am a very new member to the forums I couldn't search for previous articles mentioning my very question. So please don't get annoyed if I posted a question that has been already discussed.)
Thanks.
Sent from my ST15i using XDA
I would go with this one http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1434001
Because it has less bugs and feels more stable. You can PM me if you need some help ;-)
Aosp one has less bug.. if want to go and fool around, i would choose the aosp... but one thing you might want to know as it is not clearly stated on the "bug list". i think both release plays video, but more like a slideshow rather than a video (im talking about 1fps). they're still working on it. that's the only downside that cause me to switch back to GB. sorry, not to discouraged you. even with the bugs, i recommend you to try both if you had free time to spare.
as for unlocking bootloader i would suggest the guide on sony's website. quite straightfroward http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
First Update yur Phone to Latest Firmware den install Titanium Backup & use it to Backup yur Rom/Files....
Secondly, Unlock BL & Root yur Mobile..... Unlocking BL-> http://androidflip.com/unlock-xperia-phones-bootloader-without-losing-drm-data-track-id-working/
Lastly, choose a ROM to use... sorry am an SK17i user!
Hi all,
I'm quite new to the sony and android scene. My iphone 3GS broke down a while ago (actually I dropped it ) and I had it replaced by a Mini Pro.
I'm on the stock 2.3.4 rom and would like to test the miui version on this forum.
So, my question is simple: I need to unlock the bootloader to install a custom rom.
Can I revert to a stock rom (or upgrade to the new upcoming ics stock version) without loosing DRM etc?
And what's the procedure to do so?
you will have to follow this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285 that is the only way to unlock it without losing drm and the ability to officially update.
Looks quite scary stuff to me. Coming from a jailbroken iphone, it looks like this is a bit trickier. Thank you for the reply though
Another small question then: can I still upgrade to a stock rom version if I have unlocked the bootloader? (via an unofficial way that is)
yes you can, but if you unlock your bootloader the official way you are not going to be able to update using sony software.
and yeah it looks scary but it is easier than it looks.
Great, thanks for the info. I'll search around the forum for the unofficial unlock mechanisms and will have a try with them!
jvdv360 said:
Great, thanks for the info. I'll search around the forum for the unofficial unlock mechanisms and will have a try with them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the only unofficial way is by test point (the link i posted before) but it's good to hear you want to search anything else let me know!
Hello everyone, I have just received my beloved white X10a after letting a friend of mine borrow it for almost a year now. I know how to flash ROMS and know some (although very little) about Android tweaking and things like that. Coming back to the X10 forums it seems that the bootloader has finally been unlocked!
I have not unlocked it yet and I am running Donut 2.2 with XperiaS look along with ThKernel 2.6.29. I am enjoying the smoothness and average battery life (this battery is super old so I imagine that it's lasting capabilities have diminished a little). Anyway, I don't use my X10 for much, just a few games like Draw Something, but mostly I like reading manga or e-books and forums. I edit a good bit of pictures as well.
So, what I want to know is am I going to benefit from unlocking my bootloader? I know unlocking it allows so much more control over your phone but since there are not many devs still here in the X10 forums, is it even worth it? Will I benefit from anything by using kernels for unlocked bootloaders with my phone usage? I have never overclocked a phone because I really had no need for it but is it safe to use an overclock-capable kernel but use the native voltage at all times?
Hey pal yeah it is basically as u said there a few nice kernels about now with oc, built in recoveries (xrec, cwm and bootmenu-kernel booting) and many other tweaks and things. Its well worth doin as with flashtool its so easy to do it just one button. There are kernels for locked bl i think but dont know if they as good never used one (i unlocked as soon as the laser released it) id say personally do it
Sent from my X10i using XDA
Locked bootloaders allows you to have custom kernels too, but they're not as advanced as the custom kernels for unlocked bootloaders. If you have a custom kernel that you have in mind to use and it has specific patches/fixes/additions that's only for unlocked bootloader (which you need), you should unlock your bootloader.
Plus, some ROMs requires you to have unlocked bootloaders (i.e. FXP CM7/CM9) as they require their own custom kernels (which has patches/fixes/additions that can only be used/made/added with unlocked bootloaders).
Furthermore, with unlocked bootloader, it allows you to use BOTH custom kernels which were designed for locked and unlocked bootloader thanks to D's BootMan (but you still need to use the recommended kernel for the ROM that you're going to use).
Give it sometime, think about it. Once you've decided, take your action. And make sure to test your USB connection first as if they're broken, you might ended up getting your USB disconnected while in the process of unlocked bootloader (which will result in bricking the phone).
I really appreciate the insight guys.
Hey guys,
I'm new to the android scene, and have basically no knowledge to speak of when it comes to going beyond the locked factory FW. It seems like there's so much more to this scene than iPhone jailbreaking (I had 3 iPhones before deciding I wanted to switch back to android)
I want to try a new FW, and try out apps only available for rooted devices. However, I cannot risk losing my warranty. What can/should I do to experience more with my Z2?
There are a number of easy one-click root tools that work on the Z2. I recommend this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559009
And don't worry about warranty. Root doesn't void warranty. Only unlocking bootloader does.
Once you are rooted, do check out Xposed. Once you have installed the framework, there are tons of Xposed modules that can help you to tweak the phone.
When you say you want to try a new FW, I assume that you want to try out a custom ROM. Do note that you need to install a custom recovery before you can install certain custom ROMs. I recommend [NUT]'s dual recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785598
And do note that not all custom ROMs work on locked bootloaders. Some require unlocked bootloaders.
Done and done. Rooted and downloaded a ton of mods. Woo!
Thank you!
Woah! I didn't know you could use custom ROMs without unlocking your bootloader....
So theoretically I can run different ROMs without killing my warranty... Hmm...
That's the beauty of Android.
hush66 said:
That's the beauty of Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I have a ton of research to do. Lol
I just spent an hour modding a boot animation for 1080p, it's nice to have a hobby again. Haha