[Q] Noob question: install custom rom / revert to stock - Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, Mini Pro, Xperia Pro, A

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!

Related

[Q] General stuff about xperia rooting etc

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

Which one should I choose yup install ICS on my phone? Freexperia or ASOP?

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!

[Q] Couple things about Atrix 4G

Hi!
Im proudly owner of motorola milestone. It was great phone with blocked bootloader, but I'm old and I had in my live some "normal phone" so I didnt cry about locked BL. I simply dont need unlocked BL because in time when I play with Stone We had a lot of rom by recovery.
But from time when I made some weird things took a lot time and a lot of things change in new smartphones so I have some questions for You.
1) On milestrone I could without problems update 2.1>2.2 and downgrade it to 2.1 with official sbf, and I know Atrix has official update from 2.2 to 2.3. I still can make this without problems? (from 2.2>2.3>2.2 and other ways...)
1a) I saw news about update to ICS, and it Was on motorola page (forgot which one). It will be in this year? (official q3 2012)
2)Do I need to unlock BL to use "roms" from recovery? Or I need recovery only?
(like neutrino / cm7)
3) I will not use any of atrix accessories, it will be for me mp3 player, phone and maybe sometimes game console. I still need to unlock BL? And if yes, for what?
3a) when we are speaking about games, every rom fully support tegra?
4) Is something what I need to know about atrix 4g before I will purchase it?
5) Can any user of this phone who live in germany tell me what about using germany mobile network?
sorry for lame questions and thanks for answers
Aesandar said:
Hi!
Im proudly owner of motorola milestone. It was great phone with blocked bootloader, but I'm old and I had in my live some "normal phone" so I didnt cry about locked BL. I simply dont need unlocked BL because in time when I play with Stone We had a lot of rom by recovery.
But from time when I made some weird things took a lot time and a lot of things change in new smartphones so I have some questions for You.
1) On milestrone I could without problems update 2.1>2.2 and downgrade it to 2.1 with official sbf, and I know Atrix has official update from 2.2 to 2.3. I still can make this without problems? (from 2.2>2.3>2.2 and other ways...)
1a) I saw news about update to ICS, and it Was on motorola page (forgot which one). It will be in this year? (official q3 2012)
2)Do I need to unlock BL to use "roms" from recovery? Or I need recovery only?
(like neutrino / cm7)
3) I will not use any of atrix accessories, it will be for me mp3 player, phone and maybe sometimes game console. I still need to unlock BL? And if yes, for what?
3a) when we are speaking about games, every rom fully support tegra?
4) Is something what I need to know about atrix 4g before I will purchase it?
5) Can any user of this phone who live in germany tell me what about using germany mobile network?
sorry for lame questions and thanks for answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No. Due to bootloader changes between 2.2 and 2.3 you can't just use an sbf. You can however flash a fruitcake which is just a copy of the boot and system partitions. Doesn't do anything to the bootloader. Your bootloader needs to be unlocked to do this and you will need to flash a customer recovery program such as CWM. However, you can use an sbf if you are going between the same version without unlocking the bootloader. Example 2.3.4 to 2.3.4.
1a. Yes. We will should be seeing an ICS upgrade anytime from now to September.
2. Your bootloader will need to be unlocked and a custom recovery will need to be flashed.
3. If that's all your planning to use it for then there really isn't a reason you will need to unlock the bootloader.
3a. Every rom should as far as I know.
4. Some people report that the battery gets quite hot and causes problems. I'm lucky to say that I've had the phone for over a year and haven't had an issues.
5. Sorry, can't help you with question 5, but I hope I was able to answer the rest of your questions.
so without unlock bootloader I cant use custom recovery? In my MM I have recovery and from this recovery I can start "custom" and from this custom I can recover roms...
And what about update from 2.2 > 2.3, when moto release 2.3 for atrix it should be possible to update it without unlock bootloader? Only with OTA?
For god sake, why everyone are making us soooo much problems about custom OS... This is my phone and I should make with it what I want...
Aesandar said:
so without unlock bootloader I cant use custom recovery? In my MM I have recovery and from this recovery I can start "custom" and from this custom I can recover roms...
And what about update from 2.2 > 2.3, when moto release 2.3 for atrix it should be possible to update it without unlock bootloader? Only with OTA?
For god sake, why everyone are making us soooo much problems about custom OS... This is my phone and I should make with it what I want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are planning on flashing custom roms you will need the bootloader unlocked. Going from 2.2 to 2.3 you don't need an unlocked bootloader. You should be able to either use the OTA option, the sd card option, or the update program from moto via the pc.

[Q] Need help

Hi, I have a Galaxy S3 GT i9300. I ordered it online, probably came from Germany since it came with a bunch of paper in German.
Anyway, I live in Portugal, and my carrier is TMN, and I'm really confused on how to root it, and unlocking the bootloader, which I don't know if it's really necessary or not, and then the ROM, which I'll bring up in a moment.
I updated all the way up to 4.1.2 now this is what I want to know:
1. The easiest way to root, I have questions about this cause there are so many ways, and I don't know which one is the best, or the right one cause I don't know if it's unlocked or not, but I'm guessing it is since I'm using a TMN (portuguese carrier) Sim card.
2. Do I need to unlock bootloader? If so, what's the easiest way?
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
Thank you all.
Nurega21 said:
Hi, I have a Galaxy S3 GT i9300. I ordered it online, probably came from Germany since it came with a bunch of paper in German.
Anyway, I live in Portugal, and my carrier is TMN, and I'm really confused on how to root it, and unlocking the bootloader, which I don't know if it's really necessary or not, and then the ROM, which I'll bring up in a moment.
I updated all the way up to 4.1.2 now this is what I want to know:
1. The easiest way to root, I have questions about this cause there are so many ways, and I don't know which one is the best, or the right one cause I don't know if it's unlocked or not, but I'm guessing it is since I'm using a TMN (portuguese carrier) Sim card.
2. Do I need to unlock bootloader? If so, what's the easiest way?
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would have thought you would root it exactly the same as you would with all other i9300 devices, with cf auto root (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957273) however it doesnt install a custom recovery which you need to install roms. for that a good option is phillz touch (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2002953) which is based on cwm after rooting while on android 4.1.2 there is normally a red exclamation mark in the top left corner on boot. this is due to a new bootloader which sammy introduced to help them find phones that have been rooted and sent in for repair. the way arround this is to download the old ice cream sandwich bootloader (i dont have the link but im sure you can find it, i forgot where i downloaded it from sorry ) you may not need this or not be bothered about this so its your choice as for rom it depends on weather your looking for vanilla android or a samsung based rom. however there are no perfect rom it is purely based on your own opinion although a widely used and stable vanilla rom is cyanogen mod (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1779426) and most sammy roms are stable as they are not really altered much from stock however i use android revolution and have had no issues with it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1797334). hope i helped in some way and i hope that what i said isnt too confusing thank you for reading
why does everyone want being spoonfed? what happened to good ol' searching? you're asking the most basic questions, do you really think they haven't been answered?
and asking for a clran/stable/good rom is against the rules
Nurega21 said:
1. The easiest way to root, I have questions about this cause there are so many ways, and I don't know which one is the best, or the right one cause I don't know if it's unlocked or not, but I'm guessing it is since I'm using a TMN (portuguese carrier) Sim card.
No best no right you pick a method .
2. Do I need to unlock bootloader? If so, what's the easiest way?
So you dont even bother to read the basic faqs and guides .
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
BEST ROM posts are banned but you wont know have you have not bothered to read the rules or the faqs and guides .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nurega21 said:
3. Now I'd like to know of a stable ROM, preferably with 4.2.1, or 4.1.2, also I'd like to know if there is any way I could keep the Samsung Apps, and if not, if there is a way to get them back. All in all, I want a clean, fast and stable ROM.
Thank you all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thread closed. I think the responses above cover most of it
Please use search before posting and don't post Best ROM questions, they are frowned upon.

[Q] Newbie asking for some guidance

Hi all, I am about to become the proud owner of a SXZ Ultra, and I was hoping someone might be kind enough to provide me with some links to the the most important info to help learn my way around this device. I have experience with Android but have no idea what to expect from the Sony UI nor the rooting procedure etc., so I would be grateful for some pointers to help minimize the learning curve and get the most out of the device as soon as possible. A quick search on the subject of rooting left me somewhat bemused...I am used to the SGA (Samsung Galaxy Ace), which was a totally different type of device with an entirely different procedure for flashing ROMs and rooting.
I have a specific question aside from that - I see that there is an IM750 MHL to HDMI adaptor available from Sony, but I would like to know if this is really necessary - has anyone had success with Miracast or Wifi Direct/DLNA connection with a smart TV so as to be able to send what I want to watch on the TV from the SXZU? I would prefer this to having to connect via HDMI because I have found that mini/micro HDMI connectors on tablets seem to be rather fragile to say the least, and it would also make far more sense for presentations. Thanks for your help.
MHL works well. Some people seem to have no issues with mirrorcast etc but others do...
For rooting read LordManhattan's guide and my downgrade guide both at the top of the general section.
The steps are more or less;
downgrade
Root
Backup TA
Unlock bootloader
Flash rom...
For stock sony firmware you can get the updates via PC companion [PCC] or use flashtool and flash FTF's
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Thank you. The thing is that if possible I would like to avoid having to unlock the bootloader, but I need Root in order to use Titanium Backup and be able to flash an alternative recovery so I can use Online recovery tools. Forgive my ignorance, but is this possible? Ideally I would like to upgrade to KitKat then obtain Root and flash the TWRP/CWM twin recovery without unlocking the bootloader - it seems to me that there are several advantages to using the stock ROMs, particularly being able to recieve Sony upgrades, at least until they stop supporting the device.
blueether said:
MHL works well. Some people seem to have no issues with mirrorcast etc but others do...
For rooting read LordManhattan's guide and my downgrade guide both at the top of the general section.
The steps are more or less;
downgrade
Root
Backup TA
Unlock bootloader
Flash rom...
For stock sony firmware you can get the updates via PC companion [PCC] or use flashtool and flash FTF's
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can get away with not unlocking the BL, if you go that route you don't need to back up the TA either. You will still need to downgrade yo route though. There are several ROMs based on sony firmware, and to be honest will probably be better that pure stock. Some of the upgrades have worked on rooted phones others haven't
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Thank you. Are any of those custom ROMs available with the latest Kit Kat release? I see that the SXZU is listed by Sony to receive this update, which is primarily why I didn't want to flash a custom ROM right away = and I would like to try Sony's stock configuration first. I have tried CM10, PAC ROM and others in my SGA and frankly I was underwhelmed for the most part, although with such a totally different device I might be pleasantly surprised...
Which ROM would you personally ally recommend?
Sent from my K00E using xda app-developers app
truth57 said:
Thank you. Are any of those custom ROMs available with the latest Kit Kat release? I see that the SXZU is listed by Sony to receive this update, which is primarily why I didn't want to flash a custom ROM right away = and I would like to try Sony's stock configuration first. I have tried CM10, PAC ROM and others in my SGA and frankly I was underwhelmed for the most part, although with such a totally different device I might be pleasantly surprised...
Which ROM would you personally ally recommend?
Sent from my K00E using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Sony has a 4.4.2 firmware out for the whole range. There is a rooted rom based on this that is very close to pure stock Sony I believe, and then there is Monix's ROM based on Sony's 4.4.2 release that gets good reviews - it is quite customised.
On the custom ROM front there are:
SlimKat - this is my preferred ROM but I'm having trouble building it for this device consistently
Carbon - this is my daily at the moment, I'm doing the unofficial builds of this for now
LiquidSmooth - this seems to get good reviews but doesn't look like it's been updated in about a month
PAC - I was using this for some time and was good
PA - as above
CM11 - Has it's fans and most of the other ROMs use at least some parts of it and it's device tree
AOSP - Don't know what that is up to, not used it
AOKP - as above
PAC - I was using this for some time and was good
PA - as above
Then there is the GPe port that many seen to love

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