1- What are the reasons to unlock bootloader?
2- Does this need to be done to gain root?
3- Does this need to be done to flash custom ROMs?
4- Are there any custom ROMs out there yet?
5- What is the deal with loosing the Bravia engine when unlocking bootloader? Something about DRM?
6- Why does the Bravia engine require DRM?
7- Is the Bravia engine good, does it affect the picture quality that much?
8-I'm coming from a few years of Samsung products. Are Sony products as easy to put custom ROMs on as Samsung products?
2- I believe it does not need to be unlocked to root
5- You can back up your DRM. See the thread by DevShaft in Original Android Development.
Actually you can root your rom and backup the TA-Partition, this contains the DRM-Keys, if you dont backup the keys they will be lost forever once unlocked -> So if you want to unlock, better backup before, just in case.
If you want to use custom roms you need to unlock, there might also come custom roms which use a stock (Sony) kernel, but you can only get the whole thing like official CyanogenMod, AOKP etc if you unlocked your device.
As for now there are no customroms, but we just got the devices and started working now. so cross your fingers we will get there soon
Regards
I don't know yet about the x-reality engine, but as for the bravia engine it can be use in any android ROM, so the DRM seems not to be necessary. Need to wait for custom ROMs and see if there is a interest on unlocking this phone or just root it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Related
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
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
Hello ya all
I got my Z2 out of some deal, and I need to ask you couple of things, but first to explain myself.
1. I ALWAYS prefer AOSP rather than anything manufacturer made. Till now I had all the Galaxy S models except S6 and I always went for AOSP/Slim versions of roms. Couldnt ever wrap my head around TW and I generally prefer that my phone runs on original android, closer to Vanilla.
2. what's the deal with unlocking BL .. ? I went over some threads but It is a bit overwhelming. I figured that I need to unlock the BL in order to use AOSPs ?
3. Is Sony's customization as annoying as TW .. ? As someone who never uses Sense or TW, Im probably not going to like whatever Sony is using also (xperia UI name .. ? ) ?
4. A friend recommended Pure X ROM, and told me it would be a partial solution for my needs, doenst require BL Unlock.. ?
Waht would you guys recommend for me .. ? should I go all the way and install AOSP or do you think there is a ROM that would suit me ? Thanks to all in advance
1. Sony is quite close to AOSP, its just skinned and has some aditional features
2. Locked bootloader means nothing but signed stock kernel which means you can only run stock roms only
3. Sony is quite respective toward AOSP
(idk what sony call their UI, i think its called Overlay or Omnibalance)
4. Pure X Rom is stock based so you can flash it without bootloader unlock
(i dont recomend any rom, just remove bloat from stock rom( there is a flashable script with instructions in the cross development section.)
Igoritza said:
Hello ya all
I got my Z2 out of some deal, and I need to ask you couple of things, but first to explain myself.
1. I ALWAYS prefer AOSP rather than anything manufacturer made. Till now I had all the Galaxy S models except S6 and I always went for AOSP/Slim versions of roms. Couldnt ever wrap my head around TW and I generally prefer that my phone runs on original android, closer to Vanilla.
2. what's the deal with unlocking BL .. ? I went over some threads but It is a bit overwhelming. I figured that I need to unlock the BL in order to use AOSPs ?
3. Is Sony's customization as annoying as TW .. ? As someone who never uses Sense or TW, Im probably not going to like whatever Sony is using also (xperia UI name .. ? ) ?
4. A friend recommended Pure X ROM, and told me it would be a partial solution for my needs, doenst require BL Unlock.. ?
Waht would you guys recommend for me .. ? should I go all the way and install AOSP or do you think there is a ROM that would suit me ? Thanks to all in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes. TW suuuucks a lot. When I was a Samsung user I also used to have some cyanogenmod based roms running as they were lagfree (in comparison to TW).
2. To use AOSP or anything that requires a kernel change you need to unlock your bootloader. Just follow sony's official instructions (remember that everything will be wiped, even internal storage).
3. Sense is the smoothest one (in my opinion) but Sony UI is also much better than TW. I think that once you get used to stock sony's functions you won't use pure android anymore, as it's missing many things (like hold shutter button on locked screen to launch camera, good camera app, stamina mode, and many many more)
4. I haven't heard about this rom, but as long as it's based on stock sony's firmware it shouldn't require an unlocked bootloader. LB in thread title means it works with locked bootloaders.
So in my opinion, you should try something that is based on Sony firmware. You can even use a stock one or try something more advanced, like existenz.
Sent from Xperia Z2
Luckily not from an iPhone = Yesterdays technology at tomorrows prices
You can always root on locked bootloader and backup DRM keys( which is necessary for camera software, i mean better photos and many more things), then you can unlock bootloader and install an AOSP rom. You can even restore these features by flashing a zip I suppose, on unlocked bootloader.
Basically want to root this phone so I can run a custom ROM, setting this phone up for my fiancees mom. All I wanna do is root and unlock the bootloader to put custom ROMs on it - Is this possible?
There is a thing called xtheme engine. ...and others too....u really don't need a coustom rom.....
Hello, as the title says, Im new to Sony smartphones, Xperia Z2 is my first sony phone.
Now I would like to get some things clear...
Ive read that I dont have to unlock my bootloader to root my Z2 with 5.1.1
If I do it this way, will I be able to flash roms and kernels normally or is there a difference between locked and unlocked bootloader for roms?
If I unlock my bootloader I loose my DRM keys, now what does that mean in practice? I have read that camera algorythms can cease to work in Xperia Z3 case, but since Z3 and Z2 are basically the same device does this apply to Z2 too?
So basically, I know what I can gain with unlocking and rooting, but what exactly will I loose?
TIA
5ageman said:
Hello, as the title says, Im new to Sony smartphones, Xperia Z2 is my first sony phone.
Now I would like to get some things clear...
Ive read that I dont have to unlock my bootloader to root my Z2 with 5.1.1
If I do it this way, will I be able to flash roms and kernels normally or is there a difference between locked and unlocked bootloader for roms?
If I unlock my bootloader I loose my DRM keys, now what does that mean in practice? I have read that camera algorythms can cease to work in Xperia Z3 case, but since Z3 and Z2 are basically the same device does this apply to Z2 too?
So basically, I know what I can gain with unlocking and rooting, but what exactly will I loose?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If you unlock bootloader you will be able to flash custom kernels and ROMs based on custom kernel (stock-based ROMs like ExistenZ work on locked bootloader).
2. Yes you will loose DRM Keys, but you can backup them before unlocking and restore to lock bootloader, but you need root. To do this you have to downgrade your Android to 5.0.2 (I prefer 23.1.A.1.28) and root via KingRoot
In practice, losing DRM Keys disables e.g. X-Reality or Noise Reduction in camera.
3. Without DRM Backup you'll loose your warranty. With DRM Backup, when you'll have to send ur phone to repair, you restore DRM keys and you have warranty again. You lose many advanced camera functions and image correction like X-Reality.
Bruce666 said:
1. If you unlock bootloader you will be able to flash custom kernels and ROMs based on custom kernel (stock-based ROMs like ExistenZ work on locked bootloader).
2. Yes you will loose DRM Keys, but you can backup them before unlocking and restore to lock bootloader, but you need root. To do this you have to downgrade your Android to 5.0.2 (I prefer 23.1.A.1.28) and root via KingRoot
In practice, losing DRM Keys disables e.g. X-Reality or Noise Reduction in camera.
3. Without DRM Backup you'll loose your warranty. With DRM Backup, when you'll have to send ur phone to repair, you restore DRM keys and you have warranty again. You lose many advanced camera functions and image correction like X-Reality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, so I do loose some valuable features by unlocking the bootloader the same as I do with the Z3. Then its a no go for me, I checked out the Existenz rom and I think it will suffice with its features for an android poweruser.
And one more question, does the 20mp in superior auto xposed module produce good pics, do I loose quality comparing to pics taken in 8mpix?
5ageman said:
I see, so I do loose some valuable features by unlocking the bootloader the same as I do with the Z3. Then its a no go for me, I checked out the Existenz rom and I think it will suffice with its features for an android poweruser.
And one more question, does the 20mp in superior auto xposed module produce good pics, do I loose quality comparing to pics taken in 8mpix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know I didn't try this. As I remember Z5 camera supports 20MP in SA and this is available in ExistenZ but im not sure.
You don't need to unlock the bootloader to root.
This is only needed if you want to flash another kernel.
Some roms need that and some don't.
Most of the rom makers use [LB] for locked and [UB] for unlocked in the title of their roms topic to indicate compatibility.
Normally the roms for unlocked bootloader are in the "http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/orig-development" and the ones for locked bootloader in "http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/development" forums but that is not always the case and some are usable in both cases.
Sorry that i join this thread, but i understand his problem.
I had Xperia Z and i only used towelroot and was happy. now i got a XZ2 and iam trying since hours to get it rooted.
First of all i flashed a clear 5.1.1 and found out, that i can't flash it. so i went down to 5.0.2 (D6503_23.1.A.1.28_Customized DE) and i should use easyroot (doesnt work)
error: only position independent executables (PIE) are supported.
done
Checking if device is rooted...
Error: device not rooted
Towelroot also doesnt work. So is there any option to get it rooted?
rockyy said:
Sorry that i join this thread, but i understand his problem.
I had Xperia Z and i only used towelroot and was happy. now i got a XZ2 and iam trying since hours to get it rooted.
First of all i flashed a clear 5.1.1 and found out, that i can't flash it. so i went down to 5.0.2 (D6503_23.1.A.1.28_Customized DE) and i should use easyroot (doesnt work)
error: only position independent executables (PIE) are supported.
done
Checking if device is rooted...
Error: device not rooted
Towelroot also doesnt work. So is there any option to get it rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your question has been answered a bazillion times...
Search a bit, and you should find the answer.