[Q] Noob wanting to root device - Scared about losing IMEI etc - Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Hi guys,
What is the best way to root this beautiful device? Currently my Z Ultra is using stock rom, I'm happy with it but I want to root so I can add on a few things like App 2 SD, titanium backup etc with the possibility of maybe adding on a ROM once development kicks off for Sony Z Ultra Roms.
When I had my Note 2, I backed up the EFS with the rooting tool as I was told this was where all my IMEI and serial were housed in case the device got bricked - Therefore, I want to find out what the same kind of thing with the Z ultra is. I've heard that you should back up the TA partition but that's for the Bravia engine keys if I'm not mistaken? Will that also backup the IMEI and any other important bits of info like the serial?
Long story short, I want to know what the safest way to root is please and how I can backup all the neccessary things so that if God forbid my device does get bricked etc, I can go back and still have a fully functional device.
Thanks all
HamzaB

---

well..there is no need to write another four pages long explanation and guide. Everything you need to know is here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2446502
And some more good reading
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428590
And please scroll through the forum and read the other threads

---

It's safe. Use vRoot, and it'll be over after 10 seconds. It's also almost impossible to hard brick it unless you throw it into a volcano or something. You might soft brick it, like I did last week, but it's simple to get it up and running again.
One question though. Are you currently running firmware version 532 or 257?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk

---

LordManhattan said:
It's safe. Use vRoot, and it'll be over after 10 seconds. It's also almost impossible to hard brick it unless you throw it into a volcano or something. You might soft brick it, like I did last week, but it's simple to get it up and running again.
One question though. Are you currently running firmware version 532 or 257?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oops
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
..lol yeah I forgot to mention the 257 firmware :silly: hmm I haven't bricked mine yet but its good to know flashtool will recover the phone from almost about anything

---

LordManhattan said:
It's safe. Use vRoot, and it'll be over after 10 seconds. It's also almost impossible to hard brick it unless you throw it into a volcano or something. You might soft brick it, like I did last week, but it's simple to get it up and running again.
One question though. Are you currently running firmware version 532 or 257?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since this thread has already been stared...i am on a c6806 with the i think 257 update ....can i use vroot as well ?

---

SÜPERUSER said:
..lol yeah I forgot to mention the 257 firmware :silly: hmm I haven't bricked mine yet but its good to know flashtool will recover the phone from almost about anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is, everything except for volcano drops. Or can it? To the lab! Hawaii!
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk

---

trooper1414 said:
Since this thread has already been stared...i am on a c6806 with the i think 257 update ....can i use vroot as well ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From everything that I have read on this forum, VRoot does NOT appear to work with .257.
The only way to root .257 at the moment seems to be to revert to .532, root it, and then use a root-keeper while you do an OTA upgrade to .257.

---

that's correct, and you can revert your firmware without unlocking your bootloader, which doesn't void your warranty too. yay to sony

---

I promise you it's easier than you think.
It's also very easy to recover your phone. I got a couple bootloops and then I did something so my navbar disappeared.
I just re-flashed .352 -> 257 and that was that.
I love how easy it is.

---

LordManhattan said:
It's safe. Use vRoot, and it'll be over after 10 seconds. It's also almost impossible to hard brick it unless you throw it into a volcano or something. You might soft brick it, like I did last week, but it's simple to get it up and running again.
One question though. Are you currently running firmware version 532 or 257?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one sec Vroot is working again ?

---

avetny said:
one sec Vroot is working again ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for 257, pretty sure he meant for 352?

---

SweFox said:
Not for 257, pretty sure he meant for 352?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got it. Thanks

---

SÜPERUSER said:
well..there is no need to write another four pages long explanation and guide. Everything you need to know is here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2446502
And some more good reading
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428590
And please scroll through the forum and read the other threads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply and everyone else who replied.
I will follow the vroot method as someone mentioned on this thread, however, I've read to backup TA partition to backup DRM Bravia keys or something, however, how can I backup things like IMEI/Serial etc (things that were kept on EFS on Note devices)
Thanks

---

READ THIS FIRST

---

LordManhattan said:
READ THIS FIRST
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, wow. Thanks for that. Literally an hour away from rooting.
What other methods can i use?
EDIT: What is the difference between unlocking and locking bootloader?

---

hamzab said:
Ah, wow. Thanks for that. Literally an hour away from rooting.
What other methods can i use?
EDIT: What is the difference between unlocking and locking bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure. I think there was an alternative, albeit much longer and complicated rooting guide back on 475 or something (that should still work on 532?). The rooting scene ain't pretty from now on. We don't have any other "one click root" solutions at the moment, so we're properly f*****, unless you want to give the vRoot people your information, like a lot of us have already done
The difference between unlocked bootloader and locked bootloader is that the unlocked bootloader is unlocked. Just kidding. I literally just unlocked my bootloader, and it allows me to install Recovery and flash custom ROMs like CM, PAC-ROM, PA etc. You'll lose X-Reality though, so you might want to think about it before you do it, but it's revertible (i.e you can lock it again) and get X-Reality back as long as you've backed up your TA folder!

---

LordManhattan said:
I'm not sure. I think there was an alternative, albeit much longer and complicated rooting guide back on 475 or something (that should still work on 532?). The rooting scene ain't pretty from now on. We don't have any other "one click root" solutions at the moment, so we're properly f*****, unless you want to give the vRoot people your information, like a lot of us have already done
The difference between unlocked bootloader and locked bootloader is that the unlocked bootloader is unlocked. Just kidding. I literally just unlocked my bootloader, and it allows me to install Recovery and flash custom ROMs like CM, PAC-ROM, PA etc. You'll lose X-Reality though, so you might want to think about it before you do it, but it's revertible (i.e you can lock it again) and get X-Reality back as long as you've backed up your TA folder!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah so you have to unlock boot loader for pretty much anything.
I'm not really interested in installing custom ROMs, I think Sony have actually done quite a good job, I only installed custom roms on my note because samsung was so bloated.
Do I have to unlock bootloader if all I want to do is add a few things like awesome beats, titanium backup pro etc? I don't want to install a ROM.
Hopefully someone somewhere comes up with a new rooting method soonish. Would even donate.
EDIT: In theory then, can I unlock the boot loader, install a custom rom, then relock it so I get x reality back etc?

---

hamzab said:
Ah so you have to unlock boot loader for pretty much anything.
I'm not really interested in installing custom ROMs, I think Sony have actually done quite a good job, I only installed custom roms on my note because samsung was so bloated.
Do I have to unlock bootloader if all I want to do is add a few things like awesome beats, titanium backup pro etc? I don't want to install a ROM.
Hopefully someone somewhere comes up with a new rooting method soonish. Would even donate.
EDIT: In theory then, can I unlock the boot loader, install a custom rom, then relock it so I get x reality back etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to unlock the bootloader if you just want to root and install Titanium etc. You only need to unlock it if you want to flash a custom ROM. People are trying to find a root exploit in 257, but it looks like it's really hard to do, so we just have to wait.
And that won't work. You need to have Recovery installed to flash custom ROMs, and Recovery requires root.