I am coming from a long line of HTC phones, never had a motorola phone. Always had CWM on my phones, etc...
Correct me if im wrong.
With a locked down booatloader, we can only have roms based on OTA updates?
Custom roms are not possible because of locked bootloader?
One can not use the source of ICS, GB, or froyo and create a rom for a device with a locked bootloader?
AOSP (CM) won't work with a locked bootloader because it has a custom kernel, and a custom kernel needs an unlocked bootloader?
So what are the current rumors regarding the bootloader unlock(not bootstrap)?
Will there be an unlock tool from moto or are we waiting for some kind of exploit?
I am in the last few days where i can return this device for something else.
I do not want to be stuck with a locked down device. (looking at the Rezound forum..there seems to be more hope)
your thoughts...
thanks.
Good question! Wished I new all the answers.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
Droidel said:
I am coming from a long line of HTC phones, never had a motorola phone. Always had CWM on my phones, etc...
Correct me if im wrong.
With a locked down booatloader, we can only have roms based on OTA updates?
Custom roms are not possible because of locked bootloader?
One can not use the source of ICS, GB, or froyo and create a rom for a device with a locked bootloader?
AOSP (CM) won't work with a locked bootloader because it has a custom kernel, and a custom kernel needs an unlocked bootloader?
So what are the current rumors regarding the bootloader unlock(not bootstrap)?
Will there be an unlock tool from moto or are we waiting for some kind of exploit?
I am in the last few days where i can return this device for something else.
I do not want to be stuck with a locked down device. (looking at the Rezound forum..there seems to be more hope)
your thoughts...
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#1 - No, there is a workaround called 2nd-init that lets us change everything except the kernel. Just look at DROID X/2/2 GLOBAL.
#2 - Custom roms are very possible either way, even without 2nd-init
#3 - If you can add 2nd-init, then you may. otherwise you need to work backward or forward from moto firmwares.
#4 - Cyanogen uses 2nd-init on devices with locked bootloaders. Some features require kernel changes (2D hardware acceleration for example) otherwise, it will work fine.
#5 - Rumor is that unlock is coming with ICS for international devices, not VZW though.
#6 - See above. VZW will need an exploit or an edit of the international unlock.
Someone has been reading the blogs.
And I see it in the comments all the time... OMG LOCKED BOOTLOADER I WANTED TO FLASH A ROM.
Although I'm not seeing anything yet, but give it time, it will happen.
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
Hi everyone,
I am just curious why there are few roms for Kindle Fire HDX? Is it due to the locked bootloader?
is there any chance that we could have a custom rom for KitKat (Android L) in the near future (e.g. one year later) or it's impossible (in principle) if Amazon does not open bootloader and does also not provide a rom based on these versions of Android (KitKat, Android L)?
The locked bootloader is what is keeping us from a full ROM replacement. The ROMs that exist have to work with the kernel that the HDX has (4.2.2 IIRC). Being confined to this kernel will prevent us from getting on KitKat or later until either the bootloader is cracked or Amazon releases a version of FireOS based on KitKat or later AND that version is rooted.
icedtrip said:
The locked bootloader is what is keeping us from a full ROM replacement. The ROMs that exist have to work with the kernel that the HDX has (4.2.2 IIRC). Being confined to this kernel will prevent us from getting on KitKat or later until either the bootloader is cracked or Amazon releases a version of FireOS based on KitKat or later AND that version is rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to crack a bootloader? and how difficult is it?
uhraman said:
Is it possible to crack a bootloader? and how difficult is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it were easy, it would already be done...
maine_fungi said:
If it were easy, it would already be done...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read general section. The boot loader is broke now but the exploit has not been released. This has been confirmed by a very reputable Dev (hashcode) and jcase himself.
With the bootloader now unlocked -yet to be released-, we can expect development whithin a few months I would guess.
Hey guys,
Thanks in advance for any help you can give on the subject.
I just bought a Sony Xperia Z Ultra from eBay, arrived a couple of days ago, in great working condition. The firmware installed is 4.2.2, and I can't upgrade past there.
I contacted Sony and they told me it's because the IMEI number puts it's origin in Hong Kong which is why I can't update it. The only thing I can do is contact Sony Hong Kong, and I'm having a difficult time doing so.
Does anyone have a fix or workaround for this situation?
I was thinking I could root it and put an upgraded version of android on there, but as I'm not sure how rooting works, I thought I'd ask if there were any alternative options.
At this point, I'm thinking I'm just going to have to send it back, reason being when I chose this phone, one of the main points was because of the soon to be released 5.0 update.
Thanks,
Proxish said:
Hey guys,
Thanks in advance for any help you can give on the subject.
I just bought a Sony Xperia Z Ultra from eBay, arrived a couple of days ago, in great working condition. The firmware installed is 4.2.2, and I can't upgrade past there.
I contacted Sony and they told me it's because the IMEI number puts it's origin in Hong Kong which is why I can't update it. The only thing I can do is contact Sony Hong Kong, and I'm having a difficult time doing so.
Does anyone have a fix or workaround for this situation?
I was thinking I could root it and put an upgraded version of android on there, but as I'm not sure how rooting works, I thought I'd ask if there were any alternative options.
At this point, I'm thinking I'm just going to have to send it back, reason being when I chose this phone, one of the main points was because of the soon to be released 5.0 update.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know you should be able to use flashtool and flash a stock ftf for your region, or wait for 5.0 to be released and then flash it.
adfurgerson said:
As far as I know you should be able to use flashtool and flash a stock ftf for your region, or wait for 5.0 to be released and then flash it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for getting back to me.
I may wait for 5.0. I'll need to learn how to use a flashtool with android first.
Quick couple of questions. Would using a flashtool to flash a stock ftf require the phone to be rooted?
Also, do you know if there is anyway I could use the Google Play firmware on my non-Google play edition?
Proxish said:
Thank you for getting back to me.
I may wait for 5.0. I'll need to learn how to use a flashtool with android first.
Quick couple of questions. Would using a flashtool to flash a stock ftf require the phone to be rooted?
Also, do you know if there is anyway I could use the Google Play firmware on my non-Google play edition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashtool does not require root. The GPe firmware has to be "ported" to run on Sony Z Ultra due to different partition sizes. For 4.4 there is the option to use it with locked or unlocked bootloader. For 5.0 it is only for unlocked bootloader.
adfurgerson said:
Flashtool does not require root. The GPe firmware has to be "ported" to run on Sony Z Ultra due to different partition sizes. For 4.4 there is the option to use it with locked or unlocked bootloader. For 5.0 it is only for unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again for getting back to me.
Do you know if there is a tutorial for both porting the GPe firmware and for installing 4.4 using a bootloader? As I'm not even sure where to start with this, I'm not even sure what the difference between a locked and unlocked bootloader is. But I don't want to use up all your time, so if you can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Proxish said:
Thank you again for getting back to me.
Do you know if there is a tutorial for both porting the GPe firmware and for installing 4.4 using a bootloader? As I'm not even sure where to start with this, I'm not even sure what the difference between a locked and unlocked bootloader is. But I don't want to use up all your time, so if you can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has already been ported here in this thread linked below, UB and LB are short for unlocked bootloader and locked bootloader. The second post has instructions for locked install, and a simple explanation of bootloader is a set of instructions for loading the kernel so locked will only load stock. The kernel is the interface between software and hardware as I understand it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800414
This thread is up to date if you wish to read up on rooting and unlocking methods. Please don't hesitate to ask questions as it would be better than stumbling into a mess that could be avoided.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/general/guide-everything-root-4-4-4-t2938098
adfurgerson said:
It has already been ported here in this thread linked below, UB and LB are short for unlocked bootloader and locked bootloader. The second post has instructions for locked install, and a simple explanation of bootloader is a set of instructions for loading the kernel so locked will only load stock. The kernel is the interface between software and hardware as I understand it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800414
This thread is up to date if you wish to read up on rooting and unlocking methods. Please don't hesitate to ask questions as it would be better than stumbling into a mess that could be avoided.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/general/guide-everything-root-4-4-4-t2938098
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all the information.
I've done a bit of research, and read through most of what you linked.
I'm slightly confused. As far as I understand it right now, if my bootloader is locked, I can only flash official ROMs. If my bootloader is unlocked, then I can flash any ROM I want, as long as it's compatible with my phone, but I will lose the Sony Bravia engine if I do so, is that correct? I'm not too bothered about this, just curious if this is true.
Where I am really confused, is the part where in the requirements of LB Rom Port, it said
"Be on 4.4.4 firmware (only .108)"
I'm currently stuck on 4.2, and can't get my phone to 4.4.4 with either the built in software or Sony Pc Companion. Is there a guide somewhere on how I can upgrade to 4.4.4 without using the two methods just mentioned?
I've also had a search and not been able to find a 5.0 GPe ROM Port either, guessing no one has bothered with it?
Thanks again,
Proxish said:
Thank you for all the information.
I've done a bit of research, and read through most of what you linked.
I'm slightly confused. As far as I understand it right now, if my bootloader is locked, I can only flash official ROMs. If my bootloader is unlocked, then I can flash any ROM I want, as long as it's compatible with my phone, but I will lose the Sony Bravia engine if I do so, is that correct? I'm not too bothered about this, just curious if this is true.
Where I am really confused, is the part where in the requirements of LB Rom Port, it said
"Be on 4.4.4 firmware (only .108)"
I'm currently stuck on 4.2, and can't get my phone to 4.4.4 with either the built in software or Sony Pc Companion. Is there a guide somewhere on how I can upgrade to 4.4.4 without using the two methods just mentioned?
I've also had a search and not been able to find a 5.0 GPe ROM Port either, guessing no one has bothered with it?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seem to have also lost the miracast screen mirroring after unlocking bootloader, if you root then back up the TA first it can be restored. I don't have any experience with pc companion, usually when it is mentioned it is because someone couldn't get it to work. In those instances flashtool is recommended to use. Here is a guide for flashtool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
And link for 5.0 GPe port.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
adfurgerson said:
I seem to have also lost the miracast screen mirroring after unlocking bootloader, if you root then back up the TA first it can be restored. I don't have any experience with pc companion, usually when it is mentioned it is because someone couldn't get it to work. In those instances flashtool is recommended to use. Here is a guide for flashtool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
And link for 5.0 GPe port.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the links, again, much appreciated.
I was able to find an official thread for Sony Roms, and think I've found the ROM I need to upgrade to 4.4.4.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2453921
STOCK ROM] [FTF] Xperia Z Ultra (C6833) 14.4.A.0.108 "US RETAIL"
I assume this one will be ok, though I'm unsure. My phones model number is C6833, and this was the only 14.4.A.0.108 ROM I could find, and as far as I've seen, that's the recommended one for 4.4.4, assuming I haven't done anything wrong.
And just double checking, do I Need to root the phone to put the 5.0 GPE port on?
Thanks,
adfurgerson said:
I seem to have also lost the miracast screen mirroring after unlocking bootloader, if you root then back up the TA first it can be restored. I don't have any experience with pc companion, usually when it is mentioned it is because someone couldn't get it to work. In those instances flashtool is recommended to use. Here is a guide for flashtool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
And link for 5.0 GPe port.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to use FlashTool to update the phone to the official 4.4.4 ROM, so that you very much for all your help.
I think I may just end up sticking with the Xperia ROM, in favor of rooting and installing a port. I'm actually really liking the 4.4.4 Xperia version.
Thank you very much for all your help, I really appreciate it, wouldn't of been able to do this without your help.
Proxish said:
I was able to use FlashTool to update the phone to the official 4.4.4 ROM, so that you very much for all your help.
I think I may just end up sticking with the Xperia ROM, in favor of rooting and installing a port. I'm actually really liking the 4.4.4 Xperia version.
Thank you very much for all your help, I really appreciate it, wouldn't of been able to do this without your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good that you got updated. If you decide later to try custom ROMs or the ports be sure to root, then backup the TA partition before unlocking the bootloader. If you wanted to stay on stock but add some customizations you could root and install xsposed framework modules.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/index-xposed-modules-collection-post-t2327541
I've done some searching but since my gpe is mixed with Sony's version of z ultra on xda, I can't find a straight answer. so I'm pretty sure its no. I wanna root and add a custom recovery to a z ultra gpe that's already on 5.0. I bought it this way.
ivesdotkom said:
I've done some searching but since my gpe is mixed with Sony's version of z ultra on xda, I can't find a straight answer. so I'm pretty sure its no. I wanna root and add a custom recovery to a z ultra gpe that's already on 5.0. I bought it this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue that I see is that the only safe way to unlock bootloader is to root first and back up TA partition prior to unlocking. As far as I know there is not an exploit to root 5.0 yet. @DooMLoRD posted some rooted images but never got around to posting instructions how to use them. I unlocked my bootloader on 4.4.3 GPe and everything was fine till 4.4.4 update which broke camera and only fix was to revert to 4.4.3 and not allow it to update.