Hi everyone, sorry if this is the wrong spot to ask.
I have pre ordered a Z2 and since I am new to android and have always been an avid jailbreaker, would like to root my Z2 and eventually play around with custom ROMS.
DooMLoRD announced today that Touch Recovery is working on the Z2 so it can now be unlocked and rooted. I have a few Q's specific to this process.
1. Correct me if I'm wrong but at the moment there is no way to root the Z2 WITHOUT first unlocking it?
2. You need root to do a TA backup, so the current process of unlocking then rooting will result in lost DRM keys?
3. I read that unlocking wipes all data. Does that mean that the Z2 is then unbootable until you have flashed a ROM. Or is the stock ROM still actually in place and bootable, just without any user data?
4. What specific features are lost when you don't have DRM keys? I read something about losing functionality in the photo album and walkman apps, and bravia engine (but that may have related to unlocking the Z!).
1. You are correct.
2. Correct again.
3. The stock ROM will be in place and the phone will be usable, but all user data will be wiped.
4. I have the same question for the Z2. I haven't seen the answer anywhere, but I think @DooMLoRD and @yeeson should know...
Unlock will be lost TA！
yeeson said:
Unlock will be lost TA！
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what features you lose when you lose TA with the Z2?
JMonkeYJ said:
Do you know what features you lose when you lose TA with the Z2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the normal functions
yeeson said:
All the normal functions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say this, what exactly do you mean? Since a phone has a lot of functions. Calls still work I presume, as well as wifi and mobile data. Camera, audio, play store and google apps etc...?
I thought it was just a few Sony specific functions that stop working, like Sony's OTA updates.
It seems blog sites all over the net are reporting this method of rooting as an easy user-ready option. In their rush to get hits, they are completely neglecting to mention the fact that at the moment this is a one-way process, and that there are some very specific downsides to rushing into rooting the Z2 at the moment.
I hope people are doing their reading first
cronugs said:
When you say this, what exactly do you mean? Since a phone has a lot of functions. Calls still work I presume, as well as wifi and mobile data. Camera, audio, play store and google apps etc...?
I thought it was just a few Sony specific functions that stop working, like Sony's OTA updates.
It seems blog sites all over the net are reporting this method of rooting as an easy user-ready option. In their rush to get hits, they are completely neglecting to mention the fact that at the moment this is a one-way process, and that there are some very specific downsides to rushing into rooting the Z2 at the moment.
I hope people are doing their reading first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock all normal ！
There is no bug！
Can back to lock, and then to OTA！
yeeson said:
Unlock all normal ！
There is no bug！
Can back to lock, and then to OTA！
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you only can relock the bootloader only if the Z2 gets a proper root with locked bootloader in order to perform a backup of the TA partition. Once you unlocked it without backup, DRM keys will be lost forever and you'll lose your warranty and you won't ever be able to relock it again. No you can't use the TA backup from another phone. It would hard-brick your phone. I hope that helps!
Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk
jjpro45 said:
But you only can relock the bootloader only if the Z2 gets a proper root with locked bootloader in order to perform a backup of the TA partition. Once you unlocked it without backup, DRM keys will be lost forever and you'll lose your warranty and you won't ever be able to relock it again. No you can't use the TA backup from another phone. It would hard-brick your phone. I hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I thought. Is a proper root for the Z2 likely?
cronugs said:
When you say this, what exactly do you mean? Since a phone has a lot of functions. Calls still work I presume, as well as wifi and mobile data. Camera, audio, play store and google apps etc...?
I thought it was just a few Sony specific functions that stop working, like Sony's OTA updates.
It seems blog sites all over the net are reporting this method of rooting as an easy user-ready option. In their rush to get hits, they are completely neglecting to mention the fact that at the moment this is a one-way process, and that there are some very specific downsides to rushing into rooting the Z2 at the moment.
I hope people are doing their reading first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You MIGHT lose X Reality. DooMLoRD has tweeted a few days ago that all devices with 4.4 that unlock their bootloader will not lose it anymore, but, not that I don't believe him, but I will only be 100 about that seeing many confirmations.
Also, I think you might lose the possibility to use Music and Video Unlimited. Haven't heard anything about PS Mobile, but I think it is included. Can't remember anything else...
Related
Hi,
my question consists out of two parts, firstly:
Which (Sony) apps make use of the DRM-partition / DRM-keys?
and secondly:
Will my Xperia tablet Z function as it should if I backup my DRM-partition, unlock the bootloader, install a custom kernel (on stock but rooted firmware) and restore my backed up DRM-partition, effectively re-locking the bootloader again?
Thank you in advance.
Best regards.
Pihkal said:
Hi,
my question consists out of two parts, firstly:
Which (Sony) apps make use of the DRM-partition / DRM-keys?
and secondly:
Will my Xperia tablet Z function as it should if I backup my DRM-partition, unlock the bootloader, install a custom kernel (on stock but rooted firmware) and restore my backed up DRM-partition, effectively re-locking the bootloader again?
Thank you in advance.
Best regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I can't answer your specific questions, but here's my experience :
I made the mistake of unlocking the bootloader before backing up the TA partition and lost my DRM keys.
This prevented me downloading movies/music I purchased in Sony Entertainment Network using the stock Sony movie & music players.
(Fortunately I purchased the items with my free £20 credit that came with the tablet Z, and I can watch them on my Playstation. Also the SEN store is too expensive so I won't use it again anyway!)
I just use other services (Google Play Music, Amazon MP3, Google Movies), or rip my DVDs. All fine.
It has also been mentioned that the Bravia Engine will stop working. I did go back to a stock ROM at one point, and it let me select Bravia Engine in settings - but I don't know if it worked or not. Some people say it only makes the picture look false anyway.
I guess it may affect re-sale value, but most trade in sites I've used don't bother checking that level of detail. They just want the basics - device turns on, etc.
So, I've got mixed feelings. Kicking myself that I didn't read up more and back-up the DRM stuff before unlocking the bootloader...but not really missing out.
Thanks for your reply.
Bummer you lost lost your DRM keys.
I have the tendency to read a lot on the subject before I attempt it.
Judging by your post the only interesting thing that would stop working would be the Bravia-engine, I don't know how/if it enhances the image, I'll disable it and check the result once I get home from work.
I don't really care about SEN or any other Sony app, only the IR remote app and the sixaxis PS3 controller app I find useful, these need to work, and maybe also the Bravia-engine.
Any thoughts on the bootloader question?
Will the device boot if I install a custom kernel (Doomlord's for example) and re-lock the bootloader?
I can't see why it shouldn't boot but you never know...
Don't want to brick my brand new 500€ device...
Edit:
I should read some more before asking stupid questions:
2: nope a locked bootloader won´t accept any kernels beside stock sony ones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regards
Hey Guyz,
New to XDA-Developers platform,just wanted to get your help on rooting Xperia Z2.
I want to mirror my xperia z2 on my laptop. All the applications around need rooted phone to perform this action. Although some are working with USB cable option,but not working at my side either.
I have already downloaded all the necessary tools for rooting,the problem am facing is selection of my firmware
My Phone Software Version is 1278-4770_23.0.1.A.0.167
I want to remain on my 4.4.4 version of kitkat and root as well,till now i have learned that my software version supports German Unbranded FTF file for root.Can anyone provide me that file or some link.
Accept my Thanks and Wishes in Advance
Regards
There are many ways to obtain root access with the xperia Z2
Now keep in mind this:
There is a easy way and a hard way
The easy way voids your warrenty permanently and the hardway alows your warrenty to be restored
Think about this decision and pick one
(ill guide you through it)
Envious_Data said:
There are many ways to obtain root access with the xperia Z2
Now keep in mind this:
There is a easy way and a very hard way
The easy way voids your warrenty permanently and the hardway alows your warrenty to be restored
Think about this decision and pick one
(ill guide you through it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would definitely NOT say downgrading is a very hard way, that's just outright over exaggeration.
There is no easy way or hard way, only a quick way which voids your warranty and there is a longer way that won't void. The longer way takes about an hour if you download all the files previously.
o0 Matt 0o said:
I would definitely NOT say downgrading is a very hard way, that's just outright over exaggeration.
There is no easy way or hard way, only a quick way which voids your warranty and there is a longer way that won't void. The longer way takes about an hour if you download all the files previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*a tad tedious
I find its just a bit anoying with the back and forth
Envious_Data said:
There are many ways to obtain root access with the xperia Z2
Now keep in mind this:
There is a easy way and a hard way
The easy way voids your warrenty permanently and the hardway alows your warrenty to be restored
Think about this decision and pick one
(ill guide you through it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Envious_Data for your kind replay.
I am not much concerned with the removal of warranty permanently. I have decided my cards
Now i'll be thank full to you if you can guide me further...
isaleem7 said:
Thank you Envious_Data for your kind replay.
I am not much concerned with the removal of warranty permanently. I have decided my cards
Now i'll be thank full to you if you can guide me further...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take note that you CANT get any repairs from sony even if you want to pay, check that you are satisifed with your device aka no defects
Note that you lose some xperia functions, X-Reality, SuperVivid and some Playstation and sony apps dont work from my testing
Now lets get started
You will need this tool for unlocking your bootloader and flashing a recovery
http://www.flashtool.net/index.php
You will need this tool for installing the fastboot/flashmode/Z2 drivers for Z2
https://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http...KA9T2g&usg=AFQjCNEKiBoUgTCpZhx3dv1GJigiYpH2WQ
After unlocking your bootloader flash this boot.img to your device using flashtool
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56540642&postcount=54
Next you will need to download supersu
http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu
You can use twrp to flash this which will root your device
If you need help more than i have explained here then ask
Concider the losses from void warrenty and the few lost services
Do not use twrp to flash anything from another device, mods yes but anything more than just a mod is NO
isaleem7 said:
Thank you Envious_Data for your kind replay.
I am not much concerned with the removal of warranty permanently. I have decided my cards
Now i'll be thank full to you if you can guide me further...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It blows my mind that people elect to destroy their drm keys when keeping them takes an extra 10 minutes. It is safer to do and can always revert back to stock if your phone screws up.
Although you have been told that on 4.4.4 you lose warranty, camera quality, ps4 remote play, all the xperia unique apps like lounge. How do you know what you lose on lollipop?
Each to there own, I know I've been stung by this is the past so I would never destroy my drm keys again.
o0 Matt 0o said:
It blows my mind that people elect to destroy their drm keys when keeping them takes an extra 10 minutes. It is safer to do and can always revert back to stock if your phone screws up.
Although you have been told that on 4.4.4 you lose warranty, camera quality, ps4 remote play, all the xperia unique apps like lounge. How do you know what you lose on lollipop?
Each to there own, I know I've been stung by this is the past so I would never destroy my drm keys again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually funny enough I've learned that the lack of warranty or Xperia features phases none on some people just because they have a well working unit and most likely wont need a warrenty repair or replace
i kept my TA due to the fact i had 4 defective units in a row however with my Xperia S i had no need for them and similar with my current Z2
whats your opinion on this
Envious_Data said:
actually funny enough I've learned that the lack of warranty or Xperia features phases none on some people just because they have a well working unit and most likely wont need a warrenty repair or replace
i kept my TA due to the fact i had 4 defective units in a row however with my Xperia S i had no need for them and similar with my current Z2
whats your opinion on this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest i think it would be better to downgrade even if its just for the sake of taking a backup of your TA partition. i myself will be going stock lollipop once official CM or PA ROMs roll out, but i would still like to have a way to get back my warranty just in case its needed. currently neither rooted nor UL BL.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53220418
Try these or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2933155
All of these methods are locked bootloader freindly
Take a backup of your TA after rooting just for safety
Hello, just got my Z4 after my old Z just got in the hand of my 2-year old son
I had rooted and installed a custom rom on that one (CM 12), but I never bothered with Sony own "things" such as the Bravia engine and all.
Now, given that there are not yet any interesting roms for the Z4 and that the developers' scene has never been so active for Sony's products (hence we won't probably see anything interesting for a while, in terms of rom), what are the true disadvantages of JUST rooting the device to install stuff like adaway, titanium backup and the rest of the goodies that rooting allows? Will I lose OTAs by simply unlocking the bootloader and rooting? Since the TA partition will be gone forever, what else are the side-effects of the rooting procedure?
Thanks for any help to a semi-noob.
Luca
astrovale said:
Hello, just got my Z4 after my old Z just got in the hand of my 2-year old son
I had rooted and installed a custom rom on that one (CM 12), but I never bothered with Sony own "things" such as the Bravia engine and all.
Now, given that there are not yet any interesting roms for the Z4 and that the developers' scene has never been so active for Sony's products (hence we won't probably see anything interesting for a while, in terms of rom), what are the true disadvantages of JUST rooting the device to install stuff like adaway, titanium backup and the rest of the goodies that rooting allows? Will I lose OTAs by simply unlocking the bootloader and rooting? Since the TA partition will be gone forever, what else are the side-effects of the rooting procedure?
Thanks for any help to a semi-noob.
Luca
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apart from the minor Sony stuff that gets lost with the TA partition, I think I read you'll indeed lose the OTA updates abd the only way to upgrade your ROM is with Flashtool (from flashtool.net). Which is also no big deal, really. Just inconvenient, especially on Windows 8+, which you'll have to boot into a mode in which it accepts installation unsigned drivers needed for the tool.
Another potentially big disadvantage is warranty-related, of the bootloader unlocking. Depends on country and vendor.
Thanks a lot for your help Jelbo. Don't worry too much about using flashtool (done already). I remember though that there used to be a tool to backup TA partition. I'll look into it, but I guess that, if it's not here....
Never worried about warranty as well. I just hope I'll be lucky, I guess!
jelbo said:
Apart from the minor Sony stuff that gets lost with the TA partition, I think I read you'll indeed lose the OTA updates abd the only way to upgrade your ROM is with Flashtool (from flashtool.net). Which is also no big deal, really. Just inconvenient, especially on Windows 8+, which you'll have to boot into a mode in which it accepts installation unsigned drivers needed for the tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:crying::crying::crying: Another drawback which I haven't known. Meybe it's more comfortable to use virtual machine with flashtool.
astrovale said:
Thanks a lot for your help Jelbo. Don't worry too much about using flashtool (done already). I remember though that there used to be a tool to backup TA partition. I'll look into it, but I guess that, if it's not here....
Never worried about warranty as well. I just hope I'll be lucky, I guess!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backing up your TA is only possible when you have acquired root on your device without unlocking the bootloader. This is impossible as of now on the Z4 Tablet. Well, technically it might be possible, but no one has found an exploit yet. Maybe one will be found someday, but I wouldn't wait on it.
alex009988 said:
:crying::crying::crying: Another drawback which I haven't known. Meybe it's more comfortable to use virtual machine with flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, don't see things so badly. There's lots to enjoy on the Z4T right now.
Running Flashtool with the flashmode driver in a VM is impossible I think. The driver thing on Windows 8+ is really easy tough.
Thanks Jelbo. I went and researched the subject and the first I read was that you need to be rooted to backup your TA partition (indeed I used for my Z the doomlord tool). Well, I guess I'll wait as much as I can, but I really miss adaway most: I hate those ads everywhere cluttering my apps!
Eventually, I'm afraid I'll root and forget about it! I was just wondering also what is the meaning of loosing the bravia engine, but I'll research that too and see. All I know is that I guess I lost it on my Z...but never missed it anyway, so I guess it isnt' that fundamental to enjoy a good tablet like the sony Z4!
Bye
Luca
astrovale said:
Thanks Jelbo. I went and researched the subject and the first I read was that you need to be rooted to backup your TA partition (indeed I used for my Z the doomlord tool). Well, I guess I'll wait as much as I can, but I really miss adaway most: I hate those ads everywhere cluttering my apps!
Eventually, I'm afraid I'll root and forget about it! I was just wondering also what is the meaning of loosing the bravia engine, but I'll research that too and see. All I know is that I guess I lost it on my Z...but never missed it anyway, so I guess it isnt' that fundamental to enjoy a good tablet like the sony Z4!
Bye
Luca
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't miss the image 'enhancements' that are lost, especially when you care for color accuracy.
A cool thing I found out is that the Z4T supports 'KCAL', which enables you to tweak all kinds of image parameters using a tool like Kernel Adiutor.
Apart from killing ads, the thing I'm second most happy about with being rooted is the ability to permanently hide the soft keys using a build.prop edit, while keeping the ability to type anywhere. I mapped the back and home controls to sliding gestures from the left and right screen edges using a GMD app.
Dear community,
I've recently got a Z5 compact (updated it to MM already) and after reading around here and around the Z5 forums I came to a cruel conclusion (didn't do my homework before getting the phone, but that's my problem):
You cannot root without unlocking the bootloader and you cannot backup the DRM keys without having root access.
Is this correct? If so, how did people writing the tutorials about DRM keys backup achieve root access in the first place?
I'm a little bit confused here...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
daniel_loft said:
Dear community,
I've recently got a Z5 compact (updated it to MM already) and after reading around here and around the Z5 forums I came to a cruel conclusion (didn't do my homework before getting the phone, but that's my problem):
You cannot root without unlocking the bootloader and you cannot backup the DRM keys without having root access.
Is this correct? If so, how did people writing the tutorials about DRM keys backup achieve root access in the first place?
I'm a little bit confused here...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
currently,for the z5 family,there is no way to root without unlocking bootloader.Period.
the tutorials you see on the z5 pages are ways to restore sony credentials after unlocking bootloader but does not restore TA partition (where the DRM keys are) which is lost once you unlock bootloader. i.e you trick the phone into believing the bootloader is unlocked and can still enjoy the sony goodies with the patch (very simplified explanation here).
older models are able to achieve root (like the Z3+) only recently due to exploit found on MM and also using older firmwares.
you might want to hold back on unlocking bootloader for now.the z5 has impressive hardware rivaling samdung.the sad part is backing up TA partition while bootloader is locked,which has not been found.
that or you can hold out till the new nexus arrives.
Frostmore is correct in that you cannot backup DRM currently. But I disagree that you should hold off on doing so, the z5c lacks in most all places and root helps fix some stuff.
Does the loss of DRM keys affect camera performance?
DrYnternet said:
Does the loss of DRM keys affect camera performance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does, Mobile Bravia Engine is gone, Track ID in music player is gone and camera performance is also gone.
but now you can backup and restore your own TA if you have not unlocked bootloader yet
I thought that It is possible to backup TA partition with iovyroot here. It is working on Lollipop. So if you upgraded to Mashmallow, you need to downgrade with flashtool here which does not unlock the bootloader. After downgrade It is possible to backup DRM keys I think isn't it?
Yes downgrade then unlock boot loader then root then relock with DRM keys.
Sent from my E6633 using XDA-Developers mobile app
---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 PM ----------
It will say boot loader status relocked in service menu
Sent from my E6633 using XDA-Developers mobile app
I am completely baffled. I managed to restore ALL my original DRM keys!
I lost them while unlocking the bootloader, and then rooted my device. I also didnt do my homework and didn't realise I would lose all the DRM keys. When I factory resetted my device, using companion, I got my phone working on android 7.0 again, but ofcourse the drm keys were gone. Filming was almost impossible and fingerprint was not working etc.
And for whatever reason, guess I was bored, I unlocked the bootloader again, since it wouldn't matter anyway. So I unlocked the bootloader with oem unlock and the sony developer site, and then the device started rebooting. It looked like a bootloop, it took about 5 minutes, everything on my phone was gone (damnit). But when I tried fingerpringt, camera, everything worked like before! I have no idea how this happened but maybe this'll work for anyone here. aswell! From now on I'm not gonna touch ANYTHING anymore, since I just don't have enough developer knowledge.
btw: I made an account on this site especially to share this information with you :highfive:
Weslietje said:
I am completely baffled. I managed to restore ALL my original DRM keys!
I lost them while unlocking the bootloader, and then rooted my device. I also didnt do my homework and didn't realise I would lose all the DRM keys. When I factory resetted my device, using companion, I got my phone working on android 7.0 again, but ofcourse the drm keys were gone. Filming was almost impossible and fingerprint was not working etc.
And for whatever reason, guess I was bored, I unlocked the bootloader again, since it wouldn't matter anyway. So I unlocked the bootloader with oem unlock and the sony developer site, and then the device started rebooting. It looked like a bootloop, it took about 5 minutes, everything on my phone was gone (damnit). But when I tried fingerpringt, camera, everything worked like before! I have no idea how this happened but maybe this'll work for anyone here. aswell! From now on I'm not gonna touch ANYTHING anymore, since I just don't have enough developer knowledge.
btw: I made an account on this site especially to share this information with you :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA, and thanks for going through the trouble of creating an account to share information.
However, some of the information you shared is either wrong or misinformed.
Also, this thread is quite old, digging up old threads is generally frowned upon.
First of all, if you never made a backup of your DRM keys before unlocking your bootloader, then those keys are gone. Forever. There's absolutely no possible way of restoring them.
Second, missing DRM keys do not cause the camera or fingerprint scanner to stop working. Only certain "enhancement features" are disabled, such as X-Reality that makes images appear sharper and more vivid when viewing photos/videos, or advanced low light noise reduction when taking pictures.
Many of those DRM-reliant features can be re-enabled by applying a DRM fix patch that can be found on the XDA forums.
The fingerprint scanner is disabled for certain region's firmware by Sony via software means, but it is not dependent on DRM.
You probably messed up somewhere flashing or rooting your firmware, causing functions like the camera and fingerprint scanner to not work. Do a factory reset or clean flash in case this happens.
And finally, it is clearly worded on the web page where you go to unlock the bootloader that your phone will automatically perform a factory reset upon unlocking the bootloader, so you shouldn't be surprised that all your data was erased. It's expected behavior.
You should always backup your data before fiddling with your phone, it's good practice and common sense.
So in conclusion, no, there's no way of restoring the DRM keys without a prior backup. You didn't manage to restore it.
Here's how to verify if your DRM keys are present:
In the dialer, input *#*#7378423#*#* to enter the service menu
Service tests > Security
If your keys are intact, the first three lines should all say [Key OK][Active], and at the bottom FIDO_KEYS : Provisioned
You probably fixed your camera and fingerprint issues by performing a factory reset unknowingly, which is done automatically when you unlock the bootloader as mentioned.
mhaha said:
***
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I guess I'll just stick to reading this forum and finding solutions for my problems instead of trying to give advice. That'll look like a homeless guy, giving financial advise. Thanks for the large explanation anyway!:good:
I know that I can lose the Drm Keys but now on days there a methods that save this, the real question is what do I lose actually?
Mostly the video image enchantment feature. But like you said, there are a method to backup drm keys, root and restore all functionality
i think nothing after restore ta
all things work for me like before unlock
hsheemi said:
i think nothing after restore ta
all things work for me like before unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Including GooglePay and banking APPS?
xherbert said:
Including GooglePay and banking APPS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't try them but i think they should work or there is a workaround if they didn't work
chris699 said:
I know that I can lose the Drm Keys but now on days there a methods that save this, the real question is what do I lose actually?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
once TA is restored, (check xz1 compact forums, there is a complete detailed method )
you device becomes similar to any other android device with boot unlocked and frankly EVERY APP will work just fine! even All apps having sensitive cash or equivalent transactions will work FINE!
the problem is after bootunlock 99.9% times we ROOT our device by Magisk or SuperSU, this is then Apps starts giving error DEVICE ROOTED!
simply unlocking bootloader and restoring TA will not effect much!