Hi all,
I was thinking it might be useful to put info. here on this, rather than 5 different threads. There are quite a few of us on the previous firmware and want to update but want root and perhaps don't want to try that over-the-air (OTA) trick to keep root.
Does anyone know are there any successful rooting tricks, or is it just OTA?
OTA isn't a big trick, just updating the firmware over the phone's internet(WiFi or 3G).
Any rumors about directly rooting .62 soon?
I cannot update via OTA because I have recovery and I don't want to remove it
RePlaYing said:
Any rumors about directly rooting .62 soon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ran through all the Sony Ericsson forums and found no real advancement...the Arc section they are using .ftf files PRErooted ...that's a nice advancement. I still look forward to the next easy method though. When I bought my first SE Android-version phone in 2010 it was exactly like this, it takes some time for the newer official firmware to be rooted, so I'm relaxed about it.
Hello,
I have a Sony Xperia S model running currently on Gingerbread version and the ICS update is now available in my country (India) too. After reading all the pros and cons with it Ive decided to go ahead with upgrading.
But,i also came across a suggestion which asked me to 'wipe' the phone completely and 'flash' it before updating.These terms are new for me and i would very much appreciate it if someone could tell me what exactly does this mean and how do i go about doing it.Thanks in advance.
P.S - I do NOT want to root my phone or do anything that devoids the default warranty period however.Just saying.
Edit : Ok,iam seriously confused now.Just read somewhere a 'full wipe' means erasing everything from your phone,except for the Clockwork mod and download mod.Does this mean i wont be able to upgrate to ICS after the full wipe ?! :S Help needed and ASAP please.
you can upgrade it officially thru Sony pc companion, Sony website, or over the air that's provided by your carrier. the terms flashing or clockwork are options for users who have rooted their phone as they cannot update officially anymore without going back to a locked bootloader. so since the update is available in your country, you can do it officially thru the methods mentioned above. you don't have to root.
Hi,
So I've done my best to read up on this but I'm absolutely terrified of Bricking my phone, so can someone please give me some advice?
I've got a Sony Xperia Ray running android 2.3.4 which is terrible and It won't let me use any decent apps.
I want to upgrade it to Android Icecream but I'm terribly dumb when it comes to phones, my talents lie in computers and I've been up the past couple of hours trying to decide what to do, I can't find a explanation that is noob freindly.
The reason I'm so hesitant is this phone was unblocked from a network to be compatable on any network, and I'm not sure if this effects the updating procedure?
When I downloaded the Sony PC companion it prompted me to upgrade my android but I'm not sure if this will upgrade the Kernel as well (Sorry if it's a stupid question).
I really need someone's help, I'm terrified!
Specs below:
Model: ST18i
Android Version:2.3.4
Baseband Version:8x55A-AAABQAZM-2-3028D-64
Kernel:2.6.32.8-perf
[email protected]#1
Buld Number:4.0.2.A.0.62
confusedphoneman said:
Hi,
So I've done my best to read up on this but I'm absolutely terrified of Bricking my phone, so can someone please give me some advice?
I've got a Sony Xperia Ray running android 2.3.4 which is terrible and It won't let me use any decent apps.
I want to upgrade it to Android Icecream but I'm terribly dumb when it comes to phones, my talents lie in computers and I've been up the past couple of hours trying to decide what to do, I can't find a explanation that is noob freindly.
The reason I'm so hesitant is this phone was unblocked from a network to be compatable on any network, and I'm not sure if this effects the updating procedure?
When I downloaded the Sony PC companion it prompted me to upgrade my android but I'm not sure if this will upgrade the Kernel as well (Sorry if it's a stupid question).
I really need someone's help, I'm terrified!
Specs below:
Model: ST18i
Android Version:2.3.4
Baseband Version:8x55A-AAABQAZM-2-3028D-64
Kernel:2.6.32.8-perf
[email protected]#1
Buld Number:4.0.2.A.0.62
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony's PC software will also update kernel if going to 4.0.4
sonys 4.0.4 is same or more laggy than 2.3.4 (gingerbread) also it still have a small storage, so u dont will have many space for apps.
if sony software fails to update, download the "flashtool" , with this u can flash firmwares manually. see in general section for tuts. firmwares can be downloaded here: http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Andro...y-Bean-ICS-Ice-Cream-Sandwich-and/td-p/154389
but the best you can do with this phone is to install some good custom rom. it will give the best experience on that phone.
to do so you need to check if you can unlock bootloader in service menu (google how to enter)
unlock bootloader: http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
lookup this fine ROM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2543426
good luck!
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
After upgrading my M4 Aqua (E2303) to Marshmallow, I can't make or receive phone calls (except occasionally). I've tried repairing the MM install with Xperia Companion, but that doesn't help. Booting into safe mode doesn't help either.
According to the Sony forums, other people have had this problem as well, and there is no Sony solution forthcoming. One person has said that going back to Lollipop solved the problem. However, when looking into how to go back to Lollipop, apparently I need a Lollipop FTF file to use with Flashtools. But I can't find any for the M4, just Marshmallow ones. Does anyone know where one is to be found? Or has any other advice about fixing the call problem in Marshmallow? That would be much appreciated.
Actually, even a generic Lollipop version would do, I'd be quite happy to debrand at the same time.
CapKremmen said:
Actually, even a generic Lollipop version would do, I'd be quite happy to debrand at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1AAC4lt7nzON2gwZ1hraE1uakE/view version E2303_26.1.A.3.111_CE.ftf
Thanks for that. I'm still waiting to hear from Sony, to see what they say first, but I may have to use that.
I went back to Lollipop using Flashtools and a Lollipop FTF file I found on Xperia blog:
http://www.xperiablog.net/forum/resources/categories/xperia-m4-aqua.78/
The file I used was the one called 'E2303_26.1.A.2.167_R16A_UK Generic_1293-9369'.
All my problems have now gone away.
It's not easy working out exactly how to downgrade. The best instructions were probably these:
http://www.xperiablog.net/2016/03/12/install-xperia-marshmallow-using-flashtool-and-xperifirm-guide/
But there's quite a few complications, and I found reading around the web on this issue helped.
There is a risk involved. There's no guarantee it will work. You may end up bricking your phone. (But my phone had become pretty much useless anyway.)