Related
About what it says on the tin; Since the new users guide is currently mangled since the mods removed the questionable software links, I'm unsure how to root the thing (Not that I can right now, but I should get it sometime today if UPS will get it's **** together).
Also, two tangents but slightly related; I know we need to backup the TA partition to retain the installed DRM keys, but what exactly do those DRM keys do?
And, I noticed Omni ROM now includes a Build.prop update to their install that fixes the data issues; I've never updated a build before, so just to clairify, all I do is replace the Build.prop in that folder in the .ZIP file, right?
- Root tool
- General rooting guide (ignore the vRoot part and use the first link in this post)
- TA tool with guide
DRM keys are used for X-Reality and TrackID etc. so if you unlock your bootloader, you'll lose the DRM keys and you can't get them back. That's why you should back it up in case you want to unlock the bootloader.
Perfect, thanks.
LordManhattan said:
- Root tool
- General rooting guide (ignore the vRoot part and use the first link in this post)
- TA tool with guide
DRM keys are used for X-Reality and TrackID etc. so if you unlock your bootloader, you'll lose the DRM keys and you can't get them back. That's why you should back it up in case you want to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good post
it's funny tho, i never can tell any difference when my bootloader is unlocked. TrackID seems to work still(?, will have to try again sometime to confirm but i could swear i tried it), and i can still enable X-Reality(tho i have never known or seen what it brings, even when i was bone stock haha)
lmemma16 said:
good post
it's funny tho, i never can tell any difference when my bootloader is unlocked. TrackID seems to work still(?, will have to try again sometime to confirm but i could swear i tried it), and i can still enable X-Reality(tho i have never known or seen what it brings, even when i was bone stock haha)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can enable it when unlocked but it wont really work
lmemma16 said:
good post
it's funny tho, i never can tell any difference when my bootloader is unlocked. TrackID seems to work still(?, will have to try again sometime to confirm but i could swear i tried it), and i can still enable X-Reality(tho i have never known or seen what it brings, even when i was bone stock haha)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Gracenote (the service that fetches info about your movies/music) should also stop working after unlocking the bootloader, but i'm still using it.
LordManhattan said:
Yeah, Gracenote (the service that fetches info about your movies/music) should also stop working after unlocking the bootloader, but i'm still using it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i might just stop relocking, and save myself the factory reset whenever i unlock! unless i want to install an OTA update i guess..
---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 PM ----------
shaolin95 said:
You can enable it when unlocked but it wont really work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't think i can even tell the difference, maybe i need to look closer lol.
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:
Hi All,
I've been using 4.4.4 (Build# 23.0.1.A.0.167) for a while... I've stuck with it for longer than I should have, it's just... I liked the amazing battery life and stability and didn't want to lose that after reading so many bugs with upgrades....
Any how, I was considering, finally, making the jump to the latest via Over The Air from Sony... however, is there anything I should know before taking the leap? Considering I may want to root... should I consider rooting it before the upgrade? Or will it not affect anything and I can upgrade... then root later(or again, does the upgrade prevent/make it harder to root)?
I'm stock right now, but I would like to root the phone eventually...just, I haven't had time to fool with it right now, and it's my only reliable phone that I use daily. Anything I should be aware of that the upgrade/update may impact the root?
Thanks in Advance.
If it's the Marshmallow update, I don't think there is an easy way to root after unless things have changed since I last looked. At least not without unlocking your bootloader. I recommend doing the links below to get a rooted Marshmallow without unlocking your bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe you're TA partition and effect camera performance and some viewing modes
If you root you want to backup your "DRM Keys" as a precaution. Though if you lose your DRM there is a fix on here to recover lost functions after losing keys.
Anyways I recommend using "flashtool" to flash a Lollipop firmware. Then use the 2 guides I've linked below to flash Marshmallow to your phone with root.
This code will root Lollipop with a locked bootloader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3108230
This guide will install a pre-rooted Marshmallow ROM fully stock still with a locked bootloader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3355768
Sent from my D6503 using XDA-Developers mobile app
---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------
A guide to backup your TA partition and DRM Keys.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Sent from my D6503 using XDA-Developers mobile app
RuffBuster said:
Unlocking the bootloader will wipe you're TA partition and effect camera performance and some viewing modes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question which relates to what you mentioned.
Unfortunately a while back I unlocked my bootloader not knowing I'd get a negative effect on camera performance as well as viewing modes.
Anyway, I recently relocked the bootloader, did a factory reset, full wipe, dalvic/cache, etc...
I done a clean install of Marshmallow .570 firmware, stock.
I have the feeling that having previously unlocking the bootloader is still affecting me.
In the display setting, when selecting X reality or Super Vivid, it does not make any visible changes!
I double checked my bootloader status and it is locked. Is there any other way I can get back the same camera performance and Sony enhancements as before? If so, how?
Thank you so much if you are able to help.
MM570+Assertive Display+greenify
SOT 6hrs same like 4.4
and faster windows animation
kanej2006 said:
I have a question which relates to what you mentioned.
Unfortunately a while back I unlocked my bootloader not knowing I'd get a negative effect on camera performance as well as viewing modes.
Anyway, I recently relocked the bootloader, did a factory reset, full wipe, dalvic/cache, etc...
I done a clean install of Marshmallow .570 firmware, stock.
I have the feeling that having previously unlocking the bootloader is still affecting me.
In the display setting, when selecting X reality or Super Vivid, it does not make any visible changes!
I double checked my bootloader status and it is locked. Is there any other way I can get back the same camera performance and Sony enhancements as before? If so, how?
Thank you so much if you are able to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672
Sent from my D6503 using XDA-Developers mobile app
RuffBuster said:
Try http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672
Sent from my D6503 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro, I did come across that and it worked wonders! I was so worried I would never get back the quality I had before.
Now I'm finally able to use Sony image enhancements and not having to worry about camera performance and image noise!
The above fix worked 100%
Cheers.:good:
RuffBuster said:
If it's the Marshmallow update, I don't think there is an easy way to root after unless things have changed since I last looked. At least not without unlocking your bootloader. I recommend doing the links below to get a rooted Marshmallow without unlocking your bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe you're TA partition and effect camera performance and some viewing modes
If you root you want to backup your "DRM Keys" as a precaution. Though if you lose your DRM there is a fix on here to recover lost functions after losing keys.
Anyways I recommend using "flashtool" to flash a Lollipop firmware. Then use the 2 guides I've linked below to flash Marshmallow to your phone with root.
This code will root Lollipop with a locked bootloader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3108230
This guide will install a pre-rooted Marshmallow ROM fully stock still with a locked bootloader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3355768
Sent from my D6503 using XDA-Developers mobile app
---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------
A guide to backup your TA partition and DRM Keys.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Sent from my D6503 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip. Didn't know that it was hard to root Marshmallow and up from what I get from your post. I'm on KitKat and I'm jumping up to lollipop, I'll be tearing through the guides you posted, appreciate it.
I don't have any music on my phone, but I'll probably do the DRM backup anyways, just as a precaution as you mentioned.
Cheers mate!
ssnova said:
Hi All,
I've been using 4.4.4 (Build# 23.0.1.A.0.167) for a while... I've stuck with it for longer than I should have, it's just... I liked the amazing battery life and stability and didn't want to lose that after reading so many bugs with upgrades....
Any how, I was considering, finally, making the jump to the latest via Over The Air from Sony... however, is there anything I should know before taking the leap? Considering I may want to root... should I consider rooting it before the upgrade? Or will it not affect anything and I can upgrade... then root later(or again, does the upgrade prevent/make it harder to root)?
I'm stock right now, but I would like to root the phone eventually...just, I haven't had time to fool with it right now, and it's my only reliable phone that I use daily. Anything I should be aware of that the upgrade/update may impact the root?
Thanks in Advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can fully root your phone without any problem or losing your data and without using PC by this easy way:
1-Download KingRoot from this link: http://www.kingroot.net/wap/download
2- Install it on your phone.
3- Open it and wait until it check for the root installed or not, if it isn't installed then click on the Root icon in the middle and your phone will be fully rooted successfully.
Note: your phone maybe reboot normally during the rooting progress or after it, no problem in it ok
If there is any another question just tell me and i will answer you
What about the changing of kinguser to supersu afterwards as kinguser does not give the same root access permissions as supersu does. Also think it's only the latest version than kills Sony ric older ones will need ric killer. What about recovery? If using 5.1 use NUTS xzd recovery for z2, I'd also wipe the phone when Updating from KK to 5.1 or to mm to get the best results just use sonys back up app and Titanium Backup to save your app data.
ok so please be gentle here, coming back here after 7 years, from old Windows Mobile days!
I am a newbie to Android and want to root my Z5 compact. The only reason I want to root it is to enable some apps like Greenify and GSam battery monitor to work with all their features enabled. I do not want to flash a new ROM. I am happy with Sony's stock ROM.
Is it possible to get root access without installing / flashing a new ROM?
I have searched the internet but people talk about flashing every time I read about rooting. Then I also saw this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Lots of geeky stuff there which is fine, but again, it seems to talk about flashing the ROM, which I really do not want to do or do not see the need (yet).
Unlock boot loader:
I see that Sony lets me unlock the boot loader from their dev site. I am willing to unlock the boot loader. (Not sure if I want to do that first. Maybe unlocking BL is all I need?)
rajdude said:
ok so please be gentle here, coming back here after 7 years, from old Windows Mobile days!
I am a newbie to Android and want to root my Z5 compact. The only reason I want to root it is to enable some apps like Greenify and GSam battery monitor to work with all their features enabled. I do not want to flash a new ROM. I am happy with Sony's stock ROM.
Is it possible to get root access without installing / flashing a new ROM?
I have searched the internet but people talk about flashing every time I read about rooting. Then I also saw this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Lots of geeky stuff there which is fine, but again, it seems to talk about flashing the ROM, which I really do not want to do or do not see the need (yet).
Unlock boot loader:
I see that Sony lets me unlock the boot loader from their dev site. I am willing to unlock the boot loader. (Not sure if I want to do that first. Maybe unlocking BL is all I need?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason to use that guide is to backup ta keys for whatever reason you'd want to do that.
If you're after root on stock ROM the single easiest way is to unlock bootloader, flash twrp 3.0.2, flash xpower 3.0, and that's it. Solid marshmallow with root goodies. Xpower has everything and is deodexed and ready for xposed framework.
just a little more clarification please?
civicsr2cool said:
.....easiest way is to unlock bootloader, flash twrp 3.0.2, flash xpower 3.0, and that's it. ......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks.....that sounds straight forward.....but isn't TWRP a ROM? (sorry, the moment I hear flashing...I think ROM)
And I am looking up xpower...not sure what that is (yet) and why do I need it
I do want xposed framework though.
I wish there was a simple straightforward answer
rajdude said:
Ok thanks.....that sounds straight forward.....but isn't TWRP a ROM? (sorry, the moment I hear flashing...I think ROM)
And I am looking up xpower...not sure what that is (yet) and why do I need it
I do want xposed framework though.
I wish there was a simple straightforward answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp is your recovery,you flash through fastboot, xpower 3.0 is the ROM, just a pre-modded stock ROM with options of xperia x addons. Use lite and stock kernel for xpower and you'll be set.
still a little confused
civicsr2cool said:
Twrp is your recovery,you flash through fastboot, xpower 3.0 is the ROM, just a pre-modded stock ROM with options of xperia x addons. Use lite and stock kernel for xpower and you'll be set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks! So my understanding (so far) is :
We "must" flash a ROM in order to root a phone. Did I get that correct?
Since I said I like the stock Sony ROM, you recommended the xpower 3.0 ROM.........but the point is.....I still have to flash ROM.
A little confused here...
I am a systems engineer (my day job). In Linux or Windows OS, if we want root access (to run some software or a low level command, like partitioning a disk etc), we either run SU command and put root's password OR right click and run as administrator......
We never have to install a brand new Operating System to get root access.
Just a total newbie question.....Why do we have do install a whole new OS (flash new ROM) on our Android phones to get root access?
rajdude said:
Ok thanks! So my understanding (so far) is :
We "must" flash a ROM in order to root a phone. Did I get that correct?
Since I said I like the stock Sony ROM, you recommended the xpower 3.0 ROM.........but the point is.....I still have to flash ROM.
A little confused here...
I am a systems engineer (my d Linux or Windows OS, if we want root access (to run some software or a low level command, like partitioning a disk etc), we either run SU command and put root's password OR right click and run as administrator......
We never have to install a brand new Operating System to get root access.
Just a total newbie question.....Why do we have do install a whole new OS (flash new ROM) on our Android phones to get root access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is Linux, to gain root in the ROM you have on your phone currently all you need is an unlocked bootloader to run SU, but then you'll be left with a phone that still needs a customized kernel to keep root and a DRM fix for the camera. Xpower 3.0 is that package.
You could really benefit from reading more. Google up on dm-verity and Sony Ric, and fastboot/adb for a little better understanding of what you're getting into without a pre compiled ROM. Messing around with any Android you'll have the majority of the same steps, unlock bootloader with fastboot, flash Supersu, customized kernel.. Etc
Why use a stable compiled ROM?
Let me list down and explain to you why it's best to use a stable compiled ROM. But first you need to understand these few things before you decide to unlock your bootloader and root.
Before Sony Z models kicked in, every rooted Sony device are still able to retain all the features that came together with the phone before it was rooted. When Sony introduce the first Z model, they start to create these things called DRM keys. DRM keys are unique algorithm (i guess i should put it that way) which is attached to every phone the same way an IMEI number is attached to every phone. In short, my DRM keys cannot be used on your phone and vice versa.
DRM key: It's a unique algorithm that holds all the unique features that an unrooted Sony phone boast such as camera quality, X-reality, High Res Audio etc etc.
The moment you unlock your bootloader, that's the moment your DRM keys will be lost. But don't panic, the wonderful devs on XDA have prepared a tool to backup your TA partition (a partition that contains your DRM key) for your own convenience if you want to relock your bootloader.
Then recently Sony/Android come up with new features called Sony RIC and dm-verity. (You may Google what these are all about but to my understanding it is placing limitations to people who root their phones to meddle around with the system settings of thier phone)
With all these "hurdles", it have taken some time for devs here to find a work around and like every fairytale ending, they manage to find a way.
Now you're wondering if you can actually root without flashing another rom. Good news for you: you can! There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting.
.. But ask yourself what's the point of going through the hassle of rooting and your phone is not tweaked for performance or for theming purposes?
That's when people flash roms and in Z5 compact's case, XPower is the best rom there is. It gives you all the performance tweak you need to make your phone lag free, it has a lite version that removes all the unnecessary system apps you can't delete without root, it gives you an option to add themes and framework from Xperia X with all those work around in place.
For your second question: why is there a need to install TWRP?
TWRP is a recovery tool which is a need for all rooted phone. It's also a tool for you to backup and restore your current rom so that you can rollback to the last working configuration if your phone went into a bootloop etc. Plus i believe all these guides require you to actually use TWRP to flash the SuperSU to successfully root your phone.
I hope this explains your doubts.
Thanks a lot but...
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
By unlocking bootloader, you lose DRM keys. There is a way to backup DRM keys which are in the TA partition, but this is to be done BEFORE you unlock bootloader. Good that I have not done anything to my X5c yet.
The next steps for me would be to look into XPower 3 ROM…which I did and here is what I found out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/development/rom-xpower-v1-0-aroma-debloat-custom-t3371100
First, what's up with the scary looking warning in RED right at the top of the first thread. I did read the OP and the second post, I did not see anything in there which IF I missed will cause my phone to explode! That is probably posted to make noobs read all instructions, right?
Second, I do not see any step in there to backup the DRM / TA partition. I guess the dev is assuming the phone already has lost the DRM, right? So I gotta find instructions on how to backup DRM / TA
Then I searched for problems in this ROM and seems to me that the fingerprint sensor is reported by many to be not working and/or buggy. I rely on the fingerprint sensor day and night. I have many apps which rely on that, like lastpass. That would be a major deal breaker for me.
So going back to stock ROM option…I remember you said "There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting."
Could you please post a link to that?
Thanks again!
I think this is a pretty great thread rajdude. It's getting people to spell out a lot of information to noobs like us that it seems most posters have taken for granted over time.
I'm a complete novice at all of this. Sort of gleaning information as I go along, but I used this guide: http://twigstechtips.blogspot.hk/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=0
Along with this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/general/guide-rooting-unlocking-bootloader-t3354307
The first guide is pretty basic step-by-step instructions. It unfortunately occasionally kind of skips over a couple very small things (that will be clear as you go along), or occasionally words things in such a way that might not be completely intuitive, but maybe that's cause I need things explained to me like I'm five sometimes. Any time I might have had a question about something in the the first guide, I went to the other and found the answer. It didn't take me long to get the gist of the whole thing though, and overall, it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. It'd be fantastic if someone created a video walkthrough, but so far as I know, no one has done that yet.
The guide will help you back up your TA Partition where your DRM keys are stored, unlock your bootloader, root your device, and then restore your DRM keys. In order to do this you need to downgrade to Lollipop (if you're not already on it), and then upgrade back up to Marshmallow. It will also install TWRP (which I had no clue was installed until I went into "recovery mode" by pressing UP when I saw the LED flash yellow during boot). There may be an easier way to go about this whole process, but this is the process I used.
Before jumping into anything, I'd hold off until you heard more from firdyRAY or someone more experienced. They may look at the guide I linked and be horrified.
And yeah, I haven't installed xpower yet for the same reasons you haven't. Sounds like there's even an xpower 4.0 that was released recently, but still seems kinda buggy. Being rooted with stock I've been able to give Greenify access to root. Install Adaway (which was worth getting root to begin with). Install sound/music mods like DiVA-X, Viper4Android and Dolby Atmos. Install Titanium Backup. And make a few other minor tweaks (that I've since reversed). I still don't know much about custom ROMs and all that jazz, so I'm holding off until I get more understanding. I'd love to install the xpower ROM (when the bugs are worked out), and maybe some sort of sound ROM. I also need to get more understanding on some of the other vernacular like what exactly a "dirty flash" is.
rajdude said:
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
By unlocking bootloader, you lose DRM keys. There is a way to backup DRM keys which are in the TA partition, but this is to be done BEFORE you unlock bootloader. Good that I have not done anything to my X5c yet.
The next steps for me would be to look into XPower 3 ROM…which I did and here is what I found out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/development/rom-xpower-v1-0-aroma-debloat-custom-t3371100
First, what's up with the scary looking warning in RED right at the top of the first thread. I did read the OP and the second post, I did not see anything in there which IF I missed will cause my phone to explode! That is probably posted to make noobs read all instructions, right?
Second, I do not see any step in there to backup the DRM / TA partition. I guess the dev is assuming the phone already has lost the DRM, right? So I gotta find instructions on how to backup DRM / TA
Then I searched for problems in this ROM and seems to me that the fingerprint sensor is reported by many to be not working and/or buggy. I rely on the fingerprint sensor day and night. I have many apps which rely on that, like lastpass. That would be a major deal breaker for me.
So going back to stock ROM option…I remember you said "There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting."
Could you please post a link to that?
Thanks again!
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sony ric is a layer of security for sony roms so that they can protect nfc and fingerprint stuff. samsung and htc have there own variants as well.
yes lol the big red lettering is there to make you read, although hes not far off on the melting your phone part, the s810 is ridiculously hot.
the xpower thread doesnt not include the drm backup instructions because: 1) you need bootloader unlocked to flash it. and 2) because it includes the drm fix in it so you dont have to backup your ta keys.
the fingerprint sensor bug is on any bootloader unlocked phone, the hardware fails after x amount of hours and requires a reboot to work again. xpower is a stock rom, the only thing different is its pre-rooted, de-bloated, and deodexed for xposed to work. we have a separate thread for the fingerprint sensor bug and its been solved.
rajdude said:
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony RIC main function is to disable /system write even you got root permission(you still able to do /system write but after a reboot will restore to original). There is a workaround but very trouble, TWRP recovery file manager can bypass Sony RIC(it works in the old day for me, not sure about now). BTW, all 3rd kernel should be disabled RIC nowadays. For any regular computer, there is no hardware or software lock to prevent you gain root access in linux but there are many such trouble stuffs in the android world... lol
I'm running XPower 3.0 Full as a daily driver since June and been very happy. Battery life, stability and speed is good.
Please note, that you MAY lose your warranty when you lose your DRM keys. That's why I didn't unlocked my phone before there was a way to backup TA partition. Now I'm after warranty repair, and before it I was able to fully restore stock ROM with DRM and all features fully functional. In my country, there is only one Sony approved repair center and they check DRM keys before repairing anything - even if it's mechanical fault.
When I had Z1c in KitKat days, it didn't had dm-verity and Sony RIC. It was possible to gain permanent root with bootloader locked, so I was happily using stock ROM and kernel. In Z5c case, first thing I tried was to do the same and it was possible (just backup TA, unlock bootloader, and flash TWRP with patched kernel (dm-verity and Sony RIC disabled) to begin with), but going XPower way was much more confident - I didn't had to think about removing every bloat app. I just flashed lite version in June and I'm using it till this day without any problems at all
Another thing is that you lose OTA (Over-The-Air Update) functionality when you unlock bootloader and disable Sony RIC and dm-verity. Updating to newer versions of firmware, even on stock ROM is problematic when you modify it.
michuroztocz said:
Another thing is that you lose OTA (Over-The-Air Update) functionality when you unlock bootloader and disable Sony RIC and dm-verity. Updating to newer versions of firmware, even on stock ROM is problematic when you modify it.
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It's simply not possible. If you are rooted you can't apply OTA updates and neither should you.
flopower1996 said:
It's simply not possible. If you are rooted you can't apply OTA updates and neither should you.
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That's just what I wrote - just put it in another words
Hello there, I'm very new to Sony phones, and with so, I wanted to unlock the bootloader on MM, because I wanted to install a WiFi fix (Internet develops terribly on MM) that needs a custom recovery.
I searched multiple guides on how to unlock it and backup the DRM keys to not lose any functionality, but, I did not find one specialized on the Z2, so I wondered how it could be done and install that fix.
Thanks a lot, best regards.
i have the problem too
CGR911 said:
Hello there, I'm very new to Sony phones, and with so, I wanted to unlock the bootloader on MM, because I wanted to install a WiFi fix (Internet develops terribly on MM) that needs a custom recovery.
I searched multiple guides on how to unlock it and backup the DRM keys to not lose any functionality, but, I did not find one specialized on the Z2, so I wondered how it could be done and install that fix.
Thanks a lot, best regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be happy to help, what you need is root with a locked bootloader, Follow this " https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/help/guide-idiots-guide-to-root-twrp-t3534647 " when you get root, let me know I will tell you how to backup the DRM keys then