So, as per title, I'm on stock Lollipop .690, and I'm very tempted to root/flash ROMs etc. But I realised it's a lot easier if my bootloader was unlocked.
Now I've done similar things to HTC/Samsung/LG phones so I know what unlocking bootloader means but I've always read reports that if you unlock an Xperia phone your camera doesn't work or something?
So if I unlock my bootloader, can I still use my camera? Basically, does anything bad happen?
1st off, this is a question so it belongs in the Q&A section.
Any how, when you unlock your bootloader the entirety of you INTERNAL memory gets wiped (any external SD cards do not get wiped). You also lose your DRM keys, these are stored in your TA files so make sure to back them up using the Backup-TA (you need root to do so however, this means you will have to downgrade to 4.4.2 to be able to back up your TA files) tool in the cross device development section. The DRM keys contain things liked noise cancelling algorithms, camera processing algorithms (the camera still works), X-Reality algorithms and other algorithms. What is actually lost when you unlock your bootloader is debated, as some people appear to lose them and some people don't. You also lose your warranty when you unlock your bootloader.
A vcat from every country of the world die
DNT
do not do this job dude u will regreat it to the end of ure life
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Hello guys
I am probably getting my self an xperia z2 this week...
So my question is:
Since i go mad when i get a new phone(desperate need to flash everything out there such as roms, kernels etc) , I need to know what do i lose if i unlock my bootloader and if i do lose something can i get it back?
Please answer only if you are certain of what you are talking about, i want to be free of doubt if possible
There is a lot of debate on what is lost/broken when you unlock the bootloader. As far as I'm aware X-reality, Super Vivid, noise cancelling, and a few other things get lost. It is able to back them up (By Backing the Ta partition up) and restore them at a later date, restoring them re-locks the bootloader though. To back the TA partition up you have to be rooted, you can find guides for that in the general section (there is no one click root method for 23.x.x.x.x.x firmwares btw). @Envious_Data you got any more info on the subject?
from my testing
you lose:
warrenty (region spesific/carrier/international)
X-Reality
Bionz Image processing
the last one effects camera quality but isnt a complete death of camera quality its somewhat worse but its not something to complain about because the device is still able to perform well
x-reality only works in the album app so no need to worry unless you like your pictures being slightly oversaturated and super sharp
i recomend downgrading to 314 via FTF>flashtool and rooting the device so you can backup your TA using the TA backup tool
after you have backed up your TA, store it somewhere safe, google drive, usb stick anywhere you wont lose it
unlock your bootloader and have fun, so long as you dont brick your device
Guys, I'm new to Sony Xperia Z2. Yesterday I backed up my TA partition with TWRP, today I unlocked the bootloader. May I safely restore the TA partition when the bootloader is unlocked, and even after I update the firmware?
I have read a few warnings that wrong TA may permanently hard-brick the device. So, that's why I am afraid.
if you restore someone elses TA it'll brick your device
you have to be on a stock kernel to restore your TA as doing this will relock your bootloader
Then that's fine. The kernel and entire firmware has not changed yet. TA backup is mine.
This guide answered all of my questions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2642081
Hello,
I've searched forums but since I dont trust my english, I couldn't find a thing. So, apologies if this was asked already.
Is my warranty void upon requesting bootloader unlock key, or is it when I actually unlock it with that key? Because sony seems to save imei codes in their site. I live in Turkey btw.
Also, another un-related question, is my phone diving-proof ?? I mean, I've shot a couple of videos and photos in pool, but I'm scared to just jump on it with my phone ?
Unlocking your bootloader wipes your TA partition where your unique DRM keys are kept
Xperia Z2 is IP58 Certified to water resistancy meaning it can survive underwater at 1 meter for 30mins or less distance for more.
Thanks for the reply.
I know, but since I am rooted on locked bl, and backed up ta partition, it should be ok to unlock, right? I mean if I restore my ta backup, I get my warranty back or..?
rtx7 said:
Thanks for the reply.
I know, but since I am rooted on locked bl, and backed up ta partition, it should be ok to unlock, right? I mean if I restore my ta backup, I get my warranty back or..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, restoring your TA relocks your bootloader so flash a stock kernel before you restore.
I have not followed the "rooting without BL unlock" dramas of the Z-Series unfold since my Z1C was unlocked...
I just vaguely recall that sometimes a rooting method was found by some dev, but it required very specifically Version xyz and of course many had already upgraded via OTA.
So do you run the OTAs on your phones? Hoping that downgrading will be possible? Or is the risk I perceive, i.e. putting in OTAs as they roll out and then removing yourself from those able to do whatever procedure might pop in the future real?
I am kinda torn on this... I am not in extreme need of root, but when / if a solution is found that keeps the DRM intact or allows TA backup beforehand I will certainly use the opportunity.
Hello,
I am new to this forum and rooting procces, I've read some threads and didn't understand few things.
So, my questions are:
1. Is it possible to root phone without unlocking bootloader and losing DRM keys?
2. If it isn't,is there a way to backup DRM keys and restore them after rooting?
3. If I am able to root without unlocking bootloader will I still get OTA updates and if I do, will OTA update delete my root status?
Sorry if these questions were already asked in other thread, I was searching a bit and couldn't find any of those. Hope you can help me out.
Thank you in advance and have a nice day
1. Yes it is although you do need some time to do it. It's not difficult though.
2. As soon as you root, you can take a ta backup(which requires a few clicks and about 2 minutes of your time).
3. You won't be able to use Ota (even if you are which you most likely won't, it is recommended that you DO NOT use it).
cindra said:
1. Is it possible to root phone without unlocking bootloader and losing DRM keys?
2. If it isn't,is there a way to backup DRM keys and restore them after rooting?
3. If I am able to root without unlocking bootloader will I still get OTA updates and if I do, will OTA update delete my root status?
Sorry if these questions were already asked in other thread, I was searching a bit and couldn't find any of those. Hope you can help me out.
Thank you in advance and have a nice day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.-Yes, the method is called "Downgrading". I go back to 4.4.2 (Build number 314) and use the older XZDR (Xperia Z Dual Recovery). It will temporarily root to install the recovery. When the phone reboots you can install a custom ROM or whatever to get Lollipop with Root and Recovery
2.-After rooting on 4.4.2 you can do a backup of the DRM Keys
3.-Just because you have rooted your phone you will no longer be able to get OTA updates for the Android system itself. OTA will show a random error message and PC Companion will refuse because of the modified software.
Ok, thank you for answers
Is there any 6+ Android build that is pre-rooted or is it better to stick with 5.1.1 rooted?
Alo, I've heard that cam quality could drop after rooting or unlocking bootloader, is it true?
cindra said:
Ok, thank you for answers
Is there any 6+ Android build that is pre-rooted or is it better to stick with 5.1.1 rooted?
Alo, I've heard that cam quality could drop after rooting or unlocking bootloader, is it true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stick with android 5.1.1 for now.
And yes, cam quality WILL DROP, but only after UNLOCKING YOUR BOOTLOADER. Rooting alone won't hurt your cam quality.
Mokiwipeout said:
Stick with android 5.1.1 for now.
And yes, cam quality WILL DROP, but only after UNLOCKING YOUR BOOTLOADER. Rooting alone won't hurt your cam quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I was thinking a lot if I should root or not. I decided to root. So just to clarify some things. If I use comunity root with downgrading,will it keep my DRM keys? If yes, I backup TA partition when rooted and then I can proceed with BL unlocking. Can I restore DRM keys to a custom ROM? Do you have any good custom ROM suggestion for me and is it better to use odexed or deodexed ROM?
I saw also saw this thread, hope it works so I won't be losing any camera quality.
That should be all.
Thank you in advance.
Have a nice day .
If you do NOT UNLOCK your bootloader, you wont lose your drm keys. (this is why after rooting using this method you can actually backup your drm keys, which you MUST DO no matter what).
When you restore your drm keys, you actually RELOCK your bootloader, so you must be on a stock based custom rom, and not using a custom kernel, otherwise you will simply brick your device.
Odexed or deodexed rom is purely personal preference, the difference being that deodexed ROMs allow for more customization (which is not necessary though). Regarding this, it doesn't really matter whether it is deodexed or not, so keep this in mind.
I cannot suggest a rom and I would advise against asking which rom is the best, because it is against the forum's rules.
Mokiwipeout said:
If you do NOT UNLOCK your bootloader, you wont lose your drm keys. (this is why after rooting using this method you can actually backup your drm keys, which you MUST DO no matter what).
When you restore your drm keys, you actually RELOCK your bootloader, so you must be on a stock based custom rom, and not using a custom kernel, otherwise you will simply brick your device.
Odexed or deodexed rom is purely personal preference, the difference being that deodexed ROMs allow for more customization (which is not necessary though). Regarding this, it doesn't really matter whether it is deodexed or not, so keep this in mind.
I cannot suggest a rom and I would advise against asking which rom is the best, because it is against the forum's rules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for answer. If i use this method will it keep my bootloader locked (Will DRM keys stay on phone?).
Look.
Your bootloader cannot be "accidentally" unlocked. You have to get the bootloader unlock code by YOURSELF. A program wont do it on its own.
So don't worry, even if the method you chose to root the device requires an unlocked bootloader, it will be stated since you have to do it manually.
Plus, rooting a device with an unlocked bootloader simply requires installing a custom kernel(which has a recovery too) and then flashing a zip file that will root the phone.
Mokiwipeout said:
Look.
Your bootloader cannot be "accidentally" unlocked. You have to get the bootloader unlock code by YOURSELF. A program wont do it on its own.
So don't worry, even if the method you chose to root the device requires an unlocked bootloader, it will be stated since you have to do it manually.
Plus, rooting a device with an unlocked bootloader simply requires installing a custom kernel(which has a recovery too) and then flashing s zip fike that will root the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much and sorry for so stupid questions, I am new to this and just want to be sure
Just decided to unlock my bootloader since the DRM fix is not much of hassle anymore, and this way I can run some of the nice kernels available for our device, so I backed up everything on the phone and proceeded with the unlocking (expecting a factory reset/data wipe), I've had my device unlocked/relocked before, and even restored my original TA partition at the time since I had a backup, but when I unlocked my device today, that was it, no data loss or factory reset happened, not even a warning from flashtools about it, flashtools said "unlocked", I rebooted the device and everything worked without even reflashing the rom or even a kernel.
I'm pretty sure my device was bootloader locked because I used the TA-backup app to restore my TA last time, and once that happens my understanding is the bootloader gets locked automatically, plus all the DRM features were working fine (camera,sound) without flashing the DRM fix (I updated/flashed multiple LP/MM stock roms since then).
So my question is : did sony remove the factory reset on unlock/relock, or is my device just doing something on it's own ? just curious.
That's interesting. Perhaps they did update the bootloader with a firmware upgrade, but I highly doubt it, and it probably has something to do with your procedure (unlocking, relocking and unlocking again) because it would open a big gapping security hole for personal info.
eg: Nothing keeps me from stealing someone's phone, reading the IMEI, requesting an unlock code, unlocking the BL, flashing a custom TWRP-enabled kernel, dumping all device data to SD card and stealing all of its info. This is why unlocking the BL wipes the device.
Pixelado said:
That's interesting. Perhaps they did update the bootloader with a firmware upgrade, but I highly doubt it, and it probably has something to do with your procedure (unlocking, relocking and unlocking again) because it would open a big gapping security hole for personal info.
eg: Nothing keeps me from stealing someone's phone, reading the IMEI, requesting an unlock code, unlocking the BL, flashing a custom TWRP-enabled kernel, dumping all device data to SD card and stealing all of its info. This is why unlocking the BL wipes the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, but at least for me this is 100% working, I even relocked my bootloader, flashed the TA backup to get the DRM keys back, and still nothing changed, and I made sure after the unlock to check that DRM keys are gone (camera quality) and flash a custom kernel, to make sure it was 100% unlocked, and it was.
Since relocking, I did a full .291 flash using flashtools, I was hoping some interested dev can pick on this, it might be helpful to use for exploits or something, no idea tbh.