Hello ya all
I got my Z2 out of some deal, and I need to ask you couple of things, but first to explain myself.
1. I ALWAYS prefer AOSP rather than anything manufacturer made. Till now I had all the Galaxy S models except S6 and I always went for AOSP/Slim versions of roms. Couldnt ever wrap my head around TW and I generally prefer that my phone runs on original android, closer to Vanilla.
2. what's the deal with unlocking BL .. ? I went over some threads but It is a bit overwhelming. I figured that I need to unlock the BL in order to use AOSPs ?
3. Is Sony's customization as annoying as TW .. ? As someone who never uses Sense or TW, Im probably not going to like whatever Sony is using also (xperia UI name .. ? ) ?
4. A friend recommended Pure X ROM, and told me it would be a partial solution for my needs, doenst require BL Unlock.. ?
Waht would you guys recommend for me .. ? should I go all the way and install AOSP or do you think there is a ROM that would suit me ? Thanks to all in advance
1. Sony is quite close to AOSP, its just skinned and has some aditional features
2. Locked bootloader means nothing but signed stock kernel which means you can only run stock roms only
3. Sony is quite respective toward AOSP
(idk what sony call their UI, i think its called Overlay or Omnibalance)
4. Pure X Rom is stock based so you can flash it without bootloader unlock
(i dont recomend any rom, just remove bloat from stock rom( there is a flashable script with instructions in the cross development section.)
Igoritza said:
Hello ya all
I got my Z2 out of some deal, and I need to ask you couple of things, but first to explain myself.
1. I ALWAYS prefer AOSP rather than anything manufacturer made. Till now I had all the Galaxy S models except S6 and I always went for AOSP/Slim versions of roms. Couldnt ever wrap my head around TW and I generally prefer that my phone runs on original android, closer to Vanilla.
2. what's the deal with unlocking BL .. ? I went over some threads but It is a bit overwhelming. I figured that I need to unlock the BL in order to use AOSPs ?
3. Is Sony's customization as annoying as TW .. ? As someone who never uses Sense or TW, Im probably not going to like whatever Sony is using also (xperia UI name .. ? ) ?
4. A friend recommended Pure X ROM, and told me it would be a partial solution for my needs, doenst require BL Unlock.. ?
Waht would you guys recommend for me .. ? should I go all the way and install AOSP or do you think there is a ROM that would suit me ? Thanks to all in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes. TW suuuucks a lot. When I was a Samsung user I also used to have some cyanogenmod based roms running as they were lagfree (in comparison to TW).
2. To use AOSP or anything that requires a kernel change you need to unlock your bootloader. Just follow sony's official instructions (remember that everything will be wiped, even internal storage).
3. Sense is the smoothest one (in my opinion) but Sony UI is also much better than TW. I think that once you get used to stock sony's functions you won't use pure android anymore, as it's missing many things (like hold shutter button on locked screen to launch camera, good camera app, stamina mode, and many many more)
4. I haven't heard about this rom, but as long as it's based on stock sony's firmware it shouldn't require an unlocked bootloader. LB in thread title means it works with locked bootloaders.
So in my opinion, you should try something that is based on Sony firmware. You can even use a stock one or try something more advanced, like existenz.
Sent from Xperia Z2
Luckily not from an iPhone = Yesterdays technology at tomorrows prices
You can always root on locked bootloader and backup DRM keys( which is necessary for camera software, i mean better photos and many more things), then you can unlock bootloader and install an AOSP rom. You can even restore these features by flashing a zip I suppose, on unlocked bootloader.
Related
Hi all,
I'm quite new to the sony and android scene. My iphone 3GS broke down a while ago (actually I dropped it ) and I had it replaced by a Mini Pro.
I'm on the stock 2.3.4 rom and would like to test the miui version on this forum.
So, my question is simple: I need to unlock the bootloader to install a custom rom.
Can I revert to a stock rom (or upgrade to the new upcoming ics stock version) without loosing DRM etc?
And what's the procedure to do so?
you will have to follow this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285 that is the only way to unlock it without losing drm and the ability to officially update.
Looks quite scary stuff to me. Coming from a jailbroken iphone, it looks like this is a bit trickier. Thank you for the reply though
Another small question then: can I still upgrade to a stock rom version if I have unlocked the bootloader? (via an unofficial way that is)
yes you can, but if you unlock your bootloader the official way you are not going to be able to update using sony software.
and yeah it looks scary but it is easier than it looks.
Great, thanks for the info. I'll search around the forum for the unofficial unlock mechanisms and will have a try with them!
jvdv360 said:
Great, thanks for the info. I'll search around the forum for the unofficial unlock mechanisms and will have a try with them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well the only unofficial way is by test point (the link i posted before) but it's good to hear you want to search anything else let me know!
Hi everybody,
first post of mine but i've had some good reads on this page
Anyhow, I got an Xperia U which is quite laggish in my opinion (messages load slowly, dialing a contact takes forever, Snapchat not as fast as i expected it...) I think you get my picture
Now I was considering rooting my phone and placing a Custom Rom on it which would work more efficient with the resources at hand. Now my question to you guys is what Rom do you recommend me and how would I be able to install it.
For now my eye has fallen on the ZPerience Rom. But not sure if it's a good one.
Thanks for the help guys
Mambo_Dead
First post and a hell load of mistakes made.
There's a billion guides out there on how to install a ROM. I believe there will certainly be guides in the general section for your device. Otherwise there are plenty of noob friendly guides all over the forum.
Secondly there is no best or recommended ROM, comparing ROMs is seen as a sign of disrespect to developers and a particular ROM experience is highly subjective since every user has different expectations and ways of using the phone.
Thirdly as for the ROM itself I strongly recommend unlocking your bootloader done on the official Sony site. You will lose warranty but you are able to flash custom kernels which come with recovery (purpose of this is explained in the guides) and allows you the freedom to choose any kernel you want. Nothing wrong with not installing but you will end up being able to only use ROMs based on stock firmware and are compatible with stock kernel, and if I remember correct the recovery gets wiped every time you install a new ROM.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I strongly agree with the person commented above on all aspects!
Get your bootloader unclocked but if you are not interested then "DISABLE APPS".
Settings-> app -> all.
Applications like facebook and other non usefull apps should be disabled. It will save your ram, hence smooth and bit lag free.
Coming on rom part, well whatever preference you may have regarding your needs go for it. Because every rom in its own way is important as developers work hard,
But before disabling apps(if you choose this option), do factory reset and then disable.
I hope this helped,
Hi all, I am about to become the proud owner of a SXZ Ultra, and I was hoping someone might be kind enough to provide me with some links to the the most important info to help learn my way around this device. I have experience with Android but have no idea what to expect from the Sony UI nor the rooting procedure etc., so I would be grateful for some pointers to help minimize the learning curve and get the most out of the device as soon as possible. A quick search on the subject of rooting left me somewhat bemused...I am used to the SGA (Samsung Galaxy Ace), which was a totally different type of device with an entirely different procedure for flashing ROMs and rooting.
I have a specific question aside from that - I see that there is an IM750 MHL to HDMI adaptor available from Sony, but I would like to know if this is really necessary - has anyone had success with Miracast or Wifi Direct/DLNA connection with a smart TV so as to be able to send what I want to watch on the TV from the SXZU? I would prefer this to having to connect via HDMI because I have found that mini/micro HDMI connectors on tablets seem to be rather fragile to say the least, and it would also make far more sense for presentations. Thanks for your help.
MHL works well. Some people seem to have no issues with mirrorcast etc but others do...
For rooting read LordManhattan's guide and my downgrade guide both at the top of the general section.
The steps are more or less;
downgrade
Root
Backup TA
Unlock bootloader
Flash rom...
For stock sony firmware you can get the updates via PC companion [PCC] or use flashtool and flash FTF's
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Thank you. The thing is that if possible I would like to avoid having to unlock the bootloader, but I need Root in order to use Titanium Backup and be able to flash an alternative recovery so I can use Online recovery tools. Forgive my ignorance, but is this possible? Ideally I would like to upgrade to KitKat then obtain Root and flash the TWRP/CWM twin recovery without unlocking the bootloader - it seems to me that there are several advantages to using the stock ROMs, particularly being able to recieve Sony upgrades, at least until they stop supporting the device.
blueether said:
MHL works well. Some people seem to have no issues with mirrorcast etc but others do...
For rooting read LordManhattan's guide and my downgrade guide both at the top of the general section.
The steps are more or less;
downgrade
Root
Backup TA
Unlock bootloader
Flash rom...
For stock sony firmware you can get the updates via PC companion [PCC] or use flashtool and flash FTF's
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can get away with not unlocking the BL, if you go that route you don't need to back up the TA either. You will still need to downgrade yo route though. There are several ROMs based on sony firmware, and to be honest will probably be better that pure stock. Some of the upgrades have worked on rooted phones others haven't
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
Thank you. Are any of those custom ROMs available with the latest Kit Kat release? I see that the SXZU is listed by Sony to receive this update, which is primarily why I didn't want to flash a custom ROM right away = and I would like to try Sony's stock configuration first. I have tried CM10, PAC ROM and others in my SGA and frankly I was underwhelmed for the most part, although with such a totally different device I might be pleasantly surprised...
Which ROM would you personally ally recommend?
Sent from my K00E using xda app-developers app
truth57 said:
Thank you. Are any of those custom ROMs available with the latest Kit Kat release? I see that the SXZU is listed by Sony to receive this update, which is primarily why I didn't want to flash a custom ROM right away = and I would like to try Sony's stock configuration first. I have tried CM10, PAC ROM and others in my SGA and frankly I was underwhelmed for the most part, although with such a totally different device I might be pleasantly surprised...
Which ROM would you personally ally recommend?
Sent from my K00E using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Sony has a 4.4.2 firmware out for the whole range. There is a rooted rom based on this that is very close to pure stock Sony I believe, and then there is Monix's ROM based on Sony's 4.4.2 release that gets good reviews - it is quite customised.
On the custom ROM front there are:
SlimKat - this is my preferred ROM but I'm having trouble building it for this device consistently
Carbon - this is my daily at the moment, I'm doing the unofficial builds of this for now
LiquidSmooth - this seems to get good reviews but doesn't look like it's been updated in about a month
PAC - I was using this for some time and was good
PA - as above
CM11 - Has it's fans and most of the other ROMs use at least some parts of it and it's device tree
AOSP - Don't know what that is up to, not used it
AOKP - as above
PAC - I was using this for some time and was good
PA - as above
Then there is the GPe port that many seen to love
Hi, this will probably be a silly question but I can't find a straightway answer for it.
I've just bought an used Sony Xperia Z2. Coming from a Nexus 4 I would like to be able to get an Android stock ROM in my Z2. Not the stock ROM with Sony add ons, but something as close as I would get in a Nexus device.
Is that possible? And after I do it, will it update automatically to new versions of Android?
jbssm said:
Hi, this will probably be a silly question but I can't find a straightway answer for it.
I've just bought an used Sony Xperia Z2. Coming from a Nexus 4 I would like to be able to get an Android stock ROM in my Z2. Not the stock ROM with Sony add ons, but something as close as I would get in a Nexus device.
Is that possible? And after I do it, will it update automatically to new versions of Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root your phone,install a recovery and flash a cm12 or cm11 rom... if there is an update just flash it and you will be updated... i have made a tutorial on how to do it so if you want,check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cE... have the 4k feature neither the xreality one
jbssm said:
Hi, this will probably be a silly question but I can't find a straightway answer for it.
I've just bought an used Sony Xperia Z2. Coming from a Nexus 4 I would like to be able to get an Android stock ROM in my Z2. Not the stock ROM with Sony add ons, but something as close as I would get in a Nexus device.
Is that possible? And after I do it, will it update automatically to new versions of Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want Vanilla android or Pure Android. The Sony add on Android is actually the lightest skin from an OEM (HTC, Samsung, LG, Huawei) so I don't really get the incentive to change it. But if you must all you need to do is:
- turn on developer mode on the phone
-unlock the bootloader on said phone
-flash custom recovery, then use recovery to make Nandroid Backup of stock system
-at this point you can either root your phone or just flash your choice of ROM (CM, Paranoid Android, Aurora are good vanilla options).
Once you flash a custom rom you will no longer automatic OTA updates. You will have to manually flash any updated ROM.
YouTube for more details.
You could do little tweaks to make your Z2 appear like Pure Android without flashing a rom. U can do things like: installing Google launcher or Nova launcher, Google keyboard, Google calender, etc
Ok, thank you.
So my only option is installing something like Cyanogenmod I see. I was getting confused by the AOSP build from Sony and what it was abut but now I see it's not really usable for normal phone operations.
Hello, I am super new to xda and to phone rooting. I've recently got a Xiamoni Redmi Note 4 and I really want to root it to unlock the FULL potential of my phone. I'll keep the rest of this thread short by asking:
1. Does MIUI Version matter? I am currently on Global 8.5 l Stable 8.5.4.0 (MCFMIED) Android Version 7.0 NRD90M I am also on a snapdragon
2. Once I unlock my bootloader, is the bootloader unlocked for good?
3. Where can I find a systemless root guide for my phone? (FOR SNAPDRAGON)
4. What are custom roms exactly? What would you suggest?
1) IDK if MIUI version seriously matters but I'd highly recommend to update it to the latest stable.
2) Bootloader is locked for the security of phones, for common users. For further read, see this.
3) Search for "Magisk". You'll VERY easily find the guide and everything you need.
4) Custom ROM is technically an OS. Very usually they're just different flavors of Android. When you flash a custom rom in your phone you're basically changing the phone's OS. You usually get the benefit of getting a smoother, clutter-free phone with a custom rom, well obviously there're risks which you know (or can google).
MayankMathur said:
1) IDK if MIUI version seriously matters but I'd highly recommend to update it to the latest stable.
2) Bootloader is locked for the security of phones, for common users. For further read, see this.
3) Search for "Magisk". You'll VERY easily find the guide and everything you need.
4) Custom ROM is technically an OS. Very usually they're just different flavors of Android. When you flash a custom rom in your phone you're basically changing the phone's OS. You usually get the benefit of getting a smoother, clutter-free phone with a custom rom, well obviously there're risks which you know (or can google).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I can't tell anything beside these facts. Nice reply. Only that I'd suggest avoiding miui roms and once rooted, flashing of a pure, aosp based Rom.