Hello, as the title says, Im new to Sony smartphones, Xperia Z2 is my first sony phone.
Now I would like to get some things clear...
Ive read that I dont have to unlock my bootloader to root my Z2 with 5.1.1
If I do it this way, will I be able to flash roms and kernels normally or is there a difference between locked and unlocked bootloader for roms?
If I unlock my bootloader I loose my DRM keys, now what does that mean in practice? I have read that camera algorythms can cease to work in Xperia Z3 case, but since Z3 and Z2 are basically the same device does this apply to Z2 too?
So basically, I know what I can gain with unlocking and rooting, but what exactly will I loose?
TIA
5ageman said:
Hello, as the title says, Im new to Sony smartphones, Xperia Z2 is my first sony phone.
Now I would like to get some things clear...
Ive read that I dont have to unlock my bootloader to root my Z2 with 5.1.1
If I do it this way, will I be able to flash roms and kernels normally or is there a difference between locked and unlocked bootloader for roms?
If I unlock my bootloader I loose my DRM keys, now what does that mean in practice? I have read that camera algorythms can cease to work in Xperia Z3 case, but since Z3 and Z2 are basically the same device does this apply to Z2 too?
So basically, I know what I can gain with unlocking and rooting, but what exactly will I loose?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If you unlock bootloader you will be able to flash custom kernels and ROMs based on custom kernel (stock-based ROMs like ExistenZ work on locked bootloader).
2. Yes you will loose DRM Keys, but you can backup them before unlocking and restore to lock bootloader, but you need root. To do this you have to downgrade your Android to 5.0.2 (I prefer 23.1.A.1.28) and root via KingRoot
In practice, losing DRM Keys disables e.g. X-Reality or Noise Reduction in camera.
3. Without DRM Backup you'll loose your warranty. With DRM Backup, when you'll have to send ur phone to repair, you restore DRM keys and you have warranty again. You lose many advanced camera functions and image correction like X-Reality.
Bruce666 said:
1. If you unlock bootloader you will be able to flash custom kernels and ROMs based on custom kernel (stock-based ROMs like ExistenZ work on locked bootloader).
2. Yes you will loose DRM Keys, but you can backup them before unlocking and restore to lock bootloader, but you need root. To do this you have to downgrade your Android to 5.0.2 (I prefer 23.1.A.1.28) and root via KingRoot
In practice, losing DRM Keys disables e.g. X-Reality or Noise Reduction in camera.
3. Without DRM Backup you'll loose your warranty. With DRM Backup, when you'll have to send ur phone to repair, you restore DRM keys and you have warranty again. You lose many advanced camera functions and image correction like X-Reality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, so I do loose some valuable features by unlocking the bootloader the same as I do with the Z3. Then its a no go for me, I checked out the Existenz rom and I think it will suffice with its features for an android poweruser.
And one more question, does the 20mp in superior auto xposed module produce good pics, do I loose quality comparing to pics taken in 8mpix?
5ageman said:
I see, so I do loose some valuable features by unlocking the bootloader the same as I do with the Z3. Then its a no go for me, I checked out the Existenz rom and I think it will suffice with its features for an android poweruser.
And one more question, does the 20mp in superior auto xposed module produce good pics, do I loose quality comparing to pics taken in 8mpix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know I didn't try this. As I remember Z5 camera supports 20MP in SA and this is available in ExistenZ but im not sure.
You don't need to unlock the bootloader to root.
This is only needed if you want to flash another kernel.
Some roms need that and some don't.
Most of the rom makers use [LB] for locked and [UB] for unlocked in the title of their roms topic to indicate compatibility.
Normally the roms for unlocked bootloader are in the "http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/orig-development" and the ones for locked bootloader in "http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/development" forums but that is not always the case and some are usable in both cases.
Sorry that i join this thread, but i understand his problem.
I had Xperia Z and i only used towelroot and was happy. now i got a XZ2 and iam trying since hours to get it rooted.
First of all i flashed a clear 5.1.1 and found out, that i can't flash it. so i went down to 5.0.2 (D6503_23.1.A.1.28_Customized DE) and i should use easyroot (doesnt work)
error: only position independent executables (PIE) are supported.
done
Checking if device is rooted...
Error: device not rooted
Towelroot also doesnt work. So is there any option to get it rooted?
rockyy said:
Sorry that i join this thread, but i understand his problem.
I had Xperia Z and i only used towelroot and was happy. now i got a XZ2 and iam trying since hours to get it rooted.
First of all i flashed a clear 5.1.1 and found out, that i can't flash it. so i went down to 5.0.2 (D6503_23.1.A.1.28_Customized DE) and i should use easyroot (doesnt work)
error: only position independent executables (PIE) are supported.
done
Checking if device is rooted...
Error: device not rooted
Towelroot also doesnt work. So is there any option to get it rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your question has been answered a bazillion times...
Search a bit, and you should find the answer.
Related
1- What are the reasons to unlock bootloader?
2- Does this need to be done to gain root?
3- Does this need to be done to flash custom ROMs?
4- Are there any custom ROMs out there yet?
5- What is the deal with loosing the Bravia engine when unlocking bootloader? Something about DRM?
6- Why does the Bravia engine require DRM?
7- Is the Bravia engine good, does it affect the picture quality that much?
8-I'm coming from a few years of Samsung products. Are Sony products as easy to put custom ROMs on as Samsung products?
2- I believe it does not need to be unlocked to root
5- You can back up your DRM. See the thread by DevShaft in Original Android Development.
Actually you can root your rom and backup the TA-Partition, this contains the DRM-Keys, if you dont backup the keys they will be lost forever once unlocked -> So if you want to unlock, better backup before, just in case.
If you want to use custom roms you need to unlock, there might also come custom roms which use a stock (Sony) kernel, but you can only get the whole thing like official CyanogenMod, AOKP etc if you unlocked your device.
As for now there are no customroms, but we just got the devices and started working now. so cross your fingers we will get there soon
Regards
I don't know yet about the x-reality engine, but as for the bravia engine it can be use in any android ROM, so the DRM seems not to be necessary. Need to wait for custom ROMs and see if there is a interest on unlocking this phone or just root it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I've figured out that the LB / UB designations referred to Locked / Unlocked bootloaders.
As I'm new to the XZU and the need to unlock bootloaders, I have some questions:
Does this mean I can load LB designated ROMs (like the LB GPE ROM) without unlocking the bootloader?
In what instances would I need to unlock the bootloader?
Are their advantages of unlocking the bootloader or UB ROMS vs LB ROMS?
I'm interested in the GPE rom specifically but I'm also interested in if this affects all ROMs in general.
camera breaks
Be aware that if you unlock the bootloader, the stock ROM's camera won't work right. Auto-focus is non-functional and video recording is gone. You'll have to use an AOSP-based ROM for those functions to work. I'm waiting for the Lollipop update to see whether to send this thing back under warranty because I'm stuck with a non-working camera.
Re-locking the bootloader isn't trivial. From what I've read, you must make a backup of the encrypted portion before unlocking the bootloader. If you don't, there's no way for users to re-lock it. Brain-dead Sony at its finest.
Hey all, first of all I'm not new to the Android world. I've had many phones, and all if them modified heavily. I do not consider myself a Dev (I've made some basic scripts that's about all) but definitely a power user.
Anyway, I'm a little lost on this z2 as far as modding it goes. My bootloader is NOT unlockable according to the phone stats, however I have seen a few root methods for 5.1.1 and locked bootloaders (I'm build a.1.232). Now many of these rooting methods ask for you to downgrade to a rootable version, root it, then reflash a prerooted 5.xx ROM. Easy, However with my unlockable bootloader how will I flash anything other than a stock Sony ROM without bricking it?
Essentially what I'm after is how far can I go with a locked bootloader, and if there is s surefire way to root 5.1.1 without downgrading since I can't flash back up. Also am I good to flash a custom recovery? Or is that offlimits as well being locked. I'm a little lost due to lots of mods here apparently working with locked bootloaders, and on my HTC one that just didn't fly.. Lol.
Thank
AlwaysDroid said:
However with my unlockable bootloader how will I flash anything other than a stock Sony ROM without bricking it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You meant locked bootloader right?
You won't be able to flash any custom ROMs without unlocking your bootloader.
The only custom ROM that works for locked bootloader is MIUI (which uses the stock Sony kernel)and the phone needs to be downgraded to 4.4.4 and there are some custom ROMs out there which may work on locked bootloaders.
Yes,you will be able to flash custom recovery and use mods that are available on XDA and also xposed works fine on LB
You won't be able to flash custom kernel or custom ROM for LB
Yes downgrade is possible
Hi everyone,
I have a Xperia XA Ultra F3213.
Build number: 36.0.A.1.114
Phone Software Version: 1300-9523_36.0.A.1.114
Android Version: 6.0
I would like to root this phone. My bootloader is unlockable. I know that there are many threads that exist for rooting the xperia XA/XA Ultra, however many of them are over 6 months old. Not only are they a bit older, they do not provide much information of compatible software versions. There are a lot of threads of people who have recently bricked/boot looping/problems with their Ultra and rooting. Can anyone confirm a solution that will work for my exact software/hardware version? I am tired of ads and any non root ad blocker I try is garbage compared to adaway/modifying the host file.
Side question. Once the bootloader is unlocked I know that OTA updates will not work. Am I locked out from upgrading the phone once I unlock the bootloader, or is there another way to update the phone (and probably lose root). I'm not too worried about this.
Thank you!
I have unlockable bootloader F3213 too and it seems there are not much developers interested in xperia xau.
I gave up the rooting and I also heard once you root the xperia XAU it will turn off some kind of camera software so camera will only work on low definition mod.
Hi, you know that there is a possibility to backup your DRM keys (TA partition) before unlocking the bootloader and you can use a DRM fix to restore lost features? It's not because the root guide is 6months old that it will not work today,I helped an user to root his F3212 on Telegram few hours ago with files released here After root you can update your phone with Flashtool. I think you didn't searched more than that how to do...
Hi,
This may have been discussed before, but I couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for.
So I'm asking here.
I've read a long ago that unlocking the bootloader will cause degradation in image quality (due to removing DRM keys etc)
So I've been on stock firmware from the beginning.
But now that sony stopped giving updates, I want to move on to nougat.
So my question is, is there any way to preserve camera image quality while unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom rom such as ressurection N?
I'm on latest official firmware 23.5.A.1.291
rooted and nut's dual recovery installed.
Thanks for taking the time to read my question.
badhon_raj said:
Hi,
This may have been discussed before, but I couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for.
So I'm asking here.
I've read a long ago that unlocking the bootloader will cause degradation in image quality (due to removing DRM keys etc)
So I've been on stock firmware from the beginning.
But now that sony stopped giving updates, I want to move on to nougat.
So my question is, is there any way to preserve camera image quality while unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom rom such as ressurection N?
I'm on latest official firmware 23.5.A.1.291
rooted and nut's dual recovery installed.
Thanks for taking the time to read my question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no need of DRM key for aosp rom and the quality of pictures are same as stock
badhon_raj said:
Hi,
This may have been discussed before, but I couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for.
So I'm asking here.
I've read a long ago that unlocking the bootloader will cause degradation in image quality (due to removing DRM keys etc)
So I've been on stock firmware from the beginning.
But now that sony stopped giving updates, I want to move on to nougat.
So my question is, is there any way to preserve camera image quality while unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom rom such as ressurection N?
I'm on latest official firmware 23.5.A.1.291
rooted and nut's dual recovery installed.
Thanks for taking the time to read my question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before flash any nonstock based rom and unlocking bootloader back up DRM keys and do restore when set up the phone.