Unlockable bootloader + Custom ROM question - Xperia Z2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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

Related

Locked Bootloader

Sorry is this question is stupid, but I just got my Maxx, and I'm a bit confused about the locked bootlader. How do you guys flash roms? What exactly does the locked BL mean?
There are root exploits for the Razr. That allows you to install a custom recovery and flash ROMs. Unfortunately the locked bootloader means no custom kernels. The kernel is the building block of the OS. All the cool under-the-hood stuff is in the kernel. So basically without a unlocked bootloader custom ROMs are more of a glorified theme. Obviously there is more to a ROM than just the Theme but that's as simple as I could explain it.
Also it is important to note that with a locked bootloader it is very important to know what you are doing and read instructions thoroughly. If you mess up it can be a huge headache to correct it. As with a locked bootloader some mistakes can be irreversible
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

4.3 OTA and custom Kernel question

Hello, as my thread title suggests I have a question about custom kernels. I made the mistake of updating to 4.3 on my device [I did it for the TRIM feature but wasnt aware of the cons Verizon put in place with 4.3], before 4.3 I was rooted and was using the stock OS and kernel. I do know that its possible to get Root access with 4.3 and Ive already done that - My question is if it is possible to install a custom kernel that will allow me to overclock this device ? I know there are a ton of kernels out there, but I dont want to risk bricking this device or having to download the ODIN 1GB+ 4.3 android file to bring it back to life..Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, you cannot install a custom kernel. You would need to have an unlocked bootloader to install custom kernels.... and there's no current do it yourself method to unlock the 4.3 MJ9 bootloader.
4.1.2 was the last Android build for our phones where you could have unlocked the bootloader.... and so far, it doesn't look like there's going to be a method developed for 4.3.
mattnmag said:
Unfortunately, you cannot install a custom kernel. You would need to have an unlocked bootloader to install custom kernels.... and there's no current do it yourself method to unlock the 4.3 MJ9 bootloader.
4.1.2 was the last Android build for our phones where you could have unlocked the bootloader.... and so far, it doesn't look like there's going to be a method developed for 4.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks...I dont think there is a way to go back to 4.1.2 either. Thanks for answer anyways.

LB vs UB

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.

essential rooting questions (xperia phone noob)

ok guys well im on stock 4.4.4 and i just unlocked the bootloader. Anyway to obtain root or flash custom roms? i have read through both general and question sections but cant pinpoint an answer. i see most roms need unlocked bootloader which is fine and i see there is a dual recovery for locked and unlocked bootloaders but would i just need that and flash that without root and i can start flashing roms? sorry if these questions sound idiotic, i can assure you i am no noob doing these things as i came from the htc m8 and this is my first xperia device and flashing and rooting and unlocking bootloader was definitely a new process slightly with this phone. Again i have already unlocked bootloader which took some time but went through thanks
Or you could flash a custom kernel, doomlords for stock or m5 for cm based via adb then flash the rom you want, obviously if you flash the cm kernel a stock rom won't boot but you'll still be able to access recovery to flash a custom rom
Sent from my Xperia Z2 using Tapatalk

[Q] Xperia Z2 4.4.4: Root WITHOUT Unlocked Bootloader.

Is there a way to root my Xperia Z2 (4.4.4) without unlock its bootloader?
Or else better, is there a way to back-up the bootloader before the unlock?
I ask because I want to root it without set a custom Rom.
Thanks in advance.
There is. You've got to downgrade to for example 4.4.2, root your phone, create a pre-rooted version of 4.4.4 and then flash that. There is a much more detailed guide around here, so I recommend that you check that out
To back up your ta partition you will need root first.
In stead of creating a rooted rom you can also find some prerooted here in the development forum.
-Use flashtool to downgrade to 4.4.2
-Root and install recovery with one of the available root methods (towelroot for example)
-Use recovery to flash a rooted 4.4.4 zip, recovery (again) and SU (again)
-Reboot
-Test network connection, if 4g is not working, use flashtool to flash a local 4.4.4 baseband
That's all.
I heard that for rooting it's required to have unlocked bootloader. Is that true?
(I have seen the root guide in forum, but I don't think that it mentions the bootloader)
My problem is that I want to upgrade the phone without errors (when sony has updates). I say that because a friend of mine has a rooted Nexus 5 with unlocked bootloader and he can't install the last update.It gives him a bootloop and returns to the previous. This is something I don't want.
Thanks in advance.
Unlucking is not needed.
Official updates should work if you're on a 100% stock rom, but updates are generally available as flashable rooted zip, here in the forums, long before you get an official update available from Sony.
So that should be no problem.
Biggest issue here that people dont search howto root on locked bl, that is possible, search and read then you will have it, example like the installations steps of a modded stock rom
Sent From Somewhere On Earth With My Z2 ^^

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