Hi,
So I've done my best to read up on this but I'm absolutely terrified of Bricking my phone, so can someone please give me some advice?
I've got a Sony Xperia Ray running android 2.3.4 which is terrible and It won't let me use any decent apps.
I want to upgrade it to Android Icecream but I'm terribly dumb when it comes to phones, my talents lie in computers and I've been up the past couple of hours trying to decide what to do, I can't find a explanation that is noob freindly.
The reason I'm so hesitant is this phone was unblocked from a network to be compatable on any network, and I'm not sure if this effects the updating procedure?
When I downloaded the Sony PC companion it prompted me to upgrade my android but I'm not sure if this will upgrade the Kernel as well (Sorry if it's a stupid question).
I really need someone's help, I'm terrified!
Specs below:
Model: ST18i
Android Version:2.3.4
Baseband Version:8x55A-AAABQAZM-2-3028D-64
Kernel:2.6.32.8-perf
[email protected]#1
Buld Number:4.0.2.A.0.62
confusedphoneman said:
Hi,
So I've done my best to read up on this but I'm absolutely terrified of Bricking my phone, so can someone please give me some advice?
I've got a Sony Xperia Ray running android 2.3.4 which is terrible and It won't let me use any decent apps.
I want to upgrade it to Android Icecream but I'm terribly dumb when it comes to phones, my talents lie in computers and I've been up the past couple of hours trying to decide what to do, I can't find a explanation that is noob freindly.
The reason I'm so hesitant is this phone was unblocked from a network to be compatable on any network, and I'm not sure if this effects the updating procedure?
When I downloaded the Sony PC companion it prompted me to upgrade my android but I'm not sure if this will upgrade the Kernel as well (Sorry if it's a stupid question).
I really need someone's help, I'm terrified!
Specs below:
Model: ST18i
Android Version:2.3.4
Baseband Version:8x55A-AAABQAZM-2-3028D-64
Kernel:2.6.32.8-perf
[email protected]#1
Buld Number:4.0.2.A.0.62
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony's PC software will also update kernel if going to 4.0.4
sonys 4.0.4 is same or more laggy than 2.3.4 (gingerbread) also it still have a small storage, so u dont will have many space for apps.
if sony software fails to update, download the "flashtool" , with this u can flash firmwares manually. see in general section for tuts. firmwares can be downloaded here: http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Andro...y-Bean-ICS-Ice-Cream-Sandwich-and/td-p/154389
but the best you can do with this phone is to install some good custom rom. it will give the best experience on that phone.
to do so you need to check if you can unlock bootloader in service menu (google how to enter)
unlock bootloader: http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
lookup this fine ROM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2543426
good luck!
Hey guys,
Thanks in advance for any help you can give on the subject.
I just bought a Sony Xperia Z Ultra from eBay, arrived a couple of days ago, in great working condition. The firmware installed is 4.2.2, and I can't upgrade past there.
I contacted Sony and they told me it's because the IMEI number puts it's origin in Hong Kong which is why I can't update it. The only thing I can do is contact Sony Hong Kong, and I'm having a difficult time doing so.
Does anyone have a fix or workaround for this situation?
I was thinking I could root it and put an upgraded version of android on there, but as I'm not sure how rooting works, I thought I'd ask if there were any alternative options.
At this point, I'm thinking I'm just going to have to send it back, reason being when I chose this phone, one of the main points was because of the soon to be released 5.0 update.
Thanks,
Proxish said:
Hey guys,
Thanks in advance for any help you can give on the subject.
I just bought a Sony Xperia Z Ultra from eBay, arrived a couple of days ago, in great working condition. The firmware installed is 4.2.2, and I can't upgrade past there.
I contacted Sony and they told me it's because the IMEI number puts it's origin in Hong Kong which is why I can't update it. The only thing I can do is contact Sony Hong Kong, and I'm having a difficult time doing so.
Does anyone have a fix or workaround for this situation?
I was thinking I could root it and put an upgraded version of android on there, but as I'm not sure how rooting works, I thought I'd ask if there were any alternative options.
At this point, I'm thinking I'm just going to have to send it back, reason being when I chose this phone, one of the main points was because of the soon to be released 5.0 update.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know you should be able to use flashtool and flash a stock ftf for your region, or wait for 5.0 to be released and then flash it.
adfurgerson said:
As far as I know you should be able to use flashtool and flash a stock ftf for your region, or wait for 5.0 to be released and then flash it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for getting back to me.
I may wait for 5.0. I'll need to learn how to use a flashtool with android first.
Quick couple of questions. Would using a flashtool to flash a stock ftf require the phone to be rooted?
Also, do you know if there is anyway I could use the Google Play firmware on my non-Google play edition?
Proxish said:
Thank you for getting back to me.
I may wait for 5.0. I'll need to learn how to use a flashtool with android first.
Quick couple of questions. Would using a flashtool to flash a stock ftf require the phone to be rooted?
Also, do you know if there is anyway I could use the Google Play firmware on my non-Google play edition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashtool does not require root. The GPe firmware has to be "ported" to run on Sony Z Ultra due to different partition sizes. For 4.4 there is the option to use it with locked or unlocked bootloader. For 5.0 it is only for unlocked bootloader.
adfurgerson said:
Flashtool does not require root. The GPe firmware has to be "ported" to run on Sony Z Ultra due to different partition sizes. For 4.4 there is the option to use it with locked or unlocked bootloader. For 5.0 it is only for unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again for getting back to me.
Do you know if there is a tutorial for both porting the GPe firmware and for installing 4.4 using a bootloader? As I'm not even sure where to start with this, I'm not even sure what the difference between a locked and unlocked bootloader is. But I don't want to use up all your time, so if you can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Proxish said:
Thank you again for getting back to me.
Do you know if there is a tutorial for both porting the GPe firmware and for installing 4.4 using a bootloader? As I'm not even sure where to start with this, I'm not even sure what the difference between a locked and unlocked bootloader is. But I don't want to use up all your time, so if you can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has already been ported here in this thread linked below, UB and LB are short for unlocked bootloader and locked bootloader. The second post has instructions for locked install, and a simple explanation of bootloader is a set of instructions for loading the kernel so locked will only load stock. The kernel is the interface between software and hardware as I understand it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800414
This thread is up to date if you wish to read up on rooting and unlocking methods. Please don't hesitate to ask questions as it would be better than stumbling into a mess that could be avoided.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/general/guide-everything-root-4-4-4-t2938098
adfurgerson said:
It has already been ported here in this thread linked below, UB and LB are short for unlocked bootloader and locked bootloader. The second post has instructions for locked install, and a simple explanation of bootloader is a set of instructions for loading the kernel so locked will only load stock. The kernel is the interface between software and hardware as I understand it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800414
This thread is up to date if you wish to read up on rooting and unlocking methods. Please don't hesitate to ask questions as it would be better than stumbling into a mess that could be avoided.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/general/guide-everything-root-4-4-4-t2938098
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all the information.
I've done a bit of research, and read through most of what you linked.
I'm slightly confused. As far as I understand it right now, if my bootloader is locked, I can only flash official ROMs. If my bootloader is unlocked, then I can flash any ROM I want, as long as it's compatible with my phone, but I will lose the Sony Bravia engine if I do so, is that correct? I'm not too bothered about this, just curious if this is true.
Where I am really confused, is the part where in the requirements of LB Rom Port, it said
"Be on 4.4.4 firmware (only .108)"
I'm currently stuck on 4.2, and can't get my phone to 4.4.4 with either the built in software or Sony Pc Companion. Is there a guide somewhere on how I can upgrade to 4.4.4 without using the two methods just mentioned?
I've also had a search and not been able to find a 5.0 GPe ROM Port either, guessing no one has bothered with it?
Thanks again,
Proxish said:
Thank you for all the information.
I've done a bit of research, and read through most of what you linked.
I'm slightly confused. As far as I understand it right now, if my bootloader is locked, I can only flash official ROMs. If my bootloader is unlocked, then I can flash any ROM I want, as long as it's compatible with my phone, but I will lose the Sony Bravia engine if I do so, is that correct? I'm not too bothered about this, just curious if this is true.
Where I am really confused, is the part where in the requirements of LB Rom Port, it said
"Be on 4.4.4 firmware (only .108)"
I'm currently stuck on 4.2, and can't get my phone to 4.4.4 with either the built in software or Sony Pc Companion. Is there a guide somewhere on how I can upgrade to 4.4.4 without using the two methods just mentioned?
I've also had a search and not been able to find a 5.0 GPe ROM Port either, guessing no one has bothered with it?
Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seem to have also lost the miracast screen mirroring after unlocking bootloader, if you root then back up the TA first it can be restored. I don't have any experience with pc companion, usually when it is mentioned it is because someone couldn't get it to work. In those instances flashtool is recommended to use. Here is a guide for flashtool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
And link for 5.0 GPe port.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
adfurgerson said:
I seem to have also lost the miracast screen mirroring after unlocking bootloader, if you root then back up the TA first it can be restored. I don't have any experience with pc companion, usually when it is mentioned it is because someone couldn't get it to work. In those instances flashtool is recommended to use. Here is a guide for flashtool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
And link for 5.0 GPe port.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the links, again, much appreciated.
I was able to find an official thread for Sony Roms, and think I've found the ROM I need to upgrade to 4.4.4.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2453921
STOCK ROM] [FTF] Xperia Z Ultra (C6833) 14.4.A.0.108 "US RETAIL"
I assume this one will be ok, though I'm unsure. My phones model number is C6833, and this was the only 14.4.A.0.108 ROM I could find, and as far as I've seen, that's the recommended one for 4.4.4, assuming I haven't done anything wrong.
And just double checking, do I Need to root the phone to put the 5.0 GPE port on?
Thanks,
adfurgerson said:
I seem to have also lost the miracast screen mirroring after unlocking bootloader, if you root then back up the TA first it can be restored. I don't have any experience with pc companion, usually when it is mentioned it is because someone couldn't get it to work. In those instances flashtool is recommended to use. Here is a guide for flashtool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
And link for 5.0 GPe port.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to use FlashTool to update the phone to the official 4.4.4 ROM, so that you very much for all your help.
I think I may just end up sticking with the Xperia ROM, in favor of rooting and installing a port. I'm actually really liking the 4.4.4 Xperia version.
Thank you very much for all your help, I really appreciate it, wouldn't of been able to do this without your help.
Proxish said:
I was able to use FlashTool to update the phone to the official 4.4.4 ROM, so that you very much for all your help.
I think I may just end up sticking with the Xperia ROM, in favor of rooting and installing a port. I'm actually really liking the 4.4.4 Xperia version.
Thank you very much for all your help, I really appreciate it, wouldn't of been able to do this without your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good that you got updated. If you decide later to try custom ROMs or the ports be sure to root, then backup the TA partition before unlocking the bootloader. If you wanted to stay on stock but add some customizations you could root and install xsposed framework modules.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/index-xposed-modules-collection-post-t2327541
After upgrading my M4 Aqua (E2303) to Marshmallow, I can't make or receive phone calls (except occasionally). I've tried repairing the MM install with Xperia Companion, but that doesn't help. Booting into safe mode doesn't help either.
According to the Sony forums, other people have had this problem as well, and there is no Sony solution forthcoming. One person has said that going back to Lollipop solved the problem. However, when looking into how to go back to Lollipop, apparently I need a Lollipop FTF file to use with Flashtools. But I can't find any for the M4, just Marshmallow ones. Does anyone know where one is to be found? Or has any other advice about fixing the call problem in Marshmallow? That would be much appreciated.
Actually, even a generic Lollipop version would do, I'd be quite happy to debrand at the same time.
CapKremmen said:
Actually, even a generic Lollipop version would do, I'd be quite happy to debrand at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1AAC4lt7nzON2gwZ1hraE1uakE/view version E2303_26.1.A.3.111_CE.ftf
Thanks for that. I'm still waiting to hear from Sony, to see what they say first, but I may have to use that.
I went back to Lollipop using Flashtools and a Lollipop FTF file I found on Xperia blog:
http://www.xperiablog.net/forum/resources/categories/xperia-m4-aqua.78/
The file I used was the one called 'E2303_26.1.A.2.167_R16A_UK Generic_1293-9369'.
All my problems have now gone away.
It's not easy working out exactly how to downgrade. The best instructions were probably these:
http://www.xperiablog.net/2016/03/12/install-xperia-marshmallow-using-flashtool-and-xperifirm-guide/
But there's quite a few complications, and I found reading around the web on this issue helped.
There is a risk involved. There's no guarantee it will work. You may end up bricking your phone. (But my phone had become pretty much useless anyway.)
Got my Xperia today, love the thing already, now looking to root, had a look around and have found mixed answer for rooting.
My tablet is on 4.4.4 (KK) and the build number is 23.0.1.A.167, I have seen topics where it can/can't be rooted, and lastly there is an updater to build 23.1.A.0.726. I haven't installed it yet as I don't know if I can root with my current version or if I need the newer version to root, any help is appreciated!
I am also on KK .167 rooted long time now.my opinionONT update neither to LP or MM !!!
Peace to all
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...