I have searched and read through the forums and I am sorry, but I am very very confused. I ultimately don't want to screw up my phone so I am posting here to ask your guidance.
Got a brand new ZU with the 14.2.A.1.136 firmware. Now I want to flash it with the gpe firmware. I read that the first thing I need to do is TA Backup. But the TA Backup back up tool says I need root do to the backup. Now to root, I need to unlock the boot loader which will destroy the DRM keys and defeats the purpose of TA Backup.
Can some good heart, guide on exact tools and steps to use to properly backup my current firmware so that I can restore to stock when necessary and finally flash a custom rom? Thanks!
This may help you : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569904
I did go through this. This guide is pretty unclear for the 1.136 fw. One guide for rooting as per the link in the guide requires you to unlock the BL. The other one requires you to use vroot, which I believe is not a legit tool?
It's not that hard...
Downgrade (see my sticky in the general section)
From here down follow Lordmanhattan's guide posted above
Root (Bin4ries tool)
Back up TA
Flash 4.3 or 4.4.2 FTF (Flashtool - you need the newer firmware for baseband etc)
Unlock BootLoader (Flashtool and Sony's dev site)
Flash boot.img from ROM zip (Use flashtool - this has the recoveries and kernel)
Boot into recovery and flash ROM
Hi guys,
I recently bought a Xperia Z2 Tablet SGP512, and for some reason I find the touchscreen quite unresponsive if connected with USB to the computer.
Anyway I've updated to the latest Stock firmware (Android 5.1.1, build 23.4.A.1.200) and now I'd like to try another ROM.
Since I haven't unlocked my bootloader yet, I want to make a backup of the TA partition. But in order to do that, I need to root the device. And I haven't found a simple way to root it. I can't find how to keep my TA partition safe; do you guys know if the following will erase my TA partition:
If I downgrade the firmware?
If I flash a pre-rooted firmware?
Is using flashtool the good way to go (flashing a ftf file)?
Thank you for your help.
A new tool has just been released to backup TA using the Dirty Cow exploit. After that, you should be able to unlock bootloader, flash recovery, flash su and restore TA. Then your device should be rooted with DRM retained.
I don't have a XC so I'm unable to test.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
itandy said:
A new tool has just been released to backup TA using the Dirty Cow exploit. After that, you should be able to unlock bootloader, flash recovery, flash su and restore TA. Then your device should be rooted with DRM retained.
I don't have a XC so I'm unable to test.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested it on an Xperia X Compact running 34.1.A.1.198 and it seems to work, see my post here
ggow said:
I tested it on an Xperia X Compact running 34.1.A.1.198 and it seems to work, see my post here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
But according to another post, actually it's impossible to keep root after TA is restored. Do you know if it's true?
itandy said:
Thanks!
But according to another post, actually it's impossible to keep root after TA is restored. Do you know if it's true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct. But it's important to have the TA backup for restoring full functionality.
There might be a way to use the previous DRM patches combined with flashing only the TA unit for the device key in order to have full stock functionality with root. Also would need a custom kernel for the latest stock firmware update.
Sent from my F5321 using Tapatalk
ggow said:
I tested it on an Xperia X Compact running 34.1.A.1.198 and it seems to work, see my post here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*Edit*
For those who are unable to navigate modern forums (like me) there is a downloads tab in the post that will have the files you need to backup TA.
JenItols said:
*Edit*
For those who are unable to navigate modern forums (like me) there is a downloads tab in the post that will have the files you need to backup TA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same difficulty finding where to download. lol!
but worked like a charm for me
Add firmware v.34.1.A.1.205 to the list.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...ersal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236/page7
(I have no idea why my browser crashes if I point it directly to my post lol)
I just was able to pull a copy of TA from the Customized CE1 (Central Europe) v34.1.A.3.49
When next version (hopefully Nougat) is available I plan to load the known compatible version 34.1.A.1.198 and compare checksums to verify. However, I did get a file with 34.1.A.3.49 which has the November 1st android security updates.
*edit*
After reading it appears that TA changes every boot. However, when the time comes to update software I will revert back to known version with compatibility and then re-pull TA.
ggow said:
That's correct. But it's important to have the TA backup for restoring full functionality.
There might be a way to use the previous DRM patches combined with flashing only the TA unit for the device key in order to have full stock functionality with root. Also would need a custom kernel for the latest stock firmware update.
Sent from my F5321 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that we can have a backup image of TA, can we use this tool to repack the kernel and restore DRM functionality?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
itandy said:
Now that we can have a backup image of TA, can we use this tool to repack the kernel and restore DRM functionality?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Yes, I think we can. As long as the TA unit address for device key has not changed then it should work.
- After some rest when I have my Wits about me I am going to attempt it
Guys,
could someone please tell me step by step, how to restore TA?
EDIT - know, after restoring TA I have a password option - cant get over it? any ideas?
Ok... done
I can confirm, it works - backup and restoring
So...
This is an outline of how I have managed to get root with devicekey back into the TA partition.
NOTE:
- I am only interested in running rooted stock sony firmware so for me this is OK for the moment.
- I am looking into why FIDO_KEYS come back as unprovisioned, everything else seems fine.
Follow this at your own risk
- Install latest stock firmware via flashtool 34.1.A.3.49
- Backup TA Partition
- Unlock bootloader using Sony website
- Extract kernel.elf from kernel.sin using Flashtool
- Create root kernel using this tool
Code:
[email protected]:~/Desktop/rootkernel_v5.0_Windows_Linux$ ./rootkernel.sh kernel.elf boot.img
- Unpacking kernel
Found elf boot image
Kernel version: 3.10.84-perf-g2cfe3ef
Found appended DTB
- Detected vendor: somc (Sony), device: kugo, variant: row
- Unpacking initramfs
- Detected platform: 64-bit
- Detected Android version: 6.0.1 (sdk 23)
- dm-verity is enabled. Disable? (Say yes if you modify /system) [Y/n] y
Disabling dm-verity
- Sony RIC is enabled. Disable? [Y/n] y
Disabling Sony RIC
- There is no TWRP template for kugo. Install anyway? [y/N] n
- DRM fix is unsuppported/untested for model kugo. Install anyway? [y/N] y
- Install busybox? [Y/n] y
- Creating new initramfs
- Creating boot image
- Cleaning up
Done
- Create devicekey which is flashable via flashtool
Code:
[email protected]:~/Desktop/rootkernel_v5.0_Windows_Linux$ ./flash_dk.sh TA_F5321_QV705K140B_20161208-1905.img devicekey.ftf
- Extracting device key
- Creating FTF file for device F5321
- Cleaning up
Done
- Flash devicekey.ftf via flashtool
- Boot device into fastboot and flash boot.img
- I haven't flashed TWRP instead I booted it by:
Code:
fastboot boot twrp.img
- Flashed SR4-SuperSU-v2.78-SR4-20161115184928.zip
- Reboot device
Fantastic news! This is major. So in theory we should be able to get more rom availability now?
Android pay gets broken, right?
Will root now
tlxxxsracer said:
Fantastic news! This is major. So in theory we should be able to get more rom availability now?
Android pay gets broken, right?
Will root now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should see new ROMs eventually surfacing
You're correct Android pay doesn't work with a rooted device
Dump question. I just downloaded the latest firmware using XperiFirm and created a FTF file using FlashTool. But FlashTool always show the following errors.
09/047/2016 22:47:46 - INFO - Start Flashing
09/047/2016 22:47:46 - INFO - No loader in the bundle. Searching for one
09/047/2016 22:47:54 - INFO - No matching loader found
09/047/2016 22:47:54 - WARN - No loader found or set manually. Skipping loader
09/047/2016 22:47:54 - INFO - Ending flash session
09/047/2016 22:47:54 - ERROR - null
09/047/2016 22:47:54 - ERROR - Error flashing. Aborted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
itandy said:
Dump question. I just downloaded the latest firmware using XperiFirm and created a FTF file using FlashTool. But FlashTool always show the following errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When creating your FTF, did you include loader.sin ?
ggow said:
When creating your FTF, did you include loader.sin ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact, there's no loader.sin in the download folder. I tried to download several firmwares using XperiFirm and they're the same.
itandy said:
In fact, there's no loader.sin in the download folder. I tried to download several firmwares using XperiFirm and they're the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never tried creating a custom FTF, so I'm not sure. I downloaded the UK version of 34.1.A.3.49 and was able to flash that successfully.
Have you unlocked your bootloader?
Just thinking FTF may be signed by Sony?
Maybe with a locked bootloader you can't flash custom FTF?
ggow said:
I've never tried creating a custom FTF, so I'm not sure. I downloaded the UK version of 34.1.A.3.49 and was able to flash that successfully.
Have you unlocked your bootloader?
Just thinking FTF may be signed by Sony?
Maybe with a locked bootloader you can't flash custom FTF?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the link where you downloaded the UK .49 firmware?
itandy said:
Do you have the link where you downloaded the UK .49 firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded it via XperiFirm
So, I backed up the DRM keys, rooted, installed custom recovery and kernel. Now I want to bring the phone back to the same status as it was when I received it. I thought I start by restoring the DRM keys that should also lock the BootLoader, but I'm a bit stuck and have 3 questions.
1. I bought the US variant, flashed an European one to get the fingerprint sensor - is it enough to flas the US firmware to make the phone the same way as when I got it?
2. How to get rid of custom recovery, will flashing the original US firmware take care of that?
There is a thread about restoring TA, you need also flash stock fw.
mele80 said:
There is a thread about restoring TA, you need also flash stock fw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but this is all it says. Says nothing about flashing anything or how to restore original recovery.
===================================How To Restore TA Partiton?==================================
Note : Restoring TA Partiton Will Re-Lock The Boot-Loader And You Will Loose Root Access.
* Copy your TA partition backup to the TA tool's extracted folder.
* Connect your device with USB Debugging Enabled
* Open up a command prompt to the extracted folder and type in the following:
tarestore.bat {Your TA Backup File}
Example :
tarestore.bat TA-14102016.img
This new restored TA partition should persist across device wipes and Android upgrades.
Well you will just need to restore To ( relock bootloader) and then flash stock rom with flashtool ( wipe all, but take backups)
I was in ur shoes last week. First, if u backed up ur TA, downgrade to the firmware u did d backup (lollipop i presume), then restore ur TA, it will not restore on Marshmallow, after that then upgrade to marshmallow, u will bun-rooted n stock with ur drm keys.
Is there a way to restore back to normal if you didn't backup a TA?
I just want to unroot mine and relock the bootloader.
Root back
Hello, i tried root my phone but did not get any luck. As i understand i did not root it but changed kernel to Androplus. I want back to stock but not sure which steps i should make. At the moment i don't have rooted device also cant get sony updates as it is modified.
This is my phones data
Model E5823
Baseband version 8994-FAAAANAZQ-00033-25
Kernel version 3.10.84-v23 Androplus
Build number 32.1.A.1. 185
1) How much far i did got to root my phone?
2) What should i do get back stock firmware?
Thanks!
Hi ,
I have xperia XZ1 G8341 with locked bootlaoder EU fw 47.2.A.11.228 , want to downgrade to oreo ,idid some research on XDA forums regarding attest key and not flashing persist .sin and all Ta files .
idid download ftf file from here ,this post target G8341 but befor flashing i would like ask ,do i need to flash partition zip after been unzipped within newflasher directory and boot .ta file in the boot folder ?
Im trying downgrade without any problems or hard bricking my device .
any answer would be appreciated,Thx you in advance.
Did you manage to downgrade to Oreo without DRM problems? I have the same version and I want to download Oreo because the phone crashes when it wants