Hi everyone,
I'm a noob to Xperias and also a bit of a noob to backing up and restoring individual partitions, although I have some experience with flashing the Nexus 5 and Z3C with B2GOS and /e/.
I'd like to put Sailfish X on my Xperia X. I'd like to make sure I can return the phone to stock afterwards, if needed. I have read about backing up the TA partition so I will do that. However, before I even downgrade to Marshmallow to do that what do I need to do firs to ensure I can return to stock?
Maybe I need to do nothing! Will it be sufficient just to reflash stock firmware (which matches my CDA) using Emma or Flashtool when I want to return to stock? Or should I backup some partitions using TWRP before I downgrade to Marshmallow and reflash them later too? Instead of using Emma/Flashtool or before or after?
I think what I want to make sure is that I can get back all the same version numbers in the Software Info of the service menu. Does that really matter? E.g. S1 boot, ETS, etc.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Cheers
backup your TA partition before unlocking bootloader. and your data. for more help ping me on telegram @xsetiadiku
xsetiadi said:
backup your TA partition before unlocking bootloader. and your data. for more help ping me on telegram @xsetiadiku
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What you recommend is already what I planned on doing. I was asking about anything else I might need to back up. I don't use telegram so please reply here if you've anything more to add.
Cheers
Related
Hey guys, I've rooted, installed CWM Recovery, Unlocked Bootloader, and installed CyanogenMod on another phone before.
The thing is, I've had this phone for about 6 months and wanted to do the same. However, after browsing through the forums, man are there a lot of scary sh*t going down. I would like the request the procedure to install CyanogenMod safely, without losing any Keys/IMEI/XReality/DRMkeys/Etcetera.
I dont know if the method given by FXP is supposed to be this straight forward, but I too like others, do not want to risk losing important stuff if it can be avoided (Keys/IMEI/XReality/DRMkeys/Etcetera).
HOWTO
Install instructions:
first time
- power off the phone:
- hold vol+ and plug usb to boot into fastboot (blu led)
- fastboot flash boot boot.img (from cm10 zip)
- fastboot reboot
- enter recovery, on boot led will be violet for 3'', during this period press vol+
- flash rom zip
- flash gapps zip
- wipe
- reboot
for update just flash rom zip from recovery
Google Apps are not included in this ROM. You'll need to find those yourself if you want them.
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Frankly speaking, the forums is pretty much jumbled up, and the existing [Guide] Threads are either incomplete (Lacking important steps), or Unclear (Non-Specific steps).
Perhaps someone could do me a favour by using the template that I have below to help me, and possibly others, to install CM 10.2 on our beast of a phone.
Template:
1. Backup TA and DRMkeys and stuff: http://forum-xda-developers-com/backup
2. Root: http://forum-xda-developers-com/root
3. Recovery : http://forum-xda-developers-com/recovery
4: Unlock Bootloader: http://forum-xda-developers-com/ulbl
5: Install FXP's CM 10.2 :http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2461286
Something like that would suffice I think, as long as no important steps are missing that would cause me to lose stuff unique to my phone, that cannot be recovered if I didn't back it up.
P.S. My version is 14.1.B.2.257
P.P.S. Thank you in advance.
1. Root
2. Backup TA (VERY IMPORTANT)
3. Install Recovery and unlock the bootloader, or the other way around. Both ways work.
4. Install ROM by following the "guide" that you quoted above.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
I'm on 14.1.B.2.257, I believe reverting to the previous version causes data to be lost unless you back it up right. *Sighs* How troublesome.
Xenogenics said:
I'm on 14.1.B.2.257, I believe reverting to the previous version causes data to be lost unless you back it up right. *Sighs* How troublesome.
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you will have to back up the data anyways. I think unlocking the bootloader does a factory reset, as well one is needed going from stock to CM if i unforget correctly
I am also wondering about this. I'm currently running firmware .257.
I understand that I need to back up the TA partition first (though I'm not exactly sure on what I will loose if I don't). I also understand that to do this I need to root the stock rom. I understand that in order to root, I'll need to first downgrade to an earlier firmware using flashtool. However, after that I'm not so sure what I need to do. As far as I can see, the only method of gaining root currently is to use vRoot, which is currently under investigation for IMEI mining.
How else can I root the device? I was thinking of maybe using the recovery for locked bootloaders here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2426739
Following by flashing SuperSU from recovery as per usual.
Will this work, keeping the TA partition intact so that I can back it up before flashing CM? Assuming so, would I even need to downgrade from the .257 firmware at all?
Thanks,
i have CWM now so can flash custom roms like i did on other phones right?
what does unlocking the bootloader give me? unless i'm wrong and i have to unlock to flash?
all i've done so far is do a backup is all. (did a TA backup a while back though)
stiggy2012 said:
I am also wondering about this. I'm currently running firmware .257.
I understand that I need to back up the TA partition first (though I'm not exactly sure on what I will loose if I don't). I also understand that to do this I need to root the stock rom. I understand that in order to root, I'll need to first downgrade to an earlier firmware using flashtool. However, after that I'm not so sure what I need to do. As far as I can see, the only method of gaining root currently is to use vRoot, which is currently under investigation for IMEI mining.
How else can I root the device? I was thinking of maybe using the recovery for locked bootloaders here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2426739
Following by flashing SuperSU from recovery as per usual.
Will this work, keeping the TA partition intact so that I can back it up before flashing CM? Assuming so, would I even need to downgrade from the .257 firmware at all?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so looking into this further, you already need to have root to be able to flash the "CWM for locked bootloader" rocovery. So as far as I can see, the only way to get root in order to back up the TA partition is to give your IMEI to the Chinese via vRoot?
Thank god the stock rom is so good.
tommo123 said:
i have CWM now so can flash custom roms like i did on other phones right?
what does unlocking the bootloader give me? unless i'm wrong and i have to unlock to flash?
all i've done so far is do a backup is all. (did a TA backup a while back though)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to unlock the bootloader to flash custom ROMs. You can flash stock ROMs without unlocking it, but you have to unlock it if you want CM, PAC, PA etc.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
really, so what would happen if i tried to flash an aosp rom now? would the system partition essentially be read only?
sorry for the Qs but haven't had a locked bootloader since the htc desire (although the s-off for that one was to remap the partitions to allow more room for data) and the reasons for unlocking don't seem to be the same.
tommo123 said:
really, so what would happen if i tried to flash an aosp rom now? would the system partition essentially be read only?
sorry for the Qs but haven't had a locked bootloader since the htc desire (although the s-off for that one was to remap the partitions to allow more room for data) and the reasons for unlocking don't seem to be the same.
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Nothing will happen if you try it now. You can easily unlock the bootloader by going to Sony's Dev site, request your key and use Flashtool to unlock it. It takes a couple of minutes once you have Flashtool and the drivers installed. It's also perfectly safe to unlock it and you will lose your warranty. BUT you can easily relock it again if something happens to your ZU and the warrenty will be back.
Remember to backup your TA before you unlock your bootloader. It contains a lot if device info and your unique DRM keys. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe the system partition, but you will still have root, photos, music etc. (But do a backup of those just in case).
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
i think that's where i got confused with drivers - unlocking.
i have already done a backup of my TA part so that side of it is ok. i'll leave unlocking until there's a rom i want to try. possibly a complete 4.4 or something.
cheers LM
tommo123 said:
i think that's where i got confused with drivers - unlocking.
i have already done a backup of my TA part so that side of it is ok. i'll leave unlocking until there's a rom i want to try. possibly a complete 4.4 or something.
cheers LM
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If you've already backed up your TA, it means that you have the drivers installed, so job done All you have to do is to install Flashtool and get your key from Sony (which you will get on your email straight away). Either way, just ask here if/when you want to unlock it so we can guide you through it (it's very easy though).
ran flashtool but gave me driver errors - missing. unable to install the drivers included (i guess due to windows 8 driver signing)
So today I managed to root my Z2
Following advice from o0 Matt 0o in another thread, I downgraded from 4.4.4 to 4.42 using flashtool, then using the rootkitXperia_20140719 install.bat the phone is now rooted (for some reason it would not find adb even though running adb from a cmd prompt worked!)
Anyway, now I am on 4.4.2 with root, if I upgrade back to stock 4.4.4 rom will I lose the root?
EDIT: I have installed dual recovery, is there a pre packaged rooted rom for:
Android 4.4.4
23.0.1.A.0.167
United Kingdom - 3 - 1281-2574
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Dont really want to create a rooted package myself, the steps can be confusing
Thanks!
Since you have dual recovery on 4.4.2 you can use the pre-rooted package by niaboc79 (can be found in the Android Development section) or any pre-rooted stock based ROM based on 4.4.4. It is all down to your preference.
I doubt there will be a 3 branded pre-rooted package either.
Actually you're right I should just get one of those roms which is not branded which would look better anyway
One last thing what is the steps to backup ta partition? At some point I will unlock bootloader but don't want to lose the dry keys
Cheers
Ned_Flanders said:
Actually you're right I should just get one of those roms which is not branded which would look better anyway
One last thing what is the steps to backup ta partition? At some point I will unlock bootloader but don't want to lose the dry keys
Cheers
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Click to collapse
In the Sony cross device development section there is the backup TA tool, simply use that. Also, make sure to upload your backup to a cloud service or something like that, in case your hard drive goes kaput and you need it to relock your bootloader.
Please remember that unlocking the bootloader wipes the internal SD card (not the user one). Also, restoring the TA backup relocks the bootloader so make sure you are on a stock ROM and kernel when you restore the backup.
gamer649 said:
In the Sony cross device development section there is the backup TA tool, simply use that. Also, make sure to upload your backup to a cloud service or something like that, in case your hard drive goes kaput and you need it to relock your bootloader.
Please remember that unlocking the bootloader wipes the internal SD card (not the user one). Also, restoring the TA backup relocks the bootloader so make sure you are on a stock ROM and kernel when you restore the backup.
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Cool thanks for the tips :good:
OK, a video is worth a million words: Here is my problem.
https://youtu.be/q1dXmNW7uJU
If you can solve this, you have done better than anyone else that has tried to help me... Thanks!
Watched the video, and two things:
1. I expected a proper error message, but "Error!"? That's all you're giving us, Google? Gee, thanks, I guess.
2. You mentioned that you have been rooted, so my question now, is your bootloader unlocked? If yes, re-lock it again and then try to update.
If nothing works, then I guess you can just go ahead and manually flash the Lollipop update to your Ultra and get it that way. It'll update in the same way as OTA, only you'll be booting into recovery yourself, and have a little more control that way (with hopefully better error logs)
I know, check the stickies... But I looked and didn't find anything on relocking the bootloader. I did backup my ta partition once upon a time and have the keys stored in the cloud... A thread on locking it would be helpful.
Sent from my C6806_GPe using XDA Free mobile app
Hmm, I don't have the GPe version, so I'm not entirely sure how the bootloader on that one works. Will an OEM relock command in a terminal work? No idea. Will restoring the TA partition automatically lock it? I have no idea. I guess @blueether or someone else can help you with these things, or you can ask someone in the GPe section.
This has happened ALOT before, and even now. One of your partitions is not 4.4.4. Its 4.2.2 or something. This causes the update to fail. The only solution is to unlock your boot loader and follow one of the "return to stock" faqs. I have the same problem, one of my partitions didnt get upgraded to 5.0.0, i could manually apply the partition since someone posted all the 5.0.0 partitions, however during the 5.1 upgrade a partition didnt get upgraded to 5.1, so now i cant apply 5.1.1, since one partition says its 5.0.
Dear friends i have dual sim xperia x. I in nougut and want to flash poison rom but i dont want to loose camera quality.i searched through the form that only in mm we can back up dm keys.in that case do i need to downgrade to mm then back up the dm keys then root flash twrp followed by poison rom then flash back dm keys. Please brothers help me.thanks in advance.
Thats true, you have to downgrade to MM first, then use the Dirty Cow Exploit to backup the TA Partition. If it's done you are free to do whatever you want with your device
Sent from my F5121 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Yes, but you can leave the TA you backed up for later use (e.g. if you want to go back to stock or if you want to build / modify a kernel with your own TA built in), because Poison has a drm fix built in. Hence your camera features should be fine. Nevertheless it is a good habit to backup the TA partition if you unlock the bootloader of any Sony device.
Alright, I've received the email as the title implies but here are the questions I have before I proceed into the whole process
Is there a way to backup the stock image without TWRP? if so how do you get the stock image backed up if it's impossible how to back up the stock bootlover/recovery before installing TWRP if I were to get rid of TWRP one day?
also is it possible to just root the system without flashing anything to avoid data loss? this would be the preferred option actually, thanks! (Using the be2028 t-mobile version, if there's a premade backup that'll be cool too.)
animenote said:
Alright, I've received the email as the title implies but here are the questions I have before I proceed into the whole process
Is there a way to backup the stock image without TWRP? if so how do you get the stock image backed up if it's impossible how to back up the stock bootlover/recovery before installing TWRP if I were to get rid of TWRP one day?
also is it possible to just root the system without flashing anything to avoid data loss? this would be the preferred option actually, thanks! (Using the be2028 t-mobile version, if there's a premade backup that'll be cool too.)
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Click to collapse
I am just getting back to messing around with phones after about 5 years. So many things have changed and I am trying to get answers here as well.
I used TWRP and Magisk to root my phone. Installing TWRP will not wipe your data as it is flashed to a different partition but to install TWRP you have to unlock the bootloader and that will wipe your userdata. And no, I don't believe there is any possibility of rooting without unlocking the bootloader. If you decide you want to go back to stock, there are stock roms available and you can re-lock the bootloader on the N10 so you should be able to set it back to just like it was when you first bought it. I say should because I have never done it, just read that it can be done when I unlocked and flashed mine.
I wish I could be of more help but so many things have changed in the years since I've been away from doing this stuff I feel like a total noob again.
animenote said:
Alright, I've received the email as the title implies but here are the questions I have before I proceed into the whole process
Is there a way to backup the stock image without TWRP? if so how do you get the stock image backed up if it's impossible how to back up the stock bootlover/recovery before installing TWRP if I were to get rid of TWRP one day?
also is it possible to just root the system without flashing anything to avoid data loss? this would be the preferred option actually, thanks! (Using the be2028 t-mobile version, if there's a premade backup that'll be cool too.)
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Click to collapse
No I do not believe there's a way to gain root without flashing anything. There's no need to backup anything you can always use the MSM download tool to restore your device. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...l-to-restore-your-device-to-oxygenos.4204445/ You should be able to find most of the stock imgs on here already if you'd really need to flash back. I'm no expert either, just my experience with this phone in particular has been pretty straightforward. I never backed up anything lol.
Twrp is iffy i made a backup I'll never use, check out the post about flashing international rom to tmo and metro devices, that's my backup. Also you can run 11.0.3/2 firmware and boot 11 gsi's the post about lir rom has the info. Flash the product_gsi.img referenced there, I have never deleted my product partition and I only leave oos ten installed long enough to take ota's. There are more roms in the source forge page referenced with lir rom post. Flash magisk via recovery, either side load or twrp, pay attention that it flashes partition sda14(super image) or wifi breaks.