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I was hesitant to post this under Q&A because bootloaders can be a scary topic and I don't want people trying dangerous things in attempts to help me.
Mods, feel free to move this thread if necessary. Thanks!
So I got a GPE Z Ultra last month and I've been happy (well, mostly) using CM11 after taking extra precautions and backing up my TA partition in multiple places due to a recent data loss scare involving both my only laptop and my only phone - yes, the GPE Z Ultra I traded my Nexus 4 for last month.
I heard the Z Ultra's camera is supposed to be better on Lollipop, so I've been toying with the idea of reverting to stock KitKat and upgrading using the Lollipop OTA then eventually installing CM12. However, I'm concerned about my ability to safely relock the bootloader after upgrading using the OTA package and unlocking again since there's a new bootloader version. After finding out that flashing my locked-bootloader TA backup from CM11 semi-bricks my phone - and learning another valuable lesson in the process - I started to wonder if the TA partition gets modified during a bootloader upgrade. If the Z Ultra GPE bootloader has a downgrade prevention mechanism in place, I could be out of luck if I want to relock the bootloader.
In the unlikely event that any of you have attempted to downgrade from Lollipop to KitKat - which I'd avoid like the plague if you're afraid of ending up with a 6.4" brick - please share your experience. Annoyingly, without a stock root exploit for Lollipop, there is no way to find out if the bootloader upgrade modifies the TA partition - comparing the md5sum of a Lollipop locked-BL TA partition with an original KitKat locked-BL backup is impossible to my knowledge since the TA partition isn't world-readable.
TL;DR, is it possible to restore my locked KitKat TA backup after upgrading to Lollipop without bricking my phone? In other words, is it even possible to relock after upgrading? If so, how did you do it?
Again, I only ask this in hopes that some adventurous soul has tried and succeeded but hasn't gotten around to sharing their results yet.
Please don't try anything dangerous for me. I repeat, if you want to help me, please don't brick your own phone trying to do so.
Thanks all!
gTan64 said:
I was hesitant to post this under Q&A because bootloaders can be a scary topic and I don't want people trying dangerous things in attempts to help me.
Mods, feel free to move this thread if necessary. Thanks!
So I got a GPE Z Ultra last month and I've been happy (well, mostly) using CM11 after taking extra precautions and backing up my TA partition in multiple places due to a recent data loss scare involving both my only laptop and my only phone - yes, the GPE Z Ultra I traded my Nexus 4 for last month.
I heard the Z Ultra's camera is supposed to be better on Lollipop, so I've been toying with the idea of reverting to stock KitKat and upgrading using the Lollipop OTA then eventually installing CM12. However, I'm concerned about my ability to safely relock the bootloader after upgrading using the OTA package and unlocking again since there's a new bootloader version. After finding out that flashing my locked-bootloader TA backup from CM11 semi-bricks my phone - and learning another valuable lesson in the process - I started to wonder if the TA partition gets modified during a bootloader upgrade. If the Z Ultra GPE bootloader has a downgrade prevention mechanism in place, I could be out of luck if I want to relock the bootloader.
In the unlikely event that any of you have attempted to downgrade from Lollipop to KitKat - which I'd avoid like the plague if you're afraid of ending up with a 6.4" brick - please share your experience. Annoyingly, without a stock root exploit for Lollipop, there is no way to find out if the bootloader upgrade modifies the TA partition - comparing the md5sum of a Lollipop locked-BL TA partition with an original KitKat locked-BL backup is impossible to my knowledge since the TA partition isn't world-readable.
TL;DR, is it possible to restore my locked KitKat TA backup after upgrading to Lollipop without bricking my phone? In other words, is it even possible to relock after upgrading? If so, how did you do it?
Again, I only ask this in hopes that some adventurous soul has tried and succeeded but hasn't gotten around to sharing their results yet.
Please don't try anything dangerous for me. I repeat, if you want to help me, please don't brick your own phone trying to do so.
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some thoughts in a semi random order:
Why not restore the TA while on 4.4.4 (where you backed it up) then do the OTA to 5.0
On the Sony version each time you update they system (OTA or FTF) the TA is updated. The TA contains much more than DRM keys. It contains root crets etc firmware version, and lot of other things.
I cant see any updates in the GPe OTA that write to TA with a quick glance.
I could restore a TA...
Hi, I think I need to do this procedure to get my phone to update past 4.4.4. I have backed up my TA partition, but don't know what to do to restore it. Can you point me to some instructions, or if they are not available, put together a quick guide? I really want to try out Lolipop...
ok so please be gentle here, coming back here after 7 years, from old Windows Mobile days!
I am a newbie to Android and want to root my Z5 compact. The only reason I want to root it is to enable some apps like Greenify and GSam battery monitor to work with all their features enabled. I do not want to flash a new ROM. I am happy with Sony's stock ROM.
Is it possible to get root access without installing / flashing a new ROM?
I have searched the internet but people talk about flashing every time I read about rooting. Then I also saw this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Lots of geeky stuff there which is fine, but again, it seems to talk about flashing the ROM, which I really do not want to do or do not see the need (yet).
Unlock boot loader:
I see that Sony lets me unlock the boot loader from their dev site. I am willing to unlock the boot loader. (Not sure if I want to do that first. Maybe unlocking BL is all I need?)
rajdude said:
ok so please be gentle here, coming back here after 7 years, from old Windows Mobile days!
I am a newbie to Android and want to root my Z5 compact. The only reason I want to root it is to enable some apps like Greenify and GSam battery monitor to work with all their features enabled. I do not want to flash a new ROM. I am happy with Sony's stock ROM.
Is it possible to get root access without installing / flashing a new ROM?
I have searched the internet but people talk about flashing every time I read about rooting. Then I also saw this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/development/root-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Lots of geeky stuff there which is fine, but again, it seems to talk about flashing the ROM, which I really do not want to do or do not see the need (yet).
Unlock boot loader:
I see that Sony lets me unlock the boot loader from their dev site. I am willing to unlock the boot loader. (Not sure if I want to do that first. Maybe unlocking BL is all I need?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason to use that guide is to backup ta keys for whatever reason you'd want to do that.
If you're after root on stock ROM the single easiest way is to unlock bootloader, flash twrp 3.0.2, flash xpower 3.0, and that's it. Solid marshmallow with root goodies. Xpower has everything and is deodexed and ready for xposed framework.
just a little more clarification please?
civicsr2cool said:
.....easiest way is to unlock bootloader, flash twrp 3.0.2, flash xpower 3.0, and that's it. ......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks.....that sounds straight forward.....but isn't TWRP a ROM? (sorry, the moment I hear flashing...I think ROM)
And I am looking up xpower...not sure what that is (yet) and why do I need it
I do want xposed framework though.
I wish there was a simple straightforward answer
rajdude said:
Ok thanks.....that sounds straight forward.....but isn't TWRP a ROM? (sorry, the moment I hear flashing...I think ROM)
And I am looking up xpower...not sure what that is (yet) and why do I need it
I do want xposed framework though.
I wish there was a simple straightforward answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp is your recovery,you flash through fastboot, xpower 3.0 is the ROM, just a pre-modded stock ROM with options of xperia x addons. Use lite and stock kernel for xpower and you'll be set.
still a little confused
civicsr2cool said:
Twrp is your recovery,you flash through fastboot, xpower 3.0 is the ROM, just a pre-modded stock ROM with options of xperia x addons. Use lite and stock kernel for xpower and you'll be set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks! So my understanding (so far) is :
We "must" flash a ROM in order to root a phone. Did I get that correct?
Since I said I like the stock Sony ROM, you recommended the xpower 3.0 ROM.........but the point is.....I still have to flash ROM.
A little confused here...
I am a systems engineer (my day job). In Linux or Windows OS, if we want root access (to run some software or a low level command, like partitioning a disk etc), we either run SU command and put root's password OR right click and run as administrator......
We never have to install a brand new Operating System to get root access.
Just a total newbie question.....Why do we have do install a whole new OS (flash new ROM) on our Android phones to get root access?
rajdude said:
Ok thanks! So my understanding (so far) is :
We "must" flash a ROM in order to root a phone. Did I get that correct?
Since I said I like the stock Sony ROM, you recommended the xpower 3.0 ROM.........but the point is.....I still have to flash ROM.
A little confused here...
I am a systems engineer (my d Linux or Windows OS, if we want root access (to run some software or a low level command, like partitioning a disk etc), we either run SU command and put root's password OR right click and run as administrator......
We never have to install a brand new Operating System to get root access.
Just a total newbie question.....Why do we have do install a whole new OS (flash new ROM) on our Android phones to get root access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is Linux, to gain root in the ROM you have on your phone currently all you need is an unlocked bootloader to run SU, but then you'll be left with a phone that still needs a customized kernel to keep root and a DRM fix for the camera. Xpower 3.0 is that package.
You could really benefit from reading more. Google up on dm-verity and Sony Ric, and fastboot/adb for a little better understanding of what you're getting into without a pre compiled ROM. Messing around with any Android you'll have the majority of the same steps, unlock bootloader with fastboot, flash Supersu, customized kernel.. Etc
Why use a stable compiled ROM?
Let me list down and explain to you why it's best to use a stable compiled ROM. But first you need to understand these few things before you decide to unlock your bootloader and root.
Before Sony Z models kicked in, every rooted Sony device are still able to retain all the features that came together with the phone before it was rooted. When Sony introduce the first Z model, they start to create these things called DRM keys. DRM keys are unique algorithm (i guess i should put it that way) which is attached to every phone the same way an IMEI number is attached to every phone. In short, my DRM keys cannot be used on your phone and vice versa.
DRM key: It's a unique algorithm that holds all the unique features that an unrooted Sony phone boast such as camera quality, X-reality, High Res Audio etc etc.
The moment you unlock your bootloader, that's the moment your DRM keys will be lost. But don't panic, the wonderful devs on XDA have prepared a tool to backup your TA partition (a partition that contains your DRM key) for your own convenience if you want to relock your bootloader.
Then recently Sony/Android come up with new features called Sony RIC and dm-verity. (You may Google what these are all about but to my understanding it is placing limitations to people who root their phones to meddle around with the system settings of thier phone)
With all these "hurdles", it have taken some time for devs here to find a work around and like every fairytale ending, they manage to find a way.
Now you're wondering if you can actually root without flashing another rom. Good news for you: you can! There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting.
.. But ask yourself what's the point of going through the hassle of rooting and your phone is not tweaked for performance or for theming purposes?
That's when people flash roms and in Z5 compact's case, XPower is the best rom there is. It gives you all the performance tweak you need to make your phone lag free, it has a lite version that removes all the unnecessary system apps you can't delete without root, it gives you an option to add themes and framework from Xperia X with all those work around in place.
For your second question: why is there a need to install TWRP?
TWRP is a recovery tool which is a need for all rooted phone. It's also a tool for you to backup and restore your current rom so that you can rollback to the last working configuration if your phone went into a bootloop etc. Plus i believe all these guides require you to actually use TWRP to flash the SuperSU to successfully root your phone.
I hope this explains your doubts.
Thanks a lot but...
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
By unlocking bootloader, you lose DRM keys. There is a way to backup DRM keys which are in the TA partition, but this is to be done BEFORE you unlock bootloader. Good that I have not done anything to my X5c yet.
The next steps for me would be to look into XPower 3 ROM…which I did and here is what I found out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/development/rom-xpower-v1-0-aroma-debloat-custom-t3371100
First, what's up with the scary looking warning in RED right at the top of the first thread. I did read the OP and the second post, I did not see anything in there which IF I missed will cause my phone to explode! That is probably posted to make noobs read all instructions, right?
Second, I do not see any step in there to backup the DRM / TA partition. I guess the dev is assuming the phone already has lost the DRM, right? So I gotta find instructions on how to backup DRM / TA
Then I searched for problems in this ROM and seems to me that the fingerprint sensor is reported by many to be not working and/or buggy. I rely on the fingerprint sensor day and night. I have many apps which rely on that, like lastpass. That would be a major deal breaker for me.
So going back to stock ROM option…I remember you said "There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting."
Could you please post a link to that?
Thanks again!
I think this is a pretty great thread rajdude. It's getting people to spell out a lot of information to noobs like us that it seems most posters have taken for granted over time.
I'm a complete novice at all of this. Sort of gleaning information as I go along, but I used this guide: http://twigstechtips.blogspot.hk/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=0
Along with this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z5/general/guide-rooting-unlocking-bootloader-t3354307
The first guide is pretty basic step-by-step instructions. It unfortunately occasionally kind of skips over a couple very small things (that will be clear as you go along), or occasionally words things in such a way that might not be completely intuitive, but maybe that's cause I need things explained to me like I'm five sometimes. Any time I might have had a question about something in the the first guide, I went to the other and found the answer. It didn't take me long to get the gist of the whole thing though, and overall, it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. It'd be fantastic if someone created a video walkthrough, but so far as I know, no one has done that yet.
The guide will help you back up your TA Partition where your DRM keys are stored, unlock your bootloader, root your device, and then restore your DRM keys. In order to do this you need to downgrade to Lollipop (if you're not already on it), and then upgrade back up to Marshmallow. It will also install TWRP (which I had no clue was installed until I went into "recovery mode" by pressing UP when I saw the LED flash yellow during boot). There may be an easier way to go about this whole process, but this is the process I used.
Before jumping into anything, I'd hold off until you heard more from firdyRAY or someone more experienced. They may look at the guide I linked and be horrified.
And yeah, I haven't installed xpower yet for the same reasons you haven't. Sounds like there's even an xpower 4.0 that was released recently, but still seems kinda buggy. Being rooted with stock I've been able to give Greenify access to root. Install Adaway (which was worth getting root to begin with). Install sound/music mods like DiVA-X, Viper4Android and Dolby Atmos. Install Titanium Backup. And make a few other minor tweaks (that I've since reversed). I still don't know much about custom ROMs and all that jazz, so I'm holding off until I get more understanding. I'd love to install the xpower ROM (when the bugs are worked out), and maybe some sort of sound ROM. I also need to get more understanding on some of the other vernacular like what exactly a "dirty flash" is.
rajdude said:
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
By unlocking bootloader, you lose DRM keys. There is a way to backup DRM keys which are in the TA partition, but this is to be done BEFORE you unlock bootloader. Good that I have not done anything to my X5c yet.
The next steps for me would be to look into XPower 3 ROM…which I did and here is what I found out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-compact/development/rom-xpower-v1-0-aroma-debloat-custom-t3371100
First, what's up with the scary looking warning in RED right at the top of the first thread. I did read the OP and the second post, I did not see anything in there which IF I missed will cause my phone to explode! That is probably posted to make noobs read all instructions, right?
Second, I do not see any step in there to backup the DRM / TA partition. I guess the dev is assuming the phone already has lost the DRM, right? So I gotta find instructions on how to backup DRM / TA
Then I searched for problems in this ROM and seems to me that the fingerprint sensor is reported by many to be not working and/or buggy. I rely on the fingerprint sensor day and night. I have many apps which rely on that, like lastpass. That would be a major deal breaker for me.
So going back to stock ROM option…I remember you said "There's a guide that will teach you how to actually root and apply the work around after unlocking your bootloader and rooting."
Could you please post a link to that?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sony ric is a layer of security for sony roms so that they can protect nfc and fingerprint stuff. samsung and htc have there own variants as well.
yes lol the big red lettering is there to make you read, although hes not far off on the melting your phone part, the s810 is ridiculously hot.
the xpower thread doesnt not include the drm backup instructions because: 1) you need bootloader unlocked to flash it. and 2) because it includes the drm fix in it so you dont have to backup your ta keys.
the fingerprint sensor bug is on any bootloader unlocked phone, the hardware fails after x amount of hours and requires a reboot to work again. xpower is a stock rom, the only thing different is its pre-rooted, de-bloated, and deodexed for xposed to work. we have a separate thread for the fingerprint sensor bug and its been solved.
rajdude said:
firdyRAY, thanks a lot for the comprehensive reply to my questions. And yes, it has shed a LOT of light on my doubts.
I googled Sony RIC and dm-verity:
I could not get find much on ric
Dm-verity seems to me a way to check if the boot image has been modified from the last boot, and if it has, stop from booting. Sounds like a good idea until we understand that to flash a ROM dm-verity needs to be bypassed/turned off.
So to compile what I have understood so far:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony RIC main function is to disable /system write even you got root permission(you still able to do /system write but after a reboot will restore to original). There is a workaround but very trouble, TWRP recovery file manager can bypass Sony RIC(it works in the old day for me, not sure about now). BTW, all 3rd kernel should be disabled RIC nowadays. For any regular computer, there is no hardware or software lock to prevent you gain root access in linux but there are many such trouble stuffs in the android world... lol
I'm running XPower 3.0 Full as a daily driver since June and been very happy. Battery life, stability and speed is good.
Please note, that you MAY lose your warranty when you lose your DRM keys. That's why I didn't unlocked my phone before there was a way to backup TA partition. Now I'm after warranty repair, and before it I was able to fully restore stock ROM with DRM and all features fully functional. In my country, there is only one Sony approved repair center and they check DRM keys before repairing anything - even if it's mechanical fault.
When I had Z1c in KitKat days, it didn't had dm-verity and Sony RIC. It was possible to gain permanent root with bootloader locked, so I was happily using stock ROM and kernel. In Z5c case, first thing I tried was to do the same and it was possible (just backup TA, unlock bootloader, and flash TWRP with patched kernel (dm-verity and Sony RIC disabled) to begin with), but going XPower way was much more confident - I didn't had to think about removing every bloat app. I just flashed lite version in June and I'm using it till this day without any problems at all
Another thing is that you lose OTA (Over-The-Air Update) functionality when you unlock bootloader and disable Sony RIC and dm-verity. Updating to newer versions of firmware, even on stock ROM is problematic when you modify it.
michuroztocz said:
Another thing is that you lose OTA (Over-The-Air Update) functionality when you unlock bootloader and disable Sony RIC and dm-verity. Updating to newer versions of firmware, even on stock ROM is problematic when you modify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simply not possible. If you are rooted you can't apply OTA updates and neither should you.
flopower1996 said:
It's simply not possible. If you are rooted you can't apply OTA updates and neither should you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's just what I wrote - just put it in another words
Hi,
I'm planing to buy new phone (currently an owner of a broken Z3 compact).
My question (I can't find any sticky thread on this topic thus asking) for this phone is:
- is it possible to root and keep DRM?
- does unlocking bootloader lose DRM keys?
- does the DRM affect camera quality (for z3 compact it did)?
I also saw some thread of DRM fix (https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-x/development/kernel-drm-fix-nougat-t3530849). Does this mean that after aplying such a fix the DRM is back?
The thing is that I like to have custom ROM (removed all the unnecessary things thus lighter version of original firmware) while keeping all the qualities of Sony phones.; like everyone
Thanks in advance!
mrepovz said:
Hi,
I'm planing to buy new phone (currently an owner of a broken Z3 compact).
My question (I can't find any sticky thread on this topic thus asking) for this phone is:
- is it possible to root and keep DRM?
- does unlocking bootloader lose DRM keys?
- does the DRM affect camera quality (for z3 compact it did)?
I also saw some thread of DRM fix (https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-x/development/kernel-drm-fix-nougat-t3530849). Does this mean that after aplying such a fix the DRM is back?
The thing is that I like to have custom ROM (removed all the unnecessary things thus lighter version of original firmware) while keeping all the qualities of Sony phones.; like everyone
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could root and keep DRM, but you have to backup DRM first (before unlocking bootloader) while on marshmallow through Dirtycow exploit: https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
as you said, unlocking bootloader does wipe the TA partition (where DRM keys are stored) and worsen camera quality (irc, at the point you cannot use stock camera).
this way, before unlocking you'll have a TA partition dump you can restore anytime.
then you unlock BL, flash a custom kernel + super user with a custom recovery (likely twrp), restore TA partition and you should be done.
as for DRM Fix, i believe it's about ignoring some errors which are showed when using stock roms and an unlocked device (i.e. you cannot use stock camera and some other features).
carlo93 said:
you could root and keep DRM, but you have to backup DRM first (before unlocking bootloader) while on marshmallow through Dirtycow exploit: https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
as you said, unlocking bootloader does wipe the TA partition (where DRM keys are stored) and worsen camera quality (irc, at the point you cannot use stock camera).
this way, before unlocking you'll have a TA partition dump you can restore anytime.
then you unlock BL, flash a custom kernel + super user with a custom recovery (likely twrp), restore TA partition and you should be done.
as for DRM Fix, i believe it's about ignoring some errors which are showed when using stock roms and an unlocked device (i.e. you cannot use stock camera and some other features).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
So basically after the installation of any custom romantic I just restore TA partition (I need to do a backup prior to doing anything else).
Does this als work with custom kernel?
mrepovz said:
Thanks.
So basically after the installation of any custom romantic I just restore TA partition (I need to do a backup prior to doing anything else).
Does this als work with custom kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restoring TA partition should work no matter what the kernel is.
in fact, you could just unlock BL and restore TA partition, but it would be pointless then (i mean unlocking BL and not rooting).
a "custom" kernel is required in order to get root access
carlo93 said:
restoring TA partition should work no matter what the kernel is.
in fact, you could just unlock BL and restore TA partition, but it would be pointless then (i mean unlocking BL and not rooting).
a "custom" kernel is required in order to get root access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. Thank you.
I get he phone in 2days so until then I have to find everything.
I restored TA partition after rooting but now the phone will not boot. It displays an error about failing verification and will not boot properly. How to get around this?
Hi, is it possible to root and Xperia Z5 Compact with Nougat without ruining the excellent camera?
chesterrimmer said:
Hi, is it possible to root and Xperia Z5 Compact with Nougat without ruining the excellent camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES, just backup your TA and flash kernel with DRM Fix
that's the only way
ryandxter said:
YES, just backup your TA and flash kernel with DRM Fix
that's the only way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'm new to this - what do you mean by TA? Can you recommend a tutorial?
Thanks!
chesterrimmer said:
Thank you. I'm new to this - what do you mean by TA? Can you recommend a tutorial?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TA partition is 'something' that indeed needed by our Xperia devices which take a role keeping DRM keys, bionz image processing and others.... In short we are luckily and blessed by many devs that create method to backup TA because once we unlock bootlader it will gone forever and you can't take it back with any way including relocking bootloader
just read more from here or use SEARCH instead GOOGLE :highfive: and if you already understand what it is and/or how really important it is then I recommend this tool to backup your TA
if you don't back up the ta, you lose the sony exclusive camera functions
long story short you need flash reflash android 5.1.1 backup TA with scrpit , open Bootloader,>reinstall lastest ROM, flash boot.img >push superuser 2.7 (you can do it all with flash tool or adb terminal you need all sony drivers
i didnt do it yet with my z5c, just what i remmber from my older sony phone (i've still got warranty)
Hello
Thanks for the explanations about TA backup and one way destruction :-/ If i lost my TA partition and my DRM because I unlocked bootloader and rooted too fast in the past, the only way to get a new TA partition is to send the device back to Sony care I suppose ? (meaning phone reset + fee I suppose...)
So far the main loss with DRM is the camera feature. Can we get similar lost feature using 3rd party camera applications ?
uh... you might be able to fake a TA backup, by DRM fixing 5.1.1... check the picture guide, it's about 3 steps in
I will try it
Hello, until now I avoided to root my device (SGP612 / Stock Marshmallow), because I did not want to risk to lose the drm-keys or do other damage.
Besides that, there some apps, which will not run on rooted devices as netflix (at least I suppose so).
Now working on Tasker and other tools the demand of root is increasing more and more. But still I want to take it restrained and looking for a way to limit the root via ADB. I'm not sure, if that is possible, but I think, that would be a good compromise. Online I found a huge amount of guides and threads "how to root", but all of them, at least it looks like that, ending with an unlocked bootloader, TPRP, SuperSU and so on. I did not read all of them, because that would take years and these guides may also be outdated or even worse incorrect.
Therefor I'm here to ask you about yours assessment.
My main goal would be to:
- Make a full backup
- Protect the DRM-Keys and other irreversible stuff
- No app should be able to detect that the device has been rooted respectively modified on system-level
- Void a reset of the current setup
- Install some apps to system via adb and grant some permissions, uninstall few oem-apps
- Tweak a few settings via adb
Is that possible? And if so, are there some good and simplified guides, which I should read?
Wrong forum. This is for Z3 Compact phone. What you want is https://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-tablet-compact
You can root the phone without unlocking the bootloader, so I would assume that you can do the same with the tablet. You have to flash with an older ROM/kernel first, though, but it is doable.
temporary2010 said:
Wrong forum. This is for Z3 Compact phone. What you want is https://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-tablet-compact
You can root the phone without unlocking the bootloader, so I would assume that you can do the same with the tablet. You have to flash with an older ROM/kernel first, though, but it is doable.
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I will ask the moderation to move my thread, thanks for the hint.
That sounds complicated to flash an older ROM, especially if no suitable instructions are known to me.
BTW. I prefer to stay at stock.
I am pretty sure you posted in the right forum. Everything you mention is possible, except making a full backup. I wouldn't know how without root or twrp. You can backup your TA partition with a special tool to save your drm keys. It uses the 'dirty cow' exploit so you may need to downgrade first (which wipes your data).
I think root via ADB requires a custom rom. You need to unlock your bootloader, which wipes all data. Alternatively, you can root your device with Magisk. It can hide itself from detection for a set of apps that you select.
M1chiel said:
I am pretty sure you posted in the right forum. Everything you mention is possible, except making a full backup. I wouldn't know how without root or twrp. You can backup your TA partition with a special tool to save your drm keys. It uses the 'dirty cow' exploit so you may need to downgrade first (which wipes your data).
I think root via ADB requires a custom rom. You need to unlock your bootloader, which wipes all data. Alternatively, you can root your device with Magisk. It can hide itself from detection for a set of apps that you select.
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Click to collapse
The thread has been moved by now, so that should be ok.
But still, I do not want any custom-rom. My experience with such on other devices in the past was very frustrating and a waste of time. Had always stability issues on driver-level and other misbehavior. On one samsung device I tested around ten or more roms and all of them was quite ****ty...
And until now it sounds like, I need to install a custom before I even can start to make backups and such. But I want a backup of the status quo, to which I could always rollback, if things gets ugly.
I like the current stock, is a good and stable base, a few tweaks and it would be perfect for me. Of course, I did not test any customs on my current device to be able to make some substantiated conclusion on that but I'm to distrustful to follow this path, especially not when there is no way back.
I miss any imagination what is possible and what is not, or what effect a particular measure entails. Therefor I can't estimate the accuracy of any guide and there are hundreds of them out there, and it looks like the approach is sometimes different. I started reading some of them, but stopped it because I could not retrace the content.
Can you recommend a good guide, which could work out for me and whats the name of the tool to backup the drm-keys? Thanks...
Check here for the TA backup https://forum.xda-developers.com/cr...rsal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236/page47
I am very happy with this rom, the developer recently issued a Pie alpha (which I haven't tried yet)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/z3...m-aicp-android-ice-cold-project-o8-1-t3731197
There's a guide for rooting + recovery @ https://forum.xda-developers.com/z3...to-rooted-lollipop-locked-bootloader-t3083980
Be sure you follow the instructions very carefully, since you are flashing (the system partition) with the ROM from a Z3 phone.
The process is similar to the Z3 phones:
- flash to an older ROM
- root
- install custom recovery
- using custom recovery, flash with a prerooted, updated ROM
No need to unlock bootloader and no need for custom ROMs.
Asides from that, I don't know how to do the rest of the stuff in your list.
(I'm debating on getting a used Z3t, which is why I'm researching root possibilities .)