I have spent a week sifting this forum and was unsuccessful in answering my own question. Please guide me as I am a NOOB to Android. Or straight up tell me I gotta send this in to Sony.
I bought this Xperia Tablet 2 in May. LOVE it! Made no Root mods, totally stock. Updated to 4.1.1 - OK! Updated to 4.1.1 release2 - issues.
Within a week, the tablet would shut off in the middle of Paper Monster and web browsing. I would restart and everything was fine, for a while. Then it shut down and would not boot back up. Sticks on SONY.
Tried soft reset, no luck. Tried Recovery (very hard to get into, fails 80% of the time to enter) no luck, still sticks on SONY.
So I don't have access to put the USB Debugging feature on, and its not rooted so 6.5 All-in-One can't help me (at least not in my current NOOB status)
I did purchase a brand new SGPT122 to replace this one, but have not set it up in hopes maybe someone could tell me how to copy the OS or RECOVERY off of it and install it on my SGPT121 to revive it.
Whats my next step?
SirStorm said:
I have spent a week sifting this forum and was unsuccessful in answering my own question. Please guide me as I am a NOOB to Android. Or straight up tell me I gotta send this in to Sony.
I bought this Xperia Tablet 2 in May. LOVE it! Made no Root mods, totally stock. Updated to 4.1.1 - OK! Updated to 4.1.1 release2 - issues.
Within a week, the tablet would shut off in the middle of Paper Monster and web browsing. I would restart and everything was fine, for a while. Then it shut down and would not boot back up. Sticks on SONY.
Tried soft reset, no luck. Tried Recovery (very hard to get into, fails 80% of the time to enter) no luck, still sticks on SONY.
So I don't have access to put the USB Debugging feature on, and its not rooted so 6.5 All-in-One can't help me (at least not in my current NOOB status)
I did purchase a brand new SGPT122 to replace this one, but have not set it up in hopes maybe someone could tell me how to copy the OS or RECOVERY off of it and install it on my SGPT121 to revive it.
Whats my next step?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option 1 send to Sony tell them issues and ask for downgrade in firmware. They will probably say it is not possible.
Option 2 root and use AiO tool to install rescure back-door then you can install JB r1. You can then unroot and have it as stock.
stifilz said:
Option 1 send to Sony tell them issues and ask for downgrade in firmware. They will probably say it is not possible.
Option 2 root and use AiO tool to install rescure back-door then you can install JB r1. You can then unroot and have it as stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I have been attempting this all evening. I cannot get my computer to recognize the tablet. That is because I cannot enable USB Debugging because I cannot get past the SONY screen, right? Or is there another way to root?
It appears I can only access the Recovery Screen, and it does not like the version of OTA.zip I have. I have not found Recovery ROMS for this tablet.
I really appreciate your time, Thank You.
SirStorm said:
OK I have been attempting this all evening. I cannot get my computer to recognize the tablet. That is because I cannot enable USB Debugging because I cannot get past the SONY screen, right? Or is there another way to root?
It appears I can only access the Recovery Screen, and it does not like the version of OTA.zip I have. I have not found Recovery ROMS for this tablet.
I really appreciate your time, Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adb should still be available in recovery wether usb debugging is on or not. Is it asking for a driver at all?
If you had the latest update installed then. You wont be able to install anything and it will need to go to sony.
SirStorm said:
It appears I can only access the Recovery Screen, and it does not like the version of OTA.zip I have. I have not found Recovery ROMS for this tablet.
I really appreciate your time, Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your device manager to see if the tablet driver is properly installed, if not, install it. This might help.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the help! I called Sony today, they said since the computer doesn't recognize the device and it will only go into recovery sometimes the pad needs service. (I know OF COURSE) But is does stand to reason since I have plugged into multiple PCs and no recognition. They are sending a box for me. I just hope my 32Gb version doesn't tank also.
Hey guys. I was going to post this on the Android Forums, but the L9 board there isn't getting hardly any traffic, so I suppose I'll just repaste here:
Hey guys, it's loopy time. xD
I've been through XDA, again, nobody seems to really have an answer for this, or even an answer for me. There's this guy over there named Kuma that made a stock 2nd-init locked bootloader ROM based off of 10e. I don't really desire to go back to it, but I like the fact that it comes with the xposed framework which you all know is an easy way to theme things that you should be able to theme, like making the status bar and notification area transparent.
I made a mistake in thinking that you can install Chainfire 3D on a locked BL, boy was I wrong. Two soft bricks later, I end up on 10d then do the OTA update to 10e. I've got the LG Mobile Support tool working as the offline flash. So I threw d on there and it worked....until I decided that I wanted to enable USB debugging.
There was a thread where I was advised to use Fastboot to flash the U and X boots, which I succeeded, but it wiped most of the partitions. At first I was panicking like...OMG, the family is going to worry because at this point I thought I was hard bricked, and my father is ill yada yada. So after about twenty minutes of crying and flipping out, I was able to get the USB for fastboot working with OMAP (which is tricky to install!) Three bottles of Pepsi Cola later, some chips, and a honey bun, I was able to get back to stock 10d.
Now, I've tried various drivers to try and get this thing to a go for ADB so I could root, install 2nd-init, and get Kuma's ROM back. I tried the updated drivers from the LG website. I have tried LG drivers 3.8.1.
The issue that I am having is that I am unable to access any of the connectivity modes while USB debugging is checked. If I uncheck it and try to plug it in, everything works perfectly. However, when USB Debugging is checked, no matter what connectivity mode I am on, I suffer with the LG Software coming up in autoplay and furthermore disconnecting after about ten seconds.
I tried in Ubuntu Linux to get it to work, and the same thing happens. This leads me to believe that either there is something wrong with the phone or something wrong with my computer, but other devices work. I'm really confused. Is there partitions for 10e MS769 MetroPCS that I can flash via fastboot to correct this? Is there another tool I can use to do this? I pretty much know fastboot is the key, but i'm going to need some assistance.
Hope you guys have an answer. I sure don't.
Please help me with this. I am familiar with fastboot maybe its a bad .bin file?
Assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
LoopyD
Bump.
Anyone?
Had the same problem, usb debug and any sort of adb connection doesn't work. Kuma comes to the rescue like the super hero he is and helped me fix it. Here is the post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49475336#post49475336 . Oddly enough this problem got worse for me I had it for about 3 months and it resulted in constant crashes and constant resets. Thank Kuma's post if it works!
Thank you sir. The ADB executable installer now shows the device. Problem solved.
Thanks
Sent from my LGMS769 using Tapatalk
Could someone give me a super quick guide on how to get this on my phone? I coming from years of Samsung phones and never owned a Sony before or know anything about it. I have CM on all my Samsung devices for years and simply want a CM ROM in the Z and get it done with with. I picked up a 99% like new second-hand Ultra Z LTE C6833 today, has stock 5.02 and I don't have a clue how to get this flashed in the easiest and simplest way possible. As for locked or not bootloader, I also don't have a clue. First step which is to install TWRP I immediately got stuck because the links posted are dead (teamw.in/project/twrp2/219)
Without wanting to waste anyone's time, if someone could give me the simplest and most painless info on how to get the Z flashed, I'd be super appreciative. The threads on this phone are in the hundreds at this point and I read all sorts of very confusing and contradictory info. I worry to kill or brick it immediately before I even get started.
Thanks much in advance
Read. Thats my tip.
Every sony device past 2011 works the same way.
Look at different xperia forums, for example at the Z1 section, Z2, Z3 etc.
Look at the rooting guides. Unlock guides. Ta backup guide. Just read and read.
Dont just look at the first guide and jump right in.. read first.
Explore the Xda forum. You will find the guides im talking about. im on my phone.. a bit difficult to post links atm
Much good information can be found here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony
You can check if the bootloader is unlocked or locked by opening the dialer and entering *#*#7378423#*#*. Then tap "Service Info" and then "Configuration". It'll either say "Bootloader unlocked: Yes", or "Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes/No". If it says NO on the latter, then you can't unlock the bootloader and you're pretty much screwed. Bell Canada devices have locked bootloaders, and I believe it's the same with UK O2. Chances are that you can unlock it, but you could of course be really unlucky.
If you can unlock the bootloader, then your Ultra will pretty much behave like a Nexus device when it comes to rooting and stuff like that. Just flash a custom kernel with recovery, like NUT's Dual Recovery (with CWM and TWRP), then flash SuperSU, and you'll have recovery and root. Next step is to flash CM12.1 and you're done. It's very easy once you have recovery.
Klaos3000 said:
You can check if the bootloader is unlocked or locked by opening the dialer and entering *#*#7378423#*#*. Then tap "Service Info" and then "Configuration". It'll either say "Bootloader unlocked: Yes", or "Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes/No". If it says NO on the latter, then you can't unlock the bootloader and you're pretty much screwed. Bell Canada devices have locked bootloaders, and I believe it's the same with UK O2. Chances are that you can unlock it, but you could of course be really unlucky.
If you can unlock the bootloader, then your Ultra will pretty much behave like a Nexus device when it comes to rooting and stuff like that. Just flash a custom kernel with recovery, like NUT's Dual Recovery (with CWM and TWRP), then flash SuperSU, and you'll have recovery and root. Next step is to flash CM12.1 and you're done. It's very easy once you have recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks MUCH for the detailed info!
I checked the bootloader info as you said and it's not unlocked, but can be done. It seems a daunting task but let me start by trying to get it done. Hopefully I won't screw-up the phone. I'm searching how to do it as there seem to be several ways.. After I complete the unlocking (let's hope) I'll report back and try jump on the next steps. Probably will have some follow-up doubts or questions.. this is all a very different and more complex process than the Samsung devices I've owned that never required any of this crazy gymnastics..
Anyway, thanks again very much and keep you posted!
VeEuzUKY said:
Thanks MUCH for the detailed info!
I checked the bootloader info as you said and it's not unlocked, but can be done. It seems a daunting task but let me start by trying to get it done. Hopefully I won't screw-up the phone. I'm searching how to do it as there seem to be several ways.. After I complete the unlocking (let's hope) I'll report back and try jump on the next steps. Probably will have some follow-up doubts or questions.. this is all a very different and more complex process than the Samsung devices I've owned that never required any of this crazy gymnastics..
Anyway, thanks again very much and keep you posted!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give you the short guide:
- Go to this (offical Sony) site and give them your IMEI and whatnot
- Wait a couple of minutes, and you'll receive a key
- Now, there are two ways to unlock the bootloader - both equally official, but the easiest one is to use Flashtool.
- Hit the "BLU" button and enter the key you got fra Sony. You only have to do this once.
- Once this is done, you can start flashing a kernel with recovery and flash whatever you'd like.
I'll help you along the way if you need to, so don't be afraid to ask any questions. Start by unlocking the bootloader, and I'll be here if you need any help.
Klaos3000 said:
I'll give you the short guide:
- Go to this (offical Sony) site and give them your IMEI and whatnot
- Wait a couple of minutes, and you'll receive a key
- Now, there are two ways to unlock the bootloader - both equally official, but the easiest one is to use Flashtool.
- Hit the "BLU" button and enter the key you got fra Sony. You only have to do this once.
- Once this is done, you can start flashing a kernel with recovery and flash whatever you'd like.
I'll help you along the way if you need to, so don't be afraid to ask any questions. Start by unlocking the bootloader, and I'll be here if you need any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello I am new to Sony too and I have a question. If I unlock the bootloader root flash custom roms and then decide to get back to stock and lock the bootloader will my warranty be voided?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
mike13ftw said:
Hello I am new to Sony too and I have a question. If I unlock the bootloader root flash custom roms and then decide to get back to stock and lock the bootloader will my warranty be voided?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and that's why it's a good idea to backup your TA folder, which contains the DRM keys. Once you unlock the bootloader, these keys disappears, and that's why it's a good idea to make a backup of them. There are a couple of tools that does this for you, and you can find them in the cross-development section.
Klaos3000 said:
I'll give you the short guide:
- Go to this (offical Sony) site and give them your IMEI and whatnot
- Wait a couple of minutes, and you'll receive a key
- Now, there are two ways to unlock the bootloader - both equally official, but the easiest one is to use Flashtool.
- Hit the "BLU" button and enter the key you got fra Sony. You only have to do this once.
- Once this is done, you can start flashing a kernel with recovery and flash whatever you'd like.
I'll help you along the way if you need to, so don't be afraid to ask any questions. Start by unlocking the bootloader, and I'll be here if you need any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!
Well so far EVERYTHING HAS BEEN A TOTAL NIGHTMARE! Nothing I try to do works!
First I installed flashtool, latest version. Im running Windows 7 64bit. It was a nightmare to get flashtool downloaded and installed. After I finally got it installed, ot took another hour updating itself and syncing stuff. When it finally finished and while holding down the Volume Down key I connected the phone to the PC via USB cable, Immediately I get an error of device driver errors. flashtool gives me also several errors. Then I tried to install the Flashtool-drivers-1.1-20130911. Then another problem, the drivers dont install at all with a message "DPinst.exe cannot execute on your operating system". That's it, finished! When I go to the Windows Device Manager, all I see is an exclamation mark under S1 Service.
So then I tried the FastBoot method. Also no luck. While holding down the Volume Up key I connected the phone to the PC via USB cable, the phone's blue light turns on, and again I get a DRIVER NOT INSTALLED ERROR. My computer refuses to recognize the phone and the device driver is never installed . The Windows Device Manager shows an exclamation mark under S1Boot FastBoot.
Then I tried the Sony way and installed the Android SDK!!!!! Immediately I find I need to download more crap, thie time the JRE Development Kit! Takes me 3 hours do download this with my useless internet connection. At this point I am already ready to throw my laptop out the window and break the stupid phone in a million pieces!
But then, there is the next problem. After all downloaded and installed, before I can even started I get stuck again, because Im supposed to go to the android SDK folder c:\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver and replace/install the fastboot drivers “android_winusb.inf”.. well, I dont have an extras or google or usb_driver folder on my SDK installed folder! NOTHING! THIS IS ALL RIDICULOUS!
Finally I searched everywhere on the internet for other possible Ultra Z drivers. I ft to Sony's own site and found Xperia Z Ultra (C6833, C6806, and C6843) drivers, Xperia Z Ultra (XL39h) drivers, Xperia Z Ultra (SOL24) drivers, Xperia Z Ultra (SGP412) drivers and others.. this is all crazy what a nightmare of mess and miss-information everywhere about this phone! Anyway, I tried all of them. None works.
I am so frustrated and desperate. My God! Cant get anything done. Nothing.................................. I cant believe this..
UPDATE: I give-up. Ive spent the whole day and downloaded and installed GIGS of apps and software and drivers. Nothing communicates with this useless phone. Im done.
Could anyone give me advice if its there is an alternate way to, root install a recover and flash this piece of **** phone without unlocking the bootloader which basically I cant do? If not, it will fly out the window asap, I cant deal with this ridiculous drama. Years of handling and flashing all sorts of hardware COMBINED, never gave me 1/10th of the misery and headaches this hardware has given me in one day. Xperia, never again..
By the way, Sony's "AMAZING" PC Companion app is so great and fantastic that it doesn't even have an uninstaller! No joke! Once in the computer, crawling endless directories with all sorts of files, drivers and registry entries, it will NEVER come out again. All is amazing..
You did the opposite of what I advised you to do. You did not read correct guides.
Q:Ask yourself what do you want to achieve?
You wrote in your first post "if someone could give me the simplest and most painless info on how to get the Z flashed".
Q:My counterquestion is why? Is your phones software unstable? Are you curious to learn to modify the devices software?
A:If your device is unstable. Please do a factory reset.
Q:Are you curious to learn how to modify the software?
A:Then collect information. Read. Set a timer for how long you will spend learning. Let say 45 minutes.
When 45 minutes has passed. STOP.
Take a break. Do something else and continue the next day. Repeat until you are confident to try a simple operation
For example: learn how to use adb and fastboot. Learn the commands. What they do.
I can not stretch enough how important it is to read and learn before you jump into things.
I do not see why I or anyone here should help you to unlock your bootloader. Because you do not have a clear purpose or knowledge how to do this.
VeEuzUKY said:
UPDATE: I give-up. Ive spent the whole day and downloaded and installed GIGS of apps and software and drivers. Nothing communicates with this useless phone. Im done.
Could anyone give me advice if its there is an alternate way to, root install a recover and flash this piece of **** phone without unlocking the bootloader which basically I cant do? If not, it will fly out the window asap, I cant deal with this ridiculous drama. Years of handling and flashing all sorts of hardware COMBINED, never gave me 1/10th of the misery and headaches this hardware has given me in one day. Xperia, never again..
By the way, Sony's "AMAZING" PC Companion app is so great and fantastic that it doesn't even have an uninstaller! No joke! Once in the computer, crawling endless directories with all sorts of files, drivers and registry entries, it will NEVER come out again. All is amazing..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That what I did for the drivers and work just fine .Try it
Edit: forgot to post link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2095087
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
SÜPERUSER said:
You did the opposite of what I advised you to do. You did not read correct guides.
Q:Ask yourself what do you want to achieve?
You wrote in your first post "if someone could give me the simplest and most painless info on how to get the Z flashed".
Q:My counterquestion is why? Is your phones software unstable? Are you curious to learn to modify the devices software?
A:If your device is unstable. Please do a factory reset.
Q:Are you curious to learn how to modify the software?
A:Then collect information. Read. Set a timer for how long you will spend learning. Let say 45 minutes.
When 45 minutes has passed. STOP.
Take a break. Do something else and continue the next day. Repeat until you are confident to try a simple operation
For example: learn how to use adb and fastboot. Learn the commands. What they do.
I can not stretch enough how important it is to read and learn before you jump into things.
I do not see why I or anyone here should help you to unlock your bootloader. Because you do not have a clear purpose or knowledge how to do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to briefly correct you: I'm the type of guy that has NEVER gotten a virus on a computer. I'm the type of guy that has rooted, flashed and played around with phones for many years with more or less degree of difficulties, but always successful. I'm the type of guy that has helped many many people in this community with their hardware, when I know how. I'm the type of guy that has knows many things about the works of Samsung devices that I have used for many years and have never had an issue learning what's needed. I am the type of guy always ready to offer friendly advice when someone is in need of something I may offer help with. Finally, I am the kind of guy that has a Dell laptop, running Windows 7 64bit, that by whatever reason refuses to install the proper drivers for the Ultra Z, or the kind of guy that maybe has a flawed Ultra Z. After all, it's a second hand unit and about 2 years old, despite that it looks new.
So, the only thing this type of guy can do, is 1) try a different computer to see if the communications with the phone work, and if not, check the phone because obviously that's where the only place the problem can come from. To try different USB cables and do phone resets, that I did today several times. I learned those basics the first day of my flashing life, long long ago.
There is NOTHING to read or learn or do, when there is no communication between the phone and the computer that connects to it. You seem not to understand the very basics of the problem here is not lack of reading, instead is only lack data flow between devices.
Anyway, thanks for the constructive advice!
2 extra things: all the tools, apps and drivers you have suggested, I have them all. All the procedures, steps, folders where stuff is and goes.. I've done all. I learn very quickly. The issue is none of that.. the issue is, no driver for this phone will install on my laptop, for whatever reason. Is that simple.
And then there is another issue.. for you, and most people on XDA, downloading and getting "stuff" is a breeze. But not me. Where I am, XDA is blocked, and even with a VPN, hardly works. To reply to you or just log-in, sometimes is an hour. And most file hosts? Mega? Rapidgator.net? Zippy share?.. a few hundred others? Well.. they doesn't work. Uploaded.net.. Mediafire.. Google Drive.. AndroidFile Host, and just about everything else, all DON'T WORK. All blocked. So are blocked most of the VPNs now. So, while for you, go here, get this, download that, is all a piece of cake, for me, is not. Most things to get download are truly a nightmare. And when it comes to download a ROM or any 2 or 3 hundred Mg files, sometimes takes me days of endless wait and interrupted downloads. I live in a crazy country called China, where all Google stuff, Android included, is forbidden, and all around it.. XDA included.
So, talk is easy. But when access to simple and basic information is so difficult to get and everything comes at a premium, life is really a bit more complicated than maybe you can imagine. So...... yeah, help is very much appreciated indeed, in the same way I am always willing to help others when I can, without calling out their lack or reading or question their abilities to follow my advice
Alright, that was quite painful to read, not because of something wrong you wrote, but because I've been there too. I don't know what device you had prior to the Ultra, but just forget what you learned from that device.
Just sit down, relax and figure out what you're trying to do, and then how to maybe achieve it. Yes, I do understand that your laptop doesn't cooperate at all, but that's just technology. Of course it won't work when it should. We've all been there.
1. Set up your computer to be able to communicate with your Ultra. Installing the SDK is overkill since the only thing from the SDK you need is Fastboot and ADB drivers. You can easily install those two by installing this tiny tool that does it for you.
Fastboot and ADB is now installed.
2. Install Flashtool. You've already done this. Connect your Ultra and open Flashtool. Flashtool should grab and set things up for the Z Ultra automatically. This should only take 5-30 seconds. Not three hours. The device should still be powered on at this stage.
3. Okay, now you have Flashtool installed, and it recognizes your Ultra. Next step is to go to that Sony site I linked to, to get the unlock key. Fill in the required info, and you'll get the key sent on your email. Don't misplace it.
4. Go back to Flashtool, hit the "BLU" button, paste the key in, and that's it. Don't set the device into fastboot or flashmode until Flashmode asks you to do it. Fastboot can be active and connected forever, but Flashmode will disconnect by itself after a minute or so.
5. Your bootloader is now unlocked. This means that you're free to do whatever you'd like to do with it. Xperia devices do not come with a default recovery system, so we'll have to flash a custom kernel that includes a recovery. You can find them in the dev section. Once you've flashed or hotbooted a custom kernel with CWM or TWRP, you're free to root by flashing SuperSU, and flash whatever ROM you'd like to flash.
It's very easy to deal with Xperia devices once you have things set up (mainly Flashtool), and the basic steps are:
- Unlock bootloader (one time thing)
- Flash custom kernel
- Done
It's the same procedure as Nexus devices, only that we have to use special tools to unlock our bootloaders, while Nexus' use one command in a terminal. The issue here though is the tools, and not the process, and I feel your pain. I really do. It would've been so much easier if I could just show up at your door, do it for you, and leave
---------- Post added at 06:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 PM ----------
VeEuzUKY said:
And then there is another issue.. for you, and most people on XDA, downloading and getting "stuff" is a breeze. But not me. Where I am, XDA is blocked, and even with a VPN, hardly works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then let's make it easier? My upload speeds aren't an issue, so please point to a site that I can upload the tools too, which you then can download from at proper speeds
Klaos3000 said:
Alright, that was quite painful to read, not because of something wrong you wrote, but because I've been there too. I don't know what device you had prior to the Ultra, but just forget what you learned from that device.
Just sit down, relax and figure out what you're trying to do, and then how to maybe achieve it. Yes, I do understand that your laptop doesn't cooperate at all, but that's just technology. Of course it won't work when it should. We've all been there.
1. Set up your computer to be able to communicate with your Ultra. Installing the SDK is overkill since the only thing from the SDK you need is Fastboot and ADB drivers. You can easily install those two by installing this tiny tool that does it for you.
Fastboot and ADB is now installed.
2. Install Flashtool. You've already done this. Connect your Ultra and open Flashtool. Flashtool should grab and set things up for the Z Ultra automatically. This should only take 5-30 seconds. Not three hours. The device should still be powered on at this stage.
3. Okay, now you have Flashtool installed, and it recognizes your Ultra. Next step is to go to that Sony site I linked to, to get the unlock key. Fill in the required info, and you'll get the key sent on your email. Don't misplace it.
4. Go back to Flashtool, hit the "BLU" button, paste the key in, and that's it. Don't set the device into fastboot or flashmode until Flashmode asks you to do it. Fastboot can be active and connected forever, but Flashmode will disconnect by itself after a minute or so.
5. Your bootloader is now unlocked. This means that you're free to do whatever you'd like to do with it. Xperia devices do not come with a default recovery system, so we'll have to flash a custom kernel that includes a recovery. You can find them in the dev section. Once you've flashed or hotbooted a custom kernel with CWM or TWRP, you're free to root by flashing SuperSU, and flash whatever ROM you'd like to flash.
It's very easy to deal with Xperia devices once you have things set up (mainly Flashtool), and the basic steps are:
- Unlock bootloader (one time thing)
- Flash custom kernel
- Done
It's the same procedure as Nexus devices, only that we have to use special tools to unlock our bootloaders, while Nexus' use one command in a terminal. The issue here though is the tools, and not the process, and I feel your pain. I really do. It would've been so much easier if I could just show up at your door, do it for you, and leave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Klaos3000, you are great. Difficult to find words to thank you the time you take to try help me out. Really much appreciated. It's almost 1AM my local time here and tomorrow I will give a try to all you suggest me step by step. If I run into additional difficulties, I will try use another computer. Maybe is my specific laptop with my windows installation that is being stupid with the Ultra Z hardware. I have installed endless drivers for HTC, LG and mainly Samsung phones and tabs, and have never had any difficulty.. just last week I installed drivers for a friend's new Galaxy Tab S2, got a recovery in, got it rooted and manually cleaned of a lot of useless samsung system bloat stock apps and crap, all about 20 minutes. Hard to understand why with an Xperia phone, things are so complicated. Anyway, tomorrow will follow your advice and report back.
Again, thanks a lot for your help
Klaos3000, despite being so late, I decided to give this another try and follow your steps.
But I Immediately run into similar problems.. I CANNOT get drivers installed.
1. I have downloaded and installed Minimal ADB and Fastboot as you suggested.
2. I have flashtool-0.9.19.7 installed and did the 0.9.19.8 upgrade by updating the x10flasher.jar file.
3. Now you suggest I connect my phone and open Flashtool. But connect my phone how? Boot it up? USB debugging on or off? Or you mean connect the phone turned off and then on press Volume up? Or press Volume down?
I tried all this, and again I get a device driver error. Because there are NO DRIVERS installed for the phone. This is same problem as before. And if I go to the drivers folder inside Flashtool and try install the drives, I immediately get an error that they cant be installed in my operating system.
I am completely stuck as before in this very simple step.
Attached screnshots when I enter Flashmode:
And this is what happens when I try install drivers from C:\Flashtool\drivers:
And if I try go to FastBoot Mode with the phone's blue light on (Volume up + connect USB Cable) this is what I get:
UPDATE:
I have finally unlocked the bootloader, using the Fastboot method! I still could not get the Flashtool drivers to recognize my phone, but the FastBoot ADB drivers installed without a problem. 2 things Ive learned with this experience I want share with anyone in the future that has similar difficulties:
1) I switched to a friend's old laptop with Windows XP. Under XP, FastBoot ADB drivers installed at the first time and absolutely zero problems.
2) I used a USB 2.0 port! If connected to a USB 3.0 port, another cascade of new problems immediately arise.
So that's it. I want thank VERY MUCH everyone in this thread that was so kind to try and help me as much as possible. I would not have gotten this done with it
My next step is to install a recovery from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261606
But I only see downloadable versions for looked bootloaders. Also, I want to flash a custom CM based ROM next and see a warning regarding Unlocked Bootloader with CyanogenMod, AOSP and OmniRom that the kernel needs be repack to replace the built in recovery with XZDualRecovery or things will either not work at all or require unexpected operating instructions. So again, I am extremely confused as what files to choose and what to do and worry to look for the wrong thing and worry to make a catastrophic mistake. And also I have no idea what method I should use:
- ZU-lockeddualrecovery2.8.21-RELEASE.flashable
- ZU-lockeddualrecovery2.8.21-RELEASE.installer
Thanks again for the advice and the feedback in all this
Hey everyone, i'm sorry if this isn't the right section to post that kind of stuff in, i have a galaxy s7 edge with a broken screen, it's unresponsive and it shows nothing, so it's pointless for me to plug a mouse via an OTG cable in order to operate it, other than the screen, i think it still functions though, it's relatively expensive to repair here in my country so i figured i might as well recover my data and get rid of it altogether afterwards, i don't have usb debugging enabled, and i don't how how to enable it via recovery mode (if it's possible that is), is there some way to like cast its display to a computer and use the latter the interact with it ? or at least access its storage ? i really have important data in the device, so if there's no way to recover it, i'll be forced to repair the screen, i really appreciate any help
Have you asked this already - like a year ago?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-cracked-screen.3995855
So, no TWRP. Then flash a modified stock recovery of your own. Enable adb in it. Pull stuff if not encrypted. If not, root with SuperSu. Then pull stuff...
That was just guesswork. Try yourself what can be done...
CXZa said:
Have you asked this already - like a year ago?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-cracked-screen.3995855
So, no TWRP. Then flash a modified stock recovery of your own. Enable adb in it. Pull stuff if not encrypted. If not, root with SuperSu. Then pull stuff...
That was just guesswork. Try yourself what can be done...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i did, i completely forgot about it however ! anyway, there's no custom recovery (i figured it's pretty much a must just in case something like that happens, but it was too late unfortunately), i didn't search thoroughly yet, but i can't find already modified stock recovery files for the device (assuming there's any of course), and i don't know how to modify such files if that's possible, can you walk me though some steps ? although i thought i knew a little bit about that stuff, apparently it's not enough ! and thanks a lot, i really appreciate your help
Sisine said:
although i thought i knew a little bit about that stuff, apparently it's not enough
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. And that guesswork went wrong too as I forgot that you said in that other thread that usb debugging isn't enabled...
CXZa said:
Same here. And that guesswork went wrong too as I forgot that you said in that other thread that usb debugging isn't enabled...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like i'm out of luck
I'm stuck on waiting for all devices in adb.. My phone screen has a menu with three choices, one of them is flash unlock.bin. Should I keep waiting for all devices for how long in adb?
What procedure are you using to unlock? The WTF process is the one that I believe has worked the best for most people... and that doesn't have anything special on the phone screen, so I'm thinking you're using some app or script?
dsk1000 said:
I'm stuck on waiting for all devices in adb.. My phone screen has a menu with three choices, one of them is flash unlock.bin. Should I keep waiting for all devices for how long in adb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I'm following that one. I read somewhere about AMD PCs causing problems. My phone shows when I use adb devices. So should I be a little more patient or what?
No, the processes are quick. AMD Ryzens typically have issues, but it's only because of the USB driver they use. I've heard a few Intels have issues sometimes as well.
The key is, you just need to try other computers... this is the "hardest" thing to do, but it's really the only solution to that issue. The process takes under a second, so it's not a patience issue.
For the record, my older laptop with an AMD A9 CPU did the process fine... so, again, it's not a CPU issue, but a driver issue for the USB, apparently...
schwinn8 said:
No, the processes are quick. AMD Ryzens typically have issues, but it's only because of the USB driver they use. I've heard a few Intels have issues sometimes as well.
The key is, you just need to try other computers... this is the "hardest" thing to do, but it's really the only solution to that issue. The process takes under a second, so it's not a patience issue.
For the record, my older laptop with an AMD A9 CPU did the process fine... so, again, it's not a CPU issue, but a driver issue for the USB, apparently...
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply..I'm super new to adb..but I am following wtf instructions. I will keep researching..and asking questions. Thanks. PS I haven't rooted anything since my lg g3..
dsk1000 said:
Thanks for the reply..I'm super new to adb..but I am following wtf instructions. I will keep researching..and asking questions. Thanks. PS I haven't rooted anything since my lg g3..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people had to use 2 or 3 computers. An older one with Intel CPU works best (especially if it has USB 2.0), but yes an AMD can work. As noted by @schwinn8 Ryzens are no go. One guy was upset because he had superfast gaming computer and we kept telling him to try another computer. He borrowed his brother's mediocre laptop and BOOM, worked. Another guy dug some old laptop out of his closet and it worked.
Thanks for the reply...i was just reading about adb making sure it wasn't something i was doing wrong. Even tried on an old iMac that i had installed linux on. "Waiting for device..." So..still reading and learning to be patient. Thank you
dsk1000 said:
Thanks for the reply...i was just reading about adb making sure it wasn't something i was doing wrong. Even tried on an old iMac that i had installed linux on. "Waiting for device..." So..still reading and learning to be patient. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, try the steps mentioned in Wtf troubleshooting section.
Other than that you may have to mess around in the device manager section to see if the phone is detected properly or not.
(if there's a problem with the driver the device will show up as unknown android device or something)
dsk1000 said:
Thanks for the reply...i was just reading about adb making sure it wasn't something i was doing wrong. Even tried on an old iMac that i had installed linux on. "Waiting for device..." So..still reading and learning to be patient. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said "patient"... just to reiterate, this process doesn't take longer on a computer that says "waiting for device". It's a fast process, so if it's not happening within a few seconds, it won't work on that setup, period. Don't waste your time waiting - get another machine/cable/etc (check the troubleshooting steps to find other possible issues... the computer is usually the biggest problem to overcome, but the most successful).
Good news, i unlocked my phone and installed twrp, then i had to stop the process (wtf)
i still need to make a backup in TWRP and flash two more files from wtf notes. I cannot seem to be able to reboot into TWRP from ADB. thanks in advance
The oem is greyed out in developer mode and says its unlocked. Idk?
Glad to hear you got it unlocked.
In the WTF post it says that the developer mode may remain grayed out after being flipped... this is normal. It comes back after some time. Of course, you don't want to toggle it again anyway, since you're unlocked...
When i go to use an app to boot into twrp..it tells me its not rooted.
dsk1000 said:
When i go to use an app to boot into twrp..it tells me its not rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Used getvar..unlocked.
Well its done..used an old hp A6 with linuxmint. I found linux to be straightforward and easy when trying to root my phone. No jumping thru hoops and juggling stuff.
Any recommendations for remodeling the phone? Boot to twrp..roms..ect?
dsk1000 said:
When i go to use an app to boot into twrp..it tells me its not rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader unlocked is not rooted. It's just the prerequisite to being rooted. Then you install TWRP custom recovery and then use that to flash Magisk. It's all in the WTF Instructions. Also be sure to use the version of Magisk in the WTF Instructions, at least initially.
Thanks..ive got magisk from the instructions. It wants to update..should?
Once you are booted into Android, you can update Magisk to some degree. I forget the last version I had but I recall I could go to 20.x or something without issue. But there is always a risk of having issues if you update to the latest version... so be prepared to go back to the one on the WTF thread if the phone has issues. In other words, don't do this last minute or without a PC to work from... because it could fail.
The only time you have to use the old Magisk is during that first boot with it... once you're booted through, you have been able to update to newer versions. But unless you need some specific feature of the newest version, I might suggest leaving it alone...
I read somewhere..when i upgrade on US 998 20b, i need to move up to 20c?
Also, do i use the "twrp version. 20c"?