Choice: Keep BE or Unlock and have Roms+black bars? - Xperia Z Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

What is your choice? What is more important for you?
Honestly I am start thinking that Unlock the Bootloader can bring more to the phone experience than keeping the BE since in few words this just works with video & album.
Yesterday I also noticed one thing: I took a picture of my cat and checking it in the Album I was not happy with the colours, looked like a bit too saturated, but when I checked on PC it was much brighter and better. Then I realized that was like that because of the BE... mmmh....

Loosing BE is not so much important for me like loosing DRM keys. I would not be able to update the phone using official programs after unlocking, and that might be a problem. Because flashtool is not the same as SUS. Earlier, i had the situation with my Xperia T that only SUS make my phone alive, flashtool did not. But i had BL locked on T, so i had no problem to recover it. So, now i`m a little bit smarter, and strongly thinking before every step. If in the near future will be BL relock release, i likely will unlock the BL.

DennisDD78 said:
Loosing BE is not so much important for me like loosing DRM keys. I would not be able to update the phone using official programs after unlocking, and that might be a problem. Because flashtool is not the same as SUS. Earlier, i had the situation with my Xperia T that only SUS make my phone alive, flashtool did not. But i had BL locked on T, so i had no problem to recover it. So, now i`m a little bit smarter, and strongly thinking before every step. If in the near future will be BL relock release, i likely will unlock the BL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you can update with the custom rom...
Anyway I got the rest of your answer...

DennisDD78 said:
Loosing BE is not so much important for me like loosing DRM keys. I would not be able to update the phone using official programs after unlocking, and that might be a problem. Because flashtool is not the same as SUS. Earlier, i had the situation with my Xperia T that only SUS make my phone alive, flashtool did not. But i had BL locked on T, so i had no problem to recover it. So, now i`m a little bit smarter, and strongly thinking before every step. If in the near future will be BL relock release, i likely will unlock the BL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you can relock to use official programs to update.

Spectre51 said:
And you can relock to use official programs to update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There`s no relock FTF released yet.

Related

[Solved] original Sony V firmware stock firmware

Hello can someone send me a link to the stock firmware to LT25i sony xperia V?
the 9.1.A.0.490 firmware, cant seem to find the original one (stock)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2132641
thx!
matt4321 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2132641
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks dude!
downloading it now, hope this is the stock one, the others i found wasnt the stock
sony's pc companion still doesn't support me for updating with pc companion
What can i do before it works?
zetto123 said:
sony's pc companion still doesn't support me for updating with pc companion
What can i do before it works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should do. Please tell us the error you get. However, if you are trying to flash that ftf file you do not do it in pccompanion, you need flashtool
problem still comes
iam flashing with no problems with flashtool, and the ftf works fine on my phone, then i take it to sony pc companion and trying to update it with it.
then i get an error that custom firmware is installed
zetto123 said:
iam flashing with no problems with flashtool, and the ftf works fine on my phone, then i take it to sony pc companion and trying to update it with it.
then i get an error that custom firmware is installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, if you have unlocked your bootloader you can no longer use pccompanion.
That would have been explained when you went through the process of unlocking the bootloader.
is it possible to lock it somehow again?
zetto123 said:
is it possible to lock it somehow again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, search for relock bootloader xperia v
But your warrenty is void anyway now.
found one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2092227
found one, and seems like it works.
*#*#7378423#*#* says that it is "Bootloader unlock allowed - Yes"
and it is now updating, think it works
thank you alot!
now i can finally get sony to repair my screen that they destroyed when i send it to them
zetto123 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2092227
found one, and seems like it works.
*#*#7378423#*#* says that it is "Bootloader unlock allowed - Yes"
and it is now updating, think it works
thank you alot!
now i can finally get sony to repair my screen that they destroyed when i send it to them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. You have voided your warrenty when you unlocked and relocking the bootloader willnot hide that fact.
You gave them your IMEI number when you unlocked, and you modified your trim area (That's why you lost drm keys) and relocking does not restore the TA.
PS, No need to say thanks in a post, just use the button.
oh okay, so it didn't really matter that i reset it to factory, they will still just give me the same message...
damn Sony, i will never buy a phone from them again...
seriusly they destroyed my phone at their repair service, but now i just have to argue with them, don't think that XDA can help me with this anymore then done now.
zetto123 said:
oh okay, so it didn't really matter that i reset it to factory, they will still just give me the same message...
damn Sony, i will never buy a phone from them again...
seriusly they destroyed my phone at their repair service, but now i just have to argue with them, don't think that XDA can help me with this anymore then done now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well if sony broke the screen you may have a case to get them to fix it.
But it is very clearly stated that you lose warrenty when unlocking the bootloader. I think all carriers do the same (If they let you unlock at all, Sony are very good at this and this is why they have been voted xda's OEM of the year for the past few years because they are so Dev friendly)
You just need to read the fine print a bit more carefully I think
well i dont think that it's too clearly stated, when they write that you may void the warrenty, it doesn't say that i void the warrenty, only that i may void it.
hmm yearh, Sony isn't that bad at all, and their products work...
well think it will be alot easier now to talk with Sony about the problem now.
is there some way i should mark this thread as solved?
hmm now i get a new bug after i did this...
I can't install apps from google store, getting error 403.
zetto123 said:
well i dont think that it's too clearly stated, when they write that you may void the warrenty, it doesn't say that i void the warrenty, only that i may void it.
hmm yearh, Sony isn't that bad at all, and their products work...
well think it will be alot easier now to talk with Sony about the problem now.
is there some way i should mark this thread as solved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
goto the first post and edit it, click on advanced and it lets you edit the title.
Good luck with sony

Doomkernel questions

I've recently flashed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448613 and was just wondering can I still update via Pc companion/SEUS to new firmwares/updates without losing the kernel, root etc...like will it replace the kernel with a stock one?
I'm a noob at Flashing and search didn't really answer my question.
If you have unlocked your bootloader by the official method at unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com, then you can not use PC Companion or SEUS to update firmware.
Someguyfromhell said:
If you have unlocked your bootloader by the official method at unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com, then you can not use PC Companion or SEUS to update firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what you said, I understand that there is an unofficial way to unlock the bootloader and still be able to use PC Companion and SEUS to update firmware?
Just2Cause said:
From what you said, I understand that there is an unofficial way to unlock the bootloader and still be able to use PC Companion and SEUS to update firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is unlocked, there is no way to use pc companion or seus to update firmware unless you relock it
Thankyou for the replies, I might try to relock my bootloader. I unlocked it through the official Sony method.
Just2Cause said:
From what you said, I understand that there is an unofficial way to unlock the bootloader and still be able to use PC Companion and SEUS to update firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not as far as I know. Older Xperia models had test point method, but Z1 does not have this option.
Sent from my LT18i
Someguyfromhell said:
Not as far as I know. Older Xperia models had test point method, but Z1 does not have this option.
Sent from my LT18i
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has someone actually ruled this out? I mostly hear that people with LB go swap their phones or just make sure they're getting a UB phone in the first place. The main complication I see is compromising the waterproof gasket...
Test point method?
xasbo said:
Has someone actually ruled this out? I mostly hear that people with LB go swap their phones or just make sure they're getting a UB phone in the first place. The main complication I see is compromising the waterproof gasket...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking bootloader doesn't have anything to do with waterproofness, it's something done using a computer.
Just2Cause said:
Unlocking bootloader doesn't have anything to do with waterproofness, it's something done using a computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously. In order to access test points, the back cover will have to be removed. The back cover uses tape/gasketing to enforce waterproofing. My question was about whether someone has actually looked into a testpoint unlock yet for the XZ1.

[Q] How to backup TA, MAC and IMEI with unlocked BL?

Greetings to everyone
I have already unlocked BL & rooted my 4.3 xperia Z1 with CWM recovery installed... the camera and everything works fine
So, how to backup TA, MAC and IMEI with unlocked BL? I want to avoid any furthur losing possibility of them
Sorry If this a repeated question but I have searched a lot before posting this
thank you
You can't Backup your TA if you Unlocked your Bootloader. You lost your DRM keys permanently. You will not be able to re-lock you bootloader and you are not covered by your warranty. Sorry but you should read carefully before do anything.
Yeah, too late, you should have done this before the unlock....
eclyptos said:
You can't Backup your TA if you Unlocked your Bootloader. You lost your DRM keys permanently. You will not be able to re-lock you bootloader and you are not covered by your warranty. Sorry but you should read carefully before do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh.. I hope everything will still fine .. but I saw option in flashtool to relock BL.. it won't relock my phone ?? ... and what is the safe way to update my device firmware when 4.4 kitkat arrives to xperia z1 ??? and what are the risks now ?? what I must avoid and never do ?? any advices for me ???... sure it's better to stay one 4.3 without root rather than breaking my phone
thank you
ghostman2 said:
Yeah, too late, you should have done this before the unlock....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I realize that .. I was on HTC before and I didn't know that the unlock BL is like that in SONY .. it's all my fault
Hani88 said:
oh.. I hope everything will still fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be all fine but the safest way was backup TA first because if one day happen something on your phone you can't go via warranty.
Hani88 said:
.. but I saw option in flashtool to relock BL.. it won't relock my phone ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still losing your DRM keys so even if he does it's compromise, no x-reality, bionz engine and bravia.
Hani88 said:
... and what is the safe way to update my device firmware when 4.4 kitkat arrives to xperia z1 ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a problem, the FTFs will be upload here on XDA like for .290 and Custom Roms as well.
Hani88 said:
and what are the risks now ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what we said already, the risk is if you brick the phone and the warranty will not cover that.
Hani88 said:
what I must avoid and never do ?? any advices for me ???... sure it's better to stay one 4.3 without root rather than breaking my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to avoid anything just read carefully everything when you try to do something. My advice is now to wait for the confirmed and safe way to root or update. In your position you already lost the safest way so I will root, update or flash custom roms to enjoy the phone but remember, it's your own risk and responsability.
Ive done the same, came from HTC.....so I will still have all tge features unless I flash say cm11 and try to go back to a Sony based rom?
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Root for Z1 Compact without losing TA

Is there a way to root the Z1 Compact without losing what you do when you unlock the bootloader?
Koenig77 said:
Is there a way to root the Z1 Compact without losing what you do when you unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Compact roll out a week ago, at the moment there is no way to have Root or anything, the developers are working on it so stay tuned on XDA.
eclyptos said:
The Compact roll out a week ago, at the moment there is no way to have Root or anything, the developers are working on it so stay tuned on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really true though, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2620794
But since there's no older firmware for the Compact you won't be able to backup the TA.
Since that thread was even posted before the launch of the compact, I thought it might be worth asking since alot can happen in a week....
Koenig77 said:
Not really true though, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2620794
But since there's no older firmware for the Compact you won't be able to backup the TA.
Since that thread was even posted before the launch of the compact, I thought it might be worth asking since alot can happen in a week....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said there is no root ans still no root yet, that is just Recovery and will be a Root soon for Unlocked Bootlader but at the moment there is nothing for Locked Bootlader.
You have to wait.
eclyptos said:
I said there is no root ans still no root yet, that is just Recovery and will be a Root soon for Unlocked Bootlader but at the moment there is nothing for Locked Bootlader.
You have to wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check second post of that thread and then tell me again that there's no root.
EDIT: But for the waiting part you might be right though.
Koenig77 said:
Check second post of that thread and then tell me again that there's no root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still no Root for Locked Bootloaders. ..hahah..
Unlocking bootlader
Sorry for being a complete noon when it comes to rooting and bootloader and backups... and what not.
What exactly is at stake here? Just got my Z1 Compact today and learning from my previous devices, N7 and LG G2 (and mistakes) i kind of wanted to unlock the bootloader as soon as possible. Now i am reading all this about TA backup and loosing DRM , and feel both lost and concerned.
Should I bother with the unlock or rather wait until developers has gotten a bit further on this? Planning to use this device as a second phone for rough weather's and hopefully won't fill it up with to much DRM protected stuff (guessing that DRM is mainly for stuff bought through Sony?) so maybe I will be fine doing it later.
Any advice or suggestions are very welcome.
Cheers.
stenbergs said:
Sorry for being a complete noon when it comes to rooting and bootloader and backups... and what not.
What exactly is at stake here? Just got my Z1 Compact today and learning from my previous devices, N7 and LG G2 (and mistakes) i kind of wanted to unlock the bootloader as soon as possible. Now i am reading all this about TA backup and loosing DRM , and feel both lost and concerned.
Should I bother with the unlock or rather wait until developers has gotten a bit further on this? Planning to use this device as a second phone for rough weather's and hopefully won't fill it up with to much DRM protected stuff (guessing that DRM is mainly for stuff bought through Sony?) so maybe I will be fine doing it later.
Any advice or suggestions are very welcome.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you Unlock Bootlader you will lost your Warranty and DRM keys and like on Z1 you should lost X-Reality, Bionz Processing and Bravia engine. Losing this features will not compromise the working of your phone but DRM key definetly will compromise the warranty and if you lose them you will cannot Relock Bootloader anymore. Unlock Bootloader is needed if you want flash custom kernels like DooMlord kernel with recovery. So is recommended to Root first your phone and then Backup your TA and DRM keys so in the case you will want go back to Stock or go via Warranty you have just to Flash Stock FTF and then Relock Bootloader. But like I already said, there is no root for locked bootloader at the moment, and this is what OP was asking but he was just challenge me with Root for Unlocked Bootladers.

Some questions from a first timer

Until a few days ago, I didn't want to do anything involving rooting with my Xperia Z just in case I messed anything up but since Towelroot came out, I went ahead and used it to root my phone without any problems but now I have some questions.
Now that I have root access on my phone, if Sony releases an OTA firmware update, does this close the root access?
My next goal with my phone is to try and cut out as much bloat as possible from my Xperia Z but I'm worried I might get rid of too much things that I might render it bricked. Is there some things I should leave well alone?
Also thinking about trying custom roms but I'm overwhelmed by all the guides so are the guides even from years ago still valid in 2014?
syrupdash said:
Until a few days ago, I didn't want to do anything involving rooting with my Xperia Z just in case I messed anything up but since Towelroot came out, I went ahead and used it to root my phone without any problems but now I have some questions.
Now that I have root access on my phone, if Sony releases an OTA firmware update, does this close the root access?
My next goal with my phone is to try and cut out as much bloat as possible from my Xperia Z but I'm worried I might get rid of too much things that I might render it bricked. Is there some things I should leave well alone?
Also thinking about trying custom roms but I'm overwhelmed by all the guides so are the guides even from years ago still valid in 2014?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updating firmware will remove root
If you remove system apps you wont get OTA
Custom roms require unlocked bootloader which will void your warranty and you wont get OTA
Look up in the forums for latest guides
OTA shouldn't remove root. Root gets removed if you flash with flashtool, sus or pcc
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
syrupdash said:
My next goal with my phone is to try and cut out as much bloat as possible from my Xperia Z but I'm worried I might get rid of too much things that I might render it bricked. Is there some things I should leave well alone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you remove something wrong, just flash a ROM again. But like always said: Don't remove something, if you don't know what it is.
syrupdash said:
Also thinking about trying custom roms but I'm overwhelmed by all the guides so are the guides even from years ago still valid in 2014?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to unlock bootloader for custom ROMs: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z/development/tutorial-xperia-z-zl-bootloader-t2153261
Don't forget to make a TA-Backup!: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Quote by devshaft from the TA-Backup thread:
Backup TA can backup and restore the TA partition of the device. When you create a backup before unlocking for the first time, then you will be able to restore to full factory state (including a locked bootloader). This means all DRM keys intact, Bravia Engine working in Album and last but not least your warranty when needed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like androidtweaker1 said, unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty. The TA-Backup includes some unique data from your device(!), which will be removed for ever if you unlock your bootloader. That's why you should make a TA-Backupfirst, to keep this data.
There are 2 ways how SONY take a look at it if you unlocked the bootloader:
- They take a look in the servicemenue
- Or they take a look at if the DRM-keys(which are included in the TA-Backup) are in your device
If you relock the bootloader only, they will see in the servicemenue that it is locked. But if they take a look at the DRM keys and they aren't available, it's clear for them that you unlocked your bootloader.
If you want to send your device to a repair center, just relock the bootloader and restore the TA-Backup. There are also some threads about it, so don't be afraid to search for it. And one more thing: Never, and really never restore the TA-Backup from an other device, it will hardbrick your phone!

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