I've just recently acquired the Z and coming from a Samsung (s, s2,tab plus), I've rooted and flashed so many times that now I'm getting the shivers just waiting for my warranty to expire (in 10 months).
My question is, for those who have rooted and then unrooted their Z and have taken it to the service center, did they notice?
My experience with Samsung centers was that they had no clue that i rooted it(or reverted to stock), but i think a bit more highly of Sony folks so they may not be as clueless as the Samsung techs in our area.
neuropsychosis said:
I've just recently acquired the Z and coming from a Samsung (s, s2,tab plus), I've rooted and flashed so many times that now I'm getting the shivers just waiting for my warranty to expire (in 10 months).
My question is, for those who have rooted and then unrooted their Z and have taken it to the service center, did they notice?
My experience with Samsung centers was that they had no clue that i rooted it(or reverted to stock), but i think a bit more highly of Sony folks so they may not be as clueless as the Samsung techs in our area.
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Click to collapse
DId you perform root alone or you have unlocked your bootloader as well? Taking into consideration, if you are able to flash that means you have unlocked your bootloader and that will void warranty and sony will be able to trace even if the bootloader is re-locked.
Regards
If only root>unroot has been done, it wont be noticed...
but as mentioned if u have unlocked the bootloader, then u'r dead
That's what i was worried about. I haven't done anything yet but i pretty much have all the files needed. Let's see how long I can go without doing anything. Good thing that stock experience is really good already.
In some countries manufacturers legally need to prove the defect was due to faulty software. Unlocked bootloader is not a valid reason to deny warranty, despite Sony's claim on their website. So if you're in one of those countries it is pretty save to unlock your bootloader
Verstuurd vanaf mijn Xperia Z
Before unlocking your bootloader you have to back-up some specific 'factory files' which will be tempered with after unlocking the bootloader. Please read the tutorials carefully!
Make sure you backup all your **** and follow the tutorials here on how to backup bravia engine files and such. I accidentally deleted my backups now i get no bravia engine on videos, which sucks. But I'm always rom hopping now anyway so whatever. The choice really is yours. unlocked = no TA files (Think that's what they're called) relock + restore TA = bravia engine back.
Related
So, I want to install Cyanogenmod on my XZ, using flashtool to unlock the bootloader and doomlord's expliots to root.
However, won't rooting first re-lock the bootloader? Or unlocking the bootloader remove root? Both things wipe the everything, so... Help lpease?
Whatever you do, be sure to backup your TA partition before you unlock your bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598. To do this, you first need to root your device without unlocking your bootloader.
Otherwise you will lose your DRM keys permanently and you will never be able to use certain functions (like Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2) anymore, not even if you relock your bootloader and restore to a stock ROM.
Please also note that by requesting a bootloader unlock key from Sony, the IMEI number of your phone gets blacklisted and your warranty is void.
Apollo89 said:
Please also note that by requesting a bootloader unlock key from Sony, the IMEI number of your phone gets blacklisted and your warranty is void.
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Hi Apollo89, are you sure about that?
CiscoX said:
Hi Apollo89, are you sure about that?
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Go to http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/unlock/step1. At step 2, you need to agree with the following legal terms before you can continue:
I acknowledge that use of the boot loader may void the phone’s warranty.
I acknowledge that, if Sony does perform any warranty repairs, Sony may charge a service fee for additional costs associated with the modified software.
So if a phone with an unlocked bootloader (or relocked bootloader) needs to be repaired, your warranty may be void, it's completely up to Sony to decide about that and they have the legal right to charge you for the repair because you agreed to those terms. If that's fine with you, you can continue to unlock your bootloader and flash a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. I myself would only consider this after official firmware updates have been discontinued.
Apollo89 said:
Go to http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/unlock/step1. At step 2, you need to agree with the following legal terms before you can continue:
I acknowledge that use of the boot loader may void the phone’s warranty.
I acknowledge that, if Sony does perform any warranty repairs, Sony may charge a service fee for additional costs associated with the modified software.
So if a phone with an unlocked bootloader (or relocked bootloader) needs to be repaired, your warranty may be void, it's completely up to Sony to decide about that and they have the legal right to charge you for the repair because you agreed to those terms. If that's fine with you, you can continue to unlock your bootloader and flash a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. I myself would only consider this after official firmware updates have been discontinued.
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Click to collapse
Damn, so you say if i request an unlock key for my bootloader, but never use it. Do it still void my warranty. I mean, maybe some people change there mind after they request the unlock key and never use it to unlock the bootloader.
CiscoX said:
Damn, so you say if i request an unlock key for my bootloader, but never use it. Do it still void my warranty. I mean, maybe some people change there mind after they request the unlock key and never use it to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should only request the key if you're going to unlock your phone. Sony has no way to check if you unlocked your phone and then restored a TA backup, so that's why they require you to register your IMEI number.
Apollo89 said:
You should only request the key if you're going to unlock your phone. Sony has no way to check if you unlocked your phone and then restored a TA backup, so that's why they require you to register your IMEI number.
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ahhh, Thanks you so much for the information Apollo89
CiscoX said:
ahhh, Thanks you so much for the information Apollo89
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Click to collapse
Anyway, if Sony refuses warranty, you could go to court and argue that you only requested the key, but didn't use it. Then it's up to the judge to decide if requesting the key (and agreeing to those terms) is enough evidence or not. However, I think most people won't go to court and just pay for the repair or buy a new phone. What I meant to say is: just be careful and think twice before doing such modifications
I think Denmark have pretty strict rules to protect the consumer, so I really doubt that Sony would get away with applying these rules here - but this definitely makes me not want to unlock the bootloader before I have seen Sonys 4.4 firmware.
Thanks for the info!
That being said, I think Sonys stock ROM works really well.
I'm rootet, running SwiftKey, Handcent SMS, Aqua Mail, HD Widgets an Apex Launcher Pro. I get 3 - 4 hours of screen time on stock settings.
I have no reason to really want another ROM.
Had it been a Samsung or HTC device I would have needed to strip the device of all the bloat
ware and get rid the massive battery drain, caused by wake locks from the manufacturers ROM.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4
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
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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!
One year have passed since I bought a Xperia Z, and I want to unlock the bootloader to install Pacman ROM. My question is, if I unlock my bootloader, will I lose the warranty? I am living in Romania, an EU country, and I know that if the phone has any hardware related problems, modified software should not mean anything and the company which produced the phone is obliged to repair it for free. Unfortunately, Sony doesn't specify this anywhere. So, if I unlock the bootloader, my warranty will be void or not? Thanks in advance
Backup your TA partition first, then unlock. If you want to claim warranty, restore the TA backup (which will relocked the bootloader) and flash a stock ftf. You can then present your device to service centre in its original state
shoey63 said:
Backup your TA partition first, then unlock. If you want to claim warranty, restore the TA backup (which will relocked the bootloader) and flash a stock ftf. You can then present your device to service centre in its original state
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Click to collapse
Yeah you are right but what will I do if let's say the battery doesn't work anymore or the micro usb port is faulty? I don't think I can relock the bootloader if this two things will not work. Also if I unlock the bootloader the camera quality will decrease like it does on z2/3, or there will be no differences?
I don't have any experience with EU warranty claims, but if it covers hardware damage regardless of software modifications, then you SHOULD be fine. Maybe other users can verify.....
Unlike Z1 and above, XZ camera doesn't lose quality if you unlock bootloader. Even BE2 is still functional on latest firmware. Obviously, if you flash AOSP based roms, you will get AOSP camera, which I find to be somewhat inferior to stock.
shoey63 said:
I don't have any experience with EU warranty claims, but if it covers hardware damage regardless of software modifications, then you SHOULD be fine. Maybe other users can verify.....
Unlike Z1 and above, XZ camera doesn't lose quality if you unlock bootloader. Even BE2 is still functional on latest firmware. Obviously, if you flash AOSP based roms, you will get AOSP camera, which I find to be somewhat inferior to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
Hello, i have a retail xt1097, its already updated to marshmallow, dont really need to be root forever but i need at least temporal root to do some one-time minor changes, such as install my desired launcher as system, led for battery, hostfile and such.
The problem is i dont want to unlock the bootloader untill warranty expires (still 7 months of warranty) so the question is if any app/exploit, can temp root this device, under MM.
*Tryed searching and i found kingoroot does the trick but im not sure if it will work on MM, i cant mess up bricking phones now because im not be able to repair them since weather its hot, people overload powerlines and electricity drops all the time and makes my pc suddently power off.
Any advice? Thanks guys
As far as I know root isn't possible with locked bootloader.
There has been quite a bit of discussion (I think most of what I read was on other forums) about Motorola's warranty policy for unlocked bootloaders: it seems that from what people have experienced they will still honor the warranty if it is strictly a hardware problem. I bought my phone used but with over a year of Moto Care remaining, which the original owner transferred to me. He (the original owner) had already unlocked the bootloader, but the Moto Care is still shown as active and valid on my account, even though I don't even have stock rom anymore. Just to be safe I would definitely (if possible) re-flash stock rom prior to making any warranty claim.
Hmm makes sense, then can i unlock BL, root, do my things, then unroot, flash stock recovery and relock? is that posible? does it need a custom kernel too? im ok with the stock rom just need few one-time tweaks...
Unless you really use Moto Voice a lot I would just install the newly released CM14.1, and if you ever need warranty work try to reflash stock beforehand. Otherwise, flash twrp, root, etc.... That is covered in the general section, probably linked to some of the stickies at the top of the page. I'm not sure if it will work for you to make system modifications and then try to relock bootloader. I think part of relocking the bootloader includes flashing the stock rom, which would undo any changes you have made.
I just bought this phone. It's actually quite nice and better than I expected. Paid 475€ for it brand new in a store here in Italy. I'm coming from the good old XZ1 Compact, aka the best phone ever made. This seems to be a big (too big, tfw no phone under 5.5) improvement over it.
That being said, I was wondering how does Asus react to their phones being unlocked. I come from Sony which does not like unlocking, in fact on the XZ1 and XZ2, unlocking was permanent and you lost drm keys and stock features fOrEveR. How is it on this one? Does it void the warranty forever? Do you lose stock features after unlocking? Can you relock the bootloader and go back to full stock eventually?
I googled and searched all over but I find conflicting and contraddicting informations about this, on top of the usual ****ty websites with ai generated copypaste guides.
Thanks in advance.
MarkMRL said:
I just bought this phone. It's actually quite nice and better than I expected. Paid 475€ for it brand new in a store here in Italy. I'm coming from the good old XZ1 Compact, aka the best phone ever made. This seems to be a big (too big, tfw no phone under 5.5) improvement over it.
That being said, I was wondering how does Asus react to their phones being unlocked. I come from Sony which does not like unlocking, in fact on the XZ1 and XZ2, unlocking was permanent and you lost drm keys and stock features fOrEveR. How is it on this one? Does it void the warranty forever? Do you lose stock features after unlocking? Can you relock the bootloader and go back to full stock eventually?
I googled and searched all over but I find conflicting and contraddicting informations about this, on top of the usual ****ty websites with ai generated copypaste guides.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
see the readme from the ASUS Unlock tool from here https://www.asus.com/de/Mobile/Phones/ZenFone/Zenfone-8/HelpDesk_Download/
Unlock Device App
NOTICE:
Before you download, install, and use the Unlock Device App (“Service”), you understand that you need to take all risks in terms of quality and performance of the Service, including but not limited to: once you trigger the Service, you’re not able to recover your ASUS products to the original status at the time of manufacturing (“Original Product”) anymore. Original Products which is used with the Service (“Changed Product”) will no longer be regarded as the Original Products. The software updates will not be available to the Changed Product, and the digital content in the Changed Product may no longer be used. In addition, the software and hardware problems of your ASUS product caused by using the Service may not apply to your ASUS Warranty Information, please read ASUS Warranty Information of your ASUS product carefully on ASUS official website.(https://bacchus.asus.com/support/Article/1060/)
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Click to collapse
>> Does it void the warranty forever?
I think so
>>Do you lose stock features after unlocking?
I did not find anything that did not work anymore after unlocking (but I tested only the functionality that is important for me ....)
>>Can you relock the bootloader and go back to full stock eventually?
I don't know if you can relock the phone but I doubt it.
You can reinstall the Original ASUS Firmware and it still works like before. You can also install the updates for the original OS manually (I did not test if OTA still works)
regards
Bernd
MarkMRL said:
I just bought this phone. It's actually quite nice and better than I expected. Paid 475€ for it brand new in a store here in Italy. I'm coming from the good old XZ1 Compact, aka the best phone ever made. This seems to be a big (too big, tfw no phone under 5.5) improvement over it.
That being said, I was wondering how does Asus react to their phones being unlocked. I come from Sony which does not like unlocking, in fact on the XZ1 and XZ2, unlocking was permanent and you lost drm keys and stock features fOrEveR. How is it on this one? Does it void the warranty forever? Do you lose stock features after unlocking? Can you relock the bootloader and go back to full stock eventually?
I googled and searched all over but I find conflicting and contraddicting informations about this, on top of the usual ****ty websites with ai generated copypaste guides.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to bnsmb's response,
When the phone is unlocked, some apps will not work, like google pay for example, but the bootloader can be relocked with one fastboot command and you will get all features back (except OTA updates from the settings, you will have to update manually)
(It is not recommended to relock the bootloader when not on the Stock Asus ROM)
To relock, simply type these two commands
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem asus-csc_lk
reboot
The phone will prompt you to do a factory reset when booting
Adaoh said:
To add to bnsmb's response,
When the phone is unlocked, some apps will not work, like google pay for example, but the bootloader can be relocked with one fastboot command and you will get all features back (except OTA updates from the settings, you will have to update manually)
(It is not recommended to relock the bootloader when not on the Stock Asus ROM)
To relock, simply type these two commands
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem asus-csc_lk
reboot
The phone will prompt you to do a factory reset when booting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
>>To relock, simply type these two commands
Good to know that but before I test it:
The phone can be unlocked again after the relock?
regards
Bernd
bnsmb said:
Hi
>>To relock, simply type these two commands
Good to know that but before I test it:
The phone can be unlocked again after the relock?
regards
Bernd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have tried it once, but some people reported it does not work depending on the version, I tried on Android 12 and it worked the first time (and on android 11 but that was the first unlock a while ago)
Thank you for the info! I can't find the official manual or faq though, even from the link bnsmb provided :\
That's why I asked here in the first place. From what I can tell after looking through this info, they will know you have unlocked from the imei, considering their unlock tool talks to the mothership before doing the deed. It is still unclear if they will respect the warranty period even after unlocking. I don't care about asking them for support on an unlocked phone, I just want to make sure it will get repaired or replaced for free (in terms of money and hassle) if I get a defect down the line that is unrelated to the unlock, such as a hardwre failure or assembly defect.
Anyway, it seems the only way to shed light on this mystery is to ask Asus themselves. I will report back as soon as they respond to my questions.
Warranty with unlocked bootloader
The warning text of the unlock app links you to the Warranty Policy for ASUS Phones, where the relevant part reads:
6. Exclusions from this limited Warranty Service
[...]
(m) Unusability or damage to hardware of the product caused by installing and using any kind of the Unlock Device App, which is a utility that will unlock your product’s boot loader but will render the warranty null and void.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So yes as is usual, they will try to use "you having unlocked your bootloader" as an excuse to not repair their broken phones under warranty.
But, depending on your local consumer protection laws, there is a good chance this is actually illegal. In the EU for example, during the 2 years of required warranty THEY have to prove YOU that the defect was ACTUALLY CAUSED by you messing with the phone's software - which generally speaking they can't because it wasn't.
If you haven't seen it i recommend this thread for some details of people who have actually been in that situation - from what i saw after a quick glance through, 3 out of 3 people there got their unlocked&rooted phones replaced under warranty in the end, even it it took some effort to convince the support...
sirozan said:
If you haven't seen it i recommend this thread for some details of people who have actually been in that situation - from what i saw after a quick glance through, 3 out of 3 people there got their unlocked&rooted phones replaced under warranty in the end, even it it took some effort to convince the support...
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Click to collapse
The linked thread does tell that one person was successful with the ASUS support, "all other" unfortunately not, see e.g. post #6.
.Michael. said:
The linked thread does tell that one person was successful with the ASUS support, "all other" unfortunately not, see e.g. post #6.
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Click to collapse
Reading posts #31 and #38 i am pretty sure the person from post #6 did not have to play in the end as well. I also can't see anyone else in there who reported they tried to get unlocked phone replaced and didn't
Ups my fault, I have not seen the posts after #20 ... So it seems the warranty (given by law) is not void but the guarantee is (given by the company).
Anyway, in the meantime, Asus replied to me saying that if you unlock you lose your entire warranty no matter what. I reiterated, asking if I will also lose my right to a free repair for issues totally unrelated to the unlock, and they said yes, you will lose every right to repair.
So that is the official stance!
Too bad, I'm still in the return period so I might just get rid of it and hunt for a Pixel 5. Kind of sad though, the phone performed pretty well for me so far. But I need muh root and eventually LineageOS...