Database Develop

Rooting .290 JB 4.3

Hello,
Coming from a Galaxy S2 flashing and rooting is not new to me but for me there are some questions for the Xperia Z1.
When i bought the Z1 it was on 4.2.2, and offcourse i wanted root the same day
After trying numerous times with Vroot i gave up.
After some more reading i read that i had to downgrade and then flash an older version, then root and flash teh correct version and so on.....(cant find the correct topics anymore )
After doing that my phone wasnt working properly and i connected with PC Companion and it gave me the update to .290 JB 4.3 and everything was fine except foor root.
Did some more reading and found the solution,
Now I'm reading that if you are on .290 4.3JB that root isnt possible(correct me if im wrong).
I want to share how i did it because for me it went very easy.The hardest part was getting the drivers installed correctly hhaha
First i unlocked the bootloader and then i flashed a CWM with root and recovery.
I followed the steps provided on this links.
http://techbeasts.com/2013/12/18/how-to-unlock-bootloader-of-sony-xperia-devices-guide/
http://techbeasts.com/2013/12/19/in...ng-latest-14-2-0-a-290-firmware-how-to-guide/
Al of this went so easy that i'm startin to wonder if its me who did it wrong and dont understand it or if you didnt know about it,
The only thing i forgot was a TA backup :angel:
to MODS....if its in the wrong section please replace it.

Actually it is the official way. Unlock -> CWM -> Root with CWM (Notification)
Rooting 4.3 isn't impossible, but morr difficult than on earlier versions. Google wanted to improve the security of android. Most of the ways which "make" the opportunity of rooting are malware-ways too.
You don't need to backup your TA partition with .290 and above, because the camera will work after the BL unlock.

The big question is if root for unlocked boot loaders will ever be available for 4.3! I really doubt it.
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app

You mean Locked Bootloader, i think?
Question about CWM, does it function the same as it did with my S2? So, back-up and restore with CWM?
sent from rooted en unlocked 4.3 Jb Xperia Z1

djg269 said:
Question about CWM, does it function the same as it did with my S2? So, back-up and restore with CWM?
sent from rooted en unlocked 4.3 Jb Xperia Z1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it should, why are u asking ?

Curious
Eager to try but not in the mood for a complete do over if it fails
sent from rooted en unlocked 4.3 Jb Xperia Z1

Ohh, I will be glad to rooting without unlocking BL...on 4.3..but still no way...

This works just fine, thanks for sharing this! Just FYI, this is also an interesting read about getting full root access on 4.3: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573921

eclyptos said:
Ohh, I will be glad to rooting without unlocking BL...on 4.3..but still no way...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have heard from @shem2409 that a partial root on LB for 290 (4.3) is possible, but I have not figured out how to do it yet. I think you can pull it off with the insecure ramdisk hack, but to install that, you need to install XZDualRecovery; to install XZDR, you need to be rooted; it's only possible to root 534 LB and when upgrading to 290 root is lost. So, it seems to be a chicken-and-egg problem to me at the moment. I think I must be missing something.

xasbo said:
I have heard from @shem2409 that a partial root on LB for 290 (4.3) is possible, but I have not figured out how to do it yet. I think you can pull it off with the insecure ramdisk hack, but to install that, you need to install XZDualRecovery; to install XZDR, you need to be rooted; it's only possible to root 534 LB and when upgrading to 290 root is lost. So, it seems to be a chicken-and-egg problem to me at the moment. I think I must be missing something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I do not rooted mine phone yet. Partial root is not worth to do, full root is what we really need but still under testing and also Unlocked Bootloader is needed. Unlock bootloader we lose the DRM keys which we need if one day we want go back to stock and not lose warranty but to do that we have to Buckup TA. To Backup TA we need root, but I updated to 4.3 and I can't. It's to early to fully rooting 4.3. We have to wait. Developers are working on that and I hope a full root come without unlock bootloader. I hope so.

eclyptos said:
That's why I do not rooted mine phone yet. Partial root is not worth to do, full root is what we really need but still under testing and also Unlocked Bootloader is needed. Unlock bootloader we lose the DRM keys which we need if one day we want go back to stock and not lose warranty but to do that we have to Buckup TA. To Backup TA we need root, but I updated to 4.3 and I can't. It's to early to fully rooting 4.3. We have to wait. Developers are working on that and I hope a full root come without unlock bootloader. I hope so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to backup TA now, you can - flash back to any 534 FTF, root, make your backup, then upgrade back to 290.

xasbo said:
If you want to backup TA now, you can - flash back to any 534 FTF, root, make your backup, then upgrade back to 290.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I don't want to do. Unlocking Bootloader on 4.3 will also compromise few features like Bionz and X-Reality. I don't think I really need them but for me will be good enough to have Full Root with Locked Bootlader and Apps to SD. I don't ask to much, so I wait.

eclyptos said:
This is what I don't want to do. Unlocking Bootloader on 4.3 will also compromise few features like Bionz and X-Reality. I don't think I really need them but for me will be good enough to have Full Root with Locked Bootlader and Apps to SD. I don't ask to much, so I wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just took those words from my fingers. The wise way here is waiting and cheering developers to figure out how things work with Z1, 4.3 just came a few weeks ago and (hopefully) we will get 4.4 soon, so for that time you'll have to do that trickery again to keep your phones rooted.

AntiDroid said:
Actually it is the official way. Unlock -> CWM -> Root with CWM (Notification)
Rooting 4.3 isn't impossible, but morr difficult than on earlier versions. Google wanted to improve the security of android. Most of the ways which "make" the opportunity of rooting are malware-ways too.
You don't need to backup your TA partition with .290 and above, because the camera will work after the BL unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mistakenly took the .290 update as well and I'm now looking for a way out. This whole backing up the TA thing worries me because I'm afraid I'll lose those DRM keys and bravia etc..... Are you saying that I will be fine and all the keys will be intact if I follow this guide?
Is it possible to downgrade the firmware instead?
What would you suggest?
Thanks

xasbo said:
I have heard from @shem2409 that a partial root on LB for 290 (4.3) is possible, but I have not figured out how to do it yet. I think you can pull it off with the insecure ramdisk hack, but to install that, you need to install XZDualRecovery; to install XZDR, you need to be rooted; it's only possible to root 534 LB and when upgrading to 290 root is lost. So, it seems to be a chicken-and-egg problem to me at the moment. I think I must be missing something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so here is a little clarification
You need to downgrade to .534, root, install recovery and then flash a prerooted .290 rom from (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2572988) or one of the stock-based custom roms such as monxdified (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2463675) if you want a partially rooted, locked bootloader 4.3 firmware on your Z1. There is an instruction on how to install on locked bootloader in the thread.

Rooting on the newest version of Android 4.3.3 isn't impossible on the Xperia Z1, it just takes you more steps than normal to actually get full root access. I have a locked bootloader as well but I was able to get a rooted version of Android 4.3.3, specifically the iHackers 2.0 ROM running Android 4.3.3 with full root access. Here's how I got full root access on the iHackers 2.0 ROM:
1) Download the .ftf file named C6903 14.1.G.1.534 Global 1277-2880_R4A from the compiled FTF thread at this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2469191
This is a version of the original Stock Rom that the VROOT program will actually work on when trying to ROOT your phone.
2) Flash the ROM you downloaded using Flashtool (steps on how you can go about doing that should be in the Xperia Z1 General forum.) and now, you're ready to root your phone with it.
3) Download, install and run VROOT to root your phone. Again, more information on how to properly root your phone using VROOT can be found in the Xperia Z1 General forum. For me, I just turned on USB Debugging on my Z1, connected my phone to my computer while VROOT was running and clicked the green button until I got root access. It's extremely easy.
4) With Root Access, now you can download and install Dual Recovery for the Xperia Z1 on your phone.
5) Download the latest iHackers 2.0 ROM from the Xperia Z1 Android Development thread and copy it to your phone. This is hands down, the best ROM for the Xperia Z1 right now in terms of battery life. With the latest 4.3 update, I'm able to get over 2 Days worth of battery life on one charge. Battery life is much better on the new iHackers 2.0 ROM running Android 4.3.
6) Download the flashable Locked Dual Recovery for the Xperia Z1 here. http://nut.xperia-files.com/
The file is called XZ-lockeddualrecovery2.7.63-BETA.flashable.zip (8.48MB), download it and copy it to your phone, preferably the same place you copied the iHackers 2.0 ROM. To make things easier for yourself, create a new folder on your phone or SD Card in your phone and name it iHackers. Copy both the iHackers 2.0 ROM and the flashable Locked Dual Recovery.zip file into this folder.
7) With both files now copied to a folder on your phone, you're now ready to go into recovery to flash the iHackers 2.0 ROM. Boot into recovery and once you're there, do a Wipe Data/Factory Reset before Installing the ROM.
The rest of these steps are now taken directly from the iHackers 2.0 download thread on the Xperia Z1 Android Development forum.
8) Install the ROM and THEN Dual Recovery. Don't make the same mistake I did, once the installer is finished, DON'T REBOOT THE DEVICE. Uncheck the "Reboot Device" box and go back to recovery to install the flashable Dual Recovery.zip file that's in the iHackers 2.0 folder.
9) Switch Off Your Phone (Do Not Reboot). Select No to Disable Flash Recovery Confirmation.
10) Install Kernel.ftf for C6903 (.290) or Kernel.ftf for C6902 (.290) with Flashtool to get compatible Kernel and Baseband. To download the kernel.ftf file, go to the original iHackers 2.0 thread to download and flash the kernel using Flashtool. You should be familiar with Flashtool at this point since if you make it to this step, you've already used Flashtool once to flash the .534 baseband version of Android.
11) Reboot and Enjoy. Now you're running the latest version of Android 4.3 on your Xperia Z1 on a Locked Bootloader WITH full Root Access. Sure, it's not the stock version but the iHackers 2.0 version of Android 4.3 is just as good, if not better. This will certainly do until there's a better way to simply root the newest Stock Version of Android 4.3.
I've been looking into unlocking my bootloader to install custom kernels on my Z1 but the battery life and performance on my Z1 with a locked bootloader is already pretty impressive. I can't imagine how good it could be with a custom kernel.

deli pastrami said:
Are you saying that I will be fine and all the keys will be intact if I follow this guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, if you Unlock Bootloader you will lost the DRM keys permanently with Bionz and X-Reality, even with Android 4.3, if you do not do a backup, but the difference from 4.2 is that your phone will still working properly.
deli pastrami said:
Is it possible to downgrade the firmware instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
deli pastrami said:
What would you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody can suggest what to do. You have to figure out by yourself what you need. It's your own risk.
---------- Post added at 12:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 AM ----------
x016x said:
Rooting on the newest version ..bla..bla..bla
....bla..bla..bla..bla...king my bootloader to install custom kernels on my Z1 but the battery life and performance on my Z1 with a locked bootloader is already pretty impressive. I can't imagine how good it could be with a custom kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx man. I appreciate the time you took to explain the process step by step. One step very important you forgot to mention, Backup TA, never forget to mention that. Anyway I will check if this actually get me full root and all the stuff and when I finally will lose my patient I will start follow the guide and flashing and burning my Z1.

shem2409 said:
Ok, so here is a little clarification
You need to downgrade to .534, root, install recovery and then flash a prerooted .290 rom from (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2572988) or one of the stock-based custom roms such as monxdified (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2463675) if you want a partially rooted, locked bootloader 4.3 firmware on your Z1. There is an instruction on how to install on locked bootloader in the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, cheers, I thought there was a way to root any arbitrary ROM, that's where I was getting hung up. The pre-rooted options make total sense.
eclyptos said:
Thanx man. I appreciate the time you took to explain the process step by step. One step very important you forgot to mention, Backup TA, never forget to mention that. Anyway I will check if this actually get me full root and all the stuff and when I finally will lose my patient I will start follow the guide and flashing and burning my Z1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions didn't say to unlock the bootloader, which is the only sure-fire way to lose your TA partition. However, I would agree there's no good reason *not* to back it up anyway. Better safe than sorry!

xasbo said:
The instructions didn't say to unlock the bootloader, which is the only sure-fire way to lose your TA partition. However, I would agree there's no good reason *not* to back it up anyway. Better safe than sorry!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh, ok, so you are confirming that the guide is incomplete and we have to unlock bootloader anyway if I follow that? Hmmm...I am a bit puzzled.

eclyptos said:
Ahhh, ok, so you are confirming that the guide is incomplete and we have to unlock bootloader anyway if I follow that? Hmmm...I am a bit puzzled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, no. In his instructions, UB is not necessary because XZDualRecovery can be installed on LB. The reason skipping the TA backup is okay is because the instructions do not unlock the BL.

[Q] Where can i get 257 OTA update?

Hi, i recently down grade my C6903 to 534 and successfully root (thx to XDA), when i try to update the 257 and it's gone. they change to 290 now and i dont want it since it will lose the right of root. Is there any method update to 257 beside flashtool?
if i use flashtool update to 257, will i still have my apps and personal stuff after update? because when i down grade to 534, flashtool wipe out everything in my phone even i make sure i didnt mark wipe out my stuff (and i didnt update at that moment):crying:. so i dont want to re-install my stuff again.
if i use flashtool update to 257, will the right of root still exist?
Please advice me how to get 257 update with most less effort (as long as i can keep my apps and personal stuff).

Anyone can help?
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app

anyone can help ??

will527 said:
anyone can help ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2505796
Flashing won't delete your data. Make sure you've unticked data and app wipe in Flashtool before flashing. Always make a backup in case though!!

TagEHeuer said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2505796
Flashing won't delete your data. Make sure you've unticked data and app wipe in Flashtool before flashing. Always make a backup in case though!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't work in his case, he already flashed and rooted 534 but he is getting OTA to 290 and not 257.

Only thing you can try is to flash 290 through OTA.
If you flash 257 without wiping data via Flashtool you'll preserve your data but lose root.
290 OTA probably won't keep your root but that's the only thing you can try...or to flash ROM from XDA
Sent from my Z1

If your phone's bootloader is unlock-able, then you can back TA partition, unlock bootloader, install recovery, flash Supersu.zip, flash kernel from FTF (Don't wipe anything, exclude everything but kernel), then restore TA partition from your backup.
This way you will have a fully rooted Xperia Z1 Android 4.2 14.1.G.2.257
Regards,
~J2C

[Q] Downgrade from 4.3 (C6903) Xperia Z1 14.2.A.0.290 Generic NCB (Unbranded/Nordic)

Hi everybody!
This is my first post as I usual solve my problems just by reading others people posts.
I recently flashed my z1 (C6903) to 14.2.A.0.290 Generic NCB (Unbranded/Nordic) (4.3 android) as I didn 't like the DE(german version) with the bloatware. I rooted it before with kingo but lost my root after flashing the NCB version I'm now looking for a way to downgrade to a older ncb version root it with kingo and then do a ota upgrade to keep the root. Does anybody have the FTF therfore and what boxes should I pick I want to keep my data or should I let it do a full wipe do a backup with sony companion or the sony app on the phone and than play it in after finishing the downgrade root and OTA? Pls help me I' m completly lost and I'm really missing the root.
Thanks in advance to everyone!!!!!
john

johnnydrift said:
Does anybody have the FTF therfore and what boxes should I pick I want to keep my data or should I let it do a full wipe do a backup with sony companion or the sony app on the phone and than play it in after finishing the downgrade root and OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My experience is that if older FTFs aren't in the mega thead (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2469191), then you won't find them anywhere. Mega thread only has a 290 FTF for NCB, so you may be SOL if you want to strictly downgrade to 534 NCB and then OTA to 290. However, as long as you flash a generic FTF, you won't get carrier bloatware.
If root is what you'd want, I'd go with [NUT]'s pre-rooted 290: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2572988. It's the easiest way to get full root.

..or you follow the instruction step by step here on page 2, post #16 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588331&page=2

johnnydrift said:
Hi everybody!
This is my first post as I usual solve my problems just by reading others people posts.
I recently flashed my z1 (C6903) to 14.2.A.0.290 Generic NCB (Unbranded/Nordic) (4.3 android) as I didn 't like the DE(german version) with the bloatware. I rooted it before with kingo but lost my root after flashing the NCB version I'm now looking for a way to downgrade to a older ncb version root it with kingo and then do a ota upgrade to keep the root. Does anybody have the FTF therfore and what boxes should I pick I want to keep my data or should I let it do a full wipe do a backup with sony companion or the sony app on the phone and than play it in after finishing the downgrade root and OTA? Pls help me I' m completly lost and I'm really missing the root.
Thanks in advance to everyone!!!!!
john
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a link to the correct FTF (note that it is .257, so follow the guides regarding rooting .257, or if you're savvy, install a .534 kernel, root with Kingo, install a .257 kernel again, then OTA)
https://mega.co.nz/#!WkolCYjB!IIXR5SgAn-J05MXmG26GYyi2P2sYcF34Avn73z5Y9n0
It is incorrectly named Generic SE, but it is the right customisation ID for Generic NCB (1276-9897).

Code:
Rekoil said:
Here's a link to the correct FTF (note that it is .257, so follow the guides regarding rooting .257, or if you're savvy, install a .534 kernel, root with Kingo, install a .257 kernel again, then OTA)
It is incorrectly named Generic SE, but it is the right customisation ID for Generic NCB (1276-9897).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys!
Thanks for ur fast answer two last questions if I want to keep all my data and apps whats the ebst way to keep them or transfer a backup? And what is the right rooting methode for the 257. I can flash it without any kernel problems?I wanted to do the one click root methode with kingo I thought it s just plug and root( doens it root allkernels?) did tht last time....
Thanks again!!!

johnnydrift said:
Code:
Hi guys!
Thanks for ur fast answer two last questions if I want to keep all my data and apps whats the ebst way to keep them or transfer a backup? And what is the right rooting methode for the 257. I can flash it without any kernel problems?I wanted to do the one click root methode with kingo I thought it s just plug and root( doens it root allkernels?) did tht last time....
Thanks again!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony PC Companion can make a backup for you, I don't know how much will be saved as in order to flash a 4.2.2 ROM you'll need to wipe your data partition.

johnnydrift said:
Thanks for ur fast answer two last questions if I want to keep all my data and apps whats the ebst way to keep them or transfer a backup? And what is the right rooting methode for the 257. I can flash it without any kernel problems?I wanted to do the one click root methode with kingo I thought it s just plug and root( doens it root allkernels?) did tht last time....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
257 can't be rooted manually, only 534 can be rooted by vRoot/Kingo/etc.
Since you are downgrading, you must wipe data and will lose everything you don't copy off the phone.

xasbo said:
257 can't be rooted manually, only 534 can be rooted by vRoot/Kingo/etc.
Since you are downgrading, you must wipe data and will lose everything you don't copy off the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I have to get the 534 ftf generic or nordic do a backup with Sony companion before.flash the 534 root it and let it do ota twice to 257 and then to 290 again ota and I ll keep the root.

johnnydrift said:
So I have to get the 534 ftf generic or nordic do a backup with Sony companion before.flash the 534 root it and let it do ota twice to 257 and then to 290 again ota and I ll keep the root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not possible to upgrade 257/290 and keep root. You asked about downgrading, not rooting 290. If you have an unlocked BL, go read the dev thread on how to root 290. With a locked BL, you'll need to get rooted 534/257 and then flash a custom pre-rooted ROM from the dev forum.
General: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2440565
290 pre-root options: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/development
unlock BL 290 root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573921

xasbo said:
No, it's not possible to upgrade 257/290 and keep root. You asked about downgrading, not rooting 290. If you have an unlocked BL, go read the dev thread on how to root 290. With a locked BL, you'll need to get rooted 534/257 and then flash a custom pre-rooted ROM from the dev forum.
General: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2440565
290 pre-root options: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/development
unlock BL 290 root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2573921
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually with OTA you keep semi-root, but in essence you're right. Actually I think the easiest solution is to flash a stock .534 ROM, root it with Kingo, grab TA partition backup, flash .290, unlock bootloader, flash a recovery, do a proper root, reflash stock boot partition, flash TA backup.

Rekoil said:
Actually with OTA you keep semi-root, but in essence you're right. Actually I think the easiest solution is to flash a stock .534 ROM, root it with Kingo, grab TA partition backup, flash .290, unlock bootloader, flash a recovery, do a proper root, reflash stock boot partition, flash TA backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, true, I've just stopped telling people about partial root since full root is possible. Those who don't know to ask don't know what it means anyway, and it's just simpler for everyone involved to leave it out.

how to guide
Hey guys thanks for the answers.I really don't want to unlock the bootloader is there any other way to get root on 4.3 and what would be the steps thank you!!!

johnnydrift said:
Hey guys thanks for the answers.I really don't want to unlock the bootloader is there any other way to get root on 4.3 and what would be the steps thank you!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you joking? We already told you what you have to do but I think you didn't read a word from all the post because you will know something now.
I posted this already here and this is Root and Custom Rom for Locked Bootlader Step by Step Guide, Page 2, Post #16, Here
Android 4.3 FTF .290 Root only for Locked Bootlader, Here

[Q] C6903 .290 Need help with root, downgrade, TA backup

Alrighty some background info and where I'm at. I've got some dev (Android XML layout fixes) experience on a custom ROM on i9300 and I finally decided to upgrade my phone onto the beasty Xperia Z1.
My phone came factory shipped with .290. It's the C6903 model. I've been looking up videos and trying to find info about where to begin with getting my root, bootloader, cwm, and custom ROM install going. Then I found out about the TA partition and that even though my phone allows me to unlock the bootloader, it's a smart idea to first backup the TA partition before I unlock my bootloader via the $ony website. With the TA backed up I can revert my phone back to stock at some point and restore the TA so that my phone looks basically factory fresh. So I realised that I probably ought to back up my TA in case of any warranty issues. Which means I need to get my phone rooted before anything else. (I hope my assessment has been correct so far, it would be awesome if someone can verify the above paragraph)
Now this is where I am completely confused. I've attempted to use VRoot - and of course it does not support the .290 firmware.
Then I found out that it is possible to downgrade the firmware so that I can root and TA backup before bootloader unlock. This is the knowledge level I am up to. I have no idea which firmware to downgrade to or how to even actually perform a successful downgrade. (I've kinda gotten frustrated at the huge slab of info and I need some specific info from some users more experienced at this than I am at this point..)
I read how some people have flashed down to .534 and others have flashed down to .257. I would like to know exactly what steps I should take and which is the best firmware to downgrade to, just to do a root crack and TA backup. Can you even downgrade firmware without bootloader involved?
Basically the flow of what I need to do right now is this (I think):
1) Downgrade firmware to probably .534 from my current .290 (I need to flash the FTF using Flashtool, correct?)
2) Install Root with VRoot
3) TA Backup (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598&highlight=ta)
4) Upgrade back to .290 (Do I do this via OTA? I hope it is not difficult to do it via some command line tools if it comes to that..)
--- Above step also gets rid of most of Root access provided to the older firmware (this is what I've read.. Is this correct?)
5) Unlock bootloader (must do this in version .290 to avoid the camera bug), via guide on Sony website
6) Go crazy with all the custom things I want to install - CWMRecovery, CM11, etc
7) ???
8) Profit
Can someone please tell me if the above list is the order I need to proceed with?
:good: Thanks for any help you guys can give me. I am truly frustrated by this 290 firmware version! And reading all the topics about people who bricked after attempting similar things without knowing exactly what they needed to do and which order to do it in..
tl;dr - On .290 firmware, I want to backup TA before I unlock bootloader, which firmware version do I downgrade to?

SleepinDevil said:
Alrighty some background info and where I'm at. I've got some dev (Android XML layout fixes) experience on a custom ROM on i9300 and I finally decided to upgrade my phone onto the beasty Xperia Z1.
My phone came factory shipped with .290. It's the C6903 model. I've been looking up videos and trying to find info about where to begin with getting my root, bootloader, cwm, and custom ROM install going. Then I found out about the TA partition and that even though my phone allows me to unlock the bootloader, it's a smart idea to first backup the TA partition before I unlock my bootloader via the $ony website. With the TA backed up I can revert my phone back to stock at some point and restore the TA so that my phone looks basically factory fresh. So I realised that I probably ought to back up my TA in case of any warranty issues. Which means I need to get my phone rooted before anything else. (I hope my assessment has been correct so far, it would be awesome if someone can verify the above paragraph)
Now this is where I am completely confused. I've attempted to use VRoot - and of course it does not support the .290 firmware.
Then I found out that it is possible to downgrade the firmware so that I can root and TA backup before bootloader unlock. This is the knowledge level I am up to. I have no idea which firmware to downgrade to or how to even actually perform a successful downgrade. (I've kinda gotten frustrated at the huge slab of info and I need some specific info from some users more experienced at this than I am at this point..)
I read how some people have flashed down to .534 and others have flashed down to .257. I would like to know exactly what steps I should take and which is the best firmware to downgrade to, just to do a root crack and TA backup. Can you even downgrade firmware without bootloader involved?
Basically the flow of what I need to do right now is this (I think):
1) Downgrade firmware to probably .534 from my current .290 (I need to flash the FTF using Flashtool, correct?)
2) Install Root with VRoot
3) TA Backup (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598&highlight=ta)
4) Upgrade back to .290 (Do I do this via OTA? I hope it is not difficult to do it via some command line tools if it comes to that..)
--- Above step also gets rid of most of Root access provided to the older firmware (this is what I've read.. Is this correct?)
5) Unlock bootloader (must do this in version .290 to avoid the camera bug), via guide on Sony website
6) Go crazy with all the custom things I want to install - CWMRecovery, CM11, etc
7) ???
8) Profit
Can someone please tell me if the above list is the order I need to proceed with?
:good: Thanks for any help you guys can give me. I am truly frustrated by this 290 firmware version! And reading all the topics about people who bricked after attempting similar things without knowing exactly what they needed to do and which order to do it in..
tl;dr - On .290 firmware, I want to backup TA before I unlock bootloader, which firmware version do I downgrade to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you need to downgrade to .534 and root before you can backup your TA
Here is a guide on how to achieve that
If you follow the video guide you will end up with rooted .290
Then backup you TA:
and go to Sony's website to unlock the bootloader. An unlocked bootloader will let you flash custom kernels to your phone and thus you will be able to use roms such as CM, AOSP etc.
NEXT TIME PLEASE READ BEFORE CREATING A NEW THREAD. THIS HAS BEEN COVERED 100's OF TIMES

in general you have to do these steps:
downgrade to an early firmware that can be rooted and root it.
then install dual recovery.
in dual recovery wipe your phone, flash rom, flash again superuser and again dual recovery.
power off phone.
power on and direct flash kernel,baseband, bootbundle. for this i would recommend using NUTs stripped FTF files. also from his site you get recovery and superuser/supersu.
you only loose TA when you unlock your bootloader. unlocking is only neccessary if you plan to flash a custom kernel too.
when you are on rooted firmware backup TA, you never know if you need it later.
a good step by step tutorial is iHackers 2.1 thread.
also be prepared that actually there is a chance to brick your device. many can be restored using Sony Update Service or by flashing a full stock FTF, but some devices need a new mainboard. things are a litte bit tricky at the moment

shem2409 said:
Yes, you need to downgrade to .534 and root before you can backup your TA
Here is a guide on how to achieve that
If you follow the video guide you will end up with rooted .290
Then backup you TA:
and go to Sony's website to unlock the bootloader. An unlocked bootloader will let you flash custom kernels to your phone and thus you will be able to use roms such as CM, AOSP etc.
NEXT TIME PLEASE READ BEFORE CREATING A NEW THREAD. THIS HAS BEEN COVERED 100's OF TIMES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When on 4.3 and I tried many time still can't downgraded to 534. How to do it? Thank!
Lukily my TA had been backup.
Send from GT-I9506 using Tapatalk
Devices: Samsung GT-I9506 and Sony Z1 C6903

timberwolf60 said:
When on 4.3 and I tried many time still can't downgraded to 534. How to do it? Thank!
Lukily my TA had been backup.
Send from GT-I9506 using Tapatalk
Devices: Samsung GT-I9506 and Sony Z1 C6903
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a video on how to use flashtool
The previous video that I have sent you shows you step by step how to do everything

[Q] How can we root 4.3 Locked Bootloader?

Or send me a link on how to unlock the bootloader on 4.3......
Edit: I'll wait for the lord. I dont want to unlock my BL :S.I'll just flash 4.1 ,root it and wait for doom tofind a way withou UBL.

this or just install existenz rom but for me these methods dont worth it

szmoki42 said:
this or just install existenz rom but for me these methods dont worth it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can i install teh rom when i dont have root and cwm?

Yeah, these guides have zero logic.
1. In order to root your device, first you will have to unlock your bootloader.
2. To make TA partition backup, first you will need to root your device.
Seriously? How the f*** am I supposed to backup my TA partition without root?
---
I installed latest 4.3 using Companion. Now I want to root my device, backup TA partition, unlock bootloader and install DooMKernel. Is there any normal tutorial/guide for this? C5303.
Update: I guess I will wait for our lord and savior DooMLoRD to find new rooting process.

marko41297 said:
Yeah, these guides have zero logic.
1. In order to root your device, first you will have to unlock your bootloader.
2. To make TA partition backup, first you will need to root your device.
Seriously? How the f*** am I supposed to backup my TA partition without root?
---
I installed latest 4.3 using Companion. Now I want to root my device, backup TA partition, unlock bootloader and install DooMKernel. Is there any normal tutorial/guide for this? C5303.
Update: I guess I will wait for our lord and savior DooMLoRD to find new rooting process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The guides are out there - I don't have the time or inclination to do all the research and post links but the process is relatively straightforward, especially if you are happy to unlock your bootloader, you'll need a decent internet connection for all the downloads though.
Install flashtools and install the necessary components for it to work
Download a 4.1 ftf build that can be rooted using the Doomlord exploit
Download a 4.3 ftf, the country doesn't matter (people saying the Australia one is buggy are being hysterical), but obviously you want a c502 one if your device is a c502 and so on.
Download the 4.3advanced kernel
Dowload the supersu zip and save it to your external sd
Back up data on your internal sd as this will be wiped
after you've got all the downloads together it will probably take an hour or so. Unlocking the bootloader took me a while first time because I'm stupid But it does take a while to get used to flashtools, the flashing process takes 5-10 minutes each time, you have to reboot a couple of times etc.
Flash 4.1
Root it
Back up your TA
Unlock your bootloader
Flash a 4.3 ftf
flash the advanced kernel
Boot into recovery
Install the supersu zip
reboot your 4.3 phone it will be rooted

Just wait for the mighty @DooMLoRD make it for LB.
Or try to root your .254 and update through OTA. It shouldn't remove you root access.
Sent from my C5302 using Tapatalk

Parkside said:
Flash 4.1
Root it
Back up your TA
Unlock your bootloader
Flash a 4.3 ftf
flash the advanced kernel
Boot into recovery
Install the supersu zip
reboot your 4.3 phone it will be rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Very simple and easy to follow. Finished in less than 15 minutes.
I did everything except the red text, reason is simple: I hate 4.3