Database Develop

New to Sony, need to ask few Q before root/unlock BL/rom

Hi Sony users
Finally got my Sony Xperia Z1
specs:
C6903
basebans: 8974-xxxxx
kernel: 3.4.0
Build: 14.1.G.2.257
Serial: BH902xxxxxxx
I just tried chinese vroot and it doesnt work, found on another thread it's not yet supported for .257 firmware.
So wanted to check if I can flash another stock rom as this phone is bought from t-mobile and think it's branded
(under software info it says: TELEKOM-LTE_14.1.G.2.257)
Coming from HTC (had few of them) this is another world with different flashing tehniques, bootloader, flashing stock roms, recoveries..
What I would like to know, I need root, which is simpliest way to do it?
Flash another stock rom firmware like this one?
C6903 14.1.G.2.257 Central Europe 1276-4314_R2A
Via flashtool?
Thanks for any info...

Please read the guides.
Read the sticky threads here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/development
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/general
and read this thread (This one tells you how to get root on .257)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2505796
You don't need to read all the thread, just the first few posts with the info.

Thanks, I've been reading those since yesterday, but one question before I start to recheck.
Currently downloading unbranded central europe 1.534 and 2.257
want to flash 1.534 then root via VROOT and upgrade via OTA to latest, will that go ok or will I loose root?

Also, do I need to to TA backup before proceeding with anything via flash tool? Or is that only before going to custom roms/custom recovery?

Stegy said:
Also, do I need to to TA backup before proceeding with anything via flash tool? Or is that only before going to custom roms/custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use kingo* root instead of Vroot (They will both work, but kingo gives you an English SUperSU not a Chinese one)
If you root and then OTA you will keep root.
You only need a TA backup if you unlock the bootloader, which you do not need to do to root, or install recovery or install stock based custom roms.
You only need to unlock the bootloader if you are going to install custom kernels or custom roms that need a custom kernel (AOSP,CM etc)
*You should be aware that kingo is currently not supported by XDA, I do believe that vroot is in the same situation. XDA do not believe this is for malicious reasons and kingo and vroot are working on new version which don't do this. However, the only way to root a Z1 is via one of these 2 programs.

Thanks for the tips, re-read needed topics and succesfully flashed .534 fw, rooted and now updating over OTA

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] 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 to backup TA without root

Hey everyone,
I spend a lot of time trying to root my wonderful new Xperia Z1, the problem is that I want to make a TA backup before I unlock the bootloader but I can´t find a method anywhere to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader. And as far as I know you can only backup TA with root access...
Do you have any good idea how I can solve this problem?
Thanks in advance
Edit: I´m running android 4.3 /.290

You didn't search very well. You can root your phone with Locked Bootlader with this method only, by NUT .
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2572988
then go with this one
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2628185

I found that aswell, but I was a little confused because the requirements say
Current rooted FW version: 14.1.G.1.534 and 14.1.G.2.257 .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess it already has to be rooted with another firmware, but how I´m supposed to get that version on my phone without unlocked bootloader or root?

shadow on the wall said:
I found that aswell, but I was a little confused because the requirements say
So I guess it already has to be rooted with another firmware, but how I´m supposed to get that version on my phone without unlocked bootloader or root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, i can't understand how you can miss all this stuff. Did you saw the Video Tutorial? There Shem explain everything, you have just to read carefully. Downgrade to .534 FW provided by NUT to not lost IMEI, Root with Bin4ry, update to .290 like the instruction saying then the same for .136.

Ok it worked now, sorry, I just had no idea how that should work, the video explained a lot.
Thanks for answering anyway

[Q] Point me in the right direction...??

Hi there guys!
I want to root my Z1 c6906, unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms, but im kind of confused right now because i have read a lot of different guides and im not pretty sure which one to follow now. I also learned on one thread that i should do a TA and DRM Keys backup because they can be lost forever if i don't do a backup. Also the IMEI. So im not pretty sure how to do that. Also saw a thread about bricking the device, and kind of got scared. Btw, i have plenty of experience working on Android devices, unlocking, rooting, flashing roms, etc. I have used Android since the G1, but im kind of confused right now about how to proceed on this device because this is my first Sony and my last phone was a Nexus 4, which was virtually unbrickable. Can anyone help me out here?

djluis48 said:
Hi there guys!
I want to root my Z1 c6906, unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms, but im kind of confused right now because i have read a lot of different guides and im not pretty sure which one to follow now. I also learned on one thread that i should do a TA and DRM Keys backup because they can be lost forever if i don't do a backup. Also the IMEI. So im not pretty sure how to do that. Also saw a thread about bricking the device, and kind of got scared. Btw, i have plenty of experience working on Android devices, unlocking, rooting, flashing roms, etc. I have used Android since the G1, but im kind of confused right now about how to proceed on this device because this is my first Sony and my last phone was a Nexus 4, which was virtually unbrickable. Can anyone help me out here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite simple process actually, just flash .534 ftf with flashtool and root with bin4ry or use nuts dual recovery installer. To backup your ta before unlocking bootloader, simply use the Backup TA tool

Ahki767 said:
Quite simple process actually, just flash .534 ftf with flashtool and root with bin4ry or use nuts dual recovery installer. To backup your ta before unlocking bootloader, simply use the Backup TA tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. And what about the DRM keys?

djluis48 said:
Thanks. And what about the DRM keys?
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Click to collapse
The DRM keys are in the Ta partition

Ahki767 said:
The DRM keys are in the Ta partition
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Click to collapse
I see. Another question, i see that for my devices the only .534 TFT available is for Rogers. There is no problem if i flash using Flashtool?

djluis48 said:
I see. Another question, i see that for my devices the only .534 TFT available is for Rogers. There is no problem if i flash using Flashtool?
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Yes, I'm sure there'll be no problems

Ahki767 said:
Yes, I'm sure there'll be no problems
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Sorry for bringing back this thread. Now i got time to start trying to unlock the phone and flash custom roms, was extremely busy before with work.
New problem: After i downgraded to FTF .534, rooted and made the TA Backup, i check if the phone was "allowed" to be unlocked and surprise, it says it can't be unlocked. Tried unlocking with Flashtool and it said the same thing. Can the phone be unlocked or is there a way to flash roms without unlocking?
Right now im feeling really depressed with this phone. If i can't unlock it, i most likely will sell it and get something that can be unlocked.
One of the reasons i want to unlock is because on 4.4, Google prohibited the phone to write on the Ext.SD and i want a way to overcome that prohibition and use it like i was able to on 4.3.

If it says it cannot be unlocked then it cannot be unlocked
However, you can still sort out the issue of writing to the ext SDcard by rooting and following the instructions in this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2687966
In order to do that, you only need root, not to be unlocked

gregbradley said:
If it says it cannot be unlocked then it cannot be unlocked
However, you can still sort out the issue of writing to the ext SDcard by rooting and following the instructions in this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2687966
In order to do that, you only need root, not to be unlocked
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Ok. That sucks. Thanks for the link.
Another question: How i root.757? I was able to root .534, but not sure how i need to proceed now. Do i need to download generic .757 and apply any root method? Or the root will still be there if i flash it over my current rooted .534?

1) Flash a stock 534 FTF (Ignore if you are already on 534)
2) Install dual recovery (Find files and instructions in the XZ dual recovery thread in the cross device development section)
3) Flash a prerooted 757 rom (Find files and instructions in the development section)
Done, 3 easy steps

gregbradley said:
1) Flash a stock 534 FTF (Ignore if you are already on 534)
2) Install dual recovery (Find files and instructions in the XZ dual recovery thread in the cross device development section)
3) Flash a prerooted 757 rom (Find files and instructions in the development section)
Done, 3 easy steps
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So i can flash any rom now with that recovery? Even if my bootloader is still unlocked? Or only stock based roms?

djluis48 said:
So i can flash any rom now with that recovery? Even if my bootloader is still unlocked? Or only stock based roms?
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If your bootloader is unlocked you can flash any rom from the development sections or the original development section
But if your bootloader is unlocked you do not need to do any of this to root.
Just flash DooMKerneL or [NUT]s XZDR kernel
If your bootloader is locked, you have to downgrade and root that way. Then you can flash any stock based rom, look in the development section for them

gregbradley said:
If your bootloader is unlocked you can flash any rom from the development sections or the original development section
But if your bootloader is unlocked you do not need to do any of this to root.
Just flash DooMKerneL or [NUT]s XZDR kernel
If your bootloader is locked, you have to downgrade and root that way. Then you can flash any stock based rom, look in the development section for them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops. Im sorry. I meant locked. Was doing something else and wrote that fast. Thanks for the answer. Will check. Got the DualRecovery installed now and will try to install a prerooted .757 later.