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Rooting Xperia Z then restoring back to COMPLETE original state

Hi all,
I have a stock Xperia Z at the moment. Its a work phone.
I want to root it but because its a work phone I have to know I can go back to complete original state if I want to.
Now I have read the threads about backin up your TA partition but I am not sure if by doing this and also by having a stock image I can go back to 100% original?
I read this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Few questions:
- If I root the phone - does it do anything permanent or can I then just loose root easily and go back to exactly how it is now?
- What exactly is the difference between rooting your phone and unlocking your boot loader?
- If I backup the TA partition using the steps in the thread provided above, can I then just do anything else I want to the phone and then restore back to original or are there other steps? and if so, what are they.
Any and all up to date information from someone who knows what they are talking about hugely welcomed.
More nervous than usual just because its a work phone (rooted and used to Custom ROM my HTC Sensation all the time but didn't care as it was my own phone).
Thanks

No one?
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

nnila said:
Hi all,
I have a stock Xperia Z at the moment. Its a work phone.
I want to root it but because its a work phone I have to know I can go back to complete original state if I want to.
Now I have read the threads about backin up your TA partition but I am not sure if by doing this and also by having a stock image I can go back to 100% original?
I read this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Few questions:
- If I root the phone - does it do anything permanent or can I then just loose root easily and go back to exactly how it is now?
- What exactly is the difference between rooting your phone and unlocking your boot loader?
- If I backup the TA partition using the steps in the thread provided above, can I then just do anything else I want to the phone and then restore back to original or are there other steps? and if so, what are they.
Any and all up to date information from someone who knows what they are talking about hugely welcomed.
More nervous than usual just because its a work phone (rooted and used to Custom ROM my HTC Sensation all the time but didn't care as it was my own phone).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 - Rooting only changes things on the software side. So it allows you to get complete access to the system files and execute low level actions. So it doesn't do anything on the hardware side. That said, is your phone customized by your employer? Does it have anything specifically done to it? In that case two things might happen. The software is so customized that if you root it and flash a custom ROM on top of that, you WILL lose all the original apps and settings. So there might not be anyway of getting back to the original state. Secondly, your employer might have locked the bootloader permanently. This, I shall take up for answering your next question.
2 - As I mentioned, rooting is only a software level hack that gives unrestricted access. However, let's say you need to flash a custom KERNEL or flash CyanogenMod/AOKP/AOSP (based ROMS), then it's absolutely necessary to unlock your bootloader. This basically is telling the bootloader (which loads your kernel) to allow any unsigned kernels .i.e. non-stock kernels, to be flashed on to your phone. Now mind you, this will cause the DRM keys in your phone to be erased which means you will lose Bravia Engine enhancements for your Pictures. It does remain for the videos though. Lastly, you can relock your bootloader. But you can never get back the DRM keys and hence the Bravia Engine.
So you can either root by unlocking your bootloader or by using root exploits while keeping your bootloader locked.
3 - Since your bootloader is locked right now, I suggest you use DooMlord's rooting toolkit
Here's the link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2327472
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, backing up the TA partition is only necessary if you want to unlock your bootloader. This aims at backing up your DRM keys so that you can flash them back when you want to relock your bootloader. However this method is still dicey and I wouldn't recommend it considering it is a very risky method and can easily hard brick your device.
Upshot: Locked bootloader - Use Rooting toolkit. Will retain DRM keys.
Unlocked bootloader - For custom Kernels and CM Roms. Will lose DRM keys.

nnila said:
Hi all,
I have a stock Xperia Z at the moment. Its a work phone.
I want to root it but because its a work phone I have to know I can go back to complete original state if I want to.
Now I have read the threads about backin up your TA partition but I am not sure if by doing this and also by having a stock image I can go back to 100% original?
I read this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Few questions:
- If I root the phone - does it do anything permanent or can I then just loose root easily and go back to exactly how it is now?
- What exactly is the difference between rooting your phone and unlocking your boot loader?
- If I backup the TA partition using the steps in the thread provided above, can I then just do anything else I want to the phone and then restore back to original or are there other steps? and if so, what are they.
Any and all up to date information from someone who knows what they are talking about hugely welcomed.
More nervous than usual just because its a work phone (rooted and used to Custom ROM my HTC Sensation all the time but didn't care as it was my own phone).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Root ---U can get back your device unRoot by update your device via SUS.
- ROOTING and Unlock BL very difference.
Root >> i can only reach your device till system app or modified many thing in system exclude kernel. and i cant install MOD ROM that need kernel from that ROM.
Unlock BL -- U will loss DRM key your device but u can install may MOD rom or new kernell with good features. and u always can root your device with easy
About TA idk to much and only do backup here, not want to restore it coz can get Hard Bricked my device.
only that i know.... and im sorry for my poor English.
maybe other ppl can explain more or u can search by yourself in android development section.
Sent from my C6602 using xda premium

nnila said:
Hi all,
I have a stock Xperia Z at the moment. Its a work phone.
I want to root it but because its a work phone I have to know I can go back to complete original state if I want to.
Now I have read the threads about backin up your TA partition but I am not sure if by doing this and also by having a stock image I can go back to 100% original?
I read this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Few questions:
- If I root the phone - does it do anything permanent or can I then just loose root easily and go back to exactly how it is now?
- What exactly is the difference between rooting your phone and unlocking your boot loader?
- If I backup the TA partition using the steps in the thread provided above, can I then just do anything else I want to the phone and then restore back to original or are there other steps? and if so, what are they.
Any and all up to date information from someone who knows what they are talking about hugely welcomed.
More nervous than usual just because its a work phone (rooted and used to Custom ROM my HTC Sensation all the time but didn't care as it was my own phone).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you backup your TA partition, you can restore it later. This doesn't include anything other than the TA partition.
Rooting the phone just means that you have root access just like on any other linux distribution. You can fully unroot at anytime without any problems. Flashing an unrooted ROM or flashing the original ftf will remove root.
Rooting implies getting root access. You have higher privileges & apps that run as root have higher privileges. Unlocking the bootloader gives you access to protected partitions. The only real question is, do you want to use a custom kernel? - If you do, then unlock. Some ROMs, such as CM, run on custom kernels, so if you plan on using such ROMs, you need to unlock.
No, backing up TA is not enough, Follow this thread to get yourself a full ftf for your current customization that can be flashed with the official flashtool for Unlocked bootloaders or the unofficial flashtool that works with locked bootloaders. Further, you also need to relock your bootloader to fully return back to the original state.
If you aren't comfortable with doing all this, don't.
The next time you want to ask a quick question, please post in the Help Thread.
These questions are nothing new, already been answered multiple times, just adding to the clutter in the Q&A forum.

Xperia Z1 backup DRM, after Relock Bootloader it camera will work back?

Dear all,
I have one more noob question again.
I was use a tool name Backup-TA-9.8 to backup my Xperia Z1 DRM. If I unlock it boot loader I know that the camera will not work. But if I relock it bootloader and restore my DRM. Dose the camera will work well again?
Best regards,
Brian Lee Mataba
My device is Xperia Z1 C6902

Brianlymtb said:
Dear all,
I have one more noob question again.
I was use a tool name Backup-TA-9.8 to backup my Xperia Z1 DRM. If I unlock it boot loader I know that the camera will not work. But if I relock it bootloader and restore my DRM. Dose the camera will work well again?
Best regards,
Brian Lee Mataba
My device is Xperia Z1 C6902
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, as long as you have backed up the TA BEFORE you unlock the bootloader

gregbradley said:
yes, as long as you have backed up the TA BEFORE you unlock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, thanks
So I will unlock it and test the Omni ROM today xD

Brianlymtb said:
Yeah, thanks
So I will unlock it and test the Omni ROM today xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But when relocking/restoring you will not be able to use those custom roms anymore (those not based on stock), just so you remember/know.

gregbradley said:
yes, as long as you have backed up the TA BEFORE you unlock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Small question, wouldn't it be possible to unlock, root (by pushing su binaries in a custom recovery and restoring stock recovery), and relock? No reason it wouldn't work imo, and I find this procedure faster than doing the downgrade, root, recovery, upgrade method

MohammadAG said:
Small question, wouldn't it be possible to unlock, root (by pushing su binaries in a custom recovery and restoring stock recovery), and relock? No reason it wouldn't work imo, and I find this procedure faster than doing the downgrade, root, recovery, upgrade method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but when you unlock you void your warranty, so unless you are planning on keeping an unlocked bootloader I reckon the extra minute it takes to downgrade etc... is worth it to keep your warranty
Also,
There is no such thing as a "stock recovery" on Xperia devices.
Also,
there is no need to install a recovery on the downgrade method if you do not want to.

gregbradley said:
yes, but when you unlock you void your warranty, so unless you are planning on keeping an unlocked bootloader I reckon the extra minute it takes to downgrade etc... is worth it to keep your warranty
Also,
There is no such thing as a "stock recovery" on Xperia devices.
Also,
there is no need to install a recovery on the downgrade method if you do not want to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No warranty here anyway.
I remember OTA-upgrading an Xperia Z, and that simply flashed a zip package in recovery. Why would there be no stock recovery?
And you need to install a custom recovery to do the upgrade, either that or copy files while the system is running, and I'm not sure how the latter would work without the system crashing at some point.

MohammadAG said:
No warranty here anyway.
I remember OTA-upgrading an Xperia Z, and that simply flashed a zip package in recovery. Why would there be no stock recovery?
And you need to install a custom recovery to do the upgrade, either that or copy files while the system is running, and I'm not sure how the latter would work without the system crashing at some point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Xperia devices have never come with a stock recovery accessible for the user.
Upgrading OTA means you do not flash it in recovery, you download the files Over The Air and then the phone upgrades itself.
No official upgrades are done in recovery, only custom kernels, custom roms or custom updates are flashed in custom recoveries

gregbradley said:
No.
Xperia devices have never come with a stock recovery accessible for the user.
Upgrading OTA means you do not flash it in recovery, you download the files Over The Air and then the phone upgrades itself.
No official upgrades are done in recovery, only custom kernels, custom roms or custom updates are flashed in custom recoveries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what OTA means, on previous devices with stock recovery, it simply drops you into recovery and does the flashing itself without the user ever having to touch anything. Same goes for wiping user data, it's done in recovery.
Whether the recovery is accessible to the user or not is another thing, and I didn't know about it, so thanks for that.

gregbradley said:
yes, as long as you have backed up the TA BEFORE you unlock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you do a TA backup on the Z1? When you do the TA backup before doing anything else you usually do not have root yet, so I wonder how to backup the TA......

Follow any if the several guides in the dev section on how to backup TA. I can see at least 2 guides on the first page
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Rooting issues - 4.3, IMEI, not actually rooted etc....

Hi All
So firstly I should say I only have myself to blame. I'm quite a techy guy so I just assumed i'd be able to root my phone without any issues and pick it up as I go. What i've quickly found out is i'm in way over my head and i'm an absolute noob!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated from those guys out there that actually know what they are doing. I have read many forums but i'm still lost.
My story is as follows:
- I have a Z1 that was locked on stock firmware 4.4
- I read that it would be a good idea to unlock the bootloader so i did this
- I wanted to root my phone but from what I read I could see I would have to downgrade the firmware to 4.2. So this is what i did.
- By doing this I lost my IMEI number, got very worried i'd ruined my phone. I tried many things to restore it, there were a variety of different solutions online, none of them worked. I eventually flashed a 4.3 firmware i found on this forum which restored my IMEI.
- I then read through a few posts of people who had similar issues and advice was given to downgrade again (if i wanted to root) but this time exclude the baseband etc. I did this, but lost my IMEI again! the advice didn't work
- So I then went and updgraded again! to 4.3 to restore my IMEI and network access
- There doesn't seem to be a way to root on 4.3 so my phone isn't rooted, that's ok. But when i try to use my banking apps they don't work! they say my phone is rooted even though it isn't! I have checked with root checker
- Like an idiot, i didn't back up the phone when i first started doing all of this, i didn't really know what i was doing so I am now in a situation where i have the worst of both worlds. They are, i can either 1. downgrade the firmware to 4.2, root my phone but not have a valid IMEI and network access or 2. stay on 4.3, have a valid IMEI and not be rooted but certain apps think i'm rooted so i can't use them.
So all in all i've just messed things up and i'm in way over my head. I would really appreciate some advice
Thanks

Yes you are right.
Also, there is no issue with losing IMEI when downgrading, it happens to everyone, but it comes back when you upgrade.
Also, if you unlock the bootloader there is no need to downgrade, that is a locked bootloader method of rooting
You should root before unlocking the bootloader in order to backup the TA partition, but you are too late now...
Solution
1) Use flashtool to relock the bootloader
2) Use pccompanion to update to latest firmware
3) Unlock the bootloader again with flashtool
4) Flash a custom kernel for stock based ROMs
5) Install SuperSU from the play store.
DONE!

6317
gregbradley said:
Yes you are right.
Also, there is no issue with losing IMEI when downgrading, it happens to everyone, but it comes back when you upgrade.
Also, if you unlock the bootloader there is no need to downgrade, that is a locked bootloader method of rooting
You should root before unlocking the bootloader in order to backup the TA partition, but you are too late now...
Solution
1) Use flashtool to relock the bootloader
2) Use pccompanion to update to latest firmware
3) Unlock the bootloader again with flashtool
4) Flash a custom kernel for stock based ROMs
5) Install SuperSU from the play store.
DONE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Greg
Thank you very much for your quick response. I will try and follow your advice to the letter tonight/tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Thanks again

retro100386 said:
Hi Greg
Thank you very much for your quick response. I will try and follow your advice to the letter tonight/tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..and if you want to see the Video which help you to understand better just check the @gregbradley Signature or mine.

eclyptos said:
..and if you want to see the Video which help you to understand better just check the @gregbradley Signature or mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The video by shem is for locked bootloaders, he needs an unlocked bootloader method

gregbradley said:
The video by shem is for locked bootloaders, he needs an unlocked bootloader method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we have to ask @shem2409 to do another vid for Unlocked Bootloaders...

eclyptos said:
So we have to ask @shem2409 to do another vid for Unlocked Bootloaders...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, the unlocked bootloader method is very generic and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of guides and probably as many videos.

gregbradley said:
I don't think so, the unlocked bootloader method is very generic and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of guides and probably as many videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know but as you see the users still do mistake anyway, even if there is a lot of vids with a clear explanation.

conflicting messages?
gregbradley said:
Yes you are right.
Also, there is no issue with losing IMEI when downgrading, it happens to everyone, but it comes back when you upgrade.
Also, if you unlock the bootloader there is no need to downgrade, that is a locked bootloader method of rooting
You should root before unlocking the bootloader in order to backup the TA partition, but you are too late now...
Solution
1) Use flashtool to relock the bootloader
2) Use pccompanion to update to latest firmware
3) Unlock the bootloader again with flashtool
4) Flash a custom kernel for stock based ROMs
5) Install SuperSU from the play store.
DONE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Greg, can you give me a bit more advice please.
i'm just looking at the tutorial to relock by bootloader. It says "before u relock bootloader u have to be on pure stock kernel (flash only the kernel.sin using flashtool), else the device WILL NOT BOOT after relock"
The problem is i'm already flashed on to an FTF image that was on this site. From so by doing this am i going to brick my phone? i'm confused and i don't want to make things work so your advice would be apprecaited
thanks

retro100386 said:
Hi Greg, can you give me a bit more advice please.
i'm just looking at the tutorial to relock by bootloader. It says "before u relock bootloader u have to be on pure stock kernel (flash only the kernel.sin using flashtool), else the device WILL NOT BOOT after relock"
The problem is i'm already flashed on to an FTF image that was on this site. From so by doing this am i going to brick my phone? i'm confused and i don't want to make things work so your advice would be apprecaited
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Greg
it's fine, i am just being stupid again, i just relocked without a problem, thanks again

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/0...oid-kitkat-devices-in-one-tap-no-pc-required/
check this out

Relocking Bootloader without Unrooting?

Hi all,
Long time lurker and benefactor of all the great advice and wisdom on here. Thanks to everyone for the knowledge you share with the rest of us while we're learning! I have a quick question i can't seem to find the answer to anywhere here. Please forgive me and redirect if I'm being dense and it's somewhere else.
Firstly my One is unlocked, rooted, s-on and running ARHD 71.1
Ideally I want to keep root and my custom rom but if really necessary, I can return to stock and redo the process later.
Ok here's the issue. I didn't avail of the Google Drive storage offer before unlocking my bootloader. Now HTC are telling me I need to relock it to redeem. I'm still pushing them but just in case they hold firm:
1. Can I relock the bootloader without losing root and my custom rom? If so, how? All the guides I can find are about unrooting, locking and returning to stock.
2. If I do relock the bootloader, redeem the storage offer and then later unlock it again, is it going to wipe my data partition again?
Like I said. It's not the end of the world having to return to stock and redo, or having to flash ARHD again if the phone is wiped, but i would prefer a quick, clean and easy method if anyone has any ideas?

You can relock and still have root in the custom rom. How about making a nandroid backup, copy it off the device, relock, redeem the storage, unlock, then restore the /data partition from the backup.

diarm said:
Hi all,
Long time lurker and benefactor of all the great advice and wisdom on here. Thanks to everyone for the knowledge you share with the rest of us while we're learning! I have a quick question i can't seem to find the answer to anywhere here. Please forgive me and redirect if I'm being dense and it's somewhere else.
Firstly my One is unlocked, rooted, s-on and running ARHD 71.1
Ideally I want to keep root and my custom rom but if really necessary, I can return to stock and redo the process later.
Ok here's the issue. I didn't avail of the Google Drive storage offer before unlocking my bootloader. Now HTC are telling me I need to relock it to redeem. I'm still pushing them but just in case they hold firm:
1. Can I relock the bootloader without losing root and my custom rom? If so, how? All the guides I can find are about unrooting, locking and returning to stock.
2. If I do relock the bootloader, redeem the storage offer and then later unlock it again, is it going to wipe my data partition again?
Like I said. It's not the end of the world having to return to stock and redo, or having to flash ARHD again if the phone is wiped, but i would prefer a quick, clean and easy method if anyone has any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used @scotty1223 method posted here to lock and unlock
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2475914
you'll need s-off first

clsA said:
I just used @scotty1223 method posted here to lock and unlock
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2475914
you'll need s-off first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cschmitt said:
You can relock and still have root in the custom rom. How about making a nandroid backup, copy it off the device, relock, redeem the storage, unlock, then restore the /data partition from the backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that looks the best idea. will wait to see if htc get back with good news tomorrow otherwise i'll do this. thanks guys.

i'm having a nightmare here!
first when i relocked the phone it gave me "security warning" in the bootloader and refused to let me reboot the phone or even launch recovery.
i eventually managed to get the phone working again by rebooting the bootloader 7 or 8 times and then unlocking it again with my old unlock code.
then looking for another way to get relocked, i tried to get s-off but as my hboot is 1.55 there seem to be very few ways.
have been trying to use firewater (i'm on ARHD 71) but after going through everything, it tells me "ERROR: kernel contains HTC anti-firewater patch! Try again with a different kernel".
so then I flashed the ElementalX kernel thinking that would work but it gives me the same message.
anyone have any ideas? should i try another kernel? maybe a different ROM? I've tried to restore to the original nandroid backup i made when i first unlocked the thing but that's not working either!

Simple question to unroot phone

Hi,
I make root with a method of these forum. I backup the TA partition. I need unroot the phone.
I see in the service menu that I have the option "Bootloader unlock allowed - Yes" and it works track id.
So if I would like to unroot and have the bootloader lock I understand that I only have to flash a firmware stock or maybe unroot with supersu?
Could you sure me these?
Thanks!

Thanks works
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