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Hey there!
I'm about to buy a Xperia Z but I do have a few questions first:
1. Whats the difference between locked and unlocked bootloaders. I mean if I root my Z with locked bootloaders will I be able to flash every Custom Rom or are there Roms which will only be working with unlocked bootloaders?
2. What exactly can the Flashtool do? Is it a bit like ODIN for Galaxy Devices? Does the Z have a Download mode like the Galaxy S3 so I can flash a Stock firmware anytime I want?
Thanks for ur answers.
1- custom roms for locked bootloader are few and limited.
You need unlocked BL to flash custom.kernels,cm,aopk roms....
2-Yes flashtool is same as odin but with many more features,like rooting,unlocking the BL,flashing stock roms.....
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium
zoecker said:
Hey there!
I'm about to buy a Xperia Z but I do have a few questions first:
1. Whats the difference between locked and unlocked bootloaders. I mean if I root my Z with locked bootloaders will I be able to flash every Custom Rom or are there Roms which will only be working with unlocked bootloaders?
2. What exactly can the Flashtool do? Is it a bit like ODIN for Galaxy Devices? Does the Z have a Download mode like the Galaxy S3 so I can flash a Stock firmware anytime I want?
Thanks for ur answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked BL you can still root but cannot flash custom ROMs (but I'm not 100% sure on that see post above by gm007)
Unlocking the BL you lose DRM keys FOREVER and BE2 won't work anymore (some claim they can still make BE2 work)
FlashtTool can easily flash STOCK ROMs without rooting or unlocking BL.
shadowboy23 said:
Locked BL you can still root but cannot flash custom ROMs (but I'm not 100% sure on that see post above by gm007)
Unlocking the BL you lose DRM keys FOREVER and BE2 won't work anymore (some claim they can still make BE2 work)
FlashtTool can easily flash STOCK ROMs without rooting or unlocking BL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before yesterday I had a locked BL and I had a custom rom, you just can't install a custom Kernel when your BootLoader is locked.
Unlocking your BL will cause your drm keys to be lost that's true, but you can save the partition your keys are stored on and you can re-flash the partition to restore the DRM keys. (Did that yesterday) It can be tricky though, Gm007 knows everything about it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Thanks for the link Dsteppa!
Hi there, ive came all the way here from the Defy turf and im really confused about flashing my new xperia z. ive tried my best reading the tutorials but it seems to be alot harder to flash the xperia z with proper backup, i mean i used to flash my Defy pretty much everyday without worrying much.
So my question is very basic.. btw I have root my xperia z through the "[Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com]" method, and the bootloader is unlocked.
1. Is it possible to backup my unlocked stock Xperia Z with DRM & BE2? i know there are both twrp and cwm, but ive heard that once I "flash" my phone I will loose everything even with the SD card... (i mean when u talk about flash, there are tons of file types u can flash such as img, rar, zip etc and also tons of ways to flash, so which way to flash is the best without loosing eveything?)
And if yes, is there a step by step guide about how to use the flashtool? (i know there are million posts about what a flashtool is, but what i need is a step by step on how to install/flash cwm or twrp on an unlocked stock xperia z with DRM & BE2.) I mean I would like to be able restore if I dont like the custom roms.
2. does upgrading from the Sony update wipe out all data? i mean for the future 4.2 update can I just update without loosing from what I have at the moment (an unlocked and root stock xperia z)?
sorry to ask all these basic questions, but ive been searching alot with no clear answers...
thanks!:good:
unloadefy said:
Hi there, ive came all the way here from the Defy turf and im really confused about flashing my new xperia z. ive tried my best reading the tutorials but it seems to be alot harder to flash the xperia z with proper backup, i mean i used to flash my Defy pretty much everyday without worrying much.
So my question is very basic.. btw I have root my xperia z through the "[Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com]" method, and the bootloader is unlocked.
1. Is it possible to backup my unlocked stock Xperia Z with DRM & BE2? i know there are both twrp and cwm, but ive heard that once I "flash" my phone I will loose everything even with the SD card... (i mean when u talk about flash, there are tons of file types u can flash such as img, rar, zip etc and also tons of ways to flash, so which way to flash is the best without loosing eveything?)
And if yes, is there a step by step guide about how to use the flashtool? (i know there are million posts about what a flashtool is, but what i need is a step by step on how to install/flash cwm or twrp on an unlocked stock xperia z with DRM & BE2.) I mean I would like to be able restore if I dont like the custom roms.
2. does upgrading from the Sony update wipe out all data? i mean for the future 4.2 update can I just update without loosing from what I have at the moment (an unlocked and root stock xperia z)?
sorry to ask all these basic questions, but ive been searching alot with no clear answers...
thanks!:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uh bro. as soon as your bootloader is unlocked, DRM keys are GONE FOREVER. Unlocking your bootloader wipes everything too. by everything i mean your photos, music etc as well.
secondly, some updates might wipe data, and some don't
spazzy1912 said:
uh bro. as soon as your bootloader is unlocked, DRM keys are GONE FOREVER. Unlocking your bootloader wipes everything too. by everything i mean your photos, music etc as well.
secondly, some updates might wipe data, and some don't
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply. but i dont really understand, because I still have BE2 and track ID working, how do I check if I still have my DRM keys? i know i have an unlocked bootloader through *#*#7378423#*#* but i dont remember unlocking my phone apart from using the [Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com] method to root my XZ. Can a XZ come unlocked from a Sony Retail store?
unloadefy said:
thanks for the reply. but i dont really understand, because I still have BE2 and track ID working, how do I check if I still have my DRM keys? i know i have an unlocked bootloader through *#*#7378423#*#* but i dont remember unlocking my phone apart from using the [Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com] method to root my XZ. Can a XZ come unlocked from a Sony Retail store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not confusing unlocked and unlockable are you?
The only way to unlock the bootloader that I'm aware of involves getting an unlock code emailed to you from Sony via their official unlocking website.
While the bootloader is unlocked you will not be able to update to a new official Sony ROM either OTA or via their provided PC/Mac software tools.
Locking & unlocking the bootloader is explained clearly here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2153261
The bootloader will be locked on all new, unopened XZs
regardless of place of purchase, a phone purchased from Sony will (should) be carrier unlocked however.
Nameless One said:
You're not confusing unlocked and unlockable are you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I get it, so I simply have a rooted locked (but unlockable) Xperia Z~
it looks like everything makes sense now:good:
Thanks so much!
just one more question, does twrp or cwm recovery backs up everything including drm keys BE2 and etc? or do I have to go through this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
unloadefy said:
just one more question, does twrp or cwm recovery backs up everything including drm keys BE2 and etc? or do I have to go through this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I don't know and will have to defer to others.
unloadefy said:
Now I get it, so I simply have a rooted locked (but unlockable) Xperia Z~
it looks like everything makes sense now:good:
Thanks so much!
just one more question, does twrp or cwm recovery backs up everything including drm keys BE2 and etc? or do I have to go through this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope, recoveries dont back up your drm keys.
you have to use the Backup TA tool that was posted, this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Remember, ALWAYS, MD5 sum check before flashing, flashing someone else's or corrupted TA will HARD BRICK your device,
spazzy1912 said:
nope, recoveries dont back up your drm keys.
you have to use the Backup TA tool that was posted, this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Remember, ALWAYS, MD5 sum check before flashing, flashing someone else's or corrupted TA will HARD BRICK your device,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful information indeed! Thank you!!
Problems Solved
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
1stly i have 4.4.2 (.757) running on my z1 and i downgraded to .534 and i rooted the device by vroot and backed up the DRM keys successfully.. and then i flashed to .290 and unlocked the bootloader by flashtool and then downgraded to .534 and then installed the dual recovery and then flashed using the flashable recovery using recovery and then i found that camera is not working properly.. camera is opening and when i press the shutter butter its trying to focus the area and after focusing it freezes and doesn't shutter... so this is my problem... please help...
So much fail.
Do not use vroot, it sends your imei number to an ip address in China.
Also, unlocking your bootloader on 4.2 will break your camera, it clearly says so on the Sony official site about unlocking your bootloader.
Now, the solution.
Restore your ta partition.
Use pccompanion to update to the latest firmware
Unlock your bootloader again
Flash a custom kernel of your choice
Install super user app of your choice
Sent from my Xperia Z1 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
gregbradley said:
So much fail.
Do not use vroot, it sends your imei number to an ip address in China.
Also, unlocking your bootloader on 4.2 will break your camera, it clearly says so on the Sony official site about unlocking your bootloader.
Now, the solution.
Restore your ta partition.
Use pccompanion to update to the latest firmware
Unlock your bootloader again
Flash a custom kernel of your choice
Install super user app of your choice
Sent from my Xperia Z1 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have unlocked the bootloader in 4.3 i.e 14.2.A.0.290 with flashtool and i installed the dual recovery in 4.2 i.e 14.1.G.1.534
what happened to the camera.. can u xplain the reason behind it...??
sharathkumar said:
i have unlocked the bootloader in 4.3 i.e 14.2.A.0.290 and i installed the dual recovery in 4.2 i.e 14.1.G.1.534
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.534 is 4.2 FW. the camera will not work with an unlocked boot.
Follow the advice I gave above
gregbradley said:
.534 is 4.2 FW. the camera will not work with an unlocked boot.
Follow the advice I gave above
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah..!! i have done it.. thanks
but i have unlocked it in 4.3 does it make any sence by unlocking the bootloader in 4.3 and i didn't get any recovery mode... so.. i downgrader to 4.2 and installed the dual recovery as the thread says it needs .534 firmware to root properly...
sharathkumar said:
yeah..!! i have done it.. thanks
but i have unlocked it in 4.3 does it make any sence by unlocking the bootloader in 4.3 and i didn't get any recovery mode... so.. i downgrader to 4.2 and installed the dual recovery as the thread says it needs .534 firmware to root properly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to ask
Why are you unlocking your bootloader? What have you done it for? You do not get a recovery mode just by unlocking the boot, you have to flash a custom kernel with recovery in it
You either do all the downgrading and install dual recovery if you have a locked bootloader
OR
You unlock your bootloader, flash a custom kernel with recovery and install super user app
there is no need for both approaches and that's why you are getting problems
gregbradley said:
I have to ask
Why are you unlocking your bootloader? What have you done it for? You do not get a recovery mode just by unlocking the boot, you have to flash a custom kernel with recovery in it
You either do all the downgrading and install dual recovery if you have a locked bootloader
OR
You unlock your bootloader, flash a custom kernel with recovery and install super user app
there is no need for both approaches and that's why you are getting problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i unlocked the bootloader... i didn't find any recovery after unlocking so i followed the xzdual recovery process... but is it safe to flash a custom kernel.. and by installing only recovery without kernel does this doesn't help..
sharathkumar said:
i unlocked the bootloader... i didn't find any recovery after unlocking so i followed the xzdual recovery process... but is it safe to flash a custom kernel.. and by installing only recovery without kernel does this doesn't help..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why did you unlock the bootloader? What did you want to do with it?
You can not install a recovery without a custom kernel, xperia devices have no recovery partition, it can only be installed by pushing the ramdisks to the system partition or by flashing a custom kernel.
Please follow the advice I gave several posts ago.... that is your solution.
Then spend some time reading up on xperia device flashing.
1) Xperia devices have no factory recovery or recovery partition
2) Unlocking the bootloader is the fastest and easiest method to root and get recovery (If you are allowed to do it)
3) If you cannot or do not want to unlock the bootloader, then go through the downgrade, root, dual recovery process...
gregbradley said:
Why did you unlock the bootloader? What did you want to do with it?
You can not install a recovery without a custom kernel, xperia devices have no recovery partition, it can only be installed by pushing the ramdisks to the system partition or by flashing a custom kernel.
Please follow the advice I gave several posts ago.... that is your solution.
Then spend some time reading up on xperia device flashing.
1) Xperia devices have no factory recovery or recovery partition
2) Unlocking the bootloader is the fastest and easiest method to root and get recovery (If you are allowed to do it)
3) If you cannot or do not want to unlock the bootloader, then go through the downgrade, root, dual recovery process...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok... can we get the recovery by unlocking the bootloader by official way??
and i saw a doomkernel... by installing it in fastboot can i get the recovery mode with locked bootloader or i should seperately install the recovery..??
Please follow my advice from post #2
that is your solution
gregbradley said:
So much fail.
Do not use vroot, it sends your imei number to an ip address in China.
Also, unlocking your bootloader on 4.2 will break your camera, it clearly says so on the Sony official site about unlocking your bootloader.
Now, the solution.
Restore your ta partition.
Use pccompanion to update to the latest firmware
Unlock your bootloader again
Flash a custom kernel of your choice
Install super user app of your choice
Sent from my Xperia Z1 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When china takes your imei, don't they use that and put it on their "clones" so the phone they make work with calling?
LaosPerson said:
When china takes your imei, don't they use that and put it on their "clones" so the phone they make work with calling?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one possible thing they could do with it
sharathkumar said:
ok... can we get the recovery by unlocking the bootloader by official way??
and i saw a doomkernel... by installing it in fastboot can i get the recovery mode with locked bootloader or i should seperately install the recovery..??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greg said fifteen times - follow his guide for here.
Yoy can't flash custom kernel especially not fastboot custom kernel on locked bootloader.
Whole purpose of unlocking bootloader is to flash custom kernel.
You are confused with all this informations, I would recommend that you read few things here on XDA to understand terms and other things.
You could seriously damage your device with just one wrong step.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
funky0308 said:
Greg said fifteen times - follow his guide for here.
Yoy can't flash custom kernel especially not fastboot custom kernel on locked bootloader.
Whole purpose of unlocking bootloader is to flash custom kernel.
You are confused with all this informations, I would recommend that you read few things here on XDA to understand terms and other things.
You could seriously damage your device with just one wrong step.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah..!! am really confused with all these.. as i read alot before unlocking and flashing..
flashing a custom kernel can brick the phone??
Hello all! Im new in xda forum, so i will be greatefull if you help me with my Sony Z1 phone. I have Z1 c903 on android 5.0.2., and I was mad on sony becouse they didnt make update to 5.1, so i was looking on forum how to root and install some custom rom and make my phone updated. So i find on some thread that i should unlock bootloader, and i followed instructions and unlocked it, but without making some backup or anything else. So i have seen that there is official update for sony and i want to get back to lock bootloader. But when i enter flashtool and enter "blu" i click on relock bootloader, and start phone type *#*#service#*#* it say that my bootloader is still unlocked. How should i get back to locked bootloader or make official update to 5.1. Please make it more clear becouse i am pretty noob for android development and rest. Also i want to add that i have not rooted my phone or install some custom rom or other, i just have unlock bootloader and thats all. Could i get back my "DRM keys" and could i get back my ofiicial android. Thanks in advance.
koska92 said:
Hello all! Im new in xda forum, so i will be greatefull if you help me with my Sony Z1 phone. I have Z1 c903 on android 5.0.2., and I was mad on sony becouse they didnt make update to 5.1, so i was looking on forum how to root and install some custom rom and make my phone updated. So i find on some thread that i should unlock bootloader, and i followed instructions and unlocked it, but without making some backup or anything else. So i have seen that there is official update for sony and i want to get back to lock bootloader. But when i enter flashtool and enter "blu" i click on relock bootloader, and start phone type *#*#service#*#* it say that my bootloader is still unlocked. How should i get back to locked bootloader or make official update to 5.1. Please make it more clear becouse i am pretty noob for android development and rest. Also i want to add that i have not rooted my phone or install some custom rom or other, i just have unlock bootloader and thats all. Could i get back my "DRM keys" and could i get back my ofiicial android. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh dear, you lost your drm keys.... thats not good....all sony own camera features (bionz, noise reduction...) are lost now. So without your drm keys, you dont get an advantage of locking bl again. SImply flash official sony 5.1.1 and here you are
Tutorial?
mo120697 said:
oh dear, you lost your drm keys.... thats not good....all sony own camera features (bionz, noise reduction...) are lost now. So without your drm keys, you dont get an advantage of locking bl again. SImply flash official sony 5.1.1 and here you are
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any tutorial how to flash 5.1.1. to my sony? Becouse i didnt root it, i is still my official 5.0.1 android.
koska92 said:
Is there any tutorial how to flash 5.1.1. to my sony? Becouse i didnt root it, i is still my official 5.0.1 android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the ftf (general section) and flash via flashtool, but untick the 3 wipe boxes if You want t to keep your data
Thanks
mo120697 said:
Download the ftf (general section) and flash via flashtool, but untick the 3 wipe boxes if You want t to keep your data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you link me please?
koska92 said:
Can you link me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FTF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_mcadp7d-Ivb0RoQTdmT29NN0U/view?usp=sharing
Then start at step 11:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/how-instal...z3-z2-devices-via-xperifirm-flashtool-1492498