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So I bought a smuggled Desire Z in Beijing yesterday, and there are some strange things about it.
First, someone seems to have gone in and modded it. I didn't think they'd turn up modded yet at the shops, because permaroot hasn't been out for very long.
Anyway, there's a bunch of Chinese crapware that I want to remove and whatnot, and I'm getting ready to root (can't uninstall it, like it was installed by a carrier). Here's where it gets strange.
I figured, being modded and all, that the phone was permarooted. Superuser is in the app folder and everything, but none of my root apps are able to gain superuser permissions. None of them.
Anyway, I want root, and I want to uninstall a bunch of that crapware. Should I go through the basic rooting process and see what happens?
Update
I went ahead and rooted using Paul's Visionary, and got permaroot. I'm still confused as to why it had the SU app w/o root, and how the Chinese modders added that pesky crapware...
During all the work to try and unlock the NAND on the DZ, there were some videos from Chinese guys (linked on the G2 forums) who were similarly working on permanent root, NAND unlocking and so forth. There were some links at that point to modded Chinese DZs for sale, so I'm not suprised you've ended up with one.
Yeah, actually, most of the android phones I see on the market are modded. Some offer it as an option, but a lot of them just mod them wholesale.
There are very few android phones available officially in China, though the number has exploded recently. Most android phones are bought abroad and smuggled in, and the modders work hard to localize them for China users.
I'm definitely going to go in and undo most of what they did. They installed some crappy browsers and a market app that gives out pirated, translated apps. They also put their own logo in the lockscreen, and it looks like sh-t.
Here's a question, though. If I want to go back to Asian stock sense, would I need the full Asia RUU, or just the ROM part? There's a link in this forum for the RUU, but he says it's just the ROM component.
I would be careful, because you don't know for sure exactly how they've modded your phone. For example, quite a few people have semi-bricked their phone by just flashing a stock RUU after having s-off and permaroot, see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=838484
Do you have a custom recovery on your phone ?
It looks like the stock Asian ROM is at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=820410 , as you say.
Hopefully some more experienced guys will be able to give you better advice. I'm very new to Android, though I'm learning fast !
Thank you anyway. I am aware of the S-off issue. I recently rooted, S-off'ed and flashed clockwork successfully using the guides here.
My next step is to hit up their forum and see what's going on. I don't mind that they flashed some custom stuff to make it more China-friendly. What irks me is that they added a bunch of apps (and set their website as default home), then locked it back up, just like a carrier. That's a bit cheeky, if you ask me.
When I bought my G1 under similar circumstances, it had been modded by a rival Chinese forum. Totally unlocked, no bloatware, clockwork recovery, and running a Chinese version of Cyanogen. Obviously a very different philosophy at work.
Anyway, they're called goapk. Though I'm impressed with their skills, I'm definitely not amused.
Yeah I see what you mean. The group that modded your G1 sound like one that would encourage me to go back to them to see what else they're doing.
Hi all, I'm quite new to this forum and I hope I dont break any netiquette with my question.
Now I have a N1 I bought on ebay, used, rooted and perfectly functioning.
I don't remember how, but I was able to update it to FRG83D downloading the rom, renaming it, copying on my sdcard etc ...
Now ...
I can't update to FRG83D.
I understood that having a rooted N1 NO OTA UPDATE shall ever work for me, not the manual update is available.
I was able to skip the "no signature verification" error suing clockwork mod, but i can't install the patch anyway, the system alway replies "assert failed: apply_patch_ckeck (" stystem app accountandsyncsetting . apk" ... then a serie of letters and number follows.
I know nothing about this, I must confess, but my suspect is that the update fails because something doesn't match between the update and the ROM which is working on my N1 (which is by the way the original one build frg83d
baseband version
32.36.00.28U_4.06.00.12_7
kernel
2.6.32.9-27240-gbca5320 android-build apa26 #1
Any sugestion ?
I mean and idea about where I can download a FRG83D version suitable for my phone ?
If you just want stock with very little tweaks, may i suggest Geo's Rom. It's basically the latest stock rom w/ superuser, busybox, trackball alert etc. Runs amazing too =)
As for breaking any netiquette, you're suppose to post this in the questions forum not the general. Have fun with your phone.
worked!
Thanks Mokurex!
It worked.
It's unbelievable.
I spent three nights in search of an answer, and then you solved it in few seconds.
I'm new to Android, and I must confess that I'm quite disoriented.
There hare hundred of versions, produced by individuals, companies, etc ... The one I used, I mean the one you suggested me, seems to be the fruit of an individual's work in the US.
It's ok to me, sounds and works good.
But It's not the original one, I mean the one released by ... Google ? or ... what ?
It doesn't matter, but I just want to say that it would be easier for us all, newbies, to have some clear guidelines on this, an online guide for dummies, something or somebody who would explain us the difference between a odexed or deodexed versions, what are the pro and cons of rooting a N1, the fact that rooted phones loose the OTA update (which is very VERY painful for us newbies, etc ...).
I understand that we can rely of forums and on kind people like you, but having some clear cut guidelines would be very useful.
... and looking at the future ... I guess I'll have the same problems when I'll have to update to Gingerbread.
I's very frustrating to search the web for a suitable ROM for your phone ...
stefanopelloni said:
[snip]
But It's not the original one, I mean the one released by ... Google ? or ... what ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not the original. That one is deodexed, so any future OTA updates will not work (as Google's stock ROMs and updates and not de-odexed). You will have to wait until someone repacks the update, then apply it.
stefanopelloni said:
[snip]
It doesn't matter, but I just want to say that it would be easier for us all, newbies, to have some clear guidelines on this, an online guide for dummies, something or somebody who would explain us the difference between a odexed or deodexed versions, what are the pro and cons of rooting a N1,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the wiki? There are lots of posts/threads/guides available.
stefanopelloni said:
[snip]
the fact that rooted phones loose the OTA update (which is very VERY painful for us newbies, etc ...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you trying to say? Phones running a rooted, but otherwise stock ROM will certainly received the OTA updates. Now if you use a non-stock ROM, you may or may not receive the OTA update. But whether you receive it or not, you will not be able to apply it as is, until someone repacks it (unless you are using the stock ROM, rooted or not).
I believe you have to use the stock recovery as well if you wanted to update via OTA.
If you want to get Gingerbread by way of OTA, then revert to stock rom and recovery. Everything you need is in the sticked thread in the development section.
Mokurex said:
I believe you have to use the stock recovery as well if you wanted to update via OTA.
[snip]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you do not. You just need a newer version of Amon_RA (1.9+) or CWM.
Thank you for the correction.
Efrant, Mokurex,
perhaps it's my problem.
My original plan was to restore my phone is a status capable of receiving OTA updates. Considering that I'm not an IT expert it would be easier for me ho have such a phone.
Wandering on the web, I discovered that rooted phones are not eligible for OTA updates.
And most important of all, I'm not eligible to manually update is as well using the patches on the net (signature verification errors ... and many others seen above).
Mokurex helped me a lot (actually, solved my problem by now) suggesting that version of the ROM (I mean Geo's one) but it's the fruit of a work of an individual. I'm very grateful to him as well, but who knows about the future. Will Geo provide a similar version of Gingerbread as well ? Because without him I can't upgrade.
Efrant, got your remark.
I have CWM, latest version, I also bought the premium version (in oder to show to the programmer of it my appreciation) but in my case it just doesn't work.
With it, I can bypass the signature issue, but then I got stuck at assert failed: apply_patch_ckeck (" stystem app accountandsyncsetting . apk
Oh, by the way, I also tried to go back to ERE27 or something like that (unrooted version etc ...) but the mobile just doesn't work at all ...
I understood that the only way to unroot my phone (actually, any phone) and qualify for the OTA is via SDK.
... but I'm afraid it's just a bridge too far for my poor knowledge.
Geo has been quick to update his rom to the newest version. To upgrade to gingerbread, i'd assume that it would be like flashing any other custom rom, but there might be a bit more steps involved.
If you want completely stock, no root whatsoever, go here.
stefanopelloni said:
[snip]
Wandering on the web, I discovered that rooted phones are not eligible for OTA updates.
And most important of all, I'm not eligible to manually update is as well using the patches on the net (signature verification errors ... and many others seen above).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said it before, and I'll say it again: rooting has no bearing on the phone's ability to receive and install OTA updates -- what matters is which ROM you have. I rooted my phone when I bought it, and it had Eclair on it. I have received EVERY OTA update without any problem.
stefanopelloni said:
[snip]
Efrant, got your remark.
I have CWM, latest version, I also bought the premium version (in oder to show to the programmer of it my appreciation) but in my case it just doesn't work.
With it, I can bypass the signature issue, but then I got stuck at assert failed: apply_patch_ckeck (" stystem app accountandsyncsetting . apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is probably because you were not using a stock ROM...
stefanopelloni said:
Oh, by the way, I also tried to go back to ERE27 or something like that (unrooted version etc ...) but the mobile just doesn't work at all ...
I understood that the only way to unroot my phone (actually, any phone) and qualify for the OTA is via SDK.
... but I'm afraid it's just a bridge too far for my poor knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want a stock ROM, you can go here: http://developer.htc.com and download a Nexus One image to your sdcard, rename it to PASSIMG.zip and boot the phone into bootloader (by holding the trackball and powering up the phone). It should automatically detect the file and allow you to flash it.
Files from the site are official. If you get them from anywhere else, you can't really know what's been modified.
Dear Efrant,
if you were a girl, and in Italy, I would probably kiss you.
Now I have a bright-clear picture of the situation.
During the next holiday, I'll try and flash a stock version of the OS and then try the OTA update.
By now, the version mokurex suggested me work brilliantly and after so many nights wasted in a desperate search of an answer my myself i'm going to have a break.
... but thanks a lot. thanks indeed !!!
Sorry to disturb you again Eftant.
The fact is that today decided eventually to follow your step, but encountered another unexpected problem.
downolaed the original HTC rom - done
renamed it passimg.zip - done
turned on the N1 pressing trackball - done
expected detection of PASSIMG.zip - done
opening passimg.zip - done
checking passimg.zip - done
and then .. nothing
once the N1 load the passimg.zip file (i notice it from a loading bar on the upper right conder of the phone) it just allow me to
1)run bootloader agan
2) lock sim
3) restore something ...
... and that !
No possibility to "flash" rom as you wrote.
Did I miss anything ?
I see from the web that a lot of people bring back the N1 to the stock image using SDK from PC (MAC in my case) but the steps are not so clear considering the fact that I'm not that comfortable with the shell and the Android SDK is not intuitive (... to me).
Thanks in any case for your attention!
Try wiping your device then download the FRF91 image from the same site, rename it to PASSIMG.zip and save it to the root of your sdcard. Put your sdcard back into your device, and boot into the bootloader (by holding down the trackball as you push the power button). Once it flashes, wait for the OTA to FRG83G. Some users have said that the later images don't work using, particularly if you have updated to the 0.35 version of the bootloader.
Hi,
a few weeks ago I bought the SE Xperia Play and so far I love it. But I know there is more going on in the Android world. So I browsed through the Xperia Play sections and read trough a couple of threads to get answers to most of my questions I had.
But there are still a few remaining, which are:
1) Is there a way to backup the WHOLE phone ? By "whole phone" I mean TA/GDFS areas as well. My current phone is still in it's stock form, here are a few infos:
Modelnumber: R800i
Android version: 2.3.2
Baseband version: ....-1290_14-10
Kernel: 2.6.32.9-perf
Build: 3.0.A.2.181
It's SIM Free with bootloader still in it's locked state. Is there anything special about my phone that devs might want? Just ask and I'll try to provide.
Or is there a reason not to unlock / update / root for me because of low versions that might come in handy in the future for me?
2) Is there a recovery image in development which works on the Xperia Play ? I couldn't find one, but afaik "xRecovery" seems to be the recovery image for Sony Ericsson devices. Or am I mistaken here?
3) By unlocking the bootloader, the Xperia Play loses it's DRM certificates, which makes a couple of apps useless, like Track ID. What other apps won't work anymore after unlocking ? And are there ways to reconstruct / recreate these cerificates and carry them over to custom ROMs which may appear in the future ?
4) MoDaCo released a custom kernel which enables su shell and adb remount. But he managed it w/o unlocked bootloader. How's that possible? Does it only take place in RAM ? Or did he managed to install it in flash ?
5) In a today's thread about the rooted 2.3.3 image I saw that the provided image is an UK image. Is it ok to install such image on a german device ? Or shouldn't I care about the region the FW comes from ? Could I install a US image ? Or are UK images for all european devices?
6) In case I brick my device for some reason while updating it to 2.3.3. Could I recover it by using the UK generic .184 FTF image? Or do I always have to use the latest FW I tried to install on the device?
7) Last but not least. I flashed my buddys HTC Legend with CM7 and I love this ROM. I saw that Blagus is working on a CM7 port for the Xperia Arc. The Arc and the Play seem to be identical HW / SW-wise, does it mean that his port (in case the finishes it) will run on the Play as well (given with a few code changes of course) ?.
Sweet lord, turned out to be more questions then I planned But I guess it's good to have a FAQ kinda place where noobs like me can directly go to and get most important questions answered at once rather then spread all over the place
A big thanks to all in advance and keep up the work here !
Regards,
iCEQB
I am noob just like you and I managed to root my play in like 10 minutes after reading some threads here. Try to find some topics like rooting for beginners and another one which says the options that you have after rooting. I used gingerbreak and managed to get root access in about 5 minutes. As for the bootloader unlock I wouldn't recommend on doing that as there are no custom roms to flash our phones yet and personally I am very hapy with the original rom. The key is to root it with gingerbreak and get rid of all the useless apps that Sony has put in your phone and by doing this you get better battery life, better response and more free space. The apps that I use after rooting are busybox, titanium backup pro(to be able to freeze some apps and not delete them as I didn't know what they were doing) , adfree to get rid of the adds and many others. As for the other questions that you have, a more experienced android user should answer you. I didn't update to 2.3.3 as I will lose the rooting option which is necessary for me right now.
My questions are not about "how to root" as you can clearly see. They are rather about making 100% sure, not losing anything that might be valuable I maybe never get back, which could come in handy, like low system versions, a way to relock the bl with a TA backup, or DRM certificates.
I know how to root my phone and I know about the available options, but as I said, these questions are not about how to pull it of
Thanks anyway,
iCEQB
Sorry for the misunderstanding, I would also like to know these things and thats the reason why I used gingerbreak cause you have the option to unroot and you dont touch anything else. I also agree that we need an all-around FAQ topic which will include your questions.
Also n00b but will try... here goes lol
1. I dont think there is anyway to back up the whole phone. Best you can hope for is backing up settings when rooted. No need to hold off updating. But if you go to 2.3.3 rooting is not possible unless the bootloader is unlocked and you flash the rooted img (problem is if you leave the bootloader locked and update with SEUS it will install 2.3.3 so you will be unable to attain root, for now). No custom roms so i wouldnt unlock just yet (can unlock at anytime just will wipe your phone)
2. dont know
3. dont know (since mine is still locked)
4. dont know lol
5. If your xplay is the r800i. Cannot really see any problems . People who have confirmed the rooted img works are from around the world (uk, Hong Kong, Netherlands)
6. Again people who have used the UK generic .184 FTF image are from around the world. If the device is not sim locked (such as yours i dont think it matters )
7. I think it will, the software is basically the same so as you said a few tweaks and it should work. I think he started on the arc since the fourms are alot more active. Will possibly be unlocking the bootloader myself when some roms appear.
My bad if i interpreted your questions wrong as stated im a newb trying to learn fast lol
p.s you could pm the people who made the ftf files and then make a version of your own? if you want the low system version and as far as ive read its not possible to relock the bl once unlocked, yet? If you deffo know youre going to install custom roms wouldn't it be better to unlock the bootloader sooner rather than later since it wipes the phone?
Thanks for your answers so far !
Your answer for the 5th question bothers me though. What different models are there ? I know of R800i and R800a and I thought the letter behind the number is just some carrier marker or something like that or are there any other differences ?
Are there more modelnumbers existing ?
Thanks,
iCEQB
I hope this helps:
1) Is there a way to backup the WHOLE phone ? By "whole phone" I mean TA/GDFS areas as well. My current phone is still in it's stock form, here are a few infos:
Blagus is working on that, to no avail as of today. Maybe you'll want to contact him as he was looking for people with no SIM-lock, but locked bootloaders.
2) Is there a recovery image in development which works on the Xperia Play ? I couldn't find one, but afaik "xRecovery" seems to be the recovery image for Sony Ericsson devices. Or am I mistaken here?
If you mean Recovery such as CWM, no there's not. I'm not aware of xRecovery...
3) By unlocking the bootloader, the Xperia Play loses it's DRM certificates, which makes a couple of apps useless, like Track ID. What other apps won't work anymore after unlocking ? And are there ways to reconstruct / recreate these cerificates and carry them over to custom ROMs which may appear in the future ?
AFAIK, the other big loss is that you can't update through SEUS and you're forced to use Flashtool.
4) MoDaCo released a custom kernel which enables su shell and adb remount. But he managed it w/o unlocked bootloader. How's that possible? Does it only take place in RAM ? Or did he managed to install it in flash ?
He didn't release a kernel, he released an apk. Plus, the Xperia Play forum in MoDaCo has been empty for a whole week. I guess he's dropped it.
5) In a today's thread about the rooted 2.3.3 image I saw that the provided image is an UK image. Is it ok to install such image on a german device ? Or shouldn't I care about the region the FW comes from ? Could I install a US image ? Or are UK images for all european devices?
I bought my phone from Germany as well, and I've flashed the 2.3.3 updates (both the .FTF and the fastboot .img) without any issues.
6) In case I brick my device for some reason while updating it to 2.3.3. Could I recover it by using the UK generic .184 FTF image? Or do I always have to use the latest FW I tried to install on the device?
I guess you can always revert to the .184 one.
7) Last but not least. I flashed my buddys HTC Legend with CM7 and I love this ROM. I saw that Blagus is working on a CM7 port for the Xperia Arc. The Arc and the Play seem to be identical HW / SW-wise, does it mean that his port (in case the finishes it) will run on the Play as well (given with a few code changes of course) ?.
I guess only Blagus is fit to answer that, but if they're so similar, it should be an easy fit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your answers !
The loss of using SEUS shouldn't be a problem in any way since FlashTool does the same job, if not better
I'll contact Blagus and see if he needs something from me to get his work done.
Thanks again,
iCEQB
SE_iCEQB said:
Thanks for your answers so far !
Your answer for the 5th question bothers me though. What different models are there ? I know of R800i and R800a and I thought the letter behind the number is just some carrier marker or something like that or are there any other differences ?
Are there more modelnumbers existing ?
Thanks,
iCEQB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Models so far?;
r800i (uk, europe, asia?)
r800a (canada, rogers?)
r800at (usa?, at&t?)
r800x (usa? verizon?)
Z1i (china?)
I think other than r800i, others are mostly locked to phone providers? (unless bought sim free in their native country not sure tbh even the r800i is locked to some carriers i think?) I think r800x & maybe r800a are unable to unlock bootladers dues to restrictions from their carriers? Not sure tbh. I think all people in europe got the r800i? Dont know about differences since i got the r800i only
Thank you for answer and the nice list of modelnumbers. Yeah the problem with the few models which bootloaders can't be unlocked seems to be due to their SIM lock (at least it's the only I can find in the bootloader unlock thread ).
Regards,
iCEQB
Fantastic thread! As a new Xperia Play owner coming form a Droid 1, I'm very interested in the mod scene as it pertains to this phone. Great questions, OP!
Great thread lets keep it growing!
Sorry to hijack your thread. N00B here, so apologies in advance. I have read many of the threads on here since getting my xperia play and have joined just to ask a few questions if I may.
I want to root my phone to remove bloatware and more importantly remap the circle button for playing emus.
Q1. How do I know if my phone is bootlocked?
Q2. Is it as easy as run gingerbreak, delete bloatware, install apk, remap button?
Q3. Do i need to be running a certain FW, ie: can only be rooted on old FW.
Just so you can all understand, I know a grand total of sweet F-A about phones and rooting etc. Half of the abbreviations used, I've had to google to find out what they mean lol. As a 33 year old man, I'ts a strange feeling to be in my situation, its like being back at school and sitting my 1st algebra lesson!! Its all Greek and Double Dutch to me!
As in the OP, I also have a sim free phone running;
Model: R800i
Vers. 2.3.2
Base: -1290_14-14
Kernal: 2.6.32.9-perf
Build: 3.0.A.2.184
will this be a problem/is this helpful to a Dev?
Basically Im after a bit of reassurance/guidence as I really dont want to make my phone an expensive paper weight lol.
Thankyou all in advance, and agin sorry to OP for the Hi jack, but was going to post a thread with same name
Oh 1 last thing, if anyone lives in the South London area who knows what they are doing and fancies sorting my phone out for me, gets some drink tokens from me and a big thank you
Martin
Flipfoot said:
Sorry to hijack your thread. N00B here, so apologies in advance. I have read many of the threads on here since getting my xperia play and have joined just to ask a few questions if I may.
I want to root my phone to remove bloatware and more importantly remap the circle button for playing emus.
Q1. How do I know if my phone is bootlocked?
Q2. Is it as easy as run gingerbreak, delete bloatware, install apk, remap button?
Q3. Do i need to be running a certain FW, ie: can only be rooted on old FW.
Just so you can all understand, I know a grand total of sweet F-A about phones and rooting etc. Half of the abbreviations used, I've had to google to find out what they mean lol. As a 33 year old man, I'ts a strange feeling to be in my situation, its like being back at school and sitting my 1st algebra lesson!! Its all Greek and Double Dutch to me!
As in the OP, I also have a sim free phone running;
Model: R800i
Vers. 2.3.2
Base: -1290_14-14
Kernal: 2.6.32.9-perf
Build: 3.0.A.2.184
will this be a problem/is this helpful to a Dev?
Basically Im after a bit of reassurance/guidence as I really dont want to make my phone an expensive paper weight lol.
Thankyou all in advance, and agin sorry to OP for the Hi jack, but was going to post a thread with same name
Oh 1 last thing, if anyone lives in the South London area who knows what they are doing and fancies sorting my phone out for me, gets some drink tokens from me and a big thank you
Martin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If you havent unlocked the bootloader yourself it will be still be locked. No need to unlock the bootloader to root. Unlocking is only needed if you want to install custom roms.
2. Since you are still running 2.3.2 Build 3.0.A.2.184 gingerbreak will still be able to root your phone. If you update though to 2.3.3, gingerbreak will be unable to root your phone since the exploit gingerbreak uses has been patched.
If you stay on 2.3.2 all you have to do is run gingerbreak http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044765 follow the instruction in the thread then you can uninstall any of the apps (bloat) on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699 using titainium backup free.
No need to root to remap the O button in emulators. In most the keypad mapping sets O to exit, all you have to do is set exit to another key then O to the key you want.
3. See 2.
May I ask why you want to re-map Circle? I had the hardest time mapping the Cross button because it's like a default Enter button. Finally, I read that if you simply use the touch screen to select the command you want to map, it will let you press the Cross button and map it.
Sorry if I'm off the mark here. That was just a big revelation when I learned that.
Mozza2k11 said:
Models so far?;
r800i (uk, europe, asia?)
r800a (usa, rogers?)
r800at (usa?, at&t?)
r800x (usa? verizon?)
Z1i (china?)
I think other than r800i, others are mostly locked to phone providers? (unless bought sim free in their native country not sure tbh even the r800i is locked to some carriers i think?) I think r800x & maybe r800a are unable to unlock bootladers dues to restrictions from their carriers? Not sure tbh. I think all people in europe got the r800i? Dont know about differences since i got the r800i only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey hey hey hey hey!
r800a = CANADA rogers.
thanks.
AriStar said:
hey hey hey hey hey!
r800a = CANADA rogers.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol my bad , il change it
Mozza2k11 said:
1. If you havent unlocked the bootloader yourself it will be still be locked. No need to unlock the bootloader to root. Unlocking is only needed if you want to install custom roms.
2. Since you are still running 2.3.2 Build 3.0.A.2.184 gingerbreak will still be able to root your phone. If you update though to 2.3.3, gingerbreak will be unable to root your phone since the exploit gingerbreak uses has been patched.
If you stay on 2.3.2 all you have to do is run gingerbreak http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044765 follow the instruction in the thread then you can uninstall any of the apps (bloat) on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699 using titainium backup free.
No need to root to remap the O button in emulators. In most the keypad mapping sets O to exit, all you have to do is set exit to another key then O to the key you want.
3. See 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks! I now have a rooted Play, bloatware gone, big smile on my face!!!!
1. Is it advised to gain root NOW prior to the forthcoming Sony Lollipop OTA?
Point being if I don't root and I update to the latest forthcoming lollipop ROM from Sony then will it become a difficulty to gain root via the current downgrade method of rooting.. Or will downgrading from Sony's lollipop ROM be easily achieved via flashing .93 from flastool for instance.
My idea being can I remain unrooted and update via forthcoming ota from Sony and still achieve root via the current root methods of downgrading.
2. If I gain root now though, and lose ota facility because of root then will i be able to flash the latest official Sony lollipop ROM via flashtool manually and still retain root?
Sorry for any repetition above it's crazy late here. I've been itching to root but have been holding off in anticipation of an imminent Sony lollipop release... After some thought on the questions I post above I'm trying to determine if it's best to root now to prevent a potentially unrootable Sony lollipop rom?
Thanks in advance
1. Will downgrade from lollipop be possible? I have seen both happing with other devices so could go either way. No guarantees because we just don't know yet.
2. There is no downside to rooting now. Once you're rooted you don't want to install any official OTA anyway. You could lose root or even damage the device (we don't know yet). What you want to do is flash Pre - rooted firmware which you can download in the forums here (usually you get updates sooner than through OTA this way)
It's like a whole new world once you familiarised yourself with the possibilities.
Root is recommended you don't have any downside. If you want the ota update so bad you can still decide to flash your current software again. Though this I would not recommend since there is a possibility that you will be stuck in lollipop like clouds5 said (if no downgrade possible) .I don't think this will be happening since Sony until now is not really restricting users to flash official firmware. Hell they even encourage bootloader unlock officially. That said, just root and the enjoy the countless advantages.
As another alternative, and only because it hasn't been pointed out, you could also try to simply remain confused. The challenge in this is in hopefully coming to a point of peace with your circumstance by no longer worrying about it. I've been awake for far too long and have been sleep deprived over the past days, thus having no business making posts like this and accepting ir as innapropriate, but the general philosophy expressed remains solid ?
Since i don't have it in my signature, don't forget to hit "Thanks" ?
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I will proceed to root now to prevent an unrootable Sony lollipop OTA ROM - which is incredibly likely given chanfires views on the difficulties of rooting lollipop "specifically devices with locked bootlaoders."
Given we would all like to retain our DRM keys for when reverting to stock based ROMs I think I've come to my conclusion.
Thanks for your thoughts, it has certainly helped to proceed with rooting now (with I've been itching to do) rather than wait patiently for Sony's lollipop OTA (which could become a hindrance, now that I've fully understood the 'potential' for an unrootable lollipop ROM.)
I like your signature ;o)
dillalade said:
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I will proceed to root now to prevent an unrootable Sony lollipop OTA ROM - which is incredibly likely given chanfires views on the difficulties of rooting lollipop "specifically devices with locked bootlaoders."
Given we would all like to retain our DRM keys for when reverting to stock based ROMs I think I've come to my conclusion.
Thanks for your thoughts, it has certainly helped to proceed with rooting now (with I've been itching to do) rather than wait patiently for Sony's lollipop OTA (which could become a hindrance, now that I've fully understood the 'potential' for an unrootable lollipop ROM.)
Click to expand...
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Jeah it is very unlikely that L will get root since it has already been obtained and the bounty is fulfilled. So there is no real motivation to keep working on it for this device. And also like Clouds5 said you will probably get your hands on rooted stock lollipop sooner here than through the official OTA update. Or 1-2 days later. Enjoy it .
Root now or regret it later.
I'd recommend you root now. The ability to get OTA updates is not a big deal at all. If you root, you can still install stock roms which would be just like the OTA roms. Sometimes the unofficial stock roms come out sooner than the OTAs, if not, then very shortly after. I actually like SONY's stock rom. I'm rooted, and I plan to just use the stock rom with some root enabled modifications.
I'd say that most custom roms are just as good or better than official stock roms from OTA.
With my last phone, I regretted not rooting when I had the chance. Sure, I was okay with it overall, but I wished I had root so I could have my phone exactly the way I wanted. There were some really useful functions that I missed from having a rooted phone, like screen-off music player controls. I missed being able to tether without the carrier knowing.
Some companies are making it harder and harder to root, so I say root now while you can.
If you root now, you're in control. If you wait for OTA, who knows.
Hello,
Today I received a notice that my phone has an OTA update available. I'm currently rooted on OC4. I can't find anything about this new OTA update, but I'm assuming it's only patching and nothing major. Is it safe to take this OTA update without fear of my root being lost?
Additionally, I'm wondering if anyone can offer some insight into the best options for this device moving forward. The phone is getting old and I would like to give it it's "final update" + a few months use before I replace it. Marshmallow would be nice, but I use Google Wallet/Android Pay frequently and I've heard that they're not compatible with some custom builds and their potential modification of the secure portion of the device those applications rely on. I would also prefer to be able to utilize the xposed framework, though that is not necessary.
What are the most modern, more vanilla, most recent Android custom builds recommended for this device?
Thank you
Given you are on OC4, you can't install a custom rom because of the locked bootloader