I recently purchased an XPlay and I'm having issues with the battery/ I've followed a lot of what I have read from various people here. Removing unwanted apps, turning off wifi/gps etc etc and although I've noticed some improvement it isn't really a lot to justify how much I paid for the phone compared to how much it needs to be charged.
I've read a few paragraphs of the rooting guide and a lot of other threads about something calle Gingerbreak. I'm very interested in 'rooting' my phone as many more users note a stark difference in performance and there's a lot of guff on the phone that I can't remove without it.
I'm not fully proficient in the ways of computing so I was wondering if someone could just highlight some threads and put them in a step by step. I see things like Titanium backup and superuser. Are they apps or things I need to install or do I pay for them?
Also is there a risk in destroying the device if I root it? I really don't want to be left with a lump of plastic I can't to anything with. I'd appreciate any and all input on offer, and would appreciate some patience, as I really am new to all this.
Thanks.
First things are:
1: search
2: read
3: search
4: read some more
Gingerbreak is what you will use to root your phone this grants super user status and install superuser, simply download it pop it on your memory card, download astro file manager from the market place (its free) navigate to gingerbreak and run it.
After you've done that download busybox installer from the market run it and let it do it's mojo. after this you can forget you ever did any of the above
It's pretty safe and shouldnt harm your phone, you can still restore to stock with this method if you choose to using Sony Ericson's restore software.
Once that is done you can use root uninstaller again free from the market to uninstall all the crap. be sure to check this thread
My battery wil last a couple of days with moderate use, but i hardly ever use it moderately unless im at work im mostly always on it.
Titanium backup (free and paid) is just an app from the market to allow backups and restore for when you flash your phone.
But and I have to stress this all this info is available on the forum you have to search and read on XDA i appreciate your new to all this but that's even more reason to read, read, read. your lucky we dont have many people yet here in the play section had this been the i9000 or nexus S forum you would be torn a new one for asking these questions... but while we are a small group I see no reason not to help each other.
To ad some, backup your sdcard as some has encountered a format of it under the rooting process and lost data. Further more some has had problems after a OTA update after rooting (afaik it's only people that have rooted with the unlock bootloader procedure), but some people bricked there devices while updating and afaik there's no fully working recover from that yet. Just to be safe check for updates before rooting, that's what I did, if any update do it and then turn auto search off in >settings>about phone>software update. Then go for root :-D
Regards Dousan...
Thank you.
waz000000 said:
First things are:
1: search
2: read
3: search
4: read some more
Gingerbreak is what you will use to root your phone this grants super user status and install superuser, simply download it pop it on your memory card, download astro file manager from the market place (its free) navigate to gingerbreak and run it.
After you've done that download busybox installer from the market run it and let it do it's mojo. after this you can forget you ever did any of the above
It's pretty safe and shouldnt harm your phone, you can still restore to stock with this method if you choose to using Sony Ericson's restore software.
Once that is done you can use root uninstaller again free from the market to uninstall all the crap. be sure to check this thread
My battery wil last a couple of days with moderate use, but i hardly ever use it moderately unless im at work im mostly always on it.
Titanium backup (free and paid) is just an app from the market to allow backups and restore for when you flash your phone.
But and I have to stress this all this info is available on the forum you have to search and read on XDA i appreciate your new to all this but that's even more reason to read, read, read. your lucky we dont have many people yet here in the play section had this been the i9000 or nexus S forum you would be torn a new one for asking these questions... but while we are a small group I see no reason not to help each other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Followed this to the letter, as well as the guide provided in the links and I think I'm OK. Have Superuser on the phone, installed uninstaller and removed a lot of what I didn't want, making sure to follow the list and thread for what not to remove. Just in the process of restoring the contents of my SD card that I backed up and hopefully the phone should run a lot smoother for a lot longer.
Are there any other advantages of rooting the phone? can it improve the performance of the emulators at all? I only ask as my son used the n64 emulator and he finds it hard to play a few games as they keep stuttering and we have to turn the music off.
If there is a thread I can keep note of that updates what features are available through rooting then I must have missed it. I did look this time. I even got the wife to double check. Last thing I need is a virtual dressing down
You've got two threads in this section about removing bloatware and what to do after rooting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046857
Regards Dousan...
hey guys!!! i just wanna say I followed the same instructions and eveyrthing worked perfectly! I've been a long time jailbreaker of everything apple and love android but for some reason was always iffy on rooting. You guys made it super easy so thanks a bunch!!!
I've noticed a vast improvement in the memory usage but the battery, not so much. If anything it seems to wear down faster. I placed it on charge up to 100%, then unplugged it with wifi and updates turned off, as well as having it on gsm and not 3G (or whatever it's called). I also don't have many widgets running and those that do don't use a lot of memory anyway.
I watched Spider-Man 3, which is roughly 2 hours long and within that time it had dropped to 92. Left it a while longer, about another hour and it's now at 88%. At this rate it'll be less than 24hrs before it's dead. Am I missing something??
12% gone after 3 hours & you watched a movie too ? That's pretty good going.
I don't know of many devices that you could watch in excess of 5 movies on a single charge.
DeadlyDazza said:
12% gone after 3 hours & you watched a movie too ? That's pretty good going.
I don't know of many devices that you could watch in excess of 5 movies on a single charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mean ON the device. I watched a film independently, while the phone sat idle on a shelf. So basically 12% in 3 hours after doing nothing.
EDIT 1day, 2hrs, 37min 8s the battery has lasted and has 37% left. Any good?
I've noticed there have been a few new firmware updates for the XPlay in the UK and as I;m still none the wiser about all this rooting business, and have just been getting by with rooting 2.3.2, I'm wondering how I got about continuing to root to the latest firmware?
Nifnodge said:
I've noticed there have been a few new firmware updates for the XPlay in the UK and as I;m still none the wiser about all this rooting business, and have just been getting by with rooting 2.3.2, I'm wondering how I got about continuing to root to the latest firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If OTA update is available (settings > about phone > software update) which it should be since you are on 2.3.2 you can do the ota and keep root on 2.3.3.
The OTA update will not work if you have uninstalled any of the preinstalled apps off your phone. If you have you will either have to reinstall them from here. Or reinstall 2.3.2 a fresh (to get everything back) then root then do the ota to get onto 2.3.3 rooted. You can find 2.3.2 to reflash here.
I personally freeze my apps instead of uninstalling them since i can then just unfreeze them and then do the ota if a new one is available. It does not free up internal memory (since they are still on the phone, but they will not run) it will free up ram tho so faster boot up etc. The same effect uninstalling them would do.
Also 2.3.3 is the latest update atm. The xloud update is not available on ota atm so you cannot root that one yet with a locked bootloader.
Nifnodge said:
EDIT 1day, 2hrs, 37min 8s the battery has lasted and has 37% left. Any good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't have dreamt to have that battery life in my previous phone (Galaxy S).
I've uninstalled quite a lot of the stock apps so can I just reinstall 2.3.2 or do I have to put everything back on it first?
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Nifnodge said:
I've uninstalled quite a lot of the stock apps so can I just reinstall 2.3.2 or do I have to put everything back on it first?
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you reinstall 2.3.2 it will wipe your phone clean and take it back to stock (in other words reinstall everything again) you dont need to do anything before flashing just do it and everything will be back to when you first got the phone. You will loose everything on your phone apps, games e.t.c but stuff on your sd card will be fine.
But if you want rooted 2.3.3 you need to get the stock apps back and reflashing would be the easiest method.
Is it worth it? Am I missing anything if I don't upgrade?
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Nifnodge said:
Is it worth it? Am I missing anything if I don't upgrade?
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed better battery life. Plus it seems better all round. IMHO i would upgrade. Plus with the ota method you still keep root.
http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/05/26/se-confirms-main-bug-fixes-from-android-2-3-3-update/
Sony Ericsson has confirmed some of the main changes from the new Android 2.3.3 firmware update that is currently rolling out to Xperia arc and Xperia PLAY handsets. Apart from the introduction of Facebook inside Xperia, there have been a number of bug fixes. Some of the most important of these are highlighted below:
Battery performance
General software stability
Wi-Fi stability
Touch responsiveness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've gone thru the stock apps list but i'm none the wiser as to what I have and what I got rid of. This is all Greek to me tbh and gingerbreak seemed so much simpler. I think I'll leave it for now despite your instructions i'm still confused and I don't want to be left with a 500 pound brick.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Nifnodge said:
I've gone thru the stock apps list but i'm none the wiser as to what I have and what I got rid of. This is all Greek to me tbh and gingerbreak seemed so much simpler. I think I'll leave it for now despite your instructions i'm still confused and I don't want to be left with a 500 pound brick.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you have an unlocked bootloader. It is impossible to brick your phone OTA updating.....
You cannot brick your phone when using flashtools to downgrade. Flashtools is the exact same as using SEUS/Pc Companion to update your phone. If your bootloader is locked (unless you have unlocked it, it will be) and anything goes wrong then you can use SEUS/Pc Companion to fully repair your phone.
Bricking only really applys to people who tired using SEUS, Pc Companion or OTA to update after unlocking their bootloaders.
When i got my xplay i was a total android newb also. But if you ever decide to give it a go follow the steps below.
Basically what you want to do is download FlashTool version 0.2.9.1 Beta from here extact it to a folder on your desktop. Run the "ggsetup-2.2.0.10" from within the drivers folder.
Then download the .184 UK firmware (which is 2.3.2) from here. Then go into the folder you extracted flashtools to and place the .ftf file from within the Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK.rar into the the firmware folder.
Turn off your phone. Now run the X10FlashTool.exe and it will load. Click flash then the firmware selection box will come up. Make sure "wipe user data box" is ticked then click ok. It will ask you to turn your phone off (which you have done), now while holding the back key plug in your usb cable and it will flash 2.3.2. When it starts flashing you can let go of the back key. When it is finished start your phone up and all the stuff you deleted will be back.
Now do as you did before put gingerbreak on your phone. Install it and let it root. Once it has rooted go to settings > about phone > software update and update it to 2.3.3 over wifi and you will be on 2.3.3 rooted. Job done
Mozza2k11 said:
You cannot brick your phone when using flashtools to downgrade. Flashtools is the exact same as using SEUS/Pc Companion to update your phone. If your bootloader is locked (unless you have unlocked it, it will be) and anything goes wrong then you can use SEUS/Pc Companion to fully repair your phone.
Bricking only really applys to people who tired using SEUS, Pc Companion or OTA to update after unlocking their bootloaders.
When i got my xplay i was a total android newb also. But if you ever decide to give it a go follow the steps below.
Basically what you want to do is download FlashTool version 0.2.9.1 Beta from here extact it to a folder on your desktop. Run the "ggsetup-2.2.0.10" from within the drivers folder.
Then download the .184 UK firmware (which is 2.3.2) from here. Then go into the folder you extracted flashtools to and place the .ftf file from within the Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK.rar into the the firmware folder.
Turn off your phone. Now run the X10FlashTool.exe and it will load. Click flash then the firmware selection box will come up. Make sure "wipe user data box" is ticked then click ok. It will ask you to turn your phone off (which you have done), now while holding the back key plug in your usb cable and it will flash 2.3.2. When it starts flashing you can let go of the back key. When it is finished start your phone up and all the stuff you deleted will be back.
Now do as you did before put gingerbreak on your phone. Install it and let it root. Once it has rooted go to settings > about phone > software update and update it to 2.3.3 over wifi and you will be on 2.3.3 rooted. Job done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
excellent !!!! great guide
Related
Hey guys! I'm picking up an Xperia Play in a couple of days and was looking for some general advice about the phone. This will be my first Android device, I've been on WebOS/Garnet for my last two phones. I'm just a little overwhelmed with the options presented by the Play and Android in general. For instance, I'm not sure if I should root my phone or not - what are the advantages?
Any other general guides to Android/the Play would be wonderful if any such guides exist. I'm looking to deck this thing out with every emulator on the market as well as get the PSXperia hack up and running (I've downloaded the program, but can't figure out how to use it).
You can sense my overall noobishness in general, I'm sure. Any advice or tips about this device would be great. I'm really excited about the Play and getting comfortable with Android. Thanks everybody!
kershner25 said:
Hey guys! I'm picking up an Xperia Play in a couple of days and was looking for some general advice about the phone. This will be my first Android device, I've been on WebOS/Garnet for my last two phones. I'm just a little overwhelmed with the options presented by the Play and Android in general. For instance, I'm not sure if I should root my phone or not - what are the advantages?
Any other general guides to Android/the Play would be wonderful if any such guides exist. I'm looking to deck this thing out with every emulator on the market as well as get the PSXperia hack up and running (I've downloaded the program, but can't figure out how to use it).
You can sense my overall noobishness in general, I'm sure. Any advice or tips about this device would be great. I'm really excited about the Play and getting comfortable with Android. Thanks everybody!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
congratz im waiting for mine is the mail right now lol
rooting allows you to have full access to the file system sorta like a administrator
on a windows machine since out the box you cant edit files or remove bloatware without root you cant install certain programs from the market without root
also having root and unlocked bootloader allows you to flash a custom recovery image which will allow you to flash customs roms(a custom version of android dev by a user here on xda or anywhere in general)
yes i highly recommend but if you ever plan on returning the phone to verzion for example you will have to revert it back to stock
and for the program psxperia you need to install the latest version of java from java.com
and if your on a windows machine you double click the psxperiatool.JAR file
and it should run not sure on OSX
in the end you made a good choice on choosing android as mainstream as it became its still a powerful system way better IMO than ios or even webos
since android has so many developers theres gonna be an endless amount of programs
will post new finds myself etc
edokassiah said:
and unlocked bootloader allows you to flash a custom recovery image which will allow you to flash customs roms(a custom version of android dev by a user here on xda or anywhere in general)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot flash the recovery image directly or you will mess up boot partition, you need to flash a kernel with embedded recovery built in
Thanks for the info. I'm confused about the locked/unlocked bootloaders. How do I know which one I'll have? And how "easy" of a process is rooting the phone if I don't plan to install any custom roms or anything?
Also, how does transferring .apk files from my PC to the device work?
kershner25 said:
Thanks for the info. I'm confused about the locked/unlocked bootloaders. How do I know which one I'll have? And how "easy" of a process is rooting the phone if I don't plan to install any custom roms or anything?
Also, how does transferring .apk files from my PC to the device work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you havent unlocked your bootloader yourself it is locked there are many risks and advantages to unlocking your bootloader, but if you dont intend to flash custom roms there really is no need, just like with root, if you dont know what it is, you probably wont need it
transfering .apk's from your pc is easy, just copy the .apk to your sd card, then use a file manager to find the .apk, tap on it and the installer will pop up , you need to tick unknown sources in settings though
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1176367
AndroHero said:
You cannot flash the recovery image directly or you will mess up boot partition, you need to flash a kernel with embedded recovery built in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hes asking about android in general not aiming specifically at the xperia play
If I root my phone, do I have to switch everything back in order to get updates? All I really want to root my phone for would be to remove bloatware/speed it up a bit, is there a better way than rooting?
There is plenty of tutorials here, I suggest that you read, read, and then......read some more
_terror_ said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1176367
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for this link, it's seriously going to help me while rooting my phone. This might be a dumb question, but bear with me - better safe than a bricked phone. The guide to rooting in that link says that I need to flash my Play to the .184 Generic UK firmware...am I understanding it correctly that I need flash this firmware onto my American Verizon Play? I want to make sure nothing is going to get screwed up regionally, as I'm going to want to keep getting OTA updates and all that.
Just to share my own experiences since I'm new to the Xperia Play (previously had an Acer Liquid.. crappy hardware but great community of devs.. anyways..)
I'd recommend rooting your phone off the bat - the simple reason is rooting will involve wiping your phone's data, so if you already have a few months of use that means having to restore everything which is tiresome. First thing when my phone arrived was follow the rooting guide here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116090
After that however I wouldn't recommend messing around TOO much with custom firmwares and such etc.. get used to the phone as it is and figure out what you like, don't like. if your like me within a few weeks or months you'll want something new - this is when you might want to start looking at messing around with the phone - new home launchers or even a new ROM (if your phone can have it's boot loader unlocked, from what I understand mine can't). The games and Emulators should keep you busy as is
The only customizing I've done to my phone is rooting it with Gingerbreak and using the leaked Sony Launcher.
I realize this is a pretty nooby thing to do that annoys all the veterans, but I consider this to be a fairly crucial piece of information I need before I attempt to root my phone, so I'm just gonna go ahead and bump this thing before it gets lost in the shuffle.
In order to root with a locked bootloader on an American Verizon XPlay, I need to flash to the .184 generic UK firmware, then root, then OTA update, correct?
kershner25 said:
I realize this is a pretty nooby thing to do that annoys all the veterans, but I consider this to be a fairly crucial piece of information I need before I attempt to root my phone, so I'm just gonna go ahead and bump this thing before it gets lost in the shuffle.
In order to root with a locked bootloader on an American Verizon XPlay, I need to flash to the .184 generic UK firmware, then root, then OTA update, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. That method will not work on the r800x (verizon xplay) to root yours you will need to see [How-to] R800x Root
Dont worry about annoying people lol . Who cares what others think? Everyone has to start somewhere.
But it would be better with a stickied thread for new users to look @.
So now, instead of the 3 step process linked previously in this thread, I have to unlock the bootloader and do a whole bunch of other stuff? This method is like 100x more complicated. Is there no other way? I don't intend to install any custom roms, I strictly want to root solely for freezing bloatware.
No i dont think so. You would be better asking for help from other r800x owners in that thread.
The exploit gingerbreak uses on 2.3.2 was patched in 2.3.3 (worldwide) and was also patched by verizon before they released the handset on 2.3.2. Up untill the bootloader was unlocked on the r800x rooting was not possible.
Ask in that thread and you should recieve the help/info you are after.
hiya mate right ive rooted and put on custom recovery but now its screwed up my cam , wifi , and the market so be warned im trying to fix this problem as we speak
---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------
im new to this to really but having a play with no cam and no wifi and no market. the market is there but cant dwnload nothing is taking the piss can anyone help me please
Mozza2k11 said:
But it would be better with a stickied thread for new users to look @.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one already stickied in the Q&A section.That it has gone practically unnoticed counters this statement.
kershner25 said:
Thanks so much for this link, it's seriously going to help me while rooting my phone. This might be a dumb question, but bear with me - better safe than a bricked phone. The guide to rooting in that link says that I need to flash my Play to the .184 Generic UK firmware...am I understanding it correctly that I need flash this firmware onto my American Verizon Play? I want to make sure nothing is going to get screwed up regionally, as I'm going to want to keep getting OTA updates and all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their is not such thing as a bricked phone
always is a way to fix it and usually its as simple as flashing a FTF
or whatever stock rom your device uses takes like 5 minutes tops lol
and logsemans guides will tell you anything you need to know
just use them for refrence
Xperia Play Super Compilation (Q&A Sticky)
and if you head down the path of rooting and stuff
messing with files
you wont be able to get ota updates lol.
it will "brick you"
I recentally made a quick video with tips for android users/beginners if you want to watch it. Thought it would help people. http://youtu.be/Pd5DerUoEcY
Has anyone still not gotten the gingerbread ota?? It seems to take forever to get to my phone!!
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
1. Are you completely stock and unrooted? Stock recovery and everything included.
2. Go into settings, about phone, system updates to manually check.
godsmacked4653 said:
1. Are you completely stock and unrooted? Stock recovery and everything included.
2. Go into settings, about phone, system updates to manually check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I am everything is stock except I have s-off but that should work. And I have been doing that for a while now lol. But I am not too worries because my friend has never tried to root or do anything to his phone and he hasn't gotten it yet either.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I dont have it either yet, I downloaded the 605.2 and have that right now but still no OTA yet for me. i read that it can take up to 2 weeks, but that only leaves a few days left...
Honestly, if I were you guys, I'd take the plunge and root. The OTA still has several bugs that we've worked out in the rooted ROMs, plus a lot of helpful extra features.
well i flashed the 605.2 gb from august while having s-on, so i'm stuck for now unless unrevoked comes up with a fix.
after hearing all about the problems with the OTA... i am thinking of finally rooting..
i just dont know how or where to start.. is there a good link that will go threw it .. how much room do i need on my SD card .. what programs / apps do i need.. stupid stuff like that..
thank you .. i know i am a noob..
marsgrafx09 said:
after hearing all about the problems with the OTA... i am thinking of finally rooting..
i just dont know how or where to start.. is there a good link that will go threw it .. how much room do i need on my SD card .. what programs / apps do i need.. stupid stuff like that..
thank you .. i know i am a noob..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search "Unrevoked" in google as that is the only way to go. Check out the first four or five threads over in the Droid Incredible Development Section for background info on rooting.
SlimSnoopOS said:
Search "Unrevoked" in google as that is the only way to go. Check out the first four or five threads over in the Droid Incredible Development Section for background info on rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i know of unrevoked.. that is the first step .. turning S off .. super user on.. i guess.. then you pick your rom that you want .. and flash that on to it from the SD card..
is each rom flashed on the same way?
how big of an SD card do you need.. for back ups and nandroids? how much room is needed.. or do they take up?
and how do you make back ups?
is this all pretty much self explanatory as you go?
what is the best sense 3.0 rom? and where do you find it.. and is there instructions for it as well..
is there one link.. some where for step by steps?
thank you again all.. i am learning.. it takes time .. and i appreciate all your knowledge..
I would say at least an 8gb card is good, that's what I use. If you plan on having this phone for awhile, the bigger the sd card the better primarily so if you listen to music on your phone, record/watch videos, photos, etc. Nandroids take up about 800mb's depending on the size of the rom, I use gingersense (sense + gingerbread) roms so that may increase the file size.
Backups are made using either Rom Manager (available in the market, just download the free version) or via Recovery. You need Rom Manager first!!! You get to Recovery by holding Volume Down button + Power button while your phone is turned completely off.
I don't do rom suggestions, it's all personal preference.
Each of the following links are easily found on the first page of the Droid Incredible Development Section. They are not all-inclusive and are not up to date but this is a valuable base for info:
If you're new to modding
Popular threads
How to ADB
After successfully rooting, you may need to download Rom Manager from the market and Superuser. Next, make a backup either through Rom Manager or by turning off your phone holding "Volume Down & Power button" until your phone boots up with a white screen. Use the volume up/down to highlight "Recovery" in the white bootloader/hboot screen. Press the power button to select "Recovery."
I think this is a good deal of info for one post
which unrevoked do i use.. ?
SlimSnoopOS said:
Search "Unrevoked" in google as that is the only way to go. Check out the first four or five threads over in the Droid Incredible Development Section for background info on rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which unrevoked do i use.. ?
is it easier to do it on mac ? or pc ?
Using unrevoked via Mac is way easier than the pc version. Idk about Linux, I know nothing about it. The Mac version does not require you to install drivers, merely just run the program.
I think i''ve finally decided to root too (got phone at release date; so it's been a while).
Basically all I want to be able to do is tether to my xoom. Will I need a special rom for that or will wifi tether work magically after rooting?
No need for a custom rom for free tethering. I recommend the app "wifi tether", it's not available on the market (thanks Verizon!) so Google it and download it from the code.google page.
^^thank you. I got the wi fi app several months ago because I knew I'd be rooting at some time in the future (I've been contemplating this for a while lol). I have all the files ready (android usb drivers and reflash.exe) but just haven't bitten the bullet to root yet. I was waiting on GB release before I rooted, but after hearing about all the issues, I think I have finally decided to root and forget GB.
Definitely best to root first and flash one of the rooted GB roms in the development section (if you're wanting to upgrade to GB). As of right now, there's no way to root once you're updated to GB, so it's good that you decided to root first. You can always go back to stock/S-ON if you need to as well. Rooting is pretty painless with unrevoked and you won't lose your apps/data. Feel free to ask about any other questions or concerns you may have!
I haven't started yet; plan to do it later tonight. But once I run reflash will that give me s-off or is there another step for that?
---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------
k_nivesout said:
Definitely best to root first and flash one of the rooted GB roms in the development section (if you're wanting to upgrade to GB). As of right now, there's no way to root once you're updated to GB, so it's good that you decided to root first. You can always go back to stock/S-ON if you need to as well. Rooting is pretty painless with unrevoked and you won't lose your apps/data. Feel free to ask about any other questions or concerns you may have!
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Click to collapse
yes, I read that in other threads and that pretty much cinched it for me that I would not be accepting the GB OTA update. 3 months ago, I was waiting for GB before I rooted, but after learning that if I accept GB I will no longer be able to root, I decided I'd rather have root than GB. Plus I know there are many GB roms if I decide I want to go that route. But let's see how painless this rooting goes before I start talking roms
I plan to use Enlightened's rooting instructions from the IncredibleForum. I hope this is as simple as it sounds in the thread instructions there.
Looked at those instructions and they look on point. You may run into an error message when first trying to run unrevoked, when it happened to me I just retried and it worked fine. As long as you have the right drivers you should be fine. I did it on a mac so I can't really help with the drivers, I'd just recommend using the modified unrevoked drivers like it says in the how-to you were talking about.
The rooted stock GB ROMs in the development have been very stable for me so I second the proposal to go that route. If you were to run into issues and need to use different recoveries, dougpiston.com is an excellent resource.
Hi all,
I recently got an Xperia play and so far I love it but I am running out of internal memory (it only has 380mb available for apps etc). I'm relatively new to android so please stick with me!
I read on a forum that you can partition a section of the SD card then use an app called "Link2SD" to use that partition as additional internal memory. As part of this you have to root the phone. I tried this and the software didn't work.
My main question is regarding rooting, is it worth doing? I'd heard that if you root your phone you risk bricking it and also you can't get future software updates. If that's true then I won't get ice cream sandwich in the next update.
So, can anyone advise me on if rooting is a good thing to do and if so, how do I do it? If not, do you know of any good ways to increase the internal memory that don't need rooting? I am already using the App2SD application which helps a bit but not enough as I've already moved all I can to the SD card in normal settings.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
It's REALLY worth it and you'd be super unlucky to brick or cause any damage by trying to root.
Use superoneclick. Really quick and simple.
Then Link2SD works fine (it needs root to work). You can move all of your apps across stopping the annoying messages about low memory.
Then when you get a bit more brave get titanium backup, backup everything.
Then google safe removal list xperia play xda and get rid of the sony bloatware you don't use. Will be like a new phone my friend. Enjoy your Play!
Thanks mate, I'm still torn if I want to risk it! Would it be OK with future software updates if I did root? How do I use the rooting program you mentioned, download it to my PC then just execute it with the phone plugged in? Sorry for all the questions, I know nothing of the internal workings of android! Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Superoneclick is a program you run on your PC. Literally one click with your phone connected and you're rooted. There are practically no risks involved at all.
You'll still be able to update OTA if you don't uninstall any stock apps. ICS will be available for FlashTool when it's released anyway so I wouldn't worry about that
Sounds good, I've already got instructions for a program to partition the SD card and for link2sd. I'll give it a go! I'm assuming the stock apps will be the ones not on the safe list? Can I still move games that came preinstalled? Thanks for all your help, it's much appreciated!
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Basically don't uninstall any app that is installed to /system/app if you want OTA
This is irrelevant anyway since ICS won't come OTA. You'll have to use FlashTool or SEUS
hi !
When you are rooted ! uninstall those crap stock app list with Titanium backup (from market),
Warning ! It need root !
link to the list of safe removal app :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699
See ya
do you know if there's an app to unroot my phone? I'll probably do the partition thing, remove the apps I don't need then unroot the phone again. Any ideas? Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
wildone277 said:
do you know if there's an app to unroot my phone? I'll probably do the partition thing, remove the apps I don't need then unroot the phone again. Any ideas? Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps superoneclick does unroot as well (can't remember and not near a pc. But you don't need to unroot. Keeping root does no harm. If you're thinking about warranties then it's pointless as you'll have missing apps etc when you send it away.. Again though, root does no harm and you can quickly flash a stock xperia rom (they're linked in a thread here and all listed on xperiagamer website) should you need to send the phone for repair
Sent from my R800i using XDA
wildone277 said:
do you know if there's an app to unroot my phone? I'll probably do the partition thing, remove the apps I don't need then unroot the phone again. Any ideas? Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link2sd needs root access to run. If you remove root you won't be able to use Link2sd anymore
ah ok, you can tell I'm new to all this stuff can't you?!
Thanks!
How come ICS won't be coming as an OTA update? I'd read that it was being released in April for the Play?
I may need to pick your brains about how to get hold of ICS when it's released then!
Is there an equivalent to super one click for macs or will I be forced to use my 2009 eepc?
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk 2
I have uninstalled the apps, using titanium backup...but I think the data is still there cause the space has not improved...
Superoneclick will work on the .62 firmware as well right? ..
I let the phone do a software update and I thought I read somewhere that the .62 cannot be rooted.. please tell me I'm wrong..
this low internal memory is so freaking annoying
Hi all,
I think I've finally got all the info I need, just need to make the decision of which way to go now!
I found a hack that you can use to send apps to the SD card without rooting:
http://www.bongizmo.com/blog/moving-all-android-apps-to-sdcard-apps2sd-froyo/
but I'm more nervous of hacking that rooting because at least there is lots of guidance on rooting for novices like myself! What do you reckon? To root or not to root, that is the question!
I was thinking, now that my SD card will be taking the brunt of the apps data etc, is it possible to exchange the 16gb card I got with the phone for a standard 32gb micro sd to expand the capacity? I'm concerned that if I do this, links between the phone and SD card might not work anymore.
Thanks
Can anyone please confirm that superoneclick works with the xperia play, android version 2.3.4? If so, which version? I've downloaded v2[1].3.3 and I'm ready to take the plunge. Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
I'm afraid I'll need step by step instructions for rooting my play, I can't get it to work. I downloaded superoneclick and tried to execute it and it just closed itself. Do I need to install SDK whatever that is? I have no idea what I'm doing! Please help!
Sent from my R800i using XDA
wildone277 said:
I'm afraid I'll need step by step instructions for rooting my play, I can't get it to work. I downloaded superoneclick and tried to execute it and it just closed itself. Do I need to install SDK whatever that is? I have no idea what I'm doing! Please help!
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you running as admin?
If you can't get it to work try DoomLord's Easy Rooting Toolkit - don't have a link as I'm on my phone but it should be easy enough to find
Michealtbh said:
Are you running as admin?
If you can't get it to work try DoomLord's Easy Rooting Toolkit - don't have a link as I'm on my phone but it should be easy enough to find
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just tried it, i just get "cannot find the path specified" on each line, I'm probably doing something fundamentally wrong! Does it need to be in media transfer mode? Here's what I did:
Downloaded the Zip file and extracted all the files into a folder.
Turned on USB debugging and unknown sources
Connected the phone via USB and skipped the prompt to open the phone folders
Executed the "run me.bat" file
Pressed any button as prompted
What am I doing wrong?
yes i'm a noob and yes i'm sorry...
bit of info first.
phones been rooted using superoneclick
I unstalled some stock apps see below..
3D Flare
Bruce Lee
Crash Bandicoot
FIFA 10
Star Battalion
Tetris
The Sims 3
And some other apps which first owner installed i'm guessing but none of which came with the phone.
I used root Uninstaller (free ver.)and like a noob never backed up (small SDcard)
but today i found out if i want to update to future SE i will need to install them again.
found a link on another thread but the links seemed broke.
I have just rooted my phone to installed Rooted apps i don't want to mess around with bootloading or custom Rom right now.
ICS looks fine to me and i may want it if i can on a rooted device.
so my noob question is....
I would like to know how to install what i have removed if possible?
here is some phone info
lastest update.
Model R800i
Android ver 2.3.4
baseband ver 8x55A-AAABQMAZM-203028D-56
Kernel ver 2.6.32.9-perf
Build number 4.0.2.A.0.42
Don't like asking and wearing the 'noob did bad hat'
please don't flame me and sorry if i forgot anything..
i managed superoneclick ok but thats about it..
You could use the forums and search the "Xperia Play Android Development" for a .zip of the stock 4.0.A.2.368 software and open the zip goto>System>Apps and copy the apks to your phone's memory card and install them,
or you can use this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1221105&highlight=stock+2+3+4 and flash the orginal ROM using Flashtool. There are plenty of tutorials about Flashtool on Google and in the forums.
Once you've got the original ROM back, you can do a Titanium Backup and all that jazz to get root back.
Let me actually check to see if I have backups of those apps and I'll post them.
Hope this helps.
Edit: I don't have backups. But also just wanted to add that you can always install the latest SE update yourself once it comes out. Don't worry about not having those apps. You can flash it with Flashtool. Someone will post about it in "Xperia Play Android Development" once the official Android 4.0 is released and they will have instructions. Just search up how to flash custom roms and how to use flashtool until then.
Justinchi said:
You could use the forums and search the "Xperia Play Android Development" for a .zip of the stock 4.0.A.2.368 software and open the zip goto>System>Apps and copy the apks to your phone's memory card and install them,
or you can use this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1221105&highlight=stock+2+3+4 and flash the orginal ROM using Flashtool. There are plenty of tutorials about Flashtool on Google and in the forums.
Once you've got the original ROM back, you can do a Titanium Backup and all that jazz to get root back.
Let me actually check to see if I have backups of those apps and I'll post them.
Hope this helps.
Edit: I don't have backups. But also just wanted to add that you can always install the latest SE update yourself once it comes out. Don't worry about not having those apps. You can flash it with Flashtool. Someone will post about it in "Xperia Play Android Development" once the official Android 4.0 is released and they will have instructions. Just search up how to flash custom roms and how to use flashtool until then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for reply but all the .zipFiles I found are now broke or removed.
wanted to stay away from Flashtools always have problem's with CMD stuff.
I guess by the time ICS comes out i might know a bit more.
so in short if i can find the apks for the stock apps i can install them using
Flashtool ?
is there no other way with just a rooted device ?
Just checked a backup of my Sd and couldn't see DIR System>Apps ? so is this on the phones memory ?
You can use a root explorer to access the system folder on your phone, any apk can be installed on your phone by enabling the unknown sources option, you don't need flashtool to do it.
T-Virus-79 said:
thanks for reply but all the .zipFiles I found are now broke or removed.
wanted to stay away from Flashtools always have problem's with CMD stuff.
I guess by the time ICS comes out i might know a bit more.
so in short if i can find the apks for the stock apps i can install them using
Flashtool ?
is there no other way with just a rooted device ?
Just checked a backup of my Sd and couldn't see DIR System>Apps ? so is this on the phones memory ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you flash your entire system with Flashtool. I don't think there's a way to extract the apks from a .ftf file. If you had the zips yea u could just extract the apks and send them to ur phone and install or install them via flashtool or adb/fastboot.
Another option is to search Google for the apks for each one of the games you uninstalled. You could very likely find them that way.
Yes, it's on phone memory. If you have a root explorer app u can get to system. System directory is not on Sd. It's at /system. (One bak from Sdcard is the default directory where the System folder can be found.
Can't u jst find an exact firmware of ur phne n flash it via flashtool??
That'd be easier i thnk
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Ok small update and question.
Thanks to justinchi I did google search and found a Apk for Bruce Lee game,installed it with root explorer form a new fold on sd root.
But I was wondering how I can move it to playstationpocket app ?
Does it have to be in the pocket like before for an update in the future ? Hope thats clear...
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Well unfortunately, the ICS update for the PLAY has been cancelled for now:
http://blogs.sonymobile.com/product...ream-sandwich-rollout-for-xperia-smartphones/
But I don't think the Bruce Lee was in the Playstation Pocket App. It was in the Xperia Play launcher. If it isn't showing up there, try to use titanium backup to convert it to a system app and then reboot your phone. It's not sure to work, but I hope it does.
See my post on writing letter to Sony about the cancelled update:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1673123
worked a treat mate thanks had to get titanium paid ver to do it tho.
sad news about sony...but sony have a habit of letting down gamers
my vita is collecting dust due too them not pulling there finger out...
anyone know a fix for dead pace or is it just a touchscreen platform now.. i sear i saw a vid on youtube of it running on XP controls..
T-Virus-79 said:
worked a treat mate thanks had to get titanium paid ver to do it tho.
sad news about sony...but sony have a habit of letting down gamers
my vita is collecting dust due too them not pulling there finger out...
anyone know a fix for dead pace or is it just a touchscreen platform now.. i sear i saw a vid on youtube of it running on XP controls..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, glad it worked. Yea, the Vita is a little disappointing right now, but there are a lot of great titles coming for it. I think it still has hope! Gravity Rush, Soul Sacrifice (though it's very eery), LittleBigPlanet, and others. They can't abandon their only real mobile gaming device.
My current Xperia Play (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread 2.3.4, Verizon) of 3 years is starting to fail/shutdown when I open the slider - I have to restart the phone to get it running again - it works fine as long as I don't open the slider which fails randomly). I bought another Xperia Play online (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread, 2.3.3) to replace the existing one.
There has to be a way for me to copy the entire rom contents from the existing phone to the new one since the phones are exactly the same - correct? If so, how would I do this? (I currently have ROM Toolkit and Titanium Backup paid versions with installed key on both phones). The replacement phone works fine. It may be obvious to you how to do this but your help would be VERY much appreciated since I've never done this before. ROM Toolkit doesn't make it obvious if there's a way to do that. I've also searched the forums a bit and no luck so far unless I missed something. Thanks for your time!
haskamr2 said:
My current Xperia Play (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread 2.3.4, Verizon) of 3 years is starting to fail/shutdown when I open the slider - I have to restart the phone to get it running again - it works fine as long as I don't open the slider which fails randomly). I bought another Xperia Play online (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread, 2.3.3) to replace the existing one.
There has to be a way for me to copy the entire rom contents from the existing phone to the new one since the phones are exactly the same - correct? If so, how would I do this? (I currently have ROM Toolkit and Titanium Backup paid versions with installed key on both phones). The replacement phone works fine. It may be obvious to you how to do this but your help would be VERY much appreciated since I've never done this before. ROM Toolkit doesn't make it obvious if there's a way to do that. I've also searched the forums a bit and no luck so far unless I missed something. Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As your doing a straight copy from R800x to R800x, best thing is to make a nandroid backup from Clockwork Mod then take out the memory card dferom your old PLAY and put it in the new phone. Boot into recovery and restore the nandroid. BAM.... done
I wish it were that simple...still no luck
ozzmanj1 said:
As your doing a straight copy from R800x to R800x, best thing is to make a nandroid backup from Clockwork Mod then take out the memory card dferom your old PLAY and put it in the new phone. Boot into recovery and restore the nandroid. BAM.... done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know for sure the phone is rooted, which I did myself. It has Superuser access, I was able to remove Verizon bloatware, etc... I downloaded/paid for ROM Manager Premium v5.5.3.2 and I already had the paid version of ROM ToolBox Pro. I have tried to create a backup of my existing rom on both apps and no luck. It restarts the phone but it comes back up just like a regular reboot. ROM Manager didn't create the folder it designated for the backup.
There is no mention to do so but am I supposed to unlock the bootloader before trrying to backup my rom? When I goto Sony's page about unlocking the bootloader(http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions) it walks me through the first steps to check if the bootloader is locked or not - it tells me this:
"First, you should confirm that it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your device by checking the service menu. In your device, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu. If you have a tablet, click here to learn how access the service menu.
In your device, tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked." - well, I enter the code, goto Service Info, Configuration, and that's it - I can't get to "Rooting Status". The page shows the MEID #, MEID Software version, Available Speech Codecs, and Working Bands.That's it - and I get the same result on the other phone I have.
So if I don't need to worry about unlocking the bootloader(because it wasn't mentioned in several how to guides online like this one: http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...nandroid-backup-and-clockworkmod-rom-manager/ , then how come I'm not able to backup my existing rom using either apps before I attempt to copy over the rom from my other phone? *sigh*
Thanks for your time once again.
Yes you need to have an unlocked bootloader. For the r800x I would recommend doomkernel. If you need more help there is a thread for it on the developement thread, I believe that tells you exactly how to do it.
Sent from my R800at using xda premium
Here is the DoomKernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1368636
If the download links in the thread are dead let me know and I will provide a link to my collection.
Thanks Ozzmanj1...but....
ozzmanj1 said:
Here is the DoomKernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1368636
If the download links in the thread are dead let me know and I will provide a link to my collection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided I don't want to go that far(messing with Kernel and Bootloader) since the phone is working great - I got all my games/apps installed with the 64gb MicroSDHC class 10 card, cleaned up all the dead files using SD Maid, deleted and restored the Dalvik Cache, cleaned out ../system/app/ folder of unneeded apks, and I'm running at optimum now(no low disk space icon showing which is a nag for this phone). This phone is "pimped out" to the max and I've decided to just use Mybackup Pro to save everything out and I'm going to make a full copy of the sd card in the next couple days so I don't lose anything again. I'm concerned that if I tinker with bootloader/kernel that something will go wrong. I have no problem rooting or doing extensive fiddling for optimal performance however. :cyclops:
Internal has 43MB free, 342MB used.
SD card has 24GB free, 35GB used.
Thanks again for your efforts & time to help out!!!
Have you tried using x-Parts? I got recovery through this way, and it doesn't require an Unlocked Bootloader, you just have to be rooted.
However, I'm unsure as to whether it would still work on yours, as yours is an R800x and mine is a R800i.
Link to the App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pvy.CWMinstaler&hl=en_GB
Thanks AzNTypeR!...
AzNTypeR said:
Have you tried using x-Parts? I got recovery through this way, and it doesn't require an Unlocked Bootloader, you just have to be rooted.
However, I'm unsure as to whether it would still work on yours, as yours is an R800x and mine is a R800i.
Link to the App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pvy.CWMinstaler&hl=en_GB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will check it out - from the user comments in Google Play it appears that it does work on r800x's - to access installed recovery it was noted that the update says to push any button on reboot but users found that the volume down button was the only button that works(maybe this was fixed in an update?). It sure looks like the r800x is more of a pain to toy with than the r800i and other gsm phones. I love Verizon networks but I don't care for their extra headaches using cdma.
X-tools uses a portion of your system folder to store the recovery. So if you install x-parts/tools and flash a new rom you will lose the recovery an will have to re-install the software.