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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
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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?
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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
If you have an Xperia Arc version 2.3.3 unlocked bootloader, you can't root using Gingerbreak or Super1click as the update, unwillingly, made sure that stuff doesn't work anymore.
The only way to root, as far as I know, is flashing -> getting 2.3.2 ROM -> root from their -> update.
I can not use that way as everytime I try to update in the last step it wont turn on again after reboot (so I have to flash using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1126358, though i'm sure it'll work for most of you.
Question being: Is there atm really no alternative to root for me then? I'm kinda desperate, i've been looking on XDA a lot of hours and this is rly my last hope to get this over with..
thx in advance!
As you said yourself.. You have an unlocked bootloader.. so you don't have to more like you cannot use the FOTA technique cos OTA update bricks the phone..
Simply flash one of the prerooted kernel like DoomLord Kernel.. Should do it .. Or if you want the stock kernel then Serach the forums for something like "Root 4.0.A.2.368" They will usually specifically say that you need unlocked bootloader..
[Guide] All in one 'Namaste guide' to Bootloader unlocking, Rooting, Flashing & more
thx for the replies.
though, I've read that whole guide before, problem is:
"Ques – Ok. So quickly tell me how to unlock my Xperia Arc’s bootloader and install a beautiful Custom ROM.
Not so fast dear. I described a deal about bootloader and benefits of its unlocking but let’s get practical. There are two disadvantages of unlocking the Xperia Arc’s bootloader.
As per my knowledge, till date, there is no Custom ROM designed for your Xperia Arc. So, it’s useless to unlock your bootloader. "
So, if a "non stock kernel" means the same as a "custom ROM", where do I find it? i dont want the original one as that1 is outdated. I know how to flash my phone, but only with delivered folders (which are always X10)
with kind regards,
Tom
Emissia said:
If you have an Xperia Arc version 2.3.3 unlocked bootloader, you can't root using Gingerbreak or Super1click as the update, unwillingly, made sure that stuff doesn't work anymore.
The only way to root, as far as I know, is flashing -> getting 2.3.2 ROM -> root from their -> update.
I can not use that way as everytime I try to update in the last step it wont turn on again after reboot (so I have to flash using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1126358, though i'm sure it'll work for most of you.
Question being: Is there atm really no alternative to root for me then? I'm kinda desperate, i've been looking on XDA a lot of hours and this is rly my last hope to get this over with..
thx in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem with my Neo. I've tried flashing 2.2.2, then rooting with Flashtool (just click Xperia X10), but this doesn't work, and after relocking the bootloader and updating, the phone is bricked as well. Tried this like 5 times.
I think I'll just wait for 2.3.4 as my main reasons to root are making screenshots and removing bloatware. 2.3.4 adds screenshots, and currently, my ROM is not totally full.
Same here, just wanna get that bloatware off, starting to look like i'm gonna wait as well... this has already taken enough hours away from me
Emissia said:
Same here, just wanna get that bloatware off, starting to look like i'm gonna wait as well... this has already taken enough hours away from me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash a prerooted image or relock the bootloader and use the more lengthy method.
Emissia said:
thx for the replies.
though, I've read that whole guide before, problem is:
"Ques – Ok. So quickly tell me how to unlock my Xperia Arc’s bootloader and install a beautiful Custom ROM.
Not so fast dear. I described a deal about bootloader and benefits of its unlocking but let’s get practical. There are two disadvantages of unlocking the Xperia Arc’s bootloader.
As per my knowledge, till date, there is no Custom ROM designed for your Xperia Arc. So, it’s useless to unlock your bootloader. "
So, if a "non stock kernel" means the same as a "custom ROM", where do I find it? i dont want the original one as that1 is outdated. I know how to flash my phone, but only with delivered folders (which are always X10)
with kind regards,
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. Only non stock kernels yet around are the DoomLord and CM (FreeXperia) kerenls.. Check the development forums for them..
The Stock aren't really "outdated".. These custom kerenels are based on the original stock code with a few features enabled.. So don't expect android 2.3.4 from them or anything..
As for rooting issues.. Follow the Namaste guide and a few posts in the development forum bout rooting arc properly and carefully.. Noting what is Locked and Unlocked and which method works where.. And it won't take more than 15 minutes to setup everything..
ive unlocked and rooted my US verizon play back when it first became possible, never relocked it. but now im looking to get the 2.3.4 update on it and cant find where to start. i saw the nordic rom but nothing about it says i can use it on my r800x without brick. im hoping to not have to unroot/update/reroot again. what ever happened to being able to update before any ota via roms and CCW. i dont even know why i have CCW on my play anymore because ive found nothing flashable.
thanks
Dominus11 said:
ive unlocked and rooted my US verizon play back when it first became possible, never relocked it. but now im looking to get the 2.3.4 update on it and cant find where to start. i saw the nordic rom but nothing about it says i can use it on my r800x without brick. im hoping to not have to unroot/update/reroot again. what ever happened to being able to update before any ota via roms and CCW. i dont even know why i have CCW on my play anymore because ive found nothing flashable.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are versions of the FreeXperia ROM that work for CDMA (R800x), and the older DoomLord kernel works on the R800x also. Those are flashable. Further, R800x does not have a 2.3.4 update yet. We are just now getting 2.3.3 via the OTA.
As to applying the update, I would wait until there is a verified flashtool file that can be applied for those of us who are unlocked. Otherwise the process is to relock (and wipe the device) update, unlock (wiping the device again), and then load root binaries back in via a temp-boot of CWMR (ClockWork Mod Recovery).
I'm not particularly certain what you are referring to as CCW. As far as to update before any OTA via ROMs, well that is when you have leaks. There haven't been leaks for the firmware or updated stock bits for us. SE is usually pretty close to the vest on their stuff.
So, are you complaining because you didn't bother to look or search out any of this information, or are you pissed because you don't have leaks and a larger dev community for your device? We have a niche device. The R800x is an even further minor variant amongst an already niche device on a hardware manufacturer that largely doesn't get much attention. The devs are doing some awesome work considering what they have to work with. Further, all this development isn't free. It costs somebody time and often money. Have you chipped in to the cause? Bought one of the devs a beer?
I fail to see any legitimate issue you are bringing forth.
im sorry i did not mean to come off as ungreatfull or complaining for that matter. i appreciate the dev work done with this device and couldnt ask for a better community. what i am merely looking for is if there is something clear cut and easy before i start trying the not so stable roms on my daily driver. also by ccw i meant cwm somehow haha (clockworkmod incase i didnt abbreviate right again).
further proving my point, through all the threads that i had read before posting this i had gotten the general assumption that 2.3.4 was available in the US and therefore for my device. i started this thread to clear up such issues as this before bricking my device by trying anything i may have though was CDMA US, (whether country or region matters i dont know yet?) because my device version is less popular i need to be very cautious in that matter.
i thank you for your help, and would appretiate further clarity and help navigating the forum for my device.
Dominus11 said:
im sorry i did not mean to come off as ungreatfull or complaining for that matter. i appreciate the dev work done with this device and couldnt ask for a better community. what i am merely looking for is if there is something clear cut and easy before i start trying the not so stable roms on my daily driver. also by ccw i meant cwm somehow haha (clockworkmod incase i didnt abbreviate right again).
further proving my point, through all the threads that i had read before posting this i had gotten the general assumption that 2.3.4 was available in the US and therefore for my device. i started this thread to clear up such issues as this before bricking my device by trying anything i may have though was CDMA US, (whether country or region matters i dont know yet?) because my device version is less popular i need to be very cautious in that matter.
i thank you for your help, and would appretiate further clarity and help navigating the forum for my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, my apologies for rolling out the lynch mob there.
Truth is, that I do believe that 2.3.4 is available (in minor amounts) as an OTA in North America (R800i on AT&T I think, maybe Rogers or otherwise as well, not sure). However there is no 2.3.4 release yet for Verizon/R800x. We just got 2.3.3 on OTA, and haven't found a verified extract for the OTA yet so that we could just get the system.sin and kernel.sin to flash only using fastboot/flashtool/etc.
Basically you have to be very careful if you are using the R800x that you don't flash using a R800i or R800a firmware or release. If you flash only the system.sin from the package, you would be fine (but with no phone calls, data, etc), but if you did the entire restore, you would brick your phone due to it modifying the TA/Bootloader in ways that are very unfriendly to the R800x.
As far as CWM (ClockWork Mod Recovery), don't try and flash it to your system. It is included in the FreeXperia ROM (CM7 variant), but otherwise just use the fastboot boot image edition if you want to flash things in and not have to do it by hand. If you need a link to that, I can probably dig it up for you. Just don't flash it ^_^
As far as Rom Manager by Clockwork, on this phone it is largely useless at the moment unless you have FreeXperia as your ROM. If you are stock, you don't need it.
thank you very much I will be looking around and doing one further research on this. I will also be posting back into this thread if you don't mind staying subscribed. Hopefully we can bring out the true potential of these devices in short time
Hey!
I've had my Xperia S a year and a bit and i've flashed various roms with flashtools to get it rooted. Never tinkered manually and always used official roms just prerooted.
With JB I can't seem to find a prerooted JB rom that I can flash with flashtool. Could someone point me in the right direction or recommend me a rom here that will do that job?
I don't really want to change the Sony JB much, just have it rooted again so I can use titanium backup and restore aswell as remove a lot of the apps that come preinstalled and I can't get rid of, like wisepilot, foursquare, etc. I want things to be my choice
Thanks for your help
david_Vi said:
Hey!
I've had my Xperia S a year and a bit and i've flashed various roms with flashtools to get it rooted. Never tinkered manually and always used official roms just prerooted.
With JB I can't seem to find a prerooted JB rom that I can flash with flashtool. Could someone point me in the right direction or recommend me a rom here that will do that job?
I don't really want to change the Sony JB much, just have it rooted again so I can use titanium backup and restore aswell as remove a lot of the apps that come preinstalled and I can't get rid of, like wisepilot, foursquare, etc. I want things to be my choice
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http :// forum. xda-developers . com/ showthread. php?t=2302631
anikesh102 said:
http :// forum. xda-developers . com/ showthread. php?t=2302631
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Click to collapse
Thanks but I don't believe I can use that with flashtool. I can't appear to get into recovery mode since updating to JB.
Do you have an unlocked bootloader???
If so, it's easy.
If not, then plan B.
Your answer to the above depends on the procedure to follow.
anikesh102 said:
http :// forum. xda-developers . com/ showthread. php?t=2302631
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Click to collapse
Dr Goodvibes said:
Do you have an unlocked bootloader???
If so, it's easy.
If not, then plan B.
Your answer to the above depends on the procedure to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not unlocked the bootloader, looked at the idea and saw the instructions and thought i'd mess it up! I've ran Sony's recovery thing on PC companion as my phone was being dodgy and I wanted it reset anyway so i'm on the latest Sony firmare.. Where do I go from here?
Cheers for your help!
david_Vi said:
Thanks but I don't believe I can use that with flashtool. I can't appear to get into recovery mode since updating to JB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http :// forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=2302569
anikesh102 said:
http :// forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=2302569
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I root from this version/guide?
Thanks
Dr Goodvibes said:
Do you have an unlocked bootloader???
If so, it's easy.
If not, then plan B.
Your answer to the above depends on the procedure to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I need plan B! Thanks for your help.
david_Vi said:
I guess I need plan B! Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, Plan B... You're probably not going to like it.
I believe a locked bootloader XPERIA LT26i can only be unlock in ICS and then use DooMLoRDs(or another) pre-rooted official Sony ROM to get to JB using CWM recovery.
I don't have a locked bootloader, so I'm just following a wild path that ended at the following URL.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39498268
Have a look at it and do nothing for a while.
You may get better informed information than I'm providing in the next few posts, which could lead to a more effective path to root access on JB.
Good luck with that.
[Update]
P.S.
I see in the thread I referred you to that in the latest few posts attempts are being made to gain root access on JB. So fingers crossed if no other options came up.
Dr Goodvibes said:
Ah, Plan B... You're probably not going to like it.
I believe a locked bootloader XPERIA LT26i can only be unlock in ICS and then use DooMLoRDs(or another) pre-rooted official Sony ROM to get to JB using CWM recovery.
I don't have a locked bootloader, so I'm just following a wild path that ended at the following URL.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39498268
Have a look at it and do nothing for a while.
You may get better informed information than I'm providing in the next few posts, which could lead to a more effective path to root access on JB.
Good luck with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help I appreciate your time as i'm having a crappy time with the phone haha.
Before I took at look at your link I flashed my phone a few times and remembered how I had it rooted in ICS. If I can get it rooted this way again, (I have to flash to GB then run a few .bat's and then ICS and another .bat). Is this the same as what you say? I will end up with rooted ICS then can flash the pre rooted Sony JB rom?
Thanks
david_Vi said:
Thanks for your help I appreciate your time as i'm having a crappy time with the phone haha.
Before I took at look at your link I flashed my phone a few times and remembered how I had it rooted in ICS. If I can get it rooted this way again, (I have to flash to GB then run a few .bat's and then ICS and another .bat). Is this the same as what you say? I will end up with rooted ICS then can flash the pre rooted Sony JB rom?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my understanding at this time, BUT...
Have a look at the last few post of the thread I refereed you to, as they're attempting to gain root access on JB, which if successful, may prove a faster route. Depend on time taken to get a successful root via JB though.
Ah its all getting complicated.
Would it be easier if I just unlocked my bootloader?
david_Vi said:
Ah its all getting complicated.
Would it be easier if I just unlocked my bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Complicated, to many options???? :laugh:
To be honest, I'd not unlock the bootloader at this time.
There is some indication that you'll lose your DRM keys in the TA partition and this is mooted to impact Bravia Engine and maybe something else I think.
There is ways to backup the partition and then restore it at a later date, but to me it sounds a little like it could end in tears.
I unlocked my bootloader ages ago as that's how I roll, and I tend to tinker and install anything that's bright and shiny... which mostly means an unlocked boot loader is required.
If you can just root ICS .55 it'll be quicker than the option I took of rooting .45 and then upgrading the kernel of 55 to retain root.
It all depends on how involved you get with different Kernels and ROMs as to whether you unlock the bootloader.
To be honest, to get a good JB experience, you just need a JB ROM, rooted, bloatware removed, something like SetCPU from Google Play Store to manage battery usage with screen-off profiles and etc and that's basically it. Stamina mode, if installed, is the laypersons option to battery management.
A good Kernel like 'what' @DooMLoRD provides is always going to improve the over-all experience with added features and etc which may be the tipping point to unlock the boot loader, but I'd wait until the need was there.
Sony is to release a new firmware 6.2.B.0.211 soon which may be worth waiting with a locked bootloader for.
You can always disable any unwanted applications in the app manager to better resources.
JB is probably(I have no idea really) the end of the line for official Sony firmware on the XPERIA S (snapdragon S3) and so to go beyond JB 4.1.2 at a later date will more than likely require an unloaded bootloader. That said, you never know.
Just thought I'd throw in a few more options for you.
Thanks for your help
I think I have got it. I rooted ICS and then applied the update.zip. JB is running and Titanium backup tells me i'm rooted! Yeehaw!
So just need to remove bloatware.. Have you got any tips regarding this? I remember trying ti on ICS but broke my phone in the process, I guess I uninstalled things that were needed or something
Dr Goodvibes said:
Complicated, to many options???? :laugh:
To be honest, I'd not unlock the bootloader at this time.
There is some indication that you'll lose your DRM keys in the TA partition and this is mooted to impact Bravia Engine and maybe something else I think.
There is ways to backup the partition and then restore it at a later date, but to me it sounds a little like it could end in tears.
I unlocked my bootloader ages ago as that's how I roll, and I tend to tinker and install anything that's bright and shiny... which mostly means an unlocked boot loader is required.
If you can just root ICS .55 it'll be quicker than the option I took of rooting .45 and then upgrading the kernel of 55 to retain root.
It all depends on how involved you get with different Kernels and ROMs as to whether you unlock the bootloader.
To be honest, to get a good JB experience, you just need a JB ROM, rooted, bloatware removed, something like SetCPU from Google Play Store to manage battery usage with screen-off profiles and etc and that's basically it. Stamina mode, if installed, is the laypersons option to battery management.
A good Kernel like 'what' @DooMLoRD provides is always going to improve the over-all experience with added features and etc which may be the tipping point to unlock the boot loader, but I'd wait until the need was there.
Sony is to release a new firmware 6.2.B.0.211 soon which may be worth waiting with a locked bootloader for.
You can always disable any unwanted applications in the app manager to better resources.
JB is probably(I have no idea really) the end of the line for official Sony firmware on the XPERIA S (snapdragon S3) and so to go beyond JB 4.1.2 at a later date will more than likely require an unloaded bootloader. That said, you never know.
Just thought I'd throw in a few more options for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just one doubt, (sorry, i read the whole post.)
got the idea to root JB, but is it necessary to unlock boot loader for this to work,
because at some point we have to flash the pre-rooted kernel through CWM right? So for that the boot loader
should be unlocked also..????
bluechip850 said:
just one doubt, (sorry, i read the whole post.)
got the idea to root JB, but is it necessary to unlock boot loader for this to work,
because at some point we have to flash the pre-rooted kernel through CWM right? So for that the boot loader
should be unlocked also..????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh right. I have CWM working though, needed it for the rooted JB. I guess I can live with the apps I don't need.. unless I can still get rid of them. Titanium backup lets me uninstall such things but I guess this is dangerous?
david_Vi said:
Oh right. I have CWM working though, needed it for the rooted JB. I guess I can live with the apps I don't need.. unless I can still get rid of them. Titanium backup lets me uninstall such things but I guess this is dangerous?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, you totally rock.
You are about to install pre-rooted, JB. Do you have your install buddy? :silly:
So, when you get to the following and can tick all the boxes, you're ready to install a pre-rooted JB ROM
[ requirements ]
BOTH LOCKED & UNLOCKED bootloader!
Previously on stock .45/.50/.55 ICS ROM or roms based on that [since baseband of the official JB ROM is same as ICS ] supplied ROM
Any existing recovery!
Then progress to the following URL and install JB ROM
[ROM] Official Sony JB 6.2.B.0.200 ROM Pre-Rooted CWM
You may lose root access directly after the install, but that can easily be restored by flashing DooMLoRDs SuperSU and Busybox zip from flash recovery after the ROM install.
Titanium backup is only dangerous in the wrong hands.
I'd start with apps like WisePilot(if you're not using it) and etc by doing a Titanium backup and then uninstall the app.
You can freeze an app too, as a first stage to later removal.
There are probably lists of safe to remove apps on an XPERIA S as the system apps are not much different to ICS 4.0.4
Just remember, don't get to busy removing system apps, as Sony firmware 6.2.B.0.211 is coming soon and you'll have to start all over again.
david_Vi said:
Thanks for your help I appreciate your time as i'm having a crappy time with the phone haha.
Before I took at look at your link I flashed my phone a few times and remembered how I had it rooted in ICS. If I can get it rooted this way again, (I have to flash to GB then run a few .bat's and then ICS and another .bat). Is this the same as what you say? I will end up with rooted ICS then can flash the pre rooted Sony JB rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash this kernel http :// forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=2305591 to get recovery den to root the device
then check at d bottom of the post in the link.... there is a file under How to root device. flash that in recovery...
Edited: sorry it was for unlocked bootloader. Good U got it working.
Dr Goodvibes said:
Dude, you totally rock.
You are about to install pre-rooted, JB. Do you have your install buddy? :silly:
So, when you get to the following and can tick all the boxes, you're ready to install a pre-rooted JB ROM
[ requirements ]
BOTH LOCKED & UNLOCKED bootloader!
Previously on stock .45/.50/.55 ICS ROM or roms based on that [since baseband of the official JB ROM is same as ICS ] supplied ROM
Any existing recovery!
Then progress to the following URL and install JB ROM
[ROM] Official Sony JB 6.2.B.0.200 ROM Pre-Rooted CWM
You may lose root access directly after the install, but that can easily be restored by flashing DooMLoRDs SuperSU and Busybox zip from flash recovery after the ROM install.
Titanium backup is only dangerous in the wrong hands.
I'd start with apps like WisePilot(if you're not using it) and etc by doing a Titanium backup and then uninstall the app.
You can freeze an app too, as a first stage to later removal.
There are probably lists of safe to remove apps on an XPERIA S as the system apps are not much different to ICS 4.0.4
Just remember, don't get to busy removing system apps, as Sony firmware 6.2.B.0.211 is coming soon and you'll have to start all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it all running... Is that rom meant to come with games like Block Breaker and Modern Combat? I can't seem to uninstall them, they don't appear in the titanium backup list.
david_Vi said:
I got it all running... Is that rom meant to come with games like Block Breaker and Modern Combat? I can't seem to uninstall them, they don't appear in the titanium backup list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, it's a stub for the game download.
You can use a file manager such as "Root Explorer" or "ES File Manager" with root access enable (i.e r/w access to system partition)
I deleted(cut and paste to /sdcard/appbackup/jb200/app folder) the apk, and it was in either of the following two folders.
/system/etc/product/applications/
/system/etc/customization/applications/
Titanium Backup is probably not looking further than /system/app
Hello, I was posting here because I've been having a great deal of difficulty really getting anything done with it. What I'd like to do is either unlock the bootloader, or at least root it to my computer to flash on a new ROM.
In order to root it, I was told to put it in MSC mode, allow unknown sources, and enable USB debuggin, all of which I've done. However, when I go to root it using either SuperOneClick, Doom method, or flashtool, I continually get errors, either saying ADB server is out of date, killing..., or in the case of the doom method that it cannot write any files because they are read only. Somebody mentioned you an overwrite your r800at with an r800i rom to make this work, but the link in that thread lead to some virus (I assume it was taken down a while ago). I put it to a stock AT&T ftf, and still no luck.
My problem lies in the fact that some of the threads I'm looking at are YEARS old at this point, most of the links are dead, and some of the advice is contradictory. I figured then that I could just get somebody to unlock it for money, but all the threads point to alejandrissimo, who I believe is now inactive.
All I would like is to root my phone and put on a new rom, preferably of ICS, with minimal difficulty. I've sunk something like 10 hours into it at this point, and now am the proud owner of a phone with the exact same firmware I started with. I've wiped my contacts like 8 times, and to be honest I'm just getting frustrated with the whole thing. I hate the idea of having bloatware all over my phone though.
So if anybody knows a good way either to root the r800at (and if possible could provide active links to the software), or somebody I could pay to unlock it and skip all this work, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks for reading, have a good one.
I can't help you with unlocking bootloader (i have r800i with unlocked bootloader), but maybe i can help you with root
You didn't say what firmware are you using, but in general use Doomlord's zergrush method v4 for firmware .42 and below or Eroot on newer firmware (it's on chinese but it have one big button with word "ROOT" on it :silly: )
That is only for rooting and with that you can debloat stock firmware or use ROMs for locked bootloader.
SWM_installer V5 , should work on locked bootloader (once you get root) so you can flash custom GB roms.
To be able to install ICS/JB/CM/MIUI ROMS you must unlock your bootloader because they all don't work on stock GB kernel, and you need unlocked bootloader to be able to flash custom kernels
Here is some links, but i hope R800a users can help you more with unlocking bootloader
Xperia Play Index - ROM'S, FIRMWARE, KERNEL'S, GUIDE'S, THEMES, MOD'S
[MEGATHREAD][GUIDES][18th Dec][4Noobs] All My Tutorials!
Cyanlabs ROM Kitchen & Windows Helper Application
Thanks
First, thank you for the very informative response. Here's some additional info, I am not sure if it will be helpful to you
My current Android version is the stock AT&T 2.3.3 and my build number is 3.0.1.b.0.285. I'm honestly not sure which of these things is helpful, but I'll try that Chinese rooting method. Got a long work shift tonight, but I'll report back later.
Thank you so much, I really do appreciate it!