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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
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
Hello everybody. I just picked up a Verizon Xperia Play today, and I am now aware that there is no free solution to unlock the bootloader at this time, but there is a paid solution.
After playing around with this phone for a few hours, I am desperate for root now. All of this bloatware and this auto-brightness "feature" is driving me absolutely insane. So I have reached the point where I am willing to pay for a bootloader unlock solution so I can root. I wish to know how I can go about going through with the paid solution?
I have tried sending a PM to Ashergray, and Blagus regarding this solution (as instructed to do in his topic), but for some reason I cannot send PMs..? Also, I couldn't reply to the thread in the dev topic to ask this question because I don't have ten posts yet. If a kind fellow nerd could tell me what I should do? There is nothing to click on Blagus' site that allows me to obtain this service.
I really don't want to regret buying this phone. The gaming experience on this is so fantastic, and an unlocked bootloader with rooting would make this guy happy.
Thank you for any replies.
<waits to be flamed for doing something wrong>
PMs are a pain in the butt, sometimes they show up when you send them, sometimes they don't
Over in the General section, Alejandrissimo has the paid solution to rooting/unlocking your play.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232050
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
@TSBroich you don't have enough posts yet to send pm's, you'll need 8 I think.
Regards Dousan...
Got the paid service, and now my bootloader is unlocked. It was very easy.
Thank you guys for your suggestions and input.
No problemo, just be careful when an OTA comes out, the euoropean edition (800i) was bricked by having an unlocked bootloader...
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Wow that sucks. I will definitely be extra careful, especially since I'm trying to install the European R800i stock ROM onto the Verizon R800x Xperia Play.
I've gotten it to boot up, I just cannot do anything except bring the notification bar down, and browse through the Xperia Play games cover flow..thing.
Still trying everything to get this to work.
Why would you have regretted buying it without the root ability? I'm still on the fence about this phone and trying to gather info
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
Well if you like playing SNES, N64, GBA and PS1 games, it shouldn't even be a question about whether you should buy it or not IMO.
Although, if I could go back in time, I would have bought the unlocked R800i version instead of the one from the Verizon store (R800x).
Even without root, the R800x is still a great phone, and gaming is top notch. However, without root, you will have to live with quite a bit of bloatware and the screen is permanently set to auto-brightness.
But the one thing that really gets me is that the Verizon version is stripped of the whole Sony Experience (No Playstation store, etc).
I dould definitely recommend this phone to you, but root it and get the unlocked version.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Are you using a CDMA or GSM Verizon for your image? I know Verizon is CDMA and AT&T is GSM, so make sure you're using a CDMA version.
Also, try installing a home replacement app, see if that lets you do more...
Also, downloading the 800i apks (they are in the system dumps somewhere in the development section) can allow you to install the apps we're missing on the 800x.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
paxChristos said:
Are you using a CDMA or GSM Verizon for your image? I know Verizon is CDMA and AT&T is GSM, so make sure you're using a CDMA version.
Also, try installing a home replacement app, see if that lets you do more...
Also, downloading the 800i apks (they are in the system dumps somewhere in the development section) can allow you to install the apps we're missing on the 800x.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CDMA version is Verizon's version, so it doesn't have the features I'm looking for. That's why I'm flashing the EURO R800i image. Here is my process so far, and the outcomes:
It boots up just fine (new boot animation).
However, I am stuck at one spot. I cannot do anything except bring down the notification bar, view the Xperia Play games when I slide out the gamepad (VCast is gone!), and change USB options when plugged into the computer.
Here are the steps that I have taken:
-Full stock restore with FlashTool
-Flashed doomlords boot.img with the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
-Flashed frasertag's system.img with the command "fastboot flash system system.img"
-Flashed the system.sin from the R800i Firmware (I extracted it) with the command "fastboot flash system system.sin"
-Disconnected USB then turned the phone on. It boots just fine.
Hmm, you don't say. I wonder how I would go about installing APKs (including a new launcher) on the device even though I cannot navigate through any menus...or anything else.
ADB here I come..haha.
Hope this helps, it's a quick guide on using adb to install apps:
http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f4/how-to-install-apps-using-adb-4482/
Thank you for this reference. I was going to look for that myself, but you saved me the trouble.
A theory I have on why it didn't work is that the Nandroid backup was from factory stock, and NOT rooted.
So what I'm going to try next is:
-Do a Nandroid backup while in a rooted state, and all of the Verizon related software removed. Try restoring that.
-Download the system dump from the R800i, and install the R800i Launcher APK via ADB Shell.
With a launcher installed, hopefully we'll be able to, you know...do stuff.
Once the launcher is there, and it's confirmed that we can navigate the pages, we can go about installing the R800i apps if they aren't already there. But I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself now.
Haha, you good sir, are my hero, i read the other thread you opened, and i think i'll start following that one now
I'm curious if they were lazy and left the framework for the apps in there, but just removed the apps... well, we'll know since you're our brave guinea pig.
Got the Playstation Pocket Widget/App/Store onto the R800x successfully, along with the other Sony Ericsson widgets.
If I can confirm that the launcher will work, then I will do a Nandroid backup of this (so I can come back to it later, and to test in the restoration process), and go ahead and try all of this again. haha
2.3.3, really wishing gingerbreak would work right about now :/
retrogrymlyn said:
2.3.3, really wishing gingerbreak would work right about now :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't you re-unlock the bootloader and root again even on 2.3.3? I have seen it done by other people (not me though. I am sticking with 2.3.2 unlocked and rooted).
Also, if anybody wants to make their R800x Verizon Plays look, feel and act like the R800i, here is the link to my long post about using the R800i launcher, widgets and apps. I failed at getting the ROM to fully function, but these are almost as good as having it on there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18516468#post18516468
kexec-tools
Hey everybody first post so I hope I don't sound like a total noob. I don't know if this will work but after rooting my phone and exploring some of the files I found a kexec-tools file. I have read that some phones have been able to have a custom kernal flashed using kexec-tools. Just thought I would put it out there and see what others had to say.
can a verizon be unlocked and used on gsm carriers?
TSBroich said:
The CDMA version is Verizon's version, so it doesn't have the features I'm looking for. That's why I'm flashing the EURO R800i image. Here is my process so far, and the outcomes:
It boots up just fine (new boot animation).
However, I am stuck at one spot. I cannot do anything except bring down the notification bar, view the Xperia Play games when I slide out the gamepad (VCast is gone!), and change USB options when plugged into the computer.
Here are the steps that I have taken:
-Full stock restore with FlashTool
-Flashed doomlords boot.img with the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
-Flashed frasertag's system.img with the command "fastboot flash system system.img"
-Flashed the system.sin from the R800i Firmware (I extracted it) with the command "fastboot flash system system.sin"
-Disconnected USB then turned the phone on. It boots just fine.
Hmm, you don't say. I wonder how I would go about installing APKs (including a new launcher) on the device even though I cannot navigate through any menus...or anything else.
ADB here I come..haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Editing, since I posted in the wrong place, sorry.
(SIM card on Verizon issue)
Tks
dead link
Hi. I've already rooted my phone. Now I want to try the ICS firmware from Sony and need to unlock my bootloader. The link provided. Above appears to be dead. I would be happy to pay for the unlock code or service. Thanks for any info.
Unlocking R800x
Okay I don't think I'm a complete noob at this as I've already rooted an HTC Hero, Droid1, and Nook Color. Could someone please explain how I'm supposed to unlock my R800x bootloader in simple terms? I'm getting conflicting directions everywhere I go and I'm more than willing to pay for it but no one I pm will reply for the unlock code.
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.
Hey guys, I am new to this forum here but before anyone flames me, I did read the faqs and tried to uninstall from there but it did not work out. Apparently I dont think you can get rid of CM11 since you cant install any stock firmware older than it? Before I installed CM11, I was on jellybean. I had tried to find the latest kitkat update for the s3 (att) and there is no file of it found online (tried sammobile). When I tried flashing an older firmware with ODIN, it just fails at "NAND!". Any help would be appreciated. I am COMPELETELY new at this so specific directions would be appreciated!
I really do love cyanogenmod but there are simply too many glitches and not enough guidance on how to fix em. I am, however, currently using it on my HP touchpad, if anyone remembers what it is . Maybe ill go back to using it in the future.
thanks!
Your rom (cm) has nothing to do with what firmware you can or cannot flash. Once you have updated to 4.3 firmware or newer, you can only flash the same or newer firmware in odin from now on. (Regardless of firmware you can still flash older roms btw)
Using terminal emulator, enter this to find your current firmware build:
getprop ro.bootloader
I suspect you are on a 4.3 build. So odin flash that same firmware. You can find it in these forums. After that you can get the ota to update fully to kk.
There are other methods of updating. Just check the General section. (enewman17 has a few threads that will help)
Note: anytime you go between touchwiz and non touchwiz roms, you will have to factory reset or it'll hang at boot.
DocHoliday77 said:
Your rom (cm) has nothing to do with what firmware you can or cannot flash. Once you have updated to 4.3 firmware or newer, you can only flash the same or newer firmware in odin from now on. (Regardless of firmware you can still flash older roms btw)
Using terminal emulator, enter this to find your current firmware build:
getprop ro.bootloader
I suspect you are on a 4.3 build. So odin flash that same firmware. You can find it in these forums. After that you can get the ota to update fully to kk.
There are other methods of updating. Just check the General section. (enewman17 has a few threads that will help)
Note: anytime you go between touchwiz and non touchwiz roms, you will have to factory reset or it'll hang at boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..
I am on "I747UCUEMJB"
and i am not sure what build i am on but according to my "build number"this is what it says: "cm_d2att-userbug 4.4.2 KOT49H"
The main issue is, I cannot find 4.3 update anywhere on the internet
The MJB is your current firmware/bootloader build/version.
The build number displayed in settings only represents the rom, which is often different, and doesnt really matter to much.
From this post/thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52341560
Direct link to MJB firmware
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23329332407590581
DocHoliday77 said:
The MJB is your current firmware/bootloader build/version.
The build number displayed in settings only represents the rom, which is often different, and doesnt really matter to much.
From this post/thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52341560
Direct link to MJB firmware
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23329332407590581
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have no idea what MJB means (i google'd it) and i just found out what my bootloader version is via download mode (its at the very bottom) and i have version 2.0?
ok downloading the giant file now. will report details. just follow instructions in the first link?
[sorry, like i said, im a noob so i really apologize for the lack of terms here]
MJB is just short for I747UCUEMJB. Sorry if I confused you. And the S/W revision being 2.0 is what Odin uses to know what firmware it is allowed to flash. In this case 2.0 tells odin it can flash the MJB firmware, or anything newer.
And yes, follow the instructions he posted and you should be fine.
Oh, and if you did not run the getprop command I posted before, please do so before flashing....just to be on the safe side. If it returns I747UCUEMJB, you are good to go. If it returns anything else, let me know before flashing.
DocHoliday77 said:
MJB is just short for I747UCUEMJB. Sorry if I confused you. And the S/W revision being 2.0 is what Odin uses to know what firmware it is allowed to flash. In this case 2.0 tells odin it can flash the MJB firmware, or anything newer.
And yes, follow the instructions he posted and you should be fine.
Oh, and if you did not run the getprop command I posted before, please do so before flashing....just to be on the safe side. If it returns I747UCUEMJB, you are good to go. If it returns anything else, let me know before flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool! Got it. I think that was my main problem. I could only find 4.0 (or 4.1) and have been trying to use that on ODIN. Perhaps that was the main issue....
Oh already ran it and got "I747UCUEMJB", sorry if didnt say it properly.
Really appreciate the help! Ive at this for days and no solutions. Sometimes the hacking/custom firmware isnt for everybody
Ill update what happens. Download is taking forever.
EDIT: BTW, for the first link, which poster am I gonna have to follow? im assuming "garbage guy"?
I though you did run the command already, but just wanted to be certain is all. For some reason AT&T stopped releasing their firmware, which has been causing all kinds of problems for people.
Anyway, it sounds like you are good to go! Good luck!
Oh, and if the firmware you're downloading is a .zip or .7z file, make sure you extract it first. Odin only flashes .tar and .tar.md5 files.
DocHoliday77 said:
I though you did run the command already, but just wanted to be certain is all. For some reason AT&T stopped releasing their firmware, which has been causing all kinds of problems for people.
Anyway, it sounds like you are good to go! Good luck!
Oh, and if the firmware you're downloading is a .zip or .7z file, make sure you extract it first. Odin only flashes .tar and .tar.md5 files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! It finally worked! I got the reset notification and I am now back on JB
Thank you! should I take any more steps to ensure I made a clean installation or am I good after flashing it?
david12795 said:
Thank you so much! It finally worked! I got the reset notification and I am now back on JB
Thank you! should I take any more steps to ensure I made a clean installation or am I good after flashing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, I went straight to update phone and it said my phone is up to date? I thought the official 4.4 update came out for the S3?
david12795 said:
Thank you so much! It finally worked! I got the reset notification and I am now back on JB
Thank you! should I take any more steps to ensure I made a clean installation or am I good after flashing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome!
really glad to hear that! The only thing I can think of thst you might want to do next is backing up your nv data. The following is a copy/past from a post I made a few min ago... root is required to fo this btw, just so you know.
(Since you are looking to update though, I recommend waiting till you have updated before rooting and running this backup)
It's a super simple procedure and will create an on device backup of your nv data. The backup will be stored on a couple of partitions we never touch, not even with firmware flashes. This essentially makes it a permanent backup. The cool thing about it is every time you reboot, the system checks for any corruption, and if detected, it will automatically restore from this backup. So if it were to ever happen, you probably wouldn't ever even notice it!
Install the Terminal Emulator from the play store. Open and enter this:
su
reboot nvbackup
Thats it! Device will reboot and create your backup. This should prevent you from ever suffering from a lost IMEI!
david12795 said:
Weird, I went straight to update phone and it said my phone is up to date? I thought the official 4.4 update came out for the S3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That has been released, but OTA's are generally rolled out in stages over several weeks. Usually done by region. So it msy not have started in your area just yet.
Two alternatives you can try though, install kies on your computer and update through that. Or there are a couple if threads in the General section that provide the ota for download.
Enewman17 has a few threads helping folks to update so I recommend checking them out as well.
Ive heard that some people have gone to best buy and they were able to initiate the update there. I dont know much more about this though.
DocHoliday77 said:
Awesome!
really glad to hear that! The only thing I can think of thst you might want to do next is backing up your nv data. The following is a copy/past from a post I made a few min ago... root is required to fo this btw, just so you know.
(Since you are looking to update though, I recommend waiting till you have updated before rooting and running this backup)
It's a super simple procedure and will create an on device backup of your nv data. The backup will be stored on a couple of partitions we never touch, not even with firmware flashes. This essentially makes it a permanent backup. The cool thing about it is every time you reboot, the system checks for any corruption, and if detected, it will automatically restore from this backup. So if it were to ever happen, you probably wouldn't ever even notice it!
Install the Terminal Emulator from the play store. Open and enter this:
su
reboot nvbackup
Thats it! Device will reboot and create your backup. This should prevent you from ever suffering from a lost IMEI!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I will look into this. I just figured for some reason...I would have some data left from cyanogenmod, if that makes sense. In other words, i want my phone to be as fresh as possible. I only ask this because when I had CM, i accidentally made a backup of it through rom manager (or clockwork) and I am not sure if its in my partition somewhere.
That has been released, but OTA's are generally rolled out in stages over several weeks. Usually done by region. So it msy not have started in your area just yet.
Two alternatives you can try though, install kies on your computer and update through that. Or there are a couple if threads in the General section that provide the ota for download.
Enewman17 has a few threads helping folks to update so I recommend checking them out as well.
Ive heard that some people have gone to best buy and they were able to initiate the update there. I dont know much more about this though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TIL that OTA arent as fast. Ill download KIES and give it a try.
Just installed KIES and it said my phone has the latest firmware?
david12795 said:
Thank you! I will look into this. I just figured for some reason...I would have some data left from cyanogenmod, if that makes sense. In other words, i want my phone to be as fresh as possible. I only ask this because when I had CM, i accidentally made a backup of it through rom manager (or clockwork) and I am not sure if its in my partition somewhere.
TIL that OTA arent as fast. Ill download KIES and give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory resetting with stock recovery installed wipes all data except the external sdcard. I am so sorry I should've mentioned this before. I was thinking you had already done one at some point and didn't have anything left to worry about. Still, I should have asked and I do apologize for that. Hopefully if it was really important it was saved to the external sdcard....
david12795 said:
Just installed KIES and it said my phone has the latest firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I wasn't sure about that. I personally never need or use kies so I didn't know if it was tied to the staged rollouts. It would appear that it is though.
Give me a few min and ill post links to the threads where you can download the ota or update via a different method.
---------- Post added at 03:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 AM ----------
UCUEMJB to UCUFNE4 firmware update - thread by enewman17
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2808654.
How to update SGH-I747 yo UCUFNE4_4.4.2 - thread by enewman17
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789917
[Download] AT&T Kitkat OTA file - thread by bkong
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2788012
I suggest trying the third one by bkong first. He posted a pure OTA file you can try to update with.
The first option is a recovery flashable firmware, but does not include the /system (ROM) portion. To fully update using this you'll flash the firmware per his instructions and then go to his development thread for the stock rom. It is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2788357
The second option is the OTA file, but it has been slightly modified to skip certain file checks. If the original OTA doesnt work, theres a good chance this will. (Since you are full stock now either one should flash without issue).
Hope those help! I recommend doing a bit of reading about each one (at least the OP and last few pages) and start with whichever you are most comfortable with.
Or, you could always use that most valuable tool, patience, and wait for the OTA to roll out for your area.
Good luck!
DocHoliday77 said:
Factory resetting with stock recovery installed wipes all data except the external sdcard. I am so sorry I should've mentioned this before. I was thinking you had already done one at some point and didn't have anything left to worry about. Still, I should have asked and I do apologize for that. Hopefully if it was really important it was saved to the external sdcard....
Ok, I wasn't sure about that. I personally never need or use kies so I didn't know if it was tied to the staged rollouts. It would appear that it is though.
Give me a few min and ill post links to the threads where you can download the ota or update via a different method.
---------- Post added at 03:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 AM ----------
UCUEMJB to UCUFNE4 firmware update - thread by enewman17
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2808654.
How to update SGH-I747 yo UCUFNE4_4.4.2 - thread by enewman17
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789917
[Download] AT&T Kitkat OTA file - thread by bkong
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2788012
I suggest trying the third one by bkong first. He posted a pure OTA file you can try to update with.
The first option is a recovery flashable firmware, but does not include the /system (ROM) portion. To fully update using this you'll flash the firmware per his instructions and then go to his development thread for the stock rom. It is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2788357
The second option is the OTA file, but it has been slightly modified to skip certain file checks. If the original OTA doesnt work, theres a good chance this will. (Since you are full stock now either one should flash without issue).
Hope those help! I recommend doing a bit of reading about each one (at least the OP and last few pages) and start with whichever you are most comfortable with.
Or, you could always use that most valuable tool, patience, and wait for the OTA to roll out for your area.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no! Its fine, I wasnt planning using it or anything, I just wanted to get rid of it since I have no use for it, no need to apologize. , I was fully aware that I would lose all files, other than SD ext drive. I just wanted to make sure that all files are in the right place and none of the unnecessary files are taking up space (e.g. files from cyanogenmod)
As for the update, I talked to a samsung representative and they said one can go to Best Buy and get it updated there through a technician, so Ill try that later since I am close to it ATM. If it back fires, Ill try your suggestions.
I really do appreciate for the help , I have been completely lost for days but it turns out I was just using the wrong firmware. Thanks for pointing it out. Good karma is coming your way . Hopefully one day, I will be here again and trying out a new custom firmware.
Glad I could help!
If I remember right, someone who mentioned the best buy thing had said at the time that the first store they went to did not have the update yet. But I think they found another in their area did. So if they say its up to date and cant help, you might find another store close by can. (If there is one of course!)
Just fyi so you're not too surprised if that happens.
DocHoliday77 said:
Glad I could help!
If I remember right, someone who mentioned the best buy thing had said at the time that the first store they went to did not have the update yet. But I think they found another in their area did. So if they say its up to date and cant help, you might find another store close by can. (If there is one of course!)
Just fyi so you're not too surprised if that happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Of course, if the worst happens, I can just use one of your links you mentioned. :good::good:
Yes, yes, I know... from the factory!
No, what I really mean is, these RETEU, RETIN, RETLA, etc. zip files hosted on lolinet, or passed around in other forum threads. Are they all just leaked by helpful Moto/Lenovo employees? Or is there some way to extract the firmware
1) off of a pristine Moto Z Play, or
2) by intercepting the OTA process somehow?
The question is relevant because I have a brand-new Z Play that I'd like to unlock and flash LineageOS on. But obviously, I'd like to preserve the option of wiping everything clean and going back to stock, including OTAs, if I change my mind later. (I know that the bootloader cannot be re-locked; that's ok.) After spending almost a whole day slogging through the MANY threads here, I think I have a pretty good understanding of how to restore stock from a factory image file---the ones with all of the sparsechunks. But my phone is RETUS, and most of what you can find online is from other world regions. Of course there is also RETAIL, but nobody has ever explained (and perhaps nobody knows) how that differs from the region-specific images, and what consequences there could be to using RETAIL instead of a proper RETUS image. Random "it works for me" testimonials are always encouraging to hear, but hardly the basis for real confidence! So, obviously, it would be great if there were some way to extract the firmware off of my own phone prior to unlocking. Otherwise, it does seem a little bit crazy to be flashing factory images provided by strangers on dodgy file-sharing sites.
(There are NANDroid backups, of course, but if I am understanding the situation correctly, you need much lower level than that for a proper reversion to stock. I.e. you need to replace the original recovery, and probably other stuff too.)
Please, enlighten me
https://motoota.lolinet.com/index.php?model=XT1635-02&sv=Blur_Version.26.201.1.addison.retail.en.US&carrier=retin&sn=
it come from motorola rsdsecure, for instance : https://rsdsecure-cloud.motorola.co...ubsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip (it is not the last version)
Seems to be an IP filter, and some countries are not able to download the same last versions than others. so there is some shared files on afh or others to help, but for me i prefer to DL directly from motorola
Interesting.
After the OTA updater has downloaded an update, but before the upgrade process is started, does the zip file exist "in the clear" on the phone? And could it be retrieved with adb pull before saying yes to the update?
Ok, I think I answered my own question. There is a difference between the OTA update files and factory image files. OTA updates are the ones with "Blur" at the beginning... maybe an acronym for something-something-update-something? So @talktosam, your link is not applicable because those are OTA files; you can try to sideload them if your phone is already running stock firmware, but you can't use them to restore a fully wiped phone back to stock. The factory images I'm asking about are the ones with all of those "sparsechunk" files inside. (Please correct me if any of this is wrong.)
So that Motorola rsdsecure site probably does not exist for the OTA updater, as I'd initially thought, but for service personnel?
mark04 said:
Interesting.
After the OTA updater has downloaded an update, but before the upgrade process is started, does the zip file exist "in the clear" on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, somewhere in /cache.
mark04 said:
And could it be retrieved with adb pull before saying yes to the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. It is for instance easily possible to move away or rename before installation using eg total Commander if it has root rights.
Blur...something...zip is right.
yes u are correct, but any way to download factory image, its a life saver for some users also (mine search these files bcz am on stock bootloader unlocked)
tag68 said:
Blur...something...zip is right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But just to confirm, those zips you can only use with adb sideload; you cannot use them to flash over a different ROM and return to stock. Correct?
I never sideload. There is the possibility to apply it to the wrong channel. You can put it to the original place to apply and let OTA do its work.
Afaik you also can sideload that blur.