Develop Bugs

[Q] Unlocking and flashing kernel for O/C

Hi all !
I've rooted my Play and looking forward to O/C it (mainly for N64 emulation ).
Reading several threads, I gathered that I need to unlock my bootloader and flash a custom kernel (DoomLord's for example).
My Play is not simlocked, so I can use the official unlocking for my bootloader.
If I understand well, I'll then lose some DRM-credentials... But I could not find exactly what that would mean. I guess there would be no problem with apps bought from the android market. But would I lose the games pre-installed on the play? Or the free games I got from EA (Dead Space, etc.) ??
Another n00b question: when flashing a custom kernel (keeping the stock rom), vill I lose everything on my phone and therefore, do I have to backup/restore everything? And if so, what would you recommand in order to have a full backup?
Thanks so much for your help !!

FixB said:
Hi all !
I've rooted my Play and looking forward to O/C it (mainly for N64 emulation ).
Reading several threads, I gathered that I need to unlock my bootloader and flash a custom kernel (DoomLord's for example).
My Play is not simlocked, so I can use the official unlocking for my bootloader.
If I understand well, I'll then lose some DRM-credentials... But I could not find exactly what that would mean. I guess there would be no problem with apps bought from the android market. But would I lose the games pre-installed on the play? Or the free games I got from EA (Dead Space, etc.) ??
Another n00b question: when flashing a custom kernel (keeping the stock rom), vill I lose everything on my phone and therefore, do I have to backup/restore everything? And if so, what would you recommand in order to have a full backup?
Thanks so much for your help !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Drm is your your certificate for official updates and if you lose your drm official updates would brick your phone now, if you can't do a official update you can always flash using flash tool. You won't lose any of your games or the xperia store. There is a touch point method so you won't lose your drm. You won't lose any data from your rom when flashing a kernel. When do flash a kernel then you can do a full back up through cwm.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

danlivesey said:
Drm is your your certificate for official updates and if you lose your drm official updates would brick your phone now, if you can't do a official update you can always flash using flash tool. You won't lose any of your games or the xperia store. There is a touch point method so you won't lose your drm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this the method you are referring to:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285 ??
I'll look into it thanks !
danlivesey said:
You won't lose any data from your rom when flashing a kernel. When do flash a kernel then you can do a full back up through cwm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't quite get it, sorry
Unlocking the bootloader + flashing a custom kernel: must I backup everything before and restore afterwards, or do these operations keep everything intact (apps, datas, etc.) ??
Thanks for your kind help dan !

Yes that's the method and no you don't need to back your data up or anything when flashing a kernel. You only need to back your data up when installing custom roms.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

[Q] rooting erases the phone?

ive read in some other posts here that rooting our gsm gnexus will erase the phones data/settings/etc. because it is an "oem root". is this true? does it apply to the gnex toolkit?
thanks!

joshtb86 said:
ive read in some other posts here that rooting our gsm gnexus will erase the phones data/settings/etc. because it is an "oem root". is this true? does it apply to the gnex toolkit?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting does not erase data/settings. HOWEVER, if you unlock your bootloader, it will erase everything. All toolkits that I have seen, root by unlocking your bootloader first (if it is locked).
Use this, and you will root without losing anything, locked bootloader or not.

efrant said:
Rooting does not erase data/settings. HOWEVER, if you unlock your bootloader, it will erase everything. All toolkits that I have seen, root by unlocking your bootloader first (if it is locked).
Use this, and you will root without losing anything, locked bootloader or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why does unlocking the bootloader erase everything? and that is necessary to flash a new rom or kernel, correct?

joshtb86 said:
why does unlocking the bootloader erase everything? and that is necessary to flash a new rom or kernel, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it just does. It's a security thing. But it doesn't matter - with what I pointed you to in my previous post, you can root, flash a custom recovery, backup everything, then unlock your bootloader and restore the backup.
An unlocked bootloader is not required to flash a new ROM or kernel if you have root. You cannot, however, flash things through fastboot, but it doesn't matter.
In any case, I would recommend you unlock your bootloader and leave it unlocked.

joshtb86 said:
why does unlocking the bootloader erase everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
security reason...if you have a phone with the bootloader locked and a lockscreen password, ur phone is secure (EDIT: usb debug need to be disabled to be real secure)...so if u lost the phone for example someone could unlock the bootloader and with root permission could get ur personal data..instead in this way if he unlock the bootloader the data in it is wiped..
with the bootloader unlocked ur phone give u free access to the system, so u can root it, flash rom, kernel and everything
in case a day u change idea, u can also relock the bootloader (this will wipe again ur phone EDIT: will not wipe it)..this is usefull to get warranty for example
there is also an exploit, mentioned before in the thread, that is able to root ur phone without unlocking the bootloader..but i suggest to unlock the bootloader as u have more control of ur phone by having access to fastboot commands

thanks for the help guys! i have to figure out if i really want to wipe all my data. if i use titanium to backup everything, then unlock bootloader, can i still restore the same backed up data, or does the changed bootloader make that impossible?

andQlimax said:
security reason...if you have a phone with the bootloader locked and a lockscreen password, ur phone is secure...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true. You need to have USB debugging disabled in settings as well for it to be secure.
andQlimax said:
in case a day u change idea, u can also relock the bootloader (this will wipe again ur phone)..this is usefull to get warranty for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. Relocking the bootloader does not wipe anything.
---------- Post added at 11:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 AM ----------
joshtb86 said:
thanks for the help guys! i have to figure out if i really want to wipe all my data. if i use titanium to backup everything, then unlock bootloader, can i still restore the same backed up data, or does the changed bootloader make that impossible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do NOT have to wipe all your data.
Follow these steps:
1) Root your device using the method I linked to above;
2) Download ROM Manager from the market;
3) Using ROM Manager, flash CWM recovery;
4) Reboot into recovery and perform a backup;
5) Copy that backup OFF of your device;
6) Unlock your bootloader; <== This will wipe your device, including everything in /sdcard...
7) Copy your backup back to your device;
8) Reboot into recovery and restore your backup;
9) Done. Now your bootloader is unlocked, you have root, and your data/settings are exactly how they were before.
EDIT: Yes, you can use Titanium Backup once you root, but using CWM recovery is easier and faster.

efrant said:
Not entirely true. You need to have USB debugging disabled in settings as well for it to be secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah true
efrant said:
Not true. Relocking the bootloader does not wipe anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
didn't know that..it makes sense anyway
thanks for the corrections

so the bootloader is not affected by a CWM backup.
this is so helpful. thanks so much guys! i thanked both of you for your replies!

joshtb86 said:
[snip]
so the bootloader is not affected by a CWM backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it is not.

Always root the first day to avoid this!

[Q] Kernel Flash

I have a GSM phone with stock 4.1.1 (with a latency patch).
My phone is unlocked, but not rooted.
I have CWM installed
If I installed a new Kernel my questions are:
1) Do I lose my data/apps and need to do a backup?
2) How do I go back to stock kernel?
Seems simple and probably answered before, but I was unable to find a thread that was simple and clear to follow.
Thanks

You'll need to get root privileges to flash and use a new kernel and be able to customize etc. You can flash a ROM with su binaries already installed or you can just do it manually. You don't need to wipe when flashing a kernel though. You should root though because not much reason to unlock bootloader and not gain root access.
Edit: once you gain root install titanium bu or another app to backup apps and data and you can get a flashable stock kernel from your device's dev forum. But you wont lose apps and data when flashing a kernel but I always make a nandroid in case something goes wrong.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

whitedragonz83 said:
I have a GSM phone with stock 4.1.1 (with a latency patch).
My phone is unlocked, but not rooted.
I have CWM installed
If I installed a new Kernel my questions are:
1) Do I lose my data/apps and need to do a backup?
2) How do I go back to stock kernel?
Seems simple and probably answered before, but I was unable to find a thread that was simple and clear to follow.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. you dont lose any data. just flash the kernel without wiping anything.
2. either flash the stock kernel/boot.img or reflash the stock rom.
Bwarner479 said:
You'll need to get root privileges to flash and use a new kernel and be able to customize etc. You can flash a ROM with su binaries already installed or you can just do it manually. You don't need to wipe when flashing a kernel though. You should root though because not much reason to unlock bootloader and not gain root access.
Edit: once you gain root install titanium bu or another app to backup apps and data and you can get a flashable stock kernel from your device's dev forum. But you wont lose apps and data when flashing a kernel but I always make a nandroid in case something goes wrong.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont need root to flash anything if you have a custom recovery installed. that said, you will need root to use the apps that control the cpu speed/tweaks. you can always flash a kernel, boot it, and use it at its default settings without root.

simms22 said:
1. you dont lose any data. just flash the kernel without wiping anything.
2. either flash the stock kernel/boot.img or reflash the stock rom.
you dont need root to flash anything if you have a custom recovery installed. that said, you will need root to use the apps that control the cpu speed/tweaks. you can always flash a kernel, boot it, and use it at its default settings without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you I should have clarified that you could flash and use default settings. There's just no fun though in unlocking and installing a custom recovery if you aren't able to tweak and customize everything to tour liking
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

How to keep root and fresh install .757?

Hi there, i managed to root my device a few days ago by downgrading, rooting and upgrading to .757 again.
Is it possible to delete apps, settings etc etc and fresh install .757 but keep Dual Recovery and root available without going through several downgrades and upgrades again? I have a locked bootloader and a backup of TA but would prefer to keep it locked if possible.
Ive been messing with root apps and installed something thats burning through my battery at double the usual rate and want to go back to a fresh copy of .757 rooted.
Also whats the easiest way to make whole backup of device once fresh installed again so can restore quickly to rooted .757?
Thanks for look.

Use this guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2688933
But dont uncheck wipe data on flashtool process for a fresh .757 install
p.s Personally i use titanium backup pal

gerg81 said:
Hi there, i managed to root my device a few days ago by downgrading, rooting and upgrading to .757 again.
Is it possible to delete apps, settings etc etc and fresh install .757 but keep Dual Recovery and root available without going through several downgrades and upgrades again? I have a locked bootloader and a backup of TA but would prefer to keep it locked if possible.
Ive been messing with root apps and installed something thats burning through my battery at double the usual rate and want to go back to a fresh copy of .757 rooted.
Also whats the easiest way to make whole backup of device once fresh installed again so can restore quickly to rooted .757?
Thanks for look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u have backup of TA then the easiest way will be unlock BL, flash 757 firmware, flash doomlord kernel with cwm recovery, root using cwm, flash dual recovery using cwm, flash stock kernel using flashtool and then restore TA.. It would be the easiest way and all the drm keys will be intact....
Sent from my Xperia Z1 Compact (D5503)

Sweet thanks guys, i used the tutorial posted and had it done in 5 minutes. I will be unlocking bootloader eventually but have not found a need to yet, is it really required for anything except custom kernels and cd drive emulation?
Ive also seen a few custom roms listed with stock kernel, modded with things like CM privacy guard and other tweaks and such. Can these roms be run on a locked bootloader if using stock kernel and will these roms still have the Sony DRM required features enabled if run on a locked bootloader?
Thanks again!

U will get the requirements about locked and unlocked bootloader in each rom thread
Sent from my Xperia Z1 Compact (D5503)

[Q] Install Stock Recovery

Hi Experts,
i had rooted my phone a while back and installed custom recovery , and was on stock ROM.
Due to issues on official emails, i had to unroot my phone and relock it.
All is fine, however i did miss 1 step, that is, i still have a diff recovery on it, and i want to install my stock recovery back so that i can install OTA.
I do have the stock recovery (i think).
So is theree a quick way to do that without unlocking the bootloader again or without losing any data?
Let me know PLEASE!
Regards
Manas

niftycalls said:
Hi Experts,
i had rooted my phone a while back and installed custom recovery , and was on stock ROM.
Due to issues on official emails, i had to unroot my phone and relock it.
All is fine, however i did miss 1 step, that is, i still have a diff recovery on it, and i want to install my stock recovery back so that i can install OTA.
I do have the stock recovery (i think).
So is theree a quick way to do that without unlocking the bootloader again or without losing any data?
Let me know PLEASE!
Regards
Manas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
post result from command fastboot getvar version-main and we will find you the stock recovery

@Thant, the issue is not really finding the stock recovery, i assume i have it, question is -
"All is fine, however i did miss 1 step, that is, i still have a diff recovery on it, and i want to install my stock recovery back so that i can install OTA."
"So is theree a quick way to do that without unlocking the bootloader again or without losing any data?"

niftycalls said:
@Thant, the issue is not really finding the stock recovery, i assume i have it, question is -
"All is fine, however i did miss 1 step, that is, i still have a diff recovery on it, and i want to install my stock recovery back so that i can install OTA."
"So is theree a quick way to do that without unlocking the bootloader again or without losing any data?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as i can remember even if your bootloader is unlocked as long as you have stock recovery you can update.. just make sure you have a backup of all your data.

Phew.. So my booloader is RE LOCKED now, and i just want to install the stock recovery... without losing data or unlocking the bootloader........possible???

niftycalls said:
Phew.. So my booloader is RE LOCKED now, and i just want to install the stock recovery... without losing data or unlocking the bootloader........possible???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
To flash recovery, your bootloader must be unlocked. Do you still have unlock.bin file?

[email protected]|-|oR said:
No.
To flash recovery, your bootloader must be unlocked. Do you still have unlock.bin file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yess.. i have the unlock.bin, but then i lose all the data no?

niftycalls said:
yess.. i have the unlock.bin, but then i lose all the data no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I remember you will lose data. Make a backup (Titanium, or similar app) of important data, unlock the bootloader, flash stock recovery, reboot, restore data.
And keep the bootloader unlocked!

damn!! if i keep my bootloader unlocked, i keep getting an error from an anitvirus kinda tool tht i had to install so that i receive my office emails. thanks for your help, will do this when i have a lot of time..