Develop Bugs

[Q] Verizon Xperia Play Paid Bootloader Unlock

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.

[Q] Want to install FreeXperia but unsure.

I'm seeing this in many different colors and I can't get this to gear up...
I already saw this thread HERE but it's for the Xperia X10...
Simply put, I want to have FreeXperia CM7 on my currently rooted Verizon CDMA Xperia Play R800x, but seeing all of this random stuff jumbled in the Development forum are driving me crazy... Before the Play, I had the LG Vortex, in which all you had to do was root the phone, and flash the All-In-One recovery for the Vortex through the terminal emulator from the market, and a friend of mine was using ROM Manager on his phone and the Xperia Play isn't even supported. Everything just doesn't seem like a "One-Click" and go anymore. Can anyone just lead me to the right files and direction to match my phone please?
Here is exactly what's on my About Phone menu.
Model Number: R800x
Android Version: 2.3.3
Baseband Version: 7X30A-AAABQMAZM-1290_10-03
Kernel Version: 2.6.32.9-perf [email protected] #1
Build Number: 3.0.1.E.0.88
EDIT: I'm also using Ubuntu Linux, not Windows, if that can help.

Me to don't no what to do
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

You need to unlock your bootloader and install the clockworkmod recovery partition. After you have CWM you can install custom roms. The bootloader unlock is done by a user here called Alejandrissimo, for 24 dollars US. Do a search for his username and send a pm.
Sent from the best phone ever

captain67 said:
You need to unlock your bootloader and install the clockworkmod recovery partition. After you have CWM you can install custom roms. The bootloader unlock is done by a user here called Alejandrissimo, for 24 dollars US. Do a search for his username and send a pm.
Sent from the best phone ever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bit expensive for just installing a recovery isn't it? If that's the only possible way, then I'll look into it.

You're not paying for the installation of recovery - you're paying to enable fastboot and unlock the bootloader on your r800x. I see you've come from a different manufacturer's device so here's my first tip of advice to you - forget everything you've learned about modding Android in the past. Sounds a little harsh, right? Well....
You need to understand that all carrier branded / sim locked Xperia Plays come with fastboot disabled. Because fastboot is disabled you cannot unlock your bootloader even using the Sony Ericsson approved bootloader unlocking method. So, you're probably thinking "great, now what?" Well, that's where Alejandrissimo comes into play....
There is a utility called SEtool that has the ability to interface with Xperia phones and enable fastboot, unlock the SIM and unlock the bootloader. There are two catches though. SEtool only works with the use of a proprietary USB hardware dongle and the SEtool user must purchase "unlock credits" in order to use the software. I'm dead serious.
So, Alejandrissimo (and another user by the name of Jinx13) actually has the dongle and can purchase unlock credits. In a nutshell, what happens is you send a PM to Alejandrissimo, setup a time so that he can remote control your computer, install some software onto your machine that allows for the use of the USB dongle over network (how else would you be able to use a hardware dongle you don't have?) and remote control of your machine..... kick back and let Alejandrissimo drive. You can see everything he's doing and he gives you some very simple instructions you need to follow to get the job done (it involves using a wire to create a bridge between a testpoint and a ground point on your phone and clicking on stuff when he tells you to).
Alejandrissimo is a very nice and patient person who has gained the trust of many people here at XDA so you can rest assured you'll receive excellent service from him.
You need to do some research for yourself so you understand the process though. visit his thread HERE.
So, once you get fastboot enabled and the bootloader on your phone unlocked you'll be ready to run ClockworkMod Recovery for your Play. From there, you'll be able to flash the CM7 kernel, the CM7 ROM and Google Apps.
I guess what I'm trying to say is forget everything you learned about modding Android cause it just isn't the same when dealing with Xperia devices.
Good luck.

I agree, Xperia models are nothing like the rest. I found it VERY confusing at first since all my previous experience was from the very first Samsung Galaxy (i7500).
Unfortunately, Android's wide variety of manufacturers and versions causes some inconsistencies.. it gives us a learning curve when switching devices, but the overall freedom is worth it, compared to closed source OS's like iOS and Blackberry.
The best thing you can do is read, then read some more.. These forums are an enormous bank of knowledge. You just need to know where to look, and who to ask.
Sent from the best phone ever

Okay, that all makes sense. Thank you!

[Q] Problem finding rooting methods on Verizon R800x

EDIT: Problem solved using zergRush with DooMLoRD's tools, using the community provided Mac script. Thanks a bunch for all your help~
I'm having a problem finding a suitable rooting method for my Verizon Xperia play R800x.
Android version is 2.3.3, and the kernel version is 2.6.32.9
First off, on Sony's bootloader unlock page, it says that CDMA phones cannot have their bootloaders unlocked. Additionally, putting the code *#*#7378423#*#* doesn't do anything on my phone. No service menu, nothing. On that note, Clockworkmod Recovery shouldn't be able to work either, since that requires an unlocked bootloader (right?), thus I can't flash RootXperia.
Gingerbreak no longer works, tried it personally, in addition to reading that an update broke it.
zergRush looks like my last option, but I use a Mac, and the only tutorials I can find are for Windows. I suppose if the Mac terminal isn't TOO different it'd work, but I really don't know.
Is there something I'm missing?

SuperOneClick will root it, but you may have to use Windows
You'll be able to install cwm after you've rooted. Search the Market for Xperia cwm installer

Honestly, on the r800x. PM Alejandrissimo, There is a charge for services. However getting the bootloader unlocked and where you can flash and do things. Is quite worth it. Sadly the r800x.. isnt as easy as the GSM models, so dont try to think that it is. CDMA sucks heh.. Least I got mine done tho. =D

Michealtbh said:
SuperOneClick will root it, but you may have to use Windows
You'll be able to install cwm after you've rooted. Search the Market for Xperia cwm installer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like an idea. I'll have to find a Windows computer though, but shouldn't be too hard. Unless it requires the Android SDK installed separately too.
Mysticales said:
Honestly, on the r800x. PM Alejandrissimo, There is a charge for services. However getting the bootloader unlocked and where you can flash and do things. Is quite worth it. Sadly the r800x.. isnt as easy as the GSM models, so dont try to think that it is. CDMA sucks heh.. Least I got mine done tho. =D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just care if it's rooted. I don't really want to flash ROMs or kernels, I just wanted root access, and from most of what I read, unlocking the bootloader first was the way to do it.

AvataroftheSun said:
That sounds like an idea. I'll have to find a Windows computer though, but shouldn't be too hard. Unless it requires the Android SDK installed separately too.
I just care if it's rooted. I don't really want to flash ROMs or kernels, I just wanted root access, and from most of what I read, unlocking the bootloader first was the way to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible to use zergRush on a Mac.
Go to this thread
[HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method)
Scroll down to where it says "[ Scripts posted by others ]", and youll find "Rooting script for MAC OSX"
Enjoy

AvataroftheSun said:
That sounds like an idea. I'll have to find a Windows computer though, but shouldn't be too hard. Unless it requires the Android SDK installed separately too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at the Linux script in the zergRush thread (how to root 2.2.x thru 2.3.x, or something like that) in the Android development subsection, that'll be closest to a Mac script...
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk

Leraeniesh said:
It is possible to use zergRush on a Mac.
Go to this thread
[HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method)
Scroll down to where it says "[ Scripts posted by others ]", and youll find "Rooting script for MAC OSX"
Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow, I never saw that when I skimmed that post. I'll try it this way then.

Issues Rooting with Superoneclick

Hi, I have tried rooting about 20 times (not even kidding), and almost every time it gets stuck on step #7. I have installed drivers from LG and have phone in debugging mode. (I tried doomlord, but it won't recognize my Nitro) Does anyone have any advice to help me root my Nitro?
*Mods, feel free to move this to the rooting section, it just wouldn't let me post in there*

Try rooting it the way they root the optimus. That's what I did and it worked fine.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

Did you use the latest SuperOneClick 2.3.3 for rooting your device? I can confirm it works with LG LU6200...
http://www.box.com/s/245a1043a874497c26e7
If this isn't working for you, this should:
http://www.box.com/s/9b369b91e370b60a1544
(its working in ADB mode, make sure your device is in USB debugging mode and connected to your PC)
Good luck!

Use doomlords root
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda premium

Use SuperOneClick v.2.3.2 and not 2.3.3. The latest version don't want to root our Nitro. I can't understand why, but 2.3.2 version root very well.
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda premium

mgoblueno1 said:
Hi, I have tried rooting about 20 times (not even kidding), and almost every time it gets stuck on step #7. I have installed drivers from LG and have phone in debugging mode. (I tried doomlord, but it won't recognize my Nitro) Does anyone have any advice to help me root my Nitro?
*Mods, feel free to move this to the rooting section, it just wouldn't let me post in there*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remove the SD card( or unmount it), i got the same problem here and it thats what worked

What worked for me was installing the Android SDK package.
I was hanging at step #7 as well and after installing the package it went through.

Machzelet said:
Use SuperOneClick v.2.3.2 and not 2.3.3. The latest version don't want to root our Nitro. I can't understand why, but 2.3.2 version root very well.
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im having trouble finding 2.3.2, is there a thread with download links?

Machzelet said:
Use SuperOneClick v.2.3.2 and not 2.3.3. The latest version don't want to root our Nitro. I can't understand why, but 2.3.2 version root very well.
Sent from my LG-P930 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found one on a random website, and it worked on the 3rd try...thanks!!!

mgoblueno1 said:
Im having trouble finding 2.3.2, is there a thread with download links?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click on a link in my signature and download from my guide. I have an issue to upload the file right here.

problems rooting too!
So this being my first post and all please dont freak. I searched as best I could to find the proper thread to ask this and this seemed like the best option. So here it goes.
I myself tried rooting my phone with Superoneclick and after numerous attempts I failed miserably. So I tried Doomlord's rooting method. I thought I had figured it out because at the end it said "OK!" and it even rebooted my phone but when I tried to DL Titanium backup and busybox it said it could not gain root access. My question is, first would it be safe to attempt the root process again, or if not any ideas on what I might have done wrong and maybe a solution to fix it?
Thanks again
P.S dear Mod if this was the inappropriate place to post this I apologize in advance.

i would download the superuser app and see if tibu finds root
also, there should be no prob running the rooting app again if you choose to, if you are rooted already it should return a *already rooted* message.

So I tried dl superuser and that did nothing. I even did a master reset maybe thinking that I might of changed a setting I want suppose to, and even that didn't work. Like I said I can't get SOC past step 7 and I've tried all the tips I read on here to get past that problem but nothing. Doomlords looks like it worked and it reboots my phone but still nothing. I would really truly appreciate any help!
thanks again
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

I tried super one click and dark warlords roto rooter and nothing. I can't root and I want to. Like Herman Munster said...darn darn darn .
I took a photo of my errors so maybe some one could help?
Gino
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

I can't get my photo to upload
I cant get my screen shot to upload. I've tried everything. Anyhow, I still can't get my phone rooted. When I rooted my Aria, I used a program on my MAC that rooted it in about 20 seconds. Whatever happened to that?
Gino

thedicarlos said:
I cant get my screen shot to upload. I've tried everything. Anyhow, I still can't get my phone rooted. When I rooted my Aria, I used a program on my MAC that rooted it in about 20 seconds. Whatever happened to that?
Gino
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apples and oranges. The two programs used to install custom recovery on the Aria utilize exploits in the HBOOT, which is something only HTC devices have.
What software version do you have on your device? (Look in Settings > About Phone > Software version)

I'm having the same situation. Everything I've read says that if you did the security update without root already then you can't root now. I would love for some one to prove me wrong and show me a way. IM running 2.3.5 v10j with kernel 2.6.35.11.
Thanks
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

What I'm running
Hi Drumist! I'm running 2.3.5 v10j with kernel 2.6.35.11.
Gino

thedicarlos said:
Hi Drumist! I'm running 2.3.5 v10j with kernel 2.6.35.11.
Gino
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have the recent update installed which makes it impossible to root the device. There are still methods to get the device rooted but it is not simple and basically involves this process: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1597488
I would urge you to make sure you know what you're doing before attempting this though.

I had the above problem with not being able to root my phone due to the software version i had. I had to use the "unbricking guide" and after some challenges i was able to restore the phone to stock with root. It is risky, but at this moment im not sure theres any other way to do it, unless someone with programming skills can find an alternate method to go back to a previous version of the software without resetting or unbricking the entire phone.

Rooting Xperia Play Problems

To start, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place. It looked like the right place, but I'm an extreme noob to this site.
--------------------------------------
My phone is an Xperia Play Model R800x Android version 2.3.4 Build number 4.0.2.E.0.57 from Verizon in the US and I have tried rooting it many times in many ways. I tried SuperOneClick and It didn't work. It got stuck on Step 7. I tried DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit and it said it was unable to Chmod everything/everything failed. I even tried manually doing it using this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18615502&postcount=7 . It said "Hellions with BLUE flames!" or whatever it is that it says. I think I tried it another way also, I don't even remember. I know these methods have worked for other people though.
I've tried all the above methods multiple times. I do have the Android SDK Tools installed and I installed the Platform-Tools. I do not have PC Companion because it for some reason wouldn't recognize my phone.
Questions:
-Is there any way to root it without downgrading the android version?
-Am I having problems because of the build number? I've only seen it on one other thread on a different website.
-Do I absolutely need PC Companion?
If anyone could PLEASE help me. I've been at this literally all day.
Thanks in advance!

As of now there is no way of rooting 2.3.4 for the R800x

You need to use flashtool to downgrade to 2.3.3 and then root

ATTACK said:
As of now there is no way of rooting 2.3.4 for the R800x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well now I feel stupid.
Do you know if anyone is working on a way or should I just downgrade it?
I had a feeling I shouldn't have upgraded it...