Develop Bugs

[Q] Rooting the R800i without unlocking bootloader

Hello!
I'm interested in rooting my recently acquired Xperia PLAY (French version), because the bloatware is taking up too much space. However, I don't want to unlock the bootloader as I don't want to void my guarantee. Is this possible?
On a side note, I've heard that some people buy phones that have allready unlocked bootloaders; is there any way to find out if mine is too?
Thanks a lot,
Si1ver Shad0w

Buying phones with unlocked bootloaders is impossible unless it's used. You heard wrong
You can relock bootloader anytime anyways, but track id and qriocity will be gone forever
I used the XDA App to post this, what did you use?

Yeah, I knew that I could relock it, but still, I would prefer a rooting method that doesn't require this.
Also, to root it, I have to install some kind of new kernel or firmware, right?

OK, apparently a way to root without unlocking is to install the 2.3.2 FW and then do an OTA upgrade. But I can't find the ftf file. Can someone help me?
Also, for a French Xperia PLAY, I guess the UK ftf file is the best?
EDIT: Also, the XDA forums are very restrictive to newbies, no replying in the development section, have to wait 5 minutes between posts, etc...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1287584&page=2

[Q] Noob questions about unlocking bootloader/ics beta

Hello everybody,
Sorry for my relatively noob questions. I've been looking on the subforums for xperia play for a while and I have a few questions about unlocking bootloader/installing ICS beta.
1) Well let me start by asking if Sony is working on a way to fix the OTA updates bricking your phone if you unlock the bootloader? Don't be mean and give me an angry reply if it seems unreasonable for one to know. I am just curious in an honest opinion.
2)While reading the information about installing the ICS beta from developer sony I noticed it says
Also, if you unlock the boot loader, you will not be able to download and install the final Ice Cream Sandwich software upgrade for Xperia™ phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this mean I won't be able to install the official release ICS if I unlock the bootloader? Seems a bit odd for the developers to be so transparent with their progress on updating the software, but forbidding users to install the official release if they try out the beta? Does it have something to do with the fact that you lose the DRM keys?
And can it be sort of bypassed or will we have to rely on installing custom ROMs based on ICS once it's officially released?
3) Lastly, if I remember correctly there was a mega-thread with everything you need to know about rooting/unlocking bootloader etc. about Xperia Play. Similar to this, but it also covered R800i and other models and had more information. Has it been deleted, because I can't find it anywhere?
Thank you.

Hey, I will try to answer your questions as good as I can.
1. I don't think so. I believe there's a way to unbrick it though. Don't quote me on that.
2. It will mean you won't be able to update it using PC Companion or SEUS. I believe you can re-lock the bootloader, you can look it up if you want.
3. Maybe this?: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1294129

le
Thanks for answering my questions. Yes, that's the thread I've been looking for. Now I understand why it's not sticky anymore, it's a shame it's not being updated any longer as it was one of the best I've seen.
If I relock the bootloader will I be able to install the update? or will it be rejected because I don't have the DRM certificates?
And just to make things clear. OTA updates are strictly those regarding firmware from Sony? Will I be fine if I accept updates for apps from google play?
Thanks a lot.

1) Doubt it, but it is fixable. When I did that same brick, I flashed a hacked ftf via flashtool to bring my play back.
2) I'm sure there will be an ftf you can install. It may not be strictly official, but it'll work.
Sent from my R800x using xda premium

Thanks for the reply. I have a brand new problem
I'm trying to unlock the booloader right now using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034371
However when I try to update S1 boot fastboot driver I get an error
Android Adb Interface
The third-party inf does not contains digital signature information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the download link in the thread for the drivers and I made sure to select x64.
If I try using sony's method, after I update the android_winusb.inf to include x64, the error I get is
Android Adb Interface
The has for the file is not present in the specified catalog file. The file is likely corrupt or the victim of tampering
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any tips?
Btw, I am also using Windows 8 consumer preview
Edit: I figured out what the problem was. Windows 8 doesn't natively allow to install unsigned drivers. Reboot in safe mode, disabling driver signature enforcement and now I'm running ICS

I don't really know if you can still install the update after you relocked the bootloader. I read some posts and I think it depends on the way you unlock it.
About the apps, you will be able to update them from the play store. But I think you already figured this out, seeing as you have ICS atm.

xperia arc LT15i .62

Is there anyway to get more internal memory on my phone without having to root it?

Nope.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

Thanks. I was hoping that there was an easy way round it.. but no such luck! I notice on some sites that some people are downgrading to .42 to root but then are bricking there phone. Is there any step by step, in fact tip toe by tip toe! for us that are not(and never will be) as knowledgeable as yourselves. Thanks again

remember, that the devices with lockable/unlockable bootloaders never get bricked. in fact you hard brick your phone only when there is a fault with the hardware also. and whever, you read out there, was all false b'coz they were just amateur guys who couldnt get theeir phone working and thought it was a brick. well and about root, i wold recommend you to unlock the bootloader. unlocking the bootloader hives you the assurity that nothing beyond repair can go wrong with the phone howevr you lose warranty. but remember that bootloader can always be relocked. hence dont worry about warranty. search for the following guides respectively.
1) how to unlock bootloader for arc
2) how to downgrade from .62 to .42 on arc
3) how to root .42 for arc
press thanks if my reply was helpful....:highfive:

Thanks for that. Sometimes in all the reading you get lost! You start with one thing and then another and before you know it your baffled. Simplifying helps.
I take it I need to unlock my bootloader before I can downgrade to .42 ?
Thanks again!

Also I have read (whether right or wrong), that you can root without unlocking bootloader, or is that just on certain phones?

You can root a phone with a locked bootloader. But rooting a phone with an unlocked bootloader is even easier.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

Hi all!
You can't brick your phone,and even when you unlock bootloader you will be able to flash any .ftf file via flashtool.I have Arc lt15i for a year now,i have unlocked the bootloader when Recovery via fastboot came out,and till now i have downgrading like 10 times.For me the best fw is .42 everything works fine,on .62 Gangstar rio lags to much.And 4.0.4 its too laggy and slow.So when Ics came out i updated it,i didn't like it so i downgrade it to .62 and used it for a while,but gangstar rioo was too laggy the i downgraded to .42 and i just love it.
I have:fw .42,bootloader unlocked,rooted,flashed Arconium 8.2(its build on stock,just less sys apps/junk apps),doomkernel v22(with this kernel you'll get more ram,userdata/phone memmory incrased from 380mb to 420mb.
All this can do anyone,'couse there are tutorials with step by step,showing ho to do all this.
Unlocking bootloader i a bit harder but other things are easy.
Sry if i wrote something wrong,i'm not the best at writing.Cheers
EDIT:
Here is the web site: www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-unlock-bootloader-xperia-arc-play-neo-pro/
Thats the easyest way ti unlock bootloader,just follow it step by step,take your time don't think its to hard just do it step by step,and you'll make it.Good luck
Sent from my Xperia Arc using XDA

Thanks for that . I will try that site tonight. Its just a pity they dont let you remove all the tripe apps that you never use. Not much point to it really. I would see the point if we used them, then fair enough. Maybe something they could think about in the future. If your listening out there.
Listen to what users want.. APPS THAT WE DONT WANT TO USE, LET US REMOVE THEM TO FREE UP OUR PHONES..................
Thanks again you lot for all your help.

pren22's avatar could you tell me... on the website that you gave me it says that to find out if i can unlock my bootloader...hold the menu key down while conecting to computer. it should turn blue. does this matter? I held it down and it stayed orange. The phone was still switched on at the time.

moff1 said:
pren22's avatar could you tell me... on the website that you gave me it says that to find out if i can unlock my bootloader...hold the menu key down while conecting to computer. it should turn blue. does this matter? I held it down and it stayed orange. The phone was still switched on at the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't remember if i hade this problem,but if you have arc you can unlock your bootloader,The light turns orange 'cause you have locked bootloader.Just proceed with tut.
Here try this http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions just read it,i think that you will be able to unlock it.Good luck.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1653188 excellent thread
hit thanks if i helped

Thanks for that, I will have a look at them tomorrow.
Looking at trying the test point method to unlock the bootloader as yoo dont seem to lose the drm keys.
Then hopefully get down to rooting.
Thanks

[Q] In need of guidance :)

Hello, and sorry for bugging everyone, but I have somewhat of a problem. I'll just start from the beggining.
First of all I own a SGS II, so I'm used to flashing roms and kernels custom stuff and all...on that. My girlfriend is the one who owns a Xperia Arc S (LT18a, US version if it's relevant or not). And for the live of me, I can't summon the courage to flash it, the process being somewhat different than the flashing of a S2. That's just idiot proof in my opinion, can't go wrong. I'm seeing all over the place guides and stuff for flashing a Xperia Arc S, and don't really know wich one is good/bad etc. So...the actual questions :
1. Where can I find the stock firmwares for Xperia Arc S ? I was hopping on a website something like sammobile for samsung, where I can find every release etc.
2. She now has 2.3.4 (I think not 100% sure) build 4.0.2.A.0.62 and from what I heard that cannot be rooted, or it involved something like unlocking the bootloader or something like that, safe to say that kinda freaked me out a bit.
3. I'm guessing that this build 62 is like on my samsung, where different stock rom's are differentiated by letters (eg. XXLPG, XWLPQ etc) so, someone please confirm that.
4. Is there any noticeable difference between these gingebread builds, cause if build 62 can't be rooted, I'll downgrade to previous build that can be more easily rooted.
5. I really need a idiot proof guide to flashing this thing. She has no warranty on it and I really don't want to mess it up
6. And last (finally, I know ) some links for safe versions of flashtool (equivalent of odin from what I understand) and firmwares, stuff I need to root it etc.
I apologise for such a long post but this stuff is pretty overwhelming for me. Also I apologise for spelling errors (english is not my first language)

Wow, the things we do for love...
OK, here's a quick run-down of how it works.
Firstly the bootloader thing: -
The bootloader is where the "kernel" sits. If you unlock the bootloader then you can pretty much put anything on the phone.
You can flash a custom kernel, and from there on you can use ClockworkMod recovery the same way you do on your Samsung.
(
custom kernels have ClockworkMod recovery built into them since the XPERIA doesn't have a "/recovery" partition for the standard ClockworkMod recovery.
If that didn't make sense then here's a translation "There's no special space for CWM recovery on Sony phones! So custom kernels have CWM recovery built in for easy access."
When one of these kernels starts up the phone there's a point where the hardware buttons light up, and the LED flashes purple. If you press "volume down" at this point then the kernel starts up ClockworkMod recovery instead of booting the phone.
Most roms come with their own kernel that you can use like this. The XPERIA is different to the SGS phone because you can't flash a kernel from the phone itself. You need an unlocked bootloader and fastboot to flash a kernel.
)
So unlocking the bootloader is a good idea, but only after you've made a backup of all your stuff off the memory card.
Here's a really good thread that brings together all sorts of pieces of information that you might need to root the phone - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1653188
OK, so that's the unlock thing, and the kernel thing. Once the kernel has CWM recovery built in you can pretty much flash any rom you feel like flashing. There are already some JellyBean roms out that are fast and usable if you're prepared to read up on them and experiment a bit.
Next thing is the "BaseBand". This is the driver for the "cell phone radio". The part of the hardware that's actually responsible for behaving like a phone
Here's a thread where you can get all of the different base-band versions: - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688049
Personally I know that base-bands 72 and 77 both work perfectly. Since they are the 2 newest versions you can choose which-ever one you want. The newer basebands give much better signal strength on the phone, and the call quality is really good.
Good luck with the experimenting - hope you enjoy.

Are you looking to upgrade her arc to ics? It is much easier to find the resources if that is the case
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium

navras1719 said:
I can't summon the courage to flash it, the process being somewhat different than the flashing of a S2. That's just idiot proof in my opinion, can't go wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is flashing on the Arc/S, so long as you can read.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304634

Thanks for taking the time to answer such a long and frankly, annoying post Seems I got a bit of homework, manny things to read, so...coffee and patience Hope everything will add up nicely

jman2131 said:
Are you looking to upgrade her arc to ics? It is much easier to find the resources if that is the case
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, from what I hear ICS dumbs down the phone sort of speak. Now I really can't say, but I would test it out a bit, as long as I learn how to go back to GB.
Another thing that I'm a bit concerned is that all the stuff I find are for LT18i and my gf's phone is a american model LT18a. Will this be a problem ? Or that's just to differentiate the hardware stuff in them ? I hope flashing a LT18i firmware doesn't screw anything up

navras1719 said:
Not really, from what I hear ICS dumbs down the phone sort of speak. Now I really can't say, but I would test it out a bit, as long as I learn how to go back to GB.
Another thing that I'm a bit concerned is that all the stuff I find are for LT18i and my gf's phone is a american model LT18a. Will this be a problem ? Or that's just to differentiate the hardware stuff in them ? I hope flashing a LT18i firmware doesn't screw anything up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, the differentiating factor is the hardware. the lt18i and lt18a roms are the same as far as I know. ICS does tend to be more resource heavy especially on the arcs but downgrading back to GB is basically the same method as flashing the ICS, just with another rom.
And also, in response to your first post, you can downgrade to the rootable build of GB, root that, and then flash the build 62 kernel back onto your phone so it's rooted and of the desired build
There's a lot of flashing guides on youtube regarding the arc s. I did a quick search and this one seemed pretty accurate and straight to the point.

Ok I pretty much understood the whole shabang, my last question is about the bootloader, if I unlock it once that's it ? I can flash whatever I want and not need to reunclock it...sort of speak. I read that for warranty reasons it can be relocked but that's not the case for me. Also for flashing a stock rom is it necessary to unlock the bootloader or that's just for rooting ?
Oh and almost forgot...if I understood right...I can downgrade...root...then upgrade to 62 and it will still be rooted ? On my samsung if it'a rooted and I flash abother stock rom...bye bye root, so pretty weird for me. Thank you again, I can't stress enough how helpfull you guys were.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

unlocking the bootloader allows a whole lot more things to be done with the arc, but does make some apps defunct such as track id and music facebook like (which many can do without). flashing and/or rooting a stock rom doesn't need an unlocked bootloader because it's stock and yep, you can downgrade/upgrade, root, and then go back to what build you want by flashing a kernel only

jman2131 said:
unlocking the bootloader allows a whole lot more things to be done with the arc, but does make some apps defunct such as track id and music facebook like (which many can do without).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That only applies if you use the official method to unlock, use SETool and you'll retain DRM.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray

XperienceD said:
That only applies if you use the official method to unlock, use SETool and you'll retain DRM.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. I never knew much about bootloaders and all that

XperienceD said:
That only applies if you use the official method to unlock, use SETool and you'll retain DRM.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could help me out with a SETool link and a basic set of instructions that would be awsome
LE: From what I've seen there are 2 versions of SETool and one's free the other is not. Can the free version be used to unlock the bootloader or do I have to get the full version ? Or even simpler, is there anyway to unlock it (LT18a) free and without losing DRM ?

XperienceD said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304634
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

So basically from what I read there, no way for free unlock and retain DRM.

navras1719 said:
So basically from what I read there, no way for free unlock and retain DRM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the instructions up to the point just before patching and tell me what it says please?

if you unlock the bootloader NEVER UPDATE OVER THE AIR this will brick the phone.
The're 2 ways to unlock bootloader
1 via Sony web site but this only works for non branded phones,
2 is to pay if you use a service with setools this will unlock bootloader and make phone SIM free.
Xda member jinx13 offers this service contract him for more info.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium

zolaisugly said:
2 is to pay if you use a service with setools this will unlock bootloader and make phone SIM free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If SETool can unlock any handset I'm not sure why the S1Tool wouldn't, has anyone confirmed in the thread it doesn't work for the Arc S?

XperienceD said:
If SETool can unlock any handset I'm not sure why the S1Tool wouldn't, has anyone confirmed in the thread it doesn't work for the Arc S?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since my bootloader was opened the setools has been upgraded to setools2 which now covers more phones but not sure which.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium

XperienceD said:
Follow the instructions up to the point just before patching and tell me what it says please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry but what are you refering to ? The process that involves opening the backcover under the battery ?
Some additional info, it's not carrier branded, not sim locked...and using the service code in the dialer says bootloader unlockable : yes
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Should have had this done already.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray

You guys recommend unlocking bootloader?

Hello,
I'm considering of unlocking my bootloader. Do you guys recommend it (warranty and so...).
And is there a chanche that when i'm flashing CM10 my xperia S could hard brick and won't be able to restore with flashtool or can you always reflash with flashtool?
Thank you

Unlocking the bootloader is for fannys
Sent from my Jellybean Xperia S

Ben36 said:
Unlocking the bootloader is for fannys
Sent from my Jellybean Xperia S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I really kinda enjoy flashing roms and testing them out on my phone but i'm also a bit afraid of bricking and warranty ;/

I would tweak everything you can and play around with locked bootloader first. You can always unlock later, but once you do unlock it can never be hidden from Sony service centers. Unlocking does NOT automatically void warranty, but gives more reasons to deny coverage. Playing first will give you an idea about what you would do if you unlock. And as always read, read, read, about what you are going to do first, recovering an unlocked bootloader device can be more difficult that locked
~Jaramie
sent from my ION

Just do what I do. Sod warranty, get insurance through your bank account. That way if you totally brick it. Throw it on the floor and claim for a new one!
Sent from my Jellybean Xperia S

It's unlocked Installed CM10 and I like it, I watched a lot of tutorials on youtube, read on XDA and other sites.
ty ;D
PS : is CM10 the best jellybean rom or do you guys recommend something else?

patato800 said:
It's unlocked Installed CM10 and I like it, I watched a lot of tutorials on youtube, read on XDA and other sites.
ty ;D
PS : is CM10 the best jellybean rom or do you guys recommend something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personal preference really but for me CM10 is the best Jellybean ROM, I like AOKP as well. Both are good, just whichever you think is best