Develop Bugs

[Q] Need help with flashing stock ROM

Just got my Xperia Play.. its got chinese apps and keyboards installed.
I updated it to the latest version in SE Suite..
How can I flash a stock english ROM to the phone and clear off all the chinese crap?

just go over to the dev thread, and find the post with the uk generic 4...... firmware, and flash it with flashtool. i can link them if you need me to? just make sure anything you need backing up (contacts, apps, whatever) are backed up first. and you dont need to worry about flashtool not recognising the play, it still flashes it fine. i have many times

i was bored, so i'm giving you the links anyway
for the firmware
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1221105
and for flashtool (i personally use 0.2.9.1, but many suggest to use the latest)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=920746
hope it helps

[Q] Safest way to upgrade my rom

Hi, I've been running stock 2.3.3 on my UK phone for sometime now and want to upgrade to the latest official rom.
When Ominus was doing a free unlock via testpoint method, I did it but now I cant upgrade the official way.
What's the safest way to upgrade my rom now? Dont mind loosing all the settings and programs but if I can keep them that's a bonus.
Any help would be appriciated, BTW I've not been into flashing for quite some time so keep it simple.
Thanks

mcfly666 said:
Hi, I've been running stock 2.3.3 on my UK phone for sometime now and want to upgrade to the latest official rom.
When Ominus was doing a free unlock via testpoint method, I did it but now I cant upgrade the official way.
What's the safest way to upgrade my rom now? Dont mind loosing all the settings and programs but if I can keep them that's a bonus.
Any help would be appriciated, BTW I've not been into flashing for quite some time so keep it simple.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a no-go I'm afraid. If you unlocked your bootloaded VIA that method you cannot re-lock your bootloader.
See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14943322&postcount=1
Besides, official ROMs are bloated and crappy. Why would you want to revert? If anything, reflash a stock Kernel/FTF, or update via FTF to the latest version using FlashTool.
You can download the latest FTF for the R800i here: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390350787562963052

Spizzy01 said:
That's a no-go I'm afraid. If you unlocked your bootloaded VIA that method you cannot re-lock your bootloader.
See here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14943322&postcount=1
Besides, official ROMs are bloated and crappy. Why would you want to revert? If anything, reflash a stock Kernel/FTF, or update via FTF to the latest version using FlashTool.
You can download the latest FTF for the R800i here: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390350787562963052
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using an official rom now, so I wouldnt be reverting, back in the day when I had an Sony X1 I had all sorts of headaches with custom roms (sleep of death ect) I know I would loose loads of nice features that I wont get with an official rom, but they just work 99% of the time.
I know I cant use the official method to update, so your saying FTF it? Sounds simple enough, but do they come with a kernel ect?
Cheers for the reply buddy.
Edit: just realised.. stock/official meant the same thing to me, when you say stock do you mean "un-bloated" ?

As far as I know it flashes everything.
Stock ROMs will still have all the Sony apps and any extras that come with it. Most of these are pointless though and takes up internal space, 3rd party ROMs are usually a lot less bloated as well as being faster with improved battery life. I moved from the stock lates UK 2.3.4 Sony ROM to AuroraPlay 0.8 (and above) and it made a hell of a good difference to it, everything feels much smoother.

[Q] Arc S android update suggestions (for backup and space issues?) - noob :$

Hi,
I'm having problems with space and the general speed of my Xperia Arc S so the time has come to finally upgrade from Sony's version of Android 2.3 in hope that it will improve things.
I've kind of avoided this so far as I don't really know the best way to back-up things.
I want to back up to my computer - not to the internet.
I am guessing that for the applications that I would like to back up I would need to back up both their APK files and whatever their setting files are. I guess there are also some system settings to back up (but then these are less important).
A problem I have always had is space on the phone - it has very little storage space and although I try and move everything to the SD card, a lot of it doesn't seem to be able to be moved.
Things like simply the Google Play services take up loads of space! I don't even really have that much on there - mainly just whatsapp.
The phone is stock although I have checked in the service menu and it says that I can unlock the bootloader. Part of the reason I didn't upgrade to Sony's version of Android 4 was because I heard that it locks the bootloader and I didn't know if this was bad.
What is the bootloader unlock for? Is it for loading custom roms? As i thought you could do this even if it was locked? Or is it for rooting?
So yer, I guess I am looking for recommendations for a CFW to suit my needs. Priorities are that it works and i'm guessing the latest android version possible would be best as this will help with performance etc. Or is that a misnomer as newer android releases are generally geared for phones with higher specs? I've heard that some CFWs have problems with wifi etc so i'd like to avoid those as I certainly need that.
Overall there seem to be so many even on this forum that I don't really know which would be a best fit for my needs or this phone.
I also have an original San Francisco (zte blade) to update but will save that 'till I've done this one.
Hopefully I can get an understanding as to how all this CFW / Rooting / whatever business works and the best / latest way to do things, as as with everything, it all rapidly changes and you can find yourself looking out lots of outdated and now incorrect or superseeded information.
All a bit overwhelming really, which is why i've put it off so long!
Thanks for your time and help!

1. Q : For backup on ICS 4.0.4, right?
A : Unlock bootloader first -> root -> flash cwm - now u can backup everything from ur phone.
2. Q : Little storage, right?
A : After backup, reboot system.
Partition ur sdcard -> install link2sd. (google it for how to)
Link what do u want to link (google it for how to)
3. Q : Unlockbootloader, right?
A : It's for using custom kernel (google it for how to)
There's too many tutorial from all your question.
Read it again and again :good:

Abigail said:
1. Q : For backup on ICS 4.0.4, right?
A : Unlock bootloader first -> root -> flash cwm - now u can backup everything from ur phone.
2. Q : Little storage, right?
A : After backup, reboot system.
Partition ur sdcard -> install link2sd. (google it for how to)
Link what do u want to link (google it for how to)
3. Q : Unlockbootloader, right?
A : It's for using custom kernel (google it for how to)
There's too many tutorial from all your question.
Read it again and again :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have android 2.3 - is this a problem?
I thought that the Sony ICS 4.0 update made it so you could not unlock your bootloader?
Hmm if you unlock your bootloader, it will also root the phone, correct?
But it seems that using the Sony tool will wipe my phone developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
So i saw there is the S1tool but then people said that it does not work with the Arc S.
Is this still the case? What is the reason? is it impossible?
So, you say that in order to back up my applications and things, i need to unlock my bootloader. The official way seems to wipe my phone though - so then i can't back up :S
Hmm, see, i am confused about the order i should do things. Also i've heard that if you use the Sony tool then you cannot use OTA updates which seems like it could be problematic? Mind you i guess CFW cannot use OTA either - so how do you update? You must check for updates on your PC and reflash your phone regularly? Or are there ways for Stock android CFW to support OTA updates?
So, does the Sony ICS update stop you unlocking the bootloader?
I guess there are 2 options. Update using that and then install helium OR root and then use titanium backup.
Not sure which to try.
Thanks!

1. Unlock bootloader is only affected by the phone manufacture date, check the battery compartment and see if the date is before 12W11. Any date after this means the phone can't be unlocked.
2. Software does not affect the unlocking of bootloader, like I mentioned earlier check the battery compartment.
3. Unlocking your bootloader does not mean you have rooted your phone. It just means you can flash custom kernels onto your phone.
4. It's not that S1tool doesn't work, if I told you the entire process of doing it you wouldn't want to do it either.
5. Sony last stopped the update at 4.0.4, no need to concern yourself with future updates.
6. If you use CFW, refer to the thread for instructions on how to install updates.
7. Like I mentioned, ICS update does not affect bootloader unlock, only the manufacture date does. Furthermore, if you update from stock to a CFW, you will not be able to restore your data from the old software. You will have no choice but to start with a clean slate.

I am on Sonys 2.3, build 4.0.2.A.0.62 and i read that i cannot root this version.
I can't use backup software as i can't root to use titanium and helium doesn't support 2.3.
Sony back also apparently doesn't support my phone.
Basically, my apps are outdated due to me not having enough space to update them.
I think that updating to Sony's ICS update might enable me to use these programs and root so that i can backup, then unlock the bootloader and use cfw. (i checked and my s# is older than 12W11 so that's fine).
However, i am worried that if i try to update to Sony's ICS update that i will either lose my applications or the data that is stored with them (whatsapp history, game saves, app config etc etc) - particularly as they are not up to date.
Is this the case? Is there anything i can do?
Thanks

oneNight1 said:
I am on Sonys 2.3, build 4.0.2.A.0.62 and i read that i cannot root this version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at the tool namend one click root (this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219781), your build should be root-able, just read carefully and decide if you wanna try...
I used this tool on stock sony ics 4.0.4 build and it worked nicely, haven't tried it on stock sony gb 2.3 build though.
Good luck! :good:

BadGround said:
Take a look at the tool namend one click root (this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2219781), your build should be root-able, just read carefully and decide if you wanna try...
I used this tool on stock sony ics 4.0.4 build and it worked nicely, haven't tried it on stock sony gb 2.3 build though.
Good luck! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip! It worked!
If you do it twice it relocks your phone. Took some google translate to find out what the chinese was saying hehe.
I'm now on stock 4.0.3 (4.1.A.0.562).
Doesn't seem a great deal better than 2.3, i guess i need to find out what a good lightweight CFW is really. Firefox for android constantly crashes so i tried naked browser and that does too. Wish there was a good selective script blocker for mobile browsers - that would help a lot. Noscript for firefox would be a possibility but the problem is it crashes a lot even with javascript disabled.
So yer not sure where the problems are coming from, maybe due to the low RAM in this phone. That's why i was thinking a lightweight CFW might help matters but not sure if it's best to go with a 5.1 one that breaks 720p recording and has issues with things like turning off GPS.
Or it might be better to go with the latest type that doesn't break anything. I'm guessing that is a 4.0.4 CFW? Or maybe 4.4? I know stock only goes up to 4.0.4 but i think i read something about being able to get CFW based on stock so HDMI, FM radio, 720p recording etc etc won't be broken?
Thanks anyway!

oneNight1 said:
Or it might be better to go with the latest type that doesn't break anything. I'm guessing that is a 4.0.4 CFW? Or maybe 4.4? I know stock only goes up to 4.0.4 but i think i read something about being able to get CFW based on stock so HDMI, FM radio, 720p recording etc etc won't be broken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I haven't tried 5.1 so far, only following the 5.1-threads to see how it's going on.
HDMI is only working up to 4.0.4 roms, FM radio is working in 4.1 roms too, and you'll get 720p recording also in 4.4.4 roms. If you want all things working your phone is able to you will have to use roms based on stock GB or ICS. Therefore I'm using a stock based ICS rom most of the time (T-Rom).

By T-Rom for Arc S, i assume that you mean this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746508
Or if not then this port of it? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239187
Sounds like something worth trying to see if it helps!
Thanks!

oneNight1 said:
By T-Rom for Arc S, i assume that you mean this? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746508
Or if not then this port of it? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239187
Sounds like something worth trying to see if it helps!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Arc S the first link is the matching one. I think it's the most recently updated ICS rom for our device :good:

Flash kernel problem

Hi,
today I try to flash KTG kernel on my girlfriend Arc S with ICS stock Sony rom.
I have rooted it with tool (Eroot_V1.3.4) and says rooted.
Even Flashtool says "Root access allowed" but when I try to flash KTG kernel from Flashtool on Fastboot mode, obtain an error (See attachment).
This Arc S is with Unlocked Bootloader, and works perfectly.
I want to flash KTG to install a custom ICS ROM (Zohaib one).
With my old Arc S I do it without problem...this problem never happened to me. Now I don't know how flash kernel.
I try to re-root device with Flashtool option (My LT18i-->Root) but even that options, after launched., says ROOTED, busybox installed and I see SuperUser on apps in the device.
Someone can help me? Read Flashtool video logs....what's happened?
How can I flash KTG with this problem? It's related with ?

you probably fixed that by now, and I am no expert, but I just solved a lot of my problems by using a real old flashtool v 6. something.
It had no problems acknowledging bootlader status- unlocked which I had convinced myself was relocked. It rooted no probs first try with the padlock and fastboot installed .img which I just couldnt get to happen with other versions.
I also could not uninstall system apps no matter which rom/kernel i tried, I had SU in the apps but it was if wasnt really rooted.
I am finding a lot of dead links, figures because this phone so old now, and the forums are just too big to navigate. I am now trying Rush with UHD 5.0 since today, but it is chewing through the battery, any advice?
Any old files you could send me?

kenmystro said:
you probably fixed that by now, and I am no expert, but I just solved a lot of my problems by using a real old flashtool v 6. something.
It had no problems acknowledging bootlader status- unlocked which I had convinced myself was relocked. It rooted no probs first try with the padlock and fastboot installed .img which I just couldnt get to happen with other versions.
I also could not uninstall system apps no matter which rom/kernel i tried, I had SU in the apps but it was if wasnt really rooted.
I am finding a lot of dead links, figures because this phone so old now, and the forums are just too big to navigate. I am now trying Rush with UHD 5.0 since today, but it is chewing through the battery, any advice?
Any old files you could send me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have fixed the problem selling that Arc S.. Now I'm on my Z1C only.
But thanks very much for your answer and attention...these problems are known about root.
For root ICS Arc S, use EasyRootToolKit from this forum...for me works (disable antivirus first)
As ROM, I use for years Xperia T ROM from Zohaib, that goes well and mantain stock features of Arc S.
Or, if you want to try something different, you can try "Superjellybean ROM" that goes well on my Arc S...flash SuperFusion Kernel and try the lightness of Jelly Bean 4.1.2
Have a nice day!

Need help/suggestions on how to flash ArchiDroid on an untouched/stock XperiaM

Hi guys, been following this awesome community for a while now. I got a OnePlus One and I managed to unlock/root it thx to a thread on this forums (even if I'm not that "pro" with phones), but now I have my father's Xperia M (which has never been unlocked/rooted/flashed or anything) that is updated to Android 4.3 and I need help on how to proper install a custom ROM on it (I'm interested in the ArchiDroid one in particular). I don't like Sony's stock ROM, it's acting badly on some things (video recording for example) and in general it just sucks imho, so I want to upgrade to a custom Lollipop one (ArchiDroid). Can someone kindly explain me all the initial steps I have to take to, at least, install a custom recovery on the phone (possibly the TWRP since I used it for the OPO aswell)? Do i need to unlock the bootloader or something? Thx a lot!

Yes, u need to unlock your bootloader.U can do it through fastboot mode.Detailed information is available on Official Sony's Developer world page. Then flash custom recovery like cwm or twrp.Finally download the zip file and start flashing it.

Yep I managed to do all the stuff just yesterday, but thx anyway! Although it was not easy AT ALL, took me all day and was just a nightmare lol. The phone went immediately in bootloop after unlocking the bootloader, so I had to flash an appropriate firmware with flashtool, and I even had a problem at the very end of the process while trying to install the ROM itself (I choosed the official stock CM 12.1 nightly btw), because CWM was giving a stupid error. Thank god a guy here on the forums reported that CWM has problems with some SDs and posted a method to solve them all (by doing a total format of the SD with a program called SDFormatter).

3ullit87 said:
Yep I managed to do all the stuff just yesterday, but thx anyway! Although it was not easy AT ALL, took me all day and was just a nightmare lol. The phone went immediately in bootloop after unlocking the bootloader, so I had to flash an appropriate firmware with flashtool, and I even had a problem at the very end of the process while trying to install the ROM itself (I choosed the official stock CM 12.1 nightly btw), because CWM was giving a stupid error. Thank god a guy here on the forums reported that CWM has problems with some SDs and posted a method to solve them all (by doing a total format of the SD with a program called SDFormatter).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, cwm recovery for now is not good for daily use. because they still have old commit. i suggest you to change to TWRP recovery, try look at here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61626285&postcount=1 we've got official support for this recovery:laugh: