Hello fellow Xperia Gamers,
After using this phone for a while now the following questions remain:
1) Will unlocking the bootloader make it easier to repair by myself in future if this phone ever software bricks?
2) Overclocking requires a kernel like Doom's, the question is: Can you underclock the Xperia Play using rooted stock and setCPU?
3) Lets say I wanted to unlock the bootloader, I could do so without having to flash a custom rom at once right?
4) The modem I use is a r800i - Iam Dutch (the Netherlands) - Provider is: T-mobile.
Can anyone point me to the steps and files needed to flash the official 2.3.4?
(I like to have things ready before they go wrong hehe.)
Any advice is welcome.
Kind regards, Stefan,
First, you can follow these guides to do everything, read "flash a ftf file" for instruction to return to stock.
1. Maybe, but no difference than if you have locked bootloader, since recovering from a softbrick usually mean using Flashtool to flash factory firmware.
2. You don't need custom kernel to underclock. Just root and use SetCPU. Though I don't know why you should underclock, this phone have efficient battery life and can be slow at times with demanding apps. Even though I overclock my Play to 1.2ghz it still get good battery life.
3. You don't have to go flashing custom rom or do anything to your phone after that.
4. Here is the HongKong R800i 2.3.4 factory firmware, it has been modified to be rootable (using either SuperOneClick or Flashtool. The rom is in Chinese by default, but when you put it your sim it will automatically change language.)
Base on your inquiries, it doesn't seem like you need to unlock your bootloader since you have no intention of overclocking nor install custom roms.
What I suggest you do is if you already have root, download the CWM installer version 5, specifically. And the NXT Lite rom. And the GB Google apps.
Install CWM, then boot into CWM by: while turning on your device, keep pressing the Volume Down button at the Sony logo. You can flash the NXT Lite rom as it does not require an unlocked bootloader. It's based on stock, but is more optimized and look nicer.
If you do unlock the bootloader, I recommend installing this Doom kernel, it really help improve the phone performance. You will need fastboot to unlock the bootloader and flash kernels, check my signature.
Great answers, thanks a lot mate!
I would like to give Doom's kernel a try now, however when using the recovery above Iam unable to boot into recovery.
(Think I need it to flash the wifi modules as his posts state.)
- Will not boot into recovery if vol down is pressed and held down on SE bootscreen \ logo splash.
- Will not boot into recovery when I choose to do so from the X-parts tools.
Any idea's?
PS: Will flashing a custom kernel reset the phone?
(As in, will I need to reinstall all apps?)
Yet another question if I may: What is the correct way of disconnecting a device after its been used in fastboot mode?
- Simply unplug the USB?
- Or safely remove hardware from Windows?
Kind regards, Stefan.
You need to use CWM installer version5, not the latest version. And dont press and hold, but keep pressing the button. You might need to enabled USB debugging when you install it but not sure if its needed.
For the kernel some kernel require to extra WiFi module.
Sent from my R800i
Thanks again for this info, booted into recovery now.
Ill read trough Doom his post a time or 5 and then flash his kernel.
Kind regards, Stefan.
Related
Ok. I would be glad if someone could point me in the right direction here, and answer this question.
I am planning on buying an Xplay, mainly for phoning and gaming. I am very keen on keeping the Xplay "clean" and fast, and therefore wish to remove all bloatware from the beginning.
Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on? What´s the best thing to do if I want to remove the bloatware. I might as well say that I´m pretty much a beginner when it comes to all the terms "rooting" and stuff. But I want to do it a safe way, without taking risks of breaking or bricking anything.
Thanks.
Some of the bloatware can be simply uninstalled, some cannot. For the latter you need to root your phone. I like to use SuperOneClick for rooting. Note that some firmwares (the ones whose version ends with .62 or greater) cannot be rooted, so I wouldn't update to them.
Once rooted, removing the bloatware is pretty simple. The most common way is to use Titanium Backup to uninstall it or you can even do it manually by deleting the relevant .apk files from /system/app.
Root your phone ,this is the first step that you must to do. After rooting ,you can remove bloatware from your phone and gain more free space on you internal memory.
I think that the best rooting way is the (zergRush Method):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1312859
After rooting ,download 'Root Explorer' ,go to system/app and remove all the things you don't need.
If you are getting an AT&T Xplay I would suggest installing the generic north American rom which is 2.3.4 and missing the AT&T bloat. I backed up the games from the stock rom first then installed the NA rom and reinstalled them.
First use pc companion and install the latest update. Then root and remove bloat and get everything set up like your contacts and apps. After that install cwm and make a nandroid backup and start flashing roms! Back-up your info if the rom won't carry it over. Optional: Unlock bootloader before roms. There are plenty of stock based roms to for people with locked bootloaders.
EDIT: Don't do the below, just read you don't want risk!
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Use flashtool to install a generic ROM .FTF file (.368 has CRT animation but is old, .42 is good, .62 is good)
3. Install a kernel (DooM's is great). This will allow you to overclock, and give automatic ROOT (no need to exploit or install anything else)
4. Buy/acquire an app called "Titanium Backup" (it needs ROOT to run), and check the guide in these forums for which apps are safe to remove
The first thing to do? Here's a list:
1. READ everything you can find related to your model version of the Play. There are different versions depending on where you are in the world and who your service provider is. If you have a GSM capable phone (Europe, Canada, ATT in US just to name a few), you will have a lot more modification options available. If you have a CDMA capable phone (Verizon), you have fewer choices but there are more coming almost every day.
2. READ again - you know you only understood maybe a 10th of what you just read!
3. POST specific questions AFTER you have searched the forums. Don't be afraid to try Google - that's what it's there for.
4. THINK !!! - what is it that you expect to get from modifying your phone that it doesn't do now? If you just want to remove bloatware, you can simply root, install a custom recovery, make a backup and then go to town. No need for unlocking the bootloader or loading a custom rom.
5. SLOW DOWN !!! - don't be in such a hurry to modify your phone that you leap before you look. Most bricked phones could be avoided in the first place by taking time to understand the steps involved before making changes.
6. DON'T PANIC !!! - There are very few things you can do to your phone that the experienced folks here on the forums can't help you resolved.
7. HAVE FUN !!!
---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 AM ----------
Potato13 said:
First use pc companion and install the latest update. Then root and remove bloat and get everything set up like your contacts and apps. After that install cwm and make a nandroid backup and start flashing roms! Back-up your info if the rom won't carry it over. Optional: Unlock bootloader before roms. There are plenty of stock based roms to for people with locked bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily. If you install some of the latest updates, you no longer can root. That's why some research needs to be done first.
Search google and read xda forums on a daily basis. That's the shortest route lol
1. Root using zergrush or use flashtool rooting feature
2. Unlock bootloader (this will void your warranty)
3. Install clockworkmod 5.0.2.7 for xperia phones (get it free on play store fka android market)
4. Install titanium backup and perform batch backup of your apps to your sd card
5. Get doomlord's kernel v11 (link is on my signature) and wifi modules
6. Reboot into recovery and hold down or tap volume down to enter CWM recovery
7. Flash the kernel, then reboot and flash the wifi module
8. Flash your custom rom
9. There your phone is bricked! Haha
netizenmt said:
4. THINK !!! - what is it that you expect to get from modifying your phone that it doesn't do now? If you just want to remove bloatware, you can simply root, install a custom recovery, make a backup and then go to town. No need for unlocking the bootloader or loading a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input.
The only thing that I plan to do, is probably just remove bloatware and nothing more. So I guess it´s just down to rooting the phone then, and delete the things that I don´t want? No need for unlocking bootloaders etc.?
Is there a list of what stuff that can be deleted? Or other things that can be achieved by only rooting the phone?
And the last question. Is it totally ok to accept android updates after the rooting and removing of bloatware?
silmes said:
Thanks for the input.
The only thing that I plan to do, is probably just remove bloatware and nothing more. So I guess it´s just down to rooting the phone then, and delete the things that I don´t want? No need for unlocking bootloaders etc.?
Is there a list of what stuff that can be deleted? Or other things that can be achieved by only rooting the phone?
And the last question. Is it totally ok to accept android updates after the rooting and removing of bloatware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you aren't going to get into custom kernels and overclocking, then no, you can do what you want without unlocking the bootloader.
There are some links in General and here in Q & A that make suggestions of what can be removed safely.
If you only rooted and didn't remove anything, you could accept updates. If you remove bloatware, the update won't even install. That's why I suggest installing CWM (ClockWorkMod) Recovery and doing a Nandroid Backup after you root but before you debloat.
Here are some useful links for you:
Rooted (Locked Bootloader) Phone - App Removal (Safe List)
[GUIDE] R800x owners - You got Custom ROM questions? I've got Answers!
The second one there was one I posted up for R800x users with locked bootloaders. It was all the stuff I had to glean for myself when mine was locked.
Hope this helps.
Sigh...hope this isn't too late.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23845116#post23845116
First thing: Root right away with Flashtool (http://androxyde.github.com/) and don't listen to the others, the Flashtool nowdays contains the Exploit that you need and it works perfect to root on 2.3.4 (I did it myself when I root'd mine the first time).
I am planning on buying an Xplay, mainly for phoning and gaming. I am very keen on keeping the Xplay "clean" and fast, and therefore wish to remove all bloatware from the beginning.
I recommend the Titanium Backup as all the others, and you can use this list as help: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699&highlight=remove+app+list
Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
Q: Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
A: Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
The interesting thing is that the answer to this seems to differ on who you ask. Further back in this thread, someone advised me NOT to update, as it might lead to problems when trying to root my phone. What´s the deal here?
silmes said:
Q: Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
A: Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
The interesting thing is that the answer to this seems to differ on who you ask. Further back in this thread, someone advised me NOT to update, as it might lead to problems when trying to root my phone. What´s the deal here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you update to the .62 firmware you can't root.
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk
silmes said:
Q: Could someone point me in a direction to where to start when I first unpack my phone? Should I accept all the updates and so on?
A: Yes, do that first of all before you go ahead and root your device.
The interesting thing is that the answer to this seems to differ on who you ask. Further back in this thread, someone advised me NOT to update, as it might lead to problems when trying to root my phone. What´s the deal here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because it differs between models and some people aren't aware of that, while others like to be argumentative!
If you have a Verizon R800x Play, our firmware only goes up to Version 2.3.3 (3.0.1.E.0.88). If yours comes with 2.3.2, you're safe to update. You will be able to root with no problem.
If you have one of the other phones, you can apply updates below 4.0.2.A.0.62 and still root. .62 and higher, no root.
Check out this thread [HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method) for additional information.
I want to overclock my phone in order for the phone to get faster although my main priority is to play HD games without drop in frame rates. Thus my reason to overclock.
In order to overclock, I need to unlock the bootloader and also flash a custom kernal. Now this is where the problem comes in. The offical ICS is around the corner for Xperia Play (late april/early may) and I want ICS on my phone. I dont want a custom ICS because I dont find it legit although I would like the bloatware to be removed on the offical ICS...
Now my questions are:
* Should I unlock the bootloader and flash a custom kernal, because if I do then I wont be able to update to the offical ICS rom
* If I dont want any bloatwares on my phone, would I have to flash a custom ICS ROM?
* I'm currently on 2.3.4 and I did un-install some bloatwares (e.g. sony ericsson sync and some other useless apps) through titanium backup although when I checked my phone and memory card memory, it was still the same as before deleting those apps. Why is this?
* And is it possible to flash the original kernal and lock the bootloader so what I have left over is a ordinary xperia play but rooted?
1. You only won't be able to OTA update to ICS, you can still update with flashtool once ICS is released.
2. Root is all you need to get rid of bloatware. Gaining root access is immensely easy on any firmware, with an unlocked bootloader
3. Maybe try using SD Maid? It removes some lingering data from uninstalled apps
4. Yes you can re-lock your bootloader and re-flash the stock firmware fairly easily
Go for it, there are so many ROM to try and when ICS officially comes out you'll be able to download way before your carrier will get round to sending OTA.
But I heard that if I flash a custom Kernal, the wifi or 3G will become buggy and wont work as normal... is this true?
Some of the earliest ICS ROMs had these issues but you can always flash another Kernel or the whole stock ROM and you'll be back to where you were.
I'd start with flashing Doomlords Kernel then you can make a Clockwork Mod backup and you'll always have a easy route back.
TwilightLoz said:
But I heard that if I flash a custom Kernal, the wifi or 3G will become buggy and wont work as normal... is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That all depends on the kernel, DooMKerneL works for many people just fine for both 3G and Wifi
When you use doom kernel dont forget to use the modules...
Right Seeing In Multiple Forums on devices More people who have purchased their Xperia Want to know How to.. and Where to get this.. How do I.
FAQ:
How do I enter Fastboot?
*Below
How do I enter Recovery mode?
Below
How do I Know when My device is In Fastboot or Recovery?
Fastboot Blue LED lights upRecovery Green LED lights Up
What's Recovery mode?
Its basically a Recovery Such as Your device Wont Boot or has a Soft brick You can Flash a FTF (Factory Firmwares).
Whats Fastboot?
When You your device is In a mode that enables Custom Images to enter the device that are not signed by the manufacturer. Can also Flash CWM images and Userdata, Kernels, also The System Partition.
FAQ end
Whats A bootloader?
A Software Which runs before the system is loaded telling the phone what to do.
How do I unlock a Bootloader?
There have been or always been a Soloution for Xperia Phones to be unlocked those being :
Paid SETOOL/OMNIUS
*This Maintains your DRM (Digital rights management keys) Basically To stop Things Like Track ID musci unlimited to be runned on other Phones.
*Unlocks SIM network and Bootloader and Unlocks Fastboot.
*You get a Backup of your system Files (Notice Only with Jinx13 or Aljeandrissimo)
*Allows OTA updates to not brick the device.
Sony's Unlock Bootloader Service:
The Standard method for Unlocking removes DRM keys and OTA updates can Brick the device. Only for generic Sim Unlocked Phones! Which Can enter fastboot.
S1tool:
For generic Phones SIM unlocked.
Maintains DRM and OTA dont brick.
But No System Backup.
Root? Superuser? What the...
These Just allow Applications that require special levels of Security To function such as TB and Rootexplorer. SuperUser is what Gives you the Choice to Allow these apps run, And also Updates the SU binary files.
Warranty? Can I keep 'em If I do it?
No Most likely is the answer only a few areas allow Unlocked or rooted Phones (I think) But SETOOL and S1tool are non-reversable. Root can be reversed and Updating Via OTA wont harm it. But OTA maintains root.
Flashtool. What is this X4L?....
Flashtool Is a Open source Tool lettting Xperia Users Flash FTF i mentioned earlier on, In more advance details You can maintain stuff like this ; I have baseband -56 and I want to keep it when I flash to Latest 4.0.A.0.62 So with options Just check Exclude Baseband Baym You got a Older Baseband On a New FW!
First Time Enetering Recovery to Flash a FTF which Debrands the Phone!:
Guide:
Step 1) Power the device off and remove any USB in the Socket.
Step 2)Hold The Back button arrow going this way "<--" and Plug the USB in to the Phone.
Step 3)Let go when You see a Green LED appear.
Im Bootloader Unlocked How do I enter Fastboot?
Like Before Follow the Guide:
Step 1) Power off the device remove any USB in the Port.
Step2) Hold the Search Button "The magnifiying Scope" and Plug the USB in.
Step 3) Let go when you see a Blue LED.
Pre-Rooted Kernels and CWM?
Kernels Such as Darkforest kernel & DoomLords Kernel Have a Pre-Root feature means you can root any FW you want.
CWM what da?...
CWM stands for Clock work mod ; Enables you to flash packages to add to your FW or Installing a ROM using a Edify Script.
ClockWorkMod?Ya mentioned it before what's that?
Its basically a Like "Recovery but Flashes .zip files with Scripts It reads to tell it what to do, This is still a Pain in my Hole "Edify" After Gingerbread It was vital to switch from Amend To Edify Because of major flaws.
Hi everyone!
I'm new in the Android development community and after 1 1/2 years of using my stock openline Sony Xperia S, I decided to root it and install custom ROM on it. I've succeeded on unlocking its bootloader and rooting it. And then I thought, "ok time to choose a custom ROM, install it, and do a happy dance!" However, I couldn't make the recovery work at first, tried everything but it just reboots and does nothing. I installed a dual recovery from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2634382
I finally was able to make TWRP recovery work, but when I tried to install the custom ROM, I forgot to wipe all data - soft bricking my phone.
Now I tried to find here solutions on how to recover my bricked phone and stumbled upon this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1849170
I followed instructions carefully, and installed 6.2.B.0.200. Now when I checked my phone, SuperSU is gone... Hmm, ok I'll just download it again from Play Store I thought. It's not working when I tried to open it, says it's missing some binaries. Could it be possible that I unrooted my phone trying to recover it?
I tried unlocking phones in the past, the old Nokia models (N70, N73, etc) but man, modding Android phone is just too complex! With all the overwhelming information that I've been reading in the past 12 hours (and imagine the stress that I've felt when I bricked my phone), I just want to ask how I can get back on track to what I'm doing. Should I root it again? I've rooted my phone earlier from following these instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2417672
If you'd ask what custom ROM I was trying to install earlier, it's here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2140734
Thank you in advance,
SA
Download the root checker app from play store. It will show you if you're rooted or not.
Sent from my Xperia S using xda app-developers app
Soul Annihilator said:
Hi everyone!
I'm new in the Android development community and after 1 1/2 years of using my stock openline Sony Xperia S, I decided to root it and install custom ROM on it. I've succeeded on unlocking its bootloader and rooting it. And then I thought, "ok time to choose a custom ROM, install it, and do a happy dance!" However, I couldn't make the recovery work at first, tried everything but it just reboots and does nothing. I installed a dual recovery from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2634382
I finally was able to make TWRP recovery work, but when I tried to install the custom ROM, I forgot to wipe all data - soft bricking my phone.
Now I tried to find here solutions on how to recover my bricked phone and stumbled upon this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1849170
I followed instructions carefully, and installed 6.2.B.0.200. Now when I checked my phone, SuperSU is gone... Hmm, ok I'll just download it again from Play Store I thought. It's not working when I tried to open it, says it's missing some binaries. Could it be possible that I unrooted my phone trying to recover it?
I tried unlocking phones in the past, the old Nokia models (N70, N73, etc) but man, modding Android phone is just too complex! With all the overwhelming information that I've been reading in the past 12 hours (and imagine the stress that I've felt when I bricked my phone), I just want to ask how I can get back on track to what I'm doing. Should I root it again? I've rooted my phone earlier from following these instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2417672
If you'd ask what custom ROM I was trying to install earlier, it's here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2140734
Thank you in advance,
SA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your bootloader has been unlocked, that means you can flash custom kernel. I recommended you to flash doomlord's kernel as it already included cwm and twrp recovery. Here is the link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2305591 and this kernel is also based on latest .96 firmware and you should not worry about compatibility issue
Thank you for the replies here so far. So yeah I had to re-root my phone. And I ditched TWRP too and used CWM to install a custom ROM. However, the custom ROM that I installed (Unlimited Xperia) is not as smooth as I had hoped. One of my games (Brave Frontier) is constantly crashing or hanging and the lack of WCDMA only option is a huge deal breaker for me (the creator probably doesn't have stable 3G in his area, I can't think of a reason why he would completely omit that option).
So my next question is, what custom ROM can you recommend that is mostly optimized for gaming and is pretty close to SE stock ROM?
Thanks in advance,
SA
Soul Annihilator said:
Thank you for the replies here so far. So yeah I had to re-root my phone. And I ditched TWRP too and used CWM to install a custom ROM. However, the custom ROM that I installed (Unlimited Xperia) is not as smooth as I had hoped. One of my games (Brave Frontier) is constantly crashing or hanging and the lack of WCDMA only option is a huge deal breaker for me (the creator probably doesn't have stable 3G in his area, I can't think of a reason why he would completely omit that option).
So my next question is, what custom ROM can you recommend that is mostly optimized for gaming and is pretty close to SE stock ROM?
Thanks in advance,
SA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.4 is a no-go. Stock is best or fxp's cm 10.
Sent from my Xperia S using xda app-developers app
entermetallica said:
4.4 is a no-go. Stock is best or fxp's cm 10.
Sent from my Xperia S using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'll try FXP's CM10 then.
Hey all, sorry in advance for the noob questions but I have rooted in a phone in forever...
I'm on May security patch and I think of trying to root because the phone became slow and I hope that maybe a custom ROM can help with ram management... saw a few guides but I'm not sure how updated they are and if they fit my version... I fear of bricking my phone
also can you please tell me ( in case you are rooted) which roms are you using/used and if you think they have better performance/other advantages over stock and any more tips, thanks!!
I'd suggest you to use a custom kernel (Like Butterfly kernel) for better ram management and faster experience you won't really need root for that unless you want to tweak and customize kernel settings.
And about custom ROMs, I prefer LOS and Pixel Experience.
Rooting isn't going to make your phone faster in a significant way, as @C302 said, you could install a custom kernel, but I'm not experiencing any problems with the stock one, you may want to flash a clean installation of android, but if you want to root anyway there are plenty of guides on how to in here, but to simplify things, you need to unlock the bootloader and download a patched_boot.img that corresponds with the May update, that can also be easily found here, after that you reboot into the bootloader and use the comand "fastboot boot patched_boot.img", it will take a while but after it boots you will find the Magisk Manager app, open it and choose Install-->Direct Install even if it says that Magisk is installed, after it finishes, reboot your phone and you should be good to go. I am myself running RR OS so I haven't tried this method but at least in April security update you could install Magisk by flashing the zip file in TWRP (you need to install TWRP via fastboot) with decrypted storage, not sure if it can be done now.