Hi everybody,
I just get my Xperia Play but I don't really know where to start.
It's been 4 days that I'm reading threads to know how to get the best from my phone. Unfortunately, most interesting tips are dispersed here and there.
So, I will try to ask the good questions so that everything can be available in a single thread. It will be a newbies FAQ!
Let's go then!
1. I just bought my Android phone. What should I know first?
- Knowing the phone code names will help you searching for the good information. Every phone has his commercial name (Xperia Play), his model name (R800) and his "nickname" (Zeus).
- Check the Android and ROM version as it will be often asked when you look for something about your Android. To do this, on your Phone, go to Settings -> About the Phone
- Do you plan to subscribe to a DATA plan with your phone provider: if not, it's better to disable some features to avoid bad surprises.
- Some say that rebooting the device helps in many cases
- there are NO VIRUS with Android, antivirus tools are all useless
- Wireless, Bluetooth, GPS : if you don't use them it's better to disable them. You will spare battery and you won't see advertises in the free progs
2. What should I do first?
- If you still don't have it, you will have to create a Google account so that you can backup and manage your contacts, for example
- RTFM !
- If you don't plan to use a custom ROM (alternative software not develloped by the manufacturer), you'll have to see if a newer version of the official ROM is available. This can be done through the official tool PC Companion, available on the manufacture website. ( http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/sup...s/subject/pccompanion/xperia-play?cc=ph&lc=en )
- Learn the lexicon : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1253127
3. Should I hack my phone immediately? (Root, boot unlock, flash, unbrand, ...)
- You will have to if you want to : remove unwanted software installed by the provider, change the internal software with a custom one, ...
- Some applications will require to have more access to work: ex: MyMobiler needs Superuser access, available by rooting the phone
- Learn more about root and bootloader here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1076720 (thanks Logseman)
4. Are these hack methods reversible?
- Yes (thanks Jordanooo)
5. Do they void warranty?
- As they are reversible, they shouldn't void the warranty
- For Sony-Ericsson, it's important to notice that they support custom development and helped the FreeXperia team. (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1281349)
6. I found many ways to root my phone: which one is the best?
- DooMLoRD method is a popular one : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321582 (don't forget to thank him if you use it)
- you can check this link too : http://lifehacker.com/5789397/the-always-up+to+date-guide-to-rooting-any-android-phone
- for Xperia, there is the Xperia Easy Rooting Toolkit by DooMLorD : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320350
7. Once rooted, can I remove applications I don't want anymore?
- Yes, this is possible. These applications are called "Bloaters". You can use Titanium Backup as Jordanooo suggested. This seems to be the best one around. There is also Android Mate o SystemApk Manager too. They're all available on the market
8. Where can I find generic/stock ROMs?
- Some are available on this forum: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1093
- for Xperia Play you can have a look at Logseman list of downloads http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18226603&postcount=2 (thank to him)
- there is also the Wotan website ( http://www.wotanserver.com/ ) for SE and Samsung but you have to register.
9. Where can I find good custom ROMs?
- Here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1093
- see 2nd point of previous question
10. OK but what is a custom ROM?
- Custom ROM are not official customized version of the Android software made by common developers (not by manufacturer). In general, they offer more functionality and sometimes pre-installed software. Or they get rid off default applications nobody needs, to save memory.
11. What is the best method to flash my phone?
- As Jordanoo said, it's better to use the method suggested by the author of the ROM. The procedure is usually explained in the related post.
12. Can I use Sony PC Companion to upgrade my phone after I hacked it?
- You will have to unhack your phone to do this. (Jordanoo)
13. What are the must-have applications?
- File browser: Astro File Manager
- Alternate market: AppBrain App Market
- Remote display&input : MyMobiler
- Web browser: Dolphin Browser HD
- Video player: QQPlayer or MX Video Player
- Mp3 player: PowerAmp
- Wifi tool: Wifi Analyzer
- Remote control: MyPhoneExplorer Client or AirDroid or File Expert
- Contacts management : Go Contacts
14. What is the best tool to manage Android contacts from the computer?
- There is an add-on for Thunderbird but I didn't tried it yet ( https://addons.mozilla.org/fr/thunderbird/addon/google-contacts/ )
- It is very easy using MyPhoneExplorer as mentionned in the previous question
15. Are they offline navigation application available?
- Sygic seems to be the best now (available on the market). Maps are downloadable from home Wireless.
16. What are the must-have games?
- Angry Birds (of course)
- Bubble Blast 2
- Live Hold em Poker Pro
- Mame4Droid emulator (ALL working roms can be found here : http://sentinelgames.com/documents/mame.html or here : http://lostsite.altervista.org/wiz/?page_id=2368 )
- GenPlusDroid: a Genesis/Megadrive emulator
- SNESDroid: a Super Nintendo/Famicom emulator
- Xperia Play optimized ones :
-- ***** : Drag Racing, BLOOD & GLORY
-- **** : Diversion, GUN BROS MULTIPLAYER
-- *** : Guns'n'Glory WW2, Pocket Legends (3D MMO)
-- ** : Super Dynamite Fishing FREE, Greedy Spiders Free, ETERNITY WARRIORS, Guns'n'Glory FREE
-- * : Aporkalypse FREE, Crazy Snowboard, Princess Punt, Townsmen 6 FREE , Earth And Legend
17. I tried to install an application but my Xperia said that there's no more place on internal memore. And now?
Yes, unfortunately, Sony didn't provide Xperia phones with a large internal memory (+/- 380Mb). This is indeed not enough to enjoy all what you Xperia can offer. The tool App2SD can help you free some space but many apps will remain unmovable.
There are 2 methods to emulate a part of your SD card as the internal memory: the ADB method (ADB for dummies) and the Link2SD method (Link2SD Guide). The first one don't need your phone to be rooted, the second well.
I hope there's no mistake in what I wrote, as it's only my personal experience. I apologize to the gods of XDA for this. (and for the rest too)
Of course, if someone has something interesting to ask, you can do this here! ;-)
Thread will be fed every time I got a question without a good answer.
Hope you will help! And I thank you in advance.
Popodom
popodom said:
Hi everybody,
I just get my Xperia Play but I don't really know where to start.
It's been 4 days that I'm reading threads to know how to get the best from my phone. Unfortunately, most interesting tips are dispersed here and there.
So, I will try to ask the good questions so that everything can be available in a single thread. It will be a newbies FAQ!
Let's go then!
1. I just bought my Android phone. What should I know first?
2. What should I do first?
3. Should I hack my phone immediately? (Root, boot unlock, flash,
unbrand, ...)
4. Are these hack methods reversible?
5. Do they void warranty?
6. I found many ways to root my phone: which one is the best?
7. Once routed, how can I remove applications I don't want anymore?
8. Where can I find generic/stock ROMs?
9. Where can I find good custom ROMs?
10. What is the best method to flash my phone?
11. Can I use Sony PC Companion to upgrade my phone after I hacked it?
12. What are the must-have applications?
13. What is the best tool to manage Android contacts from the computer?
14. Are they offline navigation application available?
15. What are the must-have games?
Of course, if someone has something interesting to ask, you can do this here! ;-)
Thread will be fed every time I got a question without a good answer.
Hope you will help me! And I thank you in advance.
Popodom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Its an android.
2. Turn it on.
3. Its up to you. You decide if you want to so soon or not.
4. Yes, read other topics
5. ...reversable
6. The one where everyone comments 'works great'
7. With an app, titanium backup is good
8. Development section.
9. Development section
10. Erm, read the post of the rom you are flashing.
11. After you un-do things, yes
12. See themes and apps section
13. Seems pointless, but use google.
14. Google it
15. See themes and apps section, or the full games list in general
Sent from my GT-I5500 using Tapatalk
There really should be an autoban feature when a 5th identical subject is posted.
Its almost like someone is making new accounts and asking the same questions over and over again to annoy us
Deleted original post as not being nearly as funny as I first though it was.
Popodom, you just need to take your time and learn about Android before you make too many changes. This forum has some good tips, but unless you're already a genius with programming, linux and Android, you're better off not asking anything simple. This is a very unfriendly forum, and it tends to bring the meaness out in people. The know-it-alls have little patience for us n00bs. However, they -are- extremely knowledgeable, so it just takes patience and a LOT of reading. Don't worry, we'll get there, someday.
Gosh.
To skip all the hassle u are getting I suggest:
1. Turn on the phone
2. Play with it.
3. Come to xda and read like the rest of us.
4. Start doing your "hacking" and other things when /you/ feel comfortable and no sooner.
5. Don't ask any more of these questions if u don't want to get flamed and end up with 3rd degree burnage.
Sent from the future using the nexus prime (squared) 4, using XDA ultra premium lambskin App
People on this forum are very rude. If you don't want to answer the question don't post anything or look at the post. You can you can tell by the topic what the questions will be on this one. I came from a iPhone and had no idea about android. Had many questions but never asked because I would be put on blast. The iPhone forums were very helpful and I never saw rude and sarcastic replys to posts. They were always willing to help no matter what the question. Just thought I would throw that out there. And the searching on here sucks maybe the desktop version is better.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
I'm sorry but I can't delete this thread myself.
Is there some Admin out thre who can do this for me ?
Thanks !
Flag the thread.
By the way, the search function sucks in both the desktop version and Tapatalk. VBulletin search functions tend to suck quite a bit in general.
Oh, and BTW, in any forum, not only this one, no one likes to do people's homework. See it from this point of view: someone who's never contributed anything to this forum (not because s/he's a bad person or whatever, simply because s/he's new) starts up with post which is basically "gimme gimme gimme". Do you think it's rude to tell someone you've never seen and who starts talking to you by saying "gimme gimme gimme" to get lost?
Hello brothers.
Excuse the ignorance. But is there any way to run the gamepad? or control games with this rom? I installed it correctly. I could not make it work in games.I'm new to XDA, I hope I can still contribute a lot to the forum. Whenever I join others in my tongue. And now I want to collaborate on international forum.
Well here we go ...
I installed the rom JB Paranoid in my xperia play. Works great, besides using a clean configuration, the level of battery lasts much. I used the Turbo Kernel, which also surprised me with such ease.
I am available to help those who have difficulties installing this rom on xperia play. But I have a problem. Jellybeam with the gamepad, or control simply does not work. Anyone have any way to make it work?
grateful
Hello
Anyone having trouble installing Netflix on a rooted US AFTV from an Amazon.co.uk account? It downloads just fine but then says "Install failed" without much more info.
I can install the Netflix app from the US store (using the geo restriction guide on aftvnews), but that is the old Netflix v1 client. The one on the UK store looks like the newer v3 client.
Anyone else having this issue? All other apps downloaded from the UK store work fine. Could just be launch day teething problems (I hope) and not some sort of restriction with the app.
I have the latest rooted 51.1.3.0_user_513011820 firmware by the way.
Cheers
exactly the same for myself, all apps install no problem but netflix fails
How annoying.
Stil not working today, so I suspect it's a firmware restriction so hopefully the US boxes will get the new firmware soon.
Can I confirm from anyone who has Netflix (with the white icon) from the UK store working if it's actually the new client or the old one? Screenshots show the new client, but the version number in the description says v1.0.1 which is the same as the US app - and it's 1/2 the file size on the UK store.
eskay993 said:
How annoying.
Stil not working today, so I suspect it's a firmware restriction so hopefully the US boxes will get the new firmware soon.
Can I confirm from anyone who has Netflix (with the white icon) from the UK store working if it's actually the new client or the old one? Screenshots show the new client, but the version number in the description says v1.0.1 which is the same as the US app - and it's 1/2 the file size on the UK store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The very same issue for me.
I noticed in the logs, the following message comes up:
Code:
W/PackageParser( 6797): /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.amazon.venezia/files/apks/65165767-ffeb-4dc8-a422-fa4683554601.apk (at Binary XML file line #27): Requires newer sdk version #19 (current version is #17)
I guess the issue is that the firmware won't update to 51.1.4.0_user_514006420, which by the looks of it is required for the Netflix app.
I've been trying to find a way to install the new firmware manually, but no dice. Can't find a download link for the file and even if I could, I guess I'd have to be rooted (I'm not) to force it.
Ah, that'll be it. That's for pointing it out.
We'll just have to wait I guess for this firmware to roll out to other regions, which most likely it will. In any case, it's still not clear if it's the new client or not so actually there may be no advantage over the US app at this stage.
Hey guys just need some help here.
Because of the release date is still due for germany i decided to buy the ZE551 ML online.
I ordered it at tinydeal.com. As it seems i now have an somewhat chinese Version where i cant even add an google account.
Also i have trouble installing Google-Playstore properly because it crashes all the time (as well as other Google apps, tried to figure out why but all online solutions didnt help)
A freind said this might happen because of no Google Account being registered.
What should i do in your opinion?
Best option is probably to flash it for some EU/NA Version right ?
then i should be able to add an google account and set up all the apps properly ?
Thank you for your help!
MrVetter said:
Hey guys just need some help here.
Because of the release date is still due for germany i decided to buy the ZE551 ML online.
I ordered it at tinydeal.com. As it seems i now have an somewhat chinese Version where i cant even add an google account.
Also i have trouble installing Google-Playstore properly because it crashes all the time (as well as other Google apps, tried to figure out why but all online solutions didnt help)
A freind said this might happen because of no Google Account being registered.
What should i do in your opinion?
Best option is probably to flash it for some EU/NA Version right ?
then i should be able to add an google account and set up all the apps properly ?
Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I accidentally bought the CN version myself
I read somewhere earlier this method should work to add gapps to the CN version. --> http://goo.gl/ea7bCv
Make sure and remove your previous PlayStore install before.
I didnt get mines yet, but if ur willing to try it, see if it helps!
If not then the pre-root img should do the trick --> http://goo.gl/7viYVt
Hi everyone,
I have a really boring issue, I can't parameter any of my email (infomaniak, work-email, school-email) but gmail on my CM12.1 with my S4 mini I9195.
- I checked my school tuto and my infomaniak tuto to parameter pop3/imap on android phone.
- I did exactly the same as asked by tutos (adress of mail-server, security protocol, port, username, password)
- I also tried every possibility between security protocol and port, "no security" included.
- I'm sure the servers are right because if I type them wrong I have an error with the server.
- I tried on both stock email-app of CM12.1 and gmail-app, I always have a nickname & password error when the app is checking servers, except... my gmail email...
- I also tried to do that both with my wifi at home and my 4G, same issue
I don't know what to try next, I already checked tens of forums threads, nobody is talking about general issue, it's always specific app or mail problem, generally due to a wrong server adress or protocol or username/pw
Is there any problem with mail-authentification on CM12.1 ?
Did I forgot something to parameter on phone instead of email-app ?
Any idea ?
install a different exchange service and disable the 5.1.....
TheBroos said:
install a different exchange service and disable the 5.1.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled the version 5.1 of Services Exchange and I installed com.google.android.gm.exchange Version 6.5-1729047
Your idea was good, I'm quit silly to not have though about it but, it's still doing user/pw problem
Do you think I should try with older version of exchange service than 5.1 ? Maybe that's not this causing the issue...
Thx for answer TheBroos, waiting for other idea
Jo
I don't have that problem. i installed cm12.1 on two different i9195 phone's. maybe the gapps version?
TheBroos said:
I don't have that problem. i installed cm12.1 on two different i9195 phone's. maybe the gapps version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the pico variant of GApps :
https://github.com/opengapps/opengapps/wiki/Pico-Package said:
This package is designed for users who want the absolute minimum GApps installation available. In this package you will find the core Google system base, Google Play Store, Google Calendar Sync, and the following Play Store application:
Google Play services
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's enought for me, maybe too much already.
But what is the point of GApps here ? There is no link with the fact I want my mail on my phone and google apps ? No ?
EDIT : I checked the full package content of GApps, there is no apps linked to mail except GMAIL that I installed to test mail-parameter on my phone
Up, any ideas ? If I forgot something to help you finding the way to fix, tell me, i'm here. If there is another forum more appropriate on this site to ask my question, can you give me the name ? I don't know where or how to fix this annoying issue
thx
Hello everybody,
I'm trying, as a proof of concept (for me), to use my phone without Gapps installation.
A lot of things I use could be found without Gapps.
BUT, one application, my bank application, is not functioning well without Gapps.
The bank application is working well for most of the features. Only one feature isn't working ==> QR code reader (to process online payment or between friends payment)
When I press on the feature, I receive an error message: "Google play services: O.OX depend on Google play services..."
So, here is my question:
Does someone know how to install this O.OX apps ? Or have a workaround to make this work ??
That would be really appreciated !
Thank you beforehand :good: