Develop Bugs

[Q] Rooting AT&T Xperia Play (r800at)?

Hi,
Can someone please write a noob's guide to rooting the AT&T xperia play (r800at)? The phone is carrier locked and bootloader locked. Is there a easy way to just get root permissions on the stock AT&T rom (2.3.3) without unlocking bootloader? All I want to do is remove AT&T apps which I don't use and free up internal memory (I only have 40 mb left). I couldn't find a thread which clearly explains this (have been searching for more than a week now).
PS: This is my first android phone, so I don't have a very good idea about how all this works.
Thanks.

turbo789 said:
Hi,
Can someone please write a noob's guide to rooting the AT&T xperia play (r800at)? The phone is carrier locked and bootloader locked. Is there a easy way to just get root permissions on the stock AT&T rom (2.3.3) without unlocking bootloader? All I want to do is remove AT&T apps which I don't use and free up internal memory (I only have 40 mb left). I couldn't find a thread which clearly explains this (have been searching for more than a week now).
PS: This is my first android phone, so I don't have a very good idea about how all this works.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are basically in the same place i was in a few weeks ago.
First off let me link you this this thread
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1270295)
You'll find there that you cannot currently root the r800at without first unlocking the bootloader!
The bad news is that unlocking the bootloader is the the most difficult part
here is the bootloader unlock guide by Alejandrissimo.
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232050)
Its a pain in the butt on this particular phone so i highly recommend you have Alejandrissimo remote support you. Be prepared to pay 24 bucks for the unlock since the software requires it either way.
If you have Alejandrissimo help you he will also install the CWM recovery for you.
THIS is important as it installs a custom recovery mode for your phone that you will use to backup your phone, install kernels, and ROOT your phone.
If you are going the DIY route here is the Clockwork Recovery thread
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130639)
I hope this helps. After all the hard stuff is done the rest is pretty easy. Learning how to put your phone into recovery is important into jumping into all the other great things you can do with your phone.
The first like has an excellent post by xSoNiCcRaCkErSx who has basically tested many of the custom rom/kernel combinations on the r800at!
I hope this helps you and all the other r800at users out there!

Thanks DrROBschiz
From what I have read, [unlocking bootloader + applying clockwork recovery patch + Over-the-air updates] can brick the xperia play. Is this true? Have you tried OTA updates?
Also, I found another method (but I am not sure if it works with r800at). You flash 2.3.2 firmware using tools from wotanserver (cannot paste link because I am a new user). Then use gingerbreak to obtain root (this should work because of downgrading to 2.3.2) and update with OTA to get the latest version of android (claimed to retain root on the latest version). This method also doesn't seem to need unlocked bootloader.
Has someone with AT&T xperia play (r800at) tried the second method?

Also curious, can you unlock the bootloader via the process from Sony on their official site (which I cant link to right now)? Is there a downside outside of not having help (which don't get me wrong may be needed)

@8-Bit: You cannot unlock bootloader following Sony's website if you have carrier locked phone (r800at is locked to AT&T US). When I tried that, I realized that carried locked phones are not 'fastboot' enabled. Also, sim unlocking the phone using 'unlock codes' won't enable 'fastboot'. It will just make the phone capable of accepting other networks sim cards.

Also yes its important to note that if your bootloader is unlocked OTA will brick the phone.
MAKE A BACKUP!
I understand not wanting to deal with the complicated process of the current unlock method but it really is the only viable option for the AT&T version of the Play unfortunately.

I finally have root!!!
turbo789 said:
Thanks DrROBschiz
From what I have read, [unlocking bootloader + applying clockwork recovery patch + Over-the-air updates] can brick the xperia play. Is this true? Have you tried OTA updates?
Also, I found another method (but I am not sure if it works with r800at). You flash 2.3.2 firmware using tools from wotanserver (cannot paste link because I am a new user). Then use gingerbreak to obtain root (this should work because of downgrading to 2.3.2) and update with OTA to get the latest version of android (claimed to retain root on the latest version). This method also doesn't seem to need unlocked bootloader.
Has someone with AT&T xperia play (r800at) tried the second method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the second method. It works. But you do loose the AT&T branding (phone will be identified as r800a/r800i based on which ROM you flash). Also, when connected to mobile data it says "H" instead of "H+", though I didn't notice any difference in data speeds.
@8-Bit: if you need any details, I would be glad to help.

I just did this today. Started with stock 2.3.3 on an r800at. I used Wotanserver ( which is currently free for some reason) to flash to 2.32 as an r800a model. Then I installed gingerbreak. I now have root including wireless hotspot!
The only gotcha was I needed to load gingerbreak via my pc, a direct API download from the web would not work.
My speeds are fine as verified on speed test.org and I was able to get back to 2.3.3. Over the air.
Phone is much faster and has much more memory due to the Att bloatware being gone.
Give it a try!

Will doing this enable fastboot so you can unlock the bootloader and install custom roms?
Sent from my R800at using XDA App

tgh0wnz said:
Will doing this enable fastboot so you can unlock the bootloader and install custom roms?
Sent from my R800at using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you talking about the Wotanserver method? I'm not sure how it works it's magic. I think the boot loader probably was unlocked to ge the firmware on but then re locked. At least I hope so because my hope is to get thE 2.3.4 OTA update on somehow

I believe the att, and firmware update supports 4g, hence when you flash it to generic you lose that... But it's speed difference between really fast and really faster.. So it's not even noticeable. Personally I believe it's better if the phone is rooted and bloats removed.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.

Ok guys I told a friend I'd help him get rooted. And ive been reading here and im lost.. From what I gather. The bootloader on the att version is locked and to gain root. That needs to be unlocked.. This is where I'm lost. Why is the best method to go through someone else. What does that involve? Sorry to sound dumb I'm just really lost here. haha.
Sent from AT&T Galaxy S2

turbo789 said:
Thanks DrROBschiz
From what I have read, [unlocking bootloader + applying clockwork recovery patch + Over-the-air updates] can brick the xperia play. Is this true? Have you tried OTA updates?
Also, I found another method (but I am not sure if it works with r800at). You flash 2.3.2 firmware using tools from wotanserver (cannot paste link because I am a new user). Then use gingerbreak to obtain root (this should work because of downgrading to 2.3.2) and update with OTA to get the latest version of android (claimed to retain root on the latest version). This method also doesn't seem to need unlocked bootloader.
Has someone with AT&T xperia play (r800at) tried the second method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work except you lose att bloatware which is a good thing
---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------
joshyy_rey said:
Ok guys I told a friend I'd help him get rooted. And ive been reading here and im lost.. From what I gather. The bootloader on the att version is locked and to gain root. That needs to be unlocked.. This is where I'm lost. Why is the best method to go through someone else. What does that involve? Sorry to sound dumb I'm just really lost here. haha.
Sent from AT&T Galaxy S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just want root then go to wontanserver and register and download driver and client software and follow their directions. Choose r800a 2.3.2 (3.0.A.2.184) . Now use gingerbreak1.2 (search forums) and follow direction. Now update over the air only. You have rooted 2.3.3 r800a enjoy

Okay, so I'm having problems with my phone randomly not getting a signal ever since doing this method... is there currently any way to go back to AT&T stock? Also, has anybody else been having signal issues? It says I have bars, but I can't call/text and I have to restart the phone. Very irritating.

turbo789 said:
Hi,
Can someone please write a noob's guide to rooting the AT&T xperia play (r800at)? The phone is carrier locked and bootloader locked. Is there a easy way to just get root permissions on the stock AT&T rom (2.3.3) without unlocking bootloader? All I want to do is remove AT&T apps which I don't use and free up internal memory (I only have 40 mb left). I couldn't find a thread which clearly explains this (have been searching for more than a week now).
PS: This is my first android phone, so I don't have a very good idea about how all this works.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi... first off all, sorry my bad english
If you have locked bootloader (SIM-locked) and want to root whitout unlocking bootloader, try this:
"Working Root on 2.3.3 locked bootloaders! (Works on all Xperia Plays except R800X)"
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116090
Worked like a charm form me...
Portugal - TMN
Xperia Play R800i locked bootloader.
Gingerbreak worked very fast for me, BUT only after turning off Wifi connections and UN-plugging the USB-cable
Have froozen lots off app's (think is the correct term) with Titanium backup
Have used Link2SD to move other apps to SDcard
When I bouthg the phone it cames with 2.3.2. I made the mistake OTA upgrading before reading about root.
At beggining (2.3.2) the phone boot, from startup to PIN code, about 3-5 minutes.
After OTA upgrade (2.3.3) i noticed some diferences (about 2 minutes to boot)...
After rooting phone MAKES BOOT IN 45 SECONDS!!! (from begining to PIN CODE)
Always have about 250mb ram free
Internal storage 150mb free (Im still afraid of using Insecure ADB to move dalvik cache to SD)...
I read lots of pages on XDA forum to know about rooting and all the benefits&risk's involved, and root related tools, before rooting so advise all the others newbies like me, doing the same
Thanks to all make this possible (must thanks here because I dont have post permission in develoment area)...
Once again, thanks a lot...

shiftylock said:
Okay, so I'm having problems with my phone randomly not getting a signal ever since doing this method... is there currently any way to go back to AT&T stock? Also, has anybody else been having signal issues? It says I have bars, but I can't call/text and I have to restart the phone. Very irritating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be a late reply, but it might still help some one. I had similar problems (mainly with data connectivity). I fixed it by adding APN profiles for AT&T under settings >> wireless & network setting >> Mobile networks >> Access Point Names. Let me know if you need the details of the APN profile.

guys im having the same problem, i got a friend who needs helps with his xperia play at&t, he wants to unlock the bootloader, and install a custom os, i was looking for the 1st option on the first page, but the link doesnt works anymore, any suggestion?

DrROBschiz said:
Also yes its important to note that if your bootloader is unlocked OTA will brick the phone.
MAKE A BACKUP!
I understand not wanting to deal with the complicated process of the current unlock method but it really is the only viable option for the AT&T version of the Play unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi bro. am new to xda new to android new to android modding.so please help. i recently purchased used xperia play r800at from ebay its carrier unlocked.now what i want to know: phone is carrier unlocked can you please say is my phones bootloader unlocked. how can i root it or just give me a link. please please pleaaaasseeee!!!! am super noob i dont even fully know what is bootloader kernel rom and suck thing i just need to overclock and free up some space. please help because i cant find answers online please ((

DrROBschiz said:
You'll find there that you cannot currently root the r800at without first unlocking the bootloader!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that isn't true. I was able to root phone without unlocking bootloader using superoneclick. do the search.

Rooting R800AT
legacygt777 said:
that isn't true. I was able to root phone without unlocking bootloader using superoneclick. do the search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he was anything like me, then he searched, searched, searched, and after that, searched some more. Superoneclick does not work for our phones. All the guides for xperia plays don't mention a damn thing about rolling back firmware from version 2.3.3 to 2.3.2 in order to root. I was loosing my mind trying to figure this out at the time; tried multiple PCs/multiple USB ports, thought maybe my syntax was wrong on the manual methods so I tried a couple of automated methods like superoneclick and DoomLord Root, when those didn't work I thought maybe the drivers weren't quite right so I investigated that issue for ages but couldn't find any more up to date ones than the ones I was using. I then tried messing with a few automated rooters right from my phone like z4root and Gingerbreak which didn't work either. Finally I found this thread(same one linked a couple of posts up) which did the trick (I have it saved in my favorites). It's not missing any steps and is accurate to the T. Worked for me the first time and didn't require any special hexes, voodoo, or rain dances.
I just checked and since that thread is so old, the links are now dead. I would post there, but I'm not allowed (developer's thread). Here are some links to the software needed:
Flashtool
Android 2.3.2 (.184 as referred to in that thread)
And finally Gingerbreak v1.2 - should download this from your phone and install to it's internal memory (not the SD card) prior to flashing
The other methods of rooting may have worked once downgraded to 2.3.2, but I just followed that guide and used Gingerbreak as it seemed the simplest way.

[Q] Rooted with .434 firmware (4.1.2), Upgraded via OTA, Now Unsure on Root Status?

Hello,
I recently got myself an Xperia ZL C6502 with unloackable bootloader. It came loaded with the .434 firmware (Android Version 4.1.2.), and so I rooted using this method here: ROOT MANY ANDROID v31 by Bin4ry. (link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1886460&highlight=434)
Then I updated via OTA to the .244 firmware (4.2.2) thinking that root would hold through the OTA update. I ran a factory reset afterward, hearing that is good for performance.
The strange thing is, now that I've updated, I'm unsure on root status.
For starters, AVG says I am operating in higher permission mode, aka root is enabled. However, Titanium Backup can't get root access permissions, and when I try to manually update the binary of Superuser 3.1.1 (it's the most current version but I tried anyway), it told me root access failed.
Even stranger is that when I load up Flashtool (latest version as of this date of posting) it tells me Root Access Allowed.
Can anybody help shed some light on this issue I'm having? Apps that require root aren't given permission, Superuser doesn't seem to detect the fact that my device is rooted, yet AVG and Flashtool are telling me that it is.
Thanks in advance.

Any ideas?

CedricFP said:
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This may not be the answer you want to hear but if I was you, I would flash a clean 244 build with Flashtool and then root. No more mysteries about whether or not root is there or not ... or if it's a broken root.
You will have a fully rooted latest build of 4.2.2.
Its really easy, only takes 15 min.

Crash338 said:
This may not be the answer you want to hear but if I was you, I would flash a clean 244 build with Flashtool and then root. No more mysteries about whether or not root is there or not ... or if it's a broken root.
You will have a fully rooted latest build of 4.2.2.
Its really easy, only takes 15 min.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply
Yes I had considered that, but I was wondering if I had encountered some kind of show-stopping bug or what-not. Ultimately, doing a clean flash is a last resort, but definitely an option. If anybody else has any idea why this might be, or has encountered this issue before, please do respond!

Can't Root on Android 2.3.5 or Update!

I recently had my LG G2 stolen from me and have had to go back to the trust p930. I am using bell variant in canada and its on GB 2.3.5. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to root it. I can't update it with B2Cappsetup because everytime I try to open that it says "Need to connect to internet". My drivers are always "not found even though I've downloaded LG mobile unite drivers from their site and OTA updates say I have latest verion. Sigh. Anyone able to tell a half baked noob how to achieve root and CWM/TWRP in the easiest way known? WOuld be a huge help

butthurtlocker said:
I recently had my LG G2 stolen from me and have had to go back to the trust p930. I am using bell variant in canada and its on GB 2.3.5. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to root it. I can't update it with B2Cappsetup because everytime I try to open that it says "Need to connect to internet". My drivers are always "not found even though I've downloaded LG mobile unite drivers from their site and OTA updates say I have latest verion. Sigh. Anyone able to tell a half baked noob how to achieve root and CWM/TWRP in the easiest way known? WOuld be a huge help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to root it you have to have the drivers installed so try installing the drivers on another pc or try to figure the problem. If you just want it rooted and nothing more (Custom ROM, Recovery, or Kernel), then use Bi4nary's root. If you want a custom ROM, Recovery, or Kernel, then you have to 'Unbrick' and I would suggest you use hereric's method. Both of them work perfectly

Truepeace said:
In order to root it you have to have the drivers installed so try installing the drivers on another pc or try to figure the problem. If you just want it rooted and nothing more (Custom ROM, Recovery, or Kernel), then use Bi4nary's root. If you want a custom ROM, Recovery, or Kernel, then you have to 'Unbrick' and I would suggest you use hereric's method. Both of them work perfectly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SO I couldn't just root with something easy like superoneclick then Just download TWRP from goo manager and flash roms through that? I HAVE to do that long complicated guide? I definetly am too noob to follow that, I can't even open Bc2appsetup for some reason let alone the rest of it!

Superoneclick will work to root this phone. As others have experienced, it takes one shot or multiple tries to get it rooted. IRC, I had to also install the Android SDK package before it got rooted.
BUT, if you just bought that phone as used it might be already rooted so check that first before you waste your time.

butthurtlocker said:
SO I couldn't just root with something easy like superoneclick then Just download TWRP from goo manager and flash roms through that? I HAVE to do that long complicated guide? I definetly am too noob to follow that, I can't even open Bc2appsetup for some reason let alone the rest of it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes I guess superoneclick will work for gingerbread. I personnally had ICS.

I've just bricked my phone and recovered it. Now I need to get back on track...

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.

[Q] Root on a locked bootloader on a Lollipop firmware.

I recently got my amami (D5503) a week ago and really enjoying it :laugh: (except for the heating issue). I also updated it to Lollipop (14.5.A.0.242) last week. As of now, I want to unlock the bootloader (to satisfy my flashing needs) and I need to back up the DRM keys and the TA first. My problem is that I haven't successfully rooted my amami yet. I have already used Easy Root Tool, DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit, and Flashtool. I regret updating this phone to Lollipop . Rooting it (to back up those DRM keys and TA) would have been easier if it still was on Jellybean.
What should I do now?
(A) Wait for somebody to successfully root the firmware and hope that they will post it...
(B) I missed out a thread that already fixed my problem... (If your answer is B, please provide a link.)
(C) You'll reply a helpful suggestion to me...
I would really appreciate useful suggestions. Good day!

Hey, maybe you saw that I had a similar issue, which I described here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-z1-compact/help/recovery-root-xposed-270-t3138956
Since you dont have and are unable to do a nandroid backup, you should use some backup app from the play store for your contacts, messages etc. Afterwards, if you follow the steps i took, you get a rooted 4.4 kitkat with recovery. Then you take some prerooted lollipop zip, like the one from this thread (maybe check localization, I'm from germany so i supposed that was the right one for me):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-z1-compact/general/stock-14-5-0-270-customized-t3115946
and flash it over kitkat. Restore your stuff and your done.
Hope, I could help!