I am proud owner of SE xperia arc and updated to 2.3.4. with latest 4.0.2.A.0.42 build. I have few queries regarding unlocking bootloader and rooting the device.
1) I understand what is unloking bootloader, by instruction given by SE officials. I want to confirm that will i be still able to update with SE Companion for any new release they offer after going for unlock?
2) I have seen many thread confirming rooting of arc with custom ROM. Is there any specific thread/link where i can find SE custom ROM with same features offered by original ROM?
3) Will the features differ in custom ROM from original one?
The reason i want do rooting is just want to get rid of useless apps installed by SE itself and to get more RAM free for my other frequent apps.
I do understand these things are answered here and there by i need a consolidated one.
loverajesh said:
I am proud owner of SE xperia arc and updated to 2.3.4. with latest 4.0.2.A.0.42 build. I have few queries regarding unlocking bootloader and rooting the device.
1) I understand what is unloking bootloader, by instruction given by SE officials. I want to confirm that will i be still able to update with SE Companion for any new release they offer after going for unlock?
2) I have seen many thread confirming rooting of arc with custom ROM. Is there any specific thread/link where i can find SE custom ROM with same features offered by original ROM?
3) Will the features differ in custom ROM from original one?
The reason i want do rooting is just want to get rid of useless apps installed by SE itself and to get more RAM free for my other frequent apps.
I do understand these things are answered here and there by i need a consolidated one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy Reading....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304634
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1133650
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=13230108
.
.
and many more if you can spend some time in searching.
1. No, you will not be able to recive new updates from sony ericsson (un less you relock your bootloader and flash it to stock ROM)
2. The best one is cyanogenMOD
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1299729
More CUSTOM ROMS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1308849
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1278758
3. CyanogenMOD and every other customROM have more features than original (some are kicked out, some are added to it, by the will of maker)
P.S.
For rooting you dosent need to UNLOCK BOOTLOADER, you just need to ROOT it..
Unlocking bootloader remove your warranty..dont unlock it if you dont wanna custom ROM on your phone...
FOR ROOTING JUST HEAD HERE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320350
hi everyone
can some please tell me which rom i can flash on my stock arc gb kernel?
my arc has a locked bootloader so all of the options i have tried bricked my phone. as it turns out i should be looking for roms with stock kernel. i did a search but that gave me 18 pages of words wit stock kernel
i appreciate your help
thanks
Just so everyone knows the details from the original thread.
inc188 said:
hi everyone
i got a sony arc lt15a with a locked bootloader
i have got root and installed the CWM auto installer
i have tried to install some the ICS roms from the recovery screen but phone just hangs at Sony ericsson screen and does nothing. i was able to recover no problem.
i was wondering, what roms can i flash that will work? it can be ics or even a leaner version of gb that will work smoothly
thank you kindly,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ICS and GB roms have different kernels so before you try to use install the rom from CWM make sure you have installed the correct kernel. I'm not too sure what options are available anymore for locked bootloaders because most roms now incorporate tweaks that aren't supported by them. I would just take a look around the dev section for ROM, if they don't specify they need a unlocked bootloader then drop the dev a mail asking.
Thank you
It honestly looks like every single rom I have come across requires unlocked boot loader. That why I thought I would if some one has seen something specific
Basically I want a leaner and smoother rom then the current Sony one
inc188 said:
Thank you
It honestly looks like every single rom I have come across requires unlocked boot loader. That why I thought I would if some one has seen something specific
Basically I want a leaner and smoother rom then the current Sony one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best one I found was the t.e.a.m stock from for 2011 xperia devices. Also installed the xperia big pack theme from the theme section. Looks and performs great man. I am also on a locked boot loader for now but am very happy with the look and feel of this
cdkane said:
Best one I found was the t.e.a.m stock from for 2011 xperia devices. Also installed the xperia big pack theme from the theme section. Looks and performs great man. I am also on a locked boot loader for now but am very happy with the look and feel of this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks alot. i tried the theme pack but somethings werent working. like the contacts app. so went back to stock
its best to unlock the bootloader because good custom roms need unlocked bootloader
I will soon be buying an Xperia Play. I have some noob questions. What is the best model to purchase and why? If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich, would I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite? What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich (Preferably 1.6 GHZ)? Once again I am a noob so please don't bite my head off.
Depends on your carrier for one if u want to play Gamez stay on gingerbread ICS and jb the games lag a lot I'm on jb gta3 lags bad I have a r800x CDMA with built in gamepad which works great for emulated games And other games I am also on Verizon network too if you get the r800x like I have use super one click on 2.3.3 (I stayed on 2.3.3 awhile a lot of ROMs And mods if you went to get In to that stuff
Unlocked using turbo jb kernel on slimbean
The Essential Starter's guide.
Nanosuituser059 said:
I will soon be buying an Xperia Play. I have some noob questions. What is the best model to purchase and why? If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich, would I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite? What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich (Preferably 1.6 GHZ)? Once again I am a noob so please don't bite my head off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there. I'm six months in with the GSM AT&T r800at model. (Xperia Play 4G) I'll give you what I know.
Flashtool and SuperOneClick are your best friends. Both offer the ability to root. Flashtool has only rooted me twice with success, so where it failed, SuperOneClick saved me. SuperOneClick will also find and install missing drivers that you'll probably end up needing for Flashtool later. These are the essential software tools you'll need for any situation with your new Xperia Play.
When you're looking to flash firmware or "*.ftf" files, (usually in Flashtool) in order to boot into flashmode, press and hold the back button while the phone is off as you plug in a usb cable.
If you're waiting around before unlocking your bootloader, you can still install a number of Roms on the locked bootloader. What you'll need to accomplish this is X-Parts, your essential tool for CWM (or as close as you can get) on a locked bootloader. My favorite Rom that worked on a locked bootloader was Gin2Jellybean, which was strictly GSM.
As far as I could tell from my research, the r800i had the ability to get its bootloder unlocked courtesy of their site, here. As of November 30th, 2012, it was reported via XDATV that r800x (Verizon models) were now supported for free unlocking as well as the r800i. As for the r800at, the bootloader status is locked, and I ended up paying (recently) to get mine unlocked. Seeing as you're coming in later than most, the normal price for unlocks have dropped from $24 to $15, with a chance of price drops now and again. The site that hosts unlocks can be found at this location. The guy also has a facebook page, where he hosts trivia (for free unlocks) now and again, and posts sales on unlocks.
An overlooked problem was when on custom roms and not on stock, there was problems with the baseband which caused the microphone to mute itself every other call. This problem wasn't applicable to every phone, but was scattered. I did more research and came up with the much unnoticed solution, courtesy of Archfeind2 (here, which also gives you instructions of what to flash) who linked to the Xperia Play stock basebands, found here.
I'm currently using the Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness ROM which has access to Crash Bandicoot from the stock rom, and gives you access to the PS Store as well. In this rom specifically, you have a overclock tool built into the settings from the get-go. It's pretty nice to be able to control it internally.
So, that's what I have to offer, and hopefully others in this thread will give you other good advice I didn't cover. Enjoy your Xperia Play!
Most custom roms are pre-rooted, meaning you don't have to root them yourselves. Note that there is no official ICS available, only via custom roms, which (most of them at least) require custom kernels. To flash a kernel, you need an unlocked bootloader, like DeusJZ mentioned. Most kernels available have the option to overclock (Doomkernel can go up to 2.0Ghz).
My initial post was a bit confusing. I will be more specific. R800a or R800i and why? How to root, and how to overclock to 1.6 ghz(with ICS) and keep Playstation Suite and Playstation Mobile compatibility? (Don't want any higher than 1.6 ghz because I heard it can reduce the life of the processor?)?
You need to choose your model based on where do you live, the "a" stands for america, "i" for international and both have different basebands. If you want ICS you'll need to unlock your bootloader, which will enable you to change your kernel and overclock the phone. Some kernels usually come overclocked and rooted, look around for some.
Nanosuituser059 said:
My initial post was a bit confusing. I will be more specific. R800a or R800i and why? How to root, and how to overclock to 1.6 ghz(with ICS) and keep Playstation Suite and Playstation Mobile compatibility? (Don't want any higher than 1.6 ghz because I heard it can reduce the life of the processor?)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As said by jasb92, r800i/a is dependent upon where you are. r800i is (if I'm not mistaken) a phone model that can be unlocked for free, without a paid service.
In order to root, use Flashtool or SuperOneClick, as I mentioned in my post above. They both have simple buttons to root your phone.
Most customs roms come pre-rooted, so it's not much of a problem.
As for overclocking, some roms come with the ability built in, some are built into custom kernels, and others will need an app. It's fairly easy to find one on Google Play, and a popular example is SetCPU.
When choosing custom roms, if you're looking to play games, I suggest you check the changelogs to make sure that both the touchpads and gamepads are supported.
DeusJZ said:
As said by jasb92, r800i/a is dependent upon where you are. r800i is (if I'm not mistaken) a phone model that can be unlocked for free, without a paid service.
In order to root, use Flashtool or SuperOneClick, as I mentioned in my post above. They both have simple buttons to root your phone.
Most customs roms come pre-rooted, so it's not much of a problem.
As for overclocking, some roms come with the ability built in, some are built into custom kernels, and others will need an app. It's fairly easy to find one on Google Play, and a popular example is SetCPU.
When choosing custom roms, if you're looking to play games, I suggest you check the changelogs to make sure that both the touchpads and gamepads are supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all r800i can be unlocked for free (like mine) which sucks
Ok, I'll answer
Nanosuituser059 said:
I will soon be buying an Xperia Play. I have some noob questions. What is the best model to purchase and why? If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich, would I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite? What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich (Preferably 1.6 GHZ)? Once again I am a noob so please don't bite my head off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"I will soon be buying an Xperia Play" - Great, good choice
"What is the best model to purchase" - R800i - if i think what you mean is what type of the play. They are all the same more or less. R800i is the latest one
"If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich" - Currently next to impossible as Sony are being a load of f****** idiots withholding he ICS upgrade to never. It's possible to do with ROMs but that requires unlocking the BL (Bootloader) whuch at present I am not able to do curtsey of O2 placing a lock-down that i have to pay to remove.
" I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite" I never installed a ROM to be honest but I think all your stuff gets wiped when you do (Apart from SD card). To keep all of your stuff I'd use Root uninstall (Don't call an ambulance yet!) to back up all your apps usin the back up button to your SD card and then resore the backups using either a file explorer like FX or The amazing Batch installer tool available here
"What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich" - Root first, overclock second. Root with Su[erOneClick - that's the way i did it or use this guide. To overclock I use the Overclock widget available on google 'play'
Good luck with ICS though - I wish I got the unbranded phone - BL unlocking would've been 10 times easier.
Check your country's frequencies. R800i is not pentaband regarding hdspa (sp?), it only works in 900/2100 mhz. It supports all four gsm bands.
DeusJZ said:
Hi there. I'm six months in with the GSM AT&T r800at model. (Xperia Play 4G) I'll give you what I know.
Flashtool and SuperOneClick are your best friends. Both offer the ability to root. Flashtool has only rooted me twice with success, so where it failed, SuperOneClick saved me. SuperOneClick will also find and install missing drivers that you'll probably end up needing for Flashtool later. These are the essential software tools you'll need for any situation with your new Xperia Play.
When you're looking to flash firmware or "*.ftf" files, (usually in Flashtool) in order to boot into flashmode, press and hold the back button while the phone is off as you plug in a usb cable.
If you're waiting around before unlocking your bootloader, you can still install a number of Roms on the locked bootloader. What you'll need to accomplish this is X-Parts, your essential tool for CWM (or as close as you can get) on a locked bootloader. My favorite Rom that worked on a locked bootloader was Gin2Jellybean, which was strictly GSM.
As far as I could tell from my research, the r800i had the ability to get its bootloder unlocked courtesy of their site, here. As of November 30th, 2012, it was reported via XDATV that r800x (Verizon models) were now supported for free unlocking as well as the r800i. As for the r800at, the bootloader status is locked, and I ended up paying (recently) to get mine unlocked. Seeing as you're coming in later than most, the normal price for unlocks have dropped from $24 to $15, with a chance of price drops now and again. The site that hosts unlocks can be found at this location. The guy also has a facebook page, where he hosts trivia (for free unlocks) now and again, and posts sales on unlocks.
An overlooked problem was when on custom roms and not on stock, there was problems with the baseband which caused the microphone to mute itself every other call. This problem wasn't applicable to every phone, but was scattered. I did more research and came up with the much unnoticed solution, courtesy of Archfeind2 (here, which also gives you instructions of what to flash) who linked to the Xperia Play stock basebands, found here.
I'm currently using the Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness ROM which has access to Crash Bandicoot from the stock rom, and gives you access to the PS Store as well. In this rom specifically, you have a overclock tool built into the settings from the get-go. It's pretty nice to be able to control it internally.
So, that's what I have to offer, and hopefully others in this thread will give you other good advice I didn't cover. Enjoy your Xperia Play!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After further consideration, I will be getting this version of the xperia play, do you know if the R800AT has 2g capabilities? I ask this because I have a friend who wants the xperia play and has 2g. Also, would Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness works with the r800a version?
Nanosuituser059 said:
After further consideration, I will be getting this version of the xperia play, do you know if the R800AT has 2g capabilities? I ask this because I have a friend who wants the xperia play and has 2g. Also, would Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness works with the r800a version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
R800at will have 4g if you use AT&T service. But if you use R800a on any USA GSM carrier you will have 2g no matter what.
Hello everyone,
I just bought this sony xperia m and i want to put the latest version of kitkat in it, but I really don't know where to start.
I know I may sound like a total n00b, but this is my very first experience w/ a smartphone.
Thanks!
well theres no official kitkat rom yet for the m, there are custom roms so you will have to root and unlock your bootloader to flash them all instructions are in the respective threads, also this only applies if your bootloader is unlockable and not hard locked
Sent from my C1905 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Wow! I would not be in any rush to install a modified ROM on an XPERIA M.
There are upgrades in the works for the XPERIA M which MAY take the phone up to an official Sony distributed/supported Android 4.3
Sony's warranties don't cover a phone while the bootloader is unlocked
Just enjoy your new phone as it is for a while.
The current JB 4.1.2 firmware is very stable, the graphics processor is VERY strong for this price range phone.
Battery life with the standard Sony distributed Android 4.1.2 is very good.
If this is your first Smart Phone and you want to broaden your knowledge base, start off with applying root access to your phone.
You don't have to unlock the bootloader to do this.
Hello,
I may go and buy this Xperia M but as of now, im using a Samsung Galaxy Mini which i rooted really easily just by clicking one button. But as for Xperia, i read that You need to unlock the "bootloader" . Well, if im going to unlock the bootloader, do i get some differences from the locked one? (I mean, will some stock stuff work?) And whats the difference between the Xperia M "C1904" and "C1905" ? And also, I havent seen popular ROMs like MIUI or other manufacturer ROM (Touchwiz, Sense ROMs etc.) to be ported’ or developed for the Xperia M. Well, when I think, the procedure to port those ROMs is same when i do this for my old Mini? Thanks For The Answers
david19au said:
Hello,
I may go and buy this Xperia M but as of now, im using a Samsung Galaxy Mini which i rooted really easily just by clicking one button. But as for Xperia, i read that You need to unlock the "bootloader" . Well, if im going to unlock the bootloader, do i get some differences from the locked one? (I mean, will some stock stuff work?) And whats the difference between the Xperia M "C1904" and "C1905" ? And also, I havent seen popular ROMs like MIUI or other manufacturer ROM (Touchwiz, Sense ROMs etc.) to be ported’ or developed for the Xperia M. Well, when I think, the procedure to port those ROMs is same when i do this for my old Mini? Thanks For The Answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope .too easy ,right now DEV'S found an easy way to root Xperia M really easy ..Using towelROOT ...it will do the rooting finish in 3 mins .
Rooting does not require you to unlock your booloader . But if you want to install custom rom's then you should unlock your bootloader for that .. :and there are like 10+ ROMS that can be apply in this PHONE .
Farsiris said:
Nope .too easy ,right now DEV'S found an easy way to root Xperia M really easy ..Using towelROOT ...it will do the rooting finish in 3 mins .
Rooting does not require you to unlock your booloader . But if you want to install custom rom's then you should unlock your bootloader for that .. :and there are like 10+ ROMS that can be apply in this PHONE .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, do You there will be more than 10 ROMs? Otherwise, I would go for the S3 Mini (they are pretty same)
Farsiris said:
Nope .too easy ,right now DEV'S found an easy way to root Xperia M really easy ..Using towelROOT ...it will do the rooting finish in 3 mins .
Rooting does not require you to unlock your booloader . But if you want to install custom rom's then you should unlock your bootloader for that .. :and there are like 10+ ROMS that can be apply in this PHONE .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro, do i have to unloack Boot loader to install other rom shared in development thread section....
david19au said:
Well, do You there will be more than 10 ROMs? Otherwise, I would go for the S3 Mini (they are pretty same)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cm11 fxp builds are quite stable (latest one is fastest and bugless), there are different roms too and I am sure there will be more. You can follow development thread.
Despite this If you don't want to buy xperia m, you can go for motorola moto g.
Barua said:
Cm11 fxp builds are quite stable (latest one is fastest and bugless), there are different roms too and I am sure there will be more. You can follow development thread.
Despite this If you don't want to buy xperia m, you can go for motorola moto g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know about Moto G but they aren't selling that in Czech Republic Otherwise i would surely go for the Moto G. That's why I'm here, I don't know what to pick, performance (Xperia M) or for the one which have a bigger developer community (the S3 Mini). Btw. the S3 Mini has a 100% bugless CM11
david19au said:
Hello,
I may go and buy this Xperia M but as of now, im using a Samsung Galaxy Mini which i rooted really easily just by clicking one button. But as for Xperia, i read that You need to unlock the "bootloader" . Well, if im going to unlock the bootloader, do i get some differences from the locked one? (I mean, will some stock stuff work?) And whats the difference between the Xperia M "C1904" and "C1905" ? And also, I havent seen popular ROMs like MIUI or other manufacturer ROM (Touchwiz, Sense ROMs etc.) to be ported’ or developed for the Xperia M. Well, when I think, the procedure to port those ROMs is same when i do this for my old Mini? Thanks For The Answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to unlock bootloader in order to root Xperia M.
It is not hard to root the phone.
As for what device to buy, it is your choice. Depending on what you need and like you will have to make this choice by yourself.