Hey, I'm about to sell my phone, so I need to get it to its factory state. Prefably so that the guy that buys it could send it over for repairs if needed.
And so I did not backup the TA partition. From what I've read that means no relocking the bootloader. Fine.
But how do I go back to the original 4.1.2 sony-branded system?
I'm currently on CM11. Can I just use Sony Companion to perform the update, is it safe? What steps should I undertake?
As far as I know, Sony Update Service won't work with unlocked bootloader (I may be wrong), however, you just need Flashtool and a FTF from the latest stock firmware for Xperia M single SIM (currently at 15.1.C.2.8)
Sorry mate but you can't lock your bootloader without DRM keys(TA PARTITION BACKUP).
You can flash stock ROM using FTF flashtool and but i cant relock your bootloader but you will get stock rom back.
Warranty is void now!!
Sh!t. That's not good.
Thank you guys for answers!
One more thing.
Is it possible to receive OTA updates after I unlocked bootloader and flashed the stock firmware with flashtool?
No once bootloader is unlocked it bricks the device doing ota updates
Sent from my C1905 using xda premium
Sh!tness. So I guess I'm stuck with the phone forever.
Thanks!
Further info for future Xperia phones you may buy: when you unlock your bootloader your DRM keys get wiped, without them, OTA updates, Mobile Bravia Engine (in models that have them -- not the case for Xperia M), Track ID, Download Music Info and SensME (alongside some other proprietary apps/features) will not work, even if you flash stock firmware again.
Before unlocking your bootloader it's always recommended to do a TA backup first, so, if you need, you can relock your bootloader to get your DRM keys back and make proprietary Sony apps/features working again. Since you didn't backup your TA partition before unlocking, you are out of luck now and there is no way of relocking your bootloader.
Also, DO NOT EVER TRY restoring a TA backup from another device (even if it's exactly the same model), TA partition contain some unique info and flashing a TA backup from another device will permanently hard brick your phone...
Well that's a very comprehensive answer! Thanks!
Related
Well It looks as if I Cant remove unnecessary apps on my Arc without rooting.
But here is something i wanted to ask before I go ahead with doing That
Q1) Is it necessary to Unlock My Boot Loader for Rooting or Rooting can occur without Unlocking it aswell?
I mean that I have read rooting without unlocking it but will it be the same locked or unlocked?
Q2)Unlocking My Boot loader means a 100% surety that my warranty will be Nulled right? (I Live in India, Rules don't differ here or in UK does it?)
Q3) If I have Rooted and NOT Unlocked my Boot Loader, Can I still update my Phone software through SE PC Companion? And Is my Warranty Still Safe?
Because I read that ICS will be available for Arc in the first quarter next year so I want to update my phone using SE PCC and NOT by flashing even though I know the pro's of flashing
Thank You so Much!
SS4Serebii said:
Well It looks as if I Cant remove unnecessary apps on my Arc without rooting.
But here is something i wanted to ask before I go ahead with doing That
Q1) Is it necessary to Unlock My Boot Loader for Rooting or Rooting can occur without Unlocking it aswell?
I mean that I have read rooting without unlocking it but will it be the same locked or unlocked?
Q2)Unlocking My Boot loader means a 100% surety that my warranty will be Nulled right? (I Live in India, Rules don't differ here or in UK does it?)
Q3) If I have Rooted and NOT Unlocked my Boot Loader, Can I still update my Phone software through SE PC Companion? And Is my Warranty Still Safe?
Because I read that ICS will be available for Arc in the first quarter next year so I want to update my phone using SE PCC and NOT by flashing even though I know the pro's of flashing
Thank You so Much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No you dont have to unlock BL to root your arc search for doomlords easy rooting toolkit
2. As far as I know yes
3. Yes you can still update with SE PC companion but I think updating via PC companion removes root. And your waranty is safe
You can use zegrush to root without unlocking bootloader. I live in India too. U can still update after rooting but not after unlocking. Rules apply everywhere.
Xperia Arc (rooted)
Thank you sooooo Much!!!
One more question
@Tatit1011- in reply to ur question 1, are dere any pros/cons of rooting after unlocking BL and. Rooting without unlocking it??
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
If you unlock your bootloader you CAN: flash custom roms, kernels(for overclock), and generally anything.
You CAN'T: upgrade via se, either pc or ota via the phone. Plus drm is lost, as is your warranty, but you can re-lock it
Generally, if all you want to do is remove system apps and use apps like titanium backup, root explorer etc then just root. If you want to try custom roms(there's only one you can flash over stock kernel, I think) then unlock the bootloader.
sinkster©
I am using a Hong Kong version ARC, bootloader unlocked, flashed customized rom based on stock firmware, and of course rooted. I am going to send to Sony as the gps and wifi got some problems.
Here is my step:
1. Flash original Hong Kong firmware (I don't have it......can anyone give it to me?)
2. Re-lock bootloader
Is the above correct? I know unlocking bootloader should void the warranty, but just have a try to see whether Sony will check my phone or not
I readed that is possible to relock bootloader if you unlocked it by sonyericsson official method for free phones.
For "unlock allowed: NO" I don't know how you can do this, but... Someone said that if you unlocked your bootloader with omnius, you can relock your bootloader recovering the autobackup image that the program generate.
Perhaps you can relock the bootloader first and then do a repair via PC Companion to return to stock HKG firmware.
DRM checking
I think Sony will know your phone status when they check the DRM.
Usually IF you unlocked your phone bootloader by using Sony Method, the DRM also removed.
I followed the step in this website:
http://androidflip.com/re-lock-boot-loader-xperia-arc-step-step-guide/
and my phone can't be turned on now......after pressing the power button, the phone vibrated once(just like usual) and then nothing happened. No button backlight, no screen backlight.........
I'm extremely sorry if its offtopic but I couldn't post it in the development section.
How can we know if the device is rooted or not ?
I used this method
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24883071#post24883071
on updating to official ICS with pc companion software
turnaround said:
I'm extremely sorry if its offtopic but I couldn't post it in the development section.
How can we know if the device is rooted or not ?
I used this method
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24883071#post24883071
on updating to official ICS with pc companion software
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you used that method and everything went fine, then you're rooted. You should also have SuperUser and Busybox now installed.
Finally and successfully returned my phone to stock status, send to Sony, and get it back after repairing
My method is:
1. reLock boatloader (After doing this you can update it via UpdateService immediately, but as my ROM is an customized 0.62 ROM, UpdateService said I already have the newest software and done nothing)
2. Flash an older version stock ROM (in my case, I flashed 2.3.3 HK version)
3. Use UpdateService again and let it update your ARC to the newest firmware
4. Use root checker and bootloader check method to ensure everything is fine
5. Bring your receipt along with ARC and go to Sony repairing centre
Information not related to the thread
However, I took my ARC to repairing because of the GPS inaccuracy, Wifi disconnection and battery drain. I get it back today and they said they upgrade the software and everything is fine now - I really doubt about this as I already flashed a lot of different ROM (including stock) before but the problems can't be solved. I check the phone information and the firmware is just the normal 0.62 HK stock, no different......
Hello everyone, I did my best to help a few people in Q&A section, but now, I have a few questions myself, all of them, regarding mysterious TA partition.
My C1905 came out of the box with branded 15.1.C.2.8 firmware. One of the first things I did after rooting the device was backing up my TA partition, knowing that I will sooner or later unlock the bootloader. However, I then cross-flashed unbranded C2005 15.2.A.2.5 firmware. My questions are:
1)Do I need to backup TA partition again on a new firmware to be able to relock my bootloader without changing it? Does the TA partition vary between firmwares?
2)Will changing my firmware again to official 4.2.2 for C1905 (which should be released within 2 months) require my to back it up again? Is the C2005's TA partition different than C1905's?
3)Just out of curiousity, what exactly does the TA partition contain? From what I've read, it stores unique "DRM keys", but that doesn't tell me much. Are these keys linked with any hardware (like - for comparison - Samsung's "EFS" folder stores IMEI, MAC adress product code etc and without it, phone has very limited capabilities), or is it just more like "locked bootloader certificate"?
I just want to clear that up, thanks in advance for answering.
3) TA partition contains DRM(Digital Rights Management ) keys, as you said, and other bootloader and hardware related information.
As for the relocking part the problem is the DRM keys...If you read some of the wiki article i linked then you will understand how they are being used in order to prevent locking the bootloader again.
Some software requires those to run, Ex:Bravia Engine2(we dont have that in our phones, but if we had and unlocked the bootloader we wouldn't be able to use it).
1),2)No, you have unlocked your bootloader and your DRM keys are gone, you have them only in your back up. If you want to relock then you will restore your backup while in stock rom-kernel.
stamatis said:
1),2)No, you have unlocked your bootloader and your DRM keys are gone, you have them only in your back up. If you want to relock then you will restore your backup while in stock rom-kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you didn't fully understand the first question. Can I backup TA of my current firmware and then use that back up to relock bootloater WITHOUT changing it back to the stock 15.1.C.2.8? Or do I HAVE to roll back to stock firmware and only then I will be able to relock it? Or maybe I can use the stock backup on any firmware, because TA doesn't change? In other words, can I relock the bootloader on other ROM than stock?
WoJtOn said:
I think you didn't fully understand the first question. Can I backup TA of my current firmware and then use that back up to relock bootloater WITHOUT changing it back to the stock 15.1.C.2.8? Or do I HAVE to roll back to stock firmware and only then I will be able to relock it? Or maybe I can use the stock backup on any firmware, because TA doesn't change? In other words, can I relock the bootloader on other ROM than stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think i answered:laugh: haha.
It is recommended to be on stock. I wouldn't try it with custom rom due to the possibility of hard brick.
I decided to unlock it, then im stuck in bootloop... At first it says failed, then after i press it again, it says succrss, but i got a bootloop...
What causing this problem?
AndreIrawan97 said:
I decided to unlock it, then im stuck in bootloop... At first it says failed, then after i press it again, it says succrss, but i got a bootloop...
What causing this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you unlock the bootloader via sony's official way (using fastboot mode) your security related contents (DRM keys) in trim/TA partition gets erased and you will have access to install a new custom rom . But while unlocking is under progress, say for any reason it gets interrupted,there is a chance that all security related data might not be erased fully / In other words there is a chance that TA partition might have been corrupted
Usually when your phone boots its verifies for the intactness of TA/Trim partition, either it should have all security data (locked bootloader) or fully erased security related data (unlocked bootloader), if partial security information is available, it considers that TA partition has been tampered and will refuse to boot
gokukaushik said:
When you unlock the bootloader via sony's official way (using fastboot mode) your security related contents (DRM keys) in trim/TA partition gets erased and you will have access to install a new custom rom . But while unlocking is under progress, say for any reason it gets interrupted,there is a chance that all security related data might not be erased fully / In other words there is a chance that TA partition might have been corrupted
Usually when your phone boots its verifies for the intactness of TA/Trim partition, either it should have all security data (locked bootloader) or fully erased security related data (unlocked bootloader), if partial security information is available, it considers that TA partition has been tampered and will refuse to boot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So.... How to properly unlock it? And what should i do if i got a bootloop again?
AndreIrawan97 said:
So.... How to properly unlock it? And what should i do if i got a bootloop again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now if you are able to boot into your phone, leave it, you have already unlocked/relocked it. If you are in the same situation again,
Steps
1) Relock your bootloader via flashtool
2) Now flash a fully bundled sony official ftf via flashtool.(This will ensure that if any discrepencies in TA partition are there, will be corrected)
Note: This will not restore your DRM keys.I am afraid if you have not backed up your DRM keys during first unlocking trail.they are lost.
3) Follow sony's official bootloader unlock method (www.developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader)
gokukaushik said:
Right now if you are able to boot into your phone, leave it, you have already unlocked/relocked it. If you are in the same situation again,
Steps
1) Relock your bootloader via flashtool
2) Now flash a fully bundled sony official ftf via flashtool.(This will ensure that if any discrepencies in TA partition are there, will be corrected)
Note: This will not restore your DRM keys.I am afraid if you have not backed up your DRM keys during first unlocking trail.they are lost.
3) Follow sony's official bootloader unlock method (www.developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... Can i just restore TA and unlock it? Because i have a TA backup
AndreIrawan97 said:
So... Can i just restore TA and unlock it? Because i have a TA backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good that you had a TA backup before unlocking.If you restore your TA backup and unlock it again , it will again erase your security keys, which will lead you to where you started.What is your requirement . Unlock your bootloader only if you want to install a custom rom. Believe me, TA partition is not the one to be played with; it can even render your mobile into a costly paper weight(hardbrick), if it gets messed up pretty bad . If you are already unlocked do not try to restore your TA partition,and unlock again.Its already unlocked and doesnt make any sense to unlock it again ; Restore it only when you want to go back to a locked bootloader.
Hi,
New to the forums and did a little snooping before posting. I recently bought a z1c australian stock and it came rooted and with the bootloader unlocked. I don't have the original DRM keys nor the TA backup. Is it still possible for me to relock the bootloader? I can't seem to update my phone via PC companion without locking it.
Thanks
Download Flashtool it lets you relock your phone
plankton000 said:
Hi,
New to the forums and did a little snooping before posting. I recently bought a z1c australian stock and it came rooted and with the bootloader unlocked. I don't have the original DRM keys nor the TA backup. Is it still possible for me to relock the bootloader? I can't seem to update my phone via PC companion without locking it.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can re-lock the bootloader, but Your DRM keys are lost unfortunately. As said in earlier post, you can use flashtool to do so. Also, there is a thread which helps You get back some of the features provided by DRM keys, although do note it does not restore DRM keys. You can find the thread here.