Develop Bugs

[Q] The first thing to do with an Xplay?

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.

root, unroot, back to stock ROM

Hello my friends,
I'm a brand new Xperia ZL buyer, I came from a SGSII and I have a few questions, I hope I can receive some help:
With SGSII I rooted the phone, installed a bunch of custom ROMS, firmwares, etc... and when I needed to turned back to the "original" stock ROM and firmware, and even reset the binary counter to take the phone to warranty and hide all signs of not allowed usage. I just needed to flash the stock kernel via ODIN to the phone and reset the binary counter with an app, Triangle away, found in the Play Store.
For unlocking the network I used GalaxSIM, and in few steps/seconds, I could use my phone with any mobile company.
How can accomplish all these with the Xperia ZL?
Is it safe to root and unroot? If I need to take the phone to warranty what's the procedure to cover all the manipulation?
Is there a similar mechanism as the Galaxy's binary counter on the Xperia ZL?
I'm sorry for my english, and thanks in advanced for the help.

anyone?

opticon107 said:
anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u can root using doomlord's method ..(Check orignal android dev) there is n unroot method though ..however if u repair via PCC/flash ftf via flashtool i guess root goes
u need to flash custom recovery to install custom roms .. Locked and unlocked available
there are a few tutorials ..search the thread :good:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2214929
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2332407
press thanks if i helped you :good:

It's a lot easier on a Xperia device. As long as you don't unlock the bootloader nothing happens to your warranty. If you need to send it in for repair, you don't even need to unroot, I sent in two rooted devices (damages from dropping) and nobody cared, they just came back unrooted and fixed.
If you want to unroot, just install the sony pc companion software that comes with the phone, choose repair software and it will look like it's never been rooted.

Thank you man

[Q]Does having S-OFF stop OTA updates?

The question is simple, I hope someone can answer!

ColdFire InOx said:
The question is simple, I hope someone can answer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as long as you don't modify the system partition, or firmware.

Rouz. said:
No, as long as you don't modify the system partition, or firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So can I install Better Battery Stats and GSam Root Companion and such apps or will that affect OTA availability?

ColdFire InOx said:
So can I install Better Battery Stats and GSam Root Companion and such apps or will that affect OTA availability?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you don't need s-off to use these apps. You can just unlock the bootloader and root.
Unlocking the bootloader does not have any affect on the OTA system. But installing a custom recovery to root your device breaks the update process, unless you flash back the stock recovery before taking the OTA.
Also make sure to not to make any changes in the system apps after rooting, as it may cause the update to fail on system check.
I think you should try reading a bit more about the whole unlocking and rooting process before you proceed. There are a lot of useful threads in this forum that can help you.
If you have any other questions you can ask here.

Rouz. said:
Actually you don't need s-off to use these apps. You can just unlock the bootloader and root.
Unlocking the bootloader does not have any affect on the OTA system. But installing a custom recovery to root your device breaks the update process, unless you flash back the stock recovery before taking the OTA.
Also make sure to not to make any changes in the system apps after rooting, as it may cause the update to fail on system check.
I think you should try reading a bit more about the whole unlocking and rooting process before you proceed. There are a lot of useful threads in this forum that can help you.
If you have any other questions you can ask here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my device has indeed unlocked bootloader already and also root access. However, installing the apps I mentioned makes them malfunction - I install as system app as it asks to but it seems to fail as it keeps asking me to repeat the process every time I try.
I am not a beginner to rooting phones although I am a beginner in what concerns the HTC S OFF procedure.
I accidentally deleted two stock apps upon a factory reset after rooting (flashlight and calculator), but I already found the apk and reinstalled them.
P.S. - AdAway also failed to function but from what I have read around it requires S-OFF to work properly.

ColdFire InOx said:
Well my device has indeed unlocked bootloader already and also root access. However, installing the apps I mentioned makes them malfunction - I install as system app as it asks to but it seems to fail as it keeps asking me to repeat the process every time I try.
I am not a beginner to rooting phones although I am a beginner in what concerns the HTC S OFF procedure.
I accidentally deleted two stock apps upon a factory reset after rooting (flashlight and calculator), but I already found the apk and reinstalled them.
P.S. - AdAway also failed to function but from what I have read around it requires S-OFF to work properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all you need is a insecure kernel as you can see changes to the system partition are lost if you don't have one
look for a matching kernel to your rom or choose a rom that already includes this feature
The only reason you need s-off is to flash firmware older than the one currently on the phone and some GPe/Lollipop roms

Rooting

Hello everyone! It's been a month or so since I got a new LG G4 and I've been wanting to root it since the but I don't want to void the warranty yet, so I have a few questions about this. This isn't my first phone to root, but I need some info on this one.
1. What's the difference between *Low Effort Root**and *Bootloader Unlock and Root*?
2. The low effort root can save me from voiding my warranty? Note: I'm from Romania and my LGH815 is a Romanian model too.
3. If those are not the only ways to root it, is there any way of rooting and not voiding the warranty?
4. If question 2 or 3 has a positive answer, can I still get official updates from LG or do I need to download and flash them then root again?

Flaminel said:
Hello everyone! It's been a month or so since I got a new LG G4 and I've been wanting to root it since the but I don't want to void the warranty yet, so I have a few questions about this. This isn't my first phone to root, but I need some info on this one.
1. What's the difference between *Low Effort Root**and *Bootloader Unlock and Root*?
2. The low effort root can save me from voiding my warranty? Note: I'm from Romania and my LGH815 is a Romanian model too.
3. If those are not the only ways to root it, is there any way of rooting and not voiding the warranty?
4. If question 2 or 3 has a positive answer, can I still get official updates from LG or do I need to download and flash them then root again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use low effort and whenever you want to you can flash back to stock, unroot and make it look to LG (or to whoever might have given you a warranty) as if you never altered anything.
You never think about taking an ota while rooted but updating manually ("low effort" with newest firmware version, for example marcosuper7) is unproblematic. Ok?

android404 said:
You can use low effort and whenever you want to you can flash back to stock, unroot and make it look to LG (or to whoever might have given you a warranty) as if you never altered anything.
You never think about taking an ota while rooted but updating manually ("low effort" with newest firmware version, for example marcosuper7) is unproblematic. Ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with the manual update, but as far as I know, there are some things that show that I've been changing or altering the software on the phone, some code, I don't really know.

Flaminel said:
Hello everyone! It's been a month or so since I got a new LG G4 and I've been wanting to root it since the but I don't want to void the warranty yet, so I have a few questions about this. This isn't my first phone to root, but I need some info on this one.
1. What's the difference between *Low Effort Root**and *Bootloader Unlock and Root*?
2. The low effort root can save me from voiding my warranty? Note: I'm from Romania and my LGH815 is a Romanian model too.
3. If those are not the only ways to root it, is there any way of rooting and not voiding the warranty?
4. If question 2 or 3 has a positive answer, can I still get official updates from LG or do I need to download and flash them then root again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. low effort only roots and do not touch the bootloader... with bootloader unlock your warranty is void.
2. yes (if you restore to stock with lg flash tool before.)
3. no other way to root till now.
4. no. you have to flash official updates with lg flash tool and root again.

dusu84 said:
1. low effort only roots and do not touch the bootloader... with bootloader unlock your warranty is void.
2. yes
3. no other way to root till now.
4. no. you have to flash official updates with lg flash tool and root again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!

Flaminel said:
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i edited my post... low effort save you from voiding your warranty if you go back to stock after root with lg flash tool

dusu84 said:
i edited my post... low effort save you from voiding your warranty if you go back to stock after root with lg flash tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood. But what's the difference between those 2? Besides "touching" the bootloader. Any advantage on any of them or disadvantage?

Flaminel said:
Understood. But what's the difference between those 2? Besides "touching" the bootloader. Any advantage on any of them or disadvantage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with an unlocked bootloader you can install twrp and then you can flash something for example custom roms.

dusu84 said:
with an unlocked bootloader you can install twrp and then you can flash something for example custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could I use FlashFire instead, without an unlocked bootloader?

Flaminel said:
Could I use FlashFire instead, without an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as long as its a stock based rom then yes but without an unlocked bootloader not for custom roms.

dusu84 said:
as long as its a stock based rom then yes but without an unlockes bootloader not for custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would use it to flash mods. Thank you very much for your help!

Great informative thread! A few Q's if its OK?
1. So with Low Effort Root I can use Xposed and all the modules, remove bloatware and if something goes wrong I can just us the LG tool for restoring?
2. When an OTA is released I will loose root, or I won't even be able to install OTAs?
3. I really want to change the colours if the notification quick toggles, that should be able to do with Xposed, right?
4. Are all G4 updates available viua the LG tool, don't want to use old firmwares just because I'm rooted?
5. After rooting and changing what I want to change can I then remove root to make the phone more secure and not as "open" and potentially vulnerable?

Laban said:
Great informative thread! A few Q's if its OK?
1. So with Low Effort Root I can use Xposed and all the modules, remove bloatware and if something goes wrong I can just us the LG tool for restoring?
2. When an OTA is released I will loose root, or I won't even be able to install OTAs?
3. I really want to change the colours if the notification quick toggles, that should be able to do with Xposed, right?
4. Are all G4 updates available viua the LG tool, don't want to use old firmwares just because I'm rooted?
5. After rooting and changing what I want to change can I then remove root to make the phone more secure and not as "open" and potentially vulnerable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. yes
2./4. you never try to take an ota on a rooted g4. You flash through flashtool or push a rooted image when it's available, a couple of days after official release at max.
3. yes
5. most of the advantages of root are lost once you unroot. The only one you don't lose (that i can think of) is that you're still as debloated as before unrooting.

android404 said:
1. yes
2./4. you never try to take an ota on a rooted g4. You flash through flashtool or push a rooted image when it's available, a couple of days after official release at max.
3. yes
5. most of the advantages of root are lost once you unroot. The only one you don't lose (that i can think of) is that you're still as debloated as before unrooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
But changes like the one mentioned in (3) will still be there after I remove root?

I'm pretty sure Xposed or any associated modules won't work, or won't work properly if you un-root. Why are you so worried about leaving your phone rooted?
Sent from my VS986

rick09 said:
I'm pretty sure Xposed or any associated modules won't work, or won't work properly if you un-root. Why are you so worried about leaving your phone rooted?
Sent from my VS986
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I'm that worried, but I know that some apps won't start on a rooted device. But I remember something about an app that hides the fact that the phone is rooted, does that exist?

Root access for the Moto Z Play without bootloader unlock

Hello,
Is it possible to get root access on the Moto Z Play without needing TWRP? I tried to use this guide but my phone doesn't want to flash TWRP. It may require a unlocked bootloader. My question is that is it possible to get root on this phone without TWRP or unlocked bootloader?
PS. I only want root access to get Viper4Android/ Dolby. If there are any other alternatives, please let me know below.
Thanks,
mPreet

mPreet said:
Hello,
Is it possible to get root access on the Moto Z Play without needing TWRP? I tried to use this guide but my phone doesn't want to flash TWRP. It may require a unlocked bootloader. My question is that is it possible to get root on this phone without TWRP or unlocked bootloader?
PS. I only want root access to get Viper4Android/ Dolby. If there are any other alternatives, please let me know below.
Thanks,
mPreet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your title says without unlock bootloader - no
Your text says without twrp - you can fastboot boot twrp.img - that will boot to it but not flash it permanently. But, again, not if the bl is not unlocked - gotta have that.

KrisM22 said:
Your title says without unlock bootloader - no
Your text says without twrp - you can fastboot boot twrp.img - that will boot to it but not flash it permanently. But, again, not if the bl is not unlocked - gotta have that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just to make sure that I understand, I have to get the unlock key from Motorola in order to unlock the bootloader. There is no other way around it, right.

mPreet said:
So just to make sure that I understand, I have to get the unlock key from Motorola in order to unlock the bootloader. There is no other way around it, right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much - the process of obtaining your key will void your remaining Motorola warranty (though you may still have some protection depending on your local consumer laws), and the process of actually using the unlock key on your device will wipe your device in a factory reset. Ensure you back up your device (and adopted SD card as well) beforehand.
After that, you should be able to flash or boot TWRP, then root and flash Viper4Android (or ARISE Soundsystems) or Dolby. If you get OTA updates, you will not be able to flash them unless you can revert back to full stock, so ensure you have a TWRP backup without modifications or access to a stock ROM of the same build that you have now.

mPreet said:
So just to make sure that I understand, I have to get the unlock key from Motorola in order to unlock the bootloader. There is no other way around it, right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct. afaik.

echo92 said:
Pretty much - the process of obtaining your key will void your remaining Motorola warranty (though you may still have some protection depending on your local consumer laws), and the process of actually using the unlock key on your device will wipe your device in a factory reset. Ensure you back up your device (and adopted SD card as well) beforehand.
After that, you should be able to flash or boot TWRP, then root and flash Viper4Android (or ARISE Soundsystems) or Dolby. If you get OTA updates, you will not be able to flash them unless you can revert back to full stock, so ensure you have a TWRP backup without modifications or access to a stock ROM of the same build that you have now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I just boot off the TWRP instead of flashing, would that backup constitute as stock? So boot the TWRP instead of flashing then make a backup before rooting.
Thanks,
mPreet

mPreet said:
If I just boot off the TWRP instead of flashing, would that backup constitute as stock? So boot the TWRP instead of flashing then make a backup before rooting.
Thanks,
mPreet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
be aware you will be walking on shaky ground. Be sure you have a spare phone that works in case you brick this one.