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Hey guys! I'm picking up an Xperia Play in a couple of days and was looking for some general advice about the phone. This will be my first Android device, I've been on WebOS/Garnet for my last two phones. I'm just a little overwhelmed with the options presented by the Play and Android in general. For instance, I'm not sure if I should root my phone or not - what are the advantages?
Any other general guides to Android/the Play would be wonderful if any such guides exist. I'm looking to deck this thing out with every emulator on the market as well as get the PSXperia hack up and running (I've downloaded the program, but can't figure out how to use it).
You can sense my overall noobishness in general, I'm sure. Any advice or tips about this device would be great. I'm really excited about the Play and getting comfortable with Android. Thanks everybody!
kershner25 said:
Hey guys! I'm picking up an Xperia Play in a couple of days and was looking for some general advice about the phone. This will be my first Android device, I've been on WebOS/Garnet for my last two phones. I'm just a little overwhelmed with the options presented by the Play and Android in general. For instance, I'm not sure if I should root my phone or not - what are the advantages?
Any other general guides to Android/the Play would be wonderful if any such guides exist. I'm looking to deck this thing out with every emulator on the market as well as get the PSXperia hack up and running (I've downloaded the program, but can't figure out how to use it).
You can sense my overall noobishness in general, I'm sure. Any advice or tips about this device would be great. I'm really excited about the Play and getting comfortable with Android. Thanks everybody!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
congratz im waiting for mine is the mail right now lol
rooting allows you to have full access to the file system sorta like a administrator
on a windows machine since out the box you cant edit files or remove bloatware without root you cant install certain programs from the market without root
also having root and unlocked bootloader allows you to flash a custom recovery image which will allow you to flash customs roms(a custom version of android dev by a user here on xda or anywhere in general)
yes i highly recommend but if you ever plan on returning the phone to verzion for example you will have to revert it back to stock
and for the program psxperia you need to install the latest version of java from java.com
and if your on a windows machine you double click the psxperiatool.JAR file
and it should run not sure on OSX
in the end you made a good choice on choosing android as mainstream as it became its still a powerful system way better IMO than ios or even webos
since android has so many developers theres gonna be an endless amount of programs
will post new finds myself etc
edokassiah said:
and unlocked bootloader allows you to flash a custom recovery image which will allow you to flash customs roms(a custom version of android dev by a user here on xda or anywhere in general)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot flash the recovery image directly or you will mess up boot partition, you need to flash a kernel with embedded recovery built in
Thanks for the info. I'm confused about the locked/unlocked bootloaders. How do I know which one I'll have? And how "easy" of a process is rooting the phone if I don't plan to install any custom roms or anything?
Also, how does transferring .apk files from my PC to the device work?
kershner25 said:
Thanks for the info. I'm confused about the locked/unlocked bootloaders. How do I know which one I'll have? And how "easy" of a process is rooting the phone if I don't plan to install any custom roms or anything?
Also, how does transferring .apk files from my PC to the device work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you havent unlocked your bootloader yourself it is locked there are many risks and advantages to unlocking your bootloader, but if you dont intend to flash custom roms there really is no need, just like with root, if you dont know what it is, you probably wont need it
transfering .apk's from your pc is easy, just copy the .apk to your sd card, then use a file manager to find the .apk, tap on it and the installer will pop up , you need to tick unknown sources in settings though
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1176367
AndroHero said:
You cannot flash the recovery image directly or you will mess up boot partition, you need to flash a kernel with embedded recovery built in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hes asking about android in general not aiming specifically at the xperia play
If I root my phone, do I have to switch everything back in order to get updates? All I really want to root my phone for would be to remove bloatware/speed it up a bit, is there a better way than rooting?
There is plenty of tutorials here, I suggest that you read, read, and then......read some more
_terror_ said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1176367
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for this link, it's seriously going to help me while rooting my phone. This might be a dumb question, but bear with me - better safe than a bricked phone. The guide to rooting in that link says that I need to flash my Play to the .184 Generic UK firmware...am I understanding it correctly that I need flash this firmware onto my American Verizon Play? I want to make sure nothing is going to get screwed up regionally, as I'm going to want to keep getting OTA updates and all that.
Just to share my own experiences since I'm new to the Xperia Play (previously had an Acer Liquid.. crappy hardware but great community of devs.. anyways..)
I'd recommend rooting your phone off the bat - the simple reason is rooting will involve wiping your phone's data, so if you already have a few months of use that means having to restore everything which is tiresome. First thing when my phone arrived was follow the rooting guide here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1116090
After that however I wouldn't recommend messing around TOO much with custom firmwares and such etc.. get used to the phone as it is and figure out what you like, don't like. if your like me within a few weeks or months you'll want something new - this is when you might want to start looking at messing around with the phone - new home launchers or even a new ROM (if your phone can have it's boot loader unlocked, from what I understand mine can't). The games and Emulators should keep you busy as is
The only customizing I've done to my phone is rooting it with Gingerbreak and using the leaked Sony Launcher.
I realize this is a pretty nooby thing to do that annoys all the veterans, but I consider this to be a fairly crucial piece of information I need before I attempt to root my phone, so I'm just gonna go ahead and bump this thing before it gets lost in the shuffle.
In order to root with a locked bootloader on an American Verizon XPlay, I need to flash to the .184 generic UK firmware, then root, then OTA update, correct?
kershner25 said:
I realize this is a pretty nooby thing to do that annoys all the veterans, but I consider this to be a fairly crucial piece of information I need before I attempt to root my phone, so I'm just gonna go ahead and bump this thing before it gets lost in the shuffle.
In order to root with a locked bootloader on an American Verizon XPlay, I need to flash to the .184 generic UK firmware, then root, then OTA update, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. That method will not work on the r800x (verizon xplay) to root yours you will need to see [How-to] R800x Root
Dont worry about annoying people lol . Who cares what others think? Everyone has to start somewhere.
But it would be better with a stickied thread for new users to look @.
So now, instead of the 3 step process linked previously in this thread, I have to unlock the bootloader and do a whole bunch of other stuff? This method is like 100x more complicated. Is there no other way? I don't intend to install any custom roms, I strictly want to root solely for freezing bloatware.
No i dont think so. You would be better asking for help from other r800x owners in that thread.
The exploit gingerbreak uses on 2.3.2 was patched in 2.3.3 (worldwide) and was also patched by verizon before they released the handset on 2.3.2. Up untill the bootloader was unlocked on the r800x rooting was not possible.
Ask in that thread and you should recieve the help/info you are after.
hiya mate right ive rooted and put on custom recovery but now its screwed up my cam , wifi , and the market so be warned im trying to fix this problem as we speak
---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------
im new to this to really but having a play with no cam and no wifi and no market. the market is there but cant dwnload nothing is taking the piss can anyone help me please
Mozza2k11 said:
But it would be better with a stickied thread for new users to look @.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one already stickied in the Q&A section.That it has gone practically unnoticed counters this statement.
kershner25 said:
Thanks so much for this link, it's seriously going to help me while rooting my phone. This might be a dumb question, but bear with me - better safe than a bricked phone. The guide to rooting in that link says that I need to flash my Play to the .184 Generic UK firmware...am I understanding it correctly that I need flash this firmware onto my American Verizon Play? I want to make sure nothing is going to get screwed up regionally, as I'm going to want to keep getting OTA updates and all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their is not such thing as a bricked phone
always is a way to fix it and usually its as simple as flashing a FTF
or whatever stock rom your device uses takes like 5 minutes tops lol
and logsemans guides will tell you anything you need to know
just use them for refrence
Xperia Play Super Compilation (Q&A Sticky)
and if you head down the path of rooting and stuff
messing with files
you wont be able to get ota updates lol.
it will "brick you"
I recentally made a quick video with tips for android users/beginners if you want to watch it. Thought it would help people. http://youtu.be/Pd5DerUoEcY
As I am new to the rooting world, I just have a few questions:
I purchased the Developer Edition, as I wanted to root my phone.
However, I am on an Apple computer and wanted to know if anyone could help me out.
How do I flash recovery for the M8 and install SuperUser on an Apple computer?
Thanks for the help.
shaunbeyoung said:
As I am new to the rooting world, I just have a few questions:
I purchased the Developer Edition, as I wanted to root my phone.
However, I am on an Apple computer and wanted to know if anyone could help me out.
How do I flash recovery for the M8 and install SuperUser on an Apple computer?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://htc-one.wonderhowto.com/how-...htc-one-running-android-4-4-2-kitkat-0151186/
i know its for m7 but its the same
use this for downloads for m8 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2694564
shaunbeyoung said:
As I am new to the rooting world, I just have a few questions:
I purchased the Developer Edition, as I wanted to root my phone.
However, I am on an Apple computer and wanted to know if anyone could help me out.
How do I flash recovery for the M8 and install SuperUser on an Apple computer?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are tools that offer easy 1-click operations; but they're mostly WIndows only. I guess, the easiest way is for you to install Parallels; and download a copy of Windows. Go get the Developer trial copy directly from Microsoft (if still available?). Sure, it's a hassle to setup your workflow, but once you've got this going, you'll find it easier to root/flash your M8. Also, Android File Transfer on the Mac is… crappy (to say the least).
Here are links to the tools I mentioned:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2699065
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2694925
hidea said:
There are tools that offer easy 1-click operations; but they're mostly WIndows only. I guess, the easiest way is for you to install Parallels; and download a copy of Windows. Go get the Developer trial copy directly from Microsoft (if still available?). Sure, it's a hassle to setup your workflow, but once you've got this going, you'll find it easier to root/flash your M8. Also, Android File Transfer on the Mac is… crappy (to say the least).
Here are links to the tools I mentioned:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2699065
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2694925
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you this, my brother.
I actually have Parallels and I'm running Windows 8.1.
I didn't think to try this, as HTC drivers were a bit off for Windows 8 before.
Thank you again. My device is up and rooted!
Hello,
I have an LG G3 AS990 (Ntelos). I would like to root and flash a different ROM, but am having trouble finding my variant as Ntelos is a smaller carrier. Does anyone have any advice on compatibility between any other variants? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
I've continued to search, but haven't found anything. Just hoping someone may have some information.
Same Boat
Snakemanc6 said:
I've continued to search, but haven't found anything. Just hoping someone may have some information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been researching this as well. You could try finding the beta version of CM for Sprint's LS990. I would try it just for the fun of it, but I'm nervous that I don't have the stock rom for AS990 to revert back to. I have my system backed up, but I'm not comfortable enough to rely on that to save my phone if I brick it trying to install CM.
Bump. I have the same problem here, except that mine got pushed an OTA patch that prevents stump and others. So far no firmware I have found is compatible with this device to even downgrade in order to root in the first place. If anyone has succeeded with as990 NTelos please help.
Bumping the necro in hopes of support. XD my software says as99020a but the writing on the back under the cover says us990... So I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do especially since I can't even find a place to download the firmware for manual updates.. Etc. :-[ Damn ntelos
AS990 Recovery?
Has anyone found a recovery that works with the AS990?
I have an option
I've posted a way to use TWRP and ROMs for the LS990 on the LG G3 subreddit, I need 10 helpful posts before I can post it here because I have a few xda posts and downloads linked.
AS990 experience
Hi all,
I have tried different roms on my as990 (Carolina West Wireless) by using the method on reddit (HERE) and everything works just a few things to keep in mind
To get your sim to work on a custom rom you may need to change the build.prop ro.build.target_operator=, and ro.afwdata.LGfeatureset=
Take note of these settings before you try to reflash the phone. If you change one, change both if applicable.
Remember to backup your old build.prop
Backup all apns before you start using method found (HERE)
Backup build.prop
Oh and did I mention backup build.prop
The restore files can be found (HERE) and use the guide found (HERE) replacing the files mentioned with the ones in the post. If you use this method to restore you phone, the build.prop from the reddit post will not work so use the old build.prop that I'm sure by now you have backed up or you will have to get the custom .dll file elsewhere to restore.
For all who have taken the ota update, the restore method works for that too
Your carrier files are automatically restored if you use the firmware in the above post. That is to say they were for me but if anyone else test this
no guarantees but it did work flawlessly for me.
Also I am currently working on a recovery for AS990 if anyone has any ideas feel free to chime in
A couple of side notes
The method by tybskinner may also work if you flash to US990 as well, but I have not tried this yet. To do so you would need the custom .dll or the build.prop for US990
Users have reported that SIM unlock is possible by changing the the build.prop ro.build.target_operator= to global or open however I have not tried this yet
If anyone has a method to change the PRL on the device please let me know I have tried several options but no method I have tried will allow the PRL to stick
P.S. not trying to steal your thunder tybskinner just making it easier for people to find the links
Thanks for the info guys. At this point I'm having issues just trying to root the thing. Lost root with Lollipop, and for some reason I cant seem to regain it. Oh well. The price you often pay for having a smaller carrier (I actually work for nTelos, so its my work provided device).
Thanks again. I hope you guys are able to get yours setup the way you like. :good:
Snakemanc6 said:
Thanks for the info guys. At this point I'm having issues just trying to root the thing. Lost root with Lollipop, and for some reason I cant seem to regain it. Oh well. The price you often pay for having a smaller carrier (I actually work for nTelos, so its my work provided device).
Thanks again. I hope you guys are able to get yours setup the way you like. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently there is no root method for the AS990 device on the newest ROM however if you follow the guide posted you can downgrade to the previous version and go from there.
Have a look here...I found a way around the whole super secure as990 crap
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/help/how-to-as990-custom-recovery-roms-t3216133
It may seem like a bit much but it works like a champ!
HI
bobo040 said:
bump. I have the same problem here, except that mine got pushed an ota patch that prevents stump and others. So far no firmware i have found is compatible with this device to even downgrade in order to root in the first place. If anyone has succeeded with as990 ntelos please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to download iroot on your computer then connect your phone on the portable usb outlet make shure your phone is debbugged then open iroot it will read your phone wait wor a while and you are golden
yorimoto1987 said:
you need to download iroot on your computer then connect your phone on the portable usb outlet make shure your phone is debbugged then open iroot it will read your phone wait wor a while and you are golden
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still use the method in this post to downgrade.
hi need help
thjubeck said:
Hi all,
I have tried different roms on my as990 (Carolina West Wireless) by using the method on reddit (HERE) and everything works just a few things to keep in mind
To get your sim to work on a custom rom you may need to change the build.prop ro.build.target_operator=, and ro.afwdata.LGfeatureset=
Take note of these settings before you try to reflash the phone. If you change one, change both if applicable.
Remember to backup your old build.prop
Backup all apns before you start using method found (HERE)
Backup build.prop
Oh and did I mention backup build.prop
The restore files can be found (HERE) and use the guide found (HERE) replacing the files mentioned with the ones in the post. If you use this method to restore you phone, the build.prop from the reddit post will not work so use the old build.prop that I'm sure by now you have backed up or you will have to get the custom .dll file elsewhere to restore.
For all who have taken the ota update, the restore method works for that too
Your carrier files are automatically restored if you use the firmware in the above post. That is to say they were for me but if anyone else test this
no guarantees but it did work flawlessly for me.
Also I am currently working on a recovery for AS990 if anyone has any ideas feel free to chime in
A couple of side notes
The method by tybskinner may also work if you flash to US990 as well, but I have not tried this yet. To do so you would need the custom .dll or the build.prop for US990
Users have reported that SIM unlock is possible by changing the the build.prop ro.build.target_operator= to global or open however I have not tried this yet
If anyone has a method to change the PRL on the device please let me know I have tried several options but no method I have tried will allow the PRL to stick
P.S. not trying to steal your thunder tybskinner just making it easier for people to find the links
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iam actually stuck in the in blue screen and a red number 2 factory status everytime i turn on my phone it says miniOS icant actually find any stock firmware for my lg g3 as990 it really does sucks doe becouse i had a lot of stuff in my phone that really needed but if you can help i will be really regretful ive been trying for a weak now
yorimoto1987 said:
Iam actually stuck in the in blue screen and a red number 2 factory status everytime i turn on my phone it says miniOS icant actually find any stock firmware for my lg g3 as990 it really does sucks doe becouse i had a lot of stuff in my phone that really needed but if you can help i will be really regretful ive been trying for a weak now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to hold the power button and press normal boot
The as990 stock rom is http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/general/lg-g3-as990-firmware-as99010a-t3183928
I've been reading the forums searching for help downgrading from Lollipop to Kitkat, but I haven't found much. A few threads say that there's some other thread with all the information, but I haven't been able to find it. Any information you can give me would be helpful: things I'll need, steps to take, link to a tutorial, etc.
Thanks!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=60908189
swatty43 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=60908189
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wonderful. thank you!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3063452
Post #1 for 4.4.4 file
Do not alter, rename or do anything different with this file.
http://androidhost.org/PVAIv
Download Odin 3.09
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2998294
Download Debloater program to block bloatware and OTA. Use this after downgrading back to 4.4.4. Follow directions on that thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3107391
Post #23 for directions to downgrade, then use Debloater program. I listed which apk to block OTA.
slimeshady said:
I've been reading the forums searching for help downgrading from Lollipop to Kitkat, but I haven't found much. A few threads say that there's some other thread with all the information, but I haven't been able to find it. Any information you can give me would be helpful: things I'll need, steps to take, link to a tutorial, etc.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are some things i can't fully access from my work computer but i`ll try to help the best i can until someone else pitches in
first thing i recommend doing is setting usb debugging on your phone, you can google how to do that if you haven't already
second is to install your phone drivers on your PC (for me it's typically just plugging in my phone and letting it install)
third download the stock at&t note 4 kitkat firmware which can be found here. just click the link until you find the download option (can't access this further), i've used it to downgrade a couple weeks ago.. if the file is a .rar/.zip/.7zip unzip it, if its a .tar or .md5 you are good to go.
fourth download "odin" you can do a google search for it, i used odin 3.09 and 3.10, generally 3.09 is recommended. odin is what you will use to push firmwares on galaxy devices (and some others)
fifth once all of the above is done, open odin as admin w/ your phone connected to your PC already and you should see a "COM" port thats visible, that means your device is recognized. click the "AP" spot and find the .tar or .md5, once that is done click start and do not mess with any other
options - if you still feel uncomfortable do a google search for a youtube video on downgrading
also downgrading will remove anything on your phone excluding your micro SD card
warning: i know there is another link someone here that has more steps in odin for doing a downgrade so i apologize if the link is that one.. also, once you downgrade your phone will start the OTA back to lollipop at some point, i advise you learn how to freeze the update if you don't know already, myself personally i used greenify but there are other options
lastly, there is a thread with the stock lollipop update you can push to your device using odin as well, if you want to upgrade again & not take the OTA to do so.. hope this helps somewhat and good luck!
You could always take a quick trip to att device service and they will downgrade it for u or even best buy too if your scared to do it manually via odin.
So i just got this tablet out of the blue, didnt realy expect it and its not something thats really needed but it could come in handy. I figured id mod the hell out of it so it would be ready to go when i did decide to use it. I figured it being a name brand that doing all this would be easy. I havnt even looked into ROMs yet id figured id start with some custom recovery TWRP. Everything has been a complete disaster tho.
I had the thing for less than a few hours and done had it bricked and then about 10 more times after that. Ive been able to unbrick each time using the LG Flash Tool 2014 and a stock android 4.2.2 rom. I have the newer stock roms up to 5.?.? whitch is what i think was oroginal on it when i got it, but i figured downgrading would make everything easier. I still cant get anything to work right ive watched dozens of videos and posted and there so much crap out there its kinda hard to know what to use and to try, Were my particular tablet works into this time line.
Ive tried simple one click stuff that i think was the original tools. Ive tried the apps on the device. Ive tried hooking up to the pc. Using the command line on pc and on phone. Ive tried a million and one diffrent tools, programs, and files. My whole desktop is filled up with crap. The one thing i am able to do is root the drvice using kingroot but i beleave thats the one app you guys dont realy aprove of, but its so easy to use. I tried using some other root methods to see if that would help, but it didnt.
I read some were about the bootloader being locked and that being the problem, So i tried different things to unlock that but no luck. Then there was something about needing to downgrade the bootloader to the 4.?.? version or something, IDK. I am so lost any more idk were to go from here. I only get a new android device every few years because as long as it makes call i dont care and i dont tend on modding it all that much because theres the possibility i could be with out a phone for a few days. ive always been pretty good at modding stuff over the years but it just seems like android stuff just gets harder and harder over the years. Its starting to be more trouble then its worth but i guess thats the point. Ive always love doing this stuff but i just dont have the time like i use to spend all day looking this stuff up and getting stuff done but i just dont have the time to do that anymore. My eyes and back cant handle the hours starring down the keybored like they use to. Sometimes taking brakes screws up my concentration and it takes me a minute to get back on track.
Anywase like i said im kinda lost not sure were to go from here and i just figured id post and see if anybody would through me a line. If not well its cool ill figure it out eventually or just use it the way it is.
Dont have original info - I know I should have wrote everyhting down before diving in, but i didnt. This info is from the current stock ROM installed
Model # VK810 4G
Hardware Version # Rev.1.0
Android Version # 4.2.2
Baseband Version # M9615A-CEFWTAZM-4.0.10353
Kernal Version # 3.4.0
Build # JDQ39B
Software Version # VK81011A
Any other needed info please ask.
O its from Verizon
Did i post this in the wrong place.
I encountered the same problem but i've solved it by downgrading the stock ROM because the recovery is locked with last version of stock ROM.
BololFR said:
I encountered the same problem but i've solved it by downgrading the stock ROM because the recovery is locked with last version of stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downgraded the stock rom still couldn't get it to do anything.
telcar said:
I downgraded the stock rom still couldn't get it to do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version do you have ?
Have you root your device ?
Have you try Official TWRP App for flashing recovery ?
BololFR said:
Which version do you have ?
Have you root your device ?
Have you try Official TWRP App for flashing recovery ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All that info was given in my original post at top