Develop Bugs

Flashing on locked bootloader

I'm looking to flash my Xperia zl but the process requires flashtool and a original firmware. My question is what good is cwm? Can we not flash roms from recovery like I do on my Transformer 700?
Or do I really need to use flashtool flash a original firmware reroot then go to recovery factory reset wipe and then flash New Rom?

shadowarez said:
I'm looking to flash my Xperia zl but the process requires flashtool and a original firmware. My question is what good is cwm? Can we not flash roms from recovery like I do on my Transformer 700?
Or do I really need to use flashtool flash a original firmware reroot then go to recovery factory reset wipe and then flash New Rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashtool is only needed if you want to flash Sony stock rom or kernel files.
For flashing any AOSP rom (like CyanogenMod or PACman rom) or mods you need cwm recovery.
If you already have cwm just reboot your phone. On startup Sony logo just press volume + or - to enter cwm.
If not, I recommend NUT's DualRecovery (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2288118).
With locked bootloader you are not able to flash any kind of AOSP kernel.
AOSP roms need unlocked BL.
Flashtool can unlock your BL if its rootable (some carriers do not allow this).
BUT:
Before unlocking BL, make a backup of your TA partition! --> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598

thank you
I seen a Rom for locked bootloaders and I thought why can't I just flash this way I did with tablet I got the Rom for a locked BL.
I got the RomAur 9.0. Thanks for quick reply wasn't sure if I should proceed or not till I cleared that up.

shadowarez said:
I seen a Rom for locked bootloaders and I thought why can't I just flash this way I did with tablet I got the Rom for a locked BL.
I got the RomAur 9.0. Thanks for quick reply wasn't sure if I should proceed or not till I cleared that up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running eXistenZ Ultra Edition http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2385313
You should try it, at the moment its the finest rom for our beloved ZL
This rom is based on .67 stock rom. Before that I was on .423 stock rom.
In order to run without problems, I had to first flash .67 stock rom with flashtool, reroot, reinstall DualRecovery and then flash eXistenZ rom.
So if you're going to flash a custom rom based on a different stock kernel than the one you're already on, first flash that stock rom with flashtool.
You can skip this step, but you might run into connection problems with wifi and data.
First flash .67 stock rom with latest flashtool.
Use this guide to get root access: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2388946
For the 11. step use this .67 kernel: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0duxzJgPpcyX3hhbV9wVFQ4R0E/edit?usp=sharing
You have to close flashtool BEFORE you use DooMLoRD_Easy-Rooting-Toolkit_v18 !
After the root, flash NUT's "lockeddualrecovery2.6.3-RELEASE.windows.zip" : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2288118
For the rooting process you'll need "unknown sources" and "usb debugging" checked.
Take care to follow every step as described and you should be good again. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After everything is done, don't forget to wipe dalvik cache..

So if i can summarize, if I don't need to flash CM or AOSP Roms, and only flash rom based on Stock I don't need to unlock the bootloader ?
If I use flashtool 0.9.13, it won't unlock the bootloader ? because while i was reading their welcom page http://www.flashtool.net/index.php
I had a feeling that it unlock the bootloader, is that an option or it do it when i flash a stock rom with it ?
What are the advantages of unlocking bootlader a part from being able to flash CM AOSP based rom and kernels ?

[Q] Will the old BackupTA work with 4.3 update?

Hey,
Xperia M dual user here. Recently got the update to 4.3 Jelly Bean. I updated and of course lost the root. Now, I took a backup TA when I was rooted in 4.2.2. I am going to install CWM and try some custom roms. So can I still use the same BackupTA or do I have to create a new one after I upgraded to 4.3?
Thanks!

zoozoo243 said:
Hey,
Xperia M dual user here. Recently got the update to 4.3 Jelly Bean. I updated and of course lost the root. Now, I took a backup TA when I was rooted in 4.2.2. I am going to install CWM and try some custom roms. So can I still use the same BackupTA or do I have to create a new one after I upgraded to 4.3?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have taken a backup in 4.2.2 then restore it in 4.2.2 only to relock the bootloader and then upgrade to 4.3. Then take backup of ta again then do whatever you to do with your mobile.

SArnab©® said:
If you have taken a backup in 4.2.2 then restore it in 4.2.2 only to relock the bootloader and then upgrade to 4.3. Then take backup of ta again then do whatever you to do with your mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for clarification, so I can only relock my bootloader in 4.2.2 because I took my BackupTA on 4.2.2. I will not be able to relock my bootloader in 4.3 with the BackupTA took in 4.2.2. Did I get it right?
Also, the problem is 4.3 doesn't have any rooting method without unlocking bootloader. I have to take a backupTA before unlocking for which I need root. So kind of in a catch 22 situation here.

zoozoo243 said:
Just for clarification, so I can only relock my bootloader in 4.2.2 because I took my BackupTA on 4.2.2. I will not be able to relock my bootloader in 4.3 with the BackupTA took in 4.2.2. Did I get it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's what I had read somewhere. Not sure where exactly. Its always preferable to restore TA Backup on the same version which it was backed up.
zoozoo243 said:
Also, the problem is 4.3 doesn't have any rooting method without unlocking bootloader. I have to take a backupTA before unlocking for which I need root. So kind of in a catch 22 situation here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong mate. There is a working method to root 4.3 without unlocking Bootloader but that requires you to be in 4.2.2 + Fully rooted + locked Bootloader + Access to Windows PC along with USB Cables and Drivers.
Search In Android Development Section. The current version for the mod is v1.2

Although not recommended, you can restore your TA backup in any firmware version. Sometimes when you restore a backup taken in an old firmware version you get a bootloop that can be easily fixed by flashing the stock kernel again with FlashTool...
I'm saying that because I did something similar: before developing Nicki Root, I took a TA backup in rooted 4.2.2, unlocked bootloader, flashed 4.3 and rooted it by using CWM and then I restored TA backup I took in 4.2.2 and everything worked fine. I already did this procedure at least 5 times and it worked all of them, the only attempt I got a bootloop was after restoring TA backup while running a custom kernel, fixed by flashing stock kernel again
Another tip: create a TA backup with bootloader already unlocked too, if you ever need to unlock it again you can simply restore that backup, without needing to use fastboot and without wiping data partition

mbc07 said:
Although not recommended, you can restore your TA backup in any firmware version. Sometimes when you restore a backup taken in an old firmware version you get a bootloop that can be easily fixed by flashing the stock kernel again with FlashTool...
I'm saying that because I did something similar: before developing Nicki Root, I took a TA backup in rooted 4.2.2, unlocked bootloader, flashed 4.3 and rooted it by using CWM and then I restored TA backup I took in 4.2.2 and everything worked fine. I already did this procedure at least 5 times and it worked all of them, the only attempt I got a bootloop was after restoring TA backup while running a custom kernel, fixed by flashing stock kernel again
Another tip: create a TA backup with bootloader already unlocked too, if you ever need to unlock it again you can simply restore that backup, without needing to use fastboot and without wiping data partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for pointing this out. I wrote what I head read before. Got new thing to learn today.

mbc07 said:
Although not recommended, you can restore your TA backup in any firmware version. Sometimes when you restore a backup taken in an old firmware version you get a bootloop that can be easily fixed by flashing the stock kernel again with FlashTool...
I'm saying that because I did something similar: before developing Nicki Root, I took a TA backup in rooted 4.2.2, unlocked bootloader, flashed 4.3 and rooted it by using CWM and then I restored TA backup I took in 4.2.2 and everything worked fine. I already did this procedure at least 5 times and it worked all of them, the only attempt I got a bootloop was after restoring TA backup while running a custom kernel, fixed by flashing stock kernel again
Another tip: create a TA backup with bootloader already unlocked too, if you ever need to unlock it again you can simply restore that backup, without needing to use fastboot and without wiping data partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey that's a great idea! The phone will not reset at all.
You can restore your TA backup in any firmware as long as it is stock rom
Sent from my LT25i using XDA Free mobile app

Ah, I see. Thanks a lot guys!

You can restore it in any stock rom with stock kernel. I have restore ta 4.1 to 4.3 many times without problems
Sent from my C1905 using Tapatalk

[Q] Bravia Engine

Dear members of XDA!
A few quick questions here:
If my bootloader remains locked from stock:
1. and I downgrade to a previous stock android version rather than 4.4, will I lose BE?
2. if I do lose it, and then flash the last stock version, will I recover it?
If my bootloader was unlocked, I know that I should lose BE, BUT:
3. if I install a custom rom, don't like it, go back to the latest stock, and after everything's finished, relock the bootloader, will I recover the BE?
Thanks in advance!

1.nope
2.you will lose only if you unlock BL.
3.if u have TA backup, you can relock BL and recover BE by flashing stock ROM and restore TA.

Return To Stock

I have unlocked my bootloader, installed a TWRP, and flashed a custom ROM. Everything is working fine, but I just want to know how to return to stock if I wanted to. Is it just as simple as flashing the latest OTA? Do I have to re-lock my bootloader?
Thanks!

You can easily return firmware and/or recovery to stock by flashing, but currently there is no way to relock the bootloader.

kanagawaben said:
You can easily return firmware and/or recovery to stock by flashing, but currently there is no way to relock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sort of a noob when it comes to this stuff. I usually just follow guides to get what I'm looking for.
So would I just download the latest OTA and flash that? Can someone share some simple instructions on how this is done?
Thanks!

When you want to flash back to stock from custom, are the steps the following?
1)Download stock rom from asus
2)Format phone
3)Flash stock ROM from custom recovery?
The reason I ask is because there is a guide that says you need to edit the stock rom when flashing from custom rom/recovery.. Link to his guide here: GUIDE FOR FULL ROM

How do you unlock an i747M locked to Fido? [OctOS L 5.1.1]

So I'm planning to switch carriers and I'm wondering how I can unlock my i747M locked to Fido that's running OctOS L 5.1.1. If I have to downgrade, how do I transfer all my current app data and pic's. Also, is it possible to keep the unlock if you were to update you phone to a higher version or install a custom ROM or install the nandroid backup you made before unlocking? Please leave me with some important things to know about while unlocking your phone if possible!

If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.

audit13 said:
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, in a nutshell, i just need to downgrade my phone to a stock rom of 4.3 or below and just search up a video of how to unlock it using the keypad method?
than if i wanted to, i could use the nandroid backup i did before and flash it and still have an unlocked phone?

You cannot use the free method once the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader because you cannot properly run the 4.1.1 modem on a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader and the 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader cannot be downgraded to a 4.1.1 bootloader.
Before flashing anything, which bootloader is on the phone?

audit13 said:
You cannot use the free method once the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader because you cannot properly run the 4.1.1 modem on a 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader and the 4.3 or 4.4.2 bootloader cannot be downgraded to a 4.1.1 bootloader.
Before flashing anything, which bootloader is on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the noob question, but how do i found out my bootloader?
If this helps, my baseband is I747MVLUFOB3

I actually just logged on to get similar clarification. I have an unlock code, but it does not work when I enter it using OctOS-M. Do I need to be on a stock rom to unlock? Can I easily jump back to a stock rom, then back again to a marshmallow rom?

JoshMcMadMac said:
I actually just logged on to get similar clarification. I have an unlock code, but it does not work when I enter it using OctOS-M. Do I need to be on a stock rom to unlock? Can I easily jump back to a stock rom, then back again to a marshmallow rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what ive heard, you have to be on a stock rom. As of google, even then, some users have problems or cant, which from what ive heard, can be fixed by downgrading to 4.3 (make sure ur bootloader is the same or your phone WILL be bricked).
Please note that this is from what ive heard and may not be accurate.

Install the Samsung phone info app from the play store as it will tell you a lot.

audit13 said:
Install the Samsung phone info app from the play store as it will tell you a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My boot loader seems to be the same as my baseband.

What is the bootloader version?

GamingDevilsCC said:
From what ive heard, you have to be on a stock rom. As of google, even then, some users have problems or cant, which from what ive heard, can be fixed by downgrading to 4.3 (make sure ur bootloader is the same or your phone WILL be bricked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds problematic...I am on NJ2. I am not having any luck finding anything about getting back to stock on the newest bootloader.

audit13 said:
If the phone is running a 4.3 or newer bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code.
In order to enter the unlock code, the phone should be running a stock samsung ROM from sammobile.
I suggest creating a nandroid backup with TWRP, copy the backup to your computer, flash the stock ROM, perform a factory reset after flashing stock, unlock, flash TWRP, restore nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think this one would work?
https://z3x-team.com/forum/topic.php?id=9505
Whats a CWM anyways?

CWM is Clockworkmod with is a custom recovery. CWM is outdated as it has not been updated for quite some time. Many recent custom ROMs now require TWRP.
You may be able to software unlock the phone but you'll probaby need a UART cable and Samsung Pro tools. I don't believe Pro Tools is free.
The linked thread is from 2014 and, in 2014, many phones were running 4.1.2 which meant the phone could be downgraded to 4.1.1 using and sim unlocked using the dialler's menu options.