Develop Bugs

[Q] Upgrading with OTA and questions about unlocking the bootlocker

When 2.3.4 will be here, i think i need to restore all applications that are preinstalled, yes?
The last time went from 2.3.3 to 2.3.3 build 4 i had to flash back to uk generic 2.3.2, gingerbreak and go all the way up again. Also, i had to remove my user data because the screen wasnt responsive because of diffrend settings.
This makes me a very sad panda.
Can anyone tell me if i will be able enable the OTA process by restoring system apps?
Or might it be a better idea to unlock the bootlocker? But then again, is this really worth it? Isnt this a lot of stuff i have to go through? (will i lose my user data? what are the advantages of unlocking the bootlocker and the disadvantages?)
Thanks in advance, as you can see i have quite a lot of questions.

Ya unfortunately you'll have to restore the system apps if you want to OTA update as it checks. As for unlocking your bootloader, if you can do it I would recommend it. Reason being is that once you do you'll never have to worry about losing all your data again (not to mention the ability to overclock and run CM7) as you will always be able to be easily rooted making backing things up/restoring a cinch (either through a nandroid backup or titanium). That being said the SE way of unlocking your bootloader WILL wipe your userdata, as for the paid solutions Im not so sure. And as a disadvantage to the unlocked bootloader SE says it MAY void your warrenty, also you will loose TrackID as it deletes your DRM certs, however I think the paid solution avoids this.

BuckM said:
That being said the SE way of unlocking your bootloader WILL wipe your userdata, as for the paid solutions Im not so sure. And as a disadvantage to the unlocked bootloader SE says it MAY void your warrenty, also you will loose TrackID as it deletes your DRM certs, however I think the paid solution avoids this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is TrackID and what are the DRM certs for? I have been wondering this, since the Sony Ericsson unlock page says it will damage the DRM keys.
( http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com/ )
"Certain content on your phone may also be inaccessible due to the removal of DRM security keys and the secure user data partition while unlocking the boot loader."
Click to expand...
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I'm mainly concerned if all the Playstation functionality will still be accessible (don't want to take the Playstation out of "Playstation Phone"... then it'd just be "Phone" >_>)
From what I have read, users like Alejandrissimo and Jinx13 provide a service by which they use the SETool on your computer (remotely connected to their dongle, which functions as a smart card to enable the SETool software), to unlock your phone without damaging the DRM keys. Which again, really has me wondering what the DRM keys are for...
So if anyone can provide details on the DRM keys and what they are for and what they will break if damaged, etc., that would be very helpful!
I don't currently have an Xperia Play, but am now strongly considering getting one, since I'm on AT&T and there's a nice blue AT&T version out now... So if anyone can verify the success of the SE unlock method on the AT&T version, that would be good to know too... I have read that the remote unlock method via Alejandrissimo has worked for AT&T users.
~Troop

Trooper_Max said:
What is TrackID and what are the DRM certs for? I have been wondering this, since the Sony Ericsson unlock page says it will damage the DRM keys.
( http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com/ )
I'm mainly concerned if all the Playstation functionality will still be accessible (don't want to take the Playstation out of "Playstation Phone"... then it'd just be "Phone" >_>)
From what I have read, users like Alejandrissimo and Jinx13 provide a service by which they use the SETool on your computer (remotely connected to their dongle, which functions as a smart card to enable the SETool software), to unlock your phone without damaging the DRM keys. Which again, really has me wondering what the DRM keys are for...
So if anyone can provide details on the DRM keys and what they are for and what they will break if damaged, etc., that would be very helpful!
I don't currently have an Xperia Play, but am now strongly considering getting one, since I'm on AT&T and there's a nice blue AT&T version out now... So if anyone can verify the success of the SE unlock method on the AT&T version, that would be good to know too... I have read that the remote unlock method via Alejandrissimo has worked for AT&T users.
~Troop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The DRM keys have nothing to do with playstation. They manage the digial rights of sony media, so you will loose Track ID. You will loose the ability to "facebook like" media you are playing in the stock music player. and you will loose the ability to purchase music and videos from the sony qriocity store. Afaik thats about it.

The se unlock method doesn't work. Att is carrier locked.
Sent from my rooted R800a 2.3.3 BL locked

[Q] To unlock or not unlock?

What else do you lose asides from Bravia? Is there a way for the BE2 to work again after unlocking the BL? And in general, IS IT NECESSARY TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER?

TinySarabia said:
What else do you lose asides from Bravia? Is there a way for the BE2 to work again after unlocking the BL? And in general, IS IT NECESSARY TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know you'll loose bravia, DRM and some Walkman-functionalities.
The walkman-losses are partially fixed in krababels rom, and I found some Roms for lg p990 that have bravia engine 2 included. So there has to be a way to re-enable it. Didn't see that for this device though.

sturmtruppler said:
As far as I know you'll loose bravia, DRM and some Walkman-functionalities.
The walkman-losses are partially fixed in krababels rom, and I found some Roms for lg p990 that have bravia engine 2 included. So there has to be a way to re-enable it. Didn't see that for this device though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely you can re-enable BE2 but not sure whether it still working as usual. I've got some exp with some Xperia 2012 too..so the most important is what avd/disavd you'll gain with lock/ unlock..its your choice

TinySarabia said:
What else do you lose asides from Bravia? Is there a way for the BE2 to work again after unlocking the BL? And in general, IS IT NECESSARY TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its simple, if you want to flash ROMs (why wouldn't you ), you have no choice but to unlock the BL.
As for BE2, personally I don't see what the brouhaha is all about, but the general consensus is that yes you loose it and no, as of now you cannot get it back.

There is no good custom ROM now so I think that not to unlock at this moment.

sonic2911 said:
There is no good custom ROM now so I think that not to unlock at this moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If camera is not a priority and you like stock android, give PAC ROM a shot. Either way, the earlier you unlock your BL, the better. Unlocking requires a complete wipe. That's the first thing I do when I get a phone.

I initially bout the c6506 from a carrier and I realized that the bootloader would still be locked even if you SIM-unlocked it. Ended up buying a factory unlocked c6503 from eBay afterwards and haven't regretted it since.

Rooting without unlocking bootloader

Hi,
I'm really interested in buying the new Z2 play, however I've noticed that unlocking bootloader means loosing the warranty.
So, is there a way to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader?

No. Probably never will be.
Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk

I remember that there were some tools for Samsung mobiles like Towelroot which rooted the phone without triggering knox/unlocking bootloader.
It could be also useful to relock the bootloader and find a way to hidden the boot notification of unlocked device.

Valeriuz said:
I remember that there were some tools for Samsung mobiles like Towelroot which rooted the phone without triggering knox/unlocking bootloader.
It could be also useful to relock the bootloader and find a way to hidden the boot notification of unlocked device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Towelroot is a very old exploit, and newer protection measures along with FRP make it extremely difficult if not possible at this point to unlock/relock the bootloader from Android itself.
Besides, I'm fairly sure Moto service centers will still take your phone regardless of the bootloader status given that it is a defect that is unrelated to the user (ie: ghost touches, screen burn, etc.).

Does XA1 losing some functionality when bootloader is unlocked?

I would like to buy XA1 and root it like I always do on other phones, but i'm curious about what happened of you unlock bootloader on XA1.
Does XA1 lose some functionality when bootloader is unlocked, like Z devices?

Yes. DRM gets wiped out once you unlock bootloader. The Camera loses some functionality.

Oh darn I just found a thread about it and it seems they haven't found root exploit yet

Question Downsides to unlocking bootloader?

Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol

Teet1 said:
Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, only rooting will have disadvantages, <ie> Banking and Google Pay. My Bank won't allow rooted phones to use its app.

Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!

roirraW edor ehT said:
Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!

Teet1 said:
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, you're welcome. Yep, I fooled with a Sony phone once. Was extremely disappointing that it gimped the camera on purpose if you unlocked the bootloader using their official means to do so. And for a while with the bootloader unlocked but not rooted, I still received OTA updates just fine, but then suddenly they stopped allowing OTAs to download and install actually over the air - had to use XperiFirm to download and then flash them manually.

It's getting harder to pass various integrity checks for Play, banking apps, and GPay. And now device integrity. You have to consciously maintain all of these.