Kitkat 4.4.4. root - will it destroy camera quality? - Xperia Z1 Compact Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi
I'm not really knowledgeable about this phone, since this is my brother's phone, so excuse my ignorance.
The phone is running Kitkat 4.4.4. and was never updated. The main reason we want to root it is so we can circumvent the SD card write restriction in 4.4.4.
The newer Xperia devices have some kind of DRM which triggers when the phone is rooted, and it erases some camera algorithms while eviscerates the camera quality. Does this phone also have this kind of protection? Or will nothing happen if it is rooted?
Thanks

The DRM is removed when you unlock the bootloader. Rooting have no influence on Camera quality (or any other phone functions). You can root your device with no fear

Related

{PRO} Whole device encryption and ICS?

Hi,
I have a MK16i Xperia Pro phone for work that has to meet certain security criteria that I foolishly assumed the stock ICS update would give, sadly Sony, in it's infinite wisdom, removed the whole device encryption from the stock ICS ROM.
For work, my Android phone must run a minimum of ICS, have full device and SD card encrypted and not be rooted. Is there any combinations of ROM's/Firmware that can achieve this goal? Riyal did at one point offer to do a firmware without automatic rooting, but I know he's busy still beavering away with his ICS Firmware/ROM combo, including solving a wifi issue.
While the device should not be rooted, there would be no problem with me rooting it to apply stuff as long as I can unroot it after. The work security spyware looks for root, ICS and encryption only and I work in the team that deploys this nonsense so getting round it for a short term isn't an issue. Sadly I can't abuse my position and leave it non compliant for too long.
Thanks!

[Q] Rooting the phone and screen recording.

Hey guys, I have few questions about my phone.
The phone is fairly new and still has factory warranty. I wanted to root it but im afraid it will void the warranty. Is there a tutorial on how to 'unroot' the device so they wont find out about the root? Is it worth rooting the phone? I dont want custom ROM, just the root with official system (Lollipop 5.0.2 iirc)
I wanted to record my gameplay, there are many apps that record without root but they cant capture sound. They use microphone instead of the sounds 'in-game' making the sound quality very bad. Anyone know of an app that will record the sound without using microphone?
Also, if i have root can the apps that use GPS enable and disable it on the go? I know that this function was disabled in 4.3 but is there any way to get it working again?
Aintence said:
Hey guys, I have few questions about my phone.
The phone is fairly new and still has factory warranty. I wanted to root it but im afraid it will void the warranty. Is there a tutorial on how to 'unroot' the device so they wont find out about the root? Is it worth rooting the phone? I dont want custom ROM, just the root with official system (Lollipop 5.0.2 iirc)
I wanted to record my gameplay, there are many apps that record without root but they cant capture sound. They use microphone instead of the sounds 'in-game' making the sound quality very bad. Anyone know of an app that will record the sound without using microphone?
Also, if i have root can the apps that use GPS enable and disable it on the go? I know that this function was disabled in 4.3 but is there any way to get it working again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't root your S6 Edge, on rooting process, a chip burns on S6 and disable Knox and Samsung Pay for ever, without a way to recover it
the-cortana-project said:
Don't root your S6 Edge, on rooting process, a chip burns on S6 and disable Knox and Samsung Pay for ever, without a way to recover it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont use samsung pay anyway but the question is, will i be able to get my warranty back after i root the phone? On S3 I just had to flash back the official firmware (didnt reset flash counter and they still accepted it for repairs). Would disabling knox void the warranty?
Aintence said:
I dont use samsung pay anyway but the question is, will i be able to get my warranty back after i root the phone? On S3 I just had to flash back the official firmware (didnt reset flash counter and they still accepted it for repairs). Would disabling knox void the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you lost warranty
Before repairing, they check the chip which burns on rooting process, when it is burned, they will not repair your phone without pay money

H815 rooting questions

Hello,
I have had my G4 H815 locked to UKEE for a good few months now and I have been holding off on rooting as the official way of unlocking the bootloader I believe breaks the DRM keys and it was hinted that there was a small possibility than a nicer way may come about. It's not looking like that at the moment and I am now clucking to get my root apps and freedom back.
I have had and HTC Desire, Samsung S2 and Xperia Z1 all rooted many times and flashing multiple different things etc so I am by no means new to rooting but I am not a technological whizz kid and looking at the root methods for this, as with every new phone it seems, rooting methods are getting more difficult. My questions are;
1. Can anyone tell me what they have experienced not working when the bootloader gets unlocked? I understand it may just be video streaming? Can anyone confirm the likes of Netflix etc won't work? Any other apps / ill effects? I assume YouTube still works? I currently use Barclays banking app, that didn't work on old phone while that was rooted, I'm assuming with the bootloader unlocked it will never work again on G4?
2. Is Root ANY LG G4 Variant 100% Success Directives | Root Injection | Less Bricks the best root method to use? Or is it, as I guess [ROOT] TMO/VZW/ATT/SPRINT/INTL Root your LG G4 with Low Effort Root! the best to use? Or is there another you suggest that is easier / better / harder to destroy my phone?
3. Slightly O/T but being on EE they are extremely stingy with updates so I am still running 10C, I have seen about FW up to 10H or more. Is there somewhere that has the change logs of these different firmwares?
"I believe breaks the DRM keys"
This is true for the Sony Xperia devices, but not really for others that I know (Samsung S6 and HTC M9 included). I have unlocked the device on day 2, and everything works: YouTube, My own banking apps (they give me a warning tough that I am rooted, but working without issues), all camera functionality, video streaming (no Netflix here to check tough), IRDA, BT etc.
The banking checks for root (if you have SU access and not if the bootloader is unlocked), this can be hidden with the RootCloak app, but depends on the banking app itself. As I said, mine warns me that I am rooted, but everything works.
As for which is the easiest method, I prefer flashing SuperSU package with TWRP recovery, since the bootloader is unlocked. It's safe and failproof.
The other methods you listed are mainly for devices, which can't have their bootloaders unlocked.
Thanks. I know the Xperia devices broke drm keys so that the bravia engine etc didn't work. But at least with them you could backup drm keys and relock the boot loader. I read somewhere that the g4 breaks the keys but it was only really streaming type service's that may be effected.
Yea Barclays just straight up won't work and there rootcloak doesn't have an exploit to hide root from that as far as I could find.
I read somewhere on this earlier too that there is an unofficial unoficial bootloader unlock being worked on sounds like not far off. May just wait and see if that way comes to light soon and if it's a safer way and revertible for warranty purposes etc as it can't be done after accepting an update looks like.
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

[Q] [Root] Rooting questions: missing features and revert process

Hi guys, I'm considering rooting my phone, however, since I'm new to the LG world, I'd like to ask if the process causes any missing features, like with Samsung (e-fuse blown up, Samsung Pay, Health etc. not working anymore) or Sony (DRM keys erased, some camera features disabled etc.).
Another related question: is it possible to 100% revert the rooting process, relocking the bootloader and flashing the stock firmware, with no evidence left of previous rooting?
Every rooting breaks safetynet etc, so you must be aware of that. Every app which detects root access will not work.
LG G7 after unlocking bootloader display information "Your device software can't be checked for corruption. Lock the bootloader. Press Power to pause boot." which continues boot after few socends.
I think it's possible to 100% revert rooting process. I didn't see any info with bootloader state in fastboot mode or something else. Just that screen at boot process which i think will vanish after relock bootloader.
If i'm wrong somewhere, then please correct me.
If u use magisk most apps will not detect root.
Magisk also makes safty-net pass
Pockemon/ingress and other games running on unitu wont start.
But you can say godbye to your drm Keys.
And xposed whill tigger all root detection.
But u can always revert by just flashing a unpatched Boot no nead to relock
maydayind said:
If u use magisk most apps will not detect root.
Magisk also makes safty-net pass
Pockemon/ingress and other games running on unitu wont start.
But you can say godbye to your drm Keys.
And xposed whill tigger all root detection.
But u can always revert by just flashing a unpatched Boot no nead to relock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but regarding DRM keys, do we really have them in the LG G7, like for example in the Sony Xperia phones? With these phones, I know that if you lose your DRM keys, some features are disabled / limited (don't remember exactly which, something to do with the camera and display).
If we do have DRM keys in the LG G7, which features may be lost by deleting them? Is there a way to backup the keys before rooting?

Imaging and rooting

Hi XDA
I have a son with Asperger syndrome and that give parents sometimes unusual task to solve.
He got a Sony xz2 compact, but he refuses to use a phone until the camera and google services are disabled, do to security lags. He wants to remove the system camera software to make sure no one can exploit the camera.
In other words, he wants to be so anonymous and hacker free as possible - and the camera is a big issue for him.
And yes, I know is possible to disable the camera in Sony configuration (and it's done) but that is not enough.
I hope getting some help to find a solution this two tasks:
1) How to get or make an image of the phone to store/save in my pc so it can be restored if needed.
2) How to root the xz2 compact and uninstall the camera
I will really appreciate some help in this issue.
(sorry my English)
Regards.
1. There is not much you can do, backup related on a Sony phone with locked bootloader. You can use google backup, if you want, but even Sony's solution won't work on a phone with Android Pie, after bootloader is unlocked (it would, if you are on Oreo and you would apply drm-fix after unlocking). Almost all other solutions need root, which you don't have on a locked phone.
2. In this thread you will find a step-by-step guide to install twrp recovery and root (by flashing Magisk) and the download for twrp recovery, made by @MartinX3
I won't link the recovery file itself, because it depends on the way you want to proceed. You can use Sonys stock rom or you can install aosp/omnirom.
In your case i would use aosp or omnirom, because it comes without google crap and it is pure Android. You only need to delete/rename the camera with a root explorer and you are good to go.
But i'm sure, @MartinX3 can tell you more about aosp or omnirom and how to flash it, because i have not used it yet. Anyway, camera is not finished on aosp/omni, so you won't loose very much.
old.splatterhand said:
1. There is not much you can do, backup related on a Sony phone with locked bootloader. You can use google backup, if you want, but even Sony's solution won't work on a phone with Android Pie, after bootloader is unlocked (it would, if you are on Oreo and you would apply drm-fix after unlocking). Almost all other solutions need root, which you don't have on a locked phone.
2. In this thread you will find a step-by-step guide to install twrp recovery and root (by flashing Magisk) and the download for twrp recovery, made by @MartinX3
I won't link the recovery file itself, because it depends on the way you want to proceed. You can use Sonys stock rom or you can install aosp/omnirom.
In your case i would use aosp or omnirom, because it comes without google crap and it is pure Android. You only need to delete/rename the camera with a root explorer and you are good to go.
But i'm sure, @MartinX3 can tell you more about aosp or omnirom and how to flash it, because i have not used it yet. Anyway, camera is not finished on aosp/omni, so you won't loose very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the useful information. I'm not very firm at the Android version (oreo or pie) - but the phone is a Sony Experia xz2 model H8324 and Android ver. 8.0.0 (patch level april 1, 2018). Hope this make sense
This is my first sony, so i'm not the "most helpful hand", i think.
Backup related, if you use sony backup before unlock on oreo, you can flash drmfix after unlock and then you should be able to use sony backup to restore your data.
If this is successful, you are rooted and you should be able to use Titanium Backup.
But as sony newbie i don't know how far sonys backup solution goes.
Anyway, i'll recommend in your case a rom like aosp or omni, because there are no Google things in it.
Why not cover the cameras with stickers if that's the biggest issue? You'll have to root the phone to completely disable all the G Apps, some of the firmware versions allow you to completely disable the G services - if you trust it.
You can use pm uninstall command thru adb shell. This way the app gets removed for the user, and thus seems totally removed. The apk itself do still remain in the system folder, and can be reinstalled if wanted, but can't be launched. This method do not need rooting either.
You can't make and image of the phone, at least not without rooting it first. But that will break some stuff, like camera, and that can NOT be restored in ANY way (drm keys are lost forever). For most (all?) Xperia devices there are images available for flashing with FlashTool/Xperifirm, but note that this will not recover the lost drm keys if you unlocked the bootloader in the first place.

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