Bootloader - How bad is it? How much functionality is really lost? - Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

OK, I didn't realize how crappy web browsing is with out Adblock! I can't live like this! I'm so tempted to bootloader unlock and root. But my concern is losing camera features. Can someone really outline EXACTLY what I will lose if I bootloader unlock and how different the camera is as well.
I actually don't take a lot of photos with my camera anyway, but I really want a list of things that change to help me make the right decision. I haven't even installed all my apps yet because we all know what happens when you BL unlock. Actually now that I think about it...I didn't install my apps because I can't restore using Titanium Backup because I have to be rooted. How anyone lived without root, adblock/adaway, and Titanium backup is beyond me. But I'm also a chronic phone swapper. It's a nasty addiction. My favorite phone thus far has been the M8 though. Definitely covered all the bases all it was missing was 3GB of ram and wireless charging. I didn't even mind Sense which I thought I would immediately get rid of and convert it to a GPe edition.
Anyway anyone with UL BL that can tell me exactly what changed I would appreciate it.

I don't know myself, but you might want to ask in the Q&A section instead.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/bootloader-unlock-t2888735 - This thread contains a fair amount of information relating to what is lost, and what isn't lost.

Something worth considering and not listed nearly as often as a possible result of unlocking without trim area / DRM backup (to restore later) ~ upcoming sony apps / not yet released apps that will rely on the keys to run. (hypothetically, a video version of track I'd is released and needs the keys not to fc)
Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

Thanks all. I figured this has been answered but couldn't find a comprehensive list

Still.open to any other feedback that thread didn't go into a lot.of detail.

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Related

[Q] Why are Android stocks tied to the system?

I was just wondering, why if you delete certain stock apps (Or Bloatware for that matter), they cause FCs or instability in general? Are they tied into the OS somehow?
If somebody can explain this, (In layman
s terms, I'm still learning things about Android) I'd be very thankful.
Bloatware can be removed when you root your device through the explorer. But you can download custom roms with an unlocked bootloader which usually have no bloatware those are two ways of getting rid of the carrier crap. Your choice.
It's also dependent on your device & what type of rom you're running. There should be a list of safe to remove apps for your device/rom.
If you're iffy of something, try freezing it first with Titanium Backup. If all goes well then you can uninstall it.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Thanks for your quick reply, but what I meant was why is it that if you delete a stock apps (Like DriveSmart from Samsung)
HC13 said:
well if u delete driver smart. every time you go to settings and select driver smart you will get a force close... also with wifi calling. and startup setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it messes with the system.
EDIT: Figured it was worth mentioning that I don't own an Android device yet (But it'll either be the Epic 4G or the Sidekick 4G [I lurk in the latter's forum]), so I'm trying soak up as much info as I can receive.
So when I get either device [Even though hands on experience always trumps reading things off forums] I won't waste time figuring things out.
EDIT #2: And thanks plainjane, missed your post somehow.

[Q] ICS

"Factory wipe will only reset it back to how it was when you got the device... with all those apps. I know in ICS it lets you all but remove apps like hides them and kills them but your device doesn't have ICS."
Quote from another post. Will someone please explain this? What do you mean kills them?
I have an Acer tablet that is due for ICS, and most of the other stuff that comes with it isn't exactly interesting. If the camera works, it works. If I can run the apps I want, fine. If it will do what I want, fine.
I'm debating about rooting it, just to get rid of all the extra junk and buy what I want. (Built in vid player will not play FLV), so have to get another. I don't mind buying one if I like it.
I want to give the tablet to a family member eventually, and I don't think they'd want root.
That leads to another thing I don't like. Why can't the mfg let you know you can't use the SD card like you can on a phone? Right now, I also have a Coby 7024 and I swap the card between them.
I have a rooted Galaxy phone - did the upgrade to GB, had to reroot, and wasn't that impressed. Plus I lost Gallery and sounds. (got them back) I don't use the social type apps, so TB froze or deleted them. I use the phone as a reference center.
Thanks
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A

[Q] Tediously specific questions

Hey XDA!
I rooted my Infuse months ago and flashed a custom ROM I found here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1412957) with little trouble. ZEUS has worked great ever since and rarely fails for my purposes. I have a Limited Data plan (200 MB/Month) with AT&T and no warranty to worry about voiding
Anyway, I have some specific questions that seem to be affected by the conditions I've described. I apologize in advance, I'm by no means an expert and would appreciate any guidance offered
1) Being that I'm rooted and running a custom ROM, the usual methods of changing certain preferences are complicated. Specifically, how do I enter the "saved words" or "dictionary" that autocorrect uses for inputted text? I'd like to add/edit/delete words. Is there a method? With the stock ROM, it was pretty simple, but now I don't see any similar options when I'm in the settings menu.
2) I think Swype isn't supported by the new ROM because I no longer had the option of selecting it once I rooted and I do find I miss it lol. Any way to restore it without downloading an app?
3) Recently, I tried paying for an app* in the Market (or Play Store or whatever you wanna call it, but it'll always be the Market to me lol) and found that the only way to do that was through using Google Wallet. I found that Google Wallet wasn't listed in the Play Store when I searched the exact words "Google Wallet" and somewhere in this effort, concluded that ZEUS was too outdated to support the app. I think a prompt from the Play Store confirmed this, but I'm still not sure. Isn't ZEUS just a variation of Gingerbread, anyway? So, since I'm rooted with a custom ROM, am I ineligible from purchasing in the Market?
4*) APPS: Do you guys even "buy" apps? I'm vaguely familiar with the idea of "cracked apps" but have no idea how to safely procure any.
5) Generally, should I just flash to a newer ROM? ZEUS has worked pretty well, but the above issues (the most pressing being 1 and 4) have made me rethink ZEUS. That was months ago, is it now outdated? Any good ICS ROMS (unported, because I don't like dealing with the bugs that inevitably follow ported ROMS) available?
Any help would be a appreciated, I'm sorry this was such a long post and I did scour the forums as best I could before posting this thread.
Thanks a lot!
Rayk1080 said:
Hey XDA!
I rooted my Infuse months ago and flashed a custom ROM I found here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1412957) with little trouble. ZEUS has worked great ever since and rarely fails for my purposes. I have a Limited Data plan (200 MB/Month) with AT&T and no warranty to worry about voiding
Anyway, I have some specific questions that seem to be affected by the conditions I've described. I apologize in advance, I'm by no means an expert and would appreciate any guidance offered
1) Being that I'm rooted and running a custom ROM, the usual methods of changing certain preferences are complicated. Specifically, how do I enter the "saved words" or "dictionary" that autocorrect uses for inputted text? I'd like to add/edit/delete words. Is there a method? With the stock ROM, it was pretty simple, but now I don't see any similar options when I'm in the settings menu.
2) I think Swype isn't supported by the new ROM because I no longer had the option of selecting it once I rooted and I do find I miss it lol. Any way to restore it without downloading an app?
3) Recently, I tried paying for an app* in the Market (or Play Store or whatever you wanna call it, but it'll always be the Market to me lol) and found that the only way to do that was through using Google Wallet. I found that Google Wallet wasn't listed in the Play Store when I searched the exact words "Google Wallet" and somewhere in this effort, concluded that ZEUS was too outdated to support the app. I think a prompt from the Play Store confirmed this, but I'm still not sure. Isn't ZEUS just a variation of Gingerbread, anyway? So, since I'm rooted with a custom ROM, am I ineligible from purchasing in the Market?
4*) APPS: Do you guys even "buy" apps? I'm vaguely familiar with the idea of "cracked apps" but have no idea how to safely procure any.
5) Generally, should I just flash to a newer ROM? ZEUS has worked pretty well, but the above issues (the most pressing being 1 and 4) have made me rethink ZEUS. That was months ago, is it now outdated? Any good ICS ROMS (unported, because I don't like dealing with the bugs that inevitably follow ported ROMS) available?
Any help would be a appreciated, I'm sorry this was such a long post and I did scour the forums as best I could before posting this thread.
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Don't know about that. It's never been an issue for me. In general you'll find the settings for that type of stuff by opening the settings in the keyboard. But in general I think most people add words one at a time as it is necessary... I don't know if you can access the whole dictionary in an easy way, and even if you could... why?
2) Swype is an app. You don't have it, you can't use it. I would just reinstall.
3) ??? No. You shouldn't have any issues like this. Never happened to me; can't think of a reason why. Maybe problem with data connection? Maybe you should install a different ROM and start from scratch.
4) You'll get in trouble for even mentioning that, probably. Buy your apps, support the devs, period.
5) Yes, IMHO. ZEUS has been surpassed (again, IMHO.) I would run AEON or Vagabond for GB... both stable, great pieces of work. ICS still has room to grow and progress to be made, I think. There are some great choices there, and exciting features too. ParanoidAndroid, RemICS, jblparisi's... great stuff, (also none of it would be possible without jt1134 and Entropy) but I always end up going back to GB for the time being because of speed and stability.
Flash a new ROM, I would suggest. If your problems persist... search xda or ask.
But to me it sounds like your ROM just isn't working for you and you need something a little different...
dht2005 said:
1) Don't know about that. It's never been an issue for me. In general you'll find the settings for that type of stuff by opening the settings in the keyboard. But in general I think most people add words one at a time as it is necessary... I don't know if you can access the whole dictionary in an easy way, and even if you could... why?
2) Swype is an app. You don't have it, you can't use it. I would just reinstall.
3) ??? No. You shouldn't have any issues like this. Never happened to me; can't think of a reason why. Maybe problem with data connection? Maybe you should install a different ROM and start from scratch.
4) You'll get in trouble for even mentioning that, probably. Buy your apps, support the devs, period.
5) Yes, IMHO. ZEUS has been surpassed (again, IMHO.) I would run AEON or Vagabond for GB... both stable, great pieces of work. ICS still has room to grow and progress to be made, I think. There are some great choices there, and exciting features too. ParanoidAndroid, RemICS, jblparisi's... great stuff, (also none of it would be possible without jt1134 and Entropy) but I always end up going back to GB for the time being because of speed and stability.
Flash a new ROM, I would suggest. If your problems persist... search xda or ask.
But to me it sounds like your ROM just isn't working for you and you need something a little different...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you SO MUCH for that comprehensive and helpfully speedy reply! Definitely will flash one of the newer ROMs you mentioned after I do some reading up. That, I think, will resolve most of these issues
In regards to why you would access the inputted text dictionary: to add/edit/delete words that appear as suggestions for autocorrect. I have several recurring words that are either in caps lock or misspelled ("you" becomes "yoy" way too often because I accidentally saved it one day). With the stock ROM and most others, accessing the setting is pretty straightforward. Settings/Language and Input/Dictionary or something like that.
In any case, I'll just flash something else, it's time for a change. Thanks again!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app

[HOW TO] disable OTA updates

Forgive me if this is the wrong section and I know there are some threads on it, but not specific enough in my opinion as to how this device works. I was going to go to General, but I figured this was important regarding possible impending doom to our phones should a critical update be released. I've seen a lot of confusion throughout some threads on disabling updates. While the process is mostly the same for almost any phone, there is still a lot of different information out there so I figured I'd explain it pertaining directly to i337 owners.
Let's get started, shall we?
1. You'll need to be rooted - see the thread on rooting your phone in original development by djrbliss
2. Once rooted, get Titanium Backup (yes I know there are other ways, but this is the most straight forward - feel free to add if you think there is a better way)
3. Once in Titanium Backup, go to the backup/restore tab at the top and find the following three items on the list:
-keychain
-fwupdater
-AT&T software updater
4. Click on each one individually and hit the "freeze" button at the top. I'm not positive that the fwupdater and keychain will need to be blocked along with the software updater, but it certainly wont hurt anything and it is a general prereq on most phones to disable ota updates.
5. As soon as you disable them (specifically the AT&T one), you'll notice that your postponed notification will be gone. If you did the OTA update already, you wont receive them anymore which is probably a good thing until the unlock is released.
I just figured I'd post this here to be safe rather than sorry. I don't claim to be a professional with these devices and am certainly not a developer so don't flame me, but I thought I'd post and try to be as accurate as possible for those questioning these updates.
Always know that when using root to modify system files, you run the risk of bricking your device. If you are willing to accept this risk and know that your device can be rendered unusable, then proceed with caution. See you all on the other side when we are unlocked!
Just an FYI, I posted this yesterday...
OTA Update now available! - Update: Instructions to block if desired
Using a slightly different method... But works all the same.
Moved to general forum, please pay attention to what forum you are posting to
Just found that actually. I'm sorry about that. I guess it doesn't hurt to have two of them, but I didn't mean to take over yours.

Moving Play Store Apps to Custom ROM / Lineage

Hi all. I have bought FPse, currently on my new XZ2 (which I'm loving so far). I had a Play Store voucher so have some remaining credit, which I'll use to source some apps. My question is before I get involved in unlocking the bootloader, rooting etc., can I back up the apps so that I can then transfer them to my device once I have installed LineageOS or the Sony supported AOSP? I like the idea of Android, not so much Google. I don't have an SD card yet to use in this, but will be getting one in the near future (most likely around 200GB) but think I have a spare one laying around I could use in the short term for this.
The device is new and apart from a few apps and contacts, I have no data on the phone really yet so would like to get this done fairly soon before I get a lot of stuff on there.
Thanks in advance for any help with this.
Most backup apps should work. Titanium backup is one of (not the) best. There are plenty of tutorials for it
I have read about Titanium backup but my understanding is it needs root to worry properly. While the aim of this is ultimately a new room and root, I'll probably end up using Xperifix to get there, so I won't be able to backup the apps properly. I'll read some more about TB though first. Thanks for your response.
Also I'd like to apologise for putting this question in here, I only realise afterwards that Android General isn't meant for questions.
Edit: having now read more about TB, it looks like they have added this functionality which is great news. I'll give that a try in the near future, thanks again.

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