Hi! I've decided that I'm going to upgrade my rooted Z3 (D6603) to Lollipop. I currently have a locked bootloader and I'm running Android 4.4.4 (23.0.A.2.93) which I rooted using Giefroot.
Now if I follow this tutorial, I can upgrade without unlocking. However, I'd prefer Stock Xperia at 5.1.1 (since its built for my specific hardware) over Generic. The problem is, there's no US T-Mobile 5.1.1 build for the D6603. The closest two builds are 5.1.1 Generic and 5.0.2 T-Mobile UK. I'm torn between these two options, as I can't seem to find any good list of pros/cons concerning Xperia vs. Generic and 5.0 vs. 5.1.
However, there is a third option I am considering. If I were to unlock my bootloader I could run CM12, which would be much better than both Stock Xperia and Generic IMO. The only issue with that is that I'm confused as to what I would end up loosing. I've backed up my DRM keys, but I don't know what good any of that is going to do for me. I've also seen that I may be able to restore functionality using this, but I'm worried I'd screw everything up, since I fully grasp what I'm doing. I also don't know if I could turn back and re-lock if anything were to go wrong.
So my question is: Which firmware do I flash? And what will I end up having to lose? My three options are as follows:
CyanogenMod 12 (After Unlocking the Bootloader)
Generic, Unbranded Android 5.1.1
Branded (T-Mobile UK) Android 5.0.2
There are NO differences between branded and un-branded Sony stock software. you can flash the "generic" variant (please be sure to match you phone model... d6603 and so on)
you can also update you phone with a flashable zip made of:
a stock sony FTF
Xzdr recovery
Supersu package
To do this you need: PRF creator ; Xperifirm (to download FTF's) ; Flashtool (to make FTF's) ; Xzdr Recovery Flashable package ; Supersu Package.
My experience with CM12 is terrible because you won't get any benefit over stock software, because stock is the most optimized / featured Rom for Z3. with CM12 be prepared to forget the "power on and play"
the "this" mod is a package to restore the features (the magic behind the DRM keys of stock roms only when you have lost your DRM keys. this mod cannot be used on non-Sony based software. DRM keys are lost forever if you do not backup them before bootloader unlock.
Just to verify before I go on with this: I won't need a unlocked bootloader, correct? All the links for Xzdr Recovery I can find state that they will brick a locked bootloader.
Related
Hi, I'm new to the Sony Z3, and I have a stock 4.4.4 rooted phone, and bootloader is still locked. I don't mind the BL being locked as stock is fine with me, and I like Wi-Fi calling..... Previously had an LG G2 and Sammy S4....
What I can't seem to find is a flashable zip that will flash a pre-rooted Lollipop stock ROM. If someone can direct me to it I would appreciate it greatly.
Also, by flashing a pre-rooted ROM on Sonys, does it also contain/flash a newer version of baseband/modem? I read that the Lollipop update allows the Z3 to have access to T-Mobile's new 700mhz band, etc....
With Samsungs I could flash a new baseband separately, but I haven't seen a discussion likewise with the Z3. The 700mhz access is a great thing, and if I could have even my 4.4.4 enable 700Mhz access, I would be happy with that too.
Many thanks.
Hi xda developers, I'm a new z3 user (D6633) running lollipop 5.1.1 , and I want to root my z3 to use titanium Backup,
1) I'm afraid that if I root my z3, I won't be able to update to marshmallow when it arrives, I also read somewhere that I still can update but will lose drm (I don't know what that is )
2) is there a way to unroot, to install the official update ?
Please explain in details and provide links if you could, cus I'm totally new on Sony
Any advice is appreciated
Im sure there will be a pre-rooted stock ROM for dl as soon after M. hits. Depends if one need to flash other things as well like firmware etc. but these things are included in the same FTF. I have gone through a few Android versions and things usually works out fine in a short matter of time.
If you absolutely want to go full stock, just flash a stock FTF from http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/ftf-stock-firmwares-xperia-z3-models-t2886061
Using Flashtool.
Hello,
received the Phone with the t-mobile branding (german version).
What i did is to use the official device unlock from Sony so be able to flash another Firmware.
Then i downloaded the generic DE from the FlashTool, and flashed it.
This failed because the rom was already on Android 7.
I did not manage to aquire the -9090 Rom in Android 6.0.1
So i flashed the central europe version.
First problem: this version does not (yet?) update to Android 7 - and actualy is NOT the version i wanted to have in the end.
Second problem: The camera app did not work anymore (already in use)
So i've read through this forum, and got the information, i need to re-unlock the device.
Did that, camera works.
However now i always get "this device is not trusted"
What i actualy want to have:
- A stock ROM in german, whcih gets OTA updates.
- Working Stock-Apps
- No warning when starting the Phone.
I do not care wether the warning is disabled, or simply not shown because of another bootloader. There should simply be no annoying warning.
I also have the exact same phone twice (mine, and the one for my girlfriend) in case this help somehow. In theory the best situation would be to hard-sync every single byte on the disk (i assume?)
I did not read anything about "do not flash currently, as this will make you loose your drm keys forever and the stock camera will no more work at all". But after watching this forum for some days now, it seems that exactly that has happened? So using a locked bootloader will not work anymore due to lost and unrecoverable drm keys? I cannot copy them from the other phone? So i need to replace the bootloader with another one to get rid of the message? And i also need to reflash the firmware as soon as FlashTool supports Android 7?
In the end a total piece of crap, because of a goddamn branding -.-
What would you guys recommend to do now? Just want to make it work without an error or unsecure warning displayed at every boot.
You did not need to unlock to flash another firmware.
Now you have unlocked you can't use the camera without keeping it unlocked and if it is unlocked you will get the warning message.
Just flash a 6.0 ftf from a region with the update then you will get the ota update
Ps, there are plenty of warnings on the Sony site about drm keys that you must have visited to get your unlock code...
And you cannot copy drm keys from another device
I'm in Vietnam and bought a Sony XZ, Model Number F8332, on Android 7.0, Baseband 8996-8996.genprodQ-00040-19.
Kernal version; 3.18.31-v01, [email protected]@(hastag)1. Build number RomAur v4.3.
My questions are,
1, can I revert it back to it's original software?( are any warrantys affected?)
2, when I connect it to my laptop and sync to sony's Xperia Companion software, it asks to update to new software, can I go ahead and update or will it mess up?
Anything more than some basic instructions would be way over my head.
Thanks for any help.
You can flash Stock Rom with Flashtool. If you search here, you will find more than enough informations
Your warranty is now gone.
Also, unless you have the TA backup from that specific device you will not be able to restore the TA and therefore you will lose functionality of camera and other DRM issues.
The best advice is to stay on the ROM you have or flash other custom ROMs that enable you to use the DRM fix. This is not possible on a stock ROM.
Also, since the bootloader has been unlocked you will not be able to update OTA or use xperia companion software.
Hi there!
Apologies if there is an existing thread that covers this topic but I was unable to find anything so I decided to create one.
I'm based in Australia and currently using an Xperia XZ F8331 that is branded by my telco, Telstra.
What I would like to know is the following:
1. Where can I find official Sony ROMs? I would like to remove all traces of the Telstra branding, software, etc. and install the same ROM as would ship on the handset if purchased directly from Sony.
2. If there is such a ROM resource available and I successfully flash my handset, will I receive future software updates via OTA notifications as soon as Sony pushes them out into the world or will I still be waiting for my carrier to test and release their own update?
3. Are there any potential downsides from removing all traces of my carrier on my handset?
Essentially, I want my handset to be identical to one purchased directly from Sony with future updates still downloadable automatically and as quickly as Sony releases them.
Many thanks in advance for the help!
mouzii said:
Hi there!
Apologies if there is an existing thread that covers this topic but I was unable to find anything so I decided to create one.
I'm based in Australia and currently using an Xperia XZ F8331 that is branded by my telco, Telstra.
What I would like to know is the following:
1. Where can I find official Sony ROMs? I would like to remove all traces of the Telstra branding, software, etc. and install the same ROM as would ship on the handset if purchased directly from Sony.
2. If there is such a ROM resource available and I successfully flash my handset, will I receive future software updates via OTA notifications as soon as Sony pushes them out into the world or will I still be waiting for my carrier to test and release their own update?
3. Are there any potential downsides from removing all traces of my carrier on my handset?
Essentially, I want my handset to be identical to one purchased directly from Sony with future updates still downloadable automatically and as quickly as Sony releases them.
Many thanks in advance for the help!
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Click to collapse
1. You can download them in "XperiFirm" software. However, to my experience, it's best to use XperiFirm that's inside Flashtool's latest version. It will only work on latest version (0.9.23.2). You can find it at flashtool's website (here) and then you need to update to latest by replacing x10flasher.jar
2. Short answer: No. In order to flash another ROM you need to unlock your device. It's better to backup your unique DRM keys before unlocking. You will always be able to update your ROM, however OTA will never work again, unless you go back to everything stock.
3. Absolutely not. In fact it's even healthy
quera said:
2. Short answer: No. In order to flash another ROM you need to unlock your device. It's better to backup your unique DRM keys before unlocking. You will always be able to update your ROM, however OTA will never work again, unless you go back to everything stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true for stock ROMs flashed with flashtool. You only need to unlock if you are flashing a custom ROM, or one based on stock that has been modified in some way. Flashtool can only flash completely stock ROMs in flashmode using files downloaded direct from Sony servers that are completely unmodified. Flashtool does NOT require you to unlock the device in order to do this.
Once you have flashed a FTF on flashtool you WILL still receive OTA updates.