Trying to make sense of all the info about opening the bootloader. - Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Sorry if I am being redundant, but reading about all the different opinions and suggestions about unlocking the bootloader didn't bring me anywhere.
So, I own a D6603, BL is locked, DRM keys are intact, rooted after downgrading to KitKat and then flashing a Sony based custom ROM (Fragment ROM V4.2). Now I'd like to get past 6.0.1 and try out the new Android. But to do so I need my BL to be unlocked. I've read quite a few posts about the topic and I am trying to reorder all the information. Please help and answer these questions, I really appreciate it
- Can I restore the TA partition with the DRM keys after unlocking the BL and flashing a custom ROM?
- Is there a point in doing so? Are any of the features protected with DRM used by custom ROMs?
- What if I wanted to get back a few Sony apps (say the camera or Album) in the custom ROM? What differences would I face?
- Do all the people that use custom ROMs out there run their Xperias without the DRM protected features?
- Some argue that there is no evident difference after unlocking the BL. Is this true for all firmwares, or does it depend on the single custom ROMs?
- If so, what differences can you notice on popular ROMs like Omni and Carbon running Oreo or Nougat? Especially considering photography and in-ear audio.
- What is the upgraded bootloader, and who wrote it? Does it imply that I will not be able to restore my DRM keys with it? If so, is there a way to revert to the original bootloader and everything stock?
I really hope that someone will take the time to clarify these few things, hopefully this will come in handy for other people too

Related

Is anyone working on a DRM/TA backup solution?

I see lots of developers working on AOSP roms, but I can't find anything about anyone working on backing up Sony's info. Is there anything going on at the moment regarding this? I haven't unlocked my bootloader yet just because of this. I really can't wait to be able to backup the info and unlock everything.
Gaúcho comedor said:
I see lots of developers working on AOSP roms, but I can't find anything about anyone working on backing up Sony's info. Is there anything going on at the moment regarding this? I haven't unlocked my bootloader yet just because of this. I really can't wait to be able to backup the info and unlock everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backing up DRM/TA partition requires root
As long as the Z3 achieves root without unlocking bootloader then DevShaft will update his tool & make it compatible with the Z3 series.

[Q] Quick Question for Quick Answer

Hello folks,
What is the benefit of rooting a locked bootloader phone? If I am understanding it correctly, if my phone is locked that means I cannot install custom ROM/Kernel or is that assumption wrong? FYI - According to my research my phone bootloader cannot be unlocked (thanks ROGERS!...)
I want to know to determine if I should use the up-to-date firmware or downgrade my firmware and root it.
thanks!
Vicente
with root on locked bootloader phone, you can save drm keys to relock in a future in case you want.
If you only want to use some apps that need root (like Titanium, Greenify, SoftKeyz...) but want to stay in stock.
and you understands correctly, if you have a locked phone, you CAN'T flash custom rom or kernel (some phones have roms to locked bootloaders, but not this case....)
If you have locked bootloader you CAN use stock BASED custom roms. You can't use non stock based roms like cm12 etc. And also custom kernels can't be used like said before. Every rom should contain information if it's usable for locked bootloader or not in the OP
Backing up TA is not even useful for you since your bootloader can't be unlocked.
Root is used only for root apps like rootexplorer, titanium backup, xposed etc.

[q] need root assistance

I have an Xperia Z3 D6603 running android lollipop 5.0.2 and it says in my service menu that im not allowed to unlock my bootloader. ive heard that its posssible to change this on multiple occasions and seen phones of the exact same model and firmware as mine that have unlocked their bootloaders and rooted their phones and i would like to do the same. i have tried different methods of unlocking from both official and unoffical sources, with no success. if anyone can please tell me how i might change the status or how i can unlock my bootloader and root (yes ive heard the risks a million times, no i dont really care about losing the drm keys that allow better lowlight conditions with the camera, and my phone actually has slowed slightly since the lollipop update) it would be much appreciated and of course if any additional info is needed, i will of course provide such as quickly as i am able to. thanks in advance and all input is appreciated.
you cant unlock the bootloader then, if you want root then you will need to downgrade to kk and root the device and install a pre-rooted lp rom

Root and keep DRM and all other features?

I haven't checked XDA in awhile because I gave up hope of ever having a good root solution for the Z5. But I have been looking around lately and have seen roms such as [ROM][E6653] Slim Stock 32.0.A.6.200 and the [LP][UB][ROOT][DRM][KERNEL][RECOVERY](TWRP3.0) Z5 ADV STOCK KERNEL (2016/03/04) (v1g) kernel. So as of now, I'm a little lost here. Of the 15+ Android phones I've had, this has been the most complicated.
I understand that root is possible by unlooking the bootloader and that as of now, there is no root solution for a locked bootloader. Are you now able to unlock the bootloader and root with phone without losing any features?
You still lose DRM. There is a possibility to trick the phone into thinking the DRM keys aren't wiped restoring the DRM features after unlocking the bootloader but the DRM is still missing.
Mr_Bartek said:
You still lose DRM. There is a possibility to trick the phone into thinking the DRM keys aren't wiped restoring the DRM features after unlocking the bootloader but the DRM is still missing.
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Click to collapse
So you'll lose DRM keys but you can still retain all the features? I hope the same will be true for the Marshmallow update.
That's right. We don't have a kernel to run modified system images on MM just yet so can't confirm nor deny it working.

All my unsolved questions researching before XZ Premium Bootloader Unlock. Please read.

Hello,
I resort to the kindness and experience of the forum to be able to advise me on the basic questions about the experience of rooting the Sony XZ Premium (G8142), since I spent several hours reading and searching the forum for information, but everything that is there is scattered, then I would like to know from those who directly did it, if it is worth it. Also, in order to help other users who are looking for concise information, they can have this link as a reference to remove all the most common doubts that arise in one place.
My doubts are the following:
is it advisable to root?
I have been researching about the camera problems that for Android 9 no longer have them, but in another article it describes that we lose the video enhancement X-Reality, DSEE HX, ClearAudio +, Widevine L1. All this arises because a certain system partition (TA) is erased when we unlock the bootloader. Does anyone have info how he remedied all these leaks? Custom ROMs fix this?
DRM issues: This is also something that was not clear to me. First do Backup DRM; In order to be able to backup to the partition with the locked bootloader I still need to run the temporary root. For that I need to downgrade the system to version 8 (G8142_47.1.A.16.20). Then run command lines to create the backup with the help of the tool that a forum user created. Please if I'm wrong correct me.
* The question is first to downgrade (Android 8),
* temporary root,
* then create the backup.
* Unlock bootloader from sony page
* then to restore the backup again, or not? Does restoring the backup lock and leave the device to a previous state? (undoing the changes), or does it just fix the DRM problem?
* In short, is it advisable to unlock the bootloader with Android 9 or earlier?
* Is it advisable to create the DRM backup?
* In which case would I have to restore this backup?
I have also seen that they mention a paid software that does all the work by yourself I do not know if it is for Android 9, it is just a matter of connecting the device in fastboot mode, then it automatically executes twrp, root, repairs DRM, but the cost of the software in my country it is something difficult to pay, that is why I am gathering as much information as possible before executing any procedure.
Custom ROMs: Regarding the user experience, does anyone have information about the rom that is more stable and recommended for this device? Does it cover all the holes or bugs that it leaves when erasing DRM after unlocking the bootloader?
I hope the reference text of what I write can be understood since my native language is Latin American Spanish, and I am using the Google translator.
I would appreciate any kind of suggestion or experience in this regard. Thank you.
First of all, have you seen these threads:
[XZ1c/XZ1/XZp] temp root exploit to backup drm keys implemented
Tools to backup TA partition (drm keys) of Xperia XZ1 Compact by j4nn https://j4nn.github.io/ As everyone knows, bootloader unlock via code from sony removes drm keys. That disables certain functions, the most critical one being the camera...
forum.xda-developers.com
[XZp] rooted kernel hiding bootloader unlock with working fota
rooted kernel hiding bootloader unlock with working sony stock fw fota updates for Sony Xperia XZ Premium Firmware Over the Air system updates have been disabled/not working with sony xperia phones with unlocked bootloader. Also many sony...
forum.xda-developers.com
It's all there really, explained step by step. Thanks to @j4nn you can run stock firmware with superuser access concealed from the system so that it doesn't know the phone is unlocked, with all the DRM-restricted functionality still available.
The relative benefits of unlocking depend on your specific needs. But considering there are no more official updates, being able to use aftermarket firmware like this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-lineageos-18-1-unofficial-updated-2021-3-31.4221427/ already makes it worthwhile in my opinion.
The only drawback of an unlock is that there is a scary message displayed on every boot, which also adds 1 or 2 seconds to the startup sequence.
Regardless of whether you decide to unlock or not, there is no downside to having a TA backup. It might come useful one day.
All you need is Android Platform Tools (adb, fastboot), and: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-newflasher-xperia-command-line-flasher.3619426/ There is no need to pay for any of these, although you can donate to @j4nn and @munjeni: they both put a lot of effort into making this possible.
Aqq123 said:
First of all, have you seen these threads:
[XZ1c/XZ1/XZp] temp root exploit to backup drm keys implemented
Tools to backup TA partition (drm keys) of Xperia XZ1 Compact by j4nn https://j4nn.github.io/ As everyone knows, bootloader unlock via code from sony removes drm keys. That disables certain functions, the most critical one being the camera...
forum.xda-developers.com
[XZp] rooted kernel hiding bootloader unlock with working fota
rooted kernel hiding bootloader unlock with working sony stock fw fota updates for Sony Xperia XZ Premium Firmware Over the Air system updates have been disabled/not working with sony xperia phones with unlocked bootloader. Also many sony...
forum.xda-developers.com
It's all there really, explained step by step. Thanks to @j4nn you can run stock firmware with superuser access concealed from the system so that it doesn't know the phone is unlocked, with all the DRM-restricted functionality still available.
The relative benefits of unlocking depend on your specific needs. But considering there are no more official updates, being able to use aftermarket firmware like this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-lineageos-18-1-unofficial-updated-2021-3-31.4221427/ already makes it worthwhile in my opinion.
The only drawback of an unlock is that there is a scary message displayed on every boot, which also adds 1 or 2 seconds to the startup sequence.
Regardless of whether you decide to unlock or not, there is no downside to having a TA backup. It might come useful one day.
All you need is Android Platform Tools (adb, fastboot), and: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-newflasher-xperia-command-line-flasher.3619426/ There is no need to pay for any of these, although you can donate to @j4nn and @munjeni: they both put a lot of effort into making this possible.
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Thank you very much for answering my question, you have clarified several points that I had scattered about.
I still have some doubts reading more comments on the links that you have suggested. Perhaps you have an answer to such doubts:
I have read that a user has lost video enhancements, perhaps because he did something wrong here:
temp root for drm keys backup - anybody still interested?
--- edit 2018-11-03 --- Tools to backup TA partition before bootloader unlock have been released. Just check the [XZ1c/XZ1/XZp] temp root exploit to backup drm keys implemented thread. --- Just wondering if there is already drm keys backup...
forum.xda-developers.com
post #72 sulistyoarif:
Only Video Image Enhancement didnt work for me.
I have seen some videos of the YouTube profile of the user j4nn where he has all the libraries without problems, working perfectly, including the improvements of the video image.
About the installation processes for firmware I did a clean installation of firmware version 9 latest compilation with Xperia flashtool without problems. Do you think that I will be able to downgrade with Xperia flashtool without problems with the libraries or some other? I think that the experience serves me more than the tutorials .
For what remains in my information I found this steps:
*downgrade
* no flash - persist.sin
1) Use temp root and backup TA image
2) Unlock bootloader
3) Flash Newest firmware (or choice of yours)
4) Setup phone temporary and copy magisk files to
phone
5) flash twrp and temporary boot with twrp
(fastboot boot twrp.img)
6) flash magisk and reboot
7) Check Root privilege
8) Restore TA image and check DRM
8.1) (optional) factory reset if any fc issue
"Now You have unlocked and rooted phone with full DRM Support including OTA Support.
Everything is tested and working for XZP and XZP Dual"
Thanks again for the help and taking the time to read my post.
@sergioemmr
It should work like you describe it, except with newflasher: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-newflasher-xperia-command-line-flasher.3619426/ FlashTool is for older devices.
That guy did something wrong, so don't be like him. Just follow @j4nn's instructions.
You can downgrade to an earlier firmware on this device, no problem here. Do not flash persist.sin like you said, and you're good to go. If you run into any problems, just post in that thread, and you'll get more people's attention.
Aqq123 said:
@sergioemmr
It should work like you describe it, except with newflasher: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-newflasher-xperia-command-line-flasher.3619426/ FlashTool is for older devices.
That guy did something wrong, so don't be like him. Just follow @j4nn's instructions.
You can downgrade to an earlier firmware on this device, no problem here. Do not flash persist.sin like you said, and you're good to go. If you run into any problems, just post in that thread, and you'll get more people's attention.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the deal with persist.sin? I used flash tool to downgrade and managed to extract the unlocked-ta file. Did I somehow void the TA key?

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