Some Questions about Rooting and TA-Partition - Xperia Z5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Everybody,
the last days I was reading several threats and posts about backing up TA-Partition (using iovyroot), repacking the Stock Kernel (with RootKernel) and how to root my Z5 Dual (E6633). But I still have some questions.
First of all: I backed up my TA-Partition, my BL is still locked and my phone isn't rooted till now.
Now my questions:
1) What is the difference between including the TA-Partition into my repacked Kernel and flashing it with FlashTool (creating a FTF from my TA-Partition with Top-RootKernel)? And what is the better option?
2) If the TA-Partition is included in the repacked Kernel (created with RootKernel), do I still have to flash the TA-Partition (as a FTF) afterwards? I think “no“ but I'm not sure.
3) Is there any way I can root my Z5 Dual using a repacked Kernel and flashing my TA-Partition back without losing SU-Privileges and/or BL getting relocked? If yes, ... how can I do this?
Would be great if someone can help me

https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...oot-automatic-repack-stock-kernel-dm-t3301605
Checked this?

What I previously did ...
Let me show you, what I previously did.
I downgraded to Lollipop and backed up my TA-Partition using iovyroot. After backing up my TA-Partition, I upgraded again to Android Nougat 7.1.1 using Flashtool.
Afther this, I made my own Kernel for Android Nougat (32.4.A.1.54_1309-3895) using the latest Version of RootKernel (which I downloaded from here).
Everything worked fine up till now. But when I was reading the following threats, I got confused.
iovyroot - (temp) root tool
[ROOT][Kernel][TWRP] repack of the stock kernel with dm-verity and SONY RIC off
As far as I know, the Bootloader will be relocked and I will loose Root-Privilegs if I flash back the TA-Partition. If I flash back the TA-Partition using Flashtool as described in the RootKernel-Threat, do I still have unlocked Bootloader and Root-Privilegs?
I am also not sure, when I have to flash back the TA-Partition. If I am using this guide to root my phone, do I have to flash back the TA-Partition as the final step (after flashing the kernel, twrp, and rooting my phone)? Or do I have to flash back the TA-Partition after flashing the kernel and twrp but before rooting my device?

https://twigstechtips.blogspot.com/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=1
Check this. You did it right.
I've done it many times

Duvel999 said:
https://twigstechtips.blogspot.com/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=1
Check this. You did it right.
I've done it many times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tanks for the link. Now everything has become clear to me and I know what I have to do
Nevertheless I still have some questions.
I know that RootKernel gives me the option to include SuperSU and TWRP directly into a patched kernel.
However, I wonder what would be the better option (perhaps for performance reason or whatever). Is it better to include SuperSU/TWRP into the patched kernel using RootKernel? Or is it better to flash SuperSU/TWRP separately? And what exactly is the difference between the two methods (apart from the obvious)? Anyone who can explain it to me?

Related

[Q] Help with installing lollipop on unlocked phone

Hello !
I recently bought a used Z3 6603, and wanted to update it to lollipop.
But it seems it has a unlocked bootloader (according to service menu) and when i recieved it, it was factory reset, but some 3rd party apps were still installed.
One of them Super SU, so it was rooted.
I was told that i could update the firmware if i just used the Full Uninstall feature in Super Su, so i did that.
I still can't update using sony companion, becouse it knows the software is not the original one.
And i cant reinstall super su, its saying that there is no SU binary installed and the program cant install it.
I have flashed phones before, but it was really a long time ago, so im asking for some help to fix this.
Its running 4.4.4 build 23.0.1.A.5.77 and stock rom i think.
Please tell me what to do, and what info you might need !
I want to have the phone in lollipop, but everything stock, no root, no bootloader etc.
And somewhere I read something about DRM keys. Please help me with fixing that aswell thank you.
Regards ImmoralCore
ImmoralCore said:
Hello !
I recently bought a used Z3 6603, and wanted to update it to lollipop.
But it seems it has a unlocked bootloader (according to service menu) and when i recieved it, it was factory reset, but some 3rd party apps were still installed.
One of them Super SU, so it was rooted.
I was told that i could update the firmware if i just used the Full Uninstall feature in Super Su, so i did that.
I still can't update using sony companion, becouse it knows the software is not the original one.
And i cant reinstall super su, its saying that there is no SU binary installed and the program cant install it.
I have flashed phones before, but it was really a long time ago, so im asking for some help to fix this.
Its running 4.4.4 build 23.0.1.A.5.77 and stock rom i think.
Please tell me what to do, and what info you might need !
I want to have the phone in lollipop, but everything stock, no root, no bootloader etc.
And somewhere I read something about DRM keys. Please help me with fixing that aswell thank you.
Regards ImmoralCore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your DRM keys are lost forever.
TheTeslaCoil said:
Your DRM keys are lost forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so they are lost even if I use the first backup that was made by the person I bought it from ?
DRM=Hardcoded=Once unlocked, always DRM free, even if you use the recovery image ?
And the rest of the questions, what am I supposed to do to get stock lollipop?
In the matter of fact it does not matter if its unlocked or locked, I just want legit lollipop, with the possibility to update regularly. (But if root is possible at the same, it can still be rooted)
Thanks for your reply !
You need the TA backup. Not system backup.
And careful not to restore some other TA.
If the previous owner backed up TA, good. If not, no chance to recover them.
Download your specific firmware in ftf format and flash it with Flashtool.
Make a clean install.
You cannot recieve OTA with an unlocked bootloader, only if you relock, but there is no point in doing that if the DRM keys are lost.
So, from where you stand, keep it rooted and unlocked, because you can do much more with it : Custom ROM' s [at the moment stock is best]...custom kernels with recovery...mods...etc.
After you flash the ftf, flash via adb a custom kernel with recovery and from recovery flash SuperSU update, as a flashable zip, that will root the phone and install SuperSU.Search also for busybox flashable zip.
TheTeslaCoil said:
You need the TA backup. Not system backup.
And careful not to restore some other TA.
If the previous owner backed up TA, good. If not, no chance to recover them.
Download your specific firmware in ftf format and flash it with Flashtool.
Make a clean install.
You cannot recieve OTA with an unlocked bootloader, only if you relock, but there is no point in doing that if the DRM keys are lost.
So, from where you stand, keep it rooted and unlocked, because you can do much more with it : Custom ROM' s [at the moment stock is best]...custom kernels with recovery...mods...etc.
After you flash the ftf, flash via adb a custom kernel with recovery and from recovery flash SuperSU update, as a flashable zip, that will root the phone and install SuperSU.Search also for busybox flashable zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I will try that then, but if I use flashtool to update to lollipop, will I still be able to root easy, or should I reinstall 4.4.4 clean, then root, fix recovery kernel and everything, and then lollipop or what goes first?
Does flash/kernel etc affect the fact that it has an unlocked bootloader ? do i need to do anything with that, or do it stay unlocked?
ImmoralCore said:
Ok, I will try that then, but if I use flashtool to update to lollipop, will I still be able to root easy, or should I reinstall 4.4.4 clean, then root, fix recovery kernel and everything, and then lollipop or what goes first?
Does flash/kernel etc affect the fact that it has an unlocked bootloader ? do i need to do anything with that, or do it stay unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have unlocked the bootloader it is always a trivial matter to root.
Just flash an insecure kernel.
If one does not exist use [NUT]'s online kernel builder to make one with recovery incorporated in it. Its very straightforward and an automated process.
So, update using flashtool, flash your custom kernel, and you have root and recovery.
gregbradley said:
If you have unlocked the bootloader it is always a trivial matter to root.
Just flash an insecure kernel.
If one does not exist use [NUT]'s online kernel builder to make one with recovery incorporated in it. Its very straightforward and an automated process.
So, update using flashtool, flash your custom kernel, and you have root and recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Sorry for my noobish question, but define insecure kernel?
2. Did I get it right? I read about ppl downgrading their phones to 4.4.4 and then installing stuff. And for me it does not matter wich version it is, becouse the unlocked bootloader makes it easy to flash, even what version you are running?
ImmoralCore said:
1. Sorry for my noobish question, but define insecure kernel?
2. Did I get it right? I read about ppl downgrading their phones to 4.4.4 and then installing stuff. And for me it does not matter wich version it is, becouse the unlocked bootloader makes it easy to flash, even what version you are running?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) a rooted kernel.
2) If you have unlocked there is no need to follow any of the locked bootloader guides, they are a waste of your time. One of the points point of unlocking the phone is to easily get root. You just flash a custom kernel to gain root.
If you have a locked bootloader then you have to go through all the fuss of downgrading etc etc.... but with an unlocked bootloader its so easy and straightforward
gregbradley said:
1) a rooted kernel.
2) If you have unlocked there is no need to follow any of the locked bootloader guides, they are a waste of your time. One of the points point of unlocking the phone is to easily get root. You just flash a custom kernel to gain root.
If you have a locked bootloader then you have to go through all the fuss of downgrading etc etc.... but with an unlocked bootloader its so easy and straightforward
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thank you very much for your answers both of you!
I understand everything much better, now its just some flashing to do, c ya ! :good:
ImmoralCore said:
Ok, thank you very much for your answers both of you!
I understand everything much better, now its just some flashing to do, c ya ! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck.

Is there a way to root on 5.1.1 23.4.A.1.200 ?

Hello there,
have been trying to root my new xperia z3 for 3 weekends now with no luck.
My bootloader has been unlocked through sony website, then relocked and unlocked many times using flashtool.
Looks like all the recoveries (doomlord, twrp) I could find work only on 4.4.4. Then I use flashtool to flash lollipop 5.1.1 23.4.A.1.200 and either wipe and loose the root or don't wipe all and enter a bootloop.
Flashing those recovery kernels straight on lollipop make the phone enter bootloop.
Are you guys able to root those Z3 under 5.1.1 ?
thank you
Sure shot easy way is flash kitkat firmware and use giefroot or flash 5.0 firmware and use kingroot.
Mate, you have to flash a prerooted version of 5.1.1 you can't just flash a stock rom and expect to stay rooted.
Downgrade to Kitkat then root and install a custom recovery. Then you download 5.1.1, Super Su and a custom recovery, create a pre rooted flashable zip with PRFcreator . Then flash it in your custom recovery and you're done. Rooted 5.1.1 with a custom recovery ready to rock.
Kingroot isn't recommendable, your IMEI is sent to China. Downgrade to 4.4, root with giefieroot, upgrade with pre-rooted ROM.
Btw: did you make a backup of your TA partition before unlocking bootloader?
Thanks a lot for your answer guys.
Am unusually struggling with this device.
lol1rfs said:
Mate, you have to flash a prerooted version of 5.1.1 you can't just flash a stock rom and expect to stay rooted.
Downgrade to Kitkat then root and install a custom recovery. Then you download 5.1.1, Super Su and a custom recovery, create a pre rooted flashable zip with PRFcreator . Then flash it in your custom recovery and you're done. Rooted 5.1.1 with a custom recovery ready to rock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have already downgraded to kitkat, installed custom recovery and rooted. But the 5.1.1 stock flash indeed wipe everything.
Haven't found yet a custom recovery for 5.1.1 that doesn't make the phone enter a bootloop. Would you happen to have a link ?
I'll give a look to that PRFcreator, didn't know about it.
Jkay7 said:
Kingroot isn't recommendable, your IMEI is sent to China. Downgrade to 4.4, root with giefieroot, upgrade with pre-rooted ROM.
Btw: did you make a backup of your TA partition before unlocking bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I read about kingroot and haven't found any other way to root a 5.1.1 stock.
Where could I find a pre-rooter ROM then ? My wish was to be stock and rooted to be able to use apps like titanium backup and adblockers. Used to try custom roms every other day on my old SGS but today I'd be happy with something that just works.
Did not make any backup before unlocking but looked like flashtool was able to relock the device. Am I right guessing I didn't loose my DRM keys then ?
Thanks again for your answers.
Edit: looks like am missing sthg, what's the point in rooting a kitkat to upgrade with a pre-rooted lollipop right after ?
After KitKat root you get a Lollipop pre-rooted image and flash it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/d6603-5-0-2-flashable-stock-23-1-0-690-t3056361
Here are the steps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/guide-rootrecovery-how-to-root-install-t3017056
I hope you made a TA backup before unlocking your bootloader, otherwise you have lost your DRM keys forever.
Anyway, if your bootloader is now locked, follow the guide that Licaon_Kter linked in the above post.
The exploit that lets us root our Z3 only works on Kitkat, so downgrade first, run the exploit to obtain root, and install recovery.
You will then have stock, rooted, KitKat.
To get to 5.1.1, you will then need to either create your own pre rooted firmware, or download one that someone has kindly posted on here.
If you want to learn how to do it, read this --> Create your own pre rooted firmware with PRF Creator
PRF Creator will create a zip file that can be flashed from recovery, so once you have recovery installed, it's dead easy.
That will get you where you want to be.
However . . . and there's always a however lol . . .
. . . if you still have an unlocked bootloader, it is much simpler from wherever you are.
Find any custom rom that has recovery built in, and almost all do, then fastboot the kernel only, the boot.img.
Reboot your device and enter recovery.
Install your pre rooted firmware that you have either created with PRF Creator, or downloaded from here.
Job done.
My personal advice is read, read, and then read some more.
It can be very complicated, but you'll get the hang of it.
Licaon_Kter said:
After KitKat root you get a Lollipop pre-rooted image and flash it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/d6603-5-0-2-flashable-stock-23-1-0-690-t3056361
Here are the steps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/guide-rootrecovery-how-to-root-install-t3017056
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still have an unlocked bootloader since flashtool can lock and unlock it in a matter of a second.
Went back again in KK rooted with twrp recovery.
Wiped data, cache, dalvik.
Flashed D6603_23.4.A.1.232_Customized_US_SuperSU_XZDR2.8.2 1 from the link above and ... CWM recovery report install from sdcard completed after 1s and nothing more. Am still booting in KK after that.
This didn't work for me. Am losing it now with this phone.
Am I missing sthg ? Any advice ?
Can't use PRFCreator, am under mac os...
Thanks to all for your help
Try with TWRP too
Licaon_Kter said:
After KitKat root you get a Lollipop pre-rooted image and flash it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/d6603-5-0-2-flashable-stock-23-1-0-690-t3056361
Here are the steps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/guide-rootrecovery-how-to-root-install-t3017056
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Licaon_Kter said:
Try with TWRP too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried twrp found there http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/development/recovery-z3-twrp-2-8-4-0-t3028846
phone is not booting anymore.
twrp post says it doesn't work on stock room.
---------- Post added at 02:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:05 PM ----------
Is there really anyone out there with a rooted stock lollipop ?
or you are all using customs ?
am seriously questionning the thing now
Why would you NOT follow the steps?
GO AGAIN from the start: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/guide-rootrecovery-how-to-root-install-t3017056
Licaon_Kter said:
Why would you NOT follow the steps?
GO AGAIN from the start: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/guide-rootrecovery-how-to-root-install-t3017056
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just can't, I don't have access to a window machine
Both giefroot and FlashTool are for Win/Mac/Linux.
Licaon_Kter said:
Both giefroot and FlashTool are for Win/Mac/Linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your still trying to help me.
I do use flashtool and am able to root a Kitkat 23.0.A.2.93, so I don't see the point in using giefroot unless it could root a lollipop.
I have read thoroughly and downloaded pre-rooted lollipop stock roms from the link you provided.
Once under KK, rooted, with all settings set properly (debug, security, etc...), and all caches/dalvik/data wiped, the CMW recovery just don't flash those lollipop roms. After just one sec, it says install completed but then the device still boot under KK.
TWRP doesn't even intall, so am wondering if this is even possible to get a TWRP on stock rom.
Have tried all of those with bootloader unlocked and locked, or a mix like unlocked first to be able to root a KK, then relock to flash a stock prerooted 5.1.1 (as stated in the post) but then I get a device that doesn't even boot.
Tried dualrecovery too, flash the zip, and nothing.
I suspect all of you guys have used some sort of .bat windows utility to get through this.
Once again, thanks for your help and patience.
ikho said:
I do use flashtool and am able to root a Kitkat 23.0.A.2.93, so I don't see the point in using giefroot unless it could root a lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The point is to go from the BEGINing _again_: Flash stock KK, giefroot, XZ, pre-rooted LP
I have done it in Linux w/ locked bootloader and stock ROM, hence my pointers.
XZDualrecovery has TWRP 2.8.7.0. But, do take note that you use Volume Down to enter PhilzTouch Recovery and Volume Up to enter TWRP.
Licaon_Kter said:
Both giefroot and FlashTool are for Win/Mac/Linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
am sorry, can't find how to use giefroot on a mac.
read quite a few post of people saying that was not working for them.
Run the INSTALL.SH file in a console (just like they instruct you for the .BAT file for Windows), it detects OS and runs either adb for Linux or for Mac.
Well, like I said, it worked fine in Linux, I guess it should work on Mac, providing the device is detected ok beforehand and such. ( what does "adb devices" outputs with the phone connected ? )
Licaon_Kter said:
Run the INSTALL.SH file in a console (just like they instruct you for the .BAT file for Windows), it detects OS and runs either adb for Linux or for Mac.
Well, like I said, it worked fine in Linux, I guess it should work on Mac, providing the device is detected ok beforehand and such. ( what does "adb devices" outputs with the phone connected ? )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yaaay, houray it finally worked
big thanks man, you saved me $500 on that one !

How do I safely root and unlock bootloader on Marshmallow?

My device is European L04, currently running North Africa release (the earliest Marshmallow build uploaded) - L04_2016_0316_0900 (B820)
I'd like to unlock the bootloader and root my Honor 6. I've never done it (on this particular device), because I've read enough here to know it's slightly more risky than on other devices, especially when you plan to update the stock rom soon, so I preferred to wait until I have the last important update the device is likely to receive - Android 6.0.
What I want to know (some of the answers are in the topics which I listed below):
MultiTool - I've seen reports of bricks when using MultiTool with EMUI4/Marshmallow - why does it happen? My understanding is that MultiTool is a bundle of adb/fastboot and some recovery images for older Android versions, so my theory is that instead of using MultiTool, I should simply get the proper recovery for Marshmallow and flash it manually with fastboot, right?
unlocking bootloader, rooting, flashing recovery - I think I understand the process; in a nutshell: 'fastboot oem unlock X', 'fastboot flash recovery imagename.img', then flash the proper SU.zip in recovery. Where do I find the code, the Marshmallow recovery image, the SU.zip file?
will recovery backup in TWRP work without any problems?
what is the procedure to go back to stock completely after rooting? Unroot, (then wipe if it's needed?) so I am able to safely flash stock firmware again (since, from what I know, flashing stock on a rooted phone makes itself brick permanently, right? or is it just a soft-brick and it can be fixed?)
is there anything else I should know before proceeding?
What I found so far:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=66615082&postcount=502 - two recovery images, TWRP and another one (stock?) for the Marshmallow release
http://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-6/general/honor6-multi-tool-t2963060/page50 some rooting instructions for the L02 beta, see posts 494 and 498; no idea whether this is applicable to final Marshmallow or L04 at all
http://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-6/general/huawei-honor-6-plus-unlock-bootloader-id-t3357259 an app to get the unlock code, seems a bit shady to me though on the first glance
http://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-6/development/honor-6-rooting-method-t2962795 alternate methods for bootloader (through a website or by email), in case the app won't work; also, detailed instructions on unlocking and rooting
Basically, I need to know whether my procedure is more or less right before I proceed. I think the information is quite hard to find and the risks are quite high, so I'd like to make a promise - when I'm done rooting it and I know the correct process, I'm going to make a "Update to Marshmallow, unlock, root" how-to thread for all the people that will need it in the future.
Another two questions...
1. Where do I get proper SuperSU for Marshmallow? I get a boot loop (yeah, I know I have to wait and I did, but it's a pretty obvious bootloop from watching the logcat content, and nothing new happens...) after flashing http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu-stable (2.65).
2. I have unlocked my bootloader and installed TWRP, so recovery and fastboot are functional. I didn't make a backup before flashing the zip and now I'm in a bootloop. How do I restore working Marshmallow? I assume I can either beg somebody to upload a TWRP backup for my H60-L04, or somehow flash the stock over what I have now. Can I simply use manual update from SD? Can I somehow flash Marshmallow again with fastboot? I'm too scared of bricking my device right now so I guess I'll brace myself for a few days without a phone until somebody helps me :/
I just flashed the Marshmallow release I had before the bootloop (I used Huawei Update Extractor and flashed boot, cust, system and recovery with fastboot; then open up Huawei recovery and factory reset for good measure, I'm not sure it was even needed) and the device is working. I'll restore my stuff, install TWRP, make a backup then try out your ZIP. Thanks
edit: thanks again - your zip works indeed. So after the initial hurdles, now I've got working root and a reasonable way of restoring in case I screw something up along the way.
Before making a new topic with the tutorial I have a few more questions.
First of all, why exactly we weren't supposed to update the rooted devices? I'm not currently interested in OTAs (it's pretty obvious that it needs a functional Huawei recovery, and you need to unroot cause an update can make a mess in a rooted system, making it bootloop for example), but can we flash extracted images with fastboot on rooted devices? Logically, we should be able to... How about sdcard update method?
Can we flash Marshmallow on Kitkat? (fastboot, sdcard, local update methods?) Or do we need to update to Lollipop along the way?
Can I flash stock roms in general (evenbetween different Android versions) by using fastboot with {boot, cust, recovery, system} images only? There's a lot of images that you can extract with Huawei Update Extractor - why there's so many if they're not needed?

Q. F8331 potential for root without unlocking BL

Hi,
I have seen that the Samsung Galaxy edge 7 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 cpu, running Nougat & has a permanently locked bootloader has been rooted. As seen here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...eres-how-rooted-nougat-s7-edge-g935t-t3567502
My question is, could that same method be applied to the Xperia XZ, just using Flashtool instead of Odin & obviously using XZ drivers instead of samsung?
GoodguyUK said:
Hi,
Could that same method be applied to the Xperia XZ, just using Flashtool instead of Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short: No
I have not found the boot.tar he mentions ...
Odin is a different beast than Flashtool.
Interesting for me is that the contents of the magical boot.tar flashed via Odin totally enable mounting, modifying system etc.
To make root.bat work adb must run as root on the device!
Not easy but can be achieved. I did this with a modified kernel in 2015 when rooting the first DM-Verity protected device from SONY. Find a link for that (long read) in my [GUIDE]. I guess here are similar things at work, maybe with the patched libs in the Nougat_S7_Root_2_82_All_Carriers_V1.zip
But to use this you have to be root in adb to get the libs to the proper places in /system.
For SONY devices DM-Verity and SONY-RIC are in the stock kernels. Modifying anything on the kernel or system partitions will result in a bootloop.
This can not be defeated unless you have SONY's private key to sign your ROM.
In order to modify (e.g. rooting) /system you need a kernel with DM-Verity and SONY-RIC off and an unlocked bootloader to boot this kernel.
I can imagine a way using the exploit that enables us to backup the TA to copy a modified/patched kernel onto the kernel partition.
Will it be possible for the locked bootloader to boot this kernel? I do not know.
BTW I wonder that Flashfire is included. AFAIK this is payware from @Chainfire
On SONY devices I would not bother.
On devices where there is Marshmallow available you can backup your TA and afterwards unlock the bootloader to do what you intend: rooting or flashing custom ROMs or ....
When you sell the device you just restore the TA and flash a stock ROM -> everything SONY blessed and locked again.

Is there a way to preserve the DRM keys? And some other stuff...

People,
Before anything else, all the links cited are links from XDA
I got a Z3 D6643 (Similar to the D6603 but with Digital TV) completely stock, MM .291, no ROOT, no Bootloader Unlocked, no nothing. I am reading all posts about Rooting and Unlocking Bootloader, but unfortunately the information is very diluted. Each thread has its own method, some let me understand that I can flash Custom Roms that will be fine, others let me understand that I can only install mods (Cyberian Camera, or some SystemUI Port for example).
And then when I decided to try something, like install a Custom Recovery (TWRP), It says in the instructions that it is necessary to unlock the bootloader (which causes the DRM keys to be lost).
So, I discovered that there is a tool that backs up DRMs (TA Backup), and guess what? It needs Root.
So let's try to do rooting... Hmm nah, just for old firmwares.
Let's try another method then... Nope, just for Unlocked Bootloader.
And there's this thing about Upgraded Bootloader, which is not clear if I (in the last stock version) need to do it.
Well, I would be extremely grateful if some good person could point me posts/videos ~whatever~, about what I can do, I'm sure it would be helping not only me, but others who search the forum. :good:
You kind of answered your problem yourself. The root without BL unlock needs an older firmware, so just flash the older firmware with flashtool or EMMA and you can root, make your TA Backup etc.
But to be honest it is not worth the hassle. I did a TA Backup when I got the device (the year it came out) and I never restored it.
In the beginning of development for the Z3 it was a problem because the camera was far worse without the DRM protected features.
The new roms (LOS 14.1 for example) have close to stock camera quality, though.
And the other few DRM features aren't really worth it either in my opinion.
So my suggestion would be:
- Unlock your bootloader (Official Sony Link)
- Flash the .291 firmware through EMMA to get the upgraded bootloader (EMMA DL Link)(EMMA Instructions Link, Important!)
----You won't need to if you already have the .291 firmware installed through EMMA before (check Device Settings), the "normal" (OTA) update to .291 doesn't work, because it won't update the bootloader
- Fastboot flash a recovery (preferably TWRP 3.1.0 by naylik) (XDA Link)
- Flash the latest LineageOS 14.1, besides some minor bugs it is daily driver material (XDA Link)
- Flash GApps (right after flashing LOS, don't boot into the rom), I use OpenGapps (XDA Link)
- Flash your preferred SuperUser Mod if you want to (Magisk, SuperSU etc.) or roll with the LineageOS one
You won't be able to flash any up-to-date custom rom without unlocking your bootloader.
The confusion about the upgraded bootloader is another topic, I would upgrade it as it
doesn't hurt in any way and gives you a way easier accessable, persistent recovery.
But please always follow the instructions in the threads
Be aware that you can lose your data, so backup anything important, and that you will probably lose your Digital TV, as it is variant specific.
Omario-242 said:
You kind of answered your problem yourself. The root without BL unlock needs an older firmware, so just flash the older firmware with flashtool or EMMA and you can root, make your TA Backup etc.
But to be honest it is not worth the hassle. I did a TA Backup when I got the device (the year it came out) and I never restored it.
In the beginning of development for the Z3 it was a problem because the camera was far worse without the DRM protected features.
The new roms (LOS 14.1 for example) have close to stock camera quality, though.
And the other few DRM features aren't really worth it either in my opinion.
So my suggestion would be:
- Unlock your bootloader (Official Sony Link)
- Flash the .291 firmware through EMMA to get the upgraded bootloader (EMMA DL Link)(EMMA Instructions Link, Important!)
----You won't need to if you already have the .291 firmware installed through EMMA before (check Device Settings), the "normal" (OTA) update to .291 doesn't work, because it won't update the bootloader
- Fastboot flash a recovery (preferably TWRP 3.1.0 by naylik) (XDA Link)
- Flash the latest LineageOS 14.1, besides some minor bugs it is daily driver material (XDA Link)
- Flash GApps (right after flashing LOS, don't boot into the rom), I use OpenGapps (XDA Link)
- Flash your preferred SuperUser Mod if you want to (Magisk, SuperSU etc.) or roll with the LineageOS one
You won't be able to flash any up-to-date custom rom without unlocking your bootloader.
The confusion about the upgraded bootloader is another topic, I would upgrade it as it
doesn't hurt in any way and gives you a way easier accessable, persistent recovery.
But please always follow the instructions in the threads
Be aware that you can lose your data, so backup anything important, and that you will probably lose your Digital TV, as it is variant specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And then a hero appears, I'm very thankful sir! :highfive:

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