But... why?
Well, many people like and buy the Xperia line of devices currently on the market who previously owned a Samsung, LG or HTC. There are many differences in hardware, but most certainly in how Sony perceives the Android ecosystem and how it differs from the other major brands. This noob guide is meant to help people on the path to the Sony side :)
Things which differ a LOT from the other brands:
Sony has replaced the Android recovery partition with the FOTA kernel, which is meant to aid the device in rolling out OTA updates, which allow kernel updates without the risk of bricking the device. I hear you scream: "But wait, what about the recovery partition announcement by Sony themselves!?", well the answer is simple: that is meant for unlocked bootloader devices ONLY, as a part of their "Open Devices" program.
What is Flashmode, Flashtool and what are these FTF and SIN files I am reading about?
I'm going to quote @Androxyde here (it's a straight copy of his index page), as he is the creator of the tool:
To complete this explanation, Sony devices know 2 bootloader based flash modes:
In the past there was the Sony-Ericsson Update Software/Service (SEUS, later named SUS because Ericsson got removed from the name) which could update your device to the latest software or recover it from an inoperable state. PC Companion was less of a tool for updating and more of making backups, installing applications and managing the device storage. Sometime the past 3-4 years Sony merged the 2 programs, so if people on XDA or anywhere on the web talk about using PC Companion to restore their device, they are not wrong, they are simply using the latest version ;)
Sony recently released their own package called 'flash tool' (to add to the confusion of noobs in the community), which deep down is a little easier to use and stripped down version of EMMA, which is a tool we mere mortals will probably never use as EMMA is the flash tool for Sony's repair shops and tech support. It's primary function is to allow owners of an unlocked bootloader device (or, 'open device' as Sony named it) to still use Sony firmware and update their device, because as soon as you unlock the bootloader, the OTA updates will stop.
Things to remember on the files used by these tools:
Fastboot flashing will always fail when the device is still in a locked bootloader state. For some models it is even disabled entirely or non-functional until you unlock the bootloader.
Okay, I get it now. I would like to unlock my bootloader, how to proceed?
I'm not here to rewrite everything other people or Sony themselves can write just as well or even better, so I have a link for you:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/
Read it, it will teach you everything you need to know.
Right, now I want root!
Well, if you have an 'open device', this is a lot easier then you think. Just remember that using root exploit kits is unnecessary and in some cases even risky as some packages do funky things or jeopardize your privacy.
Try to find a 'stock based' custom kernel. These are custom kernels built by the community to add features to the kernel but are meant to work with Sony's stock firmwares. I'm the maintainer of XZDualRecovery myself and created the Kernel Builder for the supported devices.
These custom kernels will NOT root your device (unless otherwise stated by the creator), but introduce a recovery to the boot process and with that you will be able to flash SuperSU to root your ROM.
But you just said Sony devices don't have a recovery partition, please... UN-confuse me!!
Yes, I did, and I'm right: there have been bright minds in the community who included a recovery in the boot image (the kernel partition) in the past and that way included a recovery on our Sony devices.
With the current 'open devices' policy from Sony, we now have:
Hmm, okay... it's still confusing, but OK. My service menu says I'm rooted, but none of the root apps work properly, what gives?!
If you open the phone dialer app and on the keys see the letters below the digits, you can spell the word SERVICE. Type *#*#SERVICE#*#* and a service menu will pop up. Tap 'Service Info' and then 'Configuration'. Then you will see one of these lines there almost on the bottom of the list:
The rooting status there is not telling your system is rooted, it tells you your bootloader is and will allow custom rom/kernel flashing. Don't confuse these two.
I'm not allowed to unlock my bootloader :( But I still want root, can I?
In some cases you can. It depends on the bugs found in specific firmware versions which allow a root exploit to be developed.
From the 2015 range of Xperia devices Sony started using dm-verity, which causes a bootloop once the system partition is modified. This modification of the system partition will be required to include a SU binary in the system to obtain root, so until a dm-verity defeating option is found, locked bootloader root or recovery will not be possible.
For older models, check the device forums and the cross device development forums to check out the community rootkits available. Usually it will tell you what ROM version it is intended for. Be careful with rootkits/roottools though, some are also found to be introducing malware to your device or sending privacy sensitive data to the creators. Use common sense, if you have no valid use for the root user level, keep it off your phone. If you already have recovery, you can use that to modify or clean your device instead.
**********************************************
I will be updating the above text for sure, if you feel anything is missing, please write a post in this thread with the text you wish to include. I want this to be a community driven guide and I know a lot, but I can't know everything ;)
Well, many people like and buy the Xperia line of devices currently on the market who previously owned a Samsung, LG or HTC. There are many differences in hardware, but most certainly in how Sony perceives the Android ecosystem and how it differs from the other major brands. This noob guide is meant to help people on the path to the Sony side :)
Things which differ a LOT from the other brands:
- First and foremost: no recovery partition;
- Second but not least: no download mode.
Sony has replaced the Android recovery partition with the FOTA kernel, which is meant to aid the device in rolling out OTA updates, which allow kernel updates without the risk of bricking the device. I hear you scream: "But wait, what about the recovery partition announcement by Sony themselves!?", well the answer is simple: that is meant for unlocked bootloader devices ONLY, as a part of their "Open Devices" program.
What is Flashmode, Flashtool and what are these FTF and SIN files I am reading about?
I'm going to quote @Androxyde here (it's a straight copy of his index page), as he is the creator of the tool:
Quote:
Flashtool is a S1 flashing software that works for all Sony phones from X10 to Xperia Z Ultra. They all use the S1 protocol for flashing firmwares. This program was originally made to flash sin files downloaded by SEUS/SUS or PC Companion. Based on a command line tool written by @Bin4ry (Andreas Makris), I brought a user interface to sin files flashing. We worked together to add more features to the tool such as rooting methods implementation or TA backup / restore. Then I took the lead and got some advice and help from him occasionally on some features like rom cleaner or bootloader unlocking. From time to time, sin files have been bundled into what is now well known FTF (Flash Tool Firmwares) and more features have been implemented. But flashing firmwares is still the core of Flashtool (that is updated at least to follow Sony improvements around sin files) and the reason of its name. Flashtool can also easily unlock the bootloader of the phone using the BLU icon as far as the bootloader of your phone is unlockable The flashing feature as well as bootloader unlock feature are available whatever the phone is recognized or not by the application. What is only mandatory for flashing is to own the FTF file according to the device you want to flash it on. Why should I use Flashtool?
You said unlocking bootloader? This process gives you the opportunity to flash custom roms such as CyanogenMod ROMs. I invite you to visit the FXP Project that brings CM and AOSP to xperia devices. |
- Flashmode (This is the S1 flash protocol @Androxyde wrote about)
- Fastboot (This is the original, unmodified fastboot mode from Google)
In the past there was the Sony-Ericsson Update Software/Service (SEUS, later named SUS because Ericsson got removed from the name) which could update your device to the latest software or recover it from an inoperable state. PC Companion was less of a tool for updating and more of making backups, installing applications and managing the device storage. Sometime the past 3-4 years Sony merged the 2 programs, so if people on XDA or anywhere on the web talk about using PC Companion to restore their device, they are not wrong, they are simply using the latest version ;)
Sony recently released their own package called 'flash tool' (to add to the confusion of noobs in the community), which deep down is a little easier to use and stripped down version of EMMA, which is a tool we mere mortals will probably never use as EMMA is the flash tool for Sony's repair shops and tech support. It's primary function is to allow owners of an unlocked bootloader device (or, 'open device' as Sony named it) to still use Sony firmware and update their device, because as soon as you unlock the bootloader, the OTA updates will stop.
Things to remember on the files used by these tools:
- An FTF file is basically not more then a ZIP archive containing multiple SIN files, you can open the FTF using 7z/WinZip/WinRar and look inside it.
- A SIN file is a disk/partition image, which is encrypted by Sony. S1 (the bootloader) will check this encryption to make sure the image was not tampered with before it accepts it for flashing.
Fastboot flashing will always fail when the device is still in a locked bootloader state. For some models it is even disabled entirely or non-functional until you unlock the bootloader.
Okay, I get it now. I would like to unlock my bootloader, how to proceed?
I'm not here to rewrite everything other people or Sony themselves can write just as well or even better, so I have a link for you:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/
Read it, it will teach you everything you need to know.
Right, now I want root!
Well, if you have an 'open device', this is a lot easier then you think. Just remember that using root exploit kits is unnecessary and in some cases even risky as some packages do funky things or jeopardize your privacy.
Try to find a 'stock based' custom kernel. These are custom kernels built by the community to add features to the kernel but are meant to work with Sony's stock firmwares. I'm the maintainer of XZDualRecovery myself and created the Kernel Builder for the supported devices.
These custom kernels will NOT root your device (unless otherwise stated by the creator), but introduce a recovery to the boot process and with that you will be able to flash SuperSU to root your ROM.
But you just said Sony devices don't have a recovery partition, please... UN-confuse me!!
Yes, I did, and I'm right: there have been bright minds in the community who included a recovery in the boot image (the kernel partition) in the past and that way included a recovery on our Sony devices.
With the current 'open devices' policy from Sony, we now have:
- Recovery stored inside the system partition, which is meant for locked bootloader devices (closed devices) because they can not run custom kernels;
- Recovery stored in the boot image (for open devices);
- Recovery stored on the FOTA partition, but with a trigger from the regular boot image at boot (also for open devices);
- Recovery stored on the FOTA partition -renamed to recovery- together with an updated bootloader (for open devices, of course).
Hmm, okay... it's still confusing, but OK. My service menu says I'm rooted, but none of the root apps work properly, what gives?!
If you open the phone dialer app and on the keys see the letters below the digits, you can spell the word SERVICE. Type *#*#SERVICE#*#* and a service menu will pop up. Tap 'Service Info' and then 'Configuration'. Then you will see one of these lines there almost on the bottom of the list:
- "Rooting status: unknown" (it's probably unlocked, but it was unable to verify that)
- "Rooting status: rooted" (you have unlocked the bootloader)
- "Unlock bootloader allowed: YES/NO" (this tells you if the bootloader is (vendor-) locked or not, if it says NO, you're out of luck.)
The rooting status there is not telling your system is rooted, it tells you your bootloader is and will allow custom rom/kernel flashing. Don't confuse these two.
I'm not allowed to unlock my bootloader :( But I still want root, can I?
In some cases you can. It depends on the bugs found in specific firmware versions which allow a root exploit to be developed.
From the 2015 range of Xperia devices Sony started using dm-verity, which causes a bootloop once the system partition is modified. This modification of the system partition will be required to include a SU binary in the system to obtain root, so until a dm-verity defeating option is found, locked bootloader root or recovery will not be possible.
For older models, check the device forums and the cross device development forums to check out the community rootkits available. Usually it will tell you what ROM version it is intended for. Be careful with rootkits/roottools though, some are also found to be introducing malware to your device or sending privacy sensitive data to the creators. Use common sense, if you have no valid use for the root user level, keep it off your phone. If you already have recovery, you can use that to modify or clean your device instead.
**********************************************
I will be updating the above text for sure, if you feel anything is missing, please write a post in this thread with the text you wish to include. I want this to be a community driven guide and I know a lot, but I can't know everything ;)
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