XZs - how to backup TA partition? - Sony Xperia XZs Questions & Answers

I'd like to root my new XZs, but I'd like to back up the TA partition. I've done this previously on my Z3. Is this possible with the new XZs? Or is it even necessary?
I've searched but couldn't find a definitive yes/no answer. Thanks for any help!
Edit: For reference my model is G8232, Android version 7.1.1, kernel version 3.18.31-perf-gf375602-03372-gc9b8603, Fri Jun 23, build number 41.2.A.7.35

Not possible at the moment, it's been awhile but I haven't heard of any progress regarding this. Also, do not unlock your bootloader (the old DRM fix does not work with the XZs/XZP) as it will cause your camera to not work properly.
I wanted a XZP but the lack of TA backup or even DRM emulation is making me look elsewhere for my next phone.

Would it be possible to flash XZ firmware to XZS and back up TA?

Related

I have installed an incorrect firmware on my Z3

Hello all.
I am having a bit of a nightmare with my 3 day old Z3. I planned to root it and get rid of Sony's OS, I later realised I lost my DRM keys.
So yesterday I followed the guide on this site and managed to get my DRM functionality back, but I think I installed the the incorrect firmware, I am freaking out.
My build before was 23.0.A.2.105 on D6603. I used XperFirm to download a firmware to reinstate my Z3, the only firmware showing up for UK Custom was 23.0.1.A.77.
So that is what my build is now, I am trying hard to get the following firmware posted on another XDA thread as I think this may fix it I hope, the one I want is:
D6603_23.0.A.2.105_Customized_20UK.ftf
When I reinstated the DRM I noticed I am having radio issue with my Z3 I cannot activate WiFi on my Z3, but my DRM functionality is pretty much restored as far as I can tell.
Can anyone tell me where I can get the correct firmware for my device please? I am at my wits end here.
Many thanks!!
deucalion0 said:
Hello all.
I am having a bit of a nightmare with my 3 day old Z3. I planned to root it and get rid of Sony's OS, I later realised I lost my DRM keys.
So yesterday I followed the guide on this site and managed to get my DRM functionality back, but I think I installed the the incorrect firmware, I am freaking out.
My build before was 23.0.A.2.105 on D6603. I used XperFirm to download a firmware to reinstate my Z3, the only firmware showing up for UK Custom was 23.0.1.A.77.
So that is what my build is now, I am trying hard to get the following firmware posted on another XDA thread as I think this may fix it I hope, the one I want is:
D6603_23.0.A.2.105_Customized_20UK.ftf
When I reinstated the DRM I noticed I am having radio issue with my Z3 I cannot activate WiFi on my Z3, but my DRM functionality is pretty much restored as far as I can tell.
Can anyone tell me where I can get the correct firmware for my device please? I am at my wits end here.
Many thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/ftf-stock-firmwares-xperia-z3-models-t2886061
XDA00000 said:
Try
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/ftf-stock-firmwares-xperia-z3-models-t2886061
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there I managed to get the firmware I need from that thread, but unfortunately it did not have the TA partition needed to help recover DRM functionality. But using this did restore my WiFi etc. Any idea where I can get D6603 23.0.A.2.105.ftf with the TA partition or am I able to add this partition to the ftf I downloaded form the thread you mentioned?
Any help would be much appreciated!!
Thanks!!
If your TA partition is lost (with the DRM keys) there's no way to get it back as it is unique for every single device.
Flashing one from another device would probably brick yours.
But you could try to unpack the one you used before and get the TA partition from there, flashing the image through adb as long as there are no DRM keys stored in it.
Your DRM keys are gone for good. Any attempt at restoring them from other sources will lead to a PERMANANT HARD BRICK of your device.
There is a thread to help restore the DRM functionality, its not 100% the same as having the DRM keys, but it is as close as you will get.

Found a way to restore lost drm keys

Mod edit by @gregbradley
Thread closed as this does not work
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62229123&postcount=5
Hi guys,
i've finally found a way to really restore the DRM keys on my z3 phone.
now my camera is working fine at low light, and all drm enabled features are working.
the trick : just reinstall the official firmware using sony xperia flashtool (the official one from sony, not the one to flash tft files from Androxyde), and it will reinject some drm keys int the TA partition, these are not your original drm keys, but fresh ones. anyway, it is the only method i've found to restore all the functionnality of my phone after unlocking my bootloader.
you can find sony flashtool here : http://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/tool/flash-tool-for-xperia-devices/
PS: be warned it wil factory reset your phone, erasing all datas on it except on sdcard (internal memory is wiped too).
Cool but how about Z3 compact and which frimware? kitkat or lollipop?
This does not work.
Read here in the faq from Sony http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
well, that's strange, sony says it don't restore the keys, but now i've done this, my camera is working back to normal (no noise at low ligh conditions, x-reality mode working and so on)
maybe i'm mistaking, but it seems my phone is back to "original" state.
(Z3 with 5.1.1)
You're right ! That was placebo compared with un unlocked one. Can you delete the post ?
Thread closed at op request

Just bought a Sony XZ with RomAur v4.3

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.

Just have bought XZ Premium - downgrade to Nougat & unlock bootloader question

Hello dear Veterans,
I have XZ P with Oreo on it, and backed up TA with this tool https://forum.xda-developers.com/xz-premium/how-to/ta-backup-g814x-t3691603
Next, I have to downgrade and do xperifix, right?
But where do I get the FTF for latest nougat, and how do I flash it? Before I used to have a Z3, it was pretty easy with flashtool.
I can also unlock the bootloader, root, twrp on oreo then flash a 7.1.1 rom, right, but where do I find those...?
I don't want Oreo because I have privacy-related apps and they don't run well on Oreo, plus in Oreo the ID of apps are separate and it makes titaniumbackup obsolete...
amakuramio said:
Hello dear Veterans,
I have XZ P with Oreo on it, and backed up TA with this tool https://forum.xda-developers.com/xz-premium/how-to/ta-backup-g814x-t3691603
Next, I have to downgrade and do xperifix, right?
But where do I get the FTF for latest nougat, and how do I flash it? Before I used to have a Z3, it was pretty easy with flashtool.
I can also unlock the bootloader, root, twrp on oreo then flash a 7.1.1 rom, right, but where do I find those...?
I don't want Oreo because I have privacy-related apps and they don't run well on Oreo, plus in Oreo the ID of apps are separate and it makes titaniumbackup obsolete...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are looking to retain your DRM keys - there is no way at present (it provides info and insite and only partially backs it up). so before you go unlocking your bootloader be aware of that incase you were wanting to keep your drm keys.
if not and just want to root your phone then have a look at XperiFix
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xz...hack-mod-sony-xperia-xz-premium-twrp-t3695171
smiley.raver said:
if you are looking to retain your DRM keys - there is no way at present (it provides info and insite and only partially backs it up). so before you go unlocking your bootloader be aware of that incase you were wanting to keep your drm keys.
if not and just want to root your phone then have a look at XperiFix
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xz...hack-mod-sony-xperia-xz-premium-twrp-t3695171
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, the problem is I want to know how to downgrade to nougat with drm keys gone but still the same functions. If there was a tutorial it would be great
Impossible to downgrade without ftf...
I have it, but I'm out of the country till 13 april.
You can search it on a polish forum
You can download the FTF using Xperifirm, then flash using flashtool.
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B5QU4Xnc0g7jMUZJSEhEOHFUODQ&export=download
more here: https://www.xperiasite.pl/forum/395...rt_by=Z-A&sort_key=start_date&topicfilter=all
---------- Post added at 06:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:29 PM ----------
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B5QU4Xnc0g7jMUZJSEhEOHFUODQ&export=download
more here: https://www.xperiasite.pl/forum/395...rt_by=Z-A&sort_key=start_date&topicfilter=all

Possible attack vector for TA backup

So it looks like XperiFix is pretty far behind in terms of device support, XZ2 is in experimental status since August with no sources for recovery, and it's likely that XZ3 will take a long time. We can unlock the boot loader but at huge risk to our camera functionality (green photos or nothing at all depending on how badly Sony has shafted us this time).
Prior to any further action or research a reliable way to backup the TA partition to enable a full BL relock in case of trouble seems prudent.
The XZ3 ships with the August patch level in .220. As of writing there is a system update available and I'm guessing it will update the ROM to the September patch level. Google Project Zero has published an exploit that is fixed with the September patch level: OATmeal on the Universal Cereal Bus: Exploiting Android phones over USB. The article is vague about the attack surface of Android Pie but it seems that on Oreo and earlier the patch can be executed on a locked phone, and that while there is some mitigation present in Pie, it should still be possible to execute the patch on an unlocked phone running Pie.
Of course this wouldn't give us root on a locked BL because of the boot signature verification (just a bricked phone if we attempt to modify boot.img), but it should be possible to at least dump the TA partition, allowing the bootloader to be safely unlocked and relocked with DRM keys intact.
Hopefully some developers and security researchers will show some interest in Sony's new flagship so ROM development can flourish here on XDA.
Hey @mufunyo
I created TWRP for the XZ2, XZ2C and XZ2P.
It took a long time, because the bootloader was locked until the September Firmware Update, which prevents modified bootimages to boot.
Because the Sony AOSP Project did need the time to integrate the TAMA Plattform with its new 4.9 Kernel.
The XZ2 Tamaline is the first Sony Device who as the 4.9 Kernel, instead of the 4.4 Kernel.
Of course this took time.
They are working hardly to migrate the older device to Kernel 4.9, too.
I am in contact with @sToRm// to get the DRMFix fully working. I use my own device for his testing purposes.
Everything is fine, except a little bug in the bootimage patcher routine, which is preventing the system to load the already finished DRMFix.
Btw. WIth the "manual" loaded DRMFIX (yes, hacky, to test it) we achieve to activate every feature which would need a locked bootloader (DRM).
SInce the XA2 and XZ2 we also still can shot pictures with the stock app, only the preview is black.
And the video playback will still work.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...recovery-twrp-3-2-2-0-touch-recovery-t3821597
PS:
Since the XZ3 is part of the TAMALine, too, I could create a TWRP too.
Of course I would need a person which wants to test it with me and will unlock his bootloader.
And the bootloader need to be capable booting modified bootimages.
MartinX3 said:
Since the XZ3 is part of the TAMALine, too, I could create a TWRP too.
Of course I would need a person which wants to test it with me and will unlock his bootloader.
And the bootloader need to be capable booting modified bootimages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course I would be willing to test with my own XZ3. However I would want to wait for the XZ2 DRM fix to be fully working before committing to it, if you can understand. I've had dust between the sensor and lens of my Z2 and Z5 (loose back cover and cracked screen respectively), so this is the first time in years I actually have a fully working phone camera, haha.
mufunyo said:
Of course I would be willing to test with my own XZ3. However I would want to wait for the XZ2 DRM fix to be fully working before committing to it, if you can understand. I've had dust between the sensor and lens of my Z2 and Z5 (loose back cover and cracked screen respectively), so this is the first time in years I actually have a fully working phone camera, haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, follow the twrp xz2 thread
I will make a status update after storms DRMfix installation routine works
The fix itself is working, I tested it in the XZ2 XZ2C and XZ2P
You can write me a PM, after you wants to test
But we first make sure that there is no Sony bootloader upgrade needed to boot modified bootimages
The XZ2 and XZ2c is sharing now the same firmware as the XZ3 (all are Tama platform)
After I adapt twrp on pie and someone helps me, I could start tryjng to create twrp for the XZ3.
if u haven't already created twrp for xz3, im willing to help!!! want to root my xz3 badly...
MartinX3 said:
The XZ2 and XZ2c is sharing now the same firmware as the XZ3 (all are Tama platform)
After I adapt twrp on pie and someone helps me, I could start tryjng to create twrp for the XZ3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
clyde112 said:
if u haven't already created twrp for xz3, im willing to help!!! want to root my xz3 badly...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The single problem was the missing tester.
No one asked me :silly:
But let's wait for the next monthly patch or I would need to patch the twrp again. :silly:
Send me a message after you receives it
But be aware that I only have limited free time to work on it
ok sounds great, I understand/appreciate your limited free time.
looking forward to this, will pm u after monthly patch!
MartinX3 said:
The single problem was the missing tester.
No one asked me :silly:
But let's wait for the next monthly patch or I would need to patch the twrp again. :silly:
Send me a message after you receives it
But be aware that I only have limited free time to work on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MartinX3 said:
The single problem was the missing tester.
No one asked me :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got in contact with @sToRm// already but he says he doesn't have a DRM fix for Pie yet, so I'm holding off for that.
How to enable oem unlocking in XZ3 H9493
MartinX3 said:
Hey @mufunyo
I created TWRP for the XZ2, XZ2C and XZ2P.
It took a long time, because the bootloader was locked until the September Firmware Update, which prevents modified bootimages to boot.
Because the Sony AOSP Project did need the time to integrate the TAMA Plattform with its new 4.9 Kernel.
The XZ2 Tamaline is the first Sony Device who as the 4.9 Kernel, instead of the 4.4 Kernel.
Of course this took time.
They are working hardly to migrate the older device to Kernel 4.9, too.
I am in contact with @sToRm// to get the DRMFix fully working. I use my own device for his testing purposes.
Everything is fine, except a little bug in the bootimage patcher routine, which is preventing the system to load the already finished DRMFix.
Btw. WIth the "manual" loaded DRMFIX (yes, hacky, to test it) we achieve to activate every feature which would need a locked bootloader (DRM).
SInce the XA2 and XZ2 we also still can shot pictures with the stock app, only the preview is black.
And the video playback will still work.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...recovery-twrp-3-2-2-0-touch-recovery-t3821597
PS:
Since the XZ3 is part of the TAMALine, too, I could create a TWRP too.
Of course I would need a person which wants to test it with me and will unlock his bootloader.
And the bootloader need to be capable booting modified bootimages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My H9493 (HONGKONG) couldn't enable oem unlocking in developer options. I have tried Pattern+VPN+Google account, no luck.
I think no official unlock is available currently for XZ3.
Since you cannot find the device name on the Sony dev page.
jamesys said:
My H9493 (HONGKONG) couldn't enable oem unlocking in developer options. I have tried Pattern+VPN+Google account, no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a bug.
They will fix it.
Maybe with next monthly update.
Bootloader unlock bug got fixed und may be released with the December update.
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/bug_tracker/issues/211#issuecomment-440851984
MartinX3 said:
Bootloader unlock bug got fixed und may be released with the December update.
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/bug_tracker/issues/211#issuecomment-440851984
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That mean, we become custom ROMs for this phone?
GreyFox777 said:
That mean, we become custom ROMs for this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The XZ2c, XZ2 and XZ3 are very similar.
I wouldn't wonder, if someone would maintain these devices at once.
Maybe the XZ2P, too.
But at first we need to be patient.
We XZ2 owners for our first Custom Stock Room yesterday.
You may loose your camera after unlocking.
On the XZ2/compact/premium the december patch broke the camera for unlocked devices. It shoot green pictures.
Downgrading to the november patch fixed it.
But we only have a working camera on the XZ2 devices, because we used a drmfix on oreo before.
I don't know if the same problem will happen on the XZ3, but if you really need the camera, i would wait for one to test the unlocking first.
At the moment, there is no PIE DRMfix.
PS:
Of course, AOSP will have a working camera, but the camera is not fully implemented at the moment.
But it will.
Is it possible to enable RAW Support on rooted AOSP-Roms on Xperia Phones? Maybe GCam works then? This phone really needs it!
Last hope before selling this beautiful phone.
madphone said:
Is it possible to enable RAW Support on rooted AOSP-Roms on Xperia Phones? Maybe GCam works then? This phone really needs it!
Last hope before selling this beautiful phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, because RAW is not disabled there. :silly:
The entire camera2api is available. But please look into the bugtracker of my aosp rom in the xz2 ROM thread to know at which time the camera got fully implemented.
MartinX3 said:
You may loose your camera after unlocking.
On the XZ2/compact/premium the december patch broke the camera for unlocked devices. It shoot green pictures.
Downgrading to the november patch fixed it.
But we only have a working camera on the XZ2 devices, because we used a drmfix on oreo before.
I don't know if the same problem will happen on the XZ3, but if you really need the camera, i would wait for one to test the unlocking first.
At the moment, there is no PIE DRMfix.
PS:
Of course, AOSP will have a working camera, but the camera is not fully implemented at the moment.
But it will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, so unlocking the bootloader only affects the camera on the stock ROM, while a custom one is a totally different story? Did I get that right?
TunerCP said:
Wait, so unlocking the bootloader only affects the camera on the stock ROM, while a custom one is a totally different story? Did I get that right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock the bootloader on latest PIE.
The preview and photos will be fine.
Except the low light anti noise feature.
The aosp has its own hardware drivers, independent from stock.
But there are many partitions in the phone from the stock used by aosp except the big ones you flash.

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