yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Arc Android Development] grossermanitu:
Maybe my questions are already answered in this post. I read only the first sites. Please forgive me. :-) Maybe someone can just confirm my thoughts to this. Thanks

My current firmware is 2.3.3. Do I understand this right:

- That I need to downgrade my Arc to firmware 2.3.2,

- I gonna loose all my current data and settings

- I start under 2.3.2 the one-click-routing-app- phone rooted

- I upgrade normaly OTA to 2.3.3. . Once again install all of my aps and setting. Keep my phone rooted

- For the future I have the best of two worlds:

1. The rooted phone

2. Firmware support of SE through OTA
[Xperia Arc Android Development] vip57:
Worked 1000000%

I have bought Xperia Arc Yesterday

And today i have rooted it

It is Workingg 100%

Thanks

i have used Gingerbreak !

its working

if it is taking long time Restart your phone

i have did that and worked !!

Thanks Dude

You are the best !!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] lux@:
I have a branded Orange CH Xperia ARC (2.3.3 - build 3.0.1.A.0.150 - LT15i).

It's possible to root the devices?

But only root, not unlocker bootloader or unbrand it...

Thanks you very much!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
Nice!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] tRippinthehead:
That's ****. Now I can not get root on .181 >.<
[Xperia Arc Android Development] punkmonkey1984:
Try plugging in the usb cable when gingerbreak is running, usb connected to the computer. thats what seemed to work for me.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] tRippinthehead:
Yeah, it helped :)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] tRippinthehead:
Updated successfully. root is here! Nice! :)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kokbiel:
Glad that I could finally contribute with something here on XDA.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] jatt101:
how are you guys getting gingerbreak to work?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] punkmonkey1984:
Down grading to .181 firmware, gingerbreaking, then doing the OTA update to .145
[Xperia Arc Android Development] jatt101:
yeh i did that, so when i run gingerbreak, do i plugin the usb beforehand or while its running, and is it normal when i get a msg saying sd card is safe to remove?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] jamiesquarters:
You've made my day! I now have 2.3.3 and root again. Plugging in USB while gingerbreaking wasn't necessary for me. I did have to use 'wipe data' while flashing, but that's ok. Also, 2.3.2 reintroduced the unstable wireless connection, had to try several times to get the update. Wish I thought of that beforehand. But I got there in the end, and all seems to be fine now.

Will play with titanium backup now... :D
[Xperia Arc Android Development] ricstc:
I wonder why only OTA update works but not via PC Companion?

Just to share, I was with this exact set up : locked bootloader, on .181 (ie ROM 2.3.2), rooted with Gingerbreak 1.2 BUT did update via PC Companion (not OTA update on the phone) but didnt retain root after the update.

So Im wondering why is the update via OTA different from the one where we connect the phone through USB and update through the SE PC Companion??

I even video-ed the process to prove that I lost root capability

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVBQ8IOcyi4&feature=email&email=comment_received

Anyone please comment?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] punkmonkey1984:
While its running for me, others dont need it, but i need to plug it in.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
the only comment i can give you is that the downloaded file with OTA update is only 44 Mb, with SUES it's arround 170 Mb. Maby with seus you'll install a whole new system and with the OTA update you'll only upgrade the system?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] punkmonkey1984:
Even managed to get the mattered blues theme updated for this bad boy, all in one afternoon, rock on.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] ricstc:
Yeah maybe youre right, since you quoted the size of the updates, yeah its likely youre right. But somehow I cant help but wonder why SE would allow such inconsistencies - I mean - how do they implement 'controls' if some do OTA updates and retain root rights, while some do USB SEUS.

In any case, thanks and personally the phone Im using which in now 2.3.3 ROM, locked bootloader and no root is super fast in all aspects compared to before the update (ie 2.3.2); and its so good that I just dont want to mess with it - but I really miss root ability and Titanium Backup to freeze and uninstall some stock apps that are constantly running. Just like everyone else I assume - we await Gingerbreak 1.3 or 1.4 or something... Thanks again
[Xperia Arc Android Development] jatt101:
finally got it workedd :D
[Xperia Arc Android Development] abhisheak.bansal:
i am noob

how do i check whether my phone is rooted or not after updating?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
install root checker from the market or install any app that requiers root and see if is asks & gets supersuser acces
[Xperia Arc Android Development] abhisheak.bansal:
thanks man
[Xperia Arc Android Development] tsangwc:
Working with HK .181 rooted

I have Rogers Arc that have HK 2.3.2 .181 firmware rooted. Did an OTA update and everything went through fine. I don't even need to backup as everything is still there untouched. This is GREAT!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] abhisheak.bansal:
gr8 day in history of arc...................lolz...................:D:D
[Xperia Arc Android Development] punkmonkey1984:
It will if you dont mess with your framework-res.apk and the other theme files.

for me it failed with custom icons etc.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] bmwbasti:
I´m running (unrooted and with locked bootloader) .145 now.

Don´t know if i really would need root now but perhaps i´ll give it a try ;)

So how can i backup all my apps/data/games/savegames so i can put them to the Arc again after finishing the procedure?

Does it work with MyPhoneExplorer? Anyone knows?

Regards Basti
[Xperia Arc Android Development] SXUsr:
Didn't work for me on 184, said phone could not be updated, possibly because I've modded one or two, 5 or 6 more like, system apps, so I'll try again at the weekend on a clean install.

If you don't know if you need it or not before rooting, YOU DON'T NEED TO ROOT!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
don't know for sure if the OTA update is available for .184
[Xperia Arc Android Development] SXUsr:
Well it says there is an update, downloads it, reboots, looks like it's installing then says it can't.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] bmwbasti:
I don´t think so ;)

Why i am not shure if i need root is only the fact that CM7.0.3 is not far away anymore and then root is obviously ;)

I had root on my .181 Arc and did use TB quiet a lot so i could say that i needed root at this time. Now i don´t have much installed that would require TB for me.

Also there are a couple of things i want to try out that require root: Customising, delete system apps etc.

Arc is my first Android devise so i´m totally new to this os, perhaps there are a lot more possibilities that ia just simple only don´t know yet ;)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
you still have a locked bootloader?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] SXUsr:
Yep, I'm unable to unlock mine.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mehmehmen:
will this in theory work on the play??

i have a play on vodafone simlock uk it is build .184 and im on 2.3.2 am i able to carry my root over also if i update?? if there is an update for play already??

cheers
[Xperia Arc Android Development] hondaguy:
first of all, thanks for this post as it worked for me. i used flashtool to flash to the .181 generic firmware, ran gingerbreak (version 1.2 which took about 10min to actually work, plugged into wall charger not data cable), then downloaded the ota update on the device. when i booted back up it was rooted. battery life is better and slight speed improvement so far. when i used flashtool i unchecked the clear data box so all of my info and settings remained.

i am having an issue today, and i am not sure if it has anything to do with this or just a rogers issue. i was trying to place a call today and it would not connect. i had 4 bars of signal on 3g and it would just say connecting but after 1 min it hadnt so i tried calling another number and the same thing happened. i turned on airplane mode, then turned the radios back on and calling started working again. a couple of hours later i had the same thing happen with sms, where i would press send but the message would not send until i turned airplane mode off and on. i just asked rogers to reset my account but i was wondering if anyone else has flashed this firmware and is having connectivity issues?

thanks
[Xperia Arc Android Development] l3ush:
THX. I will try it
[Xperia Arc Android Development] daveybaby:
Innnnnnnteresting.

Just tried OTA on rooted .184 (locked bootloader). I also got a 'Could not update firmware' message (although i've got a modded dock installed so that could be the reason for that).

Will try downgrading to .181, and follow the instructions in the OP.

[edit] Success!

Downgraded to .181 using flashtool

Rooted using gingerbreak 1.2

Updated to .185 OTA

Still rooted

Fanbloodytastic.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] LususNaturae:
Works!

Rooted 2.3.3 now woo hoo!:D
[Xperia Arc Android Development] TanMak:
Doesnt work for me, run the OTA & after the third blue dot in the updating process the phone boots up & it details that the software could not be updated. Really want to go 2.3.3 but NEED root. unfortunately still 2.3.2, for what seems like forever, for me

sent from The arc
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Says my phone has the latest software. Im on .181.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] rein_hiryu:
^ Same as you, it says I have the latest software when I want to update OTA. But if I plug my Arc the PC companion says I can update to 2.3.3

My phone is locked bootloader, rooted by gingerbreak. Oh and I'm from Indonesia.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] ricstc:
Again, one more time - you mean you are on 2.3.2 ROM (ie .181), locked bootloader and rooted by Gingerbreak 1.2, attempt to do OTA and message says that your phone is updated but if you use PC Companion, it says that you can update your phone?

Try this - with PCC, follow all the prompts up until the last click before it actually upgrades your phone. The point is to see if PCC really can and will download the update (into your PC only) or if it is a misleading message.

Wont harm your phone bcos nothing gets updated into your phone before you click the final warning prompt.

Share observations back here.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] rein_hiryu:
OK, I'll try and will report back :)

EDIT : Yes, with PCC or SEUS I can update my Arc. But With OTA it says I have the latest software, strange hehehe
[Xperia Arc Android Development] gisolury:
Unlocked bootloader, .181, rooted by Gingerbreak 1.2

I also got a 'Could not update firmware' message. I got App2SD, modified framework-res, and removed some system app.

How can I recover my .181 into factory default setting (flashtool does? but will that erase all my apps and settings?)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] ricstc:
Use flashtool to flash the mentioned .ftf original World ROM to your phone

How to:

Switch off your phone

Extract the “FlashTool_0.2.9.1” file on your PC (ie just double click to extract onto a folder in your PC)

Many files and folders will be extracted — the one which you will need for flashing the “.ftf” file should be in the “firmwares” folder.

Copy ONLY ONE “.ftf” firmware file (the one mentioned) that you had downloaded and paste it inside the “firmwares” folder. Again - make sure only ONE .ftf file is present.

Launch “X10FlashTool.exe”

Once the program opens, click the “Flash” button

You should see the firmware that you copied in, loaded and on screen — click Ok

Some members ask to note and make sure that in the 'loaders' folder you have the lt15.sin file, otherwise get it from this forum by searching LT15.sin

Next, the program will ask you to connect your phone via USB.

Pick up phone and hold the 'Back' key (key at the bottom Left of Arc), while connecting the USB cable to your phone. Remember to hold the 'Back' simultaneously while connecting the USB cable to phone.

Once the phone is connected — Flashtool will automatically start the flashing process.

Keep an eye on the Flashtool’s screen.

Remember to unchecked the clear data box so all of your info and settings are possibly remained.

And once the process completes, disconnect your phone from your PC and switch the phone ON.

It will take longer to boot your phone has to build new caches after this process.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Yes. And yes, but still same error.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
you have an unlocked bootloader so DO NOT USE OTA or you will get a bricked arc! this methode is only for people who still have a locked bootloader!

For people who don't get the update message, i think the OTA update is not available for your customazation version. You'll first need to flash the global generic .181 firmware provided in the firts post, root it and try the OTA update again.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Locked bootloader but rooted on mine .181. It says it has update via pc companion. Was about to install. Maybe OTA are updated later?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
probably, but if you flash to global generic .181 you can use the OTA update
[Xperia Arc Android Development] jascha0288:
It works!!!! thanks a lot!!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] Viish:
Hi.

First thanks for the tutorial, it helped me a lot and I'm glad to have root on my 2.3.3.

But since I restored my device with titanium backup, I have an odd issue. Some widgets slots of my homescreen are unavailable. When I try to move a widget on, instead of a green area I have a gray area, and when I drop my widget, it gets back to its previous slot.

I attached a screenshot of this problem.

Can someone help me please ?

EDIT : Fixed by erasing homescreen's datas.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] caqo71:
Is there a possibility that someone with a clean .181 generic rom, rooted, and then updated to .145 staying rooted and again clean, could extract the firmware to a new room based on all that process?. That would be a salvation for the whole android world (Arc).

I have a rooted .181 rom, but it's for the LT15a, so, i have no update to .145 :(
[Xperia Arc Android Development] theRIPer:
perfect man, it works so fine !!!

the first time gingerbreak v1.2 doesn't work for me, but then i pulled in the usb cable while running gingerbreak and ....... whooooohooooo, rooted :-)

I used your 2.3.2 world generic because of my ugly t-mobile branding and after that update by OTA and everything's well ..... 2.3.3 rooted ;-)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Kistigun

Any idea how I can flash generic to locked bootloader? Thanks!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
just use the flashtool and the ftf file provided in the first post
[Xperia Arc Android Development] sinkster:
finally managed it, took most of the morning to root 2.3.2 and then upgrade, used gingerbreak, tried for 2 hours with super one-click but no joy, 3rd time with gingerbreak(after 6 mins)finally achieved it. titanium now working, thank god.

Thanks again to the op :), didn't want to unlock my bootloader(yet)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Thanks for that! I was thinking of preserving my apps and settings. Kinda defeats the purpose of OTA update I guess.

Any way I could change customization number in the Arc?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1096394
[Xperia Arc Android Development] karlitos_:
cannot get the OTA upgrade, it says: "Could not connect to network"

I have downloaded the .181 at the begining of the post and flashed/rooted without any problem, but by the time of make the OTA update i get the "Could not connect to network". I have tried it with WiFi and 3G connection either (both connections are functional since I can download apps from market) but seems that cannot connect to the update service.

Anyone knows if the OTA SE service is down or why is it happening?

thanks in advance.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] zenkinz:
I think SE service is down. I was able to download just now, and halfway during the download the process got aborted and now I'm getting the same message.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] Rome73:
Getting the same message in Canada...
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Kistigun

Thanks again! Never crossed my mind that we can do the same for the arc.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] TanMak:
Yeah thanks mate, I'm now rooted on 2.3.3

Cheers for that!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] Ghost_kh_07:
the same error in japan
[Xperia Arc Android Development] karlitos_:
I'm from spain, by the way
[Xperia Arc Android Development] r.schinski:
Moin moin,

DANKE....

Bis dann,Rolli
[Xperia Arc Android Development] Rome73:
Was able to upgrade about two hours ago via OTA. Rooted 2.3.3 :cool:
[Xperia Arc Android Development] spida_singh:
Thanks! Worked perfect, locked bootloader on T-Mobile UK 2.3.3 and rooted!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] hellocng:
Is there OTA update for HK .181 firmware?

What is the best way to reflash and keep all applications, data and settings?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
use the flashtool and unselect the delete userdata option when you select wich firmware you want to flash
[Xperia Arc Android Development] migsguerra:
for those can't connect by OTA upgrade SE are down ,currently downloading UAE
[Xperia Arc Android Development] migsguerra:
lovely.........! ROOTED thanxs man ...
[Xperia Arc Android Development] elyss0n:
is anyone able to connect yet? i jus tried, but am unable, just wanna make sure its not my phone having issues.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] stu1978:
Right this is annoying as ive used flashtoo before!

When I power on holding 'back' I get Windows (7) asking for the S1boot driver. I've got PC Companion installed, and have tried various drivers but cant get one to work.

Which should I be using?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] elyss0n:
hey there, try the one in these set of instructions http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1052067

in Step666's post. I had the same problem as you too and took awhile to find this, hope it works for u pal.

PS: Its in step 2
[Xperia Arc Android Development] stu1978:
Still no joy. Using the 'menu' button the light turns orange not blue, and with 'back' it turns green.

I'm sim locked to 3, that guide says bootloader isn't therefore possible, but I used it to install the 1st update that came out :S

[update] Just remembered how I did it:

Flashing now.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] elyss0n:
Good to know, let me know how the update OTA goes, since mine still isnt working
[Xperia Arc Android Development] stu1978:
Gingerbreak been running 19 minutes now, running out of patience!
[Xperia Arc Android Development] elyss0n:
thats kinda long! hope it works for you, the 2 times i rooted my arc it took about 2-3 minutes.

i've managed to get the updater running and am downloading 2.3.3 now. hope you get urs up and running soon
[Xperia Arc Android Development] stu1978:
Tried 2 different Gingerbreaks and Superoneclick, even done a factory reset.

Each time just runs and runs saying its running exploit but never finishes
[Xperia Arc Android Development] timroth:
Has anybody tried updating via seus and still remain rooted?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
I hope their servers are just busy being pounded by a lot of OTA download from the information off this thread. Not because SE is trying to fix that "vulnerability" already.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] zenkinz:
after a night of OTA-attempt, (which includes 2 successful detection of software upgrade but both attempts resulted in download abortion halfway), I finally could connect to the SE OTA server and now it's downloading ...
[Xperia Arc Android Development] hellocng:
Can this method be used for OTA instead of downloading and flashing the whole firmware?

If so, can someone post the numbers of the generic world .181 firmware please?
[Xperia Arc Android Development] zenkinz:
hey mate, you mentioned earlier that you got OTA update, download, install and it says the software cannot be updated. what did you do since then to get it successful now?

ok found the answer to my own questions. I reflash the .181 again, root, and do OTA and it was successful. The difference between this time vs previous attempts, was I did not remove/modify any system files (which I did previously). I also added my google and exchange accounts but I don't think these make any difference. So I guess the key is to keep your firmware stock (root is fine) when doing the OTA.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
Is there a way to know which files in the /system are replaced? I would try to push and pull manually through adb as I did for my X8 before there was root.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] mariolouis:
That was my other plan.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] ricstc:
Ensure these. Somewhere in this forum a senior member posted the right drivers. These are merely them being screen shot for you. Good luck
[Xperia Arc Android Development] tRippinthehead:
Try to flash your phone again, it seems helped to me.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] superlimau:
i tried to load the generic .181 and after using flashtool, my booted up arc keep showing battery as 1%. I can root it but as my battery is showing 1%, the phone refuse to allow me to update ota.

someone help please...
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
yes, if you change the number to 1247-1061
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
i've had simular problems yesterday when i needed to do a fresh install. I've flashed the firmware again and charged the battery to 100%, rooted it and did the OTA update
[Xperia Arc Android Development] superlimau:
i've flashed 2-3times .181 now but to no avail. does the battery status change from 1% to 100% once it's fully charge? :D
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
yes mine did
[Xperia Arc Android Development] TanMak:
Yup, same problem ... same solution. I had modded system files etc so it wouldn't update so flashed to the clean generic rom on the first page of this thread. Good you got sorted as well.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] kistigun:
So OTA wont work when system files are modded? I'll add this to the first post.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] zenkinz:
Or removed (in my case)
[Xperia Arc Android Development] zenkinz:
Take out the battery and put back again. Works for me. Each time you update the firmware from 2.3.3 to 2.3.2 I notice the battery problem appears. Battery calibration didn't work for me. Taking out and putting back did.
[Xperia Arc Android Development] caqo71:
This is working for me right now.

I have a LT15a version of Arc, but I flashed .181 Generic for LT15i, Changed phone language to English (United Kingdom), went to update software, and then OTA found an update to 2.3.3.

hope it finish ok. :)

Anyone knows if there is a possibility to find in the phone what the OTA is downloading and maybe make new rom from those files?

UPDATE: Ok I found the file. It gets stored in Phone Memory at "/cache/recovery/fota", and the file is named "update_package", and it's size is 44.44MB

I copied the file to my computer, if some expert can do something interesting with this file, I'll share. :D

UPDATE2: Ok, all process worked like a charm, now my phone has the latest 2.3.3 version of android (.145).
[Xperia Arc Android Development] superlimau:
work now.... thank you...
[Xperia Arc Android Development] maskur09:
can you share update_package please ? i want to do something with it.

but, why i can't found "recovery" folder in "/cache" ??