[Sony Xperia T, TL, TX, V] gregbradley:
[Q&A] General Chat, All XDA Members Welcome !! READ ME BEFORE POSTING

How to...

The purpose of XDA and why you are here.

From retired senior moderator kyphor.

Please read this
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READ ME FIRST FOR NOOBS GUIDE

Noobs guide by gregbradley

I am sure there are plenty of these guides about, but it seems another one needs to be linked to the OP of this thread so this is my guide.

I welcome feedback on it (Please PM me to avoid cluttering the thread) to make sure it is correct.

So, you have just taken your new phone out of the box and you want to start playing with it.

This is the guide for you.

Some important terminolgy

.

(In laymans terms, please dont harrangue me with PM's about not being entirely accurate, its for noobs)

.ftf

Files that are made from official stock ROMS. These can be flashed on ANY phone regardless of root/bootloader status. Use Flashtool to do it. It is recommended you that you create your own .ftf file every time you update using official methods so you have a clean file to repair your phone with even with no internet connection.

.img/.elf

These are kernel files. They can be flashed in fastboot.

Android Version

Since v1.6 Android versions have been named after deserts. There are extensive wiki's about which version is which, just google them, but in a nutshell we have (Since 1.6)

Version history by API level

3.1 Android 1.0 (API level 1)

3.2 Android 1.1 (API level 2)

3.3 Android 1.5 Cupcake (API level 3)

3.4 Android 1.6 Donut (API level 4)

3.5 Android 2.0 Eclair (API level 5)

3.6 Android 2.01 Eclair (API level 6)

3.7 Android 2.1 Eclair (API level 7)

3.8 Android 2.2.x Froyo (API level 8)

3.9 Android 2.3-2.3.2 Gingerbread (API level 9)

3.10 Android 2.3.3-2.3.7 Gingerbread (API level 10)

3.11 Android 3.0 Honeycomb (API level 11)

3.12 Android 3.1 Honeycomb (API level 12)

3.13 Android 3.2 Honeycomb (API level 13)

3.14 Android 4.0-4.0.2 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 14)

3.15 Android 4.0.3-4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 15)

3.16 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (API level 16)

3.17 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (API level 17)

4.2 Key Lime Pie (No official release from google yet but there have been some app leaks, like gmail 4.2, that can run on ICS)

Bootloader

The "initial" boot up part when you turn your phone on. Unlocking your bootloader enables you to change this. It is akin to entering the bios setup when starting a PC

CM or Cyanogenmod

One of (if not the most popular) custom ROMs for Android. CM7 is Gingerbread, CM9 is Ice Cream Sandwich, CM10 is Jellybean

Fastboot

The mode you enter when flashing kernels. Used in conjunction with adb/sdk. You can enter this mode regardless of your bootloader status, however, if your bootloader is locked you can only flash pure stock kernels. You must have unlocked the bootloader in order to flash any kernel that has been modified in any way, aka a custom kernel.

Flashmode

The mode you enter when updating phone via PCCompanion/SUES/Flashtool

Flashtool

THE tool for use with xperia devices. Use it to flash .ftf's and other things

MIUI

Another popular custom ROM for Android. I am not to familair with this as I have never flashed it, but I beleive it looks very much like the iOS (imho, Yuck!)

Recovery

A pre~boot menu to allow you to backup your ROM before trying something new and restoring back to it in case you want to or your flash didnt work. Also to flash update .zips and flash new ROMS. This is what people mean when they say "flash it in recovery"

Root

Gain access to the "read only" part of your phone. You need this to do any kind of system modification that involves changing files in the read only part of your ROM.

Stock

Anything that comes officially from Sony on your phone is stock. However, you may hear peope say its stock for the xperia S, that means it is stock from Sony, but may not necassarilly work on the xperia T/TX/TL

TBC

The steps to rooting/flashing/unlocking

Part 1. Flashing stock .ftf's

No need to root or unlock bootloader.

Download flashtool and install it and the drivers from the driver folder.

Drag and drop the .ftf you want into the open window of flahtool.

Wait until flashtool tell you to connect in flashmode, do so according to the instructions in post 2 of this thread. (Flashtool was initially developed for the X10 with physical buttons)

Part 2. Rooting

If you are on 7.0.A.1.303 (Or other older firmware), follow Bin4ry's method from post 2.

If you are on 7.0.A.3.195 (Or other newer firmware), follow the other method in the how to root section from post 2.

If you are on a JB ROM, either unlock your bootloader and flash an insecure kernel or downgrade to ICS, root via Bin4rys method, install CMW for locked bootloader and flash a stock pre~rooted JB ROM

Part 3. Unlocking bootloader

You must do this to install custom Kernels.

Follow the official guide from Sony.

This is currently the only way to do it. If your bootloader unlock allowed = no then you can not unlock your bootloader.

Part 4. Installing recovery

This can now be done on phones with a locked bootloader, but you must have rooted your phone, so it can only be done on older firmware (7.0.A.1.303 / 7.0.A.1.307)

Follow the guide in the recovery section below

If you are on the newer firmware or have unlocked the bootloader you can use this method as well.

Prefered method Flash the advanced stock kernel from the link in post 3. Enter recovery by the method shown in post 2

Or you can flash the cmw .zip in fastboot, but this is more complicated and not recommended ATM

Part 5. Flashing custom ROMs

You must have a recovery installed

Downlaod the ROM and flash in recovery with the instructions from the OP of the ROM

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This post is unfinshed, Please PM me to give suggetions of additions or mistakes.

I resolve my self of all responsibility if you follow these instructions then drop your phone down the toilet. Thats not my fault.
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Sony Xperia T LT30 Service Manuals

Sony Xperia T LT30 Service Manuals by torens

Create your own stock FTF. Recommended to do, even for new users or if you dont plan to do anything else.

New

Look here for another guide with screen shots. Thanks to somboons. This guide says it is for the Xperia V, but it will work on all Xperia devices.​

How to Create an FTF file of Your Xperia ICS Firmware.

[Guide] How make a FTF of stock firmware from SUS files by Deadmask (Thanks baz@gmx.co.uk for finding it)

There is no need for root and/or unlocked bootloader for this! Do this so you have your own copy of stock firmware to flash back to using flashtool if anything goes wrong with your phone. You can also share it in this thread and I will link it to the OP so others can make use of it as well.​

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Root Including rooting on JB DIRECTLY

[*]NEW![12/3/13] Root JB ROM directly [T][TX][V]. Look here Thanks to stalkerx for sharing and credit to Goroh_kun! Here is the original thread by DooMLoRD. Here is the link to Bin4rys thread where you can get the latest version of his rooting script that includes this exploit.

[Root] Xperia T Old Firmware by Bin4ry [Recommended][Does not work on the new firmware]

[Root method] via Flashtool instructions. Credit to Androxyde. [Users have reported problems with this method]

[Root Method] New firmware by Jozinek [This method involves unlocking your bootloader]

Another tutorial on rooting new firmware by quinten96

Major update

Get 7.0.A.3.195 firmware rooted with

LOCKED BOOTLOADER

Follow instructions here thanks vinss68

You will need flashtool and a .303 ftf which can be found in this thread.

You will need to root the .303 firmware via Bin4ry's method.

You will need to install CMW for locked bootloader, link found in the recovery section of this post, (next show button down)

You will need a stock based 7.0.A.3.195 ROM which can be flashed in CMW, mine for example found here

You will also have to flash this in flashtool to return to latest stock kernel. This avoids bootloops with extended battery mode on 195 roms and 303 kernel.

[ HOW TO] KEEP ROOT on 7.0.A.3.195 FW via OTA Update by black97one

How to root Xperia V... by -Slenderman-

[HOW TO] Rooting the LT25i without unlocking the bootloader by Gasai Yuno

Rooting a JB ROM

If you are on a JB ROM, either unlock your bootloader and flash an insecure kernel or downgrade to ICS, root via Bin4rys method, install CMW for locked bootloader and flash a stock pre~rooted JB ROM

Install Recovery

Latest working CMW recovery as at 13/4/2013 by davidmarco

CWM for locked bootloaders (for rooted phones only) by Sharaz22

[CWM][LB][FW-7.0.A.1.303] ClockWorkMod for Xperia T by davidmarco

[CWM] ClockworkMod 6.0.1.2 for Xperia T by tilal6991 NB, you must flash a boot.img for a ROM after flashing this!!

Or you can flash my kernel from here or the stock advanced kernel which has recovery already implemeted in it.

[RECOVERY] TWRP 2.3 for all your Xperias. (downloads + DIY howto) by championshipswimmer

Unlock/Relock Bootloader

The official Sony method is currently the only way to do it,

if your bootloader unlock allowed = no then you can not unlock your bootloader.

Please ensure you understand what this means before doing it. Read the FAQ from the Sony Unlocking Bootloader page so you are fully aware of issues involving loss of functionality and warrenty before proceeding.

Official Sony Method

Video tutorial on how to unlock bootloader This is for xperia S but should be the same process for our phones.

Working ftf file for relock bootloader on Sony XPERIA T by Jozinek

Working ftf file for relock bootloader on Sony XPERIA TX by maxx228

LT25i_Relock_bootloader_dogsly_test.ftf by dogsly

Update to latest S1 Boot

Only for the Xperia T

Instructions here, thanks to gregbradley

Original thread here, thanks to Bin4ry
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Tools/Kitchens

[TOOL] [UPDATE 01/10/2012] Flashtool version 0.9.8.0 - Windows / Linux / Mac by Androxyde.

Use this to flash .ftf's and other things.

[DEV] Instructions making kernel.elf for Xperia T & TX + kernel sources by krabappel2548

[KITCHEN] Android Kernel Kitchen 0.2.3 (Linux / Windows) by Championshipswimmer

[KITCHEN] UOT Kitchen (For modding systemUI.apk and framework.apk)

[KITCHEN] Android Kitchen, v0.207 [Linux / Mac / Windows] by dsixda

Flash tool for Xperia™ devices by Sony

PCCompanion by Sony

{RECOVER SOFT-brick}[2012 XPERIA's]Recover ALL 2012 XPERIAs from SOFT-brick by ToledoJab

[TOOL]Minimal ADB and Fastboot [6-10-13] How to install ADB and Fastboot without the whole SDK

Enter Recovery

Keep pressing volume up when you see the sony logo on boot screen.

Use the volume up and down buttons to navigate, power button to select.
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Enter Fastboot Mode

Turn phone off, keep volume up button pressed and attach USB cable. Let go of volume up.

To check if phone is connected in fastboot

fastboot devices

To flash a kernel use

fastboot flash boot [i]name of kernel here with file extension[/i]
Example
fastboot flash boot.img or fastboot flash boot boot.elf

To reboot

fastboot reboot

In order to do this you can use this file (If you have not already installed SDK)

Fastboot.zip - 20.91 MB

Place it on your desktop and extract it there. Open a command window from that directory and use the code above. The easiest way to open a command window is to open the folder, ensure no file is selected and hold shift and right click, then choose open command window here​

Enter Flashmode

Turn phone off, keep volume down button pressed and attach USB cable. Let go of volume down.

Follow instructions on flashtool.​

FAQ's---NEW!!!

I cant find the drivers for my phone

.

Go here and search for your device. The first link also has very good advice on Sony drivers.

I have problems with drivers/flashtool on windows 8

Go here and try Sony's own version of Flashtool and read the insructions for installing on windows 8.

Questions

Originally Posted by SCC2002

Hi, everyone. I believe these questions are not covered in this forum yet.

1.Is it possible to just flash kernel from FTF file?

2.Is it possible to convert or package kernel (IMG / ELF) file to FTF file?

3.If above 2 are possible, does that mean that kernel can be flashed from flashmode instead of Fastboot mode & thus eliminating the need to unlock bootloader?

4.Are the firmware & kernel of Xperia T / TX / TL / V interchangeable?

5.Is there any risk trying to flash other firmware or kernel or anything that is not compatible?

6.Is there any risk trying to flash kernel (IMG /ELF) file & custom ROM with locked bootloader?

7.Is flashing stock advanced kernel equivalent to flashing stock kernel?
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Answers

1) yes, stock only

2) No

3) No, to flash custom kernel you need fastboot, hence you need unlocked bootloader

4) No, but you can try and see

5) There is always a risk when you flash something to your phone.

6) No risk, because without an unlocked bootloader it wont work*

7) No, Stock advanced kernel is a custom kernel based on stock with cmw and a few other things incorpprated, whilst stock kernels are stock kernels.

[*]

How do I recover from a soft brick?

Use search to find the "How to recover from soft brick thread. Or look in the tools section of this post. Or look in the third thread in the General section.

[*]

Can I find something on here that will Sim unlock my phone

No

[*]

My bootloader unlock allowed = no, can I unlock my bootloader?

NO!!
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