[Xperia SP General] TechnoSparks:
FAQ

FAQ

Q: What are custom ROMs actually?

A: I believe, Google will help you. This link might help you as explained by AndroidPolice: http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/01/custom-roms-for-android-explained-and-why-you-want-them/

Q: I can't unlock my bootloader! :( What should I do?

A: I understand how sucks it is for this to happen. But don't worry, there are also methods for locked bootloader phones. If you read my first post correctly, there is a method geared towards a person who can't unlock their bootloaders.

Q: What is a TA Partition?

A: TA Partition is a unique partition that can be found in almost any Xperia phones. It contains mostly DRM keys and other boot parameters. Unlocking the bootloader does not wipe the TA partition, but somehow edit it. I don't know much about this part.

Q: Why will Bravia Engine not work if I use custom ROMs?

A: In order to use some custom ROMs you'll need to unlock your bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will definitely remove the DRM keys, which is a requirement for the Bravia Engine. Backing up TA will backup your DRM keys as well, just in case if you want to get back to stock.

Q: If that's the case, what will happen if I relock my bootloader after flashing a custom ROM?

A: Relocking bootloader when using a custom ROM is not a safe practise, and will definitely soft brick your device. Basically, constant SONY logo.

Q: How about flashing custom ROM without unlocking the bootloader?

A: It depends on the ROM. If the ROM is solely for unlocked bootloaders, doing this will of course brick your phone. Please refer to guide number

1(c)

on how to use custom ROMs without unlocking a bootloader (which only applies to ROM for locked bootloaders).

Q: Is it really necessary to back up TA Partition?

A: TA Partition backups will help you on getting your phone to its really fresh factory state. Moreover, it allows you to have Bravia Engine working on stock ROM, if you wish to get back to the stock ROM. If your phone has warranty, backing it up is recommended, as you'll need to restore it before handing it to the repair centre.

Q: I didn't backup my TA Partition. Can I ever get it back?

A: You'll never able to get it back. And please don't ever try to restore anyone's TA backup as that will ultimately cause your phone to be bricked very hard.

Q: What is this software called BackupTA?

A: Please read the explanations provided in the thread of such software. The software help you to backup and restore your TA Partition.

Q: Are these guides safe?

A: Sure! :fingers-crossed: But I can't give 100% guarantee. Fortunately, this guides are constructed based on my experience. My Xperia SP is still running and is still being used right now.

Q: I broke my phone while following your guide. What can I do now?

A: I hope its a soft brick. If so, please follow mrjraider's tutorial on how to use Flashtool and then flash a stock FTF to get back your phone to its stock ROM. If your bootloader is unlocked, reverting to its normal state is easy. Just go back to the main post of this thread, and follow the "Flashing the recovery" part of the guide number

2

.

Q: What are bricks?

A: There are two types of bricks. First one being soft, and the second is hard. Therefore softbrick and hardbrick. Softbrick is a situation where you cannot use your phone, however it can still boot / start. This applies to events in which you keep having SONY logo shown many times, or the SONY logo stays on the phone after minutes of waiting. Softbrick is repairable. Hardbrick, is a situation where your phone is completely damaged. Usually, the phone will never able to start even after many methods used and will show signs of ultimate death. Repair is possible, though mostly it is not. If you prefer, you can have a look in Wikipedia for a solid and thorough explanation :)

Q: How can I prevent from bricking?

A: Always know what you are doing and follow the guidelines laid out

Q: How about battery usage, is it good?

A: Custom ROMs are mostly based on the original Android experience (AOSP). AOSP is the purest android you can ever think of. AOSP doesn't have these neat features that most company provides, rather, it is Android at its bare. This being said, Stamina mode will no longer be available on your phone. To counter this you may use Greenify, an app that hibernates apps. Moreover, since custom ROMs aren't developed by the manufacturer of the device itself (in this case SONY), it will not conserve battery as good as stock, but at the same time battery life is still acceptable and long-lasting. Also as of Lollipop, the introduction of Doze to the AOSP makes battery conserving on custom ROMs a lot better. To summarise, the experience is slightly different, but still is amazing. To give a rough comparison on a ratio-based rating, it would be 0.95:1 (custom ROM:stock ROM)

Q: The ROM I use has an update. How can I update?

A: You can just download the new updated zip, and flash it normally. This action is alternatively called "dirty flash". Then, reboot into your ROM. If your ROM is provided with an updater app, you can also use it to simplify the process.

Q: How about root in custom ROMs?

A: By norm, root comes with any custom ROMs that you wish to use. When you have successfully flashed a custom ROM, you don't need to do any additional steps in order to have root access. Exception goes for CM ROMs and some CM-based ones which does not ship SuperSU. You will need to enable root from within the Developer Options in Settings. To enable Developer Options, tap "Build Number" in "About Phone" 7 times.

Q: Can I somehow use stock ROM features on my current custom ROM?

A: No. The stock features on stock ROM is not portable, hence cannot be used freely on a custom ROM. You can however, find a specific port to an Xperia app / feature (e.g Xperia Keyboard) by searching for the port on XDA. Make sure that the port is compatible with the ROM you are currently running. The reliability of these ports are greatly dependant on the ROM version and type that you are running, so you may actually experience either problems or greatness when you are running these ports.

Q: I'd like to use another file system f2fs for my partitions (Advanced)

A: By default, all partitions on Android are formatted as ext4. This can be changed easily by using the TWRP recovery. Note that this is only for unlocked bootloaders only!

Please note that only data and cache could be formatted as f2fs. System partition cannot be formatted as such due to how ROM installations are block based. The steps are as follows:

Boot into TWRP recovery

Select Wipe

Select Advanced Wipe

Tick a single partition you wanted to change its filesystem

Select Partition Options button

Change file system

Select f2fs and proceed

Done

CAUTION! This will also cause data in internal storage to cease from existence as well

NOTE! A ROM may not support f2fs (rare occurrence). So it would always be best to prepare for the worst if you are not certain of a particular ROM supports f2fs or not

Suggestions?

If you have any suggestion that may improve these guides, do tell me about it. I would be happy to make it better