[Xperia Z3 General] tuzonghua:
Sony XPERIA Z3 D6616

Instructions for root

* zxz0O0's original instructions

* GhostRaiderMX's detailed instructions

* Video instructions

Intro

First, thanks to Pyres for a great Z3 bounty thread. This thread is specifically for gaining root on the D6616 (T-Mobile US) variant of the Sony Z3. The method proposed by user zxz0O0 works for many variants of this device, but the D6616 is excluded because the exploit has already been patched in the earliest available firmware for the device.

The goal

The bounty's fulfillment requires obtaining root access in order to be able to backup the TA partition, where the DRM keys for the aforementioned technologies are stored. Once we have a backup for our TA partition, we can unlock the bootloader with the official Sony tool and then restore the DRM keys. In the event of hardware failure, we will be able to restore to stock the phone and to have no warranty issue.

Claiming requirements

In order to claim this bounty, you will need to fulfill each and every one of this points:

1. Be the first person to create or find a method to obtain root access in the latest available software release on the aforementioned devices, without neither unlocking the bootloader nor compromising (or affecting) the TA partition in any way that could prevent a correct and successful backup of it;

2. Give proof of point #1 by posting an adequate quantity of screenshots to illustrate it, together with step by step instructions, in a fashion such that everyone can follow them and reproduce the exploit;

3. Wait for at least 10% of pledgers (fastest quorum achieved between per capita and per pecunia criteria*) to give confirmation about the method functionality;

4. Claim your bounty via PM from pledgers.

*i.e. the fastest between 10% of the number of people and 10% of the amount of money pledged as bounty.

Payment will be processed between each member and the bounty collector via PM on an individual basis.

List of Pledges

1. tuzonghua - $50.00

2. ecnahc - $25.00

3. leonhks - $20.00

4. ubuntunerd - $20.00

5. macrosblackd - $25.00

6. kaikea - $25.00

7. HORiZUN - $50.00

8. thienbrand - $10.00

9. lvlonkey - $20.00

10. edwardlanti - $25.00

11. xtentual - $40.00

12. bishop9779 - $30.00

13. metalmilo12 - $20.00

14. imna357 - $10.00

15. ShermCraig - $20.00

16. Bling_Diggity - $10.00

17. TrunkleBob - $50.00

18. mrmizzo - $50.00

19. dia_naji - $20.00

20. dmdelgado - $20.00

21. steelsix - $15.00

Total Pledge:

$555.00

Last updated: April 5, 2015, 12:53 UTC -5

Rules of this bounty thread

- Please note before making a post in the thread please refer to the below list to see if your post will be acceptable. If it is not part of this list, your post will be reported and you may risk getting an infraction as per forum moderators.

- Please note you may not make any specific restrictions or requirements that aren't listed in the OP. By making a post with your contribution price you are agreeing to paying out based on all terms listed in OP only and nowhere else.

- Please be advised that if Sony is to release an official method of rooting without unlocking the bootloader or restoring TA partitions lost by officially unlocking the bootloader (extremely unlikely but must be accounted for) prior to any member of XDA's submission, this bounty automatically becomes invalidated.

- Please do not PM a pledge, for it will not be counted.

List of Acceptable Posts:

- New bounty submission or increase of current bounty;

- Questions or assistance in development of a root, recovery, or bootloader unlock method;

- Questions and answers regarding bootloaders on this device;

- Questions and answers regarding the nature of lockdown on this device;

- Questions and answers regarding kernel and bootloader-related exploits;

- Any kind of updates about unfinished or still work-in-progress methods that would at the moment of posting be unfit for fulfilling the bounty;

- Bounty's fulfillment.