yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
F.A.Q.

How to boot to recovery?

The only way I know with this kind of recovery, is to connect to PC in Fastboot in order to get the Concept bootloader menu and then select "Recovery mode" with the volume keys and press the power button to enter.

Any other suggestion is welcome ;)

I lost the backup at point 19, how could I upgrade?

Make a backup of your data.

Then you have to repeat ALL the process of the first installation and make all the updates in a row. It takes a long time. It's very painful, I know. :eek:

At the end you can restore your data.

I come from an old Concept version, can I restore my data?

Sure you can, but you won't be able to let the DRM restoration work properly. As I already stated at point 18, you need a full wipe at least one time.

Working DRM restoration proof (thanks to [MENTION=6750693]cattolicboy[/MENTION] for his pictures)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] fusk:
Nvm.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] H117:
A few questions.

Have you tried out the update part? I mean wiping, restoring the stock system backup, and then updating. Because when I tried restoring a clean system partition a few weeks ago, there was still an error during boot and the dm verity check failed. I did unroot before restoring as well, so the bootloader was stock. Might just be some mistake on my side.

Also, is the relock of the bootloader necessary? I seem to remember that updating worked fine while unlocked as long as the system partion remained untouched.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
1) Yes, I tested on my own device before writing the tutorial.

What kind of error did you get during boot?

DRM verity fails if you haven't relocked yet.

2)Necessary.

OTA update is disabled on every stock rom as long as the bootloader stays unlocked.

And Concept works like a stock rom. ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] DDvnguyen:
Can any one make a zip install. Thanks
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] xman1:
+1 zip would be really cool especially prerooted! :thumbup:

---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:59 PM ----------

Do you know a method of rooting the concept mm after all the updates are completed? I'm personnally only interested in updates as long as root can be achieved.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] taaviu:
Outstanding tutorial. First time wiped system also, my mistake.

Full wipe but do not wipe system partition.

Thanx.

Proof:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
If you've got an unlocked bootloader, any time just flash twrp via fastboot and soon after the last beta of superSU via recovery ;)

Thanks, I've just fixed the tutorial about which wipes to do :good:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Matteo Mazzu:
I keep getting Google Play Services as force close whatever I do!

EDIT: Everything solved. Just had some ramdon crash with Contacs App, but I managed to solved too :)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] fusk:
I actually came here to ask the same question. But i do not know how difficult it is to create the zip. But packaged with supersu, xposed & twrp would be great. Then the only thing you need to flash besides that is the DRM fix. And it would just be so much easier for the users.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] baxxter106:
Absolutely great tutorial!

Thank you for that. Anything worked.

One hint: to get into the recovery without a PC you can use the app 'rashr'. With it you can flash an update of twrp and there is an Option to restart the Phone into recovery... This worked for me.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Matteo Mazzu:
Everything working great, thanks! :)

Just a few questions:

1) Is it normal that when I reboot from TWRP, everytime tells me that the phone is not rooted and if I wanna do the root?

2) The drm fix works in the dark, but the camera seems not great as on LP. Is on just my imagination, or the quality is effectively lower?

Thanks for anyone who answer! :)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
Not so difficult indeed.

It just takes someone who has time and goodwill. ;)

Thanks, good one! I will add this hint to my tutorial :good:

1) Normal.

2) Don't forget this is a BETA...
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] fusk:
I got time and goodwill, i just have zero clue how to do it. Otherwise i would have already done it.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] taaviu:
I don't understand why do you need zip if there is already zip version. If you had bootloader unlocked you can freely install any stock based rom and after that DRM restore v3.zip and you'll get all good stuff. This relock, unlock and all other stuff and instructions are only those who want make updates.

If you dont care about updates you dont need read instructions at all. Simply flash DRM restore v3.zip and your done.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] fusk:
I know, problem is. There does not seem to be a zip of a newer version than the one i already got.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] taaviu:
I'm understand you correct you want newer drm restoration zip? But DRM v3.zip is latest version right now. If there will be DRM v4.zip I'm 100% sure it will be in. zip format.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] baxxter106:
This was my intention to move over with this tutorial :cool:

One weird thing i noticed: sometimes when i activate the screen it takes a little time (2-5 sec) before the screen turns on. But maybe it is because i use greenify...
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] fusk:
Nope, you're not even close.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] M1chiel:
Video works fine with a LB, so it may be related to the DRM restoration.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SGP611 met Tapatalk
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ah_hin:
I am stuck at step 15, where I have to use the terminal.

How exactly can I bring up that?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ah_hin:
This works for me.

Thanks!
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ah_hin:
Another question...

Flashtool can not longer detect the phone when plugged in, I have tried reinstalling the drivers, but still didn't work.

When I run the flashtool-drivers.exe file, everything can be installed successfully, but when I plug in the phone, it cannot be detected.

Neither by flashtool, nor PC Companion.

Anyone with the same problem, and how to fix it?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] M1chiel:
Are you on Windows 10? If so, installing the drivers requires you to disable signed driver enforcement first.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ah_hin:
I am using windows 8.1, and I did go through the steps to disable driver enforcement.

All the drivers were installed correctly, but flashtool does not recognize that...

I have USB debugging enabled, and using MTP as the USB... I even tried PTP, MIDI, etc... nothing works.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ah_hin:
Other problems I have with this flash are that, facebook videos won't play anymore, youtube app won't play any video as well...

Is this a common problem with 6.0.1?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Matteo Mazzu:
Me too! No FB, YouTube video play and can't make any! Flashing DRM V3 seems ti work, but online for a while. I gues i'll try go stock.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] marshalpear:
Well, the concept is causing issues on my phone, does anyone have the same issues as I do?

-Can't record video either with Sony Camera or with another app

-YouTube can't play video, playback issues with the stock Album app(playback stops and loads for a few secs)

-Wi-Fi takes too long to connect
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Matteo Mazzu:
I installed the .291 stock rom, but I can't find my self with it.... Does someone remember the last concept Rom update with video functions working properly?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] DjowBr:
These playback issues and camcoding is related to unlocked bootloader only, no fix for this atm. Asked before on G+ comunity
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] filou76:
I'm on version 3536 (march?) and I've got the same video-problems. Unlocked bootloader. I can't say when these problems startet though...
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] someone755:
I'm dying of curiosity: How do system modifications (namely the DRM fix and Xposed) affect system updates? Do you still receive updates even if you've modified the system and partitions?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] filou76:
Take a look here:

http://xdaforums.com/xperia-z2/help/video-playback-issue-t3290793

solved playback and recording issues for me!
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
Do you believe me if I say I can't remember anymore if a simple relocking let the update work again? :silly:

Probably no... because I remember a lot of people having troubles after relocking.

The best way is: relock, flash the last FTF available, do all the OTA update in a row, unlock, flash the TWRP and then flash all the zips. :good:

About the "partition" I can tell you for sure you can keep the regular stock partition (if you like) by flashing the Concept rom through a ZIP via recovery over a stock rom. You can find the zips in the main thread on Concept in general forum.

Great.

I will try on my own phone and if it works I will include it in my tutorial :good:

Maybe we could make a little script to flash from recovery ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] someone755:
Ah no, I'm having no issues at all with updates (downloaded the most recent FTF available and applied the smaller OTA fixes without a problem). Unlocked BL, but stock boot.img and no root/Xposed/DRM fix. And unlike the lads from the previous page of this thread, I can record and watch videos without a problem.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
Open Youtube and watch many videos.

The problem needs time to show up.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] filou76:
I'm on UB, rooted, Xposed & DRM fix - as you wrote. I never got any update message for OTA.

Maybe there is some sort of connection to the video issue.

As far as i remember from the other threads (Z2 e.g.) people were having that exact problem already in different LP-roms with bootloader unlocked.

In my case video problems started after ~ 4 months of using version 3536 that is still on my phone.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] someone755:
Oh no, you misunderstood. I only had an unlocked bootloader. Everything else was a clean flash -- I downloaded all of the available OTAs, and only later flashed TWRP and supersu/Xposed. I still don't have the DRM fix, and I don't really think it necessary.

Indeed it would seem that your modifications of the system partition have disabled updates. Guess that's reason enough to get Xposed running in systemless mode, though I imagine most will disregard that and just flash the DRM fix.

Moments like these are why releasing anything is a pain, and I'd rather not do it... (TWRP for this device is a great example of what happens when conflicts arise.)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] DjowBr:
Updates work only on clean systems. Any modification, including drm fix will disable otas Because of dm-verify.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] filou76:
agree with you.

as i'm not hungry for monthly updates i don't really have a problem here. when i set up my phone last time in february i didn't have time for days of research in all those xda threads. i got confused with different bootloader versions, different recovery types ans so on. so i took concept and flashed xposed + drm fix. the latter might be useless. but i got a lovely working z3c. until months later video problems started. actually i would prefer real custom rom (and compile my own one if necessary) but that will never happen with our sony fisheye phone :silly:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] baxxter106:
Can confirm, after renaming the files video record (and playback) works again.

...but i never use YouTube or that Facebook bull****...
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] snaky90:
How I can hide the battery % on latest build using gravity box?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Organized_Chaos:
I have a few notes regarding this procedure for Arch Linux users if you want to add them to the original post.

flashtool is available in the Arch Linux AUR as 'xperia-flashtool'

fastboot and adb are available in the Arch Linux AUR as 'android-sdk-platform-tools'

These packages may be available on other distros as well. You'll have to check your distro's repositories to see.

You'll need to relogin to add the Android SDK tools to your path. (so you can use the fastboot command without navigating to the install folder.)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
[MENTION=4708091]istux[/MENTION], have you ever tried systemless root with Magisk on Concept?

Are there some limitations or we are safe to go with it?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
Sorry, I've never tried it.

And I can't test anymore, because my z3c is dead :(

A problem with the motherboard and guess what? My warranty has just expired :crying:

I will repair it by myself, but I need time.

If you want to test the systemless root, just make a full backup from TWRP on SDcard and you should be safe ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
Oh no, I'm really sorry to hear that!

A typical example of what is called "planned obsolescence".

Best wishes for the reparation!
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] martinezgq:
In your experience, is better this rom ir stock one? I am looking for an advice of overall performance
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] M1chiel:
Your question has been asked before. Concept is closer to 'stock android'. It feels fast and battery consumption is low (i have 6 hrs screen on time, no root, Greenify), but it lacks many Sony apps some users like. I think Slimm, Concept and debloated stock MM are all good options. It depends on your preferences and use patterns which is most suitable. I'd recommend to try all options for a couple of weeks.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] x_one:
I tired Concept for a while. It's very good rom but i couldn't survive with terrible sound without Sony EQ. I can't flash mods because i need safety net pass for banking app.

Another thing that was annoying is light sensor. In low light it was always blinking.

Everything else is excellent. For me..
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Matteo Mazzu:
Hi! I've left the concept sometimes ago, because it didn't make video or I couldn't see them on Youtube, FB ecc.. But I saw the last rom update it's 23/10/2016, so I wanted to ask if those problem were solved in the mean wild and how are photo in comparisons to stock right now (maybe it got some improvements). I'd love to go back to concept, and maybe solve my google play service battery drain issue :silly:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
About this issue, just rename some system files as explained here:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=64763489&postcount=4

I can confirm it works.

I will make a fixing zip as soon as my z3c will be repaired ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Matteo Mazzu:
Fantastic, many thanks! :laugh:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] polik1:
Hey! Since Concept had stopped on Z3C and my warranty is off, I want the root :)

I have a question though - is there a way to make a full backup of my current, unrooted room and restore it after the process? I didn't unlock bootloader yet, so I guess full wipe will be obligatory during this process.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
just take a nandroid backup from twrp
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] polik1:
I think I can install TWRP only after unlocking bootloader (or switching to rootable 4.4.4), which will cause factory reset, so I guess this won't do...
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
Yeah, maybe you have right, but unlocking the bootloader will not cause factory reset, so I thik this could be the way.

edit: I got confused with relock/unlock :o
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] x_one:
Unlocking will do factory reset for sure..
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] polik1:
Thanks for the confirmation :)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] x_one:
And about backup... You can use Helium app to backup apps (most of them) with their data (without root). I don't remember if you can backup system settings. Hope it can help you.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] polik1:
Thanks again - I've used Helium before, but now it seems more and more apps are not supported, so this is not even close to full backup (for me :) ).
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] op3n:
after do this steps i can flash a custom firmware for example slimm, and not lose drm ?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] M1chiel:
If you unlock your bootloader you will loose your DRM keys. So it is better to first make a backup of your TA partition. This works very smoothly: https://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236

If you decide to move to slimm you can first restore your TA partition. Alternatively you can flash a kernel that includes DRM restore.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] op3n:
i've unlocked a long time ago the bootloader and flashed custom roms. But now i did all until to 19 step; i wiped cache,dalvik and data, flashed supersu ,drm restore and xposed and after that i tryed to flash a custom stock rom (aoxp rom from panzerox); while the first zip was installing, the device rebooted themself and had bootloop. I repeated the last steps for enter again in recovery (i tryed with twrp 3.0.2.1 and after with 3.0.2.0 - and same prb) and said to me failed to mount system(invalid argument) when i try to wipe or install somting which need acces the system. In mount option i cant also mount manualy. where can be the problem?

---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

and another thing which o forgot to say first of all is about update; i tryed to update but no update disponible...i tryed to restart, and to try again, but same

---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 PM ----------

while i try to flash aoxp rom is saying to me thats:

---- warning:detected out of bounds write

buffer to fill with FF is bigger than available

error finding archive entry rpm.sin

Thats the errors. And the system become unable to mount - invalid argument.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
You flash ConceptMM, then you root it and make modifications to the system (DRM restoring and Xposed).

If you flash a custom rom over it, you delete the system previously installed and modded.

Why did you do this? It's totally wrong!

It's normal if you get bootloops in this case: Concept kernel can't work with other roms except for Concept itself or something based on that.

Are you installing a custom rom based on stock? Then you need the right kernel for that stock version.

What do you need? What's your target? To have Panzerox's rom rooted with working DRM?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] op3n:
yes. i tryed to install his rom and after that flash elite kernel which restore drm... :)

---------- Post added at 08:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:46 PM ----------

yes man, i understand ur idea, so dont be peevish. i try to catch some ideas from where i can and how i can. Is not my domain the faking phones but sure i want to be nicely when i look in it :) so again, thanks for ur help and for work and i advice u to be calm with peoples arround u.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] snaky90:
Hi ! Substratum themes works with concept ?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
Sadly not [emoji22]
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] Berend de Boer:
After Cyanogenmod disappearing, I needed some solution to receive updates. And it was high time for android 6. For the steps, all working great! (Did this on Ubuntu 16.10). Thanks so much for this tutorial, happy with my phone again!!

Only remark is that i initially didn't know what flashtool was, so a pointer/link in the tutorial may be helpful.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] baxxter106:
unfortunately this project is also discontinued because of the "wonderfull" Xperia X...

never again Sony!!!

the open sourceness (and help for the community - especially with this phone) is just a joke!
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
I was calm ;) maybe my answer was too direct for your sensitivity, as I've never meant to be rude.

If you really have the bootloader unlocked and you want AOXP (by Panzerox123) with working DRM keys, you have to:

-install one of the latest stock firmware 23.5.A.1.291 from HERE

-copy AOXP zip (and all its OTAs) to internal memory or on SD card

-install TWRP downloaded from HERE via fastboot

-enter recovery by pressing vol.down & power together

-install AOXP zip and all other OTA zips

-wipe data, cache, dalvikcache (it's very important that you wipe data)

-install DRM restore v3 (and Xposed if you like)

-DON'T install Supersu, because AOXP is already pre-rooted

-done :good:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ebettoni:
Am I succeed?

After following all the steps on my D5833, I getting this on Service Menu > Security:

Looks like failed, isnt't it?

After all, I getting a message every boot, after Sony Logo and before the concept screen:
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] panzerox123:
Concept doesn't work on D5833
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] RoyFAR:
I have failed too...using advanced stock kernel marshmallow concept 3657 (latest build) on Z3 D6653. Looks like I need downgrade to lolipop ROM to restore DRM.

Edit: I think finally I can make it right :) thanks to the OP.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
Is there a particular reason because you suggested this build, or are we safe to flash the last one?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] bastardociccio:
Also "Quick boot" from playstore works to boot into Recovery (for root users).

A question:

To boot into recovery directly with keys, can we use "kernel builder" from [nut]'s to make a kernel for concept build or it works only with old boot/kernel ?

Or there is some other kernel+twrp to test that works with concept build 3027 ?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
Actually any of the last beta is fine.

Indeed the last stable 2.46 can't root properly.

I fixed the tutorial anyway ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
Yesterday I decided to upgrade from [MENTION=4815490]jenkins-84[/MENTION]'s concept 2178 to "ota" 3027, following this very well explained guide.

Everything went well (installing SuperSU 2.67) till the point to install xposed, where the system started to crash continuously.

So I went back to the backup taken after the update to 3027 and install the more sure SuperSU 2.65, which it was totally compatible with xposed.

So, just keep in mind this incompatibility issue. ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] ma5yk:
Will this support D5833 model?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] snaky90:
DRM restore v4 works with this method ?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] FcukBloat:
As far as i know YES

Dunno but you can use v3 just to be sure they reported it as working with concept ;)
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] snaky90:
I used this steps and works fine ! How I can see that DRM work?
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
The DRM won't work anymore until you relock again the bootloader.

The DRM fix you referring to, it is only restoring the camera features lost in the process of unlocking the bootloader.

The only way to test the positive result of the fix, is to make a compare with a picture taken with a low light condition, before and after the mod.
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] istux:
The drm fix restores also the image improvements like x-reality or super-vivid, but they're not present in MM Concept yet..
[Xperia Z3 Compact Android Development] cattolicboy:
What you mean exactly with "yet"?

Maybe you meant that, if the concept project will be officially released as a ota, the drm camera's feature will be included in the update?

Regardless from lock or unlock bootloader? :p