[Xperia Z3 Compact General] HvdW:
Hi,

I have been able to 'master' HTC Desire, Xperia T, Xperia Z3C and even LG Optimus Black.

Except from HTC Desire (if you ever want to learn about ADB and Fastboot, use HTC Desire, the best) it is always a bit tricky to get into Fastboot mode.

I have found the easyest way to access Fastboot mode in this howto: https://goo.gl/hzyB2H

Simply stated:

- Enable USB debugging in Developer Options

- Install Minimal ADB and Fastboot from here: https://goo.gl/d5BSc7 or use the solid option using FWUL (see below)

- Open command window in Minimal ADB and Fastboot directory (Window Flag + right-click on the folder)

- Plugin your device (which is on)

- Type: adb devices and your device answers with its serial number.

- First answer is serial number and 'unauthorized'

- On your device you will see a popup like shown below

- Type: adb devices and your device answers with its serial number and device

- You're there

If you just need adb you can stop here, if you want to go on to fastboot, continue.

- Type: adb reboot-bootloader

- Type: fastboot devices

And you're there.

No more hassling around with Vol-Down and plugging in.

- Type: fastboot reboot to end the session nicely

Uninstall (system) apps using adb

Uninstall Sony Xperia 'What's New'

adb uninstall --user 0 com.sonymobile.entrance

Let's uninstall Facebook

- type: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'acebo' (I don't know if it spells with F or f) (see REMARK)

- You will receive an answer like:

com.facebook.katana

com.facebook.system

com.facebook.appmanager

- type: adb uninstall --user 0 com.facebook.katana etc.

- do the same for the other lines

- Done for the moment

- Check on your device. Goto settings->apps->Facebook and you will see 'uninstalled' behind it

- Reboot your device ( do it the adb way and issue the command <adb shell reboot>

- After the reboot you won't find Facebook anymore in the apps list

REMARK sometimes it is hard to find the name of the app you want to uninstall.

F.i. the app Playstation bears the name com.scee.psxandroid.

You can retrieve the name using the Play Store app Application Inspector

I had quite a lot of trouble with adb and Windows 10, the solution lies in using Linux.

Recently XDA senior member steadfasterX released “Forget Windows Use Linux” (FWUL) – a bootable GNU/Linux ISO geared specifically towards Windows users who need to communicate more reliably with Android. https://goo.gl/PxvS9p

If you want to play with adb then this is your chance.

Create a live CD or a bootable USB stick with FWUL and everything works like a charm. Forget Windows!

Remember:

Don't blame me if anything goes wrong.

Following these instructions is at your own risk.

And if.... then normally Xperia Companion is your friend.

Enjoy!

Picture shows an example

- how to find the location of an apk

- how to pull the apk to your computer

- how to uninstall the apk

- and the failure that shows that the apk is gone

You can use adb to record your phone screen

- adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/screenrecord.mp4

Stop with Ctrl-C

You can use adb to make a screenshot

- adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screendump.png (-p stands for: create png file)

- adb pull /sdcard/screendump

alternative

- adb shell screencap -p > screendump.png (which sends the file to your computer)

ADB can be used to backup yout device (apk's and data)

- adb backup -f c:/backups/phonebackup.ab -all

- on the device you have to give permission

Of course you can restore the backup

- adb restore <filename>, but for restoring you need to have root access.

There are a lot of options, all explained elsewhere on XDA: https://goo.gl/KtVd1n

W10 is a bit tricky when it comes to running adb on your Xperia device.

To install the necessary drivers, follow this instruction:

To install the official Sony Xperia drivers you need to download them from here.

- Unpack the Zip file

- goto the directory

- right click on sarndis.if and click on install

To install the Flashtool drivers for Windows 8/8.1/10, please follow the steps below.

A) Press the Windows key + R together and in the ‘Run’ box type: shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 00

– Now make the following selections to boot into the Start Up Setting Screen: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Start Up Settings > Restart

– Then, when the machine restarts, select number 7 i.e. “Disable driver signature enforcement”. Your machine will start with Driver signing enforcement disabled until the next reboot.

B) Now you can install the Flashtool drivers.

– Windows will warn that the driver is not signed and will require you to confirm the installation.

– Once the installation is complete, reboot the machine.

This text is copied from Xperia blog

PS

Just adding another uninstall.

Using PiHole to block ads, people have noticed that on Android adds are not blocked.

More specific: Ads in Chrome on Android are not blocked.

Reason: Chrome denies your DNS settings

Solution:

adb uninstall --user 0 com.android.partnerbrowsercustomizations.chromeHomepage

From now on ads in Chrome on Android will be blocked as well.