[Guide] Downgrade from 4.3 or 4.4 for root / Restore imei

blueether · Jan 1, 2014

This is a guide has two functions:

Downgrading firmware to be able to root using Bin4ry's "Root MANY ANDROID" tool or [NUT]'s XZDualRecovery Installer
Restoring your imei if you downgrade from 4.3 or 4.4 to a 4.2 based ROM or FTF (Sony FTF or custom ROM)

Symptoms of lost imei are non working cell reception, no data and the like. If you go to "settings / about phone / status" you will see that the imei is either 0 or many 0's. This happens becuase of imcompatable baseband/kernel.

Prerequisite Steps:

Make sure you have a working backup of your data.
Charge phone
Download latest version of flashtool (link below)

Lost your IMEI
Follow these steps first:
Re-install the firmware that you came from and make sure IMEI is ok or come from a clean Stock Sony 4.3:

Come from a stock .290 or .136 so download that for your phone model if needed
Flash .290 or .136 all defaults if not coming from stock

Then follow the Downgrade path below, you can then flash any firmware or ROM before 14.2.A.0.290 / 4.3 without issue.
If you want to latter run a 4.3 or 4.4 based ROM you will have to flash atleast a 4.3 FTF so 14.2.A.0.290 or 14.2.A.1.136

Downgrade to gain root
Follow one of the Downgrade paths below to end up with a 14.1.B.1.532 firmware that is rootable while keeping your imei # intact and working cell/data

Downgrade path 1 (very easy):

Download needed files
- Download C6833_14.1.B.1.532_NUT.ftf
Flashing using flashtool
- Flash EVERYTHING in the above ftf by @[NUT]
Reboot

Flash EVERYTHING in this ftf, (use the defaults) it will do the downgrade below so you will end up on .532 with a working IMEI ready to root with bin4ry's tool
http://xdaforums.com/devdb/project/dl/?id=3442
You will end up with a device that thinks it is a C6833 but when you flash 4.3 or newer (.290 or .136) just use the one for your real model and the model number will be restored.

Downgrade path 2 (easy):

Download needed files
- Download a suitable Sony firmware for your model from the ftf thread [see below] - .532
- Download a suitable Sony firmware for your model from the ftf thread [see below] - Needs to be .257
- It may pay to come from a stock .290 so download that as well
Flashing
- Flash .290 all defaults if not coming from stock - just to be safe
- Flash .257 Untick Cache, Data and Apslog in the top [BOX]; Exclude system in the second [BOX];
- Flash .532 Leave Cache, Data and Apslog ticked] in the top [BOX]; Exclude everything except kernel and system in the second [BOX];
Reboot

Keeping Data
You can untick the data wipe in both of the downgrade paths above if you want to keep user data, but may make it unstable. If you do decide to keep the data partition then wipe dalvik-cache to prevent bootloops and FC's

Thanks to:
@[NUT] for new downgrade method and the one step FTF

and these people for the old version of this:
@cgomezparra for the first fix (now below)
@reborn for first posting/documenting the issue
@abuihsan for second method: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=48585720&postcount=6
@no name for #4 http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=49161954&postcount=35
@krabappel2548 for the Flashtool guide
@Androxyde for Flashtool
others that have tested this

Original thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2575359

Links:
FTF files: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2453921
Flashtool: http://www.flashtool.net/download.php
Flashtool Guide: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
More on Flashtool: http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/
Z-Ultra device files: https://mega.co.nz/#!nQ4GQJpC!UMe9mFfpwzcQ48VSv00cIy3J9nFlzS38UC_iCuXA-3U

Please post any corrections etc

blueether · Jan 1, 2014

Old instructions copied from OP, try these if the above fails:

abuihsan said:
This is a guide to restoring your imei if you downgrade from 4.3 or change to a custom ROM.

Symptoms of lost imei is no working cell reception, no data and the like. If you go to "settings / about phone / status" you will see that the imei is either 0 or many 0's

First up, make sure you have a working backup.

Restore imei:
Refresh the firmware you just came from where imei was working
Check if imei is now restored.
Move on to Downgrade.

Downgrade:
Download a suitable Sony firmware from the ftf thread - must be pre 4.3/14.2.a.0.290, I use 532 but others should work
Save to the firmware folder of flashtool
Make sure that the drivers for flashtool and the ultra are installed
Run flashtool
Select flash - the lightning bolt
Select flashmode
Select the firmware you just downloaded
Tick the exclude baseband box
Click flash
Wait for flashtool to prepare the files
Make sure to turn your phone off
Place your phone in flash mode by holding down the down volume key while inserting the usb plug
Wait for it to flash
...
Install ROMs or FTFs as normal

Downgrade option 2 (Untested by me):
See : http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=48585720&postcount=6

abuihsan said:

Stage 1:
I make .290 nandorid backup with this kernel (v5)
http://xdaforums.com/show....php?t=2426736
enter CWM recovery (by pressing volume-up while purple LED sign), go to 'advance' and hit 'turn-off'

Stage 2:
FashTool .257 FTF with:

[Wipe Column]
APPSLOG = checked
CHACHE = checked
DATA = unchecked

[Exclude Column]
KERNEL = checked
SYSTEM = checked
others = unchecked

this will make the phone bootlooping with CWM, enter CWM recovery (by pressing volume-up while purple LED sign), go to 'advance' and hit 'turn-off'

Stage 3:
FashTool .257 FTF with:

[Wipe Column]
APPSLOG = unchecked
CHACHE = unchecked
DATA = unchecked

[Exclude Column]
KERNEL = unchecked
SYSTEM = unchecked
others = checked

(this process took longer than stage 2 above)

after done, I reflash this kernel (v5)
http://xdaforums.com/show....php?t=2426736

then enter CWM and restore .257 nandroid backup..

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

...
Install ROMs or FTFs as normal

Downgrade option 3 (Untested by me):

bigxie said:

I can't seem to find the original post that suggested the following solution (to credit), but I tried it and it worked fine for me. I updated to 4.3 right out of the box (got my Z Ultra just a few days ago) and made it quite difficult for myself, but I am now bootloader unlocked with my TA backed up and running CM10.2.

Here's how I did it (after reverting back to .532 to root and backup TA, unlock bootloader, I FTF'd back to .290).

From .290 (4.3), I fastboot flashed the boot.img from CM10.2, installed it and gapps, checked IMEI, it was all 0's (14 or 15 of them IIRC)

At this point, I put the phone into flash mode and FTF'd back to .257, except I did uncheck clear data, and checked the options to exclude flashing system and kernel partitions.

Rebooted into CM10.2 and I my IMEI was back, got signal from my carrier, and everything is working dandy. Rebooted into recovery to do a factory reset and set up from scratch just for kicks, IMEI still intact.

I used generic Europe FTFs for both .290 and .257

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Downgrade option 4 (Untested by me):

no name said:

You can try this method from 4pda:

1. Flash 14.1.B.2.257 from Flashtool with following parameters:

Code:

Wipe: APPSLOG - checked CHACHE - checked DATA - unchecked

Code:

Exclude: KERNEL - checked SYSTEM - checked Others - unchecked

2. Power on the phone (it will not boot) and power off with holding Volume up + Power

3. Flash 14.1.B.2.257 from Flashtool with following parameters:

Code:

Wipe: APPSLOG - unchecked CHACHE - unchecked DATA - unchecked

Code:

Exclude: KERNEL - unchecked SYSTEM - unchecked Others - checked

4. Repeat step 2

5. Flash 14.1.B.2.257 from Flashtool with default settings

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Thanks to
@cgomezparra for the first fix
@reborn for first posting/documenting the issue
@abuihsan for second method: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=48585720&postcount=6
@no name for #4 http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=49161954&postcount=35
@krabappel2548 for the Flashtool guide
@Androxyde for Flashtool
others that have tested this

Original thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2575359
Second Method: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=48585720&postcount=6

Links:
FTF files: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2453921
Flashtool: http://www.flashtool.net/download.php
Flashtool Guide: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2428319
More on Flashtool: http://developer.sonymobile.com/services/flash-tool/
Z-Ultra device files: https://mega.co.nz/#!nQ4GQJpC!UMe9mFfpwzcQ48VSv00cIy3J9nFlzS38UC_iCuXA-3U

Please post any corrections etc

ZeroXXoreZ · Jan 1, 2014

Didn't work...

Went from .290 with an unlocked bootloader back to .532 excluded baseband - IMEI is still all 0's.

Back to .290... Would really like to try cyanogenmod!

blueether · Jan 1, 2014

ZeroXXoreZ said:
Didn't work...

Went from .290 with an unlocked bootloader back to .532 excluded baseband - IMEI is still all 0's.

Back to .290... Would really like to try cyanogenmod!

There are a few people that this method doesn't seem to work for, I'll have to dig through the threads and find another solution.

ZeroXXoreZ · Jan 1, 2014

Thanks.

For the moment I'll have to be happy with rooted 4.3

ps000000 · Jan 2, 2014

I just flash full 257 FTF

and then install cwm recovery

then Custom ROM

ZeroXXoreZ · Jan 2, 2014

ps000000 said:
I just flash full 257 FTF

and then install cwm recovery

then Custom ROM

I didn't think you could root .237 (?)

ps000000 · Jan 2, 2014

I just finish stock 257 then go to fastboot

flash custom recovery

go to

fastboot flash boot boot.img

then enter recovery .... wipe.... flash any custom rom

Alx31 · Jan 2, 2014

imei

For those wich downgrading from .290 to .257 , .532 or lower and still have imei loss issue:
Did u guyz tried to flash .290's baseband only over downgraded fw ??? i guess i saw that somewhere on z1 threads wich have same issue...
Also i guess when downgrading from 4.3 excluding system and kernel...u better to try it with data wipe ticked in flashtool.

Reb0rn · Jan 2, 2014

When I tried the first solution it did not work.

The second solution worked for me. However, I did wipe data or else cm10.2 won't boot.

1. Be on 290 with UL bootoader.
2. Flash boot.img from cm10.2
3. Enter recovery and factory reset.
4. flash cm10.2 and gapps.
5. Boot in to cm10.2 and ignore initial setup process. Just skip skip skip.
6. When in home screen, open phone and dial *#06#. If you see IMEI lots of zeros, your OK.
7. Now turn off phone and ftf .257 but exclude system and kernel. Uncheck wipe data.
8. Profit.

Wipe data for me was crucial as if I didn't I couldn't boot in to cm.

Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk 4

Alx31 · Jan 2, 2014

Reb0rn said:
When I tried the first solution it did not work.

The second solution worked for me. However, I did wipe data or else cm10.2 won't boot.

1. Be on 290 with UL bootoader.
2. Flash boot.img from cm10.2
3. Enter recovery and factory reset.
4. flash cm10.2 and gapps.
5. Boot in to cm10.2 and ignore initial setup process. Just skip skip skip.
6. When in home screen, open phone and dial *#06#. If you see IMEI lots of zeros, your OK.
7. Now turn off phone and ftf .257 but exclude system and kernel. Uncheck wipe data.
8. Profit.

Wipe data for me was crucial as if I didn't I couldn't boot in to cm.

Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk 4

Thats exactly what i meant by baseband only...

flashing .290 baseband is restoring imei

Reb0rn · Jan 2, 2014

Alx31TLse said:
Thats exactly what i meant by baseband only...
flashing .290 baseband is restoring imei

No it didn't in my case. Well yeah it did restore imei but on stock Sony. No imei on cm10.2 until that dude figured it out.

Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk 4

Alx31 · Jan 2, 2014

So that means too, to get imei safe when flashing aosp roms it must be done from .290 ?

Tapatalked with my Yuga

velvetmxo · Jan 2, 2014

What about if i have a nandroid of 4.2/.257 would i be fine without flashing an ftf?

Alx31 · Jan 2, 2014

velvetmxo said:
What about if i have a nandroid of 4.2/.257 would i be fine without flashing an ftf?

Should be yup because its restoring everything as it was before flash...
anyways if u stay on stock and still have issue... just flash .290 baseband only as already told it would be fine.

ZeroXXoreZ · Jan 3, 2014

Still not working for me...

Flashing .257 exluding wipe data kernal and system I'm still getting and IMEI of multiple 0's

EDIT: And I lose root access...

abuihsan · Jan 3, 2014

velvetmxo said:
What about if i have a nandroid of 4.2/.257 would i be fine without flashing an ftf?

ZeroXXoreZ said:
Still not working for me...
Flashing .257 exluding wipe data kernal and system I'm still getting and IMEI of multiple 0's : (
EDIT: And I lose root access...

Hi, I remember when restoring .257 nandroid backup from .290 I totally lost my radio signal and maybe the IMEI too (I said maybe because I was in panic so I didn't checked the IMEI)

Can you flash .290 FTF back with flashtool? maybe wipe ALL and exclude NOTHING will be better (in my case I have Titanium backup stored in external SD card so it is safe to me to wipe all). I got the radio signal back (and the IMEI is there) after flashed back to .290 with wipe ALL and exclude NOTHING.

If the IMEI and radio signal back and you still want to downgrade (maybe you want to flash CM10.2 or other custom roms), then just flash the .257 FTF with flashtool (wipe ALL and exclude NOTHING).
I had no problem on this stage, then I got it rooted again with this method, install custom recovery and it ready to flash any ZU custom roms or to restore the .257 or other nandroid backup.

Note: my device is C6833-unlocked BL

ZeroXXoreZ · Jan 3, 2014

945655

abuihsan said:
Hi, I remember when restoring .257 nandroid backup from .290 I totally lost my radio signal and maybe the IMEI too (I said maybe because I was in panic so I didn't checked the IMEI)

Can you flash .290 FTF back with flashtool? maybe wipe ALL and exclude NOTHING will be better (in my case I have Titanium backup stored in external SD card so it is safe to me to wipe all). I got the radio signal back (and the IMEI is there) after flashed back to .290 with wipe ALL and exclude NOTHING.

If the IMEI and radio signal back and you still want to downgrade (maybe you want to flash CM10.2 or other custom roms), then just flash the .257 FTF with flashtool (wipe ALL and exclude NOTHING).
I had no problem on this stage, then I got it rooted again with this method, install custom recovery and it ready to flash any ZU custom roms or to restore the .257 or other nandroid backup.

Note: my device is C6833-unlocked BL

No good. Flashing back to anything pre .290 I lose my IMEI

Alx31 · Jan 3, 2014

Just flash .290 baseband its confirmed working on xZ1...it must work too here
No matter wich fw u are on...

Tapatalked with my Yuga

ZeroXXoreZ · Jan 3, 2014

Alx31TLse said:
Just flash .290 baseband its confirmed working on xZ1...it must work too here
No matter wich fw u are on...

Tapatalked with my Yuga

By just flash baseband, do you mean flash an earlier firmware with all choices excluded except for baseband? I've done that on both .257 and .532 - same result. No IMEI...

[Guide] Downgrade from 4.3 or 4.4 for root / Restore imei

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