[Q] Method for rooting Xperia with unlocked bootloader

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omicorn

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May 14, 2014
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Hi!

So finally my old phone gave up and I decided to go for Xperia SP thinking I would flash Cyanogenmod on it. Now that I have used it for a while I decided I'd keep the stock but still unlock and root the phone to be able to restore data folders (WhatsApp!).

Now most of the rooting methods here are workarounds for locked boot loader models and involve finding the right firmware from Sony and a lot of hassle with the file patching. Even with unlocked models the rooting works by flashing the exploited kernel and using the exploit to gain root.

My question is why is it not possible to just boot (NOT FLASH) modified kernel with security off via fastboot and then upload SuperSU or Superuser files into device and then after installation continue using the kernel provided by the firmware? This is also called the general method.

I will go this route if there are no reasons not to.

PS. Thanks for this wonderful community. As a long time lurker I finally decided to join you!
 

Rycon33

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2011
3,215
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Xiaomi Poco F3
Hot booting doesn't work anymore in new Xperias. It used to work when I had the xoeria arc. Now for your rooting wherein you want to retain the stock kernel, just use the advance stock kernel of Doomlord, it's pure stock kernel (only with recovery added). Then flash the SuperSU zip in the recovery.

Here's the link for Doom's kernel. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2646193

Tapatalked from my Xperia SP
 
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omicorn

Member
May 14, 2014
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Okay, thanks for the info. Sucks that hot booting is not available but the method you posted seems fair enough.

I still have one question slightly related to this. In my previous phones the recovery has been installed separately (separate ramdisk and maybe even kernel?). Have I understood correctly that in Xperias the recovery is included in the boot.img instead of recovery.img and it depends on bootloader sent parameters whether the phone boots recovery or the normal mode? In other words if I install sometimes in the future a custom ROM and the recovery included is somehow broken I have to fix it via fastboot?
 

Rycon33

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2011
3,215
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Xiaomi Poco F3
That's what weird thing about Sony, they don't have a separate recovery image partition.

Most Xperia custom ROMs include their own boot.img(with recovery in it) so that's covered.

Tapatalked from my Xperia P
 
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noahvt

Senior Member
Jan 27, 2013
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Some Recovery's are built in into the system and that's nasty because if you wipe your system to install a custom ROM you're recovery will let you down and hang

Sent from my C5303 using XDA Free mobile app
 

mrjraider

Senior Member
Jul 1, 2012
4,402
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We need to find some way to temp install a recovery into /data.. This will prevent issues when installing ROM's and wont even need root since it is "data" dunno if its possible and how to pull of. :p
 

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    Hot booting doesn't work anymore in new Xperias. It used to work when I had the xoeria arc. Now for your rooting wherein you want to retain the stock kernel, just use the advance stock kernel of Doomlord, it's pure stock kernel (only with recovery added). Then flash the SuperSU zip in the recovery.

    Here's the link for Doom's kernel. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2646193

    Tapatalked from my Xperia SP
    1
    That's what weird thing about Sony, they don't have a separate recovery image partition.

    Most Xperia custom ROMs include their own boot.img(with recovery in it) so that's covered.

    Tapatalked from my Xperia P