[How-To] Install a custom kernel/rom on xperia devices (2011/2012)

[the rockstar 2020]

What do you mean by you can't open it? Do you get any error or what's the problem?

Remember your touch isn't working in cwm! You have to use the volume keys to go up and down and the home button to select

Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.4

oh thankyu sir ,i have done it ,i thought it opens aroma installer

but i am missing my sony album , walkman , movies etc...

 

[mihahn]

oh thankyu sir ,i have done it ,i thought it opens aroma installer

but i am missing my sony album , walkman , movies etc...

The included apps/functions depend on the rom you installed! But sometimes you are able to install the apps you need using the apk you find on xda

Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.4

 

[the rockstar 2020]

The included apps/functions depend on the rom you installed! But sometimes you are able to install the apps you need using the apk you find on xda

Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.4

yeah btw i installed- cynogen legacy xperia kitkat4.4.2 :angel:

 

[thrillseeker]

I have unlocked bootloader, but stock unrooted .587 firmware, without custom recovery. What exactly have to do to install custom recovery? Is it possible to instal custom recovery without rooting the phone?

 

[Attitude.SSJ]

I have unlocked bootloader, but stock unrooted .587 firmware, without custom recovery. What exactly have to do to install custom recovery? Is it possible to instal custom recovery without rooting the phone?

Recovery without root can be achieved by flashing a custom kernel...

Sent from my MT11i using Tapatalk 2

 

[mihahn]

Recovery without root can be achieved by flashing a custom kernel...

Sent from my MT11i using Tapatalk 2

I guess that's not right. All kernels are prerooted for our phones what means your phone will automatically become rooted when you flash a custom kernel

You can just flash a custom kernel right away without rooting your phone, but the kernel will automatically root your phone.

Edit: Sorry guys I guess I got it wrong at first. If you mean you want to flash a custom kernel without rooting before, Attitude.SSJ's reply is right of course! :good:

Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.4

 

[thrillseeker]

Many thanks guys, but what exactly have to do? Is cwr recovery embedded in every custom kernel or do i have to flash custom kernel and then cwr for xperia ray?

 

[mihahn]

Many thanks guys, but what exactly have to do? Is cwr recovery embedded in every custom kernel or do i have to flash custom kernel and then cwr for xperia ray?

Just do it like explained in the guide. Search for a working kernel for your rom and flash it in fastboot mode. Cwm is included in all custom kernels and your current rom will automatically be rooted too

Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.4

 

[Recognized Noob]

how to flash kernel.elf? flashboot doesnt detect .elf

 

[cee016]

For xperia miro

where can I find or download the kernel? and how to use it.. Sorry I'm noob in flashing rom xD

 

[mihahn]

where can I find or download the kernel? and how to use it.. Sorry I'm noob in flashing rom xD

You can find roms/kernels in the development forums of your phone

 

[ashishkr]

VERY WELL EXPLAINED with proper useful links

One confusion here. Mihahn or Anybody here to help please?

Question is: Either BL is locked or unlocked, if I will flash stock ftf (for GB/ICS) through flashtool with flashmode, will it relock the BL (or keep locked in case of already locked BL) ???

Or relocking BL is just different process other than flashing stock ftf ?? (i.e. have to flash any specific ftf for relock?)

from ➧ Xperia™ Live with WALKMAN™

 

[mihahn]

VERY WELL EXPLAINED with proper useful links

One confusion here. Mihahn or Anybody here to help please?

Question is: Either BL is locked or unlocked, if I will flash stock ftf (for GB/ICS) through flashtool with flashmode, will it relock the BL (or keep locked in case of already locked BL) ???

Or relocking BL is just different process other than flashing stock ftf ?? (i.e. have to flash any specific ftf for relock?)

from ➧ Xperia™ Live with WALKMAN™

If you flash the stock ftf the bootloader status won't change so it will still be locked/unlocked like it was before

To relock the bootloader, check out this guide

 

[ashishkr]

If you flash the stock ftf the bootloader status won't change so it will still be locked/unlocked like it was before

To relock the bootloader, check out this guide

THANKS... Mihahn for the clarification & for sharing that useful link, I went through that & read everything.
But I also having doubt taking two things, Please check

1st-Some dev recommends moving to stock before installing their particular ROM.
In that case if I am on a custom ROM+KERNAL, then I can flash xxx_generic.ftf to get back to stock ROM+KERNAL Right ? and further again have to do root+cwm, OR can I flash/install both (stock Kernal+ROM) separately? Or I can only flash Kernal.ftf separately when it comes to stock?

2nd- Bit Off topic , While restoring Nandroid, can we only restore when we are on with the same ROM+Kernal with which we had made the backup?

Or we can also restore any backed up NANDROID with its any relevant Kernal after full wipe specially formating system partition ???

from ➧ Xperia™ Live with WALKMAN™

 

[mihahn]

THANKS... Mihahn for the clarification & for sharing that useful link, I went through that & read everything.
But I also having doubt taking two things, Please check

1st-Some dev recommends moving to stock before installing their particular ROM.
In that case if I am on a custom ROM+KERNAL, then I can flash xxx_generic.ftf to get back to stock ROM+KERNAL Right ? and further again have to do root+cwm, OR can I flash/install both (stock Kernal+ROM) separately? Or I can only flash Kernal.ftf separately when it comes to stock?

2nd- Bit Off topic , While restoring Nandroid, can we only restore when we are on with the same ROM+Kernal with which we had made the backup?

Or we can also restore any backed up NANDROID with its any relevant Kernal after full wipe specially formating system partition ???

from ➧ Xperia™ Live with WALKMAN™

Yes, if you've flashed the stock rom ftf you are on the stock rom and kernel. Of course you have to reroot then, but if your bootloader is unlocked flashing a custom kernel will automatically root your phone. If you want to flash just some parts of the stock rom or just the kernel, you may exclude certain parts using flashtool

No, you can restore your nandroid backup on any rom and even with a wiped system partition. But remember to flash the right kernel for the restored rom then (gingerbread kernel for a restored gingerbread rom, jellybean kernel for a jellybean rom, etc)!

 

[ashishkr]

Yes, if you've flashed the stock rom ftf you are on the stock rom and kernel. Of course you have to reroot then, but if your bootloader is unlocked flashing a custom kernel will automatically root your phone. If you want to flash just some parts of the stock rom or just the kernel, you may exclude certain parts using flashtool

No, you can restore your nandroid backup on any rom and even with a wiped system partition. But remember to flash the right kernel for the restored rom then (gingerbread kernel for a restored gingerbread rom, jellybean kernel for a jellybean rom, etc)!

O! Yes...
&...i.e. Nandroid only backups the current ROM not the kernal, Okey? I am even writing this as I read both in thread/post also with screenshots, 1with some extra files (perhaps .img) after backup and the other with missing those files & thus having some confusion as actually I didn't restored nandroid with custom ROM+KERNAL.

I mean, suppose I am on a custom ROM with mesa (ics) and if I restore an other ROM which was with kappa(ics) (during back-up) then, after restoration I will be still with mesa only with restored ROM, don't with kappa, Right?

By the way THANKS for your valuable reply

from ➧ Xperia™ Live with WALKMAN™

 

[mihahn]

O! Yes...
&...i.e. Nandroid only backups the current ROM not the kernal, Okey? I am even writing this as I read both in thread/post also with screenshots, 1with some extra files (perhaps .img) after backup and the other with missing those files & thus having some confusion as actually I didn't restored nandroid with custom ROM+KERNAL.
I mean, suppose I am on a custom ROM with mesa (ics) and if I restore a other ROM which was with kappa(ics) (during back-up) then, after restoration I will be still with mesa only with restored ROM, don't with kappa, Right?

By the way THANKS for your valuable reply

from ➧ Xperia™ Live with WALKMAN™

Yes, it will restore your rom and the data, but not the kernel

No problem, feel free to ask!

 

[yoda_143]

Sorry, dumb question: how do I know if I have a locked or unlocked bootloader? I have had an Xperia Active for year and can't remember all the things I did to it. It is rooted at least.

 

[mihahn]

Sorry, dumb question: how do I know if I have a locked or unlocked bootloader? I have had an Xperia Active for year and can't remember all the things I did to it. It is rooted at least.

This is no dumb question

To check your bootloader status type
*#*#7378423#*#* and the service menu will open up. Go to "Service info" -> "Configuration" and look at the bootloader status ("rooting status")

 

[yoda_143]

This is no dumb question

To check your bootloader status type
*#*#7378423#*#* and the service menu will open up. Go to "Service info" -> "Configuration" and look at the bootloader status ("rooting status")

Thanks for your quick reply. "Bootloader unlock allowed: yes" So I guess I must have done that at some point in time and then totally forgot about it. Thanks again.