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Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra (sony-redwood)

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Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
File:Sony-redwood.png
Manufacturer Sony
Name Xperia XA1 Ultra
Codename sony-redwood
Released 2017
Type handset
Hardware
Chipset MediaTek Helio P20 (MT6757)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53
4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-T880 MP2
Display 1080 x 1920 IPS LCD
Storage 32 GB / 64 GB
Memory 4 GB RAM
Architecture aarch64
Software
Original software
The software and version the device was shipped with.
Android 7.0
Extended version
The most recent supported version from the manufacturer.
Android 8.0
postmarketOS
Category testing
Mainline
Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline.
yes
Features
Flashing
Whether it is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher.
Works
USB Networking
After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system).
Works
Internal storage
eMMC, SD cards, UFS...
Works
Battery
Whether charging and battery level reporting work.
Partial
Screen
Whether the display works; ideally with sleep mode and brightness control.
Partial
Touchscreen
Works
Multimedia
3D Acceleration
Works
Audio
Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons.
Broken
Camera
Broken
Connectivity
WiFi
Broken
Bluetooth
Broken
GPS
Broken
NFC
Near Field Communication
Broken
Modem
Calls
Broken
SMS
Broken
Mobile data
Broken
Miscellaneous
FDE
Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr.
Untested
USB OTG
USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching.
Broken

Users owning this device

  • Bengris32 (Notes: Unlocked with MTKClient and kaeru)


Unlocking the bootloader

Note NOTE: This guide replaces the stock bootloader with kaeru, which offers far better usability and quality-of-life improvements compared to the original. The stock OS will still boot normally.

Before starting, ensure that your device is running Android 8.0.0. If you are still on Android 7, you must upgrade to Android 8 first.

Sony devices use two separate unlock states: the official Sony unlock state stored in the TA (Trim Area) partition, and the default MediaTek unlock state stored in the seccfg partition.

Both must be unlocked before installing kaeru.

Begin by unlocking the TA state using Sony’s official bootloader unlocking procedure, available at the Sony Developer website.

Once TA is unlocked, you must reboot the device into BROM mode. To do this, use mtk-su to obtain a temporary root shell, then intentionally corrupt the stock LK image to force a BROM mode.

This is done by running the following command: dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/block/platform/mtk-msdc.0/11230000.msdc0/by-name/lk

After running the command, power off the device and disconnect it from the computer.

Set up the this fork of MTKClient, which includes the necessary patches for this device.

Once installed, download and place the kaeru image into MTKClient's root folder and then run the following commands to unlock the seccfg state and flash the bootloader image:

./mtk.py da seccfg unlock
./mtk.py w lk canopy-kaeru.bin
./mtk.py reset

After the tool resets the device, disconnect it and boot into FASTBOOT mode by holding both POWER and VOLUME DOWN simultaneously.

Your device is now fully unlocked and running the kaeru-modified bootloader. Congratulations.

The main advantages of kaeru include:

  • Unrestricted flashing and erasing of any partition.
  • The ability to disconnect the phone in FASTBOOT MODE without it powering off.
  • A proper boot mode selector that uses the volume keys.
  • Removal of boot-state warning screens.
  • A real FASTBOOT interface.

How to enter flash mode

Warning WARNING: If you are using the stock bootloader, please note that the key combinations differ significantly, and some may not function as expected
  • Fastboot mode: Hold Power and Volume Down at the same time while booting until you see a PURPLE LED.
  • Recovery mode: Hold Power and Volume Up at the same time while booting.
  • Service mode: Hold Power, Volume Up and Volume Down at the same time while booting until you see a GREEN LED.

Notes for the stock bootloader

Note NOTE: Ignore this if you use kaeru.

The key combinations are reversed:

  • To enter RECOVERY, hold Volume Down + Power.
  • To enter FASTBOOT, hold Volume Up + Power.

Disconnecting the USB cable in FASTBOOT mode will cause the phone to power off.

In this case, the FASTBOOT screen will remain blank, and the LED will light up blue instead of purple.

See also