asked 2019-06-06 19:02:47 +0200
I just bought a SONY XA2 to install SailFishX on it - it arrived brand new with Android 9.0 installed. I understand that because of this I cannot install SF. Is there any way of downgrading to Android 8.0 ? or any other trick that would allow to run SF ? Tnaks
answered 2019-06-20 03:25:17 +0200
Update:There is an official Guide available now: https://jolla.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360008004900-Downgrading-Android-from-9-to-8-1-on-XA2-This-makes-it-possible-to-install-Sailfish-OS-
Thanks you @jovirkku
Deprecated: Got an upgraded XA2 with Android 9 today. I am not happy with the process, but was able to flash sailfish os, afer downgrading to Andriod 8.
Would be great if someone who was successfully using Emma also write an detailed Answer.
I downgraded with flashtool. It comes with xperifirm to download an old firmware. Was not able to get it running under Ubuntu 19.04 ("An error occurred while unpacking!") with Windows 10 it worked fine.
Firmware 50.2.A.0.379-R3B (Telekom.de DE) was installed. Xperifirm did not offer an older Version for Telekom.de DE so I used 50.1.A.13.123-R1A (T-Mobile AT)
50.1.X = Android 8 50.2.X = Android 9
To sum up the process (Please read "More detailed resources" before doing anything)
More detailed resources:
I flollowed the advices here: https://sailfishmods.de/2019/05/sailfish-x-fuer-xa2-nicht-mit-android-9-pie-kompatibel/ and here (only the Downgraden section is nessesary) https://sailfishmods.de/2017/07/howto-sony-xperia-x-teil-1-cda-drm-keys-bootloader/
Other related Topics on togehter.jolla.com: https://together.jolla.com/question/205349/do-not-update-your-xa2-device-to-android-9/?answer=205480#post-id-205480
May thanks to sailfishmods.de!
there are users repporting that flashtools manages to "un-brick" devices previously bricked by flashing SFOS over Android 9.
flashtool should be working on Linux, because that's what we were using back in the Xperia X era. The error you're getting is probably a bug and an update or bugfix is coming.
DrYak ( 2019-08-07 11:52:27 +0200 )editanswered 2019-08-05 14:11:12 +0200
This is how to downgrade Android to 8.1 and then install Sailfish OS:
https://together.jolla.com/question/210457/flash-with-android-9-on-xa2/?answer=211047#post-id-211047
my xa 2 has android 8.0.0 installed, do i have to update to 8.1 or does it work without the update?
NuklearFart ( 2019-08-05 16:10:55 +0200 )edit@NuklearFart: It should work on Android 8.0.0, too, but this has been tested too little. Safest would be to upgrade to 8.1 (*) with Emma (Windows PC).
(*) Build version 50.1.A.xxxx.yyyy
jovirkku ( 2019-08-06 10:26:33 +0200 )editThank you very much. Doin the installation in a few minutes. Hope it runs flawlessly :)
NuklearFart ( 2019-08-06 20:45:32 +0200 )editanswered 2019-07-28 13:10:59 +0200
wanted to tell u: i was able to downgrade easily with emma on win 10. worked flawlessly.
Asked: 2019-06-06 19:02:47 +0200
Seen: 3,857 times
Last updated: Aug 17 '19
Related: https://together.jolla.com/question/206441/some-questions-for-xa2-android-and-more/ but no solution yet
lakutalo ( 2019-06-06 20:00:39 +0200 )editI think it should be possible with the Emma Tool, to flash older Android versions.
davidm00r ( 2019-06-06 21:23:02 +0200 )editIt should be documented then. I hope it is.
lakutalo ( 2019-06-06 22:12:42 +0200 )editI got mine XA2 with 9.0 installed but bought it used so I am not sure what was preinstalled. Emma offered me only 8.0 to flash. And it flashed and worked :).
skkayman ( 2019-06-11 15:01:35 +0200 )edit@madel, what do you think about another way like this one
Asmir ( 2019-06-29 22:53:18 +0200 )edit