[Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking/Relocking

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DooMLoRD

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jul 27, 2010
13,187
39,710
Pune
Quick tutorial for unlocking & relocking the bootloader of the Xperia Z & ZL.


this is the official way to unlock bootloader




if you want to keep ur DRM keys, first root device and then check this out




Warning!

This procedure will wipe the /data partition of your phone, so you will loose all ur stored data, settings. SDCARD will BE WIPED!!!

For Xperia™ devices released 2013 or later (for example Xperia™ Z and Xperia™ ZL), the SD card of your device will be formatted and you will lose all content (for example photos, music, videos) when you unlock the boot loader.

DRM keys WILL be lost forever

I'd add what losing DRM keys means, e.g. no more Music ID/Gracenote within the Walkman app plus probably most importantly, as asked all the time and all over the place in the T/mint forums: loss of Bravia Engine.


older Xperia devices sometimes got issues after unlock of bootloader (BRICK after FOTA update) - you have been warned



why to unlock bootloader?

  1. u can flash custom ROMs/Kernels
  2. u dont need to worry if the new firmware can be rooted or not as with unlocked bootloader u can always ROOT ur device
  3. Sony gives sneak-peaks/preview builds of latest OS which requires unlocked bootloaders, as they did with Xperia 2011/2012 line, so who knows may be Sony may give early builds of next android OS ;)



Most of this is taken from lollylost100's his tutorial from ARC thread (all credits for that concise tutorial go to him, i have elaborated on a few things and added device specific changes)


btw i dont have this device, most of this testing was done remotely on a users phone... so thanks a lot to him for helping out!!!


[ before we begin unlocking bootloader ]

  • get the IMEI code for ur device: type *#06# in phone dialer to find it out, note only the digits (no dashes)
  • download the fastboot package
  • IMPORTANT: if you are using Windows 8 you will need to enable few things to allow driver installation
  • download the latest FlashTool Xperia Driver Pack and install fastboot drivers (common) & adb drivers for this device from the list!
  • make sure u have a windows PC with USB cable to connect the phone
  • power down ur phone and keeping the Volume Up button pressed connect the USB cable to PC this will trigger FASTBOOT mode and windows will start driver installation, which should be automatically done
  • once drivers are installed just disconnect cable and power on device


[ how to unlock ] (official way)

  1. Go to: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/ and read everything!
  2. At the bottom click 'Start Unlocking the Bootloader'
    First, you should confirm that it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your phone by checking the service menu. In your phone, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.

    In your phone, tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.
  3. after u have verified that u can unlock bootloader, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Continue"
  4. you will get numerous prompts, read all info and if u agree click on "Accept"/"OK"/"Proceed"
  5. finally u will get a "Create Unlock request" page, enter your IMEI (sometimes the last digit needs to be removed for this to work), name and email address
  6. You should now receive your unique unlock key via EMAIL, SAVE THIS KEY SAFELY
  7. Extract fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar and open fastboot folder
  8. Hold SHIFT and right click on the background of the folder
  9. Select 'Open command window here'
  10. Connect your phone in fastboot mode (turn phone off, hold Volume UP button and plug in USB Cable) [make sure drivers are installed as explained above)
  11. In the cmd windows type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version
  12. If a value is returned (it will return 0.5), it means the phone is correctly connected
  13. Type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY and replace KEY with the key which u received earlier.
  14. You're device should now be bootloader unlocked


If this tutorial is too much for you then itskapil wrote a step-by-step guide (and recorded a video also):
-Instructions: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-unlock-bootloader-xperia-arc-play-neo-pro/
-Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRH3pC7MhEA
(the above videos and some steps are for Xperia 2011 devices, but most the steps are same for Xperia Z)




Relock procedure is posted here
 
Last edited:

DooMLoRD

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jul 27, 2010
13,187
39,710
Pune
Relocking bootloader

With the latest release of Flashtool it is now possible to relock bootloader.

Download the latest flashtool from:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2162907



Important

DO NOT USE ANY FTF TO RELOCK BOOTLOADER! THOSE OLD FTFs DO NOT WORK FOR THE 2013 DEVICES!!!


before u relock bootloader u have to be on pure stock kernel (flash only the kernel.sin using flashtool), else the device WILL NOT BOOT after relock



Steps:

  1. now start Flashtool and click on BLU button
  2. u will be asked to connect device in flashmode
  3. once u connect the device u will get a prompt to "Relock"
  4. click on it and when prompted disconnect the device
 
Last edited:

yeeson

Senior Member
May 2, 2010
682
113
Shanghai
Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

Nice,Very good!

Sent from my L36h using Tapatalk 2

---------- Post added at 02:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 AM ----------

@DooMLoRD


When can Xperia Z get root permission?
 
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Flashben

Senior Member
Oct 12, 2010
303
24
Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

Will try out this once I got my hand on the phone

Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
 
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DooMLoRD

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jul 27, 2010
13,187
39,710
Pune
Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

Nice,Very good!

Sent from my L36h using Tapatalk 2

---------- Post added at 02:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 AM ----------

@DooMLoRD


When can Xperia Z get root permission?

Soon I am doing some testing with one of the users... Just one small thing left... Once that's cleared we will have root (unlocked bootloader devices only)... Even recovery :)

Sent from my LT30p using xda app-developers app
 

schaggo

Senior Member
Jan 16, 2008
2,623
826
Zürich
DooM, I'd add what losing DRM keys means, e.g. no more Music ID/Gracenote within the Walkman app plus probably most importantly, as asked all the time and all over the place in the T/mint forums: loss of Bravia Engine.
 

hypnz

Senior Member
Feb 19, 2011
645
207
Απ: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

DooM, I'd add what losing DRM keys means, e.g. no more Music ID/Gracenote within the Walkman app plus probably most importantly, as asked all the time and all over the place in the T/mint forums: loss of Bravia Engine.

Sony is very community friendly as I can see...
 

schaggo

Senior Member
Jan 16, 2008
2,623
826
Zürich
AW: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

Probably protection of their intellectual property which is, admittedly, very cool.
Question: you only have BE on stock. If you stay on stock anyway, why unlock?

Anyway, no flaming and trolling here. That was not the point. Sony is cool and community friendly as ****.
 
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diemadedrei

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2012
692
258
OnePlus 6
Google Pixel 6 Pro
AW: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

So we are only talking about Sony software here that won't work with unlocked bootloader, right? And BE isn't more than a little screen calibration, is it? I mean the screen will still look awesome without it!?

Sent from my SGSII CM10.1
 

DooMLoRD

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jul 27, 2010
13,187
39,710
Pune
So we are only talking about Sony software here that won't work with unlocked bootloader, right? And BE isn't more than a little screen calibration, is it? I mean the screen will still look awesome without it!?

Sent from my SGSII CM10.1

honestly i am a bit skeptical if BE actually gets disabled... cause from what we tested the user said he did not notice any difference...
 

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  • 148
    Quick tutorial for unlocking & relocking the bootloader of the Xperia Z & ZL.


    this is the official way to unlock bootloader




    if you want to keep ur DRM keys, first root device and then check this out




    Warning!

    This procedure will wipe the /data partition of your phone, so you will loose all ur stored data, settings. SDCARD will BE WIPED!!!

    For Xperia™ devices released 2013 or later (for example Xperia™ Z and Xperia™ ZL), the SD card of your device will be formatted and you will lose all content (for example photos, music, videos) when you unlock the boot loader.

    DRM keys WILL be lost forever

    I'd add what losing DRM keys means, e.g. no more Music ID/Gracenote within the Walkman app plus probably most importantly, as asked all the time and all over the place in the T/mint forums: loss of Bravia Engine.


    older Xperia devices sometimes got issues after unlock of bootloader (BRICK after FOTA update) - you have been warned



    why to unlock bootloader?

    1. u can flash custom ROMs/Kernels
    2. u dont need to worry if the new firmware can be rooted or not as with unlocked bootloader u can always ROOT ur device
    3. Sony gives sneak-peaks/preview builds of latest OS which requires unlocked bootloaders, as they did with Xperia 2011/2012 line, so who knows may be Sony may give early builds of next android OS ;)



    Most of this is taken from lollylost100's his tutorial from ARC thread (all credits for that concise tutorial go to him, i have elaborated on a few things and added device specific changes)


    btw i dont have this device, most of this testing was done remotely on a users phone... so thanks a lot to him for helping out!!!


    [ before we begin unlocking bootloader ]

    • get the IMEI code for ur device: type *#06# in phone dialer to find it out, note only the digits (no dashes)
    • download the fastboot package
    • IMPORTANT: if you are using Windows 8 you will need to enable few things to allow driver installation
    • download the latest FlashTool Xperia Driver Pack and install fastboot drivers (common) & adb drivers for this device from the list!
    • make sure u have a windows PC with USB cable to connect the phone
    • power down ur phone and keeping the Volume Up button pressed connect the USB cable to PC this will trigger FASTBOOT mode and windows will start driver installation, which should be automatically done
    • once drivers are installed just disconnect cable and power on device


    [ how to unlock ] (official way)

    1. Go to: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/ and read everything!
    2. At the bottom click 'Start Unlocking the Bootloader'
      First, you should confirm that it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your phone by checking the service menu. In your phone, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.

      In your phone, tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.
    3. after u have verified that u can unlock bootloader, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Continue"
    4. you will get numerous prompts, read all info and if u agree click on "Accept"/"OK"/"Proceed"
    5. finally u will get a "Create Unlock request" page, enter your IMEI (sometimes the last digit needs to be removed for this to work), name and email address
    6. You should now receive your unique unlock key via EMAIL, SAVE THIS KEY SAFELY
    7. Extract fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar and open fastboot folder
    8. Hold SHIFT and right click on the background of the folder
    9. Select 'Open command window here'
    10. Connect your phone in fastboot mode (turn phone off, hold Volume UP button and plug in USB Cable) [make sure drivers are installed as explained above)
    11. In the cmd windows type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version
    12. If a value is returned (it will return 0.5), it means the phone is correctly connected
    13. Type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY and replace KEY with the key which u received earlier.
    14. You're device should now be bootloader unlocked


    If this tutorial is too much for you then itskapil wrote a step-by-step guide (and recorded a video also):
    -Instructions: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-unlock-bootloader-xperia-arc-play-neo-pro/
    -Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRH3pC7MhEA
    (the above videos and some steps are for Xperia 2011 devices, but most the steps are same for Xperia Z)




    Relock procedure is posted here
    72
    Maybe i've some other drivers installed... but when i boot my XZ in fastboot (holding vol+ and plugging usb) nothing happens (i only hear windows sound of some peripherial attached).
    So probably i didn't installed the right drivers.
    Is there any way to move from where I'm stucked?
    Thanks for helping.

    EDIT

    I can see the S1Boot Fastboot driver (whit the yellow tringle) in Resources Manager but cannot update the driver even pointing to the USB_DRIVERS folder.
    Any suggestion? (I'm running WIN8 64bit)


    You may need to set the drivers up using testmode in win8 x64 I have them working on mine fine

    Press windowsKey + R
    type/paste
    Code:
    shutdown -o -r -t 0
    into the box, this will restart your machine in the advanced startup menu.

    when it restarts choose "disable driver signing" Then install the driver manually using the "have disk" option. when you reboot again the driver should be working.


    you can also permanently turn off driver signing if you want and run in test mode with the following

    Code:
    bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
    bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

    to disable all that you set the ENABLE and OFF

    Code:
    bcdedit -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
    bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF
    39
    Relocking bootloader

    With the latest release of Flashtool it is now possible to relock bootloader.

    Download the latest flashtool from:
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2162907



    Important

    DO NOT USE ANY FTF TO RELOCK BOOTLOADER! THOSE OLD FTFs DO NOT WORK FOR THE 2013 DEVICES!!!


    before u relock bootloader u have to be on pure stock kernel (flash only the kernel.sin using flashtool), else the device WILL NOT BOOT after relock



    Steps:

    1. now start Flashtool and click on BLU button
    2. u will be asked to connect device in flashmode
    3. once u connect the device u will get a prompt to "Relock"
    4. click on it and when prompted disconnect the device
    6
    Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

    @DooMLoRD

    Now Xperia Z cannot ROOT, very afflictive!:(

    I did not follow what you mean...

    Sent from my LT30p using xda app-developers app
    6
    I really suggest to author of this topic to ADD INFO ON HOW TO BACKUP TA if you ever want to go back to LOCKED BOOTLOADER.

    Not, like me, having read this topic, I just unlocked everything without backing up DRM keys and what not. So, thanks f****g alot ^^

    The reason why that info is not included is that it's still experimental... And playing with the phones TA area is VERY RISKY... The device can be hard bricked... What would u prefer? A bricked device or lost DRM?

    Sent from my LT30p using xda app-developers app