[Tutorial] Xperia S/P/U/Sola Bootloader Unlocking & Relocking

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. SE/Sony gives sneak-peaks/preview builds of latest OS which requires unlocked bootloaders, as they did with Xperia 2011 line (they had ICS alpha/beta), so who knows may be SE/Sony may give early builds of ICS (JellyBean???)

• 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
• 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

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.

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3. after u have verified that u can unlock bootloader, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Continue"
4. you will get "are u sure prompt" accept it by clicking "yes i am sure" (i assume that u have read an understood it)
5. then accept the "legal terms"
6. 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
7. You should now receive your unique unlock key, its displayed on screen, SAVE THIS KEY SAFELY
8. Extract fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar and open fastboot folder
9. Hold SHIFT and right click on the background of the folder
10. Select 'Open command window here'
11. 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)
12. In the cmd windows type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version
13. If a value is returned (it will return 0.5), it means the phone is correctly connected
14. Type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY and replace KEY with the key which u received earlier.
15. You're device should now be bootloader unlocked

chesterr said:

yea I guess it's pointless locking back the BOOTLOADER but I think with the unofficial way, they know or they have registered the serial key or IMEI which you won't be able to update it to ICS via SEUS or PcCompaninon. Either way like you said, we can use the FTF files to update it to ICS. and I saw when the run ICS on Arc S and Play, I saw that they had to unlock the bootloader to install alpha ICS and it was mentioned there that you might face lotta troubles when you update it to the official ICS, so I'm gonna wait till it gets official ICS cause it'll be out very soon like end of the March.

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