[Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking/Relocking

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schorschl

Member
Dec 29, 2010
46
6
Hi, i cant get the bbotloader unlocked. I think its because the drivers arent installed properly. I use windows 8 64-bit. I tried all drivers in the first post, also the .exe. But everytime i wanted to unlock the bootloader there only is the message: waiting for device, and nothing happens. I have the phone in the right mode, the blue light is on. I tried running the drivers in the compatibility mode as windows 7, but this doesnt help either. Does anyone have a hint to solve my problem?

windows 8 doesnt ask me where drivers are to be installed, it installed something automatically at first plug in. I couldnt set the drivers like it was said in the first post.

i think it is because of windows 8, i tried everything including to update the drivers via hardwaremanager, but if i enter the directory of the drivers i get the message that no drivers for the device have been found. i think thats a windows 8 problem. so no rooting for me.
 
Last edited:
D

dcoloane

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2006
166
3
Macau
krabappel2548 said:
It MAY void warranty, it really depends on where you live and what is the problem with your device if you return it for repair ;)
If it's hardware failure due to overclocking or unstable custom kernel your warranty will be gone, if it's just your screen or something else that is broken because of faulty hardware, then it shouldn't be a problem.
But you should be able to relock it with a relock ftf :) I'll make one as soon as I have some time to make and test it :p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Great, waiting for your relock BL ftf, thanks
 
DennisDD78

DennisDD78

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2011
482
78
Vladivostok
Can`t decide for myself, to unlock or to not to unlock :( I`ll go crazy with this dilemma. Don`t want to loose DRM keys SO much, but need root SO MUCH! This is really crazy. To unlock and to loose keys it`s very simply, but in the future i will probably need some program or function that works only with DRM keys, and this program or function will not work at all, and it might be an unsolvable problem :( I don`t know what to do...
 
takuhii

takuhii

Senior Member
Dec 12, 2010
874
120
DennisDD78 said:
Can`t decide for myself, to unlock or to not to unlock :( I`ll go crazy with this dilemma. Don`t want to loose DRM keys SO much, but need root SO MUCH! This is really crazy. To unlock and to loose keys it`s very simply, but in the future i will probably need some program or function that works only with DRM keys, and this program or function will not work at all, and it might be an unsolvable problem :( I don`t know what to do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The Xperia Z may be the first phone I choose not to unlock, it depens on how I get on with the Sony version of Android. I don't like SENSE and HATE the HTC version with a passion, i have always unlocked HTC handsets on this basis, so I can get away from Sense (*SPIT* *SPIT*). Hopefully Sony's implementation is a little better and I'll get on with it easier too. If this is the case I won't feel the need to unlock. :laugh:
 
fards

fards

Inactive Recognized Developer
Nov 17, 2005
7,109
1,830
Currently Reverse Engineering 42
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking

If you're undecided then why not wait till a rooting method is around for bootlocked devices?
I'm still trying to find a way in, but have had no success yet. Doesn't mean it's not going to happen though.
I'd like an unlocked bootloader, there's some things in the kernel I'd like to play with, but I can live without it if i can get to root. (I've got a network locked Z :( )

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
 
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V

Vennesch

Senior Member
Dec 1, 2011
400
74
Utrecht
fards said:
If you're undecided then why not wait till a rooting method is around for bootlocked devices?
I'm still trying to find a way in, but have had no success yet. Doesn't mean it's not going to happen though.
I'd like an unlocked bootloader, there's some things in the kernel I'd like to play with, but I can live without it if i can get to root. (I've got a network locked Z :( )

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Would be great if you'll manage to do that. Wouldn't suprise me since you have taken my Dell Streak to a higher level previously, nice to see you here!
 
robogo1982

robogo1982

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2011
2,087
715
Osijek
Huawei Watch GT 3
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking

fards said:
If you're undecided then why not wait till a rooting method is around for bootlocked devices?
I'm still trying to find a way in, but have had no success yet. Doesn't mean it's not going to happen though.
I'd like an unlocked bootloader, there's some things in the kernel I'd like to play with, but I can live without it if i can get to root. (I've got a network locked Z :( )

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess we are rowing the same boat, my friend. :banghead:
 
krabappel2548

krabappel2548

Inactive Recognized Developer
Nov 15, 2011
6,444
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Lommel
fards said:
If you're undecided then why not wait till a rooting method is around for bootlocked devices?
I'm still trying to find a way in, but have had no success yet. Doesn't mean it's not going to happen though.
I'd like an unlocked bootloader, there's some things in the kernel I'd like to play with, but I can live without it if i can get to root. (I've got a network locked Z :( )

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

robogo1982 said:
I guess we are rowing the same boat, my friend. :banghead:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Once there are more people with XZ I'm sure you'll find some testers if you want :)
 
giank30

giank30

Senior Member
Dec 22, 2010
298
28
Can't install XZ drivers

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)
 
Last edited:
schaggo

schaggo

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

Download flashtool beta for the Xperia Z. There is an .exe included which installs both (you have to tick both in the installer) adb drivers as well as fastboot drivers for the Z.
The generic drivers are only applicable to very old android devices (HTC G1, HTC Magic, ...) or Google's own Nexus.
 
S

schorschl

Member
Dec 29, 2010
46
6
@giank30

i had the same problem, i wrote it one or two pages before. I think this is because of windows 8. The drivers arent working with windows 8 right now. Maybe in the future it will work. But if you do find out, how it works, i would apreciate a small message. I didnt figure it out, i tried one hole day.
 
tanoxxx

tanoxxx

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2010
1,731
427
Florence
schaggo said:
Download flashtool beta for the Xperia Z. There is an .exe included which installs both (you have to tick both in the installer) adb drivers as well as fastboot drivers for the Z.
The generic drivers are only applicable to very old android devices (HTC G1, HTC Magic, ...) or Google's own Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hi schaggo
if i install this http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=38388703&postcount=1 i dont need to install manually any drivers? the flashtool install automatically all driver i need to Unlock Bootloader?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
fards

fards

Inactive Recognized Developer
Nov 17, 2005
7,109
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Currently Reverse Engineering 42
Google Pixel 6 Pro
schaggo said:
:( :eek:
Crap, you not being able to fully take advantage of the device is just crap, lol...! Someone shoult get you (and any other talented dev without access to such stuff) an unlockable Z.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

tbh being as I'm sonys developer network I want to see if I can get them to give me a way to unlock it, I can't see why they wouldn't be able to do it :p lets see if it really is a silly publicity title or something usable, saying "you can't" is a bit of a red rag to a bull :p

I did annoy myself by not reading more up on what they were doing with the bootloaders before I got it, but hey ho, we've got past them before
 
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Rchard

Senior Member
Dec 12, 2008
207
33
giank30 said:
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)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Why don't you try on a virtual machine running on the host. My last device and finally got rid of it Samsung Galaxy S III, I was not able
to flash back to stock rom using odin in Win8. So, I installed the drivers on a Win 7 virtual machine and voila it worked. I haven't yet unlocked my
Xperia Z, but I think this method should work.
 
fards

fards

Inactive Recognized Developer
Nov 17, 2005
7,109
1,830
Currently Reverse Engineering 42
Google Pixel 6 Pro
giank30 said:
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)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


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
 
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DooMLoRD

DooMLoRD

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

fards said:
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks! I will add this info to OP...





giank30 said:
It worked perfectly, thank-you :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for confirming that this works

Sent from my LT30p using xda app-developers app
 
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    DooMLoRD
    DooMLoRD
    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.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    DRM keys WILL be lost forever

    schaggo said:
    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.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse


    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.
      Click to expand...
      Click to collapse
    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
    View
    72
    fards
    fards
    giank30 said:
    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)
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse


    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
    View
    39
    DooMLoRD
    DooMLoRD
    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
    View
    6
    DooMLoRD
    DooMLoRD
    Re: [Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking

    yeeson said:
    @DooMLoRD

    Now Xperia Z cannot ROOT, very afflictive！:(
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    I did not follow what you mean...

    Sent from my LT30p using xda app-developers app
    View
    6
    DooMLoRD
    DooMLoRD
    greglord said:
    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 ^^
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    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
    View

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