[Tutorial] Xperia Z1 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 Z1


this is the official way to unlock bootloader

the bootloader-camera bug has been fixed in the 4.3 update!

Sony confirms bootloader unlock issue on Z1:

Warning! At the moment, unlocking the Xperia™ Z1 boot loader will stop the camera functionality.

http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/supported-devices




WARNING!

MAKE TA BACKUP BEFORE UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER!



After unlocking bootloader the camera can not be used on stock ROM!

Relocking bootloader will NOT help!

Just restore TA, and the camera will work again!




if you want to backup the TA or keep ur DRM keys,first root the 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



regards,

DooMLoRD
 
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=920746



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



Want to UNLOCK again after relocking? read this!
 
Last edited:

yeeson

Senior Member
May 2, 2010
682
113
Shanghai
After unlocking the camera can not be used,Back lock is useless,ust restore TA, the camera can work
 
Last edited:

lzyllp

Senior Member
Dec 30, 2010
601
236
fuzhou
hi mate glad to see u after a long time :)

do u have the Z1?

have u unlocked device?

are you willing to test custom kernel?


if answer to all the above is yes then send me a p.m. ;)

My Z1 coming soon,maybe this night or tomorrow.
custom kernel?after restore TA the phone maybe lock again.How to flash it?
 

jos_031

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2011
395
201
London
I don't think this is a bug, I think they are trying to prevent the customers unlocking their bootloaders.

I think bionz image processor is software emulation of the processor. have to check the device for confirmation. so sony is protecting their algorithm .. just like X-reality/ bravia engine. the bravia engine that we get for unlocked devices are not exact replica of the original one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BRAVIAS

DooMLoRD

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jul 27, 2010
13,187
39,710
Pune
and so it begins!

initial test of DooMKernel on Xperia Z1 :)

thanks to testers!

waiting for the Z1 to release here in India


BUNZkMUCIAAWoE0.png
 

jos_031

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2011
395
201
London
@ doomlord: Do you know any way to enable multiple user in framework... or is there any app for sony to do that
 

gallardo5

Senior Member
Apr 8, 2011
1,023
274
Glasgow
So if I understood fine, restoring backed up TA backup will give you back all the DRM keys wiped during unlocking bootloader, so Bravia Engine and Music ID will work with unlocked bootloader?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 

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  • 86
    Quick tutorial for unlocking & relocking the bootloader of the Xperia Z1


    this is the official way to unlock bootloader

    the bootloader-camera bug has been fixed in the 4.3 update!

    Sony confirms bootloader unlock issue on Z1:

    Warning! At the moment, unlocking the Xperia™ Z1 boot loader will stop the camera functionality.

    http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/supported-devices




    WARNING!

    MAKE TA BACKUP BEFORE UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER!



    After unlocking bootloader the camera can not be used on stock ROM!

    Relocking bootloader will NOT help!

    Just restore TA, and the camera will work again!




    if you want to backup the TA or keep ur DRM keys,first root the 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



    regards,

    DooMLoRD
    22
    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=920746



    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



    Want to UNLOCK again after relocking? read this!
    8
    I unlocked without doing a TA backup. (Stupid me, yesyes i know)
    yes
    So I'm in a ****ty situation.
    Not really, not anymore
    Does this 4.3 update somehow get my camera back?
    yes
    You read
    7
    new driver package uploaded!



    Supports Xperia Z1 Compact, Z Ultra (including WiFi only) & Z1 !


    NEW:

    Flashtool Driver pack v1.2 - 20140204


    OLD:

    Flashtool Driver pack v1.1 - 20130911
    6
    Was speaking with a Sony rep the other day who told me when asked about the bootloader breaking the camera he was saying Sony are really worried about their software being out in the open and really don't want their phones getting rooted / modified.

    That's pretty much what he said to the letter, so not sure who he knows in Sony or not but he seemed pretty sure.

    Just hope he's wrong about it, I put across my opinion and said that I think Sony are shooting themselves in the foot by letting this phone out in the wild with a broken unlock, I believe it's intentional, I think they want it to be exclusively Sony Software for as long as they can have it, in the hope that we will like it and want it to stay.

    But the bottom line is one way or another it'll get done, if Sony stick to their guns and don't allow the use of the camera after an unlock then this will be my first and final Sony, not to mention that a lot of other people would probably follow suit, but I don't think they're that stupid and i'm guessing that the camera will work from the next update, just wish they'd move their backsides about it.