[Tutorial] Xperia devices Bootloader Unlocking/Relocking

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pTeronaut

Senior Member
May 28, 2012
711
217
Lafayette, IN
saijm4444 said:
I read and reread the instructions, and everywhere it's mentioned that I WILL LOSE DRM KEYS
Question, I've backed up TA Partition
Can I safely unlock bootlader, and then restore TA Partition on top of UNLOCKED Bootloader, get back all the Bravia Engine and stuff?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you restore the TA partition you will RELOCK THE BOOTLOADER meaning that if the kernel or ROM that you unlocked the bootloader in order to install requires an unlocked bootloader your Z Ultra WILL NOT BOOT.

Besides, bravia engine only works on stock ROM or a custom variant which don't require unlocking the bootloader to install, so why do you want to unlock it ?
 
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saijm4444

Member
Sep 26, 2013
33
3
Vellore
I am trying to flash a custom kernel, specifically Zombie kernel.

---------- Post added at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 AM ----------
pTeronaut said:
if you restore the TA partition you will RELOCK THE BOOTLOADER meaning that if the kernel or ROM that you unlocked the bootloader in order to install requires an unlocked bootloader your Z Ultra WILL NOT BOOT.

Besides, bravia engine only works on stock ROM or a custom variant which don't require unlocking the bootloader to install, so why do you want to unlock it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I am trying to flash a custom kernel, specifically Zombie kernel. I read that you need unlocked bootloader for that.
 
W

westlandmb

Member
Jan 4, 2014
31
5
I don't know if i'm the only one with the unlocking problem, but i got it fixed now. I have installed on a stock Xperia SP CM12.1 with Tangerine kernel v2.3.

I did the following steps:
- Root with towelroot
- Get unlocking bootloader code at Sony website
- Get all the right drivers installed
- Start phone in fastboot by conecting it to USB and press volume up. Also using flashtool!!
- Unlock bootloader by flashtool
- Flash kernel+cwm with flashtool (.elf file)
- Open CWM/phillz, disconnect from computer
- Flash rom/supersu/gapps from sd card with crm/phillz etc.

That worked for me.
 
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Micheal86

Micheal86

Senior Member
Mar 29, 2012
725
160
westlandmb said:
I don't know if i'm the only one with the unlocking problem, but i got it fixed now. I have installed on a stock Xperia SP CM12.1 with Tangerine kernel v2.3.

I did the following steps:

- Start phone in fastboot by conecting it to USB and press volume up. Also using flashtool!!
- Unlock bootloader by flashtool

That worked for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for sharing.
I can`t unlock bootloader (ZU -C6802). I`m using latest version of Flashtool.
I`ve some doubts.
1.Which device you have ?
2. Flashtool Version ?
would you share the details from device connecting step. (as you have said that you connected your device in Fastboot mode, but flashtool always ask to connect the device in flashmode after clicking the BLU menu. I`ve tried Fastboot mode too as you did, but nothing happened).

Thank you once again.
 
mironkraft

mironkraft

Senior Member
Jan 6, 2013
65
2
is tehre any news if it is posible to open by yourself the booloader at the status of NO? in the case of xperia u, s and p variants?
 
aidy.lucas

aidy.lucas

Senior Member
Oct 8, 2014
1,859
608
mironkraft said:
is tehre any news if it is posible to open by yourself the booloader at the status of NO? in the case of xperia u, s and p variants?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Only way round that is to change the device to one that says bootloader unlock allowed yes

D2303 5.1 lollipop customised NCB rooted de-bloated LB t2u nut dual recovery bravia engine 2+x-reality+supervivid
 
petjacz

petjacz

Senior Member
Jan 22, 2014
150
21
If i have phone in some StateA (configured, rooted), after i unlock BL, is it possible to have my phone again in StateA e.g. via Flashtool when flashing the same FW without wipe?
Thanks, P.
 
alex__sp

alex__sp

Senior Member
May 4, 2011
223
51
Buenos Aires
How to know which versions are bootloader uncocked?

Hey,

I'm looking to buy a Xperia Z5 to replace my ZL. My ZL was bought in a phone carrier and its bootloader cannot be unlocked.

Are unlocked international versions always unlockable? I don't wanna spend my money on a phone that cannot be unlocked again.

Thanks a lot.
 
mohtabbaa

mohtabbaa

Member
Oct 15, 2015
47
13
Damascus
alex__sp said:
Hey,

I'm looking to buy a Xperia Z5 to replace my ZL. My ZL was bought in a phone carrier and its bootloader cannot be unlocked.

Are unlocked international versions always unlockable? I don't wanna spend my money on a phone that cannot be unlocked again.

Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No my phone is international and its unlockable.
*#*#7378423#*#* in the dialer go service info>configuration bootloader unlock: yes
You can unlock it
 
alex__sp

alex__sp

Senior Member
May 4, 2011
223
51
Buenos Aires
mohtabbaa said:
No my phone is international and its unlockable.
*#*#7378423#*#* in the dialer go service info>configuration bootloader unlock: yes
You can unlock it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You mean you were able to unlock it then. So yeah I would assume that any international version is unlockable otherwise it wouldn't make any sense.

I should check it out in a Sony Store.

Thanks.
 
A

a_wolfie

Member
May 28, 2014
31
4
Ashland, OH
I have a Z2 with LB. I have rooted it and am using eXistenZ ROM. I now want to unlock my bootloader. Do I first have to go to a stock ROM before unlocking?
 
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    DooMLoRD
    DooMLoRD
    Quick tutorial for unlocking & relocking the bootloader for most Xperia devices


    this is the official way to unlock bootloader


    This will work on:
    • Xperia 2011 devices - Arc, Play, Neo, etc
    • Xperia 2012 devices - S, Ion, T, V, etc
    • Xperia 2013 devices - Z1, Z Ultra, Z, Tablet Z, etc




    DooMLoRD said:
    Special note for Xperia Z1


    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 (this is for Xperia Z but MAY work on Z1)
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse





    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 with usb drivers (alternate drivers if the ones in package dont work OR this)
    • IMPORTANT: if you are using Windows 8 you will need to enable few things to allow driver installation
    • 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, extract the above package and point the driver install to that location (usb_driver) folder
    • 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



    regards,

    DooMLoRD
    View
    20
    DooMLoRD
    DooMLoRD
    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
    2
    gregbradley
    gregbradley
    ankitsxperiago said:
    if i unlock my Xperia Z Ultra's bootloader ,will all the data will be lost??? or it will be left untouched
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse
    bodega1968 said:
    dear ankitsxperiago,
    unlocking your bootloader, in principle does not erase your data (at least the internal and SD card data), unless you do something else besides what is indicated in the device-specific procedures available in xdadevelopers or other websites. This is a process that only 'unlocks' a security measure placed by the manufacturer. Unfortunately, there are some devices (like mine - really sucks) that doesn't allow unlocking, due to some hardware settings. but if your devices indicates that you may unlock it, then all the best.
    cheers,
    bod
    :highfive:
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Incorrect, unlocking the bootloader will format the internal storage
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    1
    R
    rahulk23
    thanks dude i think relocking bootloader is simple compared to unlocking bootloader processor thank you once again
    View
    1
    Dzepar
    Dzepar
    Mohamed Elhadad said:
    can lock and unlock done by flashtool
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse
    Yes, you'll need unlock code from Sony and follow instructions in Flashtool.

    Good Luck.

    Sent from my D2303 using Tapatalk
    View

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