Guide [for beginners] - How To Unlock Bootloader via Flashtool

[sid.8491]

I am assuming your phone can be bootloader unlocked and you have unlocking key from sony.
If you don't know then refer to this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1527159

WARNING: IT WILL WIPE YOUR PHONE DATA SO MAKE BACKUP

1. Install Flashboot and Fastboot drivers of Flashtool (setup file will be on C:\Flashtool\drivers or similar place).
2. Turn on your phone, and connect with usb debugging on.
3. Go to Plugins-> Bootloader Unlock option, start it.
4. Now it will ask to disconnect your phone and reboot in FLASHMODE.
5. Again reboot your phone in FASTBOOT mode.
6. It will show a window with your IMEI number, insert your unlock key and click "unlock".
7. The device will reboot and you are done!

FLASHMODE
You can get into flashmode by pressing specific hardware key and connecting phone to pc via USB.
It will glow GREEN LIGHT on led if done correctly.

Hardware key-
Back Button (X8, X10, X10 mini, X10 mini pro, Play, Arc, Arc S, Neo, Neo V, Pro)
Volume Down Button (Xperia U,P,S,Sola)

FASTBOOT Mode
You get into fastboot mode by turning off your phone, then pressing the fastboot mode key button, and connecting the USB to your phone. Done correctly and you should see a BLUE LIGHT on the power button.

Hardware key-
Menu Botton (Xperia Arc, Arc S, Neo, Neo V, Pro)
Volume Up Botton (Xperia U,P,S,Sola)

 

[Karim Kahale]

Should the phone be turned off in flashmode??

 

[sid.8491]

Should the phone be turned off in flashmode??

yes, turn off your phone then connect USB while pressing specific key.
same applies for fastboot method

 

[Karim Kahale]

When I am installing drivers, I am getting "don't install or install anyway", I choose install anyway but the same window comes up again. Should my phone be turned on, off or in flashmode or something?

 

[sid.8491]

When I am installing drivers, I am getting "don't install or install anyway", I choose install anyway but the same window comes up again. Should my phone be turned on, off or in flashmode or something?

it asked me 3-4 times and i chose "install anyway", and phone doesn't need to be connected while installing drivers.

 

[Karim Kahale]

I got an error in last step : Failed (remote: oem unlock failed ). This happened to me too when i used the official way to unlock my sony xperia p. Can someone help?

 

[sid.8491]

I got an error in last step : Failed (remote: oem unlock failed ). This happened to me too when i used the official way to unlock my sony xperia p. Can someone help?

did u check that your device can be unlocked or not?

 

[Karim Kahale]

Yes I checked, it can be unlocked

 

[MySteRi]

If you have installed Flashtools and its drivers correct you shouldn't get any driver prompts when plugging the phone in

Assuming you did a default install browse to C:\Flashtool\drivers and execute the drivers file. Make sure you select the drivers for you phone ie "Xperia U" and scroll to the bottom of the list and select Flashboot and Fastboot drivers. From what I have seen so far most people are not installing these 3 drivers.

karimkahale: I would go back to the Sony website and get your unlock code again. Maybe you entered some wrong details...

 

[Utkarsh-ezzo]

Please help me out,
when I am trying to install fastboot drivers from flashtools drivers folder, I am getting an error saying driver installation failed.
My os is windows 8 pro 64bit..My phone Xperia U (ICS)
What should I do.

 

[Rajul]

Please help me out,
when I am trying to install fastboot drivers from flashtools drivers folder, I am getting an error saying driver installation failed.
My os is windows 8 pro 64bit..My phone Xperia U (ICS)
What should I do.

Trouble shoot compatibility

Sent from my ST25i using Tapatalk 2

 

[Utkarsh-ezzo]

Trouble shoot compatibility

Sent from my ST25i using Tapatalk 2

Successfully installed Fastboot driver on windows 8 (Used Advance Startup for installing unsigned drivers)through Flashtools and also unlocked bootloader..
Accidently lost all data as unlocking bootloader wipes data...forgot to take a backup but m happy.

 

[DaRk-L0rD]

Thank you for this tutorial mate!

 

[johnchua]

It's better if we can get unlock key from flashtool

Sent from my MT27i using xda premium

 

[Mizo_elgabry]

Thanks a million, but would my warranty be void immediately after I unlock the bootloader, what's the regulation about this matter, I'd like to keep my warranty.

---------- Post added at 10:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 AM ----------

If i relocked the boot loader the warranty wouldn't be void, right?

 

[someone755]

Not quite;
It all depends on your repairman...
The standard, though, is, that the warranty is valid if the guys at the repair center can flash a stock ROM (.ftf) onto the phone. Some phones can do this without their bootloader being locked, but some can't do this after their bootloaders are unlocked, even if they are locked back afterwards...


Now, I have a question:
I'm having the same error as karimkahale...
Whatever I do, I get that stupid error, and not even Sony can help me (their support team (that needs a week to reply to a simple e-mail) said that thy don't know how to help)...!

 

[CosmicDance]

Thanks a lot for the guide, it was really helpful!

Cheers!

 

[rachinda]

Relock the Bootloader

Can we relock the boot loader using flash tool???

 

[someone755]

Can we relock the boot loader using flash tool???

You have to, actually....
To relock, you need to flash a ftf file via FlashTool...

 

[DeepMemory]

Help me I can't seem to choose unlock bootloader from the plugin button?