Z3 sony sol 26 not showing any unlocking menu

[nourbil]

i have a sol26 for unlocking,i have got the codes for it through online server but i dont know how to enter the code, when i insert the sim card it just says no service and not showing any unlocking menu

 

[crustier]

Before making any manipulations in Flashtool be sure that "Unknown sources" is allowed in Security and "USB debugging" is on in Developer menu. Be sure that connection with PC is stable (USB is quite fragile on Xperia devices esp. with time, when flashing anything never interrupt connection) and the PC is always trusted on phone after USB connect.

In the Flashtool Xperifirm download same firmware that you have now (KDDI) but only for Docomo carrier Z3 version phone and install this completely. The last one is Lollipop 5.0.2 (if you are on Kitkat - you can upgrade by installing first KDDI 23.1.G.2.244-Lollipop 5.0.2). Before installing i recommend reset and erase all on device to factory setting. After you install Docomo version put the sim card and unlocking menu appears. I recommend using only Japanese OS versions - because you don't loosing the 32Gb storage, on european version the storage is only 16Gb.
After successful code unlocking the phone function will be open completely forever - so you can even return on KDDI (Au) firmware back and not loosing sim unlock. I personally returned because there's specific japanese neat features which is missing on Docomo version - 1) no Private manager in Security, 2) no Accelerated GPS by Qualcomm in Location and others specific things. Take out sim card and just install downloaded KDDI Lollipop, after all done put sim inside. There's quite serious difference between Docomo & KDDI in phone function - esp. turning off LTE or other data-hungry, it's harder to change 3G to 2G on KDDI - you will need to do that manually in network preference (on Docomo it's much easily in menu).
I think you can easily safe sim unlock and install here a european Android 6 version which is latest, but you will loose 32Gb storage to the 16Gb and there will be no more specific japanese features like Accelerated GPS - which very very very helping with speed of GPS determination (almost on iPhone level, i tested - without it the GPS works much slower).

If you on Kit-kat beware that this all will upgrade you to Lollipop where's no specific KDDI "Face unlock" function anymore, it's deleted in 5.0.2. I want to even return on Kit kat but can't find old firmware file anymore anywhere - the 23.0.C.0.350, i think you can save sim unlock even there, but without Docomo you can't unlock sim and the Docomo is only Lollipop too.
I used Flashtool 0.9.22.3 on Win 7.

 

[crustier]

So, i've tried a different firmwares after unlock.
The KDDI (au) which is most rich by features are not really usable because of fixed number prefix with calling every time. The sim card is recognized, it's ok, but the phone putting a prefix to every number you calling. How to remove that prefix i don't really know, no settings for that, maybe it's need to be rooted and manually do something with code.
there's other models of compatible Z3 firmwares with 32Gb storage:
D6616-USA old
D6646-USA Marshmallow 6.0.1
D6708-USA old
401SO-Japan Android 5.1.1
• 23.1.G.2.244 KDDI 5.0.2 - everything work except call - fixed number prefix. Even step counter works, from version 5 new charging optimization function like in all other Sony smartphones.
• same 5.0.2 Docomo - everything work, call is ok, but no special features like in KDDI, no privacy app manager, no Qualcomm express GPS.
• 23.0.C.0.350 KDDI 4.4.4 - same problem with call prefix, very good battery 8 days.
• 23.5.A.1.291 USA D6646 - 32Gb, NFC not working not tuned for japanese version, Call is ok (everything), GPS is very good & fast, Free Navigon automobile navigation app coming only with this firmware for all Z3 users (it works), step counter not working (Google Fit), bad battery showing - only 3-4 days, for multi-tasking need a root and little code changing (the function to use 2 app windows together is present here in developer but turned off by standard)

I'm not sure yet, but if battery will be really bad on 6.0.1 i will try 5.1.1 for 401SO model, where i think that NFC can work.

 

[crustier]

I deleted Marshmallow, too bad battery, only 3 days on one charge.
I was a fool, the 401SO firmware is also Lollipop 5.0.2, flashed normally but with some dancing of downgrading flashtool, it don't see this ftf even if you put it right, with flashtool back to version 0.9.20.
So, the only 5.1.1 for Z3 with 32Gb is only USA Verizon for D6708, but it's not flashing at all, some error with partition or etc. (i downloaded it by flashtool from Xprefirm).
There's a cumbersome method on japanese site to obtain OTA update for Docomo Lollipop to the Marshmallow, i'm too lazy to test it with all IMEI masking and etc. Standalone Docomo Lollipop even with unlocked SIM are not getting OTA update at all.
Other method which promised also root much easier and i'll try it - it's by putting on top of Docomo version the D6603 Global but with only kernel and system (appslog, cache, data wiped), so flashing 23.0.B.1.59 with 23.0.A.2.93. Not sure about result, but looks interesting.

 

[crustier]

Nah, i've flashed Developer Preview Nougat 7.0, the last one. Working quite good, sim unlock and phone works perfectly. The battery is good, people complained that it's bugged, i've noticed only like 2-3, the NFC not working here and storage only 16Gb, i want to test battery here, very good battery during screen off with that "Doze" function than Marshmallow like not spending a percent at all.
The Music app from Sony even installs here by Google store and it works, even equalizer work, no clear+, but with bass and surround.