Database Develop

[Q] Flashing ROM + Bootloader Xperia T

Hey guys, I am fairly new to the android phones, (recently came from an iPhone) but I had heard so much about the freedoms with the Android os so I decided to switch.
I purchased the Sony Xperia T (LT30a) locked on the Bell mobility LTE network. I have really wanted to unlock the bootloader, so when I went in to check it said "Bootloader Unlock Allowed: NO". after some searching I read that it was my carrier preventing the bootloader from being unlocked, and that if I followed the following simple steps, it would change the message to :"Bootloader Unlock Allowed: YES". so here is what I did:
1. Flashed a Generic firmware to my phone (ICS it was a uk generic) which then changed my model number in "About phone" from LT30a to LT30p and removed all the bell branding.
2. Using an IMEI number, i was able to get an unlock code and unlocked the phones sim card to work on any network, and have tested and it does work.
the problem I am having is that even after doing this, the bootloader is still "locked" and can not be unlocked. I have taken a look at the methods for the test pin, but that involves removing the battery to view the motherboard, which sucks because this phone the battery is not removable. if anyone know a free or paid way to unlock the bootloader on the Xperia T LT30a or LT30p models, please let me know! thanks.

I dont know where you read that, but it is wrong and there is no way to change that message.
If it says no, then your bootloader can not be unlocked.
Its not Sony's fault, its not googles fault, its Bells fault for being a dev unfriendly provider.
Test point method will not work even if we could remove the battery, that loophole has been closed in 2012 devices.

gregbradley said:
I dont know where you read that, but it is wrong and there is no way to change that message.
If it says no, then your bootloader can not be unlocked.
Its not Sony's fault, its not googles fault, its Bells fault for being a dev unfriendly provider.
Test point method will not work even if we could remove the battery, that loophole has been closed in 2012 devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok well thank you very much! I guess my next question is.. is there any way at all to install a custom ROM such as cyanogen mod 10 ? or if you know of any better ones while my bootloader is locked?

Robe8691 said:
ok well thank you very much! I guess my next question is.. is there any way at all to install a custom ROM such as cyanogen mod 10 ? or if you know of any better ones while my bootloader is locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can only install stock based custom roms because you wony be able to flash a custom kernel with a locked bootloader. Therefore there is no hope for cyanogenmod, AOKP or MUIU
There are several in the Dev section to choose from, ranging from early ICS firmwares to the latest JB firmware.
I dont recommend Roms (Even my own) as choosing a rom should be a personal thing, but the I am currently on Timin8rs rooted and deodexed JB rom which you can flash.
You will need to root your phone in order to flash a recovery, then flash the .zip for the rom using that recovery.
Find all instructions for doing that in the All in one thread. Its the first thread in the Q&A section.
good luck and if you need extra help after reading up on what you need to do then ask. But remember to read up first!

gregbradley said:
You can only install stock based custom roms because you wony be able to flash a custom kernel with a locked bootloader. Therefore there is no hope for cyanogenmod, AOKP or MUIU
There are several in the Dev section to choose from, ranging from early ICS firmwares to the latest JB firmware.
I dont recommend Roms (Even my own) as choosing a rom should be a personal thing, but the I am currently on Timin8rs rooted and deodexed JB rom which you can flash.
You will need to root your phone in order to flash a recovery, then flash the .zip for the rom using that recovery.
Find all instructions for doing that in the All in one thread. Its the first thread in the Q&A section.
good luck and if you need extra help after reading up on what you need to do then ask. But remember to read up first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much! hopefully sometime in the near future they come out with a way to fix this problem, and believe me, I do not blame sony at all for this

Sorry for the double post! But I just wanted to say, that if anyone needs help testing different roms and/or ways of unlocking a locked bootloader, I do have a sim unlocked xperia T and just wanted to throw this out, but if sony does not "perma lock" the bootloader, and if it is infact the carrier, then would this not prove that it is sonething in the firmware? I spoke with my sister who is a manager for a bell store here, acording to her, Bell is not authorized to open, or attempt to fix this phone, it is simply sent to sony for repairs.. Just makes me wonder because if Bell can not open the phone, then they must have used some sort of software.. I have always thought of software as "semi-permenant" that it can be reversed , and that its only a matter of figuring out how to reverse it?
Sent from my LT30p using xda app-developers app

[Q] Bootloader and Rooting - which one does what?

Hello,
I just got my new Xperia Z having used my ancient Iphone 1G for the last 4 years and I have no experience with Android and anything related to it what so ever. I've spent the last 2 days tirelessly working my way through various forums, guides, wikis to get an idea what I'm dealing with here and where to start, but there's an important decision that I could really use your thoughts and tips on.
After reading up on it, I decided I want to root my phone and this seems to be somehow connected to unlocking the bootloader and this is where I'm worried. I read the guide on how to unlock the bootloader and the warning about losing DRM Keys and the consequences of this scared me away from it. Now I'm left wondering, and this is my actual question here:
What is the difference between unlocking the bootloader and rooting my phone and simply rooting without unlocking the bootloader?
And in case the things I want to do are only available with an unlocked bootloader: how damaging is it to lose DRM keys and therefore the bravia engine and gracenote? What made you decided for or against unlocking the bootloader?
Thanks!

Hi,
maybe I can help you.
Bootloader is like the BIOS of a PC. It checks everything at start up.
Locked Bootloader only allows to run the Stock FW and in this case the DRM-Keys are working (everything is checked and safe)
Unlock the Bootloader means you were able to install an modified / other FW and then you loose the DRM-Keys (the manufacturer hasn´t checked the FW and it is in the eyes of an manufacturer "not safe". You will also loose your warranty.
If you unlock the bootloader Root is always possible as I know.
In this case the system is not from the manufacturer and unofficial modification could be done to the system. Normally all modified Systems have Root access. So you were able to do things that the manufacturer has normally not allowed. Modify system files or something like that. Also it could be possible to copy for example a downloaded and payed movie to another device. This is why you were not able to download a movie on the Play Store if you have root. On a locked bootloader the FW (system) does not give you the possibility to copy the movie to an other device and everything is "safe" (from the view of companies). No illegal copies are possible. (DRM-Keys)
Since some days Root is also possible on a locked bootloader.
The bootloader is checking the status (locked) .. then checking the FW (stock) ... DRM-Keys still valid.
But due to the root access you were also able to modify system files and apps can recognize that you have root access. So you can still use the bravia engine for example (DRM-Keys are ok). But the Google Play Store will still recognize that you have root and will not let you download movies.
This is my experience with Root ... If something is not correct, please correct me

UserX10 said:
Hi,
maybe I can help you.
Bootloader is like the BIOS of a PC. It checks everything at start up.
Locked Bootloader only allows to run the Stock FW and in this case the DRM-Keys are working (everything is checked and safe)
Unlock the Bootloader means you were able to install an modified / other FW and then you loose the DRM-Keys (the manufacturer hasn´t checked the FW and it is in the eyes of an manufacturer "not safe". You will also loose your warranty.
If you unlock the bootloader Root is always possible as I know.
In this case the system is not from the manufacturer and unofficial modification could be done to the system. Normally all modified Systems have Root access. So you were able to do things that the manufacturer has normally not allowed. Modify system files or something like that. Also it could be possible to copy for example a downloaded and payed movie to another device. This is why you were not able to download a movie on the Play Store if you have root. On a locked bootloader the FW (system) does not give you the possibility to copy the movie to an other device and everything is "safe" (from the view of companies). No illegal copies are possible. (DRM-Keys)
Since some days Root is also possible on a locked bootloader.
The bootloader is checking the status (locked) .. then checking the FW (stock) ... DRM-Keys still valid.
But due to the root access you were also able to modify system files and apps can recognize that you have root access. So you can still use the bravia engine for example (DRM-Keys are ok). But the Google Play Store will still recognize that you have root and will not let you download movies.
This is my experience with Root ... If something is not correct, please correct me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks a lot for your reply, helped me understand the difference of both better!
If I only root but do not unlock my bootloader will I be able to do anything other than using custom firmware (ROMs)? Will I be able to install Apps that require root or install custom modification like the ones offered on this forum that need to be "flashed in recovery" if I only root not unlock my bootloader?
Also, still looking for some pros and cons (my second question in the original post).
Appreciate all your help!

root will give you access to recovery (in time - still in development) and you can install apps that require root access
custom mods - yes you can install them via recovery and some can be installed with root access and without recovery
if u unlock bootloader you will lose bravia engine not sure bout gracenote as i dont use it
you can check this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2154310 too see what have people wrote bout
rooting with unlocked bootloader

The main thing pointing me towards unlocking bootloader (I'm already rooted on locked bootloader) is being able to install kernels and major roms.
For example, you could flash Doomlords kernel and over clock the processor a bit, but you could also reduce power and save battery
The major roms I speak of are the ones that are kinda cross device: CyanogenMod and Paranoid Android to name 2. CM is based on pure android, no Sony changes so we can't flash that on locked bootloaders as it requires changing kernel. PA is same.
As for the downsides. I'm not too bothered about DRM keys. I use Spotify for music so don't think I need gracenote. Never watched a movie on my phone. BE2 isn't my cup of tea... Over saturates everything.
I'm going to look into DRM keys more tomorrow, but if someone can correct anything I've written then please do
Not being able to restore via Sony tools... Isn't that bad as you're going to be using flash tool a lot so you'll be used to that. Just keep a generic stick firmware .ftf around in case something goes horrendously wrong (usually recovery backup is enough I think).
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

Nice thread, I had this question too
It's my first android and I guess I should unlock the bootloader and then root, this way I won't have to wipe my data later when I decide to try cyanogenmod or something else?
Also what happens if sony release 4.2? Will I lose my bootloader unlock and root?

Al Gore said:
Nice thread, I had this question too
It's my first android and I guess I should unlock the bootloader and then root, this way I won't have to wipe my data later when I decide to try cyanogenmod or something else?
Also what happens if sony release 4.2? Will I lose my bootloader unlock and root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say root without unlock for now.
When you want to try cyanogenmod or others. Just backup everything using titanium backup and then u can restore after unlocking.
Rooting with a locked bootloader means sony are not aware your bootloader is unlocked
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

Thanks for all your replies, helped me out a ton!
I think Im gonna root without unlocking bootloader for now to get my feet wet and get a grasp of it's capabilities and limits. Can always restore the phone if I screw up and can always unlock bootloader later if I need it.

Al Gore said:
Nice thread, I had this question too
It's my first android and I guess I should unlock the bootloader and then root, this way I won't have to wipe my data later when I decide to try cyanogenmod or something else?
Also what happens if sony release 4.2? Will I lose my bootloader unlock and root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you unlock Bootloader, you shouldn't update from Sony. Since you've (hypothetically) already unlocked, you already have 4.2 avaliable from FXP and if you really want the Sony Update maybe you could flash it via flash tool. Bootloader unlock will never be lost (until someone can create an explicit relock file, but customs roms won't relock it). Root maybe lost if you flash a rom without it but you should be able to get it back easy.
With locked bootloader, we have to wait for Sony to bring 4.2 as we can't access the kernel, but we retain the ability to use the official updates. If we're rooted and we update, we are no longer rooted and we may be unable to use the same exploit.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

Bootloader Unlock Code - and locked bootloaders

Dear all,
Just as you might already know, not all Xperia Z are blessed with having an unlocked bootloader .... it apparently is something related to the carrier though and not to Sony themselves. As it happens if your bootloader is locked and is NOT unlockable you can still head to the website and get your unlock code by putting in your IMEI.
Now that's weird ...... Now just wondering if the same procedure could be applied to get the device bootloader unlocked ....
Regs
Al

No it's impossible,fastboot will return an error.
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

gm007 said:
No it's impossible,fastboot will return an error.
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes true but then again why does the Sony bootloader unlock site still provide an unlock code for locked bootloader xperia z's? This implies that the unlock code is used by Sony technicians to unlock bootloaders ... it's only a matter of determining what that procedure is .... This is definitely being used by carriers.

Really interested to know this for certain, I just got a Z on o2 UK and am a little disappointed that I can't flash any roms. I don't think I can live with stock for ever! Had previously purchased a (dreadful) bootloader locked xperia play which had the 'bootloader allow unlock' set to 'no' which a helpful guy on here managed to change to a 'yes' for the reasonable sum of £10 but this was using testpoint method which obviously won't work on a Z as it's sealed.
If the answer is definately a no to unlocking the bootloader even 'unofficially' then I think i'll have to send this phone back and try my luck with a different phone (an ugly S4 probably). I really do love this phone but I also love being able to change my roms as often as I like to whatever I like.
In the past a bounty would have attracted some devs to work out a cunning plan but if this is not possible at all then theres no point
Anyone know for sure?

Maybe if you change your customization and download a generic cust. ROM, you could probably unlock the bootloader?
If you backup you data and create an ftf for your current cust, you should be able to restore if it doesn't work.
Use the first guide to get an ftf of your stock ROM.
Second to check what generic customization you'd like to download.
Third to change your customization and download & get the appropriate ftf.
Flash the ftf using flashtool.
Relevant guides:
[NOOBS GUIDE] Create your own stock firmware FTF & Flashtool flashing guide[+ pics]
[INFO] Latest firmware version per customization (region/branding) {18-Jul-2013}
[GUIDE] Download ANY firmware customization from Sony & create an FTF with Flashtool
This is pretty much at your own risk. I'm not sure if this will work either.

Alcatrazx said:
Dear all,
Just as you might already know, not all Xperia Z are blessed with having an unlocked bootloader .... it apparently is something related to the carrier though and not to Sony themselves. As it happens if your bootloader is locked and is NOT unlockable you can still head to the website and get your unlock code by putting in your IMEI.
Now that's weird ...... Now just wondering if the same procedure could be applied to get the device bootloader unlocked ....
Regs
Al
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlock code is generated from the imei number I think, so putting in any imei number will return an unlock code.
Try it.
kgs1992 said:
Maybe if you change your customization and download a generic cust. ROM, you could probably unlock the bootloader?
If you backup you data and create an ftf for your current cust, you should be able to restore if it doesn't work.
Use the first guide to get an ftf of your stock ROM.
Second to check what generic customization you'd like to download.
Third to change your customization and download & get the appropriate ftf.
Flash the ftf using flashtool.
Relevant guides:
[NOOBS GUIDE] Create your own stock firmware FTF & Flashtool flashing guide[+ pics]
[INFO] Latest firmware version per customization (region/branding) {18-Jul-2013}
[GUIDE] Download ANY firmware customization from Sony & create an FTF with Flashtool
This is pretty much at your own risk. I'm not sure if this will work either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One guy claimed he done this but never came out with exact step by step instructions so no proof in this.
I previously tried every combination with no avail. as seen in previous threads about unlocking bootloaders we need alot of work done by a dev who knows what he is doing, sony have really tied up the security on these phones.

jonnycarter said:
One guy claimed he done this but never came out with exact step by step instructions so no proof in this.
I previously tried every combination with no avail. as seen in previous threads about unlocking bootloaders we need alot of work done by a dev who knows what he is doing, sony have really tied up the security on these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it was a suggestion, you can try it if you want to.
If it doesn't work, then the only possible way is to somehow flash a bootloader that allows itself to be unlocked and this, I suppose, will require bypassing security.
The bootloader is usually not flashable and flashing an unsigned bootloader is even harder.
Reverse engineering bootloaders requires experience and involves a considerable amount of risk.
And that's only half the struggle. You also need to think about how you're going to flash it onto your phone.

emuni said:
Really interested to know this for certain, I just got a Z on o2 UK and am a little disappointed that I can't flash any roms. I don't think I can live with stock for ever! Had previously purchased a (dreadful) bootloader locked xperia play which had the 'bootloader allow unlock' set to 'no' which a helpful guy on here managed to change to a 'yes' for the reasonable sum of £10 but this was using testpoint method which obviously won't work on a Z as it's sealed.
If the answer is definately a no to unlocking the bootloader even 'unofficially' then I think i'll have to send this phone back and try my luck with a different phone (an ugly S4 probably). I really do love this phone but I also love being able to change my roms as often as I like to whatever I like.
In the past a bounty would have attracted some devs to work out a cunning plan but if this is not possible at all then theres no point
Anyone know for sure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
send it back & go shopping at Phones4U... all fones from them are unbranded

PNuT. said:
send it back & go shopping at Phones4U... all fones from them are unbranded
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really would but I haggled a good deal with o2, £12 a month cheaper than what phones4u advertised with a free Z.
I am probably going to send it back though, just a shame as I really like this phone! Could always try phones4u and see if they will offer the same deal. I should have really thought about the possibility of permanently locked bootloader before I ordered it, after all the grief I had with my old xperia play.
So it definately can't be changed ever if it's set to disallow bootloader unlock?

emuni said:
I really would but I haggled a good deal with o2, £12 a month cheaper than what phones4u advertised with a free Z.
I am probably going to send it back though, just a shame as I really like this phone! Could always try phones4u and see if they will offer the same deal. I should have really thought about the possibility of permanently locked bootloader before I ordered it, after all the grief I had with my old xperia play.
So it definately can't be changed ever if it's set to disallow bootloader unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i went into P4U they said they would match anything i had seen... worth a try

PNuT. said:
when i went into P4U they said they would match anything i had seen... worth a try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So can no devs lend a hand to this issue. A lot of people with Xperia Z's are affected by this issue.

It's all down to the TA partition. If it contains "bootloader unlock allowed = no" then you are screwed. Trying to modify it or flash someone else's TA results in an unrecoverable, permanent HARDBRICK, regardless of what bootloader or kernel is flashed
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

What if happened to sweeten the pot a little and offer £100 sterling to anyone who can successfully unlock a locked a permanently unlocked bootloader.
I'm on 3 with the bootloader so say permanently locked. If you can unlock it. The money is yours.
£100 via PayPal or direct account transfer.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

Kirkymole said:
What if happened to sweeten the pot a little and offer £100 sterling to anyone who can successfully unlock a locked a permanently unlocked bootloader.
I'm on 3 with the bootloader so say permanently locked. If you can unlock it. The money is yours.
£100 via PayPal or direct account transfer.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an ongoing bounty thread if you would like to post there as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287897&page=39

nice idea!
i'm in with another 50 euros!

deyanimay said:
There is an ongoing bounty thread if you would like to post there as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287897&page=39
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a forum for the T isn't it? I can't see properly as I'm on my phone....
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

bounty hunters, where are you?

kgs1992 said:
Well, it was a suggestion, you can try it if you want to.
If it doesn't work, then the only possible way is to somehow flash a bootloader that allows itself to be unlocked and this, I suppose, will require bypassing security.
The bootloader is usually not flashable and flashing an unsigned bootloader is even harder.
Reverse engineering bootloaders requires experience and involves a considerable amount of risk.
And that's only half the struggle. You also need to think about how you're going to flash it onto your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to point out something. Now I know these two things aren't the same, but I'd like to use it as an example. The Xperia Z's bootloader is locked, obviously lol, I've been modding xboxs and ps3s for a long time, and from that experience I think it can relate to this. Why? Well, from my experiance,on the xbox you can't put a custom dashboard unless you JTAG it, although you can get free games if you flash the chip on the disc drive but that's all. with saying that, it's like saying, you can put custom funcions in the Z but you can't change the ROM. So with the xbox, before you're allowed to flash a custom dashboard, you have to unlock your NAND software, with a ps3 (made by sony lol) you can flash a custom firmware if your on firmware 3.55 but if you're above that, you need an e3 flasher to flash your NOR or NAND chip to downgrade and mod it, one time with the ps3 there was a thing called a E3 Stick, I believe it was called that, i can't remember, and with the e3 stick it wpuld exploit the system cause it was a certain type of board it was build with... So if we'd be able to maybe, find a way to exploit the bootloader, or possibly JTAG it or flash it then I think we'd be able to achieve our goal of putting a custom ROM. The problem with the JTAG or flash theory is that we'd have to open the Xperia Z, so as another theory now, we find a device that we plug into the phone and exploits it to let us flash any ROM we want. just like samsung devices, if the phone gets hard bricked and it doesn't turn on anymore,fried, or if you want to reset the flash count you'd use a JIG to put it into download mode and flash any ROM you want to save the device.

Is there a possible way to unlock on the fly? Like not need a computer? I have the unlockcode
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

demon2112 said:
Is there a possible way to unlock on the fly? Like not need a computer? I have the unlockcode
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The phone needs to be in fastboot mode to unlock the bootloader. The only way to send commands to the bootloader is via a PC.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

Doomkernel questions

I've recently flashed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448613 and was just wondering can I still update via Pc companion/SEUS to new firmwares/updates without losing the kernel, root etc...like will it replace the kernel with a stock one?
I'm a noob at Flashing and search didn't really answer my question.

If you have unlocked your bootloader by the official method at unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com, then you can not use PC Companion or SEUS to update firmware.

Someguyfromhell said:
If you have unlocked your bootloader by the official method at unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com, then you can not use PC Companion or SEUS to update firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what you said, I understand that there is an unofficial way to unlock the bootloader and still be able to use PC Companion and SEUS to update firmware?

Just2Cause said:
From what you said, I understand that there is an unofficial way to unlock the bootloader and still be able to use PC Companion and SEUS to update firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is unlocked, there is no way to use pc companion or seus to update firmware unless you relock it

Thankyou for the replies, I might try to relock my bootloader. I unlocked it through the official Sony method.

Just2Cause said:
From what you said, I understand that there is an unofficial way to unlock the bootloader and still be able to use PC Companion and SEUS to update firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not as far as I know. Older Xperia models had test point method, but Z1 does not have this option.
Sent from my LT18i

Someguyfromhell said:
Not as far as I know. Older Xperia models had test point method, but Z1 does not have this option.
Sent from my LT18i
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has someone actually ruled this out? I mostly hear that people with LB go swap their phones or just make sure they're getting a UB phone in the first place. The main complication I see is compromising the waterproof gasket...

Test point method?

xasbo said:
Has someone actually ruled this out? I mostly hear that people with LB go swap their phones or just make sure they're getting a UB phone in the first place. The main complication I see is compromising the waterproof gasket...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking bootloader doesn't have anything to do with waterproofness, it's something done using a computer.

Just2Cause said:
Unlocking bootloader doesn't have anything to do with waterproofness, it's something done using a computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously. In order to access test points, the back cover will have to be removed. The back cover uses tape/gasketing to enforce waterproofing. My question was about whether someone has actually looked into a testpoint unlock yet for the XZ1.

[Q] TA and DRM keys ? Am I ready to Root ?

Quick questions and no they haven't been answered directly the way I am asking them :
1) If I wish to later do warranty repair and I currently have a locked boot-loader is backing up the TA going to give me a 1:1 undetectable root and later unroot if I choose. (i mean all my gracenote, bravia, and other DRM's be returnable to stock condition)? (if so which method is the BEST.. ? seen a couple now)
2) My stock firmware doesn't seem to be on the FTF list is this possible I have a : c6906 C6906 14.3.A.0.757 Generic CA R10 ??? This one is on the list I don't think so ? Perhaps I am reading the string from the wrong spot.. ! In which case anyone know what to do to make a backup ?
3)Everyone hates this question but I have to ask does anyone here know of a way to unlock a locked bootloader :YES flagged device; I feel like a dink asking but after sifting through hundreds of posts there seems to be contradiction as in some people eventually figure it out and/or have unlocked z1's which I have read elsewhere that every single z1 comes from factory with bootloader locked yes?
Answer one of these questions for me make my day and you will have my many thanks to come

futiless said:
Quick questions and no they haven't been answered directly the way I am asking them :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Why Unlock Bootloader for Root if you can get Root on Locked Bootloader? First get Root on Locked Bootloader then Backup TA and do whatever you want. Best way is with the application to Backup TA, with that one you can Unlock and Relock, as you already had read 100 post then you know which method you have use to backup TA, right? (no? then search again) BTW, Yes, after Relock bootloader with the Backup of your TA your phone will be stock like new.
2) Perhaps you should understand that it do not matter, download any Generic CA or International CA for your specific model C6906. Done.
3)What that even supposed to mean? Type *#*#7378423#*#* and go to Configuration, if there is Bootloader Unlock Allowed: Yes, then you can unlock it, if there is NO, then is no way to Unlock it. To unlock it there is only ONE WAY, google it.

futiless said:
Quick questions and no they haven't been answered directly the way I am asking them :
1) If I wish to later do warranty repair and I currently have a locked boot-loader is backing up the TA going to give me a 1:1 undetectable root and later unroot if I choose. (i mean all my gracenote, bravia, and other DRM's be returnable to stock condition)? (if so which method is the BEST.. ? seen a couple now)
2) My stock firmware doesn't seem to be on the FTF list is this possible I have a : c6906 C6906 14.3.A.0.757 Generic CA R10 ??? This one is on the list I don't think so ? Perhaps I am reading the string from the wrong spot.. ! In which case anyone know what to do to make a backup ?
3)Everyone hates this question but I have to ask does anyone here know of a way to unlock a locked bootloader :YES flagged device; I feel like a dink asking but after sifting through hundreds of posts there seems to be contradiction as in some people eventually figure it out and/or have unlocked z1's which I have read elsewhere that every single z1 comes from factory with bootloader locked yes?
Answer one of these questions for me make my day and you will have my many thanks to come
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1) I think you may be confusing root and unlocking the bootloader. TA partition backups are for re-locking the bootloader, not removing root. In fact you must be rooted in order to make or restore a TA backup. Generally only an unlocked bootloader voids warranty, not root. Though if you're worried about it, you can always flash a stock FTF and you will be back to stock without root.
For TA backup there's a Windows app that will do it, just Google it. Works great
2) Your firmware is there. Google "c6906 14.3.a.0.757" and it's the first link
3) As @eclyptos said, if your service menu says unlock is allowed, then you can. If it says unlock is not allowed then you can't and I'd say there's a 99% chance you will never be able to.
Sent from my Xperia Z1 using Tapatalk

almost fully clear on this but still curious how my device is R10 which I don't see on the 6906 list.. I see r4 and so on.
I have read on a website that unlike z1s and other z devices every single z1 comes from factory locked. If so then how come some people have proclaimed the unlock success? Maybe that was just misinformation?
Thanks again will properly thank everyone later at home currently using the app
Sent from my C6906 using XDA Free mobile app

futiless said:
almost fully clear on this but still curious how my device is R10 which I don't see on the 6906 list.. I see r4 and so on.
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It's just a customization which you will never even to notice.
futiless said:
I have read on a website that unlike z1s and other z devices every single z1 comes from factory locked. If so then how come some people have proclaimed the unlock success? Maybe that was just misinformation?
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Yes, it's your misinformation. All of them have Bootloader Locked from day 1, Z1S is Locked Permanently and Unlockable, Z1 is Locked but can be Unlocked from the Official Sony Web Page, just google it.
futiless said:
Thanks again will properly thank everyone later at home currently using the app
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Yes, thanx a lot.