I purchased my Xperia T couple of days ago from T-Mobile Hungary. After turning on the phone and checking the service menu I realized that bootloader unlocking is disabled for me, so I'm essentially stuck with stock firmwares for 2 years. Or am I?
Couple of questions:
- Has anyone heard of a carrier enabling bootloader unlock for a customer on request? And I'm not talking about SIM unlock.
- Or maybe it's possible that SONY would do it remotely or in an update? Should I contact them?
- And finally: why are there no AOSP based ROMs that use the stock kernel? Has anyone tried compiling one?
On the Motorola Defy (bootloader locked forever) there were a lot CM based ICS and JB roms that used the stock GB kernel...
You cannot unlock the bootloader.
You can of course ask your carrier if they will unlock it, but I doubt they will.
You can flash any stock based Rom even if you have a locked bootloader.
All non stock based custom ruins are in the original dev section, if it's not there, it's not been done
Sent from my star trek communicator
Sony Flagship device circa 2145
Related
Hey guys,
Just wondering if the Sony Xperia Z will come with a locked or unlocked bootloader?
if it is locked, can it easily be relocked after unlocking it for warranty purposes?
I know there isnt much info out right now, but i have never owned a sony xperia phone so,
someone shed some light for me?
Devices from carriers usually can't be unlocked. If you buy it outright then usually it can be unlocked. The process does not record your full IMEI and can be relocked after so you are pretty safe in that regard. My HTC takes the full IMEI (so it can be identified) and if you lock it then it goes to "re-locked" and not "unlocked" .... so the sony method is actually pretty good.
Before buying you can always check on a live unit if bootloader can be unlocked.
M.
mattman83 said:
Devices from carriers usually can't be unlocked. If you buy it outright then usually it can be unlocked. The process does not record your full IMEI and can be relocked after so you are pretty safe in that regard. My HTC takes the full IMEI (so it can be identified) and if you lock it then it goes to "re-locked" and not "unlocked" .... so the sony method is actually pretty good.
Before buying you can always check on a live unit if bootloader can be unlocked.
M.
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Click to collapse
Ah okay thanks mate,
hmm new to Sony here too. So what are the chances of pre-orders from carriers being bootloader locked? Just to clarify, does that mean carrier purchased devices are useless (if they are locked)? I was planning to get my device from Orange Uk as i can get a pretty decent 40% off the monthly tariff which makes it the best deal for me. But if it is locked then I may need to pass on this....bummer
m00moo said:
hmm new to Sony here too. So what are the chances of pre-orders from carriers being bootloader locked? Just to clarify, does that mean carrier purchased devices are useless (if they are locked)? I was planning to get my device from Orange Uk as i can get a pretty decent 40% off the monthly tariff which makes it the best deal for me. But if it is locked then I may need to pass on this....bummer
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Click to collapse
Well, if i recall correctly, the verizon droid DNA had a permanent locked bootloader too, but the guys here on XDA found a way to crack it.
who knows, maybe there will be a loophole discovered after the first few days?
I'm currently using a T-Mobile Xperia T, and the bootloader is not unlockable. So I would guess the same for the Z.
Though I think early units are generally unlocked (but don't quote me on that but this was the case with my Galaxy SIII and another guy mentioned this for UK network 3).
AW: [Q] Xperia Z Bootloader?
mattman83 said:
Devices from carriers usually can't be unlocked. If you buy it outright then usually it can be unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Is this just the way sony handles it's bootloader?
I unlocked several different phones which were ordered from a carrier without problem. Depends on the device itself!
But Sony seems to be very developer-friendly. There's a developer site on sonys website, where details about bootloaders are posted. Don't know the exact url atm, I'm at work...
For me it is essential to get a phone where bootloader can be unlocked. My first phone was a lg, without custom rom I would not use it anymore...
It all depends on the country. In The Netherlands all bootloaders can be unlocked, even if it are branded handsets from a carrier.
again as mentioned this is my first Sony Android device so please bare with me. Can someone explain the reasons to unlock the bootloader as from what i've seen people have said u still can flash ROMS with a locked bootloader?
m00moo said:
hmm new to Sony here too. So what are the chances of pre-orders from carriers being bootloader locked? Just to clarify, does that mean carrier purchased devices are useless (if they are locked)? I was planning to get my device from Orange Uk as i can get a pretty decent 40% off the monthly tariff which makes it the best deal for me. But if it is locked then I may need to pass on this....bummer
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Click to collapse
If you're getting any sort of subsidy discount, it's highly likely your device will not be unlockable.
The general rule for Sonys is: If it is sold SIM-locked, you will not be able to unlock the bootloader. If it is sold SIM-unlocked, you'll be able to unlock the bootloader. If the carrier later gives you a SIM-unlock code for a device that is sold SIM-locked, your bootloader will remain locked (Sony is working on trying to change this with carriers).
spazzy1912 said:
Well, if i recall correctly, the verizon droid DNA had a permanent locked bootloader too, but the guys here on XDA found a way to crack it.
who knows, maybe there will be a loophole discovered after the first few days?
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Click to collapse
Sony's bootloader security is pretty strong. If the Z were likely to have a loophole, the T would've probably been defeated by now.
m00moo said:
again as mentioned this is my first Sony Android device so please bare with me. Can someone explain the reasons to unlock the bootloader as from what i've seen people have said u still can flash ROMS with a locked bootloader?
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Click to collapse
You can cross-flash firmwares for other devices, but you cannot flash anything that has a modified kernel.
Thanks Entropy for your very helpful reply! I appreicate it
In regards to the discount, it is only because a friend works for them and in return are given a discount for friends and family. Otherwise it will be just the same as purchasing it direct from my carrier. My usual experience with purchasing a phone from a carrier, especially a newer phone which has 'just' (first batch usually) released is that they are usually simfree stock (sim unlocked), but heres hoping!
The Bell (Canada) Xperia ZL I have has an unlockable bootloader.
Only stok based roms... cm, miui, paranoid, etc bootloader must be unlocked so you can flash custom kernel
Sent from my LT26i
So therefore AOSP roms cannot run on a Locked bootloader due to requiring a different kernel. Where as variations/modded versions of Sony's rom can be flashed due to not requiring a custom kernel.
I think I understand now. The Sony rom looks decent to be honest which isn't something I can say about Touchwiz. It is actually skinned nicely and I wouldnt mind a de-bloated version of that.
I'm pretty sure sony will unlock it, judging from Sony's recent actions where they released the kernel source for the T if i'm not mistaken. Why wouldn't they do it for this monster phone right?
brambizimski said:
I'm pretty sure sony will unlock it, judging from Sony's recent actions where they released the kernel source for the T if i'm not mistaken. Why wouldn't they do it for this monster phone right?
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It's already listed on Sony's "Unlock Bootloader" site. So i guess they'll all unlock, unless you get it carrier branded/simlocked and they ( carrier ) will interfere with unlocking process.
m00moo said:
again as mentioned this is my first Sony Android device so please bare with me. Can someone explain the reasons to unlock the bootloader as from what i've seen people have said u still can flash ROMS with a locked bootloader?
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Click to collapse
I believe you need an unlocked bootloader to be able to boot the rom?
For htc devices, you need an unlocked bootloader, but it does not have to be S OFF.
If it was S ON, you just had to do an extra process of manual flashing the boot.img through fastboot
This is pretty simple if it's sim locked then it's also bootloader locked. The issue is not if you bought it on your carrier or on a retailer store. It's about locks
spazzy1912 said:
I believe you need an unlocked bootloader to be able to boot the rom?
For htc devices, you need an unlocked bootloader, but it does not have to be S OFF.
If it was S ON, you just had to do an extra process of manual flashing the boot.img through fastboot
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Depending on what you mean by "boot the rom" i am assuming you are referring to AOSP roms which use a different kernel to stock roms usually. Thus if you cannot flash a custom rom on the phone with a "locked" bootloader, you are stuck with stock Sony type roms. Don't mind it personally just sucks i cannot experience the great kernels that the XDA devs release. Fingers cross the first batch of pre orders will be unlocked though as they are usually sim unlocked in my experience.
Riyal said:
This is pretty simple if it's sim locked then it's also bootloader locked. The issue is not if you bought it on your carrier or on a retailer store. It's about locks
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50% true. As Entropy said the simlock can be "unlocked" by the carrier. This will therefore then be a sim unlocked device, but the bootloader remains locked. This needs to be clarified to Sony noobies like myself who may think sim unlocking will result in a unlocked bootloader, or by buying a sim unlocked device from say Ebay they have definately gotten a unlocked BL.
spazzy1912 said:
I believe you need an unlocked bootloader to be able to boot the rom?
For htc devices, you need an unlocked bootloader, but it does not have to be S OFF.
If it was S ON, you just had to do an extra process of manual flashing the boot.img through fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's different again. With a locked bootloader you can't flash a custom kernel *at all*. I'm on a HOX now so I know all about the stupid htc bootloader unlock It basically means the device is useless for custom roms etc..
Still waiting to see if my local carrier will lock it or not, they have a mixed history with simlocking devices so could go either way. If it is locked I'll just pick get an iphone instead (should be roughly same price on contract) to sell on ebay and buy my sony outright I'll make it work one way or another.
M.
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.
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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!
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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
Hi all,
New to the Xperia Scene. I've rooted and unlocked HTC's in the past with sucess but I've come into contact with a XPERIA Z locked to the "3" network.
How would I unlock it & remove the "3" crap off it and flash a STOCK rom - Not really interested in a custom rom.
Thanks for any help given
EDIT - Just checked the Rooting Status info and it says Bootloader Unlock Allowed : NO - Am I out of luck?
bouncyball said:
Hi all,
New to the Xperia Scene. I've rooted and unlocked HTC's in the past with sucess but I've come into contact with a XPERIA Z locked to the "3" network.
How would I unlock it & remove the "3" crap off it and flash a STOCK rom - Not really interested in a customer rom.
Thanks for any help given
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to get a SIM unlock code either directly from 3 UK or search for a service online (Usually they are about 15-20£) if you want to get rid of SIM unlock. Then you can,but don't have to unlock the BOOTLOADER (if you wanna flash custom ROMs not based on stock such as CM, AOKP etc you will need to unlock it but bare in mind that Bravia Engine 2 will be permanently lost unless you backup the phone). If you want stock based ROMs just root the phone using one of the methods found in xda. You can also checkout my youtube channel for a video guide on how to root and get custom recovery. Good luck
Yes - all UK carrier Xperias have non-unlockbale bootloaders. You are out of luck.
If you have any desire to go Custom on any phone brand, always stick to factory sim free unbranded. Period.
You've also posted this in the wrong section.
LenAsh said:
Yes - all UK carrier Xperias have non-unlockbale bootloaders. You are out of luck.
If you have any desire to go Custom on any phone brand, always stick to factory sim free unbranded. Period.
You've also posted this in the wrong section.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up.
I would just want to put my UK Orange SIM in and remove the 3 branded logo's etc. If I can't do this, I'll eBay the phone.
bouncyball said:
Thanks for the heads up.
I would just want to put my UK Orange SIM in and remove the 3 branded logo's etc. If I can't do this, I'll eBay the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can - get your sim unlock code, dial *#*#7465625#*#* in the dialer, input code then press unlock (this saves the trouble of finding another simcard. You of course need to use another sim card to test it - but hey, you wouldn't be unlocking otherwise )
You will then need to root and install a recovery - tons of threads about on that one. Then just flash any generic firmware (I'm using [NUT]'s Belgian Generic one) - ti won't have any carrier crap on it at all.
Alternatively, once rooted just use titanium backup to uninstall any stuff you don't like.
I've got a Three XZ as well and the bootloaders are NOT unlockable - there may be some joy with a KEXEC module if any of the devs get one to work, but until then you will be stuck with stock variants. I'm on the verge of ebaying myself for this reason.
For any devs who even fancy attempting this, there is a $400 bounty over at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287897
nikc0069 said:
You can - get your sim unlock code, dial *#*#7465625#*#* in the dialer, input code then press unlock (this saves the trouble of finding another simcard. You of course need to use another sim card to test it - but hey, you wouldn't be unlocking otherwise )
You will then need to root and install a recovery - tons of threads about on that one. Then just flash any generic firmware (I'm using [NUT]'s Belgian Generic one) - ti won't have any carrier crap on it at all.
Alternatively, once rooted just use titanium backup to uninstall any stuff you don't like.
I've got a Three XZ as well and the bootloaders are NOT unlockable - there may be some joy with a KEXEC module if any of the devs get one to work, but until then you will be stuck with stock variants. I'm on the verge of ebaying myself for this reason.
For any devs who even fancy attempting this, there is a $400 bounty over at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287897
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Click to collapse
If someone can unlock a 3 or any carrier bootloader without JTAG and Sony proprietary software then it will be a first.
Don't post questions in Development, thread moved.
ZR is my very first Android phone, so basically I know nothing about Android.
I unlocked the bootloader couple of weeks ago following the official Sony instructions in order to flash the stock Taiwan ROM (cause China's ROM doesn't support Google service). But now I found that I cannot update via Sony. More importantly, it's actually not necessary to unlock the bootloader for flashing ROM and/or get root privilege. So I'm desperately seeking the way to relock the bootloader.
I found some guy talking about flashing a small file called Xperia_Relock_bootloader.ftf. But he said that it was only for old models. Anybody here can help? Thanks in advance!
P.S. They said that after unlocking the boot loader, Bravia Engine and TrackID service will gone. But I have both working still. Weird. Does that mean I can backup my TA partition still?
Hi!
I'm a newbie and a total noob on modifying phones..
i just accidentally saw on the internet that it is possible to change the OS of an android phone so i researched it over the net and then i finally arrived at this forum..
Is it possible to unlock and change the ROM of my Sony Xperia x8 E15i?
Here Is the Specs:
Baseband :015
OS: 2.1-update1
Sim lock settings:
Network 5
Network Subset 5
Service Provider 5
Corporate 5
Sim 0
The thing is, i dont have a message below those settings whether i can unlock my phone or not
(Unlocking the bootloader is the next step after rooting it, right?)
My X8 can use any philippine based simcards (eg. smart, globe, sun)
i dont know if it can use any sim cards outside our country.
Can anybody please answer this?
Thank you in advance everyone.
First step is to root your phone. You can change roms (firmware) even with a locked bootloader. You have to look for a rom that works with stock kernel (gingerdx has a version for stock kernel).
Do you want to unlock your bootloader? Take out your phone's battery and check the manufacturing date. If it's 11w28 and below you can unlock it so you can install custom kernels. If it's 11w29 up, forget about it. The risk is too great.
How to flash roms and/or unlock bootloader? Check the guides. There are a lot in xda.