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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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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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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?
Click to expand...
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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Click to collapse
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.
Does Permanent unlock mean permanent? Or is it something you can lose with a firmware update, factory reset, or user modification?
How does the device unlock? Is it unlocked by hardware like a knox trip? Is it from the carrier? Could it ever be re-locked?
Basically I bought my S6 from T-Mobile with the full intention of cancelling the service once I fully payed it off. $860 later, I made my final payment a week ago. I put in an ATT sim card, tried unlocking, nothing happened. Put my T-mo sim back in, did unlocking just to try it again, and it says my device is permanently unlocked.
I just want to know how permanent is permanent, and is it safe to cancel my service with T-Mo, and could the phone ever be re-locked by means of factory reset or by any change in the software?
Also my T-mo account balance is -$60, I don't fully know what that means, but it appears that they owe me $60. If I cancel, is a negative amount refunded?
It's supposed to be permanent. But T-Mo's custom device unlock is bugged. I permanently unlocked mine a few days ago and switched back to AT&T. Last night I started getting an invalid sim inserted message with my AT&T sim in it! So much for permanent unlock!!!
All I could think of doing to make sure it's permanent this time around is to Odin back to the stock MetroPCS rom so I could use their radio and unlock it the old fashioned way. Works fine with AT&T now. I just have to stick with the MetroPCS radio, or it will become locked again!
Question
guyd said:
It's supposed to be permanent. But T-Mo's custom device unlock is bugged. I permanently unlocked mine a few days ago and switched back to AT&T. Last night I started getting an invalid sim inserted message with my AT&T sim in it! So much for permanent unlock!!!
All I could think of doing to make sure it's permanent this time around is to Odin back to the stock MetroPCS rom so I could use their radio and unlock it the old fashioned way. Works fine with AT&T now. I just have to stick with the MetroPCS radio, or it will become locked again!
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I've been away from android for a short time and now back on T-Mobile S6. I bought it outright from T-Mobile and haven't even had it three days yet but service is terrible. Is there a guide for exactly how to use the PCS firmware and then get root and twrp? How and where did you get the unlock code also? You said I need to stay on PCS? What if I flashed a T-Mobile custom rom off xda development site? Thanks, I'm just a little rusty and don't want to mess up my new phone. LOL.
brojoe11 said:
I've been away from android for a short time and now back on T-Mobile S6. I bought it outright from T-Mobile and haven't even had it three days yet but service is terrible. Is there a guide for exactly how to use the PCS firmware and then get root and twrp? How and where did you get the unlock code also? You said I need to stay on PCS? What if I flashed a T-Mobile custom rom off xda development site? Thanks, I'm just a little rusty and don't want to mess up my new phone. LOL.
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Click to collapse
There is a guide somewhere. I read it a couple of weeks back, so I knew what to do to Odin flash the Metro rom and use the regular sim unlock method. You can flash any compatible rom with your device. You just can't flash the T-Mobile radio, or you'll loose the SIM Unlock! The radio firmware is never part of a custom rom, so no need to worry there.
I bought the unlock code from androidsimunlock.com and told them it was a MetroPCS Galaxy S6. Worked perfectly.
Thanks. I'll do some more searching.
So the unlock is in software only?
hello guys
i juste wanna buy an LG G2 VERIZON, but used, and it's now unlocked it can work with all operators
but i really plan to update it to a lollipop, so will it be relocked again after update ? because i don't have the unlock code, and also i don't know if it's officially unlocked or by another method, how can i check that if there is really another method
i ask theses questions because it happened to me with a SONY XPERIA SP, it was unlocked and everything ok, after update fail i tried repair with : pc companion, and i get a phone simlocked grrrrrrr
so i don't want to live an experience like that again
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was a requirement for Verizon to unlock these phones due to some FCC settlement over spectrum? I think you'll be fine.
Hi guys,
I need some clarification re: carrier unlocking and how it works. I recently purchased a carrier unlocked G920T, and I was going to start messing with custom roms/kernels and other goodies. My question is: Will the phone revert back to being locked if I do a factory reset or if I unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms?
I'm not a T-Mobile user, so I can't get another unlock code from them.
Thanks!!
The G920T has a carrier unlocked version, which is probably the one you have, not the T-Mobile one. Even if it is, usually a carrier unlocked device will remain unlocked forever unless it was unlocked using a different or hacky method, then there is a possibility that it will relock
Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
Yeahh go ahead, mess with it. when it is carrier unlocked, the software doesn't affect it, unless it is a hacky method like @serio22 said, but there isnt such hacky method for the GS6 so have fun.
If it is a G920T (the T means it's from T-Mobile), then carrier unlocking is not a guaranteed state. I paid T-Mobile the full price to get my GS6 and they "permanently" unlocked it. Then after a OTA software patch all of a sudden it locked itself again and I couldn't use my phone for 2 days while they tried to unlock it. T-Mobile's new device unlocking uses a new system which has the phone "phone home" to their servers to check if you're allowed to use it outside of their network. It happened again when I accepted the Android 5.1.1 OTA. So...beware of T-Mobile's not-very-permanent permanent carrier unlocking.
I am living in india..
My relatives brought me the t model ( i wanted f model instead of i sold in india for quicker updates but got t model...lol )
Anyways,
The moment i inserted my sim, it worked like a charm so its unlocked at the moment.
I dont know how they made payment their or how it was unlocked, but the way used must be legit coz its still stock at the moment without root / recovery etc. .
I read humo saying it can get locked again...
My main question, what are the odds of that happening?
Also since i live in india, i wont be able to contact t mobile via phone/walk in, are there ways i can get it unlocked again?
I dont have the bill too if it matters
i believe they have an app that unlock ur device since that is how i unlocked mine. if not u can try to contact customer service online since u r not in US.
With device unlock app , will i have to pay for unlock my s6 g920t or it'll unlock my device for free.
I have an unlocked s6 tmobile from usa, i heard the flashing stock rom will relock the device.
If the phone will relock then how can i unlock it again?
I'm not sure about flashing a stock ROM relocking the device. Mine re-locked when T-Mobile sent Android security patches. This week I did the Android 6.0 OTA update and it has remained unlocked.
Hey guys! i have a factory unlocked version of s6 tmobile, my question is if i can flash the tmobile MM firmware . My model says "country: cellular south" and the firmware country says us tmobile, so i dont know if i can flash without any problems, (Sorry for my english it sucks) thanks !
polipol15 said:
Hey guys! i have a factory unlocked version of s6 tmobile, my question is if i can flash the tmobile MM firmware . My model says "country: cellular south" and the firmware country says us tmobile, so i dont know if i can flash without any problems, (Sorry for my english it sucks) thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Polio, i have the same phone and i flashed MM without any problems. Check out the q&a section here and theres a recent thread that talks about how to that refers to a reddit post
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA-Developers mobile app
bitbank said:
If it is a G920T (the T means it's from T-Mobile), then carrier unlocking is not a guaranteed state. I paid T-Mobile the full price to get my GS6 and they "permanently" unlocked it. Then after a OTA software patch all of a sudden it locked itself again and I couldn't use my phone for 2 days while they tried to unlock it. T-Mobile's new device unlocking uses a new system which has the phone "phone home" to their servers to check if you're allowed to use it outside of their network. It happened again when I accepted the Android 5.1.1 OTA. So...beware of T-Mobile's not-very-permanent permanent carrier unlocking.
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Click to collapse
How did you solve this? My phone stopped working flashed newest (G920TUES5DPK1_G920TXAR5DPK1_G920TUES5DPK1_HOME.tar.rar) and i can't go to older version as that gives me ;
Code:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL DEVICE: 5 BINARY: 3
Christiaanjadieja said:
How did you solve this? My phone stopped working flashed newest (G920TUES5DPK1_G920TXAR5DPK1_G920TUES5DPK1_HOME.tar.rar) and i can't go to older version as that gives me ;
Code:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL DEVICE: 5 BINARY: 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't downgrade your bootloader so you'd have to pay to unlock it unfortunately
crixley said:
You can't downgrade your bootloader so you'd have to pay to unlock it unfortunately
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Click to collapse
Got it done remotely!
I have a Galaxy S6 (SM-G920T) from T-Mobile. It was locked. But it has an "Unlock" app installed by default. I used it and phone was instantly unlocked! Fast, easy and free!
I used to live in the US for a year and bought a g920T. Since i had the requirements i Unlocked and came back to my country but because of a problem, I had to install a stock firmware and now the unlock is gone.
So i'm wondering, if someone with a unlocked phone made firmware backup, remove the IMEI, and send it online would it work? I mean, right now it works just fine, so i can backup my IMEI and ID and just restore it if needed.
Please help
danveer said:
I am living in india..
My relatives brought me the t model ( i wanted f model instead of i sold in india for quicker updates but got t model...lol )
Anyways,
The moment i inserted my sim, it worked like a charm so its unlocked at the moment.
I dont know how they made payment their or how it was unlocked, but the way used must be legit coz its still stock at the moment without root / recovery etc. .
I read humo saying it can get locked again...
My main question, what are the odds of that happening?
Also since i live in india, i wont be able to contact t mobile via phone/walk in, are there ways i can get it unlocked again?
I dont have the bill too if it matters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in same scenario as you are/were,I am also having s6 (Tmobile) please tell me did flashing relocked your device?
So far no
I have flashed recovery - custom rom - kernel
Messed up sometimes so even went back to stock using odin then flashed everything again
Its still unkocked
Hello! I've bought my S6 (SM-G920T) as carrier unlocked but when my pcb has burned due to factory fault and sent my phone to Samsung they gave me again it was locked. I'm from Argentina and I haven't T-Mobile sim to unlock with default application. I've called to my carrier in Argentina and they said me the IMEI it's unlocked but my phone still sais it's network blocked... Can anybody help me?
vita_lp said:
Hello! I've bought my S6 (SM-G920T) as carrier unlocked but when my pcb has burned due to factory fault and sent my phone to Samsung they gave me again it was locked. I'm from Argentina and I haven't T-Mobile sim to unlock with default application. I've called to my carrier in Argentina and they said me the IMEI it's unlocked but my phone still sais it's network blocked... Can anybody help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried with the tmobile device unloced app.? If that doesnt work then head over to this awesome guy, he can help you unlock it remotely. https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s6/general/sim-unlock-honestly-free-t3601740
I've been wanting to convert to international for a while now but I heard it's very risky, I'm curious if anyone has an answer as to whether this is safe to flash since it's a full ROM
On page 2 there's a thread that should answer your questions.
Ok... Honest opinion... NO. If you are NOT sim unlocked and NOT bootloader unlocked, then when you flash to Android 13, your device will become locked completely... As in no apps will open and you will get some stupid "Contract Phone" error no matter what you tap. I'm trying to hunt down the process that activates this but it's hard considering that the only time it triggers is when you pop a TMobile sim into any other A13 firmware other than the original TMO flash. I know that they TECHNICALLY are the same model, 2217 ... 2217.... And myself am sitting here using 2215 FW on my 2217 TMobile locked phone... But I went thru nightmares and hard bricks to get mine working. I took my phone down to completely unresponsive state.... Had it revived to 2217fw, but NOT the TMO branded....and then used FB to get my unlock token for the bootloader. Once BL unlocked , I tried updating to the same 2217 android 13, and the phone did what I said earlier.... But thankfully I had FB and unlocked BL, so I just flashed the stock recovery and stock boot.img and it went back to working but on Android 13 (with A12 recovery and Boot.img). I don't recommend that at all because while yes I have had no problems doing it to several other phones with no bricks... I have had several reports that ppl didn't get the same success.... As of today I have flashed 27 ne2217 phones to 2215 then 2217. But I have had some headaches with using the exact same processes every time but getting different outcomes every time. There's SOME FILE that needs to be disabled in the system so this can be done safely, but unless you are Sim Unlocked and BL unlocked I cannot recommend you attempt this. That is the only factor I think that has made all my flashes successful, cuz ultimately it's a TMobile BRAND lock... Not region... Cuz ne2217 is NA... So the region is the same as I'm in Texas... But if it's not TMO branded fw.. the phone freaks out sometimes. But only with android 13. Kinda like how the 'Orange' state came back with the updates.... TMobile did this on purpose probably because of all the posts here about successful region swaps! Be warned! The TMO Mafia is waiting to put a brick in your hands!