Database Develop

Bootloader!

Hi, this is my first post on xda so plz take it easy on me, I need people to answer some important questions before I unlock my bootloader. I checked my phone's manufacture date and its good to go.
Please answer all questions.
1) What is the best and easiest way of unlocking the bootloader?
2) After unlocking my bootloader, how do I switch ROMs, Is it like normal or do I need to go back to 2.1 first AND GO BACK TO STOCK KERNEL?
3) Do I need to be on stock ROM to unlock my boorloader?
4) What is the best kernel and ROM combination for you? - PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL ABOVE.
5) Can I Sim Unlock my phone later after unlocking the bootloader?
6) How do I return back to stock kernel?
7) If I go back to stock ROM will my bootloader be locked again?
8) If my phone gets accidentally bricked during bootloader unlock process, can I unbrick it?
Please answer all my questions. And please explain everything as I am a total noob. Thanks.

TheUnknownCopy said:
Hi, this is my first post on xda so plz take it easy on me, I need people to answer some important questions before I unlock my bootloader. I checked my phone's manufacture date and its good to go.
Please answer all questions.
1) What is the best and easiest way of unlocking the bootloader?
2) After unlocking my bootloader, how do I switch ROMs, Is it like normal or do I need to go back to 2.1 first AND GO BACK TO STOCK KERNEL?
3) Do I need to be on stock ROM to unlock my boorloader?
4) What is the best kernel and ROM combination for you? - PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL ABOVE.
5) Can I Sim Unlock my phone later after unlocking the bootloader?
6) How do I return back to stock kernel?
7) If I go back to stock ROM will my bootloader be locked again?
8) If my phone gets accidentally bricked during bootloader unlock process, can I unbrick it?
Please answer all my questions. And please explain everything as I am a total noob. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YEAH...what the proper prepaired????
this my answer..
1) look on my signature (easiest guide unlocking bootloader)
2) flash custom kernel and flash rom (no need back to 2.1 or stock)
3) Yes Unlocking with stock rom
4) It depend on U (for me i wanna the rom with the nice and beauty colour one)
I use "TIM3 v1" + "nAa v8b" ( I mean where u wanna go with fast speed?)
5) YES
6) Use flash tool and download stock kernel (search it on XDA)
7) NO -u can unlock by easiest guide (on my signature there)
8) U can't DIY...(if your phone still under warranty send to them)
for me i got 4 times hardbricked and they repair for me without fee
BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR DEVICE IS 11W28 BELOW
(see on phone..PULL OUT YOUR BATTERY AND YOU CAN FIND THERE
hope this help

1.The easiest way to unlock bootloader is with s1 tool. Just connect your phone with usb debugging on and open s1tool and unlock bootloader.( It might brick your phone, I dont recommend you to unlock bootloader)
2.Unlocking bootloader does not change your rom, If you are on 2.1 then it will not affect it. Switching between roms is very easy, just use recovery.For kernel use flashtool
3.You dont need to be on stock rom to unlock bootloader, it can be done through custom roms also
4.From my opinion alfs v6+gingierdx is great. It is very fast for daily use but not very good for hd games.
5.Dont know
6.You can always return back to stock kernel using flashtool and stock kernel ftf
7.Your bootloader will not be lock if you go back to stock rom
8.You cant unbrick your phone if it is bricked during unlocking bootloader, you have to send it to sony ericsson for repair

Thanks very much guys, but I am scared if I brick my device as I can't unbrick it then

I told u...check the MFC date (pull out your battery)
see the **W** (date of manufactoring)
If '11W28' = 2011 week 28
bellow 11W28 is safe..
Above 11W29 is risky..
but nobody force u to unlocking it..
but (also) some nice and beauty rom need custom rom
it totally can't run on stock rom...that why i got my 4th bricked yesterday..
and got a new X8 today with 11W23....
release my tension because can't unlocking bootloader

TheUnknownCopy said:
Thanks very much guys, but I am scared if I brick my device as I can't unbrick it then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u have doubts then better not go for it,der are lot of roms which runs well on stock kernel too

you always find solution i hawe bricked phon and now its fine again xda will help you if something go wrong

luki2411 said:
you always find solution i hawe bricked phon and now its fine again xda will help you if something go wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO.. not for a hardbrick....
check out some newest threads here which hard brick because of bootloader unlock.. almost all of them not solved and go to SE center..

Ya unlocking bootloader is a bit risky!
Be Careful if your planning to unlock it.

Thanks guys for your help, I really apreciate it. For me the date is not a problem. However is there a possibility of getting bricked during unlocking the bootloader? Well atleaset has anyone bricked their device by unlocking the bootloader and fix it without sending the phone?
nelikp said:
I told u...check the MFC date (pull out your battery)
see the **W** (date of manufactoring)
If '11W28' = 2011 week 28
bellow 11W28 is safe..
Above 11W29 is risky..
but nobody force u to unlocking it..
but (also) some nice and beauty rom need custom rom
it totally can't run on stock rom...that why i got my 4th bricked yesterday..
and got a new X8 today with 11W23....
release my tension because can't unlocking bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U mean if we go back to stock 2.1 with unlocked bootloader, we get bricked?

1) What is the best and easiest way of unlocking the bootloader? From 2nd reply.
2) After unlocking my bootloader, how do I switch ROMs, Is it like normal or do I need to go back to 2.1 first AND GO BACK TO STOCK KERNEL?
You don't need to go back to stock. The unlock won't do a thing with the rom.
3) Do I need to be on stock ROM to unlock my boorloader?
I could only unlock my bootloader from stock 2.1 (tried under GingerDX), but from stock it was easy.
4) What is the best kernel and ROM combination for you? - PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL ABOVE.
For me it's FroyoPro 2.3 ans Alfs
5) Can I Sim Unlock my phone later after unlocking the bootloader?
Can't say... mine was simfree out of the box. (If your phone is not simfree be aware! not all can be unlocked and could cause hard brick)
6) How do I return back to stock kernel?
Just flash back stock kernel file.
7) If I go back to stock ROM will my bootloader be locked again?
No, the bootloader cannot be locked again.
8) If my phone gets accidentally bricked during bootloader unlock process, can I unbrick it?[/B]
At home it is really unlikeley. There are special cables that can do the trick, but they need an expertised technician and a lot of money (for the cable)
Hope it helped for you
My phone is a 11W23 white one with cypress and is unlocked. For You what is the best? What You want? Speed, stability, low battery drainage, cool 3D games etc... For me it was little battery use and high speed with a tad of cool UI.. for this FroyoPro 2.3 and Alfs (Alfs is not needed for froyo pro! so no need to unlock only for that)

Ok thanks guys for answering all my questions about unlocking bootloader. All my doubts are clear

[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

Questions From a Would be Owner

Hello guys,
Just a few questions so I know what I am getting into
1) The phone can be rooted. However, if i want to run on a custom ROM or use mods such as the music mod, I would have to unlock the bootloader, yes?
2) Once the bootloader is unlocked, I would lose the 'Bravia Engine' feature of the phone. What else will I lose? For those who have lost it, is the trade off, of being able to run Custom ROMs and mods while losing the 'Bravia Engine' feature worth it?
3) If I have to send the phone for warranty, I could just re-lock the bootloader and send it back for warranty. Is there a chance somehow that they'll reject the phone if they detected that the phone's bootloader was tempered with?

arvin2212 said:
Hello guys,
Just a few questions so I know what I am getting into
1) The phone can be rooted. However, if i want to run on a custom ROM or use mods such as the music mod, I would have to unlock the bootloader, yes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no
arvin2212 said:
Hello guys,
Just a few questions so I know what I am getting into
2) Once the bootloader is unlocked, I would lose the 'Bravia Engine' feature of the phone. What else will I lose? For those who have lost it, is the trade off, of being able to run Custom ROMs and mods while losing the 'Bravia Engine' feature worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No clue since mine isn't/can't be unlocked. The only reason for me to unlock the BL (Even though it can't be done) would be, to flash a custom kernel, beside that I don't see any other reasons why I should unlock it.
arvin2212 said:
Hello guys,
Just a few questions so I know what I am getting into
3) If I have to send the phone for warranty, I could just re-lock the bootloader and send it back for warranty. Is there a chance somehow that they'll reject the phone if they detected that the phone's bootloader was tempered with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once it's unlocked there is no way back.
So if you want to root your phone, use custom roms (without custom kernels) you don't need to unlock the bootloader.

Dsteppa said:
no
No clue since mine isn't/can't be unlocked. The only reason for me to unlock the BL (Even though it can't be done) would be, to flash a custom kernel, beside that I don't see any other reasons why I should unlock it.
Once it's unlocked there is no way back.
So if you want to root your phone, use custom roms (without custom kernels) you don't need to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the reply.
I assumed as such from reading some posts initially, but then I went to the ROM section (If i am not mistaken) and there is a post on how to unlock the bootloader and then there is the Why section where it says that you could then use custom ROMs and mods which then confused me.
If i can use custom roms and mods without unlocking the bootloader, then I'll definitely be getting this phone.

I'll take advantage of this thread to ask one simple question: once we rooted the XZ and flash the Mods we find useful, we no longer get updates from the official Sony firmware in the future, right?

labroste said:
I'll take advantage of this thread to ask one simple question: once we rooted the XZ and flash the Mods we find useful, we no longer get updates from the official Sony firmware in the future, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First backup your firmware with http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2188129
You can go back at any time to your original firmware and you can have the updates via pcc or sus.
Sent from my C6602 using xda premium

Newbie struggling & confused with a Bootloader unlock NO status SP

Hi,
Apologies for the long post & queries.
I feel this isnt "just another - LBL query". Dont want to end up with a hard-bricked SP (Like I did with my test mule HTC Sensation :crying
So I bought a used O2 UK branded Xperia SP 4.3 (12.1.A.1.205) purely to learn the art of installing custom ROM's again...
The O2 branded SP had its sim lock removed by the seller I bought the phone from. :good:
Now the service menu shows that Bootloader unlock allowed as NO.
After reading quite a bit on unlocking a Bootloader (LBL) with NO status; I achieve ROOT status using Towelroot :highfive: & created a backup of my TA Partition (DRM's and all - dont know how useful would the Bravia engine be in the future) I now have titanium backup & SuperSU working on the SP.
All the threads I have read so far on unlocking my LBL say my SP can only run special [LBL][ROM] scattered over the SP forum while the LBL CM roms do not seem too attractive over the CM14. (looking forward to use the CM roms)
My queries:
1. The first thread I read in my journey to flash a custom ROM; I found that I could not unlock my BL; even though I went forward to the Sony website and have received the unlock code with instructions.
- should I proceed to unlock my LBL following the instructions in this thread? will it brick my SP with the active root?​
2. Looking at this thread @ 1.(c) confuses me.
- Can I use the CM-14 recovery and ROM instead of the CWM recovery as instructed?​would love to see some CM14 action on the SP.
3. Is there a way to take an IMG backup of my current stock O2 rom,kernel, radio, etc? so if in case I mess up with the custom roms I can switch back to the stock and have a working phone? (gone are the days of Windows Mobile 6.5 the last time I was a pro in flashing roms)
4. I might be stretching my luck with this question but is there a "kitchen" software that does all the flashing business for you on the SP?
Could someone please link me to a thread (could be of any phone) that explains the basics of flashing a custom ROM (kernel, ROM, recovery, etc) to a newbie like me starting the journey with not much experience?
Its the end of 2016; can I now "NO" unlock my locked Bootloader? coz most of the threads I have found are old I dont know where else to look :fingers-crossed:
Thanks!!

You can't unlock your bootloader and any attempt to do so could potentially brick your device.
Also, you cannot flash custom ROM unless the thread specifically states that can be used on Locked bootloaders. Usually those ROMs are tagged as such (UL/LB or something), and explain how they are based of from some stock kernel.

jade master said:
Hi,
Apologies for the long post & queries.
I feel this isnt "just another - LBL query". Dont want to end up with a hard-bricked SP (Like I did with my test mule HTC Sensation :crying
So I bought a used O2 UK branded Xperia SP 4.3 (12.1.A.1.205) purely to learn the art of installing custom ROM's again...
The O2 branded SP had its sim lock removed by the seller I bought the phone from. :good:
Now the service menu shows that Bootloader unlock allowed as NO.
After reading quite a bit on unlocking a Bootloader (LBL) with NO status; I achieve ROOT status using Towelroot :highfive: & created a backup of my TA Partition (DRM's and all - dont know how useful would the Bravia engine be in the future) I now have titanium backup & SuperSU working on the SP.
All the threads I have read so far on unlocking my LBL say my SP can only run special [LBL][ROM] scattered over the SP forum while the LBL CM roms do not seem too attractive over the CM14. (looking forward to use the CM roms)
My queries:
1. The first thread I read in my journey to flash a custom ROM; I found that I could not unlock my BL; even though I went forward to the Sony website and have received the unlock code with instructions.
- should I proceed to unlock my LBL following the instructions in this thread? will it brick my SP with the active root?​
2. Looking at this thread @ 1.(c) confuses me.
- Can I use the CM-14 recovery and ROM instead of the CWM recovery as instructed?​would love to see some CM14 action on the SP.
3. Is there a way to take an IMG backup of my current stock O2 rom,kernel, radio, etc? so if in case I mess up with the custom roms I can switch back to the stock and have a working phone? (gone are the days of Windows Mobile 6.5 the last time I was a pro in flashing roms)
4. I might be stretching my luck with this question but is there a "kitchen" software that does all the flashing business for you on the SP?
Could someone please link me to a thread (could be of any phone) that explains the basics of flashing a custom ROM (kernel, ROM, recovery, etc) to a newbie like me starting the journey with not much experience?
Its the end of 2016; can I now "NO" unlock my locked Bootloader? coz most of the threads I have found are old I dont know where else to look :fingers-crossed:
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello
Attempting to unlock your bootloader despite it being not unlockable will make the process fail. No brick will occur.
There is no CM14 that is available for the locked bootloader. Nor will ever be. Unfortunately the workaround past-developers used to make ROMs bootable on locked bootloader of our device is no longer capable or easily to be implemented on latest iterations of Android.
I may not be able to answer this precisely, as my experience with stock ROM was long long ago. As far as I can remember, you can do this with nandroid backup with the old CWM recovery. However I am not remember the menu lists in the recovery anymore. Note that the nandroid backup is not an image backup in a form of .iso or .img. You may alternatively use fastboot to pull exact copy of the partition you have, however this is also out of my knowledge. If you have a large sdcard, you can also use "dd" to do an exact copy of the partition natively on your device (yay linux)
Isn't kitchen a tool to create ROM spin-offs? Sorry I am not an old Android user.. So i do not know. But to answer your question of all-things-tool software, we have Flashtool which handles flashing of stock ROMs and GUI fastboot tools. Only use the version 0.9.18.6. Later versions have some issues with our device..
You still cannot unlock your bootloader. It is a highly secret thing that no one have expertise in exploring or maybe lack of interest. Contrary to popular belief that Xperia phones can have its bootloader unlocked despite of this barrier, no, that only applies to old Xperia lines, and I highly doubt recent Xperia phones can have their bootloaders unlocked with such old tools. You might also risk a hard brick.

v21: Root/Unlocked Bootloader + TWRP?

Hi! When I got my R1 HD, I wanted to get Lineage OS and TWRP. I tried everything including:
adb "fastboot oem unlock",
SP Flash Tool, and
DirtyCow R1-HD Tool,
yet I found no luck. Does anybody know how to get an unlocked bootloader and TWRP on an R1 HD v21? Thanks!:good:
P.S:
My "Custom build version" is:
BLU_R0011UU_V21_GENERIC. Also, this is not the Amazon Prime variant, however I got this from Amazon (for example: I get no ads).

Sorry to tell you, but version 21 of the ROM cannot be bootloader unlocked or rooted. The more recent updates have secured the phone so that none of the previous methods you mention work anymore. The phone is no longer being manufactured and Blu does not provide a process for unlocking the bootloader as some other companies, like Motorola, do. So even though you paid more to get the no ad version, you can't root it. 8-( This was only possible in the earlier versions of both the amaon and non-amazon models.

yaconsult said:
Sorry to tell you, but version 21 of the ROM cannot be bootloader unlocked or rooted. The more recent updates have secured the phone so that none of the previous methods you mention work anymore. The phone is no longer being manufactured and Blu does not provide a process for unlocking the bootloader as some other companies, like Motorola, do. So even though you paid more to get the no ad version, you can't root it. 8-( This was only possible in the earlier versions of both the amazon and non-amazon models.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, can I revert back to an earlier version of the ROM where it is possible to unlock the bootloader?

PastThePixels said:
So, can I revert back to an earlier version of the ROM where it is possible to unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, the signed updates are incremental so, the checksum verification will pervent flashing old version

OK.... What's the best thing to do now?
I found this option in my updater that says "Local updates". Maybe this can help?

PastThePixels said:
OK.... What's the best thing to do now?
I found this option in my updater that says "Local updates". Maybe this can help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, sorry - there is no known way to root or flash modified software after the phone has been upgraded with factory software. You can't go back. And, even if you could, it wouldn't help - it still couldn't be rooted or flash a modified ROM. Blu does not offer to unlock bootloaders the way some companies, like Motorola, do. Your phone is stuck with what you have now.
The best thing to do now? Enjoy your cheap android phone with great performance for the price!

yaconsult said:
No, sorry - there is no known way to root or flash modified software after the phone has been upgraded with factory software. You can't go back. And, even if you could, it wouldn't help - it still couldn't be rooted or flash a modified ROM. Blu does not offer to unlock bootloaders the way some companies, like Motorola, do. Your phone is stuck with what you have now.
The best thing to do now? Enjoy your cheap android phone with great performance for the price!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, is there at least a way to skin the phone (ex: change bootanimation, remove bloatware (Yes, there is still bloatware apps, and I'm talking REMOVE the apps, no uninstall for user only), remove the Adups spyware) so that it is just like stock Android?

PastThePixels said:
Well, is there at least a way to skin the phone (ex: change bootanimation, remove bloatware (Yes, there is still bloatware apps, and I'm talking REMOVE the apps, no uninstall for user only), remove the Adups spyware) so that it is just like stock Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No - all those things require root, which you can't get. Only the phones that were shipped with earlier versions of the ROM and hadn't been updated over-the-air could be unlocked and rooted.

Related. I have an 8GB phone; Custom build:
BLU_R0010UU_V8.7_GENERIC 05-08-2017
I've been trying to install TWRP (and then Lineage) but I'm having zero luck with SPFlash. I've tried on a couple of computers and followed the directions step by step. Am I missing something here?
Thanks,
Edit: yep, saw in another thread anything above 8.1.
Imma email Blu and see if they'll loosen the restrictions if they're stopping development. Can't hurt at this point.