Database Develop

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
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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

[Q] Some BL Unlock questions

So, my lovely XZ that is supposedly locked to Three UK says bootloader unlockable=no. However, when I hold up and plug in the usb, the light goes blue and Flashtool reports that a fastboot device is connected. Isn't fastboot unusable on a locked bootloader? Anything simple I can do to check this?
Secondly, if fastboot can be accessed, and I have an auto-generate key from the Sony bootloader unlock site, will this still now work if bootloader unlockable=no? Or am I barking up the incorrect trees here? I have toa dmit I didn't check whether bootloader was unlockable before flashing the stock variation by [NUT] and I know the root method he uses sometimes sets this value to "no" even though it was previously yes. Would flashing the "fix" for this to check break anything if the bootloader isn't unlockable?

Operator locked Phones can't be unlocked, so yes, your barking up the wrong tree.

XperienceD said:
Operator locked Phones can't be unlocked, so yes, your barking up the wrong tree.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, just thought I may have got lucky

nikc0069 said:
Thanks, just thought I may have got lucky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm tempted to go to a Service Centre with a couple of crisp bank notes and see if I can get mine done, and this is the last time I get a Phone from an operator.
From me to you.

XperienceD said:
I'm tempted to go to a Service Centre with a couple of crisp bank notes and see if I can get mine done, and this is the last time I get a Phone from an operator.
From me to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have any success please let me know the bank note configuration and method for installation into Sony operatives hands.

nikc0069 said:
If you have any success please let me know the bank note configuration and method for installation into Sony operatives hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will. I did have faith in the great Devs here coming up with a solution, but that has since faded from what I've been reading, and we've got Sony, along with the operators to blame for that.

Mainly the operators. I actually asked 3 why they locked the bootloader. They spun some crap about security and kept telling me that I could to to Sony to unlock it which shows they know nothing. Seems like it's all in the ta partition but without doing a diff of a hex dump of unlocked and locked from the same device don't really know what can be done.
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

Bootloader unlock says no but o2 say I can still unlock my bootloader

My bootloader allowed lock says no but o2 on pay monthly say I can still unlock my bootloader. They took my imei number and are processing the lock and I have to wait for a email and this can take 7 working days to process. Has any one else done this? As I'm still in my 14 day peace of mind and might send back but they do say will be able to unlock my bootloader
Edit
Just had a email to unlock my phone to any network so just unlocked and it still says bootloader unlock allowed no
But they said I could, do I just try it?
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

I hope you have done it like this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2153261
Took me seven seconds yesterday to get the unlock key on mail

danlivesey said:
My bootloader allowed lock says no but o2 on pay monthly say I can still unlock my bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they don't, the code you have isn't for unlocking the bootloader, just the SIM.

Before even trying to unlock the BL, I'd suggest your TA partition just in case.
Mine also said no at first, but I was still able to unlock it.

Dsteppa said:
Before even trying to unlock the BL, I'd suggest your TA partition just in case.
Mine also said no at first, but I was still able to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who did you get the phone from? Mine is from Three UK and resolutely does not let me unlock the bootloader. Did you use the Sony method? Which rom etc?

nikc0069 said:
Who did you get the phone from? Mine is from Three UK and resolutely does not let me unlock the bootloader. Did you use the Sony method? Which rom etc?
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Click to collapse
Hmm stock Rom unbranded, bought it in the Netherlands. Most people here that bought the same phone aren't able to unlock their BL, maybe I just got lucky. The trick that worked for me was simply rooting the phone.

Dsteppa said:
Hmm stock Rom unbranded, bought it in the Netherlands. Most people here that bought the same phone aren't able to unlock their BL, maybe I just got lucky. The trick that worked for me was simply rooting the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you did just get lucky or you just got a sim free handset by the luck of the draw. Which root method did you use? Someone else posted that they tried a specific combo of roms and two tries to unlock before it worked but never fed back any more info so it is possible there is an exploit somewhere.

nikc0069 said:
I think you did just get lucky or you just got a sim free handset by the luck of the draw. Which root method did you use? Someone else posted that they tried a specific combo of roms and two tries to unlock before it worked but never fed back any more info so it is possible there is an exploit somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Used the one I attached, can't really remember the topic.
Need to have USB debugging on.

Cheers. And the exact process? Step by step. I know it is tedious but it may be the tiniest thing (eg when you detached the usb cable or whether the sd card was in) that holds the secret.
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

nikc0069 said:
Cheers. And the exact process? Step by step. I know it is tedious but it may be the tiniest thing (eg when you detached the usb cable or whether the sd card was in) that holds the secret.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give up chasing it, if it was at all possible then it would have been figured out by now.

nikc0069 said:
Cheers. And the exact process? Step by step. I know it is tedious but it may be the tiniest thing (eg when you detached the usb cable or whether the sd card was in) that holds the secret.
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't remember, since I've unlocked my BL I just flash a zip to get root back.

I firmly believe in Xda being able to make the impossible, possible. And there are no flawless systems. However I get what you mean, and don't think anyone is going to push on it now. Xperia Z is still a great phone and here is hoping the upcoming Google Edition will give us with locked bl more choice.
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

[Q] Unlock bootloader wipe TA partition ?

Hello.
Im abit new to the forum but here goes.
Ive read tons of posts everywhere and there aint any exact answers anywhere to find.
In the past ive never known about the TA and DRM so happy as i am i just unlocked the bootloader on all the phones and still happy. The latest phone is the Xperia Z1. It has been abit buggy to say the least but im hoping software updates will cure this.
Anyway, i rooted my phone and unlocked the bootloader on the .681 firmware and now i am on .757 firmware. Using Doomlords kernel. I thought id check if i could backup my TA partition after unlocking the bootloader. And from what ive read its suppose to be wiped when you unlock the bootloader.
Well it was no problem backing up the TA partion. All files were there and it came out with no errors. So the question, how is this possible ?
/Jonas740

No, it's been wiped, if you restore that TA you will not relock your phone and you will not get the drm keys back, it's possible because unlocking "wipe "your original ta partition and replaced it, so you have backed up a post unlocking partition, not a pre unlocking partition
Also, please post questions in the correct form
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Aha, just wanted to sort things since ppl were saying that it was completely wiped when unlocking bootloader. And when I checked it wasn't.
Although, after numerous tests with the phone I can't understand what use the DRM keys is. Everything works just like it should without them.
Another question though. If I relock my phone with flashtool. What is the way to unlock it after? The official way won't work again I guess?
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app

Jonas740 said:
Aha, just wanted to sort things since ppl were saying that it was completely wiped when unlocking bootloader. And when I checked it wasn't.
Although, after numerous tests with the phone I can't understand what use the DRM keys is. Everything works just like it should without them.
Another question though. If I relock my phone with flashtool. What is the way to unlock it after? The official way won't work again I guess?
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it doesn't, you will need to ensure you use flashtool to re unlock. However, you will also need to make sure you have the correct folder tree
I think maybe the newest version of flashtool does this, but there are a couple of posts in DooMLoRDs thread tutorial thread in the development section about it.
The main difference I notice with an unlocked bootloader is the inability to use PCComapnion to update, but that's not a big issue for as I can create the FTF and create a flashable .zip from it....

Ye updating with Sony software won't work nor the over the air update. But that's about it as I've seen.
But I remember on my Sony Xperia V that when I relocked it, then I could use Sony update again and I did so wiping everything before I sent that one to the repair shop. They repaired it and I got it back. All under warranty
The latest update .757 is really buggy, hope they fix it. Phone restarts sometimes when using the camera.
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app

Double thread in the same section? How this is possible?

because
eclyptos said:
Double thread in the same section? How this is possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because i posted it wrong and couldtn delete it and made the same post in the correct forum and told moderator to delete the wrongly posted one. The moderator moved the thread instead so hence double posting and he kinda locked the wrong thread

No, he locked the one you made second. The first one you made always has priority

[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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thanx a lot.