Im planning to buy an unlocked version on the nexus straight from Google.com. My question is since its going to be an unlocked version does it mean it will also have an unlocked bootloader?? I know I need to unlock the bootloader so I can root and eventually install ROMS. Also, is it true that IF i need to unlock the bootloader GOOGLE will void my warranty?
Help is appreciated.
daraj said:
Im planning to buy an unlocked version on the nexus straight from Google.com. My question is since its going to be an unlocked version does it mean it will also have an unlocked bootloader?? I know I need to unlock the bootloader so I can root and eventually install ROMS. Also, is it true that IF i need to unlock the bootloader GOOGLE will void my warranty?
Help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader is not unlocked out of the box however once you have fastboot setup it's easily unlocked with one command while in the bootloader.
Yes. It voids your warranty.
uberingram said:
The bootloader is not unlocked out of the box however once you have fastboot setup it's easily unlocked with one command while in the bootloader.
Yes. It voids your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So although its an unlocked version still the bootloader is locked? Maybe Im getting confused between an unlocked phone and an unlocked bootloader. No relation?
daraj said:
So although its an unlocked version still the bootloader is locked? Maybe Im getting confused between an unlocked phone and an unlocked bootloader. No relation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked phone = not SIM locked to any particular provider.
Unlocked bootloader = you can flash whatever software you like on the phone = void warranty.
packetlss said:
Unlocked phone = not SIM locked to any particular provider.
Unlocked bootloader = you can flash whatever software you like on the phone = void warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great I guess that answers my questions. IS there a way to reverse it back to the Google locked boot-loader in case I need to return?
daraj said:
Great I guess that answers my questions. IS there a way to reverse it back to the Google locked boot-loader in case I need to return?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment, no.
this should amuse you...
the $530 "unlocked" phone from Google is Sim unlocked...but so is the $180 TMO phone from Google For kicks I put my ATT Sim in my friend's TMO N1 and as expected, it worked just fine on ATT.
Not sure why they are calling it unlocked since all being sold are unlocked (unless my friend magically received the wrong phone) but I guess if that helps move units...why not. Perhaps they mean you are not locked into any contracts by purchasing it
yea that's wat is meant....
Even the subsidized version from Tmobile is not sim locked. Same phone, just get it at a cheaper price.
Moved to Q&A
deprecate said:
this should amuse you...
the $530 "unlocked" phone from Google is Sim unlocked...but so is the $180 TMO phone from Google For kicks I put my ATT Sim in my friend's TMO N1 and as expected, it worked just fine on ATT.
Not sure why they are calling it unlocked since all being sold are unlocked (unless my friend magically received the wrong phone) but I guess if that helps move units...why not. Perhaps they mean you are not locked into any contracts by purchasing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "version" you get for $180 is the exact same one you get with $530. No one ever said it was locked. What they are doing is for the $180 price, you are re-locking yourself into another 2 year contract with T-Mobile and getting the phone at a subsidized price.
Unlike the phone they sell in the stores, this will be SIM unlocked since it is NOT T-Mobile branded.
T-Mobile (as well as any other carrier) will see this as a "gray market" device and will not support it, although, they will allow it on their network.
Hope this clarification helps.
Hello everyone, I've been researching about unlocking bootloader for a month (kind of). Since my phone is 11w41, I won't do it by the free methods there are available since it's a risk I'm not willing to take.
Then there is paid methods (which I'm willing to do), and here comes my question:
- In this website - http://unlock-bootloader.com/unlock/ - the guy states: "This will unlock your SIM*, Bootloader and Fastboot at same time." - Process is setool2 + testpoints.
[Q] There are shops in my country (Argentina) where you take ANY phone and they "unlock it" - they unlock SIM, and install "last android" there is for the device -, so, would doing this also unlock bootloader?
The process is probably different, so I came up with "my original" question - Would unlocking SIM also unlock BL? Regardless the process?
Or there is a specific process that only unlocks SIM?
I'm aware in this shops they use some kind of boxes, which automatizes most of what "they" do to the phones. And then the employee had NO IDEA of what bootloader is. So I've asked, but they don't know.
Price is about the same in both methods 20 USD (x4,5 in Arg.) . So I'm not willing to pay 2 times, I got to be sure of what I'm doing!
Just pm that Site via contact us.
Ask about bootloader unlock.
I asked before he said 24usd for bl unlock
Sent from my X8 using Tapatalk 2
Rderasta said:
Hello everyone, I've been researching about unlocking bootloader for a month (kind of). Since my phone is 11w41, I won't do it by the free methods there are available since it's a risk I'm not willing to take.
Then there is paid methods (which I'm willing to do), and here comes my question:
- In this website - http://unlock-bootloader.com/unlock/ - the guy states: "This will unlock your SIM*, Bootloader and Fastboot at same time." - Process is setool2 + testpoints.
[Q] There are shops in my country (Argentina) where you take ANY phone and they "unlock it" - they unlock SIM, and install "last android" there is for the device -, so, would doing this also unlock bootloader?
The process is probably different, so I came up with "my original" question - Would unlocking SIM also unlock BL? Regardless the process?
Or there is a specific process that only unlocks SIM?
I'm aware in this shops they use some kind of boxes, which automatizes most of what "they" do to the phones. And then the employee had NO IDEA of what bootloader is. So I've asked, but they don't know.
Price is about the same in both methods 20 USD (x4,5 in Arg.) . So I'm not willing to pay 2 times, I got to be sure of what I'm doing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it should unlock simlock and bootloader together....
Sent from my E15a using xda premium
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
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.
I know for the HTC G2, you can downgrade the Android software version to unlock the bootloader, are there any software solutions like that for locked devices?
No, theres nothing you can do about that unfortunately.
When you get a phone from a network provider, it is likely the phone would not be allowed to have the bootloader unlocked. They request Sony to do that before they ship it out to them.
My advice next time is to buy it FACTORY unlocked. If you're buying an unlocked Sony phone secondhand online, ask the seller if it has been previously locked to a network provider before. If the seller not so sure, guide them to the service menu to where the bootloader status is. That's what I would do.
Hey,
I wanted to root my XZ1 compact, unfortunaly I realized that my bootloader is unable to be unlocked.
I am a bit confused, as I thought the unlocking is not allowed if your phone is blocked by your carrier, but this phone doesn't have a branding and has no simlock.
Are there other reasons why a bootloader unlocking isn't allowed?
I got this phone as a display model from I think it was UK, perhaps this could be why.
If someone has an idea if there could be a way to unlock, I would be very grateful, even though I know that it doesn't seem possible.
Edit: Ok I think the bootloader is still blocked by the carrier MyEE, their app is on the phone. So it's probably because of them that the phone is blocked, even though I can use other SIM cards...
If somebody knows what I could do to unblock the bootloader, please tell me.
Thank you!
Monti1811 said:
Edit: Ok I think the bootloader is still blocked by the carrier MyEE, their app is on the phone. So it's probably because of them that the phone is blocked, even though I can use other SIM cards...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the phone came from EE or any other carrier the BL will be locked, getting a code to unlock the sim won't unlock the BL, so unfortunately you're stuck with a BL locked phone.