Develop Bugs

[Q] How to unlock network on Xperia Arc

Hi guys,
I have Xperia Arc which was locked to 3 UK. I flashed generic firmware from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115542 , rooted it and updated to 2.3.3 The phone is rooted and unbranded now, but it is still locked to the network. If I put another sim card it asks for Sim network unlock PIN. How can I unlock it?
Thanks

Im on 3 and UK there is no way to unlock it except from a code mate. I pm'ed u
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There must be a way around this, it is software issue, I thought the lock was in firmware, but if not, where can it be? is it in bootloader? Or I flashed wrong firmware?

aristarh said:
There must be a way around this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only way is to pay.
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XperienceD said:
Only way is to pay.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm really intrigued, why is it not possible? Can anyone explain this?
If XDA wizards have access to firmware source, why they can't remove this lock from there?
Or I know for sure that unlocked smartphones exist, why not to take firmware from them?
This is not a hardware feature (or is it?), so it should be possible to overcome this, am I wrong?

SIM/network locking has nothing to do with firmware/software, hence you can flash any firmware onto any phone and maintain your (un)lock.
It's a lower-level software lock on the radio which is loaded before any firmware.
Think BIOS password on a PC. It locks the PC regardless of what operating system you have on it and is loaded before any OS.
Carrier-branded phones also cannot be bootloader unlocked at the moment, but there aren't any custom ROMs yet so it's not a big issue.

@BluechipJ
Thanks for reply,
Do you mean this is done in the bootloader? I know it is possible to unlock bootloader.
And what do you mean by carrier-branded phones? this phone doesn't have any logos on it. There was carrier splashscreen and a couple of apps but they are gone now after I flashed generic firmware. Is my phone still branded or not?

It is not branded but sim-locked now.
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aristarh said:
@BluechipJ
Thanks for reply,
Do you mean this is done in the bootloader? I know it is possible to unlock bootloader.
And what do you mean by carrier-branded phones? this phone doesn't have any logos on it. There was carrier splashscreen and a couple of apps but they are gone now after I flashed generic firmware. Is my phone still branded or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the radio/network/SIM lock is separate and independent from the bootloader and any firmware.
Carrier-branded means the phone had carrier apps/logo/is sold directly by the carrier. My Rogers arc does not have any physical logos either. It had Rogers applications and splash but like yours, are now gone since I flashed a generic firmware. However, it is still a carrier-branded phone. It was sold directly by a carrier. The bootloader is therefore, locked and cannot be unlocked (yet).
You can go to the Sony Ericsson site (http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com/) and get your unlock key, but there is no way to get into Fastboot mode to enter it (on carrier-issued phones).

Thanks for the explanation.
SIM/network locking has nothing to do with firmware/software, hence you can flash any firmware onto any phone and maintain your (un)lock.
It's a lower-level software lock on the radio which is loaded before any firmware.
Think BIOS password on a PC. It locks the PC regardless of what operating system you have on it and is loaded before any OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just thought the other brand(s) of android phones is not as secure as this, that we need to pay for an unlock code. Others can just be sim-unlocked by software!

You can unlock the Phone using the Unlock code,You can get the Unlock code from the site www.theunlockspot.com and unlock it..Then you can use in any Country GSM Carriers.

No! It is possible to unlock the phone with proper simlock.ta cuz I have locked it by flashing it. God damn it!
So it is possible to vice versa.

cool_recep said:
No! It is possible to unlock the phone with proper simlock.ta cuz I have locked it by flashing it. God damn it!
So it is possible to vice versa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, Did you have success???

[Q] CAN'T FASTBOOT: No Blue Light (Phone is Network Unlocked, Tried Debranding too)

Hi!
I've recently bought my Arc with an O2 (Ireland) contract but the phone doesn't seem to have any apparent signs of branding...... ie. no logos or O2 apps (apart from the default homepage of the browser which is set to O2). Also, I recently got an unlock key from the network, so it's network unlocked too.
My goal is to root the phone. But first I have to unlock the bootloader, right? So I went off to unlock the bootloader but my biggest problem so far is that I can't get the phone into fastboot mode- ie. when I disconnect the phone, then turn it off completely and press and hold the menu button (on the bottom right) and reconnect it........ the light is supposed to turn blue but it doesn't! The light never turns on but instead, the sony ericsson logo comes on for a few seconds and then the batter charging symbol comes on.....
I've also managed to flash its ROM to a debranded version but still couldn't get into fastboot mode even in that....
Can somebody please let me know how I can get my phone into fastboot mode?
Thanks a million!

you don't need to do anything with the bootloader unless you're flashing roms or you want x-recovery. flash 2.3.2, root with gingerbreak and then upgrade to 2.3.3 ota. as in here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115542

Thank you! Will give it a go in a minute and see how it goes!

sinkster said:
you don't need to do anything with the bootloader unless you're flashing roms or you want x-recovery. flash 2.3.2, root with gingerbreak and then upgrade to 2.3.3 ota. as in here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1115542
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I tried what u suggested and it works! BUT, it's only a temporary solution..... after I upgraded to 2.3.3 and did a hard reset, the phone was back to its original unrooted state.
Is there any way of permanently rooting it so that it remains even after a hard reset?
Also, how do I get the phone into fastboot mode?
Cheers.

Fastboot is disabled on "branded" phones (basically any phone from a carrier) regardless of SIM/network-lock status or debranding. See this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1037874

Here in Germany Arcs from at least Telekom and Vodafone are unlockable. When they are just branded.
Didn't test it myself on my Arc that had a Telekom branding but read it in different forums.
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Why do you need to make a hard reset?
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Got a brand new Arc and now what?

Hi everyone
i am brand new to android and just my self a brand new arc from rogers.
what should i do with?
i am one of those guys who really cant sit straight with the default ... lol
thanks

the all in one namaste guide was my first good read...

cryogenix said:
the all in one namaste guide was my first good read...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks alot
do you by chance have a link to it?
and also, i need to unlock it so i can use it on a different carrier
thanks

its stickied at this section. the top thread.

easiest and cheapest way to unlock is to use omnius but this will also unlock your bootloader but it can always be locked again.
here is link to the guide about arc
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1133650

Not much to do except themeing and rooting at the moment for a stable phone.
My suggestion is to just use it as it is because the battery life is awesome with stock ROM. I had timescape and other junk uninstalled.
There is not as much development going on for arc as for the x10 at the moment.
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If u are willing then check this out-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102523
its still in development but .....as u said
i am one of those guys who really cant sit straight with the default ... lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If you can unlock the bootloader then you should look at installed doomlords kernel... allows you to overclock the CPU.. amongst other things!

thanks everyone for your help
i really appreciate it
i followed the namaste tutorial and now have a rooted arc with 3.0.A.2.181 generic firmware
my next question and probably most important one
how do i unlock the phone to use on a different carrier?
when i insert my sim from other carrier it asks for SIM unlock code? do i have to call them to get this?
thanks again

No mate, you must buy an unlock code from a trusted website.
I highly doubt the carriers will give you an unlock code.

any recommendations for a site to get the unlock code?

Not sure why you bought a brand new locked phone to a carrier you don't use? How strange. Anyway, your carrier should sell you an unlock code. In the UK this is usually GBP15.
I would also avoid fiddling too much with custom firmware - what little exists is very early in development and rather rough. The stock SE firmware is actually very good.
The most I would do if you want to debrand is to flash a generic stock SE ROM and then actually use your phone and enjoy it.

thanks alot
i did flash it with generic rom. so thats good to go
i still dont know why i rooted it because i dont see a use for it so far... will have to wait and see
any experience with Cellunlocker.net?

Yes - I used them. I got the code in the end but it took ages - maybe it will be different now. It was expensive though. Doesn't Omnius-Server unlock phones and you get the bootloader unlocked at the same time - its way cheaper than cellunlocker too.

for unlocking a sim-locked arc in the most cost efficient way and helping the community, contact Blagus for his service.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=2645841

jtdc said:
for unlocking a sim-locked arc in the most cost efficient way and helping the community, contact Blagus for his service.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=2645841
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eset is blocking this guys website. its harmful
whats the different between simunlock and bootloader unlock?
i want to be able to use it on a different network? which one do i need?
thanks

> eset is blocking this guys website. its harmful
whats the different between simunlock and bootloader unlock?
i want to be able to use it on a different network? which one do i need?
not sure why its blocked but just contact him directly here in xda-forums.
"sim unlock" allows your phone to use any networks and not just where your phone was subsidized from. means can use any sim card and network worldwide. of course if you will just stick to your current provider and not intend to go to other country and use the sims there, maybe you will not need sim unlock. also, a sim unlocked phone has more value in terms of resale.
"bootloader unlock" allows your phone to be programmed to use other software or system which is either a modified form of software from Sony Ericssson (often with enhancement) or even a whole new system for the phone which makes it look and work differently from the original. it is for more technically expert users.
For me, i am ok with Sony Ericsson stock, but I do appreciate the bootloader unlock as it allows me to flash doomlord's kernel makes downclock phone max speed possible to save battery life. it also gives root access already which offers full control of the programs running in the phone.
For your requirement, sim unlock is enough. But I believe Blagus solution when done, does already a sim unlock AND enables the phone to be bootloader unlocked. Note that it just "enables unlocking", its still choice to have it remained in locked state. Because sim locked phones have locked bootloaders and cannot be unlocked using the Sony Ericsson publicly provided procedures.

[Q] Not A Generic Bootloader Unlock Thread! - R800at

Recently got an R800at from ebay that was unlocked (first ever smartphone, woo). I was able to use my dad's sim card no problem, and dialing the number for the settings window showed no column stating whether the bootloader was allowed to be unlocked or not - according to some threads I've read, users who had unlocked Plays also had the same experience, leading me to believe my bootloader was indeed unlocked.
After following the Gin2Jellybean guide, I managed to brick my phone today (stuck on sony ericsson text), but restored via downloading a stock rom off the internet and installing via flashboot (the SUS and pc companion were having issues - they said no software was available or I had the most up to date software).
Now it seems I goofed up a second time; I was following the Gin2Jellybean guide again when I realized I was following the version for locked bootloaders! I was already on step 4 to install CWM when I realized this, but I decided to just try to install doomlord kernel v14 as per normal and hope that the doomlord root toolbox from the locked bootloder tutorial that I had used wouldn't conflict with anything.
Upon reading the directions for doomlord kernal v14, I decided to double check that my bootloader was still the same as yesterday (before I had bricked my phone). As it turns out, I now have a column for bootloader, and it says unlocking is not allowed. So what's the deal, was my phone's bootloader actually unlocked in the first place, and if so, why is it not unlocked now? According to this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1720201), bootloader unlocking is permanent.
Here's the link to the guide I'm following: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631144
Gonna go take the dog for a walk now and listen to some calm relaxing music... Hopefully I didn't screw myself over here.

So when you typed in that code, you got told that your bootloader can't be unlocked? If this is the case, you would have to pay to have it unlocked by someone such as Alejandrissimo. It may be that your bootloader was never able to be unlocked as i can't think of why that would change
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SIM unlock and bootloader unlock are two very different things, as you've probably found out by now; the r800at models can't be bootloader-unlocked with the free Sony method; you're going to have to pay someone, and it'll cost you at least $20. If you got one of the phones from the guy selling them for $105 on eBay, I'm pretty sure those are SIM-unlocked only.
If you don't want to pay extra, there's nothing wrong with keeping it locked; there're a few ROMs you won't be able to use, and you can't change your kernel, but for the most part you should have a good experience.

FEGuy said:
SIM unlock and bootloader unlock are two very different things, as you've probably found out by now; the r800at models can't be bootloader-unlocked with the free Sony method; you're going to have to pay someone, and it'll cost you at least $20. If you got one of the phones from the guy selling them for $105 on eBay, I'm pretty sure those are SIM-unlocked only.
If you don't want to pay extra, there's nothing wrong with keeping it locked; there're a few ROMs you won't be able to use, and you can't change your kernel, but for the most part you should have a good experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything you said seems to be spot on. The only thing that doesn't add up is why there wasn't anything saying one way or the other whether my bootloader was unlocked yesterday, but now today there is.
And ya, I probably won't end up paying the $20; basically I just wanted to remove bloatware and have a nice looking interface. Besides the question about why there was nothing on my bootloader yesterday, can you say offhand whether my sim should still be unlocked? I don't have one nearby to test.

Go to the dialer and enter *#*#7378423#*#* and go to Service Info -> SIM lock. The bottom line should say SIM 0 if it's unlocked. As for why it wasn't showing the bootloader status, I don't know. I was having the same problem yesterday, on multiple ROMs, so perhaps it was added in some specific update.

bought new r800at unlocked but is bootloader?

how can i tell if boot loader is unlocked. I bought this r800at on eBay i use it with cell one in Montana and i cant seem to get the data to work. I have got the data to work on several androids i have used Motorola xt720 also Samsung i9000 but for some reason i cant get data to work. I have triple checked the apn info so i want to try custom a ROM i have done this with all my androids and not getting much info on the r800at version.

ruler1976 said:
how can i tell if boot loader is unlocked. I bought this r800at on eBay i use it with cell one in Montana and i cant seem to get the data to work. I have got the data to work on several androids i have used Motorola xt720 also Samsung i9000 but for some reason i cant get data to work. I have triple checked the apn info so i want to try custom a ROM i have done this with all my androids and not getting much info on the r800at version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone's bootloader will be locked if you bought it new. Unless you bought it second hand and the person before you unlocked it, you will have to unlock it yourself.
Here is the link to the offiial Sony guide to unlocking your bootloader
unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com
Hit Thanks if I helped :good:

You have to take r800at to att store and have them unlock your device for you. There is no free method for unlocking r800at version.