Hi.I'm going to buy an italian xperia play branded TIM.
My question is:Can I flash a general firmware to debrand the phone and than unlock the bootloader with fastboot?
Can someone explain me how to do these things?
Thanks very much
Think the 1st sticky thread at the top of this forum should answer all your questions!
well.
my last question.
If i buy a branded xperia,can I flash a general stock firmware non branded after i installerd Clockworkmod for locked bootloader?and next,unlock bootloader and flash doomkernel?
A better way to do that is just to not flash the CWM for locked bootloaders. The reason being that doomlords kernel includes CWM in it already, I'm not sure how the locked version is stored or whatever but you might run into problems if you have both "installed".
So there is a Doomlords kernel for locked bootloaders? mmm..this is a good news.In fact i wanted to flash CWM first because i thought that i have to unbrand my xperia and than flash another kernel.So i can buy xperia branded and install doomkernel? or i have to:
by xperia-install CWM-unbrand Tim-Unlock bootloader-remove CWM-install doomkernel? excuse me for noob
easiest way to debrand your phone: search Wotanserver on google and use their software to debrand (really esay, there's a step by step guide), then do whatever you want...
No, how it works is you have to unlock your bootloader in order to flash a kernel. As for unbranding you can either use the Wotan server or a .ftf file, neither of these require an unlocked bootloader. You can also flash CWM with a locked bootloader, however this is not the one included in doomkernel, and it will not grant you the ability to flash ROMs as you need an unlocked bootloader to flash the kernel. You want to touch the kernel? You need to unlock your bootloader. Unbranding? You can simply use the two methods listed above. All I was saying earlier is that if you plan on getting your bootloader unlocked (which in most cases is going to run you $24) theres no need to install the locked bootloader CWM first as once youre unlocked you can just flash doomkernel and already have CWM installed.
BuckM said:
No, how it works is you have to unlock your bootloader in order to flash a kernel. As for unbranding you can either use the Wotan server or a .ftf file, neither of these require an unlocked bootloader. You can also flash CWM with a locked bootloader, however this is not the one included in doomkernel, and it will not grant you the ability to flash ROMs as you need an unlocked bootloader to flash the kernel. You want to touch the kernel? You need to unlock your bootloader. Unbranding? You can simply use the two methods listed above. All I was saying earlier is that if you plan on getting your bootloader unlocked (which in most cases is going to run you $24) theres no need to install the locked bootloader CWM first as once youre unlocked you can just flash doomkernel and already have CWM installed.
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ok thanks.i heard that the italian xperia and not the verizon ones can be unlocked with an official method released by sony
Yep thats true, it's the case with a lot of r800i's, if you can put your phone into fastboot mode (turn off, hold search button, plug into usb, blue light comes on) you can unlock it for free through sonys online tool. While the light will go on for the CDMA version you don't have an IMEI to enter on the site so it wont work. All other plays CAN be unlocked, but its not free, you need to go through a pay service to enable fastboot.
Very thanks!however one of my friends bought an xperia and it was GSM R800i TIM and he was able to debrand and unlock so i think that also i can unlock my future xperia,or almost i hope it
Ya it all depends on where you get it from, but keep in mind it only costs $24 to unlock, so even if you find one say on eBay thats cheap but locked to a carrier, you could still just pay $24. That being said they're going pretty cheap now so I don't think you'll have a problem finding one, unlocked or otherwise. As a side not though, you don't need to be unlocked to debrand the phone, you just flash a different firmware file .
and so i can flash a generic firmware with flashtool or similiar?without installing CWM for loocked bootloaders?that's simply excellent!It's can't be better Ok,i will buy an xperia play and not lg optimus dual,that i simply hate xD i don't want a super-power phone,with a bad designe and without the pad.i loved,i love and i will love pad in gaming
Yep you can flash firmware, install CWM, and root, all without unlocking the bootloader (not that you need one to do the others). Unfortunatly the more fun stuff does require an unlocked bootloader, ie overclocking, undervolting, custom ROMs, etc. Anyway you always have the option, so read up on it and decide if you need it or not, regardless, enjoy your new toy
Related
Ok, Thanks for all the info!
Got a Rogers Xperia Arc, payed for sim-unlock, upgraded from 2.3.3 to 2.3.4 world version with flashtool and finally rooted it.
Now I want I.C.S.
My bootloader is still locked and can be unlocked for a small amount BUT I was wandering if there is a way to convert a rom (zip that you can install from sd card if you have CWM and your fastboot works) into a .ftf (which I understood has the kernel already inside...) and THEN flash it with flashtool to the phone...
BTW, when I run s1tool I get
Code:
LOADER VERSION: "r4A045"
lower case 'r'. Does that mean my bootloader is unlocked, because it changed from capital to lower case. Can't connect with fastboot to the phone though...
Thank YOU!
Devices with locked bootloader will get ICS officially from SE in March/April.
You can't just flash a zip and expect to get ICS, your best shot is an ICS theme for GB.
For a full ROM you need a new custom kernel too ---> unlocked bootloader.
I think you should unlock your phone now.
I unlocked mine yesteday with Alejandrissimo, it was fast and easy (except the plastic stuff under the SIM-card) so now I can do everything like the big boys (and girls/Iris).
i have a play, its android 2.3.4, build 4.0.2.A.0.42, baseband 8x55A-AAABQMAZM-203028D-56, model r800a, rogers is original provider, not unlocked, currently rooted, and service menu says i cannot unlock bootloader,
i want to use cm rom, thats it, dont care about anything else, might want to try the ics leak, but i am not sure at all if i can or where to start,
i started with root, and thats as far as i can figure out...
any advice will be awesome
Well you'd better start off by unlocking your bootloader. Can't have CM otherwise
i was under impression that there is no free method to bootloader unlock a branded, sim locked to rogers r800a on 2.3.4
im already rooted with cwm recovery installed,
but not bootloader unlock
Not free, no, but that's the only way you'd get CM. Sorry
whats currently the cheapest paid method, as im on very tight budget right now
Well you can do a "test point" unlock by contacting Alejandrissimo. He helps people do the unlock remotely, but the program that's used needs 20 or 25 bucks (I forget which) for the unlock credit.
ive tried pm'ing him, but no reply, is there anyone else that can do it for cheap ?
Try Jinx13, hes active and does it for 15GBP or $24US.
Check his profile for his email.
I'm gonna bump this thread, I'm on the same firmware and baseband as the OP. I did contact the first guy mentioned and its 24 USD. Is it not possible to flash to generic firmware with Flashtool and then continue to unlock the bootloader ? I have Root and Sim Unlocked. Thanks
Did you look at Sony's bootloader unlocking method? If you do the service menu check and it says Bootloader Unlock: No, then you'll have to pay. Flashing to any firmware won't make unlocking methods any different.
Okay thanks.
djowett said:
I'm gonna bump this thread, I'm on the same firmware and baseband as the OP. I did contact the first guy mentioned and its 24 USD. Is it not possible to flash to generic firmware with Flashtool and then continue to unlock the bootloader ? I have Root and Sim Unlocked. Thanks
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You can flash any firmware using flash tool. Download cwm from the market you will have more options. The only way to unlock the boot loader is to pay!!!
You could buy some Omnius credits and do the unlocking yourself without any remote assistance.
The price is probably around the same, maybe a bit less.
here's the site
That's what I used, but I got it for free during an Easter weekend promo.
I have a UK Xperia Play on .42 firmware with CWM recovery and root provided by Zerg Rush.
I've heard that I need .62 to install some of the custom firmwares.
.42 appears to be the latest firmware I can get OTA. I'm not sure the best way to upgrade to .62, do I need to go via .58 or similar.
Does it matter that I have a UK phone?
Is it possible to preserve my settings?
Will I need to re-root at any time?
In the long run I am looking to install DooMKerneL and probably something like Jokawild.
You have to flash the ftf file for your phone
Here is a link to 99% of them
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1589399
If you install a new firmwares. Maybe you'll need to root it again..
But since the devs makes the pre-rooted custom ROMs, you don't need to root it anymore
Sent using xda premium from my customized Xperia™ PLAY r800i
I don't have an unlocked bootloader. Is this required to install a custom ROM even if I have root?
Is there any disadvantage to unlocking the bootloader?
kirby2000 said:
I don't have an unlocked bootloader. Is this required to install a custom ROM even if I have root?
Is there any disadvantage to unlocking the bootloader?
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No unlocked bootloader = no custom kernels/ very limited to roms
Only disadvantage is it voids your warranty, but being that you have root, you have no warranty anyway lol
I was in the same position as you. I wanted to get a custom ROM and be able to overclock my phone. After a few annoying errors, I finally got it up and running
Basically, your going to have get your phone into flashmode and then flash the .62.ftf file on your phone. Congratualtions you now have .62FW (although youve lost root).
To get root on .62 FW, your going to have to flash a custom kernel (I did DoomKernel v14). To flash a kernel, your going to have to unlock your bootloader. After unlocking and flashing the kernal, your phone is now rooted.
And plus the positive side Ive heard is that you CANNOT brick your sony eircsson phone. (well you probably could but there is a very very slim chance of that happening).
Thanks.
It seems I can't unlock via the regular Sony way as Unlock Bootloader is set to no.
I think I need S1Tool or something similar (maybe something I have to pay for) to get my bootloader unlocked. I'll check the forums a bit before I ask any questions that haven't been asked before
i did it via omnius and it work great, i just payed 19.76 for one single unlock credit on gsmserver
not sure why people say that root voids warranty.
i have ATT play 4g and it was having hardware issues, so i flashed the stock ATT software back and took it to the store. i got a "new" one in the mail two days ago.
I also sent my rooted xperia play that had the slider broken to CLARO El Salvador and they repaired it (They flashed their ROM again XD)
Now i have unlocked bootloader but who cares i have premium insurance
Any modification to the software voids the warranty..
Update:
I downloaded s1tool and connected the test point to the ground. Everything seems to have worked so I am guessing my bootloader is unlocked. Is there anyway I can verify this, or should I just attempt to install a kernel?
kirby2000 said:
Update:
I downloaded s1tool and connected the test point to the ground. Everything seems to have worked so I am guessing my bootloader is unlocked. Is there anyway I can verify this, or should I just attempt to install a kernel?
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Try to put the phone in flash mode (green light) if it recognizes it, it's unlocked. I think there is a sequence or symbols/numbers you can do to check it, but idk what that is since im a r800x
To check your unlocked bootloader you need to dial: *#*#7378423#*#* , then go under, Service info > Configuration > Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes/No.
I've got a locked r800at that is rooted and has CWM on it. Is it possible to flash a ROM with a stock kernel to this or is it absolutely necessary to get the bootloader unlocked?
Is it possible to unlock the bootloader myself using the SETool and whatever else needs to be done?
There are some Roms that dont need a custom kernel like Gin2jb, but teyre based on stock 2.3.4. For ICS/GB Roms youll need to unlock your bootloader, because they require a custom kernel to run.
as for unlocking the bootloader goes. is it possible to do oneself? i've read everywhere that people go to other sites and have them do it. i've downloaded the necessary software in case i go that route, but i've also seen that people have done it on their own (maybe?)
I have flashtool on my computer it has a option to unlock bootloader but my computer isnt hooked up to the internet you could try that.
sent from my r800x using darkforest Rom 3.0.5 on locked bootloader
I guess if you had the tools & the money to buy the credits to unlock it...you could. But if not you'll have to pay to get it unlocked( definitely worth it).
Edit: I realized I forgot that the (a) IS gsm.
R800x-unlocked/AOKP m6
Hello everyone, am new to xperia phones. I wanted to flash CM12 on Xperia M C1905. But am not allowed to unlock the bootloader. But I was thinking if there was a way just like installing recovery on locked bootloader. I also thought that if there was a way to convert an boot.img to kernel.sin. You would be able to flash the kernel via Flashtool just by swapping the kernel of the stock firmware. Or if someone could try to flash the unlocked bootloader of the of another C1905 on the locked one. It might work.
Does anyone knows how to unlock bootloader using testpoint method on the device?
Thanks in Advance!
.img .sin .elf, doesn't matter, a kernel can't be modified in any way without unlocking the bootloader
Even using it with Flashtool in Flashmode flash?
Does anyone knows how to Unlock bootloader by testpoint the device?
If you device has a permanently locked bootloader (e.g. bought it from a carrier or with a contract), there's no known way to unlock it and with a locked bootloader it'll only accept kernels/recoveries signed by Sony (even if you manage to repack CyanogenMod kernel in a .sin file, your phone would refuse it because it's not signed by Sony). Even if you find a test point in the board or a serial interface to flash another kernel directly in the phone's eMMC chip, it would still refuse to boot because kernel signature is always verified when powering the device. If it's not signed or if it have a different signature, phone turn off immediately.
For locked bootloader users, the only way of getting a custom ROM would be building a custom kernel with kexec support and hijacking the stock init procedure, making it loading the custom kernel right after the stock kernel. At the moment, the closest we got to that was the CWM recovery you linked but it barely works and only in the old 4.1.2/4.2.2 firmware. Seen Xperia M doesn't have many active developers, it's unlikely to expect custom ROMs for locked bootloaders in near future...
Yeah, you're screwed, no known way around that. As a future advice, never buy another Sony device from a carrier or with a contract
mbc07 said:
If you device has a permanently locked bootloader (e.g. bought it from a carrier or with a contract), there's no known way to unlock it and with a locked bootloader it'll only accept kernels/recoveries signed by Sony (even if you manage to repack CyanogenMod kernel in a .sin file, your phone would refuse it because it's not signed by Sony). Even if you find a test point in the board or a serial interface to flash another kernel directly in the phone's eMMC chip, it would still refuse to boot because kernel signature is always verified when powering the device. If it's not signed or if it have a different signature, phone turn off immediately.
For locked bootloader users, the only way of getting a custom ROM would be building a custom kernel with kexec support and hijacking the stock init procedure, making it loading the custom kernel right after the stock kernel. At the moment, the closest we got to that was the CWM recovery you linked but it barely works and only in the old 4.1.2/4.2.2 firmware. Seen Xperia M doesn't have many active developers, it's unlikely to expect custom ROMs for locked bootloaders in near future...
Yeah, you're screwed, no known way around that. As a future advice, never buy another Sony device from a carrier or with a contract
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Thanks for your reply, that made me understand more about sony's phones. But I was wondering, the says that fastboot is usually disabled when bootloader is locked. But mine, I have access to fastboot and still bootloader is locked. But i did try to flash a kernel, and the following poped-up
FAILED (remote: Command not succeed)
Is this normal for me to be able to access fastboot? or the issue is with the device itself?
And also it was bought on eBay, no carrier device or contract one :/
Thanks in Advance!
Fastboot mode is always accessible, the difference is that with a locked bootloader, the only command that will succeed is fastboot oem unlock and only if your bootloader is unlockable. Otherwise, fastboot is there but it's useless because all commands will return "failed"...