Develop Bugs

[Q] unlock sim and bootloader on xperia play

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

[Q] ICS on an locked bootloader - doable?

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).

Upgrading from .42 to .62

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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

What can I do with a locked bootloader?

So I just got an Xperia M because I wanted a super-small device with 1 GB RAM and Sony firmware and community support (in a way, my Xperia Ray is the best smartphone I've ever had!). Turns out it's sim unlocked but bootlocker locked - it's a Bell Mobility device. I expected it to be fully unlocked so I was all excited and ready to flash 5.1 and mess around with mods. If I understand correctly, anything that requires flashing a new kernel (*.img file) is a no-go. So, I think I can get away with some 4.4 ROMs on the 4.3 kernel? What are your recommendations? Any crazy way to force unlock the BL? (there was a testpoint method on 2011 Xperias)...
I've looked in the forums and it's not really clear to me which ROMs are OK for locked bootloaders (LBL). I've seen one thread labeled LB, but I'm used to other forums where many threads are labeled LBL/UBL. It's OK if you need to moderate this question out (although I believe it might be helpful to newcomers), but can someone please answer it first or point me in the right direction?

As far as I know, you can only root it with TowelRoot (or Flashtool). Then you can tweak it with Xposed.
If your bl is unlockable, then you can unlock it via official method (google: how to unlock sony bootloader).

Trouble to unlock bootloader on Xperia Arc S (LT18a)

Before you ask me, yes i have searched through lots of threads and i only create a new one because i still cant solve this. Perhaps someone here knows.
I have an Arc S with locked sim and "Bootloader unlock allowed: No"; and i've done hours of research, tried to get the unique unlock code for it and i did get it but i can't unlock it because as its bootloader state is "No" i cant get it into fastboot mode. So later i found i could only do it with that paid method of omni something which is about making a bridge in those contacs under the Sim.
So up to date, almost 2018, do i still have to pay more than this phone costed me to get a quite decent user experience with it? Because i wont.
I would really appreciate if anyone knows a method to do unlock BL with my current status. Thanks!
Edit. I gave up, im just looking to get a new GB rom that works in a locked device (now rooted btw) because flashtool doesnt seem to like 4.0.4 roms and i get system.sin errors while flashing any rom that is not 2.3.4 .
So does any of you know a rom that at least has a working download link? 70% of threads i search about this cointain dead links.
No Xperia Companion does not recognize the device (yes tried lots of things like debug on and off) and the PC Companion client that the phone comes with from factory always gives error while installing, so im pretty much stuck with ginger bread .ftf from the webs and flashtools. Thanks.