Develop Bugs

Is it possible to unlock bootloader if phone says it cant be?

I went to see if my bootloader can be unlocked from the sony website.
I followed the instructions by putting that code into my phone dailer.
Under the section if it says my bootloader can be unlocked, it says no.
Does this mean I CANT use custom roms?
Is there no other way to unlock the bootloader?

You can always unlock the bootloader, it's just a matter if it's free or not. It all goes back to whether you can use fastboot or not ( the tool used to flash kernels). If you bought your phone sim unlocked it more than likely means fastboot is enabled and you can unlock for free through sonys tool and be on your way to flashing custom kernels. If your phone is sim locked or you paid to get the sim unlocked by a code then fastboot will be disabled. So to rephrase: turn your phone off, hold the search button and plug it in to your computer, if the status light goes blue (and you're not on a CDMA one, r800x) then fastboot is enabled and you can unlock for free through sonys utility, otherwise you're going to have to use a pay service like this (~$24):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1322827
And to answer your question, yes and no, while it's not possible to flash ROMs that use a custom kernel like cyanogenmod without an unlocked bootloader you CAN flash stock based ROMs through the recovery made for locked bootloaders.

I have an R800A from Rogers.
The LED doesn't go on at all when I press the search button.
When I goto sony's website, I go into the phone settings, where it says if the bootloader can be unlocked, it says NO.
You mentioned a paid servers. Is unlocking the phone by allowing it on another network the same as unlocking the boot loader?

No, that's sim unlocking. Confusingly a bootloader unlock will actually sim unlock you as well though, the difference between the two is a sim unlock is a code and the bootloader unlock is done through test points. So ya, if you didn't get the blue light your only option for unlocking is a paid service, sorry.

Well actually an unlocked bootloader allows booting of custom(unsigned) kernel images and can be achieved with various means according to the situation.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Which is what I said in my above post... And the only ways to unlock it are:
- Through sony's online tool if fastboot is enabled and you have an IMEI (sorry CDMAs)
- Or a test point unlock, such as setool2 or omnius, which will enable fastboot

Oh ok sry then, thought u were being general.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Thanks for the help. I contacted the guy about getting it unlocked.

is my mobile bootloader already unlocked?

Hello Guys,
Today i was about to unlock my bootloader using SE Bootloader Unlocking v1.6(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1560613) but before doing so i used s1tool to identify my device.Here is the screenshot. Check my S1_EROM version it starts with "r" not "R".so it's alreay unlocked? How do i know(check) my mobile has bootloader unlocked?
I bought this mobile almost a year ago and it was brand new from stock.So not sure it's already have bootloader unlocked since i haven't unlocked the bootloader yet.I just want to know what's happening.Sorry if this question has already been asked as i am kin of noob(but have rooted and flashed ROMs using flashtool and CWM) and want to know what's the bootloader status.If anyone know how to check bootloader unlock staus it would be very kind to share as i am gonna unlock my bootloader and need to recheck if it's unlocked properly so that it won't brick my phone.

shoeseat said:
How do i know(check) my mobile has bootloader unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try flashing a kernel is the obvious and simplest answer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1301877

XperienceD said:
Try flashing a kernel is the obvious and simplest answer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1301877
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if my bootloader is locked it won't let me flash custom kernel like(boot.img of cynogenmod) or it will brick my phone? You link doesn't explain anything on how to check bootloader unlock status."bootloader unlock allowed:yes" will be for those devices whose bootloader can be unlocked but it doesn't tell you if bootloader is unlocked or locked.
I simply want to unlock my bootloader.Then flash cynogenmod.I want to make sure bootloader is unlocked properly before flashing cynogenmod kernel.If flashing boot.img on bootloader locked device won't brick my phone then i am ready to go.Just need conformation on what happens if i flash custom krenel and rom in bootloader locked mobile accidentally.

shoeseat said:
So if my bootloader is locked it won't let me flash custom kernel like(boot.img of cynogenmod)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.

shoeseat said:
So if my bootloader is locked it won't let me flash custom kernel like(boot.img of cynogenmod) or it will brick my phone? You link doesn't explain anything on how to check bootloader unlock status."bootloader unlock allowed:yes" will be for those devices whose bootloader can be unlocked but it doesn't tell you if bootloader is unlocked or locked.
I simply want to unlock my bootloader.Then flash cynogenmod.I want to make sure bootloader is unlocked properly before flashing cynogenmod kernel.If flashing boot.img on bootloader locked device won't brick my phone then i am ready to go.Just need conformation on what happens if i flash custom krenel and rom in bootloader locked mobile accidentally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When your rooting status says
"Bootloader unlock allowed: yes"
Then the bootloader is locked..
If it says
"Bootloader unlocked: yes"
Then your bootloader is unlocked..
Simply dial *#*#7378423#*#*
Then find your rooting status..
And I think you should use the official way to unlock bootloader.
http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com
Press thnx if I helped..
Sent from my ST18i

skb6T9 said:
When your rooting status says
"Bootloader unlock allowed: yes"
Then the bootloader is locked..
If it says
"Bootloader unlocked: yes"
Then your bootloader is unlocked..
Simply dial *#*#7378423#*#*
Then find your rooting status..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine says...Bootloader unlock allowed: yes...though my bootloaders unlocked..
@shoeseat
flashin a custom kernel on lockd bootloader wont brick ur phone...it simply wont flash...

I think shopkeeper bluffed you because bootloader isn't unlocked by default.

Gamersab said:
I think shopkeeper bluffed you because bootloader isn't unlocked by default.
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Click to collapse
HAhaaa unless that shopkeeper imported the phone,unlocked bootloader and flashed a kernel.Place where i live doesn't have authorized sony mobile distributors.So they import from somewhere.
My booloader was unlocked whole time after purchasing it.It was new when i bought but no sure now.Anyway i am satisfied with my purchase a year ago as i haven't got any problem till now except that famous house crack.
I have flashed Cynogenmod successfully.Thank you all for the help.You guys gives some courage for nervous guy like me who are tempting to do new things.

Bootloader Unlock Allowed - NO!!

I just check my ZL and it says Bootloader Unlock Allowed - NO
Does that mean I will never be able to unlock the bootloader and install custom ROMS? I have my phone rooted and its also SIM free if that matters. Would someone be kind enough to explain the consequences?
TIA

anirudh412 said:
I just check my ZL and it says Bootloader Unlock Allowed - NO
Does that mean I will never be able to unlock the bootloader and install custom ROMS? I have my phone rooted and its also SIM free if that matters. Would someone be kind enough to explain the consequences?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry mate (if initially your "BL unlock allowed" was "yes")! I read it in the XZ rooting thread that if you root with a locked BL then you might have a bug resulting into BL unlock status to not allowed. Doomlord has also posted a fix for this, i think. Have a look at this thread. Hope it helps.

Dpk1 said:
Don't worry mate (if initially your "BL unlock allowed" was "yes")! I read it in the XZ rooting thread that if you root with a locked BL then you might have a bug resulting into BL unlock status to not allowed. Doomlord has also posted a fix for this, i think. Have a look at this thread. Hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, I didn't check if I was allowed to unlock my bootloader before I rooted it (banging my head against a wall as I type this). Any way to find out?
EDIT: Nevermind, I see that I have to flash it and if I had an unlockable BL, the status changes to yes, and if not, then nothing changes. However, how do I flash this seeing as how there is no CWM out yet?

AW: Bootloader Unlock Allowed - NO!!
There is CWM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39157612
But just for unlocked bootloader...

CWM for locked bootloader would be coming... krabapple is working on it...

hi mates,
if unlocking BL, i will lose BE2 & WM right? sr if this noob question was answered before

AW: Bootloader Unlock Allowed - NO!!
Yes, you loose that functionality.
And please don't ask the same question in several threads. Ask once and have patience until someone replies.

I have Xperia Z LTE C6603 with
bootloader unlock allowed:No
I Can change this to --> bootloader unlock allowed:Yes ?
as I can change it ?
Thanks.

Help!!! I can't enter to the recovery mode to install a custom ROM

Hay
I have a Sony Xperia M Single SIM and I download a cyanogen custom ROM. The problem is I can't enter to the bootloader or the recovery mode to install the ROM. I did this process:
I shut-down the phone, then i get pressing and holding the power button until the phone get on, and i pressed quikcly the button volum up too. And the phone doesn't response, it take me to the "Enter your pin" normal mode.
One more thing:
the phone is blocked on Orange here in Spain, and i searched if does exist any method to unlock the bootloader or something like that, and I found in the sony website some procedures to know if your phone can get unlocked, and i entered the following number *#*#7378423#*#*, then to: Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. And the Bootloader unlock says No!!!!
If any one can help me to install a custom ROM I'll appreciate that. I have no idea how I can do it, specially on Sony's phones, on Samsung's phone I didn't had any problem.
I'm sorry for my English is very bad

Your bootloader is locked (and it's not unlockable), so, no way of using custom ROMs in your phone ate the moment...

mbc07 said:
Your bootloader is locked (and it's not unlockable), so, no way of using custom ROMs in your phone ate the moment...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why it is Locked. The is a several phones has it unlocked. Why the mine ???
Can you explain me why is locked and no unlocked?

You should unlock it manually check the forums to unlock the bootloader

Just to make clear, Xperia devices has two types of lock: SIM Lock and Bootloader Lock. The SIM Lock prevent you from using SIM cards from other carriers, and you can remove your SIM lock in any device by paying to your carrier or to a service center (in some countries the carrier removes the SIM lock for free in some cases).
Then comes the bootloader lock. With a locked bootloader, you can't boot in recovery mode because there isn't a recovery mode in stock ROM (trying to do so will just start the phone normally). You also can't flash custom recoveries or kernels (needed to use custom ROMs) with a locked bootloader. All Xperia devices comes with the bootloader locked from factory, but in most of them they're unlockable...
If you bought your Xperia device directly from a retail store, your bootloader is certainly unlockable and you can proceed with the method you tried (go to Sony website, input your IMEI, get your unlock code, etc.). If you bought your Xperia from a carrier (Orange, in your case) then your bootloader is very likely to be not unlockable, and that's your case, your bootloader isn't unlockable, as you already checked by going into Service Menu with *#*#7378423#*#*. If your bootloader isn't unlockable, you are out of luck, you can't do anything, there isn't any other method...
And further info if you get an unlockable Xperia device in future: by unlocking your bootloader, your warranty is void and your DRM keys get wiped, because of that, some proprietary Sony apps won't work anymore (Mobile BRAVIA Engine, TrackID, "Download Music Info", PlayStation Certified features,etc). So, if your bootloader is unlockable, you should to a TA backup before unlocking it, so, in future, if you want, you can relock your bootloader and get your DRM keys back, so the proprietary Sony apps works again...
Also, removing your SIM lock doesn't unlock your bootloader as well as unlocking your bootloader doesn't remove your SIM lock. They're two different things, completely independent of each other...
asdcxz1 said:
You should unlock it manually check the forums to unlock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the OP, its bootloader can't be unlocked

Flash a new rom on Xperia M with locked bootloader

hello everyone i'm new to this flashing devices thing so be patient with me please
i have an Xperia M C1905 with locked bootloader and i can't seem to unlock it but i really want to flash new roms of Android 5 but i have no idea how to do so without CWM so can you please help me by telling me how or showing me a thread that does i will be forever thankful

can anyone please help me i still didn't get an answer for my problem pleaaaaaase

Hello, welcome to the Xperia M forums. I hope you manage to find what you are looking for here, however the device is a low activity device (namely due to the lack of locked bootloader recovery).
Firstly, please see if your device's bootloader can be unlocked. To do this please follow the steps I am about to post;
1) Open your phone dialer,
2) Type *#*#7378423#*#* (*#*#SERVICE#*#*),
3) Tap Service Info,
4) Tap Configuration,
5) Look to Rooting Status, it will show one of three statuses;
5.1) Rooting status 1; Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes (this means that you can unlock your bootloader).
5.2) Rooting status 2; Bootloader unlock allowed: No (this means that you can't unlock your bootloader).
5.3) Rooting status 3; Bootloader unlocked: Yes (this means that your bootloader is already unlocked).
If you have either status 1 or 3 you are able to install Android 5 onto your device.
Firstly you will have to have an unlocked bootloader, you can do this by following the official instructions by Sony here (skip this if your bootloader is unlocked).
Then use a ROM from the forums what is Android M based.
If you have status 2 however you are unable to install Android 5 onto your device I'm afraid.