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).
Related
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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Click to collapse
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
Hello,
New to xda and the modding scene. Just got my Arc about a month ago and I LOVE it! Pretty keen on putting some mods on it but my qustion is, can I unlock the bootloader, root, etc on a simlocked phone? Mine is locked to Optus AU.
Thanks!!!
You need first to sim unlock your phone
From my sexy LT15i
Awesome thanks. Turns out that my phone is unlocked after all Time to load it up with mods
Aha, nice
From my sexy LT15i
Before going nuts on modifying your phone you need to ask yourself if you want to root+unlock bootloader or just root... Not all xperia phones can have their bootloaders unlocked (if your phone was sold by a carrier i.e. branded such as Rogers then you will NOT be able to unlock your bootloader... Technically there is a test point method but it is quite the procedure compared to simply unlocking it the simple way that Sony offers). In the newbie guide it explains if you root your xperia but not bootloader unlock it you can only install custom roms for stock kernels, although if you wanted say ICS beta rom that Sony released then you would NEED an ISC kernel which is only possible to get on your phone after bootloader unlocking...
LINKS:
-check if you can unlock your bootloader the easy way and instructions on how to: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
-the ultimate NOOB guide behind rooting and unlocking bootloaders!! : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1573266
-Video tutorial covering different methods to unlocking ur arc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn-Vubgka1M
Quite a while ago I had an itch to upgrade my ROM, long story short I found out that I had a locked bootloader which I found out in this thread. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2238517
Anyway, after a good few months I decided to flash my phone with Aurora play for locked bootloaders. After messing with with the phone I tried to unlock the bootloader via the official Sony method, this returned with the error that the loader was unlocked!
I loaded up Doomkernel and Aurora and the phone is working fine.
Anyway, with Doomkernel and Aurora working ok is it safe to assume I have and unlocked phone and can try out other ROMs/kernels some part of me thinks my phone could be a little bit damaged/querky from unlocking?
Cheers.
mcfly666 said:
Quite a while ago I had an itch to upgrade my ROM, long story short I found out that I had a locked bootloader which I found out in this thread. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2238517
Anyway, after a good few months I decided to flash my phone with Aurora play for locked bootloaders. After messing with with the phone I tried to unlock the bootloader via the official Sony method, this returned with the error that the loader was unlocked!
I loaded up Doomkernel and Aurora and the phone is working fine.
Anyway, with Doomkernel and Aurora working ok is it safe to assume I have and unlocked phone and can try out other ROMs/kernels some part of me thinks my phone could be a little bit damaged/querky from unlocking?
Cheers.
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Click to collapse
If you have doomkernel, then you have unlocked bootloader (you can't flash custom kernel with locked bootloader)
Now you can freely flash custom kernel/roms...
There is nice list or roms/kernels at Xperia Play Index - ROM'S, FIRMWARE, KERNEL'S, GUIDE'S, THEMES, MOD'S
Bakisha said:
If you have doomkernel, then you have unlocked bootloader (you can't flash custom kernel with locked bootloader)
Now you can freely flash custom kernel/roms...
There is nice list or roms/kernels at Xperia Play Index - ROM'S, FIRMWARE, KERNEL'S, GUIDE'S, THEMES, MOD'S
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Click to collapse
Yeah, but its so strange. In the thread I linked in my OP all software tests came back that I had a locked bootloader I've not done anything else to the phone so I am kind of confused on what has happened.
Thanks for your post to confirm that the loader is unlocked. now I can test some more ROMs!
I have a ZL, it's NOT my daily driver (my Z1 is), and it is carrier unlocked but the Bootloader is locked.
The phone itself was IMEI Blacklisted as I bought it off Kijiji, and the original owner tried to blackmail me out of additional money months after purchase. I let him blacklist it, then went and bought a Z1. I want to use my ZL as a testing platform for ROMs and Kernels and customizations and what not.
Problem is the ZL's Bootloader is locked, and I can't flash the custom ROMs and Kernels (as is my understanding of unlocked bootloaders).
Is there any way to forcibly unlock a bootloader?
The ZL is currently rooted on 4.3, with XZDR. I have long since recovered any data and stuff on it and am not afraid to wipe it multiple times or anything.
Let me know please
There used to be an exploit called Test-point for 2011 Sony Ericssons.
However, it doesn't exist for current Sonys.
Sorry to say but your bootloader will remain LOCKED till someone finds an exploit.
Is it possible to somehow change my android from ICS to custom Jelly Bean on my phone
Sony Xperia Arc S LT18i, Production date code 12W22
It came up with Android Gingerbread on board.
What i did so far is using program called Flashtool to flash my phone with stock Android ICS 4.0.4 4.1.B.0.587 (the file was called Android_4.0.4_LT18i_4.1.B.0.587.tft). This replaced branded Gingerbread with non branded stock ICS
After that i used Flashtool to flash my phone with Kernel 4.1.A.0.562 and then i used DooMLoRD_v1_Xperia-2011-ICS-ROOT tool to root my phone.
And after that i flashed it with 4.1.B.0.587 kernel.
By doing this steps i supposedly achieved root on my phone (superuser and root checking apps show full access).
Now i read about flashing with Jelly Bean custom roms and all i seen mention "bootloader"
When i open secret service menu on my phone there are two things that worry me:
- Simlock - it says my phone is provider locked
- Bootloader unlockable - NO
So this is my question, is there any way in my current situation to somehow flash my phone with android Jelly Bean? In a similar way that i used to upgrade it from gingerbread to ICS?
Hi !
In order to flash a Jelly Bean ROM on your phone, your bootloader needs to be unlocked. There is no other way.
As you said, you can't unlock it the "easy" way. Nevertheless, I think that there are other ways for you to unlock it.
You can follow this guide : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35910775 > Bootloader and SIM Unlocking.
You should give a try to the testpoint method /!\ DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK /!\
I never tested it myself.
If it works, you would be able to flash a custom kernel through FlashTool and flash a JB or even KitKat ROM.
Hope I helped.
Cheers.
xdlol123321 said:
Hi !
In order to flash a Jelly Bean ROM on your phone, your bootloader needs to be unlocked. There is no other way.
As you said, you can't unlock it the "easy" way. Nevertheless, I think that there are other ways for you to unlock it.
You can follow this guide : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35910775 > Bootloader and SIM Unlocking.
You should give a try to the testpoint method /!\ DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK /!\
I never tested it myself.
If it works, you would be able to flash a custom kernel through FlashTool and flash a JB or even KitKat ROM.
Hope I helped.
Cheers.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for reply, unfortunatly it seems that this:
"If you're Phone was manufactured AFTER a certain date, 12W11 (look under your battery for a similar number) then the Testpoint method no longer works"
prevents me from using testpoint method because my production date code is date 12W22 which seems to be newer than 12W11.
Also the article mentions Two members - Alejandrissimo or Jinx13. I checked it with Jinx13 and he confirmed that there is no way for him to unlock bootloader from that production date phone, i didnt contact Alejandrissimo yet.
I dont mind paying for online/remote service, i know that experience and knowledge costs, im just looking to way for getting my bootloader unlocked.
KonradIC13 said:
Thanks for reply, unfortunatly it seems that this:
"If you're Phone was manufactured AFTER a certain date, 12W11 (look under your battery for a similar number) then the Testpoint method no longer works"
prevents me from using testpoint method because my production date code is date 12W22 which seems to be newer than 12W11.
Also the article mentions Two members - Alejandrissimo or Jinx13. I checked it with Jinx13 and he confirmed that there is no way for him to unlock bootloader from that production date phone, i didnt contact Alejandrissimo yet.
I dont mind paying for online/remote service, i know that experience and knowledge costs, im just looking to way for getting my bootloader unlocked.
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Click to collapse
You are one of those unfortunate people, who can't unlock their bootloader at all due to certain restrictions.
We do not have any confirmed solution for test point method, however there is one topic in General section of Xperia Arc, where the OP claims he managed to unlock the bootloader in such situation. You can check it out, however it is your own decision, if you try it or not.
Link to the topic - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737846
Thank you because I had the same problem too
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