Develop Bugs

[TUTORIAL] Xperia M Bootloader Unlocking

Quick tutorial for unlocking & relocking the bootloader of the Xperia M
Warning!
This procedure will wipe the /data partition of your phone, so you will loose all ur stored data, settings. INTERNAL SDCARD will BE WIPED!!!
DRM keys WILL be lost forever SO TAKE BACKUP OF IT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you unlock Bootloader
Backup your TA partionHERE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
STEPS TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER
1) Get the IMEI code for ur device: type *#06# in phone dialer to find it out, note only the digits (no dashes)
2) download the fastboot package with usb drivers(GOOGLE IT)
3) Now Get the UNLOCK KEY FROM SONY from HERE
4 ) After u have verified that u can unlock bootloader, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Continue"
you will get numerous prompts, read all info and if u agree click on "Accept"/"OK"/"Proceed"
finally u will get a "Create Unlock request" page, enter your IMEI (sometimes the last digit needs to be removed for this to work), name and email address
5) Extract fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar and open fastboot folder
6) Hold SHIFT and right click on the background of the folder Select 'Open command window here'
7) Connect your phone in fastboot mode (turn phone off, hold Volume UP button and plug in USB Cable) [make sure drivers are installed as explained above)
8) In the cmd windows type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version
If a value is returned (it will return 0.5), it means the phone is correctly connected
9) Type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY and replace KEY with the key which u received earlier.
You're device should now be bootloader unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOTE:-
When i unlocked my bootloader from above steps i first got a bootloop but after flashing My kernel ELIxER i recovered from bootloop and phone started well.
My apps and Data on internal SD were been WIPED so Do a backup first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Credits Doomlord

:good:
good job bro!
I just wanted to ask if we could unock the bootloader using flashtool so there's no chance of voiding warranty. As backing up TA would save DRM keys.

Yes u can unlock it using flashtool. I am windows 8 so i find unlocking with fastboot is easier and it just just cause 6 mb of data.
Sent from my Xperia Keyboard

aweosomeabhijeet said:
:good:
good job bro!
I just wanted to ask if we could unock the bootloader using flashtool so there's no chance of voiding warranty. As backing up TA would save DRM keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is always chance to void your warranty...

alvinhochun said:
There is always chance to void your warranty...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see.
Well I tried with flashtool it denied unlocking :silly:
I think it would be better to go with the official unlocking.
Thanks.

u should add the TA Backup guide also

WARNING :-
When i tried to restore my DRM keys my mobile went dead so be very careful with it.

icoolguy1995 said:
WARNING :-
When i tried to restore my DRM keys my mobile went dead so be very careful with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to restore the stock boot partition because restoring TA partition will relock the device or else you will soft-brick it. If you have a dump of it you can restore it before restoring TA partition, otherwise you need to reflash with flashtool or SUS.
This is what I learnt from other Xperia devices in general.

alvinhochun said:
You need to restore the stock boot partition because restoring TA partition will relock the device or else you will soft-brick it. If you have a dump of it you can restore it before restoring TA partition, otherwise you need to reflash with flashtool or SUS.
This is what I learnt from other Xperia devices in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you still use SEUS when you have unlocked the bootloader to restore the original firmware prior to re-locking bootloader?
I thought it would be via flashtool only, because as soon as you unlock the bootloader you lose access to PC companion and SEUS.
The reason I ask is I have an XPERIA X10i and you can use anything at any time and it doesn't care.(brilliant olde device)
With my XPERIA S, I only have flashtool, as SEUS and PC Companion (and Sony OTA upgrade) are 'lost' after the bootloader is unlocked.

Dr Goodvibes said:
Can you still use SEUS when you have unlocked the bootloader to restore the original firmware prior to re-locking bootloader?
I thought it would be via flashtool only, because as soon as you unlock the bootloader you lose access to PC companion and SEUS.
The reason I ask is I have an XPERIA X10i and you can use anything at any time and it doesn't care.(brilliant olde device)
With my XPERIA S, I only have flashtool, as SEUS and PC Companion (and Sony OTA upgrade) are 'lost' after the bootloader is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? PC Companion can recognize my Xperia M. Haven't tried SUS restore but it should work, shouldn't it? FOTA updates are known to brick unlocked Xperia devices so I strongly advice you not to try it.
But anyway if you've already restored the TA partition you already have a locked bootloader

alvinhochun said:
Really? PC Companion can recognize my Xperia M. Haven't tried SUS restore but it should work, shouldn't it? FOTA updates are known to brick unlocked Xperia devices so I strongly advice you not to try it.
But anyway if you've already restored the TA partition you already have a locked bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PC companion still can recognize your phone even you've unlocked your bootloader, but updating your phone with SUS / PCC will surely brick your phone.
The only way to restore to the original firmware is using Flashtool or EMMA :fingers-crossed:

underd0g said:
PC companion still can recognize your phone even you've unlocked your bootloader, but updating your phone with SUS / PCC will surely brick your phone.
The only way to restore to the original firmware is using Flashtool or EMMA :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think Pc companion will brick your phone! I never heard of this things and yes updating through FOTA can definitely brick your phone. Although i recommend not to unlock bootloader unless you are an advance user or a developer.
Sony xperia M gives very good performance over stock so noo need of scripts and other stuff, and i hope someone will develop CWM for locked bootloader too.
Sent from my C1904 using Tapatalk 4

Guys where is the relocking guide?? I can only see the unlocking one.
||""Playing Asphalt™ 8 Airborne on my sgy. LoLz.
Joke of the year. Gameloft devs will die if they hear this. ""||

Here are device files for Flashtool with loader.sin file for success bootloader unlock/relock through Flashtool
C190X C200X
1. Unpack it to '/Flashtool/devices/' folder
2. Run Flashtool and select in 'Devices/Manage/Import' M or/and M Dual
3. Now your can use BLU button

Shkerzy said:
Here are device files for Flashtool with loader.sin file for success bootloader unlock/relock through Flashtool
C190X C200X
1. Unpack it to '/Flashtool/devices/' folder
2. Run Flashtool and select in 'Devices/Manage/Import' M or/and M Dual
3. Now your can use BLU button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have NOT backed up my DRM keys.. and I have an unlocked bootloader...
I connected my XM SS to Sony PCC..
It did recognize my phone.. However it did not update it stating that I am using a modified software..
Flashtool (EMMA) also recognized my phone.. but dint allow me to update my phone..
And my phone is not BRICKED..
Can you be more descriptive on the exact instructions on how you can relock XM whose DRM keys are not backed up?
Has anyone tried this?
Please quote and reply and share the method if you have tried this on a C1904 XM SS and if it is working !!!!
Thanks

I have a question...
How will I be able to backup my TA partition if root is required? I have not yet rooted my phone. I only rely on official procedures because I have bricked my two other phones previously. Have you had root installed on your phone when backing up TA partition?

.vonpatrick. said:
I have a question...
How will I be able to backup my TA partition if root is required? I have not yet rooted my phone. I only rely on official procedures because I have bricked my two other phones previously. Have you had root installed on your phone when backing up TA partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To backup your TA partition you dont need root and this current thread has not mentioned anywhere that you need root
Please refer the FAQ section of this link for more clarification
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598

How to backup DRM keys guys? Is it enough backup TA Partition? I've already backup TA Partition, it contains 6 files.
Sent from my C2004 using Tapatalk

SK:) said:
How to backup DRM keys guys? Is it enough backup TA Partition? I've already backup TA Partition, it contains 6 files.
Sent from my C2004 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, You are set !

durveshthorve433 said:
To backup your TA partition you dont need root and this current thread has not mentioned anywhere that you need root
Please refer the FAQ section of this link for more clarification
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the link says that in order to backup TA partition, root is required. That's where it got me confused.
Sent from my C1904 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Xperia SL from stock to beast :)

Hi,
I'm new and quite a newbie with android so, please bare with me
I will try to write a comprehensive guide on this during the process.
My device is XperiaSL LT26ii / Android 4.1.2 / Kernel 6.2.B.1.96 (stock, or default kernel) Rooted with bootloader locked. Busybox installed.
So the only thing I'v done after buying is rooting it.
- How to fully-backup / recovery if anything goes wrong
Before doing any operation with it I wanted to backup everything (applications, ROM, System, documents) , and I hear that there is CWM or Xrecovery for that (mentioned in some guides), nandroid, but I found different applications on Playstore and don't know which one is the right one for my device.
I understand that backing up and restoring each of these system parts requries order and probably different applications,
Can we specify here which app should I use and how it's done?
- ROM and Kernel without unlocking possibly
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2593806 it looks like possible but considering that now there is cm-11 out and not yet for "nozomi" http://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=nozomi , I would like to try any stable, fast , light ROM out there which works for my device. Preferibly with possibility to remove any google app .
If not, how can I unlock the bootloader and do the rest?
I saw also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1617219 which looks a nice kernel.
So , what's the most adaptive ROM / kernel for my phone and how to install / flash them?
- Getting back the applications
Once it's done, how to restore back applications and data? / with what tool, without loosing anything.

Download flashtool (xda fileserver)
You can use that to unlock your bootloader
Also backbuton = volume up = BOOTLOADET MODE
Menu button = volume down =flashmode
May come in useful for unlocking your Bootloader
Also emma flashtool isnt the same as this flashtool
Also google if your not sure
If you want to know anything else then ask
Sony Xperia S was my first android
Had a nokia brick before (3310)/N95)

Envious_Data said:
Download flashtool (xda fileserver)
You can use that to unlock your bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Before unlocking the bootloader , I'd like to backup everything with CWM or Xrecovery or nandroid ,
I tried installing CWM but it said my phone was not supported, so I gues I'm on the wrong place, so could you point to the right CWM?
Also, CWM I think recovers only the ROM and the kernel but no system applications, any app to do that and save everything to my PC?

xperiasl said:
Thanks.
Before unlocking the bootloader , I'd like to backup everything with CWM or Xrecovery or nandroid ,
I tried installing CWM but it said my phone was not supported, so I gues I'm on the wrong place, so could you point to the right CWM?
Also, CWM I think recovers only the ROM and the kernel but no system applications, any app to do that and save everything to my PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for locked bootloaders recovery try this......http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2308493.....
after that go into recovery and make a nandroid backup of ur fon.....this will create a backup image of ur fon including rom,kernel,system applications.....them u can save it on ur pc....

mohit378 said:
for locked bootloaders recovery try this......http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2308493.....
after that go into recovery and make a nandroid backup of ur fon.....this will create a backup image of ur fon including rom,kernel,system applications.....them u can save it on ur pc....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
on the post it says "rooted STOCK JB ROM .200 with busybox installed"
the only thing is that I donwloaded the official .201 , is there any CWM version for locked bootloaders for that?

xperiasl said:
Thanks,
on the post it says "rooted STOCK JB ROM .200 with busybox installed"
the only thing is that I donwloaded the official .201 , is there any CWM version for locked bootloaders for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chk out this for XPERIA SL...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2245327....

mohit378 said:
chk out this for XPERIA SL...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2245327....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you suggested DRW Backup tool I will probably go ahead and unlock the bootloader, the only thing is now that I'm stuck at the backup point,
Before flashing the ROM or any kernel they say "backup", and it's used CWM or other tools, and when you go to install CWM they say backup first before installing...
Am I missing something here?
It's like a loop but no solution on how to backup what it's currently installing before putting any CWM or flashing a kernel...
How did you get out of this?

hey mate first of all backup ur TA partition....then unlock ur bootloaders.....then u can flash any custom kernel with CWM recovery......from recovery u can flash any custom rom or mod .zip file.....
UNLOCKING ur bootloaders voids ur warranty so always make a TA backup before unlocking.....u can search various thread for root,unlocking bootloaders,flashing custom kernel,custom roms within the thread.....
Hope this helps.....

mohit378 said:
hey mate first of all backup ur TA partition....then unlock ur bootloaders.....then u can flash any custom kernel with CWM recovery......from recovery u can flash any custom rom or mod .zip file.....
UNLOCKING ur bootloaders voids ur warranty so always make a TA backup before unlocking.....u can search various thread for root,unlocking bootloaders,flashing custom kernel,custom roms within the thread.....
Hope this helps.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, thanks that's all clear, what I wanted to know is how to backup everything before installing any custome kernel/ROM or Recovery tool (CWM, Xrecovery, etc)..

Got it,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075736
Basically we need SUS, we update and get the files, than we decrypt and get a perfect image of the system + we backup with PC Companion + We backup the TA partitions with TA-backup and we are ready to go

[Q]

can anyone tell me how to convert ftf to sos file, i need to flash my xperia zl using emma because i have unlocked my bootloader, and my cell is hard bricked !

melvinrobertson said:
can anyone tell me how to convert ftf to sos file, i need to flash my xperia zl using emma because i have unlocked my bootloader, and my cell is hard bricked !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Androxyde's FlashTool to flash .ftf files, no matter the BL status.. http://www.flashtool.net/index.php

CokeJunkee said:
Use Androxyde's FlashTool to flash .ftf files, no matter the BL status.. http://www.flashtool.net/index.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flashtool is not installing my previous os, because i had unlocked my bootloader, n due to which my drm keys got vanished and it give an error while installing !

melvinrobertson said:
flashtool is not installing my previous os, because i had unlocked my bootloader, n due to which my drm keys got vanished and it give an error while installing !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My BL is unlocked and I lost my drm keys aswell and flashtool works for me.
There are two different flashtools out there.. Use this one: http://www.flashtool.net/index.php
Which .ftf did you try to flash?
Did you install the needed drivers on your pc?
Edit:
What do you mean by hard bricked?
Are you able to run fastboot or flash mode?

CokeJunkee said:
My BL is unlocked and I lost my drm keys aswell and flashtool works for me.
There are two different flashtools out there.. Use this one: http://www.flashtool.net/index.php
Which .ftf did you try to flash?
Did you install the needed drivers on your pc?
Edit:
What do you mean by hard bricked?
Are you able to run fastboot or flash mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had tried from flashtools by antraoxide, but it is not installing the previous os, this is the error it is giving " ERROR - ERR_SEVERITY="MINOR";ERR_CODE="0017";ERR_DYNAMIC=" 0x80080012" fastboot mode and flashmode is working, do another zl's ta backup works on my zl ? and is there any way to inatall back my drm keys through fastboot or flash mode ?

[Q] Root firmware .101

Hi guys... i need root mi ZL whit firmware 10.4.1.B.0.101 but not as... i need help
Sorry for my bad bad english :crying:

You have two options
1. unlock your bootloader and flash root(warranty, DRM keys lost)
2. downgrade to 4.2.2 firmware
backup TA partition then flash a 4.3 pre-rooted stock rom
lastly restore TA partition(must be stock kernel)
stock rooted phone with warranty and DRM keys
If you don't care about the warranty, I'll suggest just go with option 1, since option 2 might be time consuming.
Option 2 is always better. Who knows when your phone is going to break.

GoHelll said:
Hi guys... i need root mi ZL whit firmware 10.4.1.B.0.101 but not as... i need help
Sorry for my bad bad english :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will need to downgrade to 4.2.2 firmware,root it,install custom recovery then flash a pre-rooted 4.3 rom

adam1liukuro said:
You have two options
1. unlock your bootloader and flash root(warranty, DRM keys lost)
2. downgrade to 4.2.2 firmware
backup TA partition then flash a 4.3 pre-rooted stock rom
lastly restore TA partition(must be stock kernel)
stock rooted phone with warranty and DRM keys
If you don't care about the warranty, I'll suggest just go with option 1, since option 2 might be time consuming.
Option 2 is always better. Who knows when your phone is going to break.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is TA partition AND HOW TO BACKUP TA PARTITION ???????????????/

rameshkotibani said:
what is TA partition AND HOW TO BACKUP TA PARTITION ???????????????/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598

adam1liukuro said:
You have two options
1. unlock your bootloader and flash root(warranty, DRM keys lost)
2. downgrade to 4.2.2 firmware
backup TA partition then flash a 4.3 pre-rooted stock rom
lastly restore TA partition(must be stock kernel)
stock rooted phone with warranty and DRM keys
If you don't care about the warranty, I'll suggest just go with option 1, since option 2 might be time consuming.
Option 2 is always better. Who knows when your phone is going to break.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ben Ling said:
you will need to downgrade to 4.2.2 firmware,root it,install custom recovery then flash a pre-rooted 4.3 rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the OP, but am trying to figure out how to do this. All the root threads are a year old, so I want to make sure I have my facts straight before messing anything up. I have a C6506, US Generic but I don't want to lose my DRM keys or Warranty for resale reasons, so am trying to do this the "locked bootloader" way.
1) Downgrade to 4.2.2 firmware. Do I do this with Flashtool? This doesn't require unlocking the bootloader?
2) Root it .. Doomlord method? The Flashtool website says it can "root", too, but it offers no details on which method. What's the best way to go?
3) Install custom recovery. Which one? I see Nut's thread all talk about a dual recovery, but is that necessary? Can I install just one?
4) Is there a pre-rooted 101 for the C6506 US Generic? I can't seem to find one...

deleted (doesn't work with .101)

CokeJunkee said:
If you're on .67 or .101 firmware, just flash the .423 kernel via Flashtool.
Because it is a Sony stock kernel, you do not need to unlock the bootloader for this step.
When flashing is done, close Flashtool and reboot your phone.
Enable 'unknown sources' (found in security settings) and 'usb debugging' (found in developer options).
Now use Doomlord's method to root.
When rooting is done, it's time to install a recovery to your device.
If your're going to use a custom rom based on Sonys stock fw (like ExistenZ and RomAur), I strongly recommend using [NUT]'s dualrecovery.
AOSP roms (CyanogenMod, P.A.C., Omni, etc.) bring their own cwm recovery.
After root and recovery, turn off the phone and flash either .67 or .101 kernel, corresponding to your firmware.
Now it's time to backup the TA partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is extremely helpful - thank you for providing links. I am wondering why this is so different from the method laid out here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51612704&postcount=12&nocache=1
Seems like your version is much easier, so I wonder why someone would go through all that trouble for the same result...
Also, won't I lose root once I flash the .101 kernel? Do I get it back using recovery?
Also also: the kernels linked above are for C6503 and C6502. Can I use the full FTF files for C6506 and just deselect flashing everything expect Kernel? It looks to be the same files, except that rpm.sin is included in the full files and not in the kernel FTFs.

when i flash a .423 kernel i got bootloops, am i doing something wrong?
after flashing back the .101 it boots normal

[Q] [Newbie]Troubles reading ftf files

Hi,
I'm new to rooting and flashing custom ROMs, so any help will be greatly appreciated
I'm using an orange xperia lt15i, that I've decided to root and on which I want to run CyanogenMod 9.1
Here's what I've come up with :
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader
install recovery
unlock boot loader
flash CM
The catch is, flashtool (0.9.16.1) can't read any of the ftf files I put in the firmware directory..any idea ?
Did I get the steps in the right order, is there any way to achieve this at all ?
Thanks

Deathtiny said:
Hi,
I'm new to rooting and flashing custom ROMs, so any help will be greatly appreciated
I'm using an orange xperia lt15i, that I've decided to root and on which I want to run CyanogenMod 9.1
Here's what I've come up with :
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader
install recovery
unlock boot loader
flash CM
The catch is, flashtool (0.9.16.1) can't read any of the ftf files I put in the firmware directory..any idea ?
Did I get the steps in the right order, is there any way to achieve this at all ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe file is wrong download here a new one. this works 100% LINK
also use normal flashtool not 64bit.
install drives from flastool install dir/drivers for your phone
install android sdk (just leave all like it is & press install)
now to the process:
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader i dont think this is need. on sony bl unlock site theres mentioned how to get in service menu & look if bootloader unlock allowed: yes or no. if yes just proceed. any way, CM requires flashng stock ics ftf b4 so do it after unlock...
install recovery no need if you flash CM's kernel later it was recovery built in (all custom)
unlock boot loader
flash cm kernel via fastboot
flash CM dont forget gapps! (google apps)

bejunk said:
maybe file is wrong download here a new one. this works 100%
also use normal flashtool not 64bit.
install drives from flastool install dir/drivers for your phone
install android sdk (just leave all like it is & press install)
now to the process:
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader i dont think this is need. on sony bl unlock site theres mentioned how to get in service menu & look if bootloader unlock allowed: yes or no. if yes just proceed. any way, CM requires flashng stock ics ftf b4 so do it after unlock...
install recovery no need if you flash CM's kernel later it was recovery built in (all custom)
unlock boot loader
flash cm kernel via fastboot
flash CM dont forget gapps! (google apps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I rechecked service info and status says no, eventhough I remenbered differently and got an unlocking code from sony..
Anyway, guess the best I can do is now limited to rooting...
Thanks

Deathtiny said:
Ok so I rechecked service info and status says no, eventhough I remenbered differently and got an unlocking code from sony..
Anyway, guess the best I can do is now limited to rooting...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are several methods of unlocking the bootloader such as testpoint...but its not that easy for newbe...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737846
look at this maybe it helps