Unlocking bootloader on branded phone. - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So, SE decided to let people unlock the bootloader. How ever for peope like me with a branded / sim-locked phone it is not possible. Atleast as far as i know.
My qustions are:
Can it be unlocked with a sim-locked phone?
What are the downsides to paying for the sim-unlock service provided by various groups, davinci beeing one of them. Will my provider notice?
After a year when i get the pin from my service provider to unlock my phone, will i then be able to unlock my bootloader?
And lastoy, if removing the simlock is such a simple thing, how come there isnt a software so people can do it them selfs?
Thanks for any replies
Sent from my LT18i using XDA App

Related

Unlocking the phone...

so let's say i have an x10i and i want to unlock it... what do i do?
I think its the same thing as debranding the phone. Its a sticky at the top.
popimp315 said:
I think its the same thing as debranding the phone. Its a sticky at the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock and debranding are 2 different things.
Debranding is on the stickies - involves installing the custom or SE ROMs. So let's say you have a Rogers or AT&T phone, instead of using their firmware, you install the Global Generic firmware instead or one of the custom ROMs. After install, your phone is now debranded and is no longer a Rogers or AT&T phone (from the firmware).
Unlocking the phone is carrier related. That is where your phone can only use SIM cards from a specific carrier. You will need to get an unlock code from the carrier or some 3rd party.
Debranding a locked phone won't unlock the phone. Unless the devs have done something new...
So is there anyway to unlock the x10a? with out paying or calling at&t?
aaronhiep said:
So is there anyway to unlock the x10a? with out paying or calling at&t?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope....never seen it yet.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Unfortunately not, at the very least you'll have to call AT&T (or email them). If I remember correctly, by law, the US carriers are not allowed to deny you your request to unlock your phone provided you have met certain criteria, e.g. your bill is paid up to date, you had the phone for like 3 months or something, etc. But they can limit the number of unlock codes they provide within a certain period to prevent mass resellers of their retail phones, i.e. they don't want you buying 30 phones from them to sell it on e-bay unlocked. But as long as you meet those criteria, the unlock code is free.
So if you met the criteria, they should do it for you without too much hassle. They might give you some spiel of how they are not liable for any damage or whatever you do if you unlock your phone and put another carrier's SIM card in there but hey, in the end you'll have an unlocked phone...

Unlocking/relocking

Ok so I should be getting a locked to o2 galaxy s 2. I will be unlocking it. When I get it is another issue all together, thanks o2. My question is whether it is possible to "relock it" just in case I need to return it.
Any one knows of a way? Thanks.
I got one from O2 on tuesday (Instore) and it was already unlocked! but if yours isnt then i think there was someone on ebay selling the unlock code for £12
but O2 will send you an unlocking code for free if you call and ask them, but it may take a while. you wont need to relock it as O2 allow you to unlock it as its completely legal.
Thanks, but so if I unlock it using for example the unlock codes found on ebay I should have no problem with regards to warranty, right?
Lock is not a legal requirement as long as unlocking does not break your phone it does not matter in the warranty stakes .
jje

Unlocking Bootloader on O2, a web chat

Just had a chat with O2 support regarding bootloaders, and thought you might like to see the result. I'll visit the shop at weekend and see what they say!
---: Hi I'm ---. How can I help?
---: Hi, i've got a Xperia S on contract with you, is it possible to unlock the bootloader to install root software?
---: i'm aware it will void warranty etc, having done the same thing to my old HTC Desire.
---: Let me check that.
---: Please can you tell me the -th and -th character of the answer to your security question?
---: Perfect.
---: Yes you can do that in the O2 shop.
---: Is there anything else I can help you with?
---: oh great, is there a charge?
---: That's you'll be discuss in the shop.
---: I can't comment on that now.
---: ok, thanks
I have the same o2 xperia s. Wait for your result mate. Thanks.
Would many shops really have techs that'd be able? Most staff I've ever talked to instore know how to Factory Reset and little else.
Incorrect post removed
Well that's a lie I work at o2 and we can't unlock your bootloader or unlock your phone in any store. You can unlock your phone which should enable you to unlock your boot loader. Waiting for my unlock code to test it out
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk
jamrock47 said:
Well that's a lie I work at o2 and we can't unlock your bootloader or unlock your phone in any store. You can unlock your phone which should enable you to unlock your boot loader. Waiting for my unlock code to test it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the sim unlock code, but that does nothing for the bootloader. Any chance you could find out more so I don't have to go into town on Saturday?
I've sim unlocked my phone via o2 and also debranded to a generic firmware also, still says no to bootloader unlocking - anyone have any other ideas?
I hope this can be sorted soon.
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk
Hi!
had the same situation with my provider (A1, Austria). Phone is bootloader-locked. (A1 told me in advance that i wouldn't be).
They told me to call Sony, where they told me unlocking of Sim-öock is possible at shops but NOT unlocking of bootloader lock
Dont know if that information is correct, but now i bought a free one and am goidg to sell the provider-phone ....
Greetings
Bax
Yea same problem here sim unlocked but not for boot loader. O2 will not be able to unlock I'm store. All they can do is flash the o2 generic firmware back on your device.
The only solution to unlock the bootloader in XPS is EMMA.
Could you elaborate and is this doable myself?
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk
TheMathMan said:
Could you elaborate and is this doable myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to that.
I've been into the O2 store, the 'Guru' said they wouldn't know how to do it in store. I'll emaill O2 next and see what they say.
Latest update, email from O2 says that only the manufacturer can do this! So next step is to get in contact with Sony lol
indiewhore said:
Latest update, email from O2 says that only the manufacturer can do this! So next step is to get in contact with Sony lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds familiar, my Provider (A1) told me to contact Sony, too. Bit Sony said, no way to unlock a bootloader-locked phone ...
EMMA software can unlock the bootloader but is one thing to clarify. EMMA must be connected to SONY remote desktop and a special card SE and card reader are needed.
http://ma3.extranet.sonyericsson.com/
No way can O2 do it in-store.
Been there, done that.

How to unlock Xperia U

hi guys,
i bought xperia U last week in UK from an Orange shop. The company requires that in order to unlock the phone, you need to use it for 3 months at least. But i want to unlock it now, as soon as possible. I'm writing here knowing that xperia S has the same software etc with U.
Can you tell me a simple way of unlocking the phone? Given that i have never done such thing in the past and i have no idea of anything like this.
Thanks in advance
Just follow this thread to unlock your bootloader..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1527159
What can i do if in Service Status, it says that unlocking is not allowed?
Is there any way to still unlock xperia U? Because i do not like it to wait for a newly purchased phone 3 whole months until i can unlock it, according to Orange's policies... ((
I don't think there's a way, then.
You'll have to wait
Sent from my ST25i using xda premium
First of all, your question belongs in the Q&A thread. Make sure about it the next time. Regarding your query, after 3 months, Orange will send you the unlocking code but I am not sure if you call still unlock your bootloader then. You may only be able to unlock the SIM. This is one of the major flaws of the carrier branded phones and you can either sell it and get a new carrier free one or live with this knowing you won't be able to unlock it at least for the near future.
Well they are on the list of omnius so you can expect bootloader unlock for about 2-3 months
Sent from my ST25i using Tapatalk 2

[Q] SIM Unlock for st18i ?

Does anyone have any confirmed success SIM unlocking the Xperia Ray st18i ?
I've found a couple of sites that claim to be able to do it using a mixture of connecting pins with tweezers and paying for unlock software, but don't really want to pay unless I know it is 100% genuine
Or if anyone knows of a free way to SIM Unlock the st18i, that would be appreciated
Cheers
Have you are already asked your carrier to unlock? Some carriers unlock the phone for free
Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.3
mihahn said:
Have you are already asked your carrier to unlock? Some carriers unlock the phone for free
Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea thanks, they gave an unlock code which didn't work, then eventually admitted they couldn't unlock it and refunded £20 credit as an apology
Unlock shops have been unable to unlock it too
Everything I have read says you need to connect 2 contacts near the battery before plugging in USB and using software to unlock it, which explains why the carriers code didn't work
Why can't u check bootloader unlock status because of it does allowed then you can flash custom kernel and Rom which then unlock SIM lock.
Here is the instruction to check
First, you should confirm that it is
possible to unlock the boot loader of
your device by checking the service
menu. In your device, open the dialler
and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to
access the service menu. If you have
a tablet, click here to learn how
access the service menu.
2. In your device, tap Service info >
Configuration > Rooting Status . If
Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes,
then you can continue with the next
step. If it says No , or if the status is
missing, your device cannot be
unlocked.
Sent from my Xperia Live with Walkman using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
junkarivu said:
Why can't u check bootloader unlock status because of it does allowed then you can flash custom kernel and Rom which then unlock SIM lock.
Here is the instruction to check
First, you should confirm that it is
possible to unlock the boot loader of
your device by checking the service
menu. In your device, open the dialler
and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to
access the service menu. If you have
a tablet, click here to learn how
access the service menu.
2. In your device, tap Service info >
Configuration > Rooting Status . If
Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes,
then you can continue with the next
step. If it says No , or if the status is
missing, your device cannot be
unlocked.
Sent from my Xperia Live with Walkman using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure a Custom ROM & Kernel will SIM Unlock ?
*Detection* said:
Are you sure a Custom ROM & Kernel will SIM Unlock ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I guess that's not right. Sim lock and bootloader lock has nothing in common, only if the carrier locks the bootloader and makes it impossible to unlock. So I guess unlocking the bootloader won't unlock your Sim lock, but I'm not sure
Btw is your bootloader even unlockable?
Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.3
mihahn said:
No I guess that's not right. Sim lock and bootloader lock has nothing in common, only if the carrier locks the bootloader and makes it impossible to unlock. So I guess unlocking the bootloader won't unlock your Sim lock, but I'm not sure
Btw is your bootloader even unlockable?
Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not sure yet, I'm doing this over email with my family, the phone is going to be my Nephews birthday present if we can SIM unlock it, he's locked into a contract with a different provider and stuck with a crappy phone, so the plan was to unlock this one for him to swap over to while keeping the contract SIM
*Detection* said:
Im not sure yet, I'm doing this over email with my family, the phone is going to be my Nephews birthday present if we can SIM unlock it, he's locked into a contract with a different provider and stuck with a crappy phone, so the plan was to unlock this one for him to swap over to while keeping the contract SIM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm but I guess you are stuck because if your carrier says it won't work and another unlock shop tells you the same I guess you can't do anything. But of course it could be I'm wrong
Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.3
mihahn said:
Hmm but I guess you are stuck because if your carrier says it won't work and another unlock shop tells you the same I guess you can't do anything. But of course it could be I'm wrong
Sent from my Nexus 4 running Android 4.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea maybe, I was hoping someone else had this model phone and knew if any of the online unlocking services that claim to be able to do it, were actually genuine or not
Don't fancy giving out any money for a fake unlocker
*Detection* said:
Yea maybe, I was hoping someone else had this model phone and knew if any of the online unlocking services that claim to be able to do it, were actually genuine or not
Don't fancy giving out any money for a fake unlocker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to Bootloader and Sim Unlock Xperia Ray ST18a(i) but it cost me $10 to do it. The Carrier could not do it. I used FastGSM. I don't know exactly HOW this process works but it does work. It involved connecting Test points which I believe temporarily open a way to insert a SIM Unlock certificate which may not be genuine due to the fact that when your carrier buys the phone from Sony or another manufacturer, they are factory locked in other words, the network lock is inserted into a secure partition. I believe the test points open up this secure partition for inserting another Certificate through the s1tool. FastGSM uses a program which when you log in, checks to see if you have credits, and once that stage passes, it downloads and inserts this certificate into the secure partition. It also unlocks the bootloader in this process allowing you to get Fastboot mode. This is what I believe, not sure if it is actually the case. However, I wasn't just merely satisfied that my Bootloader and SIM are both Unlocked. I prefer a technical explanation of what this process does and HOW it works. Ofcourse, the unlocking source are not going to tell me how they did it. But I believe they got their hands on the certificate that gets inserted once the EEPROM is temporarily unsecured using test points. I firmly believe SIM Unlocking should be free and should be available to anyone who wants to go at it. I believe the Warranty and other excuses they give such as warnings about security etc are redundant and pointless. If you look around, just the process of Rooting is daunting enough for most 95 percent of the population, so I don't think people would go around unlocking their phones even if the information was made available. Most people wouldn't even know about it.
Next time, purchase a phone that can be easily unlocked, Do some research. Although the $10 I spent unlocking is not a big deal, I personally do not ever want to pay a single dime to network unlock a device that I already own. Here we have to pay $50 to the carrier to unlock it. I would rather help people by giving them information on how to do it for free. Then they can go void their warranty if they wish. People who care about warranties are not going to bother with any of this, which begs the question, why are SIM Unlocks such a tightly guarded secret, and what can we as a community do to thwart the efforts of these Carriers to keep us locked in such a way that the device we own is deemed useless if its not on their Air.

Categories

Resources