Database Users

[Q] bootloader unlock allowed - no

I have a T-mobile uk Arc that has been network unlocked using Octopus SE.
Unfortunately when I go into the service menu it still says "Bootloader unlock allowed - no".
I though that unlocking it from the network might have changed this.
Is there anyway to unlock the bootloader and/or root the device if the bootloader unlock says no? i tried re-flashing using the namaste guide, but it didn't work.
I really don't understand why this is the case though. What is the determining factor for the bootloader status?
(sorry i know there's a few questions here but i'm so frustrated from having no look in researching this)
Thanks for any help you can offer!

In the service menu if your Bootloader Unlock says no then you cannot UNLOCK it.
The only way is VIA TEST POINT method (which carries RISK of bricking your device) can be done to have unlocked.
You can still HOWEVER root your phone. Cheers mate.

First of all thank you for the quick response.
I unlocked my phone from its network using the testpoint method (using Octopus Box). Is this the same as what you are referring to or is it a method of re-flashing that uses the testpoint?
Thanks!

If you done it correctly "TEST POINT" method your Bootloader should be unlocked.

fluxgfx said:
If you done it correctly "TEST POINT" method your Bootloader should be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hold the menu button, plug in your phone.
If the LED turns blue (fastboot mode), your bootloader is unlocked.

Pumphandle said:
I have a T-mobile uk Arc that has been network unlocked using Octopus SE.
Unfortunately when I go into the service menu it still says "Bootloader unlock allowed - no".
I though that unlocking it from the network might have changed this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You now have a unlocked phone, not a SIM-FREE phone. Only a SIM-FREE phone that was never sold via a network will come with a unlockable bootloader.
It's why these sell for a bit more (£30ish).

CrazyPeter said:
You now have a unlocked phone, not a SIM-FREE phone. Only a SIM-FREE phone that was never sold via a network will come with a unlockable bootloader.
It's why these sell for a bit more (£30ish).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... he's already said he unlocked it from the network. Therefore, he does have a SIM/network free/unlocked phone.
However, SIM/network unlock is completely separate from the bootloader.
If the Service Menu says bootloader unlock is not allowed, you need a paid tool like SE Tool to unlock it.

Perhaps it's a regional terminology thing.
In the UK, unlocked means it was once locked to a network (but usually still with network branding)
Sim-free, means it's totally unbranded, not sold with a contract and not sold by a phone network. ie. totally independant of any phone network.
Only Sim-free is unlocked bootloader.

CrazyPeter said:
Perhaps it's a regional terminology thing.
In the UK, unlocked means it was once locked to a network (but usually still with network branding)
Sim-free, means it's totally unbranded, not sold with a contract and not sold by a phone network. ie. totally independant of any phone network.
Only Sim-free is unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, I don't think they really understood exactly what you meant.
I remember Rikard from the SE Blog when they announced about bootloader unlocking on the new xperia phones. He also said that phones with generic firmware will be allowed to unlock bootloader.
So just because, you have unlocked a phone from t mobile it isn't a Sim free phone.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium

I have to be thankful that my actual carrier doesn't do sim-lock.

First of all, thank you for your contributions.
So to re-cap, it is a T-mobile branded arc, that is now network free, but not sim free.
Is it possible to flash the phone to make it sim free? Would would using SETools acheive this?

Pumphandle said:
First of all, thank you for your contributions.
So to re-cap, it is a T-mobile branded arc, that is now network free, but not sim free.
Is it possible to flash the phone to make it sim free? Would would using SETools acheive this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ugh. SIM and network are the SAME thing: locked to a specific carrier / cannot use a different carrier's SIM card.
The bootloader is different. Generic (unbranded) phones have unlockABLE bootloaders through a FREE process. Carrier-branded phones ALSO have unlockABLE bootloaders but the process is NOT free.
Any bootloader can be unlocked, regardless of SIM/network status. I suggest you watch the video and pay attention to the FAQ.
There is no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to SIM/network unlock it. Buy an unlock code or tool credit (Omnius, SE Tool, etc.).
There is also no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to unlock a bootloader. Either use http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com or pay to get it unlocked.

BluechipJ said:
Ugh. SIM and network are the SAME thing: locked to a specific carrier / cannot use a different carrier's SIM card.
The bootloader is different. Generic (unbranded) phones have unlockABLE bootloaders through a FREE process. Carrier-branded phones ALSO have unlockABLE bootloaders but the process is NOT free.
Any bootloader can be unlocked, regardless of SIM/network status. I suggest you watch the video and pay attention to the FAQ.
There is no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to SIM/network unlock it. Buy an unlock code or tool credit (Omnius, SE Tool, etc.).
There is also no firmware or software that you can flash onto a phone to unlock a bootloader. Either use xxxxxxxx or pay to get it unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer but CrazyPeter is right. There's a regional terminology issue here that is not not translating.
That being said it does look like SETool is the way forward. I should've checked exactly what result unlocking with Octopus box would have.

Contact Jinx13 who will be able to unlock and open bootloader
I had sim locked three phone he did mine Sunday and it is easy and quick

Thanks cheify009. Heard his name being mentioned a few times now.
If u don't mind me asking, was it expensive?

Pumphandle said:
Thanks cheify009. Heard his name being mentioned a few times now.
If u don't mind me asking, was it expensive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
£15.00 done mine as well as my arc was on tmobile,now it is sim free and bootloader is unlocked.
Although you can still update via PC but not ota as it will brick the phone.
Sent from somewhere.......

dude?
BluechipJ said:
... he's already said he unlocked it from the network. Therefore, he does have a SIM/network free/unlocked phone.
However, SIM/network unlock is completely separate from the bootloader.
If the Service Menu says bootloader unlock is not allowed, you need a paid tool like SE Tool to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good morning to all! I have a big question! I have a Sony Ericsson Experia ARC vodafone brand new and comes with android 2.3.4 compilation: 4.0.2.A.0.62, and when connect it via the PC COMPANION tells me there's a new update 4.1.A.0.562, should I update it?
I've seen in many forums that updating the phone slow down the performance and assure me I'll regret of that. the other thing I was thinking is to make a backup of my original rom, but there is some way to make a backup of the original rom if something goes wrong? with the update? thanks

bootloader unlock allowed: No with factory unlock SIM

Hello everyone.
Yesterday I bought my Z1 factory unlock SIM in a store. The box with the phone was perfectly sealed. Anyway, the first thing I wanted to do is unlok the bootloader. When I try, I realize that getting into the mobile me menu appears bootloader unlock allowed: No.
I have contacted Sony and they say I need the SIMlock (number of unlock) and of course this does not have it and the operator said that neither does.
This may be so, or have cheated me in the store and sold me a mobile unlok for them?
What I can do? No way to get the number SIMlock?
Thank you.
Greetings.
PD. Sorry my bad English.

I think you getting confused. SIMlock have nothing to do with Bootloader.
SIMlock is a SIMlock from you provider, that means if you brought you phone from Vodafone, you can use Vodafone Sim only from them on your phone. But like I can see is not your case because, like you said, your phone is SIM Unlocked, that's mean unbranded.
Bootloader is that part of you device which allow you to flash your phone or root it. In your case if there is Bootloader Unlock Allowed: NO, that mean you can't unlock you bootloader. There is no way to unlock it. And you should search on XDA first.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2576948
What you can do with Locked Bootloader;
Root your phone, Flash Custom or Stock Roms, Flash Stock Kernels.
What you can't:
Flash Custom Kernels.
For the rest of the part search on XDA.

BoRoU said:
Hello everyone.
Yesterday I bought my Z1 factory unlock SIM in a store. The box with the phone was perfectly sealed. Anyway, the first thing I wanted to do is unlok the bootloader. When I try, I realize that getting into the mobile me menu appears bootloader unlock allowed: No.
I have contacted Sony and they say I need the SIMlock (number of unlock) and of course this does not have it and the operator said that neither does.
This may be so, or have cheated me in the store and sold me a mobile unlok for them?
What I can do? No way to get the number SIMlock?
Thank you.
Greetings.
PD. Sorry my bad English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is kind of an off-topic, but how did you contact Sony? Email?
I'm also having a bootloader-lock issue similar to yours, but my phone is actually SIM-locked and I need to know how to proceed with my operator to be able to unlock it.

eclyptos said:
I think you getting confused. SIMlock have nothing to do with Bootloader.
SIMlock is a SIMlock from you provider, that means if you brought you phone from Vodafone, you can use Vodafone Sim only from them on your phone. But like I can see is not your case because, like you said, your phone is SIM Unlocked, that's mean unbranded.
Bootloader is that part of you device which allow you to flash your phone or root it. In your case if there is Bootloader Unlock Allowed: NO, that mean you can't unlock you bootloader. There is no way to unlock it. And you should search on XDA first.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2576948
What you can do with Locked Bootloader;
Root your phone, Flash Custom or Stock Roms, Flash Stock Kernels.
What you can't:
Flash Custom Kernels.
For the rest of the part search on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thank you very much for responding.
The concepts have very clear, I come from a Xperia Z I bought right out. I had understood that to unlock the bootloader has to be mobile factory unlock or unlock if you have the attendant need to contact Sony to enable you to unlock the bootloader.
That condition must be met in order to unlock the bootloader with the traditional system?
Like I said it quite well how this works, I've had HTC's. The problem is that without the bootloader unlock AOSP I forget which I love. :silly::silly::laugh:
Emannxx said:
This is kind of an off-topic, but how did you contact Sony? Email?
I'm also having a bootloader-lock issue similar to yours, but my phone is actually SIM-locked and I need to know how to proceed with my operator to be able to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted Sony Spain via chat. Then I attended a girl who told me what I have to do.

Emannxx said:
This is kind of an off-topic, but how did you contact Sony? Email?
I'm also having a bootloader-lock issue similar to yours, but my phone is actually SIM-locked and I need to know how to proceed with my operator to be able to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM unlock?
I had SIM lock...that's not problem.
Just check could your phone be SIM unlocked and if yes - order SIM unlock number from Internet.
There's million web pages and you'll receive your code in a day or two.
Sent from my Z1

BoRoU said:
That condition must be met in order to unlock the bootloader with the traditional system?
Like I said it quite well how this works, I've had HTC's. The problem is that without the bootloader unlock AOSP I forget which I love. :silly::silly::laugh:.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say but if your Bootloader Unlocking Allowed saying NO you can't unlock you bootloader, So no AOSP, CM11 or PACMAN.
Read the part 2. Link: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions
I come from HTC too but is not the same with Sony, they made this more complicated.

eclyptos said:
Sorry to say but if your Bootloader Unlocking Allowed saying NO you can't unlock you bootloader, So no AOSP, CM11 or PACMAN.
Read the part 2. Link: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions
I come from HTC too but is not the same with Sony, they made this more complicated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is: people are reporting that this "bootloader unlocking allowed: no" is done by the operator/carrier, in my case, Vodafone and they have means to change the "status" in order for it to be enabled. I've read reports of other xperia users saying that through the official support channels it's possible to send the phone to Sony with the SIM-unlock code and they'll unlock everything.
Also, in Portugal theres a new law implemented in 2010 that goes like this:
You can always unlock your device from the operator: if you're on a contract, you have to pay the remaining months entirely. If your device is at least 2 years old, you don't pay anything.
If you're not on a contract, you pay the difference of the unlocked-version price with the price you paid for locked-version device - say, I paid 250€ for my locked Xperia L, the unlocked xperia L at the time I bought mine costed like 279€, i'd have to pay 279-250 = 29€ to unlock my device.
Also with this law, there's a National Communications Authority (ANACOM) which controls everything related to communications in Portugal, I'm going to contact them and report this "double lock" that's being applied by Vodafone, because I'm pretty sure that, if I unlock my phone, they're forced by law to remove every restriction on it.
I don't lose anything on trying to fight back with everything I got so... that's what I'll do.

Emannxx said:
The thing is: people are reporting that this "bootloader unlocking allowed: no" is done by the operator/carrier, in my case, Vodafone and they have means to change the "status" in order for it to be enabled. I've read reports of other xperia users saying that through the official support channels it's possible to send the phone to Sony with the SIM-unlock code and they'll unlock everything. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is something what clarified the situation. So this Lock on bootloader is done by the operator and there is a Double Lock on the phone Z1, SIM-Lock and Bootloader Lock.
And both can be unlocked?
But what have SIM-unlock code to do with Bootloader?

eclyptos said:
This is something what clarified the situation. So this Lock on bootloader is done by the operator and there is a Double Lock on the phone Z1, SIM-Lock and Bootloader Lock.
And both can be unlocked?
But what have SIM-unlock code to do with Bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely nothing.
They are different things

eclyptos said:
This is something what clarified the situation. So this Lock on bootloader is done by the operator and there is a Double Lock on the phone Z1, SIM-Lock and Bootloader Lock.
And both can be unlocked?
But what have SIM-unlock code to do with Bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm not sure. The SIM-lock is the basic thing the operators do in order to prevent users from switching to another one, but now they also apply the bootloader-lock in order to prevent users from installing modified-unnoficial software.
Sony might request the SIM-unlock code in order to "prove" that the phone has been released, thats my best guess. I don't really know if it is somehow related to the bootloader-unlock. But since it is a restriction applied by the operator, once I request it to be unlocked, I literally asking for the full access to the device... which can only be obtained by unlocking the SIM and unlocking the bootloader

Emannxx said:
I don't really know if it is somehow related to the bootloader-unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with the bootloader unlock!!!

I bought my first Z1 phone (i've got it replaced under warranty) branded and sim-locked, but the bootloader was ALLOWED to unlock.
So - i think sim-locking and not allowing the bootloader to be unlocked, are two DIFFERENT things.
p.s. - however, i think it's worth trying that request in Portugal law. There's nothing to lose.
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

gregbradley said:
It has nothing to do with the bootloader unlock!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I thought.

So what conditions have to have a phone to bootloader unlock allowed: YES?
What a difference one bootloader unlock allowed: YES and another bootloader unlock allowed: NO??

BoRoU said:
So what conditions have to have a phone to bootloader unlock allowed: YES?
What a difference one bootloader unlock allowed: YES and another bootloader unlock allowed: NO??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader Unlocked: You can flash Custom Kernels, Bootloader Locked: You can't flash Custom Kernels, Stock Only but you can flash Custom Roms and be rooted.

Well. I gonna tell you what i did in spain. I got a Phone from movistar with the status to unlock bootloader set to "no". I ask to my provider for the sim-unlock code and I got it. I sended to sony an email "[email protected]" requesting to change this status. To certified that my phone is free i add the sim-unlock code, my imei, phone number and device model. After a week or two they answered to me with this:
In connection with an inquiry number 1-9......., we inform you that we will proceed to pick up your phone for the release of the bootloader of your phone.
For this we need you to contact us by phone to ask for the information needed to program the day of collection of the terminal.
Our phone hours are: 902 180 576 Monday to Friday, 9 to 19:30 hours uninterrupted.
Once you receive your terminal you will be able to unlock the Bootloader and make the process of "unlock" the bootloader, this operation could void the terminal as shown in the web http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com

My case
In my case, I'm survieving with a HTC Wildfire S because Sony has taken my Z1 to change from "NO" to "YES".
Mine was from Vodafone and after SIM-Unlocking I realized I can't unlock bootloader. I contacted Sony in Spain and they asked my about my IMEI and NCK code (SIM Unlocking code).
A week later they called me saying that they would pick my Z1 to "unlock" it and 3 days ago they pick it up.
I miss my Z1.
Regards,
Urko

eclyptos said:
Bootloader Unlocked: You can flash Custom Kernels, Bootloader Locked: You can't flash Custom Kernels, Stock Only but you can flash Custom Roms and be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, what happens once I unlock it clear and I did with my old Xperia Z.
What is not clear is I have the phone in order to unlock the bootloader or not based.

I hope you succeed in getting an allowed bootloader-unlocking phone.
However, i'm curious if Sony will return you such a device, with the same IMEI as you originally had. Please keep us informed about that.
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I hope not to have to send it to Sony. If I can not solve this surely return the phone and buy it somewhere else.
Yet if I make the process of sending you the story.

[Q] Bootloader unlock code and sim unlock code

Greetings!
Bootloader unlock code and sim unlock code is equals or not?
---
Sony Xperia A2 SO-04F (Japan version of Z1 Compact)

iamdude said:
Greetings!
Bootloader unlock code and sim unlock code is equals or not?
---
Sony Xperia A2 SO-04F (Japan version of Z1 Compact)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope its different. sim unlock code need to be grabbed from carrier or bought from a service, but bootloader unlock code can be easily obtained

@TakuyaZ, as far as I know, all Japan phones which is sim-locked to the operator have a unlockable bootloaders (Bootloader unlock allowed: No). And even on the Sony site we could not select Japan models to get an bootloader unlocking code.
I've cheated Sony site, select Xperia Z1 Compact and provide IMEI of my Xperia A2 and get an unlocking code.
But, if I've understood correctly, we can not use it, because fastboot mode is deactivated (blocked) in bootloader.

iamdude said:
@TakuyaZ, as far as I know, all Japan phones which is sim-locked to the operator have a unlockable bootloaders (Bootloader unlock allowed: No). And even on the Sony site we could not select Japan models to get an bootloader unlocking code.
I've cheated Sony site, select Xperia Z1 Compact and provide IMEI of my Xperia A2 and get an unlocking code.
But, if I've understood correctly, we can not use it, because fastboot mode is deactivated (blocked) in bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go to docomo store. They'll unlock ur phone for 400 or so yen. Forgot the price
Sent from my D2303 using Tapatalk

TakuyaZ said:
Just go to docomo store. They'll unlock ur phone for 400 or so yen. Forgot the price
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you talking about SIM unlock to make it SIM-free?
But I'am talking about bootloader unlock.

iamdude said:
Now you talking about SIM unlock to make it SIM-free?
But I'am talking about bootloader unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I thought your phone are locked. If sim is locked. Bootloader can't be unlocked
Sent from my D2303 using Tapatalk

TakuyaZ said:
If sim is locked. Bootloader can't be unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I have successfully received my bootloader unlocking code from the Sony site. Yes, for my phone which was sim-locked in past.

Japanese ROM to US or UK ROM?

I purchased a Xperia X Compact SO-02J off of Craigslist for use on T-Mobile in the US. It mostly works, except it won't connect to my LTE CellSpot (the one that connects to your home network). I was wondering if anyone had successfully flashed the US or UK rom on to a Japanese NTT Docomo version of the phone. I searched but didn't find anything. Thanks in advance.

I'm afraid there's no one way for moded a Xperia SO-02J
The bootloader is totally locked, and it won't allowed us for unlock the bootloader. That's a dead-end.
I was using a Xperia X Compact SO-02J

Adiassidik said:
I'm afraid there's no one way for moded a Xperia SO-02J
The bootloader is totally locked, and it won't allowed us for unlock the bootloader. That's a dead-end.
I was using a Xperia X Compact SO-02J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not all version docomo lock , i have ubl allowed yes so-02j

Is there a way to unlock the sd version s8 sm-950w bootloader now?

Just got this phone to replace my old s6e, but sadly find out there seems no way to unlock the bootloader on sd ver s8.
the phone is bought unlocked, I just not see a reason samsung lock the bl.
I don't care any knox, safe folder, frp, those bs, I just want be able to install magisk .
Is there any news for that?

anybody????

424778940 said:
anybody????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way the bootloader can be unlocked currently, the decision was made by the carriers to lock the bootloaders I think as all exynos versions can so there has to be influence from somwhere, that's why the only other sd that can is the Chinese variant.

sofir786 said:
There is no way the bootloader can be unlocked currently, the decision was made by the carriers to lock the bootloaders I think as all exynos versions can so there has to be influence from somwhere, that's why the only other sd that can is the Chinese variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
um....I bought a unlocked version out of the box...so which carriers locked my bootloader....???

424778940 said:
um....I bought a unlocked version out of the box...so which carriers locked my bootloader....???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't really matter, you'll be using a carrier one way or another. The reason why I say American and Canadian carriers is because China has the snapdragon variant and there bootloader can be unlocked, so influence is coming from somewhere other wise the Chinese variant would be locked also.