Database Users

[Q] Newbie unlock bootloader question

Hi all,
I am new to Android device. So sorry in advance if this question appeared to be too stupid...
I understand that I need to unlock the bootloader if I want to install custom ROM.
My questions, do I need to unlock bootloader if I want to flash my device from one official ROM to another region's ROM? Say my device has UK Stock ROM, do I need to unlock the bootloader if I want to install HK stock ROM instead?
Also, I believe there is no hardware difference among different area releases (e.g. UK vs HK). So can I assume it is safe to flash the ROM to another area release?
Thanks!

I'd NOT recommend you to unlock bootloader on your Arc as there are no custom ROMs made for it yet, and maybe developers here could make ROMs that'd not require you to have unlocked bootloader. So you should really wait because if you unlock bootloader -- there's no going back -- you can't re-lock 'em. And you void your warranty too.
You don't have to unlock bootloader for flashing another region's ROM. You can flash other firmwares using "flashtool" (a program originally developed for Xperia X10 by Bin4ry for flashing original firmwares, but updated to work on Xperia Arc also) You can get it here.
And as you're new you should first read this thread.
Also for newbie step-by-step guides [with videos] for flashing ROMs, unlocking bootloader, etc. visit the link below:
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/tag/xperia-arc-hacks/

Brilliant,
Thanks for he information.
Can anyone confirm that there's no hardware difference between different region's release? (LT15i, LT15a are only different model numbers due to region?)

itskapil said:
And you void your warranty too.
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That's simply not true.
There mere act of unlocking your bootloader does not void your warranty.
There is potential for you to void you warranty if you then were to flash a custom ROM but simply unlocking the bootloader won't void it.

Wrong section

It is possible to relock bootloader - if you have taken TA backup before unlocking, if you restore it bootloader will be relocked. I'm investigating TA Misc area to find out how to relock bootloader on already unlocked devices without TA backup.

Step666 said:
That's simply not true.
There mere act of unlocking your bootloader does not void your warranty.
There is potential for you to void you warranty if you then were to flash a custom ROM but simply unlocking the bootloader won't void it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually SE asks you to insert your IMEI No. to get the secret key for unlocking the bootloader, and since unlocking bootloader is obviously meant for flashing custom ROMs, SE will put fingers on you only if you damage your phone -- as they have your IMEI registered under their systems as bootloader unlocked. Below are the warnings they've stated on their blog:
Please note that you may void the warranty of your phone if you unlock the boot loader. Sony Ericsson can then no longer guarantee the full functionality of your phone, and will not be responsible for any unsigned custom software being flashed to the phone after the boot loader is unlocked. Certain functions in your phone might cease to work, and performance might not be ideal. You might also damage your phone permanently. In the worst case, unlocking the boot loader will cause physical injuries or material damage, for example, due to the phone overheating.
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Click to collapse
and
Please note that there is no turning back when unlocking the boot loader. You will not be able to revert the phone to a locked or original state if you unlock it. Also, if you brick the phone, it is your own responsibility.
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And @blagus man that'd really cool

itskapil said:
Actually SE asks you to insert your IMEI No. to get the secret key for unlocking the bootloader, and since unlocking bootloader is obviously meant for flashing custom ROMs, SE will put fingers on you only if you damage your phone -- as they have your IMEI registered under their systems as bootloader unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because someone has retrieved their unlocking key, that does not mean they have unlocked their bootloader, so there's no way SE will refuse to honour a warranties purely on that basis.
This is further evidenced by the fact that it is possible to retrieve unlocking keys for network-locked handsets which, as things stand, cannot have their bootloaders unlocked.
Also, you may want to re-read what SE have actually said:
Please note that you may void the warranty of your phone if you unlock the boot loader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

To further support Step666 - unlocking the bootloader in itself does NOT void the warranty.. LEGALLY SE cannot waive their obligations to warranty because someone unlocked the BL... it's the installation of custom ROM/ Kernals/ bootloader changes that gives them the right to refuse support...

no it's not possible see here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14019729&postcount=16

Step666 said:
Just because someone has retrieved their unlocking key, that does not mean they have unlocked their bootloader, so there's no way SE will refuse to honour a warranties purely on that basis.
This is further evidenced by the fact that it is possible to retrieve unlocking keys for network-locked handsets which, as things stand, cannot have their bootloaders unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Buddy my point was NOT just "retrieving unlocking key" -- this is very obvious that SE won't blame a customer just for retrieving an unlocking key, but if you unlock bootloader too -- that explains your interest in using a custom ROM on your phone.
Now if you're thinking that someone would just unlock his phone's bootloader, and never use a custom ROM over it, then simply that kind of effort is not worth it as there won't be any fun in that. Right?
See I understand your point, and you're right, but it just doesn't looks practical to me.

[Q] UK specific is the bootloader unlocked

Hi
i have had a search and can find plenty of USA bootloader questions regarding The Note 4. these usually deviate into US Carrier bashing and Samsung hating.
My query is specific to UK release of the Note 4. I am thinking of getting one but would like to know, from anyone who can verify, is the boot loader locked/unlocked? Are the sim free ones unlocked.
i fancy one however would rather not void my warranty on day one. Option 2 is looking at getting hold of a developer edition note 4 however they are not available here yet.
if you are in UK and can help or know id be greatful
many thanks
wookey

No UK models, the n910f have locked bootloaders. The only models that have locked bootloader are at&t and verizon but they are locked by the carrier. Sim free ones won't be carrier or bootloader locked but might well be region locked ie an American variant may be locked to America and a European locked to Europe etc.
You will however probably lose your warranty when you root although eu law states rooting shouldn't void your warranty for a hardware defect

I have never minded restoring my phone back to stock when sending in for warranty repair. so might be enough not to void it if unlocked?

Once you root you will trip knox and that can't be reset. That's the same on all new Sammy phones. But most Sammy centres don't actually check for knox in the UK

Should i unlock

Hello XDA,
I'm a big fan of flashing custom roms. But when i want to unlock my bootloader. Motorola says that it will void my warranty. But the rule in Europe, is that if you flash or root your device you will not lose warranty. What should i do?
Thanks in advance.

ha966 said:
Hello XDA,
I'm a big fan of flashing custom roms. But when i want to unlock my bootloader. Motorola says that it will void my warranty. But the rule in Europe, is that if you flash or root your device you will not lose warranty. What should i do?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Europe, if you root a device or you unlock the bl/flash a custom rom the warranty is void. I'm italian, these are the rules.

ha966 said:
Hello XDA,
I'm a big fan of flashing custom roms. But when i want to unlock my bootloader. Motorola says that it will void my warranty. But the rule in Europe, is that if you flash or root your device you will not lose warranty. What should i do?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For rooting, unlocked bootloader is required and for unlocking the bootloader, the unlock key is required which has to be asked from Motorola. The moment you ask for this key from Motorola, your warranty us void.
Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

The rule is actually if you send in your device because it broke of overclocking or any root feature, then they won't issue warranty.
If they can't prove the bootloader unlock broke your device they still have to repair under the warranty of your device.

TommyDN said:
The rule is actually if you send in your device because it broke of overclocking or any root feature, then they won't issue warranty.
If they can't prove the bootloader unlock broke your device they still have to repair under the warranty of your device.
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Click to collapse
During unlocking bootloader, we ask for unlock code from them.
And it's written in the rules that the moment you ask for unlock code, the warranty is void.
Read this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62843640
Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

Don't do it

Do it Do it...
I unlocked on first day and ruined my partition table-- formatted system in fat32 or so then flashed back IND firmware to fix it.
It is fun and fun only comes when u wanna take the risk.

I'm going to unlock and root mine eventually, I miss too many of the bells and whistles of a custom ROM. However, I'm going to leave it a bit as I've only just bought the phone and I want any issues to present themselves before I lose my warranty.

Dont do it because then he have no warranty then

In Holland and Germany (and i believe most countries in Europe) the first 6 months the retailer have to prove you bricked your device by unlocking/rooting your smartphone.After 6 months you must prove your device is not bricked by unlocking/rooting your smartphone. Htc and Samsung already changed their warranty policy because of this EU rule after losing a few cases from customers claiming their warranty back.

Does unlocking bootloader kill the warranty?

I've read comments on some other sites that suggested that unlocking the bootloader would invalidate the warranty. The disclaimer that Huawei provides on the bootloader warns that it might cause problems, but doesn't say that it kills the warranty. Does anybody know for sure what the policy is?

So, to answer my own question, I was trying to use the Huawei website to get a bootloader unlock code and I couldn't get it to work. I sent an email to Hauwei support to ask them to send me the bootloader unlock code. I got a message back from them right away that said that Hauwei US doesn't provide unlock codes. They also threatened to invalidate my warranty if I unlocked the bootloader.
So, now I'm confused. Obviously, Hauwei does provide unlock codes, because they have a utility on their website to get one. Is it possible that unlock codes are only supposed to be provided for non-US tablets? Also, if you get an unlock code on their website, do they track that and use that to immediately invalidate the warranty? They sent me a link to a site where you can check your warranty status. http://consumer.huawei.com/us/support/warranty-query/
Is there anybody with a US-purchased tablet that's unlocked who could check their warranty status on this site?

[QUERY FOR INDIAN BUYERS]Does unlocking bootloader void flipkart protection also?

I wanted to know if my 1 year flipkart protect warranty will also be void on unlocking bootloader .
If anyone knows i could really use ur help.

yashbajpai13 said:
I wanted to know if my 1 year flipkart protect warranty will also be void on unlocking bootloader .
If anyone knows i could really use ur help.
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Click to collapse
AFAIK only EU allows guarantee on UL Bootloader. So if you UL Bootloader through official tool you cannot relock BL and chances are that you are pretty much screwed. Unofficial UL supports relocking but it is not 100% guaranteed.
Bottom line: If you are sending the device to service centre ensure Locked Bootloader. Unless they are too stupid or lazy to care.