How to Unlock Bootloader on Sony Xperia Devices (Official Method)

September 20, 2012 in Android General Rooting How To's, Android How To's, Featured, How To's, Sony Xperia Arc How To's, Sony Xperia Arc S How To's

In order to discourage owners from messing with their devices, companies lock devices’ bootloaders most of the times.  But for more enterprising users like our readers, this is seen more as a hindrance than a failsafe to rooting and flashing custom ROMs/kernels.  Times have changed now and manufactuers are now waking up to the developer community’s contribution that has grown exponentially over the years, and are offering to unlock bootloaders safely.  One such company is Sony (previously Sony-Ericsson) and this guide below will show you how to unlock your bootloader if you own a relatively recent Xperia device.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  Unlocking your bootloader will void your warranty.  Sony is particular about this and so are we.  Make sure you realize what you are losing before you take the next step!
2.  You will be opting out of over-the-air updates when you unlock your bootloader.
3.  Back up anything you feel is important before you proceed.

II.  Can my Xperia device be Unlocked?

Sony has been adding devices to the unlockable bootloader list over time and if your handset is listed on this page under the Supported Phones section, your device’s bootloader can be unlocked!  Another way to check is:
1. Enter *#*#7378423#*#* on your phone dialer to access the service menu.
2.  Go to Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status.  Check if Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes in this section.
If you found Yes, then you are in luck and your bootloader can be unlocked!

III.  Unlocking the Bootloader

1.  Install the Android SDK.  Use our setup guide (until Step 4) to do this easily.
2.  Download the fastboot driver file from Sony.
3.  Extract the downloadinf.zip you downloaded to a folder on your desktop.  This folder will now contain a single file called android_winusb.inf; copy this file.
4.  Go to c:\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver and paste the copied file here.  If you are asked to overwrite an existing file of the same name, do so.
5.  Find your IMEI number and write it down somewhere accessible.  To find out your IMEI number, type in *#06# on your phone dialer.
6.  Go to Sony Mobile’s Unlocking Site.
7.  Click on the Yes, I’m sure button to begin the process.
8.  Tick both the checkboxes agreeing to Sony’s legal terms and click on the I accept button.
9.  You should now be at the Unlock request page.  Enter your name, email and your device’s IMEI number and click on Submit.
10.  Your unlock code should now be revealed.  Write/copy this down somewhere accessible.
11.  Power down your device.
12. Hold the Menu button (Xperia arc, Xperia arc S, Xperia neo, Xperia neo V, Xperia pro) or the Search button (Xperia Play) or the Volume up button (Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia ray, Xperia active, Live with Walkman, Xperia S) and connect the device to your PC using the microUSB cable already provided.
13.  If you are asked to install drivers, point the driver installer to c:\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver.
14.  Open up a command prompt window and type in the following commands.  To open up a command prompt windows, hit the Windows key + R to open up the Run dialog box, type in cmd in the Open field and hit Enter.

cd C:\android-sdk\platform-tools
fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version

[You should get a response back, something like 0.3, which means your phone is connected and detected properly]

fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY

[Replace the KEY in 0xKEY with the unlock code you obtained from the Sony website]
Your bootloader should now be successfully unlocked!
If you need help with this procedure, please ask in the comments below or in the forum.
This is part of our Android How To’s. We have how to’s on rooting, loading ROMs, and tons of other tips and tricks for your specific device or for Android devices in general! For all of our Android How To’s, head here.

Read more at http://theunlockr.com/2012/09/20/how-to-unlock-bootloader-on-xperia-devices-official-method/#lYLZxoeAfk10JUTP.99

How to Root the Sony Xperia J

Good news for all those lucky users who have bought the Sony’s latest and greates Xperia J smartphone. A root method has become available for the device and this opens up doors for the custom development to get to your device. While almost all the Sony Xperia series smartphones are enjoying root-access, Xperia J is going to get the same enjoyment with this new root method. In the following guide, we’ve covered how you can root your Xperia J smartphone and get the root-only apps running on it. So, let’s get started:

I. Before You Begin:

1. This will void the warranty of your device. However, you can reinstate the warranty by unrooting your device if there’s any unrooting procedure available.

2. You must be running 11.0.A.3.28 or 11.0.A.3.18 firmware with locked bootloader. This procedure doesn’t work on other firmwares.

3. You should have appropriate drivers installed on your PC.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. Root Package (It’s attached in the first post)

III. Rooting the Sony Xperia J:

1. Download and place the Root Package archive onto your Desktop.

2. Extract files from the archive to your Desktop.

3. Enable the USB debugging option on your device by heading to Menu>>Settings>>Developer options>>USB debugging.

4. Once enabled, connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.

5. Now double-click on the Runme.bat file you have on your Desktop.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

7. And you should be rooted now!

Amazing! Your Xperia J has successfully been rooted and you now have access to system level files on your device. This simply means you can go as deeper as to system files and modify them, this translates into more customization options for you.

IV. Flash a Custom Recovery Image (Optional):

1. If you would like to flash a custom recovery image in order to flash custom ROMs, head to the How To Flash a Custom Recovery Image on the Sony Xperia J to learn how to do that.

If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.

If you need help with this procedure, please ask in the comments below or in the forum.

This is part of our Android How To’s. We have how to’s on rooting, loading ROMs, and tons of other tips and tricks for your specific device or for Android devices in general! For all of our Android How To’s, head here.

Read more at http://theunlockr.com/2013/03/19/how-to-root-the-sony-xperia-j/#5RCG0iEowZT96Wqc.99

How to Install ClockworkMod Recovery on the Sony Xperia J

Maybe you’ve rooted your Sony Xperia J smartphone and now want to flash custom ROMs? Maybe you want to make a backup of your current firmware so you can have peace of mind while using your device? No problem, this guide shows exactly how you can install ClockworkMod Recovery on your Xperia J smartphone. CWM Recovery is one of the best custom recoveries ever made for Android devices and with its new updates, the user-interface as well as the functionality has really become much better than before. Follow the following guide and get the recovery installed on your device:

I. Before You Begin:

1. You must have done our How to Root the Sony Xperia J procedure.

2. You must be running 11.0.A.3.28 or 11.0.A.3.18 firmware with locked bootloader.

3. You should have appropriate drivers installed on your PC.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. ClockworkMod Recovery (It’s attached in the first post)

III. Installing ClockworkMod Recovery on the Sony Xperia J:

1. Place the ClockworkMod Recovery archive onto your Desktop.

2. Extract files from the archive to your Desktop.

3. Enable the USB debugging option on your device by going to Menu>>Settings>>Developer options>USB debugging.

4. Connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.

5. Double-click on install.bat file you have on your Desktop.

6. It’ll install the CWM Recovery on your device.

7. Once the recovery’s installed on your device, reboot your device.

8. And you’re done!

Congrats! You’re now rocking the ClockworkMod Recovery on your Xperia J smartphone. Before you start using the recovery, please take a look at the source thread once as there’re some useful instructions given there.

IV. Flash a Custom ROM (Optional):

1. If you are ready to flash custom ROMs on your device, head to the How To Flash a Custom ROM on the Sony Xperia J to learn how to do that.

Image Credit: Softpedia

If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.

If you need help with this procedure, please ask in the comments below or in the forum.

This is part of our Android How To’s. We have how to’s on rooting, loading ROMs, and tons of other tips and tricks for your specific device or for Android devices in general! For all of our Android How To’s, head here.

Read more at http://theunlockr.com/2013/03/19/how-to-install-clockworkmod-recovery-on-the-sony-xperia-j/#m8Kb7jV6XFhBVsUR.99

Install ClockworkMod Recovery on Sony Xperia Z with Locked/Unlocked Bootloader [GUIDE]

Sony's flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z, was rooted even before the device could go on sale with due credit to the developers' community. Now ClockworkMod (CWM) recovery can be installed on the phone. Using the CWM recovery users can perform several functions such as installation of custom ROMs and system tweaks.

The Xperia Z features a 5in full HD display.

Below are two different methods to install CWM recovery on Xperia Z: one for Xperia Z with locked bootloader and the other for unlocked bootloader version.  
The custom recovery file, which is built from CWM 6.0.3.0 sources, for Xperia Z with unlocked bootloater is released by XDA developer, DooMLoRD. The developer notes that the aforementioned recovery file works only on Sony Xperia Z running on stock firmware 10.1.A.1.350/434 or any ROM based on the same firmware. Head over to the development page to learn more about the custom recovery release. The CWM recovery 6.0.2.8 for Xperia Z with locked bootloader is shared by XDA developer, krabappel254.
Xperia Z users who wish to install CWM Recovery on their devices, may follow our step-by-step guide below. Users should have a rooted version of the phone. Click here for step-by-step guide to root the Sony Xperia Z.

Pre-requisites
1) Install USB Driver for Sony Xperia Z to transfer files between the computer and the Android device.
2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Development option and ensure the USB Debugging Mode is turned on.] 
3) The device should have ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and Fastboot installed on the phone.
4) As the tutorial might wipe out all the data on the device, create a backup. If the device has a custom recovery such as CWM/TWERP already installed, users are recommended to back up the data using the same.
5) Ensure that the battery of Xperia Z has above 80 percent charge.
6) The recovery files and the installation tutorial below are compatible only with Sony Xperia Z. Applying these to any incorrect variant is likely to brick the device. Therefore, install the recovery files accordingly.
Steps to install CWM Recovery on Xperia Z with unlocked bootloader
1) Download CWM recovery 6.0.3.0 for Sony Xperia Z to the computer. Extract the downloaded zip file to get the boot.img file
2) Ensure that a working fastboot is already installed on the phone [For guide click here]
3) Turn off the Xperia Z. Then enter into fastboot mode by pressing the Volume Up button
4) Connect the phone to the computer using USB cable
5) Wait until the LED lights up with blue colour. Try few more times if the first attempt fails
6) On the computer, copy the boot.img file into C:Fastboot
7) Open the command prompt on the computer. Go to Windows logo then type CMD in the search box and press Enter
8) Type cd C:fastboot then type fastboot flash boot boot.img
9) Once the action is completed, try to restart the device
The Sony Xperia Z should now have CWM recovery installed.
Steps to install CWM Recovery on Xperia Z with locked bootloader
1) Download CWM Recovery 6.0.2.8 for Sony Xperia Z with locked bootloader to the computer. Extract the downloaded zip to get the install.bat file
2) Ensure that a working fastboot is already installed on the phone
3) Double click the install.bat file
4) Plug in the USB cable to the phone to connect it with the computer. Wait until the device is detected by the programme
5) Follow the screen instruction from the programme to continue installation
6) When the installation process is completed, switch off the phone
7) Press the Volume Up or Volume Down button and release for some time when the phone is booting (with LED is green)
8) Boot the device into the custom recovery [Try some more times if the first attempt does not work]
[Source: The Android ROM]

How to Root the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro

The X10 mini pro has been around for a long time now but with a bustling developer community, the device has managed to stay fresh and even has ICS custom ROMs now.  This guide below will show you how to get there by taking the first step – root the Xperia X10 mini pro.  Read on then if you want to do this.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  This procedure will work on Xperia X10 mini pro running v2.1.1.A.0.6.  If you have a device running some other version, leave a comment in the Comments section below and we’ll tell you if this works on that version or another procedure that could work for your firmware.
2.  This procedure is designed to work on the Windows (preferably Windows 7) operating system.
3.  Back up everything you feel is important before you start with the procedure.

Necessary Downloads

1.  SuperOneClick.rar [File attached to the first post of this thread]

IV.  Rooting the Xperia X10 Mini Pro

1.  Extract SuperOneClick.rar to a folder on your desktop.
2.  Enable USB Debugging on your device.  To do this, go to Menu > Settings > Applications > Developer Options and tick the USB Debugging checkbox.
3.  Connect your device to your PC and if there are any drivers being installed at this point, let Windows 7 do so.
4.  From the folder, you extracted above, run SuperOneClick.exe.
5.  Click on Root.
Your Xperia X10 Mini Pro should be rooted once the application confirms that your device is rooted!

IV.  Unrooting the Xperia X10 Mini Pro

1.  Follow the same steps as in Section IV until Step 4.
2.  Click on Unroot.

V.  Flashing Custom Recovery (Optional)

If you would like to flash a custom recovery image in order to flash custom ROMs, head to the next procedure to learn how to do that.
If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.
If you need help with this procedure, please ask in the comments below or in the forum.
This is part of our Android How To’s. We have how to’s on rooting, loading ROMs, and tons of other tips and tricks for your specific device or for Android devices in general! For all of our Android How To’s, head here.

How to Root the Sony Xperia Arc S

The Sony Xperia Arc comes with a 4.2-inch LCD display, a 8MP shooter and a 1GHz Scorpion processor keeping things running at its mid-range speed.  The device recently saw an update to Android 4.0.4 officially but there’s no word as yet on whether there will be an official Jelly Bean upgrade.  Until then, there are custom ROMs to try out and to do that, your Arc will need to be rooted.  This post below will help you do that.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  Make sure that your device is at least 75% charged.
2.  The guide below is designed to work on Windows PCs (preferably Windows 7); sorry Mac/Linux users!
3.  Back up everything you feel is important before you begin.
4.  This procedure is designed to work on Xperia Arc devices running firmware v4.1.B.0.587.  So make sure this is the firmware versions you are running before you proceed.

II.  Necessary Downloads

1.  Flashtool v0.8.6.0.
2.  Lt18i_4.1.A.0.562_Kernel.ftf (Link available in the first post under the Downloads section)
3. DooMLoRD_v1_Xperia-2011-ICS-ROOT-emu-busybox-su.zip (Link available in the first post)

III.  Flashing the .562 Kernel

1.  Double-click on flashtool.exe you downloaded above and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
2.  Copy Lt18i_4.1.A.0.562_Kernel.ftf file you downloaded above to C:\Flashtool\firmwares on your harddrive.
3.  Open the Flashtool application after installation and click on the Flash icon (the one with the thunder symbol).
4.  You should be presented with two options:  Flashmode and Fastboot Mode.  Select Flashmode.
5.  Choose Lt18i_4.1.A.0.562 and click on OK.  Follow the on-screen instructions on how to boot your device into fastboot mode and connect your device.  Also, make sure”No Final Verification” is marked.
6.  Reboot device.

V.  Rooting the Xperia Arc

1.  Enable USB Debugging on your device.  You can do this by heading to Settings > Applications > USB Debugging and checking the tickbox next to it.
2.  Enable installation of non-Market applications.  To do this, go to Settings > Applications and check the Unknown Sources tickbox.
3.  Enable MSC Mode.  Go to Settings > Xperia > Connectivity > USB Connection Mode and select MSC Mode.
4.  Connect your device to your Windows PC.
5.  Extract the DooMLoRD_v1_Xperia-2011-ICS-ROOT-emu-busybox-su.zip that you downloaded above to a folder on your desktop.
6.  From the extracted folder, double-click on runme.bat to run the DooMLoRD tool.
7.  Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to be complete (your device will reboot several times during the procedure).

V.  Flashing Custom Recovery (Optional)

If you would like to flash a custom recovery image in order to flash custom ROMs, head to the next procedure to learn how to do that.
If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.
If you need help with this procedure, please ask in the comments below or in the forum.
This is part of our Android How To’s. We have how to’s on rooting, loading ROMs, and tons of other tips and tricks for your specific device or for Android devices in general! For all of our Android How To’s, head here.