How to Unlock Bootloader on Sony Xperia Devices (Official Method)
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-toolsfastboot.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.
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.
Thank you for this article. But what do I do if it said no under Rooting Status: Bootloader unlock allowed: No. I am in another country and I want to find a way to unlock my phone to use the Sim here. What do i do?
Its an Xperia Pro
can i do all this using a mac?
III.1. link doen’s work
i have finished this step, but i’m concerned about whether it is unlocked / locked . how can i know it is unlocked ? sorry for the english
The bootloader mode should itself tell you whether it’s unlocked or locked.
at step 14 when i type fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version on cmd and press enter show waiting for device plz help me
Same thing’s happening with me right now. Somebody help please?
from the command promt make your path to .. platform-tools .. in that folder your fastboo.exe is present later you type that command it will run..
my phone status to unlock bootloader is no,so is there no method of unlocking it??
sir i am having (wt19i) rooting status :bootloader unlocker allowed : yes
i rooted it to 2.3.4 to ics 4.04 ,can i flash with a custom rom ? i official requested Sony support to void the warranty and asked for key to unloack bootloader can you tell me a easy process to unlock plz help me
I have installed sdk manager.but when i open cmd and type as adb bootloader it just says adbwinapi.dll is missing but i have already dwnld & put adb,adbwinapi.dll & adbusbapi.dll but it always says it was missing.rep me wt to do bro
Am trying to unlock bootloader for sony xperia mini
Pls help me
setup guide is not there !! it shows PAGE NOT FOUND!!!
i have experia arc s (ORANGE) and its lock to other network. i tried using *#*#7378423#*#* and its say that my Bootloader unlock is NOT ALLOWED.is there any way i can change it..or using bootloader can open my phone network unlock? tnx so much hope to hear from you soon…
am not sure with step 14 , this s wat happens , can anyone plz help ???
ok! what u did wrong was firstly u have to enter the correct folder which in this case is C:android-sdkplatform-tools it doesnt matter if u havr installed ur sdk anywhere else all u gotta do is find the platform-tools and open that , once opened press and hold shift key and then right click mouse and then select open command window here …and then u will get the required cmd screen….enjoy
i push the bootloader button and after 10 seconds the phone starts normally
I followed the steps mentioned above… but in 14th step, when i enter “fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version” in command prompt. it does not respond as expected, instead it in the command prompt it shows “waiting for the device”. Not able to understand whats going wrong? Please help me…
same happens with me….help me out also
it says that usb driver installation didn’t work (pt.12) how can I do?
not work assholes
that shit happens with me
locked fastboot
at step 14 when i type fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version on cmd and press enter show waiting for device plz help me
You’re probably lacking required drivers then. Just head to your Manufacturer’s website and download and install the latest drivers, it should solve your issue.
Thanks!
most of us have this problem….what kind of drivers we should install, can you give u s links for that…
i have done all the steps properly but after everything the command window say request bootloder unlock failled
plz help me
it says waiting for device and my device does not connect properly
why is it so?
Still waiting for a hour…
i have this same problem…
mine too
Did ur problem got solved ??
If yes , Do help me and reply on my id “vaibhavpalve@yahoo.co.in”
not working with windows 8.1
sir after last step astboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY wen i entered my key i saw UNLOCKBOOTLOADER OEM FAILED ….please help me..
sir my bootloader is unlocked = yes but i m runnig root checker it show me your phone is not properly rooted……..please help me …
my xperia neo v is on light blue.. but it says waiting for device
sorry foy my bad english..
Hi i am also having problem in step 14 pls help to solve waiting device issue
i have boot loop pls help
I m having xperia l so was just what i hav to do in step 12
wtf: it showing waiting for device from an hour
Ravi, are you sure you have the right drivers installed?
what should i do nw plzzz help…
Hey why my xperia arc status is unknown? I cant unlock the BL using ur steps pls help
I have figured out why we all remain stuck at step #14
You will see you adb device when you open the device manager but it has an exclamation mark!
Windows installs and tells device is ready for use but it isn’t true.
I did install USB drivers from Sony and from Google, installed the adt SDK and the modded driver from Sony.
Nothing worked. And I for sure followed the Sony guide precisely.
So, I figured out that the Sony Flashtool flashtool-0.9.16.1-windows.exe e.g. at http://www.flashtool.net/download.php comes with a driver package you can run separately. C:FlashtooldriversFlashtool-drivers.exe
You can eventually select your device there. XPeria J wasn’t included. But there are several common driver packages to select. Simply read the description of the common packs.
You can see my selection for XPeria J.
and WHAM! now it works. The commands are done in fractions of a second.
Have fun
Step 14 having problem on it… need help,, Plz
I have followed the ” *#*#7378423#*#* , Service info > Configuration > but have no “Rooting Status” to check my status!! these are what I have under configuration: IMEI & software version & available speech codecs & working band/s
I successfully connect my Experia arc (LT15i), have obtained the unlock key but when I run the fastboot..bla..bla command I get “oem unlock failed”
any comments? please help!
Ok how to back t lock ur bootloader?
end of the step 14 its showing “waiting for the device” but nothings happening!! what to do??
I am trying to unlock my Xperia J st26i. My computer doesn’t ask me to point it to the device driver for the debugger mode. How do I ensure that the fastboot is indeed handling the device?
Hi,I tried to unlock my xperia arc s bootloader but the image below is what happened.
I accessed the service menu but it says “rooting status: ” “bootloader unlockedallowed”: yes
Please help me if there is any other way to unlock it.
Sorry, there is no such a folder extras\google\usb_driver in my android-sdk folder? I have installed Android SDK Tools r24.4.1.
I know this is a old post….. but it works for me.
I step the problem 14 whit install again the drive S1fastboot,… after that problem solved, i have a new problem……… the unlock code from sony have 2 digits more… i just delet “08” from “080800xxxx” and let “0x0800″… thks a lot for that post!
On my Xperia 5 II i says bootloader unlock not allowed