I'm currently thinking of buying a carrier-subsidized Xperia Z3 in Nova Scotia, but I need to know if I'll be able to unlock the bootloader. I know that Sony has instructions on their website, but I was under the impression that individual carriers could still permanently lock down the device. I believe there's a service menu line that says something like "bootloader unlock allowed: yes/no".
Does anyone have a Rogers Z3? What about WIND or Bell?
I assume they all have permanently locked bootloaders, but it would be nice to confirm.
I'm curious about this too with the Bell phones.
Does anyone have any updates on whether or not the Bell phone bootloaders can be unlocked? Any known issues if you can, like the camera being degraded like some people have reported?
Hi, on Wind mobile here and checked out the settings last night - was sad to see "unlock boot loader = no" / everything I have read so far would seem to indicate that if your phone says this you are out of luck. I'll hold out some hope that someone eventually proves this wrong in the thread. I'd really like to try out the "mirror" app from clockwork and without boot loader unlock we can't get root
Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk
i just got one from Rogers and mine also says no. but I'm trying it anyways hoping it works. some people say there is way through you just have to find it so im hoping and trying. I don't want this garbage bloatware and what not.
fptp01 said:
i just got one from Rogers and mine also says no. but I'm trying it anyways hoping it works. some people say there is way through you just have to find it so im hoping and trying. I don't want this garbage bloatware and what not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is unfortunately why ive shyed away from sonys devices which we get in canada. If it says no its not happening..ive followed the Z series from the orig up to now always hoping rogers could be unlocked but its never happened so i never bought one.
Its too bad since the z series are beautiful devices but i refuse to buy any device i can't unlock.
sent from Canada via my Note 4, 3 or 2.
force70 said:
This is unfortunately why ive shyed away from sonys devices which we get in canada. If it says no its not happening..ive followed the Z series from the orig up to now always hoping rogers could be unlocked but its never happened so i never bought one.
Its too bad since the z series are beautiful devices but i refuse to buy any device i can't unlock.
sent from Canada via my Note 4, 3 or 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i hate how backwards ass we are in this ****ing country when it comes to cellphones.
fptp01 said:
i hate how backwards ass we are in this ****ing country when it comes to cellphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasnt going to buy a note 4 but with the G3 and Z3 bootloaders locked down..wasnt alot of choice.
The 64g white nexus 6 isnt even avail in canada yet...we get everything last here....except snow.
sent from Canada via my Note 4, 3 or 2.
all sony devices in canada "carrier subsidized > Rogers, Bell, Telus, Wind" have permenently locked bootloaders (in my experience with Xperia's Z, Z1, Z2, Z3)
Only "factory unlocked" Xperia devices bought from a Sony Store or Sony online have unlockable bootloaders
sorry to be the bearer of bad news
hailGNex said:
all sony devices in canada "carrier subsidized > Rogers, Bell, Telus, Wind" have permenently locked bootloaders (in my experience with Xperia's Z, Z1, Z2, Z3)
Only "factory unlocked" Xperia devices bought from a Sony Store or Sony online have unlockable bootloaders
sorry to be the bearer of bad news
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to this, I've contacted Sony Store in Canada to see if bootloader is unlockable and still no. They said even the ones sold it Canadian Sony Store are Rogers branded. So to really get non-carrier branded you'd have to get from Sony Store US. Screw CAD telecoms.
I have a Bell Z3 and bootloader cannot be unlocked.
Only bad thing about it.
pm2gonzales said:
In addition to this, I've contacted Sony Store in Canada to see if bootloader is unlockable and still no. They said even the ones sold it Canadian Sony Store are Rogers branded. So to really get non-carrier branded you'd have to get from Sony Store US. Screw CAD telecoms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, yes you can buy carrier branded Xperia devices at a Sony store, but you can also get unbranded with unlockable bootloaders!.
I live in Toronto, Ontario and bough my Z3 from the Sony store in Scarborough Town Centre, unlocked and unbranded BNIB.....so that person you spoke too is full of it!
The day I bought mine I asap put my public Mobile sim card into it and it worked flawlessly, in addition im now with telus and have no issues.
Related
Hi there. A few months ago a friend dropped my xperia z1s and I made an insurance claim for a new one (as the new model wasn't out yet and I wanted to keep same phone). However my new model has an issue with the vibrator and I'm looking to upgrade. Now I told myself that because of the locked bootloader I would buy direct from Sony next time around. However am I correct in assuming that I will not be able to take advantage of WiFi calling unless I purchase direct from T-Mobile? I would prefer to buy the z3 compact from sony, but if wifi calling is not an option and I have to purchase my own insurance I think I'd rather just deal with tmobile.
If I were to use my t-mobile jump promo to upgrade to the Z3... can it be easily rooted and recovery be flashed (on the latest version of android) today?
Thanks in advance for all of your assistance. Please limit information specifically to the t-mobile model.
If you buy the international Z3 or Z3 compact, you will not have WiFi calling
If you buy the T-Mobile Z3, there is currently no way to root, and the bootloader is not unlockable. It will come with Android 4.4.4
se1000 said:
If you buy the international Z3 or Z3 compact, you will not have WiFi calling
If you buy the T-Mobile Z3, there is currently no way to root, and the bootloader is not unlockable. It will come with Android 4.4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Z3 still hasn't received 4.4.4?
It comes with 4.4.4, I think he meant something else?
abhinav.tella said:
It comes with 4.4.4, I think he meant something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does he mean that you can't root the latest firmware or that it hasn't been rooted at all? I was under the impression the last trick I used to root my z1s cam was a method designed for the z3.
What do you think of the phone?
You cant root the D6616 yet as it has no bootloader unlock. I can live with that, Android has come a long way where root is not as important as it once was, well unless you want to try out new ROM and other mods of course.
As for the phone, its great. Not counting the 3 exchanges for cosmetic defects. I was going to get the LG G3 but after seeing the worse battery life (compared to my G2) and low contrast screen, it seemed like a downgrade, so I decided the Xperia Z3 was the only worthy succesor to my LG G2.
Can root now be obtained?/JUMP process
So I've heard that root can be obtained now on a T-mobile Z3. Is there anyone on here that has actually done this.
I had to make an insurance claim a while back and they send me a pre-owned z1s. Vibrate stops working periodically and the battery life isn't nearly as good. Apparently the previous owner didn't subscribe to the 80/40 regimen that I do with lithium batteries. So I'm looking to upgrade. Probably going to purchase the compact direct from sony too, but I want to be able to use wi-fi calling as well.
How does the jump process work btw?
POMF2K said:
So I've heard that root can be obtained now on a T-mobile Z3. Is there anyone on here that has actually done this.
I had to make an insurance claim a while back and they send me a pre-owned z1s. Vibrate stops working periodically and the battery life isn't nearly as good. Apparently the previous owner didn't subscribe to the 80/40 regimen that I do with lithium batteries. So I'm looking to upgrade. Probably going to purchase the compact direct from sony too, but I want to be able to use wi-fi calling as well.
How does the jump process work btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is currently no method available to successfully root the T-Mobile variant of the Z3 (D6616). The one root method available does NOT work on TMO Z3 unfortunately.
As for the JUMP process, the way it works is that you give T-Mobile back your old/current device and they forgive you for the balance you owe on it through your equipment installment payments. They then allow you to "JUMP" to a new device for practically nothing (you only pay the taxes on the full price of the phone) but the catch is you are starting a new set of payments for whatever phone you jump to. Also, you can activate jump twice a year.
If you are going to be purchasing your device directly from Sony, then you wont be able to use JUMP to get it, as you can only activate it if purchasing directly from T-Mobile.
cvsolidx17 said:
There is currently no method available to successfully root the T-Mobile variant of the Z3 (D6616). The one root method available does NOT work on TMO Z3 unfortunately.
As for the JUMP process, the way it works is that you give T-Mobile back your old/current device and they forgive you for the balance you owe on it through your equipment installment payments. They then allow you to "JUMP" to a new device for practically nothing (you only pay the taxes on the full price of the phone) but the catch is you are starting a new set of payments for whatever phone you jump to. Also, you can activate jump twice a year.
If you are going to be purchasing your device directly from Sony, then you wont be able to use JUMP to get it, as you can only activate it if purchasing directly from T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had heard this was now possible...
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...available-for-phones-with-locked-bootloaders/
POMF2K said:
I had heard this was now possible...
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...available-for-phones-with-locked-bootloaders/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for the Z3v
The method you linked relies on key information gained from rooted devices (Via unlocking the bootloader) since the Z3v cannot unlock the bootloader the information is inaccessible to make a root method for locked bootloaders
Isn't the z3v the Verizon Wireless version? Also the article specifically refers to T-Mobile.
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
ronr34 said:
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also,
When buying a no-contract phone, is it still locked?
Can I do the same to unlock this phone?
It depends on the phone and the carrier.
Planterz said:
It depends on the phone and the carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for a good new phone.
QuadCore and 5.0" and bigger.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
A specific model that this would work for?
ronr34 said:
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
Well Unlocking the Bootloader of your device Unlocks it to any Carrier.
If you want to know how to do that tell me which device you are using.
If Helped In Any Way Click THANKS.
DevRakeeß said:
Hi There,
Well Unlocking the Bootloader of your device Unlocks it to any Carrier.
If you want to know how to do that tell me which device you are using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are completely unrelated things.
ronr34 said:
I'm looking for a good new phone.
QuadCore and 5.0" and bigger.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
A specific model that this would work for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, it depends on the phone and the carrier. Verizon phones are internationally unlocked out of the box. Which means if you buy it and try to use it in the US without unlocking it, it won't let you, but if you take it outside the USA, it's GSM unlocked. AT&T and T-Mobile phones can be unlocked and used globally too, but both require that they've been used with their service for a time. 40 days with T-Mobile, and with AT&T it has to be coming from an active or a prior account.
With AT&T and T-Mobile, you can purchase (through eBay or websites) unlock codes, which run like $30-40 for a flagship phone. Alternatively, you can buy new unlocked phones off eBay that once locked to a network, but the reseller bought the phone new, opened the box, unlocked the phone, then sells it. Or you can buy a used phone that has already been unlocked.
Don't buy a Sprint phone, it won't work.
IMO your best bet is to buy a Verizon "world phone", or buy a factory unlocked "international" version.
LTE bands are another matter. If you want LTE where you'll be taking it (assuming it's available), you might be best off with a Nexus 4 or 5, or a recent Sony Xperia Z - class model, as these have numerous LTE band compatibility.
Planterz said:
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are completely unrelated things.
Again, it depends on the phone and the carrier. Verizon phones are internationally unlocked out of the box. Which means if you buy it and try to use it in the US without unlocking it, it won't let you, but if you take it outside the USA, it's GSM unlocked. AT&T and T-Mobile phones can be unlocked and used globally too, but both require that they've been used with their service for a time. 40 days with T-Mobile, and with AT&T it has to be coming from an active or a prior account.
With AT&T and T-Mobile, you can purchase (through eBay or websites) unlock codes, which run like $30-40 for a flagship phone. Alternatively, you can buy new unlocked phones off eBay that once locked to a network, but the reseller bought the phone new, opened the box, unlocked the phone, then sells it. Or you can buy a used phone that has already been unlocked.
Don't buy a Sprint phone, it won't work.
IMO your best bet is to buy a Verizon "world phone", or buy a factory unlocked "international" version.
LTE bands are another matter. If you want LTE where you'll be taking it (assuming it's available), you might be best off with a Nexus 4 or 5, or a recent Sony Xperia Z - class model, as these have numerous LTE band compatibility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but my question was how to bypass the locks on the phone.
I know I can buy it unlocked but it's way more expensive.
I thought that the lock was software related and not hardware so that burning a new ROM would fix this.
Is that the case?
ronr34 said:
I thought that the lock was software related and not hardware so that burning a new ROM would fix this.
Is that the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not the case. Carrier lock/unlock is in a different part of the device's firmware.
Planterz said:
It is not the case. Carrier lock/unlock is in a different part of the device's firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean that a new ROM flash will not solve this?
ronr34 said:
So does that mean that a new ROM flash will not solve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many times do I have to say the same thing?
Flashing a different ROM, be it from another carrier, or a custom ROM, does not give you the ability to carrier unlock a device.
Hey forumers I'm a little new here so sorry if this is a huge noob question
Yesterday I bought a Sony Z5 outright from a local provider here in Canada and I had gotten it unlocked and such but it doesn't seem like I'm able to find my local WIND network.. after some research i found that this phone might not be compatible at all
I had gotten a couple hints that maybe if I root I can unlock the band or something... I don't know.. if anyone knows what I can do please let me know.. I rather like this phone aha
TLDR/ Looking for a way to get Sony Z5 Compatible with WIND
If you already unlocked the sim and it doesn't work then it doesn't work. Should have checked the network bands before purchasing. If you don't know you can ask one of the wind representative. Also, if I remember correctly you might need root or worst you need to unlock the bootloader (which you can't because it is from bell), to unlock the other bands. All I know is that unlocking bands require alot of coding and complicated procedures. Gl bud, return it if you can if it doesn't work out.
LitoNi said:
If you already unlocked the sim and it doesn't work then it doesn't work. Should have checked the network bands before purchasing. If you don't know you can ask one of the wind representative. Also, if I remember correctly you might need root or worst you need to unlock the bootloader (which you can't because it is from bell), to unlock the other bands. All I know is that unlocking bands require alot of coding and complicated procedures. Gl bud, return it if you can if it doesn't work out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a reason why BELL cannot unlock the bootloader? I've been doing a lot of research since I posted this thread (im becoming obsessed even as a noob) and I'll need to root the phone, install custom kernel/ROM and edit 6 values into the non volatile memory in order to gain access to add additional bands. The Chipset in the Z5 should in theory allow AWS bands..
Make sure your APN is correct before going through all that trouble. Unlocking bootloader on Sony phones renders some special features useless.
augie7107 said:
Make sure your APN is correct before going through all that trouble. Unlocking bootloader on Sony phones renders some special features useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
I have triple checked the APN settings to be perfectly compatible with WIND and that is not the issue.
So pretty much either i lose out on features in order to root - unlock the radios
or I return it and somehow get the Z5 DUAL.
I really love this phone and can't think of any others to get if I return it and don't go for the dual lol.
GearshiftJB said:
Is there a reason why BELL cannot unlock the bootloader? I've been doing a lot of research since I posted this thread (im becoming obsessed even as a noob) and I'll need to root the phone, install custom kernel/ROM and edit 6 values into the non volatile memory in order to gain access to add additional bands. The Chipset in the Z5 should in theory allow AWS bands..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, here in Canada when ever you get a phone from a carrier the bootloader is locked forever. Blame the carriers not sony. And from my years in XDA - sony in particular I don't think I have met a developer skilled enough to get the bootloader unlocked on non unlockable devices, maybe Samsung devices yea but not sony.
Installing custom roms and kernels would require you to unlock the bootloader which you can't do so with carrier phones. This is the down side when you get carrier phones. Always get international phones because they are not locked forever.
I have the international version so I don't know about the bell one. Go to dial pad and input *#*#service#*#*
From there navigate to service info / configuration. Under rooting status, if it states "yes" next to bootloader unlock allowed then you can unlock it if it states "no" then it means no
LitoNi said:
As far as I know, here in Canada when ever you get a phone from a carrier the bootloader is locked forever. Blame the carriers not sony. And from my years in XDA - sony in particular I don't think I have met a developer skilled enough to get the bootloader unlocked on non unlockable devices, maybe Samsung devices yea but not sony.
Installing custom roms and kernels would require you to unlock the bootloader which you can't do so with carrier phones. This is the down side when you get carrier phones. Always get international phones because they are not locked forever.
I have the international version so I don't know about the bell one. Go to dial pad and input *#*#service#*#*
From there navigate to service info / configuration. Under rooting status, if it states "yes" next to bootloader unlock allowed then you can unlock it if it states "no" then it means no
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that.
I went through the directions and the bootloader says no. Looks like I'm heading to return it later today as I'm not interested in losing out on features if I was to root etc...
dang, I feel like I was so close to, but after reading on everything for a few hours, I must hang up the towel. I will probably try and buy the Sony Z5 Dual in green now from Ebay (the color I wanted anyways)
Thanks everyone for the assistance even though we came up short!
GearshiftJB said:
Thank you for that.
I went through the directions and the bootloader says no. Looks like I'm heading to return it later today as I'm not interested in losing out on features if I was to root etc...
dang, I feel like I was so close to, but after reading on everything for a few hours, I must hang up the towel. I will probably try and buy the Sony Z5 Dual in green now from Ebay (the color I wanted anyways)
Thanks everyone for the assistance even though we came up short!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, at least its not too late to return it. You can still root the device but just can't unlock the bootloader.
Just curious, how much did you pay in total for the phone outright?
LitoNi said:
No worries, at least its not too late to return it. You can still root the device but just can't unlock the bootloader.
Just curious, how much did you pay in total for the phone outright?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$649.99 + tax so $734.48 which I totally didn't mind, I was due for an upgrade and was able to sell off my previous phone...
I'm looking into the Z5 Dual and it's showing me $854 for it... on ebay at least http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Sony-Xperia-...903367?hash=item419df43c47:g:86QAAOSwo0JWF52C
that jump though..
GearshiftJB said:
Thank you!
I have triple checked the APN settings to be perfectly compatible with WIND and that is not the issue.
So pretty much either i lose out on features in order to root - unlock the radios
or I return it and somehow get the Z5 DUAL.
I really love this phone and can't think of any others to get if I return it and don't go for the dual lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks, sorry you are having difficulty. As an FYI, I made multiple edits on a coupe Xiaomi Qualcomm devices with a NV editor and the changes stuck but it never enabled any additional bands. I see that neither model on the Z5 Compact is compatible with Wind on any band by plugging in values here:
http://www.willmyphonework.net/
hello, im in need of a rootable cell phone, i bought what i thought was a moto z play but was actually a moto z play droid (xt1635-01) which is locked tight thanks to big red
so im wondering if anyone knows a comparable phone that is unlockable. for example verizons offering of pixels maybe? i had a lg g4 which was bootloader locked but rootable, which was acceptable until the motherboard went out. this happened to me on a samsung gs3 so i HAD samsung and lg both on do not buy list but after this motorola trash im ready to just take whatever will work.
any help for a poor sap still stuck on verizon? thanks
bigredretard said:
hello, im in need of a rootable cell phone, i bought what i thought was a moto z play but was actually a moto z play droid (xt1635-01) which is locked tight thanks to big red
so im wondering if anyone knows a comparable phone that is unlockable. for example verizons offering of pixels maybe? i had a lg g4 which was bootloader locked but rootable, which was acceptable until the motherboard went out. this happened to me on a samsung gs3 so i HAD samsung and lg both on do not buy list but after this motorola trash im ready to just take whatever will work.
any help for a poor sap still stuck on verizon? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at the list of available Verizon devices, get their model numbers and then search to see which of those model numbers are rootable.
If you can use any unlocked device then just search for rootable devices that Verizon will allow in their BYOP program, if they allow unlocked devices then take your pick of any of rootable devices they allow on their network. You can even choose a device that is not only rootable but has custom ROMs available also.
I DO NOT PROVIDE HELP IN PM, KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
So for a lot of the phones the option for unlocking the bootloader comes after you get your sim-unlocked from carrier, currently I have a sim locked D6616 on T-Mobile and dialing *#*#7378423#*# gives bootloader unlock allowed : no. I can use the phone on T-Mobile network for 40 days to get it sim-unlocked, would that trigger bootloader unlock allowed : yes for Xperia Z3 D6616?
Thank you
ddvche said:
So for a lot of the phones the option for unlocking the bootloader comes after you get your sim-unlocked from carrier, currently I have a sim locked D6616 on T-Mobile and dialing *#*#7378423#*# gives bootloader unlock allowed : no. I can use the phone on T-Mobile network for 40 days to get it sim-unlocked, would that trigger bootloader unlock allowed : yes for Xperia Z3 D6616?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is: No.
I've had mine for 7+ years and nothing changed. You can get root, but the bootloader is locked.
Obviously, unless they have some hardware stuff going on, there is always the possibility to unlock it, either through cracking things or a release of keys etc at some point, but given this phone is almost 8 years old, TMo doesn't care, and Sony Mobile gives zero about the US market, the demand for unlocking is low.
I would love it if, given all of the vulnerabilities in Android discovered over the past 8 years, someone had found a way to crack it, but it seems like most have abandoned it. Not to mention batteries are kind of iffy at 8 years....
Though there is still a chance. I pulled mine out of storage the other day when I remembered it has a headphone jack and it's rooted, so I can tighten things down, plug it into a speaker, and have it run as a dedicated receiver for notifications. And now I'm browsing through XDA to see if anyone has cracked it. If I get a chunk of free time or am really trying to avoid something, I may physically open it up and see if there are any physical attack vectors, assuming someone hasn't already gone that route.
Though there may be a way to unlock the bootloader.... maybe?
Xperia Z3 (T-Mobile) D6616 Android 6.0 Not Found
Hi, I've Xperia Z3 (T-Mobile) D6616 running on Android 5.0. I would like to install Android 6 on it. I prefer to install Stock Rom of Android 6 On my Z3. Default :(, If there are a cool & good :D Custom ROM of Android 6. I was not able to root...
forum.xda-developers.com