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[Q] Sony Xperia U network unlock

It's probably a n00b question so apologies in advance, but if I root / bootloader unlock and Cyanogenmod flash an Android phone that's locked to a certain network, will that network lock be removed along with the official default Android ROM? Or is the lock at something like a BIOS level (or whatever the smartphone equivalent of a BIOS is)?
I bought a pre-unlocked Xperia U about a year ago that I've been using on Vodafone and had to return it under warranty (got stuck in a boot loop despite the fact that it's totally unmodified, not even rooted, honest!) and the replacement they sent back is locked to Virgin Mobile. They're telling me that the phone I sent them was originally sold to Virgin in France and locked to Virgin before I bought it, and that they've therefore fulfilled their responsibility. So I'm just wondering now about unlocking, and I've always been curious anyway about how / if bootloader unlocking, custom ROMs etc are related to network unlocking.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide with this!

Bump The First

splscs said:
It's probably a n00b question so apologies in advance, but if I root / bootloader unlock and Cyanogenmod flash an Android phone that's locked to a certain network, will that network lock be removed along with the official default Android ROM? Or is the lock at something like a BIOS level (or whatever the smartphone equivalent of a BIOS is)?
I bought a pre-unlocked Xperia U about a year ago that I've been using on Vodafone and had to return it under warranty (got stuck in a boot loop despite the fact that it's totally unmodified, not even rooted, honest!) and the replacement they sent back is locked to Virgin Mobile. They're telling me that the phone I sent them was originally sold to Virgin in France and locked to Virgin before I bought it, and that they've therefore fulfilled their responsibility. So I'm just wondering now about unlocking, and I've always been curious anyway about how / if bootloader unlocking, custom ROMs etc are related to network unlocking.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide with this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well u can unlock it.. by getting the code from sony..
It will also unlock the ph..'s Sim lock..
Or ask the sony officialy for this.. they'll provide u every info required.
But unlocking the bl will do the job for you to be sim free
But do double check this from google too.
Also before unlocking pls make a backup as it will wipe everything from the device.
Just unlock and don't flash any custom kernels.If you want to then do it carefully pls with a backup and a copy of flashable stock rom.
Flash custom roms based on stock kernels
Hope this will answer the query..

Thanks for your reply! I spoke to Sony and they just told me to contact the network (which have done and they're wanting to charge me a fee to provide the unlock code). So to clarify, if I root the phone and unlock the bootloader, the network SIM lock will also be removed?

splscs said:
Thanks for your reply! I spoke to Sony and they just told me to contact the network (which have done and they're wanting to charge me a fee to provide the unlock code). So to clarify, if I root the phone and unlock the bootloader, the network SIM lock will also be removed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not by rooting but also i guess not even by unlocking bl..
how much are they charging exactly..
i'll try to find the link for this
Also check this that how many times is the code applied for unlocking..it should not be 0
use this *#*#7378243#*#* in dialer
then service info sim lock

ADDICT.ANK said:
Not by rooting but also i guess not even by unlocking bl..
how much are they charging exactly..
i'll try to find the link for this
Also check this that how many times is the code applied for unlocking..it should not be 0
use this *#*#7378243#*#* in dialer
then service info sim lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I dial that number, the number just disappears. What is it for? They want £15.32 for the code. Should I just pay them and forget about trying to remove the lock?

splscs said:
When I dial that number, the number just disappears. What is it for? They want £15.32 for the code. Should I just pay them and forget about trying to remove the lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry the code is this
*#*#7378423#*#*
check the sim lock counters should be zero in all..
if zero then once u can try googling the code for unlocking if they work then it's great.
if not then it would be better to pay them for this as its a bit risky..
and are u using virgin's network??
As it's cheaper what they areaskingfor i guess.

ADDICT.ANK said:
Sorry the code is this
*#*#7378423#*#*
check the sim lock counters should be zero in all..
if zero then once u can try googling the code for unlocking if they work then it's great.
if not then it would be better to pay them for this as its a bit risky..
and are u using virgin's network??
As it's cheaper what they areaskingfor i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll give it a try! And nah I use Vodafone. Virgin has no signal at all in my area.

[Q] SIM unlocking the T-Mobile version of the Xperia Z3 (D6616)

Hi guys, well the thing is that I'm planning on getting the T-Mobile variant of the Z3 (D6616) but I would like to know if there is a root method for Lollipop?, since the update is already out. I have have searched all over the internet looking for answers but I couldn't find anything (only for KitKat; I know the LP update was released almost 2 weeks ago). I don't if there's something else necessary (apart from getting root access) to be able to SIM unlock this phone, I don't care about custom ROM's, kernels or any other kind of mod that requires the bootloader to be unlocked. Like I said, I just want to SIM unlock it and use the root access for Titanium Backup and maybe disable or delete the T-Mobile apps. Thanks in advance.

AntonyOrtega said:
Hi guys, well the thing is that I'm planning on getting the T-Mobile variant of the Z3 (D6616) but I would like to know if there is a root method for Lollipop?, since the update is already out. I have have searched all over the internet looking for answers but I couldn't find anything (only for KitKat; I know the LP update was released almost 2 weeks ago). I don't if there's something else necessary (apart from getting root access) to be able to SIM unlock this phone, I don't care about custom ROM's, kernels or any other kind of mod that requires the bootloader to be unlocked. Like I said, I just want to SIM unlock it and use the root access for Titanium Backup and maybe disable or delete the T-Mobile apps. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is root for it but I doubt you will be able to sim unlock it unless you pay full price for it from tmobile and us the sim unlock app that's on the phone already.

Lobo Lansky said:
Yes there is root for it but I doubt you will be able to sim unlock it unless you pay full price for it from tmobile and us the sim unlock app that's on the phone already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem, because there's no way to officially get the Z3 from them (they only have the original Z and the Z1S and the only way to get one is from eBay) and I'm not a T-Mobile costumer. I would like to know if it's possible to get it unlocked with a third party unlock service.

I just bought one for use on AT&T and I'm also looking to sim unlock. I'll update when I find out more.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

If you are one AT&T better to get international version as the 700 Mhz LTE band is different from the TMO version's which is TMO specific. (Band 12)
For indoor use that makes a big difference in signal.
The low bands have better penetration. I am on T-Mobile so for me it's an advantage to use the D6616.
The D6603 (international) supports AT&T 700Mhz in addition to the others.
As for unlocking TMO version, for me I had to call TMO as the app did not work. They will only unlock after 40 days of device use on your account. It's done over the air...
So give it to a TMO customer for temporary use and unlock assuming IMEI is not blocked.

Root on Xperia D6616 T-mobile
AntonyOrtega said:
Hi guys, well the thing is that I'm planning on getting the T-Mobile variant of the Z3 (D6616) but I would like to know if there is a root method for Lollipop?, since the update is already out. I have have searched all over the internet looking for answers but I couldn't find anything (only for KitKat; I know the LP update was released almost 2 weeks ago). I don't if there's something else necessary (apart from getting root access) to be able to SIM unlock this phone, I don't care about custom ROM's, kernels or any other kind of mod that requires the bootloader to be unlocked. Like I said, I just want to SIM unlock it and use the root access for Titanium Backup and maybe disable or delete the T-Mobile apps. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi i have managed to Access Root, Deleted T-mobile Applications But Still No success, Have you got any luck to do it ?

mnszaidi said:
Hi i have managed to Access Root, Deleted T-mobile Applications But Still No success, Have you got any luck to do it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe if you can get the HiddenSIMUnlockMenu.apk (Or whatever the app is named on Xperias) from another Xperia?

AntonyOrtega said:
Maybe if you can get the HiddenSIMUnlockMenu.apk (Or whatever the app is named on Xperias) from another Xperia?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have found the hidden menu too. and now i am goi ng to explore my phone from PC and hope i will found it and enable it. i think after Enabling it i will be able to use 3rd party unlocking code to unlock. See below Image Push thanks if it helps you

hi
hi, already posted same reply in another sim unlock thread.
i have a d6616 tmobile version and bought the unlock code, non able to input the code, and not able to unlock with the stock app, dual recovery installed and rooted already, is there a way to put the simunlockapp.apk in the system and then using titanium backup pro, to make it internal so after rebooting, simunlock code prompting?
or to flash a rom that prompts the code
or is there any metropcs z3 rom that surely can be flashed even with locked bootloader to tmobile version?
any help
than you very much indeed

Hi, I'm in the exact same situation, Bought a Tmobile Z3 through Ebay, didn't know it wasn't possible to unlocking it by buying an unlock code... so I did, now I have the phone and the unlocking code for nothing... some help here please? thanks in advance.

Lrclaros said:
Hi, I'm in the exact same situation, Bought a Tmobile Z3 through Ebay, didn't know it wasn't possible to unlocking it by buying an unlock code... so I did, now I have the phone and the unlocking code for nothing... some help here please? thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same boat. I bought a brand new one with film on it. But it was a phone only, no box or accessories. IMEI was a separate sticker (4 pieces). I tried to unlock a legal way but T-Mobile rep told me it's not in their system. It has printed T-Mobile logo in the back. I also tried official unlock app without success. They advised me to call Sony directly and ask what carrier it belongs to lol. Great phone, much better battery than G3 but unlocked phone is a must. I decline phones with 2k screens. I can't see no difference between Z3 and G3 screens.

Unlock Bootloader with unlock allowed says NO

Just got mine today and it looks like the value is NO even I have allowed OEM unlock in developer options. A quick search showed if the value is no, you will never be able to unlock.
A very bad news for me. A few questions:
1. is that really not possible to unlock it? Who shall I contact? Sony or Carrier?
2. Can I root with locked Bootloader? And flash TWRP and ROMs?
Thanks
Kan

No, there is no way to root or unlock your bootloader if it reads 'No' on 'bootloader unlock allowed?'

seanwuk said:
Just got mine today and it looks like the value is NO even I have allowed OEM unlock in developer options. A quick search showed if the value is no, you will never be able to unlock.
A very bad news for me. A few questions:
1. is that really not possible to unlock it? Who shall I contact? Sony or Carrier?
2. Can I root with locked Bootloader? And flash TWRP and ROMs?
Thanks
Kan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would RMA the device if it's not unlockable.
Unless u don't want to modify anything ever.
Did u got it branded from your network provider?
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app

langeveld024 said:
I would RMA the device if it's not unlockable.
Unless u don't want to modify anything ever.
Did u got it branded from your network provider?
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RMA means what, return? I got this from an individual, no way to return but to resell.
The carrier is Bell, a Canadian carrier. I don't see their logo on the phone.

DannyCanuck said:
No, there is no way to root or unlock your bootloader if it reads 'No' on 'bootloader unlock allowed?'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had lots of devices before. Most of them allow root with unlock bootloader. Sony is an exception?

seanwuk said:
I had lots of devices before. Most of them allow root with unlock bootloader. Sony is an exception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is.
On older Z series it was possible to root on stock kernel and therefore Unlocking bootloader wasn't required for rooting.
Since Z5, they implement Sony RIC and DM-VERITY, which prevents modification to system and therefore root.
To root, we need a kernel supporting root inside the boot image.
We can't flash any kernel other than stock (signed by Sony) on locked bootloader.
seanwuk said:
RMA means what, return? I got this from an individual, no way to return but to resell.
The carrier is Bell, a Canadian carrier. I don't see their logo on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bumm.
RMA means sending phone back and receive the money in return.
Did the seller told u it's carrierlocked phone?
Mostly on carrier locked phones there's no sticker or logo from the carrier visible on the outside.
U can try to contact Bell and explain them what's the problem. In some cases a carrier can unlock it for u. (they might charge a little fee for it)
Good luck!
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app

seanwuk said:
RMA means what, return? I got this from an individual, no way to return but to resell.
The carrier is Bell, a Canadian carrier. I don't see their logo on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you've got the Bell Z5 then you're in the same boat as myself. No way to unlock the bootloader, thus no way to root, meaning I can have ZERO fun with this device. I even paid Bell for a SIM Unlock thinking it might trigger the bootloader unlock option to change to 'Yes' Allowed, but no such luck.

DannyCanuck said:
If you've got the Bell Z5 then you're in the same boat as myself. No way to unlock the bootloader, thus no way to root, meaning I can have ZERO fun with this device. I even paid Bell for a SIM Unlock thinking it might trigger the bootloader unlock option to change to 'Yes' Allowed, but no such luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess you have contacted Bell for unlocking it but no success? Even we would like to pay a fee for it?

langeveld024 said:
Yes it is.
On older Z series it was possible to root on stock kernel and therefore Unlocking bootloader wasn't required for rooting.
Since Z5, they implement Sony RIC and DM-VERITY, which prevents modification to system and therefore root.
To root, we need a kernel supporting root inside the boot image.
We can't flash any kernel other than stock (signed by Sony) on locked bootloader.
That's a bumm.
RMA means sending phone back and receive the money in return.
Did the seller told u it's carrierlocked phone?
Mostly on carrier locked phones there's no sticker or logo from the carrier visible on the outside.
U can try to contact Bell and explain them what's the problem. In some cases a carrier can unlock it for u. (they might charge a little fee for it)
Good luck!
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing with me. You are very knowledgeable. I bought from a guy who bought from Bell. I doubt Bell will actually support my request. I will try to use it for a bit and resell if I cannot live without root. I have been using root devices since HTC G1.

All phones from carriers usually have locked bootloaders, except for nexus devices. This is why you never buy from a carrier if you want custom roms.

seanwuk said:
Thanks for sharing with me. You are very knowledgeable. I bought from a guy who bought from Bell. I doubt Bell will actually support my request. I will try to use it for a bit and resell if I cannot live without root. I have been using root devices since HTC G1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's worth trying, just see how they react
I got pretty used to root too, since my first Android a galaxy S i9000 lol
Though, when I bought this phone (my second Sony) I decided to use it without root too and in the beginning it was a bit of a struggle but later I didn't miss it at all.
I only unlocked my bootloader after a few months, just to use another kernel.
You can disable most (if not all) bloatware via settings.
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app

langeveld024 said:
It's worth trying, just see how they react
I got pretty used to root too, since my first Android a galaxy S i9000 lol
Though, when I bought this phone (my second Sony) I decided to use it without root too and in the beginning it was a bit of a struggle but later I didn't miss it at all.
I only unlocked my bootloader after a few months, just to use another kernel.
You can disable most (if not all) bloatware via settings.
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Android 6 did a good job controlling app permissions. But thats the thing as you mentioned, you cannot try variety of optimizations from community. sigh.

My boootloader unlock status is also NO.
Is there anyway to flash Androplus kernel with own recovery via fastboot flashtool to get recovery and than trough him install super su zip and with that way root Z5?

Allek84 said:
My boootloader unlock status is also NO.
Is there anyway to flash Androplus kernel with own recovery via fastboot flashtool to get recovery and than trough him install super su zip and with that way root Z5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this or anything simmilar possible?
Sent from Xperia Z5

Allek84 said:
If this or anything simmilar possible?
Sent from Xperia Z5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not only way is change the device to one that says Bootloader unlock allowed YES the only carrier/network I know of that supply devices with unlockable Bootloaders for all there handsets whether payg or contract is three UK+Ireland as they only supply devices that are sim free network unlocked devices like what you would get from Sony store one of the main reasons I'm with them

Is there any way to unlock my phone.

I bought a oneplus 7 pro without paying much attention to the fine print. The phone apparently has an IMEI issue and it locked to T-mobile. I want to use it in UAE, is there any way I can unlock it and use it here. It has already been shipped and I can't cancel my order.
PS: Can I unlock my bootloader and install custom roms.

Dinner... You should be able to unlock the bootloader and root it, but it will remain Sim-locked to t-mobile. There are services online that will unlock it from the t-mobile network.
Sent from my OnePlus7Pro using XDA Labs

Dinnerb0ne said:
PS: Can I unlock my bootloader and install custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there might be a way actually. Haven't personally tried it, but many have said it works. It looks like on the the Android 10 Developer Preview 3, you can actually bypass the token, and unlock the bootloader! I'm not sure if the phone would still technically be SIM locked to T-Mobile (if you wanted to use another carrier), but honestly have no idea. But at least from what it sounds like you should be able to unlock the bootloader, and flash custom roms.
Check out these posts, and the main XDA article that has instructions:
https://www.xda-developers.com/t-mobile-oneplus-7-pro-root-tutorial/amp/
NotATreoFan said:
You still need an unlock token from OnePlus to unlock the TMO model, even on global firmware. It takes about a week from request to processing. You can get around it by flashing the A10 DP3 OTA, and it won't check for the token.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ajsmsg78 said:
I bought an extra 7 Pro since It was only $450 through T-Mobile. If you're looking for a way to unlock the bootloader as soon as you get it you can. You can follow the guide here. It worked perfectly on mine:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best of luck. Please let me know if I can help at all.

Question s22 ultra tmobile flash HELP PLEASE

can anyone help me.
I have a s22u s908u tmobile locked unpaid. is it possible to flash it to global firmware?
will it remove the carrier restrictions?
does anyone has a tutorial for this problem?
thank you guys and more power.

You can Odin flash "unlocked" firmware, U1 as opposed to U firmware that is.
But it has zero affect on the status of your simlock status.
Also you might find if you go to unlock it that you need to go back to the TMobile firmware to access the app they use to sim unlock it.
What exactly are the restrictions you are trying to circumvent?

pcriz said:
You can Odin flash "unlocked" firmware, U1 as opposed to U firmware that is.
But it has zero affect on the status of your simlock status.
Also you might find if you go to unlock it that you need to go back to the TMobile firmware to access the app they use to sim unlock it.
What exactly are the restrictions you are trying to circumvent?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the philippines, some one sold me the phone and told me it was unlocked clumsy me didnt check it. cant unlock it via server since it is unpaid and cant return it either. thats why im looking for an alternative way so i can use my simcard here.

Ahh. So yeah. You may want to worry about the simcard situation first and flashing the firmware won't fix that. I know there are paid services out there that will take Paypal and such but I haven't used one in almost ten years so I won't be any help there

pcriz said:
Ahh. So yeah. You may want to worry about the simcard situation first and flashing the firmware won't fix that. I know there are paid services out there that will take Paypal and such but I haven't used one in almost ten years so I won't be any help there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks bud

But if there is still money owed by the person you bought it from there is a chance it will be black listed. You were basically sold a device that he or she didn't own, correct?

butchieboy said:
But if there is still money owed by the person you bought it from there is a chance it will be black listed. You were basically sold a device that he or she didn't own, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly, im screwed right?

I am in the same boat as u, though was able to get my device (Tmobile) unlocked from 3rd party vendor and using it in India. But am not getting any OTA updates.
What could be the reason and what should be done.
Can i flash an Indian/gobal ROM and get OTA updates. Also will it lock the phone again and/or wipe out the data on the phone.
Any help would be highly appreciated

The moment you put a SIM it will the IMEI flashing won't change this. If you change your IMEI with certain software in the US you can have a visit from the Feds as this is something that terrorist do to spoof IMEIs.