topic Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader in Z Series

Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:32:25 GMT

Is there any way to determine before I buy the phone that the bootloader will be unlockable? I really like this phone, but I want the unlockable bootloader. From what I can tell, the only way to do so is the service menu after powering up the phone, which doesn't work out so well when ordering it onlin (which is the only way to get it).

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

_alexdon_ — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:34:32 GMT

You can dial *#*#7378423#*#*-Service info-Configuration. There will be Bootloader unlock : Yes or No.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Thommo — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:47:01 GMT

Regarding @alexdon post above it will say Bootloader unlock allowed then either yes or no - Bootloader unlock yes means the bootloader has already been unlocked which means it's sencond hand

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 22:14:20 GMT

Right, I already know that. I want to know if there is a way to determine this BEFORE I buy the phone online, have it shipped, open the box, boot it up, get into that menu, only to find that it is "Bootloader unlock allowed: No".

I don't want to have to keep purchasing and returning phones until I get one that is unlockable. Being able to tell the seller to look for something (perhaps in the IMEI?) would be great. Is there a version number on the box that might give a clue?

The Sony Developer site says:

Please note! It will only be possible to unlock the boot loader for certain releases. You can check if it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your device in the service menu by following the steps below:

In your device, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.
Tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.

The one I have purchased says: No. I want to find one that says "Yes." I doubt I could get a retailer such as Amazon to open the brand new box, power up the phone, and go through the menus to find out if it is unlockable for me.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

_alexdon_ — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 22:20:31 GMT

I am not aware of any other way,maybe Thommo knows.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Thommo — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 22:21:33 GMT

The bootloader status is something a country or network will impose so it could be your country has decided not to allow this because of some law or your network is protecting it's product, The only way to buy a device that can have the Yes is to physically go into a store and ask

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 22:35:30 GMT

@themadwizard

You can read more about it here

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Android-development/Bootloader-unlock-allowed-No-SONY-solve-it-please/m-p/181302#M321

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 22:51:32 GMT

I am in the USA, and there is no way to go into a store to look at this phone, as it is not sold in stores at all.

The one I bought is the international version, not network branded at all. I bought this phone specifically because (according to all the press releases) the bootloader could be unlocked. I am quite upset to discover after buying the phone that this was (partially) a lie.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:00:10 GMT

@themadwizard

There are Sony stores here in the USA, and do carry the Z3 Compact, as well as BestBuy, etc.

With that said, you should be able to unlock the bootloader if you indeed have the international version, if you bought it somewhere else, perhaps online, perhaps the user flashed the global generic firmware to a previously branded phone.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:02:11 GMT

@themadwizard

Just tested a Xperia Z3 bought here in the USA at a Sony store and the bootloader can be unlocked.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

apjashley1 — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:30:23 GMT

I bought a network-branded phone, but even after flashing another software version the bootloader can't be unlocked. I thought this setting was permanent?

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:39:33 GMT

Unfortunately, the nearest Sony store is hundreds of miles away...

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:59:43 GMT

@apjashley1

It is permanent, if your phone is or was network branded/locked to a carrier, you will not be able to unlock the bootloader, if you click on the link I posted on the first page, you'll see that the only way around it is to replace the motherboard, which is the most expensive part of the phone.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:00:03 GMT

@themadwizard

Where did you purchased this phone?

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:20:08 GMT

On Amazon from Saletagz. Unlocked International Model.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:22:29 GMT

@themadwizard

Perhaps you can get a refund

on a side note, why do you want to unlock the bootloader?

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:39:28 GMT

I can get a refund, they have offered it to me. I am trying to find a way to get a phone with an unlockable bootloader after this.

I want to install CyanogenMod on my phone. I used to have it on my Sprint GS3, but I moved to AT&T and made the mistake of buying an S5 from them. I finally couldn't take Samsung's horrible software and kernel and moved on to the Z3 Compact. I really like it, but I don't like many of the settings and limitations of the z3c (like the fact that I can't control notification volumes separately from ring volume).

I am really big into customizing my stuff.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:42:47 GMT

@themadwizard

Get a refund and buy it at BestBuy or Sony either at a physical store or online

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

themadwizard — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 01:29:09 GMT

That's the plan. I was hoping to find out if there was a way to find out if it is bootloader unlockable before they ship it.

Best Buy still wants over $500 for it.

Re: Z3C (D5803) Unlockable Bootloader

Uliwooly — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 01:42:15 GMT

Keep us updated