Sony Ericsson posts Android bootloader unlock code
Open up your Xperia
Sony Ericsson has made good on its pledge to publish details showing "advanced developers" how they can legitimately unlock the bootloader code incorporated into certain SE Android smartphones.
The unlock applies only to 2011 phones running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and to handsets that haven't been tied to a network operator, at that.
Basically, we're taking the Xperia Arc, Play, Neo and Pro.
The will-violate-the-warranty caveat remains, as does the warning that some or all of DRM-protected content on the handset may become unplayable - the security keys and the phone's secure user data partition are wiped during the unlock process.
To perform the unlock, you'll need a copy of your phone's IMEI code, the Android SDK's Fastboot tool, and a tweaked android_winusb.inf file, which you can download from Sony Ericsson's smartphone unlock site, which also provides a walkthrough. ®
COMMENTS
In the interests of being green
Surely the EU could mandate that this information is made available when a device is dropped from manufacturer support? I know a few android owners who have changed from a perfectly working handset to a new one just because there are no longer updates forthcoming and they all felt it's a bit of a waste.
Vodafone locking
<whinge>
I've just ordered an SE Arc from Vodafone. In the shop I was told it was in stock, then after I'd done the paperwork they found it was out of stock but could get one delivered in 1-2 days. Now I find it's going to be 2 weeks, possibly, maybe more. Having read this article I now realise that it's just a clever way of stopping me playing with the phone...
</whinge>
motorola
yep i agree, they done a real dirty trick on the milestone, infact ive given up on the phone and moved over to the desire hd after only 9 months of use.
because of this i will be making a pass on any new motorola products (over a year to get 2.2 and flash!).
How many times? Sony Ericsson are NOT Sony!
All the clever jibes about Sony's lawyers, and Sony's policies are referring to a parent company with only a 50% stake. I'm not saying SE are perfect, or that they don't have their own ridiculous lawyers.
Can you do this to a phone that's been unlocked?
If I buy a SIM locked handset, then I won't be able to bootloader unlock it. Fair enough.
If I buy a SIM locked handset, then I get my phone provider to unlock it for me, then will I be able to bootloader unlock it?
(For the record, I'm not talking about market-stall phone unlocking services; I'm talking about getting it done officially via the network operator).
