yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
You technically don't need root for flashing ROMs and kernels...

All you need is a recovery...

Depends on how you install the recovery, tho...

If you want to do it from Android, then you need root.

Do it with Fastboot, and you don't need it! Just flash the recovery and flash a ROM with it...

But most people just root the stock and then stay with that, including myself...

I like toying around with ROMs and kernels, but when it comes to pure productivity, there's nothing like stock :P
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Tyseyh:
I'm really stuck now.

I want to lock my bootloader because I've found a ROM I like, requires a locked bootloader for BRAVIA2 engine to work.

I made a Nandroid, re locked my bootloader via flash tools but then my phone wouldn't boot.

Someone suggested lock it then flash the ROM.

Great stuff, so, flashed a stock based kernel, re locked the bootloader, rebooted into recovery, thought great, I've done it.

Restored my Nandroid and I ran into an error. Unfortunately I don't remember the error name.. Helpful I know..

Something to do with Dev/block or something.

Anyway, re unlocked my bootloader, restored my ROM and now it works, just I don't think there is any BRAVIA 2 engine working.

Hold your heads high, resist and defy.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
1st: flash stock ROM... Not kernel, the stock ftf...

2nd: relock the bootloader with flashtool

3rd: get a recovery and FLASH a custom ROM... Not the backup, the Rom... I suggest titanium backup for your data...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Tyseyh:
Once I've flashed the ROM can I not restore a Nandroid? I have it all set up.

Hold your heads high, resist and defy.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Well, you COULD restore a backup...

But do not restore the boot partition (as that is where the kernel is).

That's the point of having your bootloader locked - there can only be the stock kernel...

But, since, from what I understand, you're on CWM, you should just use titanium backup...

It's much simpler than doing the whole 'advanced restore' thing in cwm...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Tyseyh:
Oh right, hence why the phone wouldn't boot.

Thank got, being a great help.

All I would need to do is set up my home screen again, great stuff, I'll think about getting it done tonight.

Thanks again.

Hold your heads high, resist and defy.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] dastane:
can some one help me???

i can't reboot my xperia p into Fastboot :( :(

i get this....

plz
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Tyseyh:
Dunno if that phone is the same as this one.

plug the USB cable in while holding Volume up/down.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Try connecting the phone in Android (USB Debugging enabled, of course) and get a command prompt and type:

adb reboot bootloader

The phone should reboot and you can then unlock the bootloader...

Though both fastboot and adb drivers have to be installed... (Seeing you have Win8, I wonder; Is that a problem for you?)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Patrol619:
I have just unlocked my sola :) Bravia Engine (1) doesn't work in photos, but in videos it works perfectly :) That's fine for me ;)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] shadeMe:
Hello! Can I use the FTF files (for relocking) linked in the OP to relock a Xperia S running the 6.1.A.2.55 firmware?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Yes.

In theory, it should work with any Android version and every Sony FW release.

I haven't tried it on anything but 6.1.A.2.55, though. However, it does work on it :D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] shadeMe:
Good to hear, thanks :)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] the_biu:
After I re-lock the BL, later if I want to unlock it again will I be able to do it so? Using the same key provided by Sony...

Thanks.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Yes, I myself have done so at least 10 times since my first unlock :P

Just save the unlock key and recycle :D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] YoUnEs DeX:
my phone Xperia S LT26i in stock roms ICS 4.0.4 (6.1.A.2.55)

i wont install

[ROM][WiP][4.2.2] CM-10.1 | OpenSEMC - BETA2

you maste Unlock Bootloader or not :confused:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Yes, you need an unlocked boot loader for any ROM that doesn't use the stock Sony kernel. To make it simple: Any ROM not based on stock requires the bootloader to be unlocked.

That means all AOSP-based ones (cm, AOKP, pa, pac, etc.) and ROMS based in those ROMs.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] YoUnEs DeX:
thanks

but u maste IME 14 nember fore key

but in my phone is 15 nember :confused:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
For the IMEI, just remove the last number.. So if your phone has an IMEI of: 123456789123456, this is what you put in: 12345678912345
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] hamad335500:
urgent help

Can someone provide me correct relock.ftf because i download xpeeia s relock file frm this thread but it is in zip not in ftf so anyone can give me xperia s relock ftf?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
You know, the zip file extension was made so that large files could be made smaller for storage reasons and made larger when needed...

In other words: zips can be extracted...

Extract, get the ftf and use flashtool...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] hamad335500:
There are no ftf files in zip so can u share relock ftf to me?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
You, sir, clearly don't know much about file extensions...

I just downloaded the thing. It's a txt file. What you do is you change the file extension to ftf.

Even if it were in zip and the zip had no ftf file inside, you'd change the extension.

What bothers me the most here is the fact that you've mistaken a txt with a zip.. How and why?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Scratchling:
If you have that little idea what you're doing you shouldnt be modding your phone hamad. You're just gonna end up bricking it ^^
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Wiplive:
Thanks, worked very well on Xperia U :)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Toon10:
cant install driver on windows 8
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Try downloading FlashTool's driver pack... Helped a lot of people...

Otherwise, I found this; http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2170114

Hope that helps :D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Gruber11:
can anybody help me? i have xperia s and i can't get into fastboot, when i connect usb and press vol up, blue led flashes for aprox. 5 seconds and then i have sony logo, then xperia logo and after that there is a battery icon (phone is charging)... i'm using windows 7 x64, it doesn't even ask me for driver installation when i try to connect phone in fastboot.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Have you tried Fastboot drivers? Always saved me, no matter which Windows I used (from XP, Vista and 7, both 32 and 64 bit).

And have you even tried installing drivers before connecting the phone? On 64 bit W7, you must manually install the drivers...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] xminirom:
Will Xperia S Relock BL ftf file also Work for SL? Please Confirm this. Or When we gonna get that File?

Thanks for your work and kind patient. You rock.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Google is your friend (click)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] thecrazyguy:
Deleted
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Sony S:
Guyzz .. What's your view: Relocking the bootloader will not bring back the warranty of device & Does Bravia engine 2 will be working on it ? I mean after official JB release for Xperia S.

Posted by Sony Xperia™ S via xda-premium
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
I've said it a million times, I'll say it again:

the warranty is valid as long as the hardware never got wet or physically damaged by the end user. As for the software part, the warranty is valid if your service company is able to flash a stock ftf ROM on it. And that (99% of time) end requires e bootloader to be locked.

I doubt the phone will ever get be2, but even if Sony did release it, it wouldn't work since you've lost your DRM keys when you unlocked the bootloader...

But, Google is your friend, and there's a way to get be or even be2 working even after Unlocking the bootloader :D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Sony S:
Thanks for the reply... Actually I was confused with all this Bootloader Relocking stuff... Though I had subscribed to all the threads regarding it. But still:confused::( & Right now I'm missing Bravia Engine desperately on My XS. Anyways, How about Going for sound mods i.e Acid etc . Any Ideas ?:rolleyes:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] adyt5:
hey while i try to unlock bootloader in the first step when i try giving this command "fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version" it gives me an error that::::::::: 'fastboot.exe' is not recognised as an external or internal command, operable program or batchfile....

what to do?? :((
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
First of all,

The various audio mods for Android only require a rooted phone and a recovery to flash the zip files.

As for BE, I already explained that... There are workarounds, I even found it in MIUI...

(BE means Bravia Engine)

Second,

Make sure you're in the right directory with CMD... (Do "CD "directory of fast boot"" -- of course if you even have fastboot downloaded).

If you know that little about that, either don't unlock the bootloader, or be very careful.

Not being evil, but it's probably for the best of you don't...

If you're sure you can handle the awesome responsibility, go ahead -- you can check my signature for a link, but again, be VERY careful!!
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] adyt5:
finally unlocked....in instructions it is written to rit clik in bakground of folder but u have to rit click by pressing shift in the bakground of flashboot.exe file....
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
That's exactly what I said; you were not in the correct directory with CMD...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Sony S:
one more thing after relocking my BL , currently I'm using niaboc's leak JB ROM. Do I have to switch back to stock ICS ftf. or stick to the same?& do you mind giving me threads for getting BE - BE2 etc & other useful stuff in relocking of BL...:confused::D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
https://www.google.com/search?q=bravia+engine+android+xda -- You know how to Google, don't you?

You can also try 'Pimp My Rom' from Play Store... It allows you to install xLoud, BeatsAudio and BE (and other useful tweaks).

Well, it's not necessary to flash the stock FTF, but what you MUST do is get a stock FTF-based ROM (or MIUI).

Since relocking the BL gives you back the stock kernel and locks the boot partition for you, you need a ROM that supports it - a stock or stock-based (or virtually anything that supports the stock kernel -- if you manage to get CM10 working with the kernel, it should work, in theory).
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Sony S:
Thanks bro, & yeah I knw hw 2 google.:p Anyways Love you & appreciate your feedback for the same.:good:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] ashisharia:
Any other way to unlock bootloader other than Sony way?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] lukensteinz:
Is anyone able to help me create an Acro S relock ftf?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] DooMLoRD:
u wont need a relock FTF anymore... we are working on an integrated solution which will be available in next FlashTool release...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Sirence:
Hello,

I'm currently on stock. 55 rooted, locked bootloader with cwm.

If I follow this tutorial and unlock, will I lose root and cwm after unlocking?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] shravanchoudhary9:
help

guys, i tried to get it relock my xperia s by xperia s relock ftf provided on first page. but after flashing this one and then stock fw .50 , when i goes to check configuration in service menu its showing "bootloader unlocked =yes"

which means its still unlock. it should show "bootloader unlock allowed=yes"

please help me, i have to give my phone to service center but to keep warranty i have to relock it.

thanks...:confused:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] tOrNadO™:
even me facin d same issue.. actually in fastboot mode, we gotta type a command related to relock.. i didn't find it anywhere.. somebody has removed it.. can someone put it back or help reminding it pls??
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
You don't need a command. Never did for the Xperia line. You need a command for unlocking, but not for relocking. As far to my knowledge, only the Nexus line has commands for both un- and re-locking.

Flashtool and flash the FTF (with phone in fastboot mode, etc.).

Worked fine for me for the last 10 times, do you guys get any errors in FlashTool?

And [MENTION=4694072]Sirence[/MENTION];

You clearly do not know what root is.

Quoting [MENTION=2818898]azrienoch[/MENTION] here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czTkHe7-lXw

'/.../ root is having the ability to write to the /system partition. It's having control of that partition.'

You have root because of a simple 'su' file inside your /system/bin or /system/xbin folder.

And since unlocking your bootloader only formats /data for 'safety reasons', it doesn't touch the /system partition (only an idiot formats /system and then wonders why Android doesn't work).

Superuser is embedded inside the /system/app folder, the place where system apps are stored.

What I'm trying to stress here (and I can't stress it enough) is that as long as you don't touch /system, root remains!

Which brings me to the next point; you don't need a PC to get either root or a recovery!

And even if you would lose it, would it really be that hard to just flash a recovery and then flash a su.zip file in it?

As for the recovery, even if it doesn't get deleted (which varies from phone to phone --- some people lose that, some rare people don't -- you'll most likely lose it), lose CWM and get TWRP. It's always going to be there, since it's written in the FOTA partition, and it's touch-based, has better control of your phone and the operations you do, has a nice themeable UI, and so on. It beats the living :poop: out of the old volume button-control CWM.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Karim Kahale:
I have no simlock but still my Unlock bootloader status is NO.

Why is that :confused: :crying:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Are you sure your phone can accept other operator's SIM cards?

Try another SIM card and see. If it works, it doesn't have simlock.

If you don't have another SIM card, go ahead and just try unlocking.

Don't let anyone stop you just by saying that you can't do it.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Karim Kahale:
Yes I've tried different sim cards with different carriers and everything just works fine.

The bootloader unlock status is still NO and i can't get into fastboot mode.

Can I use your tutorial to force unlock the bootloader http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=36403529
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] lianghua2012:
Hi, can I relock my Sony Xperia SL with this Xperia-S_Relock_bootloader.ftf?

Thank you
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Sony S:
I am pretty sure that the relocking ftf file over here works for S and SL .check this out: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1527159

Also, before you relock, Firstly, just make sure to flash stock (ICS) via Flashtool & afterwards, flash the relocking ftf file.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Pestplatte:
doesnt work

i have a problem in step 13 with c5303

the device is not responding

in device manager you see the following (picture)

i tried several drivers. the one here in the thread, the original google drivers and the modified drivers on the sony page (step 8 and 9)

i also tried to use flashtool, there it says there a no drivers installed, but i installed flashmode drivers (no phone selected cause XSP is not in the list)

please help
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Okay, I know I'm taking Deutsch classes, but this is ridiculous! :P

I don't see the SP LTE on Sony's 'supported phones' site... I see the SP, but is that the same phone? http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/supported-devices

Also, why on Earth would you instal flashmode drivers for Fastboot?

I recommend you don't use ANY Microsoft tool to tell you what a device is doing. Go to CMD and start Fastboot from there, then check the connected devices.

'cd [directory-of-fastboot.exe] [ENTER]

fastboot devices'

Happened to me wayyyy too much, but then I reallized Windows tools suck... Fastboot, however, told me the device was connected and working...

Just do it like the OP says, but don't trust Device Manager ;)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] superlimau:
work like a charm... how on earth do you know that?

it's not written in the manual.....!!!

power+volume up holding for 3 secs[single haptic feedback] = restart

power+volume up holding for > 10secs[triple haptic feedback] = power off...

thanks master lord...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] seanicca:
just unlocked, hardest part was getting fastboot installed, ended up using the Arc drivers posted by zenkinz, now to look at rooting
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] raydekok:
strange problem, i wnot get in to fastboot but will try the drivers from the arc in a while. but when i ask for a unlock code and but my imei it is to long. my imei is 15 chars and it must be 14.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] seanicca:
I had to use arc drivers , took several attempts, I had to be quick before it swapped to disk drive in device manager. when filling in imei just leave the last number off
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] raydekok:
power+volume up is not working, will try it in xp later on. first take my kid for a walk.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] 3Shirts:
I had the same thing, just knock off the last character.

I tried generating my code with the first knocked off but that code failed so then I tried it removing the last instead and that worked.
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] julay:
Not able to unlcok bootloader

Hi,

I've followed the instructions posted in this post. I've checked that unlcoking bootloader is possible and I got the unlock code but when I run the command for unlocking I got an failure message.

My console output is:

(bootloader) Unlock phone requested

FAILED (remote: oem unlock failed!)

finished. total time: 0.112s

Any idea?

Thanks and regards
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] DooMLoRD:
thats why u should read the info thread i created ;)

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1526866

the workaround is to skip the last char! so it remains 14 chars
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Evil_Sephiroth:
Bootloader unlocked NOW...all perfect^^
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] colossus:
Use the THANKS button:mad:
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] superlimau:
i flashed the relock bootloader ftf today and connect my xperia s using pc companion and it still show the error as attached...

:(
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] DooMLoRD:
Relock bootloader... Flash stock FTF using flashtool.. Then check using official software...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] gavolo:
my imei is 1 number less. what can i do next?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] harfot:
You don't havr to use the last figure - only the first 14
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] zenkinz:
I didn't save the stock FTF, where can I find it? (mine is asia firmware/.62)

shouldn't I flash stock then relock?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] gavolo:
yup but my imei only has 13 numbers :(
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] championswimmer:
try all 10 digits at the end first, then try all 10 digits in beginning....

you'll have to try only 20 numbers :)

btw type *#06# on dialler and see what you get on your screen
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] :
Guys, did anyone have a solution for exiting the fastboot after 3sec in W7 64bit beside using VM XP ???:(
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] shmoejoe:
use these drivers from this post:

works like a charm, the first post should really be edited with this method, this solution is getting rather buried :P
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Pestplatte:
okay i think you didnt understand me

i did exactly the instructions till step 15 from sony

( http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions )

but then nothing happens (screenshot)

and the phone turns off fastboot mode after around 10 seconds every time

i dont think that the problem is the LTE version, because i did get the email with my unlock code (wouldnt happen if the imei were not able to unlock)

if i do what you said, nothing happens (picture 2)

(by the way. the english description of the picture of the device manager means the following in english:

"The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)" )

what to do? :(
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] anightfire:
have a look at this video, will help u.....i used this video back in the days, u'll get to know where ur going wrong atleast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O52IeX93Jek
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Pestplatte:
i also tried this, but you need to unlock bootloader first and this is not working

and i dont find the drivers for the flashtool (no xperia sp listed)

in video it is at 4.30 minutes where my error comes
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Pestplatte:
ok guys, i have found the issue!

i installed the xperia Z drivers from flashtool, not the original sony drivers or any others.

bootloader is unlocked, hope i can root it now with less problems ;)

update: rooted :)

one last question: is there any recovery for xperia sp yet or alternative?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Is there really no development section on XDA for the SP?

EDIT; Why don't you people USE GOOGLE? http://xdaforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2333

Everything you ever wanted to know is there.

(sorry if I sound mad, am not, but really, start using this)

Also, you didn't need to unlock your bootloader to get root...
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Phantom Pt. II:
Was just wondering, can I unlock the bootloader while the phone is rooted and on a custom ICS ROM? Or does it need to be returned to stock/unrooted?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Patrol619:
Yes you can do that. In fact I did that way w/o any problem ;)

Xperia sola@Tapatalk 2
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Lessons to be learned;

-Root only depends on the su binary in /system/bin or /system/xbin and an app that can control the permissions (like SU or SuperSU ...)

-The bootloader is only there to lock the stock kernel in place. Unlock the bootloader, and the kernel partition will be free for you to tweak with.

-Busybox is a bunch of files, usually installed in /system/bin or /system/xbin . They are needed for some operations to run (usually only needed by root apps and apps that need to do something linux-y on your phone (those usually being root apps))

Now analize the above and tell me, why would root depend on the bootloader or Busybox or vice versa?

For God's sake, you can flash an HTC kernel if you want to, but that won't affect root or BB (though the phone wouldn't boot, you'd prove your point there).
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Kumczak:
Hello.

How can i test if i have fastboot drivers installed properly? When i connect my phone in fastboot mode, Windows doesn't try to install drivers, and in connected devices i can see

while flashtool drivers check says

EDIT: In cmd i got this:

Is this fine and i can proceed with unlocking bootloader?
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
IF that's the only Android device connected, then yes.

Why would you even bother with that? The way I did it, I installed Flashtool drivers, rebooted my phone (and waited for Windows to find and connect my phone), opened fastboot and directly unlocked it...

If the phone isn't connected correctly, fastboot will return an error and your BL won't be unlocked. If it is, no damage done. :D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Androidians:
many post and many page to read. .if im miss it please tell me. .how to relock bootloader Xperia Acro S ?? can im use Xperia-S_Relock_bootloader.ftf ?sorry to trouble you , tell me if im wrong :D
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] someone755:
Practice makes perfect http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1863179

I guess you need more 'practical search' practice...

If you don't get the joke, try not only reading, search a lot. Sometimes, the way you search is more important than what you're looking for. Because it may as well give you what you were searching for in the first place... :)
[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Androidians:
im come from that thread and bring me here. .now you want me go to the thread and bring me here back ? anyway thanks very much. . :D