[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] 7hr08ik:
OK, im on O2 and on contract. So im screwed when it comes to unlocking bootloader.

I know there are many ppl that all know the same as me.......O2 are t**ts and wont let you do it. But why??? Ive found so many blogs and forum posts about it but nobody has a definitive answer why. All i can find is opinions and ideas. So after emails to sony and them telling me its O2. Then emails to O2, and only being told there is a web page to sim unlock my phone (morons!) I decided to try the online chat help thing..... 5 attempts and several days at it, i have just been talking to someone that understands...he even told me to goto.......XDA...woohoo, but still no joy....he has no idea but ive made progress.....

Ha! Senoir member :P

info:
Welcome to O2. A Guru will be with you soon.

info:
You're through to Guru Jake.

Jake:
Hi I'm Jake. How can I help?

Rob:
I really hope you can....Im trying to find out some info about custyomizing

my phone

Jake:
I'll be happy to help you.

Rob:
I want to be able to install custom firmwares, and custom versions of android

onto my phone....I know it is more than possible as i was able to do so with

my X10 i had (also with O2). The process involves unlocking the bootloader of

the phone (not sim unlocking) Unlocking the bootloader is fully supported by

Sony but for some reason O2 have locked the function and im trying to find

out how i can get it unlocked

Jake:
Okay.

Jake:
Please can you help me with your full name as it's registered on your

account?

Rob:
Rob*********************

Jake:
Thanks.

Jake:
Please contact sony for boot loaders as we have not locked it

Jake:
and if you install custom rom the warant is void on the phone

Rob:
OMG some help that understands!!! Thank you but i have already contacted sony

and they tell me to talk to you....because if i follow the instructions on

this website (-http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/) i must enter

*#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu. In your phone, tap Service info >

Configuration > Rooting Status. On my phone it says "No" and according to

Sony technical assistance that is a functin set by O2. If i had bought the

phone outright and not on contract it would be "Yes" and i would have no

problem. But for some reason O2 decided to lock this function preventing

contract customers from installing custom firmware....i understand that it

will void my warranty, adnd i am OK with that. I just wish to find out how i

can get O2 to unlock the function and allow me to void my warranty

Jake:
I do understand that you wish to get the full experiance of your anrdoid

phone by rooting and installing custom roms, I would sugegst you to check on

XDA and they will have a greak for it and please note its at your own risk

and O2 will never all this as fas as I know.

Rob:
I am already a member. I even made my own ROM for my previous phone, the X10.

According to XDA and FXP the bootloader being locked is due to the phone

operator, and only happens to contract customers. But strangly enough, not

all operators do this. Is there any way you could find an official O2 answer

as to why they wont allow this?

Jake:
I guessed as much you would be one of the serior members of XDA. To be frank

I do not know whether O2 unlocks it or not but I can send this entire chat to

my manager to get this checked for you and I can then reply to via via email

about this

Rob:
That would be great if you could. Its frustrating as hell not being able to

install custom ROMs

Jake:
I understand your concern.

Jake:
I'd be upset too if I'd be in your place.

Jake:
Can I take your preferred email address?

Rob:
yeah - 7hr08ik*****@****com

Jake:
Thanks.

Jake:
Please give me a minute.

Jake:
Thanks for waiting.

Jake:
I've forwarded this request and will inform you asap.

Rob:
Thank you. Even if i cant just get an answer as to why, would be good

Jake:
You're welcome :)

Jake:
I'll let you know with a detail explanation to this.

Rob:
Cheers

Jake:
It was really nice chatting with you :)

So when i hear back from his boss.....im gonna give him an earfull untill i can get them to allow me to void my warranty!!! Let me do it dam you!