[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] :
Step 2 : Unlocking Bootloader on Xperia S

Step 2 : Unlocking Bootloader on Xperia S

Now, We Will Unlock The Bootloader,

Why to Unlock Bootloader?

1.) You can flash custom ROMs/Kernels

2.) You don't need to worry if the new firmware can be rooted or not as with unlocked bootloader u can always ROOT Your device ;)

[ Before We Begin Unlocking Bootloader ]

Get the IMEI code for ur device: type *#06# in phone dialer to find it out, note only the digits (no dashes)

Make Sure The Fastboot Drivers Are Installed.

Make sure u have a windows PC with USB cable to connect the phone

Power down ur phone and keeping the Volume Up button pressed connect the USB cable to PC this will trigger FASTBOOT mode and windows

Will start driver installation, extract the above package and point the driver install to that location (usb_driver) folder

Once drivers are installed just disconnect cable and power on device.

[ How to Unlock ] (Official Way)

Video Link ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRH3pC7MhEA

For better understanding, I highly recommend you to watch the above video along with the instructions below:

1.) Download ‘Fastboot Drivers And Pacakges File For Xperia S’ file from → Here

2.) Extract the file you downloaded above on your PC. You’ll get the following three files:

drivers.zip

fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.zip

3.) Go to: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/ and read everything!

This will open a web page in your default browser. Scroll to the bottom of the Instructions on the page and you’ll see a link like “Continue”, click on it.

In the pop-up window click “Yes, I’m sure” and then in the next window click on both the checkboxes, and then click “I accept”.

4.) Now insert the details as per the instructions:

First 14 digits of your IMEI No. Do NOT enter the last digit (15th) in the box. To know your IMEI No. dial *#06# on your Xperia Arc.

Your Name

Your Email Address

Click Submit.

5.) You’ll get a KEY to unlock boot loader. Write it down somewhere you can remember, it will be used later.

6.) Switch off your phone.

7.) Now extract the “fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.zip” file you got in Step 2.2.

8.) Pick up your phone (it must be switched off) and hold the “Menu” button (the key at the bottom right of your phone), now while holding the “Menu” button connect your phone to your PC with an USB cable.

9.) Once connected — the LED light near the phone’s USB plug will turn blue. If it doesn’t — repeat the Step 8.

10.) Now to install the drivers do the following:

Extract the “drivers.zip” file you got in Step 2.1

Open “Device Manager” on your PC and look for “S1Boot Fastboot” under the head “Other devices”

Right-click on “S1Boot Fastboot” and select “Update Driver Software…”

Now select “Browse my computer for driver software” and select the folder where you’ve extracted all the three files you got in Step 2. Once done — click Ok.

Now click Next (Make sure you’ve ticked the “Include subfolders” checkbox).

If you see any Windows security warning box, don’t worry . Just select “Install this driver software anyway”

Wait for “Windows has successfully updated your driver software” message to appear on your screen. Now click Close.

11.) Open the “fastboot” folder from the file we extracted in Step 7.

12.) Now hold Shift and press mouse right click (Shift + Mouse Right Click) anywhere on the empty white space inside the “fastboot” folder. And then select “Open command window here” from the context menu.

13.) Now in the command prompt window type/paste the following:

fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version​

14.) It should return a value like “0.3”. This ensures that your device is correctly connected.

15.) Now type/paste the following line in the command prompt window:

fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY​

16.) Now wait for the process to complete. Command prompt will show a “Finished” message when it will be completed.

17.)Once it’s done, disconnect the USB cable from your phone and switch it ON.

18.)Your phone’s boot loader should now be Unlocked.