yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Klaos3000:
You can check if the bootloader is unlocked or locked by opening the dialer and entering *#*#7378423#*#*. Then tap "Service Info" and then "Configuration". It'll either say "Bootloader unlocked: Yes", or "Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes/No". If it says NO on the latter, then you can't unlock the bootloader and you're pretty much screwed. Bell Canada devices have locked bootloaders, and I believe it's the same with UK O2. Chances are that you can unlock it, but you could of course be really unlucky.

If you can unlock the bootloader, then your Ultra will pretty much behave like a Nexus device when it comes to rooting and stuff like that. Just flash a custom kernel with recovery, like NUT's Dual Recovery (with CWM and TWRP), then flash SuperSU, and you'll have recovery and root. Next step is to flash CM12.1 and you're done. It's very easy once you have recovery.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Thanks MUCH for the detailed info!

I checked the bootloader info as you said and it's not unlocked, but can be done. It seems a daunting task but let me start by trying to get it done. Hopefully I won't screw-up the phone. I'm searching how to do it as there seem to be several ways.. After I complete the unlocking (let's hope) I'll report back and try jump on the next steps. Probably will have some follow-up doubts or questions.. this is all a very different and more complex process than the Samsung devices I've owned that never required any of this crazy gymnastics..

Anyway, thanks again very much and keep you posted!
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Klaos3000:
I'll give you the short guide:

- Go to this (offical Sony) site and give them your IMEI and whatnot

- Wait a couple of minutes, and you'll receive a key

- Now, there are two ways to unlock the bootloader - both equally official, but the easiest one is to use Flashtool.

- Hit the "BLU" button and enter the key you got fra Sony. You only have to do this once.

- Once this is done, you can start flashing a kernel with recovery and flash whatever you'd like.

I'll help you along the way if you need to, so don't be afraid to ask any questions. Start by unlocking the bootloader, and I'll be here if you need any help.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] mike13ftw:
Hello I am new to Sony too and I have a question. If I unlock the bootloader root flash custom roms and then decide to get back to stock and lock the bootloader will my warranty be voided?
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Klaos3000:
Yes, and that's why it's a good idea to backup your TA folder, which contains the DRM keys. Once you unlock the bootloader, these keys disappears, and that's why it's a good idea to make a backup of them. There are a couple of tools that does this for you, and you can find them in the cross-development section.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Thank you very much!

Well so far EVERYTHING HAS BEEN A TOTAL NIGHTMARE! Nothing I try to do works!

First I installed flashtool, latest version. Im running Windows 7 64bit. It was a nightmare to get flashtool downloaded and installed. After I finally got it installed, ot took another hour updating itself and syncing stuff. When it finally finished and while holding down the Volume Down key I connected the phone to the PC via USB cable, Immediately I get an error of device driver errors. flashtool gives me also several errors. Then I tried to install the Flashtool-drivers-1.1-20130911. Then another problem, the drivers dont install at all with a message "DPinst.exe cannot execute on your operating system". That's it, finished! When I go to the Windows Device Manager, all I see is an exclamation mark under S1 Service.

So then I tried the FastBoot method. Also no luck. While holding down the Volume Up key I connected the phone to the PC via USB cable, the phone's blue light turns on, and again I get a DRIVER NOT INSTALLED ERROR. My computer refuses to recognize the phone and the device driver is never installed . The Windows Device Manager shows an exclamation mark under S1Boot FastBoot.

Then I tried the Sony way and installed the Android SDK!!!!! Immediately I find I need to download more crap, thie time the JRE Development Kit! Takes me 3 hours do download this with my useless internet connection. At this point I am already ready to throw my laptop out the window and break the stupid phone in a million pieces!

But then, there is the next problem. After all downloaded and installed, before I can even started I get stuck again, because Im supposed to go to the android SDK folder c:\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver and replace/install the fastboot drivers “android_winusb.inf”.. well, I dont have an extras or google or usb_driver folder on my SDK installed folder! NOTHING! THIS IS ALL RIDICULOUS!

Finally I searched everywhere on the internet for other possible Ultra Z drivers. I ft to Sony's own site and found Xperia Z Ultra (C6833, C6806, and C6843) drivers, Xperia Z Ultra (XL39h) drivers, Xperia Z Ultra (SOL24) drivers, Xperia Z Ultra (SGP412) drivers and others.. this is all crazy what a nightmare of mess and miss-information everywhere about this phone! Anyway, I tried all of them. None works.

I am so frustrated and desperate. My God! Cant get anything done. Nothing.................................. I cant believe this..
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
UPDATE: I give-up. Ive spent the whole day and downloaded and installed GIGS of apps and software and drivers. Nothing communicates with this useless phone. Im done.

Could anyone give me advice if its there is an alternate way to, root install a recover and flash this piece of **** phone without unlocking the bootloader which basically I cant do? If not, it will fly out the window asap, I cant deal with this ridiculous drama. Years of handling and flashing all sorts of hardware COMBINED, never gave me 1/10th of the misery and headaches this hardware has given me in one day. Xperia, never again..

By the way, Sony's "AMAZING" PC Companion app is so great and fantastic that it doesn't even have an uninstaller! No joke! Once in the computer, crawling endless directories with all sorts of files, drivers and registry entries, it will NEVER come out again. All is amazing..
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] SUPERUSER:
You did the opposite of what I advised you to do. You did not read correct guides.

Q:Ask yourself what do you want to achieve?

You wrote in your first post "if someone could give me the simplest and most painless info on how to get the Z flashed".

Q:My counterquestion is why? Is your phones software unstable? Are you curious to learn to modify the devices software?

A:If your device is unstable. Please do a factory reset.

Q:Are you curious to learn how to modify the software?

A:Then collect information. Read. Set a timer for how long you will spend learning. Let say 45 minutes.

When 45 minutes has passed. STOP.

Take a break. Do something else and continue the next day. Repeat until you are confident to try a simple operation

For example: learn how to use adb and fastboot. Learn the commands. What they do.

I can not stretch enough how important it is to read and learn before you jump into things.

I do not see why I or anyone here should help you to unlock your bootloader. Because you do not have a clear purpose or knowledge how to do this.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] mike13ftw:
That what I did for the drivers and work just fine .Try it

Edit: forgot to post link http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2095087
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Just to briefly correct you: I'm the type of guy that has NEVER gotten a virus on a computer. I'm the type of guy that has rooted, flashed and played around with phones for many years with more or less degree of difficulties, but always successful. I'm the type of guy that has helped many many people in this community with their hardware, when I know how. I'm the type of guy that has knows many things about the works of Samsung devices that I have used for many years and have never had an issue learning what's needed. I am the type of guy always ready to offer friendly advice when someone is in need of something I may offer help with. Finally, I am the kind of guy that has a Dell laptop, running Windows 7 64bit, that by whatever reason refuses to install the proper drivers for the Ultra Z, or the kind of guy that maybe has a flawed Ultra Z. After all, it's a second hand unit and about 2 years old, despite that it looks new.

So, the only thing this type of guy can do, is 1) try a different computer to see if the communications with the phone work, and if not, check the phone because obviously that's where the only place the problem can come from. To try different USB cables and do phone resets, that I did today several times. I learned those basics the first day of my flashing life, long long ago.

There is NOTHING to read or learn or do, when there is no communication between the phone and the computer that connects to it. You seem not to understand the very basics of the problem here is not lack of reading, instead is only lack data flow between devices.

Anyway, thanks for the constructive advice!
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
2 extra things: all the tools, apps and drivers you have suggested, I have them all. All the procedures, steps, folders where stuff is and goes.. I've done all. I learn very quickly. The issue is none of that.. the issue is, no driver for this phone will install on my laptop, for whatever reason. Is that simple.

And then there is another issue.. for you, and most people on XDA, downloading and getting "stuff" is a breeze. But not me. Where I am, XDA is blocked, and even with a VPN, hardly works. To reply to you or just log-in, sometimes is an hour. And most file hosts? Mega? Rapidgator.net? Zippy share?.. a few hundred others? Well.. they doesn't work. Uploaded.net.. Mediafire.. Google Drive.. AndroidFile Host, and just about everything else, all DON'T WORK. All blocked. So are blocked most of the VPNs now. So, while for you, go here, get this, download that, is all a piece of cake, for me, is not. Most things to get download are truly a nightmare. And when it comes to download a ROM or any 2 or 3 hundred Mg files, sometimes takes me days of endless wait and interrupted downloads. I live in a crazy country called China, where all Google stuff, Android included, is forbidden, and all around it.. XDA included.

So, talk is easy. But when access to simple and basic information is so difficult to get and everything comes at a premium, life is really a bit more complicated than maybe you can imagine. So...... yeah, help is very much appreciated indeed, in the same way I am always willing to help others when I can, without calling out their lack or reading or question their abilities to follow my advice:)
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Klaos3000:
Alright, that was quite painful to read, not because of something wrong you wrote, but because I've been there too. I don't know what device you had prior to the Ultra, but just forget what you learned from that device.

Just sit down, relax and figure out what you're trying to do, and then how to maybe achieve it. Yes, I do understand that your laptop doesn't cooperate at all, but that's just technology. Of course it won't work when it should. We've all been there.

1. Set up your computer to be able to communicate with your Ultra. Installing the SDK is overkill since the only thing from the SDK you need is Fastboot and ADB drivers. You can easily install those two by installing this tiny tool that does it for you.

Fastboot and ADB is now installed.

2. Install Flashtool. You've already done this. Connect your Ultra and open Flashtool. Flashtool should grab and set things up for the Z Ultra automatically. This should only take 5-30 seconds. Not three hours. The device should still be powered on at this stage.

3. Okay, now you have Flashtool installed, and it recognizes your Ultra. Next step is to go to that Sony site I linked to, to get the unlock key. Fill in the required info, and you'll get the key sent on your email. Don't misplace it.

4. Go back to Flashtool, hit the "BLU" button, paste the key in, and that's it. Don't set the device into fastboot or flashmode until Flashmode asks you to do it. Fastboot can be active and connected forever, but Flashmode will disconnect by itself after a minute or so.

5. Your bootloader is now unlocked. This means that you're free to do whatever you'd like to do with it. Xperia devices do not come with a default recovery system, so we'll have to flash a custom kernel that includes a recovery. You can find them in the dev section. Once you've flashed or hotbooted a custom kernel with CWM or TWRP, you're free to root by flashing SuperSU, and flash whatever ROM you'd like to flash.

It's very easy to deal with Xperia devices once you have things set up (mainly Flashtool), and the basic steps are:

- Unlock bootloader (one time thing)

- Flash custom kernel

- Done

It's the same procedure as Nexus devices, only that we have to use special tools to unlock our bootloaders, while Nexus' use one command in a terminal. The issue here though is the tools, and not the process, and I feel your pain. I really do. It would've been so much easier if I could just show up at your door, do it for you, and leave :P

---------- Post added at 06:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 PM ----------

Then let's make it easier? My upload speeds aren't an issue, so please point to a site that I can upload the tools too, which you then can download from at proper speeds :)
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Klaos3000, you are great. Difficult to find words to thank you the time you take to try help me out. Really much appreciated. It's almost 1AM my local time here and tomorrow I will give a try to all you suggest me step by step. If I run into additional difficulties, I will try use another computer. Maybe is my specific laptop with my windows installation that is being stupid with the Ultra Z hardware. I have installed endless drivers for HTC, LG and mainly Samsung phones and tabs, and have never had any difficulty.. just last week I installed drivers for a friend's new Galaxy Tab S2, got a recovery in, got it rooted and manually cleaned of a lot of useless samsung system bloat stock apps and crap, all about 20 minutes. Hard to understand why with an Xperia phone, things are so complicated. Anyway, tomorrow will follow your advice and report back.

Again, thanks a lot for your help:):):)
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Klaos3000, despite being so late, I decided to give this another try and follow your steps.

But I Immediately run into similar problems.. I CANNOT get drivers installed.

1. I have downloaded and installed Minimal ADB and Fastboot as you suggested.

2. I have flashtool-0.9.19.7 installed and did the 0.9.19.8 upgrade by updating the x10flasher.jar file.

3. Now you suggest I connect my phone and open Flashtool. But connect my phone how? Boot it up? USB debugging on or off? Or you mean connect the phone turned off and then on press Volume up? Or press Volume down?

I tried all this, and again I get a device driver error. Because there are NO DRIVERS installed for the phone. This is same problem as before. And if I go to the drivers folder inside Flashtool and try install the drives, I immediately get an error that they cant be installed in my operating system.

I am completely stuck as before in this very simple step.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Attached screnshots when I enter Flashmode:
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
And this is what happens when I try install drivers from C:\Flashtool\drivers:
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
And if I try go to FastBoot Mode with the phone's blue light on (Volume up + connect USB Cable) this is what I get:
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
UPDATE:

I have finally unlocked the bootloader, using the Fastboot method! I still could not get the Flashtool drivers to recognize my phone, but the FastBoot ADB drivers installed without a problem. 2 things Ive learned with this experience I want share with anyone in the future that has similar difficulties:

1) I switched to a friend's old laptop with Windows XP. Under XP, FastBoot ADB drivers installed at the first time and absolutely zero problems.

2) I used a USB 2.0 port! If connected to a USB 3.0 port, another cascade of new problems immediately arise.

So that's it. I want thank VERY MUCH everyone in this thread that was so kind to try and help me as much as possible. I would not have gotten this done with it:):):)

My next step is to install a recovery from:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2261606

But I only see downloadable versions for looked bootloaders. Also, I want to flash a custom CM based ROM next and see a warning regarding Unlocked Bootloader with CyanogenMod, AOSP and OmniRom that the kernel needs be repack to replace the built in recovery with XZDualRecovery or things will either not work at all or require unexpected operating instructions. So again, I am extremely confused as what files to choose and what to do and worry to look for the wrong thing and worry to make a catastrophic mistake. And also I have no idea what method I should use:

- ZU-lockeddualrecovery2.8.21-RELEASE.flashable

- ZU-lockeddualrecovery2.8.21-RELEASE.installer

Thanks again for the advice and the feedback in all this:):):)
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Klaos3000:
Nice! So it was the computer's fault all along :laugh:

Just go ahead and flash the recovery for locked bootloader. It doesn't make any difference on an unlocked bootloader. You can either flash the ZIP version through fastboot (by either using a terminal, QuickIMG or Flashtool), or you can use the Wndows-installer and follow the instructions :)

Regarding flashing CM and other custom ROMs, once you have recovery it's the normal procedure. Just flash the ROM you want.

Now, since Sony-devices don't have a default recovery system, you'll have to re-flash a custom kernel with recovery - like the Dual Recovery, when you're on a ROM that doesn't already have a custom recovery bundled with the ROM. Yes, that might seem confusing. Most of not all custom ROMs will have recovery, so that's not an issue. CM uses its own recovery, and I have looked and looked over and over again, but there isn't a backup or restore option in the CM recovery, so you'll have to flash or hotboot another custom kernel (like the dual recovery) again to get the backup and restore options again - if you want to restore a backup.

Stock Sony ROMs (FTF files) do not have a recovery, so you'll have to (again) flash a custom kernel if you want recovery. This is what you're about to do now, FYI.

No reason to ever panic though, since it's pretty much impossible to hard brick a Sony device*.

(*never ever try to flash anything from the GPe section)
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Klaos3000, thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. I had been reading a lot about all the issues you explained and indeed really it is very confusing, at least coming back from many years using Samsung devices where the issues of locked bootloaders and custom recoveries really don't exist. Anyway, I did find this, which relates to Sony's own kernel and (I guess) another recovery type (I assume not dual recovery). What you think of this option, or I should just ignore it?

xdaforums.com/sony-xperia-z1-compact/general/bootloader-devices-real-recovery-t3117568

developer.sonymobile.com/2015/05/18/recovery-mode-now-available-for-a-range-of-unlocked-xperia-devices-video/

The fact is, this will probably not work for me anyway as I still never managed to get FlashTool to work because the drivers don't install and my Z Ultra is not recognized in that mode. I can only use Fastboot mode. By the way, one last question, what are the terminal commands to flash a ZIP version through fastboot?.. I guess it also can be done using FlashTool and selection the Fastboot method..

This is really all very complex. I guess once learned, will be a breeze in the future. Im planning to build a custom ROM later with some tweaks and costumizations of my own for the Z Ultra as I did for some of my previous Samsung hardware, and this issue with recoveries worry me, if I make make a mistake or something goes wrong and I can't restore a working backup.

Anyway, thanks again very much for you great advice and insight on all this:) :) :)
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Klaos3000:
That would be a waste of time since you're going to flash a custom ROM with its own recovery, so you'll basically just flash the Sony recovery to overwrite it minutes later with a new recovery :p

Assuming your computer co-operates, these are the needed commands: (I'm going to use my own file location here. I'm also running Ubuntu)

Now when it's booting, press VOL UP when your Ultra vibrates/LED lights up when the SONY logo shows up. Press a couple of times to be sure it registers.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
Thanks much for the info! I think I kind of am starting to get the mechanics of all this. Basically on a custom ROM if I do a restore from a previous backup, or a wipe or flash a new ROM, I immediately will need to re-flash the Dual-Recovery again before I boot-up the phone so I don't loose it. If I am correct, I guess this is the easiest way to see this whole process.

As for the flashing anything via fastboot (I'm running Windows of course) I think I can use the command line or Flashtool under Fastboot mode, or maybe QuikIMG that I did some reading about and seems basically just to be GUI helper.

I don't know if ROMs for the Xperias can be flashable ZIPs like on all the Samsung devices I used before.. if so, trying out a new ROM or upgrading an existing one, and re-flashing the Dual-Recovery (that can be done as a zip upgrade) can all be done on the phone directly in recovery mode, as long as I place the zip files one the SD card beforehand. That will be even simpler than having to use the laptop, USB cables and fastboot tools.

The one last thing I don't quite understand was the last part where you mention when the phone is booting after fastboot flashing, I need press VOL UP a couple times when the vibrates/LED lights up and the SONY logo comes up. This procedure is for what and to be sure it registers what exactly?

Thanks again!
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] VeEuzUKY:
This is all a bit too much..

I must say this freaking idea of buying a Sony phone is killing me. Every single step I take is a complete and utter nightmare.. unreal. Yet again I am stuck. Anyway, I cant get the recovery installed via the BAT installer. Endless tries that never work and I only get error messages. The option I chose was number 3 because I dont have root.

Any ideas as to what my mistake is? The more I read (as I was cleverly advised at the start of this thread by some super helpful and wise minds) the more chaotic the information presents itself. In fact, against the opening post of the Dual-Recovery thread that clearly states both the BAT and ZIP methods work for locked and unlocked bootloaders, I read the total contradictory as well that the BAT installer doesn't work with an unlocked bootloader and that to flash a custom Kernel that includes recovery is the only way to go.. go figure..

Anyway, would the Fastboot method via QickIMG work (easiest for me since I am a moron in all this)? And if so, Its supposed to go where.. system or boot?

Years of flashing, rooting and cooking some custom ROMs for Samsungs and hardly a difficulty.. I buy an Xperia phone and I cant to ****! Im running out of steam for this phone..