Xperia Z1 Bootloader Unlocking/Relocking

Quick tutorial for unlocking & relocking the bootloader of the Xperia Z1


this is the official way to unlock bootloader

the bootloader-camera bug has been fixed in the 4.3 update!

WARNING!

MAKE TA BACKUP BEFORE UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER!





if you want to backup the TA or keep ur DRM keys,first 

root the device and then check this out

Backup TA for Sony Xperia

Backup TA can backup and restore the TA partition of the device. When you create a backup before unlocking for the first time, then you will be able to restore to full factory state (including a locked bootloader). This means all DRM keys intact, Bravia Engine working in Album and last but not least your warranty when needed .

READ: At the bottom of this post is the FAQ. Here you will find answers on the most asked questions. Read them before posting any question in this thread. When you want my support, tell me which device and version of Backup TA you're using and attach the complete output. I can not help you without this and besides it's really not so much to ask in return, now is it? No effort without effort. 

This tool currently only works under Windows. Mac, Linux, and native Android will be supported in the future. Using this tool is at your own risk.

Downloads
Changelog
Source (released under MIT license)

Stable releases do have a version tag like this: v1.0 (example)
Beta releases do have a version tag like this: v1.0b2 (example).

COMPATIBLE DEVICES 
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Sony Xperia Z1
Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Sony Xperia M
Sony Xperia ZR
Sony Xperia L
Sony Xperia SP
Sony Xperia Tablet Z
Sony Xperia Z
Sony Xperia ZL
Sony Xperia ZQ
[...]
All Compatible Devices

GUIDE
1. Download the latest version of Backup TA.
2. Extract the ZIP file to a folder location of your choosing.
3. Navigate to the folder location of Backup TA.
4. Make sure no other script or application which is using ADB is running.
5. Make sure the device is booted in normal mode (the way you normally use it).
6. Run Backup-TA.bat
7. Read the last paragraph of the license before continuing.
8. Read the information and follow the instructions given by the tool.





Warning!

This procedure will wipe the /data partition of your phone, so you will loose all ur stored data, settings. SDCARD will BE WIPED!!!

Quote:

For Xperia™ devices released 2013 or later (for example Xperia™ Z and Xperia™ ZL), the SD card of your device will be formatted and you will lose all content (for example photos, music, videos) when you unlock the boot loader.

DRM keys WILL be lost forever

Quote:

Originally Posted by schaggo  I'd add what losing DRM keys means, e.g. no more Music ID/Gracenote within the Walkman app plus probably most importantly, as asked all the time and all over the place in the T/mint forums: loss of Bravia Engine.

older Xperia devices sometimes got issues after unlock of bootloader (BRICK after FOTA update) - you have been warned


why to unlock bootloader?

1. u can flash custom ROMs/Kernels
2. u dont need to worry if the new firmware can be rooted or not as with unlocked bootloader u can always ROOT ur device
3. Sony gives sneak-peaks/preview builds of latest OS which requires unlocked bootloaders, as they did with Xperia 2011/2012 line, so who knows may be Sony may give early builds of next android OS 

btw i dont have this device, most of this testing was done remotely on a users phone... so thanks a lot to him for helping out!!!


[ 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)
• download the fastboot package
• IMPORTANT: if you are using Windows 8 you will need to enable few things to allow driver installation Can't install XZ drivers

  ---

  Maybe i've some other drivers installed... but when i boot my XZ in fastboot (holding vol+ and plugging usb) nothing happens (i only hear windows sound of some peripherial attached).
  So probably i didn't installed the right drivers.
  Is there any way to move from where I'm stucked?
  Thanks for helping.
  
  EDIT
  
  I can see the S1Boot Fastboot driver (whit the yellow tringle) in Resources Manager but cannot update the driver even pointing to the USB_DRIVERS folder.
  Any suggestion? (I'm running WIN8 64bit)
• download the latest FlashTool Xperia Driver Pack and install fastboot drivers (common) & adb drivers for this device from the list!
• 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, which should be automatically done
• once drivers are installed just disconnect cable and power on device

[ how to unlock ] (official way)

1. Go to: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/ and read everything!
2. At the bottom click 'Start Unlocking the Bootloader'
   
   Quote:

   First, you should confirm that it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your phone by checking the service menu. In your phone, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu. In your phone, tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.

3. after u have verified that u can unlock bootloader, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Continue"
4. you will get numerous prompts, read all info and if u agree click on "Accept"/"OK"/"Proceed"
5. finally u will get a "Create Unlock request" page, enter your IMEI (sometimes the last digit needs to be removed for this to work), name and email address
6. You should now receive your unique unlock key via EMAIL, SAVE THIS KEY SAFELY
7. Extract fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar and open fastboot folder
8. Hold SHIFT and right click on the background of the folder
9. Select 'Open command window here'
10. Connect your phone in fastboot mode (turn phone off, hold Volume UP button and plug in USB Cable) [make sure drivers are installed as explained above)
11. In the cmd windows type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version
12. If a value is returned (it will return 0.5), it means the phone is correctly connected
13. Type in fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY and replace KEY with the key which u received earlier.
14. You're device should now be bootloader unlocked

If this tutorial is too much for you then itskapil wrote a step-by-step guide (and recorded a video also):
-Instructions: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to...-play-neo-pro/
-Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRH3pC7MhEA
(the above videos and some steps are for Xperia 2011 devices, but most the steps are same for Xperia Z)

Gb Hari an email at harigobu.gb@gmail.com