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I'm new to Sony Mobiles, especially when it comes to rooting and the like. And, from coming from a HTC, it's very different indeed.
I've seen all the rooting information, flashing and the like mentioned on the forum.
And there is the scary messages that "Your warranty may be voided". But, that only affects some people, as far as I know.
After trying out the *#*#SERVICE*#*# code and checking my status, it says...
Rooting Status:
Bootloader Unlock Allowed: Yes
Does this mean that I can root my phone, and the like, and not lose my warranty from Sony. Say I root it and have problems and return it for repair, that they'll fix it. I'm trying to fix the battery drain, but I don't want to root it if my warranty is screwed, and that the shop may refuse it if I return it tomorrow.
I hope someone can help.
Prepaid/Pay as You Go Handset (Ireland)
If you unlock the bootloader you will lose warranty but you can lock it again anyway.
Rooting dose not void the warranty as such, if the phone goes wrong and you need to return it just flash stock firmware.
But, my bootloader is already unlocked out of the box, yes?
Flashing stock firmware, and returning to warranty cover, isn't doable though at present, is it?
No its not unlocked. You have just acces to unlock it, but! You will lose yiur warranty.
Iff you dont birck your phone, you can always relock it and put official firmware on it. Ready to send!
Sent from my LT26i using XDA
Static-Noise said:
But, my bootloader is already unlocked out of the box, yes?
Flashing stock firmware, and returning to warranty cover, isn't doable though at present, is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the bootloader is unlockable but not out of the box. Like the google phones you still need to unlock bootloader using the official method using fastboot.
I'm afraid by providing my IMEI, etc., on the Unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com site they'll put it on a blacklist. If I return the phone to the shop tomorrow and give out about the battery, they may see that I've rooted it via IMEI.
Static-Noise said:
I'm afraid by providing my IMEI, etc., on the Unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com site they'll put it on a blacklist. If I return the phone to the shop tomorrow and give out about the battery, they may see that I've rooted it via IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You are paranoid. Plus, the only thing they could possible check is if you got the unlock code.
1. You CANNOT "root via IMEI".
2. Simply generating the unlock code does not mean you unlocked your phone.
It's obvious you're not too sure about this, so please trust us when we say:
1. You can unlock, root, and re-lock
2. You can flash the stock, un-rooted FW and re-lock and the service center won't be none the wiser.
Trust us old birds on this.
That sounds much nicer.
It's just coming from HTC it is all very different. I'm just dying to root it to flash .73 firmware and decide if I'll be returning the phone or not.
Many thanks, wise old bird.
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
Thanks all for the replies. I've thrown thanks your way to show my appreciation.
Considering this thread closed. Feel free to snip any content from it for a stickie, as Sony newbies like myself might require the information in the future.
Thanks again.
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
Rashkae said:
No. You are paranoid. Plus, the only thing they could possible check is if you got the unlock code.
1. You CANNOT "root via IMEI".
2. Simply generating the unlock code does not mean you unlocked your phone.
It's obvious you're not too sure about this, so please trust us when we say:
1. You can unlock, root, and re-lock
2. You can flash the stock, un-rooted FW and re-lock and the service center won't be none the wiser.
Trust us old birds on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Below statements need to be accepted before you proceed for the code. That means from the standpoint of Sony they are eligible to say your device is no longer under warranty.
As Static-Noise mentioned IMEI is provided in this case and you never ever know when will they take these stats out and say your warranty has voided.
Code:
Important information
Please note that you may void the warranty of your phone and/or any warranty from your operator if you unlock the boot loader. Sony Ericsson can then no longer guarantee the full functionality of your phone, and will not be responsible for any unsigned custom software being flashed to the phone after the boot loader is unlocked.
Code:
By doing this you may void the warranty of your phone. Sony can then no longer guarantee the full functionality of your phone, and will not be responsible any malfunctions in your phone, or material damages or personal injuries caused by your phone.
Are you sure you want to continue?
I totally agree the service center will not be smart enough to check, even you forgot to re-lock your BL, but better keep the concept clear
I've send 3 times my arc to service centre for small glitches with boot loader being unlocked. They never ever had a clue, even with the superuser app installed and running the famous DooMKernel (Remember the boot screen logo is different)
They will only refuse your phone if you do something stupid that causes your hardware to be fried while your bootloader is unlocked (overclocking a bit too much, etc etc).
Unlocking your bootloader doesn't void any warranty it just "may", but they keep the list incase you send it in with the above problems which will void it, because it would be your own fault and not Sony . General problems (yellow screen, dead pixels, factory recalls) and anything else that can happen to the bootloader locked phone, can still be sent in (Unless you break your phone by your own doing ).
So no worries. Enjoy!
So my phone "Unlock status: Rootable", can be rooted via the .73 image and I won't lose warranty? I'm merely going to block ads, use backup software, freeze Sony apps and maybe CM9 in future. I see no need to overclock or the like. Purely software related.
Tl:dr,
I can safely root it, use it only for software (normal root uses, not overclocking), and restore to out of the box setup without having voided warranty that they'll never know about?
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
I recently unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone. I installed TWRP and flashed a couple of custom roms ( GPE & Revolution HD ) I decided i want to go back to stock. I understand so far i gotta unroot, flash stock rom and re lock bootloader. I read something about RUU files. Any one have suggestion or help how i go about this? Again, i have AT&T varient, currently on Revolution HD Rom
Famous22 said:
I recently unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone. I installed TWRP and flashed a couple of custom roms ( GPE & Revolution HD ) I decided i want to go back to stock. I understand so far i gotta unroot, flash stock rom and re lock bootloader. I read something about RUU files. Any one have suggestion or help how i go about this? Again, i have AT&T varient, currently on Revolution HD Rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is currently no RUU available as of right now. I think the best you can do for now is to a TWRP restore. There is a stock rooted TWRP in the Android Dev forum. Although this won't un-root you, its closest to stock that you will get. For the future, always make a backup before you root and then you won't have to worry
TheEmpyre said:
There is currently no RUU available as of right now. I think the best you can do for now is to a TWRP restore. There is a stock rooted TWRP in the Android Dev forum. Although this won't un-root you, its closest to stock that you will get. For the future, always make a backup before you root and then you won't have to worry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ordered my device and still waiting on it to be delivered. I'm already debating on whether or not to root as I've never owned an android phone that i didn't root. From what i understand, the bootloader needs to be unlocked, then s-off, flash recovery and then root. Now, if i'm to do a nandroid of the stock ROM before I root, will I be able to lock the bootloader again, nandroid and s-on in case I need to utilize the warranty? Also, will any warranty bits show up or a tampered flag or any other problem arise that'll indicate it's been farked with? Is there a way to undo those flags? Thanks in advance to TheEmpyre or whomever else can shed some light on this.
EDIT: If the s-off is the only step that will trip the flag, is it possible to leave S, er, ON?
brianray14 said:
I just ordered my device and still waiting on it to be delivered. I'm already debating on whether or not to root as I've never owned an android phone that i didn't root. From what i understand, the bootloader needs to be unlocked, then s-off, flash recovery and then root. Now, if i'm to do a nandroid of the stock ROM before I root, will I be able to lock the bootloader again, nandroid and s-on in case I need to utilize the warranty? Also, will any warranty bits show up or a tampered flag or any other problem arise that'll indicate it's been farked with? Is there a way to undo those flags? Thanks in advance to TheEmpyre or whomever else can shed some light on this.
EDIT: If the s-off is the only step that will trip the flag, is it possible to leave S, er, ON?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the bootloader trips a flag. When you relock it gets rid of one flag but trips the relocked flag. Soff can get rid of all flags but you have to leave it soff. Turning it back on throws a security flag.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If you are current AT&T customer, and can go through them for warranty, they do not care in the least whether you are bootloader unlocked, rooted, s-off, etc.
I know AT&T written policy says otherwise (they have the right refuse warranty on modded phones) but in reality they cherish you paying that nice monthly bill every month over the modest cost of a refurb phone.
I've come over from the One X (EVITA) forum, and there were many (possibly dozens) of report from XDA users successfully returning their devices for warranty with bootloader RELOCKED, UNLOCKED, and in some cases even with custom ROMs installed! And I haven't seen any reports otherwise (AT&T denying warranty due to modded phone).
If you are not a current AT&T customer, and have to go through HTC, that is a different story.
But if you are an AT&T customer, my personal opinion is that you do not need to care about being able to return to stock, tripping flags, etc. Just mod away.
redpoint73 said:
If you are current AT&T customer, and can go through them for warranty, they do not care in the least whether you are bootloader unlocked, rooted, s-off, etc.
I know AT&T written policy says otherwise (they have the right refuse warranty on modded phones) but in reality they cherish you paying that nice monthly bill every month over the modest cost of a refurb phone.
I've come over from the One X (EVITA) forum, and there were many (possibly dozens) of report from XDA users successfully returning their devices for warranty with bootloader RELOCKED, UNLOCKED, and in some cases even with custom ROMs installed! And I haven't seen any reports otherwise (AT&T denying warranty due to modded phone).
If you are not a current AT&T customer, and have to go through HTC, that is a different story.
But if you are an AT&T customer, my personal opinion is that you do not need to care about being able to return to stock, tripping flags, etc. Just mod away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can second this. I just had to replace my m8 because the speakers were crackling like crazy, my bootloader showed relocked and they told me straight up that they didn't care about that as long as it was a hardware problem and not a software problem and replaced it on the spot.
I was under the impression that if you were in your first year of owning the device that faulty hardware would be covered under HTC's factory warranty and not AT&T?
brianray14 said:
I was under the impression that if you were in your first year of owning the device that faulty hardware would be covered under HTC's factory warranty and not AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at the return info, I can see where the confusion might come from. It says "Return directly to manufacturer" for 15 days or more:
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/returnpolicy.html#fbid=KMGdewZyG_f
But AFAIK, all warranty returns go to AT&T when you work through their warranty department. You send them your defective phone, and they send you a refurb. I haven't had to go through this process myself, but this is what has been reported many times on XDA and other forums.
Any update on this how to lock bootloader for HTC M8 AT&T with 4.4.3 InsertCoin 4.1.1 Rom S-On of course.
How do I lock the bootloader in order to upgrade to stock 4.4.4?
im2c0ol said:
Any update on this how to lock bootloader for HTC M8 AT&T with 4.4.3 InsertCoin 4.1.1 Rom S-On of course.
How do I lock the bootloader in order to upgrade to stock 4.4.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No "update" on this issue is required. The process has been the same for a couple years or more. Further, you've posted the same/similar question to multiple places, and its been answered already in multiple places.
Connect phone to computer in fastboot mode.
Open command prompt, and type: fastboot OEM lock
From there, you can run the RUU.
I've brought this phone recently and I just want to know if I unlock the bootloader officially then will I lose warranty?
I read it somewhere that even if I unlock bootloader and use the stock miui rom (or after having a problem return to miui) then it would be covered under warranty.
please clear my doubts about the warranty stuff
No, unlocking the bootloader will not cause you to loose the warranty. If it did, Xiaomi wouldn't have you to create an account and apply and wait for permissions to unlock the bootloader in the first place. But if you install a custom rom/firmware and the phone sustains some kind of damage, you might want to re-flash original MIUI before sending it in for repair or they might reject it.
jimakos98 said:
No, unlocking the bootloader will not cause you to loose the warranty. If it did, Xiaomi wouldn't have you to create an account and apply and wait for permissions to unlock the bootloader in the first place. But if you install a custom rom/firmware and the phone sustains some kind of damage, you might want to re-flash original MIUI before sending it in for repair or they might reject it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for replying
when I was unlocking my moto e (1st gen) I had to get some code from the company website and they would void the warranty, then
same goes for zenfone 5 where I had to use an official apk to unlock and they void the warranty too
but thank you ,its good to know
I want to ask one more question
during the procedure of sending unlock request I read that unlocking bootloader would serve as service end. what does that mean?
Unlocking bootloader will not void warranty.
Only installing custom ROMs will void warranty.
Well if you email them, they do say it WILL void warranty.
well I have to get root and xposed either now or later.. thanks everybody
I've just read a screenshot from an e-mail by xiaomi on MIUI forum which stated unlocking bootloader voids warranty.
I was denied warranty for flashing official ROM. Xiaomi is an awful company to deal with.
Hello,
About a few days ago I just upgraded from Nexus 5x to xiaomi redmi 5 plus
and I missed the google camera with portrait mode.
if I unlock the bootloader and instal twrp to just to add this line"persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1"
and flash stock recovery and lock it again so I can get updates I am gonna lose my warranty?
sorry for this silly question but India chat support says that unlocking bootloader will not void warannty but if you install custom rom then it will void the warranty ...and some other people (and sites says unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty)
sorry for my bad English
When you open the MiUnlock app (the Windows executable that unlocks the phone after the 15 days wait after binding the MI Account to your device and after receiving the confirmation SMS for your MI account), a Disclaimer appears where it says among other stuff, that you'll have a less secure device and that some MIUI freatures like Find my device or OTAs won't work anymore. But at any moment anything is said about voiding warranty. Some carriers in my country (Mexico) sell the phone with the bootloader already unlocked (because they disable the SIM2 slot) but they still provide warranty service (crappy, but it's there).
Unfortunately, some other sellers won't provide any kind of warranty if the bootloader is unlocked, because they don't know anymore if you ran a custom ROM with faulty drivers that caused a hardware failure. So at the end the warranty service depends on where you bought the phone.
as a sidenote, be VERY careful when re-locking the bootloader. If you lock the bootloader and it has TWRP or a custom rom installed, you'll have a cute softbrick.
what about gearbest?
and is there any way to unlock it and to edit the build prop still receive updates?
sorry for those question its the verst time I own xiaomi ( i was using Motorola and Samsung devices only)
dimitrispas22 said:
what about gearbest?
and is there any way to unlock it and to edit the build prop still receive updates?
sorry for those question its the verst time I own xiaomi ( i was using Motorola and Samsung devices only)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bought it from gearbest you don't have warranty at all. Just unlock the bootloader and keep it unlocked, there's no point in re-locking it.
You still get updates and everything else after unlocking the bootloader, but you must un-root and install the stock recovery before installing the update, otherwise MIUI will say that the install failed.
After the update, you can re-root and reinstall TWRP.
thank you very much
you solve all my questions!
Hi everyone
I've just upgrade to a Mi8 for a mi6, I've received mine today from Gearbest it came with the international ROM pre-installed. I then noticed the bootloader was already unlocked. I checked with the Mi unlock tool and it said it was.
I was able to install twrp and miui EU right away. Well happy with that as I didn't have to wait the 2 weeks to unlock.
The only issue now is I ordered the gold one but didn't know it was rose gold hahahaha. Just waiting for the case to turn up to hide the pink. Can't complain as it was on offer for £350 for the 128gb version.
Currently, every "global" Mi 8 being sold is a Chinese Mi 8 with multilang/globalrom.
By the way, do not lock the bootloader while a global rom is installed on a Chinese variant because Xiaomi made a system which bricks the phone in that case to prevent Chinese variants being resold worldwide.
You can even try GSI images out if you're up for it.
I'm using miui EU ROM where Google pay still works so won't be locking the bootloader with twrp. But cheers for the heads up.
I've not seen any other custom ROMs yet. I take it GSI are the new ROMs that keep the system bits and OS in different partitions?
sutt359 said:
I'm using miui EU ROM where Google pay still works so won't be locking the bootloader with twrp. But cheers for the heads up.
I've not seen any other custom ROMs yet. I take it GSI are the new ROMs that keep the system bits and OS in different partitions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much yeah.
You just do a factory reset and flash a GSI as a System Image through TWRP.
There are GSIs of all popular roms but the best one at least for me is RR ( it has the same edge gestures as in MIUI and a lot of other goodies ).
Of course, there will be small bugs like broken audio playback on Bluetooth headphones and automatic brightness.
But when you think about the fact that other devices have hardcore broken parts like camera and audio, one can't complain too much.
Oh yeah, Phh-treble feature roms support the notch. You can set the clock to left and toy with the lcd density ( I set it to 409 ) for the perfect layout of status bar items alongside the notch.
Could you point me in the right direction to the ROMs as I don't see anything under the Mi8 section.
sutt359 said:
Could you point me in the right direction to the ROMs as I don't see anything under the Mi8 section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Project+Treble+xda
The Marionette said:
Currently, every "global" Mi 8 being sold is a Chinese Mi 8 with multilang/globalrom.
By the way, do not lock the bootloader while a global rom is installed on a Chinese variant because Xiaomi made a system which bricks the phone in that case to prevent Chinese variants being resold worldwide.
You can even try GSI images out if you're up for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I locked the bootlader immadiatelly and I never logged into any Mi Account, my phone is bricked. Any suggestions?
prwnd said:
I locked the bootlader immadiatelly and I never logged into any Mi Account, my phone is bricked. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would probably need to reflash the official ROM using miflash by going into fastboot by holding down power and vol - once restored unlock bootloader and reflash twrp.
Or you could try going fastboot connected to the mi unlock tool and see what it does.
sutt359 said:
You would probably need to reflash the official ROM using miflash by going into fastboot by holding down power and vol - once restored unlock bootloader and reflash twrp.
Or you could try going fastboot connected to the mi unlock tool and see what it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, it is impossible to flash because bootloader was locked by me. And it is impossible to unlock the bootloader, because the software asks Mi account to unlock bootloader, but there was no Mi account connected to the phone.
If it's locked you should still get to fastboot to use miflash to install the genuine rom. If that doesn't work get yourself a edl cable for recovery
prwnd said:
Thanks for your reply, it is impossible to flash because bootloader was locked by me. And it is impossible to unlock the bootloader, because the software asks Mi account to unlock bootloader, but there was no Mi account connected to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, have you already unbricked your phone?
Maybe you can help me.
Gearbest is offering an "international version" and also a "global version".
I am affraid one of these will have an unlocked boatloader.
Any chance you bought one of these?
gearbest. com/cell-phones/pp_009790489650.html
gearbest. com/cell-phones/pp_009493800071.html
yseveryns said:
Maybe you can help me.
Gearbest is offering an "international version" and also a "global version".
I am affraid one of these will have an unlocked boatloader.
Any chance you bought one of these?
gearbest. com/cell-phones/pp_009790489650.html
gearbest. com/cell-phones/pp_009493800071.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Global Version comes with an official stable global rom and a locked bootloader.
It is intended for international use, so it has a european adapter and supports many languages.
The international version is a Chinese device with Unlocked bootloader and is flashed with an unofficial global rom to support many languages because the Chinese version of mi8 only has Mandarin and English languages by default.
If you notice package contents the "International" one says Chinese manual while the Global one says English manual.
I hope i helped you.
yseveryns said:
Maybe you can help me.
Gearbest is offering an "international version" and also a "global version".
I am affraid one of these will have an unlocked boatloader.
Any chance you bought one of these?
gearbest. com/cell-phones/pp_009790489650.html
gearbest. com/cell-phones/pp_009493800071.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a Global version and be happy!
If you flash GSI ROM or Pixel3 ROM with TWRP on Mi8 global can bootloader be relocked or will it brick?
when it comes with an unlocked bootloader, which one is safe to install a fastboot China rom and lock the "clear all and lock" bootloader after it unlocks with our "mi unlock tool" account so that in the case of brick we can restore it with our account.
trifos said:
when it comes with an unlocked bootloader, which one is safe to install a fastboot rom and lock the "clear all and lock" bootloader after it unlocks with our "mi unlock tool" account so that in the case of brick we can restore it with our account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NONE - if you lock your bootloader back, you first need the version of your phone with a STOCK ROM (Chinese, or Global) put back on your phone (ALL partitions MUST be back to stock) or you WILL BRICK YOUR DEVICE and only an Authorized EDL account can recover your phone (which they aren't giving out anymore). The Bootloader DOES NOT allow locking with a different ROM/REGION. This has been stated MANY times over LOTS of threads. That leaves a problem with places like GEARBEST and many other vendors who give you a chinese version phone with a GLOBAL version ROM and the user locks the bootloader only to get a brick.