Bootloader Unlocking Xperia S. Legal Implications

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Recent conversation regarding bootloader unlocking with Sony Customer 'Support' have told me that although I am now SIM free from O2 my firmware is still locked to O2 and they cannot help me with unlocking the bootloader to enable me to update to Generic firmware due to legal reasons.

I am familiar with flashtool and have sucessfully updated my firmware to .45 and .50 but have had to backtrack to .453 due to issues with the app tray refusing to show apps after page 3.

Does anyone have any information why it is illegal for sony to unlock my bootloader and any ways out there that I can do it manually.

Also, does anyone else have the page 3 app tray issue? I've tried re-flashing a few times with no success (They were all stock Generic firmwares as as stated my bootloader is locked and have had to stick with stock Kernel)

Regards.

Gillsfankev.

[Anonymous]

Also, could they unlock it?

[MI5]

Yes, all you need is the code to put in the phone. HTC are happy to supply the code upon request and the process is the same for unlocking on both the Sony & HTC, but I believe that network locked bootloaders can only have the codes retrieved by the network that locked them in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Cheers, basically we have no chance then!!

[Anonymous]

Perhaps if one of the O2 moderators is reading this they could enlighten us to the official stance. So please tell me, will you give me the code to unlock my bootloader once my contract has expired ? Or must I then sell this phone, or bin it once it is no longer being supported by yourselves and Sony ? (Although still being maintained and supported by the open source community).

[MI5]

The mods on this forum are externally sourced and have no idea what O2 is, let alone a Sony bootloader Your best chance is to drop Toby a pm and ask him to investigate....

[Anonymous]

I'm also interested in unlocking my bootloader.

O2 will happily supply a network unlock code to use on other networks, so why wouldn't they supply a bootloader unlock code - it's crazy really.

Who is Toby? I'd like to message him too to find out if o2 plan to supply bootloader unlock codes - if for no other reason than to get bug fixes and security updates when Sony stop supplying official updates after the upcoming Jelly Bean update.

I'd love to go through the official support channels, but last time I tried that they insisted the network unlock code would unlock the bootloader and refused to pass me to somebody who had any idea what they were talking about.

[MI5]

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/60444

[Anonymous]

Great - thanks.

[Anonymous]

I've sent Toby a PM a will let you know response.

[Anonymous]

Me too. Hopefully he might be able to get an official yes or no from o2.