I'm preparing for
SailfishX. It isn't on sale yet, but there's a lot to do before you get there. This is part 1; unlock the bootloader. On Windows 10. (I do like a challenge.)
First thing is first, Jolla are only supporting one model initially; the Sony Xperia X (F5121), single SIM version. And it needs to be network unlocked, so grab a SIM-free version.
The next part is also known as, how to void your warranty and factory reset your device while following Sony's official instructions. Doesn't that sound like fun? Note; this is
not reversible.
Visit the
Sony unlock bootloader page, read all the horrible notices, select your device from the dropdown menu, and click Continue.
Sony want your email address. They'll give you a keypad combination you can use to make sure your bootloader can be unlocked.
edit1. In your device, open the dialer and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.
2. Tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says “Yes,” then you can continue with the steps below. If it says “No,” your device cannot be unlocked.
end editAnd a code to get your IMEI. They want that too. They'll email you a link to your own personal unlock code, and instructions on how to use it.
1. Download the
Android SDK. You don't need Android Studio, I mean, you really don't, unless you want to write Android apps and spend the rest of your life installing massive updates.
2. I'm on Windows, so I need to get
Sony's modified fastboot driver. Extract this, copy
android_winusb.inf to
C:\Users\$USER\AppData\Local\Android\sdk\extras\google\usb_driver, replacing the existing one.
3. Boot up your Xperia X. Prepare it;
Settings > About Phone > Build number (click on this quickly multiple times until it tells you you've unlocked Developer mode)
Settings > Developer options > USB debugging (enable)
Settings > Developer options > OEM unlocking (enable)
Turn off phone.
4. Hold down the Volume Up button on your phone, as you connect it via USB to your computer. The phone's LED will go blue.
5. On your computer go to
C:\Users\$USER\AppData\Local\Android\sdk\platform-tools and run
fastboot devices.
Possibility A. This lists your device with no errors, go to 6.
Possibility B. This lists nothing. Go to Device Manager. You will see an Exclamation Point over a device, called something like S1FastBoot. Open up it's Properties, then Upgrade Driver, search specific path on your computer, and point to the Sony fastboot driver from before (
C:\Users\$USER\AppData\Local\Android\sdk\extras\google\usb_driver). This might work, but it probably won't, giving an error about a lack of signature and that the driver was probably altered. It was, by Sony. So now you have to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement temporarily.
Disconnect the phone. Hold down a Shift key as you Restart your computer. When it reboots it will offer you the Advanced Startup Options menu. Select through; Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings. Then you'll have to press 7 to select Disable Driver Signature Enforcement. Let it boot back into Windows. Go back to Device Manager and Upgrade Driver again. This time it should succeed.
Run
fastboot devices again, and it should also succeed.
6. Time to actually enter the bootloader unlock key. Still in
C:\Users\$USER\AppData\Local\Android\sdk\platform-tools run the command with the code Sony provided.
-i 0x0fce is the manufacturer code.
oem unlock is what you want to do. The rest is your device code.
fastboot -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xABCDEF0123456789(If you get a
FAILED (remote: Command not allowed) at this point you probably haven't enabled OEM unlocking on the phone. Go do that.)
OKAY [ 0.188s]
finished. total time: 0.188sThis undramatic output confirms you have successfully unlocked your bootloader. And probably voided your warranty. And reset your device to factory state, wiping internal memory. Losing some of their keys, possibly disabling some of their hardware and optimisations. Unable to undo. And you still don't have root. But you're closer to a freer device. Right?
