How to Unlock Bootloader on Sony Xperia Z

Unlocking the bootloader allows you to put custom ROMs, kernels and boot images on your Xperia devices which cannot be done otherwise. Say you want to install an AOSP based ROM on your Xperia Z which need to change the boot image on the device to be compatible with the AOSP code then it can only be done by unlocking the bootloader on your device.

Generally, rooting and custom recovery installation also requires an unlocked bootloader, but thanks to the developer community of Xperia Z for achieving root without the need to unlock bootloader.

Also thanks to Sony for having their entire range of Xperia devices released since 2011 to be bootloader unlockable. Not every Android manufacturer does that, at-least not so easy.

The bootloader unlocking process on Xperia devices is fairly simple. And with our step by step instructions with screenshots below, even noob users will be able to do it easily.

Two methods of unlocking the Bootoader

There are two methods you could choose from to unlock the bootloader on your Xperia Z

• Unofficially using Flashtool: You can unlock the bootloader on your device using a program called Flashtool. Getting the bootloader unlocked through flashtool is painless and very quick compared to Sony’s offical way of doing it. And on a plus note you also save yourself from letting Sony know that you tried to unlock your device’s bootloader (which voids warranty)
• Officially from Sony’s website (link): You can follow Sony’s official way of unlocking the bootloader which is also simple and easy to follow but a little bit lengthy. However, in the official way you’ve to get the bootloader unlock key from Sony’s website, which lets the manufacturer know that you intended to unlock your bootloader (which voids warranty) by provding them your phone’s IMEI number to get the key.

Below are full step by step installatiion instruction for both the methods discussed above. So proceed with whatever method you think is best. In our opinion, go with the Flashtool method. It’s much easier to unlock bootloader using Flashtool.

Warning!

You’ll void the warranty of your Sony Xperia Z by unlocking its bootloader.

Backup your important data!

Every single file on your device will be deleted once you unlock the bootloader. So make sure you backup all your important data before proceeding with the guide given below and also make sure to move your backup files to your PC or Cloud storage because even any backup file kept on the phone will be deleted.

Check out the link below if you need any help with backing up your Xperia Z

Method 1 – Unlock Bootloader using Flashtool

Flashtool is a multi utility program for Xperia devices that does a lot of tasks in much easier ways compared to Sony’s official ways. Here in this guide we’ll be using flashtool only for the purpose of unlocking the bootloader.

Download and install Flashtool

→ Download Flashtool (113MB)

• Install Flashtool to the directory of your choice
• Once installed, start flashtool either by searching on the Start screen (or start menu) on Windows or open the directory where you installed flashtool and double-click the Flashtool.exe file. For e.g., if you installed flashtool on C drive on your computer, then open the directory “C:\Flashtool”
  Note: If you’re running a 64-bit windows installation then make sure you start the Flashtool64.exe file

Instructions for unlocking bootloader using Flashtool

1. Start/Open Flashtool
2. Click on the bootloader unlock icon as shown in the screenshot below
   
3. You’ll see a window asking you to connect your device in Flashmode. Ignore the animated instruction on the screen as it’s not meant for the Xperia Z, instead follow the instructions given below to connect your Xperia Z to your PC in Flashmode
   1. Switch off your phone
   2. Now while holding down the Volume Down key on your phone connect it to PC using a USB cable
   3. Your device should now be connected in Flashmode and Flashtool should show a “Device selector” pop-up window
4. Select your device (Xperia Z) from the list of devices
   
5. In a few seconds after selecting your device from the list, Flashtool will show you a “BootLoader Unlock Wizard” pop-up window
   
6. Click the Unlock button to begin bootloader unlocking process
7. Check Flashtool log to confirm status of bootloader. If successful, it should look like the screenshot below
   
8. Have fun!

Method 2 – Unlock bootloader using Sony’s website

Unlocking bootloader using Sony’s website would require you to first get the unlock from Sony’s website and then run a couple of fastboot commands using command propmt on your PC.

Getting the bootloader unlock key from Sony’s website

1. Open this link in a new tab or window → http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/unlock/step1
2. Click on “Yes, I’m sure” button on the page opened with the link provided above
3. Read the warning in Legal terms carefully, tick the two checkboxes and then click on “I accept” button to confirm that you accept the legal terms mentioned on the page
   
4. On the next page there will be three fields asking you your Name, your phone’s IMEI number and your E-mail address. To get IMEI number of your phone, open the phone dialer app on your phone and dial *#06#. This will you the 15 digit IMEI number of your phone, but remember toinsert only first 14 digits of your IMEI number in the IMEI field of the form
   Fill the form as described in the image below
   
5. Check for new mail on the E-mail address you provided in the form above with the subject line “Your requested unlock boot loader key”. Open the mail and you’ll see your bootloader unlock key
6. Save your bootloader unlock key in your Notepad, a text file or just anywhere you could remember and refer back quickly.

Unlocking bootloader using the Unlock Key

Now we’ll run some fastboot commands on your PC and for that you’ll need to download some files on your computer. Below is the download link:

→ Download fastboot files (807 KB)

1. Extract the fastboot file you downloaded from the link above and open the folder where you extract it
2. Now open command window inside the folder. Press “Shift + Right click” on any empty white space inside the folder and then select “Open command window here” option from the context menu
   
3. Now connect your phone in fastboot mode
   1. Switch off your phone
   2. Hold the Volume UP key on your phone and connect it to PC using a USB cable
   3. The LED notification light on your phone should turn blue. If it doesn’t — do the above step again
      
4. On the command prompt window we opened in Step 2 type the command given below and hit enter. This is to verify that your device has connected properly (check the screenshot below for reference)

   fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version

   
5. Now you’re going to run the main bootloader unlock code. So make sure you’ve backed up your important data on the phone because once you unlock the bootloader every single file on your phone will be deleted
   1. Paste/write the following command in the command prompt window. Do NOT hit enter yet

      fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY

   2. Replace the last word in the command (KEY) with your bootloader unlock key that you received from Sony via E-mail. Your command should look like this

      fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0x636FF374683A24EF

      
      Important note! The key used in the command above is for illustration purpose only. You must NOT use this key. Every single device has its own unique bootloader unlocking key.
   3. Hit enter once you’ve put your unique bootloader unlock key in place
6. If the bootloader unlock process goes well. You’ll see a message like this on your command prompt screen
   
7. Have fun!