zenfyr.dev
Keeping track of companies that "care about your data 馃ズ"
android
android-modding
1# Sony
2
3- Verdict: **鈿狅笍 Proceed with caution!** (international Xperia)
4
5- Verdict: **馃崊 Terrible!** (Japan Xperias, non-Xperia devices)
6
7Sony has an open policy for software developers:
8- They are releasing AOSP sources under [Sony Open Devices Program].
9- Jolla provides first-class support for installing [Sailfish OS] on select Xperias.
10
11Since Sony likes to ruin a perfect thing:
12- Sony requires you to request an unlock code from their [Unlock Service]. They can pull the plug anytime. You have to send your IMEI and agree to possible warranty voiding (many have had their phones repaired/replaced under warranty even after unlocking, just simply flash stock and lock before doing warranty).
13
14Some carrier locked and US devices can never be unlocked. On Sony devices ([but not all?][service-menu-gone]) you can check if the bootloader is unlockable using the service menu.
15
16Additonally, only Xperia (Sony's main consumer phone/tablet line) is unlockable. Their other Android devices (such as their [Bravia TVs][Bravia unlock]) are not unlockable.
17
181. Dial `*#*#7378423#*#*` in the dialer.
192. Tap "Service Info", then "Configuration", then "Rooting Status".
203. Under Rooting Status look for "Bootloader unlock allowed"
214. If "Yes", then the device is unlockable.
22
23For devices made [before 2019][TA patch 2019], Sony devices have a partition called `TA`, which contains files needed for things such as enhanced camera image processing, DRM keys, and display enhancements. Upon unlocking the bootloader, this partition is wiped and these features are lost, even on re-locking. If running Android Marshmallow or earlier, you can [back up][TA backup] the partition.
24
25Sony supports [Custom AVB](../../README.md#custom-avb-keys) Since 2020.
26
27You also can't unlock Japan carrier variants, for some reason - Japanese factory unlocked is unaffected.
28
29All Sony devices using the Snapdragon 835 and Snapdragon 845 can be unlocked via the [xperable exploit][xperable].
30
31***
32Info about Japan devices provided by [madeline-yana](https://github.com/madeline-yana) and edited by [eepymeowers](https://github.com/eepymeowers)
33Additional info provided by [K4sum1](https://github.com/K4sum1).<br/>
34Authored by [konradmb](https://github.com/konradmb).
35
36[Sony Open Devices Program]:https://developer.sony.com/open-source/aosp-on-xperia-open-devices
37[Sailfish OS]:https://shop.jolla.com/
38[Unlock Service]:https://developer.sony.com/open-source/aosp-on-xperia-open-devices/get-started/unlock-bootloader
39[service-menu-gone]:https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/qir0ze/what_happened_to_the_service_menu/
40[TA patch 2019]:https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/1199y1j/what_are_the_consequences_of_getting_rid_off_the/
41[TA backup]:https://together.jolla.com/question/168711/xperia-x-backup-ta-partition-before-unlocking-bootloader/
42[Bravia unlock]:https://pro-bravia.sony.net/data/bz40h/ProBRAVIA_SecurityWhitePaper.pdf
43[xperable]:https://github.com/j4nn/xperable