Unlocked Xperia Z1

[AhmadHadder]

Hello guys
I am buying the Xperia z1 soon and I came across this "unlocking the bootloder disables the camera" issue , I am not sure what that is, if I buy an unlocked brand new device will the camera be not working ? or is this for unlocking a brand new locked device ?

thank you for helping I am not much good with phones lol

[Uliwooly]

this will only happen if you unlock the bootloader, having an unlocked phone (SIM free) its not the same as bootloader, in other words if you buy a SIM free (unlocked phone) you have the option to unlock the bootloader, if your phone is network branded/locked to a carrier, you can not unlock the bootloader

[AhmadHadder]

Thanks very much so this means I can by the sim free (unlocked)phone without worrying about the camera not working ?

So what is the boot loader why to unloack it ?

[Uliwooly · Accepted solution]

The camera will work just fine, this link should explain everything about the bootloader

developer.sonymobile.com/services/unlock-bootloader/

[AhmadHadder]

Awesooooooooooome Thanks a million

[Uliwooly]

Anytime

[techguy]

Just wanted to clear this in my head, so the point is that Z1 CAN actually be unlocked (bootloader unlock, not GSM unlock) BUT camera wont work afterwards, correct?

[rhinorunner]

Yeap correct, for some weird reason when the Boot loader is unlocked the TA partition with the camera app key gets wiped and the camera stops working! Sony already made it aware, read the bottom of this link: 

http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com

They will fix it soon with a proper update (maybe the next big update wink wink )

More info on the TA partition and the technical stuff can be found here:

http://www.xda-developers.com/android/unlocking-sony-xperia-z1-bootloader-breaks-camera/