How to debrand a C702, C902, C905, G502, G705, K630, K660, K700, K850, T700, V640, W595, W705, W760, W890, W902, W910, W980, Z750, Z770, Z780 cellphone from Sony Ericsson.
by Benjamin on May.05, 2009, under Debranding, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson C905
This guide is for you who doesn’t like all the crappy operator stuff your operator adds to the original phone rom.
This can be pictures and the ability to use certain features on the phone.
This guide is also recommended if you have bought your phone on a vacation or bought it on EBay or something similar, and it doesn’t have your preferred language and dictionary.
First make sure that your Sony Ericsson phone is in this list:
C702, C902, C905, G502, G705, K630, K660, K700, K850, T700, V640, W595, W705, W760, W890, W902, W910, W980, Z750, Z770, Z780
This phones are in category A2 (db5150). Don’t know what this means? Don’t worry. As long as your phone is within the above list.
Also please remember that this isn’t a way to simunlock your phone. This is only to install an original Sony Ericsson firmware.
But most important… BEWARE... This can be dangerous to your phone. So please make sure that you do what is written, so we don’t get any nasty surprises.
Also remember to take a backup of your phone. Everything will be deleted.
Download “A2 Uploader”
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download: A2 Uploader (4.34MB) added: 05/05/2009 clicks: 6318 description: Makes it possible to edit files within the phones hidden system folder. |
Download “A2 CDA File Generator”
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download: A2 CDA File Generator (142.97KB) added: 05/05/2009 clicks: 6237 description: Creates the new ID number for your phone. |
The way we are going to debrand your phone is by going into the locked, and hidden system drive on your phone. There we put an xml file with some changes.
Inside in the system a certain number describes what country your phone is from, and what operator it has.
Mine is 1212-9620. 1212 for northern Europe and 9620 for my operator which is Hi3G aka “3″.
We exchange this number with one you prefer. After we have changed this number we connect your phone to the original Sony Ericsson updater service, which now believes that your phone is from another operator, or from another country.
Now lets get started.
The original number from your phone, you should save, in case you need to send it back to be fixed. This procedure will properly remove the warranty, so we need to make sure we can go back to the original firmware. 
This is done with A2 Uploader.
- Turn Off your phone and remove the battery and put it again.
- Connect the USB cable to the phone and Press C button. Please not that on some phones, you need to pres 2+5 key.
- Execute A2uploader on your computer, and press the identify button: (If your virus scanner goes berserk, don’t worry. This program isn’t a virus. But it hacks into Sony Ericssons software, which is why the antivirus programs doesn’t like it)
- Then plug in your USB cable to the computer, and should appear a text like this:
INFO fra A2 UPLOADER
ChipID:E800,EMP protocol:0401
PHONE STATE: “RETAIL”
FLASH CID: XXXX
OTP LOCKED:1 CID:XX PAF:1 IMEI:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX CERT:RED
Model:C905
MAPP CXC article:XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
MAPP CXC version: XXXXX
Language Package:HUTCH-WORLD
CDA article: 1212-9620
CDA version: R16A
Default article: XXXXX
Default version: XXXXX
Network LOCKED
Operator: MULTIPLE
Elapsed:19 secs.
The interesting part is the CDA article number.
Copy that to a safe place. Write it down. Tattoo it to your forehead. I don’t care. Just don’t loose it.
No we need to create the new xml file.
Start A2 CDA File Generator v1.03.exe and chose your region. Mine is “Nordic” and therefore the outcome of the XML file is this:
<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″?>
<customization>
<info>
<model>C905</model>
<phone-name>C905</phone-name>
<cda-number>1209-4769</cda-number>
<language-variant-name>NORDIC</language-variant-name>
<created-by>bboyzahid and Jockep</created-by>
</info>
</customization>
(I guess I don’t need to tell you to press “generate XML file”. )
- Now start A2 Uplaoder, again.
- Click File System in A2 Uploader
- Connect the phone to USB via A2 Uploader holding the C key.
- Don’t leave C-key until A2 uploader detects your phone and starts.
- Upload the Customize_upgrade xml file to the phone file system in directory tpa/preset/custom in the phone.
- Now Shut Down the File System Manager in A2uploader. Dis-Connect your phone, Re-insert battery, Start phone for CDA changes to happen. This takes around a minute.
Download Sony Ericsson Update Service, Install and start.
Now choose your phone from the list and update it. The SE-program guides you.
Now the phone changes display to show some kind of bios and after that it updates etc. Takes around 5 minutes.
Congratulation. Your phone is now in your language and debranded.
96 Comments for this entry
2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks for this entry
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what do i need to flash my c902? - SE Users
July 4th, 2010 on 12:04[...] my C905 so aim for V4 and you shud be fine also take a look at this, this helped my loads….. How to debrand a C702, C902, C905, G502, G705, K630, K660, K700, K850, T700, V640, W595, W705, W760,… but make sure you take your time and follow all [...]
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Debranding c905a - SE Users
July 4th, 2010 on 12:17[...] Re: Debranding c905a i have a c905 and thats debranded and i use wifi, after debranding its gets rid of this crap, mine was branded to orange and it removed all the bars and orange world crap now its just a normal SE MODEL which i am very happy with, you will need a2uploader V4 peeps say you can use V2 but i had no joy so use V4 and you shud be fine also you will need a2 cda file generator and take a look at this is a great walkthrough but take your time and follow all steps………. How to debrand a C702, C902, C905, G502, G705, K630, K660, K700, K850, T700, V640, W595, W705, W760,… [...]
May 11th, 2009 on 21:01
I got two phone a w705 branded (orange) and another one w595 unbranded (buy in pay as u go)if i copy and past the Xml file from the w595 to the w705 does it work???
May 13th, 2009 on 02:21
i tried to use the uploader, the first step, i open it and the 2 windows popped up, one is a bigger one and its all blackk wid no words and the other one is smaller and all it says is ” successfully reset suniin id” and nuttin else after that..i click ok then evreything closes..no text opened up lik u said in the steps..nuttin werks fo me..im sooo mad..
May 15th, 2009 on 21:39
***********WARNING**************8
This contains a virus.
Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date
May 26th, 2009 on 02:02
Doesn’t contain a virus. It is a false positive as A2uploader hacks into the phone, and most antivirus programs doens’t like that.
May 23rd, 2009 on 22:51
I just have one problem, the Sony Ericsson Update Service says I dont need to update because I have the last firmware, and when I press reinstall, it comes up with an error that tells me I have to try again, but it is always the same.
what I have to do then?
May 26th, 2009 on 02:04
Remember to restart your phone, after you have applied the update. If it still doesn’t work, you haven’t done it correctly. Try again from the beginning.
June 8th, 2009 on 19:52
Worked perfectly! Thanks a lot!
June 13th, 2009 on 22:14
I mistakely deleted the original xml file. when i turn on the phone, Configration error appears!! no update available because my phone is already updated. what should I do next? please guys
August 30th, 2009 on 03:22
i accidentally deleted the original xml file. when i turn on the phone, Configration error appears!! no update available because my phone is already updated. what should I do next? please help i don’t know what to do
June 15th, 2009 on 18:40
Thanks for a great guide. Works like a charm
June 16th, 2009 on 05:25
I got it. Now, Fully debranded my W705 with your great directions. But Guys, need CDA Generator Version 1.9 for W705 and other latest models.
July 5th, 2009 on 19:50
THANKS! Worked for me!!!!
w910i and k660i
July 13th, 2009 on 00:15
It really works! thanks! I have my w705 debranded and with the latest firmware. Thanks again!
July 20th, 2009 on 11:05
Worked fine with my K660 and debranded it from the 3UK network. I later used Aerix to unlock it after debranding it.
July 21st, 2009 on 22:05
Works great, thanks!
July 25th, 2009 on 00:34
i generate xml drag it over. blah blah folow all the steps but when i turn it on it does not upload the file on the phone…. help!!
July 27th, 2009 on 05:26
I have the SE c905a from ATT. When I press identify and plug in the phone I get this:
ChipID:E800,EMP protocol:0401
PHONE STATE: “RETAIL”
FLASH CID: 0053
Elapsed:8 sec
Then nothing, tried it several times with no success. I am running Windows Vista – am I missing some drivers or something?
July 29th, 2009 on 03:54
I have the same phone and am trying to figure out the same thing! Did you ever have any luck?
July 28th, 2009 on 13:04
I went through the whole process and everything seemed to happen but after shutting down the file system manager after uploading the customize_upgrade file, I restarted and it didn’t take a minute as it said it would and I still had my 3 branding so I carried on to Sony Update anyway thinking that might debrand it but, no, it didn’t. Should I have entered a different CDA article number to my original one when I was doing the CDA File Generator? My phone is W705 on the 3 network in Ireland. Any ideas?
July 29th, 2009 on 05:05
Thanks heaps for posting this, it worked a treat!!!!
July 29th, 2009 on 05:06
By the way, mine was a C902.
July 29th, 2009 on 16:33
worked a charm.. saved me quite a bit of time and money going to a highstreet shop and getting the crappy Vodafone signatures n apps removed! WIFI and GPS actually work now! w000t
many thanks
August 2nd, 2009 on 17:30
Works Fine at last. Puh!! Just install update(SEUS) even if it says there are no new update.
THX
August 5th, 2009 on 07:49
It’s surprising the Sony Ericsson equiped a middle end music phone – Sony Ericsson W705 with WiFi technology. Design wise it doesn’t show innovation – you can see the Sony Ericsson style on the three round pad on the lower part of front panel even with your toes! Not well built and a little shaking though it is though it has metal finished surface. Much bigger screen than many other Sony Ericsson phones, a great progress.P.S. I prefer black version!
August 14th, 2009 on 05:56
hey all, well ive just brought a c905 off ebay, as i live in the uk, and totally new to all this unbranding. its on a vodafone brand, and i really want to get it off. but as im completely new to all this, i would like to know if its totally safe if instructions are followed properly? as i dont want to waste 120 pounds lol. or if i contact sony, will they do it for me if i asked them?
cheers, hope to get a reply soon
stuart
August 16th, 2009 on 00:36
OOoooohhh!!! well done!! nice guide!! was 02-uk……..now generic -western europe. Thank you.
Youtube!! no more o2 shortcuts and maybe a little quicker
August 25th, 2009 on 20:06
wen i try 2 open the a2uploader it says application not found! any1 kno y?
August 26th, 2009 on 16:48
I’m upto the step “Upload the Customize_upgrade xml file to the phone file system in directory tpa/preset/custom in the phone.”
How do I upload “Customize_upgrade xml” file to the phone?
Do I need SE PC software installed? The phone is not appearing on the PC in anyway.
F.
PS wanting to debrand G502
August 27th, 2009 on 10:09
That’s cool and i try hard to read through this long long article and found the processing is really complicated, so i decided to do it later. Thank you for your comprehensive guide. BTW, i like my SE 595, the dual 3.5mm stereo share jack is brilliant.
September 16th, 2009 on 01:33
Hi thanks for this guide i have done everything and just waiting for sony update too finish.
Hope this works.
Thanks
Sarah
September 17th, 2009 on 21:32
Good work! It works! Thank you very much!
September 23rd, 2009 on 22:22
Worked a treat for me, easy if you follow the instructions
September 26th, 2009 on 09:02
i debranded my k850 just fine, when i went to debrand my w705…it wont work. it shows PHONE STATE: “RETAIL”
FLASH CID: XXXX
OTP LOCKED:1 CID:XX PAF:1 IMEI:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX CERT:RED
…the first couple lines and that it i cant get the cda article or the file system to open…
i just bought a code off ebay and unlocked my network lock on my phone. do you think thats why…
or does anyone know anything that could help..htanks
September 26th, 2009 on 15:40
W705 isn’t supported. Only G705. As far as I know. I don’t have any of the phones myself.
September 26th, 2009 on 15:20
PLEASE HELP MY C902 KEEPS ON TURNING ON AND OFF PLEASEEEEE HELPPP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
September 26th, 2009 on 15:38
Please follow the guide, or descripe a little more detailed what is happening.
October 11th, 2009 on 15:58
Does it also changed the IMEI of the phone? if not then whats the way to change it.
September 26th, 2009 on 18:25
how come w705 is listed at the top if it isnt supported…i thought i read from a couple people that it worked with there w705 ??
September 29th, 2009 on 22:38
Hi Benjamin. Thanks so much. It worked on my C902 on 3 network.
October 8th, 2009 on 01:31
wiked worked first time now time to look for mods and flash themes
Thanks alot mate.
October 15th, 2009 on 00:58
When i’m done with the method of de-branding, but seus says i have the lastest firmware (has right), but i re-install the firm, change it something in the phone?
October 17th, 2009 on 19:15
I did everything,but when I connect my phone with the update service it says that I have already the latest software.my phone is AT&T C905a.
October 30th, 2009 on 02:38
i have the same problem. have you resolved this problem?
thanks
October 22nd, 2009 on 04:12
I did this and everything was fine for 24 hours then got Inactive Sim… tried it again and still nothing..My c902 is now a paper weight, If anyone knows what to do then Email me Tomsutton529@aol.com
October 29th, 2009 on 08:13
trying to debrand a z520 need cda generator for it
November 9th, 2009 on 01:07
Hello, I followed every step very carefully with extreme caution and finally made it to the last step. Unfortunately though when I opened my SEUS and plugged in my g705 it jumped to the last step and said that I had the latest software and there is no need to update. The only thing I can do is to press finish… I tried it on different computers, I restarted the phone before the use of SEUS and don’t know what is going on… I would appreciate anyone’s assistance.
Thanks in advance
January 3rd, 2010 on 14:57
i have the same problem
November 21st, 2009 on 19:54
Benjamin,
Between the ” Upload the Customize_upgrade xml file to the phone file system in directory tpa/preset/custom in the phone” – and the next line, several instructions are missing, such as
How do I upload?
From where?
Where does the XML-file appear once it has been generated?
I don’t seem to get anywhere without this information.
November 25th, 2009 on 22:22
Does the enable WI-FI??? please answer asap
November 25th, 2009 on 22:28
Wifi should work before you do this, so this doesnt change that.
December 1st, 2009 on 01:49
WIFI was disabled on the ATT version of the c905a, with the GPS equally locked. debranding restores these to their proper capabilities.
Waiting on my brand new c905a to finish charging now.. I’ve read the instructions on many websites, and one they all stress that you have a FULL battery. not nearly full, not almost full. FULL. And when the directions say pull the battery, then put it in and restart.. do it. Don’t assume it’ll be ok to skip this step.
December 2nd, 2009 on 00:34
ha ha debranded my c902, got rid of the silly Orange front end hurray!, download the Sony Ericsson Updater (SEUS) to get the SEMCBOOT driver!!! love
December 3rd, 2009 on 18:37
i failed…
now i can turn the phone on but after i put the sim code it says something like configuration failed …
could someone help me i would really appreciate that !
December 5th, 2009 on 13:44
worked perfectly for my w980 – install and run the se updater to get the drivers if you havent already tho!
December 17th, 2009 on 01:39
Hi, you didn’t write how to upload the generated xml file to the phone?!!!!
December 23rd, 2009 on 12:57
Hi,
After running the A2 uploader I get the message:
ChipID:E900,EMP protocol:0401
PHONE STATE: “RETAIL”
FLASH CID: 0053
Elapsed:37 secs.
What does this mean? I have a C905 on the Vodafone network. Thanks
December 27th, 2009 on 05:18
Can I get Swedish language to the phone if I do this? Which out of the regions shall I choose then?
(I have a Sony Ericsson W595)
December 30th, 2009 on 00:07
Has anyone sucessfully done this on a Vodafone branded V640i? I’ve tried this step by step twice and it still has not worked. Any ideas?
January 1st, 2010 on 21:03
hi all, I hope someone can help me, I started to do the de-brand and came to the point of reset (bat out, bat in and turn on) first of all the handset came up with configuration error, ran it through the process agian, same thing but now the phone wont turn on at all, but when you run it through A2 uploader or airex the phone is visable to the programs. any advice on this problem would be greatfully recived.
Thanks
ballbags
January 5th, 2010 on 22:46
I just need to upload file “customize_upgrade.xml” to the phone but I don’t know how???
Do I need to copy that file, or what else please help me because that is not writen here??Thanx