De-Branding of a phone is where you remove all carrier related app and replace it with generic firmware.
Please note that generic firmware is the software that is made for the particular handset by the manufacturer which in this case is Xperia X10 and manufacturer being Sony Ericsson. Where as when it is branded the carrier adds its own extra bit to the software, such as the particularly annoying orange tool bar, all the way to the vodafone menu icons which in turn slows down the performance of your phone.
The guide below shows you how to debrand the handset. Debranding enables you to get the latest updates quicker and hopefully speeds up the handset too.
Note: Although the process is straightforward, there is a risk that you may brick your handset when flashing the phone. This Blog absolves itself from any responsibility should you decide to carry on and you break your handset. Please proceed with caution and at your own risk.Flashing your Xperia X10i to X10a (and vice versa) will result in SEUS not being able to update your phone for future updates.
1) Download one of the following files depending on which region you are in. Each download contains two files (a +100MB one and a +10MB one).
The firmware list is in date order (newest at top):
X10a
X10i
2) Delete contents of db folder (C: –> Program Files –> Sony Ericsson –> Update Service –> db).
3) Run the Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS) to update your Xperia X10
4) Go to C: –> Program Files –> Sony Ericsson –> Update Service –> db –> 13740270 –> blob_fs.
5) Sort files by date in descending order (latest date at top). The two files at the top will be +100MB and one around 15MB.
6) Backup these two original files into a different directory. This is an optional step but means you can revert back to the branded firmware if needed
7) Now find the two files that you downloaded in Step 1. Rename the largest file with the same name as the largest one in blob_fs. Do the same with the second.
8 ) IMPORTANT: Please read this step fully before executing it.
Run the Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS) again. It should say that you
already have the latest update, click on the reinstall button anyway. The program will then start to re-download the same files. The trick here is to replace the files that are being re-downloaded with your new files from Step 7.
Open up Windows Explorer and navigate to the blob_fs folder. SEUS will first re-download the smaller (+10MB) file. Constantly monitor this folder to find out when the smaller (+10MB) file has been fully downloaded again. Once it has, immediately move your smaller file from Step 7 into the blob_fs folder and overwrite the file.
Now for the larger file. Keep an eye on the download progress bar in SEUS. Once the download is very near to completion you will need to copy the larger (+100MB) file from Step 7 into the blob_fs folder and overwrite the file. Time the file transfer for when there is literally around 1/2MB left to be downloaded.
If successful, the installation will carry on as normal. If not, try again. Don’t worry you will not brick your phone if it doesn’t work. It will simply tell you that the installation failed.
9) Voila! Your Xperia X10 is unbranded.
For those that cannot get the update to work using SEUS, here’s a different method to get the debranding working using SE PC Companion in Windows 7:
1. Download and install SE PC Companion.
2. Connect your phone when PC Companion asks.
3. Check for updates – on this screen you will get the REPAIR option.
4. Select repair – and let PC Companion guide you through it.
5. After the repair is finished your files to replace are located in C: –> ProgramData –> Sony Ericsson –> SEMC OMSI Module –> db –> 13740270 –> blob_fs. The folder may be hidden.
[If you are using Windows XP, then navigate to: C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Application Data\\Sony Ericsson\\SEMC OMSI Module\\db]
6. Backup your DB folder so you have the old files if you need to revert back to old firmware.
7. Sort the files by date in descending order
8. Rename file 1 from the archive to the first file at the top (they should both be similar size (~110mb)
9. Rename file 2 from the archive to the second file at the top (they should both be similar size (~16mb)
10. Now copy both files from the archive into C: –> ProgramData –> Sony Ericsson –> SEMC OMSI Module –> db –> 13740270 –> blob_fs. If asked to overwrite, then do so.
11. Run SE PC Companion and select update. It will tell you you have the most recent version. Select REPAIR and phone will be updated with the firmware you have copied into the directory.
12. After a successful update the phone will be unbranded.
Note: Sony Ericsson servers are not always answering to update requests. If you get an error message to check your Internet – wait a few hours – and try again.
Troubleshooting Tips
Phone bricked/Yellow exclamation mark:
If when debranding you end up with a yellow exclamation mark on restart don’t panic. To get your phone working again, try either of the following two methods:
If when debranding you end up with a yellow exclamation mark on restart don’t panic. To get your phone working again, try either of the following two methods:
- Delete the ‘13740270’ folder at the following location: C:\Program Files\Sony Ericsson\Update Service\db\13740270. Use SEUS to update your phone again. You should be given two options, choose the bottom option “Restore Factory Settings”. OR
- Use this Flash Tool to help unbrick your Xperia X10i. For instructions read the ‘HowTo.txt’ from the flash tool.
APN Settings: Go to Settings –> Wireless Controls –> Mobile Networks –> Auto Internet settings, to automatically detect your settings. If this is disabled (for example if you are downloading branded firmware) then click on this Sony Ericsson page which will automatically send you the necessary settings.
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