WARNING: Never Change Radio Band

[TomKay]

Perhaps this warning will save some users a lot of painful hours.

I just spend hours on end to get my phone back to normal because I had accidentally changed the radio band to "USA band" and there is no easy way to revert that.

Now one could argue I should not have accessed the testing menu in the first place, but the phone was getting a bit warm at the back and I wanted to check the temperature. I had forgotten where to look exactly so I looked around a bit and once I saw "radio band" I was curious which options would appear.

After selecting "radio band" only one choice popped up "USA band". Now had I not been still a bit stressed from a phone call and been a bit too tired, I might have figured out that I should have pressed anywhere outside the button, but, PLEASE, if there is only one option, how can it be a wrong one way street?

I had to backup the phone, factory reset it, restore the data and recreate all my settings and app icon arrangements. I couldn't choose the firmware I had been happy with but had to jump to 157 (with unknown consequences). I had issues with some applications which updated to newer versions without my approval so some saved game states won't load back anymore. Luckily, I could revert to an older version of Chrome which does not ignore bookmarks placed on the homescreen (why do bugs like that not get fixed? But I digress). I had to find a workaround for my phone being unable to pair with my PC anymore and luckily I found an answer on this forum.

Fortunately, I anticipated that my app icons won't reappear at their previous positions despite the fact that I tried the phone back up and a PC companion backup, and had taken pictures of my home screens before the factory reset.

I literally spent six hours just because my finger was a split second quicker than my brain when I was faced with a "one option"-choice while searching for the temperature reading.

I appreciate that a testing or a service menu must be approached with caution, but even experienced technicians make mistakes from time to time. AFAIC, there should be no way (I'm sparing you the expletives here) to essentially render your phone useless with one touch of a button 

1. without an explicit alternative being offered (implying the one choice must be OK), and
2. without being asked for confirmation (for such a significant change), and
3. without an option to go back and reconfigure the correct band (why make it a one way street?).

It leaves me puzzled how anyone could set up a combination of all these three factors, be it in a service menu or not.

[SiddharthJose]

You've two ways to save yourself from a complete data wipe and a fresh rom install. Works without ROOT access.

Option One (universal except for most samsung phones)

1. Enable "USB debugging"

2. Download and install adb tool to your PC from "https://androidmtk.com/download-minimal-adb-and-fastboot-tool"

3. Connect your phone to PC with a data cable.
(your phone will be detected by PC at this step. If not download manifacturer drivers)

4. Allow USB debugging

5. Execute the desktop shortcut and type "adb devices" if it returns a number youre good to go.

Input the following

adb reboot bootloader  (If you are already on the bootloader skip this)
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2

fastboot erase cache (optional but recommended)
fastboot reboot

---------------------------------------------------------

This should work.But In case youre still stuck....

Option Two (universal except for most samsung phones)

1. Download your phone's stock rom. Links: http://www.androidrootguide.com/download-stock-rom-smartphones if you cant find it there..google will come to your rescue just ask for help

2. Extract the rom file and identify the modem file namely NON-HLOS.bin (in the unlikely event of having a different filename, figure out what the .bin files contain using google search and copy and use the file that has the modem band information instead of the mentioned file)

3. Copy this file to the folder where the adb toolkit is installed (Default :C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot)

4. Connect your phone to PC with a data cable & Allow USB debugging

5. Execute the desktop shortcut and type "adb devices" if it returns a number youre good to go.

Input the following

adb reboot bootloader  (If you are already on the bootloader skip this)

fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin (or "fastboot flash modem filename.bin")
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2
fastboot erase cache (optional but recommended)
fastboot reboot

This should have done the job. You're welcome

[Jassim]

Just hard reset the phone.

It will be okay.

I did the same

[Sivabhaskar]

---

@SiddharthJose wrote:

You've two ways to save yourself from a complete data wipe and a fresh rom install. Works without ROOT access.

Option One (universal except for most samsung phones)

1. Enable "USB debugging"

2. Download and install adb tool to your PC from "https://androidmtk.com/download-minimal-adb-and-fastboot-tool"

3. Connect your phone to PC with a data cable.
(your phone will be detected by PC at this step. If not download manifacturer drivers)

4. Allow USB debugging

5. Execute the desktop shortcut and type "adb devices" if it returns a number youre good to go.

Input the following

adb reboot bootloader  (If you are already on the bootloader skip this)
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2

fastboot erase cache (optional but recommended)
fastboot reboot

---------------------------------------------------------

This should work.But In case youre still stuck....

Option Two (universal except for most samsung phones)

1. Download your phone's stock rom. Links: http://www.androidrootguide.com/download-stock-rom-smartphones if you cant find it there..google will come to your rescue just ask for help

2. Extract the rom file and identify the modem file namely NON-HLOS.bin (in the unlikely event of having a different filename, figure out what the .bin files contain using google search and copy and use the file that has the modem band information instead of the mentioned file)

3. Copy this file to the folder where the adb toolkit is installed (Default :C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot)

4. Connect your phone to PC with a data cable & Allow USB debugging

5. Execute the desktop shortcut and type "adb devices" if it returns a number youre good to go.

Input the following

adb reboot bootloader  (If you are already on the bootloader skip this)

fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin (or "fastboot flash modem filename.bin")
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2
fastboot erase cache (optional but recommended)
fastboot reboot

This should have done the job. You're welcome

---

@siddharth    I just signed up to this Sony forum for only one reason. To thank you Your solution (the first one) worked even though my mobile make is different (Swipe Elite Plus).

Guys,
Follow Siddharth's guideline and you should be able to save yourself from ending up with a brick phone or having to explain to that mobile service person why we selected the USA band in the first place!

just make sure to do the following before you input those commands in the command window:
1) Make sure to install " Android ADB Interface" Driver for your mobile.
2) Make sure to install "Android Bootloader Interface" Driver (also called "Fastboot driver") for your mobile.

The "fastboot erase" commands will NOT work if you do not install the fastboot driver. In other words, if this driver is not present, the "fastboot erase modemst1/st2" commands will just keep waiting in an infinite loop. It will just say <waiting for any device> and will not proceed with deleting the modemst1 or modemst2 folders in our phone that were created when we stupidly selected the USA band

So make sure you do that. Below is a tutorial I stumbled upon, that would help you install the above 2 drivers. The tutorial is pretty long, overdrawn and the suggested software occupies a lot of space. But we can always uninstall these unwanted software (JDK and Android Studio) once we have executed the commands outlined by Siddharth and as soon our phones are back to normal.

Tutorial --> How to Set Up ADB and Fastboot with Android SDK on Windows 7 & Windows 8
                   http://www.teamandroid.com/2012/07/30/how-to-set-up-adb-fastboot-with-android-sdk/

Note: During the fastboot driver installation process (page 3 of the tutorial), if you are unable to get into your phone's "fastboot mode" even after pressing and holding down combinations of volume and power buttons, just make sure you have the "ADB interface driver" mentioned above all set and that the command prompt command "adb services" correctly returns your device number as described in that tutorial. Then, just key in the first command alone, which is:
adb reboot bootloader

This command sends instructions to your phone that puts it in "fastboot mode" or "bootloader mode", which is essential for:
1) Installing the fastboot driver
2) Executing the "fastboot erase modemst1/st2" commands in the command prompt window.

[allegro16]

Hi,

I'm in the same situation after my nephew wanted to show a trick (the testing menu), and pressed United States by accident as well. I only found out the issue hours later when i became unreachable and couldn't call myself as well.

As i have too much data i can't backup, a reflash / erase is out of the question..

So, tried the ADB way.. 

I get this though..

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb reboot bootloader

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot erase modemst1
erasing 'modemst1'...
FAILED (command write failed (Unknown error))
finished. total time: 0.002s

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot erase modemst2
erasing 'modemst2'...
FAILED (command write failed (Unknown error))
finished. total time: 0.002s

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot erase cache
erasing 'cache'...
FAILED (command write failed (Unknown error))
finished. total time: 0.001s

All that works is: fastboot reboot..

I'm running Windows 10 1703 and later.

My Xperia Z5 is running 7.1.1 (32.4.A.1.54)

I tried both "Minimal ADB and Fastboot" and "platform-tools-latest-windows" and installed the "latest_usb_driver_windows"+Sony .inf file and Driver Signing disabled..

It should work without unlocked bootloader, right? (As that will remove DRM, but might also do what i don't want= erasing the Z5..)

Do i need other drivers? Is W10 x64 the culprit? (I can install W7 or 8 if needed)

Anything that could help me is appreciated.

Thanks,

allegro16

[Sivabhaskar]

@allegro16    No, I would not suggest unlocking the bootloader, as it might erase everything on your phone's internal memory.

1) Please read my earlier reply to Siddharth (I guess you have and thus the mention of the platform_tools method in your reply)

http://www.teamandroid.com/2016/06/15/install-fastboot-adb-google-usb-drivers-windows/

2) Instead of trying out the commands in the Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder (by launching the Minimal ADB and Fastboot tool), please make sure you are trying them out in the platform_tools folder instead, and without launching the Minimal ADB and Fastboot tool. Just do a "shift key+mouse right click" from inside of the platform_tools folder and select "open command window here".

3) Make sure you have installed the 2 drivers I had outlined (Android ADB Interface driver and Android Bootloader Interface driver)

4) Make sure you follow these steps to install the "Android Bootloader Interface" driver.

    a) Enable USB Debugging in your Phone

    b) Connect your phone to your computer through USB cable

    c) Get into the "fastboot mode" screen of your phone by using key combinations particular to your phone (like holding down power button and volume up or down keys together. Do a Google search to find the correct key combination for your phone's model). If you are not able to get into the fastboot mode by using key combinations, try it by typing the command "adb reboot bootloader" after connecting your phone to your computer through USB cable and when your phone is ON. This command should get your phone into Fastboot mode from backend.

d) Now install the "ADB Bootloader Interface" Driver.

5) Open "Device Manager" in your computer.

a) While your phone is ON and you have connected it to your computer, Device Manager should list the driver named "Android ADB Interface" under the section named after your device (or under the section Android Device). Get into the properties window (right click the driver listed in Device Manager) of the driver and make sure it says "this device is working properly".

b) While your phone is connected to your computer and your phone is in fastboot mode, Device Manager should list the driver named "Android Bootloader Interface". Get into the properties window (right click the driver listed in Device Manager) of the driver and make sure it says "this device is working properly".

6) Make sure the ADB Interface & Android Bootloader drivers are working properly by typing "ADB Devices" and the "fastboot devices" commands in the command window (as mentioned earlier, open command window from inside of the platform_tools folder) and that it returns the contents similar to the following image, with your device ids for ADB and Fastboot listed. Make sure to type the command "adb reboot bootloader" before trying the "fastboot devices" command. Meaning, this command might not fetch the fastboot devices connected to the computer unless you are in your phone's fastboot mode.

7) Now you can finally try the actual "modemst1" erase commands oulined by Siddharth earlier. Again, make sure you are in your phone's fastboot mode first (or type the command "adb reboot bootloader") before trying the erase commands.

😎 Above all, please make sure you have enabled "USB Debugging" in your phone throughout the procedure. Meaning, first connect your phone to your computer, then enable USB Debugging in your phone. Now your phone might display a pop-up that says something of the likes of "a device that uses USB debugging has been connected. Do you want to allow device to connect?". Make your you select to ALWAYS ALLOW the connected device (which is your computer).

Without Okay-ing this pop-up on your phone, your computer might not be allowed USB Debugging privileges (or write privileges) to your phone.

Hopefully the solution to your problem lies in one of those points I have explained above.

[allegro16]

Hi, 

Thanks for responding.

I tried all ADB versions already, but tried it with a fresh install..

After connecting the Z5, i see the Xperia Z5 under hardware. Tried both installing the ADB driver before and after connecting. I never see the ADB Interface. It just says Xperia Z5. If i try to replace the driver it says it's not better or not compatible or anything.

But, if i connect the Z5 and lauch ADB (from the platform_tools folder), i get the correct response from ADB devices.. My phones SN.. 

Then i reconnect in fastboot mode (manual or via ADB), i get the "SN + fastboot" again from my Z5..

So obviously ADB anf fastboot work.

But once i input "fastboot erase modemst1", or modemst2 and cache, i get 1 of these messages:

C:\ADB>fastboot erase modemst1
erasing 'modemst1'...
FAILED (remote: Command not allowed)

finished. total time: 0.016s

OR

C:\ADB>fastboot erase modemst1
erasing 'modemst1'...
FAILED (command write failed (No error))
finished. total time: 0.003s

If i get the first message, i can force the 2nd by selecting "Install" when placing the mouse cursor on the drivers *.INF file..

I tried both the standard USB driver as downloaded, and with the *.INF modified by Sony..

Both don't get my anywhere..

On XDA they say those ERASE commands don't work with a locked bootloader..

Do note: i tried with a Live USB version of Linux Ubunto as well, as this way i could get around needing an extra driver, etc.. Same result:

fastboot erase modemst1
erasing 'modemst1'...
FAILED (remote: Command not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.016s

Anything else i can try besides getting a new phone? (As i much rather have a working backup -my Z5- for my data that i can just transfer over.. Instead of a backup that will be incomplete at best (No apps data like Google Authy codes), and having to reset of reset..

I KNOW i can get it restored with a full reflash, maybe even a default reset.. But then i 100% lose important data..

Sony already told me in chat they see it as a ROM issue and won't help or support--> They pointed at YOUR reply, try that.. Other than that: sorry..

So, the replacement won't be a Sony, i guess. I get just as much (none) support from any other manufactorer.. Maybe even more even..

Thanks,

allegro16

Screenshots

It shows a Xperia Z5Android Bootloader InterfaceADB / Fastboot resultsADB / fastboot results, latter after reloading driver (Install) 

[nav4]

Hello 

When i execute "fastboot erase modemst1 "  Im getting an error  FAILED :REMOTE PARTITION IN NOT ALLOWED   please help me with the issue

[Bhushan2602]

Select band mode 32 and check your network ....

[SATHISH_SEETHA1]

the best solution is change the motherboard of your phone

[syedkhalidhyder]

Hello to every one as i accidently selected the USA Band in phone information for a no reason i have a proper and aqurite solution of this type of problem we found as i know i have done mistakenly a i realy want to help other to free in thier problems so guys 

first relax and charge your phone at 80 to 100 % 

and next download the xperia companion software from Sony`s website  https://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/xperia-companion/#gref

Download as per your PC OR MAC 

and then simply backup your device and i always recommend to enable developer mode and OEM unlocking in sony mobile all xperia series i hope all are understanding my english is so bad but anyways you all are understand 

so guys backup your devices and then in Xperia companion software select software update ( IF YOUR DEVICE IS NOT UPDATE THEN SIMPLY UPDATE FORM THIS SOFTWARE)

if already you have update version of your andriod then (

SELECT SOFTWARE REPAIR AND IN DEVICE SELECT TRANSFER FILES OPTION POP UP WHEN DEVICE IS CONNECTED TO PC 

AFTER DOING ALL THIS THINGS THE NEW AND LATEST SOFTWARE ARE READY TO DOWNLOAD AND WAIT FOR SOME TIME ITS DOWNLOAD YOUR FIRMWARE AFTER THIS ITS WILL TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES AND  HEYY ITS UNLOCKED AND EVEN NOT VOID ITS WARRANTY OF YOUR ANY SONY DEVICE 

HOPE THIS METHOD WORK AS IF I ALREADY TRIED WITH MY SONY XPERIA Z5 COMPACT (E5803) 

THANKS TO SONY XPERIA COMPANION SOFTWARE SERIOUSLY GUYS IT WILL MAKE YOUR WHOLE DAY 

TRY GUYS AND BE HAPPY 

SYED KHALID 

INDIA HYDERABAD..