How To Install TWRP Recovery On Sony Xperia Z3 D6653, D6633, D6603 & Root It

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Sony unveiled its latest flagship, the Xperia Z3 on 3rd of September, 2014. The device is a minor upgrade over the Xperia Z2, there aren’t any hardware changes but there surely is a number of new features packed up inside the device’s software. On the front there’s a 5.2 inches  full HD screen, a 20.7 MP shooter is fixed at the back and a 2.2 MP on the front. There’s a 3 GB RAM on the board. Xperia Z3 is powered up with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 Quad Core CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz accompanied by Adreno 330 GPU. Out of the box, Xperia Z3 runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Well, I guess that was enough to give you guys a flashback of the Xperia Z3. In case you’re planning to get your hands on this new beast by Sony, you would like to unleash the true power of your device as soon as you start exploring it. The very thing that will let you do so is the root access and to go beyond the boundaries a little further, you will need a custom recovery as well. Thanks to XDA senior member monx who just came up with Adv Stock Kernel for the Xperia Z3 that will let you load TWRP 2.8 recovery on your device and you can root it once you have the recovery running on it. That means you won’t have to wait once you get your device, the device isn’t available around the world as yet and the recovery and root access are already available, this definitely happens to be a great development. Before you start looking out for the methods to install recovery and gain root access, we’ve already done this job for you. xperia-z3-gallery-04-1240x840-fe27e87def32fabb3a19331b9126f00b

As you move forward in the proceeding post, you will come across a comprehensive guide that will help you to install TWRP 2.8.0.1 recovery on your Sony Xperia Z3 D6653, D6633 and D6603 and you will be able to root your device as well. Let’s go through the instructions now and get across the wall now.

Install TWRP Recovery On Sony Xperia Z3

Early Preparations:

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z3 D6653, D6633, D6603!

This guide  is only for the devices mentioned above. Make sure that your model number matches the one listed above. To do so, go to Settings > About Device on your device and see your model number. Flashing these files on any other device will result in bricking it so make sure that you meet this requirement first of all.

2. Battery should be charged at least over 60%.

Make sure that your battery is charged enough to complete the flashing process. In case your battery is low and your device goes dead during the flashing process, you may end up soft bricking your device as it won’t complete the flashing process.

3. Backup everything!

Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.

4. Enable USB Debugging Mode on your device.

Enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do so, tap settings>developer options>USB debugging. If you can’t find developer options in settings, then tap settings > about device and tap “Build Number” for 7 times and you’ll get em’ activated under settings.

5. You must have Android ADB & Fastboot drivers installed

Android ADB & Fastboot drivers are essential for flashing Adv. Stock Kernel. That’s how you will load the .img file on your device. You may install em’ using the full guide here or use the Minimal ADB & Fastboot guide.

6. Your device’s bootloader must be unlocked

You can only flash Adv. Stock Kernel if your device has an unlocked bootloader. You can read all about unlocking your device’s bootloader and unlock it using this guide. Make sure that you do this carefully.

7. Use OEM data cable to establish a connection.

Make sure that you use the phone’s original data cable to establish a connection between your phone and the PC. Using a different data cable might result in interrupting the firmware installation.

Disclaimer: The methods involved in flashing custom roms and rooting your phone is highly custom and may result in bricking your device, and has nothing to do with Google or the device manufacturer that is SONY in our case. Also rooting your device will void its warranty and you will be no longer eligible for any kind of free device services by the manufacturers/warranty providers. In case of any mishap we may not be held responsible. Follow these instructions to the letter to avoid any mishap or bricking. Make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it at your own responsibility.

How to Install TWRP Recovery On Sony Xperia Z3

Download Advanced Stock Kernel according to your device:

  1. Download  Advanced Stock Kernel.img from above.
  2. Place the downloaded .img file in the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder that you created using our ADB & Fastboot Quick Setup Guide.
  3. If you are using Android ADB & Fastboot full package, you can place the downloaded Recovery.img file in the Fastboot folder or in the Platform-tools folder.
  4. Open the folder where you placed the Boot.img  file. E.g Minimal ADB & Fastboot or Fastboot or Platform Tools.
  5. Press and hold the shift key and right click on an empty area within the folder, and click on “Open Command Window Here”.
  6. Turn off your Xperia Z3 completely.
  7. Now press the Volume Up Key and while keeping it pressed plug in the USB cable.
  8. You should see a blue light in the notification light of your phone, that means your device is now connected in Fastboot mode.
  9. Now type the following command:

     fastboot flash boot [filename].img

  10. Hit Enter and it will quickly flash TWRP recovery in your Xperia Z3.
  11. Once recovery is flashed, now issue this command

    “fastboot reboot”

  12. Your device will reboot now, as soon as you see the Sony logo,  and the pink LED, press Volume Up & Down Key simultaneously to enter TWRP recovery.
  13. Congrats! You should now see the custom recovery.

How To Root Your Xperia Z3

  1. Download latest SuperSu.zip file.
  2. Copy the downloaded .zip file to your phone’s sd card.
  3. Now boot your device into recovery mode using the step 12 explained above.
  4. Once you’re in TWRP recovery, tap “Install > locate SuperSu.zip” and flash it.
  5. One done flashing, reboot your device and find SuperSu in app drawer.
  6. That’s all. You can install “Root Checker” from Play Store and verify root access.

That’s all. If you have any queries regarding this guide, make sure that you drop em’ in the comment box below. We will definitely get back to you as soon as we receive em’. Thank you all.

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Usama is a software engineer by profession and at TechBeasts.com he uses his expertise to solve everyday consumer tech problems with his main areas of interest being Android, iOS and Windows.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Will I lose the DRM keys if I install the costume recovery only, and I’m not rooting it as showed in next steps???

    • Really thanks for your help, I already downgraded my lollipop to kitkat on my xperia Z3 by following your instructions on the other post, and it is working fine and now i would like to install the recovery because Z3 doesn’t come with stock recovery…..

  2. Please help when i flash with fastboot it show this msg
    Z3 dual
    C:Program FilesMinimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot flash boot bootZ3dualmonxtest
    01.img
    sending ‘boot’ (13056 KB)…
    OKAY [ 0.414s]
    writing ‘boot’…
    FAILED (remote: Command not allowed)
    finished. total time: 0.427s

  3. Please help this is what shows when i tried to flash my Xperia Z3 Dual.

    Why does my

    Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
    Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    C:Program Files (x86)Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot flash boot bootZ3dualmo
    nxtest01.img.jse
    sending ‘boot’ (309 KB)…
    OKAY [ 0.014s]
    writing ‘boot’…
    FAILED (remote: image is not a boot image)
    finished. total time: 0.021s

    C:Program Files (x86)Minimal ADB and Fastboot>

    And this is what shows when i remove the .jse in the end of my command

    C:Program Files (x86)Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot flash boot bootZ3dualmo
    nxtest01.img
    error: cannot load ‘bootZ3dualmonxtest01.img’: No error

    C:Program Files (x86)Minimal ADB and Fastboot>

  4. @jetgalit:disqus why are you writing .jse in the end? boot image is always .img file. You’re flashing .img.jse, which is an invalid format. Please flash the correct file which is in .img format.

    • i also tried .img here’s the error

      C:Program Files (x86)Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot flash boot bootZ3dualmo
      nxtest01.img
      error: cannot load ‘bootZ3dualmonxtest01.img’: No error

      C:Program Files (x86)Minimal ADB and Fastboot>

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