The latest update for Xperia Z3 is 23.1.A.0.726 firmware. It is based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. It is a small update over .690 firmware released earlier that was based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop as well. The new update is rolled out in order to fix bugs found in phones after updating them to .690 firmware. Those who have not updated their devices yet, they should update to .726 firmware first using the guide available on our site and then follow this guide to root 23.1.A.0.726 fimrware on D6603 Xperia Z3 and install Philz Touch/TWRP dual recovery on it.
The method explained in this guide can be used to root Xperia Z3 without even unlocking the bootloader. The first steps includes downgrading to a previous firmware which could be rooted without having the need to unlock bootloader. The next steps includes the process of flashing the customised FTF that is pre-rooted. You can make it yourself or a customised that is already available can be used as well. The last steps includes flashing some important files just to finish the entire process. Follow this guide to root Xperia Z3 D6603 23.1.A.0.726 firmware. Note that you should follow each and every step mentioned here in order to avoid any error at any stage in the rooting process.
1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z3 D6603
This rooting method is only for the device 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 this firmware 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.
- Backup SMS Messages
- Backup Call Logs
- Backup Contacts
- Backup Media – Copy your files manually to your PC or Laptop.
- Titanium Backup – If already rooted, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps, system data and other important content. If you haven’t rooted your device previously, skip this step.
- Backup Nandroid – If CWM or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.
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. Install and setup Sony Flashtool.
You must have installed Sony Flashtool. Find the full guide here.
After installing Sony Flashtool, open the Flashtool folder from the drive where you installed it. Now open Flashtool>Drivers>Flashtool-drivers.exe and install the Flashtool, Fastboot & Xperia Z3 drivers from the list. If you do not find the Flashtool drivers in Flashmode, skip this step and install Sony PC Companion instead, for drivers support. [Important]
6. Use OEM data cable to establish connection.
Make sure that you use the phone’s original data cable to establish connection between your phone and the PC. Using a different data cable might result in interrupting the firmware installation.
7. Unlock Bootloader [Optional]
Use the following guide to unlock the bootloader of your Xperia device before proceeding.
Contents
Steps For Rooting Xperia Z3 23.1.A.0.726 Firmware
1. Downgrade to 23.0.A.2.93 Firmware and Root It
- If you have already updated your smartphone to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, then you have to downgrade your device to KitKat OS and Root it.
- Root using this guide.
- Now Install XZ Dual Recovery.
- Now phone is rooted, USB Debugging must be enabled.
- Download latest installer for Xperia Z3 from here. (Z3-lockeddualrecovery2.8.xx-RELEASE.installer.zip)
- Connect phone to PC using OEM date cable and run install.bat.
- It will install the custom recovery.
- Now work here is done. Lets move on to next step.
2. Make A Pre-Rooted Flashable Firmware For .726 FTF
- Download PRF Creator and install on your system.
- Download SuperSU zip and place anywhere on PC.
- Download .726 FTF and place it anywhere on PC.
- Download Z3-lockeddualrecovery2.8.xx-RELEASE.flashable.zip
- Now run PRFC and add all three required files in it.
- Then click on Create.
- Once the Flashable ROM is created, it will show the successful message.
- Do not touch any other option while creating the pre-rooted firmware.
- Now copy the pre-rooted firmware to the phone’s internal storage.
- Our work in this step is now done. Move on to next step.
Note: If you do not want to create a pre-rooted flashable zip yourself, then you can download flashable zip for your phone from one of the downlod links given below.
D6603 23.1.A.0.726 pre-Rooted Flashable Zip
3. Root and Install Recovery on Z3 D6603 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware
- Custom recovery was installed in the first step.
- The pre-rooted firmware was created and copied to phone in next step.
- Now you have to turn off phone.
- Turn it on again and press volume up or down repeatedly to enter custom recovery.
- Click on install and locate the folder where you placed the flashable zip earlier.
- Tap on it and install it.
- Now reboot the phone.
- If phone is still connected to PC via USB cable, disconnect it.
- Now go back to the .726 ftf you downloaded in second step and copy it to /flashtool/fimrwares
- Open flashtool and click on lightning icon in the top left.
- Click on it and click on flashmode.
- Select the .726 firmware.
- In the right bar, in the exclude options, exclude System only while flashing. Leave every other options as it is.
- While flashtool prepares the software for flashing, turn off your phone.
- Keep the volume down button pressed and connect it to PC via USB cable.
- The button must be pressed during it.
- The phone will enter flashmode.
- Flashtool will automatically detect it and start flashing.
- After flashing phone will reboot and you will be done 🙂
- That’s all 🙂 Enjoy
- Now your phone has a dual custom recovery, root access and of course latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware.
Got any questions? Ask me in the comments below
Followed these steps all successfully but now my phone just reboots without getting past the sony logo, I can boot into recovery mode by pressing the power and up arrow? and can re-flash, so its not bricked
@paul_moores:disqus Flash the flashable.zip file once again. If it doesn’t boot up, flash stock firmware to recover your device.
@paul_moores:disqus also make sure that you’ve flashed ftf without system in the last part of this guide. Let me know how it goes.
Thanks for the reply I’ll follow the steps again I have also got a different Base firmware. I’d use yours but I’m UK not usa 🙂
Thank you..!!! Worked a treat the second attempt to flash.. I must of miss clicked a step last time, now time to test the OS and try and correct the speaker issues they broke in Lollipop. my top speaker is so quiet I cant hear people on phone calls.
One odd thing I hope you maybe able to shed some light on, I can no longer use the vol up key to boot into recovery mode but it still boots into recovery mode if I use the RDZ app, and choose to boot recovery.