Update Xperia M to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow via CyanogenMod 13

Xperia M first showed up back in the year 2013. The device initially ran on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and then received Android updates up to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Jelly Bean was the only Android OS that this device could enjoy. Xperia M turned out to be pretty much unlucky in the software aspects. Usually Sony acts very kind to the Xperia device owners as it rolls out a number of updates for the Xperia devices. The Xperia Z, Sony’s 2013 flagship which came out even before the Xperia M, received Android updates till Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Sony probably didn’t put a capable hardware on Xperia M that could handle higher versions of Android. The discontinuity of official software updates cannot stop the Xperia M users from enjoying the latest and greatest version of Android on their devices. The device is going to live as long as it has active custom ROM development. Luckily, something just emerged up to cheer up the Xperia M users. It’s the latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow custom ROM based on the famous CyanogenMod 13.0.

Now that this firmware is available, Android enthusiasts who own this device won’t be able to keep any further patience. In order to fulfill their Android appetite, we’ve got this comprehensive guide to help you install Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow CyanogenMod 13.0 custom ROM on Sony Xperia M. The ROM is in early development stages for now. Mainstream features like RIL, Camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, Audio, Video and some other are found working pretty fine on it. It still is expected to carry a handful of bugs. Before you decide to flash it, please be reminded that it’s not meant to be kept for every day use. Newbies should follow this guide to the letter to avoid any mishap. Let’s have a look on some early preps in order to safely flash this Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on your Xperia M using CyanogenMod 13 custom ROM.

Early Preps

1. This ROM is intended for Sony Xperia M only. Do not try to flash it on Sony Xperia M Dual or any other device.
2. Your Xperia M must be running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Check your device’s Android version in Settings > About device
3. Charge your phone up to 50% to avoid any power issues during the ROM flashing process.
4. Backup your important contacts, call logs, messages and everything that matters.
5. Copy your important media content to your computer as you will go through data wipes during the ROM installation process.
6. Flash a CWM recovery on your Sony Xperia M.
7. Create a Nandroid backup. This is highly recommended as it will help you to recover your device just in case something goes completely wrong.
8. If you’ve a rooted device, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your applications.
9. Follow this guide carefully to the letter.

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 Update Xperia M to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow via CyanogenMod 13

Method#1

1. Download latest CyanogenMod 13.zip file according to your device
   1. CyanogenMod 13 Android 6.0.1.zip file
2. Download Gapps.zip [arm, 6.0.zip] file for Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
3. Connect your phone to your PC now.
4. Copy all .zip files to the storage of your phone.
5. Now disconnect your phone and turn it off complete.
6. Boot into CWM recovery. To do so, turn off your device, now turn it on and quickly press volume up and down keys, you will get the CWM interface.
7. In CWM wipe factory data.
8. Now select “Install Zip>Choose Zip from Sd card / external Sd card”.
9. Select the ROM.zip file that your placed on your phone’s Sd card. Select “Yes” now in order to flash it.
10. This will flash the ROM in your phone, once done get back to the main menu in recovery.
11. Now once again select “Install Zip >Choose Zip from Sd card / external Sd card > Select Gapps.zip file > Yes”
12. This will flash the Gapps in your phone.
13. Wipe cache and dalvik cache in recovery now.
14. Reboot your device.
15. You should see the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow CyanogenMod 13.0 running on your device in a while.
16. That’s all!

Method#2

1. Download CyanogenMod 13 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow ROM .zip file.
2. Download Google Gapps.zip file for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. [ARM, 6.0]
3. Extract the ROM.zip file on your PC you will get a boot.img file.
4. Download Android ADB and Fastboot drivers, follow our full guide here to make it easy.
5. Now place the kernal file that is boot.img file that you extracted from the zip folder in the fastboot folder that you downloaded form the guide linked above.
6. After placing the kernel file in the fastboot folder, open the fastboot folder. Press shift and then Right click on any empty area inside the folder, now select “Open command prompt here“. flash it using the command “Fastboot flash boot boot.img”. In case you are confused, follow the Android ADB & Fastboot drivers guide carefully.
7. Now, Place the ROM.zip file and Gapps.zip file on your phone’s internal or external sd card.
8. Boot into CWM recovery. To do so, turn off your device, now turn it on and quickly press volume up and down keys, you will get the CWM interface.
9. In CWM wipe the cache and dalvik cache.
10. Now select “Install Zip>Choose Zip from Sd card / external Sd card”.
11. Select the ROM.zip file that your placed on your phone’s Sd card.
12. It should take a few mins to flash the ROM, now once again select “Install Zip>Choose Zip from Sd card / external Sd card”.
13. Choose the Gapps.zip file this time and flash it.
14. As soon as done flashing, clear cache and dalvik cache again.
15. Reboot system now, you should see the CM logo on the boot screen now, it may take upto 10 minutes in order to boot into home screen.
16. Congrats! Enjoy unofficial Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow custom ROM on your Sony Xperia M now.

In order to enable root access on this ROM, go to settings > about device > tap the build number for 7 times. This will enable developer options on in settings. Now open developer options and enable root.

First boot may take up to 10 minutes, you may not worry if it’s taking that much long. In case it’s taking too long, you may boot into CWM recovery and wipe cache and dalvik cache and reboot your device as it may fix the issue. In case your device is having issues, you may return to your old system using the Nandroid backup or follow our guide here to install stock firmware on your Sony Xperia smartphone using Sony Flashtool.

Got any queries? Reach us out through the comment box below.