How To Root Sony Xperia Z,ZR,ZL 10.5.1.A.0.283 Android 4.4.4 KitKat [Locked/Unlocked BL]

The very first siblings of the Xperia Z family, the Xperia Z, ZR and ZL received Android 4.4.4 KitKat update few days back. The new update came with the build number 10.5.1.A.0.283 and packs up some enhancements here and there including battery charging time, performance, stability. Improvements to the software components including Email, SMS and some other apps have been made as well. Android power users, who had their devices rooted on earlier Android version, must have lost the root access after updating their device to this latest firmware.

If you’re looking out to gain the root access once again on your device, and you don’t want to touch the bootloader of your device, there’s a way to get around it and root your device without unlocking the bootloader. That means you won’t loose the warranty and you won’t loose the DRM keys, neither you will loose any bravia engine functionality. Wondering how? well, that’s what we are going to do in the following guide. As you move forward, you should come across a comprehensive guide to root your Sony Xperia Z C6602, C6603, Xperia ZR C5502, C5503 and Sony Xperia ZL C6502, C6503 running latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat 10.5.1.A.0.283 firmware. All you need is, you need to follow this guide carefully.

Here are the early preparations:

1. This guide is only for Sony Xperia Z C6602/3, Xperia ZR C5502/2, Xperia ZL C6502/3!

Make sure that your device is exactly as mentioned above. To check out what device you have, go to Settings > More/General > About Device or Settings > About Device and match the model number. Be careful about the device model number, flashing a file on a device not listed here might result in bricking it up.

2. Battery should be charged at least 60%!

Your device’s battery shouldn’t be weak. In case your device goes dead during the flashing process, your device may get soft bricked and you might be in need of flashing stock firmware and that will ultimately result in wiping up your data as well. So, make sure that you charge your device before you start the flashing process.

3. Use the OEM datacable to establish connection!

Always use the original data cable to establish connection between your Android device and your computer / laptop. Using ordinary data cables might interrupt the flashing process, so to avoid any mishap, you need to meet this requirement as well.

4. Enable USB debugging

Your phone must have the USB debugging enabled. In order to enable it, go to Settings > About device > tap the build number for 7 times. The developer options will be enabled, now go back to the menu screen in settings and open developer options. Once opened, enable USB debugging from within the developer options.

5. 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.
Backup Nandroid – If CWM  or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.

6. 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 Z,ZR,ZL drivers from the list. [Important]

7. Disclaimer

The methods involved in flashing custom recoveries, roms and rooting your phone are 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. In case you’re not going to unlock the bootloader of your device, you may not worry about this. 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.

Downloads required:

Download .230 firmware for Xperia Z | Download Latest .283 firmware for Xperia Z

Download .230 firmware for Xperia ZR C5503 |.230 firmware for For C5502 | Download Latest .283 firmware for Xperia ZR

Download .230 firmware for Xperia ZL | Download Latest .283 firmware for Xperia ZL

How to Root:

1. First of all, download the .230 firmware ftf file for your Xperia Z/ZR/ZL.
2. Copy the downloaded firmware ftf file to firmware folder, which can be located under the Flashtool installation directory.
3. Open Flashtool.exe now.
4. Hit the small lightening button on the top left corner and select Flashmode.
5. Select the FTF firmware file that you placed in the Firmware folder.
6. From the right side, exclude everything except kernel, as shown below.
7. Do not touch anything else on this screen, and click on Flash.
8. It will start preparing the firmware (kernel) for flashing. This may take a little while to load.
9. As soon as the firmware is loaded, it will prompt you to attach the phone by turning it off and keeping the back key press.
10. For Xperia Z/ZR/ZL, Volume Down key will do the job of back key, just turn off your phone, keep the Volume Down key pressed and plug in the data cable.
11. As soon as the phone is detected in Flashmode, the firmware will start flashing the kernel, Do not leave the Volume Down key until the process is complete.
12. As soon as you see “Flashing ended or Finished Flashing” leave the Volume Down key.
13. Once the kernel is flashed, make sure that you’ve enabled USB debugging on your phone.
14. Download the latest One Click Root Tool and extract it.
15. From the extracted files, execute the Run.bat file now.
16. A command prompt will open up requiring you to connect your device to your PC now.
17. Having the USB debugging enabled, connect your device.
18. Follow the on-screen instructions unless your phone is rooted.
19. Once rooted, disconnect your phone and turn it off.
20. Now follow flash the .283 kernel using step 2-12 in order to get your device’s original kernel back
21. That’s all! Enjoy!

Wondering what to do once you’re rooted? Here’s the answer.

Rooting your phone gives you complete access over all the data which is apparently locked by the manufacturers. This includes removal of the factory restrictions and making changes to the internal system and the operating system. Gaining the root access gives you the privileges to install various applications to enhance the performance of your device, allows you to remove the built-in applications/programs, helps you to upgrade the battery life of your device & install the apps which require the root access for the proper functionality and modify your device in so many other ways e.g using mods and flashing custom recoveries and custom ROMs. Here’s our collection of 10 Best Root Apps.

If you face any issues or difficulties regarding this guide, make sure that you drop your queries in the comment box below. We will get back to you as soon as we get it.