How to Root and Install CWM Recovery on Sony Xperia SP on 12.0.A.2.254 Firmware [Guide]

By
Usama M
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35

Sony recently updated its device Xperia SP to the newest firmware 12.0.A.2.254 Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. There had been a number of rumors in the recent times about the Android upgrade of Sony Xperia SP to Android 4.2.2 and 4.3, but now Sony has confirmed the Android 4.3 update for Sony Xperia SP that will start from the month of December 2013. Perhaps our concern now is to achieve the root access on the current latest firmware running on the device.

Keeping that aside, Let’s get back to the topic. Rooting your device has always been pretty useful when it comes to playing with Android beyond the boundaries. Sometimes the root methods for the newest firmwares change and you need to follow the latest method to root your device on the latest firmware. Those of you who’ve been looking to root their device on the 12.0.A.2.254 firmware, you’ve spotted the right place as we’ve made an easy to understand and detailed guide. You just need to follow the steps explained below to the letter, before we go ahead here’s a little introduction to root and its advantages in case you don’t know it yet.

Sony Xperia SP_Group_Red-580-90

 

 

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 custom roms. By installing custom recovery, you can flash custom roms in the phone easily. Custom recovery also let’s you backup your current rom and restore it in case of any mishap. There is a laundry list of things you can do after having your device rooted and installed the custom recovery, now once you’re rooted and have installed custom recovery, go ahead and enjoy it on your phone. Here’s our collection of 10 Best Root Apps.

 

Let’s move forward to the root process…

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.

Before we go ahead, here are some pre-requisites that you need to follow:

      1. Make sure that your phone’s battery is charged over at least 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any power issues on the device during the flashing process.
      2. Make sure that you have backed up all your important Contacts, Call Logs & Messages. It is highly recommended in case of any mishap or data loss to backup all your important data.
      3. Make sure that you use the original data cable to connect your device to your PC.
      4. Make sure that your device is  Sony Xperia SP C5302 or C5303 and is running on the latest 12.0.A.2.254 firmware , check the model under Settings>About Device>Model.
      5. In case of USB connection problems, enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do so, open Settings>General>Developer Options. If you can’t find the developer options, simply open About device and tap “Build Number” for 7 times and you should have the developer options enabled under the ”General Tab”.
      6. Install the listed files carefully, follow this guide to letter in order to prevent any mishap.

Files you need to download:

    • Download and Install Sony Flashtool – Here’s the complete guide with download links.
    • Download and Install Sony USB drivers – Get Here.
    • Download Easy Rooting Toolkit: DooMLoRD_Easy-Rooting-Toolkit_v18_perf-event-exploit.zip
    • Download the older kernel file for Xperia SP:  XperiaSP_C530X_12.0.A.1.257_KernelOnly.ftf 
    • Download the newer kernel file for Xperia SP:  XperiaSP_C530X_12.0.A.2.254_KernelOnly.ftf

How to Root Sony Xperia SP:

    1. After having installed the Flashtool, place the downloaded XperiaSP_C530X_12.0.A.1.257_KernelOnly.ftf  file in the Flashtool>Firmware folder in your C: drive or the directory where you installed the Flashtool.
    2. Open Flashtool and hit the lightening button on the top left, select flashmode and then select the XperiaSP_C530X_12.0.A.1.257_KernelOnly.ftf  , and hit Flash.
    3. The firmware will take a while to load, as soon as it prompts you to connect the device, turn off your device, press Volume Down and connect it to your PC while keeping the Volume Down key pressed. This connects the device in Flashmode. 
    4. As soon as your device is detected in the Flashmode, the flash process will start and you’ll get the Flashing finished message in the logs.
    5. Close the Flashtool now. [important]
    6. Connect your device to your PC again now, This time enable the USB debugging mode under Settings > Developer Options on your device.
    7. Extract the downloaded DooMLoRD_Easy-Rooting-Toolkit_v18_perf-event-exploit.zip to your C: drive or to whatever drive you’ve installed the windows.
    8. Now run the runme_OSversion file, this file will execute the rooting toolkit, and will root your phone.
    9. As soon as your device is rooted, it will restart. Congrats your device is now rooted, check the SuperSu app in the app drawer.
    10. Now download the newer kernel file that is  XperiaSP_C530X_12.0.A.2.254_KernelOnly.ftf  and place it in the Firmware folder.
    11. Open Flashtool again, and Flash the new kernel file using the same method explained in steps 2 & 3.
    12. As soon as the flashing process is done, turn on your device and enjoy having the root access!

Here’s now how you can flash a Custom Recovery [ClockworkMod] on Sony Xperia SP:

      • Download the CWM recovery package file from HERE.
      • Extract the zip folder on your computer’s desktop.
      • Turn on USB debugging mode on your phone. Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging.
      • Run the Install.bat file from the extracted folder.
      • Follow the instructions on screen.
      • Congrats you’ve successfully installed ClockworkMod Recovery on Sony Xperia SP.

Check out this post to root other Sony Devices.

In case you got any queries or face any difficulties, feel free to stop by the comment box below. We will try our best to help you out. Thanks!

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Usama M
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.

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35 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Sir! My phone rebooted after I followed your steps. But when I checked if my device was already rooted using an app from play store it says that it is not.. Please help.. Thank you!

  5. 30/055/2013 16:55:54 – INFO – Opening device for R/W

    30/055/2013 16:55:54 – INFO – Start Flashing

    30/055/2013 16:55:54 – INFO – Processing loader.sin

    30/055/2013 16:55:54 – INFO – Checking header

    30/055/2013 16:55:54 – INFO – Ending flash session

    30/055/2013 16:55:54 – ERROR –

    30/055/2013 16:55:54 – ERROR – Error flashing. Aborted

    30/055/2013 16:55:55 – ERROR – Drivers need to be installed for connected device.

    30/055/2013 16:55:55 – ERROR – You can find them in the drivers folder of Flashtool.

    30/056/2013 16:56:06 – INFO – Device disconnected

    30/056/2013 16:56:17 – INFO – Device connected with USB debugging off

    30/056/2013 16:56:17 – INFO – For 2011 devices line, be sure you are not in MTP mode
    so assume that flashing wasnt completed? i’ve installed pc companion with the latest version and followed your instructions precisely.

  6. hello when i connect my Phone with the volume down button i get an error in the log saying flashing aborted. can you help me?

      • Hi thnx for you response! But I’ve already found out the problem. I didn’t install the fastboot and flashmode drivers. After doing that the rest went accordingly. I’ve now succesfully rooted my phone! Thnx very much for your tutorial!

  7. I accidentally downloaded the new kernel before the old. I did the whole process again twice, and the super su app still isn’t installed. Can you help me?

  8. It said my device is not supported by doomlordv18 my phone is a sony xperia sp c5303 with android 4.1.2 and build number 12.0.A.2.254 i did it twice and both times it failed i have all drivers installed and it just doesn’t work please help

      • Im also getting the same problem as shifo with the flash aborted and i have all drivers updated to my current version on my phone

        • You have to install the fastboot and.flashmode drivers. The instructions can be found when you click the link for flashtool on the screen you’re being forwarded to.

          • I get this when i try to flash with the old and new kernal.
            I tried with installing the usb with skipping.
            Tried with usb debuging on the whole time and only past step 5
            Am I doing something wrong? I tried an automatic rooting software and it said my phone was unrootable is this possible?

          • @disqus_wYLRFARJh9:disqus do not leave the volume down key when the flashing starts. Keep it pressed. Your issue will be resolved.

          • I hold it even a minute after it says failed and it does not work i will try to make a video of me doing the process and upload it and maybe you could tell what im doing wrong. Im done everything installed done all the steps tried it many times with different options and still does not work

          • ok ok ok .. I found your problem. You’re basically struck at installing the drivers. This is what you can do now as you’re using Windows 8.
            You got to disable driver signature verification first. To do so, goto
            Settings > Change PC Settings > Update & Recovery > Recovery > Advanced Restart.
            Restart your PC and select Advanced options on screen, in Advanced Option select Disable Signature Verification and restart your laptop now.
            Try install Fastboot and Flashmode drivers after that and accept the warning that you’ll get while installing em’.
            hopefully you’re done this time. Do tell me what happens! Good Luck.
            @disqus_wYLRFARJh9:disqus

  9. @disqus_SneClXhEMt:disqus try performing a factory reset, if it still doesn’t help then re flash stock firmware and then root it properly.

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