Install Android 5.1.1 Lollipop On Sony Xperia SP With CM 12.1

Sony’s 2013 mid ranger, the Xperia SP is running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean currently. It doesn’t look like if Sony will provide any further Android update for this device. It will most probably stick Android Jelly Bean and this is where the official software support for Sony Xperia SP comes to an end. Google has now rolled out Android 5.1 Lollipop. Android M, the next version of Android is in works and Sony is busy updating its Xperia Z series to Android 5.0 yet. Xperia SP doesn’t stand in the league of Android KitKat or Android Lollipop at all, this certainly puts Xperia SP owners to a little bit of disappointment. But there’s actually no need to worry about it as long as we have some support from great developers for our beloved Xperia SP.

To give a new life to your Xperia SP, CyanogenMod 12.1 which is the unofficial aftermarket version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, has landed on XDA developers for Sony Xperia SP. The ROM is presented by XDA senior member Mrcl1450. Those who do not have an idea about CyanogenMod, they would like to know that CyanogenMod is the aftermarket distribution of Android. The firmware is available for thousands of Android devices now, particularly those which are forgot by the device manufacturers and are not going to receive any further Android update officially. CyanogenMod also happens to be the most popular and most widely used custom ROM for any Android device. If you want to taste the latest and greatest iteration of Android on your Xperia SP, the only way to do so right now is by means of a custom ROM. And the best custom ROM to go with, in our opinion is CM 12.1. This ROM is in development stages yet, so expect some bugs to follow your way. It will take a while for developers to make this ROM stable. We only recommend going ahead with the installation of CM 12.1 on your Xperia SP if you’re familiar with custom ROMs and you know how to handle one while it isn’t a daily driver. Let’s go through some early preparations and flash the custom ROM to upgrade your Xperia SP to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

Early Preparations:

1. This custom ROM is only for Sony Xperia SP C5302 and C5303. Do not try this on any other device. Check your device’s model number in settings > about device.
2. Charge your phone up to 50% in order to prevent any power issues during the flashing process.
3. Your device’s bootloader must be unlocked. Here’s a guide on how to unlock it.
4. Your device must have a custom recovery installed on it. You can install custom recovery. A method to install custom recovery is listed below.
5. Once you’ve installed a custom recovery, don’t forget to create a Nandroid backup of your current system. This is highly recommended so that in case something goes wrong with the new custom ROM, you can still revert everything back and get your old system back.
6. Backup your important contacts, messages, call logs and all media content as you will have to wipe your phone before flashing latest firmware.
7. Follow this guide to the letter to avoid any mishap.

Disclaimer: This is a custom ROM. Loading custom stuff on your Android device is highly risky. In case something goes wrong while or after flashing this custom ROM, we or the device manufacturers may not be held responsible. Make sure that whatever you’re going to do, you’re doing at your own risk.

Here’s How To Install Android 5.1.1 Lollipop On Sony Xperia SP With CM 12.1

1. First of all you need a custom recovery on your device. And to install a custom recovery, you need to root your Xperia SP first of all.
   • Root your Xperia SP using towelroot.
2. Once you’re rooted, download philz_touch_6.59.0-huashan.img file and copy it to your phone’s SD card.
3. Now download and install Rashr – Flashtool on your phone.
4. Now open Rashr from the app drawer.
5. Tap “Select Recovery From Storage” option and select the copied philz_touch file.
6. Grant SuperSu right and follow on-screen instructions to flash the recovery.

Here’s how to install the ROM now.

1. Download cm-12.1-20150706-UNOFFICIAL-huashan.zip  file.
2. Download GApps.zip for Android 5.1 Lollipop.
3. Copy both the downloaded .zip files to your phone’s SD card.
4. Now turn off your phone completely. Now turn on your phone, as soon as Sony logo appears, press the volume up key to boot into recovery mode.
5. As you’ve booted in to the recovery mode, tap the “Wipe & Format Option” and perform a factory reset.
6. Go back to the main menu in recovery and tap “Install zip > Choose zip from SD card > locate the cm-12-ROM.zip file that you copied to your SD card.”.
7. Similarly, flash GApps for Android 5.1.1 Lollipop using the “Install Zip” option.
8. Once done, reboot your device.
9. It will now boot up running CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Thats all. Enjoy!

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