Install CWM/TWRP Recovery and Root Sony Xperia ZQ/ZL C6502/3/6 10.5.A.0.230 Firmware

Xperia ZL, also known as Sony Xperia ZQ is another sibling of Sony’s past flagship device Xperia Z, that also sports also same specifications as Xperia Z. Sony recently updated the Xperia Z and its siblings to latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware based on the build number 10.5.A.0.230. If you’ve updated your device to this latest firmware and you happen to be an Android power user, you must be bored with the stock firmware and look out for some tweaks and modifications that you apply to your Xperia ZL/ZQ and break the stock boundaries on your device.

To do this, you will need a custom recovery and root access on your device. Before you start looking out for a recovery and root access method, we’ve done this job for you and explained the method to do so in the following comprehensive guide. As you move forward, you will find the method to install CWM or TWRP recovery on Sony Xperia ZQ/ZL running latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat 10.5.A.0.230 firmware and also learn how you can root this firmware on your device. All you need is, you need to follow this guide carefully. Before we head towards the pre-installation instructions, let’s have a look on brief introduction of the custom recovery and root access in order to remove any confusions that the newbies may have.

What is a Custom Recovery and Root Access?

A custom recovery allows you to install custom roms, mods etc. Along with these, you can make a Nandroid backup, this helps you a lot as you can move back to the previous working state of your phone at any time you want if you have backed up your current system. In some cases, to root the phone you need to flash SuperSu.zip file in the custom recovery, having installed the recovery might be of some help for you. You can also wipe cache and dalvik cache of your phone using a custom recovery. There is alot more you can do using a custom recovery, you may install one and experience it yourself for further know-how.

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.

Pre-Installation Instructions:

1. The guide is only for Xperia ZL/ZQ C6502/C6503/C6506 running .230 firmware. Check your firmware version in Settings > About Device and make sure that it matches the one mentioned here.
2. You must have installed Android ADB & Fastboot drivers. Follow the quick guide here.
3. Your device must have an unlocked bootloader. Follow our full guide here in order to unlock.
4. Please make sure that your phone’s battery is charged at least over 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any power issues during the recovery flashing process.
5. Backup each and everything on your Android phone as follows:
6. Backup all your important contacts, find the full guide here.
7. Backup all your important sms messages, find the full guide here.
8. Backup all your important call logs, find the full guide here.
9. Backup all your important media content manually. (Copy to your PC.)
10. Backup all your apps / data. If you’ve rooted your device, use Titanium Backup to do so. Follow the full guide here.
11. Backup your current system using a custom recovery (CWM or TWRP) if you’ve flashed one. This is recommended in case something goes wrong with CWM installation, you can use the custom recovery and return to the old working state of your system.
12. Enable USB debugging mode on your device.  Get it in Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging mode.
13. Use only OEM data cable to establish connection between your PC and Phone.
14. Alright! Follow this guide to the letter now.

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.

If you want to root your device without unlocking the bootloader, check out this post.

How To Install CWM/TWRP Recovery and Root Sony Xperia ZQ/ZL C6502/3/6 10.5.A.0.230 Firmware:

1. Download Advanced Stock Kernel with CWM Recovery
2. Extract the downloaded .zip folder on your PC, you will get a .img file, rename this to Boot.img.
3. Place the extracted Boot.img file in the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder that you created using our ADB & Fastboot Quick Setup Guide.
4. If you are using Android ADB & Fastboot full package, you can place the downloaded Recovery.img file in the Fastboot folder or in the Platform-tools folder.
5. Open the folder where you placed the Boot.img  file. E.g Minimal ADB & Fastboot or Fastboot or Platform Tools.
6. Press and hold the shift key and right click on an empty area within the folder, and click on “Open Command Window Here”.
7. Turn off your Xperia ZQ/ZL completely.
8. Now press the Volume Up Key and while keeping it pressed plug in the USB cable.
9. You should see a blue light in the notification light of your phone, that means your device is now connected in Fastboot mode.
10. Now type the following command: fastboot flash boot boot.img
11. Hit Enter and it will quickly flash CWM and TWRP recovery in your Xperia ZQ/ZL.
12. Once recovery is flashed, now issue this command “Fastboot reboot”
13. Your device will reboot now, as soon as you see the Sony logo,  and the pink LED, press Volume Up key to enter CWM recovery and Volume Down to enter TWRP recovery.
14. Congrats! You should now see the custom recovery.

How To Root Xperia ZL/ZQ Running Android 4.4.2 KitKat 10.5.A.0.230 Firmware:

1. Download SuperSu.zip file.
2. Copy the downloaded .zip file to your phone’s sd card.
3. Boot into CWM recovery now using the method explained above.
4. Once in recovery, select “Install >Choose Zip from SDcard > SuperSu.zip > Yes “.
5. Wait for recovery to flash the SuperSu.zip file, once finished reboot your device.
6. Check SuperSu in the app drawer now.

How to install busybox now?

1. Go to Google Play Store on your phone.
2. Search for “Busybox Installter”.
3. Once you find it, install it.
4. Run the Busybox installer and proceed with the installation.
5. That’s all!

How to check if the device is properly rooted or not?

1. To do so, go to Google Play Store on your Xperia ZQ/ZL.
2. Find “Root Checker” and install it.
3. Open Root Checker.
4. Tap “Verify Root”.
5. It will ask you for SuperSu rights, tap “Grant”.
6. It should show you Root Access Verified Now!
7. That’s All!

Credits: Gustavo RD78

That’s All with the recovery installation. In case you got any queries or face any difficulties regarding this post, please feel free to stop by the comment box below and let us know. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks all.