Categories Custom RecoveriesHow ToSony Xperia

Install CWM/TWRP Recovery on Sony Xperia Z,ZL,ZR 10.5.A.0.230 Firmware [Locked/Unlocked BL]

Sony’s past flagship device Xperia Z and its siblings Xperia ZL and ZR are currently running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat with the build number 10.5.A.0.230. Since this firmware is quite old now, most of the Xperia Z, ZR and ZL devices must be running this OS. If you own of these devices and you’re willing to go out of the boundaries with this latest firmware, you probably will need root access and a custom recovery but in the recent past, all the methods to root the device or install custom recoveries were pretty much traditional as they required unlocking the bootloader that results in the loss of DRM keys and hence you can’t lock it again, but if get the root access keeping your device’s bootloader locked, you can surely backup the DRM keys in order to lock your phone’s bootloader anytime later and gain the warranty back by having backed up the TA partition.

Well, that seems to be an old story now. Famous developer Geohot’s TowelRoot has made it possible for a number of Xperia devices to get rooted without unlocking the bootloader. This actually is a great news for those who have been waiting patiently and haven’t touched the bootloaders of their devices. For some of the devices, the application works directly, while for some the application has been used a base for the root tools. Using TowelRoot you can root your Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR running the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat 10.5.A.0.230 firmware. As the root is available now, XDA dev [NUT] has also come up his Dual recovery for these devices that works very well keeping the bootloader locked.

[NUT]’s dual recovery packs up CWM and TWRP recovery. Although these recoveries perform the same tasks, but the users have their own liking and pick one up accordingly. Before you fall in any confusions with which recovery to install on your device, it may be cleared out that [NUT]’s recovery installs both CWM and TWRP in your device and you can use the one you like. The CWM is based on Philz Advanced CWM Touch Recovery and is CWM 6.0.4.8 while the TWRP is 2.7. As you move forward, you will find the guide to install this CWM/TWRP recovery on your Sony Xperia Z,ZL and ZR running 10.5.A.0.230 firmware. Let’s go through the compatibility list and then install the recovery.

This CWM/TWRP recovery is compatible with:

Sony Xperia Z – C6602, C6603, C6606, C6616
Sony Xperia ZL – C6502, C6503, C6506
Sony Xperia ZR – C5502, C5503.

Early Preparations:

Your device must be running Android 4.4.2 KitKat 10.5.A.0.230 firmware.
Your device must be rooted, here’s our guide to root Xperia Z, ZR, ZL running .230 firmware.
Make sure that you’ve install Sony’s USB drivers in order to avoid any connection problems.
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 rooting process.
USB debugging mode must be enabled on your device. To do so, go to Settings > Developer Options > USB debugging mode > Enable. In case you can’t find the developer options, then go to Settings > About Device > Tap Build Number for 7 Times to enable the developer options.
Use only on OEM data cable to establish connection between your PC and your Phone.
Allow “Unknown Sources” on your phone. To do so, go to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources > Tick.

How To Install CWM/TWRP Recovery on Sony Xperia Z,ZL,ZR 10.5.A.0.230 Firmware [Locked/Unlocked BL]

Make sure that you’ve rooted your device using the guides linked above.
Download the XZ/ZL/ZR/-lockeddualrecovery[VERSION]-BETA.installer.zip for your device carefully.
Extract the downloaded installer.zip file for your phone, you will get install.bat and install.sh files.
Connect your Xperia device to your PC now.
Now open Install.bat if you’re using windows, or install.sh if you’re using MAC.
Once the command prompt opens up, type “1” and press enter.
The installation will begin and complete in a while automatically, you just need to follow the on-screen instructions.
Once the recovery is installed, disconnect your phone and turn it off.
Now turn it on, while you see the Sony logo, press Volume Up key to enter CWM or press Volume Down to enter TWRP.
That’s all. You’ve install Dual Recovery successfully on your Xperia Z, ZL or ZR running 10.5.A.0.230 firmware.

That’s all. In case you’ve got any queries or you’re stuck with something regarding this post, feel free to stop by comment box and drop your words. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

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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View Comments

Emma Baez says:

February 2, 2015 at 6:04 pm

this file work on the compilation .283 for xperia zl [?
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  February 2, 2015 at 8:24 pm
  
  @emma_baez:disqus i didn't get you. Can you please elaborate?
  - someoneiloved says:
    
    February 3, 2015 at 9:55 pm
    
    Hey there, i just heard about you on another site. I have one little problem and i was wondering if you could help me with that? Thanks in advance... @usamamujtaba
    - Usama Mujtaba says:
      
      February 5, 2015 at 9:23 pm
      
      @someoneiloved:disqus sure, let me know what issue are you having with your device?
      - someoneiloved says:
        
        February 5, 2015 at 9:59 pm
        
        I would like to install Afterlight app for free on my s5 but every time i install it, i get message "sorry it seems like you haven't installed this app from google play". Is there any way to get it for free or no ?
      - Usama Mujtaba says:
        
        February 5, 2015 at 10:12 pm
        
        @someoneiloved:disqus you will have to find a cracked version of the application. or pay of it.
      - someoneiloved says:
        
        February 5, 2015 at 10:14 pm
        
        How long does it usually take you to find it and where do you look for it ?
      - Usama Mujtaba says:
        
        February 6, 2015 at 7:36 pm
        
        @someoneiloved:disqus it doesn't take long if you took properly, you can search on google.
      - someoneiloved says:
        
        February 7, 2015 at 12:25 pm
        
        I tried alot of different apks and no one ever worked... Maybe my phone settings aren't right or you have to be rooted ?
      - Usama Mujtaba says:
        
        February 7, 2015 at 12:54 pm
        
        @someoneiloved:disqus no, it doesn't have anything to do with root or settings. There are some applications which are not easily available.
Emma Baez says:

February 2, 2015 at 9:58 pm

Yeap, sorry,I do not expree well. In the post you said: "How To Install CWM/TWRP Recovery on Sony Xperia Z,ZL,ZR 10.5.A.0.230 ".....and i have de compilation .283 (kitkat 4.4.4), then i want to know if the lockeddualrecovery[VERSION]-BETA.installer.zip it working on my device with the description before comment.
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  February 3, 2015 at 7:11 pm
  
  @emma_baez:disqus i haven't made any guide to install recovery on .283 firmware, but there will be one soon up on our site once I've verified what method is actually working.
Usama Mujtaba says:

February 7, 2015 at 8:53 pm

@someoneiloved:disqus I'll look for it and let you know. Stay connected.
- someoneiloved says:
  
  February 7, 2015 at 11:21 pm
  
  Oh thanks, you're amazing. I appreciate all of your effort.
kumar abhishek says:

March 3, 2015 at 7:41 am

Hey Usama, I used Easy Root Tool for rooting my Xperia Z, C6603 and I have downloaded the dual recovery package. However I am not sure which option to enter during installation(1,2,3?). Also the firmware I have currently is .283,
Should I flash .230 kernel-->install dual recovery--->flash .283 kernel again. Please help
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  March 3, 2015 at 7:42 pm
  
  @disqus_lKN9Ct3GX2:disqus what are the options 1,2,3? can you please elaborate so that i can help you accordingly.
anil choudhary says:

March 18, 2015 at 11:02 am

can i fastboot this recovery in my xperia z .283 fw does it work or not?????
- Adnan Ahmed says:
  
  March 19, 2015 at 10:12 am
  
  You sure can. If you encounter any problems using Fastboot, follow this simple guide!
kunal says:

October 20, 2019 at 12:42 pm

hello usama i want to install cwm/twrp in xperia z c6602 4.4.4 kitkat 10.5.1.A.0.283 firmware ... please provide me the link for instruction and guidelines how to install recoveries
um009 says:

May 2, 2015 at 7:25 pm

@disqus_kh0Vf7YLf1:disqus please use the search option on our site to find your desired file.
- kunal says:
  
  May 3, 2015 at 7:21 pm
  
  i searched there is nothing please help ....which recovery i have to install for Xperia Z c6602 4.4.4 kitkat 10.5.1.A.0.283 i want to install this ROM
  [ROM][YUGA][LP][5.0.2][SM-4.8.x/4.9.x] CyanogenMod 12 Unofficial [NIGHTLY BUILDS]
  for this rom it need twrp recovery v2.8.4.1 i got the .image file but i dont know how to install this recovery will you please help me out to install this recovery ...thanks
Simon Hernandez says:

June 5, 2015 at 7:30 pm

Hi, i received the notification that lollipop 5.0 is available for my device xperia z, it's rooted so normal install doesn't work. Found a rom to install from recovery but i dont have recovery installed. Which solution u think is better, install cwm or flash a new rom with flashtool? Thx. i have 4.4.4 10.5.1.A.0.283
- um009 says:
  
  June 6, 2015 at 8:31 am
  
  @disqus_aLVWixc21f:disqus you will have to use this method: https://techbeasts.com/2015/05/21/update-sony-xperia-z-android-lollipop-106a0454-firmware/
Arnab Sarkar says:

October 20, 2019 at 12:50 pm

whenever im switching on my phone and pressing volume down button the led is turning pink but the screen is showing black..... so, again ive to restart my phone... help me out....
anik says:

September 21, 2017 at 1:24 am

Wow thank you so much........

Works on my xperia zr 5.1.1...