Root and Install CWM/TWRP on Xperia Z3 Compact D5803 23.1.A.0.726 Lollipop 5.0.2 Firmware

Sony released Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for Xperia Z3 Compact few days ago with the build number 23.1.A.0.726. In this post, we are discussing the D5803 variant of Xperia Z3 Compact only. If you have any other variant, then you should not be reading this guide because this build number is available for D5803 only at the time of writing. So the rooting method and recovery installation method is for this model number only.

In this guide, you will go through the steps to root Xperia Z3 Compact D5803 variant on 23.1.A.0.726 Andorid 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware. It is repeated many times in this post so that users do not make any mistakes while using this guide. If users try to flash file of one variant on another variant, then it can damage the device. The recovery that will be installed in this guide will be Dual Recovery by NUT who is a recognized XDA Developer and a leading developer for large number of Xperia devices. SuperSU will be flashed as the SuperUser application. The rest of the required tasks and the installation steps are explained below.

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z3 Compact D5803

This rooting method is only for the device mentioned above. Make sure that your model number matches the one listed above. To do so, go to Settings > About Device on your device and see your model number. Flashing this firmware on any other device will result in bricking it so make sure that you meet this requirement first of all.

2. Battery should be charged at least over 60%.

Make sure that your battery is charged enough to complete the flashing process. In case your battery is low and your device goes dead during the flashing process, you may end up soft bricking your device as it won’t complete the flashing process.

3. 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. If you haven’t rooted your device previously, skip this step.
• Backup Nandroid – If CWM  or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.

4. Enable USB Debugging Mode on your device.

Enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do so, tap settings>developer options>USB debugging. If you can’t find developer options in settings, then tap settings > about device and tap “Build Number” for 7 times and you’ll get em’ activated under settings.

5. 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 Z3 Compact drivers from the list. If you do not find the Flashtool drivers in Flashmode, skip this step and install Sony PC Companion instead, for drivers support. [Important]

6. Use OEM data cable to establish connection.

Make sure that you use the phone’s original data cable to establish connection between your phone and the PC. Using a different data cable might result in interrupting the firmware installation.

7. Unlock Bootloader

Use the following guide to unlock the bootloader of your Xperia device before proceeding.

Steps For Rooting Xperia Z3 Compact D5803 .726 Firmware

1. Downgrade to .77/.93 Firmware and Root It

1. If you have already updated your smartphone to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, then you have to downgrade your device to KitKat OS and Root it.
2. Use this Flashtool Guide to Install 23.0.A.2.93 firmware.
3. Root using this guide.
4. Now Install XZ Dual Recovery.
5. Now phone is rooted, USB Debugging must be enabled.
6. Download latest installer for Xperia Z3 Compact from here. (Z3-lockeddualrecovery2.8.10-RELEASE.installer.zip)
7. Connect phone to PC using OEM date cable and run install.bat.
8. It will install the custom recovery.
9. Now work here is done. Lets move on to next step.

2. Make A Pre-Rooted Flashable Firmware For .726 FTF

1. Download PRF Creator and install on your system.
2. Download SuperSU zip and place anywhere on PC.
3. Download .726 FTF and place it anywhere on PC.
4. Download Z3-lockeddualrecovery2.8.10-RELEASE.flashable.zip
5. Now run PRFC and add all three required files in it.
6. Then click on Create.
7. Once the Flashable ROM is created, it will show the successful message.
8. Do not touch any other option while creating the pre-rooted firmware.
9. Now copy the pre-rooted firmware to the phone’s internal storage.
10. Our work in this step is now done. Move on to next step.

Note: If you do not want to create your own pre-rooted firmware and skip all these steps then you can download the pre-rooted flashable zip from the link given below.

D5803 23.1.A.0.726 Pre-Rooted Flashable Zip

3. Root and Install Recovery on Z3 Compact D5803 .726 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware

1. Custom recovery was installed in the first step.
2. The pre-rooted firmware was created and copied to phone in next step.
3. Now you have to turn off phone.
4. Turn it on again and press volume up or down repeatedly to enter custom recovery.
5. Click on install and locate the folder where you placed the flashable zip earlier.
6. Tap on it and install it.
7. Now reboot the phone.
8. If phone is still connected to PC via USB cable, disconnect it.
9. Now go back to the .726 ftf you downloaded in second step and copy it to /flashtool/fimrwares
10. Open flashtool and click on lightning icon in the top left.
11. Click on it and click on flashmode.
12. Select the .726 firmware.
13. In the right bar, in the exclude options, exclude System only. It means that tick System only there. Leave every other options as it is.
14. While flashtool prepares the software for flashing, turn off your phone.
15. Keep the volume down button pressed and connect it to PC via USB cable.
16. The button must be pressed during it.
17. The phone will enter flashmode.
18. Flashtool will automatically detect it and start flashing.
19. After flashing phone will reboot and you will be done 🙂
20. That’s all 🙂 Enjoy
21. Now your phone has a dual custom recovery, root access and of course latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Firmware.

Got any questions? Ask me in the comments below