OEMs keep rolling out updates for their devices in order to make these devices stable and secure. One such OEM, that is much focused on the stability and security of their devices is Sony. Sony rolls out quite many updates for its Xperia lineup, and doesn’t stop rolling out the updates unless it makes sure that the device is not vulnerable to any bugs anymore. Recently Sony updated its Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra to Android 5.0.2 Lolliop. After this, Sony updated the device to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update. That was not it, later on Sony rolled out a new update based on the build number 14.6.A.1.216 which fixed the stagefright bug on the devices. Just a few days back, Sony released another update for these devices. The update shifts the build number to 14.6.A.1.236 and is still based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. According to Sony, this update fixes some minor bugs and enhances performance of the devices. The update is packed hardly inside 10 MBs.
Now that this update is out, some of you will get it through OTA or Sony PC Companion, and some of you will choose to flash it through Flashtool. There’s no point in not updating to this latest firmware since having the latest firmware on your device makes sure that you’re using a secure operating system. If you happen to be a user having your phone rooted, and now you’re willing to flash this latest .236 firmware, it will wipe off root access. Also, if you’re planning to root your device after updating your phone to .236 firmware, you may need to keep in mind that no ordinary methods will work in either of these cases. You will have to use a little different method in order to gain root access on your Xperia Z Ultra running 14.6.A.1.236 firmware.
As always, we’ve come up with a guide to install CWM or TWRP recovery and root your Xperia Z Ultra. The following guide will help you to get custom recovery and root your Xperia Z Ultra running 14.6.A.1.236 firmware. There’s no rocket science involved in the process, all you have to do is to follow this guide being very careful.
The guide will work for both, Locked and Unlocked bootloaders.
1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z Ultra C6802, Z Ultra C6806 and Z Ultra C6833
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.
Contents
How To Root and Install CWM/TWRP On Xperia Z Ultra 14.6.A.1.236 Firmware
Note: If you already have a custom recovery installed on your phone, you may skip downgrading and flash the pre-rooted .236 firmware directly on your phone.
1. Downgrade to .108 Firmware and Root It
If your phone has a custom recovery, you may skip the downgrading step and flash a pre-rooted .zip file straight away.
- If you have already updated your smartphone to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, then you have to downgrade your device to KitKat OS and Root it.
- Use this guide to Install .108 firmware.
- Root using this guide.
- Now Install XZ Dual Recovery.
- Now phone is rooted, USB Debugging must be enabled.
- Download latest installer for Xperia Z Ultra from here. (ZU-lockeddualrecovery2.8.10-RELEASE.installer.zip)
- Connect phone to PC using OEM date cable and run install.bat.
- It will install the custom recovery.
- Now work here is done. Lets move on to next step.
2. Make A Pre-Rooted Flashable Firmware For 14.6.A.1.236 FTF
- Download 14.6.A.1.236 FTF and place it anywhere on PC (The Firmware must be specific to your device).
- Download ZU-lockeddualrecovery2.8.x-RELEASE.flashable.zip
- Now create a pre-rooted firmware using this complete guide: How To Create Sony Xperia Pre-Rooted Firmware With PRF Creator
- Now copy the pre-rooted firmware to the phone’s internal storage.
- Our work in this step is now done. Move on to next step.
3. Root and Install Recovery on Z Ultra C6802/C6806/C6833 5.1.1 Lollipop Firmware
- Custom recovery was installed in the first step.
- The pre-rooted firmware was created and copied to phone in next step.
- Now you have to turn off phone.
- Turn it on again and press volume up or down repeatedly to enter custom recovery.
- Click on install and locate the folder where you placed the flashable zip earlier.
- Tap on it and install it.
- Now reboot the phone.
- Your phone will boot up, find out SuperSu in app drawer.
- Phewww! You’re rooted with TWRP & CWM recovery installed on your Z Ultra. That’s all.
Let us know how did it go for you. In case you’re stuck with something, reach us out through the comment box below. We would love to help you out.
Hi, i have got a major problem in the first step itself. after downgrading to kitkat using the flash file provided, the phone is stuck at boot. the sony logo comes up, then the xperia logo. but after that, it just reboots and the process continues. i cant even remove the battery. what should i do. should i just let the battery die and then conect using flash mode and flash another firmware (probably .236 or china .108)
@artemiskiss:disqus you can flash the .236 ftf to recovery the phone immediately.
hi usama,
I am facing the same problem on my XZU. I tried downgrading from 5.1.1 to kitkat using flashtool and the required .ftf file. Everything went well, flashtool also showed “Flashing Finished” But after that my phone is stuck at bootloop. I also tried flashing back to stock .236 ftf but still its stuck in bootloop.
please help !!
p.s. I am not selecting to wipe cache, app data.. while flashing ftf, can it be a reason for bootloop?
@prakhar_pathak:disqus wipe cache, data and app data and then flash the stock firmware. It should work afterwards.
Hey, i didn’t want to use lollipop but had to upgrade to Marshmallow and that’s what i did. I rooted using kingo root and it worked for me and the installed the dual recovery and flashed the marshmallow rom and everything worked fine but with only one problem that it cannot detect the sim card and IMEI information and the recovery also wipes away as i flash the new rom, well i know its reason but it would be better if somehow i could retain y custom recovery on the custom rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/rom-aicp-11-t3323983
@disqus_DFJRsIZT48:disqus have you tried flashing a stock ROM? I guess your phone’s radio has been corrupted. If flashing a stock ROM doesn’t bring the lost functionality back, you might have to take your phone to a service center.
Worked perfectly, thanks! Some parts of the tutorial were outdated and broken links but nothing that can’t be dealt with with google and some common sense.