Root and Install CWM/TWRP On Xperia Z1 14.6.A.1.236 Firmware

Sony rolled out a minor update for the Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra a few days ago. The update doesn’t bring any major changes but fixes some bugs in the previous firmware, it moves the build number from .216 to 14.6.A.1.236. This update has been made live to all Xperia Z1 users all  around the world. The update has made its way to almost all variants of the Xperia Z1. 14.6.A.1.236 firmware for the Xperia Z1 is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

The update may not be big, but flashing it on your phone is definitely going to revert back everything to stock. If you happen to be an Android user, you will have to sacrifice root access and custom recovery on your Xperia Z1 to install this update or if you’ve already update, probably your device isn’t rooted yet. We have been posting guides to root Xperia Z1 on almost all firmwares till date, as asked by a number of users, now is the time for .236 firmware.

In order to be able to root 14.6.A.1.236 firmware on your Xperia Z1, you will have to flash a pre-rooted .236 firmware.zip file on your phone via a custom recovery. You must be wondering how will you get custom recovery if you’ve already updated, well, there’s a way for that. If you don’t already have a custom recovery on your phone, you can easily downgrade to .108 firmware, and install custom recovery. After that you can easily flash .236 pre-rooted firmware. If you already have a .216 firmware with custom recovery, you don’t need to downgrade to .108, but you can flash this firmware straight away over .216 firmware. The method may seem complex at first, but the guide is going to make it as easy as possible. Let’s go ahead and begin with it now.

Note: This method will work for both, locked & unlocked bootloaders.

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z1 C6902, C6903 and Xperia Z1 C6906

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.

Note: This method will work for both, Locked & Unlocked bootloaders.

How To Root and Install CWM/TWRP On Xperia Z1 14.6.A.1.236 Firmware

If you already have a device with a custom recovery installed on it, you can skip the downgrade step and flash the .zip file straight away.

1. Downgrade to .108 Firmware and Root It

1. 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.
2. Use this guide to Install .108 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 Z1 from here. (Z1-lockeddualrecovery2.8.X-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 .236 FTF

1. Download 14.6.A.1.236 FTF and place it anywhere on PC.
2. Download Z1-lockeddualrecovery2.8.10-RELEASE.flashable.zip
3. Now create a pre-rooted firmware using this guide: How To Create Sony Xperia Pre-Rooted Firmware With PRF Creator
4. Once the Flashable ROM is created, it will show the successful message.
5. Do not touch any other option while creating the pre-rooted firmware.
6. Now copy the pre-rooted firmware to the phone’s internal storage.
7. Our work in this step is now done. Move on to next step.

Note: If you do not want to create a pre-rooted flashable zip for your phone yourself, then you can download it for your phone’s specific model number and use it in the guide.

C6902 14.5.A.0.216 Pre-Rooted Flashable Zip | C6903 14.6.A.1.216 Pre-Rooted Flashable Zip

3. Root and Install Recovery on Z1 C6902/C6903/C6906 5.1.1 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 and find SuperSu in app drawer.
8. Install Root Checker from the Play Store to verify root access now.
9. Pheww! That’s all. You’re rooted and have the custom recovery installed.

Got any questions? Ask me in the comments below