Root & Install Recovery On Xperia Z1 Compact Android 5.1.1 14.6.A.0.368 Firmware

By
Usama M
-
9

Just a few days ago Sony updated the Xperia Z1 family to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Xperia Z1 Compact’s D5503 variant received the update. The new build number is 14.6.A.0.368. New firmware brings a handful of improvements and performance enhancements. If you’re planning to update your device and you also happen to be a power user, you may want to root it later on. Due to some limitations set by Google in the core Android 5.1.1 Lollipop system, directly rooting the phone is not possible anymore. Rooting the device requires following a little bit different and complex method. If you’re already looking for a way to root your Xperia Z1 Compact D5503 running this latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop firmware, you may cheer up to know that you’ve spotted the right place.

In the succeeding guide we are going to root and install CWM/TWRP recovery on our beloved Xperia Z1 Compact running latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 14.6.A.0.368 firmware. Let’s go ahead and root the device now.

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z1 Compact D5503

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 & Install Recovery On Xperia Z1 Compact Android 5.1.1 14.6.A.0.368 Firmware

Contents

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 Compact from here. (Z1 Compact-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 .368 FTF

  1. Download 14.6.A.0.368 FTF and place it anywhere on PC.
  2. Download Z1 Compact-lockeddualrecovery2.8.X-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.

D5503 14.5.A.0.368 Pre-Rooted Flashable Zip

3. Root and Install Recovery on Z1 Compact D5503 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

SHARE
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.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

9 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for the guide!

    One question though: In part 1 (Downgrade to .108 Firmware and root it) you say use this guide https://techbeasts.com/2014/06/28/update-xperia-z1-compact-d5503-to-official-14-4-a-0-108-android-4-4-4-kitkat-firmware/ to install .108 firmware.

    In No. 8 oft this guide (I mean the Update Xperia Z1 Compact D5503 To Official 14.4.A.0.108 Android 4.4.4 KitKat Firmware guide) you point out that the device must be running on Android 4.2.2 or 4.3.

    Now, we don’t want to update our device here, we want to downgrade it from Lollipop to KitKat, I see that. But is it really no problem that my device is NOT running on Android 4.2.2 or 4.3, but on 5.1.1?

    I just want to be sure, never rooted a phone before…

    • @disqus_N52jN4R4cN:disqus You can downgrade, there won’t be any problem.
      The update precaution is there because you probably wanted to update your device back then, and you can only move to a higher firmware if you’re running a lower firmware.

      But right now you’ve to temporarily go from a higher firmware to a lower firmware, it won’t cause any issues at all. Best of luck.

    • How did this turn out Phil? I am just now in the process of reading all the relevant material to root my brand new Z1 Compact Model D5503 / Build 14.5.A.0.242 which I have just updated to Version 5.0.2

  6. Hi there!

    I have stumbled upon some difficulties.
    I was on 5.1.1 lollipop rom. I was able to downgrade to 4.4.4. Then it was possible to root using first method (EasyRootTool).However i had to change kernel via flashtool to one from .108 rom to achieve that.
    Then I have correctly installed dual-recovery.
    I have created PRF myself from a firmware generic for EU (CE1). When i have flashed it via recovery it made my phone freeze on a Sony Xperia logo. I had to shut the phone down with “power + vol up” combiation and reflash with flashtool to 4.4.4.
    What am I missing or doing wrong?
    My assumption is that PRF is faulty.
    Or is it incorrect to do factory reset from TWRP before flashing PRF rom?

    Any help or advice much appreciated.

    Best regards
    Adam

    Update: found another Pre-rooted rom, flashed it with TWRP and it worked.

Got a question/query or a suggestion? Drop it below.