Root Xperia Z2 on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow 23.5.A.0.570 and Install TWRP

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Sony update the Xperia Z2 to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. This came out as a surprise because the Android Marshmallow’s official version carried the same build number as the last beta build. Sony continued to update the beta firmware even after rolling out the official Android Marshmallow for the Xperia Z2. Marshmallow brought quite many goodies to this device. This update came out pretty late, but it’s still worth installing it on your Xperia Z2.

If you have updated your device, or you’re planning to update it to the latest Marshmallow firmware while you happen to be an Android power user, you must keep in mind that flashing the stock firmware wipes off the root access, custom recover and other tweaks from your device. If your Xperia Z2 was rooted earlier and now you’ve lost root access, you may want to root it once again to modify the device running on Marshmallow firmware. Rooting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow directly isn’t possible, but you sure can root it using a little different method that is discussed here.

We are set to go through the instructions to install a pre-rooted Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow 23.5.A.0.570 on our beloved Xperia Z2 D6503 and D6502. The guide illustrates how you can flash the pre-rooted firmware to gain root access and TWRP recovery. Before getting onto the method, we will learn some precautions to make sure that nothing goes wrong during all this process.

Note: If your device is already running on .264 firmware and is rooted with a recovery installed on it, you may skip the first two steps and jump straight to the method to flash the Marshmallow pre-rooted .zip file.

Contents

How To Install CWM/TWRP Recovery and Root Xperia Z2 10.7.A.0.228 Firmware

1. Downgrade to .167 Firmware and Root It

Note: If you already have a custom recovery installed on your phone, you may skip downgrading and flash the pre-rooted .264 firmware directly on your phone.

  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 .167 firmware.
  3. Root using this guide.
  4. Now you have to Install XZ Dual Recovery (Steps below).
  5. Now phone is rooted, USB Debugging must be enabled.
  6. Download latest installer for Xperia Z2 from here. (Z2-lockeddualrecovery2.8.xx-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. Flash most recent Lollipop 5.1.1 Pre-rooted Firmware now

  1. Download D6503_Customized ES_1281-4644_23.4.A.1.264_R8C. Copy this file to your phone’s SD card.
  2. For D6502, create your own FTF or wait for the links till we find and add them here.
  3. Now you have to turn off phone.
  4. Turn it on again and press volume up or down to enter either TWRP or CWM recovery.
  5. Now for TWRP recovery, tap Install > scroll all the way to bottom and select the copied pre-rooted firmware.zip file.
  6. After selecting the file, swipe finger from left to right on the bottom to flash.
  7. Once flashed, reboot your device and you will have pre-rooted 10.7.A.0.228 Lollipop firmware.
  8. For CWM, select Install Zip > Choose Zip from SD card > locate pre-rooted firmware.zip file > select yes to flash.
  9. Once flashed, reboot your phone and you will have 10.7.A.0.228 rooted Lollipop firmware.
  10. Now verify root access using an app like Root Checker.

 

Root Xperia Z2 on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow 23.5.A.0.570 and Install TWRP

  1. Download the bootloop fix.zip file and copy it to your phone.
  2. Download Xperia Z2 23.5.A.0.570 pre-rooted zip with recovery for D6503 and copy it to your phone’s SD card. For D6502, you can create your own pre-rooted FTF using this guide.
  3. Phone was downgraded to KitKat and rooted, the custom recovery was also installed in the first step.
  4. The phone was updated to pre-rooted Android 5.1.1 Lollipop in the 2nd step.
  5. Now you’re all set to flash the latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
  6. Now you have to turn off phone.
  7. Turn it on again and press volume up or down to enter TWRP recovery.
    1. Now for TWRP recovery, tap Install > scroll all the way to bottom and select the copied pre-rooted firmware.zip file.
    2. After selecting the file, swipe finger from left to right on the bottom to flash.
    3. Once flashed the firmware, flash the bootloop file next.
    4. Now flash the bootloop fix.zip file in the same way on your phone.
    5. Reboot the device.
  8. Now verify root access using an app like Root Checker.
  9. That’s all.

Stuck with something? Reach us out through the comment box below. We would love to help you out.

Credits

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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.

31 COMMENTS

  1. I have updated my xperia z2 to marshmallow and now i need to root it.. i havent unlocked th bootloader yet..suggest me the safe procedure please.. thanks in advance

    • Dear Omar,
      If you have created the pre-rooted d6502 zip file then could you be kind enough to share the file?
      Thank u mate.

  2. Hello plz help i flashed the latest 570 build in sony xperia z2 d6502 3G version. Everything is working fine but camera shutter is not working i am unable to click images plz help

    • @disqus_1i1YADxMaH:disqus try clearing cache of your camera application, if it doesn’t then please try flashing the firmware from scratch.

  3. Hello, I try it and works, but I have a problem with my xperia Z2 (D6503) on 6.0.1 (23.5.A.0.570), because NFC doesn’t work. I try to active and don’t work. Someone has ocurred this error? (and fix it)?

  4. The Mega link for Android 4.4.4 KitKat 23.0.1.A.0.167 FTF file (for C6502, though I wonder if it is C or D) is not working

  5. Got as far as here so far: Download the bootloop fix.zip file and copy it to your phone.
    Mega says I need a decryption key? Where do I find this?

    • @disqus_muCuqVznIX:disqus Download it on your computer by clicking on “Download through your browser” you won’t need the decryption key in that case. I’ve tried downloading the file and the download is working well for me.

  6. Ben Marks Download it on your computer by clicking on “Download through your browser” you won’t need the decryption key in that case. I’ve tried downloading the file and the download is working well for me.

    • the pre rooted zip downloads fine with download in browser, buit bootloop fix still asks for decrypt key, pls upload somewhere else and share link

  7. Great write up, thanks!. You might consider putting ‘and put on SD card’ for items 2. 1. and .) b. but it’s obvious enough once you get to that point.

  8. This is hands down the best root tutorial on the internet for Sony Xperia Z2 6.01.
    Every step is explained extremely detailed and clear.
    Thank you so much Usama Mujtaba…

  9. Hi, after the last step my 6.0.1 is correctly rooted,
    Nevertheless, i can’t access anymore to recovery tool.
    Is it normal?
    regards,

    • @popopcool:disqus The guide only helped you to root the device after installing recovery on an older firmware. That’s why you cannot access recovery anymore.

  10. im so dumb and so excited! I forgot bootloop fix.zip to flash now my phone keep on restarting. need help please! Thanks..

  11. First of all thank you for making this thing and very well explanation!
    just one question that right now im on official marshmallow 6.01 and i want to install prerooted rom of 6.01 …so for this i will follow your step 1 and downgrade,root and install Recovery…now after recovery installation can i directly go to you last step of installing MM 6.0.1 prerooted thing…and skip the lollipop upgrade?
    plz help!

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