Update Sony Xperia Z1 Compact To AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow Custom ROM

Xperia Z1 Compact was recently updated to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. A sad news for Xperia Z1 Compact owners is, this is the last firmware update that this device ever got. Sony might roll out software improvement updates in future, but Xperia Z1 Compact won’t be getting any further version of Android. This may be because of hardware limitations, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow needs an upgraded hardware to work on. The official software support may end, but as long as we have some developers working to keep these devices alive, we won’t be setting ourselves on a lower version of Android. To fulfil the Marshmallow appetite, XDA member Ev3rtH has brought us the AOSP based Android 6.0 Marshmallow for our beloved Xperia Z1 Compact.

The ROM is in early development stages and isn’t meant to be for everyday use. While we are going to show you how you can install this AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow on your Xperia Z1 Compact, you need to keep in mind that you should only proceed if you are an Android power user and you also know how to handle custom ROMs if anything goes wrong on your phone. Some of the features may not work in this ROM, but we expect the future builds to fix the bugs. Let’s go ahead and flash AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow on Xperia Z1 Compact.

Early Preparations:

• This guide is intended for Sony Xperia Z1 Compact only. Do not try this on any other device.
• Charge your phone’s battery up to 50% to avoid any power issues during the flashing process.
• Download and install Minimal ADB & Fastboot drivers on your computer. You can also our guide to install ADB & Fastboot drivers on Mac OS X.
• Your Xperia Z1 Compact’s bootloader must be unlocked. Learn here to unlock bootloader of Xperia smartphones.
• Install CWM or TWRP recovery on your Xperia Z1 Compact using this guide.
• Create a Nandroid backup of your current system. Also backup your important contacts, call logs and text messages. This is important in case you’ve to wipe your phone, you will still have access to all of your data.
• Enable USB debugging mode on your Xperia Z1 Compact.

Disclaimer: Unlocking bootloader and flashing custom ROMs voids the warranty of device. In case of any mishap, Techbeasts or Sony may not be held responsible. Make sure that you’re going to do everything at your own risk.

Required Downloads

• Download Android 6.0 Marshmallow AOSP files for Xperia Z1 Compact
• Download Google GApps.zip file for Android 6.0 Marshmallow (For Xperia Z1 Compact only)
• Download SuperSu.zip file

How To Install AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow Custom ROM On Xperia Z1 Compact

Step#1: Now go to your Windows drive (i.e. C drive) > Program files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.

Step#2: Copy all the ROM files (boot.img, cache.img, system.img etc) to this Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.

Step#3: Now connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode. To do so, turn off your Xperia Z1 Compact completely. Now press and hold Volume Up and plug the data cable in. Your phone will be connected to your PC in fastboot mode.

Step#4: Now open the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder from Program files and open “Py_cmd.exe” file.

Step#5: Now in the command window, issue the following commands one by one.

fastboot devices

This will verify the connection of your device in fastboot mode.

fastboot flash boot boot.img

This will flash the boot into your device in order to make the Marshmallow firmware boot up.

fastboot flash cache cache.img

This will flash the cache partition on your device.

fastboot flash system system.img

This will flash the AOSP Android Marshmallow system.

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

This will flash the userdata of the target ROM.

Step#6: Once all of the above steps are done, reboot your phone.

How To Install Google GApps

1. Copy the downlaoded GApps.zip file to your Xperia Z1 Compact.
2. Now boot into TWRP or CWM recovery on your Xperia Z1 Compact. To do so, turn off your phone completely. Now turn it on and as soon as you see the boot screen press Volume Up or Down key to boot into TWRP or CWM.
3. Now depending on your recovery, select the install zip option  and locate the GApps.zip file. Flash the file and reboot.
4. You’re all done and you’ve installed GApps as well.

How To Root AOSP Android Marshmallow on your Xperia Z1 Compact

1. Copy the downlaoded SuperSu.zip file to your Xperia Z1 Compact.
2. Now boot into TWRP or CWM recovery on your Xperia Z1 Compact. To do so, turn off your phone completely. Now turn it on and as soon as you see the boot screen press Volume Up or Down key to boot into TWRP or CWM.
3. Now depending on your recovery, select the install zip option  and locate the SuperSu.zip file. Flash the file and reboot.
4. You’re all done and you’ve rooted your Xperia Z1 Compact running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

That’s all. In case you’re stuck with something, feel free to reach us out through the comment box below. Thanks all.