[Xperia Z1 General] preacher47:
After hours of trying different methods to root the z1, and struggling with chinese based apps ... and accidentally wiping the phone ..... nothing manage to root the phone. until i came across the following,

anyways to make life easy i have complied all the steps that you need to do to root the phone from 3 seperate guides. I didnt write this article i just compiled it for easy reading ;)

http://techbeasts.com/2013/12/19/in...ng-latest-14-2-0-a-290-firmware-how-to-guide/

http://techbeasts.com/2013/12/18/in...ers-quickly-with-minimal-tool-on-windows-pc/

http://techbeasts.com/2013/12/18/how-to-unlock-bootloader-of-sony-xperia-devices-guide/

This guide is only for Sony Xperia Z1 C6903/2.

1. Do not try this on any other model, please check your device’s mode in Settings > About Device.

2. The CWM / TWRP recovery is only for Xperia Z1 C6903/C6902 running latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean 14.2.A.0.290 firmware. Check your firmware version in Settings > About Device and make sure that it matches the one mentioned here.

3. You must have installed Android ADB & Fastboot drivers.

TO INSTALL ADB & Fastboot Drivers tool:

a. Download the Minimal ADB & Fastboot Drivers tool: Link 1 | Link 2

b. Run the minimaltool.exe file that you downloaded and install the tool.

c. You can run the tool now by either through the Start menu, through the icon that you created on the desktop or by opening Program files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot > Right click on an empty area while keeping the shift key pressed and click on “Open Command Window Here”. ( NOTE: just double clicking on the desktop icon opens the command prompt window)

d. Use the Command prompt to do whatever you want now!

e. To install any .img file, you will have to place that file in the Minimal Tool folder that is located under Program files. (in win8.1 its : C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot)

f. To access the Fastboot mode, you’ll have to first bring the Fastboot mode on your device and then connect it. E.g on HTC devices you can highlight Fastboot mode by accessing it through HBoot and then connect it, while on Sony you can turn off the device and then while keeping the back or volume up key pressed plug in the USB cable.

That’s All! You’ve successfully installed Android ADB & Fastboot drivers. I hope that it didn’t take more than 2 minutes for you.

4. Your device must have an unlocked bootloader. This is the slightly troublesome part but its straight forward.

How to Unlock Bootloader

Install Android ADB & Fastboot Drivers using the quick setup with Minimal tool. Find the guide here.

Now first of all you need to check if your device’s bootloader unlocking is allowed or not, to do so open the dailer on your device.

Type *#*#7378423#*#*.

As soon as you enter the above code, a menu will open up.

Tap Service info > Configuration > Bootloader Unlock. If it says Yes, that means bootloader unlocking is allowed, else you can also find out if the Bootloader is already unlocked.

Now in the dialer type “*#06#”, you should get the IMEI number of your phone. Note it down somewhere

After verifying the bootloader unlock permission, turn off your device completely.

Now open the Minimal ADB and Fastboot command prompt, that you created using the guide above.

Press the back key or Volume Up key on your Xperia Device and connect it to your PC while keeping the key pressed. The back key works for older Xperia devices, while for newer devices Volume Up key will work.

In case you are trying to unlock the bootloader of your Sony Xperia Z1, please make sure that it’s running on latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware. If you tried to unlock bootloader on Android 4.2.2 firmware, it will cause the camera crash on your device.

In the command prompt type: fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version and press enter, you should get a response now e.g (0.3). This step is to verify that your device is properly connected or not.

Now open this Pageand accept the legal terms and conditions by Sony to unlock the bootloader.

After accepting the legal terms and conditions, enter your name, your phone’s IMEI number (Remove the last digit of IMEI number) and your email and click Submit button

You should receive an email by Sony immediately, the email has the Key to unlock your phone’s bootloader.

Now again in the command prompt type this com: fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY. Repalce KEY with the code that you got in the email by Sony and hit Enter.

As soon as you hit Enter, the bootloader will be unlocked and show you logs in the command prompt.

5 . Please make sure that your phone’s battery is charged at least over 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any power issues during the recovery flashing process.

6. Please make sure that you backup all of your important media content, contacts, call logs and important text messages. This is highly recommended so that in case something goes wrong, you can still restore your data.

7. Use only OEM data cable to establish connection between your PC and Phone.

8. Now that the basics are done.... this is how to root

How to Install TWRP / CWM Recovery on Xperia Z1 C6903 and C6902:

Download your desired recovery.img file:

i recommend philz advance cwm , its easier and you arent required to download supersu

Philz Advance CWM Recovery for Xperia Z1 C6903/2

CWM Recovery for Xperia Z1 C6903/2

TWRP Recovery for Xperia Z1 C6903/2

Place the downloaded Recovery.img file in the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder that you created using our ADB & Fastboot Quick Setup Guide.

If you are using Android ADB & Fastboot full package, you can place the downloaded Recovery.img file in the Fastboot folder or in the Platform-tools folder.

Open the folder where you placed the Recovery.img file. E.g Minimal ADB & Fastboot or Fastboot or Platform Tools. (in win8.1 its : C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot)

Press and hold the shift key and right click on an empty area within the folder, and click on “Open Command Window Here”.

Turn off your Xperia Z1 completely.

Now press the Volume Up Key and while keeping it pressed plug in the USB cable.

You should see a blue light in the notification light of your phone, that means your device is now connected in Fastboot mode.

Now type the following command: Fastboot Flash boot Recoveryname.img

You may rename the recovery.img file for your ease of access and replace it with Recoveryname in the command to flash it.

Hit Enter and it will quickly flash CWM / TWRP recovery in your Xperia Z1.

How to Root Sony Xperia Z1 C6903 and C6902:

WITH PhilZ Advance CWM without installing SuperSu:

Boot into recovery (when the sony logo appears on boot press volume up volume down until the recovery loads)

Select Reboot System Now

Select Root device

Your phone will restart

Congrats! You’re rooted now.

WITH SuperSu:

Download the latest SuperSu.zip file.

Place the downloaded SuperSu.zip file on your phone’s sd card.

Boot into CWM / TWRP recovery on your phone.

Select Install Zip / Install > Choose Zip from SD / Ext Sd card > SuperSu.zip

Select Yes and let it flash SuperSu.

As soon as flashing is done, reboot your device.

Find SuperSu in App drawer.

Congrats! You’re rooted now.