[Xperia Z1 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] MickieH:
Yes, I had the same problem, there's lots of info on here. There's hundreds of pages to read and it can get confusing.

I'll assume your phone hasn't been messed with. i.e. The bootloader is locked, and it's not rooted, and that you're using a Windows PC.

If you have changed your phone, let us know.

Make sure you have USB debugging turned on in your Developer Options, and Unknown sources in the Security settings.

To enable Developer Options in your settings, go to Settings, About phone, and keep taping Build number until it says 'You are now a Developer'

You'll need to download the latest version of Flashtool from here --> http://www.flashtool.net/download.php

You'll need to install the drivers for your phone too. The driver installer is in the flashtool/drivers folder.

Ok, so this is what I've gathered so far :

This is the link to the steps, thanks to gregbradley --> http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=52407809&postcount=2

If you follow those, you'll end up with a rooted phone with whatever stock based rom you fancy.

Now the following are my thoughts, and what I've learned so far, but I'm not an expert.

My advice would be read more, and make sure you feel comfortable with what you are going to do, before you do it.

If you are unsure about anything, ask.

You'll need to use Flashtool to flash your phone.

The second post here,from DoomLord, shows how to connect your phone in flash mode --> http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2440565 - Basically turn the phone off, then press volume down and connect to the PC via USB when Flashtool tells you to.

I downloaded the .534 ftf from NUT's download page which is here --> http://nut.xperia-files.com/

I downloaded this file --> http://nut.xperia-files.com/?dlid=QzY5MDNfMTQuMS5HLjEuNTM0X1tOVVRdLmZ0Zi50b3JyZW50

You have to download that with your torrent program.

If you don't know how to do that, I've uploaded the ftf to my cloud storage.

You can direct download the .534 ftf here --> https://mega.co.nz/#!mgwkAagR!6_iTB3LwVkGz6yvSaKQsEVPtyaIPq3BJGFCk1EDw9XQ

Place the .534 ftf in the c:/flashtool/firmwares folder

Make sure your phone is fully charged, and back up anything you want keeping, as flashing will wipe your phone.

Now run Flashtool, click the Flash icon (top left) and select the .534 ftf.Flashing the .534 ftf that NUT provided will prevent loss of IMEI.

Don't mess with any settings, and click Flash, and follow the instructions on screen.

That will return your phone to stock 14.1.G.1.534

Download the Z1 Locked Dual Recovery Installer from NUT's page --> http://nut.xperia-files.com/?dlid=WjEtbG9ja2VkZHVhbHJlY292ZXJ5Mi43LjEyMy1CRVRBLmZsYXNoYWJsZS56aXA=

Connect your phone to your PC and run the install.

That will root your phone, and install recovery.

From there you can then install whatever stock based ROM you want.

If you want your phone on KitKat 4.4.2, rooted, with recovery, then download the .757 files from NUT's download page.

You'd need the flashable zip --> http://nut.xperia-files.com/?dlid=QzY5MDNfMTQuMy5BLjAuNzU3LmZsYXNoYWJsZS56aXAudG9ycmVudA==

Download is via torrent.

Flash that zip from recovery.

The stripped part --> http://nut.xperia-files.com/?dlid=QzY5MDNfMTQuMy5BLjAuNzU3X1N0cmlwcGVkLmZ0Zg==

Flash that from Flashtool

That should be it.

Unless your bootloader is unlocked, do not try to flash anything other than stock based roms as it won't work, and will brick your phone.

Hope that helps :good: