[Xperia Z1 General] Deathschythe33:
Hey OP! Yeah you joedeveloper I'm talking to you!

First off all, thank you for this guide. Did you think I was going to curse or something? Hahaha. I hope you did so I can get your attention. Thank you so much for this guide.

Ok, so here's the info about my phone:

1. Telecom Provider: Smart Communications Philippines

2. Phone Brand: Sony

3. Model number: C6903

4. Model name: Xperia Z1

5. Customization: 1277-5079_R1D

6. Firmware Version: 14.5.A.0.270 (5.0.2)

7. Bootloader Unlock Allowed: Yes

Unit acquired as a 2nd hand unit. I had it open lined since then -which means it is no longer locked to just one Telecom provider, but since it is running a stock ROM, all the junk the Telecom provider has is still in it.

So the reason why I am posting this is so those that are new to the Sony Xperia Z1 would be aware that this can be done pretty easy. I have read people posting that they have gone through this guide and have since hard/soft bricked their phones. So, by sharing my experience, maybe I can help a little.

Please do note however that I am not a Developer, nor Am I to be held accountable in case you do something completely wrong and end up with a very expensive paper weight. I am not accountable for any files you may loose as well (in case there are any)

So without further ado, here are the steps I took.

1. Root your phone using Kingroot

Since I failed to find any easy way of rooting my phone, I went ahead and followed Waledac 's guide on how to root my Z1 running 5.0.2.

To view his thread, please click HERE.

2. Replace Kingroot with SuperSU

After successfully rooting my phone with Kingroot, the next step is to replace Kingroot with SuperSU.

Waledac 's guide also discussed how that is completed.

3. Install [NUT] 's DualXZ1Recovery

You'll want to go and read [NUT] 's guide. To view his thread, please click HERE.

I used the Windows installer version of [NUT] 's DualXZ1Recovery 2.8.21. You can download it HERE.

4. Create a Pre-rooted Flashable Firmware using PRFCreator

I read your thread joedeveloper, and followed it with a few changes.

CHANGE #1: I used C6903_1277-5079_R1D_14.5.A.0.270_SmartPH.ftf, which I downloaded using XperiFirm. Why? Let's just say I'm proud to be a Filipino.

CHANGE #2: I am already running Lollipop 5.0.2, not Kitkat 4.4.4. Why? When Z1 was release in the Philippines, it already has Lollipop 5.0.2 on it. I do not have a source for Kitkat 4.4.4 with the same customization number. I think I'm hearing a question -"Why do you need to have the SmartPH customization number?" Well, the customization is for the Philippines, and I am a very proud Filipino. Lame excuse -F### me right?! Hehehe

5. Flash the Pre-rooted Flashable Firmware through Recovery

So now that I have a Pre-rooted Flashable firmware, I now proceeded in flashing my self-made zip.

6. Flash the 1277-5079_R1D ROM using Flashtool

Next, flash the rest of the 1277-5079-R1D ROM.

In this part, I followed your step-by-step guide. No changes -meaning whatever you advised to put a tick mark on, I did.

For those following this post, please read joedeveloper 's guide step-by-step HERE. Do not follow the changes I mentioned, unless your a Filipino or you want a ROM with a Philippine customization number on your phone.

And that's it. My Z1 is now running a stock rooted 14.5.A.0.270_1277-5079-R1D firmware with SuperSU and Dual Recovery installed.

----

If you read through the steps I did, it sounds very redundant. Evidently, I already have a stock rooted ROM hence I was able to install a custom Recovery. With the on-going talks here in XDA about Kingroot being shady and all -requiring internet connection to root a phone, the Chinese keeping tabs on your device info and cloning it, etc. I just want to somehow "clean up" the ROM so to speak. By having a rooted phone, I can install a custom recovery. Once I have a custom recovery, I can then install the pre-rooted ROM I did myself, then flash the rest of the ROM through Flashtool. No offense to the developers of Kingroot. I do not want to start a word-war here. I'm just stating the things I have read.

What's so special about customization number 1277-5079-R1D? Nothing really. Maybe you can call it Patriotism. Filipino guy, Philippines... Doesn't ring a bell? Ok, Filipino, Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. Does it ring a bell now? Hehehe.