[Xperia SP General] RandomUser017:
Driver installation for the Xperia SP (on Windows)

For Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 (skip bcdedit stuff if you are on Windows 7, Vista or XP):

Since Windows 8, Microsoft added a new "security" feature where

unsigned

drivers do not get installed. Our phone drivers are not signed that's why I didn't manage to install FlashTool drivers. You can "bypass" this by enabling test-signing mode. Just follow these steps:

Right-click on the start menu, select command promt (as Administrator) and enter this:

bcdedit -set nointegritychecks on
bcdedit -set testsigning on

Now you can install all unsigned drivers.

ADB Drivers

ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge and can be used to interact with the phones file system.

Download the Universal ADB Driver from here. Your device needs to be connected while installing the drivers.

Flashmode and Fastboot Drivers

Flashmode is used to flash firmware (Pre-installed Sony "ROM") and kernels (Pre-installed Sony kernel).

Fastboot is mainly used to flash kernels and system partitions. But it also has other powerful tools.

You should have FlashTool installed, if not download it from here and install it. After installing FlashTool open it, wait until it's done loading and close it. Now follow these steps:

1. Open the folder where you installed FlashTool (usually in C:\FlashTool\) and go in the "drivers" folder and open the "Flashtool-drivers.exe" file.

2. Select "Fastboot" and "Flashmode" drivers and click on install. Select "Install anyways" when asked.

PC Companion

PC Companion installs all official (USB) drivers and has many features like importing/exporting contacts, photos and a lot more. But in this tutorial I will only show how to install the drivers

The driver will get installed once you plugin your phone (without Flashmode or Fastboot). Download PC Companion from here.

Now connect your phone (without Flashmode or Fastboot) to your PC via USB while FlashTool is open. Wait a moment (30 seconds) so FlashTool can find your device and install phone-drivers and after that close FlashTool and also disconnect your phone.

Now open the command promt again and enter this to disable test-signing mode because it isn't very safe to keep test-signing mode enabled as other malware-software can be installed.

bcdedit -set nointegritychecks off
bcdedit -set testsigning off

Now you have all drivers installed.

Disconnect your phone from your PC or charger

. Now shut down your phone:

For unbricked phones:

Hold the power button and select shut down.

For bricked phones:

Take off the back cover and hold on the "Off" hole.

Button Pressed and hold for 5 seconds | resets the battery, its like removing the battery and putting it back in.

Button Pressed and hold for 6-10 seconds | will power off hard, device will power down (wait until it vibrates 3x and quickly let go).

Your phone must be off Now you have the option to:

Go into Flashmode and flash stock firmware (to recover if you are bricked or if you just want your stock firmware back):

Open FlashTool

Hold the volume up key (don't let go) and connect to your PC. If you see a green light, you did it right.

Go into Fastboot mode and flash a custom kernel (with recovery):

Open FlashTool

Hold the volume down key (don't let go) and connect to your PC. If you see blue light, you did it right.

Boot normally:

Hold the power button for 3 seconds and boot normally.

If I helped you, leave a "Thank" and if you have a question just ask ;)