[Xperia Z5 General] alphatact1cs:
[GUIDE] Sony Xperia Z5

DISCONTINUED - SEE NEWS !

Last update: 20.06.2016​

This guide will help you to root your phone, install new firmwares, unlock your bootloader and much more. Its splitted into 3 sections: StockRom, CustomROM and Tweaks so you should find things easily. I think if you understood this guide you can easily flash different firmwares, kernels and so on. And now - have fun :)

NEWS

I have to much work to do at the moment to continue this guide. But, the main work is done, now its all about updating the links. If there is something remarkable new, I will add it to my guide.

20.06.2016

- updated links

- minor changes

23.04.2016

- updated download links

- added custom rom (CyanogenMod13)

- some small changes

09.04.2016

- I'm very busy at the moment (exams and hard work). So I cant help you guys that much and cant try new kernels and that kind of stuff :( Plese ask [MENTION=4115953]gm007[/MENTION] or [MENTION=3037651]zacharias.maladroit[/MENTION] if you have problems. I will come back as fast as I can :)

- updated download links

28.03.2016

- updated download links

12.03.2016

- Android 6.0 compatibility check

- updated download links

- graphical revision

14.02.2016

- updated guide to make it more understandable

QUESTION & ANSWER

Which devices are supported by this guide?

- Sony Xperia Z5

- Model number: E6653 / E6603 (for other models use different kernel)

- OS version: Stock Xperia Android 5.1.1 / 6.0

Whats important to know before I start?

- I´m NOT responsible for any damage.

- Keep in mind that unlocking the bootloader can void your warrenty.

- Save your data, all settings and files will be deleted during this process.

- READ THE ENTIRE GUIDE FIRST!

[GUIDE] GENERAL

FASTBOOT

1) POWER OFF phone

2) Hold VOLUME UP

3) Connect to PC via USB

4) LED turns blue

FLASHMODE

1) POWER OFF phone.

2) Hold VOLUME DOWN

3) Connect to PC via USB

4) LED turns green

RECOVERY

a) You can enter TWRP while booting. If the LED turns yellow, hold VOLUME DOWN till it gets orange.

b) Use this command in Minimalistic ADB and FASTBOOT to reboot to recovery:

adb reboot recovery

BOOTLOOP / EMERGENCY POWER OFF

1) Hold POWER OFF and VOLUME UP

2) Device vibrates 3 times

DEVELOPER MODE AND UNNOWN SOURCES]

1) settings -> about phone -> touch build number several times

2) settings -> developer options -> enable USB debugging

3) settings -> security -> enable Unknown sources

PC PERMISSIONS

1) Run Minimalistic ADB and FASTBOOT and FLASHTOOL with admin permissions.

2) Use USB 2.0 ports, sometimes 3.0 ports doesnt work.

[GUIDE] StockROM

# BUGS / ISSUES

E6653_32.1.A.1.163

- camera apps (AR Effect,...) do force close

- filesystem (external SD card) does not refresh automatically, so you cant transfer files you copied to sd card via MTP to PC. Solved via restart. --> also on STOCK ROM

# DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINKS

E6653

Kernel

Z5_AndroPlusKernel_Permissive_v30 (for firmware .163 and .185)

Z5_AndroPlusKernel_Permissive_v31 (for firmware .224)

Recovery

twrp-3.0.2-0-E6653-20160417.img

SuperSu

SuperSU (beta but stable)

# DOWNLOAD LINKS

Windows programs

Sony PC Companion

Minimal ADB and Fastboot

Flashtool + patch file

µTorrent (for downloading Flashtool)

Android

AndoPlusKernel

TWRP

# GUIDE

BOOTLOADER STATUS

The bootloader loads the kernel. If unlock isnt allowed, the bootloader will prevent loading a custom kernel.

1) type *#*#7378423#*#* into dialer / phone app

2) service info --> configuration --> rooting status

3) if bootloader unlock allowed says YES, you can continue. If bootloader unlock isnt allowed you CAN NOT root your phone.

INSTALLING PROGRAMS

Flashtool

1) install µTorrent

2) download torrent file from Flashtool website

3) run downloaded torrent file via µTorrent

4) download Flashtool via µTorrent

! You can close and or delete µTorrent now, you will not need it anymore

5) install Flastool

6) open install directory from flashtool and replace x10flasher.jar with new patch

OTHER

1) install all other programs

INSTALL / CHECK DRIVERS

Windows 7 and lower

1) open Flashtool install directory

2) open driver folder

3) run Flashtool-drivers.exe

4) install Flashmode and Fastboot drivers

Windows 8 and higher

1) restart computer with digital driver signature disabled (you have to do this every time you restart your pc)

http://www.howtogeek.com/167723/how...8.1-so-that-you-can-install-unsigned-drivers/

2) open Flashtool install directory

2) open driver folder

3) run Flashtool-drivers.exe

4) install Flashmode and Fastboot drivers

! There are no Z5 drivers yet, that’s why you need Sonys PC Companion!

! Flashtool drivers were updated, try the new Z5 drivers before installing Sony PC Companion.

Sony PC Companion

1) run Sony PC Companion

2) connect your Xperia Smartphone

3) wait till it has been detected

4) close Sony PC Companion, you dont need it anymore

ADB driver check

1) enable Developer options and Unknown sources

2) run Minimal ADB and Fastboot

3) type

adb devices

4) allow dialog on your phone

5) check if your device is shown in command window

fastboot driver check

1) run Minimal ADB and Fastboot

2 put device in FASTBOOT mode

3) type

fastboot devices

in Minimal ADB and Fastboot

4) check if your device is shown in command window

! When connecting phone in flashmode or fastboot additional drivers will be installed automatically.

! Installing drivers twice can solve problems.

UNLOCK BOOTLOADER

1) open Flashtool

2) click on BLU (Bootloader Unlock)

3) follow the instructions shown by Flashtool

4) you will be forwarded to a Sony website

5) follow the instructions there

6) at the end you will receive a key

7) save this key carefully!

8) enable Enable OEM unlock in developer options

9) copy KEY into Flashtool prompt and click unlock

! You can try to use Flashtool for unlocking first, or continue with step 10.

10) open Minimal ADB and Fastboot

11) your phone has to be in Fastboot mode

12) check if your phone is shown by

fastboot devices

13) enter the following code:

fastboot –i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY_FROM_SONY

14) reboot (that can take a long time, so dont worry)

DOWNLOAD XPERIA FIRMWARE - OPTIONAL

If you want to update, upgrade or reset your ROM.

1) open Flashtool

2) click on XperiFirm

3) downloading…..

4) in XperiFirm select your device then choose your preferred firmware (e.g. Z5 --> E6653 ---> Customized DE --> 32.0.A.6.200 R12B)

5) in the right column double click the latest firmware and start download

6) Unpack automatically has to be checked

7) after downloading close download window and XperiFirm

8) now Flashtool should start doing things

! You can identify your phone model by: Settings -->About phone--> Diagnostics

FLASH NEW FIRMWARE - OPTIONAL

If you want to update, upgrade or reset your ROM.

1) in Flashtool click on Flash device and choose your firmware

2) under "Wipe", check all (APPS_LOG, DIAG, SSD, USERDATA)

3) click flash and follow the instructions

4) after successful installation reboot phone (that can take a long time, so dont worry)

! You can flash a new ROM without unlocking your bootloader.

FLASH KERNEL

The kernel has direct control of the hardware.

1) download latest Kernel from download section (AndroPlusKernel is only for E6653 models)

2) extract ZIP

3) put boot.img from zip into your root directory from Minimal ADB and Fastboot

4) put phone into fastboot mode

5) run Minimal ADB and Fastboot and check with

fastboot devices

6) type in:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

7) restart phone and look if its working

! If you end up in a bootloop with the LED flashing 3-4 times try to flash Kernel and Recovery again. If this doesnt help, reflash firmware, kernel and recovery.

FLASH RECOVERY

The recovery is something like the boot menu you may know from windows. Its mainly used to install programs and apps.

1) download latest TWRP from download section

2) put twrp.img into your root directory from Minimal ADB and Fastboot

4) put phone into fastboot mode

5) run Minimal ADB and Fastboot and check with

fastboot devices

6) type in:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

! You can rename twrp image to twrp.img or something shorter if you want.

7) after the first boot - do a reboot into recovery. Otherwise the partitions won't be mounted correctly & flashing will run into trouble. It takes several seconds (or a few minutes) to reboot into recovery - but then you're good to go.

ROOT

Some apps need more permissions than normal. You can compare root with administrator rights on windows.

1) download UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.67.zip

2) copy UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.67.zip to your internal memory

3) enter TWRP

4) click Install

5) navigate through folder structure

6) tap UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.67.zip

7) "Swipe to confirm flash"

8) reboot

RESTORE DRM KEYS

Unlocking the bootloader disables a partition on your phone where software keys are saved. Without this keys xReality, BIONZ, audio processing arent available. This program will restore this features.

! Take a look if xReality is already working before installing DRM keys.

1) download DRM RESTORE (drmrestore.zip) from download section

2) copy drmrestore.zip to your external sd card

3) enter TWRP

4) click Install

5) navigate through folder structure

6) tap drmrestore.zip

7) "Swipe to confirm flash"

8) reboot

! Unfortunately, there is no way to save the original TA partition at the moment.

[GUIDE] CustomROM

# CyanogenMod 13_Alpha for E6653 and E6603

CyanogenMod is a free, community built, aftermarket firmware distribution of Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), which is designed to increase

performance and reliability over stock Android for your device.

### XDA Z5_CyanogenMod 13 Link ###

# AromaROM with Installer for Z5 E6853 / E6883 / E6653

AROMA is a custom ROM with nice tweaks, but it has some serious bugs. I used it for 2 month and there are several issues: random reboot, screen turn off during calling and does not turn on again, problems with notification bar, ... .

### XDA ROMAur Link ###

1) install stock lollipop rom

3) for E68xx models install recovery and kernel for your device

4) For E66xx models install twrp-2.8.7.0-E6653-20151130_material.img and kernel for your device

5) copy ROMAur to your external sd card

6) enter recovery

7) make a full wipe (Wipe --> Factory reset)

8) install ROMAur

9) Reboot

[TWEAKS]

XPOSED

ONLY FOR 5.1.1: When you want to install Xposed you have to deodex your system or install an already deodexes ROM. Without this procedure the camera and other apps wont work. Use this guide to solve this: http://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/z4-z5-z5c-fix-camera-fc-installing-t3246962

XDA Thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3034811

1) download xposed-v85-sdk23-arm64.zip and XposedInstaller_3.0_alpha4.apk [Android 6.0 versions]

2) copy xposed-v79-sdk23-arm64.zip and XposedInstaller_3.0_alpha4.apk to your internal memory

3) enter TWRP

4) click Install

5) navigate through folder structure

6) tap xposed-v79-sdk23-arm64.zip

7) "Swipe to confirm flash"

8) reboot

9) install XposedInstaller_3.0_alpha4.apk

10) reboot

useful Xposed Moduless

APM+

Xperia / AOSP NavBar Buttons

OGYoutube + OGYoutube Xposed Login Fix

Flat Style Colored Bars

DISABLE SmallApps

SmallApps is that little bar in the overview screen.

1) power on phone

2) unlock your phone (open homescreen)

3) open Minimal ADB and Fastboot

4) type:

adb shell
pm hide com.sony.smallapp.launcher
pm hide com.sony.smallapp.app.widget
exit

5) after this, type:

adb reboot

! If you know what youre doing, you can simply delete all the SmallApp stuff via ROOT Uninstaller.