[Xperia Z1 Compact General] colaigor:
NOTE: DON'T HOLD ANYONE RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG DURING THE PROCESS!

This thread contains full information you might need for rooting, backing up TA partition, unlocking bootloader, installing custom recovery, installing custom rom etc.

Some notes below, read them

-I try to keep this thread clean so people have easier time navigating. @derjango has ALOT of info and fixes on his THREAD which is related to this one, give it a read

-Read comments if you have problems. You may find answer and fix there by other users. I wrote this thread few months after I did these steps to my phone so I likely made mistakes (e.g. I forgot or got some steps wrong). If you do see those mistakes or have problems that nobody else has, feel free to ask in comments.

-We will use legit rooting methods and not those sketchy one click root apps

-These instructions may apply for other z line devices but you will have to find ftf files for your own device

-Written for 14.6.A.1.236 firmware but it will work on any version that you have currently.

0. PREPARATIONS

Backup all your data (photos, videos, contacts etc.)

Fully charge your battery

Enable USB debugging

Download the following:

Latest XperiaCompanion from HERE (for drivers mainly)

Sony flashtool from HERE

Follow THIS thread to install adb drivers

Navigate to your C:\Flashtool\drivers and run Flashtool-drivers

Select Flashmode drivers, Fastboot drivers and Xperia Z1 Compact drivers and click install

Now download THIS and THIS and put it in C:\Users\username\.flashTool\firmwares

(Windows 8/8.1/10 users can try - THIS fix if you can't install flashtool drivers)

1. FLASHING .108 FIRMWARE

1.1. Run Flashtool and click on lightning button, make sure flashmode is selected and hit Ok

1.2. In left window click on + symbol until you find 14.4.A.0.108

1.3. Under wipe check both options

1.4. Click Flash

1.5. Wait

1.6. Follow the on screen instructions

(You can release vol- when you see activity in flashtool window)

(If you get device disconnected just unplug phone and repeat all from step 1.1)

1.7. Don't touch anything until blue progress bar disappears. You should see Device disconnected> Device connected in flash mode.

(Don't worry if bar gets stuck near end just let it do it's thing)

1.8. Disconnect phone and reboot

1.9. Done!!!

(Do only basic setup, we won't be staying on this rom for long)

2. ROOTING .108 FIRMWARE

2.1. Make sure USB debugging is enabled

2.2. Download THIS Easy Root Tool by zxz0O0

2.3. Unzip and run install.bat

2.4. Download SuperSu apk form HERE put it in internal storage and install it.

2.5. Update binary normally.

2.6. Done!!! You should have root now.

(Download Root Checker to make sure you do)

3. TA PARTITION BACKUP

(NOTE: This is absolutely not necessary and is only needed if you plan to go back to stock firmware AND use BionZ, X-Reality and Music ID/Gracenote. TA partition and DRM keys stored inside get erased when you unlock bootloader.

3.1 Download THIS Backup TA v9.11 by DevShaft

3.2. Extract and run Backup-TA.bat. You should see backup>TA backup.zip in main folder where you extracted

3.3. Backup whole folder to cloud since you can't flash someone's else backup if you loose yours

3.4. Done!!!

(Read linked thread for useful information and FAQ)

4. UNLOCKING BOOTLOADER

4.1. Dial *#06# on your device. You will see your IMEI code

4.2. Go HERE and scroll to bottom

4.3. Under select device select Z1 Compact and enter your IMEI code

4.4. Check the 2 boxes and click on submit. You will get your unlock code. Copy it to clipboard

4.5. Run Flashtool again and click on "BLU" button

4.6. Connect phone in flashmode.

4.7. When prompted, enter your unlocking code that you copied form SONY website

4.8. Click unlock.

(Follow any instructions that flashtool gives you. I don't remember if there are any after this)

4.9. Done!!! Your bootloader is unlocked!

5. FLASHING RECOVERY

This is how I did it. You can try to skip step 5.2. If it doesn't work try again following all steps

5.1. Download THIS TWRP by 115ek and extract recovery image in new folder

5.2. Run Flashtool and flash 14.6.A.1.236 just like you did with .108 in first step (If you have problems here see THIS comment)

5.3. Now without rebooting or disconnecting your phone flash THIS open bootloader with flashtool just like you flashed system ftf-s.

5.4. Disconnect your phone and press volume up and connect your data cable. You should see blue led.

5.5. Now enter that folder where you extracted recovery image and press shift and right click in empty window area and select Open Command window here (Powershell for windows 10 users should work fine I think. Never used it)

5.6. Type "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" and hit enter.

5.6 Done!!! You should have your recovery now.

To reboot to recovery first disconnect your phone and hold volume down and power button. Release power button when phone vibrates but keep holding volume down until you see twrp logo.

AND THAT IS IT

Now that you have your recovery and unlocked bootloader you can flash whatever roms, kernels, mods that you want for your phone.

Thanks to:

derjango for his thread mentioned above

munjeni For supplying open bootloader ftf and for giving me support with my problems

Androxyde For Flashtool

Snoop05 For ADB driver tool

zxz0O0 For Root tool And PRF Creator tool

DevShaft For Backup TA tool

115ek For TWRP

[NUT] For XZDualRecovery

kulvertti For SuperSu Dummy