Last Updated on April 13, 2022 by Mathew Diekhake

These are the steps to root the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact running on Android 4.3 operating systems. The Android 4.3 is part of the “Jelly Bean” Android OS, where Android name each version after a treat.

We are unchaining the Zperia Z1 Compact with the work of DooMLoRD. The difference with our guides compared to many others comes with the ADB you must install. Many guides will direct you to install the full Android SDK and set up platform-tools which is not required at all unless you are a developer for apps.

Sony-Xperia-Z1-Compact

During this guide we will link you through to ADB for each operating system. Follow that guide for installing ADB on the operating systems you use. It can be Windows, Mac or even Linux.

Our guides only teach you how to install ADB for each operating system; they do not teach you how to enter the commands for each operating system. You will need to research how to use fastboot for Linux or Mac if you are using one of those operating systems. Our guide for entering the ADB commands from the command line is for Windows.

Files You Need

  1. You must have the Xperia Z1 Compact’s bootloader unlocked before you can follow this guide.
  2. Set up ADB for Windows, ADB for Mac or ADB for Linux — depending on your operating system.
  3. Download the ClockworkMod recovery file for the Z1 Compact from this page.
  4. You are voiding the warranty when you choose to root the Xperia Z1 Compact. You can unroot the device and get the warranty working again.

Rooting the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

  1. Start by enabling the USB Debugging Mode from the Developer Options menu by tapping on the Menu > Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging Mode.
  2. Download the CWM recover directly to the Windows PC and shift it over to the desktop.
  3. Rename the CWM file from Z1c_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-114_v01.img to recovery.img.
  4. Open the ADB folder and shift the CWM recovery file to the same folder.
  5. Hold the Shift key and right-click the mouse to bring up a new menu from the Windows OS. Choose to open a new command prompt window here from that menu.
  6. Connect the Z1 Compact to the computer with the USB cable.
  7. Type the first command of: adb devices
  8. Type the second command of: adb reboot bootloader
  9. Type the third command of: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
  10. Type your last command one the recovery finishes installing: fastboot reboot
  11. Download the SuperSU from this page directly to the computer and move it over to the internal storage SD card. Make sure it’s on the root of the SD card.
  12. Now your Xperia Z1 Compact will reboot in normal mode. All you need to do from here is learn how to boot the device up in the custom recovery mode. Those of you with root access already can use the Quick Boot app. Those wanting to get root access will have to use the hardware key method to reach recovery mode. The same buttons will work on the Z1 Compact for the stock recovery and custom recovery modes.
  13. Choose the Install option from the recovery menu and browse the SD card for the SuperSU file. Confirm you do want to install that SuperSU file and it will automatically be installed thanks to the handy work of your custom recovery.

Go back to the main recovery menu, choose the reboot system option from the list and your Sony Xperia Z1 Compact will reboot back up in the normal mode.