The long list of Sony Xperia devices are finally started to find Android Lollipop arriving as a system message via the over the air software update. However, Lollipop is only being used by around 5% of the world’s population across all devices. that leaves many people still running Android 4.4.4 Kitkat. If you are running the software update  namely 23.0.1.A.0.167 — another version of Android 4.4.4 KitKat — you can find out how to root that same build after the jump.

Before you get stuck into the guide for your C6543 Xperia Z2 smartphone, we recommend catching up on the essentials just after the jump so you know everything you need in preparation for the guide.

Xperia Z2

Details of Note

  • The following guide is only made for those who have the C6543 model number Xperia Z2. You can always check what your model number is by navigating over to the Settings > About Device section. You should have the number also displayed on the back of the packaging if you remembered to keep it over the years.
  • Not only do you need that model number mentioned above, but you also want to be running the specific A.0.167 software build which you can also find from the About Device menu.
  • Applying the rooting guide below shouldn’t delete any of the data on your phone. However, if something goes wrong and you are experiencing a shaky operating system or ROM, you might wish to take a factory reset. Doing so will wipe the data such as phone contacts, SMS messages, pictures, your music files, video files and anything else that was on your phone. You can only restore that data if you back it up first.
  • Users can back up the Z2 by downloading one of the third-party application from the Google Play Store such as Helium for Android. You can also use the built-in backup functionality to help you store some of the data.
  • Applying the steps below on your Xperia handset will void the warranty. Most of you don’t have a warranty left anyway, since this smartphone is now several years old. However, some people didn’t buy it brand new. Those people may still have some Z2 warranty left.
  • You ought to turn the Z2 on and log in to your account by unlocking the passcode. Now navigate over to the Developer Options from the Settings and enable the USB Debugging Mode by ticking the box so it’s not empty.
  • Some people do not see the Developer Options from the Settings. Don’t worry, as it likely means it’s just hidden now. You can unlock the Developer Options menu by tapping on the build number seven times.

Rooting the Sony Xperia Z2 running the latest 23.0.1.A.0.167 Android 4.4.4 KitKat software update

1. Head over to this XDA thread and downgrade the firmware.

2. Once done, gain root access by using the toolkit from this page here.

3. Next, it’s time to install the Dual recovery system. You can install the Philz touch recovery and the TWRP recovery from this page.

4. You must make the Android 4.4.4 KitKat rooted image and flash it to the smartphone by following this thread.

5. That surely is not an easy guide. However, you can test that it worked by installing our favorite root checker application from the Google Play Store.