Owning a smartphone these days is more like an adventure. There is so much that can be done with your device that most of the people don’t even know. You might have caught our recent post including mind-boggling things to do with your Android phones. We have OS updates and applications that you can play around with. That proximity is more increased by these small partitions that exist in your device other than the Android OS. Yes, they happen to exist and are a more complicated part of your handset. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t play around with.
These partitions know as recoveries are used to optimize, personalize and customize your device and fix the bugs and lags. Moreover, you can use these to update your Android devices on the newest and latest versions. So you have all the reasons to play around and interact with the inner stuff of your smartphone.
Sony is slowly pushing its update out and if you are in a region where it isn’t out yet and are tempted so much by the new OS firmware that you can’t wait to get your hands on it then I’m here for your rescue! I’ll tell you how you can get yourself the new firmware on your Xperia device. The new Lollipop 5.0.2 update has a some bug fixes under the name of 23.2.A.1.62 firmware. You can flash your Xperia device on the new Lollipop update rather effortlessly if you follow this step by step guide. Do not try it for any other device. Do not try this if you are an amateur or just a rookie. It is tricky and you can brick your device if you do any kind of mistake.
There are some prerequisites that you have to take care of if you want the process to be successful:
- Battery: Make sure that your battery has enough charge so that it doesn’t die while the process is being carried out. If you have insufficient battery, the device may die whilst the process of rooting and it’s highly likely that you’ll end up with a bricked device. So, make sure that you have at least 70% battery before starting the process.
- As we are rooting the Xperia Z3 Compact using a computer, it is mandatory that you have all the necessary drivers i.e. ABD drivers set up on your PC. Click here to install them. The drivers come with the Software Development Kit. Click here to download SDK
- USB debugging: The device will be attached to the computer via a USB so make sure that the USB debugging option is enabled on your device. If not, go to Settings>About phone and tap the ‘Build Number’ option seven to eight times. Go back to the settings and now you’ll see “Developer Options.” Select it an then go to USB debugging to enable it
- Backup: The process wipes out all the data from your device and completely resets it. So it is wise to back up all your important messages, call logs, contacts, photos, notes, music etc.
- You’ll also need the flashtool software for your PC. Click here to download it and then install it on your computer
- If your device has the firmware that was released after October 2014, you’ll have to downgrade your smartphone. You can do that by downloading the FTF file of the older firmware version and flash it on your device. Click here to download an older version of the firmware
- If you don’t have to downgrade and your smartphone is still running on the older firmware, root your device using this and install the recovery file.
- Click here to download the official FTF and HUT dual recovery files in the zip format.
Downgrading your Xperia Z3 Compact
If your device is running on the firmware released after October, you’ll have to downgrade it to root it on the Android 5.0.2. Here’s how.
- Download the required files via the links mentioned above and copy them in the flashtool folder.
- Start the flashtool.
- Once it has loaded, click on the little bolt button on the top left corner. Click on the Flashmode.
- From the menu, select the files that you’ve placed in the flashtool folder.
- Make sure that you untick all the boxes except Wipe Data/Cache/App logs.
- Click on the OK button.
- Once the software has prepared the update, it will give the message to attach your smartphone with the PC.
- Turn off your device completely and wait for a few seconds. Now, press and hold the Volume down button and attach your smartphone with the computer. Keep pressing down the Volume Down button. Make a secure connection of your device with your PC using a USB cable.
- When the process of flashing begins, leave the Volume down button and wait your phone to flash.
- Reboot your phone when the flashing is down.
- Now, open the root kit that you downloaded from the above link.
- Follow the instructions displayed on the screen to root and reboot your device in a moment.
- After it reboots, open the recovery file and again follow the instructions on the phone.
- After all this process is complete, your phone will be rooted and will have a recovery installed on it
This process is only for those running on the newer firmware. If you have the older firmware, please skip this step.
Rooting your Xperia Z3 Compact
So finally it’s time to get your hands on the new firmware by rooting your Xperia device. Here’s how.
- Transfer the flashable zip file on your smartphone using the PRF creator.
- Now, completely turn off your phone and wait for few seconds.
- Turn your phone back on. Press the Volume Up or Don button when your phone vibrates.
- Or smartphone will be in the recovery mode.
- From here, select the factory reset option. Wipe cache also.
- Now, chose the transferred zip file on your phone from recovery by using the volume rockers and the Power Button
- Once you chose the file, the process of recovery will begin.
- When the process is complete, reboot your Xperia device.
- That’s it. You’ve done it!
If you have any questions, or you are facing any kind of difficulty than drop your queries on the comment section below. You can now install the root checker app from our page (Google Play link) and it will usually give a positive result if it’s working. Those still wanting more reading can check out what things to do with a rooted Android.