[F31xx][F32xx][Guide][MM] How to root your Xperia XA (as noob friendly as possible)

rrvuhpg · Aug 1, 2016

Hi all,

I'm happy to share with you an updated guide on how to root the Xperia XA and Ultra, big thanks to @luis1981 for the update.

This guide is Only for Marshmallow (Android 6.0), for Nougat (Android 7.0) it's here: https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xa/how-to/f31xx-how-to-root-xperia-xa-noob-t3638727

## How to root the Sony Xperia XA

The Sony Xperia XA is a midrange smartphone with a bezeless design. It has adequate specs and run Android aptly. These aspects make this phone a great daily driver, however the Sony stock Android is plagued with trashware and all the hurdles Android itself has several privacy problems.

By rooting the phone one can circumvent these limitations. You will be able to install the Xposed framework, improve sound with Viper4Android, block hosts, install dns-crypt and improve overall customability. In the follwing sections I will present the steps to root your phone.

But before proceeding a word of caution (or why you wouldn't like to root your phone):

1. Unlocking your BootLoader will void your warranty, break your device DRM and lose X-Reality and image optimisation on low light when taking pictures, I found a workaround here: http://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672, use zip for Z3+ devices.
2. You can save your DRM keys (TA backup) by following this guide: http://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236. You have to do it BEFORE unlocking the bootloader, for now you can't restore your backup.
3. You can re-lock your phone but it will not restore DRM
4. Unlocking your bootloader will wipe the device (factory reset)
5. If you have confidential files in your phone don't unlock your bootloader, as long as your phone is locked your data are officially secured.

## Method

1. Find out whether if you bootloader is unlocked, which is needed to proceed. Type: *#*#7378423#*#* then choose Service info ---> Configuration ---> Check for "Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes". At this point if the phone has No or any other answer at the screen you shouldn't porceed as rooting will be impossible.

2. Download XA ADB and Fastboot drivers: https://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/drivers/

3. Download FLASHTOOL with integrated Xperifirm 0.9.22.3 for Windows, note that you can also use it to unlock your bootloader(http://www.flashtool.net/downloads_windows.php)

4. Follow the official Sony instructions for getting the unlock code from [here](https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/). Further paste the code in BLU menu of Flashtool. You can also find video instructions [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lKWd5LlUoA).

5. Root Your Stock Rom with TWRP and in order to do that you will need the proper files for your phone version:

SuperSu zip package for all XA: http://www.supersu.com/download

For XA single sim = F3111, F3113, F3115

TWRP recovery: https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xa/development/f3111-f3113-f3115-twrp-recovery-xa-t3606488

Boot: https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xa/development/f3111-f3113-f3115-stock-kernels-built-t3573119

For XA dual sim = F3112,F3116

TWRP recovery: https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xa/development/f3112-f3116-twrp-recovery-xa-dual-sim-t3606232

Boot: https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xa/development/f3112-f3116-stock-kernels-built-sources-t3526496

6. Copy SuperSu zip package on your MicroSD.

7. Enter the phone in Fastboot mode (when power off, hold Vol+ and plug the phone). The led should be blue.

8. Flash recovery and boot with "fastboot flash boot boot.img" and "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" commands (rename downloaded boot/recovery image if needed). The simplest way is to use fastboot from Flashtool in x10flasher folder, copy recovery and boot in it, open command prompt, flash them and then delete them.

9. Unplug the phone, hold "Vol-" and "Power" buttons. Release all buttons after phone vibrate.

10. You are in TWRP recovery, on password prompt press "Cancel"

11. On next screen press "Swipe to allow".

12. Go to "Install", "Select Storage", click "Micro SDCard". Optionally, you can format "userdata" partition now and remove internal encrytion for restoring TWRP backups/acces of /data partition, go to "wipe" and tap "format data".

13. Go to your SuperSu zip directory and click on it to install. Optionally, If you want to flash Xposed, DRM fix or any flashable zip, repeat the previous step for each zip. You can mount your SD to PC in TWRP for easy access.

14. Reboot the phone, during init the phone will reboot one more time.

15. Your phone is rooted

You can optionally switch from SuperSu to Magisk by following this guide:
https://xdaforums.com/xperia-xa/how-to/guide-how-to-install-magisk-xperia-xa-t3555911

## Conclusion

After these steps your phone should be rooted and you will be able to have root access to the system. This tutorial comes with no garanties that it will work and the author does not take any responsibility for you bricking your device. Also, installing third party files are a security liability, you should be aware of that. Despite these issues, rooting the Xperia XA has been confirmed to work in all models.

Note that this the guide is the same for XA Ultra, the only differences are the boot/recovery files. You can find files for XA Ultra in their respective forums.

## Old guide with video

EDIT 29/11:
I see some users who ask without searching (a very little) before, PM messages inclued, some others who spam threads not related to their problem or create new thread for nothing and who do not know what politeness is at all . Until now I was nice and answered them but now I will change that, NO MORE HELP FOR THAT KIND OF USER !!!
Now if you have no answer from me you will know why.

Good luck

hp6830s · Aug 1, 2016

Many thanks for the effort mate. Will try it.

Btw, what is the bug with google store and user data, right after root.

edit
01/039/2016 11:39:08 - ERROR - Processing of boot.sin finished with errors. As u said data wipe is needed when unlocking the bl, but i have my BL unlocked earlier without data wiped...so i started the flash method ,on my old version of flashtool.Now i have the newest version, so got to try it...or i should skip the flash and go to root step...

edit2
01/006/2016 13:06:39 - INFO - Ending flash session
01/006/2016 13:06:39 - INFO - Flashing finished.

For this phone use the newest version of flashtool.

Edit3: I need to enter some kind of password on boot menu.Now what ?

tthmatt · Aug 1, 2016

rrvuhpg said:
Hi all

As requested I make a "how to" video to be more noob friendly, the video is probably not perfect and my English too but I do my best to be understandable to all

PLEASE READ
I'm not a dev and I have no responsability if you flash my files.
As said in the video you must wipe "userdata" partition when flashing IF your phone memory IS crypted or if you don't know the uncrypt password, someone on the web speak of "default password" but what is it ?? If cryped (with no password) you can't backup /data and can't mount internal memory in TWRP. You can manually enable encryption and be able to set YOUR OWN password, but you can't revert back. And in theory you can make full nandroid backup and mount /data partition when in TWRP but can't mount inernal memory.
Regarding mounting /system rw in TWRP, seen on other tuto, you must never "swipe to allow modification" when prompted, after installing root package /system is mounted rw with no problem (look at "mount" menu).
IF YOU UPDATE OR FLASH STOCK BOOT and power on the device to Android, it will encrypt again the internal memory and if you shutdown the device before the end (xperia screen for hours) it will corrupt your data, not the SD card).
For futur, if you want to update, ask me and will release modified boot. I don't know what it does if you update stock after setting password encryption :/

Why I changed that by replacing "FORCENCRYPT" by "ENCRYPTABLE" in fstab Boot:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015...-mandatory-device-encryption-for-new-devices/
and
http://www.androidcentral.com/inside-marshmallow-adoptable-storage

Before continue, you must understand that unlocking your BootLoader will void your warranty, break your device DRM and lose X-Reality and image optimisation on low light when taking pictures (seen some workaround but not for XA).
You can't re-lock your phone and it will not restore DRM.
If you have confidentials files in your phone don't unlock your bootloader, as long as your phone is locked your data are officially secured.
This will be repeated when following Sony step by step guide. YOU ARE AWARE !

To verify bootloader lock state after unlock, on phone dialer:
*#*#7378423#*#* ---> Service info ---> Configuration ---> Check for "Bootloader unlocked: Yes" IT MUST BE YES !!!

By rooting your phone you will be able to install/uninstall system apps, install Xposed framework (Gravity Box, Dark Pokemon Go,...) or Viper4Android for an awesome sound! You can tweak and mod your phone deeper (battery,CPU,...), build and flash custom ROMs and many other things
If you have problems or want to unroot you can flash stock firmware like in the video with Flashtool, no need to wipe userdata.

Please watch my video one time before begin, to understand what you have to do.
Free to you to distribute or modify my files but please link this thread as source.

BY FOLLOWING THIS GUIDE YOUR PHONE WILL PERFORM A FACTORY RESET WHEN UNLOCKING BL ( it will not format SD card) , MAKE BACKUPS !

Tested on my device F3112 and reported as working on F3116, other models may work as well if you do ALL steps. Will confirm after positive feedbacks.

Let's begin!

YOU NEED:

My first video guide (will be on youtube after validation) : https://mega.nz/#!RlwVSAKC!6lTBZxVnLQ-Mxz8er0_dg1r36dCNnUWIq8lEUfSp4Zw

Download XA ADB drivers, all models for Windows
http://dl-developer.sonymobile.com/drivers/Xperia_XA_driver.zip

Download XA Fastboot drivers, all models for Windows (if needed, installation is same as ADB drivers in video)
http://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/drivers/fastboot-driver/

Download FLASHTOOL with integrated Xperifirm 0.9.22.3 for Windows
http://www.flashtool.net/downloads_windows.php
(if needed you can unlock bootloader with it, I unlocked my device with it)
Just follow official way and when you get the unlock code, paste it in UB menu of Flashtool. (faster way)

The step by step guide to unlock BootLoader by official way:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
Video (not mine): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lKWd5LlUoA
(Just select Xperia XA when asked)

Now depending the firmware you want to root ( the one you downloaded with Xperifirm) choose your rootpack:

For XA single sim (33.2.A.2.xx) = F3111, F3113, F3115

33.2.A.2.73: https://mega.nz/#!ZsQhwbTC!rvw437H0ZujR5Ic02Rhlap6fQ4sLLyPmSRjyfZlMFiU (NOT TESTED)

For XA dual sim (33.2.B.2.xx) = F3112,F3116

33.2.B.2.35: https://mega.nz/#!5lZFhapC!SrYt1HmOICEyMh2Afl2EUn4nY0bRwL-Pd1f0Bpkireg
33.2.B.2.73: https://mega.nz/#!xgoXxBTa!DKAwKELVs0UvkZN0X53ZVM7I4U_XnCgG73RswzMPUi0

Good luck

Will this work with F3116 running 33.2.B.2.66 firmware?

rrvuhpg · Aug 1, 2016

@hp6830s you talk about bugs seen in video? If I remember, error in TWRP is about wiping /cache but no a real problem and in video got 2 force close of Play service because I'm updated from .35 without wiping userdata (not crypted /data) and I think update wasn't fully finished. Never FC again after that and no problems. But if YOU have errors about /data in TWRP it's because of encrypted phone memory. During tests I got 1 bootloop in TWRP but can't repeat the problem again after wiped userdata on first root. That's why I recommend wipe. And that's strange if your phone not wiped when unlocked, for me no choice...
@tthmatt It works but really not recommended (for boot.img), as ramdisk and kernel are from an other firmware. For recovery it's less problematic. You can try and feedback us

hp6830s · Aug 1, 2016

Ok ,how to remove phone encyption on boot menu ,so i can install custom user ?

rrvuhpg · Aug 1, 2016

hp6830s said:
Many thanks for the effort mate. Will try it.

Btw, what is the bug with google store and user data, right after root.

edit
01/039/2016 11:39:08 - ERROR - Processing of boot.sin finished with errors. As u said data wipe is needed when unlocking the bl, but i have my BL unlocked earlier without data wiped...so i started the flash method ,on my old version of flashtool.Now i have the newest version, so got to try it...or i should skip the flash and go to root step...

edit2
01/006/2016 13:06:39 - INFO - Ending flash session
01/006/2016 13:06:39 - INFO - Flashing finished.

For this phone use the newest version of flashtool.

Edit3: I need to enter some kind of password on boot menu.Now what ?

I don't know the password to enter, seem to be randomly generated on first init by phone or a unknown default password is set. That's why you have to wipe userdata and after if you want you can recrypt phone in security menu and set your own password to use in TWRP. Have you seen a password in my video?? As said before I'm not a dev and my help is limited, my step by step guide is working, confirmed on F3116 and tested many times on my device. But if you want to not follow all steps you can but you will probably have problems. I said to use 0.9.22.3 Flashtool since first days, you use an older one and have problem. I said to flash and root and you want to root directly. I said to wipe and you don't do it... and finally problem again. Please follow ALL steps as described and at end if you have problems I will help you. If you want to continue with experimental way, just click Cancel on password prompt, on next screen don't swipe to allow modification, press "keep read only". At end if you have a recovery bootloop or corrupted userdata, don't ask why

I don't want to say that my way is the only one but for now it's the working one (if you follow it carefully)

hp6830s · Aug 1, 2016

I didnt said - not following your guide. I did every step, as soon i discovered error on flashing (from the older version). But i did wipe everything, now my phone is empty. Yet it asks for password in order to install superUser, do i need to perform factory reset from recovery menu ?

edit: Wipe/ Factory - OK. FORMAT - YES...and password should be gone.

edit2: phone is rooted, and installing apps.

rrvuhpg · Aug 1, 2016

hp6830s said:
I didnt said - not following your guide. I did every step, as soon i discovered error on flashing (from the older version). But i did wipe everything, now my phone is empty. Yet it asks for password in order to install superUser, do i need to perform factory reset from recovery menu ?

Flash full stock firmware with Flashtool and check "userdata" in "wipe" column as in the video (don't wipe/factory reset from Android) , JUST AFTER flash boot.img and recovery.img with Fastboot (don't boot android before that) . Boot to Android to verify and set up your phone, when finished reboot to TWRP to install UpdateSuperSU.zip No passwords needed if followed that, if you defined pin/password for lockscreen or to start phone, try it. Or don't set any password before the end of root process. I don't understand why it ask for a password

hp6830s · Aug 2, 2016

Its all set.Battery seem more stable now...but cant find some of diagnostics tools in About Phone, like battery optimization (but i use greenify now) and move apps to SD card wizzard.
Do i need to create backup from flashtool / boot ?

rrvuhpg · Aug 2, 2016

hp6830s said:
Its all set.Battery seem more stable now...but cant find some of diagnostics tools in About Phone, like battery optimization (but i use greenify now) and move apps to SD card wizzard.
Do i need to create backup from flashtool / boot ?

You finally successfully rooted your phone :good:

You can find battery optimization in "settings " --> "battery". You can't move apps on external SD since a looong time (or with workaround) , just pictures, videos, music ????
For that go "settings" --> "storage and memory".
Android 6 have a new feature "Adoptable Storage" to integrate external SD as phone memory like "ARCHOS Storage Fusion" (but it encrypt SD and is no more readable on PC with USB readers, disable acces to internal memory, not good if you break your phone) but seem to not be present in our firmwares. Next challenge is to enable feature and make encryption as a choice for user.
And for your last question I recommend you make full backup with TWRP, by this way you can backup all partitions. Not sure if it works for XA with Flashtool.

hp6830s · Aug 2, 2016

rrvuhpg said:
You finally successfully rooted your phone :good:

And for your last question I recommend you make full backup with TWRP, by this way you can backup all partitions. Not sure if it works for XA with Flashtool.

thx ,but i cant backup, my m card is less than 8 gb (8.2 gb backup img) so i have to wait till my 16 gb card arrives.i

btw what is Xposed framework , Viper4Android. And how to tweek my battery settings more deeper...or greenify hibernate its fine.

rrvuhpg · Aug 2, 2016

hp6830s said:
btw what is Xposed framework , Viper4Android. And how to tweek my battery settings more deeper...or greenify hibernate its fine.

Google is your friend ????

http://www.howtogeek.com/195476/7-t...ramework-on-a-rooted-android-phone-or-tablet/

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2191223

I will make a guide for installing Xposed and Viper4Android with all working packages for XA.

rrvuhpg · Aug 3, 2016

Yippee-ki-yay! DRM keys are back! Noice reduction and screen optimizations are working again. Used DRM fix found on XDA. Look screens of DRM keys state and the time stamps. Verified with comparative pictures/screenshots :fingers-crossed:
Link to the fix: http://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672
Use zip for Z3+

aidy.lucas · Aug 3, 2016

rrvuhpg said:
Yippee-ki-yay! DRM keys are back! Noice reduction and screen optimizations are working again. Used DRM fix found on XDA. Look screens of DRM keys state and the time stamps. Verified with comparative pictures/screenshots :fingers-crossed:
Link to the fix: http://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672
Use zip for Z3+

There not really back there still gone for good, know idea how he does it, but it fools/emulates the keys tricking the Sony software into reactivating the Bravia engine+x-reality+camera imaging/low light algorithms. Good to know that there are two ways to do it now though. If I can be bothered I need to try this ivyroot tool for backing up your drm keys before unlocking the Bootloader. Until I know I can back up the keys I won't be unlocking the Bootloader.

Sent from my Xperia XA using XDA Labs

rrvuhpg · Aug 3, 2016

aidy.lucas said:
There not really back there still gone for good, know idea how he does it, but it fools/emulates the keys tricking the Sony software into reactivating the Bravia engine+x-reality+camera imaging/low light algorithms. Good to know that there are two ways to do it now though. If I can be bothered I need to try this ivyroot tool for backing up your drm keys before unlocking the Bootloader. Until I know I can back up the keys I won't be unlocking the Bootloader.

iovyroot seem to use a security exploit in LP (kernels before Dec 2015) but patched in MM (or missed the news) and no LP firmware for XA to flash, next exploit for MM can take months or more to come... But I can understand your opinion, the choice is difficult, root or warranty. For me rooting my phones is not optional, when you used custom ROMs, Xposed, Viper4Android, Lucky Patcher and GameKiller one time you can't stay without them after and say f**k to the warranty

. If we talk about Xperia X I'm fully OK with you as it cost $$$ and will try to preserve the warranty.

EDIT: The fix is really good, ALL is working again (backup with Xperia PC Compagnon too) and very interesting thing it can show my REAL warranty date in Xperia Care as before. That's strange ...

Willismetal · Aug 4, 2016

Looking forsome help

Umm I got the boot loader unlock code. From sony on there web sit, I am new to this. But do I have to flash the phone if my bootloader is unlocked?? I don't want to mess it up I just got it and payed full price i rooted my other phones easy I just am new to android 6

caosugai · Aug 4, 2016

just check XFirmware and xxx.73 version is only available in Brazil
should I tried it?

my version is customizedVN :crying:

rrvuhpg · Aug 4, 2016

Willismetal said:
Umm I got the boot loader unlock code. From sony on there web sit, I am new to this. But do I have to flash the phone if my bootloader is unlocked?? I don't want to mess it up I just got it and payed full price i rooted my other phones easy I just am new to android 6

You can test, don't worry about phone brick as long as you don't play with preloader, in Flashtool stay in "normal" mode. I hard bricked XA many times during my private tests (no screen, no sound, only charging led) and always unbricked

Mtk are strong for that.
@caosugai you can flash without problem but don't know if it's good for daily use. Tested .66 TW on .35 FR before . 73 out for France, but for test only.
Look here for more:
http://techbeasts.com/how-to-download-sony-xperia-official-firmware-and-create-ftf-file/

hp6830s · Aug 4, 2016

Think i lost access to my personal prediction settings, the one that pinpoints my email when entering on login screens over the apps /web ( for example on typing Us3r ,the texting app predicts my mail : us3r@exaple.com ,so i dont need typing the whole email over and over )

aidy.lucas · Aug 4, 2016

rrvuhpg said:
You can test, don't worry about phone brick as long as you don't play with preloader, in Flashtool stay in "normal" mode. I hard bricked XA many times during my private tests (no screen, no sound, only charging led) and always unbricked Mtk are strong for that.
@caosugai you can flash without problem but don't know if it's good for daily use. Tested .66 TW on .35 FR before . 73 out for France, but for test only.
Look here for more:
http://techbeasts.com/how-to-download-sony-xperia-official-firmware-and-create-ftf-file/

then it's a soft brick not a hard brick. A hard bricked Xperia is irreversible. Bootloop is always recoverable as is a device with only led response when connected to USB and if it does nothing on connection to USB and pc doesn't recognize the device it's a paperweight, that's what I learnt when I first got into rooting and modding my old m2 device.

Sent from my Xperia XA using XDA Labs

---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:05 PM ----------

hp6830s said:
Think i lost access to my personal prediction settings, the one that pinpoints my email when entering on login screens over the apps /web ( for example on typing Us3r ,the texting app predicts my mail : us3r@exaple.com ,so i dont need typing the whole email over and over )

Mines the same or at least it was earlier on not bringing up email address when logging on to pretty much anything, maybe it's something to do with this SwiftKey thing going off where it predicts someone else's email address and stored words. Maybe it's turned off at there end while sorting the issue out.

Sent from my Xperia XA using XDA Labs

[F31xx][F32xx][Guide][MM] How to root your Xperia XA (as noob friendly as possible)

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