[INDEX] [ROOT] Rooting for Sony Xperia SP (Android 4.1.2 & 4.3)

[chewlohseng]

Rooting Guide for Sony Xperia SP (Android 4.1.2 / 4.3)

This is the index into rooting Sony Xperia SP (C530x).
Many are asking on how to root the Sony Xperia SP, this is why I'm posting this guide for rooting stock Android 4.1.2 and Android 4.3 ROMs.

Updated for support of 12.1.A.1.207.

Do it at your own risk. Nobody is responsible for bricking your own device!


Rooting guide for 12.1.A.0.266 / 12.1.A.1.201:

Method 1: Advanced Kernel
Models supported: C5302/C5303/C5306
NOTE: ONLY APPLICABLE FOR UNLOCKED BOOTLOADERS!

Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2646193

Method 2: Flashing of pre-root stock ROMs
Models supported: C5302/C5303/C5306
NOTE: MUST HAVE CUSTOM RECOVERY INSTALLED!

Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2704009
(In depth tutorial): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2681597


Rooting guide for 12.0.A.2.245 / 12.0.A.2.254:

Method: Easy Rooting Guide for 12.0.A.2.245/254
Models supported: C5302/C5303
NOTE: DOES NOT SUPPORT C5306!

Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2405933


Rooting guide for 12.0.A.1.211 / 12.0.A.1.257 / 12.0.A.1.284:

Method: Easy Rooting Guide for 12.0.A.1.211/257/284
Models supported: C5302/C5303/C5306
NOTE: N/A

Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2329208


Added on 19 June 2014:
Rooting guide for 12.1.A.1.205 AND OLDER:

Method: Towelroot exploit
Models supported: C5302/C5303/C5306/M35x (China versions of Xperia SP)
NOTE: Towelroot works on all versions of stock ROMs up to 12.1.A.1.207.

Guide: http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/06/16/towelroot-exploit-helps-root-a-number-of-sony-xperia-models/


This rooting index is able to exist thanks to following users: @DooMLoRD, @sp4ubw, @geohot and others that contributed!

 

[le grande magnetto]

Method 2: Flashing of pre-root stock ROMs
Models supported: C5302/C5303/C5306
NOTE: MUST HAVE CUSTOM RECOVERY INSTALLED!

Guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2704009
(In depth tutorial): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2681597

Is this method for unlocked BL also?

 

[chewlohseng]

Is this method for unlocked BL also?

Are you on stock Android 4.3? If you're, use Method 1 (Advanced Kernel). It would be easier.

 

[le grande magnetto]

Are you on stock Android 4.3? If you're, use Method 1 (Advanced Kernel). It would be easier.

Yes, on stock 201, but I dont want to unlock my BL and lose DRM keys.

 

[chewlohseng]

Yes, on stock 201, but I dont want to unlock my BL and lose DRM keys.

You said you're on unlocked bootloader. Lol.
Yes you can, but you may need to downgrade to 4.1.2, root and Cwm, flash pre-rooted rom.
Just see that link for specific instructions.

Sent from my C5303 using xda app-developers app

 

[le grande magnetto]

You said you're on unlocked bootloader. Lol.
Yes you can, but you may need to downgrade to 4.1.2, root and Cwm, flash pre-rooted rom.
Just see that link for specific instructions.

Sent from my C5303 using xda app-developers app

I did NOT said that I'm on unlocked BL.

Ok, about downgrade. Just flash firmware vie flashtool on device with no root and recovery?

 

[Nanostray]

Devs, please create an exploit to root the FW, or isn't that even possible?

 

[chewlohseng]

I did NOT said that I'm on unlocked BL.

Ok, about downgrade. Just flash firmware vie flashtool on device with no root and recovery?

This is what you've said. It means that you're on UNlocked bootloader!

Is this method for unlocked BL also?

Yes, flash 12.0.A.2.254 ROM and get root and custom recovery via DooMLoRD's exploitation for root for Android 4.1.2. Get the recovery that's required in the pre-rooted ROM.

Devs, please create an exploit to root the FW, or isn't that even possible?

That's a question that's in my head too. Maybe devs could not find any way other than that to get Android 4.3/4.4.2 rooting done...

 

[le grande magnetto]

dude

This is what you've said. It means that you're on UNlocked bootloader!

Please, Dont. Dont make a fool of yourself. I did not said that I have SP wit UBL or anything, I just asked if "this method" which was second, was "also for UBL" just like the first one. I don't know how does that implicate that my SP BL is unlocked. You've got yourself wrong idea and you aint gonna drop it pretending that you are right. And what know? Seems like you are trying to convince me that my BL is unlocked, because I asked bout one of the methods..

 

[chewlohseng]

Please, Dont. Dont make a fool of yourself. I did not said that I have SP wit UBL or anything, I just asked if "this method" which was second, was "also for UBL" just like the first one. I don't know how does that implicate that my SP BL is unlocked. You've got yourself wrong idea and you aint gonna drop it pretending that you are right. And what know? Seems like you are trying to convince me that my BL is unlocked, because I asked bout one of the methods..

I don't want to argue with you, it's your phrasing that made not only me, but some other users find it confusing too. (Not saying who though.)

And yes, it should work for unlocked BL too, but if you've unlocked your BL, flashing of kernel is so much easier.

 

[le grande magnetto]

Yes, I may have read wrongly, but you should have said that your phone has locked bootloader. Sorry for reading it wrongly.

And yes, it should work for unlocked BL too, but if you've unlocked your BL, flashing of kernel is so much easier.

Yeah, I know about that, I just want to make TA, DRM keys backup before everything to save my warranty and since my SP is updated to 201 everything seems more complicated.

 

[chewlohseng]

Yeah, I know about that, I just want to make TA, DRM keys backup before everything to save my warranty and since my SP is updated to 201 everything seems more complicated.

Backing up TA / DRM keys need root, which means you need to be back to Android 4.1.2 to get it, since unlocking bootloader will lose the DRM keys...

 

[ballas38]

I have a stock 4.3, unrooted, locked bootloader


To root etc. i need to downgrade to 4.1.2 first coz i dont wanna lose my DRM keys. How do i do that??

Thanks

 

[chewlohseng]

I have a stock 4.3, unrooted, locked bootloader


To root etc. i need to downgrade to 4.1.2 first coz i dont wanna lose my DRM keys. How do i do that??

Thanks

Downgrade step by step is already pinned in the General/Android Dev section of the XSP forum, go check that out.

Sent from my MI 3W using XDA Free mobile app

 

[rcallmann]

Pls.....How I get root on XPERIA SP stock firm 205 android 4.3 ?

 

[xTerraH]

Pls.....How I get root on XPERIA SP stock firm 205 android 4.3 ?

http://towelroot.com/tr.apk

make sure u uninstall any antivirus first. install the app in that link, ignore google security warning, click make it rain ....

wala! thats literally all you have to do!

 

[soham93]

http://towelroot.com/tr.apk

make sure u uninstall any antivirus first. install the app in that link, ignore google security warning, click make it rain ....

wala! thats literally all you have to do!

Have you tried it? No issues regarding BL?

 

[rcallmann]

http://towelroot.com/tr.apk

make sure u uninstall any antivirus first. install the app in that link, ignore google security warning, click make it rain ....

wala! thats literally all you have to do!

Yes I do that. But before read this reply. I don´t uninstall my antivirus McAfee, but the towel is worked....
Thanks....

 

[xTerraH]

Have you tried it? No issues regarding BL?

No issues at all

 

[racastro]

Yes I do that. But before read this reply. I don´t uninstall my antivirus McAfee, but the towel is worked....
Thanks....

My Avast said th app was suspicious but let me root without problems...