Root, Upgrade to Stock 4.4.2 KitKat on Xperia Z1 [C6902, c6903]

Official 4.4.4 KitKat has rolled to Xperia Z line of devices including Xperia Z1, Z, ZL and Z Ultra.

Upgrading is startightforward as long as you recieve OTAs. However, if you’ve been unlucky to not receive it, you can follow this guide.

Note: This guide doesn’t require you to Unlock Bootloader. So, your warrant is NOT void. But do it at your own risk, don’t brick your device. We recommend you read Xperia Rooting basics if you’re a beginner.

How to Upgrade to 4.4.2 14.3.A.0.681 on Xperia Z1 (Stock unrooted)

Pre-requisites:

1. Download 14.3.A.0.681 FTF file for your device model (C6903, C6902, etc) from here.
2. FlashTool

Warning: This will erase your internal storage and all apps. Take necessary backups.

Step 1. Run FlashTool
Step 2. Switch off your phone, enter flashmode (Volume down as you plug in power cable).
Step 3. Flash FTF via flashtool. (refer: full flashtool guide)

After reboot you’ll have official 4.4.2 Kitkat

How to Upgrade and Root 4.4.2 [14.3.A.0.681 build] on Xperia Z1 (Full root, C6902, C6903)

Prereqisites:

1. Download 14.1.G.1.534 FTF file for your device model (C6903, C6902, etc) from here.
2. Download 14.3.A.0.681 Flashable Zip & Stripped FTF from here.
3. FlashTool
4. Working Adb

ETA: 1-2 hours
Warning: This will erase your internal storage and all apps. Take necessary backups.

Step 1. Flash 14.1.G.1.534 Flash Tool. When finished, switch on your phone, it would boot normally.

Step 2. Enable Developer Settings then USB debugging and lastly enable “Security > Unknown sources” in settings.

Step 3. Use VRoot or Root360 to root your device (both are in Chinese but they are easy to use). Checkout Rooting guide

Step 4. Install SuperSU from Play Store and run it.

Step 5. Install DualRecovery using windows installer (bat file) or linux installer. Run the installer, choose SuperSU when prompted and it will root your device and reboot automatically when done.

Note: Step 5 and 6 explains flashing of 4.4.2 KitKat Zip (Official thread on XDA)

Step 5. Flash 4.4.2 Zip through TWRP (don’t reboot, just power off)

Step 6. While in power off state, enter Flashmode (Volume down as you plug in power cable) and flash FTF stripped via flashtool.

on Reboot, you’ll boot into fully Rooted stock 4.4.2 KitKat on Xperia Z1.

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