{GUIDE} How to Root Xperia Smartphones [2011 and 2012 Xperias]

Question

This thread is for 2011 and 2012 Xperias, for 2013 and 2014 Xperias, check this thread 
New Update: Upon request from users, i've created a facebook page where you can get updates on whatever happens here, new firmwares, android versions, new rooting methods etc. You can also ask questions, post suggestions. Here's the link http://www.facebook.com/GuideToFlashRootXperiaNabeel
Hi all
Previous rooting thread got deleted along with Spam threads by mistake, here's the new one.
Screenshots of Old thread
Rooting your mobile may void the warranty and you're doing it at your own risk. Sony would be in no way responsible for any damage.
For flashing firmwares, see the Guide > {GUIDE} Install ICS ( Ice Cream Sandwich) on Xperia™ Smartphones, Root and Downgrade to Gingerbread
This post is for 2011 Xperias models, for 2012 /2013 Xperia see post below.
2011 Xperia
How to root Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.3, 4.0.4) (4.1.B.0.587 4.1.B.0.431 4.1.A.0.562)
This is the new method to root, for old method, see 3rd post ( Archived method )
Supported phones = Xperia Arc S , Arc and Ray , Neo V, Neo, Live with walkman, Mini, Mini Pro, Active, Neo L, Xperia Pro
     Go to settings > Security > Mark  "Unknown sources"
     Settings > Developer options > Mark USB debugging
     Settings > Xperia > connectivity > USB connection mode > select MSC mode
     PC Companion installed on your PC
After marking the settings above, connect your phone to PC ( Skip PC Companion installation on your phone ) and wait for the adb drivers to be installed.
Download this rooting toolkit. Link > 1 / 2 and run it. If after running toolkit any download begins, cancel it by clicking on the green button. Don't let the eroot download anything. It should now detect your phone and show an option to "root". Just click on it, wait till it finishes.
Rooting done ( For confirmation see if any Super User app has been installed on your phone )
If it somehow fails for the first time, give it another go. Restart everything, your PC, phones etc. If it doesn't work at all, see the other method to root i;e Archived method to root 2011 Xperias below the animated Xperia Picture.
Finally Created threads on XDA > http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?do=finduser&u=4575567&starteronly=1
Follow this guide and latest updates on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/GuideToFlashRootXperiaNabeel :smileywink:
How to root 2.3 ( Gingerbread )
     Go to settings > Security > Mark  "Unknown sources"
     Settings > Developer options > Mark USB debugging
     Settings > Xperia > connectivity > USB connection mode > select MSC mode
Rooting 4.0.2.A.0.42 and .58
Download this Rooting toolkit Link > 1 / 2 on your PC . Extract it, connect your phone to PC ( It should be on ) and wait for 2 minutes. After that run the rooting toolkit and root your phone.
Rooting 4.0.2.A.0.62
     Go to settings > Security > Mark  "Unknown sources"
     Settings > Developer options > Mark USB debugging
     Settings > Xperia > connectivity > USB connection mode > select MSC mode
     PC Companion installed on your PC
After marking the settings above, connect your phone to PC ( Skip PC Companion installation on your phone ) and wait for the adb drivers to be installed.
Download this rooting toolkit. Link >  1 / 2 and run it. If after running toolkit any download begins, cancel it by clicking on the green button. Don't let the eroot download anything. It should now detect your phone and show an option to "root". Just click on it, wait till it finishes.
Rooting done ( For confirmation see if any Super User app has been installed on your phone )
If the method of doesn't work for you, then flash a 0.42 firmware from here >
{GUIDE} How to Install ICS ( Ice Cream Sandwich) on Xperia™ Smartphones, Root and Downgrade to Ginge...
And then use the method to root 4.0.2.A.0.42
After rooting, update your phone to 0.62 via mobile's update center app and not using PC Companion or SUS or flashtool.
Note: Using PC Companion and "Update Service" to update your phone would result in loss of root.
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Solved!
Go to Solution.

Answer 1

How to Remove Bloatwares / Junk apps / Waste apps / System apps / Unusefull apps /  etc Apps on Xperias
1) Download Root Explorer from google play ( Or any similar app ) .
2) When you'll open this app Superuser would ask for permissions. Allow it
3) Now using that app go to SYSTEM/ APP / Copy all the apps and paste them somewhere on memory card ( incase if you need in future)
4) Now again go to SYSTEM/ APP / . On the top right corner you'll see Mount R/W , tap on it ( Now you should see it as Mount R/O )
4) Now to delete an app tap and hold on the app you want to delete and press delete
After deleting the necessary apps, restart your phone. ( You can also select the mark options and delete all the NECESSARY apps in one go )
Be carefull with the procedure above. If you remove any usefull app, you may run into trouble ( I won't help you )
Here's the list of apps that you could remove safely/ without harming your phone . Remove the ones you don't use at all
List for 2011 Xperias
For Xperia Sola, Xperia U , Xperia P
FAQ's
Q Do i need to unlock the bootloader prior to rooting ?
A No
Q My bootloader is unlocked, can i still root my phone ?
A This method works for both, locked and unlocked bootloader.
Q My bootloader unlocking allowed status is No, can i still root my phone ?
A Yes
Q Will rooting erase all data on phone memory ?
A Nopes. But if anything goes wrong, you may need to repair your phone using PC Companion which would erase all data. So better backup important stuff
I'll keep on adding stuff, please feel free to help me
Archived Method to Root 2011 Xperias
Thread Created on Feb 1, 2013
New Update: Upon request from users, i've created a facebook page where you can get updates on whatever happens here, new firmwares, new android versions, new rooting methods etc. You can also ask questions, post suggestions. Here's the link http://www.facebook.com/GuideToFlashRootXperiaNabeel
This Guide looks big because every detail has been included. It's very easy to root your phone.
Hi all
My previous rooting thread got deleted somehow, here's the new one.
Screenshots of Old thread
Rooting your mobile may void the warranty and you are doing it at your own risk. Sony would be in no way responsible for any damage.
For flashing firmwares, see the Guide Below
{GUIDE} Install ICS ( Ice Cream Sandwich) on Xperia™ Smartphones, Root and Downgrade to Gingerbread
This post is for rooting 2011 Xperias. For 2012 Xperia See reply number 1 below
How to root 4.0.4 (4.1.B.0.587 & 4.1.B.0.431)
We cannot root 4.1.B.0.587 directly, so to root it we first flash 4.1.A.0.562 kernel, run the rooting toolkit and in the end flash 4.1.B.0.587 kernel.
Few devices don't have their own 4.1.A.0.562 kernel, so we need to flash the 4.1.A.0.562 kernel of other devices just to root. However all devices have 4.1.B.0.587 kernel.
Follow all the steps.
Go to settings > Security > Mark  "Unknown sources"
Settings > Developer options > Mark USB debugging
Settings > Xperia > connectivity > USB connection mode > select MSC mode
Download Flashtool
Windows Users > Flashtool
Linux Users > Flashtool ( From previous release tab, download 0.9.0.0 version)
After installing flashtool, reboot your PC.
1 ) Download the respective 4.1.A.0.562 kernel to flash
     Arc and Arc S  - Kernel
     Ray                -  Kernel
     Neo/Neo V      -  Kernel
     LwW, Mini       - Kernel
     Active             -  Kernel
     Neo L             -  Kernel
     All other users -  Kernel or even try the kernels for Arc S and Ray
2) Go to C:/ Drive > flashtool > firmwares > delete everything present and put the downloaded kernel
3)  Run Flashtool > click on the flashing icon ( left side below "file" option)
Select flashmode > ok
Setup should be like this > select OK
Flashtool Setup Screenshot
Follow the steps, connect your mobile and flash. Note: on devices with touch navigation keys, hold volume down key instead of back button while connecting your device.
Flashtool may show error after flashing kernel, no worries. Even your build number and android version won't change. Everything would remain same so please don't visit phone's settings to check anything
4) After flashing restart your device, It may not start completely, may remain at Sony logo or with blank/black screen.
Whatever the status is, just restart your device and proceed with the rooting >
Download Rooitng toolkit > 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 and extract it.
( Make sure you close flashtool before running the rooting toolkit )
Now  connect your mobile to PC ( Mobile should be ON)  and wait for 2 minutes. Then run the rooting toolkit. When it says all done, close it. disconnect your phone and switch it off ( By pressing power button/ or by taking out the battery and reinserting it).
5) Download Kerenls, If you are on 4.1.b.0.431 rom then download the respective kernel, same goes for 4.1.B.0.587
For Neo L > Download the kernel version on which your phone is running 4.1.B.0.626 or  4.1.B.0.631
Xperia
4.1.B.0.431
4.1.B.0.587
Arc S
Kernel
Kernel
Arc
Kernel
Kernel
Ray
Kernel
Kernel
Neo
Kernel
Kernel
Neo V
Kernel
Kernel
Mini
Kernel
Kernel
Pro
Kernel
Kernel
Live with walkman
Kernel
Kernel
Active
Kernel
Kernel
Mini Pro
Kernel
Kernel
Now flash the kernel ( same procedure as step 2 and 3 above )
Your mobile should now b rooted (See if any Superuser app has been installed on your phone ) and working fine again.
Please let me know how did it go for you by posting below, it will be great if you like the guide as well here > http://www.facebook.com/GuideToFlashRootXperiaNabeel
How to root 2.3 ( Gingerbread )
Firmware 4.0.2.A.0.62 and 4.0.2.A.0.69 are difficult to root on a locked boootloader. So to root it, you need to flash 4.0.2.A.0.42
To flash 4.0.2.A.0.42 or any firmware, follow this guide
{GUIDE} How to Install ICS ( Ice Cream Sandwich) on Xperia™ Smartphones, Root and Downgrade to Ginge...
Rooting 4.0.2.A.0.42 and .58
1) Go to settings > Security > Mark  "Unknown sources"
     Settings > Developer options > Mark USB debugging
     Settings > Xperia > connectivity > USB connection mode > select MSC mode
2) Download this Rooting Toolkit on your PC . Extract it, connect your phone to PC ( It should be on ) and wait for 2 minutes. After that run the rooting toolkit and root your phone.
3) After rooting upgrade to 4.0.2.A.0.62 using the mobile's "Update Center" app
Note: Using PC Companion and "Update Service" to update your phone would result in loss of root.
Discussion guidelines.
Message me or any other moderator to seek help regarding moderation.