How to update Sony Xperia Z2 to Lollipop update v23.1.A.1.28 with root and recovery pre-installed

If you are looking to update your Sony Xperia Z2 to latest Lollipop update firmware v23.1.A.1.28, and want to keep root access and the DUAL Recovery installed, look no further than the custom ROM based on stock Lollipop update we’ve got below. The ROM is based on latest firmware v23.1.A.1.28, and is pre-rooted, plus has the locked dual recovery.

For advanced Android users, it’s a given that they are all into root and recovery stuff. And as much as we enjoy it, it becomes a slight cause of concern to when one is looking to install the latest of updates, which breaks root and removes recovery for the most part. Thus we always try to share the stock firmware in untouched form like this one, except for the addition of root and recovery, a must for your customization needs.

Before you march forward to latest Lollipop update for your Sony Xperia Z2, know that this ROM is compatible with model no. D6503 only — and no other device whatsoever. So, do check it in your phone’s settings or on box before attempting to install this firmware. Credits for the ROM goes to nokian70.

Downloads

Supported devices

  • SONY Xperia Z2, model no. D6503
  • Don’t try on any other device whatsoever

Instructions

Warning: Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup necessary stuff. In case your device is wiped off, it’s good to have backup of contacts, photos, videos and other files. Hence, create a backup of important stuff in your phone right away.

  1. Download the ROM from above, and transfer it to phone’s storage. Remember the location where you put it.
  2. Make sure you’ve got a custom recovery like TWRP, CWM or Philz installed on your Sony Xperia Z2. For help, check this page.
  3. Reboot into recovery mode. Once you’ve installed the recovery as mentioned on the page linked above, do this to boot into recovery mode:
    1. Power off your Xperia Z2.
    2. Power on the device but be sure to press the Volume Down button when you see green LED light flashing (phone will also vibrate).
      (Btw, you can also press Volume up in place of volume down to boot into Philz touch recovery if that’s more to your liking.)
  4. Make a backup. Once in TWRP recovery, take a backup of your current ROM. Select Backup, then do a “Swipe to Back Up” on the bottom of the screen. Wait for the backup to finish, it’s a time consuming process.
  5. Wipe your device. Once the backup is finished, do this: tap on Wipe, then Advanced wipe, and then select Cache, Dalvik/ART cache and Data. Then do the “Swipe to wipe” at bottom to ready the device for ROM flashing by erasing the cache, dalvik cache and data in one shot.
  6. Install ROM now. Go back to the main menu of TWRP recovery and select Install. Navigate to the file where you saved your ROM’s zip file, select it and “Swipe to Confirm Flash” on the bottom of the screen. Now wait until the flashing process finishes.
  7. Go to back to recovery’s Main menu, select Reboot » select System.

Device will restart and you will have the latest Xperia Z2 Lollipop update firmware v23.1.A.1.28 running, that’s pre-rooted, and your phone also has dual recovery (TWRP and CWM) installed.

That’s it. Let us know if you know any help with TWRP recovery installation or anything with update process, via comments section below.

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]

30 Comments

  1. When I do this, the phone bootloops on the Sony image at the beginning. Won’t boot any further.

    1. The first restart takes long time. How much time since it’s been booting? Wait for at least 30 minutes.

    2. Sorry, I said that wrong. It don’t bootloop, it just sits at Sony image and don’t move any further. The “powered by android ” doesn’t even come up.

    3. What is your device’s model no.? Check it on the box it came in.​

    4. Check it on the box it came in? Lol. It’s a D6503. It’s one of 6 phones I have that I flash roms and kernels on.

    5. That’s good. You know stuff then. It’s confirmed to be working, it’s strange it’s not working for you. Any chance download could be corrupted?
      Can you reboot into recovery again, and do a wipe again and then flash it?

    6. I don’t think. I didn’t use your file, I made my own with the creator and tried it. I’ll try your file after and see if it’s something I’m missing

    7. Trying it now Kapil. Hopefully it works…..Dont think I missed any steps though.

    8. I tried it 2 ways….. First, I installed yours the way it shows here. Then I installed yours again, but installed twrp 2.8.4.0 after. Both times I get same result. As the phone first boots, after showing the Sony image, the led light turns red for a sec and then phone boots. The next time I even told the phone to restart into recovery and same thing. Red light and right into boot up. Don’t understand it buddy.

  2. When I do this, the phone bootloops on the Sony image at the beginning. Won’t boot any further.

    1. The first restart takes long time. How much time since it’s been booting? Wait for at least 30 minutes.

      1. Sorry, I said that wrong. It don’t bootloop, it just sits at Sony image and don’t move any further. The “powered by android ” doesn’t even come up.

        1. What is your device’s model no.? Check it on the box it came in.​

          1. Check it on the box it came in? Lol. It’s a D6503. It’s one of 6 phones I have that I flash roms and kernels on.

          2. That’s good. You know stuff then. It’s confirmed to be working, it’s strange it’s not working for you. Any chance download could be corrupted?
            Can you reboot into recovery again, and do a wipe again and then flash it?

          3. I don’t think. I didn’t use your file, I made my own with the creator and tried it. I’ll try your file after and see if it’s something I’m missing

          4. Trying it now Kapil. Hopefully it works…..Dont think I missed any steps though.

          5. I tried it 2 ways….. First, I installed yours the way it shows here. Then I installed yours again, but installed twrp 2.8.4.0 after. Both times I get same result. As the phone first boots, after showing the Sony image, the led light turns red for a sec and then phone boots. The next time I even told the phone to restart into recovery and same thing. Red light and right into boot up. Don’t understand it buddy.

  3. When I do this, the phone bootloops on the Sony image at the beginning. Won’t boot any further.

    1. The first restart takes long time. How much time since it’s been booting? Wait for at least 30 minutes.

      1. Sorry, I said that wrong. It don’t bootloop, it just sits at Sony image and don’t move any further. The “powered by android ” doesn’t even come up.

        1. What is your device’s model no.? Check it on the box it came in.​

          1. Check it on the box it came in? Lol. It’s a D6503. It’s one of 6 phones I have that I flash roms and kernels on.

          2. That’s good. You know stuff then. It’s confirmed to be working, it’s strange it’s not working for you. Any chance download could be corrupted?
            Can you reboot into recovery again, and do a wipe again and then flash it?

          3. I don’t think. I didn’t use your file, I made my own with the creator and tried it. I’ll try your file after and see if it’s something I’m missing

          4. Trying it now Kapil. Hopefully it works…..Dont think I missed any steps though.

          5. I tried it 2 ways….. First, I installed yours the way it shows here. Then I installed yours again, but installed twrp 2.8.4.0 after. Both times I get same result. As the phone first boots, after showing the Sony image, the led light turns red for a sec and then phone boots. The next time I even told the phone to restart into recovery and same thing. Red light and right into boot up. Don’t understand it buddy.

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