Root And Install CWM/TWRP Custom Recovery On A Sony Xperia Z3

Sony has now released an update for the Xperia Z3 to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. This update has build number 23.1.A.1.28.

If you have installed this update on your Xperia Z3, you may have notice that, if you had root access before you have now lost it. Updating your device to this official firmware will wipe the root access. If you want to root your device again, or if your rooting it for the first time, follow our guide below.

This guide is going to show you how to root and also install either CWM or TWRP recovery on a Xperia Z3 D6603, D6653 and D6643 running on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop 23.1.A.1.28 firmware.

Prepare your device:

Make sure you have an Xperia Z3 D6603, D6653 or D6643. Check your model number by going to Settings> About Device.
Charge your battery so it has at least over 60 percent of its power.
Back up you important contacts, call logs, messages and media content.
Enable USB debugging on your device. Go to Settings>Developer Options>USB debugging. If developer options are not available in settings, go to about device and find the build number. Tap this build number 7 times.
Have Sony Flashtool installed and set up.
When Sony Flashtool is set up, open Flashtool>Drivers>Flashtoo-drives.exe. From the list presented choose Flashtool, Fastboot and Xperia Z3 drivers. Install these three.
Have an original data cable you can use to connect your phone and your PC.
Unlock your bootloader.

Note: The methods needed to flash custom recoveries, roms and to root your phone can result in bricking your device. Rooting your device will also void the warranty and it will no longer be eligible for free device services from manufacturers or warranty providers. Be responsible and keep these in mind before you decide to proceed on your own responsibility. In case a mishap occurs, we or the device manufacturers should never be held responsible.

Rooting And Installing CWM/TWRP Recovery On Xperia Z3 23.1.A.1.28 Firmware

Downgrade to 23.0.A.2.93 Firmware and root device

If you upgraded to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, you need to downgrade first. Your device needs to be running KitKat OS and be rooted before we proceed.
Install XZ Dual Recovery.
Enable USB debugging mode.
Download latest installer for Xperia Z3 here. (Z3-lockeddualrecovery2.8.xx-RELEASE.installer.zip)
Connect the phone to PC with the OEM data cable.
Run install.bat.
Wait for custom recovery to be installed.

Make A Pre-Rooted Flashable Firmware For .28 FTF

Download PRF Creator and install it.
Download SuperSU zip and place it on PC.
Download .28 FTF and place it on PC.
Download Z3-lockeddualrecovery2.8.xx-RELEASE.flashable.zip
Run PRF Creator. Add the three downloaded files on it.
Click Create. This will create the Flashable ROM. Wait till you see the successful message.
Copy Flashable ROM to the internal storage of your phone.

Root and Install Recovery

Turn phone off.
Turn phone back on. Enter custom recovery by pressing the volume up or down buttons repeatedly.
Click install option and find the pre-rooted flashable firmware file that you created.
Tap the file to install.
Reboot phone and disconnect it from the PC.
Copy the .28 FTF file you downloaded in the second step to /flashtool/firmwares.
Open Flashtool. Click on the lightning icon located on the top left corner.
Click on Flashmode.
Select the .28 FTF file.
In the right bar, you will see some options, exclude the option System. Otherwise, leave all options as is.
Flashtool will prepare the software for flashing.
Turn your phone off. Keeping the volume down button pressed, connect it to the PC again.
Still keeping the button pressed, wait for your phone to enter flashmode. When Flashtool detects you phone, flashing will start.
After flashing finishes, your phone should reboot.