The moment you root your Sony Xperia XZ Premium, you will instantly get to access a very wide arena of various features, that are not available otherwise, such as customizing your device the way you want, installing custom ROMs, removing bloatware, and even getting features normally reserved for the developers. But then again, one has to weigh the pros against the cons, as rooting can also lead to the loss of warranty or might even cause the phone to be rendered useless in case of improper rooting. So, this guide will contain everything you need to know about the Xperia XZ Premium rooting process, discussing its pros and cons, various methods, and the complete procedure.
Rooting Explained
What is Rooting?
Rooting is the term that denotes achieving privileged control over the operating system of your Android device, which is popularly termed root access. With root access, you are in a position to make changes to system files and settings that the manufacturer usually locks. Thus, root access gives you the freedom to decide how your device will function and how much it can be customized.
Rooting Advantages
Customization: Among other things, rooting gives you the power to alter the look, performance, and behavior of your device to match your taste.
Install Custom ROMs: One of the key benefits of rooting is the ability to flash custom ROMs, which are the various modified versions of the Android OS that come with extra features and improvements.
Remove Bloatware: With root privileges, you can get rid of those apps that come preloaded on your phone and are of no use to you, these apps are referred to as bloatware.
Access Advanced Features: Rooting will allow you to tap into the hidden features and settings that are generally not accessible to stock device users.
Rooting Disadvantages
Void Warranty: The act of rooting will most likely result in the warranty of your device being nullified, as it entails altering the system files and settings.
Bricking: Rooting has the possibility of turning your device into a brick if not performed properly, thereby making it unusable.
Security Risks: Rooting is a practice that naturally exposes the device to security issues because it bypasses some security controls that the manufacturer has implemented.
Loss of Functionality: Rooting one of the causes that certain apps or features may not work properly anymore, especially those that depend on a secure and unaltered system.
Preparing Your Xperia XZ Premium for Rooting
It is of utmost importance to follow certain steps before rooting Sony Xperia XZ Premium to avoid a troublesome process and to make it successful.
Backup Your Data: In case something goes wrong during the rooting process, make sure to back up all your important data (contacts, photos, videos, documents) to avoid data loss.
Enable Developer Options: To enable developer options, go to Settings > About phone > Build number, and then tap on it several times until you get a message saying that developer options have been enabled.
Enable OEM Unlocking: The first thing to do in the Developer options menu is to allow bootloader unlocking by enabling OEM unlocking, which is a prerequisite for rooting.
Charge Your Device: Make sure your Xperia XZ Premium is fully charged to avoid it going off during the rooting process which is a potential bricking situation.
Unlock Bootloader (Optional): It is necessary to unlock the bootloader in some methods of rooting. Confirm whether or not your device’s bootloader is to be unlocked before going ahead with rooting.
Xperia XZ Premium Rooting Methods
Method 1: Employing One-Click Rooting Tools
The one-click rooting tools provide an uncomplicated and easy way to root the Xperia XZ Premium with hardly any technical knowledge needed. Some of the most popular one-click rooting tools are KingoRoot, KingRoot, and Magisk. Let’s see a rough outline of the method:
Firstly, you must download and install the one-click rooting tool on your PC.
Secondly, enable USB debugging on your smartphone by navigating to Settings > Developer options > USB debugging on your Xperia XZ Premium.
Thirdly, connect your device to your computer via a USB cable.
Lastly, simply follow the instructions that the rooting tool shows you to root your device.
The device will then restart on its own and so you must have root access when the rooting process is finished.
Method 2: Custom Recovery (TWRP) Use
Custom recovery, such as TeamWin Recovery Project (TWRP), provides you with a quite robust option to install custom ROMs, kernels, and device alterations. Check the process on how to perform Xperia XZ Premium rooting with TWRP:
Download the TWRP recovery image file for your Xperia XZ Premium from TWRP’s official website.
If your device’s bootloader is still locked, then unblock it. This step is vital for the installation of custom recovery.
Switch your Xperia XZ Premium to the mode for fastboot by turning off the smartphone and then holding down the Volume Up button while you connect it to your PC using USB.
You have to open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and make your way to the directory where the TWRP recovery image file is located.
To flash the TWRP recovery image to your device, you need to run the command below:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
TWRP recovery image file name should be used in place of “twrp.img”.
As soon as the flashing procedure is finished, perform the following steps to reboot the device into recovery mode: press and hold the Volume Down button while simultaneously pressing the Power button.
After this, in TWRP recovery mode, choose “Install” and then search through your files to the place where you put the Magisk or SuperSU zip file.
Point out the Magisk or SuperSU zip file and swipe to confirm the flash.
When the flashing process is finished, reboot your device, and root access should be granted.
Root Access Verification
Root access can be checked in the same way as with rooting methods. Thus, if you root your Sony Xperia XZ Premium with one of the two scenarios, then just install a root checker app from the Google Play to verify it. Popular apps such as Root Checker, Root Checker Basic, and Magisk Manager can check if your mobile device has root access or not.
Final Thoughts
Rooting your Sony Xperia XZ Premium may give you the chance to customize and optimize in many different ways, but it also brings risks and factors to consider. When you read the entire guide, you will be able to comprehend the pros and cons, the prep steps, and the rooting techniques, thus you will be able to make your choice and safely and responsibly operate your device.
Don’t forget to create a backup of your data, switch on developer options and rigorously follow the step-by-step instructions that come with the method of your choice for rooting. Rooting will give you the power to take your Xperia XZ Premium to the next level and make it fit your particular tastes and needs.