Root All Xperia mini (un)rooting,un(re)locking bootloader,flashing CM,kernels,CWM,ROM's,tweaks etc

rEcEivEr · Feb 10, 2012

Credit for original picture goes to 67MBex@deviantART

Xperia mini ST15i
All in one guide for rooting/unrooting, unlocking/re-locking bootloader, flashing cyanogenMOD, FOTA unbrick, custom kernels, CWM, custom ROM's, tweaks, firmwares

This guide is thought for Xperia mini ST15i. But much of the content is general, and can be applied to other Xperia phones.
I've collected various stuff (tutorials, guides etc. on unlocking the bootloader, rooting, custom ROM, custom kernels, etc) in one single place for easy finding.
I tried writing this guide to the best of my knowledge. I've invested some effort in creating it, so I hope you find it useful

I've used guides and tools from other people&devs, and all the credit goes solely to them.

I'm also open to any suggestions if there are any.

If you want to thank me, consider registering dropbox for free

http://db.tt/6eVkWkqs
Thank you!

For n00bs:
What is Bootloader, custom ROM, Kernel, CWM, Firmware, Flashing, ADB, Root ?
Follow this link: http://androidforums.com/sony-erics...m-firmware-flashing-adb-root.html#post4657640

Contents:

1. Unlocking/re-locking bootloader
2. Rooting/Un-rooting, ADB drivers, flashing firmware with flashtool
3. Flashing ROMs /CWM
4. Kernel listing, flashing a kernel
5. FOTA unbrick
6. Firmwares&basebands download for ST15i
7. Complete GB&ICS ROM listing for ST15i
8. TwEaking
9. Some theming links
10. misc. stuff
11. Reference links/credits

1. [Unlocking/re-locking bootloader]

Sony Ericsson made it possible to unlock the bootloader on the Xperia mini ST15i.
Unlike my former Xperia X8, wich I hard bricked trying to unlock it

You need to have an unlocked bootloader to install cyanogenMOD, the majority of custom ROM's, custom kernels.

Follow the official guide for best results:
Unlocking the boot loader | Sony Xperia

Unlock Bootloader via Test Point for n00bz tutorial thanX DragonClawsAreSharp@XDA

[Tutorial] Unlock Bootloader.Test Point | For Newbs | 26th June - xda-developers

[Re-locking bootloader] thanX to Blagus@XDA

NOTE: This method only works if you unlocked via the official way! Do not attempt this if you unlocked via TestPoint method!

So if you wanna do it, just follow the guide

[Tutorial] Relock bootloader! - xda-developers

Bootloader unlock tools [Official method]:

SE Bootloader Unlocking v1.6 tool thanX to quangnhut123

XDA ROM HUB tool. thanX to xdevilium@XDA

Open program.
Select tweak my phone> unlock bootloader. Click "unlock code" to get your key.
After you obtain it, input the key and click unlock bootloader

It'll say waiting for phone/device.
So you need to connect phone in fastboot.
To do that, shut off, hold volume -UP- while connecting to PC. LED should light blue.

2. [Rooting/Un-rooting, ADB drivers, flashing firmware with flashtool]

Requirements/prepping:
Check your firmware by going to settings> about phone> firmware.
Look at the last set of numbers.

>You can't root .62 firmware. If you have .62 firmware, you need to downgrade it.
>4.0.2.A.0.42 & 4.0.A.2.368 firmware is rootable. And flashing 4.0.2.A.0.62 firmware removes root.
>Download and flash .ftf file below to downgrade. How to flash firmwares is explained further down.
>You don't need unlocked bootloader for rooting.
>You need to have ADB installed (explained further down).

4.0.A.2.368 firmware for rooting, android version 2.3.3] thanX to DooMLorD@XDA
[FIRMWARE][4.0.A.2.368][Mini][ST15i][Smultron] Official Firmware + ROOT solution - xda-developers
This is a *.ftf file, which you can flash using FlashTool [http://androxyde.github.com/]

For rooting ICS (.431 firmware) and non-rootable GB builds, follow this link: [ROOT+BB+CWM] ICS and non rootable GB build - xda-developers

Another thing: all custom kernels are pre-rooted. Which means if you have an unlocked bootloader, flash a custom kernel and you will have root.

It's also possible to root or download firmwares with XDA ROM Hub tool.

Flashing firmwares with flashtool:

Install FlashTool.
Go to your flashtool folder, and place the .ftf file in the folder "firmwares".
Turn off your phone.
Now open flashtool.exe> click the thunder icon> select flashmode> adsp.sin should be selected> click ok. Wait till it asks you to connect the phone.
When it does, hold down the -DOWN- volume button while connecting, to enter flashmode (the LED should turn green).
The flashing will commence.
After that, disconnect and turn on your phone.

Installing ADB:
How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices (Updated 12/13/11) - TheUnlockrTheUnlockr
OR
[HOW-TO] ADB for Dummies(How-To Learner's Guide) - xda-developers

[Rooting]:
If you have a rootable firmware and installed adb drivers, you're all set.
Download this .zip file and extract it to some folder.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=841876&d=1325678726
from original thread:
[04/Jan][ROOTING/UNROOTING] DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit [v4.0](zergRush Exploit) - xda-developers

Connect your phone in USB debugging mode. To do that, go to settings> applications> development> turn on "USB debugging". Also turn on "unknown sources" in applications. You might also wanna tick "stay awake". So the screen stays on while USB connected.
Then run the runme.bat in the folder you extracted the zip.
It takes about a minute, two. If you get a positive message, then you have a rooted phone!
You can also try rooting with FlashTool.
Open FlashTool> advanced> root> force zergRush

[Un-rooting]: thanX to DooMLorD again

If you want to un-root your rooted phone, get this file:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=765523&d=1319922608
from this original Thread:
[HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method) - Page 15 - xda-developers

It's the same as the rooting process. Connect phone in USB debugging mode, turn on unknown sources, and start the process. This time you just have to confirm SU request on the phone. So you might wanna go to settings> applications> check stay awake, so the phone won't go standby during the process.
Important: If you haven't rooted your phone with the method described here (easy rooting toolkit by DooMLorD), don't use this tool!

3. [Flashing ROMs]

First thing, copy ROM zip file onto your SDcard

If your bootloader is locked, and you're on stock kernel, make sure you have CWM recovery installed (explained further down)
Start the phone. When you see the logo getting brighter, keep pressing volume DOWN until recovery menu appears.

If you have unlocked bootloader, flash a custom kernel. That way you'll have CWM. Since all custom kernels come with CWM.
Start your phone. The LED will change color to signal you to press volume DOWN in order to enter recovery.

Touchscreen doesn't work in CWM. Move trough the menu with volume keys, select with home button, go back with back touch button.
Choose factory reset, wipe cache.
In some cases if the ROM won't boot you'll need to go advanced> select wipe dalvik.
After that choose install zip from sdcard and choose ROM zip.

NOTE: I strongly suggest that you do a nandroid backup before you flash a ROM or modify the system in any way.
That way you are able to restore the system if something should go wrong.

That's it

Make sure the your kernel is compatible with the ROM you're trying to flash.
For example cyanogenmod requires it's own kernel. Also GB kernels don't work with ICS/ JB and vice versa.

And make sure you're flashing a ROM that is actually intended for your device!

DO NOT make the mistake by installing a Xperia miniPRO ROM! They may SOUND similar, but they are not. If you do, hardware/touch controls may not work and bootloops may occur.
It's very tricky to repair, if possible at all.

Optional google apps download (maps, talk,gmail, synchronization etc.):

Gingerbread ROMs
Goo-inside.me Downloads - Downloading gapps-gb-20110828-signed.zip

ICS ROMs:
Goo.im Downloads - Downloading gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip

Clockwork Recovery [CWM]:

All custom kernels from the ones available for the mini have CWM.

If you don't want to unlock your bootloader to flash a custom kernel, but you have root, you can install CWM via this app on google play:
Xperia CWM Auto-Installer

Or download XDA ROM HUB
Connect your turned on phone> Select tweak my phone> install CWM
DL: https://romhub.codeplex.com/

or try RecoverX, Recovery installer: [TOOL] [14/07/2012] RecoverX - Recovery installer for all xperia devices - xda-developers

5. [Kernel listing, flashing a kernel]

[X Kernel] [KERNEL] [Mini/MiniPro/LiveWithWalkman/Active] X kernel 2.6.32.59 ZRAM [2-April-2012] - xda-developers

[no longer maintained][Rage Kernel for FXP CM7.2.0 ROM]
xda-developers - View Single Post - [KERNEL][Mini/MiniPro/Active] Rage Kernel v2.8 for FXP CM7.2.0 ROM

ICS&GB [Rage Kernel] [KERNEL][Mini/MiniPro/LiveWithWalkman/Active] Rage Kernel v2.8 - xda-developers

ICS [KRsH Kernel v3.0] [KERNEL][Mini/Mini Pro/Active/LwW] KRsH Kernel v3.0 ICS - xda-developers
Since dev has removed the kernel, I've uploaded ST15i version: ICSkrsh.img

ICS [EXtended Stock Kernel] [KERNEL][ST15/SK17/WT19] EXtended Stock Kernel - v2 4.1.B.0.431 [ROOT+INIT.D+CWM] - xda-developers

ICS [MESA Kernel] [KERNEL][LWW/MINI/MINIPRO/ACTIVE][ICS] MESA v1.1 based on Sony's 4.1.B.0.431 - xda-developers

ICS [KernelPanic] [Kernel][ICS][Mini|MiniPro|LWW] KernelPanic v1.21 | 04.09.12 | New Release Mini/LWW - xda-developers

Flashing a kernel:
Flashtool method:
Shut off phone> hold UP volume button while connecting to PC. LED lights BLUE indicating device is in fastboot mode.
Open FlashTool> thunder icon> fastboot mode> select kernel to flash. You flashed the kernel.

CMD command: fastboot flash boot boot.img
Where boot.img is the name of the kernel file.

5. [FOTA (Firmware Over-the-Air) unbrick guide] thanX to testadeferro@XDA
The thing with the bootloader is that when you unlock it, you loose the ability to upgrade via Sony Ericsson PC companion/SEUS.
What happened to me is, I thought I could update firmware directly with my phone if not via PC... It downloaded the software, and restarted to install it. And that's where it froze, and went black.
I had my heart in my throat when I tried to turn it on, and it didn't respond. I thought omg there goes another phone... (I lost my X8 due to messing with it's bootloader)
So it wouldn't turn on, but when I connected it to the PC, the green light went on... what a relief LoL! It was still alive, but bricked.
So I found this FOTA unbrick guide, which did the job
If you wanna know more about FOTA, go to wikipedia> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOTA_(technology)

If something like this should happen to you, download the *.ftf file from the link.
Xperia_Relock_bootloader.ftf

Turn the phone off.
Unzip the file, place the ftf file in C:\Flashtool\firmwares (or wherever you installed flashtool), open flashtool click the flash button, and click ok (don't modify anything. It will ask you to connect the phone now. Take the turned off phone, hold the volume DOWN button while connecting. the led light should turn green, which indicates you're connected in flash mode. You should see the flashing process progress now. After it's completed, disconnect your phone and turn it on

Frisco · Feb 10, 2012

That's quite a contribution, receiver, thank you! I've moved it to the All Things Root section here.. I want to also link to it in the Root Guide Sticky.**

Thanks again!

[edit]** Done, now this guide is a part of the Mini Root Guide.

rEcEivEr · Feb 10, 2012

You're welcome!
Just trying to help

nebrossuser · Feb 27, 2012

I wanted my experia st15i phone to be back on stock again so I can root it. I am running a .62 firmware. I have read on doomlords thread that .62 firmware cannot be rooted, so I decided to flash it back to the stock phone .368.

I followed all the step on the flashing on the phone.

- installed the necessary drivers -adb, flashtool drivers.

This error came up (see Attachment) after that I haven't been able to turn on my phone. Even If I tried again, still comes up the same error.

BIG PROBLEM! My phone now cannot be turned on, it keep getting back to flash mode.

Please help!

I am sorry but I only follow steps, I don't know if I had to unlock my bootloader before I flash it, or root it.

Please help, I am currently researching now If I can turn back my phone again.

rEcEivEr · Feb 29, 2012

Hope I'm not too late...

From the image you provided I can see that you haven't unlocked the bootloader. It says rootable, where a unlocked bootloader should say rooted.
Anyway, if you want to flash cyanogen or hybrom etc., you have to have an unlocked bootloader.
It isn't really that hard to unlock it. And you can follow the official guide from sony ericsson to do it.

Regarding the flashing, don't worry. You just have to flash stock firmware.

Go to this link: [FIRMWARE][4.0.A.2.368][Mini][ST15i][Smultron] Official Firmware + ROOT solution - xda-developers

download the firmware, put it in flashtools folder under firmwares.
start flashtool, select the thunder icon, go to flashmode, select the downloaded firmware, click ok, wait until it asks to connect your phone.
Keep the -DOWN- volume button pressed while you're connecting the phone to the PC. The LED will turn green which means it's connected in flashmode.
It should flash it now....
After you flashed it, it should be back on .368 baseband, and should be rootable.

If you have any other questions or problems, just ask and I'll try to help you!

ronzstc312 · Feb 29, 2012

Hi the attached the cm7.2. isn't available anymore.. the link no longer working.. Please provide a new 1.. Please help.. appreciate your effort in advance... godbless..

rEcEivEr · Mar 1, 2012

You can find CM7.2 here:
{Mini/MiniPro/Active/Live}[DEVELOPMENT] - CM7.2.0 - FXP109 - FreeXperia Project - xda-developers

frommeusee · Mar 14, 2012

sorry bro cant u give me files to flash directly from u bcz if go to xda developer to download i dont know which one i must to download plz i newbie here

rEcEivEr · Mar 14, 2012

Sure.
Just tell me what is it you need?
I haven't linked directly because,
1> they may change at some point and then you'll have broken links.
2> I like to give credit to all the devs

frommeusee · Mar 14, 2012

thankss bro for quick respond from ok im using xperia mini as i know files i need to flash is ''ttf"format something like that ,when i download the files [with links u give] i get zip files and i unzip that files and dont get the files in ''ttf'' format that why i req from ur ,i plan to flash my xperia to cm mod or u have any suggestion to me ,and one thing cant i flash using SUT LR like i flash my csl and that method very2 easy about 15 min all done.......thanksss bro i hope u cant help me bcz my experia get virus in my phone and my phone get weird and im like crazy right now....thanksss

rEcEivEr · Mar 14, 2012

LoL I haven't heard of an android virus yet... Maybe it's some kind of crap app.
Anyway, I've used CM7.2 before, but battery life was horrible. And none of the custom kernels would work correctly with it, except it's own.
Now I'm using Hybrom with Rage kernel, and the batt life is phenomenal compared to CM.

hybrom_v14.zip (direct link for st15i) After download, place it on your SD card. (It's a .zip file)

You have to have an unlocked bootloader. For that you can use the link at the top of the guide.

If you're unlocked, you have to flash Rage kernel for st15i http://dl.dropbox.com/u/31230492/rage_kernel_mini.zip (direct link)

To flash it, connect your phone in fastboot (connect USB to PC while holding UP volume button). The LED should be blue for fastboot, green for flashmode.
open FlashTool, click the thunder icon, select fastboot mode, then select kernel to flash (boot.img).

After it's flashed, turn the phone on. When you see the sony ericsson logo, keep pressing volume DOWN button until you get to recovery.
When you'r there, select factory reset, clear cache, go to advanced and clear dalvik also. Then go select zip file from SD card, and select hybrom (or any other ROM for that matter).

That's all there's to it i think

frommeusee · Mar 14, 2012

thankss bro very2 helpfull rep+++ to u

frommeusee · Mar 16, 2012

thanksss bro after tried try and i get it and wow nice startup but my touch screen not function please bro help me .....

frommeusee · Mar 17, 2012

bro please give me some suggestion to how to do,i try it many many times does't work my touch still get weird.....please

frommeusee · Mar 17, 2012

my phone right now be a PHONE MODEL SK17i

rEcEivEr · Mar 17, 2012

damn! I reckoned you'd see that this thread is for mini st15i only not mini pro or mini sk17! You installed a ROM for st15i which is incompatible with sk17 LoL.
Nice mess now

But I'm not gonna let you hanging

Rage kernel for SK17: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/31230492/rage_kernel_mini_pro.zip

Hybrom for SK17: hybrom_v14.zip

Flash the kernel, then flash the ROM. Like I explained in previous post.

If that doesn't work, then go here Deposit Files and download the file. You have to wait 60seconds.
That's the generic firmware for your phone.

Next, you put that file into firmwares in your flashtool folder. Then start flashtool, select thunder icon> flashmode>ok>ok. Then wait until it asks you to connect your phone (hold down volume button while connecting).

So that should repair your phone.
After that, download the kernel and ROM above and flash!

I hope I explained it right :-D

frommeusee · Mar 18, 2012

thankss bro ,its true my phone is st15i i see in under the back phone and im really sure my phone is st15i after i follow with flash you give it to me and follow the step you give to me ,my touch screen get weird,i try to open setting and get to ABOUT PHONE and i get a shock when i see my phone model being sk17 hah i think that why my touch screen get weird if i want to select down i must touch up ,so please bro give me some solution to solve this problem please,and i try with some advise from xda dev they say i must flash with wotan server and i try it after i flash and succesfully but my touch screen not working at all only [vol button and home]working please......

AshrafX11 · Jul 20, 2012

What the safe & easy way to unlock bootloader without losing DRM, using official guide,Test POint or SE boot loader unlocking ?

filipcopic123 · Aug 22, 2012

i wanted to root my phone and i flashed it from 0.62 to 0.42,i couldnt root it for some reason and flashtool says the bootlodaer status is rootable.i flashed it to 2.368 and the same problem was there and also a new problem appeared ,NO NETWORK , this mesage appeared(unfortunetly process com.android.phone has stopepd working) i could use camera and other but icouldnt call or text or receive those.i flashed it to 0.431(ics,like it)and the problem was not vanished.should i try flashing it to 0.62 again

Root All Xperia mini (un)rooting,un(re)locking bootloader,flashing CM,kernels,CWM,ROM's,tweaks etc

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