Root Sony Xperia Z1s: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Rooting your Sony Xperia Z1s gives you full administrative control over the Android operating system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install custom ROMs, use root-only apps, and tweak system settings that are normally locked. This guide walks you through unlocking the bootloader, flashing a custom recovery, and installing SuperSU to gain root access. Before you begin, back up all important data, as the process will wipe your device, and ensure your battery is charged above 80%.

What You’ll Need

A Sony Xperia Z1s (model C6916) with the bootloader unlockable (check Sony’s official unlock page using your device’s IMEI).
A Windows PC (or a Mac/Linux with the necessary drivers and tools).
USB cable for connecting the phone to the computer.
Sony Xperia Z1s drivers installed on your PC (from Sony’s support site).
Android SDK Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot) installed on your PC.
Unlocked bootloader (if not already done, follow Step 1).
Download the following files and place them in an easy-to-find folder (e.g., C:\root):
- Latest TWRP recovery image for the Z1s (e.g., twrp-3.x.x-x-aries.img).
- Latest SuperSU ZIP (e.g., SuperSU-v2.82-20170526214251.zip).
- Latest Sony USB drivers (if not already installed).

Step-by-Step

Back up your data. Since unlocking the bootloader wipes the phone, copy photos, contacts, and any important files to your PC or cloud storage. Use Sony’s backup app or a third-party tool.
Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging. Go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number 7 times. Then go to Settings > Developer options and enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking (if available).
Unlock the bootloader. Visit Sony’s official bootloader unlock page, enter your device’s IMEI (dial *#06# to get it), and request the unlock code. Then, on your PC, open a command prompt in the folder with ADB and Fastboot. Connect your phone, run adb reboot bootloader to enter fastboot mode. Then run fastboot oem unlock 0x<YOUR_UNLOCK_CODE> (replace with the code you received). Confirm on the phone when prompted. This will wipe the device.
Reboot and set up the phone. After unlocking, the phone will reboot. Set it up again, re-enable USB debugging, and ensure the battery is charged.
Flash TWRP recovery. Connect the phone to the PC, open a command prompt in the folder with the TWRP image, and run adb reboot bootloader to enter fastboot mode again. Then run fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-aries.img. After it flashes, run fastboot reboot.
Boot into TWRP. As the phone reboots, press the volume up button repeatedly (or the key combo for your device) to enter recovery. If you miss it, power off and hold Volume Up + Power until the recovery appears.
Install SuperSU. In TWRP, tap Install, navigate to the SuperSU ZIP file you downloaded (it must be on the internal storage or an SD card), select it, and swipe to confirm the flash. This may take a minute.
Wipe cache and reboot. After the flash completes, go back to the main TWRP menu, tap Wipe, and then Advanced Wipe. Check Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache, swipe to wipe, then tap Reboot System.
Verify root. Once the phone boots, install a root checker app from the Play Store (e.g., Root Checker) and follow its instructions to confirm root access. You should see a SuperSU prompt when an app requests root.

Common Mistakes

Not unlocking the bootloader correctly: If you skip this step, flashing recovery will fail or the phone won’t boot. Ensure you have the correct unlock code and that the bootloader is actually unlocked.
Using the wrong TWRP image: The Z1s (C6916) is different from the Z1 (C6903). Download the correct recovery for the Z1s, otherwise it may not work or may cause boot loops.
Forgetting to enable USB debugging: Without it, ADB commands won’t work. Re-enable it after every reboot.
Flashing SuperSU on a locked bootloader: This will not work; the bootloader must be unlocked first.
Interrupting the flash process: Do not unplug the USB cable during flashing. It can brick the device.

Tips

Always use the latest versions of TWRP and SuperSU compatible with Android 5.1.1 (the last official firmware for the Z1s).
After rooting, consider installing a backup app like Titanium Backup to back up apps and data.
If you plan to install custom ROMs, make a nandroid backup in TWRP before proceeding.
Keep the SuperSU ZIP on your SD card for easy re-flashing if you lose root.
Use a high-quality USB cable and a USB port directly on your PC to avoid connection issues.

Troubleshooting

Phone stuck in boot loop after flashing: Boot into TWRP (Volume Up + Power), wipe cache/dalvik, and try again. If that fails, restore a backup or flash a stock firmware using Flashtool.
ADB not recognizing the device: Install or reinstall the Sony USB drivers, try a different USB port, and ensure USB debugging is enabled. On Windows, check Device Manager for errors.
Fastboot command not found: Make sure you have the latest Android SDK Platform Tools and that the fastboot.exe is in the same folder or in your PATH.
Unlock code not working: Double-check that you entered the correct IMEI and that your device is eligible. If the code fails, contact Sony support.
SuperSU fails to install or root doesn’t stick: Re-download the SuperSU ZIP and try again. Also, ensure your bootloader is truly unlocked by checking in fastboot mode with fastboot getvar unlocked (should return ‘yes’).
Wi-Fi or cellular not working after root: This is rare but can happen if the kernel is not compatible. Re-flash the stock kernel or a custom kernel that supports your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rooting my Xperia Z1s void the warranty?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader and rooting will void the warranty. Sony’s official policy considers this a modification, and they may refuse service.

Can I unroot my device later?

Yes, you can unroot by re-locking the bootloader and flashing stock firmware using Flashtool. This will restore the phone to factory state, but the bootloader unlock status may remain visible.

Will I still receive OTA updates after rooting?

No, OTA updates will likely fail because the system partition is modified. You can manually install updates via TWRP or flash stock firmware.

Is it safe to root? Can it brick my phone?

There is always a risk of bricking if you follow incorrect steps or interrupt the process. However, if you follow this guide carefully and use the correct files, the risk is minimal. Always have a backup and a plan to restore.

What is the best SuperSU version for the Z1s?

SuperSU v2.82 is the last stable version and works well on Android 5.1.1. Newer versions may not support older Android versions.

Do I need to unlock the bootloader if I only want to use root apps?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader is required to flash a custom recovery and SuperSU. There is no one-click root method for the Z1s that works without it.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.