Update SONY Xperia SP to Android 5.0 Lollipop via unofficial CyanogenMod 12 with Locked Bootloader

Android Lollipop 5.0 based CM12 ROM is now available to download for Locked Sony Xperia SP, which is released by the XDA member Bagyusz. This is an unofficial CyanogenMod 12 custom ROM based on the latest Android OS version for Xperia SP (HuaShan). Normally, Sony devices need the bootloader unlocked in order to make changes with the kernel and the main advantage of this release is that you can flash it on the Xperia SP with locked bootloader. So there is no need to unlock Xperia SP’s bootloader and you can easily install CM12 ROM on SONY Xperia SP after rooting and installing CWM recovery.

Please note that this is an unofficial ROM which is still under development, thus many features may not functioning properly, so it can’t be used as a daily driver but the developers are busy to fix the bugs and to improve the ROM to make the basic features to work. If you have Sony Xperia SP device with a locked bootloader running Android 4.3 and want to flash the unofficial CyanogenMod 12 version to taste the awesome features of Android 5.0 Lollipop on the Xperia SP, then we’ve a detailed guide given below.

In this guide first you’ll need to root Xperia SP on Android 4.3 stock firmware and then install CWM recovery on it. The final step will be installing Android 5.0 on Xperia SP with CyanogenMod 12 ROM and Google Apps. Just scroll down and follow the ROM flashing instructions.

Fully Working:

Audio and Video playback
USB charging
USB OTG Support
ADB & MTP modes
Sensors
Wireless Lan (Wi-Fi)
SMS
Bluetooth
NFC
Camera

Not Working:

FM Radio

Note:

Please note that this unofficial Android 5.0 CyanogenMod 12 ROM is applicable to the Xperia SP only. Do not attempt to install it on any other variant, as a result it might brick the device. You can check the device”s model by navigating to Settings > About phone > Model number.

Warning:

AndroidXDA.net will not be held responsible for any kind of damage or lose occurred to your Sony Xperia SP. Rooting, custom recovery/ custom ROM installation will void the warranty of your device. Proceed at your own risk.

Before Getting Started:

Backup all the important data of your device completely like SMS, MMS, APN Settings, Contacts, Call Logs and other contents etc.
Your Sony Xperia SP should be rooted and have a ClockworkMod recovery installed.
Download and install SONY USB drivers
Enable USB Debugging option on your device by going to Settings > Developer options.
- Note:- If you can’t see the Developer Options then tap on Build Number under Settings > About phone a few times.
Make sure that the battery level of your Xperia SP should be at least about 80% before proceeding to the installation guide.
Setup Android SDK (for ADB and Fastboot commands): Link

Required Files:

Steps to Root Xperia SP on Android 4.3 Stock Firmware:

Step No 1:- Enable Unknown Sources by going to Settings > Security and check Unknown Sources

Step No 2:- Now plug your device to the PC and transfer the downloaded towelroot apk file to the SD Card of your phone.

Step No 3:- Install the TowelRoot .apk.

Step No 4:- Make sure that you’ve a working Data/Wi-Fi having a stable internet connection on the phone.

Step No 5:- Launch the TowelRoot app and tap on the make it ra1n button to root your Xperia SP.

Step No 6:- You device will be rebooted, once done you will have your Xperia SP rooted.

Note:- Please note that TowelRoot doesn’t actually root the phone, it installs a SuperSU app to give permissions to those files that needs a root access.

Steps to Install CWM Recovery on Xperia SP:

Step No 1:- To install CWM Recovery on the Xperia SP, you’ll need to plug it to the PC using its USB data cable, and USB debugging must be enabled on it.

Step No 2:- Extract the downloaded (CWM_SP_4.4.1.zip) on the desktop of your PC and install it by executing bat.

For Windows users: install.bat
For Mac users: install_mac.sh
For Linux users: install_linux.sh

Step No 3:- A menu will be displayed, Choose the first option to Install Recoveries automatically.

Step No 4:- If the installation completed successfully with any error and indicate some blinking lights with slight vibration then choose the third option to Reboot Phone.

Steps to Install Android 5.0 on SONY Xperia SP with CyanogenMod 12 ROM:

Step No 1: In order to install Android 5.0 CynogenMode12 ROM on your Xperia SP, first connect your phone to the PC and copy the downloaded CyanogenMod 12 ROM (cm-12-20141120-UNOFFICIAL-lbhuashan.zip) file to the root of your external SD Card of the phone.

Step No 2:- Now unplug the device and power it off to boot it into recovery mode.

Step No 3:-Power on the Xperia SP and when the lights blink and the phone vibrates the choose recovery which you want to boot into. Press Volume up for PhilZ recovery, Volume down for TWRP recovery and Camera button for CWM recovery.

Step No 4:- Clean up your device completely now by selecting wipe data/factory reset -> Yes-Wipe All user data to erase /Data/cache partitions and delete the android-secure folder in the SD card. This process will take some time, so be patient.

Step No 5:- Navigate to mount and storage -> Format/System.

Step No 6:- Go to install zip > choose zip from storage/sdcard1 and find the downloaded the CM12 ROM .zip file that you have saved on your PC. Select it and confirm to start the installation process.

Step No 7:- Install Google Apps (Gapps) on your Xperia SP by repeating the above steps.

Step No 8:- Finally, flash the fixes also to fix Data, Voice Calls and Wi-Fi bugs.

Step No 9:- Reboot your device by selecting “reboot system now“ once the installation is completed.

installed CM12 ROM on SONY Xperia SP with a locked bootloader

That’s All! You’ve successfully installed Android 5.0 with the latest CyanogenMod 12 ROM on your SONY Xperia SP without unlocking bootloader. Share your experience and your views in the comments section below.

Source

Aamir Jamal