Upgrade Sony Xperia Z1 Compact to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop using Official CM 12 Nightlies ROM





The official CM 12 Nightly ROM based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop is now live for the Compact Z1 smartphone. Check all the info listed in this post in order to learn how to successfully upgrade your Sony Xperia Z1 Compact with an official CyanogenMod build.

The new Nightlies from the CyanogenMod team are based on Android 5.0.2 and if you're a fan of their work and you want Lollipop on your phone, then you should use our guide. This release is in no way a stable build, so you should install CM 12 Nightly ROM at your own risk. Some time in the future you will be getting the first CM 12 M-Snapshot Stable Lollipop ROM, but until then you can settle with the Nightly builds. Check the CM blog page in order to learn more about CM 12 and its features.

Before starting the installation you should read the preparation info below:

use this article only for the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact smartphone.

- if you own an Xperia Z1 original mode, then you can check our other tutorial here.

- if you own an Xperia Z1 original mode, then you can check our other tutorial here. your device has to be unlocked, rooted and running the latest version of CWM or TWRP custom Recovery.

- upgrade the installed custom Recovery to its latest version, so that it supports Android 5.x Lollipop ROMs.

- upgrade the installed custom Recovery to its latest version, so that it supports Android 5.x Lollipop ROMs. in the 'how-to' part of this post you will find two extra preparation steps: NANDROID ROM Backup and Factory Reset.

- do not skip those steps.

- the NANDROID Backup sets a restore point for your phone, one that you can use in case the new ROM doesn't boot in normal mode and you want to repair the device.

- the Factory Reset wipes clean all the files installed by the previous ROM on your phone's system partition.

- factory reset doesn't remove any data from internal / external sdcard.

- do not skip those steps. - the NANDROID Backup sets a restore point for your phone, one that you can use in case the new ROM doesn't boot in normal mode and you want to repair the device. - the Factory Reset wipes clean all the files installed by the previous ROM on your phone's system partition. - factory reset doesn't remove any data from internal / external sdcard. if you wish to save any files from installed apps or any other type of data files, then you can use Helium for Android tool.

- Contacts info can be synced with your default Gmail account.

- Contacts info can be synced with your default Gmail account. this is a tutorial that has to be used by advanced Android users, do not blame us if you end up bricking your device.

- read the entire post and do not skip any steps listed below.

- read the entire post and do not skip any steps listed below. check the Xperia Z1 Compact battery charge level and make sure that it is over 50%.

we cannot be blamed in case you lose any data nor in case your phone gets bricked in the process.

How to flash CM 12 Nightly ROM for Sony Xperia Z1 Compact:

After the new ROM is flashed you can continue updating the CM 12 Nightlies with new official builds using the CyanogenMod Updates menu under Settings section.

Remember that this custom ROM is still in its testing phase, so you will be finding some errors and bugs while using it. If you find any major errors, then feel free to report back to the developing team with your finds.

Now that you know all of the above you can continue to the installation process below.

Download the CM 12 Nightly ROM zip here. Download Gapps for Android 5.x ROMs here. Copy these zip files to your phone's internal storage.

- do not unzip the archived contents.

- after the files are copied you can disconnect the device from PC. Power off the phone and then boot it in Custom Recovery Mode. Set a NANDROID Backup for the installed OS:

- CWM: select 'backup and restore' option, while for TWRP Recovery you can tap on 'backup'.

- set a name for this file and confirm the process. Factory Reset your device:

- for CWM select 'wipe data/ factory reset'.

- for TWRP select 'Wipe' option.

- confirm. Initiate the CM 12 Nightly ROM install:

- CWM: select 'install zip from sdcard', then 'choose zip from sdcard'.

- TWRP: press Install. Find the ROM zip file and confirm installation.

- don't press any buttons until all files are successfully installed. When the new CyanogenMod 12 ROM is flashed you can install the Gapps zip, too.

- use the same actions as in step 6 in order to find the ROM file and confirm its installation. Reboot the device in normal mode after all files are installed with success.

Note that the first boot process of this new ROM takes a while before it loads all the new files. In case you need any extra help installing the CM 12 Nightly for your Xperia Z1 Compact, then you should use the comments field below.

In case your Xperia Z1 Compact phone doesn't go past the boot animation screen after 30 minutes, then the installation process of this new ROM might have failed and you will need to repeat the entire guide more than once. Also, note that you will be forced to repeat the guide if you see the phone entering a continuous boot loop.

If you do repeat the guide, then you should make sure that the phone meets all the requirements listed above the tutorial and that the installed custom Recovery is updated to its latest version, so that it supports new Android 5.x Lollipop ROMs.