How To Install CyanogenMod 11 ROM in Sony Xperia Z

Sony Xperia Z is my dream device and is same for almost everyone. I want a device which is water proof, sleek, has good sound quality, better and crisp display and Sony Xperia Z has all the features I need.

Sony Xperia Z is one of the finest devices in the Android world. The device has a 5.0 inch capacitive touch screen display which is dust and water proof display (IP57 certified) up to 1 meter and 30 minutes, which is very nice for people like me who watch movies on their devices and take them everywhere. Multifinger support of this device is awesome. 10 fingers! Yes, you can touch on this device with 10 fingers and it will recognize it. With the full HD Display of 1080 x 1920 pixels, it has 441 ppi pixels density. It has been added with xLoud, Bravia Engine 2 and many other customisations. It is also a gaming mobile phone because it has 2 GB RAM, Qualcomm MDM9215M / APQ8064 (depens on the model) Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU which guarantees super fast performance. Sony likes Adreno GPU and again, they have added Adreno 320 GPU in Sony Xperia Z for gaming and better graphics. Other specifications are also decent, but I am now going to talk about CyanongenMod 11 ROM.

What are the featuers of CyanongenMod 11 ROM?

The ROM has features that you will never ever get in your Stock or OEM ROMs like Focal, DSP Manager, CyanongenMOD settings, Theme support Modified, zipaligned, faster and stable applications etc.

Why to shift over CyanogenMod 11 ROM?

• Bored of stock camera appliaction? Get a new Focal application which has tons of features for camera.
• Bored of stock UI? Get a new look which is customizable a lot! You can customize your notification bar, OSG looks, glows and other UI options.
• Want to change ROMs because you want to change the themes? Get this ROM and change over 1 millions themes all over the world. You can change between many themes in just some seconds.
• Want to get BASS? I like the ROM because actually of DSP Manager. Awesome bass will shake your mind and they are real bass not fake. 

Requirements

• Rooted Sony Xperia Z: Click HERE to see how to root Sony Xperia Z.
• Sony Xperia Z with clockworkmod recovery installed in it.
• Nothing else, but just knowledge of using CWM recovery.

Downloads

• CyanongenMod 11 ROM: Click HERE to get it from official CyanongenMod website.

How To Install CyanongenMod 11 ROM in Sony Xperia Z and upgrade it to Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat.

• Download the ROM from your computer.
• Move it to your SD Card without extracting it.
• Reboot your Sony Xperia Z to recovery:
  adb shell
  su
  reboot recovery
• After rebooting it to recovery, make a nandroid backup from the main menu.
• Select Wipe data/factory reset option from the main menu and confirm the wipe.
• Select mounts and partitions from the menu and select /format system option.
• From the main menu, select install zip from sdcard option.
• Select the ROM from your SD Card and confirm the flash.
• Wipe user data again.
• Install Google applications, by selecting install zip from sdcard option, selecting the zip and confirming the flash.
• Reboot!

This boot will take more time than the normal boot because system is building some files that are required for the boot. You can comment here if you have any problem or anything you want to ask.

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How To Root Sony Xperia M Easily

Sony Xperia M is a very popular mobile phone till now because of it's features and price. We all love Sony and knows that Sony's products are trustable and better than other manufacturers in terms of specifications and the hardware they use.

If we compare any Micromax/Karbonn/Lava Quad-Core device with Sony's Quad-Core, then Sony will win because of it's hardware acceleartion. Indian manufacturers uses poor hardware which is very cheap and affordable. That's the reason why Indian devices are more affordable than Sony/HTC/Samsung even when its a Quad-Core device. Sony uses premium hardware, good RAM, good processor and not SoCs.
Sony Xperia M was released in June, 2013 and we think it has some outdated specifications, but the development support of this device is very good. It has a 4 inch capacitive touch screen with 245 PPI pixels density and a 480 x 800 pixels resolution. You get 1 GB of RAM in this device which I think is not bad for a device which is launched in mid of 2013 at low price. Also, the processor is nice. It has Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8227 Dual-core 1 GHz Krait CPU which is nice and can be compared with Cortex A9. GPU is also good. The mobile phone has Adreno 305, which can be again, compared with some good GPUs. Other specifications are also decent, but I am now going to show you how to root Soiny Xperia M.

Prerequists

• Sony Xperia M with 70% battery charged.
• A simple application which is available in the Downloads section.
• USB Debugging enabled: Open settings application. Scroll to the bottom and select About phone. Open it and tap 7 times on Build number. After you will tap 7 times on the build number, you will see You are a developer now! message. Then see the rest of guide.
• Your device may freeze for some seconds seconds while performing this guide, so don't be panic.
• Nothing else, except some basic knowledge of using and installing applications on android mobile phones.

Download

• Framaroot Application. Use only the application which has Gandalf exploit. Get Framaroot from it's official thread on XDA: Click HERE (Download Framaroot 1.5.3 application).
• Nothing else.

How To Root Sony Xperia M

• Download the application from your PC.
• Move it to your SD Card.
• Enable USB Debugging in your device (how to do so given in the Prerequists).
• If you have installed an appliaction from SD Card, then install it, and if you are installing it for the first time then see it how to do so: Tap on the application. You will see a popup which will warn you to install the application or not. Just select Yes and it will take you to another menu where you will see some options Enable install applications from unknown sources option. 
• Click on Open the application and select Superuser. Now select SuperSU from the drop-down list.
• Click on Gandalf exploit to root your Sony Xperia M.
• You will see a message Success ...:-) Superuser and su binary installed. You have to reboot your device in the popup which means you are rooted now.
• Reboot your device to root it.

You can try downloading Root Checker application to confirm that you are rooted or not. Feel free to comment here, in this blog. 

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How To Upgrade Sony Xperia Sola to Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat by CM 11 ROM

Sony Xperia Sola was released back in 2012, but is still now popular because of its some specifications and price range. The device has minimum requirements for running Android 4.4.2 KitKat in a mobile phone. I thought of writing an easy tutuorial for you guys so you guys can upgrade your GingerBread device to latest Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat OS.

Xperia Sola has decent specifications like 5 Mega Pixels camera, 1 Ghz Dual Core Cortex-A9 processor, Mali 400 GPU, which makes it actually a gaming phone. Mali 400 is one of the best affordable graphic cards for android mobile phones and it is far better than Adreno 200 and Adreno 203. Also, it can record videos up to 720p HD with 30 FPS. The bad thing or cos I found in this device is the chipset, but its not too bad, just talking that if it was SnapDragon then it would be better. 
Not talking about the specifications of this device, I will move to the ROM, that is CyanongeMod 11 ROM. We all know about cyanogenmod ROM these days that the ROM is highly customisable, stable, fast and a secure ROM. But what are the features that stock android doesn't provides us? These are FREE Anonymous data usage or incognito mode, DSP Manager, Focal Camera application, CyanogenMod Toolbox or in short, the customisable settings etc. There are many features and that's the reason that the ROM is the best in custom firmwares for android. After downloading and flashing the ROM in your Xperia Sola, you will get to know about this too. I hope you are a rooted user, because if you are not rooted then you cannot flash the ROM. Also I hope you reached here because you have ClockWorkMod Recovery or any other custom recovery? If NO then please search how to root Sony Xperia Sola and How To Install CWM Recovery in Sony Xperia Sola. After rooting your device, you can follow the steps which are mentioned here. Let's start our journey with the requirements!

Requirements and Downloads

• Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat CyanongeMod 11 ROM for Sony Xperia Sola: Click HERE. (Download CM11 Build only!)
• Google Apps: Click HERE.

Things which you need to see before you install CyanogenMod 11 Android 4.4.2 ROM in your Sony Xperia Sola

• Make sure you are a rooted user and have CWM installed in your handset.
• Don't install/flash this ROM on any other device because it may result in bricking up.
• Don't flash the ROM until you make a proper Nandroid backup with all partitions backed up.
• The ROM will take atleast 1 minute to boot up because the Firmware will build its file and all so don't panic and shut the device off.
• Don't follow anything which is not mentioned in this article.

How To Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat (CM11 ROM) in Sony Xperia Sola

• Download the ROM and Google Applications on your PC.
• Move it to SD Card of your Sony Xperia Sola.
• Shut down the device and reboot it to recovery
  ADB SHELL
  SU
  REBOOT RECOVERY
• After rebooting it to the CWM or any other recovery, select Backup and restore and select Backup to make a full backup of your current ROM.
• Select Wipe data/factory reset from the main menu to wipe the user data.
• Select Advanced and select /format system option to format your System partition.
• Now, select Wipe dalvik cache in advanced.
• Finally, select Flash a zip from sd card from the main menu and select your ROM which you recently downloaded and moved to your SD Card.
• Confirm the flash and wait for some time.
• Again, select Wipe data/factory reset option.
• [Optional!] Flash Google Apps by selecting Flash a zip from sdcard and confirming the flash.
• Reboot!

This boot will take more time than the usual backup because the CyanogneMod 11 or Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat ROM is building dalvik cache, data, and other required files to boot the system. It will not take more than 1-2 minutes. If it is stuck anywhere, then pull the battery of and reboot to recovery. Wipe the data again and then reboot.

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"Chorus", Samsung Group Play Alternate app for Every device!

Don't you have Samsung Galaxy S4 but want its Group Play feature in your device? If yes then you are at right place.

Samsung Group Play is one of the best feature of Samsung Galaxy S4, the feature used to play one song on different mobiles on same timings. I was just visiting XDA Developers and I saw a new application release named Chorus. The app fulfilled my dream of Group Play feature in my device. Okay, if you haven't heard or used Sasmung Galaxy S4 then let me tell you about its Group Play feature. The Group Play feature was introduced in Samsung Galaxy S4 with its release which allows users to play a single song on other devices (Samsung devices only) by wireless network. This application is just a copy of that application, not a copy but does the same work, but better work. There are no restrictions on the device vendor, also it doesn't require any special feature or hardware requirements but just a WiFi modem which will allow you to sync your music with other devices.
With this application you can turn out your Android devices to a loud speaker because it can be played in many devices simultaneously. I tried this application on my friends and my devices like Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One Mini and Micromax A117 Canvas Magnus and it was really like a loudspeaker. I was totally impressed with the application and so tough to write an article for this application on my blog.
The application is developed by XDA member rahuliyer95 and he has got many thanks and comments for his fantastic application.
Chorus supports each and every device which uses Android 2.3 Ginger Bread or above. It also uses the same feature as Samsung Group play does, by creating WiFi hotspot to share Play List with the other device.
The host device creates a hotspot, to which other devices using this application can connect to and play the same song on his/her device. Because of WiFi (faster than other networks) the song won't lag and will run flawlessly on even slow routers too.
You can create unlimited play lists and share it with your friends or any other person. He/she just needs a simple 'password' or a 'key' which you will see when you will make your play list so they can connect you.
Some features of "Chorus" are:

• No Ads or Adfree: the application doesn't show any kind of ads like AdSense or any other ads so you don't need to use applications like AdBlock or other ad blocking applications.
• The list can be edited any time: You can edit your play list any time and can re-sync it afterwards.
• Manual Sync option is available: Don't want automatic syncing? Then great because you can also use Manual Sync option in this application.
• Edge cutting UI: The application has a HOLO themed UI and there are nice animations with it too.
• Connect millions of devices: If you want to connect your 3, 4 or even 20 devices, then you can connect them easily by using this application and don't need to worry about the number of devices.
• Supports Android 2.3 Ginger Bread or above: There are many people who still uses Android 2.3 GingeBread or Ice Cream Sandwich in their devices so the application is available for them too as well as for JB/KK too.

Screenshot of this application:

There are many features which you may explore after installing and using this application only!

What are you waiting for? Download the application straight-away on your Android device!

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Top 3 Android Battery Saving Applications

Are you tiered of your android device because it eats a lots of RAM? If you are looking for such questions like How to increase my battery backup etc. then you are absolutely at right place! We all use mobile phones too much these days, like for internet, for listening to music etc. and battery comes from 60% to 15% in just a span of time, and that's very much frustrating. Some costly devices like Samsung Galaxy S4, Motorola HTC One Mini, Nexus 5 has better battery backup which we require but some people have low budget and they cannot afford these devices so the guide is for them! mAh doesn't mean more backup. Battery can be saved with smart optimizations, low sound, less brightness etc. but who has got time to them? Even I don't have much time to them so I use some battery saving application which does it automatically for me and trust me, it works. But which application to use? There will be tons of applications when you will search battery saver applications for android, so to help you I am making list of top 3 application which are best in saving battery of an android device. Also a good thing is that you don't need to root your mobile phone. They can increase your battery backup by 20-30%! Here are top 3 best battery saving applications for android device:

[Top 3 Android battery saving applications]

3rd Easy Battery Saver

This battery saving application has different modes like General Saving Mode, Intelligent Saving Mode, Super Power Saving Mode, Advanced Customized Mode, Normal Mode. The application has decent reviews but personally when I tried this application, I didn't find any improvements in my battery backup but it is better than Juice saver etc. But the good part of the application is that you can run it on your Froyo, GingerBread and other old Android versions too.

Requirements: Android 2.0 Eclair or above
Application size: 1.8 MegaBytes
Installs: 10,000,000 - 50,000,000
Last update: 17 December 2013
Current version: 3.3.4
Ratings on Google Play Store: 4.6



2nd Battery Widget Reborn

This battery saver application is better and confortable application and I didn't find any flaw in it. It is like a widget and you can adjust brightness, turn ON and OFF some android features. The widget is resizable on android 4.0 ice cream sandwich and above. Also it has good reviews on Play Store. It doesn't have any modes like Easy Battery Saver. This application doesn't have a boring UI but attractive UI. I like the application just because of it's UI, widget and savings.

Requirements: Android 2.3 GingerBread or above
Application size: 6.0 MegaBytes
Installs: 1,000,000 - 5,000,000
Last update: 30 January 2014
Current version: 1.9.11 (Beta)
Ratings on Google Play Store: 4.7



1st DU Battery saver & Widget

This is the best battery saving application I have found in Google Play Store, the free version is good but this is article for free application so I am gonna tell you about its free version only. The application gives you details about the battery temperature, has modes like Easy Battery Saver but it quite better than that. Also it doesn't slow your mobile phone. If you are rooted then you can get special features like CPU frequency which slows down your device (underclocks it) so your device can save battery while it is locked. Some modes are General Mode, Long Standby, Sleep Mode, Custom Mode etc.

Requirements: Android 2.1 Eclair or above
Application size: 4.7 MegaBytes
Installs: 1,000,000 - 5,000,000
Last update: 15 January 2014
Current version: 3.5.0
Ratings on Google Play Store: 4.5

So these were top 3 battery saving applications for android device. I hope you liked this article. Comment below and give reviews about these applications in your comments.

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How To Root Sony Xperia Z - Easily

Sony Xperia Z is the most popular handset of Sony and also it has amazing specifications. But today, I am showing you a guide to boost your Sony Xperia Z by 2x. But how can you do this? By Rooting! 

Xperia Z is featured and stuffed with tons of features like 1.5 GHz Krait processor which is a Quad-Core chipset so I am sure that the device doesn't lag much. Also it has got a 5 inch TFT Capacitive Touch Screen, exploited by Sony Bravia Engine 2 and xLoud. Not only this much, the device has many tweaks that are really very cool which improves the device display, camera quality, better and clear speaker. It comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean as Stock Android but has received Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update and some other updates too. However you can update your Sony Xperia Z to Android 4.4 KitKat by CyanogenMod 11 ROM which is made by FXP (Free Xperia Project) developer @XDA. But wait, what did you just say? KitKat? Yeah, I said KitKat! But how to do that? You need to root your handset!
The guide is pretty easy and you need not unlock your bootloader and just one click to root! There are many guides which require unlocking bootloader and unlocking bootloader is just work of 5 minutes but it voids the warranty and you also need internet to do so. In this guide you don't need internet, you need it for just two times, one for following this article and second to download OneClickRoot which will root your Android device easily in just some seconds. Let's no more talk about ease and and all and move to our main part of the guide that is How To Root Sony Xperia Z.

Downloads and Requirements

• Charged Sony Xperia Z upto 70% or more.
• Xperia Z with USB Debugging enabled [Go to seconds, follow to Developer options and enable USB Debugging from there.]
• Xperia Z's drivers installed in your PC.
• One Click Root application: Click here to download it from their official website.

How To Root Sony Xperia Z

• First of all, connect your Sony Xperia Z with your PC by USB and also make sure USB Debugging is enabled with drivers installed.
• Download One Click Root and install it on your PC. It's simple installation guide. Just click next, next and you are done with it.
• Open One Click Root on your PC and click on that big Green Root button that is on the Mid-Bottom left side.
• It will open a popup and will display Sony Xperia Z in it, just click on it. It is to make sure that you want to root this device only or not.
• It will start rooting process and your phone will root twice or thrice in this process.
• You are done with it now. When the device will reboot last time, then it is rooted!

Open your application drawer and swipe it right or left to check the new application superuser. If the application is installed in your Xperia Z, then you are rooted. Also you can cross-check if it is rooted or not by using Root Checker application. This application is 100% free and you don't need to pay for it. If the results are positive then you are rooted if it fails then you might not have installed your drivers properly or something else went wrong. Just try it again if you failed but you are sure that drivers are working.

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How To Increase Sound of Android Mobile [GB+]

Do you hate your Nexus 5 or any other device because it has low sound? I know how it feels, I had Micromax A60 and it had a speaker that cannot be heard until you place your ear or it! Anyway, it's of no use because I don't use that device. I don't have any android device but when I had my device I tried the Viper4Android Audio Effects mod and that was not fake like many mods available on XDA, that really worked and I was shocked, I thought there is no mod which can increase your sound volume but this MOD really worked. Zhuhang@XDA posted the mod on XDA and he said that he is not the actually but, still thanks to him for his work (even if it is of posting!). Also, the MOD is open-source so you can easily make changes based on your device. 

The MOD has been downloaded more than thousands of times and none of the user failed in installing the MOD. The MOD is working on most of the devices, only rare devices cannot utilize it. With this MOD, your treble will be too much high at the maximum volume which is cool but there are some chances of bricking your speaker. This is great for people who use their device for listening to songs with speaker. Also with Acid Sound Mod, this becomes superb! Acid Sound MOD+Viper Sound Mod= DJ! but Viper is way better than Acid Sound Mod. 
If you are not sure that the MOD increases the volume then install it and turn off and on between your music, you will surely find the difference in this. The MOD works on GingerBread devices as well! Our excluded OS has compatibility to run Viper4Android MOD, also our latest OS i.e, Kit Kat, this is also supported but only on some devices, people reported that in Kit Kat it is not compatible, means most of the devices got it working but some got failed to boot with it. 
You are at MXRootRom, so I think you might know that without rooting my most of the guides are reviews and all but you require root in this process. You don't need any CWM or TWRP to flash the MOD but you need root because it changes and adds some files in /etc and /lib folders when it turns on.
XDA is a great place actually, you can find all MODs and useful things for your Android device there only. Let's no more talk about MXRootRom and XDA and move to our main part of the article.

Features of ViPER4Android FX MOD:

• Supports Android 2.3+ devices.
• Has menu of effects (like of DSP manager)
• Viper Fidelity Mod
• Headphone Surround+
• Curetech+
• Convolver

Requirements

• Any Android device [GingerBread 2.3, HoneyComb 3.0, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.1, Jelly Bean 4.2, Jelly Bean 4.3, Jelly Bean Kit Kat 4.4.
• Rooted Android mobile phone!!!
• The application [in the downloads section!]
• Basic knowledge of installing and using Android applications.
• A 20 gram brain.

Downloads

• ViPER4Android FX Mod: Click here to download from its official website [Download only which one is for Android and download for your Android version only.]

How To Install and Enable ViPER4Android Sound MOD in any Android device [Rooted and ICS+]

• Download the ViPER4Android MOD from the link given above.
• Extract the ViPER4Android (which is compatible with OS you are running on the board of your device.)
• Move the extracted .apk to your SD Card (make sure there is a .apk extension behind the application name)
• Open your File Explorer. Go to the folder where you moved the extracted apk and tap on it.
• It will display a popup to install it or not. Tap Yes.
• It will install now. Open the application from your application drawer.
• It will prompt you to = install Audio drivers or not (just confirm it). Soon it will complete the process.
• Reboot your device!
• Open the application again after reboot and you will see options like Handset, Loudspeaker. Play with it and enable any settings that you like.

This should work on any GB+ device and I think it's working on your mobile too, if yes then comment here with your mobile phone and don't forge to give your reviews on this MOD.

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How To Enable Virtual Navigation control in any Android device [ICS+]

Did you see Nexus devices? They (most of them) have a Navigation bar (soft keys) in the screen itself and the mobile looks nice, premium and neat with it. But not only Nexuses, LGs and other high-ends devices can have this feature but an Android mobile phone which is rooted and running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or above can easily enable Onscreen navigation bar or soft keys. This is a simple task and one does not need any special thing, just a explorer or anything which can pull, push or edit the build.prop which is in /system/ folder. You don't need to be techish, and even a normal-noob person can follow this guide and enable onscreen buttons easily. I like the onscreen button and was jealous that why only Nexuses and other high-end devices have them, why not Indian and other Chinese devices have them? I did a research for some minutes and found how to enable them. After enabling them I was happy and thought of making a guide on my blog, and here I made it. Actually there's just a simple trick behind this and that is, Indian and other Chinese vendors always remove that line from build.prop because of the screen size and don't even disable the line with xxx='false' but they remove the whole line, I don't know why they do so, but that's bad of them. 

Requirements

• A brain
• Some basic knowledge of editing files
• Build.prop (every android has it!)
• Rooted Android device.
• Android with Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) or above.

Downloads

• ADB and Fastboot (compressed!): Please click here. (Needed in ADB guide)

If you have not rooted your device then bye-bye, no use of you here, I mean you need rooted device to use this tweak. Rooting is easy and here are some rooting guides which might help you in rooting your device too:

How To Root XOLO A500S: Please click here.

How To Unlock bootloader and root Motorola Moto G: Please click here.

How To Root Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562: Please click here.

How To Root Micromax A210 Canvas 4: Please click here.

How To Root Micromax A250 Canvas Turbo: Please click here.

How To Root Micromax A77 Canvas Juice: Pleas click here.

How To Root Karbonn Smart A26: Please click here.

There are many other guides too but I hope these guides will give you an idea on how you can root your device. If you are a MediaTek user, then use Farmaroot application. Oops, I think I am going out of track!

How To Enable On Screen Buttons or Soft Navigation Bar on any ICS+ Android mobile phone

By Root Explorer or any other file explorer:

• Open terminal emulator.
• Type reboot recovery.
•  Make a Nandroid backup!
• Reboot your device.
• Open your explorer [say Root explorer]
• Go to /system folder and scroll a bit, you will find build.prop. [Long press on build.prop file and your explorer should ask you how do you interact with this file, if you see text editor, then chose it else use any other explorer or use next guide.
• Open it in text editor and scroll to last.
• When you will be at the end, press enter [for next line] and you will be in the last line.
• Add
  ###Navbar_by_mxrootrom### 
• so that you can easily remove the navbar if you don't remember which line enabled it.
• Now again press enter for next line and type
  qemu.hw.mainkeys=0.
• Save the file.
• Reboot your android device so you can see the effects of it in the next boot.
• Woh, done!

By ADB (Android Debugging Bridge)

Make sure your ADB works (I mean drivers are installed properly!)

• Download the compressed ADB from the link in the download sections.
• Extract it to your any folder, say C:/users/YOUR_USER_NAME/Desktop/ADB_tools
• Just open the folder where you extracted the downloaded file.
• Press and hold Shift Key and hit Right click.
• You will see Open command prompt here option, click on it.
• Type adb pull /system/build.prop.
• In that folder, you will see a new file: build.prop.
• Edit the file and at the end, press enter so you are in a blank line.
• Type
  ###Navbar_by_mxrootrom### and hit enter.
• Now, type
  qemu.hw.mainkeys=0.

(You don't need to add those LF in black box because it means that there is another line after that, I use it for development purpose)

• In command prompt, type
  adb push build.prop /system/
• Reboot your android phone!

Now you have a device with Navigation bar, cool na? Show of it with your friends and tell them that you have a premium device. Stay tuned for more simple and cool guides like this.

I tried to be much much clear so you can follow the guide easily but if you still find problem in anything then you can ask me here.

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How To Unlock Bootloader of Sony Xperia S/P/U

Want to flash Sony Xperia U/S/P with CyanogenMod 11 or Android 4.4 Kit Kat? If yes, then you need to first unlock your bootloader! Not only CyanogenMod, you can enjoy some AOSPA (Panadroid ROM) and other cool custom roms which gives you more features than other ROMs of stock ROM. Also, custom roms make your device faster and more stable. There are many features that ROMs like AOSPA, CM, MiUi, LeWa OS provides but for flashing them, you need to unlock your bootloader first.

Some questions you should need to see before you unlock your  bootloader

What is bootloader?

Bootloader is a small program that boots your device. You see the Xperia splash screen, that is actually the Bootloader. Bootloader helps to boot the device easily and provides an environment for booting and using applications, it is required by ROM to RAM, etc while you switch on your cell. NO!!! Not only your company provides, bootloader! Micromax, Samsung, Google Nexus, Motorla, HTC, all provides bootloader and some manufacturers lock the bootloader for security purposes. They lock the bootloader before selling the device so they can see that the device's bootloader is unlocked or Sony's firmware is having problems.

But why to unlock bootloader? 

Unlocking the bootloader is the first step you need to follow before rooting your Xperia. It allows us to flash files by fastboot and some other things. Some developers first unlock the bootloader and then root their Xperia, Motorola, Nexus etc. devices to install/flash Custom ROMs etc.

Is Unlocking Bootloader of my Sony Xperia U/S/P is tough?

NO! it is not a tedious job, you just need to learn all languages like C++, C, Java etc.. I hope you feel that it is a tough job but trust me. It is totally opposite what you think.


Will it void my warranty?

Sure, Sony has said that they will not be responsible for bricked devices and this will void your warranty..

My SD Card would be safe?

Yeah, your SD Card will be same, I mean unlocking process doesn't include anything that touches or wipes your SD Card.

I have rooted my Xperia U/S/P and flashed CWM in it, should I make a Nandroid backup?

Yep, if you have CWM, TWRP or any other recovery then make a backup for security purpose. Nandroid backup will backup your call logs, SMSes, applications and other data that you use and may be some very important information. That's why backup your device before trying anything.

Sony says

Warning! If you perform this step, you will unlock the boot loader. This may void your warranty and/or any warranty from your operator. If you still want to unlock the boot loader of your device.....

Now it is your decision to unlock the bootloader of Sony Xperia U/S/P or not.

Like Sony, I will also not responsible for your non-booting device or anything like that. Make sure you have made a Nandroid backup (if you are rooted!), if you have not made any backup or simply unrooted then also there are many ways of fixing your device- you can see or seek help from XDA Developers and other websites.

Note one thing, that you won't receive FOTA (Firmware upgrade Over The Air), but nothing to worry, you can flash the files/roms easily with ClockWorkMod Recovery or TWRP.

Downloads

• Compressed Fastboot with drivers: Please Click HERE

How To Unlock Bootloader of any Sony Xperia device

• Firs of all, check that your device is eligible for rooting or not: type *#*#7378423#*#* in the dialer screen of your mobile phone to access service menu, when it will open, go to Service Info, next follow to Configuration. Finally open Rooting Status, if the Bootloader unlock allowed is yes then you can proceed to the next step if no then your carrier prevents your device to boot in Fastboot, you need to use wotanserver.com to unlock Bootloader of your locked Xperia.
• Open your screen dialer and type *#06# to see your IMEI version. Copy the IMEI version or follow the next step.
• Open Xperia's official Bootloader unlocking website and click on Yes, I'm sure, now tick both the options in step 2. After that, press I agree. Now type your IMEI (14 digit code) which you saw in step 3, email ID and name and then press Submit.

• Download the ADB and Fastboot tools, which I have given in the downloads section.
• Unzip the compressed Fastboot with drivers.
• Switch off Sony Xperia U/S/P.
• Press and hold Volume Up button for some time.
• Windows will start installing the drivers. It will be in the tasbar (right side), open and play with it and follow the drivers to the folder which you just extracted.
• Drivers are done!
• Press and hold Shift key and hit Right click in the folder where the Fastboot and drivers are.
• Click on Open command prompt here.
• Type fastboot devices. If you see your device then you are almost there.
• Open your email which you gave (like GMAIL, Yahoo etc.) in the form. You will receive an email by Sony about your unlocking code.
• Copy the code.
• Type fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version, if you got a reply like 0.3 or something like that, this means you can unlock your bootloader because it is connected completely.
• Type fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0xKEY. (Key means that code which you just received in your email! like 0f9fj9rh so you will type fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0x0f9fj9rh.
• You will see a message that it was successful.
• Now type fastboot reboot to reboot your device, now it will boot normally.
• Done! You have unlocked your bootloader!

Happy to unlock your bootloader? Please comment the issues that you are facing or any doubts you want to clear. I will reply you! Also you can ask and clear your doubts at XDA! There are many great developers which can help you to unbrick/fix or fix whatever issue you are facing. Stay tuned for rooting guide and much more.

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