Sony's latest smartphones are set to receive the Android 4.4 update sometime in the near future, but those of you who happen to own older devices such as the Xperia ZR will have to wait longer before the Japanese manufacturer manages to roll-out an update for you. Or not! You can always rely on the developer community to launch a custom ROM for your device, and Team Kang has now picked up the slack of launching a new KitKat-based AOKP custom ROM on the Xperia ZR.

This is a guide that will allow you to apply the latest nightly AOKP build on your Sony Xperia ZR. Keep in mind that this ROM is still under development (hence the term "nightly") and as such, it may contain bugs. New "nighlies" are expected to be released every week though, so various potential bugs will be dealt with in a timely manner.

Before moving on with the installation process, keep in mind that AOKP is based on Android 4.4 as well as CM 11. It features a pure Android user interface, so you will no longer have access to Sony's proprietary UI and its features.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

  • This ROM has been designed for the Sony Xperia ZL codenamed "Dogo". Don't attempt to apply this guide to any other devices, as it may result in bricking your phone
  • For this guide, you need to have a rooted Xperia ZL with fastboot installed, as well as the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery. If you don't meet these prerequisites, then don't proceed any further
  • The installation process requires you to apply a factory reset and wipe the device's cache. As such, you should create backups if necessary
  • You can make use of applications such as "Helium", "SMS backup & restore" and "APN Settings Backup & Restore" in order to backup app data, messages and APN settings
  • You can easily backup your contacts by syncing them with your Google account
  • I have provided instructions on how to create a NANDROID backup of your ROM, and you'll find them below
  • Enable USB debugging before connecting your Xperia ZR to your computer. To do so, go to "Menu" > "Settings" > "Developer options" and mark the check box associated with "USB Debugging"
  • Before proceeding, make sure your smartphone has enough battery life to remain turned on throughout the flashing process. The battery should be at least 70% full
  • This is a guide for advanced users. Proceed with caution. If you damage your phone or lose data, you cannot hold the developers or anyone else responsible
  • Don't skip any steps!

Entering CWM or TWRP Recovery Mode:

IMPORTANT: Do not follow these steps at this point. This is a short guide that allows you to reboot in CWM or TWRP recovery, and you'll need to refer to it later on during the installation process.

Using your Xperia ZR, visit the Play Store and download the "Quick Boot" application
Open the app on your device
From the app's main menu, tap "Recovery" and wait for your handset to reboot in CWM or TWRP (depending on which recovery you use)

Sony Xperia ZR (Dogo) – Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM via CWM Recovery:

  1. On your computer, visit this link and download the latest AOKP KitKat nightly build available
  2. Download the Google apps zip file from this link
  3. Establish a connection between your smartphone and computer using the USB cable
  4. Copy the downloaded files onto your phone's storage (don't unzip the files!)
  5. With the files transferred, disconnect your smartphone and reboot it in CWM recovery (refer to the guide above)
  6. Create a NANDROID backup. This will allow you to restore your current ROM, should you need or want to. To create this restore point, select "backup & restore" and follow any additional self-explanatory steps
  7. After the backup, select "data wipeout / factory reset". Access the "Advanced" menu, and select "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache" as well
  8. Now, go back to the main CWM screen and select "Install zip from SD card"
  9. Load the AOKP file downloaded at step 1
  10. From the main recovery screen, select "Install zip from SD card" again, and load the Google apps zip as well
  11. Once both files have been flashed, return to the main CWM screen by selecting "+++Go Back+++"
  12. Select "Reboot system now". NOTE: this first reboot can take several minutes to complete. That's normal, but if the process doesn't end in 10 minutes, or if the handset keeps restarting, then the installation process has failed. Redo the entire guide and make sure you've followed each step

NOTE: You can restore your previous ROM using the NANDROID backup. Simply reboot in CWM, select "backup & restore" and load the appropriate file

Sony Xperia ZR (Dogo) – Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM via TWRP Recovery:

  1. On your computer, visit this link and download the AOKP ROM. (Make sure you grab the latest nightly build available)
  2. The ROM does not include Google apps. Download the Gapps zip file from this link
  3. Connect your Xperia ZR to your computer via USB
  4. Copy the downloaded files onto your phone's storage
  5. Disconnect your smartphone and reboot it in TWRP recovery (see the guide above)
  6. You will now create a NANDROID backup as a safety measure. Don't skip this step! Tap "Backup", mark the type of data that you wish to save, rename the backup file and then swipe the "Swipe to Backup" button
  7. With the ROM saved, apply a full factory reset. Tap "Wipe", and also select "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache" from the "Advanced" menu. Complete this operation by swiping the "Swipe to Wipe" button
  8. From the main TWRP screen, tap "Install" and load the AOKP ROM zip
  9. Return to the main screen and select "Install" again. This time, flash the Google apps zip file
  10. After both files have been installed, go back to the TWRP screen and select "Reboot"

NOTE: after a fresh ROM installation, the first time you reboot your smartphone will take several minutes to complete. If the process does not end in 10 minutes, or if your device is boot looping, then you will need to restart the guide over. Make sure you've properly wiped the handset's memory, and that you haven't missed any steps

NOTE: Should you need or want to do this, you can use the NANDROID backup to return to your previous ROM. Simply reboot in TWRP recovery, select "Restore" and load the appropriate backup file

› See More: Sony Xperia ZR (Dogo): Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM (Nightly) Using CWM or TWRP Recovery