Sony Xperia Z1 during it's world premier at the IFA consumer electronics fair, 2013
Sony Corp's President and Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai presents a new Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone during it's world premier at the IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin, September 4, 2013.Reuters

Popular after-market mobile software maker, Cyanogen has released the latest CM12.1 series custom ROM to Sony's 2013 flagship smartphone Xperia Z1.

This new firmware is a nightly version and is based on the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) 5.1 Lollipop OS. It is around 296MB in size and brings a lot of customisations including sound alerts (bells or whistles), option to select different LED colour display for email notifications and also comes with bug fixes to previous v5.0.2 OS.

It also comes integrated with the new email app powered by Boxer, which brings multiple account support, exchange support and canned responses for quick replies.

Prerequisites (Things to remember before installing the CyanogenMod CM12 Nightly):

  1. This new CyanogenMod CM12.1 series Android 5.1 Lollipop custom firmware has to be installed on the Sony Xperia Z1 (aka Honami) model only; if tried on other devices, it might get bricked [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> model number]
  2. Make sure the device is rooted before going forward for custom ROM installation
  3. Installation of custom ROM requires clearing of memory in the smartphone, so make sure to back all the data by installing Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery/ TWRP in the smartphone.
  4. Users make sure you have installed USB drivers on the PC, or else your smartphone (Xperia Z1) will not be recognized by the computer.
  5. Make sure your device has more than 80 percent battery, or else there is a chance of smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted mid-way.

[Disclaimer: This procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of rooting (or manual software installation) Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the smartphone getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. International Business Times, India Edition cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the smartphone is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.]

Tutorial: Step-by-step installation Guide of CyanogenMod [Official] Android 5.1 Lollipop CM12.1 Custom ROM Nightly on Sony Xperia Z1 (aka Honami)-

Step 1: Download latest CyanogenMod Android 5.1 Lollipop CM12.1 custom firmware (HERE) and Google Apps (HERE/HERE/HERE) in to your PC.

[Note: Custom ROM build date: 26/04/2015]

Step 2: Connect Sony Xperia Z1 (aka Honami) to PC via USB chord.

[Note: Before plugging the phone to the computer, be sure that you have installed USB driver software, if not, click (HERE) to download firmware]

Step 3: Place CyanogenMod [official] Android 5.1 Lollipop CM12.1 custom firmware .zip file and Google Apps .zip file into the phone's SD card memory. [Note: Users are advised to paste the .zip file in SD card root, not in any other folder.]

[Note: Before beginning with installation of the custom software, be sure that the device has been rooted and has installed ClockworkMod Recovery tool.]

Step 4: Turn off the device and disconnect from the PC.

Step 5: Perform the regular 'Recovery Mode' sortie by press holding 'Volume (Up)', 'Home' and 'Power' buttons.

Step 6: After entering the RECOVERY mode, clear the phone memory, by choosing 'wipe data/factory reset'

[Note: use Volume keys to navigate and power button to select options, while operating under Recovery Mode]

Step 7: Clear the cache memory by selecting 'wipe cache partition'

Step 8: Come back to ClockworkMod recovery, and select 'advanced' and tap 'wipe dalvik cache' [Note: This step is optional, but many recommend this procedure so that user will not face boot loops or any other errors in the middle of custom ROM installation]

Step 9: Come back to the main recovery screen and tap 'install zip from SD card'

Step 10: Tap 'choose zip from sdcard' and go to Android 5.1 Lollipop ROM .zip file in SD card and enter the installation process. Repeat the same procedure for Google Apps installation[Note: use Volume keys to navigate and power button to select options]

Step 11: Once done with the installation process, navigate to '+++++Go Back+++++' and re-start the device by opting 'reboot system now' seen in the recovery menu.

Now your device (Sony Xperia Z1) will take at least five minutes (only for the first time) to complete the booting process.

Users then head to device's 'Settings' option>> select 'About phone' to confirm the installation of CyanogenMod[official] Android v5.1 CM12.1 custom ROM on Sony Xperia Z1.

[Credits: CyanogenMod.org]

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