Database Develop

Back to stock

Hello I have an xperia z c6602 I'm currently using pac man rom with meow kernel
My bootloader is unlocked and I want to go back to stock
I have a CWM backup of my stock rom. And a backup of my TA partition (i read it was useful)
How do I go back to stock? Can I just restore my CWM backup? Or I have to flash through Emma? How do I restore my ta backup?
Can someone be so kind to guide in a newbie way please? (I'm use to play around with Samsung devices. This is really different!)

plotinus said:
Hello I have an xperia z c6602 I'm currently using pac man rom with meow kernel
My bootloader is unlocked and I want to go back to stock
I have a CWM backup of my stock rom. And a backup of my TA partition (i read it was useful)
How do I go back to stock? Can I just restore my CWM backup? Or I have to flash through Emma? How do I restore my ta backup?
Can someone be so kind to guide in a newbie way please? (I'm use to play around with Samsung devices. This is really different!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I was on pac rom few days ago as well, then i decided to try miui which is based on stock.
So here's the steps:
BACK UP ALL YOUR INTERNAL SD FILES AND FOLDERS because flashing ftf will erase everything inside internal sd, I never did a backup, lost all the chats and messages. :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
copy all the flashable .zip u want to your sd card.
Flash a stock .ftf file .67 / .74 will do, then root it with any method u want
then flash original kernel using flashtool
then reboot str8 to recovery and proceed to do a clean wipe then flash any stock custom rom you want.
let me know if you have any doubts or question here.

My method is
1.Backup everything, photos, messages, app data using titanium backup, literally everything you need.
2.Store backups somewhere safe, especially titanium backup file(the whole thing).
3.Flash back stock rom and wiping everything.
4.Relock bootloader.
5.Now you have a clean phone, root it again and restore titanium backup app datas,
But be sure to only restore games, apps, but not system files, it may causes crash.
6.Restore the rest of them.

xIceCream said:
Hello, I was on pac rom few days ago as well, then i decided to try miui which is based on stock.
So here's the steps:
BACK UP ALL YOUR INTERNAL SD FILES AND FOLDERS because flashing ftf will erase everything inside internal sd, I never did a backup, lost all the chats and messages. :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
copy all the flashable .zip u want to your sd card.
Flash a stock .ftf file .67 / .74 will do, then root it with any method u want
then flash original kernel using flashtool
then reboot str8 to recovery and proceed to do a clean wipe then flash any stock custom rom you want.
let me know if you have any doubts or question here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the replies! Do you know how to restore my ta backup? Or by flashing the stock rom it would be the same? If not. At what part of the process should I do it?

plotinus said:
Thanks for the replies! Do you know how to restore my ta backup? Or by flashing the stock rom it would be the same? If not. At what part of the process should I do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restore ta backup is the last step basically, ( after flashing stock kernel and stock rom)
i think you used the backup ta for windows from one thread if i'm not wrong,
just restore dry run just to make sure the ta is correct and then just restore it
(the phone should be power on like normal, with usb debugging on)
for your concern, cwm backup also can be used, just restore it and it's done, but, the app data and all other things will return to the state during the time you made the backup, so the progress you did in this custom rom wil not be saved, unless you used titanium backup after you restore nandroid.

Excellent! Thanks man I will restore my backup and restore TA. And yes. I used a Windows tool to make the ta backup (don't even know what's that for. I just read it was important) haha
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Unlocking Bootloader

Got a question about unlocking bootloader and the current state of my phone:
First up, this is the current state of my phone:
Bootloader locked
Rooted
Dual Recovery installed (??)
RomAur 4 installed
So basically the state of my phone is that I followed to guide in the RomAur post to install their ROM.
When I reboot my phone I get the extra buzz so I can hold Vol up/down to enter recovery.
I have root, but the sys partition is not mountable as R/W in RomAur 4 but I can flash zips in recovery.
I want to install iHackers v2 ROM and maybe also unlock bootloader as it seems all camera issues have been sorted (correct me if I'm wrong) (are there are reasons I should/shouldn't unlock the bootloader?).
What do I have to do to go from RomAur 4 to iHackers 2.0 with the current state of my phone? Should I bother unlocking bootloader to use a 3rd party kernel?
Are [nandroid] backups done in CWM any use at all as it seems that when flashing a ROM you then have to use flashtool to flash a kernel and radio so I'm guessing that the backups wont be able to restore these either?
Thanks for all the help and bloody hard work you guys put into developing for our phones.

cyberguru said:
Got a question about unlocking bootloader and the current state of my phone:
First up, this is the current state of my phone:
Bootloader locked
Rooted
Dual Recovery installed (??)
RomAur 4 installed
So basically the state of my phone is that I followed to guide in the RomAur post to install their ROM.
When I reboot my phone I get the extra buzz so I can hold Vol up/down to enter recovery.
I have root, but the sys partition is not mountable as R/W in RomAur 4 but I can flash zips in recovery.
I want to install iHackers v2 ROM and maybe also unlock bootloader as it seems all camera issues have been sorted (correct me if I'm wrong) (are there are reasons I should/shouldn't unlock the bootloader?).
What do I have to do to go from RomAur 4 to iHackers 2.0 with the current state of my phone? Should I bother unlocking bootloader to use a 3rd party kernel?
Are [nandroid] backups done in CWM any use at all as it seems that when flashing a ROM you then have to use flashtool to flash a kernel and radio so I'm guessing that the backups wont be able to restore these either?
Thanks for all the help and bloody hard work you guys put into developing for our phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you save backs up on an external SD card you should be fine. I don't know what data you can restore back though. Photos, texts, apps, etc, should be okay. I'd back up with Titanium or something then just restore after. (I recommend nandroid also for your own peace of mind and hassle free experience)
Best thing to do is just do it from fresh to save you any hassle if you're going to wipe the phone anyway. It's best to wipe the phone before so nothing goes wrong.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2539008
As it says:
Copy the ROM to External SDCard.
Install iHackers Advanced Stock Kernel.
Reboot into Recovery.
Make Sure to do a Wipe Data/Factory Reset before Installing the ROM.
Start the Installation. (Install Zip >> Choose Zip for External SDCard).
Switch Off Your Phone (Do Not Reboot). Select No to Disable Flash Recovery Confirmation.
Install Kernel.ftf for C6903 (.290) or Kernel.ftf for C6902 (.290) with Flashtool to get compatible Kernel and Baseband.
Reinstall Your Desired Kernel.
Reboot and Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All camera issues sorted in iHackers v1.2.
Personally I'm running iHackers's PureStock.

If you want to unlock the bootloader, DON'T FORGET TO BACKUP TA partition.
You can unlock bootloader (after you have backed up TA), then install iHackers kernel, and go to Philz recovery (I believe it is volume up, but might be down), then click on wipe, then wipe for installing new ROM (or something like that), then install the iHackers ROM.zip
Regards,
~J2C

Just2Cause said:
If you want to unlock the bootloader, DON'T FORGET TO BACK TA partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why I should do that? With 4.3 still no problem unlock bootloader and I am already on 4.3 and I didn't backup anything. The only reason is Warranty.

To be honest I don't really have any 'data' on my phone that I would miss if I lost it... some photo's, MP3's.. I only do nandroid backups so that I can test a new ROM, if I don't like it or it doesn't work I can just go back to Recovery and restore the nandroid and continue as I was but that was on Samsung devices and I'm a little worried as to the usefulness of the nandroids on this phone. Why do we have to flash kernel and radio using flashtool and why can't they be installed with the .zip/ROM?
I have a backup of my TA partition; I did it as a step in rooting/flashing some other ROM but didn't really know why I was doing it but it's stored away for whatever reason I need it!
I think for the time being I'll keep a locked BL, but I want to get rid of this ROM off my phone. I really need /sys to be mounted as R/W and I'm having some WiFi issues with RomAur 4.

eclyptos said:
Why I should do that? With 4.3 still no problem unlock bootloader and I am already on 4.3 and I didn't backup anything. The only reason is Warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you said it. Warranty.
cyberguru said:
I think for the time being I'll keep a locked BL, but I want to get rid of this ROM off my phone. I really need /sys to be mounted as R/W and I'm having some WiFi issues with RomAur 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far, you can't get /sys mounted as R/W with a locked bootloader, even on custom ROMs.
If you want full root, the only way is to unlock bootloader.
Regards,
~J2C

Just2Cause said:
Well, you said it. Warranty.
So far, you can't get /sys mounted as R/W with a locked bootloader, even on custom ROMs.
If you want full root, the only way is to unlock bootloader.
Regards,
~J2C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont think thats 100% accurate - you can get Root with /sys mounted as R/W on roms <4.3. I had iHackers (1.2 I think) working with r/w system partition I just got a little flash-happy when a 4.3 ROM came out and went and flashed it.
Doesn't matter now anyway.. I unlocked the BL! Flashed iHackers 2... what a pile of crap (my opinion)... installed a load of stuff I purposefully unticked in Aroma and has lost me root.. yay.
If I restore a nandroid of iHackers 1.2 from CWM will I brick my phone in any way seeing as I'm currently on Android 4.3 with all the kernels and radios that brings..? That is of course saying I can get into recovery...
[edit]
Can't get into CWM... brilliant. I guess I'm going to have to use flashtool to downgrade and root my phone or something like that now.. Wouldn't mind but I'm at work and have to download ROMs on my phone because of work proxies!

cyberguru said:
Dont think thats 100% accurate - you can get Root with /sys mounted as R/W on roms <4.3. I had iHackers (1.2 I think) working with r/w system partition I just got a little flash-happy when a 4.3 ROM came out and went and flashed it.
Doesn't matter now anyway.. I unlocked the BL! Flashed iHackers 2... what a pile of crap (my opinion)... installed a load of stuff I purposefully unticked in Aroma and has lost me root.. yay.
If I restore a nandroid of iHackers 1.2 from CWM will I brick my phone in any way seeing as I'm currently on Android 4.3 with all the kernels and radios that brings..? That is of course saying I can get into recovery...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I meant it can't be done on 4.3
Well, Why don't you just flash stock ROM (4.3) then 257 then 534 and then install iHackers 1.2 without any problems.
Regards,
~J2C

Right, deleted last post but in summary; got root back but no Play Store and no recovery installed so did some good old fassioned searching:
Over in Original Android dev there is a discussion for Root on 4.3. The first post has links to kernels with recoveries and SuperSU by chainfire... downloaded Philz and SuperSU and now just need to figure out how to flash the two of them..
I take it something like
Code:
fastboot flash boot filename.img
will take care of flashing kernel to my UL phone so then I power on and press Vol Up, Vol down to enter recovery and flash SuperSU?
Wish me luck

HELP stuck at sony logo!!

k so this is what happened i hve a sony xperia z1 c6902 that is on 14.4.A.0.108 rooted through this thread- http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/development/stock-update-to-14-4-0-108-t2802266
i hve an unlocked bootloader
after that i tried installing a rom - http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/development/rom-aicp-5-0-kk-4-4-4r2-unofficial-t2819206
so as the thread mentioned in its instructions
How to flash:
ROM has GAPPS, custom dpi & xposed persistance in between dirty flashes
Make sure you are either on any KitKat ROM (CM11, etc) or on 4.4.2 Sony based ROM and NOT on 4.3 (or older) Sony based ROM
Download the latest build
Download Gapps
Take a nandroid backup
Recommended - Full wipe and factory reset
Flash ROM using any recovery
Flash Gapps
Reboot.
Enjoy!
since i did the full wipe using TWRP by check marking everything under advance wipe ive been stuck at the sony logo
i tried re-flashing the C6902_14.4.A.0.108_Stripped.ftf file through flashtool by connecting the device in flashmode (volume down + power) flash tool seems to do it fine i'll attach a screenshot below but im still stuck at the sony logo
i cannot access my TWRP or CWM recovery as when i press the vol down button nothing happens
please help me and i'll be eternally grateful
Thank You all!

That rom requires an unlocked bootloader. Have you unlocked the bootloader? I bet not.
Did you notice in the instructions of flashing that rom that you should take a nandroid backup?
OK then, flash a stock FTF, re-root and install recovery and then restore your backup.
If you did not take a backup, you just need to flash a stock FTF, re-root, install the ROM of your choice and set it back up again
http://prntscr.com/47n9ra
Bottom of the OP, its always worth reading...

gregbradley said:
That rom requires an unlocked bootloader. Have you unlocked the bootloader? I bet not.
Did you notice in the instructions of flashing that rom that you should take a nandroid backup?
OK then, flash a stock FTF, re-root and install recovery and then restore your backup.
If you did not take a backup, you just need to flash a stock FTF, re-root, install the ROM of your choice and set it back up again
http://prntscr.com/47n9ra
Bottom of the OP, its always worth reading...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for replying so quickly sir i do hve an unlocked bootloader nd did do a nandroid back up but the back up was stored in the internal storage as i dint hve an sd card at that time but as u knw the internal storage was wiped so now no bck up...i messed up pretty bad huh
im downloading the stock C6902_14.4.A.0.108_Generic IN.ftf and will follow ur instructions there on thank you
EDIT
ok so i put the phone in flash mode (vol down + insert cable) copied the ftf files to firmware went flash tool presses the lighting sign selected flash mode selected the firmware and pressed flash disconnected usb and did reboot and still stuck at sony logo
still no luck
EDIT 2 :
ok so i fixed this i went into flashtool and flashed C6902_14.1.G.2.257_Commercial&Journalist_1277-1348_R1A after that i know i should have first rooted but decided not to mess with my ph. anymore so then flashed the C6902_14.4.A.0.108_Generic IN now even tho i hve an unlocked bootloader my phone unrooted then i ate cookies and milk and went to play football
thanks gregbradley

samrulz7 said:
ok so i put the phone in flash mode (vol down + insert cable) copied the ftf files to firmware went flash tool presses the lighting sign selected flash mode selected the firmware and pressed flash disconnected usb and did reboot and still stuck at sony logo
still no luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not connect the phone until it prompts you to do so.

gregbradley said:
Do not connect the phone until it prompts you to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had problem with update to 14.4.A.0.108 by NUT, with flashing ftf - when done as should be: connect when asked, flashtool threw error and had no imei and no cell radio. Then I done like so: start flashtool, conneted phone in flashmode, then hit lighting button and started flashing process - no error.
So in my case I hed to do oppsite for what you say, don't know if this is 0.9.16.1 issue or anything else but it worked for me.

[HELP]Xperia SP stuck in cyanogenmod logo after update

Hello,
I flashed CM11 yesterday and everything went alright. This morning I noticed I had an update for it and proceed to do it.
After the instalation and optimizing all apps it asked me for my simcard PIN and after I unlocked the phone it just went back to the cyanogenmod logo over and over.
I tried to reboot phone but it didn't help.
I've tried to search for similar threads but since i'm a newbie (first time I ever flashed anything) to this I decided to create this thread.
What should I do?
Thank you!

try to use flashtool. google it on how to use flashtool or check other threads.

So I guess i have to flash a stock ROM with flashtool and do it all over again right?
And btw, any reason you guys might think It got stuck in bootloop after I updated CM11? I came from a fresh stock rom. I'm kinda scared it might happen again after the reinstall.

Can't you enter recovery to flash a nandroid backup? (If you have one)
If not, you have two options to choose from.
Fastboot or flash a kernel with CWM or TWRP.
ADB push a zip file of a ROM and flash that.
Flash an FTF file using flashtool and start all over again.
There are many reasons why you're stuck in bootloop at the moment.
With the info you provided, there's no way of telling what caused it for you.

Well, i flashed stock ROM with flashtool, installed CM11 and I had no problems.
Went to settings and OTA update was available. Downloaded it and installed it, stuck in loopboot again. I just can't figure out what's wrong. My phone has bootload unlocked.
Might just do it all over and not update, is that a problem?

Don't use OTA, just download and flash updates manually using recovery.

In the future, for your ease, if this happens again just wipe the phone very clean (cache, /system, /data etc except /boot) and then re-flash the CM zip that you have.
It is a good practise if you make a nandroid backup before flashing a newer version of zip, in case of breaks. Or, you can have Titanium Backup to backup your apps automatically (pro version) everyday, so that you can be ready if there will be something bad happen.

[Q] Few questions about unlocking bootloaders

I'm really sorry if these questions have been posted before but I couldn't find them anywhere. I am rooted on an Xperia Z1 C6902 with a locked bootloader. I have read that unlocking bootloader wipes your phone as well as sd card. So, here are my questions:-
1)I made a TA backup as suggested but I want to know what it will do when I restore it, will it be like a factory reset or will I retain my apps, or something else?
2)I backed up my apps using free version of titanium backup and I've read that it stores the backup on sd card. So after unlocking bootloader, won't these backups be deleted as well?
3)Is there a way to transfer said titanium backup backups to my computer for easy restoration later?
4)I've also read that restoring titanium backup while on a different rom will cause problems. Does this mean I have to start over if I get an AOSP ROM or Cyanogenmod(I really want one of these)?
5)Can I just take the sd card out of the phone while unlocking bootloader so that it's not wiped? Then restore apps from titanium backup?
6)Will unlocking bootloader using flashtool install a custom recovery as well?
I understand these are noob questions but please help me out I'm really confused
Please answer with the corresponding question number please
Sorry for too many demands/questions
Thank you!

ggnoobteam said:
I'm really sorry if these questions have been posted before but I couldn't find them anywhere. I am rooted on an Xperia Z1 C6902 with a locked bootloader. I have read that unlocking bootloader wipes your phone as well as sd card. So, here are my questions:-
1)I made a TA backup as suggested but I want to know what it will do when I restore it, will it be like a factory reset or will I retain my apps, or something else?
2)I backed up my apps using free version of titanium backup and I've read that it stores the backup on sd card. So after unlocking bootloader, won't these backups be deleted as well?
3)Is there a way to transfer said titanium backup backups to my computer for easy restoration later?
4)I've also read that restoring titanium backup while on a different rom will cause problems. Does this mean I have to start over if I get an AOSP ROM or Cyanogenmod(I really want one of these)?
5)Can I just take the sd card out of the phone while unlocking bootloader so that it's not wiped? Then restore apps from titanium backup?
6)Will unlocking bootloader using flashtool install a custom recovery as well?
I understand these are noob questions but please help me out I'm really confused
Please answer with the corresponding question number please
Sorry for too many demands/questions
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep,BL unlocking does erase all your data!
1)when you restore the TA backup,your bootloader status goes back to locked,it will be like you never even touched the bootloader.But,the device wont boot up if you still have a custom kernel installed,so you have to flash back the stock kernel
2)I dont know about titanium backup
A better alternative is: Install XZDualRecovery(on locked bootloader) and make make a backup using your recovery of choice of /data(which contains all the apps/configurations/saved passwords blah...blah)onto the /sdcard.
Then unlock the bootloader and then restore the /data backup after.so everything including your apps and settings will be restored
5) as far as i know ,the sd card WON'T be wiped but you might as well take it out just to be safe
6)No,unlocking using flashtool will not install a recovery,the recovery is stored on the kernel(or not , if you flash a recovery image to the FOTAKernel Partition).

ggnoobteam said:
I'm really sorry if these questions have been posted before but I couldn't find them anywhere. I am rooted on an Xperia Z1 C6902 with a locked bootloader. I have read that unlocking bootloader wipes your phone as well as sd card. So, here are my questions:-
1)I made a TA backup as suggested but I want to know what it will do when I restore it, will it be like a factory reset or will I retain my apps, or something else?
2)I backed up my apps using free version of titanium backup and I've read that it stores the backup on sd card. So after unlocking bootloader, won't these backups be deleted as well?
3)Is there a way to transfer said titanium backup backups to my computer for easy restoration later?
4)I've also read that restoring titanium backup while on a different rom will cause problems. Does this mean I have to start over if I get an AOSP ROM or Cyanogenmod(I really want one of these)?
5)Can I just take the sd card out of the phone while unlocking bootloader so that it's not wiped? Then restore apps from titanium backup?
6)Will unlocking bootloader using flashtool install a custom recovery as well?
I understand these are noob questions but please help me out I'm really confused
Please answer with the corresponding question number please
Sorry for too many demands/questions
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) the TA backup returns the DRM keys to your default ( what you backed up) which means makes your phone untouched like its first day ( only about bootloader status,kernel,some DRMs like xreality and ... )
_____________________
2)the titanium backup , saves the backups in the folder TitaniumBackup placed in sdcard(internal storage). you can copy the entire folder in your pc or external storage to save it from deleting and put it back whenever you need it
sdcard/TitaniumBackup
_____________________
3) as i said in 2 yes. you can save the folder everywhere you want and replace it whenever you need your backups( u can also save just one or some of your backups if you want by saving the files in the folder)
_____________________
4)it depends on the app you are about to restore.. most of third party apps will not have any problem.even from device to device.. but the story is totally different for system apps
_____________________
5)yes you can do that..
_____________________
6)as i know,no.. it depends on your custom kernel...just flash a custom kernel and you will have the recovery:laugh:
and my friend! unlocking the bootloader it self, will not erase any of your data !! none of those! its a procedure that makes your phone able to accept and operate from a custem kernel instead of pre-installed kernel.. but if you change your ROM or flash a new ftf file(official roms from sony) , your internal and your personal data such as appdata,contact & ... will be erased . and you can select whether wipe the internal or not!(thats depends on your choice) and your ex-sdcard will be safe unless you select to format it!
and be very careful and good luck

Haha well I decided to go ahead and do it anyway
I got the apps and data back so nothing bad happened. I want to know how I can get clockworkmod on my device.
Android ROM manager says no official version of clockworkmod is supported for xperia z1. But then in a menu it also lists TWRP and clockworkmod as already installed on the system and asks if ROM manager can use those for its purposes. So that's why I asked if flashtool installs custom recovery as well.
Whenever I try to boot into recovery to make a backup, it boots normally instead. I hold down the volume up/down buttons and press them quickly on boot, the phone vibrates multiple times but no recovery mode, which leads me to believe there is no custom recovery installed, but ROM manager refuses to download clockworkmod and says there are two installed already! Neither of which can be accessed(if they even are on the system).
Sorry for this convoluted message
Any more help is greatly appreciated

ggnoobteam said:
Haha well I decided to go ahead and do it anyway
I got the apps and data back so nothing bad happened. I want to know how I can get clockworkmod on my device.
Android ROM manager says no official version of clockworkmod is supported for xperia z1. But then in a menu it also lists TWRP and clockworkmod as already installed on the system and asks if ROM manager can use those for its purposes. So that's why I asked if flashtool installs custom recovery as well.
Whenever I try to boot into recovery to make a backup, it boots normally instead. I hold down the volume up/down buttons and press them quickly on boot, the phone vibrates multiple times but no recovery mode, which leads me to believe there is no custom recovery installed, but ROM manager refuses to download clockworkmod and says there are two installed already! Neither of which can be accessed(if they even are on the system).
Sorry for this convoluted message
Any more help is greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get a recovery on your phone,You have to A) Flash A Kernel using fastboot commands or B) Install XZDualRecovery
Since you have already unlocked your BL,flashing a new kernel would be the best option as it give you tons of new features like DoubleTap2Wake and Overclocking(or underclocking!!).Check out the android developement section for kernels and roms!

masterofnocrack said:
To get a recovery on your phone,You have to A) Flash A Kernel using fastboot commands or B) Install XZDualRecovery
Since you have already unlocked your BL,flashing a new kernel would be the best option as it give you tons of new features like DoubleTap2Wake and Overclocking(or underclocking!!).Check out the android developement section for kernels and roms!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please point out a thread to me that shows how to flash a custom kernel without a custom recovery in place?
Does this mean all xperia users have to install a custom recovery through commands?

ggnoobteam said:
Could you please point out a thread to me that shows how to flash a custom kernel without a custom recovery in place?
Does this mean all xperia users have to install a custom recovery through commands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the kernels for the Stock Sony Roms for the z1 come with a recovery bundled in it(just basic cwm,not fun at all).I think some CM/AOSP based kernels lack recoveries(but i dont know for sure)!!
See,other phones have separate stock recoveries on dedicated partitions(only for software updates,no custom ****) and you can flash a custom recovery into that recovery partition and load it up.But sony....oh no...sony doesnt load a usable true-ish-recovery into its phones nor do xperias have a real partition for the recovery...so we have to get by with these tricks.....
Well the best you can do is you can install a custom kernel and then flash a recovery to the FOTAKernel partition.then the kernel will the load the recovery from the fotakernel instead.
Philz Touch CWM FOTAKERNEL for Z1 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...touch-fotakernel-images-t2826333/post54361630