This guide will show you how to root the Sony Xperia E1.

Disclaimer: Digital Endpoint is not responsible for rooting the Android device in any way. Before performing any of these steps make sure you back up your Android device completely.

What is needed to root the Sony Xperia E1?

Due to updates on the device you now must downgrade the kernel of the device to be able to flash it using Towelroot, and, once done, you flash the latest kernel again.

Step 1 – Download the required files to downgrade the kernel

To downgrade the kernel you need to download the kernel whose version is 20.1.A.0.47 to downgrade which you can get from here. Save the file to an easy to find location on your PC such as the desktop.

You also need to download the Androxyde flash tool from here. Save the file to an easy to find location such as your desktop.

Step 2 – Flash the downloaded kernel

Copy the firmware file you downloaded in step 1 to the same folder as the Flash Tool you also downloaded from step 1.

Inside the folder where you saved the Flashtool run the .exe file to run the flash tool.

When it opens click the flash button (the lightning bolt). In the menu that appears choose Flashmode and then click OK.

In the firmware selection window choose the firmware that is listed which should match the kernel you have downloaded in step 1.

Under Wipe make sure only cache is selected.

Under Exclude make sure everything is checked, except kernel.

Under Misc make sure No Final Verification is checked.

Hit the Flash button.

Make sure the device is powered off completely.

When the Flashtool shows a pop-up window on your PC screen connect the device to your PC whilst holding the Volume Down button on the device.

Wait until the process has finished.

Once it has finished unplug the device from the PC and turn the device on.

The phone should power up with the downgraded kernel installed.

Now this is done and the kernel has been downgraded you are ready to root the device.

Step 3 – Enable the installation of unknown sources

Rooting the Sony Xperia E1 now requires the use of the towelroot rooting software. This is software that you must download and run on the phone itself. Before you can do this however you need to enable the installation of unknown sources.

On the phone itself go to Settings > Security and tap the Unknown Sources option (make sure it is checked).

Step 4 – Download towelroot

Now that you have enabled the installation of unknown sources it is time to root the phone by downloading towelroot.

Open the phone browser.

Navigate to https://towelroot.com/

Tap the main icon to download the APK file.

Save the APK file to your phone.

Step 5 – Root the phone

Now that you have downloaded towelroot on to the phone please run it.

On the screen that appears tap the make it ra1n option.

Wait for the rooting process to complete.

After towelroot completes you need to install SuperSU. To do this you go to the Play Store and download and install SuperSU which is a free application.

When you have downloaded SuperSU, run it and let it update itself.

This should now have given root access on the Sony Xperia E1.

Now that this has been completed we need to flash the updated kernel again to the device.

Step 6 – Download the required file to upgrade the kernel

To downgrade the kernel you need to download the kernel whose version is 20.1.A.2.13 to downgrade which you can get from here. Save the file to an easy to find location on your PC such as the desktop.

Step 7 – Flash the downloaded kernel

Copy the firmware file you downloaded in step 6 to the same folder as the Flash Tool you downloaded from step 1.

Inside the folder where you saved the Flashtool run the .exe file to run the flash tool.

When it opens click the flash button (the lightning bolt). In the menu that appears choose Flashmode and then click OK.

In the firmware selection window choose the firmware that is listed which should match the kernel you have downloaded in step 6.

Under Wipe make sure only cache is selected.

Under Exclude make sure everything is checked, except kernel.

Under Misc make sure No Final Verification is checked.

Hit the Flash button.

Make sure the device is powered off completely.

When the Flashtool shows a pop-up window on your PC screen connect the device to your PC whilst holding the Volume Down button on the device.

Wait until the process has finished.

Once it has finished unplug the device from the PC and turn the device on.

The phone should power up with the upgraded kernel installed and the Sony Xperia E1 should now be rooted.