Install Xperia Z SpikeLabs XZ Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Custom ROM

The main reason to build a ROM like a stock one and no new features in that is to provide users more fast an smooth experience by tweaking the SpikeLabs XZ ROM a little bit more and optimizing some of the portions too. This ROM does that job brilliantly. This is a stock based ROM but it delivers more smoothness than the stock one and its stable as rock. If interested in Android 4.3 for other phones, check out our new Custom ROMs section. You can update Xperia Z to Android 4.3 SpikeLabs XZ Jelly Bean custom firmware using the tutorial below. This is not an official release by Sony, but just a custom ROM which would require a custom recovery like ClockworkMod in order to flash the ROM zip file on your phone.
In this tutorial, we will tell you how to install Android 4.3 SpikeLabs XZ Jelly Bean ROM on Xperia Z with complete steps using CWM recovery. We also have several tips on how to backup your phone data and also some more tips that you have to keep in mind before proceeding to the tutorial on the next page. You will have to wipe your previous personal data and apps as usual when installing custom ROMs. The following tips are important as they will help the installation procedure to go smooth without any issues. Let’s begin with the tutorial below.

Disclaimer: All the custom ROMs and firmwares, official software updates, tools, mods or anything mentioned in the tutorial belong to their respective owners/developers. We (TeamAndroid.com) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial

Android 4.3 SpikeLabs XZ Jelly Bean ROM Details:

This amazing SpikeLabs XZ custom ROM comes with tons of new features and is based on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. A quick list of the main features in SpikeLabs XZ is given below and we are sure you’d love to use this on your Xperia Z:

• ENLIGHTED ROM
• OTA UPDATEABLE
• SONY 4.4 KITKAT THEMED
• TWEAKED SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
• AMAZINGLY FAST AND STABLE
• XPOSED FRAMEWORK SUPPORT
• GAMING READY
• HIGH BENCHMARKS SCORE
• INIT.D SUPPORT

There are tons of useful articles and how-to guides on Team Android for the Sony Xperia Z, but we think you might be interested in the following posts:

• Root Xperia Z: How to Root Sony Xperia Z – Complete Guide.
• Android 4.3 Custom ROMs: For a complete collection of Xperia Z custom ROMs, click here!

Like this SpikeLabs XZ ROM based on the latest Android 4.3? We love it too and we know you are looking forward to install it on your phone now. Now please read below for important tips on how to make sure your installation goes smooth and you do not end up with any problems.

Sony Xperia Z USB Drivers

You will need to connect your Android phone with the computer. For that, please make sure you have installed the USB drivers for Sony Xperia Z properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:

Download Sony Xperia Z USB drivers!

Backup and Other Important Tips

Done with the USB drivers? Perfect. The tutorial is on the next page, but first, please take a look at the following tips and important points you need to take care of. These are important, as we don’t want anyone losing their personal data or apps:

Always backup your important data that you might need after you install a new custom ROM, an official software update or anything else. Make a backup for just in case, you never know when anything might go wrong. See below for some tips on how to backup data:

• Backup your Apps. How? –> How to Backup Android Apps.
• Backup your SMS messages. How? –> How to Backup/Restore SMS Messages.
• Backup Contacts, Gmail and Google Data. How? –> Sync with Google Sync.
• Backup Call History. How? –> How to Backup Call History.
• Backup WhatsApp Messages. How? –> How to Backup/Restore WhatsApp Messages.
• Backup APN Settings: GPRS, 3G, MMS Settings. How? Note down everything from: Settings > Wireless & Networks (More…) > Mobile networks > Access Point Names.

Sony users can also back up data using Sony PC Companion. If you backup data manually, you get more options what to choose from and it is very easy to move data across Android devices from different manufacturers, i.e moving Sony Xperia Z backup data to HTC One X.
If you already have a custom recovery (ClockworkMod, TWRP etc.) installed on your phone, we strongly recommend a backup using that as it creates a complete image of your existing phone set up.