ANDROID

This guide is originally thought for Xperia mini ST15i. But much of the content is general, and can be applied to other Xperia phones.
I've collected various stuff (tutorials, guides etc. on unlocking the bootloader, rooting, custom ROM, custom kernels, etc) in one single place for easy finding.
I tried writing this guide to the best of my knowledge. I've invested some effort in creating it, so I hope you find it useful
I've used guides and tools from other people&devs, and all the credit goes solely to them.

I'm also open to any suggestions and/ or corrections. If I miss a ROM/ kernel, let me know!

For Android newcomers:
What is Bootloader, custom ROM, Kernel, CWM, Firmware, Flashing, ADB, Root ?
Follow this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1930844

Contents:

1. Unlocking/re-locking bootloader
2. Rooting/Un-rooting, ADB drivers, flashing firmware with flashtool
3. Flashing ROMs /CWM
4. Kernel listing, flashing a kernel
5. FOTA unbrick
6. Firmwares&basebands download for ST15i
7. Complete GB&ICS ROM listing for Xperia MDPI
8. TwEaking
9. Some theming links
10. misc. stuff
11. Reference links/credits

1. [Unlocking/re-locking bootloader]

Sony Ericsson made it possible to unlock the bootloader on some Xperia phones.
Unlike my former Xperia X8, wich I hard bricked trying to unlock it
You need to have an unlocked bootloader to install cyanogenMOD, the majority of custom ROM's, custom kernels.

Follow the official guide for best results:
Unlocking the boot loader | Sony Xperia

Unlock Bootloader via Test Point for n00bz tutorial thanX DragonClawsAreSharp@XDA

[Tutorial] Unlock Bootloader.Test Point | For Newbs | 26th June - xda-developers

[Re-locking bootloader] thanX to Blagus@XDA

NOTE: This method only works if you unlocked via the official way! Do not attempt this if you unlocked via TestPoint method!

So if you wanna do it, just follow the guide

[Tutorial] Relock bootloader! - xda-developers

Bootloader unlock tool [Official method]:

SE Bootloader Unlocking v1.6 tool thanX to quangnhut123

2. [Rooting/Un-rooting, ADB drivers, flashing firmware with flashtool]

Requirements/prepping:
Check your firmware by going to settings> about phone> firmware.
Look at the last set of numbers.

>You can't root .62 firmware. If you have .62 firmware, you need to downgrade it.
>4.0.2.A.0.42 & 4.0.A.2.368 firmwares are rootable. (Flashing 4.0.2.A.0.62 firmware removes root).
>Download and flash .ftf file below to downgrade. How to flash firmwares is explained further down.
>You don't need unlocked bootloader for rooting.
>You need to have ADB installed (explained further down).

For rooting ICS (.431 firmware) and non-rootable .62 firmware, follow this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1688980

It's also possible to root or download firmwares with XDA ROM Hub tool.

Flashing firmwares with flashtool:
http://androxyde.github.com/]

Install FlashTool.
Go to your flashtool folder, and place the .ftf file in the folder "firmwares".
Turn off your phone.
Now open flashtool.exe> click the thunder icon> select flashmode> adsp.sin should be selected> click ok. Wait till it asks you to connect the phone.
When it does, hold down the -DOWN- volume button while connecting, to enter flashmode (the LED should turn green).
The flashing will commence.
After that, disconnect and turn on your phone.

Installing ADB:
How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers for Android Devices (Updated 12/13/11) - TheUnlockrTheUnlockr
OR
[HOW-TO] ADB for Dummies(How-To Learner's Guide) - xda-developers

[Rooting]:
If you have a rootable firmware and installed adb drivers, you're all set.
Download this .zip file and extract it to some folder.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...6&d=1325678726
from original thread:
[04/Jan][ROOTING/UNROOTING] DooMLoRD's Easy Rooting Toolkit [v4.0](zergRush Exploit) - xda-developers

Connect your phone in USB debugging mode. To do that, go to settings> applications> development> turn on "USB debugging". Also turn on "unknown sources" in applications. You might also wanna tick "stay awake". So the screen stays on while USB connected.
Then run the runme.bat in the folder you extracted the zip.
It takes about a minute, two. If you get a positive message, then you have a rooted phone!
You can also try rooting with FlashTool.
Open FlashTool> advanced> root> force zergRush

[Un-rooting]: thanX to DooMLorD again
If you want to un-root your rooted phone, get this file:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...3&d=1319922608
from this original Thread:
[HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method) - Page 15 - xda-developers

It's the same as the rooting process. Connect phone in USB debugging mode, turn on unknown sources, and start the process. This time you just have to confirm SU request on the phone. So you might wanna go to settings> applications> check stay awake, so the phone won't go standby during the process.
Important: If you haven't rooted your phone with the method described here (easy rooting toolkit by DooMLorD), don't use this tool!

3. [Flashing ROMs]

First thing, copy ROM zip file onto your SDcard

If your bootloader is locked, and you're on stock kernel, make sure you have CWM recovery installed (explained further down)
Start the phone. When you see the logo getting brighter, keep pressing volume DOWN until recovery menu appears.

If you have unlocked bootloader, flash a custom kernel. That way you'll have CWM. Since all custom kernels come with CWM.
Start your phone. The LED will change color to signal you to press volume DOWN in order to enter recovery.

Touchscreen doesn't work in CWM. Move trough the menu with volume keys, select with home button, go back with back touch button.
Choose factory reset, wipe cache.
In some cases if the ROM won't boot you'll need to go advanced> select wipe dalvik.
After that choose install zip from sdcard and choose ROM zip.

NOTE: I strongly suggest that you do a nandroid backup before you flash a ROM or modify the system in any way.
That way you are able to restore the system if something should go wrong.

That's it

Make sure the your kernel is compatible with the ROM you're trying to flash.
For example cyanogenmod requires it's own kernel. Also GB kernels don't work with ICS/ JB and vice versa.

And make sure you're flashing a ROM that is actually intended for your device!

DO NOT make the mistake by installing a Xperia miniPRO ROM! They may SOUND similar, but they are not. If you do, hardware/touch controls may not work and bootloops may occur.
It's very tricky to repair, if possible at all.

Optional google apps download (maps, talk,gmail, synchronization etc.):

Gingerbread ROMs
Goo-inside.me Downloads - Downloading gapps-gb-20110828-signed.zip

ICS ROMs:
Goo.im Downloads - Downloading gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip

Clockwork Recovery [CWM]:

All custom kernels from the ones available for the mini have CWM.

If you don't want to unlock your bootloader to flash a custom kernel, but you have root, you can install CWM via this app on google play:
Xperia CWM Auto-Installer

Or download XDA ROM HUB
Connect your turned on phone> Select tweak my phone> install CWM
DL: https://romhub.codeplex.com/

or try RecoverX, Recovery installer: [TOOL] [14/07/2012] RecoverX - Recovery installer for all xperia devices - xda-developers

5. [MDPI Kernel listing, flashing a kernel]

GB [bboof kernel]: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=101

GB [X Kernel] [KERNEL] [Mini/MiniPro/LiveWithWalkman/Active] X kernel 2.6.32.59 ZRAM [2-April-2012] - xda-developers

[no longer maintained][Rage Kernel for FXP CM7.2.0 ROM]
xda-developers - View Single Post - [KERNEL][Mini/MiniPro/Active] Rage Kernel v2.8 for FXP CM7.2.0 ROM

[LWW][CM10] Extended Kernel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2033843

DDS Kernel for CM10: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1956283

ICS&GB [Rage Kernel] [KERNEL][Mini/MiniPro/LiveWithWalkman/Active] Rage Kernel v2.8 - xda-developers

ICS [KRsH Kernel v3.0] [KERNEL][Mini/Mini Pro/Active/LwW] KRsH Kernel v3.0 ICS - xda-developers
Since dev has removed the kernel, I've uploaded ST15i version: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zkudcx65y7wu568

ICS [EXtended Stock Kernel] [KERNEL][ST15/SK17/WT19] EXtended Stock Kernel - v2 4.1.B.0.431 [ROOT+INIT.D+CWM] - xda-developers

ICS/CM10 [MESA Kernel] [KERNEL][LWW/MINI/MINIPRO/ACTIVE][ICS] MESA v1.1 based on Sony's 4.1.B.0.431 - xda-developers

ICS [KernelPanic] [Kernel][ICS][Mini|MiniPro|LWW] KernelPanic v1.21 | 04.09.12 | New Release Mini/LWW - xda-developers

Flashing a kernel:
Flashtool method:
Shut off phone> hold UP volume button while connecting to PC. LED lights BLUE indicating device is in fastboot mode.
Open FlashTool> thunder icon> fastboot mode> select kernel to flash. You flashed the kernel.

CMD command: fastboot flash boot boot.img
Where boot.img is the name of the kernel file.

5. [FOTA (Firmware Over-the-Air) unbrick guide] thanX to testadeferro@XDA
The thing with the bootloader is that when you unlock it, you loose the ability to upgrade via Sony Ericsson PC companion/SEUS.
What happened to me is, I thought I could update firmware directly with my phone if not via PC... It downloaded the software, and restarted to install it. And that's where it froze, and went black.
I had my heart in my throat when I tried to turn it on, and it didn't respond. I thought omg there goes another phone... (I lost my X8 due to messing with it's bootloader)
So it wouldn't turn on, but when I connected it to the PC, the green light went on... what a relief LoL! It was still alive, but bricked.
So I found this FOTA unbrick guide, which did the job
If you wanna know more about FOTA, go to wikipedia> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOTA_(technology)

If something like this should happen to you, download the *.ftf file from the link.
http://www.mediafire.com/?lc7inivdvwbjpov

Turn the phone off.
Unzip the file, place the ftf file in C:\Flashtool\firmwares (or wherever you installed flashtool), open flashtool click the flash button, and click ok (don't modify anything. It will ask you to connect the phone now. Take the turned off phone, hold the volume DOWN button while connecting. the led light should turn green, which indicates you're connected in flash mode. You should see the flashing process progress now. After it's completed, disconnect your phone and turn it on

6. [Firmwares/basebands for Xperia ST15i mini]
[4.0.2.A.0.42]

[4.0.2.A.0.62]

[4.0.A.2.368]

ICS [4.1.B.0.431]

ICS [4.1.B.0.587]

[FTF]Generic ST15i xperia mini ICS 4.1.B.0.431 1249-8388 R2I (Android 4.0.4) + root

Other Xperia phones go to this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...24&postcount=3 (ThanX to someguyfromhell)
Makes no sense to assemble a new list when it's already existing

Basebands: [Basebands][ST15I] .64, .66, .70 baseband ftf files - xda-developers

8. TwEaks

I placed all tweaks into my tweak collection HERE

9. Theming

Online ROM themeing[UOT kitchen]: UOT Kitchen

Some nice cyanogenMOD themes: 12 Awesome CyanogenMod 7 Themes [Android]

cyanogenMOD theme collection on XDA: [UPDATE 4-5-12] Theme Chooser Themes - Over 310 Themes! - xda-developers

Stock ROM themes: [MOD][v3,v4 Lite] DefaultThemes for Live/Mini/Mini Pro - xda-developers

Create a theme for HTC_IME mod keyboard: http://www.gimpsta.com/themer/

10. misc.

Auto Bloatware Remover/APK Installer: [TOOL]Auto Bloatware Remover/APK Installer For Xperia Mini & Mini pro & Active v0.5 - xda-developers

[GB/ICS]Quickpanel with brightness bar: [MOD][GB][v1.8] mini_mod [ICS] Quickpanel with brightness bar - xda-developers

Xperia mini overheating FiX:
http://androidforums.com/sony-ericss...ml#post3925489
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1387605

ANDROID

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