How To Root Xperia Arc [Full guide w/ video] [Updated for Android 2.3.4 ROMS]

This is a full step-by-step guide (w/ video) for rooting Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. You’ll be required to unlock your phone’s boot loader first to get root access, so proceed only if you’re willing to unlock boot loader or if you’ve already unlocked it. [warning]The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to you or your device, we won’t be held liable. You only will be responsible — you’ve been warned. Okay![/warning]

Unlocking the Boot loader [IMPORTANT!]:

To be able to root your Xperia Arc. You’ll have to first unlock the boot loader on your phone (If you’ve already unlocked boot loader on your phone then skip this step). Below is the link to our simple step-by-step guide: Simple guide to Unlock Boot Loader On Xperia Arc, Play, Neo and Pro

Instructions for Rooting Xperia Arc:

Video guide:

The video shows rooting of an Android 2.3.2 ROM, but rooting instructions are similar for Android 2.3.4 ROMS as well, so you can safely refer to the video below, but do follow the instructions carefully.

1. Go to Settings page on your phone, scroll down to bottom of the screen and select “About phone”, now check your “Model number” and ”Build number”. And then choose an appropriate file for your version of phone from the link below:NOTE:The file given below is rooted system image for Android 2.3.4 [4.0.1.A.0.283] Global firmware, and it’s highly recommended to have the non-rooted version of the firmware installed on your phone before flashing the root image.So if you’re not already on an Android 2.3.4 [4.0.1.A.0.283] firmware, then follow the link below to upgrade your phone to the latest firmware using ‘Flashtool’: Complete guide on how to flash “.ftf” firmware files using Flashtool

   Below is the Android 2.3.4 [4.0.1.A.0.283] rooted system image:

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   • LT15i_4.0.1.A.0.283_Generic_Global_system.img [/list]
2. Download the following file, named “fastboot_with_Android_USB_file.rar”, from this link.
3. Switch OFF your phone. Wait until it vibrates to ensure that it has completely switched off.
4. Now extract the file you downloaded in Step 1.2. You’ll get two folders — “fastboot” and “usb-driver”.
5. Into the “fastboot” folder you need to cut/copy/paste the file you downloaded in Step 1 (See the video for reference).
6. Now pick up your phone (it must be Switched OFF) and hold the “Menu” key (the key at the bottom right side of your phone), now while holding the Menu key, connect your phone to your PC with an USB cable.
7. Once connected — the LED light near the phone’s USB plug will turn blue. If it doesn’t — repeat the Step 6.
8. Open the “fastboot” folder that we extracted in Step 4.
9. Now hold Shift and press mouse right click (Shift + Mouse Right Click) anywhere on the empty white space inside the “fastboot” folder. And then select “Open command window here” from the context menu (See video for reference).
10. Type/Paste the following line in the command prompt window:

fastboot flash system LT15i_4.0.1.A.0.283_Generic_Global_system.img

And hit Enter.

1. Now wait for the process to complete. Command prompt will show a “Finished” message when it will be completed.
2. Once it’s done, disconnect the USB cable from your phone and Switch ON your phone.
3. Inside the app drawer check for “Superuser” app. You’re all good if it’s there, but if it’s not in the app drawer, then search for it in the Android Market as “Superuser” and install it.

Now to ensure that your phone have root access, try some apps that require root access. I tried “Titanium Backup” and it worked well.

Many thanks to XDA member ‘rahul.pillai’ for providing the rooted system image.