How to Root the Sony Xperia S running 6.2.B.1.96 firmware
The Sony Xperia S was recently updated to 6.2.B.1.96 firmware and as usual, those who were rooted might have found their device no longer having root privileges. But now, we have a solution for this problem and if this is what you were looking for, look no more and read on.
I. Before You Begin
1. This procedure only works on the Sony Xperia S running 6.2.B.1.96 firmware only; do not try this if you have anything older on your device.
2. As always, back up everything you care about and charge your device to 75% or more before you start.
3. This procedure works both on locked and unlocked bootloaders.
II. Necessary Downloads
1. flashtool-0.9.11.0-windows.exe
2.  XperiaS_LT26i_6.2.B.0.211_KernelOnly.ftf (Link available in this post)
3. XperiaS_LT26i_6.2.B.1.96_KernelOnly.ftf (Link available in this post)
3. DooMLoRD_Easy-Rooting-Toolkit_v18_perf-event-exploit.zip (or latest version, link available in this post)
III. Flashing the Rootable Older Kernel
1. Double-click on flashtool-0.9.11.0-windows.exe you downloaded above and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
2. Copy the XperiaS_LT26i_6.2.B.0.211_KernelOnly.ftf file you downloaded above to C:\Flashtool\firmwares on your harddrive.
3. Open the Flashtool application after installation and click on the Flash icon (the one with the thunder symbol).
4. You should be presented with two options:  Flashmode and Fastboot Mode. Select Flashmode.
5. Choose XperiaS_LT26i_6.2.B.0.211_KernelOnly.ftf and click on OK. Follow the on-screen instructions on how to boot your device into fastboot mode and connect your device. Also, make sure “No Final Verification” is marked.
6. Reboot device.
IV. Rooting the Xperia S
1. Enable USB Debugging on your device. You can do this by heading to Settings > Development Options > USB Debugging and checking the tickbox next to it.
2. Enable installation of non-Market applications. To do this, go to Settings > Security and check the Unknown Sources tickbox.
3. Connect your device to your Windows PC. At this point, ensure that the Flashtool is not running; if it is running, exit it and check the task manager for any other instances of it running and end them.
4. Extract the DooMLoRD_Easy-Rooting-Toolkit_v18_perf-event-exploit.zip that you downloaded above to a folder on your desktop.
5. From the extracted folder, double-click on runme_win.bat to run the DooMLoRD tool.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to be complete.
Reboot your device and check that the SuperSU app is installed on your device. If it is, you are now rooted!
V. Flashing the Original Kernel
Follow the same steps listed in section III of this guide but choose XperiaS_LT26i_6.2.B.1.96_KernelOnly.ftf this time.
If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.
This is what I know about my phone: Sony Xperia S, unlocked AT&T phone, Build Number 6.1.C.1.111,kernel version 3.08+1.0.21100-30145…etc etc, dated Fri Jun 22, 2012
Android 4.0.4
I feel a little lost on how to correctly root this phone.Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Update to the latest version and follow this tutorial, that’s all you have to do. Use the Sony PC Companion to update your phone.
u have to disable MTP mode to install the kernal , and to disable this mood u should have a rooted device , how can we solve this problem , i just cant finish step 3 by installing the older version kernal . plz help me
Thanks A Lott..It worked
Glad it worked for you!
thnks a lot… works perfectly
Awesome!
Will It steps work for Sony Xperia SL ?
Build :6.2.B.1.96
what do i do for this :
” ERROR – Drivers need to be installed for connected device “
Hi i flashed the old kernel and rooted my device, but im unable to flash the new kernel can i get a solution for this.
Flash back the stock firmware and do everything from scratch.
Sony Xperia S Lt26i flashing does not work with Back Button, try Volume Down button instead while plugging in USB cable. This should resolve your MTP mode issue.
i cant back flash to prev version… it said fail when it trying to flash my phone. any idea?
Will this work on a Sony Xperia SL (LT26ii) 6.2.B.1.96?
Sammy, we never recommend trying guides on anything other than the firmwares/device variants that we have specified in the Before You Begin section! Since your device is the Xperia SL, we highly recommend you don’t try this!
Hi, is it necessary to flash the original kernel in the last step(step 5) ? If so, then why? Do we need to follow step 4 again after doing step 5?
Thank you… worked perfectly
Cool!
Thanks Dude! Worked perfectly
Great! Glad to hear that!
It worked nicely…. thanx..If it error while flashing try again it will work..