Best for: Customization junkies
Built on LineageOS but packed with features. crDroid offers granular status bar tweaks, lock screen gestures, and built-in app locker. It feels heavier than Lineage, but on the XA1’s 4GB RAM (or 3GB on some models), it runs surprisingly well.
Best for: Aesthetics
DerpFest is a visual masterpiece. It offers custom QS panel shapes, fonts, and accent colors. However, it is a "beta" experience on the XA1. Random reboots occur once a week. Only flash this if you love tinkering.
Inside TWRP:
Q: Will banking apps work on a custom ROM? A: Yes, if you pass SafetyNet. Use Magisk with “Universal SafetyNet Fix” and enable Zygisk. Hide Magisk from banking apps.
Q: Can I go back to stock Sony ROM? A: Absolutely. Download stock FTF from XperiFirm and flash via Flashtool. If you have your TA backup, you can restore DRM features.
Q: Which ROM is most stable for calls and GPS? A: LineageOS 18.1. The GPS locks within 10 seconds, and call audio does not crackle. Avoid Android 13 ROMs if you rely on your phone for work. sony xperia xa1 custom rom
Q: Does VoLTE work? A: On most MediaTek-based XA1 custom ROMs, VoLTE is broken because proprietary IMS blobs are not open-sourced. You will drop to 3G for calls.
The Sony Xperia XA1 (codenamed Rogue) was never a flagship powerhouse. Released in 2017, it occupied a peculiar mid-range spot with its dazzling 5-inch HD display, a surprisingly capable 23MP camera, and the divisive MediaTek Helio P20 chipset. For many users, the stock Android experience—layered with Sony’s Xperia UI—felt sluggish over time. Updates ceased years ago, leaving users stranded on Android 8.0 Oreo (or 7.0 Nougat, depending on the variant).
But where official support ends, the custom ROM community begins. If you still hold onto your XA1 (G3112, G3116, G3125, or the dual-SIM variants), you aren't doomed to a laggy, insecure device. Installing a Sony Xperia XA1 custom ROM can transform your aging phone into a snappy, modernized tool running Android 12, 13, or even 14.
This article is your definitive roadmap. We will explore the best available ROMs, the risks involved, the bootloader unlocking process, and step-by-step installation instructions.
Disclaimer: Flashing custom ROMs voids your warranty (long expired anyway) and carries inherent risk of bricking your device. The author is not responsible for any damage. Proceed at your own risk.
Installing a custom ROM on the Sony Xperia XA1 (G3121/G3112) is a technical process that requires unlocking your bootloader, installing a custom recovery (TWRP), and then flashing the ROM
This process will wipe all user data and may void your warranty. Ensure your phone is at least 60% charged. 1. Verify Unlock Eligibility Not all XA1 units can be unlocked. Open the phone dialer and enter *#*#7378423#*#* Service info Configuration Rooting Status Bootloader unlock allowed , you can proceed. 2. Unlock the Bootloader Official Sony Bootloader Unlock Portal to request a unique unlock code. Developer Options (tap Build Number 7 times) and toggle OEM Unlocking USB Debugging Connect your phone to a PC in Fastboot Mode (turn off phone, hold while connecting USB). Open a command prompt on your PC and run: fastboot oem unlock 0xYOUR_UNLOCK_CODE Best for: Customization junkies Built on LineageOS but
Installing a custom ROM on the Sony Xperia XA1 (G3112, G3116, etc.) can be a bit more challenging than other devices due to its MediaTek Helio P20 processor, which has historically had less community development support than Snapdragon-based phones. Essential Pre-requisites
Unlock Your Bootloader: This is the first and most critical step. You can check your status and request an official unlock code through the Sony Open Devices portal.
Back Up the TA Partition: Unlocking the bootloader on older Sony devices often wipes the TA partition, which contains proprietary DRM keys for camera enhancements and display technology. Without a backup, your camera quality may permanently degrade.
Charge Your Device: Ensure you have at least 80% battery to prevent a power-off during the sensitive flashing process. Available Custom ROMs
Development for the XA1 series is primarily found on XDA Forums.
LineageOS: While there have been unofficial ports for the XA1 (G3112), there is often no official, long-term support.
AOSP (Android Open Source Project): Sony provides direct AOSP build guides for developers to build clean versions of Android for supported Xperia devices. Installation Process Overview Inside TWRP: Q: Will banking apps work on a custom ROM
Download TWRP: You will need a custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) to flash the ROM files.
Flash via Fastboot: Connect your phone to a PC and use the fastboot flash recovery recovery.img command to install TWRP.
Wipe Data: In TWRP, perform a "Factory Reset" (Wipe Data, Cache, and Dalvik) before installing the new OS.
Install ROM & GApps: Flash the custom ROM .zip file followed by a Google Apps (OpenGApps) package if you want the Play Store and other Google services. Important Warnings
Volatile Support: Many ROMs for this device may have "bugs" such as broken Bluetooth or lower camera quality because of the MediaTek chipset.
Brick Risk: Incorrectly flashing a ROM can "brick" your device (render it unusable). Always double-check that the ROM is specifically for your model number (e.g., G3112 vs G3121).
Finding a custom ROM for the Sony Xperia XA1 (model numbers G3112, G3116, G3125) is a bit of a journey. Because Sony discontinued the XA1 line and stopped providing official updates long ago, a Custom ROM is the only way to breathe modern life (Android 10, 11, 12, or even 13) into this device.
Here is a detailed review regarding the state of Custom ROMs for the Xperia XA1, covering the best options, performance, bugs, and installation risks.