Is an Xperia Mini still usable in 2020? - Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, Mini Pro, Xperia Pro, A

I really miss having a small phone and this was the last of Sony's really small devices, is there a firmware available that supports Whatsapp, Facebook (with messenger) and Google maps? I really don't need anything else, well except the camera to take the odd snap and of course basic phone functions for making calls and texts etc.
Thanks,
Karl

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Same here with my Xperia Active. I think this device is a gem. Unfortunately i doubt using it today safety wise . Would love to bring it back to life in 2020.

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Yeah basically the same phone isn't it mate?
I'm just pissed of with being forced to have large form factor phones, I've been using the Sony Compact range for the last few years and they were really good and at least not too big (by today's standards), Sony's current offerings are far too big as are other manufacturers.
I'm actually using a Galaxy S10 as my daily and it's always falling out of my pocket because of how big it is!

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I have Android 4.0.4 in my Mini-Pro, and it's still supported by Whatsapp. I haven't tried/used the other two, though.
I still use it as my main phone, since it is very compact and has a physical keyboard. I basically use a mobile phone for text messaging and camera.

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temporary2010 said:
I have Android 4.0.4 in my Mini-Pro, and it's still supported by Whatsapp. I haven't tried/used the other two, though.
I still use it as my main phone, since it is very compact and has a physical keyboard. I basically use a mobile phone for text messaging and camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind trying Google maps and Facebook messenger for me please? That would be so helpful and then I'll know whether to buy one or not!
Thanks
Karl

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So looking here it looks like we can install Android 6 which is bound to give me a better chance at running newer apps! I'm going to buy one and give it a go!
https://techbeasts.com/install-andr...apro-xperiamini-xperiaminipro-cyanogenmod-13/
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...dev-2011-unofficial-cyanogenmod-13-0-t3323975

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You can even install Android 7.1 yet with LinageOS 14. I have these devices: Xperia Mini, Xperia Pro SK17 and Xperia Play. All of them using Android 6 or Android 7.

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diejuse said:
You can even install Android 7.1 yet with LinageOS 14. I have these devices: Xperia Mini, Xperia Pro SK17 and Xperia Play. All of them using Android 6 or Android 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please. It has a tutorial on how to install version 6 or 7? I have a SK17i currently.

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Cryte-k said:
please. It has a tutorial on how to install version 6 or 7? I have a SK17i currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Download the ROM from here: https://archive.org/download/Legacy....0-20161109-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-mango.zip
2) Unzip and extract boot.img
3) Connect your device to PC.
4) Enter in fastboot mode in your XPERIA and type in your PC terminal: fastboot flash boot boot.img
4) Type in your PC: fastboot reboot
5) Enter in recovery mode in your XPERIA.
6) Choose wipes (factory reset, wipe cache, system wipe).
7) Choose sideload install and type in your PC: adb sideload cm-13.0-20161109-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-mango.zip
8) Wait, reboot and enjoy.

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diejuse said:
1) Download the ROM from here: https://archive.org/download/Legacy....0-20161109-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-mango.zip
2) Unzip and extract boot.img
3) Connect your device to PC.
4) Enter in fastboot mode in your XPERIA and type in your PC terminal: fastboot flash boot boot.img
4) Type in your PC: fastboot reboot
5) Enter in recovery mode in your XPERIA.
6) Choose wipes (factory reset, wipe cache, system wipe).
7) Choose sideload install and type in your PC: adb sideload cm-13.0-20161109-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-mango.zip
8) Wait, reboot and enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the steps.
Step 2 to the decompressing put the whole folder on my xperia sd card?
step 4 would be in the CMD mode or adb?
Step 5 have to disconnect the mobile to the start in recovery mode?
Step 7 is sideload?

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Step 2. Extract only boot.img file. You need the whole .zip file in step 7.
Step 4. Your phone in recovery mode and your PC in terminal with adb.
Step 5. To enter in recovery mode you must restart your phone and click volume - button many times.
Step 7. Sideload is a recovery mode option. It is the way to install .zip file.
Cryte-k said:
thanks for the steps.
Step 2 to the decompressing put the whole folder on my xperia sd card?
step 4 would be in the CMD mode or adb?
Step 5 have to disconnect the mobile to the start in recovery mode?
Step 7 is sideload?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cryte-k said:
thanks for the steps.
Step 2 to the decompressing put the whole folder on my xperia sd card?
step 4 would be in the CMD mode or adb?
Step 5 have to disconnect the mobile to the start in recovery mode?
Step 7 is sideload?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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diejuse said:
You can even install Android 7.1 yet with LinageOS 14. I have these devices: Xperia Mini, Xperia Pro SK17 and Xperia Play. All of them using Android 6 or Android 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really cool. How well do the phones perform? Working well, or laggy? I would appreciate a video of how it functions.
Also where's the XDA thread of this "Legacy Xperia"? Can't find it anywhere, or any links to Android 7.1 roms.

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flameseewa said:
That's really cool. How well do the phones perform? Working well, or laggy? I would appreciate a video of how it functions.
Also where's the XDA thread of this "Legacy Xperia"? Can't find it anywhere, or any links to Android 7.1 roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be keen to see this too please!

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diejuse said:
1) Download the ROM from here: ....
2) Unzip and extract boot.img
3) Connect your device to PC.
4) Enter in fastboot mode in your XPERIA and type in your PC terminal: fastboot flash boot boot.img
4) Type in your PC: fastboot reboot
5) Enter in recovery mode in your XPERIA.
6) Choose wipes (factory reset, wipe cache, system wipe).
7) Choose sideload install and type in your PC: adb sideload cm-13.0-20161109-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-mango.zip
8) Wait, reboot and enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to use fastboot drivers / usb drivers with SK17i on pc? ..
I try windows 7 on vmware .. Windows 10 with some signed drivers ...
I always end with - "This device cannot start. (Code 10)" on Device manager .. and < waiting for any device > in fastboot
I am still just before step 1)
Are there some special USB drivers? .. or some special operation system needs?
Thankes

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diejuse said:
You can even install Android 7.1 yet with LinageOS 14. I have these devices: Xperia Mini, Xperia Pro SK17 and Xperia Play. All of them using Android 6 or Android 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same with my Xperia Mini (upgraded it to Android 7.1.2, I used lineage-14.1-20170514-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-smultron ROM) and also upgraded Xperia Active (to Android 6.0.1, I tested both CM13 ROMs, cm-13.0-20160418-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-satsuma and cm-13.0-20160327-UNOFFICIAL-LegacyXperia-satsuma).
And here is the main problem I've been trying to fix for the last two weeks: on both of them I simply cannot get wired or bluetooth microphone working. E.g. if I plug in headphones (headset with microphone), upgraded Xperia doesn't switch internal microphone to the plugged in headset mic or bluetooth mic (sound is there on the headphones, but mic is not being switched from internal microphone to the mic on the headset). The headset works just fine on another Xperia Mini (with stock ROM, Android 4.1), and I have tested many other headsets with the same result. The same is with bluetooth headset, it simply won't switch to it on upgraded Xperia.
Same thing is on Xperia Active. On the stock ROM it works just fine, but after the upgrade to Android 6, headset or bluetooth microphone won't work.
If anyone knows the solution to this issue, please let me know how you managed to get microphone working on either wired headset or bluetooth headset on your upgraded Xperia Mini (or Xperia Active).
I've been trying to fix this for two weeks now and I still haven't found the solution
I mostly use my Xperia phones on bike rides, and I need to use handsfree for calls. Without internal mic switching to the headset mic, it's useless
If no one here knows the solution, I will perhaps open a new thread.
Many thanks in advance!!!

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@Nautilus_ did you manage to fix the issue ?
Alos @diejuse hows the performace so far on LOS ? Thinking of buying one, jyst need basic text, calling, wifi and hotpost working that it ! and bluetooth ofc

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Temp_Quack said:
@Nautilus_ did you manage to fix the issue ?
Alos @diejuse hows the performace so far on LOS ? Thinking of buying one, jyst need basic text, calling, wifi and hotpost working that it ! and bluetooth ofc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Temp_Quack,
Sorry, didn't see your post till now.
Here are my findings so far:
Performance of Xperia Mini with LOS 14.1 wasn't as good as with CM13 ROM, so I downgraded my Xperia Mini to CM13. On CM13 (Androind 6.1) it's really fast and smooth, much better and faster performance compared to Android 4.1.
With LOS 14.1 on my Xperia Mini it started lagging after some time. But the huge advantage was having TWRP recovery (proves to be really useful since you can simply create a backup/image of the system and easily restore the whole image in one step and really fast within recovery itself). With CM13 you only get Cyanogen recovery, so there is no built in backup capability within recovery, but you could make system/data backup with Titanium backup for example. But it's much less convenient compared to TWRP since you cannot make a system image, so in case of restoring a backup you then need to restore one by one app with Titanium backup.
And now to the weird microphone behaviour. This one is REALLY WEIRD. So, here's the thing:
Built-in mic works perfectly if you will be using Xperia Mini on CM13 or LOS 14.1 to make phone calls. Plugged in headphones or headset or bluetooth headphones/headset also work perfectly, no issues with any of them when making phone calls.
BUT if you would like to use any of the (VoIP) apps to make calls, microphone is working ONLY when using WhatsApp, with any other apps which I tested (Skype, Viber, Signal, Messenger Lite,...) microphone DOESN'T WORK at all (tested it also with plugged in headset, with bluetooth headset, with built-in mic... nothing works). I can hear the other side talking, but other side cannot hear me. It's like the mic stays switched off, and only WhatsApp somehow manages to turn it on when initiating a voice call over Whatsapp.
I really have no idea why is that so, and why other apps cannot turn on the microphone.
I then installed some apps that are supposed to be able to reroute / bypass audio signal in the phone, and/or force the microphone audio route (e.g. Lesser Audioswitch and Soundabout), but none of them managed to fix this issue. I would say it's some bug or something missing in CM13 and LOS14.1 which doesn't enable mic (doesn't turn on the microphone) when using VoIP apps. Only Whatsapp manages to trigger the mic (and I also need to mention that sometimes even WhatsApp doesn't manage to turn on the mic, so phone reboot is needed in that case). I really wonder what's the difference between Whatsapp and other apps, I mean how come WhatsApp is the only app that can use/turn on the microphone??
@Temp_Quack: regarding texting, calling (phone calls), wifi and hotspot and bluetooth - they all work fine in my case.
The only thing that's annoying is aforementioned microphone issue in apps, I would really like to get that fixed somehow, but I have no clue what is the root cause of that issue.
Btw, let me know if you'll decide to buy the phone and install e.g. CM13, there might be an issue with Google Play Services that will need to be updated (the stock Google Play Services is outdated and you'll need to update it. Beware not to update it to the latest available version otherwise the phone might be stuck in an endless loop trying to update it without success and then reboots again, then of of the fixes is to clear the cache in recovery which then basically means setting up the phone from scratch again).
You also need to be aware that installing any app will take some time (as far as I remember that's some issue with such ROMs, it's slow when installing apps).
If I think of anything else, will try to make sure to follow up on this post. And if anyone else has any idea how to fix that weird microphone behaviour, please let us know.
Kind regards

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Hey
Nautilus_ said:
@Temp_Quack,
Sorry, didn't see your post till now.
Here are my findings so far:
Performance of Xperia Mini with LOS 14.1 wasn't as good as with CM13 ROM, so I downgraded my Xperia Mini to CM13. On CM13 (Androind 6.1) it's really fast and smooth, much better and faster performance compared to Android 4.1.
With LOS 14.1 on my Xperia Mini it started lagging after some time. But the huge advantage was having TWRP recovery (proves to be really useful since you can simply create a backup/image of the system and easily restore the whole image in one step and really fast within recovery itself). With CM13 you only get Cyanogen recovery, so there is no built in backup capability within recovery, but you could make system/data backup with Titanium backup for example. But it's much less convenient compared to TWRP since you cannot make a system image, so in case of restoring a backup you then need to restore one by one app with Titanium backup.
And now to the weird microphone behaviour. This one is REALLY WEIRD. So, here's the thing:
Built-in mic works perfectly if you will be using Xperia Mini on CM13 or LOS 14.1 to make phone calls. Plugged in headphones or headset or bluetooth headphones/headset also work perfectly, no issues with any of them when making phone calls.
BUT if you would like to use any of the (VoIP) apps to make calls, microphone is working ONLY when using WhatsApp, with any other apps which I tested (Skype, Viber, Signal, Messenger Lite,...) microphone DOESN'T WORK at all (tested it also with plugged in headset, with bluetooth headset, with built-in mic... nothing works). I can hear the other side talking, but other side cannot hear me. It's like the mic stays switched off, and only WhatsApp somehow manages to turn it on when initiating a voice call over Whatsapp.
I really have no idea why is that so, and why other apps cannot turn on the microphone.
I then installed some apps that are supposed to be able to reroute / bypass audio signal in the phone, and/or force the microphone audio route (e.g. Lesser Audioswitch and Soundabout), but none of them managed to fix this issue. I would say it's some bug or something missing in CM13 and LOS14.1 which doesn't enable mic (doesn't turn on the microphone) when using VoIP apps. Only Whatsapp manages to trigger the mic (and I also need to mention that sometimes even WhatsApp doesn't manage to turn on the mic, so phone reboot is needed in that case). I really wonder what's the difference between Whatsapp and other apps, I mean how come WhatsApp is the only app that can use/turn on the microphone??
@Temp_Quack: regarding texting, calling (phone calls), wifi and hotspot and bluetooth - they all work fine in my case.
The only thing that's annoying is aforementioned microphone issue in apps, I would really like to get that fixed somehow, but I have no clue what is the root cause of that issue.
Btw, let me know if you'll decide to buy the phone and install e.g. CM13, there might be an issue with Google Play Services that will need to be updated (the stock Google Play Services is outdated and you'll need to update it. Beware not to update it to the latest available version otherwise the phone might be stuck in an endless loop trying to update it without success and then reboots again, then of of the fixes is to clear the cache in recovery which then basically means setting up the phone from scratch again).
You also need to be aware that installing any app will take some time (as far as I remember that's some issue with such ROMs, it's slow when installing apps).
If I think of anything else, will try to make sure to follow up on this post. And if anyone else has any idea how to fix that weird microphone behaviour, please let us know.
Kind regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He , thanks for the detailed reply , I was looking for the phone but couldnot find one nearby and ebay was too expensive but will see If I can find one again in local market. I did find and fix my old xperia play though for gaming for now
I will let you know once i get my hands on xperia / xperia mini pro !

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Hello good day, I am from Peru (I will use the Google translator in all this answer) by chance I came across this topic and I decided to create this account just to contribute my experience with Xperia Mini Pro SK17 (I have both the SK17i and the SK17a) in the middle of 2021 Currently I have a Z3 Tablet that I use as a personal phone among other things, but I really love my Xperia Mini Pro as it was one of my first and last "Normal" cell phones before switching to my Z3 Tablet.
My SK17i I have CyanogenMod 4.3.1 Released with Bootloader + Recovery etc everything that can be unlocked by logic when having it unlocked I do not think it is necessary to mention the minimum applications for the proper functioning of it, you can put customs with higher numbers so So you will have no limits in installing apps with the proper data partition to the SD card.
My SK17a I have the stock Rom of 4.0.4 the famous 4.1B.0.431 of course this stock rom is already old and out of date but my advantage is that I have it Rooted + Recovery (But with blocked bootloader which is not an impediment to me I don't plan on updating this cell phone to a higher version) so, I really love this stock Rom I love the music player, the Xperia launcher and the RADIO! Oh my god the radio is something that I can't use in cyanogen but in my stock rom and some functionalities such as image and audio enhancement that you can only use with the stock rom, I love how it looks great but as well we all know , we have 2 types of limitations.
1.- It is old, we cannot install modern applications or have gaps.
2.- If we try to install things from the play store then the phone will saturate us, taking away those 420mb of which we can only use 200 to 150 free megabytes.
So how can I use my cell phone in 2021? With the basics (at least for me) Facebook, VK, Youtube and messaging without having to install high-weight apps and without resorting to Gaps? Well then I will proceed to explain my odyssey and a solution for those who have this wonderful rom of stock.
First: We have to eliminate all the apps that we know are useless or potentially consuming the sacred space of our phone, for this we have to have ROOT on our cell phone and install Link2SD 3.1.5 This version weighs approximately 1.87MB so it will not take up much space , this application will allow you to freeze and uninstall system applications, in my case it purges the Play Store and its derivatives such as Google play services, Music Unlimited, Mail Exchanger, Gmail, Email, Market Update, News and weather, Playnow, Trackid , YouTube and derivatives to that application, Music extensions and things that I know that will not affect the start of the system, having done this we have freed up a lot of space in addition to leaving the system a little more "accelerated" since we have purged applications that today They do not work (no matter how much you try to start them, it will ask you for gaps or it will give you a 404 error or it will not load because they simply expired)
Second: Since we have freed up space now I will leave the applications that I use and install to replace most: Facebook:
- Facebook Lite version 23.0.0.6.149 Total weight 4.50MB + or -<- You can clone the application if you have more than 1 Facebook account, you can watch videos and do everything you would with normal Facebook.
- VK: VK version 4.6.0 Total weight: 67MB + or -<- It is another social network as well as Facebook, the bad thing about this version that you can not listen to music but you can see videos that you have stored etc.
- Gmail, Outlook (And I think more messengers but I only use those: K-9 Mail version 5,600 Total weight 10MB approx, keep in mind that to use Gmail in this version you must authorize less secure applications in your Gmail account, to date not I have had no problem using this.
- Youtube: Using Lighting Browser Version 4.5.1 Total weight: 4.44MB + or -<- enter youtube using m.youtube.com and you can see any video fluently.
- Whatsapp : I would have liked to place here an alternative to whatsap but unfortunately no application I found even looking and looking for the closest thing to this that I found was the "Whatsweb version 3.2.8" but unfortunately it will not work an error will appear asking you to update the browser and the versions Whatsweb superiors are not compatible with Android 4.0.4, for me it is not a great loss since I have fully functional whatsap in my Z3 tablet also most of the businesses I do are through Facebook market which I access through Facebook lite already mentioned.
Next, I will place the personal applications that each application uses as those already mentioned above are applications that I have taken the time to download, install one by one and test taking into account the limited space we have available to install applications on the cell phone due to the reduced 200 or 150 mega size available we have.
- CPU Z 1.19 total weight 3.21MB + or -. <- We all know what it is for, to delight ourselves with the specifications of our cell phone.
- 17Track 2.2.1 total weight 14.15MB + or -<- If you have tracking codes like me you can use them here.(Unfortinelly dont work actually )
- MiXplorer 6.54.6 Total weight 10.58MB + or - <- Note that this at least for me is an improvement, it is file explorer, it is light, I can activate sharing via FTP, it has a basic built-in music and video player, I can enter my computer via LAN and play video and music without major complications and it is very light for me, the best browser and has many more things but I do not want to extend myself.
- Power Toogles 5.0.10 Total weight 0.89MB + or - <- The best Widget to manage the wifi airplane mode flashlight etc that you can have.
- Notes 1.5.6 Total weight 6.52 + or - <- Useful to create a widget with notes that you need at hand.
- Titanium Backup 8.0.1 Total weight 10.52MB <- If you want to backup the applications before uninstalling it then, you can use this is useful and light.
- VLC 2.0.6 Total weight approx 39.06MB <- you can play anything I use it to watch videos + MiXplorer on my pc, it is light and captures anything.
- Voice Recorder version 12 Total weight 2.12MB approx <- Useful to record voice
Emulators:
- ePSXe 2.0.7 Total weight 10.11MB Approx. PSOne Games
- Gensoid 2.4.3 Total weight 1.00MB Approx. Sega Genesis games.
- My OldBoy Paid version 1.3.4 Total weight 896KB Approx. GBC games
- My Boy 1.7.0.2 Paid Version total weight 2.73MB Approx. GBA games
- NEO.emu 1.5.9 Total weight 2.10MB approx. Arcades Metal slug games 1 2 3 4 5 kof etc.
- Nesoid 2.5 Total weight 2.5MB Approx. Nintendo games.
- SNesoid 2.2.4 Total weight 2.44MB Approx. Super Nintendo games.
Light games:
- Glow Hockey 1.2.19 Total weight 15.80MB.
- OpenTyrian 2.1.25 total weight 9.48MB.
Raging Thunder 2 1.0.16 Total weight 31.06MB <- this will install part of your system on your external SD card.
And with all that I still have 74 MB Free Hahahaha, please keep in mind that the apps that I mention are apps that I downloaded, installed and tested myself for months and it has not given me any problem, if you know apps that consume less memory and are efficient I invite you to publish and use them, I am aware that many of the apps that I mention have updates nowadays but they weigh more and are not compatible for Android 4.0.4.
If you choose to use these apps then at the end of the process of purging and installing everything, if you uninstall Link2SD and TitaniumBackup you should have 88 - 92MB Free, I hope this answer is useful for those who want to use their SK17 with stock Rom today in In the middle of 2021, forget to mention that I can surf quietly, listen to music and watch my networks quietly on the street using the 3G cellular data signal, I also recommend that you purge cache of the applications every so often if in case you feel that you can free up more space, well I do not extend more I hope it is useful luck !.

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Forget to mention something, it is still possible to use google maps, the stock application that comes with 4.0.4 is used very well and gives you the exact location of where you are, obviously you must enable the location and gps in the settings, also if You have installed and done everything I put above, no application will be dependent on Google play services or Market, good luck!