In recent years, the custom ROM community has continued to support older devices, breathing new life into hardware that manufacturers have long since abandoned. This guide will walk you through the process of installing CyanogenMod 13, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, on your Sony Xperia Arc or Arc S (codenamed "anzu").

Note: While CyanogenMod is no longer actively developed, this ROM remains a viable option for users looking to extend the life of their Xperia Arc or Arc S. For the most up-to-date custom ROM options, consider exploring LineageOS, which is the spiritual successor to CyanogenMod.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have:

  1. A Sony Xperia Arc (LT15i) or Arc S (LT18i)
  2. A fast microSD card (Class 10 or higher recommended)
  3. A Windows PC
  4. USB debugging enabled on your device

Downloads

  1. CyanogenMod 13.0 for Arc and Arc S
  2. Google Apps (GApps) package
  3. ADB/Fastboot package
  4. MiniTool Partition Wizard

Note: LT15i (Arc) users need to flash the LT18i (Arc S) FTF flash file (ICS 4.1.B.0.587) before proceeding.

Installation Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your SD Card

  1. Connect your microSD card to your PC.
  2. Install and launch MiniTool Partition Wizard.
  3. Select your microSD card and click "Delete" to remove existing partitions.
  4. Click "Create" and set up the new partition:
    • Create As: Primary
    • File System: Unformatted
  5. Click "OK" and then "Apply" to format the card.

Step 2: Set Up the ROM Files

  1. Extract the ADB/Fastboot package to your desktop.
  2. Extract boot.img from the CM13 ROM package and place it in the ADB folder.
  3. Rename the CM13 package to update.zip.
  4. Rename the GApps package to gapps.zip.
  5. Copy both update.zip and gapps.zip to the ADB folder.

Step 3: Flash CyanogenMod 13

  1. Power off your device and boot into fastboot mode (hold the menu button while connecting the USB cable).
  2. Open a command prompt in the ADB folder and run:
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot reboot
  1. As the device reboots, press the Volume Down button to enter recovery mode.
  2. In recovery, perform these actions:
  • Factory reset > Full factory reset
  • Wipe cache
  • Advanced > Wipe system partition
  1. Select "Apply Update > Apply from ADB".
  2. Connect your device to the PC and run:
adb sideload update.zip
adb sideload gapps.zip
  1. Once complete, reboot your device.

Known Issues

  • Bluetooth functionality may be unstable, occasionally failing to enable.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you've successfully installed CyanogenMod 13 on your Sony Xperia Arc or Arc S, giving your device a modern Android experience. Remember that custom ROMs may have limitations, and it's always a good idea to keep your important data backed up.

For the latest custom ROM developments and alternatives, consider exploring the XDA Developers forums, where you'll find a wealth of information and support from the Android modding community.

CyanogenMod 13 on Xperia Arc S

Happy flashing, and enjoy your revitalized Xperia device!