We were inspired to write this manual by the beginning of the regional update of Xperia Z3 and Z2 devices to new version Lollipop systems. While some are already enjoying the new firmware, others are waiting for it in their region, and sometimes for a very long time. Therefore, it was decided to write this detailed manual on how to flash Sony Xperia using two programs XperiFirm and Flashtool. The firmware process is not at all complicated and the instructions are suitable for all models of Sony Xperia smartphones and tablets. It can be used both to install new firmware, and to roll back to more old version, which is also often needed.
How to flash a Sony Xperia smartphone - step-by-step instruction on the example of firmware Xperia Z2 to Android Lollipop
Before you start, you need to remember - everything that you will do is done solely at your start and risk! The site administration is not responsible for all the actions you have done - this should be understood. Read the instructions from letter to letter and delve into the whole process, be careful. For firmware, there is no need to unlock the bootloader, no need to have root. Also, replacing the firmware in this way does not affect the warranty - warranty service is not lost. Before starting, we recommend creating backup your system.
Preparation process
- Initially necessary: go to Settings - Developer options and check the box next to the desired item.
- Go to Settings - Security and check the box next to "Unknown sources".
- All drivers for your smartphone model must be installed on your smartphone. The best way install all drivers - install the PC Companion program. You can also initially install the FlashTool program and find the most latest drivers in the “C:\Flashtool\Drivers” folder, from where to install them.
Getting firmware with XperiFirm(if you have already downloaded the FTF file of the firmware, you can go directly to step . If not, then follow the instructions below.)
This is just a super application, the developers of which we strongly shake hands with.
The process of creating firmware using Flashtool
- First of all, download the FlashTool program and install it - Link
- To run the program, go to the PC installation folder, which is located in “C:\Flashtool” and run the executable file FlashTool.exe. If the program gives an error, then it may be necessary to clear the contents of the “C:\Flashtool\firmwares” folder.
- After starting the program, open the tab Tools - Bundles - Create
- In the window that opens, click on the button with three dots in the “Select source folder” item and select the folder with the previously downloaded firmware.
- After that, in the window you will see that all the firmware files are loaded into the “folder list”. Tap twice on the hidden field “Devices” to select your smartphone or tablet model.
- Enter in the "Branding" and "Version" fields the values that you need to remember when downloading the firmware.
- Highlight all the files in the “folder list” box and click on the right arrow button to move all files to the “Firmware content” box and click the “Create” button.
- After that, the process of creating an FTF firmware file will begin, which will end with the corresponding inscription. The firmware files will be created and moved to the folder “C:\Users\YOUR_PC_NAME\.flashTool\firmwares\” (the path will be specified in the creation window).
Process Sony firmware Xperia using FlashTool
This guide will help you update your device or return to previous version software.
First steps
1. Make sure your Sony Xperia smartphone is fully charged (preferably).
2. Make sure you are using the USB cable from the box (proprietary).
3. Download and install Flashtool:
After installing the program, a shortcut should appear on the desktop. If this does not happen, look for Flashtool in the root directory of your computer - this is usually C:/flashtool
4. Install the drivers from the Flashtool folder - C: / Flashtool / drivers / flashtool-drivers.exe
If you have problems installing drivers for Windows 10, 8.1 or 8- follow.
5. Download firmware for your Sony smartphone Xperia format .ftf(firmware can be found on the Internet or on the w3bsit3-dns.com website) and put in a folder C:/Flashtool/firmwares/
Starting from version Flashtool 0.9.18.5 the firmware file must be placed in a folder
C:/Users/Username/.flashtool/firmwares/
Firmware process
1. Launch Flashtool.
2. After launching the program, click on the lightning icon. In the window that appears, select and click on OK
3. In the left part of the window, select the firmware. In step wipe tick the boxes "DATA", "CACHE" and APPSLOG. Click Flash
4. In a new window you will see a graphical instruction of your actions: turn off the phone and hold down the volume button WAY DOWN, to plug USB cable to the computer. The firmware process will follow.
5. We are waiting for a message about a successful firmware " Flash finished«.
6. We disconnect the smartphone from the computer. After the firmware, the first switching on of the smartphone will last about 2-3 minutes. Don't panic and wait for the OS to load.
Attention!
All your personal data - music, photos and videos located on internal memory smartphone will be deleted, including call log, contacts, sms, etc.
Note from an anonymous guest - In addition to the article
I would like to report on my work. Patient - xperia M2 dual (2302), vaccination - official firmware orthodox kit-kat (4.4.4), operating table - win7 x64. The bugs I encountered:
1) when installing drivers from flashtool\drivers, pay attention to the following - first, in the file properties, in compatibility, specify compatibility with Vista and run as administrator;
2) when installing drivers selectively, black magic appears and nichrome does not work, ticked everything - it took off (Windows screams at each driver, they say, counterfeit, choose "install this driver anyway");
3) in flashtool, when you have selected the firmware, check all the checkboxes in the wipe section on the right (they are not by default), do not check them in other places. (if you do not complete this item, you will get an endless download, “will not take off”);
4) in the subject there is the phrase "the first boot takes a very long time." I clarify, if the download takes more than 10 minutes, then something went wrong;
5) if something went wrong, you need to press something sharp (I - a pointed match) the off button, which is next to the SIM card slots (under the lid) and start all over again.
As a result of the operation, I have a wonderful smart with an excellent system, everything shines and plows. With one hand I import contacts with the sim, with the second - I wipe my tears.
Note from Strikeresh - If it gives an error "this bundle is not valid"
So so. Hey guys. 2018 is in the yard, I bought a new Z2) was updated to android 6, but yes, as some said, the sound volume was not enough. Before that, I specifically checked it, on the 4th it’s really much louder and all the rules. And somehow suspiciously ate the battery ...
Decided to roll back, shoveled a bunch of things
I did everything strictly according to the instructions. Stricter nowhere.
Yes, there was an error: - ERROR - root: this bundle is not valid
We ignore her
I didn't succeed the first time. lol
when I connected it to the camputer, Windows started to install some driver, and the program wrote a crash
But I was not afraid, and tried everything again
Earned. Loading bar gone. At 90 percent, it stopped abruptly and did not move. Soul in the heels went nafig) but fortunately after thinking for two or three minutes, everything was successfully completed, and the cherished words about "Flashing finished" appeared in front of me. The phone has just started up, yes, you need to wait while peeking at the beautiful blue waves, this is normal. In the end, everything turned out better than ever.
Do not be afraid to try, and thanks to the owners of the site for everything. Guys, from the bottom of my heart!
Everything you do, you do at your own peril and risk! We are not responsible for your "crooked hands"! If for some reason you messed up your device, only YOU will be to blame!
This manual is primarily intended for owners of Xperia X, Xperia Z5, Xperia XZ and other smartphones who for some reason could not update their devices to Android 7.0 Nougat via PC Companion or over the air. This happens if the purchased device was originally intended for a specific mobile operator. Then you can wait for the update for many months until the operator's service deigns to distribute the update for "their" clients.
Secondly, the instructions will be needed for those people who, for some reason, did not like Android 7.0 Nougat, its design, functionality, or so on. Through FlashTool, you can easily roll back to the old firmware on Android based 6.0.2 Marshmallow.
WARNING!
Engaged in flashing your Xperia smartphone or tablet via FlashTool, remember that the responsibility for all the actions taken lies solely with YOU. Thoroughly understand the issue before you start installing the firmware.
If, as a result of imprudent actions, instead of an updated Xperia device, you get a brick, then you should not blame the site. All responsibility lies entirely with YOU.
When installing the firmware via FlashTool, the warranty is not lost and does not affect the service.
How to flash a Sony Xperia device to a new firmware. A simple step-by-step instruction for installing firmware via FlashTool
First you need to prepare the device:
- Enable USB debugging. Go to Settings> Developer options (if there is no item, then go to the "About phone" section and click several times on the item "Build number"), find the line "USB debugging" and put a tick.
- Go to Settings > Security and activate the "Unknown sources" mode.
- On the Xperia device, all the drivers necessary specifically for your model must be installed. It's best to just install PC Companion on your computer and sync them together.
Where to get Xperia firmware for installation via FlashTool
There are two options:
The first. You can download from a special page on the site, it contains the vast majority of ready-made firmware images for Xperia devices in .ftf format. It is in this form that the firmware is installed via FlashTool.
Full list of Xperia firmware
Second. Download the firmware yourself through the XperiaFirm utility, and then convert the downloaded files into an ftf image for subsequent flashing.
Getting Firmware via XperiFirm
This is just a super application, the developers of which we strongly shake hands with.
- Download Latest version of XperiFirm at Xda Developers.
- The program does not require installation, it opens as a self-extracting package. After launch, the main menu appears, on the left side you can see a list of Sony models Xperia devices (1). At the top, click on the "Check All" button so that the application detects latest versions firmware for various countries, including carriers. Click on the “Latest Release” column (2) and you will see the latest firmware at the top of the list. Select the firmware of interest in the Operator column, for example, Customized_RU or Customized_UA (these will be unlocked versions of firmware for the regions of Russia and Ukraine). Take operator firmware it makes no sense, updates come to them with a big delay or do not come at all. After selecting the required assembly by clicking on it, you will see the suggested assembly versions in the rightmost column (3), click on the one you need.
- After that, a window will appear, in it click on the “Download” button (after checking the box “Unpack automatically”).
- Next, choose a folder to upload files.
- After that, the download of all firmware files will begin. At the end of the process, a special notification window will appear. Write down the values of the "Market" and "Release" lines that were displayed when the firmware was loaded, this data will then be used when generating the firmware files in the .ftf image.
- Then go to the folder that was selected for download and check if it contains required files. Example: screenshot below.
Create FTF image of Xperia firmware using FlashTool
- You need to download and install Flashtool (0.9.23.0) (follow the link).
- After installation, run the program. To do this, go to its installation folder in "C:\Flashtool" and click on the FlashTool.exe file. If an error pops up, then clear the contents of the "C:\Flashtool\firmwares" folder.
- With FlashTool open, go to the Tools > Bundles > Create tab, as shown in the screenshot.
- In the new window, click on the small button with 3 dots in the "Select source folder" line and select the folder with the previously downloaded firmware.
- You will see that all files are uploaded in the "folder list" field. Next, double-click on the hidden line "Devices" and select your Xperia model devices.
- In the "Branding" and "Version" lines, insert the values \u200b\u200bthat you needed to remember earlier when downloading the firmware.
- Select ALL files (do not forget to check) in the "folder list" field and click on the right arrow button. This will transfer all files to the "Firmware content" field. Next, click the "Create" button and the process of compiling the firmware will begin.
- After the procedure for creating the FTF firmware image is completed, a special inscription will appear (see the screenshot). The finished firmware in .ftf format should appear in the folder "C:\Users\Nickname_of_your_computer\.flashTool\firmwares\".
Installing firmware on Xperia devices using FlashTool
So, you already have a ready-made firmware in FTF format, which you downloaded in finished form or created yourself. It remains only to install it on your Xperia device.