Update Sony Xperia Z1 To AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow Custom ROM

A few days ago Sony announced the devices that will be getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Unfortunately, the update journey of Sony Xperia Z1 comes to an end now. Sony won’t be updating this device to Android 6.0, Xperia Z1 will stick to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop now. This might be a sad news for Xperia freaks, but updating the Z1 to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is something that we should appreciate Sony for. Sony might forget the software updates for Z1, but the developers working on XDA will never let this device’s life come to an end. Sony released the AOSP Android M 6.0 software binaries, which means the developers have some stuff around to play with now. XDA junior member Ev3rtH brought us the AOSP based Android 6.0 Marshmallow for our beloved Xperia Z1.

As of now the ROM is in very early stages. The WIP build is meant to be for pure Android power users. Some features like Camera, NFC, GPS are not working in this build, these features will be fixed in the next builds. In a while we will be showing you how you can install this AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow on your Xperia Z1. Before we proceed, you must keep in mind that this build is not meant to be for everyday use and is not a daily driver at all. You should only flash it if you have an idea of how to deal with Android custom ROMs and also have a great idea about Android flashing. Let’s go through some precautions and then flash Android 6.0 Marshmallow AOSP custom ROM on our beloved Xperia Z1.

Early Preparations:

• This guide is intended for Sony Xperia Z1 C6902, C6903 & C6906 only. Do not try this on any other device.
• Charge your phone’s battery up to 50% to avoid any power issues during the flashing process.
• Download and install Minimal ADB & Fastboot drivers on your computer. You can also our guide to install ADB & Fastboot drivers on Mac OS X.
• Your Xperia Z1’s bootloader must be unlocked. Learn here to unlock bootloader of Xperia smartphones.
• Install CWM or TWRP recovery on your Xperia Z1 using this guide.
• Create a Nandroid backup of your current system. Also backup your important contacts, call logs and text messages. This is important in case you’ve to wipe your phone, you will still have access to all of your data.
• Enable USB debugging mode on your Xperia Z1.

Required Downloads

• Download Android 6.0 Marshmallow AOSP files for Xperia Z1
• Download Google GApps.zip file for Android 6.0 Marshmallow (For Xperia Z1 only)
• Download SuperSu.zip file

How To Install AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow Custom ROM On Xperia Z1

Step#1: Now go to your Windows drive (i.e. C drive) > Program files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.

Step#2: Copy all the ROM files (boot.img, cache.img, system.img etc) to this Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.

Step#3: Now connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode. To do so, turn off your Xperia Z1 completely. Now press and hold Volume Up and plug the data cable in. Your phone will be connected to your PC in fastboot mode.

Step#4: Now open the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder from Program files and open “Py_cmd.exe” file.

Step#5: Now in the command window, issue the following commands one by one.

fastboot devices

This will verify the connection of your device in fastboot mode.

fastboot flash boot boot.img

This will flash the boot into your device in order to make the Marshmallow firmware boot up.

fastboot flash cache cache.img

This will flash the cache partition on your device.

fastboot flash system system.img

This will flash the AOSP Android Marshmallow system.

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

This will flash the userdata of the target ROM.

Step#6: Once all of the above steps are done, reboot your phone.

How To Install Google GApps

1. Copy the downlaoded GApps.zip file to your Xperia Z1.
2. Now boot into TWRP or CWM recovery on your Xperia Z1. To do so, turn off your phone completely. Now turn it on and as soon as you see the boot screen press Volume Up or Down key to boot into TWRP or CWM.
3. Now depending on your recovery, select the install zip option  and locate the GApps.zip file. Flash the file and reboot.
4. You’re all done and you’ve installed GApps as well.

How To Root AOSP Android Marshmallow on your Xperia Z1

1. Copy the downlaoded SuperSu.zip file to your Xperia Z1.
2. Now boot into TWRP or CWM recovery on your Xperia Z1. To do so, turn off your phone completely. Now turn it on and as soon as you see the boot screen press Volume Up or Down key to boot into TWRP or CWM.
3. Now depending on your recovery, select the install zip option  and locate the SuperSu.zip file. Flash the file and reboot.
4. You’re all done and you’ve rooted your Xperia Z1 running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

That’s all. In case you’re stuck with something, feel free to reach us out through the comment box below. Thanks all.